New Interior Photos of 2009 Chevy Camaro

FWIW, "spy photos" suck for one primary reason; when they're are not taken by a professional, they are often at bad angles with poor lighting and are often blury. They are also typically of an unfinished product. Then they get posted on websites such as this one, and people start making erroneous assumptions that they are an accurate representation of the product that we are going to get and begin complaining that the manufacturer's engineers have lost their minds. There are also those that use them as fuel and evidence of their belief that the product is inferior to what they want in the vehicle.

However I also a slim positive side to them as well. Because everything I have seen has made me love this Camaro even more. Each day I see something new, I begin to get better insight to where GM is going with this Camaro and I get excited. I almost feel like a little kid at Christmas. While there are things I'd rather see changed (like a boost gauge substituting the console torque gauge so I can monitor the LS8 in my 2011 Z28), for the most part I am happy and grow more and more in love with this car each and every day. While I shouldn't care when some narrow minded person spews negative insults at my girl, because afterall, I'm still in love with her, I can't help sometimes to have this desire to reach through my LCD screen and strangle the idiots that can't help to trash her every single day.

My appologies to those who may be offended by my next comment, however... If you don't like the new Camaro and have decided not to purchase one based upon limited knowledge and a few photos of the unfinished product, please for those of us that love the car and intend to stay true as loyal enthusiasts, shut the hell up and leave. Your opinion isn't going to sway mine or those of many others. All you're going to do is piss people off and spread rumors and misinformation that no one needs, especially the men and women at GM who have fought so hard to make this Camaro a reality.

Jason, if I require 20 lashings for that statement, so be it. :D

FWIW, "spy photos" suck for one primary reason; when they're are not taken by a professional, they are often at bad angles with poor lighting and are often blury. They are also typically of an unfinished product. Then they get posted on websites such as this one, and people start making erroneous assumptions that they are an accurate representation of the product that we are going to get and begin complaining that the manufacturer's engineers have lost their minds. There are also those that use them as fuel and evidence of their belief that the product is inferior to what they want in the vehicle.

However I also a slim positive side to them as well. Because everything I have seen has made me love this Camaro even more. Each day I see something new, I begin to get better insight to where GM is going with this Camaro and I get excited. I almost feel like a little kid at Christmas. While there are things I'd rather see changed (like a boost gauge substituting the console torque gauge so I can monitor the LS8 in my 2011 Z28), for the most part I am happy and grow more and more in love with this car each and every day. While I shouldn't care when some narrow minded person spews negative insults at my girl, because afterall, I'm still in love with her, I can't help sometimes to have this desire to reach through my LCD screen and strangle the idiots that can't help to trash her every single day.

My appologies to those who may be offended by my next comment, however... If you don't like the new Camaro and have decided not to purchase one based upon limited knowledge and a few photos of the unfinished product, please for those of us that love the car and intend to stay true as loyal enthusiasts, shut the hell up and leave. Your opinion isn't going to sway mine or those of many others. All you're going to do is piss people off and spread rumors and misinformation that no one needs, especially the men and women at GM who have fought so hard to make this Camaro a reality.

Jason, if I require 20 lashings for that statement, so be it. :D

Perfectly said!

...and let me know if you're due for those lashings - I'll be glad to step in and take them instead :D

So while I am a little late to this thread's party and apparently if you speak out against the 5th gen in terms of things like interior appearance and weight you are asked not to buy one, I have to say that the torque gage is absolutley one of the most embarrasing things I've seen in a GM interior. First the "Hey look at my engine cover" window on the ZR1, now this. The Vette doesn't need that gimmick to say "me too" the the Italians and the Camaro doesn't need that gage to say "me too" the the V-Tech crowd. Both have heritage and $ to performance ratios that do that just fine. What's next a Type-R badge?

BTW, I don't feel either of these things are deal breakers in terms of buying, but they still suck.

What the hell is wrong with a torque gauge???? Do you need it? No. I wouldn't care if they put a gauge on it for the air pressure in the tires!! I'll still buy it and look at all of the gauges.
The turbo boost gauge on my Grand National that I had was only usefull when launching the car for racing. Other than that it was kind of neat to watch it do it's thing. Just like the torque gauge will be on my Camaro.

