At the risk of fear mongering, there's an interview with Bob Lutz where he directly addresses a higher performance Camaro. There's another thread discussing it, but I figured I'd post it here since it directly mentions what we all assumed was the Z/28.

Key Quote:
“I get letters from people saying they heard we were going to add a supercharged 600-hp V-8 to the Camaro lineup, and I write back saying ‘Sorry, with new (corporate average fuel economy) standards (for 2020), we aren’t going to do it.”
The new minimum CAFE standard of 35 mpg (6.7 L/100 km) in 2020 and additional pressure from California and 15 other states to limit carbon dioxide is part of what may force Chrysler LLC to jettison its Viper high-performance model. Chrysler said this week it was examining options for its Viper business, including a sale.

“Setting lower CO2 limits would equal setting CAFE at 43 mpg (5.5 L/100 km),” Lutz says. “This is why the sale of the Dodge Viper by Chrysler makes sense, because anyone selling fewer than 50,000 vehicles annually would be exempt (from fuel-economy requirements).

“So if someone else bought Viper, they could sell to capacity, but Chrysler couldn’t. This is why we are concerned about Corvette.

“The reason California set the exemption for less than 50,000 units is that it would mean the Hollywood folks could keep driving their Lamborghinis and Ferraris.”

Based on the 50,000-unit exemption “Porsche could sell 11-mpg (21.4 L/100 km) Cayennes, but we couldn’t sell 20-mpg (11.8 L/100 km) Chevy Tahoes,” Lutz adds.


I hope this makes everyone as mad as it does me - and not at GM, but at the people and their representatives who agree to these stupid regulations. They will kill the automotive industry if given the chance, and destroy manufacturing in this country in the process all because of a knee-jerk solution to an questionable problem.

Thread:
https://www.camaroz28.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=632428

Original Article:
http://wardsauto.com/ar/lutz_break_testing_080829/

 

This doesn't necessarily mean that a Z/28 type model is dead, just that it definitely won't take the supercharger with ridiculous horsepower route. It could still go on a diet with a suspension upgrade and possibly a mild bump in power, like 20 or so. I will keep faith for a while longer yet.

 

Lutz also said the Zeta platform was dead a couple years ago. CAFE standards could still change if we get some decent representatives.

 

The amount of whining on this forum complaining about a supercharged 550+hp Z28 probably didn't help either. Thanks ****ers! Instead of getting something special and godly powerful we get one choice, Vanilla. Definitely picking up a Vette now if this is true. At least I won't have to wait 3-4 years for it now.

 

The Z28 name was gone before.

It came back. And it will again.

 

It only means it won't get the 600+hp LS9 reserved for the ZR1.

 

I'd rather have the Z28 be a lighter version of the SS with maybe an exhaust and suspension upgrade. 440HP 6.2L at 3700lbs. > 550HP S/C 6.2L at 4100lbs.

 

Yeah you couldn't do that on your own, the suspension and exhaust? The car isn't getting lighter so I wish people would quit asking for that.

 

Its only logical to kill the Z28 in order to save the Corvette. Take your SS Camaro to your local speed shop if you want 500+hp, because you arent getting it from GM.

 

It never was..

 

so i dont exactly get these cafe ratings... its manditory that they meet them, or they have to pay a gas guzzler tax if they dont?

 

Yeah, I'm sure GM was watching CZ28.com and they were just waiting to punish us.

[Bob Lutz]: "I swear if I hear one more thread on CZ28 with those damn enthusiasts whining about GM making a 550 HP Z28, I'm cancelling the damn car."

Hey, it's how billion dollar businesses make their decisions. Search the internet looking for whiney enthusiasts, and if they whine too much, punish them.

 

Unfortunately the only presidential candidate who understood this was Mit Romney, and the bigots kept him out. Hope for 2012 or 1016, maybe CAFE can still be amended in time.

 

He's just saying there isn't going to be a 600 hp supercharged V8 version of the Camaro. He cites CAFE in 2020.

He's not saying there won't be a Z28 and there is a long time between now and 2020. Because if you just take the known Camaro SS w/ LS3 at 422hp and 23 mph HWY it too would not make the CAFE rules for 2020, neither would the Z06 or ZR1. But there is a reason why the A in CAFE is for average. With an army of smaller high MPG vehicles like Volt in full production by then GM can offset the full size trucks, SUV's, Vettes and maybe a Camaro by then.

On the Z28 front there is still room for it in the Camaro linup without being force fed.

 

I agree with the above entry.

Plus, if GM doesn't make it the way you want it, the aftermarket should be plentiful. Trust me on this one.