I have been a Camaro fan for over 35 years, and after reading all of these posts, I just wanted to throw in my opinion. To me, the Z28 has by far the most history as THE performance Camaro. Sure, there were SS cars that were great in the 4th gen, but there were also pretty low-po 350 cars in the first generation.
The Z28 has always been the dedicated performance Camaro, and for a long time it was really the ONLY performance Camaro. This new car is really a tribute to the entire Camaro heritage and I think the Z28 is the best designation for the top car. Having said that, the Z28 has also meant AFFORDABLE performance. So, I feel the Z28 should have some version of the LS2, unless Chevrolet can figure out a way to make the LS7 a whole lot cheaper. Tune the LS2 and get another 25-50 HP out of it so that it can spank the heavier Challenger and hang with or maybe edge out the heavier Shelby. And do this for a base price under $30,000 (and as much under $30,000 as possible ), and give the customer something that was so cool in the 60s-80s, the ability to option it extensively or not at all. Don't make us choose expensive option "packages" that force us to take things we don't want to get things we do.
If the LS7 is at any point needed in the car and it gets up close to $40,000, then give it the ultimate Camaro designation and call it the ZL1. This should be like the old COPO cars though, VERY limited production. So, for what it is worth, here's my wish list:

Camaro Sport Coupe: V6 and entry level V8, 300 HP as option $20-22,000

Camaro SS: entry level V8, 300HP, optional V8, 350HP $24-28,000

Camaro Z28: standard 425 HP LS2 $26-30,000

Camaro ZL1: 525 HP LS7 $40,000

Just my opinion, but I think it would work well.

And i know I've said this before, BUT ISN'T IT GREAT THAT WE CAN EVEN BEGIN TO SPECULATE ON THIS STUFF!!!! THANK YOU AGAIN SCOTT S. AND ALL THE OTHER FOLKS THAT MADE IT POSSIBLE! AND THANKS TO THOSE THAT RUN THIS SITE TO GIVE THE CAMARO FANS A PLACE TO TALK ABOUT IT! LONG LIVE THE F5 CAMARO!!!!!

 

I'm sick of explaining this.....Billy its your turn....

Your in the ballpark buddy....but your not too close...

 

Tired of explaining what? You don't need to explain anything to me, pal, I just wrote my opinion and thoughts about what would be cool. And as for who's in the ball park, we'll see. And I'm sorry I made you sick, oh angry monkey. And speaking of cool, BE cool.

 

Are you even going to buy a new Camaro when they return?

I am.

I want my Z/28 with 500+ horsepower and I'm willing to pay $40K+ to get it.

Are you?

That's what Stefan is talking about.

 

No. I think he had it right. Z28 is the bad boy but ZL1 was the super car. I would love an LS2 Z28 as would many.

 

The hostility from some people on this board is amusing. As I said in a previous post, I am a new poster on this board, but have monitored it for years hoping for some news on a fifth gen. When that news came, I got interested and excited enough to post some opinions. I am not, however, new to Camaros, and have owned 7 over the years, all V8 cars including a 1969 Z28 with all original body panels and no rust that I bought for the outrageous sum of $1000 in 1978. I still own two Camaros, a two-owner 1969 350 coupe and my 1 owner, 42000 mile 1985 IROC-Z.
JG95z28, am I planning to buy the new car-absolutely. Can I afford the LS7 car-yes, though I don't know if I want to put that much into a car. Something just gripes me about a $40,000 car. I had honestly sworn off new cars years ago, I was so disappointed in what Detroit offered. The Camaro concept cured me of that VERY quickly and if the new car is not watered down. I will place an order, though probably for a second year car, if I can stand to wait.
The LS7 car will no doubt be a limited production affair, and I think would deserve some special designation reflecting the history of the car. This car seems more about the history of the whole breed than any other previous incarnation, so I think that would be appropriate. The Z28 on the other hand, has been the more affordable but BAD Camaro, and with 400 HP or more, that tradition would continue. 400 net horsepower is an amazing figure. Very few years ago that kind of power would have been unthinkable, as I'm sure Scott S. could attest to. 500 HP is truly supercar stuff, and in my opinion deserves a special designation. We will see who Chevy agrees with.
Stefan is it? You said "Your in the ballpark buddy.....but your not too close". The correct use is YOU'RE, as in you are, not your. I couldn't resist that after seeing you flame someone on another post for what could have been a typo- "were" instead of "where" I think it was. You devoted a whole post reply to it. Your reply to me obviously wasn't a typo, since you used it twice in rapid succession. Better check your own grammar and spelling skills there, Rocket, before pointing out the shortcomings of others.
And JG95Z28, don't be so quick to roll your eyes and assume that you are the only one on the board who can afford to buy the new car, if indeed you can. You better hope that a lot of us can and will, including new guys on the board, so that this thing flies. Both of you guys act like you are Mr. and Mrs. Bob Lutz or something, and KNOW how things are going to turn out with this car, and they must turn out as you want them. Well, we'll see. I for one, just hope it gets built, and if the Z28 has the LS7 and is $40,000, I'm sure I'll love it. If it is LS2 powered and closer to $30,000, I'll love that too, and will think that is quite appropriate. Now you two guys, get a paper bag, hold it around your mouth, breathe in and out slowly.......you'll be OK.

