Agree COMPLETELY.

 

A Camaro "concept" this year would upstage the C6 unveiling, and GM wouldn't want that to happen. I guess thats the reason there is only one Chevy concept this year too.
I wonder what pontiac is bringing they usually have numerous concepts?

 

What about "the contract?!"

 

To clarify what I meant by IF:

I don't personally believe there will be a "concept" of a Camaro anymore than there was a "concept" of the Colbalt or a "concept" of the new Corvette. There doesn't have to be a concept of everything that's coming out.

Concepts tests out ideas & is a chance for the design department to "strut it's stuff". Chrysler has a reputation (deserved) for making their concepts thinly disguised versions of future production cars. However, Chrysler also bends the term "concept" till it breaks.

What I meant by what I said is that IF Chevrolet showed any Camaro car next year, it would be a "production-preview" car. I think we'll see a new Camaro debut (not go into production) before the 2006 Auto show, but I don't believe there'll be a "concept though.

BTW, there was one Camaro concept already shown.

 

We are good to go for the 2005 show concerning this.

Similar to the Mustang "Concept" we saw last year?
The word "concept" is starting to get blurred when it comes to this terminology.
Could you explain what it means to be a concept v. production preview and how this would relate to the Camaro.



You don’t mean the SS do you?!

 

I think he's talking about that survey car. But I don't know if I'd classify that as a concept, especially being that what 4 people saw it?

 

What was the survey car? I never heard about that?

 

Concept? Chevy SS, Buick LaCrosse, Ford 427, Mercury Messenger, Cadillac Cien, and the Chevy SSR and the Pontiac Solstice(neither were planned for production when it was on display).

Production preview? Chrysler 300 & Dodge Magnum wagon (though Chrysler wrongly called them concepts), Chevy's Equinox, the GTO, the upcoming Colbalt & STS, The Ford F150 of last season, etc.

Cars that blur the 2? Ford's Mustang of last year (it's styling resembled the production car, but still not it), and the upcoming 2 seat sports coupe from Dodge.

BTW: No, I wasn't refering to the SS. The survey car was seen by a whole alot more than just 4 people. Not quite the car I was talking about, but still a Camaro concept.

 

Well why haven't we seen the survey car? And if it's not the car you're talking about I take it that you mean there are already some Camaro concepts in GM. And I don't think they intend on letting us see it of course. But letting the entire public see would be the best for ideas and real opinions, that's why I think a Camaro concept should be made public as soon as it is legally possible.

 

Thanks for clearing that up.

 

The survey car is used for a styling clinic.

A group of potential buyers, based on registration and other demographics is invited to view & give comments on a proposed car design (you can't purposely get invited, so don't worry ). This is done in groups, and can involve dozens of people.

The feedback is then taken and either used to alter the design before going out to a clinic again, or if the clinc proves the design is well recieved, it is part of the presentation to the Product Board for final approval.

Bottom line is we won't see the survey car until the book on the new car comes out and we can buy it at Barnes & Noble.

There have been Camaro "concepts" and ideas at GM for a long time. The styling themes of one idea made it to the auto show circuit a couple of years ago in a particular concept.

Letting the entire public see it for reaction isn't the best way to bring out a new car. The people who run the clinics are marketers hired just for this.

Think of the Ford Thunderbird concept that was put on public display, but was old hat by the time it hit production. Ditto the SSR. Instead, show it to a small controlled group get feedback, make whatever changes need to be made, and it still makes it to the public fresh, new, & exciting. Just like the C6 Corvette.

 

BTW: going back to the "what's coming" topic, Buick will have a modular RWD concept at the NAIAS designed by a group or company outside of General Motors.

 

I still think letting the real Camaro enthusiasts see a few concepts, even if they all had different themes, would be best. If not for the simple fact that the car is returning, which is huge press in itself.

 

Latest as to what to expect at Detroit next month (official list):

Production debuts:
Aston Martin DB9 Volante
BMW 6 Series convertible
Chevrolet Corvette
Chrysler Crossfire convertible
Chrysler PT Cruiser convertible
Ferrari 612 Scaglietti
Ford truck
Ford car (2)
Ford Freestyle
Ford Five Hundred
Ford Mustang
Infiniti QX56
Lincoln (2)
Mercury
Jaguar S-Type
Jaguar X-Type
Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
Kia Spectra
Nissan Pathfinder
Nissan Frontier
Scion (the coupe replacing the Celica)

Concepts:
Chevrolet
Dodge Sling Shot
Ford truck
Ford car
Honda
Hyundai
Jeep Rescue
Mitsubishi (2)
Nissan crossover
Saturn
Jaguar RD-6
Jeep Treo
Mazda Kusabi
Mazda RX-8 hydrogen hybrid
Mercedes-Benz Vision GST
Subaru B9SC

 

I'm actually anxious to see what the perfomance numbers on the Cobalt SS are. If they're impressive for the class, and the final styling looks good, AND they're priced resonably well... I can see that car becoming a winner.