New GTO likely to spawn new Camaro

Thursday, February 24, 2005
Jeff Schuster
Special to The Plain Dealer


General Motors is counting on the rear- wheel-drive mechanical underpinnings it calls its "Zeta architecture" to boost its Pontiac GTO, provide Chevrolet with a new Camaro and help revive Buick.

The next-generation Pontiac GTO will arrive as a 2008 model. It will be longer than the current imported model, and GM will shift production from Australia to North America. It also seems likely the styling will be more what traditional GTO lovers expected.

Chevrolet gets a Camaro replacement from Zeta, although the timing isn't clear.

Buick gets several models starting with a flagship sedan that will launch in late 2006, as a 2007 model.

Then there will be either a coupe and convertible combination or just as a convertible, which will hit showrooms in mid-2007.

I expect it to be powered by a 6.0-liter V8 or a twin-turbo V6 that will offer more than 400 horsepower as the power plant, Buick may be bringing back the Grand National badge as either the model name or high performance variant.
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