Torana news????

SGT Posaune
11-30-2004, 10:10 PM
Does anyone have any info on the status of the Torana (or its' chassis)? I have found a few rumors around the internet that it is closer to being approved? I can't imagine it has gone that far in the past few months but there hasn't been much info recently. Thanks.

Z284ever
11-30-2004, 11:16 PM
-GM needs to find some money for it.

-Last chance for a real Camaro.

guionM
12-01-2004, 10:31 PM
It has mucho support. But just like Z said, it's all about money.

GM has ALOT of cars in the pipe line they have to pay for before starting something new. :(

Doug Harden
12-01-2004, 10:38 PM
Tick...tick.....tick.....tick.... :cry: :(

Z284ever
12-02-2004, 12:03 AM
It has mucho support. But just like Z said, it's all about money.

GM has ALOT of cars in the pipe line they have to pay for before starting something new. :(

The support is there...that's for sure. And like you said, from the VERY TOP.

I hope that GM can find the money very soon. And I hope the large Zeta coupe is not called Camaro.

IZ28
12-02-2004, 12:19 AM
Same here!

Z284ever
12-02-2004, 11:15 AM
Yeah, I just hope that the Zeta coupe ends up being the Monte Carlo replacement and not the Camaro substitute......and certainly not called Camaro.

If Camaro had any chance to make it to a 6th gen, naming the large Zeta coupe Camaro...simply for expediency's sake, would be the final nail in it's coffin.

Z28x
12-02-2004, 12:06 PM
Yeah, I just hope that the Zeta coupe ends up being the Monte Carlo replacement and not the Camaro substitute......and certainly not called Camaro.

If Camaro had any chance to make it to a 6th gen, naming the large Zeta coupe Camaro...simply for expediency's sake, would be the final nail in it's coffin.

How big is this Chevy Zeta coupe going to be? Same as GTO? what ever happened to a shorter Zeta?

Z284ever
12-02-2004, 12:09 PM
How big is this Chevy Zeta coupe going to be? Same as GTO? what ever happened to a shorter Zeta?

The shorter Zeta never existed....it was all vaporware. Zeta will come in two sizes.

1) Large

2) Extra Large

jg95z28
12-02-2004, 12:33 PM
The shorter Zeta never existed....it was all vaporware. Zeta will come in two sizes.

1) Large

2) Extra Large

Yes, but isn't one of the two going to be the next GTO? :rolleyes:

Z284ever
12-02-2004, 12:39 PM
Yes, but isn't one of the two going to be the next GTO? :rolleyes:

Yes.
The smallest it will go is GTO (or GTO+) sized.

And why the rolling eyes, are you in a bad mood again?

jg95z28
12-02-2004, 12:44 PM
Yes.
The smallest it will go is GTO (or GTO+) sized.
Here's where I throw in my now familiar reminder that the GTO is about the same size as the Mustang... A PONY CAR. :p

And why the rolling eyes, are you in a bad mood again?
:lol: Yes. We're out of Decaf here at the office. :lol:

Z284ever
12-02-2004, 12:49 PM
Here's where I throw in my now familiar reminder that the GTO is about the same size as the Mustang... A PONY CAR. :p




Okey-doke. I hope another 100,000 people per year....for the next, oh say, 10 years, agree with you.....I'd doubt it though. :death:

The Zeta coupe sounds like waaaay more of a Monte Carlo replacement to me than a Camaro.

jg95z28
12-02-2004, 12:51 PM
The Zeta coupe sounds like waaaay more of a Monte Carlo replacement to me than a Camaro.
No arguments there... although I'd rather see it called Lumina (which it is already overseas), Chevelle, or something else. ;)

Meccadeth
12-02-2004, 12:59 PM
-Last chance for a real Camaro.
How is this the last chance for a real Camaro?
Okey-doke. I hope another 100,000 people per year....for the next, oh say, 10 years, agree with you.....I'd doubt it though. :death:
Haven't some people been saying that it might be a 'niche' vehicle when it comes back? We only need 100,000 for the whole next 10 years to agree on it :D

