Two simple questions:

1) Is the 5th Gen a Done Deal, or is it still only a 'Possibility'???

2) If it's a done deal, what kind of timeframe are we looking at???

Thanks,
Paul 'X'

 

It's not a done deal until it's officially announced by GM. That said, there's definitely a program to build a RWD V8 coupe at Chevrolet. However plenty of cars have been killed at this stage of development in the past. If it goes through, we're looking at 2007.

 

That's what I was afraid of...

I read through some posts in this area, and it seemed like nothing was confirmed by GM, even the prototypes...

GM has dropped the ball on so many different vehicle lines over the years that I'm almost forced to look at Ford Products and now Chrysler has so many strong products I may become a Mopar Man... Have you seen the commercial for the Magnum??? Holy cow, I've never had my family in anything smaller than a full size Chevy 3/4 ton van, but if I were buying today I'd be in that Magnum Wagon in a heartbeat.

GM has some good stuff coming up, but they have a LOT of catching up to do.

On the other hand, what's a stock Mustang GT put out now? 265hp? My 1995 Z28 put out 275hp from the factory, and Ford still hasn't caught up to that nearly a DECADE later??? Sheesh.

I know Ford has some really seriously high powered Mustangs out there, but they're high dollar and low volume. When you can still go to a used dealer's lot and there's a 2003 Mustang GT sitting next to a 1994 Formula Bird, you do the math on HP vs. Cost...

Anyway, I'm tired of hearing maybes and seeing 'I hope so's on the Camaro. GM is already so far behind and has disappointed so many people by killing it in the first place that they will be decades recovering from it, and the Camaro may never sell to the same market that it has in the past. Even the 4th Gen shifted in the market to some extent than previous generations did.

OK, I'm babbling now. Feel free to chime in with your own babble. I'd love to hear from some high-up GM folks on the issue. Or to advise them on some issues. I've been building cars for a long time and I'm pretty sure I could have handled the F-Body's past 10 years much better than the GM Politicians did. The Engineers built literally the Most BadAss Muscle Ever Produced, rolling off the showroom floor in the mid-high 13's for less than $30K, and then they killed it? Good job guys! You certainly made history with that move.

On another babbling note, I wonder when the lawsuits will begin against high performance now that we're in undiscovered territory where horsepower is concerned. A 500hp Mustang or Corvette off the showroom is more like 650 Gross hp from the 60's, and we're selling them to anybody with cash. HP like that used to be reserved for those who were GearHead enough to Build that much power.

Now any idiot with the cash to layout for a Z06 Vette or a Mustang Cobra can drive out onto a slick asphalt street on Saturday night with no traction control and no idea what it's like to have 650 Gross HP under the GO pedal. I know that the first time I drove a 400hp, 3000 pound car I learned to respect the GO pedal. Don't get me wrong, I say keep upping the ante where HP is concerned. I'll buy the wreckage of those idiots who wreck their Z06 Vettes for a swap into my old Malibu that is currently awaiting restoration in my Grandma's Garage. (Coincidentally the same car that taught me to respect the 400hp GO pedal...)

OK, got to get the kids to bed. If you'd like to hear more of my babbling, simply reply to this message. I've got a lot more to say than I have facts to back up.

Paul 'X'

 

If it's any consolation, Pontiac Solstice was certain to reach production almost from the day after it's press introduction back in 2002. Yet GM only officially announced it just last winter.

The Colbalt comes out this fall. We knew a replacement was on the way for the Cavalier since about 2000. GM officially announced the Colbalt just 8 months before production is to start. Ditto the new Corvette.

Don't go by "Official" announcements at GM. They won't "Officially" announce anything till they are actually starting to convert the factory where the car's going to be made, or on the Auto Show circuit the year it's due to come out.

Short of GM financially melting down or congress outlawing coupes effective immediately, you'll see a RWD Chevy sports coupe soon.

 

I don't know if you can call later 07 soon.

 

but then, maybe he means sooner than 2007 MY? Even for 07MY we would have to see a prototype at 2005 auto shows. Perhaps this is what GuionM is referring to.

 

No, 2007 calender year as a 2008 model. The new Monaro is due in 2006 calender year, but for some reason, it seems GM North America is holding out till 2007.

 

I still can't beleive the Camaro isn't the first Zeta out the door