R&T on the 2007 Camaro

[SS#1531]

I don't know if this was posted on the site before it crashed, but here's what Road & Track magazine has to say about the 2007 Camaro.


The Mustang's success is fueling rumors that Chevy can't stand idly by while Ford reaps the rewards of owning an entire segment, that of the American pony car. Since the Camaro's demise two years ago, there had been speculation that Chevrolet was working on a new one, though that talk was more wishful thinking than anything else.

A new Camaro is a bit more problematic than just designing a new car and putting it into the market. One of the promises made by GM to the Canadian Auto Workers when it shuttered its Ste. Therese assembly plant that built the Camaro and Firebird was that if there would be a new one, it would be built in Canada.

Right now, the only cars built in Canada by GM are front-drive models at the Oshawa assembly plant outside Toronto. Thus, finding a suitable rear-drive platform for a new Camaro and putting it into prodction at Oshawa is a daunting task, especially as plans for the new rear-drive Zeta platform have been put on hold while GM figures out a lower-cost alternative.

One such scenario has a live rear-axle variant of Cadillac's Sigma (a so-called Sigma-Lite) that could be used to underpin the new Camaro, as well as rear-drive versions of the Impala and Monte Carlo. The benefits would be many--Chevy would have a credible rear-drive sedan for the police market, the Monte Carlo would return to rear drive, making it much closer in spirit to the cars being raced in NASCAR, and there would be an opportunity to re-enter the pony-car market with an all-new Canadian-built Camaro.

The new car would hae some heritage styling cues, but a shape more modern than the retro Mustang. The corporate parts bin has a wide rang of engines available with a base V-6 offering somewhere in the neighborhood of 240-bhp (either the 3.9-liter ohv unit used by Chevy and Pontiac or the high feature 3.6-liter overhead-cam motor found in Cadillacs and Buicks). The V-8 choices include a 300-bhp 5.3-liter and possibly the 400-bhp LS2 V-8 found in the GTO for a Camaro SS model.

If all the pieces fall into place, the plan calls for a Camaro concept to be shown at a major auto show, with the production version ready to go in less than a year. Insiders say top management is unhappy with the way the Solstice launch is playing out, with momentum being lost over the 20 months or so that it is taking to move the car from concept to showroom. Best-case scenario would have a 2006 unveiling of the concept with a 2007 launch of the Camaro, which would be the 40th anniversary of the original.



Personally I don't see a new Camaro coming out for sale until the 2008 model year, and I'm not banking on a new Camaro at all until I hear something firm from GM. But it's encouraging that the rumors are still flying, even in the mags.

[91Z28]

The LS2 better be standard dammit. The 5.3 with 300 hp isn't a piece of shit, but they can't have 4th gens blowing away 5th gens when they come out.

[SS#1531]

Yeah I would like to see the Z28 with a little more HP than 300. We don't want stock 4th gens to be faster than stock 5th gens. I do like the idea of there being a real HP difference between the Z28 and the SS though. What would be nice is if by the time it comes out, (if it does) that the base Corvette is putting out about 425hp, then the Z28 can have about 350hp, and the SS 400hp. Even more would be better, but I'm being realistic. Oh and I'd love it if the M6's had a 3.73 or even 4.10 option.

[sscamaro]

For all Camaro nuts. Go to the Detroit Auto Show in January. There will be something there that you will like.

[Hurley711]

I'd like the 5th gen. to have less hp then my 4th. This way I can laugh when we get to the next red light and he pulls up after me :naughtywa

[Hurley711]

:haha: :haha: :haha: :haha: :haha: :haha: :haha: :haha: :haha: :haha:

[Hamster Dance]

For all Camaro nuts. Go to the Detroit Auto Show in January. There will be something there that you will like.
Could you elaborate please? :hmm:

[TONY]

The Rumor Is That They Scraped The Project

[LIGHTS_OUT]

I hope GM makes the Camaro the way these pics look

[2000SS]

Haha. That looks pretty wild. Sort of retro, but definitely modern as well.

[graphicsgod]

I hope GM makes the Camaro the way these pics look

I like the sides, but the front and back look too much like a stang and have to go! I'm in the process of photoshopping/photochopping (ed. is that even a word lol) those images to look more "camaro" like. Technicaly, I just slapped a camaro front and back onto it, but it still looks better IMHO ;). I'm still playing with the images, I'll try to post what I would like to see from GM later.