 

willz, I rolled my eyes only because I'm tired of everyone signing up and starting new threads and saying they want a high performance Camaro but it has to cost under $25k; especially when 75% of them won't even buy it new. We've beaten this one to death several times over.

I'm sorry if I vented my rage on you. The fact is GM will need a top dog Camaro to battle the Mustang GT500. That will be a 500hp $40K plus car. I don't see where there's a problem with GM building a Camaro to compete against it. (Of course the Camaro should out perform the GT500 for slightly less money.)

Furthermore, it shouldn't be called ZL1 unless it has an aluminum big block.

 

Some of us do not have time to read every singe reply or even every post. If you don't like what somebody has to say or it has been repeated, then just don't respond. I guess we'll get the message if no one responds one way or the other. And I am sure the creators of this forum welcome new folks who love the Camaro and have some opinions. Ultimately, we'll all get what we get and I hope it is good. As for a new ZL1, it would have an aluminum block, so it won't be a big block, but it will have probably just as much HP as the old car, maybe more. 500 net HP probably equates to 650-675 HP based on the old gross HP measures that were taken in the time of the original ZL1. And I don't think I EVER said that the top Camaro should be under 25K, and I doubt that anyone who knows the business at all thinks that is likely. BUT, I would like to see the entry level V8 car outperform the Mustang GT for less money, and the 400-425 HP Z28 (i hope) absolutely destroy the GT for around 30K (or a little less) for a non-heavily optioned model. I don't think that is ignorant or out of the realm of possibilty. Then the LS7 car could be for those that want the ultimate. And certainly the past ultimate was the ZL1Camaro. I think it would be a fitting tribute to that car. And I hope that car starts at under 40K, and as much under as they can get it. The Shelby is supposed to be slightly south of 40K from what I have read, and I hope they can bring the Camaro in a few hundred south of that. They do if they do. The less it is the more I'll have to spend on speed parts to give the edge over the one in the lane next to mine. We'll see.

 

That's why there's a search function, and the "I want a bazillion horsepower in a stripped car with no seat foam and a 12-bolt with 4.13 gears" has been beaten to death.

Not happening.

The top engine option with come on a highly optioned, relatively more expensive car.

Period.

 

Your car will have enough power, and it will be a driver's car. It will handle well, accelerate well, brake well, and have good ride quality. Stop worrying and start saving!

 

Maybe some folks said that.

I didn't.

I said the LS7 car, if offered, would probably be close to 40K, that is obvious since the crate motor alone is 14k.

My post was really about what I thought the Z28 should be and that's my opinion pal. Read the post or don't.

But sounding off without reading the original makes responders look like idiots.

Period.

 

And number77, I'm not worrying, and I am saving!

 

I have been away, so I missed the part where the LS7 might become a reality.
I expect a Z28 with the 6.2, loaded the way I want, north of 35k.

 

I highly doubt GM or Chevy will use a Camaro to "battle" the GT500. If we are to get a Camaro it will be on GM's terms. Those terms I can almost guarantee don't include several engines. Just because they have the LS7 and LS2 or whatever designation they use when the car is produced doesn't mean it will be in the Camaro.
When the Camaro arrives it will need to generate good sales like near the 150K per year that GM forcasts it to be. And "IF" those figures are hit then maybe Chevy will look at special models and what not. Don't compare the Camaro to Mustang in this category. The Camaro has been out of production the car lost a sales war to the point that it was canceled. I'm not going to get into reasons why because we all know them and its water under the bridge. The Mustang is a great selling car and a strong brand. Ford didn't have to worry too much about sales especially with the new one. SO if they get a v6, GT and GT500 its because they have sales to support it.

When the Camaro comes back GM look for a V6 in auto and "maybe" a manual. Look for one V8 probably a LS2 variant with manual and auto options. There will probably be a Z/28 and SS. Look for the SS to be the most expensive and with the most options because Chevy is pushing this SS brand identity as the top models. You may not like it but its corporate and marketing and its what they will do. Look for the Z/28 or Z28 to be like they are in the 4th gens. A powerful v8 (same) but maybe not advertised as strong for some afordability. Not a replica of a Trans Am race car built for the street. GM isn't sponsoring Camaro's to race... yet.

I think we here have a lot of wishes and dreams. Those are all nice. But does it really matter if Chevy has a Z/28 or Z28 with a different engine than the SS. This isn't 1966 its 2006 and GM isnt the same corp. it was then. And neither is the Camaro, even it it resembles the classic. I know we all love the Camaro and want to see it the best. But to me just getting it back especially in the light of GM's troubles is dream enough. So quit bickering over the Z28 or SS it doesn't matter and our opintions certainly won't make GM do one thing or another. So flamming people who have opinions or acting like we have "solved" this issue is just moronic. We haven't solved or proven anything. A year ago 99.9% of us on this board didn't even know this concept Camaro was on its way. It happened despite all of our opinions and bickering and when it comes to production GM will make it the economical way despite us here. This isn't the end all be all of Camaro fans.

 

Honestly all I care about is a resonably priced V8 Camaro. I'll go with an entry level V8 (5.3L?)... just as long as the car looks like the concept, runs well, has a V8 and leather interior, I'll be satisfied.
A new car like this would be my daily anyways. My '79 will always be my toy.