Some months ago, someone posted a question about a so called rumble chassis. It was obvious it wasn't the Solstice, and initially what I got back was basically "never heard of it". Since then a few things have gotten back (some of it as a result from the PHR article).

GM has/is developing a "performance chassis" that will handle it's high performance cars. This was touched on in GM's press release regarding it's new engine & transmission plant last winter. This is the "rumble" chassis.

In short, it's based on GM's upcomming full sized RWD cars due for production in about 36 months. GM some time ago ended the "ban" on other uses for the "Sigma" chassis, but that doesn't mean these cars will be CTS's or STS's underneath. Where components can be shared, they will (examples: wiring, some suspension components, basic floorpan), but there will be subsitution in other areas to keep production costs down. The cars will also be made both here in the US and by Holden in Australia as the new VE series.

Because GM's performance chassis has been under development for some time (a "just-for-the-heck-of-it" mule with a Monte Carlo body on a Sigma chassis was made well over a year ago), and work moved forward last year around the time GM announced last year it was returning to RWD in "some models".

The only announced car to be built on this chassis is the 2007 GTO & Monaro, however it's obvious other cars will be based off it as well. Both Cadillac and Chevrolet are known to be also developing high performance vehicles, in all likelihood off this same structure (no names please).

Although the carline still has to (if it hasn't already) be approved by GM's Product Planning Board for actual machinery to go into motion, apparently all the heavy lifting has been done, and it's more a question of waiting for the word "go" than any "maybes" or "depends ons".

The hold up? Factory space & product timing. It's going to be made at a refurbished existing GM plant, so the models currently made there will run to the end of their cycle (at least 1 full sized model will directly replace an existing car). Also, the whole thing's being coordinated with Holden (who is working with NA on this). From the word go it's likely to take 24-36 months, so time currently isn't an issue.

In short, GM's performance chassis is a reality. It has been under development for at least a year, it is part of GM's full size RWD car program, and by every indication may in fact be one of the initial RWD vehicles to come off the line as GM introduces it's new RWDs over the course of the 2007 and 2008 model year.

Don't ask about individual cars, engine line-up, styling, or anything like that because it's all speculation. I wanted to keep this as focused and as factual as I could. The chassis is real.

Everything else is just speculation.

 

BTW: Holden will likely be exporting another vehicle to the US, possibly as soon as the 2005 model year (yes, that's next year).

Remember all those Chevrolet Lumina SS sightings not too long ago?......

 

So it sounds like the Lumina SS will be showing up very soon rebadged as some kind of mid-size Chevy performer. What would they call it? Obviously not Lumina (the name brings back too many memories of bland FWD V6 grocery-getters and Dustbuster-shaped minivans). The Monte Carlo badge isn't scheduled for any reincarnation yet AFAIK, and Chevy seems to be pretty thrilled with Impala sales as-is. Color me stumped. It certainly explains the Lumina SS I saw in Michigan and the Chicago area in May....

 

Careful, the Chevelle rumors are going to start up again!

 

"The only announced car to be built on this chassis is the 2007 GTO & Monaro, however it's obvious other cars will be based off it as well. Both Cadillac and Chevrolet are known to be also developing high performance vehicles, in all likelihood off this same structure (no names please)."

Ahem...

***COUGH***
***COUGH-COUGH***

***giggle-giggle***


/Sergeant Schultz on

"We know nothing..."

/Sergeant Schultz off

 

ohh come on..Pontiac has the GTo..now the logical historical thing for Chevy is Chevelle?? possilby..lol..has to be a name that is not used in todays lineup...
Impala, Monte Carlo..and Chevelle..or Nova???
Im betting on Chevelle..it has to be..bring the whole nostalgia thing full circle..

 

The obvious choice is Chevelle...but we've heard from quite a few good sources here that the rumors of a new Chevelle have only been started and passed around outside Chevy walls. There doesn't seem to be much interest in resurrecting the Chevelle name right now. Besides, with all the uproar over how the new GTO looks, can you imagine a similarily-styled Chevelle now too? All Chevy will get is more of the same.

 

Chevy is gettinga Coupe similar to the GTO. It will either be called Chevelle, Monte Carlo, or Camaro. I was told that it doesn't make much sense to revive Chevelle (no explaination given). As for Camaro is was told..."that's if it goes on that platform, remember we won't bring a Camaro back unless it's fit's the name". So I will be the first to say I don't think GM even fully knows what they are doing. I wonder if this rumble chassis could spin off a smaller chassis?

 

Also we should keep an eye on GM's name patents, remember they patented GTO right before it was announced, along with teh Bel Air, ect.

 

Very interesting indeed.

I noticed that this is the second time guionM has "suggested" a Cadillac version of the "unnamed RWD F-body replacement."

 

I wonder if the "Rumble Chassis" is the VE for NA....or will they differ.

At any rate I am virtually convinced the future of Camaro lies "down under".

 

This was my initial thought while reading though this as well...


Yes... or at least part of it, since it seems like GM North America, GM Australia and GM Europe seem to be co-developing most new products now.

 

Doesn't make sense?

No offense to anybody on here, but the general public thinks the average Camaro owner has a mullet. They always remember back in the day when 2nd and 3rd gens roamed the streets.

When they think of the Chevelle, they don't remember the 4 door and 6 cylinder models. The big block SS's from the early 70s are the most memorable.

An example of this can be seen on Chevrolet's website here -> http://www.chevrolet.com/ss/ss_flash.htm

Notice the first car shown? 1970 Chevelle SS coupe in red with black ralleye stripes

 

It will be interesting to see how everything turns out.

Just some historical perspective.

In the late '70s there was serious consideration and work done to base the F-car on the then new X-car (Citation).... (a decade before GM80). When the decision was made that F-car would remain RWD, the Board considered basing it on the also new at the time downsized A-Body (Malibu, etc.)

By 1979 or so the Board released the F-Body program from "having" to be A-Body based.

The 3rd gen ended up being roughly based on a combination of H Special (Monza) and A-Body and some all new components.

I wonder if Camaro is going through the same process right now as we speak?

 

I got a hunch the 'rumble' Caddie will be ETC, Eldorado Touring Coupe. Also is there any way to know what plants GM owns that may be tooling up for a new car line. If the cars are roughly the same chassis as VE or VE/Sigma wouldn't they be produced at the same plants???

This is where the "All Camaro's are something" book will get very interesting!

GuionM PLEASE keep us posted!!!