GM to bring back the Camaro
08-07-2006, 09:50 AM
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GM to bring back the Camaro
From MSNBC
"DETROIT - General Motors Corp. plans to bring back the Chevrolet Camaro as a production vehicle, according to a published report.
GM Chairman and Chief Executive Rick Wagoner is expected to announce the return of the muscle car in a speech Thursday at an automotive conference in Traverse City, the Detroit Free Press reported Sunday.
The production version could be built as early as 2008, the newspaper reported, citing unnamed people familiar with the plans.
GM spokesman Christopher Preuss said Sunday he couldn't comment on the report.
GM had won praise for its Camaro concept, which was unveiled in January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The 2002 model year was the last for the Camaro, which began its run with the 1967 model."
"DETROIT - General Motors Corp. plans to bring back the Chevrolet Camaro as a production vehicle, according to a published report.
GM Chairman and Chief Executive Rick Wagoner is expected to announce the return of the muscle car in a speech Thursday at an automotive conference in Traverse City, the Detroit Free Press reported Sunday.
The production version could be built as early as 2008, the newspaper reported, citing unnamed people familiar with the plans.
GM spokesman Christopher Preuss said Sunday he couldn't comment on the report.
GM had won praise for its Camaro concept, which was unveiled in January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The 2002 model year was the last for the Camaro, which began its run with the 1967 model."
08-07-2006, 10:39 AM
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Shakezula, the Mic Rula
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From Autoweek....
I don't think there was ever any doubt GM would build it.
Looks like base V6, Z28, and SS.
Shortly after the Chevrolet Camaro concept hit the Detroit show floor to rave reviews, there was little doubt GM would eventually build the car. According to a newspaper report, the official announcement is now finally only days away.
The Detroit Free Press has reported that GM CEO Rick Wagoner will announce later this week at a conference in Traverse City, MI, that the Camaro concept will be built.
The Camaro concept is built the company’s Zeta rear-drive platform, which goes into production this summer in Australia.
This platform, with independent suspension all around (technically, the Camaro’s parts came from a Cadillac CTS) and robust parts for large and high-performance cars, was shelved for a while to save costs as GM struggled to bring its bottom line under control, but it is ready to go now.
With hardware in hand, the next phase of making a real-world Camaro happen has to do with finalizing a production design, developing a specification list that will generate the requisite sales numbers, setting up to stamp out body parts from sheetmetal. Vice chairman Bob Lutz says the magic number is 100,000 units, and others say that means a range of affordable pony cars.
The report goes on to say that the car will be built as early as 2008 and that a V6 will join two V8s as the powertrain offerings.
Stay tuned to AutoWeek for the official announcement from GM.
The Detroit Free Press has reported that GM CEO Rick Wagoner will announce later this week at a conference in Traverse City, MI, that the Camaro concept will be built.
The Camaro concept is built the company’s Zeta rear-drive platform, which goes into production this summer in Australia.
This platform, with independent suspension all around (technically, the Camaro’s parts came from a Cadillac CTS) and robust parts for large and high-performance cars, was shelved for a while to save costs as GM struggled to bring its bottom line under control, but it is ready to go now.
With hardware in hand, the next phase of making a real-world Camaro happen has to do with finalizing a production design, developing a specification list that will generate the requisite sales numbers, setting up to stamp out body parts from sheetmetal. Vice chairman Bob Lutz says the magic number is 100,000 units, and others say that means a range of affordable pony cars.
The report goes on to say that the car will be built as early as 2008 and that a V6 will join two V8s as the powertrain offerings.
Stay tuned to AutoWeek for the official announcement from GM.
Looks like base V6, Z28, and SS.
08-07-2006, 10:17 PM
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well two v8's huh? ls2 and ls7 anyone?? (maybe a 400hp rated hp ls2 to compete with the stock mustang gt, obviously a detuned ls7 to keep the vette's happy, but give the gt500 competition.)
edit: a 400hp ls2 would be smart, obviously they didn't argue throwing it into the gto so why lower the hp for the camaro, keep it the same at the c6, the weight of the c6 will keep it firmly ahead.)
edit: a 400hp ls2 would be smart, obviously they didn't argue throwing it into the gto so why lower the hp for the camaro, keep it the same at the c6, the weight of the c6 will keep it firmly ahead.)
Last edited by dillsrotary; 08-07-2006 at 10:21 PM.
08-07-2006, 10:17 PM
#5
Originally Posted by BaronVonBigmeat
Okay if it's a 2008 model that means it will hit showrooms mid/late 2007, which in turn means that I have a full year in which to grow out my mullet. Hell yeah.
i think it is stunning looking car... and i am a die hard ford fan.. paid my way through school working on mustangs and shellbys...
barron, were you not the inovator of the admiral yammamoto???
beers
08-07-2006, 10:24 PM
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The GTO is a pretty heavy car. The 350-hp engine put in the 2004 model wasn't strong enough for it. I didn't test-drive the 400-hp version, but it received good performance reviews.
