Leave the AWD market to cars like the Cobalt, the Sport Compacts, where they wouldn't feel near as heavy or sluggish..

I voted to let them "Share" an engine, at least in displacement, they can use different inductions, cams, exhausts etc to differentiate them in performance. That way, if I bought a lower performance version, then for some reason found I needed more power, I could whip out my GMPP(or other) catalog and make some serious improvements...

It doesn't NEED 4 or 2 + 2 half doors, but it could be interesting to see a prototype before being to judgemental...Mine will probably get some sort of roll cage anyways, but still could remain functional..

 

What if it did?

 

On Most RWD cars that offer AWD as an option it cost about $2000. I'd say that fits in fine with Camaro pricing, but it doesn't fit in with the Camaro image.

An AWD Zeta coupe should be built, I'm just not sure it should be the Camaro.

 

I seriously doubt it would only be a $2000 option. Maybe closer to $5000.

 

On just about every other RWD made it is a $1800-$2500 option. On the GM cars that currently offer AWD it is a $2000 option, Whatmakes you think that a Zeta car would cost 2-3 times more? Mercedes is only $1900, and they over price everything.

 

A few things worth considering:
Zeta is going to be engineered to accept Holden's AWD system it has just created for it's lame duck V car. GM North Ameria will be using Zeta components on multiple lines of cars here. IF there is a Camaro under development, it will most certainally be built off the Zeta. If there are any cars that are going to have AWD optional, it's going to run about $2-3,000. Cadillac has already made public their plans to have AWD on the STS, and other future models, pretty much giving away most any uncertainty as to what Zeta will be based off of.

An AWD Camaro can easily be done. It boils down to if it will be adopted and accepted by Camaro's developers & marketers (they will or already have done surveys into this). GM is risk adverse as far as product liability & claims.

What I get out of this:
Personally, I don't believe an AWD Camaro will be done, or if it is it will be an option. An expensive one, but still an option.

Don't expect the top engine to have AWD. I'd say look at the Monaro AWD concept (the Coupe 4) and it's 270kw/360hp engine, and that 360 ft/lbs of torque the most you are going to see in AWD form. Someone, somewhere is going to pop on stickier tires, up the power, and rip the drivetrain to shreads, and GM knows this (refer to complaints about 3rd & 4th gen Camaros having glass rear ends).

It will also have an auto tranny.

Before some of you start whining about how Nissan Skyline GTRs have no problem designing an AWD system, you should know that Skyline GTRs have 392nm of torque.... That equals just about 290 lbs/ft.

The Typhoon had 360, but it also had truck components, an automatic transmission, and 3800+ pounds.

 

While wanting AWD on a Camaro doesn't fit it's image it will probably bring in new customers,maybe not much more but it's better than none at all.Also as long it is an option,because I won't buy a 5thgen if it were a standard option,then it will be ok.

 

I'd say that you're right on target. The AWD system will likely be pretty much at it's torque limits, at LS1 power levels.

But if AWD is offered on Camaro....I believe that it will be at a "Chevy price".

 

I wonder if the guys on the Mustang forums wish the new 'Stang had AWD option?

I am betting no. Mustangs have always been pretty simple cars.
No the new one is a quantum leap forward but I doubt there auidence will change much (and thus might think AWD doesn't fit the pony car image)

No, the Camaro shouldn't be compromised too much from its heritage. Not huge back seat, just a bit more room in front and in back.

 

Probably not.

But it's not so much what they want now...it's what everyone will be looking for 5-10 years from now.

I far as I can tell, Ford has no plans for AWD on it's new platform. Even if they did...I'd imagine the external dimensions of their Mod motor may pose some packaging issues.

I wouldn't be surprised if AWD for cars, will soon become as common as it is for SUVs. It is quickly becoming mainstream.

Chrysler's LX RWD platform will be available with AWD from the get-go. It's no secret that GM's Zeta will have it. I believe that a fairly robust consumer segment will exist for these AWD cars....even some version of the Camaro.

But as I've been saying for several months....I'd be shocked if AWD appeared on the highest performance Camaro.

 

It would be interesting to know if AWD is really in that big of a deamnd by consumers. Just seems to complicate things and its one more thing to break/need repairs.

Some high end luxury cars have AWD, like Audi and some sport compacts. Subaru of course. When Toyota and Honda start making it on there Accords and Camrys then it will be mainstream.

But if they added AWD on Cobalts, Foci, Civics, Aveos ect it would drive the price up---and these are supposed to be cheap cars.

 

This thread has a few good points on the pros and cons of awd vs rwd.

 

We're on the verge of that happening, I think.

The Ford Five Hundred and Mercury Montego...(the Taurus, Sable replacements..certainly mainstream) will have available AWD when they're introduced in afew months.

I think consumers are becoming more aware of AWD than they ever have been before. It's sort of similar to the FWD frenzy that occured 15-20 years ago.

With that said...I don't believe that RWD will be replaced by AWD...especially in specific performance applications, but it will supplement it. I doubt we'll ever see an AWD Corvette or Ferrari.

In the next few years...the general, layperson consumers will have the the expectation/perception that the RWD V8 car they are shopping for, should have AWD....at least available .

This is a segment that Camaro had better be ready for. The fact that Camaro's assumed platform will already be engineered for AWD, makes this a "no-brainer".

 

If AWD replaces any drivetrain layout ,I think it will be FWD. AWD does everything better than FWD but can't quite edge RWD in some performance applications. So, I would expect the next Camaro to make provisions for AWD even if it is not offered initially.

 

If AWD does become as mainstream as I suspect it will, the SUV market will begin to fade back to more reasonable levels. A good thing if you ask me.