New Camaro? Finally?

[Eric91Z]

Well, was surfing around today and found these 2 links with "leaked" pictures of the upcoming new Camaro - if it ever returns. I have been a long time F-Body owner and thought my next toy car would be a Corvette, but this isn't too bad - IMHO. Probably a little more edgy than what will ever hit the streets, but not bad:


http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=419962&page=1&pp=20
http://www.camaroz28.com/

I did not want to post the pictures here as I did not want to "steal" them. But what do you think?

[spiders]

I'd been told when I sold my TA that they would be coming back out in07/08. Dealer said it and showed me some simmilar pic, but wasn't sure he hadn't just made it in photoshop or something.

[jonroe]

There is an article about it in the latest Hemmings Muscle Machines - one of the editorial pieces.

Jon

[QWK SVT]

Overal I'd say that it's only a 6 or 7 out of 10. I see a lot of the new Charger and Mustang, in it. The side mirrors and front end could use a little work... This is not a finished product, so it wouldn't be fair to judge as though it was - I DO think there's a lot of promise. I gether a lot of photos have been pulled, at the request of the General...

Hopefully they build it with enough head / leg room for me :cool:

[jimlam56]

If they build something close to the concept it would be a serious competitor to the Mustang.
But then we're talking GM...
The only company screwier than FLM...

[MarauderMark]

The front is kinda like mitsubishi looking with the 69 retro look.But i really like that hiney:up:totally bad ass..
http://www.cycloneinjapan.com/upload/files/19/20d0831.jpg

[Eric91Z]

I personally like it, but agree there are a couple things I would change. The read through the posts on the LS1Tech website was pretty good. I have not read any of the posts at Camaroz28.com.

But my biggest fear is that the bean counters, lawyers, etc make all the WRONG decisions and kill what could and should be a great come back for the General. They just seem to really miss the mark with way to many vehicles that they try to put out. Get rid of the FWD V8 cars!!! I think Chrysler/Dodge has shown that RWD V8 cars can do just fine. And I have yet to have any serious problems with my Marauder with the winter tires on it (that being a big issue there, would not drive another winter day with the stock BFG's).

Hope GM builds something close to that - with a couple changes - has a quality interior and does not have half the motor under the windshield. Changing plugs and putting headers on my '93 Z28 was NO FUN!!!! :mad2:

[MI2QWK4U]

The front is kinda like mitsubishi looking with the 69 retro look.But i really like that hiney:up:totally bad ass..
http://www.cycloneinjapan.com/upload/files/19/20d0831.jpg


PLUEEEZZZZZ that thing looks like crap. It figures that chevy would realize that killing a classic line was a big mistake, especially after the resounding and amazing popularity of the new Mustang.
Now this is more like it......
http://www.gefracing.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/IMG_2471.jpghttp://www.gefracing.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/IMG_2502.jpg

[Eric91Z]

PLUEEEZZZZZ that thing looks like crap. It figures that chevy would realize that killing a classic line was a big mistake, especially after the resounding and amazing popularity of the new Mustang.
Now this is more like it......
http://www.gefracing.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/IMG_2471.jpghttp://www.gefracing.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/IMG_2502.jpg


Too each their own. I like the Mustang a lot too, but it has never been my bag. I miss my F-Bodies I have owned. We each have our own special cars to us...

I agree GM completely blew it killing off the Camaro and Firebird/Trans Am. And they have done nothing since then to earn my loyality back. I love my Marauder and when we want to buy a truck/SUV it will be either a Ford or Lincoln. FLM and GM are not doing well, but I would rather give my money to Ford now - unless GM finally gets of their butt and comes out with a worthy Camaro again.

[DEFYANT]

I like the Mustang side scoops on the Camaro. I bet they will b deleted from the production version.

[whoskal]

All i have to say is that it looks like fun.:dunno: Not my style though

[MI2QWK4U]

Too each their own. I like the Mustang a lot too, but it has never been my bag. I miss my F-Bodies I have owned. We each have our own special cars to us...

I agree GM completely blew it killing off the Camaro and Firebird/Trans Am. And they have done nothing since then to earn my loyality back. I love my Marauder and when we want to buy a truck/SUV it will be either a Ford or Lincoln. FLM and GM are not doing well, but I would rather give my money to Ford now - unless GM finally gets of their butt and comes out with a worthy Camaro again.


Dont get me wrong, I LOVED the F-bodies, that is the one car I regret never owning. They look wicked evil and were as fast as they were good looking! I tried to buy the last year Camaro SS but with a new baby, just couldnt swing it. A good friend of mine still has his mint 80's era IROC Z, low miles, and that car draws stares everywhere it goes. It was a BIG mistake to stop building them. My point is comparing the newest version of the Camaro sucks, it has no personality or retro throwback to an older version of itself like the new Mustang does. I think Ford did a nice job with the retro throwbacks to the older 60's Mustangs. I didnt mean to infer or insult what you love!