Rob

[Jagged]

Could you elaborate please? :hmm:
Go check edmunds.com


There will be a Camaro Concept at the 2006 NAIAS

[GTSQ]

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=106732

06 for the concept

09 would be the first model year.

[WickedBird]

The rims on the concepts of the Camaro are the EXACT same thing as mine, ROH RT's.

[graphicsgod]

The rims on the concepts of the Camaro are the EXACT same thing as mine, ROH RT's.

Any pics, wickedbird?

Rob

[luckyou03]

I dont think it's coming back anytime soon. I think it'll be like the charger, centuries later... it's back and retroed to the max with 4 doors. I'd rather it stay gone then come out with a little motor with 4 doors.

[99z28landon]

For all Camaro nuts. Go to the Detroit Auto Show in January. There will be something there that you will like.
:usa:

All I can say is, listen to him!!!!!!!!!!


Believe me!!! C A M A R O people will love what is there..........
:hitit:

[GatorSS]

Too retro IMHO and too much like the new crustang with its less aerodynamic nose.

[WickedBird]

http://img201.exs.cx/img201/7711/11414638ek.jpg
http://img219.exs.cx/img219/7365/11414662zm.jpg

[In_style]

I would trade my 1st and second born to see that car be produced with 400+ hp. The photoshopped pics look killer. But in reality it would be built with a higher stance. Oh well, that car rocks.

[eddierox]

I hear it will utilize an ion pulsing motor. :lmao:

[BIG D's SS]

From what they are saying they will never be another Pontiac and that they have to get Canadians permission to use the Camaro name. They went out on bad terms when they closed the plant in Canada where they were built.

[snaggeltooth]

They may scrap the project. But, when GM sees how well those new/retro Mustangs are selling they will think twice > I already see them everywhere. Maybe we could have like a RS with a LS! and a SS or Z28 with the LS2

[SS#1531]

I don't think we will see anything with an LS1 anymore, the LS2 has completely replaced that. Also I read that Dodge is bringing back the Charger for 2010. GM better come up with something.

[02-35th-ss]

I don't think we will see anything with an LS1 anymore, the LS2 has completely replaced that. Also I read that Dodge is bringing back the Charger for 2010. GM better come up with something.
dodge is already selling the charger

[02-35th-ss]

From what they are saying they will never be another Pontiac and that they have to get Canadians permission to use the Camaro name. They went out on bad terms when they closed the plant in Canada where they were built.
how was it bad terms the lease the canadian govt gave the plant to stay running ran out in 02 chevy had nothing to do with the direct closing of the plant. They could of sunk millions in the canadian plant but thats not financialy a good idea. Cut off the severd hand to save the arm

[snaggeltooth]

Well, I just hope if they do something it does better than the GTO has so far.

[BIG D's SS]

It's like anything else you close a plant and people lose jobs and the economy sucks. Same way here. The Canadians still have a right to the Camaro name and if they don't release it then there won't be a Camaro again. The car you need to check out is the new concept Cuda. That thing is Bad Ass!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[snaggeltooth]

Yes ! It does look very cool now. But if you see all the "concept" photos of the Charger and now see what the real thing is. Concepts always have real good and noticeable lines , the real thing is always alot more rounded. I just hope of any of these concepts they live up to the tradition of the original.

[Eric @ DMS]

You'll typically find cool looking concepts for all those cars, only to see the production model looking nothing like it.

Regardless of how many Hp the new Camaro comes out with...we'll make it faster! No doubt about that ;)

[ls1freak]

man it would be hot if they brought back the gremlin!!!!!!!! :hitit:

[GatorSS]

...and the Pacer, too!

[huggerz28]

chevy can do whatever it wants with the camaro its a trademarked gm name :usa:

[snaggeltooth]

You make a good point bout faster. I mean how fast do you think they can make a regular production car. I read that Dodge was not getting the responce to the Charger liked they had hoped , so they will be pushing the SRT8 Charger with a 6.i hemi. Like putting out a more exspensive car will make sales go up. I hope that Chevy can do the same thing with the Camaro like ford does with the mustang as far as come out with one that is in the low $20,000 range and maybe the SS in the uper to low $30,000 range. Or we will be sitting on another GTO, but Camaros always sell very good

[ZedTwoEight]

I hope Chevy doesn't try to beat Chrysler at the h.p. game...let them have their big dumb honkin' hemis. I'd like a new Camaro with the same 0-60 performance as my '99 Z28, but updated--more agile, lighter, more efficient, and drop-dead gorgeous.

