King for a Day: Hertz Bringing in Custom Camaro Models to Thrash

If you’re a frequent car renter, odds are good that you’re not enthralled with the experience. That goes double if you aren’t putting payments on a corporate account because you’re weighing the price against what you actually need. Most of the time this leaves you ping-ponging between a dirt-cheap “compact” that’s technically a subcompact and a slightly larger “midsize” that costs an extra twelve dollars per day.

It doesn’t have to be this way. There are countless ways to trick rental agencies into giving you a free upgrade and plenty of programs that reward repeat customers for their loyalty, but you can also bite the bullet and simply splurge for a vehicle you might actually want to drive. Most companies have special divisions offering exotic, performance, and premium luxury models. But only Hertz will let you rent a specially designed, 750-horsepower Chevrolet Camaro.

Having already furnished black-and-yellow Corvettes for public use, Hertz has allied itself with Hendrick Motorsports to provide 224 customized Camaros under similar circumstances. With those old, likely heavily thrashed ‘Vettes entering the secondhand market as high-priced “collector items,” the timing couldn’t be better. Hertz needs fresh automotive meat that’s ready to take repeated poundings from customers.

“We have a tremendous partnership with Hertz,” Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick said in a statement. “Cars are my passion, so seeing this program come together is especially exciting for me. We’ve never undertaken a project like this in the history of our team. These custom Camaros are going to be a huge hit with car enthusiasts and customers who are looking for a special experience. Hertz has truly taken this to the next level.”

While the 224 specially designed Chevrolets will be eligible for rental in major U.S. cities/airports by mid-October, not all of them will boast 750 horsepower. Equipped with a 480-hp, 6.2-liter V8 engine, the 2020 Hertz-Hendrick Motorsports Camaro SS will account for most of the extra-special Chevy vehicles on offer. These come with specially-made 20-inch satin black wheels, Performance Upgrade Package (including GM’s Cat-back Dual Exhaust Upgrade), strut tower bar with Hendrick Motorsports branding, illuminated Hertz door sill plates, embroidered headrests with the No. 24 team logo and Hendrick Motorsports driver William Byron’s signature, Hertz fender badges, and a plaque denoting which of the 200 custom Camaros you happen to be riding in.

The 2020 Hertz-Hendrick Motorsports Camaro ZL1 will be more difficult to come by. The company only plans on offering 24 examples, all equipped with a 6.2-liter V8 engine capable of 750 horsepower — thanks to its Callaway supercharger. It receives all the same visual flare the SS does, just with the mandatory ZL1 touches and its own unique number plaque.

While you can still score something from Hertz’s Adrenaline Collection via an upgrade, be it carefully orchestrated or by happenstance, those specially made Chevys probably won’t be included. If you want 750 horsepower, even for 24 hours, you’ll have to pay for it (pricing is TBD, though we estimate less than the Corvette’s $199-per-day rate). Fortunately, Hertz is offering an “Ultimate Ride Sweepstakes” that runs through November 15th. The winner gets a 2020 Hertz-Hendrick Motorsports Camaro SS of their own, with five finalists winning an exclusive package that includes a driving experience at Charlotte Motor Speedway and free passes to the NASCAR Hall of Fame. According to the press release, Byron will be on hand to give track tips.

[Images: Hertz]