[Donny Carlson]

The real one is scheduled for a 2009 MY production... if it's greenlighted.

I like Kris Horton's concept designs:

http://dubs.unixprohost.com/albums/arnoli/5th_gen_Camaro_concept_rear.jp g
<CENTER>http://popularhotrodding.com/features/0312phr_fifthgen_04_z.jpg (http://www.popularhotrodding.com/features/0312PHR_Fifth_Reloaded/#)</CENTER>

<CENTER>http://popularhotrodding.com/features/0312phr_fifthgen_03_z.jpg (http://www.popularhotrodding.com/features/0312PHR_Fifth_Reloaded/#)</CENTER>

[Joe Walsh]

The real one is scheduled for a 2009 MY production... if it's greenlighted.

I like Kris Horton's concept designs:

http://dubs.unixprohost.com/albums/arnoli/5th_gen_Camaro_concept_rear.jp g
<CENTER>http://popularhotrodding.com/features/0312phr_fifthgen_04_z.jpg (http://www.popularhotrodding.com/features/0312PHR_Fifth_Reloaded/#)</CENTER>

<CENTER>http://popularhotrodding.com/features/0312phr_fifthgen_03_z.jpg (http://www.popularhotrodding.com/features/0312PHR_Fifth_Reloaded/#)</CENTER>


The Yellow Camaro looks really good...BUT the front end on the Green Camaro is ****LY!:puke:
When is Chevy going to give up on that design with the BIG UGLY CHROME STRIP splitting the grille??:puke: :puke: :puke:

[MI2QWK4U]

The real one is scheduled for a 2009 MY production... if it's greenlighted.

I like Kris Horton's concept designs:

http://dubs.unixprohost.com/albums/arnoli/5th_gen_Camaro_concept_rear.jp g
<CENTER>http://popularhotrodding.com/features/0312phr_fifthgen_04_z.jpg (http://www.popularhotrodding.com/features/0312PHR_Fifth_Reloaded/#)</CENTER>

<CENTER>http://popularhotrodding.com/features/0312phr_fifthgen_03_z.jpg (http://www.popularhotrodding.com/features/0312PHR_Fifth_Reloaded/#)</CENTER>



Donny...which would you choose?! I know what I like!
http://bradbarnett.net/mustangs/concept/07gt500/1.jpg
http://bradbarnett.net/mustangs/concept/fordracing05/2.jpg

[Donny Carlson]

Donny...which would you choose?! I know what I like!


I think the Shelby GT 500 Mustang is one of the most kickass looking cars of the decade, certainly heads and shoulders above the Camaro concepts.

[Donny Carlson]

It's setup outside the GM design center, but this is clearly a clay model, split down the middle, with different design elements on each side. This can't be the show car.

[Eric91Z]

The biggest problem is, if this is a MY '09, will the "retro" theme be worn out by then and GM once again behind the times?

[merc6]

Heard rumors it was a "straight 8"

[Directedby]

I like my other car.

[Petrograde]

But what do you think?



I really don't know. Look at the rear veiw mirror. :confused: how weird.

[Mike Poore]

I'm with MarauderMark, the '69 retro look, employing the rear roofline, in my opinion the '69 was the best looking Camaro, ever. :)

[Dark_Knight7096]

The real one is scheduled for a 2009 MY production... if it's greenlighted.

I like Kris Horton's concept designs:

http://dubs.unixprohost.com/albums/arnoli/5th_gen_Camaro_concept_rear.jp g

<CENTER>http://popularhotrodding.com/features/0312phr_fifthgen_04_z.jpg (http://www.popularhotrodding.com/features/0312PHR_Fifth_Reloaded/#)</CENTER>


<CENTER>http://popularhotrodding.com/features/0312phr_fifthgen_03_z.jpg (http://www.popularhotrodding.com/features/0312PHR_Fifth_Reloaded/#)</CENTER>

IDK why but for some odd reason these all look like Aston Martins to me. Whatever it looks like when they finally bring it out, it better look hardcore, and be faster than hell!

[twolow]

Looks like the lawyers got all the images taken down :P

[fastblackmerc]

From what I heard GM had a hissy-fit.... they searched the internet and had all the images taken off....

[Eric91Z]

Camaroz28.com seems to have some pretty close ties to people at GM and some GM people that post on their site and there was an individual that was quite upset about the pics.