[Qwk94Z28]

whats a m6?

[Spartan_Angel]

whats a m6?

The type of transmission:
M6 = Manual 6 speed
A4 = Automatic 4 speed

[snaggeltooth]

I agree. I would like the new Camaro to loose some of that windshiel angel. And bring bak the old upsidedown u shifter.

[tellez]

All those pictures of chopped up 69 Camaros are a joke! Or cartoon looking cars out of a 'Who framed Roger Rabbit' movie...they are not even close.

What I saw last summer at a consumer study I attended last year in SoCal was a high stance Camaro with a giant grill. it have several hints from a 70-73 grill. The hood had the grills that the 67-69 Camaros had, but deep and rounded in. once on each side of the top of the hood. the doors didnt seem as long as the last camaros. the rear window was not as huge as to not look like a Pacer.
There was two options on paper. one had a V6 and about 250 horses and the V8 was a 5.3L 350 hp. then i was asked to respond to a series of questions about what the SS badge should represent. The car looked similar to a picture i have seen circulating of a car that was releases in the land down under. The inside of the car seem to have a large rear seat. Large wide fog lights too.
Wish i knew someone with good photoshop skills.
I also saw some other cars that look very GM to me. a 69 looking grill from a pontiac on a newer car as well as a 70-73 t/a looking car. Very exciting.

[graphicsgod]

Draw a rough sketch on paper and scan it in. I'll see what I can do ;).

Rob

[GatorSS]

If they do all that retro crap, I sure won't buy one, I'll just stick with the cars I have now. C'mon, aren't those retro Mustanks ugly, not to mention much less aerodynamic? Should GM go backwards to copy Ford?

[graphicsgod]

If they do all that retro crap, I sure won't buy one, I'll just stick with the cars I have now. C'mon, aren't those retro Mustanks ugly, not to mention much less aerodynamic? Should GM go backwards to copy Ford?

I think retro done right is ok, but if turned to the dark side :D , can be a very very ugly thing.

I however disagree with you on the new Ford. I do like what they did with the new Mustang. To me it looks much better than where the car was heading. More streamlined and less bulky, and of course more like the classic. Now I will agree that a Camaro will (IMHO) never look good retro. I've seen the mock ups and it doesn't work for me. Same thing goes for the Corvett (ie. you can't go backwards and have it still be cool). They should keep on going with the style of the last generation and improve upon it. Go foward not backward. As long as Chevy doesn't screw it up like Dodge did with the (god awful) Charger :cry: or go retro like Ford,... we should be ok :D.

Thats my $0.02, and I'm sticking to it!

Rob

[graphicsgod]

man it would be hot if they brought back the gremlin!!!!!!!! :hitit:

:hitit:

Oh yeah baby :D!!

Rob

[TwistedSS]

Would like to see the new SS with the LS7 option...427 small block.. :yup:

[GatorSS]

Would like to see the new SS with the LS7 option...427 small block.. :yup:
:yup: I would go for an SS with that kind of option, as long as it's not copy cat retro crap. :Puke:retro

If I want old styles, I'd buy an old one and customize it how I want it. That's more unique and much classier (IMHO).

But, hey, whatever floats one's boat. I just will not buy a retro Camaro.

[7camaro7]

Yeah I would like to see the Z28 with a little more HP than 300. We don't want stock 4th gens to be faster than stock 5th gens. I do like the idea of there being a real HP difference between the Z28 and the SS though. What would be nice is if by the time it comes out, (if it does) that the base Corvette is putting out about 425hp, then the Z28 can have about 350hp, and the SS 400hp. Even more would be better, but I'm being realistic. Oh and I'd love it if the M6's had a 3.73 or even 4.10 option.


I'm a college student and I'm not rich, but I was wondering. When you buy a new car from a dealer ship, is it easy to tell them exactly how you want your car like and they order it for you that way with the options that are available?

I mean like color of paint, leather t-tops, 4.10s, nitrous, supercharged, power antenna, and so on.