Note: the new Challenger and some Chargers have a 0-60mph timer in the EVIC system on the speedo. That would be a neat feature to have. But some people around here would probably bitch about it if it did have it.

So while I am a little late to this thread's party and apparently if you speak out against the 5th gen in terms of things like interior appearance and weight you are asked not to buy one, I have to say that the torque gage is absolutley one of the most embarrasing things I've seen in a GM interior. First the "Hey look at my engine cover" window on the ZR1, now this. The Vette doesn't need that gimmick to say "me too" the the Italians and the Camaro doesn't need that gage to say "me too" the the V-Tech crowd. Both have heritage and $ to performance ratios that do that just fine. What's next a Type-R badge?

BTW, I don't feel either of these things are deal breakers in terms of buying, but they still suck.
Calico - no one's asking you not to buy one. It's just that this point, about a gauge that no one even knows will be on the production car, has already been made. We get it, understood. But I guess I look upon this place like a bunch of guys standing around in a neighbor's garage. I have a neighbor down the street, who has a Dodge Magnum sport wagon. I'm not a big fan of those. But I would NEVER diss his car while chatting with him in his garage. Same thing goes with comments for example, about the ZR1 Vette here. You're just not going to find a lot of folks here who are cynical about the car, its magnificent performance potential, or for that matter its unique hood window (which I happen to like BTW). I try to be sensitive to "who's garage I'm speaking in". How about you?

...I have to say that the torque gage is absolutley one of the most embarrasing things I've seen in a GM interior...

Those speaking so negatively of the torque gauge have no idea what the purpose of it is. Why not wait until GM identifies its purpose and then make your opinion?

Let me say this - if I can judge where my tires will 'let go' by looking at this gauge, then I want it! :thumb:

Calico - no one's asking you not to buy one. It's just that this point, about a gauge that no one even knows will be on the production car, has already been made. We get it, understood. But I guess I look upon this place like a bunch of guys standing around in a neighbor's garage. I have a neighbor down the street, who has a Dodge Magnum sport wagon. I'm not a big fan of those. But I would NEVER diss his car while chatting with him in his garage. Same thing goes with comments for example, about the ZR1 Vette here. You're just not going to find a lot of folks here who are cynical about the car, its magnificent performance potential, or for that matter its unique hood window (which I happen to like BTW). I try to be sensitive to "who's garage I'm speaking in". How about you?

I thought this "garage" was a discussion board for the Camaro, are we only allowed to discuss things if they are positives? Also, I am not cynical about the ZR1, I am critical of the of the hood.

And no, no one has yet asked me not to buy one, obviously someone who is not afraid to speak his mind on the subject has. How much do you have to say before you get added to the "Do Not Buy" list?

OMG!!!! Look at those gauges!!!! I'm not buying this car!!!

Get a grip. Gauges are not deal breaker for me & shouldn't be for anyone else. As long as it has a spedo, tach & fuel gauge I'm a happy camper.

OMG!!!! Look at those gauges!!!! I'm not buying this car!!!

Get a grip. Gauges are not deal breaker for me & shouldn't be for anyone else. As long as it has a spedo, tach & fuel gauge I'm a happy camper.

+1 - I'm good with just a tach and oil pressure gauge.

250 posts and I am kind of surprised that so many are 'sweating the small stuff'. I know these are leaked pictures but the first things I noticed were:

1. Armrest and console are the same height - good!
2. Short throw shifter - good!
3. Nice thick and grippy steering wheel - really good!
4. I have no doubt the seats will be good since I own a few 4th gens - good!
5. Ventilation is located in a good spot for rapid cooling/heating of cabin - good!

I guess I am more concerned with the driving experience the interior helps create than what gauges are in it. I must say, compared to the orange 'vert, I was pleasantly surprised.

You'd think this site was the majority of the Martha Stewart company's staff, lol.

I thought this "garage" was a discussion board for the Camaro, are we only allowed to discuss things if they are positives? Also, I am not cynical about the ZR1, I am critical of the of the hood.

