Came across this interview on another camaro site.

Usually I don't put too much stock in news like this until I see it for myself or in actual photos but when Ed Pepers says it I guess it's probably pretty reliable I hope that the final bean counters don't mess this up for us because this sounds very promising.

Best part - he's seen the production car.. woohoo!

 

Beancounters don't have any effect on a car's design or appearence.

They do have effect on the quality of materials and assembly, mainly on interior components (a favorite place to make up costs).

 

Ah thanks for clarifying that. Anyone here actually sit in the interior before? How's the actual quality and fit then?

 

well... not anymore at GM at least, thank you Mr Lutz. Under Zarella, they sure did. Those were dark days.

 

I read somewhere that Lutz is on his way out soon to be replaced by GM's european head? Will this affect Camaro production in any way whatsoever?

 

I'm sure GM will try to stick to the concept car as much as possible, like they did with the SSR or Solstice, or even the Evoq - XLR. But what worries most of us is that the Camaro needs to be afordable and near the price of the Mustang, its competition. And if GM gives us a copy of the concept car it will probably cost too much. So then becomes the game of what goes and how will it be replaced. GM is notorious for going "cheap" on the interior to make up some cost spent on the exterior. Its not their fault that we want it all for cheap but it is their problem to get that to us as close as possible.

 

Y'know, it's possible that the "concept" was designed with production realities in mind.

 

I have my fingers crossed that the production car will be a scaled down version of the concept. Not quite as wide, not as tall, and wheels that are more reasonably sized. I can only assume that some of these changes will definitely happen, but who knows?

It'd be nice if the production version wasn't as wide, because I already get too many door dings on my current Camaros because they are too wide for the average non-SAMS-Club parking spot. I don't like the idea of such huge rims either. I bought the 1:18 scale Camaro concept model the other day and have it sitting on top of my 2002 Camaro model and the wheels just look cartoony. Wayyyy too large for production IMO.

 

Didn't Ed Welburn or someone say at NAIAS that the production Camaro would lose some width (but less than an inch) and gain some height in the greenhouse (but less than an inch)? And that otherwise it'd be pretty much what we've seen? And there was a report this week that they've modified the Camaro's front geometry in order to accommodate 20" factory wheels (and noted that the car would be able to take 24s).

I wouldn't expect it to look much different from the concept. I think what you see is pretty close to what we're going to get.

 

It'd be nice if the production version wasn't as wide, because I already get too many door dings on my current Camaros because they are too wide for the average non-SAMS-Club parking spot. I don't like the idea of such huge rims either. I bought the 1:18 scale Camaro concept model the other day and have it sitting on top of my 2002 Camaro model and the wheels just look cartoony. Wayyyy too large for production IMO.
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Speaking of door dings, does anybody know if the 5th gen is going to use Sheet Molded Composites like they did on the 4th gens? It's really nice having dent resistance on the hood(SS models), front fenders, and doors.

 

It'd be nice if every single body panel was made of that sheet molded compound, that's a good idea.

 

I'm most curious to see how they make smaller wheels look good. Without making smaller fender openings (and a tigher radius), it's going to wind up with either too much tire or too much open space.

 

I agree. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for SMC body panels. It's getting too cold in the winter to walk to the mall or grocery store from a remote corner parking spot a quarter mile away

 

Very true. At a restaurant last night (party with friends), I ended up parking the Z28 four blocks from the restaurant to avoid the valet because I didn't want door dings (ok... I didn't want him hot rodding in my car, but overall I didn't want anyone touching my car). Good thing I didn't have a date, she'd never walk 4 blocks in 34 degrees.

I took a pic of my two 1:18 scale models. The Dub City one is NOT inaccurate for anyone wondering, the wheels appear to be to scale with the concept's. They look really awkward together (which isn't good, because these two cars would be occupying my 2-car garage). I have my fingers crossed that GM will rescale the wheel wells and the rest of the car to only hold 19 inchers at stock.

 

Been there, done that. Solution: Just drop your date off in front of the club or restaurant, and meet her inside after parking your car out in the hinterlands.