You mean if they leave out the A/C and the airbags and build something that doesn't meet crash safety standards?

Or do you mean if they build it with a 4 cyl turbo?

Or do you mean if they have an aluminum body and charge $50000 for it?

With modern safety and emission standards and expected equipment levels on cars, it's an amazing accomplishment for cars not to gain weight between generations. Don't forget also that the bigger the wheels get, the more they weigh.

Look at the Golf R32. Two door, transverse VR6, small car. Nearly 3500 pounds. The Mitsubishi Evo and Subie WRX STI weigh close to 3300 pounds. There's no way you get an AWD V8 at 3600 pounds without lots of expensive lightweight materials.

Figure that bigger wheels and newer safety standards, etc., alone will add at least 100 pounds over the last Camaro. That assumes no weight gain due to increase rigidity, etc. Then add another 250 to add AWD to the powertrain (remember you need heavy duty components with 400hp and 400tq). At least 3850 pounds. Then figure that this will be a cut down Zeta (cut down cars are always heavier than platforms designed to a specific size). Add another 150 for that. 4000 pounds.

If a new RWD V8 Camaro comes in under 3700 I'll be very pleasantly surprised.

 

That's because you're developing the AWD system for the platform which we dont know that the Camaro will be built on?

 

id say yay then we could have a RALLY SPORT option that would actually make sense
not to mention its nice in the snow since i ,like meccadeth' live in south bend area and lake affect snow is our friend
and as for it weghing a million puonds more thats alright cause the short times in the quarter would still be crazy awesome but hey thats JMO

 

"You're"? "We"? Ain't no Camaro development in Santa Clara, CA, I can assure you (if that's what you meant).

I don't *know* anything except what I read here and elsewhere. Show me any modern AWD V8 car that weighs 3600 pounds, has four seats, and isn't made with exotic materials. Audi S4s are just short of 4000 pounds. The Cadillac CTS-V is around 4000 with just RWD.

Ok, fine. The 911 Carrera four. It's got a six with V8-like power. Still, I think the rear engine transmission makes AWD easier. Plus it's not a real four seater.

 

First, it comes down to chassis.
With Beta, it doesnt seem that AWD will be an option, at least not now.
Zeta, on the other hand, seems to be designed with a possiblity with AWD in mind.
I think that if there is a Beta/Zeta coupe combo, that the Zeta coupe, be it Monte or Chevelle or whatever, should have AWD, and the Beta would just be RWD.
See, with the larger coupe, AWD would not be such a problem because the coupe is already very large. Im sure the car would weigh over 2 tons as well. Also, will the system be able to hold up to the torque of the LS2? This isnt a turbo 4cyl ya know.

I would not want to see an AWD Camaro, but an AWD coupe would be cool somewhere in GM's world. It would deffinatly be a good option for the larger Zeta sedans.

 

i say if it can be done. DO IT! its only an option anyways. those who dont like it dont have to buy one.

 

So Ford can build their new 05 Mustang GT with a V8, with the deluxe package that has all the options and 17" wheels and come in around 3400-3450 lbs yet GM can't build a Camaro under 3700, even just standard RWD?


Holden builds a AWD Monaro that is under 4000lbs (although barely) with 19 wheels and alot of performance and expensive crap all in/over it (price is the only problem but it's a special model, with alot of high dollar stuff on it). It's a cobbled together setup more or less in a larger car than a Camaro. Maybe I'm stupid but I refuse to believe GM couldn't come up with a way to build a AWD system in a newly designed Camaro (designed with AWD in mind) that would be several hundred pounds lighter than the AWD Monaro (Coupe 4 it's called I believe).

Take the older up to 99 3000GTs that weighed in around 3750 (with IRS and all wheel steering for crying out loud, plus alot of luxury **** and electronic gizmos with were totally un-necessary), they were good performers with their anemic (in comparison to a LS2 or modded LS1) 320hp/~320ish ft-lb motors... If Mitsu could build that then, GM could build a AWD Camaro without the extra ****, without the high dollar options and have a real winner. Even if it clocked in at closer to 3700-3800 lbs it would still be a mean machine. Oh and the the Aluminum LSx family of engines shouldn't be significantly heavier than the twin turboed, twin intercooled, 3.0l V6 in the 3000GTs...

GM could build it and make it affordable if they wanted to...


As for handling issues, if they set it up with a good front/rear bias in the AWD system it could still drive alot like RWD car in the twisties, just with more control...

 

My opinioon is that if the platform the Camaro ends up on already has an AWD system engineered for it... I think it should be looked at.

Also,I do think "RS" would be a cool designation for it, it just kindo f fits, even if it is not what RS has traditionally meant.

I also think it is a way to distinguish Z28 from SS, if they chose to go that route... but it now sounds liek 3 engine options is a real possibility, so that might not be needed.

If RS meant "added AWD" instead of "Appearance" (and even if it did for that matter) we could have the cool RS/SS and RS/Z28 combo's again!

 

I think its interesting 2 of the opponents of AWD live in CA and KS...states that don't snow.

In MA, we get snow. In some areas, a lot of snow. Ever drive a 4th gen in snow? I have...thankfully not my own. Drive in snow, and you'll love the AWD idea. Burnouts and donuts are for kids. I dare say WRX and EVO owners don't miss the lack of either of these.

As for KillerTA, you're from Milwaukee...drive that TA in snow?? If not, I'm not surprised...and if so, you know how bad it is. Wouldn't it be great to have ONE CAR for a change, should you want the option? I voted for AWD but will probably take RWD on my 5th gen. Why? My 5th gen won't go out in the slop anyways But if I wanted one as a daily driver, at least I have the option for a year-round car now!

 

I like the idea if an AWD option, and I *DO* see the value of it in the snow... that said, however, I can say that I have driven these cars in NE Ohio winters for years without any incidents...

My 89 RS 5.0 TBI A4, I put 3 bags of sand in the hatch, and drove it for 4 years.

My 99 Z28 M6, I put NO weight in the back... ASR, and 2nd gear starts made it easy to drive in the snow.... After the stock All season tires wore out, I bought a set of summer only tires, and the car was undrivable in the snow... so I bought a set of Blizzaks, and I can honestly say that the Z28 was as easy to drive in the snow as my 02 Monte SS...

 

I said no because who is going to pay over 40k for a camaro??? My 2000 SS fully loaded from GM and SLP was 34k 4 years ago, add AWD in 3 years and it's going to be over 40k, and nobody is going to buy it.

 

I seriously doubt Rally Sport would get the AWD, afterall RS has never stood for anything more than a trim package on Camaro.

No, if AWD is going to happen (and that's a big "IF") it would be on a highly modified, higher end performance version that would of course be limited in production numbers. Think previously used Three-character designation.

In this case carbon fiber and other lightweight materials could be used since they would be in a high end car with a sticker reaching close to Corvette proportions.

 

This whole AWD argument, may already be a moot point.

 

A couple of my speculative thoughts IF the AWD system makes it:

* It will be heavy, 3900+ lbs
* It will be offered with V6 only
* If it is offered with V8, then it will only be AUTO

May work for commuters, but that's why leaving it as OPTION is the only way to offer it.

 

all for it. Rally Sport, chico!