Think they wished it was called a z28?

Lets say the Z28 never makes it out of the gate. Does anyone think GM looking back would have called the current camaro a z28 and not a SS?

I doubt it. If the Z/28 never comes to market I'm sure GM will have bigger problems then just one car model.

Lets say the Z28 never makes it out of the gate. Does anyone think GM looking back would have called the current camaro a z28 and not a SS?

I think there are still opertunities with lighter materials and maybe more hard core racing components. I was hoping for a badged SS 1LE model though. I wont lie, I could not likely afford a Z28 Im happy with the SS and hope to swing something like that. Im also hoping to be able to shed the 2g in GM points on my GM card but I dont see GM allowing that without trading an other incentive to make any gain nutural. Its a shame because you earn those when I could have been earning credit card rewards on something else that would let me use them. I wonder if I should find another credit card now that I think about it...

Nope. It's "out of line" with GM's current naming structure. The "SS" fits in perfectly. If the Z28 never comes... well, that sucks.

Also, why does the Z28 HAVE to be super high horsepower? What about a slight HP bump from the SS, a "track/racing" tuned stiffer suspension, steeper rear gears, unique Z28 only rims, spoiler, and nose? :shrug:

I personally have always wanted an SS and have always thought of the SS as the
top of the line Camaro.

Nope. It's "out of line" with GM's current naming structure. The "SS" fits in perfectly. If the Z28 never comes... well, that sucks.

Also, why does the Z28 HAVE to be super high horsepower? What about a slight HP bump from the SS, a "track/racing" tuned stiffer suspension, steeper rear gears, unique Z28 only rims, spoiler, and nose? :shrug:

So something similar to the SS of the 4th gens? ;)

GM has completely ruined the SS moniker with such abominations as the "Cobalt SS" the V6 "Impala SS" the "Malibu SS" and pretty much anything other than the Silverado SS and the TBSS. I think they should drop the SS and make it the Z28 personally.

Cobalt SS always worked for me, much better than the 4 and 6 cylinder SS Nova's from back in the day..

Z/28 should be just a lighter car, with a slight hp boost, and suspension goodies.. That would have worked for me. Never needed 550hp in a bloated car..

GM has completely ruined the SS moniker with such abominations as the "Cobalt SS" the V6 "Impala SS" the "Malibu SS" and pretty much anything other than the Silverado SS and the TBSS. I think they should drop the SS and make it the Z28 personally.

the camaro ss only beat the cobalt ss around the 'ring by .02 seconds.

^That means 1 of 2 things: The Cobalt SS is one hell of a car, or the Camaro SS could be better.

the camaro ss only beat the cobalt ss around the 'ring by .02 seconds.

Better bring out the Z/28..

GM has completely ruined the SS moniker with such abominations as the "Cobalt SS" the V6 "Impala SS" the "Malibu SS" and pretty much anything other than the Silverado SS and the TBSS. I think they should drop the SS and make it the Z28 personally.


have you even driven any of these cars? How are they abominations?

so quick to judge.

have you even driven any of these cars? How are they abominations?

so quick to judge.

The Cobalt SS is no joke. The '08s have trapped as high as 106 bone stock. That's LS1 F-body territory.

They seriously better bring out a Z28. I'm already hearing from people that the SS is no match for the GT500 in speed and it's already super aggravating. Wake up GM. Get the Z28 out.

The Cobalt SS is no joke. The '08s have trapped as high as 106 bone stock. That's LS1 F-body territory.

Yea with an 8:22 at the Ring and pulling a .92G skidpad (Road & Track) and 22mpg city and 30 hwy it's an impressive little car. I'd certainly look into one for a daily driver in Imperial Blue.... but the Exploder won't die!

To me there's something about a Z... They should release one.

Yea with an 8:22 at the Ring and pulling a .92G skidpad (Road & Track) and 22mpg city and 30 hwy it's an impressive little car. I'd certainly look into one for a daily driver in Imperial Blue.... but the Exploder won't die!

:lol: Die Exploder, die!

