Something that I often think about.

Mustang will have so many well defined models...how can Camaro compete with all of them.

Or does it really have to? If models like Z/28, SS, Sport Coupe, are well developed and fill their own very distinctive niches,.....AND ACTUALLY DO IT RIGHT, maybe Ford will be under pressure to chase them?

 

The last Camaro didn't, so why be concerned if the next Camaro didn't either?

 

Make it a true to it's mission sport coupe. Leave all the gadgetry off. Examples - Miata, RX8 - cars undiluted with weighty crap. Make it closer to the mustang in size and layout - but keep the hatch (practicality) and make it look sleek and MEAN in all models. Don't put tiny little wheels on them, either.

Base:
High Feature DOHC V6, 250HP. Something that V6 owners/buyers can be excited about.

RS:
5.3L V8 (300-ish HP)

Z/28:
A 5.7L or 6.0L V8 (400ish HP). Don't let this cost more than 30K loaded.

SS: Dies. There is no need for an "SS". This is a sports car, WTF does it need to be super sporty? There is also no need to chase the Cobra - because it is going after the corvette. We don't need dealers ignoring the other models and loading lots with these things again and effectively pricing the car out of it's market.

Finally:

Make an honest business case for 80-100K units a year, assuming no Firebird. And remember that you aren't competing against mustang - you are competing against Mustang, Eclipse, 350Z, G35, RX8, S2000 and other cars not closely related to those.

 

Why not go for 200K per year?

Why not tear up the market by making the base V6 $14.9K and the base V8 $19.9K and compare them head-to-head (in advertising) with Mustang, RX8, 350Z, WRX, and econocrap like Scion, Element, Civic, etc.

Recognize that PRICE is how young people buy cars. Show how Camaro DESTROYS everybody for LESS. Don't just hint. Do direct comparisons. Make people who buy econocrap THINK about what else they can get. Throw a wrench in the sport compact trend!

Then, one year later, once you've PROVEN that Chevrolet is the affordable performance leader once again, introduce a $30K super-performance model.

 

I have also often thought if this might not end up being the best solution for Camaro. And it's a shame too.

But if Chevy needs the Camaro SS to literally suck the the life out of all other Camaro models in order to justify it's cost, then it's probably better that it does not return. Camaro needs a full line up of desirable, soul stirring models...not just one tarted up, overpriced model good for 10,000 sales per year.....at the expense of all others.

That is, unless Chevy can figure out how to place it without canabalizing the rest of the Camaro line up. Something, I just don't envision Chevy doing.

 

I'll tell you something, I often would like to see the SS go to, but it does have a place with the Camaro (not above the Z28 though) and we need it simply because the M*stang offers too many models and we need some too. And a M*stang going after the Corvette?? Nevva!! I think the Corvette will be real far away from the M*stang when the C6 comes out and the Camaro will compete with or surpass the M*stang model for model once again.

Sport Coupe, RS, SS, and Z28 all need to be used, in that order too. And we need more engines and options, they need to look back at everything that happened and actually worked before the 4th Gen.

 

you guys think GM cares?

 

In the last generation, the Z28 would take out any Mustang so they didn't need to compete model for model, and I don't think they should. Chevy should try to reach higher than that.

I really do believe that we will see more Camaro models than before, especially since it appears the Firebird will not be joining the party at least at first. I am also willing to bet that the RS will make a return with maybe the all aluminum 5.3 to the tune of 300 hp. I think GM has more choices of engines to put in the Future Camaro. More N/A engines as maybe some forced induction ones as well. It seems GM is using more and more blowers and turbos on thier vehicles(ex. Ion, Cobalt, STSv, 05' Silverado SS? the new I-5, and I think some more in the works.)
As it has been discussed many times before, I think many different performance models is always good and I really do think we will get it.

 

That's the $64,000 question. Do they?

 

I think the mid range Camaro should get a Force induction V6 instead of a smaller V8. It would help the Camaro appeal to a broader market and still fill in at the 300HP mark.

I'd like to see a 300HP S/C 3.5L or 3.9L OHV V6 (assuming the S/C 3800 will be dead by then)

 

I like the SS, it looks better and sounds better then Z28. Most performance top of the line models in chevy are SS, like Chevelle SS, Malibu SS, Impala SS, Camaro SS, Monte Carlo SS, and i dont mean the 90;s **** jobs they call sports cars i mean all muscle era versions of the cars i just stated, like the 454 monte SS, and the 454 chevelle, and the 350 Camaro SS all that. SS means top of teh line in performance.

 

Ahha! My friend, you have identified the problem, precisely.

 

I think we talked about this in a previous thread. If the SC 3800 is still around, I could accept a Camaro model with this engine.

I agree with you....it would broaden the Camaro's appeal.

 

I find it funny how Z28 and Ford guys want the SS dead. Even funnier is that fact that the ford guy doesn't want the Camaro to compete with a mustang. Corvettes competing with Mustangs? Yeah right. I see Corvettes and Ford GTs going head to head and Camaros and Mustangs resuming their battle. Do you realize how many SS's they sell? Let it be. It's foolish having the Camaro SS cut because Z28 guys don't like the fact that they're outdone by minor performance tweaks, appearance and value. (As stated by Z284ever.)

I say, keep things as they are but widen the gap between V6-RS and Z28-SS.

 

Why should they keep making a mistake?? Volume is never achieved right if you are selling the top cars the most because the broad appeal cars are going nowhere. Look at the M*stang and the 1st 3 Gens, that's how it's done right. The Z28 should be the Z06 or 1LE of Camaros and the SS should be the higher selling top car.