I still like the Zeta as a platform for the next gen as much as the Torana...IF they can make it aggressive like the last animation Kris made for us, little bigger/at LEAST the same size as a Mustang, powerful, RWD (or with AWD as an option), 2+2 then I have no problems.

johnsocal
12-02-2004, 02:43 PM
If there is going to be a new 2007 Camaro wouldnt the design and everything have to be finalized NOW?

guionM
12-02-2004, 03:50 PM
If there is going to be a new 2007 Camaro wouldnt the design and everything have to be finalized NOW?

The question isn't the "car", it's the "name" of the car. Sure, the car looks bada** by every account, but getting a fitting name is also important.

Before this develops into another "CAW & Camaro name" thread, let me say that the CAW or any union has nothing to do with the "Camaro" name at this point. Everyone's happy, and all commitments have been met.

It's all about what name fits the car.

Nothing more, nothing less.

johnsocal
12-02-2004, 03:58 PM
The question isn't the "car", it's the "name" of the car. Sure, the car looks bada** by every account, but getting a fitting name is also important.

Before this develops into another "CAW & Camaro name" thread, let me say that the CAW or any union has nothing to do with the "Camaro" name at this point. Everyone's happy, and all commitments have been met.

It's all about what name fits the car.

Nothing more, nothing less.


Is the car you are referring too larger in size then the current GTO?

from autoweek.com:

GM has assigned its Australian subsidiary the design and engineering for a new generation of rear-wheel-drive cars on the Zeta architecture. Some, including a Buick sedan and a redesigned GTO, will be assembled in the United States. The Buick will be first in 2006.

IZ28
12-02-2004, 04:00 PM
Really Guion? So basically, alot of "Camaro work" is already done and the issue is just if the name fits the car or not? If the Zeta Coupe doesn't fit the name will they try for the Torana instead? The size of the GTO is almost fine to me for a 5th Gen, but not the upright look, which if I'm correct, is the real problem here? :think:

Meccadeth
12-02-2004, 04:05 PM
Is it just one car that might get the name or is it 2 or several cars that are 'bidding' for it? And have these cars alreaddy had their plans laid out for them? (IE: whether it will be a big production campaign or a niche car? Marketing strategy? etc?)

johnsocal
12-02-2004, 04:11 PM
IMO Chevelle is the best name for a larger-then-Camaro coupe.

Personally I rather see the next-gen Camaro built-off any new variation of the Kappa to keep it smaller, lighter, faster, and cheaper.

The problem is where would a Camaro fit in between a $22,000-$24,000 Cobalt SS and a $27,000-$33,000 Chevelle (assuming the Chevelle would be offered with different option-packages to give it a lower base price then the current loaded-only GTO). A new Chevelle could even have a lower base price if they also offered it in a V6.

I wouldnt be surprised if the GTO and Chevelle names get milked to 2012 until GM brings back a new Camaro back for its 45 anniv. and a new Firebird shortly after that.

Doug Harden
12-02-2004, 04:38 PM
What I read into this is that they couldn't make the Zeta car into a legitimate Camaro, so they are debating whether to PO some of the Camaro guys with a car that ain't quite it.....or just call it something else.

If they call it Chevelle or whatever....it sounds like they can't even get a budget together for a Torana based Camaro at the moment and we probably won't see one for the fore-seeable future........

Somebody tell me I'm wrong here.......................please?!?!


Guess I should just start shopping for a used Vette......

gab
12-02-2004, 04:53 PM
What I read into this is that they couldn't make the Zeta car into a legitimate Camaro, so they are debating whether to PO some of the Camaro guys with a car that ain't quite it.....or just call it something else.

If they call it Chevelle or whatever....it sounds like they can't even get a budget together for a Torana based Camaro at the moment and we probably won't see one for the fore-seeable future........