I don't know how much the Camaro will weigh, but the concept work I've seen (if I remember correctly) makes it look pretty heavy. I agree that a stock Corvette will probably outrun and out-perform a stock Camaro. GM needs a Camaro to compete against the ubiquitous Mustang.
I don't know how much the Camaro will weigh, but the concept work I've seen (if I remember correctly) makes it look pretty heavy. I agree that a stock Corvette will probably outrun and out-perform a stock Camaro. GM needs a Camaro to compete against the ubiquitous Mustang.
08-07-2006, 10:34 PM
#8
Go Texas Longhorns!
prolly the worst kept secret in detroit as the concept gets around more than paris hilton. That said, its the coolest looking car to come out of GM in a long, long long time.
08-07-2006, 10:46 PM
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I just question how smart this is. At a time when mpg is the most scrutinized #, and the sports car market is shrinking, GM spends hundreds of millions of dollars in R&D on this car. It sounds nice, & by all accounts us gear heads will like it, but what is GM thinking ? They killed the Camaro for a reason (poor sales), just not sure why they think all of a sudden there will be this big market for this car.
08-07-2006, 11:07 PM
#10
Go Texas Longhorns!
Originally Posted by Fanman
I just question how smart this is. At a time when mpg is the most scrutinized #, and the sports car market is shrinking, GM spends hundreds of millions of dollars in R&D on this car. It sounds nice, & by all accounts us gear heads will like it, but what is GM thinking ? They killed the Camaro for a reason (poor sales), just not sure why they think all of a sudden there will be this big market for this car.
while normally I would agree with you, I think this car has alot going for it that could help GM.
First off, as far as mileage goes, the majority (its sad I know) will be V6's not V8's, and will likely get GM's new 6spd auto. GM's LS2's get surprising mileage for their size as well, so I bet the economy won't be as bad as you think, especially if the V6 is the new 3.5L they showed off recently with direct injection.
Unlike the old Fbody's this car is built on a shared platform with Holden, which will make it much cheaper to produce, and shares many components with the RWD Caddy cars. There will be so many shared components in this vehicle it will make the solstice seem unique.
The car is also aimed somewhat at the babyboomer generation like the Mustang, who have enough income to not care if gas is $2.50 or $3.00, especially for a car that only runs $19-$25K.
Finally here is a dynamic car to get people into a chevy showroom that they could actually afford to drive.
I admit that there is a risk with this car, but its one GM has to take to get some credibility back in the market.
08-07-2006, 11:11 PM
#11
Bummed, but bring on OU!
Originally Posted by Fanman
I just question how smart this is. At a time when mpg is the most scrutinized #, and the sports car market is shrinking, GM spends hundreds of millions of dollars in R&D on this car. It sounds nice, & by all accounts us gear heads will like it, but what is GM thinking ? They killed the Camaro for a reason (poor sales), just not sure why they think all of a sudden there will be this big market for this car.
The void left by the demise of the last generation F-body is what has driven the DC V8 cars. People had nothing else to go with other than the Mustang or 350Z (poor substitutes imo). I think it'll be a big hit initially. Sustainability will remain to be seen.
08-08-2006, 08:57 AM
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^but I hear, it's still twitching...Per Lutz (re: the GTO)
LOL
Oh yeah, I knew that would make sense…V6 and 2 V8’s…OH YEAH! I’ll take the Z28 and make it more than the SS (that is what I tell myself in my dreams, lol).
Anyway, considering this car will have better fuel economy than the RX8...does the same rule apply, should Mazda stop making the RX8 because of it's poorish fuel economy?
I'm glad they are bringing it back and from what I have read they might hit 30mpg highway (most likely at most 29) which for a 400HP V8 is just amazing. Think of it, they will sell it telling people it get's 24mpg combined fuel economy.
Also, they said it would come in at no more than 3600 pounds "or so", and I hope this is true because I'm so tired of the endless weight gain I see in cars now a days. In MT I just read that the Volks R32 (not here yet) 4 door version (not comming to the US, only 2 door) comes in at 3,500 pounds and for such a small car I can't figure out where the heck all that weight comes from. Is that AWD system so dang heavy?
My hope is that it will not weigh more than the Mustang and IF I ever am able to own one I can nock it down to 3400 at most.
That is one thing I really love about the 8, it's so light and nimble!
Okay if it's a 2008 model that means it will hit showrooms mid/late 2007, which in turn means that I have a full year in which to grow out my mullet. Hell yeah.
The report goes on to say that the car will be built as early as 2008 and that a V6 will join two V8s as the powertrain offerings.
Anyway, considering this car will have better fuel economy than the RX8...does the same rule apply, should Mazda stop making the RX8 because of it's poorish fuel economy?