And no, no one has yet asked me not to buy one, obviously someone who is not afraid to speak his mind on the subject has. How much do you have to say before you get added to the "Do Not Buy" list?
The whole idea of a "Do not buy" list is a farce - don't you see? No one can stop you from buying this car once it is out. So why worry. We are all free to post both plus and minus here; sure it's an open discussion board. In deference to the site admin's previous request, this will be the last time I respond to your questions in this thread. I hope you can look past the *possible* TQ gauge, and put yourself on the "just bought a 2010 Camaro" list next year :)

I want to get my hands on the person who took these pictures.

Firing isn't enough.

I will say after monitoring about a dozen sites that most people are liking this interior. Not all. But more than the first leak. And I suspect that 90%+ of our enthusiasts will like this interior 6 months after the car is on the road. For those who are not enthusiasts? I suspect they'd shake their heads in disbelief if they saw some of the stuff on this thread.

I go back to the first leak -- the silver clown-suited coupe in December of 2005..........where everyone went hysterical that the car was devil's spawn.

Funny thing happened on January 9, 2006..........people went nutz over the real thing -- I thought people would learn from this.

So -- the moral of the story?

Go ahead and get it out of your system. Rave all you want on this thread...........

.......... I submit to you that most will love the car.

And Charlie?

This is only the 5th time I've said this to a prospective customer in 35 years:

Please -- I'm begging you: DO NOT BUY A NEW CAMARO.

I'm sorry -- but you are not a Camaro Enthusiast based on anything I've ever seen - and I'm not the only one that feels that way.-- protest as much as you wish -- but your posts over the past several years tell me that you have lots to say -- but when anyone disagrees with you -- they're wrong.....including the very people who listen to customers.

Physician: Heal thyself! (from a myopic view of the world.....)

Sorry -- but I've put up with enough insults over the past 10 years.

To the rest of you -- my apologies....I'm the one that says "we need to be friends" -- and so I'm sorry you had to witness this.

Wow, that was completely out of line and (I would have thought until now) out of character for you. I guess the new rules are you can't be an enthusiast unless you've only got nice things to say and are willing to kiss a$$ in some pathetic support group?

Enthusiam runs both ways, and I can't ever recall Charlie doing more than simply voiceing his opinion, unlike alot of other infantile name callers in this thread.

JasonD.....will I get PM'ed too for saying less than favorable things here as well?

There are some that see the glass as half full. Those that see it as half empty. And those that see the glass as shattered on the floor and the dog is licking up whatever was in it.
Me, my glass is overflowing. I can't wait to buy whatever is offered as the new Camaro. I don't care what kind of gauges are in it. That will not wipe the silly smile off of my face as I put the top down and drive this baby home.

Wow, that was completely out of line and (I would have thought until now) out of character for you. I guess the new rules are you can't be an enthusiast unless you've only got nice things to say and are willing to kiss a$$ in some pathetic support group?

Enthusiam runs both ways, and I can't ever recall Charlie doing more than simply voiceing his opinion, unlike alot of other infantile name callers in this thread.

JasonD.....will I get PM'ed too for saying less than favorable things here as well?
I'm disappointed any member would refer to FBF this way, and in such crass terms. He's our only real conduit to GM, and our only direct source of GM's insights and info. Please do not spoil it for those of us who want FBF to stick around here.

When I first saw the spy photos, my initial reaction was to hate it. But I didn't want to say anything right away because I wanted to think about it a bit. Now I am starting to like it. It is unusual, but its really growing on me. I just hope the controls are very intuitive to use and I'm sure they will be.

For me, I am going to buy either the top end Camaro or the base Corvette, so its still a win for Chevrolet.

Wow, that was completely out of line and (I would have thought until now) out of character for you. I guess the new rules are you can't be an enthusiast unless you've only got nice things to say and are willing to kiss a$$ in some pathetic support group?

Enthusiam runs both ways, and I can't ever recall Charlie doing more than simply voiceing his opinion, unlike alot of other infantile name callers in this thread.

