That's actually a very plausible line-up. I'd be interested in your thoughts on how'd you justify a V8 at all then.

 

I beg to differ regarding the G37. I've sat in the back of those things, as well as a 4th gen Camaro. The Camaro's back seats are much better.

 

Tell me what makes you think something like this might be built.

There's nothing else like this out there. Every F-R car out there with 4 seats and 400hp is quite a bit heavier than this, even in premium designs where weight minimization was very important and the mfr had significant budget for lightweight components.

If you replace "Gen V smallblock with the power of an LS3" with "300+ hp V6 or turbo 4" I could believe this. I could even point to a platform that would not need to be redesigned.
If gasoline stays expensive, and the V8 stays out of favor, why would GM spend a bunch of money to put a V8 into that platform?

It doesn't add up.

 

Oh, it's very possible that no V8 will be a reality. But if the next gen Mustang comes with a giraffe under the hood, GM will be compelled to follow suit.

 

On the other hand, we missed 7 model years of Camaro, so....

And Ford seems to be bailing out of V8s....

I do like your concept, btw. I just don't want to get my hopes up.

 

To compete with the Mustang. But my answer would change if Ford replaces the V8 in the Mustang GT with the 3.5 Ecoboost.

 

I hope there is no 4cly NA---DI or no it will be pokey.

Rather have a small V6 in the base then that. And still a V8--maybe 5.3L--in play.

 

We are talking 2014, technology changes. 230HP DI 4cyl. in a 3300lbs. car would not be that pokey. Just look at the power to weight not V8 80's and 90's Camaros had.

 

still not convinced. GM has hardly been at the forefront of 4cly NA power.....despite having acress to DI and the Ecotec being designed for it....the 2.4L still does not have it.

And when you make a powerful 4cly---they gas mileage is usually no better then a V6.

Plus add in altitude of where I live--and it would be pretty slow.

 

Direct Injection 2.3L will replace the 2.4L. It will first show up in the 2010 Equinox. If gasoline is $8 a gallon come 2013, I think what is considered too slow is going to change.

A 3400lbs. 200HP 2004 Malibu does 0-60 in 7.6 , if a 4cyl. Camaro could match that while getting 35mpg I'd say that is pretty damn good.

How do you figure? Historically they have been the same.

 

First thing is - I agree with you. The trend indicates they are going to keep diesel higher due to the volumes it sells (filling up a truck takes 300 gallons, whereas most diesel passenger cars will take 13-17 gallons... go figure where the volumes are. Add trains, construction equipment, etc to mthe mix and you really see the volumes explode.

But having said that, you do realize that diesel is disproportionately higher in the US than anyhere else, and that in many countries diesel is still cheaper than gas, right?

Check this link updated daily and monthly...
http://www.aaroadwatch.ie/eupetrolprices/
Belgium Euro - - 1.53 gas, 1.36 diesel per liter
Netherlands Euro - - 1.69 gas, 1.50 diesel per litre

GRANTED - about half (maybe a bit more) are now inverting as the USA has done, with diesel equalling or passing gas in price/vol, but Europe is crying out louder about it than the US did, because a full 40% of private vehicles on the roads are diesel and they are really feeling it badly. That's why I agree with you above - just wanted to point out that the trend has been noticed overseas, and they are screaming LOUDLY about it - way moreso than we are. They are having strikes and shutdowns by their truckers over there. We just take it and keep going over here like nothing is going on.

Mercedes-Benz made a public accusation that companies were running the price of diesel up intentionally to kill the US market for the economic diesel cars of Europe.
"While gasoline has risen 113 cents a gallon in California in the last 12 months, diesel has surged by 199.5 cents in the same period and its pump price surge has outstripped gasoline by 95.7 cents on the East Coast and 95.3 cents in the Mid West.

“The most important driver is a huge trend in diesel use in Europe, but that doesn’t explain it,” Dr Weber insisted. “There are limitations on capacity on the refining sites, but that’s not it, either, really.

“Diesel production costs are less than the gasoline production costs so the only idea you can find is that these companies are in the business of making a profit, so that is what they do now.”

The EIA’s pump price breakdowns seem to confirm Mercedes-Benz’s allegations. While the cost of the basic crude oil accounts for 73 percent of the pump price of gasoline, it only accounts for 61 percent of the diesel price."

Honestly though, even at the higher margin cost, a properly equipped diesel car will still provide you with better overall economy and cheaper operating costs in the long haul. Just the life-expectancy alone of a diesel speaks for itself - with many going 200-300k miles basically trouble-free.

It gets a guy thinking.

 

Agreed.

I think we will start to see more of a shift away from utter performance by the common buyer, and more towards comfort, and economy. Just how many people actually put their gas pedal to the floor on a daily basis these days? I think they'd rather ease along and slide by a few more gas stations to stave off that $100-fill-up a day or two longer.

Just like in the 1970's, you are going to find more people willing to accept 8 or even 9-second 0-60 accelrations, and go after 35-45 mpg instead jack rabbit starts.

I said years ago that I'd rather see us start working hard on repackaging and weight savings as opposed to simply throwing more power at the car to maintain good performance. Combine direct injection and forced induction with a 10% weight cut on ANY vehicle, and you will be delighted with the results.

 

Diesel fuel is closer to crude oil than gasoline and costs less to refine than gas. So why is diesel fuel priced higher than gas? Because they can do it and get away with it.

 

Yeah, exactly. In fact, I think that would be a neat little package - and like you said, would also potentially get 35 mpg.

BTW, 230 hp. When I ordered my '89, I had to be very careful about which boxes I checked and didn't check, to get a full 230 hp out of my LB9.

 

Could not agree more!