Rumor of 5th Gen limited wheel width size
04-18-2007, 03:25 PM
#16
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If there are mules running around, no one would easily be able to say "I saw a Camaro running around".
04-19-2007, 12:20 PM
#19
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Location: The Golden State
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At this point, I wouldn't for a moment believe the rumor of tire width size. Not saying anything more than this, I "suspect" if you can fit it on a Corvette, you 'should" be able to fit it on a 5th gen Camaro. 
Not necessarily. There's been HUGE advances in car development since even only 4 years ago! 
In the case of the 5th gen, most all of the components come right off the production VE, so things like suspension & drivetrain pieces don't need to be tested as if they were all new.
The unibody or structure of the car is all done and tested on computer, including crash testing, locating potential problem areas, and a whole host of other engineering items.
Today, the only real need for mules is for cooling tests or real world testing of all new components. The only real need for early prototypes is essentially to see how everything works together and what last minute changes might be needed.
Although it's very possible that there's a Holden VE running around with some unique parts, and we're getting to the point where there likely is an early prototype, there almost certainly wouldn't be multiple cars running around. Holden had exactly 4 mules-prototypes during the entire VE development period (each one representing a development stage and each served a particular purpose). And that was for an entirely new car.
I don't expect to see any "Spy" photos of the Camaro till we get within the final 12 months before introduction, when GM starts looking at how everything from A/Cs and heaters to anti-locks and OEM interior and chassis pieces and components all work together & they start tweaking computer programs all for real world conditions. I suspect about the same time, we'll see one at Nurburging.
Consider that the Dodge Challenger is only about 10 months away, and like the Camaro, most everything on it is already on the streets in the form of the LX cars. There's been no prototypes at all spotted & the only mule picture that's surfaced is nothing more than the front end of a Challenger screwed on to a Charger SRT8 for cooling tests.
Thanks to advances in computer engineering and the shashing of development time (once something finally gets approved), we're quickly getting to the point where "mules" won't be necessary, and where "spy shots" of a car show up just before the preproduction versions show up at auto shows.
In the case of the 5th gen, most all of the components come right off the production VE, so things like suspension & drivetrain pieces don't need to be tested as if they were all new.
The unibody or structure of the car is all done and tested on computer, including crash testing, locating potential problem areas, and a whole host of other engineering items.
Today, the only real need for mules is for cooling tests or real world testing of all new components. The only real need for early prototypes is essentially to see how everything works together and what last minute changes might be needed.
Although it's very possible that there's a Holden VE running around with some unique parts, and we're getting to the point where there likely is an early prototype, there almost certainly wouldn't be multiple cars running around. Holden had exactly 4 mules-prototypes during the entire VE development period (each one representing a development stage and each served a particular purpose). And that was for an entirely new car.
I don't expect to see any "Spy" photos of the Camaro till we get within the final 12 months before introduction, when GM starts looking at how everything from A/Cs and heaters to anti-locks and OEM interior and chassis pieces and components all work together & they start tweaking computer programs all for real world conditions. I suspect about the same time, we'll see one at Nurburging.
Consider that the Dodge Challenger is only about 10 months away, and like the Camaro, most everything on it is already on the streets in the form of the LX cars. There's been no prototypes at all spotted & the only mule picture that's surfaced is nothing more than the front end of a Challenger screwed on to a Charger SRT8 for cooling tests.
Thanks to advances in computer engineering and the shashing of development time (once something finally gets approved), we're quickly getting to the point where "mules" won't be necessary, and where "spy shots" of a car show up just before the preproduction versions show up at auto shows.
Last edited by guionM; 04-19-2007 at 12:25 PM.
04-20-2007, 10:23 AM
#22
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Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Australia
Posts: 384
Although it's very possible that there's a Holden VE running around with some unique parts, and we're getting to the point where there likely is an early prototype, there almost certainly wouldn't be multiple cars running around. Holden had exactly 4 mules-prototypes during the entire VE development period (each one representing a development stage and each served a particular purpose). And that was for an entirely new car.
and to compare to a normal VE Commodore here is my car.
Last edited by crYnOid; 04-20-2007 at 10:26 AM. Reason: Included VE commy pic
04-20-2007, 11:08 AM
#23
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Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: The Golden State
Posts: 13,711
I have a more than just a decent idea!
Camaro?
Perhaps not.
A short wheelbase Zeta 4 door mule running around being used for Zeta coupe development (which would include Camaro)??
Safe to assume we have that answer now.
I was just told there are "no Camaros being driven around Australia". No reading between the lines with that, I just said what I was told. Slice it up and make all the assumptions you want and it will bring you right back to the original problem of assumed information.
If there are mules running around, no one would easily be able to say "I saw a Camaro running around".
If there are mules running around, no one would easily be able to say "I saw a Camaro running around".
Perhaps not.
A short wheelbase Zeta 4 door mule running around being used for Zeta coupe development (which would include Camaro)??
Safe to assume we have that answer now.
Last edited by guionM; 04-20-2007 at 11:19 AM.
04-20-2007, 12:51 PM
#24
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The wheel arches are bolted on. The rear wheel arch seals the rear door shut, it looks like.
04-21-2007, 05:30 PM
#28
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04-24-2007, 12:20 PM
#30
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That would be rather upsetting. I thought there was talk that they were goign to lenghthen the cowl to axle distance so that they could put on a 24 inch wheel. I would also assume that the longer cowl to axle distance, the more "mid engine" this Camaro will be, having the engine settled farther back, with teh wheels farther front...worked for Corvette, could help Camaro's handling. And with the long distance, hopefuly half the engine isnt under the cowl...