Would you rather see the Monte Carlo and Camaro combined into one model based on the next GTO architecture......or keep M/C on the FWD W-chassis, and add a new smaller, nimble, stylish, RWD Camaro to the line-up?

 

I say kill-off the M/C all together and replace it with a Impala Coupe and Covertible. The coupe/convertible version of the Impala would be based on the next-gen Impala sedan. This would be better for Nascar and GM since the Impala name would be more diverse and have more of a sporty image with the coupe and convertible variations. Having 3 different cars all sharing the Impala name will help GM get closer to having a #1 selling car again to compete with the sedan/coupe/convertible versions on the Toyota Camry. If 3 cars share the same name then all combined sales for those 3 cars get counted as being one.

The Camaro coupe and convertible would be smaller and faster then the Impala coupe and hopefully appeal to a younger crowd.

 

Man Z284Ever, you've been coming up with some real easy polls to answer lately!

 

Easy for us maybe.....but apparently challenging for GM.

 

If anything Id keep the impala as a W car and put the Monte on a new RWD platform. The impala is a family sedan. The Monte is a sports car.

 

I just don't want the Camaro to be a two door family sedan.

 

Sinne they would cater to two distinct markets, IMO, whether MC goes RWD or not... I say go with both.

 

Put them all on VE. No doubt in my mind that it'll work.

 

Even if you don't buy the notion that a good number of consumers actually prefer a FWD coupe...what would that do to Camaro?


Would the Camaro "formula" be bent so that one car could fill both the Camaro and Monte Carlo segment?

Would the base Camaro become a Monte Carlo with RWD?
Would the Z/28 become a GTO with bowtie emblems?

GM has given us plenty of lip service regarding the need for niche models....yet once again there are indications that GM may want to give us one generalized coupe.

 

Only and idiot would say that the majority of the market would want RWD, of course they like FWD. My mom doesnt want a 325 hp Monte Carlo, she wants a 170 hp Lumina. However, what's the alternative?

A Solstice platform in which we dont know anything about. Originally 3 cars were planned for production and now the number is one and that hasnt even been given the go ahead. And this is a car Bob Lutz has wet dreams about at night, if he cant get this thing to go though, why would GM invest how much money build or change a current plant for a Solstice, which will sell less than 30k a year, mark my words on that, and a Camaro which by a long estimate they could sell 120k a year, which is a highball number as is on a platform that has the same characteristics as the current FBody? Oh sure you'll make it smaller and lighter but it'll still be hard as hell to get in and out of, it'll have too much power for the average person and only the enthuiasts will want it.

Look, I'd buy this car, and you'd buy this car, but Karen the college senior doesnt want it, nor does Johny Ricer a junior in high school. Steve the middle aged man going though his midlife crisis still doesnt want it, the new Mustang is going to appeal to him much more.

You want to have a good Camaro platform you take VE and you tighten it up a little. Make it sit a little more upright but in a way that wont compromise the car's performance and handling. You take a winning formula, the current Mustang, and you improve uppon that.

I dont like saying that as much as anyone else does, but GM needs to make money. They can justify an SSR because it makes people look at GM. It doesnt make me look, but my uncle who has enough money to buy three of them looks and thats who they want.

Is there a market for a RWD Monte and an FBody at the same time? No, there isnt. However, what changes if the FBody is smaller and more nimble? Nothing, nothing at all. Sure it wont be the same platform, but they'll both offer RWD with possible V8's and you're competing with the same market. That isnt even taking into consideration the GTO and Grand Prix.

However, there's no doubt that a VE based Camaro and GTO could be different enough and on the same platform. Just spend an hour on Holden's site and look at the range they have on one platform. Look at Cadillac, they managed to put a SUVish thing and a nimble CTS on the same platform.

Bottom line: if the Camaro comes back as you positioned this poll to be, we'll be on hiatus by 2010 again.

 

Well, that's why I was sort of thinking, keep the W-car MC....and add a Camaro which is not a GTO clone. This strategy would have much broader appeal...without requiring the "Camaro formula" to be watered down.



I think that the Solstice platform is no longer, (if it ever was), being considered for Camaro. At this point, the Solstice/Camaro controversy is probably a non-issue.



It looks like you have just described people who would think a W-car MC, is the cats meow...and illustrates why a retaining a larger FWD MC and smaller RWD Camaro would be useful.


I believe the VE is what it will be based on. But that doesn't mean it shoudn't be a Camaro. The Mustang is successful for many reasons. I'm afraid , however, that GM is too focused on the fact that the Mustang has "upright" styling, and feels that it must copy it...as if that's the only reason the Mustang is still in production...and the F-car is not.



Beats being larger and less nimble.


I have no doubt that a VE based GTO and Camaro could look different too. But is GM willing to go the extra mile to actually make it happen? A bow tie badged GTO probably wouldn't be a Camaro to me though.

 

Me neither.

 

ttt