He was saying the biggest problem is the pictures shown were of a clay model and not the show car that will be at the AutoShow starting in January and not what they wanted people to see or start making comments on. He also said that the leaking of the pictures could hurt the Camaros future, not help it at all.

[twolow]

He also said that the leaking of the pictures could hurt the Camaros future, not help it at all.

That would mean they did some big time cost cutting and scaling down for the real world car that would make people upset and screaming for the better looking prototype.

[Eric91Z]

That would mean they did some big time cost cutting and scaling down for the real world car that would make people upset and screaming for the better looking prototype.

That is always a possibility, too. It was a decent model, but could stand to have a couple little changes. Too bad GM can't make some different options, but some test groups together from a varying group of people (enthusiast sites for the performance side, non-car people that just want something sporty to drive, etc) and make a real car. Needs to have a broader appeal like the Mustang does and needs to deliver the performance (without the glass rear end) to the car enthusiasts.

Guess we will see what they have come up with come January. And then see if it ever even makes production...

[Petrograde]

From what I heard GM had a hissy-fit.... they searched the internet and had all the images taken off....

God forbid .... it may actually stir up some interest in their products! Can't have that! They have people to lay off!!

:P

[Mike Poore]

He also said that the leaking of the pictures could hurt the Camaros future, not help it at all.

So, that guy's saying, since GM can't keep the lid on internal R&D, and has such lax security that photos of they're most secret project got out on the internet for all the world to see, the project could get killed? And the guys on the webs who published them are the bad guys? We know who the bad guys are, and they're running that corporation headlong, right off the cliff.

I've often wondered, but now I'm sure; Scott Adams gets ALL his material for Dilbert, by watching the PHB's who are GM's management "team".

[TripleTransAm]

He also said that the leaking of the pictures could hurt the Camaros future, not help it at all.


I haven't bothered to read any of the texts (but I *did* manage to save an image or two before they took 'em down) so I don't know who this guy was. But I know Scott Settlemire does have a tendency to hang out on internet F-sites (he was the Camaro program manager). And if this guy was Settlemire, I'll say he is a straightforward down-to-earth guy who is very likable and apparently a great guy to talk to at car events, but he is just a tad emotional about stuff.

Anyone who's read "All Corvettes Are Red" will see a side of GM engineering that they'd never imagine possible... essentially how engineers managed to 'sneak out' the C5 (1997 Vette) without the bean counters knowing about it. So I can see how perhaps there might be some hands being slapped if it turns out a lot of this development is under the bean counters' radar. And maybe some careers might get short-circuited over 'insubordination'.

But to warn us that this type of leakage could prevent us from getting a new Camaro? Should I really give a flying f***? The company should be doing everything in their power to ENTICE us into wanting this car, making us BEG them to build it. But if the company doesn't WANT to build it and the engineers have to run around making secret clay models in the hopes that they can spring a new car onto the market the moment a bean counter inadvertently drops a few coins walking down the hallway, I say f*** 'em (as a company).

Typical GM marketing mentality... "We will build you what we WANT you to buy, not what you want to buy". Screwed them in the 70s ("No, you do not want good econo cars, you really want to buy large guzzlers of dubious quality"). They obviously haven't learned the lesson yet.

What business schools do these guys attend, anyway? (looking to make a note of what educational institutions to avoid sending my kids to, just in case...)


Moral of the rant: GM, there is actually INTEREST in one of your potential products. RUN WITH IT! Nurture it! Feed it! Run, Forrest, run!!!!!

[Eric91Z]

So, that guy's saying, since GM can't keep the lid on internal R&D, and has such lax security that photos of they're most secret project got out on the internet for all the world to see, the project could get killed? And the guys on the webs who published them are the bad guys? We know who the bad guys are, and they're running that corporation headlong, right off the cliff.

I've often wondered, but now I'm sure; Scott Adams gets ALL his material for Dilbert, by watching the PHB's who are GM's management "team".


I, in no way, will do any finger pointing at the websites. I am glad the pictures were posted and glad to see SOMETHING, ANYTHING, in the works for the revival of the F-Body. And I agree with other comments that GM needs to start leaking some internal stuff to start building interest, gauge thoughts, and encorporate the feed back in to design. Shoot, manufacturers watch websites to see what people are racing their cars to void warranties (Subaru and Mitsubishi), why not use those same sites to figure out what the buying public might actually WANT for up coming cars???

[stevengerard]

I like it, would have to wait and see how the real thing compares to a Mustang but in the end, if it is another RWD American Muscle car - kick butt. Heck I just read they hope to sell 10,000 Shelby's each year. That's a lot of cars. A new Comero, Firebird and even the Cougar mentioned recently will add a little variety - otherwise we will be a world of 300c's and Mustangs, which both I like, but that gets boring if it's all we have.