You know, I'm setting myself up to purchase a top of the line Camaro in 08/09/10 whichever year it arrives... BUT. I do have two children, and if a Quad Coupe G8 with a top model GTO arrives... I might make a brand switch... And I'm typically hardcore Chevy.

 

Or the fact that the proportions could be very similar?

Which is right? Do you know? I don't - but it still worries me (perhaps incorrectly) that they are building the two cars on the same platform.

Bob

 

Yes they could be very similar. But looking at the W-bodies which are the same platform and they share NOTHING that you can see, except a long fron overhang. BTW I have no clue what it will be but GM has done very well with its more recent platform mates, CSVs and Torrent being the exceptions rather than the rule.

 

The Zeta GTO, which was cancelled over a year ago, would have been a coupe slightly larger than the Camaro concept.

Judging by Lutz's comments, it's apparent the he really wants to restart a GTO program. What we end up with is at this point, is unknown.

Personally, I think a reskinned Camaro called GTO would be a dumb move.

 

I agree 100% with this. Having a GTO the same size as the Camaro, with the same interior size and same overall functionality, would limit the GTO sales/success and leave it with much less to distinguish itself from the new Camaro. Doorlets would be just the thing to bring the GTO into the modern age. If it bugs people for a GTO to have them, fine, call it something else like Tempest (hopefully not the alpha-soup G8 ).

 

Differentiation is key! Most of us believe that. It's been said that GTO may be a 4 door. Could you even do that on a 5th gen sized car?

Here's what I'd like to see. Pontiac Sedan and Coupe similar to what was done with the W-body Impala/Monte Carlo. One is "G8" the other GTO.

 

GTO needs to be a larger car than Camaro, no doubt about it. Look at how well the LX cars do, because people want muscle with the ability to carry people. While I still shudder at the thought of a 4 door GTO, Charger's success with the blasphemous 4 doors can't be overlooked, and I can't blame Pontiac for looking in that direction.

Just as long as GTO doesn't end up being a Camaro reskin, I'd be happy.

 

So do I. And while we're stating opinions, I would prefer that Camaro get smaller vice GTO getting bigger in order to differentiate them.

However, what I would prefer is rather irrelevant - they will be what they will be.

Bob

 

What if it were more in a theme(not talking size or exact style of ) of Mercedes CLS class and really did look more like a coupe than a 4 door ? The Charger still blantenly looks like a 4 door family sedan . I dont think the Pontiac RWD whatever it is should be made to satisfy the masses , and with the scaling down of Pontiac , I just dont think youll see a 4 door and a 2 door off the same chassis . Im not a insider though , so thats just my opinion .

 

There ya go.

Although it's quite aways from computer math, it IS in the business portfolio, will be part of the program, and by Lutz's comments, can easily be assumed to be now incorperated into the Camaro program.


I would think so too. However, if there's enough in looks and mission to put distance between the 2 (unlike the Firebird) which wouldn't attract the same customer base, they might pull it off.

Here's an example:

 

We're thinking a little narrow here overall. Zeta is all about making a variety of cars cheaply off of the same components. But we're still thinking "either/or" here.

Zeta has been toned down quite a bit. Initially, GM planned to make full sized & sports cars based on Zeta starting in 2008, and mid sized Zeta based cars in 2010. The mid sized idea is dead, but the large line is still very much alive.

There is not a choice between the "G8" and "GTO". We're probally going to see both. The Pontiac coupe will be a roomier Camaro, and the so-called "G8" is going to be the "Impala" sedan (at the moment, calling it Impala is questionable).

There is a floorpan stamping under the Zeta which will be made in at least 2 lengths, most likely 3. It's noticable in Camaro's CAD drawing. This is how we're going to get a Pontiac "coupe", assuming GM isn't simply going to drop it on the Camaro body.

There's the feeling that the "GTO" isn't going to happen because it would cost too much. Let me point out that creating a longer wheelbase Pontiac coupe off of the Chevy Camaro body would cost alot less than the Kappa, would sell more than the projected annual average of 35K of the Kappa, and would sell at a much higher price than the Kappa.

Not saying that 100% the Pontiac coupe has a longer wheelbase. I know it started that way, and I probally won't get word on it till GM gives final OK on the lineup and I get details. But along with it, the Camaro, and the Chevy RWD sedan, there also is a Pontiac and a Buick sedan that's also up for approval with the rest of the program. I believe Buick may be delayed till Lecerne runs it's course (since it's replacement no longer seems to be the next DTS Sigma), but Pontiac seems set for a sedan and a 'coupe'.

 

Guy do you think the Holden Statesman will come over as a Buick with just a re-badging? That seems to be what Bob was hinting at. Also what is going on with the Utes in Aus. Are they moving along with it or was it pushed back? Could these be made along side the coupes in the US giving the Australians more capacity for just sedans, maybe upping the Buick Statesman's case?

 

I've been told that the US is getting another Holden.

Personally, I believe it's the UTE as an El Camino. However, Buick's Zeta was supposed to be a redone Statesman initially.

The wild card is that while Australia's dollar grew stronger the past few years, our dollar grew weaker. I feel a Ute which is low priced in Australia(around $24K US with LS1 and 6 speed) can still be easily sold here at a profit, while the Statesman ($40K+ US) is really questionable.

No impossible, just questionable.

Afterall, GTO was cheaper than Monaro.

 

That's great. But as of end of business yesterday, there is no G8 or GTO program that is being worked on. And I'm not just talking about "officially unapproved", like Camaro or Impala....I'm talking nada, zip, zero.
I'm not saying there won't be one down the road...especially, since BL has made those comments. But there is none now...nor has there been for over 15 months.

Here's another one where we'll have to agree to disagree.

 

Not true at all.