I've also thought about a Cobalt SS as a daily driver. I'd have to get rid of that big wing though. :o

To me there's something about a Z... They should release one.

Yup, there's is something about a Z.


I'm sure the Camaro SS will be a very nice car, but "SS" says "Chevy Generica" to me. "Z/28" says so much more.

No, they could change plans and make the Z28 an SS with a suspension package, performance exhaust, and some weight reductions. I'd be cool with that.

To me there's something about a Z... They should release one.
Nissan makes one, I'm surprised you didn't know that.

Nissan makes one, I'm surprised you didn't know that.

See? Even they caught the spirit.

See? Even they caught the spirit.
Thats because the Japanese are very good at copying American products. ;)

IF they were saving "Z/28" for the LSA version and IF the LSA version never makes it to production (and I hope it does!), I would be very surprised if the "Z/28" didn't come back.

Make a few cosmetic changes, maybe a suspension tweak or two, differerent wheels and call change the SS to Z/28. Kind of the route they took with 4th Gen's Z28 to SS.

I'm not talking about the drastic weight reduction some are wanting though. Yeah, it'd be nice, but I really think that would be cost prohibitive.

:lol: Die Exploder, die!

I've also thought about a Cobalt SS as a daily driver. I'd have to get rid of that big wing though. :o

Its easy to remove , I had mine off the first week I bought the car :D It actually looks better with no spoiler at all ( when lowered about an inch ) .

I think the Z will fall into the lineup eventually . It would be nice if they could squeeze 50 or so more hp out of the LS3 and drop 500 lbs ...Over swelling the weight to over 4000 lbs with the LSA . Pipe dream I know , but one can dream :D

So something similar to the SS of the 4th gens? ;)

:lol:

Well, yeah, but because of all the "500 hp Z28" rumors, that's all anyone seems to care about :shrug:

Cobalt SS had a flying start, while Camaro's time was from a standing start.

They seriously better bring out a Z28. I'm already hearing from people that the SS is no match for the GT500 in speed and it's already super aggravating. Wake up GM. Get the Z28 out.

You do realize that Ford is only making like 1000 of those right? and they are 50-80k

Gm doesn't need to make grossly expensive versions of the Camaro just yet.

I would much prefer if GM came out with a stripped down auto x version of the SS, same power but lighter with a tighter suspension. I'd rather they made the Z/28 something like the bullitt rather than the GT500.

Let an afterfactory company like SLP put together a 1000 car run of a ZL1 Camaro after a few years

You do realize that Ford is only making like 1000 of those right? and they are 50-80k

Gm doesn't need to make grossly expensive versions of the Camaro just yet.

I would much prefer if GM came out with a stripped down auto x version of the SS, same power but lighter with a tighter suspension. I'd rather they made the Z/28 something like the bullitt rather than the GT500.

Let an afterfactory company like SLP put together a 1000 car run of a ZL1 Camaro after a few years

your thinking of the KR GT500, they already made ~11,000 GT500's in 07 and I expect similar numbers for 08.

^That means 1 of 2 things: The Cobalt SS is one hell of a car, or the Camaro SS could be better.

Don't take the cobalt ss supercharged times to the bank, mine was a paperweight by 30K miles. Some things are more imporant than track times, and lets hope to GOD that GM puts a little more effort into the camaro durability engineering than they did the cobalt.

Of course the new 08 turbo's maybe a different story though. But considering their more fuel efficient replacement is already in the works, does anyone really care?

Nissan makes one, I'm surprised you didn't know that.

See? Even they caught the spirit.

Yep, and Chevy even made more than one...

http://www.daves-world.org/images/93_Lumina_Z-34.jpg

:o

Yep, and Chevy even made more than one...

http://www.daves-world.org/images/93_Lumina_Z-34.jpg

:o

Yeah! That's what I'm talkin about. The Z stands for PERFORMANCE. :cool:

Yep, and Chevy even made more than one...

http://www.daves-world.org/images/93_Lumina_Z-34.jpg

:o

Yeah! That's what I'm talkin about. The Z stands for PERFORMANCE. :cool:

Yuck it up guys.

