http://www.caranddriver.com/previews...o-concept.html

Csaba Csere, editor-in-chief, interviews Tom Peters, Camaro design director, during a day of driving this hot concept at GM's proving grounds.
BY TONY QUIROGA
June 2006


Five months have passed since the Camaro concept made its debut. GM has paid attention to the industry’s reaction and given the journalist community its first drive of this hot coupe. Have you been wondering what inspired the comeback, or when it might be put into production? If you have, then click on our video icon above to see that and more.

Some of the most important and captivating debuts of the Los Angeles and Detroit auto shows came from beleaguered automaker General Motors. Chevrolet's Camaro, GM's long-awaited response to the successful 2005 Ford Mustang, arrived at the Detroit show in concept form. Officially, the Camaro is only a design exercise to gauge public reaction, but we believe this pony car is on the fast track to production.

After the Camaro went out of production in 2002, Chevy faithful immediately began creating rumors of its eventual return. Just as the success of the original Mustang spawned a cadre of pony-car imitators, sales of the retro-styled Mustang have generated quite a bit of interest in the segment. Detroit was host to two Mustang competitors, the Dodge Challenger and the Camaro.

Unlike the modern Camaro that bowed out in 2002, the concept Camaro is a car that is clearly inspired by the Camaros of the late 1960s. But the retro look is only skin-deep, as the Camaro has a fully independent suspension, a six-speed manual, and a 400-hp, 6.0-liter V-8 with cylinder deactivation-now known as active fuel management in GM-speak. Speculation about a possible platform centers on GM's rear-drive Zeta architecture that was shelved last year after being deemed too expensive.

 

This thing is so sweet. I feel like it has to be very close to the concept to be a success though.

 

tha will be sweet. and i read that dodge gave the green light for challenger production. i hope what i read is true.

Living in the US for 10 yrs now, i have grown alot of respect to the 60-70 Us cars. I think this time perid of cars truly rocked

 

everyone is always saying [insert manufacturer here] stole the rx8 rims! i think that gm for this concept, went to a mazda dealership, and bought 4 rx8 wheels.

 

This style mag wheel is very popular. Just because the Rx-8 has them doesn't mean Mazda has exclusive rights to it. I highly doubt the Rx-8 was even a vague thought in the back of anyone's mind when this concept was designed.

Chevy's SS concept car used this style wheel (early 2003).

The Rx-evolve did not.

On a more relevant note. I will buy this car when it is available. It doesn't even have to be identical to the concept. Just keep the independent suspension and power train intact, and give me some of the interior acoutrements from the concept.

They would be better off getting it out for the '08 MY in my opinion, but it'll be a huge hit either way.

 

If it has a better seating position than previous Camaros, keeps the IRS and powerplant... I just might be in for this one. Although I do have to note that styling is important... that is the biggest drawback to the GTO for me... if all things were the same, but it looked like this Camaro... I'd easily be all over the GTO (and GM would have had a hard time meeting demand for the car).

 

I have a question. Didn't GM shelve Zeta b/c it was too expensive? If so, I hope the Camaro isn't based on that platform.

 

yes, they did, and i believe that the video said that it would possibly be based on that platform.

 

the concept was actually based on a "STS" that was highly modified. Not sure what platform the realc ar will be built on but it will be very similar to the ones coming out of Holden

 

Half of the new sports cars bought in the US today are retro Mustangs.

GM finally decides to respond 3 years later. Brilliant.

 

That is one ugly car. Be interesting to see how well a 400 hp V8, even with "active fuel management" does in 2009+.

 

Right about the time alot of those people will be trading their Mustangs...maybe more brilliant than you give them credit for .

 

I think you are the one person out of a hundred that would say that.

 

I love it. If the production model holds somewhat true it's volumes better looking than the Stang and Challenger, and it will certainly have the better engine.

 

I doubt the 6.0L 400HP V8 will be the base model 8 cyclinder though unless the competition forces that hand.

Obviously it'll look different (example: concept Stang) but hopefully not quite as much.

 

gorgeous... that thing'll sell like a sumbitch.

 

With the new look of the Mustang and Camaro I worry about what our mullet-sporting friends will do. I won't go as far to say the new designs are classy, but definately more refined. What will be the new Rustang?

 

I'll take mine in black please.....
This will make a lovely addition next to the 8 and my Titan.

 

^you all know I love this car, I love it's rear end...very tough.

I recently heard it might weigh as much as a Mustang GT (which is a disapointment) but if the interior space is better used and the rear seats are respectable I might just HAVE TO get one of these when the time comes.

I got to get my Chevy V8 fix before it's too late....

 

That car is hideous, but you guys liked the new sti nose too, so I guess im just wierd like that.
Please don't hate me, cause i love the Rx-8.

 

i really do think the nose on this car is ugly. but rest of the car looks beautful.

 

We all have our different "tastes" hence the reason we see so many married "repulsive" looking men and women walking the streets. BUT, in my opinion, this car is gorgeous, sexy, and as much eye candy as my eyes can stomache.

GM, produce this car, as I have already signed my check.

(oooh, and thin of the aftermarket goodies. )

 

I know. You'd already have 10 times the options you have w/the 8 given they'll be using an engine (or something very close) that already has huge aftermarket support.

 

^AMEN to that, bolt on something and find 50-100 HP WITHOUT FI.

Besides the radio, the 8's aftermarket aint part of it's selling points. Personally, I'd like to keep my 8 and get the new Camaro also but who knows, I just might go the 5psi/Scott Turbo way and keep the 8 for keeps.

 

GM sucks!!!!




j.k.