JasonD.....will I get PM'ed too for saying less than favorable things here as well?
I hear ya! The people that get the most worked up are the people that attack anyone who begs to differ that they don't like something on the car. Say the early spy shot looked kind of like a Charger and you get hit by the swarm on here, say you think it might be too heavy and again the swarm attack you. They are the first to get upset or attack people on here but don't seem to realize it. Try to have a civil conversation about weight or the interior and you get bashed for not blindly loving everything you are seeing. Yes we are happy it's coming back but not everyone is gonna love every aspect of the car but for some reason there are several high ups on here that think it's a personal attack against them and come after you, it's just an OPINION, but unless it is the same as theirs they come after you and heckle.

I'm warming up to the interior after this latest round of spy shots. I have faith the guys will get it right. On a side note, I love the interior of my 02 TA. I never understood why they (4th gens) get dis'd so bad???

What the hell is wrong with a torque gauge????

Let me put it this way, it's kind of like the kid in his Civic having a gauge that tells him when his "VTEC kicks in, yo". Camaro guys used to make fun of such things. ;)

It's rather silly, but if it does make production, it alone wouldn't be a deal breaker for me.

As for everything else, I think everyone needs to step back and relax, on both sides. There have been a lot of things said here that would have been better said through the Private Messaging feature. JMO.

I'm disappointed any member would refer to FBF this way, and in such crass terms. He's our only real conduit to GM, and our only direct source of GM's insights and info. Please do not spoil it for those of us who want FBF to stick around here.


Please eloborate in what manner I've been 'crass'? I called it like I saw it. If that was too harsh for you, then I'm really sorry, but it's not a candy coated world, nor should it be. Learn to deal with it.

Trust me I am not spoiling anyone's opportunity to kiss anyone's ass around here.

Let me put it this way, it's kind of like the kid in his Civic having a gauge that tells him when his "VTEC kicks in, yo". Camaro guys used to make fun of such things. ;)


18 pages and people are still talking about the torque gauge. :lol: Wow.

Let's start talking about the shifter color and maybe that'll carry us another 10 pages. Talk about extreme nit-picking...

18 pages and people are still talking about the torque gauge. :lol: Wow.

Let's start talking about the shifter color and maybe that'll carry us another 10 pages. Talk about extreme nit-picking...

Herrrre we go again.....

I'm out.

Consider this.

What do you do for a job.

How would you like to be 1/2 throught what you do for your job and have someone pick apart every single tiny, intricate detail to the nth degree.

Wait until the freakin car is done. Go see it and then decide if you like it.
If you do, then buy it. If not, that's your best vote.

Sheesh, I don't know how Scott puts up with it. I really don't.

Please eloborate in what manner I've been 'crass'? I called it like I saw it. If that was too harsh for you, then I'm really sorry, but it's not a candy coated world, nor should it be. Learn to deal with it.

Trust me I am not spoiling anyone's opportunity to kiss anyone's ass around here.

I can see you are frustrated... I'm sorry to see that. But out of deference to site admin requests of late, I'd suggest we continue this via PM's if you want to know more about how I feel on the matter.

Consider this.

What do you do for a job.

How would you like to be 1/2 throught what you do for your job and have someone pick apart every single tiny, intricate detail to the nth degree.
Actually my job is to review other engineers' designs when they are 30%, 60%, 90% and 100% through and "pick apart every single tiny, intricate detail to the nth degree." :D

Those speaking so negatively of the torque gauge have no idea what the purpose of it is.


Unless it is showing the output of a hybrid powertrain's electric motor it's pure PepBoys.

Let me clarify a couple of things for those who are confused and are reading WAY too far into this and taking things personally that have nothing to do with them...

When someone starts coming to this Camaro enthusiast site and the majority of their contributions are negative and against the purpose of this site, people will start questioning why they are here in the first place.

There is a large difference between constructive criticism and repeated bashing and negativity. One is welcome and understandable here. The other can be left at the door.

If you feel as though you are not guilty of this and this doesn't apply to you, then you have nothing to worry about.

I remember a lot of people complained about the arcade style joystick type ball shifter in the 4th gen M6 cars. The solution was to change the shifter with an aftermarket one.

I'm sure the aftermarket for this car will be a wee bit bigger than the 4th gen's so there will probably be options.

