GTO size is not that bad, just lower it a lil bit. As far as the weight goes there will be a lot of factors. IRS will add a couple hundered pounds, then there is material selection for the rest of the car. If they decide to substitute aluminium or composite material instead of steel for some select componets. Aluminum is still heavy compared to composite but a lot cheaper. It will raise the price, just depends on what you want.
I doubt they will do that, so I'd guess a weight around 3700.

 

My Thunderbird SC says she disagrees.

The GTO/Monaro is a little overengineered. It's quite structure is a bit tougher and heavier than what we typically have here in the US, so I imagine that there's probally some weight that can be pulled off the chassis on that alone. Also, all those electronic gadgets and motors probally weigh some pounds, and you could probally pull a few more pounds elsewhere.

Combine this with the prospect of GM using lighter high strength materials, and it's quite possible the GTO may even lose a little weight.

I'd say at least a hundred pounds, but that's just a guess.

 

3600 lbs, while acceptable to me for a Camaro that is appropriate in all other respects, that's still 200lbs short of the magic number to which everybody here seems to have hitched their proverbial wagon.

Cars get heavier every generation with added complexity, safety equipment, electronics, etc. etc. Its a very expensive process to fight that trend off even if the physical size of a car shrinks. I have to wonder what are realisitic expectations?

 

Thats why I estimated a hundred pounds off the current weight of the GTO. I figured they could loose a little more since it will also be engineered for the US, not Reengineered for the US. With the fuel tank moved, and who knows all else what was changed, I am sure there are some redundancies and extra material where there need not be any.

 

I think we are going to have to understand that the Camaro is not going to be a stripper, and its gunna be between 3500-3700lbs.

 

see i'd love a stripped out model around 3200lbs.








and no i mean the car.

 

I'm as die hard as they come but that'll push me into the no sale category. I AM NOT going to buy a car heavier than my '96.

I know there are those that say more power can overcome the added bulk. They forget how weight just kills a car in the twisties.

I like cars that handle well. Although I was willing to trade in my '91 and live with added mass in return for much greater structural integrity, my 4th gen is already fighting it's weight at around 3500lbs.

There is no reason that added complexity and features have to AUTOMATICALLY equal a large weight gain. Witness the painstaking engineering with regard to weight that first went into the C5 and now the C6.

 

 

Well, I guess you better enjoy your new Mustang.
Cars gain weight over time, and with cars getting more creature comforts as standard, cars are going to gain weight.
The C6 is lighter because its smaller then the last gen.
Im sure that the car will be well ballanced as the Camaro has become a total car since 82. Its not always been about drag racing, but having good ballance and power.
Adding of anything, especialy things like IRS to handle 400+hp and tq, as well as a chassis to take the abuse, while keeping quality up, the car is gunna gain weight.

 

Al has a great point, peoples demands for creature comforts, gadgets and do-dads keep going up and up(Nav, heated seats, bigger stereos, IRS, beefier driveline for higher engine output, bigger tires). Cars have to be safer(air bags, more computer controlled safety equipment, structural reinforment) and without these people aren't going to buy them. Even if there is going to be a 'stripper model' as many people want, there are still going to be items and structures in place for the heaviest models as there are for your stripper model. You can build a camaro that weighs in around 2500 lbs, but you are going to have to pay over well over 50k for it. I think they are trying to do something like this for the blue devil, with an aluminum subframe, and you know how expensive that car is going to be.

 

Come on Al, that's ridiculous! Here's a guy who realizes that lot's of mass kills performance....and that's all you can say? You can give a heavy car 500, 600, 1,000 horsepower...and it won't handle any better. Or brake better. In fact, it'll drive like a pig. And it'll probably look stupid too.

I seems we may have something of a big-fat-huge-overweight-Camaro-mafia starting here.

I'm disgusted.

 

I would like to hear how the 02 LS1 TA's do against the 04 GTO on a road course. GTO is heavier but with a better susupension. Also the amount of gizmos and power would be the same. LS1 6 speed vs LS1 6 speed. Anyone seen any of these races or comparisons?

BTW I voted for the larger size Camaro.

 

Weight may present its challenges in handling, but Ferrari 575M weights 3815 pounds, and it can not only handle 1/4 mi, it handles twisties very well. With the right engineering and support, even a heavier car can be made to handle.

Will GM do this for the F5? If it indeed comes out at a hefty 3700+ lbs, will they do enough R&D to provide handling that tops F3/F4? I would like to hope so.

 

Well, as for a big-fat-huge-overweight-Camaro-mafia, lets take a look at some heavy handlers.
E55 and M5 are near or at 2 tons. The Monaro and Commadore, when tuned right, are awesome handling cars for being north of 3500lbs.
Ferrari's, Aston Martains and other large european super cars will reach over 2 tons, yet will leave a 4th gen in the dust.
Take a look at the Ion and SRT4. The Ion is a bigger and heavier car, yet is said to out handle the SRT4. Even the G35 coupe at its 3500lb is pretty nimble.
Its about suspension set up and how the weight is displaced.
Take a look at the G35, which is probably smaller then what our future Camaro will be. Its over the 3400lbs mark. If you can get the weight low enough, and the suspension set up correctly, the car will handle very well. Review like "The Camaro doesnt feel like your lugging around a (insert weight here), but more like a nimble sports car weight far less, and with its LS2 power plant, it pulls that mass right out of the corner with such speed, it makes you want to double check that this car isnt a Vette"
Im sure Chevy could do it. The Solstice is also said to out-handle the much lighter Miata.
Will a lighter car be nice? Yes, but I think no matter what we do, either this Beta chassis, or Zeta, its gunna be north of 3300-3400lbs. I say its going ot be under 3700lbs just from reducing the over-engineered design of the Holden cars.

Here is a qestion I ask you. If this "G35 sized Camaro" is true, yet its weight is about the same as teh G35, would you sacrafice the interior room just to have a smaller Camaro? I think I would take the extra 100-150lbs of a Zeta car and gain WAY more room to make the car a useful car, and not another "2 seater" Camaro.

 

There's a passage in "All Corvette's Are Red". It's where Jim Perkins, playfully imitates Dave Hill to some engineers, he whips off his sunglasses and says, "How many times I gotta explain this mass **** to you? You must be the dumbest sonofabitch I ever met".

Mass is not your friend...that is, if you like performance.

A year ago, we were maniacally ripping the Mustang a new a-hole....just on the rumor, that it might weigh 3700 lbs........now some here....in our new and disturbing movement, are embracing it for a new porky Camaro.


Would I take another 150lbs of needless weight for more interior room in my Camaro. No-freakin'-way. Not a chance. If I'm looking for most interior space per air molecules displaced....I'd run to a Scion dealer for an Xb. In a Camaro, give me two good front seats, two smallish rear seats and some sort of a trunk. That's it.

Camaro is many things.....but it certainly is not about max interior room at the expense of performance, ( excess weight) or driving fun ( excess size).

Al.....are you sure that you're a Camaro guy?