Any chance we will see a Targa like the C5 without the "T-bar"? I'll take either but I like the full roof removale better. Looks sexier and more modern.

Also did anyone think how T-tops might be stored in a trunk since it looks like we are going to have one? Wont this be a harder storage problem? The 4th gens are perfect for T-tops storage. I'm trying to think how you could conviniently fit tops in a Mustang like trunk. Sounds no good to me.

Once again not flaming. I'm very happy to be getting a new Camaro and info on one. I just want it to be perfect.

 

Wait, how many times have we heard that the camaro concepts floating around aren't gonna happen because they're not "aerodynamic enough"? But the next Camaro will more than likely be taller? Doesn't that also reduce aerodynamics?


And the weight issue is disturbing too, as many have already said. If the solstice ends up weighing in at 3200lbs as many are saying, and the next camaro is a couple hundred pounds mroe than the 4th gen.... that's scary. More weight = more tire wear, worse handling, worse gas mileage etc. Also, a heavier car tends to not be as "fun to drive" as a lighter one, simply because of how it feels in the hands of people who aren't enthuisiasts like us.

If GM is trying to capture a market that expands past the enthusiasts who are already sold, they'll really have to deliver an A+ product, and I hope more than anything they do. I'm already working on a down payment, as long as the car is fun to drive and fast (not just straight line fast, I want to throw it around corners too).

Not flames, BTW. Just thinking out loud (or in type I guess)

 

I think the common knowledge is that the Solstice is going to come uner 3000 lbs but not by much. Also, no one really said the new Camaro would be a few hundred pounds heavier, just some people speculated on that after it was said that the Camaro might weigh more than the 4th gen. I think the current news is more troubling than comforting, for me anyways.

 

If I compare the T-Tops on my 99 Z28 to the targa top on my 95 Corvette, I'd perfer the T-Tops... the targa was a real pain to remove and store... especially for one person, while the T-Tops were a breeze.

I have never removed a C5 targa top, though, so they may have improved the setup.

As for storage of T-Tops... they came a long way from the T-Top bag and straps of the 3rd Gen, to the lock-in-place storage of the 4th Gen, so I hope something similar to the 4th Gen can be worked out in that department!

 

cool

 

No one's hinting the 5th gen will weigh "a couple hundred pounds" more than the 4th. I think there's no doubt it will be heavier, but I'd expect it to be lighter than the current GTO & Mustang Cobra. As for aerodynamics, height alone doesn't make the car worse.

Unless someone has a earthmoving change of heart, forget a 5.3 or any "mid level" V8 Camaro. Not only was it dismissed with the 4th gen, but it's really hard to justify. Though I personally want a mid-level V8 in the next Camaro, considering a 5.3 costs as much as a 6.0 to make, gets roughly the same fuel economy, and is likely to drive up insurence rates (it would be a youth magnet the way a Mustang GT is), the case has been made for some time that simply making various tunes of the same engine is sufficient. I believe the same will happen next round.

Torana/ camaro?

How about a Camaro, then a Torano based on that afterwards?

 

yea, but will it come in yellow?

 

Thanks for the great post GuionM.

 

I just hope it brings back some of the : Original "look", "feel", "sound" and Spirit that made the Camaro the freind and Legend it was...if they can't,,, let it rest in peace..

(NO FWD V6, 4door models.. )

 

kind of bitter sweet news there. I am a little disappointed to hear about it being higher (but I guess we do have to appeal more to the masses if you want it to stay in production). As well as the higher weight, especially hearing the it will not be a hatchback and the fast that so much is made out of aluminum these days. Despite the IRS, my 3rd gen has an iron block, the glass hatch and weighs more. I know they can make it lighter, of course cost always end up coming into play, maybe a special edition Z will be lighter and lower

 

I think traditionally the Camaro "was" taller, which I, being 6'2" like. I don't really enjoy climbing UP out of my 3rd Gen. My Dad's '68 was much easier to enter/exit.
And heavier, well, I can deal..just pump up the torque a little.
But I would like to see the stance a little wider, from a "looks" & "performance" standpoint. I don't think it would give up much, if any handling b/c of these.
And the loss of the"hatch" that started in the '80's, would be a turn in a tradition direction, I like
(Keep the fold down seats tho!...)
And I would like to see IRS at least an option, like the Monaro etc, why can't we get some of that Aussy stuff??...I guess it might compete with Big Bro Vette, they can't have that...

 

I have a hard time believing that 65% of F-BODY cars have T-Tops. Maybe 65% of V8 F-Body cars. Most V6 models I've ever seen don't have T-tops, and they account for 2/3 of the volume. If so, then the justification for T-tops is weak, considering the development cost.

Regarding a 6.0 as the standard V8, don't count on it. The LT1 and LS1 were used in the 4th gen and Caprice to double the engines production numbers and spread the development costs. This was at a time when NO OTHER vehicles used these engines. The LS1 architecture is widely used now, and most of the development costs have been paid for by GM's trucks and SUV's. GM can choose ANY displacement they feel like for the 5th Gen.

Producing a 5th gen with IRS AND the same 6.0 engine as the Vette will significantly hurt Vette sales. The Vette will always outperform the 5th gen even with the same engine, however many mant potential vette buyers won't spend the extra $20K if you can get a 6.0 and IRS in a 5th gen. IRS has always distinguised the Vette, now it will need to be the 6.0. 300hp from a 5.3 is more than adequate.

Ford has sold plenty of GT's with a 5.0 or now, 4.6. The 5th gen doesn't need a 6.0, it needs IRS, better visability, passenger comfort, etc. etc. etc.

Finally, I doubt GM will design the 5th gen for current f-Body fans. They will most likely aim this car at a younger market, and try to distance this car from its previous reputation.

 

i see t-tops on near every camaro around here
i think there is a justification for them (fact is, they lasted from 78 or so til 2002 so..)

as you contend that the vette needs the 6.0, i think it'd be better to leave irs off the camaro and let the camaro have the 6.0
my reasoning is that the extra weight of irs isn't worth it, and i don't see the camaro going down .4L (5.7 to 5.3) is really something enthusiasts or the regular v8 buyer wants- this is where i think a 5.3 v8 as an entry v8 (ala 3rd gen) steps in

also, in reference to your thinking that the 5th gen will be aimed at younger buyers, what age segment are you talking about? it surely won't be aimed at the current ricer rocket crowd or any below 30 years old i think because they just simply don't have enough money to afford the car, insurance, gas, etc. unless they have help from parents or get a damn good paying job out of college

 

check out https://www.camaroz28.com/articles/0...rs/index.shtml those are the 2001 Camaro production #s

in 2001 67.6% of Camaro Coupes had T-tops

 

IRS doesn't need to weigh more, if it is designed in from the start. Plus, IRS has less UNSPRUNG weight, which provides a better ride, and better handling in real driving conditions.

The fact that the 5th Gen will be based off a different platform, (which will certainly have a sunroof as an option) makes T-Tops even less likely. I'd just as soon have a power Sunroof. More usefull, no need to store them.

Regarding GM's intended market for the 5th Gen: The 4th Gen was aimed at a market range back in 1993, lets say the 18-35 year old range for sake of argument. On top of that, the design was determined by an existing platform and tooling (live axle, T-top, etc.). By 2007, the 4th Gen market will have aged to 32-49 years. GM is not designing the 5th gen for the 32-49 year old market - thats Vette teritory. The 5th gen will be marketed at 18-35 year olds, in 2007. They have different priorities than we do. 6.0 live axle T-top cars are not on their list of priorities.