A lowered price Corvette would compete with the Camaro for sales. I don't see that happening.

 

Would a turbo 4 Camaro that thoroughly outperforms today's V6 Camaro not wear the Camaro nameplate "gracefully"?

Personally I think the only vehicle in GM's lineup that should automatically be exempt from 4 and 6 cylinder consideration is Corvette. Why? Its heritage as a performance-first vehicle is even stronger (haven't had a "secretary special" or non-V8 Corvette since 1955). Everything else is perfectly fair game as long as it delivers the goods in the end. After all, Camaro is "just" a sports coupe that is meant to appeal to a much wider audience - what do you think the point of the V6 Camaro was all these years in the first place? Manufacturers are going to have to get creative to meet these obscene CAFE rules that are coming. If they can do so without having to go the 4-cylinder route, more power to 'em. But if they can't, I'd hate to see the Camaro nameplate killed because people are so staunch against a 4-cylinder in the base car!

I would have loved to see them stick with and cultivate the Solstice/Sky. In the end though I don't see a big enough market to justify a Nissan Z competitor.

 

One vote to call it the "Iron Duke" again!

 

How about the Aluminum Duke I guess it doesn't have the same ring to it does it?

 

I'll cast my vote as being okay with the idea of a DI turbo/intercooled 4 cylinder powering a performance version of the Camaro. As long as a V8 is offered, I don't see what the fuss would be really. We're not talking about making it FWD or something else that would hamper performance here. It would just be one other flavor to choose from.

I'm curious to see how the 6th gen engine lineup would shake out. Would the base engine be a DI 4 cylinder? or could they offer a base V6 and have the next level of performance be a turbo 4, and a V8 (Z/28) at the top?

I'd like to see a base V6, SS with either V6 or optional turbo 4, and a V8 Z/28.

 

I'm curious myself.


What if there were no V6 available? Do we really need one?

What if the base car came with a fuel economy friendly 250-ish hp turbo 4 with a higher performance turbo 4 as part of an SS package, kinda like what Buick will do with the Regal and Regal GS?

300+ horsepower, upgraded brakes, aggressive wheel/tire combo, nice suspension tune, cool trim, etc. Figure under 3400 pounds, $25K, and lots of fun. Give it an available V8 to compete with the Mustang GT. But you'll pay a premium for it. Say an additional $7K or so.

I also can't help but think that the ATS-V and Z/28 will be blood brothers under the skin. Sharing Gen V smallblocks (as in very HOT smallblocks), transmissions, suspensions, diffs, axles, brakes and anything else possible.

 

SVO Mustangs were a similiar formula. What you descibe sounds like a nice package.

 

Ya, but SVO Mustangs were stupid expensive (for their day).

 

I was mostly regarding the potential cool factor. Turbocharging and pcm development was definately not where it is today.

 

Plus, the SVO had the best, most expensive stuff Ford could throw at it. Even it's own unique interior.


This "Camaro SS" would be entry level performance - not a range topper.

 

Short answer? Yes, we do need a V6.

Let's look at it this way, I've yet to see definitive evidence that all things considered equal, a turbo 4 can out perform a modern V6 across all categories. Let me explain. Yes, a turbo 4 can put out almost V8 horsepower. However in most cases it needs to run on 91 octane to get there. This effects fuel mileage in a negative way. Consequently while today's DI V6 is pushing north of 300 hp, it lacks slightly what a N/A 4 cly can do in fuel mileage. The ideal thing here is to somehow achieve the best of both worlds. Don't get me wrong... I love the Ecotec and think GM has done wondrous things with it. However I'm doubtful that it can replace the V8 or even a DI V6 for all around performance in a 3500-lb sports coupe... at least within the next 5 years. Could it serve as a base engine in such a car? Of course it could. However how much better would performance be over the same car with a V6? Will it need to run on premium fuel to get there? Will the baseline cost go up? Will maintenance costs go up? All these things need to be addressed and answered by the designers long before GM marches down that path. Just because someone else (Ford) does it with their car (Mustang) doesn't mean it is the end all be all only answer. If you recall today's Camaro has IRS, while today's Mustang does not. Which is better isn't my point in this case, but the fact that the tail didn't necessarily wag the dog for this Camaro.

In the long run, if GM doesn't continue to downsize and improve their V8s, we most certainly will see a change in the Camaro performance power-plant. However, I believe it will be done with V6s. Imagine a version of the DI V6 combined with some form of AFM. Could a 350hp V6 produce 4 cylinder comparable fuel mileage in economy mode? It certainly seems possible on paper. You could then simplify the package by offering a base economy model with the AFM/V6, a turbo V6 SS using the same base power-plant, and then perhaps even a small V8 low-volume high content LE version for those that absolutely have to have a V8. (The limited production numbers would have minimal impact on CAFE.) Anything is possible, its just what buyers will find acceptable, what is readily achievable and how much its all going to cost.

What I find totally ironic in this discussion is that some of the same folks arguing the merits of a turbo 4 alpha Camaro are the same ones who belittled a supercharged V8 Zeta Z/28. Both scenarios add weight to the base package, and when all is said and done, a dressed turbo 4 with all its plumbing and electronics is going to weigh about as much as N/A V6.

Different strokes for different folks I guess. I love the idea of a turbo Ecotec in a Malibu; but in a Camaro? Not so much.

Truth be told, if GM were to offer a turbo V6 in the Zeta Camaro today, I probably wouldn't buy a V8.

 

FWIW, a police perspective of turbos and their fragility and cost...

Again, FWIW!

 

The Naturally aspirated Ecotec is a 2.4L. I have to wonder what kind of output a turbocharged Ecotec of that displacement would have. Easily over 300hp on 87 octane.

 

I'll bet cops use turbo diesels in Europe. The new Carbon Motors cop car will have a turbo diesel.

Turbo gas engines can be made just as reliable as turbo diesels with modern electronic controls.

 

I know the following is from Wikipedia but a lot of what I have heard about the suitability of turbos to diesels is right on the mark.

Still chalk and cheese applying T/C technology to diesel and gas engines, IMHO.