You may not like the Lumina or other GM products from the early nineties, but the Z34 represented a respectable effort by Chevy to deliver a max performance ...umm...Lumina. Beyond it's exclusive DOHC 3.4L V6, which Chevy was breaking new ground with, it also had an upgraded trans, specific suspension tune, and unique cosmetics.

Soon, you guys will also post pictures of the Beretta GTZ/Z26 and Cavalier Z24.

The GTZ was THE best handling FWD which GM had ever produced up until that time, and it's 2.3L L-4 put out 190 hp (IIRC), waaaay back then. It's performance was nothing to take lightly.

The Z24 with it's 2.8/3.1L V6's was probably the best bang for your buck performance package in it's day.

Oh yes, I know - none of them came with an LS1....

Yuck it up guys.

You may not like the Celebrity or other GM products from the early nineties, but the Z34 represented a respectable effort by Chevy to deliver a max performance ...umm...Celebrity. Beyond it's exclusive DOHC 3.4L V6, which Chevy was breaking new ground with, it also had an upgraded trans, specific suspension tune, and unique cosmetics.

Soon, you guys will also post pictures of the Beretta GTZ/Z26 and Cavalier Z24.

The GTZ was THE best handling FWD which GM had ever produced up until that time, and it's 2.3L L-4 put out 190 hp (IIRC), waaaay back then. It's performance was nothing to take lightly.

The Z24 with it's 2.8/3.1L V6's was probably the best bang for your buck performance package in it's day.

Oh yes, I know - none of them came with an LS1....

So just to make something clear, (for arguments sake in the SS vs Z28 discussions) the Z34 is worthy of getting an explanation rationalizing it's worthiness of the Z badge because of its suspension and "unique cosmetic" upgrades. But the Z-crew scrutinizes GM for using the SS badge too much on "under-performing" cars and vehicles that are just dressed up cosmetically with minor suspension/performance mods. Hmm...

I see how it is. :D

So just to make something clear, (for arguments sake in the SS vs Z28 discussions) the Z34 is worthy of getting an explanation rationalizing it's worthiness of the Z badge because of its suspension and "unique cosmetic" upgrades. But the Z-crew scrutinizes GM for using the SS badge too much on "under-performing" cars and vehicles that are just dressed up cosmetically with minor suspension/performance mods. Hmm...

I see how it is. :D

The Lumina Z34, like z284Ever said, had a DOHC 3.4 (210 horsepower) and did 0-60 in about 7 seconds.

That's 70 more horsepower than the 3.1 V6 Lumina. So I wouldn't call it just suspension and unique cosmetics.

However by "exclusive" I assume he means to the Z34 model at Chevrolet? The LQ1 was also used in the Cutlass Supreme and Grand Prix.

I've also thought about a Cobalt SS as a daily driver. I'd have to get rid of that big wing though. :o

The low wing is standard on the Cobalt SS/TC. You actually have to pay extra for the park bench now.

The Lumina Z34, like z284Ever said, had a DOHC 3.4 (210 horsepower) and did 0-60 in about 7 seconds.

That's 70 more horsepower than the 3.1 V6 Lumina. So I wouldn't call it just suspension and unique cosmetics.

However by "exclusive" I assume he means to the Z34 model at Chevrolet? The LQ1 was also used in the Cutlass Supreme and Grand Prix.

Oh I know what they made for power, and I know how they performed. I've driven them on many different occasions. While they may have performed better than the base model Luminas, the bottom line is that they were slugs. I'm just wondering how the almighty Z badge could wind up on a slug, and how it can be justified by the Z-crew, whereas the Cobalt gets slammed for having an SS badge, yet it runs 13s and traps 106 mph. :think: :o

The low wing is standard on the Cobalt SS/TC. You actually have to pay extra for the park bench now.

"Park bench" :lol: Maybe they should have an option for a little mini swingset to hang from the wing. That would be fun.

