I was just thinking about some of the upcoming and possible future engines in the pipeline, which would be applicable to a 6th gen Camaro.

If we assume that a 6th gen is even coming, we can also assume that this car will be smaller and lighter than the 5th gen. Let's call it 180-185" in overall length and 3200 -3500 lbs, depending on equipment. This lower mass opens up all sorts of opportunities for some interesting, fun to drive, and economical combos.

Here are some engines off the top of my head:

- GDI 2.3L I4, 210-230 hp.
- GDI 2.0L turbo I4, 260-300 hp.
- GDI 3.0L V6, 255-285 hp.
- GDI 2.8L turbo V6, 350 hp.
- GDI 3.0/3.6L turbo V6, 400-430 hp. (cancelled)
- GDI 3.6L V6, 300-330 hp.
- GDI Gen V smallblock V8 5.0-5.7L 400-450 hp.

A new, smaller, lighter Camaro could be motivated very effectively with a 2.3L Ecotec. Fun to drive and 35 mpg.

The prime mover could be the upcoming 3.0L V6. Enough power and torque to move an option laden Camaro with authority, and still get well over 30 mpg.

An entry level performance version could use a 2.0L turbo/2.8L V6 turbo/ NA 3.6. I'm not sure which one of these to go with.

And finally the performance Z/28 version. I'm still holding out for a smallblock. A 5.xL, direct injected, Gen V smallblock with the power of an LS3, in a tidy 3400 pound package, gives me goosebumps. It would probably get around 30 mpg too.


Discuss....

 

Assuming it got 3 engines, I'd like to see...

base/RS = GDI 2.3L
SS = 350HP 2.8L Turbo (must be ~350HP)
Z28 = 450HP 5.5L V8...maybe bump the displacement up to 5.7L for nostalgic reasons.

I like the idea of the engine between the I4 and V8 being a Turbo engine, something different and probably more popular with the tuner crowd.

If fuel prices are high enough in 2013-2014 maybe we could see a turbo diesel I4 I expect the price of a gallon of gas to be at least $8 in the USA by 2013

 

Bored with the 5th gen already huh?

 

^Lmao.

But I don't think a new camaro could be much smaller without losing the rear seats entirely (I would highly consider a 2 seater camaro) .. otherwise you're going to get a car that doesn't resemble a camaro much, to be honest.

And if it doesn't get smaller, it won't get lighter.

 

Maximizing space. The SN95 is what I would consider the perfect size for a pony car, and its back seats were no smaller than Camaro's even though Camaro was over 10" longer during the same period.

 

Lots of smaller coupes have adequate 2+2 seating.

 

And those cars aren't Camaros.. If you still want similar proportions.. the large hood, short rear, and all of that.. it's not getting much smaller. and if it does, it's just going to end up an entirely different car.

 

An entirely different car than..........what?

 

RS = 60hp DI 3cyl + 2 30hp electric motors
Z28 = 480hp DI 6.5
SS = 590HP DI 7.4l (454 LSX)
IROC = 710HP supercharged DI 6.5
BAMF (special edition) = 1028hp twin turbo DI 9.4l (572 bb)

 

2008 BMW M3 = 181.8 " and those have a bigger back seat than a 193.5 " 4th gen Camaro. Same goes for the 183.1 " 2008 Infiniti G37.

 

I would use the 2.3 or a smaller turbo 4 cylinder for the regular Camaro, and the Gen V small block for the SS, and that is all.

I think V6 engines will be rare for anything but luxury cars and trucks in 5 years.

 

The only problem I see with an SN95 length car is the 2+2 packaging, sure it works, but if you want something low and sleek it needs to be longer. Every short 2+2 car I've looked at was upright with some variation of the three box theme. The Foxbody cars had way more headroom in the compared to the SN95 and the S-197 cars but look at the styling differences between the three. I've been told by my victims in the back seat that the S-197 Mustang is the worst of the three (::shrugs:: muhahahahahahahahahahaha...cough....hahahaha!)

 

IMO, Id keep Camaro's size, just cut down on weight.
As for powertrain...2.0T SIDI as the base car coming at like 3400lbs.
3.0 SIDI V6 coming at 275hp
5.3 SIDI V8 coming in at 380
and then a 5.7 SIDI going to 450hp

 

If gas is $8/gal in 2013, diesel fuel will be in the $10/gal range.

 

Exactly my thoughts. Maybe its also a good time to bring up the 'Who killed JFK' discussion at this point!