The new STS and CTS are getting a 302 hp version of the 3.6L V6. This same engine, attached to a manual trans (even a 5 speed) and sport suspension, would make the base Camaro competitive with the current GT mustang while handling much better due to the low weight of the V6. With a throatier exhaust freeing up a few more ponies, a 310 or so hp V6 Camaro would still leave the 400 hp V8 with a healthy power gap, while still making the V6 very competitive, even with other vehicles such as the G37 and BMW 3. Plus, it'd be the perfect vehicle to bridge the gap between the sport compact scene that goes for smaller engines with bigger power, and traditional hot rodders who go for muscle cars. I can already picture a carbon fiber bodied turbo V6 camaro with 5-600 hp.

I wrote on this same exact subject back in Jan, saying that the camaro could be made well enough to compete with these cars. If the V6 competes with them, what would the V8 do to them?

This is my personal plea, please offer the same 3.6L from the STS and CTS with a manual in a sub-21k Camaro, it'd be the best bang for the buck out there, and make me glad I am waiting for the Camaro and not buying another mustang. Cloth interior and basic stereo are fine (just open up the exhaust).

 

Does GM want to cheapen Caddys image by offering the same motor/trans combo in a lowly Chevy? It would be cool if they did, but it would probably raise the price to $23 grand. There are certain standards GM goes by for exhaust noise and it cant exceed a certain decible at X number of rpms at X number of feet away. GM doesnt want their new vehicles to sound like a hillbilly pickup truck. The aftermarket has always been good for throatier exhaust sound and more horsepower.

 

that original thread you referred to was from Jan 2006... lol

http://web.camaross.com/forums/showthread.php?t=422178

It's a strong arguement indeed.

One thing I can say for sure after participating in the focus group in May... GM is well aware that they need to broaden the appeal of this car to a wider audience than the 4th gens appealed to.

 

Would it harm caddy's image or improve chevy's? It wouldn't make the 302 hp V6 any less spectacular, it would just be offering a powerful efficient engine in a sports car. The caddy version is more efficient while making more power, so it would actually be better for GM's bigger picture to use it to raise the company mileage average.

Raise the price to 23k? I'm sure they can cut the cost in other areas in order to bring it out with the caddy V6, such as a beefed up T5 as opposed to a tremec 5 speed or a T56 and other areas. As for the sounds, I guess you have never heard a G35S because straight from the factory that sounds kick ***. I would much rather buy the car with that sound, than buy one and spend 500-1000 to improve the sound.

 

wow, I can't believe it's been that long. I am glad to hear they are going to aim it towards a bigger audience. That is what is needed to make it sustainable.

 

G35 has always sounded sweet to me, but its not loud, just sounds good.

 

Yeah, I think a cloth interior, low on options nice driving 302 hp V6 Camaro would trounce the G35 and the G37, 335 coupe if it was in the 20-22k range. It would kill them on my list anyway. The G35 has a cheap interior, Sport version has a nice ride, good brakes, ok engine and trans.

Lets see, 22k for a 2003 or so G35 sport coupe with 50k miles or 22k for a 302 hp Camaro with 9 miles and GM's new longer warranty? Tough choice

 

My personal plea to GM is... to not get bought out by a foreign company.

After all, Toyota's net value as a company is 8x more than GM and Ford's combined.

And in no way will the new v6 camaro ever "trounce" the G35, or G37, and I doubt the interior will ever even touch that of the 2003 G35.

I pray to those who buy chevys and GMs that they still have places to get these cars fixed once an import company buys GM.

Chevy, a Korean-made revolution.
(we cant forget Aveos are made in Korea).

 

Somebody obviously got lost on the net.

 

He didn't get lost, that's just what HIS kinda people do, talk talk talk, obviously he's just mad at GM for reason, did his precious Sing-hop mobile get beat by an f-body or something?

 

Really? Well, if a used car costs the same a brand new one, that is sleeker with possibly the same or even more power, who'd buy someone else's throwaway when you could get a brand new car? And, about the interior, all I can say is look at the 'vettes interior. I'm sure there will be some relation bewteen the two as far as quality goes, espeically in the top of the line SS model

 

I'm all for using the 255 horse version of the 3.6 VVT. I would love to see the DI'd 302 horse in the Camaro, but as has been stated, that engine is sort of a premium engine that GM would like to keep exclusive to Cadillac.

Then again, the HT 4100 was supposed to be an exclusive "premium" Cadillac engine.

 

I bet the new camaro is going to be built a lot like they newer and nicer dodge chargers and magnums... Constructionwise. I just have a feeling...

gm needs to step up and just put a nicer interior in the cars. like an infinity or audi. I have worked on cars and it can't cost that much more for the materials used for the nicer interiors. The mechanical things can stay simple but a nice sueded interior option like the srtv8 magnums etc. they have a very nice interior.. just a few things needed to be changed but not bad. the camaro could have a simple three gauge cluster with glowing needles like the cadillac. Any camaro with leather seats should have seats like that in the srtv8 cars. The carpet is just carpet and an all black interior should be a common option. None of this dark gray crap. the viper has a very nice and very simple interior. I dont understand why a car that is supposed ot be sporty wouldn't just have these things. GM needs a car to beat the mustang off the road and they need to pump it up more then making it a bumblebee ina movie. I bet some old fart is in charge of what goes on and doesn't know the potential in their product. Make it nice and make it simple. make it a good base and make the aftermarket parts. I drove a magnum v8 a bunch of times and it felt awesome. if our light cars felt as solid as one of those I would be happy as a pig in ****. I love my car but I hear everything and it is not easy to get the interior to look strong yet sophisticated.... Why is it so damn hard?

 

Just as a point of reference, GM Canada just announced pricing on the '08 CTS and there is a CDN$2500 premium on the 3.6 DI engine ($38,900 for the base 3.6 with 263 HP and 253 lb/ft torque vs. $41,400 for the DI 3.6 with 304 HP and 273 lb/ft torque). Both are 6-speed cars with either the Aisin 6-speed manual or the 6L50 6-speed auto.
The $2500 premium for the DI engine also includes higher content:
- standard leather seating with heated and ventilated driver and front passenger seats
- an "Ultraview" sunroof that covers 70% of the roof
- upgraded instrument cluster with multi-line Driver Information Sensor
- 17" wheels
- polished aluminum exhaust tips
-stabilitrak
-Bose 8 speaker sound system
- tire pressure monitoring

I'm not suggesting that any conclusions can be drawn about how much more the 3.6 DI engine might cost on the 5th Gen car, but at least one can see what ballpark the premium might be in... especially if you eliminate some of the higher content items

Best regardSS,

Elie

 

THAT is what I want to see in the Camaro!!!!!