Oh I know what they made for power, and I know how they performed. I've driven them on many different occasions. While they may have performed better than the base model Luminas, the bottom line is that they were slugs. I'm just wondering how the almighty Z badge could wind up on a slug, and how it can be justified by the Z-crew, whereas the Cobalt gets slammed for having an SS badge, yet it runs 13s and traps 106 mph. :think: :o

I apologize - I thought your initial post made it sound like you were referring only to the Z34 having cosmetic and suspension tweaks with no added power -

"The Z34 is worthy of getting an explanation rationalizing it's worthiness of the Z badge because of its suspension and "unique cosmetic" upgrades."

Whereas I think the thing that could possibly justify a "Z" was the special engine. A 7 second 0-60 is faster than most Z28s from just a few years prior, to its release, so that could be a factor as well.

I don't think many people have said that the Cobalt SS Supercharged or turbocharged weren't worthy. I think there was far more outcry when they added the 2.4 SS.

Oh I know what they made for power, and I know how they performed. I've driven them on many different occasions. While they may have performed better than the base model Luminas, the bottom line is that they were slugs. I'm just wondering how the almighty Z badge could wind up on a slug, and how it can be justified by the Z-crew, whereas the Cobalt gets slammed for having an SS badge, yet it runs 13s and traps 106 mph. :think: :o

I'm not quite sure who would slam the Cobalt SS. I think that it's a pretty cool car and performs great.

Getting back to the Z34, slug compared to what?

I think you're just trying to get into an argument. :D

I think there was far more outcry when they added the 2.4 SS.

Now that's a slug. Get's good mpg tho. :o:D

I'm not quite sure who would slam the Cobalt SS. I think that it's a pretty cool car and performs great.

Getting back to the Z34, slug compared to what?

I think you're just trying to get into an argument. :D

Me? Argue? Never. :lol:;)

I don't see the difference between what GM/Chevy did with the Z badges in the early 90's and what they have done with the SS badge models today. It's just basic premium upgrades over standard equipment. It's all marketing and really that is the history of the SS in the 60's and Z/28 as well. GM is in the business of selling cars and if they can get the public to pay more for a vehicle over a base model only because they add some suspension, engine changes and/or performance options they will do it and stick whatever letter/number V, Z06, SS, Z, GXP, WS6, RS, LTZ... etc. they feel will help sell the most vehicles.
To somehow sit here and decide that a Z26 and Z34 used on Beretta's and Lumina's doesn't water down the Z brand but using SS on Cobalt’s and Impala's does is ridiculous. What is relevant is that Chevy has used the SS and Z badges on many vehicles including trucks. It was done for marketing and there is no rule book on what is a Z or SS model is other than what fits into the Chevy brand marketing at the time, based on what they feel will sell the most.
This certainly drives the Z vs. SS debate to a new low.

I don't see the difference between what GM/Chevy did with the Z badges in the early 90's and what they have done with the SS badge models today. It's just basic premium upgrades over standard equipment. It's all marketing and really that is the history of the SS in the 60's and Z/28 as well. GM is in the business of selling cars and if they can get the public to pay more for a vehicle over a base model only because they add some suspension, engine changes and/or performance options they will do it and stick whatever letter/number V, Z06, SS, Z, GXP, WS6, RS, LTZ... etc. they feel will help sell the most vehicles.
To somehow sit here and decide that a Z26 and Z34 used on Beretta's and Lumina's doesn't water down the Z brand but using SS on Cobalt’s and Impala's does is ridiculous. What is relevant is that Chevy has used the SS and Z badges on many vehicles including trucks. It was done for marketing and there is no rule book on what is a Z or SS model is other than what fits into the Chevy brand marketing at the time, based on what they feel will sell the most.
This certainly drives the Z vs. SS debate to a new low.

Very well put. :)

Soon, you guys will also post pictures of the Beretta GTZ/Z26 and Cavalier Z24.

couldnt resist... wife's car before the GTO.. a '98 Z24 5 speed vert

http://photos.imageevent.com/face440/98cavalier/large/IMG_1193.JPG

http://photos.imageevent.com/face440/98cavalier/large/IMG_1187.JPG

I say what I am about to say having owned 3 Formulas, 2 manual, 1 auto and a 95 Z28.