I'm glad they are bringing it back and from what I have read they might hit 30mpg highway (most likely at most 29) which for a 400HP V8 is just amazing. Think of it, they will sell it telling people it get's 24mpg combined fuel economy.
Also, they said it would come in at no more than 3600 pounds "or so", and I hope this is true because I'm so tired of the endless weight gain I see in cars now a days. In MT I just read that the Volks R32 (not here yet) 4 door version (not comming to the US, only 2 door) comes in at 3,500 pounds and for such a small car I can't figure out where the heck all that weight comes from. Is that AWD system so dang heavy?
My hope is that it will not weigh more than the Mustang and IF I ever am able to own one I can nock it down to 3400 at most.
That is one thing I really love about the 8, it's so light and nimble!
08-08-2006, 10:07 AM
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Shakezula, the Mic Rula
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I'm starting to question whether or not Chevy is going to take a shot at the GT500 with the SS.
I hope not. I want the thing to be affordable.
The Z better not be more expensive than the GT... they'll be shooting themselves in the foot again.
I hope not. I want the thing to be affordable.
The Z better not be more expensive than the GT... they'll be shooting themselves in the foot again.
08-08-2006, 12:07 PM
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I have a feeling the Camaro will only have two engine choices for the first year of production to gauge 'true interest'. Almost anyone who looks at the Camaro will say they 'would' buy one.......but that doesn't mean they are going to. I am not saying that they couldn't sell the Camaro with three engine variations successfully......but I think that would not happen until the second year of production at the very earliest.
Plus, although most companies would not admit this publicly.......GM would make more money from selling the first production run with the less powerful engine to grab all the early adopter Camaro junkies that have to have anything Camaro. Then, next year offer the more powerful version so that the Camaro junkies can trade-in their 1-yr old car (at a loss) and get the latest and greatest Camaro offering.
The simple truth about the auto companies is that they only make money off the initial sale. It benefits them for you to need a new car every year.....not keep the car they already sold you last year.
Plus, although most companies would not admit this publicly.......GM would make more money from selling the first production run with the less powerful engine to grab all the early adopter Camaro junkies that have to have anything Camaro. Then, next year offer the more powerful version so that the Camaro junkies can trade-in their 1-yr old car (at a loss) and get the latest and greatest Camaro offering.
The simple truth about the auto companies is that they only make money off the initial sale. It benefits them for you to need a new car every year.....not keep the car they already sold you last year.
08-08-2006, 02:20 PM
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Originally Posted by BaronVonBigmeat
Okay if it's a 2008 model that means it will hit showrooms mid/late 2007, which in turn means that I have a full year in which to grow out my mullet. Hell yeah.
I would rather by the GTR when it comes no matter how long i have to wait but then again i have never been a fan of muscle cars, i do like them just dont want to have one.
08-08-2006, 07:41 PM
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It's a great looking car and if the can return 30MPG on a V8 with DoD then it will sell pretty well. You really won't see a mass exodus to small cars or turbo diesels until gas is at least $5-$6/gallon.
08-08-2006, 07:58 PM
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The Vette returns highway mileage in the high 20s with the 6.0 so the Camaro ought to be close. I hope GM gets this one right and doesn't go for the 0-60 crowd and makes sure that this thing handles. Hopefully they don't offer a solid rear axle and if so only do so on a base model with an IRS being offered as part of a performance option.
08-08-2006, 08:37 PM
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Originally Posted by lesper4
My .02
I would rather by the GTR when it comes no matter how long i have to wait but then again i have never been a fan of muscle cars, i do like them just dont want to have one.
I would rather by the GTR when it comes no matter how long i have to wait but then again i have never been a fan of muscle cars, i do like them just dont want to have one.
Originally Posted by IRLGuy
The Vette returns highway mileage in the high 20s with the 6.0 so the Camaro ought to be close. I hope GM gets this one right and doesn't go for the 0-60 crowd and makes sure that this thing handles. Hopefully they don't offer a solid rear axle and if so only do so on a base model with an IRS being offered as part of a performance option.
Let's not start this debate again.
08-09-2006, 02:41 AM
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I find it nearly impossible for GM to offer anything higher than an LS2 in the SS version. The only thing I could see them putting in with more power would be an LS6. Even though that is only a 5-10hp gain.
If I were to take a guess, I would say a V6, an LS1, and an LS2 for the SS version. With the SS version they will probably add some better shocks and suspension and brakes. 18in wheels are probably standard on the SS.
If I were to take a guess, I would say a V6, an LS1, and an LS2 for the SS version. With the SS version they will probably add some better shocks and suspension and brakes. 18in wheels are probably standard on the SS.
08-09-2006, 02:43 AM
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Almost forgot: I see so many pictures of the exterior and everyone believes that is how it will look. However, I don't see nearly anything about the interior. I keep seeing stupid looking orange and red interior with a weird stick for a shifter and a lopsided steering wheel. I am more interested on the seats and interior at the moment than the exterior and engine.