Personally I wouldn't mind the following scenario...

SS - A smooth transition from the '02 SS. High performance, SLP upgrades, optional leather, power windows, seats, available with t-tops, convertible, stripes, ground effects, etc.

Z/28 - same drivetrain, same brakes and suspension. Available without power seats, no leather, no t-tops or convertible model ... ie. only a coupe version is offered. Basically a street-version of a track car available with a basic am/fm/cd with optional radio and AC delete.

Those that want to draw attention and like plush can order the SS... those that like no-frills high performance can order the Z/28.

 

That sounds like a similar formula to the 4th gen ....and frankly one I'd like to get away from.

A Z/28 should not be a stripped SS...and conversly an SS should not be a luxurious Z/28.

They should be differentiated models with specific missions

 

Then I fall back to my previous statement (a while back)....

Put a big block in the "SS".

 

There's a thought!

Z/28 = LS6, six speed

SS = 8.1, auto.

Seriously, I wouldn't even necessarily have that big of a problem with them sharing powertrains, (if we have no other choice)....but Chevy needs to do a much better job of defining each model, without having one canabalise the other.

 

So the Z28 would kinda take the place of the 1LE..........i like that. It would be the real performance option because it is a no BS car and made for speed................and to be modded.

 

really my z28 has t-tops,pw,pdl and ac,all of which i wouldn't order new.

 

I like the idea of all the 1LE hardware being part of a Z/28 package (when the 1LE actually meant something). If we go back through the years and pick out all the best 1LE components ....bigger brakes, Koni adjustable shocks, specific suspension pieces, recalibrated ECM (3rd gen), aluminum driveshaft, ( again 3rdgen), etc....THESE THINGS SCREAM Z/28!

That would be a good start!


PS. I don't think Z/28's should be convertibles.

 

I'm not going to name currently familiar model names like Z28, LT, RS, SS, etc because I don't feel like going the way of a tangent thread, but i'm all about this setup, with names as of yet undetermined:

level one - economic base model - V6, optional smaller V8. many options, but can never fully be totally optioned out to match higher models. 38% target sales, 65% from women.

level two pt I - mid-level model #1 laterally arranged with #2. standard smaller V8, optional upgrade V8, possibly optional credit delete V6. this model has mandatory alternate cosmetic colors and maybe an exclusive decal package, etc. can be optioned out with every option. 15% target sales, 85% from women.

level two pt II - mid-level model #2 laterally arranged with #1. standard smaller V8, optional upgrade V8. can be optioned out with every performance-oriented option but not things like passenger's side visor mirror, etc. (the little things count). this is all about affordable performance with no useless eye-candy. 27% target sales, 75% from men.

level 3 - performance model. only engine option is the biggest baddest f-body V8 mandatory. every conceivable option should be available. 20% target sales, 90% from men.

target sales adds up to 100%.

anyone agree? this general model worked wonders for the third gen, except when V8 sales plummeted near the end.

GT

 

Okay kizz, I'm ready to name names.

*Base Model: V6 powered. Available with all options except, SS or Z/28 package. Y87 type package available, but more comprehensive than than 4th gen. Coupe, convertible or T-Tops available. Perhaps LT package available. 5 speed manual or 5 speed automatic.

This would be a desirable, fun to drive, stylish, entry level RWD sports coupe.

*SS: Performance and trim package. Intermediate V8 and F41 suspension standard, top engine optional. Available with all options except Z/28 package. Coupe, convertible or t-top available. 6 speed manual or 6 speed automatic available.

SS will makeup the bulk of performance Camaro sales. In base SS trim, would be an affordable and popular entry level V8 RWD performance coupe. Optional packages would give it more power and luxury features.

*Z/28: Special performance package. Top V8 only. Content and options limited. Special suspension, brakes, wheels, tires, gearing. Available in coupe only. Would have standard PW, PDL, etc. as would all Camaros, but most other luxury options would be restricted. Sport seats with manual adjustment only, but can be combined with leather (we're not barbarians after all).
6 speed only (sorry IZ28).

Z/28 would make up no more than 20% of total Camaro volume.
This would be a very focused performance package aimed at very specific enthusiasts (Chevy enthusiasts or other).

 

The idea is sales. If you make a a special Z28 not have T-Tops or an Auto you can throw that away. If this is to be an all out performance car, many would want an Auto for drag racing. And then theres the dudes that want the top car but don't want a manual.

 

Because the V8 cars became too much money and the RS started to look too much like the Z28, then the 4th Gen went and took that to a new ridiculous level and what did it get, nothing. I hope they learned from this.

 

Well....if you make a "special" Z/28, but offer it with T-Tops and auto......and anything else anyone might want....how "special" will it really be. And how diluted will the package become to accommodate everything.

If tou want the big V8, and auto and T-Tops, you can get them in an SS.

 

Last time I checked the ZO6 was available only as a hard top and only with the 6 speed at ZO6s account for 20-25% of total Corvette sales now. Seems like the formula is working well.

I would personally advocate a base model, then the SS being the visually stimulating, loaded V8 performance car, with the Z28 being the special purpose poor-man's ZO6. That gets us back to the original formula where the SS was seen as the premier car and the Z28 was a much more rare competition oriented car.

I would not necessarily say that means the Z28 has to have a bigger, more powerful engine, the SS and Z can share the top motor, but the Z would be minus a lot of heavy options, have a specifically tuned suspension that is a tad more harsh than more weekend cruisers would want, special compound brake pads, and stuff like integral brake cooling ducts, etc. And in contrast to the most recent Z's, it should not be so bland and V6-looking...give it the SS's V8 styling cues (like the lighter composite hood)

I also actually like the idea of getting back to 1 camaro with Z28 and SS being simply option packages. So to order, you'd chose your engine/trans, which would dictate which options you could add (e.g. no SS or Z28 would be available on the v6, but you could order a V8 in a 'plain' camaro or add the Z28 or SS option packages.) I'd even like to see an RS appearance package that could be combined with the other packages.

 

Ok, thought it out a bit more. Here's my lineup:

1. Camaro --this is the ONLY model. Standard is a v6 of approximately 210 hp. A 4.8L v8 of 275 is optional. 5 speed manual tranny standard on V6 and v8, 5 speed auto optional. make T-tops standard since so few Camaros are bought w/o them.

2. SS option package. Adds bigger wheels, wider tires, a scooped (hopefully functional) hood and specific rear spoiler, and a sportier suspension package (equivalent to the LS1 Z28/SS base suspensions). SS is available with the 4.8L v8 or the top level v-8 only, not available on v6 models. 6-speed manual standard, 5 speed auto optional. T-tops standard again.

3. Z28 option package. Available only with top level V8. Retains SS's rear spoiler and hood, but has Z28 specific lighter wheels (a la ZO6), reformulated brake pads for racing applications, and a unique shock/spring/swaybar package (similar to the Bilstien SLP option) Z28 option would eliminate most power accessories to save weight, 6 speed manual transmission only, hardtop (no t-tops) only, no convertibles. Maybe even offer a back seat delete option. This car could hopefully come in about 150 lbs lighter than a fully optioned SS.

 

Interesting...especaily the Z28 ect OPTION VS the Z28 MODEL

That is a big difference---then you'd only have to tell your insurnace company that you had a Camaro
V8---not a Z28---since it's an option on a modle you do nopt have to rell them.

Might be a way to keep insurance costs under control.

I'd still want the Z28/SS with a few more hp and maybe steeper gears.