The new Camaro V6 might be the best model of the entire lineup!

[guionM]

....and here's why:

The LY7 3.6 V6 version of the Pontiac G8 weighs 3885 pounds, has a 256 horsepower, and 252 lbs/ft of torque. It runs 7 seconds to 60 and the quarter in the low 15s at just over 90 mph, and gets 17/25 mpg according to the EPA.

The LLT 3.6 direct injection V6 produces just over 300 hp, 272 ft/lbs of torque. In the Cadillac CTS, the vehicle weight is 3874. It does 0-60 in about 6.3 seconds and the quarter in just under 15 seconds at 95 mph. It gets 17/26 mpg.


The new Camaro will likely be roughly a similar weight as the Holden Monaro/Pontiac GTO.

While the V8 versions weighed in around 3700 pounds, the Monaro CV6 had a supercharged 3.8 V6 engine, and had a curb weight of just over 3500 pounds. It had just 229 hp and 277 ft/lbs of torque. It ran 0-100K (0-62 mph) in the mid 6 second range. It came only with an automatic.

It's not a far jump to see why the V6 5 speed Camaro apparently stole the show with the focus group currently checking out preproduction 5th gens.

With nothing more than the regular V6, with 3500 pounds and the right gearing, a V6 Camaro would be a blast to drive. With over 300 pounds under the G8, it's not unreasonable for a manual Camaro to reach 60 in 6 seconds flat and possibly less with the quarter in the upper 90s.

But that's not even the top V6.

The 3.6 direct injected V6 would absolutely scream in the new Camaro.

It has over 25 more horsepower than the LT1 Camaro did. In a 5th gen, it would weigh roughly as much as the 4th gen LT1 did. Again, with the right gearing, it would make up the torque difference between the two.

In short, if Camaro ends up with the DI V6 (not even considering a possible increase in horsepower between now and next year), a 6 speed manual with good gearing, an agressive rear axle ratio, and comes in at the CV6's 3500 pounds, we should have a V6 Camaro that will roughly split the difference between the LT1 and LS1 Camaro in performance!


To top it off, the 17/26 mpg fuel economy of a DI Camaro is idenical to the 4 liter base Mustang with nowhere near the same power (the GT is rated at 15/23).

Even more impressive, this performance is available at better fuel economy than the current Evo (16/22), Eclipse V6 (16/25), VW R32 (18/23), Nisan 350Z (18/25), and matches the G37 coupe (17/26).

Even the Accord coupe (17/25) comes up short next to a 300+ hp DI V6 Camaro.

Forget about someone's arbitrary weight number. Perish the though about the new Camaro being a gas guzzling pig.

The new Camaro is shaping up to be something potentially big as long as GM gets the word out and Chevy gets people to test drive them.

And, bless their hearts, you don't need to get a top level V8 to actually have a great car! If you get the V8, you'll probally add 200 pounds to the Camaro, heap another $4-5000 hit on the sticker (not to mention higher insurence) and take a 2 mpg hit on fuel economy (and certainly more on day-to-day driving), and might even give up something on the fun factor. A DI V6 would be the best of all worlds.


I'm convinced that GM DID learn their lesson from the 4th gen.



Latest drag time on a DI CTS:
http://www.dragtimes.com/Cadillac-CT...lip-14133.html

[polo3433]

I always said I am going to get the V8 no matter what, but with gas prices soaring I was starting to have second thoughts, but now the news that I hear about the V6 is astounding and now I feel like have more choices to choose from when it comes to purchasing the Camaro.

[scott9050]

The V6 options are sounding better and better.

[Andy30thZ]

Find a way to make the V6 sound like a V8, and the game may change completely for some individuals......

[68z28]

At least my poor old LT1 will sound good....

[97z28/m6]

too bad it won't get a 6sd. it would have better performance and better mileage.

[ELMATONSS]

OK, my first post, I have been following you guys for over a year and checking this page many times a day and finally had to join, this week's posts from these lucky 15 guys was just too much. I too am exited about the the V6, cant wait for details on the podcast tomorrow! well, what are the chances the camaro V6 can get 300hp+ personally i would not consider a V6 if it does not go into the 300s. IF it does why not? better GAS milage (i just paid $4.17 a gallon today!) and with that power can definitely rape a mustang base/GT. at this point i really hope the camaro V6 goes over 300hp. What do you guys think, 300 likely or not, maybe GM does not want to give it a CTS DI V6.

[RedLT4Mike]

not 15 guys

[ELMATONSS]

bash on the new guy lol...well the 12/15 (not sure if all 15 attended) but 15 "Disciples" both male/female.

[IZ28]

Now why couldn't one of those base models splitting the difference between an LT1 and LS1 Camaro be a small, light V8 like EVERYONE wanted in the first place instead of a powerful V6 that will basically perform the same concerning performance and MPG??

No matter how good the V6 car is, people want the V8 for the sound and bragging rights. I still think not including that is a mistake. For example, people will always take a 300HP 17/26 MPG V8 over a 310HP 18/27 V6 in a car like this just because of the V8 factor. IMO, having an SS with two engine options, one being a small V8, would have been the biggest seller out of ALL of the models offered, more than any V6, a bigger V8 SS, and of course more than a Z06-like top model Z28.

[poSSum]

Originally Posted by ELMATONSS

bash on the new guy lol...well the 12/15 (not sure if all 15 attended) but 15 "Disciples" both male/female.

We were all there:



From left to right:

John (GM), Jason, Chris, Selena, Jeremy, Dan, Teri, Elie, Kevin, Tim, Scott (GM), Millie, Tom (GM), Art, Janet, Brett (GM down under), Cheryl (GM), Maggie, Cara & Sherrie.

[RoninZ28]

thanks for posting the one where my hair is all jacked up, art LOL



here's the other one with just the disciples it:

[DvBoard]

I hope GM puts the same manual tranny behind both the V8 and the V6. The lack of a 6spd keeps me from picking up a V6 f-body right now...

[cmg06s]

thats cool hopefully the buying public understands this

[Noth'nLikeaSmBlock]

Originally Posted by DvBoard

I hope GM puts the same manual tranny behind both the V8 and the V6. The lack of a 6spd keeps me from picking up a V6 f-body right now...

Which of the Disciples actually said it was a 5-speed??? I missed that in the posts from this weekend's activities.

Either way, I think they would be hesitant to challenge the assumption in this thread because arguing OR confirming would be in violation of their non-disclosure agreement. I doubt Scott or other GM insiders will/should comment on this because, once again, we are dealing with competitive issues for the development of the Mustang, etc.