I put nitrous in there because I saw a z06 ordered that way once. I SAW IT:yup:

[7camaro7]

What ever happens when I graduate, I'm coming out like Dave Chappelle, "I'm riiiiich bitch!" HAHAHA:haha: I graduate about 2008. I don't want to go above a Vette(Z06) and not below Camaro(SS). I like Ferraris and Lamborghinis, but I'll save to get one of those for when I'm old.

When I get enough I plan to buy my new camaro cash so I won't pay all that finance bs. I'll make it as bad as a ferrari though. To me that's what's cool, taking something pretty nice and blowing it out of proportion even beyond the exotics.

I know you guys have seen some bad vettes that would blow some Ferraris and Lambos doors off. That's what I like. I like making it look good at the same time though.

I guess I like being the underdog and exceeding others' expectations

[snaggeltooth]

Yes , I understand about the retro. Did you ever see the first drawings of the new Charger. It looked very retro, but then they came out with that "thing". I am hopeing they comeout with an american GTO and call it a Chevelle. Now that would be something.

[Honboy1]

I think the retro look is over rated!!!! I think the new Mustang looks like shit and so does this retro Camaro in the pics. That was then and this is now... Get over it!!! I want to see a more modern looking Camaro that will out perform the competition in handling and acceleration.:Popcorn:

[7camaro7]

sorry but I can't help but say that the '05 Gt in black looks bad as hell to me. With all 4 of those giant fog light looking things, it looks pretty mean. It's funny how a black base model version doesn't really appeal to me

[GatorSS]

I think the retro look is over rated!!!! I think the new Mustang looks like shit and so does this retro Camaro in the pics. That was then and this is now... Get over it!!! I want to see a more modern looking Camaro that will out perform the competition in handling and acceleration.:Popcorn:
:yup: the new Mustank is one ugly and stanking thing. I almost :Puke: every time I see one or smell one.

[7camaro7]

you have to say that black GT looks mean in the front, YOU KNOW IT:haha: I still like F-bodies better of course

[graphicsgod]

I like the new mustangs. But the engines suck to the point that a geo can out run them. Damn gas prices are forcing car companies to make smaller and weaker engines to get people to buy new cars and say they get good milage. The new Camaro might fall to this as well.

Rob

[7camaro7]

Musclecars have been a victim of this since the 70's one way or another

[lawdog]

Well GM needs to shit or get off the pot.They are on the verge of bankruptcy and screw the canadians.You can renig on a deal,buisnesses do it all the time.GM needs another rear wheel drive car to market to police departments and a performance car besides the vette to go up against ford and dodge.

[7camaro7]

I know man because the vette isn't even classified as a musclecar. I mean it has the hot rod image but a true muscle car was something with the traditional 4seats(a few acceptions), long hood, short trunk, Lots of power and affordable price for guys between 18-34 or something like that. The only musclecar from GM now is the GTO which I'd rather not have, but it is improving. I mean they're forgetting about us or something. They've forgotten about the people who run the streets with our(most of us) 320+hp and us who love nice smokey burnouts and all that.

[graphicsgod]

GM just doesn't care anymore :(. I read in the paper that they'er going to lay off 30,000 people from all of they'er plants. Because the cars they are making aren't making them any money. I wonder why... ;).

Rob

Corrected the typo ;).

[7camaro7]

Everybody vote me for President of GM and I promise to bring back the Camaro and Firebird.:haha:

[Necction]

GM just doesn't care anymore :(. I read in the paper that they'er going to lay off 300,000 people from all of they'er plants. Because the cars they are making aren't making them any money. I wonder why... ;).

Rob

Well 30,000 people anyway, I know its prolly a typo , but cmon its a difference of 270,000 people :p

[GatorSS]

Say thank you to the UAW.

[graphicsgod]

Well 30,000 people anyway, I know its prolly a typo , but cmon its a difference of 270,000 people :p

LOL, couldn't remeber the exact number. So I just picked one that I thought was closest. Thanks for the correction.

Hey the paper says one thing, it could be another :D. They could lay more people off, eps. if they keep doing nothing.

Rob

[7camaro7]

http://www.autoheadline.com/2005/11/22/camaro-in-2008-is-it-too-late/

This site gives some pretty good info. Check it out

[camaronx]

:hide: the guy was right,(sscamaro)---there wa something to see at the january detroit auto show! and ss camaro told us about in august---he must have an inside line