Your nagging finally worked

 

My nagging to GM decision makers, has been quite intense for something like this....mostly to make the case for a "right sized" Camaro. In fact every time Bob Lutz says that "Camaro enthusiasts have been driving me crazy since I got here".....I almost feel self conscious....like he's talking about ME, personally.

Anyhow, Keebler's comments are a pleasant surprise. I'n VERY curious to find out exactly what they're up to...and what these cars might be. My impressions though, are that Bob Lutz is one of us. He and many, (not all), around him could support a small/medium RWD architecture, (sized like the Torana concept), if a business case could be made for it.

Maybe the Camaro makes the case for such a platform? I don't know. Is that what Keebler's even talking about? Don't know that either.

 

I would like to see a Malibu size car with rwd/awd and a small V8 as an option with a auto or manual. That is my version of the Chevy 3-series...and swap out the small V8 for a 6.0 LS2 or something

 

I would still like to see a 2-door wagon be made. Like the Kappa nomad.

 

I am not so sure they would need a v8 option in a car that size. Just a SC v6.... Well maybe a v8 for a top top model(LS7?j/k)

 

I was thinking more like a 4.8 or 5.3 as the top option, but the LS7 does sound better.

 

My take is if you're thinking "Malibu" sized as a "smallish" car, you're thinking too big. We already have that flank covered with the CTS.

I'm thinking a smidge larger than Cobalt which is what I believe to be "right-sized" in this case. It's already the larger of the "compact" offerings out there.

For comparison, a 3 series bimmer is the size of a civic. The Cobalt is 3-4in. longer than either.

 

I'd like even smaller than a Cobalt, with a V6 -- no V8 option. RWD only, or at least as the design center. Target weight of 3300 pounds with the standard features (I want pwr driver seat, mirrors, windows, and door locks, 16" wheels; no nav, no seat heater, no dozen airbags, no Onstar).

I'd like the V6 to be worthy of the LS2. If GM can make a 6.0l V8 with 400hp, let's have a 280hp, short stroke (compared to LS2), 4.0l 60 degree V6. I don't care if it needs premium gas.

Make it a Saturn, Pontiac, or Chevy -- I don't care about that. Don't make it a Caddy unless they can avoid the "all Caddys have Onstar" rule.
If they want a 3500 pounds luxury model to sell as a Caddy with the HFV6 and Onstar and two dozen airbags, that's fine.

 

Maybe the Torana concept triggered the notion of a GM competitor to BMW 3-series?

 

I think it did, actually.

 

Ohhh I would love a modern Torana.

 

Oh yeah, me too.

I think some people are trying to see if Kappa can create a family of 2+2, coupes and sedans. I'm told that the engineering is not there to support that proposition. So we'll see.

OTOH, the Camaro architecture will be a substantially revised Zeta, (How substantial is still be wrestled with)...could this be what will ultimately be used on this new line??

 

best thing i heard in awhile.

 

Charlie if you use the suspension from Kappa and not the unibody it isn't Kappa but would be related. It seems as though there are already supposed to be midsize coupes being produced in Willmington, Guy's guess on where the Camaro and its 2 door bretheren are headed, so why not shorten the floorpan from Camaro, make a new top part of the unibody and call it something else since it would be neither Kappa, Zeta, or CZ6.

 

IF GM can pull this off, it won't share a damned thing with Camaro. Kind of a shame really, had the timing been different, perhaps this program and Camaro might have converged. The result? A smaller, lighter Camaro.