Everything from faux wood trim interiors to complete digital dashes to centre console mounted flux capacitors or whatever your ricer heart desires.

If you hate one small thing about the car there will probably be a solution for it.

If on the other hand you hate the entire car, you will have the bigger issue to deal with. :p :p :p

Actually my job is to review other engineers' designs when they are 30%, 60%, 90% and 100% through and "pick apart every single tiny, intricate detail to the nth degree." :D

:bs::bs::bs:

Im an engineer and when we are at 30% 60% and 90% there is an understanding of what to expect. you must be crazy if you pull open a set of plans at 30% and expect to see 100% document!!! I design every day and at each step of the design up to 100% its to show intent and cordination. which is EXACTLY what we are seeing in these pictures. we are seeing the direction and intent. you can start knit picking at 85-90%.....

:bs::bs::bs:

Im an engineer and when we are at 30% 60% and 90% there is an understanding of what to expect. you must be crazy if you pull open a set of plans at 30% and expect to see 100% document!!! I design every day and at each step of the design up to 100% its to show intent and cordination. which is EXACTLY what we are seeing in these pictures. we are seeing the direction and intent. you can start knit picking at 85-90%.....

I'm a civil site design engineer. We have clients that nit-pick conceptual designs. :eek:

I'm a civil site design engineer. We have clients that nit-pick conceptual designs. :eek:

HAHA Clients will always nitpick but code reviewers and peer reviewers SHOULD have an understanding that things will not be perfect on <100% docs... They might make a note asking about something but to damn the whole job to hell isnt something ive ever had happen to me ;)

:bs::bs::bs:

Im an engineer and when we are at 30% 60% and 90% there is an understanding of what to expect. you must be crazy if you pull open a set of plans at 30% and expect to see 100% document!!! I design every day and at each step of the design up to 100% its to show intent and cordination. which is EXACTLY what we are seeing in these pictures. we are seeing the direction and intent. you can start knit picking at 85-90%.....
I won't try and speak for jg... and think a lot of his statement was tongue-in-cheek. But I'm an engineer too (systems & software) and there are a lot of types of 'designs' out there. In my field you definitely can be expected to be ready for a review of a "30%" done systems architecture design, for example, especially early on in an IT system project. If that also applies here, well that's doubtful IMO since GM obviously has no obligations to show half-done products to the public. JM02

I like the pics :D:cool:

I'd never expect in a million years for the Camaro interior to follow established lines--It never has. From an appearance-only standpoint, GM is supplying us with a "driver's" interior. That includes bold instrumentation and stout controls. Looks like we may get some sort of DIC/readout between the tach and speedo--(maybe like the multifunction display in vw/audi?)

Love it or hate...The 5th gen interior fits right in with the swoopy LT1 (93-97) dash, the angular HVAC and radio cutouts, the 3rd gen's rectanglular steering wheel, the old Beretta's swivel radio, and many other "different" interior features--including the dial-a-service reminder overhead console, and 4-spoke 2nd gen steering wheel. A torque gauge? YOU KNOW there's going to be endless Youtube videos of those things as guys do burnouts and add to the car's fame.

On first glance, I looked at all of those features in the Camaro cockeyed the first time, and then later on usually said "wow, that's something you don't see every day" and ended up liking it in its own way.

The world would be a very boring place if every car had an interior that mocked the Camcordimabu (Camry/Accord/Malibu).

Actually my job is to review other engineers' designs when they are 30%, 60%, 90% and 100% through and "pick apart every single tiny, intricate detail to the nth degree." :D

But who picks apart how you are picking apart the others designs?
I just hink it is unfair to bury the car before it is even done. That's all.

For everyone freaking out over the dash, here is a pic of the convertible concept's gauges, and the spy shots for comparissons.
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f355/christianjax/a16.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f355/christianjax/predash.jpg
notice the space between the guages?? I think there will be some redundancy there, so the console gauges will probably be duplicated in that black area.

And if you still think it's hideously ugly, let me show you THIS:



http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f355/christianjax/Hillary.jpg

:D:D:D:D:D


I am hoping for a DIC type screen in blue like the concept, that would be cool

I test drove a SSR at Autoshow in Motion. I have to tell you, if it were not for the sticker price, I would had one in my driveway that weekend. :D


+1 I agree, I drove a 6-speed and fell in love with the exhaust note, among other things.