I think GM is going to soft ball this car into mediocrity. They have taken FAR too long to get it done while Mustang people have been laughing for the past 6 years. I watched the video of the 2 guys and the "roll out" in the garage. All I can say is what is GM thinking? Have they lost their minds? These guys are a couple of middle aged, at best, suits that have all the excitement of a 10 year old Cavalier. As they stood in their Jos. A. Bank clothes talking about mush Opels, etc., my thoughts were that Ford had the young and hip Vietnamese guy that was in charge of the current Mustang- a home run by any measure, and Carrol Shelby pitching their car. GM cant find any one more exciting than these 2 Starbucks swilling corporate types?

The new Camaro needs to be in 4 simple flavors-
1. BASE coupe-A price leader for young first job just out of school types that want a Camaro, but have tight budgets. 6 cylinder engine, Cloth seats, basic A/C-heat controls, single CD palyer, manual windows, locks etc. Something in the 18 or 19k range.
2. RS-6 cylinder or small v8, manual or auto trans, upgraded interior with available power equipment, sound systems, etc.
3. SS-All the luxury stuff and the range of performance V8's, trannys, rear diff's, etc. Upgraded cloth or nice leather-suede, whatever.
4. Z/28- This would be the base coupe with all the high performance equip. including the choice of perf. V8s. Keep it standard with the manualwindows, no satellite radio crap, etc. Upgraded supsension.

I hope I didn't piss anyone off, but I am driving an 08 Mustang GT right now that is cloth interior, manual, no spoiler, etc. because I needed a new car.

In May there will be 3 to choose from, refreshened Mustang, kick butt Challenger or the new Camaro.......which is what I originally thought I would end up in for sure to match the 69 that is in my garage now.
But the more I see of people like on that video, the more I wonder is GM still knows what made cars great in the heyday of the late 60's. I mean, good god, who really wears sport coats anymore? Well- BUICK LeSabre drivers I guess...

Trucks used the "Z" branding too. So is the Z branding over used too?

. It was done for marketing and there is no rule book on what is a Z or SS model is other than what fits into the Chevy brand marketing at the time, based on what they feel will sell the most.



I agree, only to a certain point. Having some sort of focus or discipline in this name game is what gives sub-branding value. Value which you can market.

Now that's a slug. Get's good mpg tho. :o:D

Actually, the 2.4 SS gets the same city mileage and only 2 mpg higher highway than the SS Turbocharged 22/30 vs 22/32.

The turbo gets amazing mileage for its performance. It wouldn't surprise me if the Cobalt SS turbocharged ends up being slightly faster than a Camaro V6.

Actually, the 2.4 SS gets the same city mileage and only 2 mpg higher highway than the SS Turbocharged 22/30 vs 22/32.

The turbo gets amazing mileage for its performance. It wouldn't surprise me if the Cobalt SS turbocharged ends up being slightly faster than a Camaro V6.

Oh the turbo SS Cobalt will actually be significantly faster. People have trapped near 106 mph bone stock. The V6 Camaro won't be that fast - closer to 99 or 100 mph at the traps. The only problem is getting the little FWD to launch.

I agree, only to a certain point. Having some sort of focus or discipline in this name game is what gives sub-branding value. Value which you can market.

Well Camaro aside what focus or discipline did the Z versions in Chevy's linup have that the SS variants don't have today? For the time in history to when Chevy has decided to use them they seem interchangeable.

Well Camaro aside what focus or discipline did the Z versions in Chevy's linup have that the SS variants don't have today? For the time in history to when Chevy has decided to use them they seem interchangeable.


It's hard to get into this without discussing the Camaro, but I'll try.

If Chevy used them both interchangeably, which in some cases they admittedly did, then they made a mistake.

In my mind, I can see a very defined differentiation between the two, and for Chevrolet not to protect that differentiated branding, was a complete waste of equity.