Somebody tell me I'm wrong here.......................please?!?!


Guess I should just start shopping for a used Vette......

I had already come to my opinion that's in-line with what you're thinking...Camaro (and specifically Firebird) on the back-burner again, waiting for the right chassis.

The only variable here is the Holden guys. Since they are the ones doing the Torana chassis, and they had in the past conjure up a project car (Monaro project) seemingly "out of thin air" (like working after hours, building on the cheap,only a few know about it), maybe something can happen here again with designing/improving this Beta to better fit the Torana and other vehicles...Can only dream!!!

johnsocal
12-02-2004, 05:06 PM
I would think GM would stick with the 2007 GTO and its Chevy sister (Chevelle?) for a while. Since each year those cars will get more expensive (all cars MSRP gradually go up each year) that by 2012 they will be very exensive cars and will need to get replaced with cheaper new models. So by 2012 or so the GTO and Chevelle will get replaced by a new Camaro and Firebird that will have lower MSRPs.

Z284ever
12-02-2004, 10:01 PM
What I read into this is that they couldn't make the Zeta car into a legitimate Camaro, so they are debating whether to PO some of the Camaro guys with a car that ain't quite it.....or just call it something else.

If they call it Chevelle or whatever....it sounds like they can't even get a budget together for a Torana based Camaro at the moment and we probably won't see one for the fore-seeable future........

Somebody tell me I'm wrong here.......................please?!?!


Guess I should just start shopping for a used Vette......



Here's the thing.

IF GM can find the funding to start developing the Torana's architecture in the next year or less, it's variants should be ready very shortly after the Zeta coupes. Remember, the coupes will be out after the sedans...so they are not exactly around the corner, anyway.

From what I've been told, once the decision to pull the trigger on the Torana's new, sporty, rigid, medium RWD architecture is made.... a Camaro can be designed from it relatively quickly.....and amazingly inexpensively (I was told a figure that I don't think I should divulge right now).

From what I know about the Chevy Zeta coupe, I hope it doesn't get the Camaro name.....it would simply be the Camaro's final bastardization, before it's final and permanent 'hiatus'.

The Torana/Beta is our last, best chance. Like I said before, send your cards and letters in.

95redLT1
12-02-2004, 11:50 PM
Here's the thing.

IF GM can find the funding to start developing the Torana's architecture in the next year or less, it's variants should be ready very shortly after the Zeta coupes.

http://www.autonet.ca/AutonetStories/Stories.cfm?StoryID=13449
There is a good start....$53 million :D

johnsocal
12-03-2004, 03:05 AM
The reality is that in the next 4-5 years I would more likely be in the market for a car like the 5-door-hatch-Torana-concept then I would be for a 2-door coupe (or 3 door hatchback).

Right now my Ion quadcoupe with its rear-suicide doors works great for geting my 3 1/2 year old son in the back seats easily and I keep my new Mini Cooper as my fun car. Right now me and my wife's main family car is her Saturn Vue and as my two sons (1 1/2 & 3 1/2) get older in the next four to five years Im going to need a car larger then my Ion quadcoupe and the more I look at the Torana concept with its 4 doors and rear hatch the more I think that car would be the perfect choice for me 4-5 years from now. (pic of torana's hatch- http://www.users.bigpond.net.au/wray/Images/new_torana/Holden-TT36-Torana-Hatch-Concept-011.jpg )

The funny thing is that the more I drive smaller cars the more I prefer them and it would be cool if a production verion of Torano could keep its out dimensions tight while giving it ample interior space.

While i think GM will most likely kill-off the Saturn quadcoupe (and its rear suicide doors) in 2007 for a more conventional variation of Opels 5-door Astra hatchback I do think its actually easier to get a young child in the back seat with suicide doors then it is in a conventional 4-door sedans (no center pillar to bang your head on :) ).

note: the easiest type of car to get young kids in the rear seats are SUV's because they sit higher up so you dont have to bend or hunch over to get you kids in and buckle them up.