Let's bring back the modified Kappa (aka Beta) platform for a 5th gen Camaro idea one more time... shall we?

The more I look at the Saturn Sky, the more I think... dang Chevy needs a version of this.

What if? What if we stretch the Sky about 6 inches in the wheelbase and about 14-15 inches in length and make it a 2+2? What if we also make it into a hard-top? (We can add the targa v. t-top v. coupe argument later.)

Looking at the Sky's proportions:
Length: 161.1 IN (increased to 186.1)
Width: 71.4 IN
Height: 49.8 IN
Wheelbase: 95.1 IN (increased to 101.1)
Front Track: 60. IN
Rear Track: 61. IN

I say provided you can shoehorn an LS2 in the engine bay, this modified Sky could easily satisfy my needs as a 5th gen Camaro.

http://www.maximum-cars.com/Cars/Car...14&pictureID=8

Anyone care to discuss this?

 

I swear jg, sometimes I think you're a schitzophrenic.

 

i have a better idea.
what if you could option to order a car without an engine.
then order as an option an ls7?

 

I have a better idea! Let's add a 16 inch nose cone to the front and a 22 inch tall spoiler to the rear of a GTO! That way if Dodge has any plans for a Daytona Charger, we'll be ready for them.

Number 77- You should be able to order an LS7 from SLP on a new car from GM. You'd probably have to go through a huge hassle though. Ask that guy who owns that Electron Blue Firebird, see how he got them to do it.

 

Ok I know that cars can be lengthened relatively easily but width requires a new firewall and floorboard amont other things: different rear end half shafts... So that would make the car more expensive, and heavier. I read that the SKY comes in at 2860, not to darn bad if you think about it. But with the Z06 coming in at 3100+ and it having a hydroformed aluminum bigger, beafier version of this same basic chassis then wouldn't you think the Camaro would be around 3600 pounds and it would be about the same size as a Zeta could probably shrink to. Also you would need a stronger transmission to hold the power and most likely a bigger trans tunnel to hold the new tranny.

My point is for every reason to use "Beta" there is another equal point to use Zeta.

 

but i don't think you could have ordered one with the price of the ls1 deducted, and the ls6 added.
the ls-6 is around 5,230.00 so i'd imagine the ls7 would be around 7k? it should be installed for free if you buying the car, or atleast at a very low cost.
the ls1 crate engine is about 4,895.00
a $335 difference?

the ls2 is 6,375.00
so ii'd assume the 100hp more ls7 would be around 7k? is that safe to say? alot of people would pay the extra grand for 100 more hp and a rare car. just make it on the option list to keep them from stockpiling on dealer floors and off most vette owners' minds

 

The only problem with the stretched Beta scenario (assuming the engine can fit and like was said it doesn't end up weighing almost as much as a Zeta, AND it can be delivered w/o big delay vs Zeta) is that you do not in any way end up with the taller, more practical coupe everybody says we have to have to make Camaro a success. You end up with the most low slung (by overall height) Camaro we've EVER had.

So when is somebody going to fire up photoshop and give us a Sky/Camaro chop?

 

Wheel base is too small for that length

GTO is 189.8/109.8 in.

CTS is 190.1/113.4 in.

CTS would be 4in. longer with a 12in. bigger wheel base. Next Camaro needs about 109 in wheel base.

 

Good point. The 3/4 gens had 101.1. At 186" long an 101" wb that's 85 inches of overhang.

One would have to assume that any increase in overall length to the chassis, in order to add a back seat, would be done by lengthening the WB, because re-engineering the platform is cheaper there in terms of sheetmetal vs. re-doing the trunk and engine compartment. So you'd have to assume 15" in length would equate to 15 inches more in the wheelbase.

You'd be looking at 110 inch wheelbase, which is right on where I think most of us want to see it. Close to the 113" everybody is quoting for the full length Zeta.

I think once you start doing the math, the stretched Beta and shortened Zeta really aren't that far apart.

 

LOL if that's supposed to be a Camaro, I would never sit in the non-existant backseats of that car!

 

If the LS7 only costs 7 grande, that will be a HUGE steal! With all the work and attention to detail that has gone into that engine, itll prolly end up costing more like 10 grand or more. Plus, if im not mistaken, the LS7 is hand assembled. So that adds a little bit of money there also.

 

We're not building a GTO or CTS here; we're building a Camaro. I don't agree that its too out of proportion though. If you look at the Wheelbase/Length ratio of the current Sky (~56%), my proposed Camaro is similar (~54%.)

I also never said anything about widening the car, so the only thing what would be stretched are the frame rails, which being hydroformed would be relatively easy and inexpensive; and the sheet metal. (Also fairly inexpensive.)

Anyone have the dimensions of the Torana TT Concept off hand? I don't believe my numbers are too far off.

 

I agree, 101" is way too small for a modern Camaro. I'd go even longer though, maybe in the 110-113" range.

BTW, Torana has a 112" wheelbase and 183.2" overall length. IMO that's just about perfect for a 5th gen.

 

Going along with the theme, "what if" the Torana concept was a preview of the 5th gen? Is it really that far fetched?

 

Nope, not at all.

I can't wait until that topic comes up on GM FastLane Blog and ...perhaps....Bob Lutz comments on it. It will be interesting....trust me.