The problem is the associate maintenence and cost for AWD...

add $2000-$4000 for AWD. Then realize it will be heavier.

The other issue is that AWD manual tranny cars have a tendancy to either be driven uber-light, or get abused like nobody's business. Imagine havine 275's in the front and 315's in the rear and launching it at 4000rpm on the street at a traffic light. A 385hp LS2 engine would need a VERY strong driveline to not just snap axles and such. The repair costs gm would take during the warranty period could be VERY high. Only way around it is beefier and stronger components, which are heavier, more expensive physically, and more expensive to design.

I still say nay for AWD. Look at what Supercars or Hypercars have it. After driving RWD through a couple winters you get used to it and realize AWD isnt all that great.

AWD even as an OPTION would increase tooling costs and design costs, which would spread across the whole model line. The Camaro needs to be at the Mustang pricetag (or below) and thusly I think AWD should never touch anything with a Camaro name.

 

Even if the Camaro is sharing its plant with other cars on the same chassis that have AWD?

I really don't see where AWD will hurt the Camaro's image or name, especially if its only offered on a V6 model. Hell, I think the V6 is more of an abomination to the Camaro name than AWD would be...and the V6 has been there its entire life. Regardless of if its the bread and butter line-up, the V6 still brings down the Camaro's image, status, and prestige.

 

I remember mention that the AWD system would be rated for at least 400HP since it was mainly a Holden developed feature and would have to work on their V8 cars.

Saying an AWD option would hurt the Camaro's image is stupid. It hasn't hurt the 300 or STS. I remember a year or so back, there was a survey on the main page of the site that asked if you drive your Camaro in the snow. I am pretty sure there was some "motivation" for that poll If you don't want AWD, just don't get it. Camaro will already have a cost advantage over Mustang because the Gen IV engine line is much cheaper than Fords Modular V8. One thing GM is great at is bringing cars to market at great price points (after rebates), so I would not worry about Camaro not being able to compete with Mustang price wise. AWD will be a premium option...but it is not forced....so if you can't afford it, don't get it.

On another note, since the GTO already has the 6.0L I wonder if it is safe to assume the 5.3L is out on the SS, and and the mid level V8 will be the 6.0L. I could see this happening since there really is no added costs/weight for the 6.0L over the 5.3L. Plus it would give the same "shock and awe" power difference that the forth gen LT1 and LS1 had over comparable Mustang GT's. If Holden uses the 6.0L extensively, the AWD system will be able to handle it....end of story. AWD would be a great option for the next SS IMO.

That leads me to the next Z28. I think we can assume the Z28 program will be similar to the Z06 program in that we will see focus on saving weight and building an all out "total performance" road racer. That being the case, AWD likely would never be in this car. However in terms of enigine, an LS7 powered Z28 would be slower than the Z06, but still easily handle anything Ford can dish out Mustang wise. The reason I say LS7 is because unless something comes out between LS2 and LS7, it is the logical choice for an upgrade. And as we have seen, the Corvette's glass ceiling on powertrains is no more.

 

We dont know whats going on with the GMNA/Holden thing yet. That'll be figured out over the next 8 months or so I think.

I agree, the AWD wouldnt hurt, but I think that the added costs will hit the Camaro even if they use the sigma chassis. Think about it. Re-tooling the Sigma chassis to accept a powerful AWD system (and having tooling for a low power vs a high power is a really silly idea) would make the whole chassis more expensive, even without the AWD systems installed. The frame had to be clearanced, everything has to be setup to go either way. That cost will be put onto every vehicle that sits on the chassis.

Now you could say, what if GM doesnt put a big markup on the Camaro, axes some profit to make up for the higher chassis cost?

NO. Dealerships will probably be stupid and mark the Camaro up anyway. The price needs to be low, AND GM NEEDS to make a good profit on a new Camaro, to show how good it is. The games of selling cars at no profit cant continue for GM, they need the profit or they'll never improve their credit rating and overtake Toyota.

 

Like I just said, some Zeta's will most likely be getting AWD. So if the cost is alreaddy spread out onto the Camaro anyway, why not take advantage of it?

 

Look back through the archives. A certain celestial body mentioned something about the Z28 coming 12-18 months later. It would be more like what the Z06 is to Corvette.

 

AWD on the V6 model would help A LOT!!!!! Biggest complant about the Camaro I hear in the North east is "they are not good in the snow" AWD V6 would aslo give it something the Mustang Doesn't have and steal sales away from AWD imports

How about making the AWD package called RS?

 

The RS package would be ideal. And those who say they can't drive in the snow... take it from a sixteen year old... This was my first year driving in the snow, let alone with a V6 Camaro, and it was perfectly fine. Learn to drive, ya'll...

 

...So I'm learning. It's good to see such a familiar face haha

 

I agree. I drove a 94 Z28 one winter and except for deep snow (which you don't really see on main roads) it was ok, but it still wasn't as good as the FWD cars i've owned.

Most people are sold on the "RWD = bad" marketing and you can't change them no matter how good a RWD car is or how much traction/stability control help on RWD cars. That is where AWD will sell cars.

 

Hey NOS good to see you here. This is where i (CamaroWill at C&G) have been most of the time.

anyways back on subject. I personally dont think awd would hurt Camaro's image, in fact it could possibly only help it, just so long as it is an option. and would probably be best on V6 and mid level Camaros. I think the top dawg should be RWD only and also should be called Z28..

I also think it is very important that all 3 model levels look different from one another. I think the Z28 would probably have sold nearly as well maybe more than the SS if it looked different from the V6.

 

Don't forget the L92 and its 6.2L. I think Z284ever once metioned that this would be just for trucks (correct me if I'm wrong).

also a 6.4L was originally developed to be the LS7 for the Z06. A 6.4L was also offered in the Woodward GTO. I got a feeling this isn't the last we've seen of that engine.

 

The drive line components dont have to be the strongest in the world for AWD. Remember that the torque is split so each end is not feeling the full fury of the engine.

 

Hey, Will!

...been working on fixing that FTP? lol

 

Hey, the "R" does stand for RALLY, why not make it AWD? I think it would be great for Camaro, it would help it have something new in the public eye, and also get away from any anti-RWD image