No biggie. I was just thinking if it was already there, Id buy the Magazine, watch the show or go to the exibition to see a high horsepower AWD Camaro spinning all 4 wheels and goofing around.

 

Well, you're going to need a automatic tranny to handle all that power. That means a heavier duty and heavier weight transmission from GM's truck line, since a manual and AWD would roast clutches right & left.

Then we're talking about a transfer case strong enough to handle the torque. So far the only one that comes close to making the cut is the one dircetly out of the Silverado, which alone weighs what? 200 pounds?

Then there the forward shaft and the front diff, also capable of handling that amount of torque, so you're adding the weight of another rear differential and half-shafts.

Best case scenario, in order to handle a 500 horsepower engine and it's diesel-like 475+ lbs of torque through an AWD system, you're probally looking at a minimum of 200 extra pounds, with 300 probally more realistic, putting the new Camaro right up there in weight with the Chrysler 300C.

Even more telling, it would be about the same weight (& horsepower) as the Ford GT500 convertible. And would probally handle worse. Meanwhile, you're getting dusted by 400 horse, lighter & more agile Camaros.


A 300C weighs just over 4000 lbs. With AWD weighs 4300 pounds.

Something to think about.

 

you totally missed my point guy. i never said i want one from the factory...but an all out drag car that's awd would be cool to see. it would also be stripped of it's interior and a bunch more to keep the weight down.

you know the kind you can't drive on the street.

 

holy smokes those are awesome. Lumina SS

 

Have cash, will travel.

Have more, go farther.

 

If GM develops some sort of hybrid drive to these vehicles (I know the malibu is next in line) to work with the 3.5L v6, then we totally have a winner, and it would be heading straight against the Lexus 450h.

Those freaking aussies really know how to make a car... The concept of a Lumina SS with the 3.5L and a 6spd just makes me all giddy inside.

 

I know this has probably been gone over a billion times, but I don't spend much time in here, however I wish GM would at least make AWD an option on the Camaro, as well as other cars. AWD makes a HUGE difference in how a car handles, and thats for the better. before I had my Silverado SS, I had a "regular" Silverado, 2wd ext. cab 5.3 auto, so I have a good refrence point on how AWD effects a vehicle. My SS is incredibly stable, no matter how sharp a turn or how quick I take it, wet weather handling is great, launching is nearly always perfect, the truck always goes right where I point it. AWD should be available on way more cars than it is.

 

The "Lumina SS" is at the top of my list of cars to check out and realistically consider, even higher than the Camaro. If it has a 400 hp engine, 6 speed manual tranny, awesome brakes, and RWD with a well setup suspension for about $30ishk, I don't think I will have any qualms selling my 99 Z28 to get one.

OR, if they can get those nice looks and interior with a HO V6(around 300 hp if possible? ) with a very slick shifting 6 speed and a extremely well sorted out suspension and brakes for perhaps high $20's, that would actually be awesome too.

I hope they drive sharp and have great feedback in steering, shifting, and brakes. If GM can figure that out, I bet they could sell every single car they make right without discounts. I rather have the $ spent in engineering these aspects, before working on AWD.

 

I disagree, at least on dry roads or on the track. Drive a (RWD) BMW and an Audi back to back and you'll see what I mean -- the BMW is far easier to drive at the limit (and those limits are higher). AWD really seems to mess up steering feel, among other things, compared to a top-notch RWD setup.

 

Making AWD an option on Camaro would have added cost, complexity and weight to ALL Camaros, not just the ones with AWD.
And AWD may have made your truck feel more nimble, but I generally prefer the feel of a RWD car over that of an AWD one.

 

Wouldn't it be better to drive a 330i and a 330xi back to back?

 

Or easier, a 300C and a 300C AWD.

 

or STS.

 

For what it's worth, the AWD Trailblazer SS (4,663) is about 170 lbs more than the 2WD (4,496) version.

http://www.chevrolet.com/trailblazer/specifications/

 

A car not pre-engineered for AWD would have to be a couple hundred less pounds though. Making the total difference over 300lbs easilt versus 170.