I can atest to the VW/Audi 1.8T. I drove a 01 Audi TT Quattro "high boost" (225hp) and that thing flew! I was very impressed with the car. Once it reached 1 bar on the boost gauge (the one I drove had an aftermarket HKS boost gauge, which leads me to believe that it might have had other mods as well.) that thing really took off. It seemed to have plenty of torque to get it going without having to wait up for the turbo to spool up.

But still, for a Camaro, it needs to have a base V6.

 

I'd welcome the thought of a Turbo 4 being the base engine.

Look at some of the current Turbo 4's.

Lancer Evo
WRX
Neon SRT-4
1.8T


Can anyone say that these car's lack tq or Hp? They've got plenty and more compared to a comparable N/A 6. The 1st 2 are somewhat pricey but that's because they have an excellent quality, suspension, and braking to boot. But the Neon provides that at a very affordable price.

More Hp is just a few bolt ons away with a Turbo 4. This will be very popular with the tuner crowd and might even still sales from guys/girls who'd otherwise have bought Nissan, Vw, Subaru, etc... A pushrod v6 isn't percieved as high tech by the general public.

Otherwise, a 250+hp Dohc v6 would be another attractive alternative.

 

I can see how the notion of having a 4 cylinder turbo in the Camaro, would breed anxiety in some of us, (even me too), but there would be some undeniable advantages.

1) It would bring new buyers into the Camaro fold.

2) It would be cheap.

3)It would be cheap to insure.

4) It would be a performance alternative for those who don't want, or can't afford a V8.

5) It will build on GM's performance image for the Ecotec.

6) It may create a whole new grassroots tuner movement for Camaro.....WHAT A CONCEPT!

7) All you need to do to a turbo motor is look at it funny, to get lots of horsepower. I mean really lots. (Who will have the first low 12 sec ,4 cylinder Camaro?)


......or, let the Saturn Sky have it.

 

Those cars you listed aren't exactly cheap though. I would have to believe that a Turbo 4 would cost more than a V6.

I just thought of something.........can you imagine what the engine bay would look like with just a weak 4 banger in there? It would be practically empty.

 

Perhaps... but I don't see a huge flock of people coming in, and for those you bring in, you'll lose a good share who perferr3ed the V6.

I don't know that a turbo I4 would be any cheaper than a NA V6... especially if the turbo is from the factory.

I don't know that a turbo I4 would be any cheaper to insure than a NA V6... especially if the turbo is from the factory.

Same could be said for the V6, or really any motor for that mattter.

And it will give Camaro the "Eco-Image".

I doubt it. People who really like the Camaro will still want the top model. It's the case with any car. And , yes, there are people who mod their V6 Camaros right here and now.

Yes... please... Saturn... that is why they were created in the first place!!!!

 

The V6, no doubt. That is all.

 

Okay...which V6 to use?
Mustang will get a 250 hp base motor.

When the Mustang gets the Duratec V6......any Camaro with less than 250 hp will be ridiculous.

THe only GM V6's with tha sort of power will be one of the HF V6's, (which cost more than an LS1), or a S/C 3.5L HV V6.

So, what do you do?.....

 

All you need ot do is match Mustang's base power, IMO... or beat it by 5 hp for show...

I think the I5 is interesting, because it's not a 4 banger, and it would be somewhat 'unique' for the base model...

As for what V6 to use... it's hard to say, because I don't know what will be available in 06 or 07 or whenever the F5 would come out, but I think it's be safe to bet that GM would have a comparable V6 in it's powertrain lineup somewhere...

Make it NA, not S/C'd or turboed... then perhaps offer the S/C units through the dealer like Red Planet suggested (but you an I5 or V6, not a 4-banger)... sort of covers all bases...

 

The only way the I5 will compete with the 3.5L Duratec is with a blower or turbo...and that sort of brings us back to where we started.

Quote:

As for what V6 to use... it's hard to say, because I don't know what will be available in 06 or 07 or whenever the F5 would come out, but I think it's be safe to bet that GM would have a comparable V6 in it's powertrain lineup somewhere...

They do have one...it's the High Feature family of V6's. It costs alot to manufacture...maybe more than an LS1. I'd doubt that GM would use it in Camaro.

 

Well, The I5 in the Colorado has 215hp... whose to say that they can't squeeze another 25-40 hp out of it before the Camaro debuts... I have heard more than once how much potential the TrailBlazer's I6 has... and it is already at 270hp... and the I5 is just a shortened I6, so I would thinkthere is at least the potential for more HP...

Welll, if it's good enough for the Malibu and others it will presumable go into, I'd think it to be good enough for a base Camaro. Again, though, there may be another V6 in the GM Pwertrain pipeline that would be available by the time an F5 would come to market...

 

I'd wait to see what the numbers would be on the Mustang V6. I would very surprised if it had 250 hp. It does not currently have these numbers in any car and that includes the Jaguar line. I doubt the Mustang will get a more powerful version that the other cars with it, but we will see. I also agree that what ever it is, it has to AT LEAST match it in performance. I bet that the high value V6 could be the way to go. I remember them saying that these could be punched out to at least 3.8 liters or even a bit more. Maybe a 3.8 or 3.9 NA with close to 250 hp. Everyone just assumes that it will be the 3.5 found in the new Malibu with the same hp ratings and state of tune. I doubt they will want to increase the "advertised" hp ratings over that of the HF V6. This would also provide good TQ for some decent oomph for the base model and a good sporting feel.

 

Apparently, GM figures it will be too good for the Malibu.

 

According to this:

http://www.car-data.com/xpage.previe...model=04malibu

The 3.5 V6 will be the upscale engine...

 

That's the "High Value" V6, Darth....not the 4valve "High Feature".

 

I wouldn't be too surprised. The 3.0 Duratec in the Mazda 6 puts out 220hp. The same motor...retuned for Jag, is good for 235.

250 for a 3.5L sounds very reasonable.