But who picks apart how you are picking apart the others designs?
I just hink it is unfair to bury the car before it is even done. That's all.
I'm starting to think a lot of us are in a 'violent state of agreement' ;)

Take a look at his statement in context. He's just joking around, from what I can tell.

Let me put it this way, it's kind of like the kid in his Civic having a gauge that tells him when his "VTEC kicks in, yo". Camaro guys used to make fun of such things. ;)

It's rather silly, but if it does make production, it alone wouldn't be a deal breaker for me.

As for everything else, I think everyone needs to step back and relax, on both sides. There have been a lot of things said here that would have been better said through the Private Messaging feature. JMO.

Well what do you think I am? I AM a Camaro guy. Sure I point and laugh at Honda Civics too, but I have NO problem with a torque gauge. And it is still completely beyond me why anyone would care if the car comes with one or not. Like I said, I've NEVER used one cigarette lighter in any of my cars, yet they have ALL had one. It's NO BIG DEAL. If you don't like the torque gauage (IF it even comes in the production model) then don't look at it. Seems simple enough. Frankly, I want every gizmo GM can put in the car. Guys LIKE gadgets.

I dont get it, this is basically the same as the spyshot from a few weeks ago. that alot of people hated.

I dont get what the big deal is,
the torque gauge and lights are cool though

Damn , all the pics in the gallery disappeared as I was looking at them . Now all thats there is the Front page large pic . Hmmmm , now there back again ......and gone again . They must editing the photos or something .

PLEASE make the steering wheel smaller and the rim a lil fatter . Just look at the 3 series wheel , its the PERFECT size and rim thickness .

I dont get it, this is basically the same as the spyshot from a few weeks ago. that alot of people hated.

I dont get what the big deal is,
The horse must've blinked...or twitched. So obviously it's not been beaten enough.:rolleyes:

I still dont think anybody read my post earlier about the gas gauge/gas cap.

I see an arrow pointing toward the passenger side of the car, under the tach.

I guess we can rule out the drivers side for the gas cap.

I still dont think anybody read my post earlier about the gas gauge/gas cap.

I see an arrow pointing toward the passenger side of the car, under the tach.

I guess we can rule out the drivers side for the gas cap.

That's fine. No more worrying about dinging your door on the pump when getting out to fill up.

I still dont think anybody read my post earlier about the gas gauge/gas cap.

I see an arrow pointing toward the passenger side of the car, under the tach.

I guess we can rule out the drivers side for the gas cap.

All the Zeta's to date have a passengerside gas cap ;)

I know a lot of people don't like the console gauges as it seems the only replacement are dummy lights, but my hope would be that the display between the speedo and tach could be on continuous rotation of the important engine data, oil pressure, temp, voltage, etc. Why would we have to resort to an idiot light that goes off after its too late? From a software engineering standpoint, an application that cycles through this data and displays an lcd representation of a gauge is somewhat trivial. It just seems like there are many possible solutions that would make the broadest amount of people happy. And I trust Scott and team are working hard to find solutions that do appeal to a broad range. After all, why did the car die after the 4th gen? Not enough power? No. Couldn't handle in the turns? No. Because it did not appeal to a broad market.

That's fine. No more worrying about dinging your door on the pump when getting out to fill up.
Probably, since a lot of filler caps nowdays are a couple of inches from the door.
At least it's not on top of the fender, due to the design of the pump handles, fillups would've been carpal tunnel affairs...:D

That's fine. No more worrying about dinging your door on the pump when getting out to fill up.
True. My GTO had this too. It took a little getting used to, kind of had to 'retrain' myself... but then was no biggie after that. It is nice to be able to open a coupe's door (which is naturally big too) to get gas, and not be worrying about whacking one of those iron pump protection pylons.

In my case, people already think I'm a little nuts. I kind of orbit my car when I refuel it... to admire the paint and curves :rolleyes: :D

Okay<snip> .

Misunderstanding. taken to PM. Sorry for the side track to the post.