I haven't seen them posted here yet, and it's a slow news week.

Velite dimensions:

Length: 186"
Width: 75.6"
Weight: 3400 lbs

Powered by a twin-turbo V6 putting out 400 hp and 400 lbs/ft of torque.

Well into Camaro territory.

Also, according to this article in Auto week, the next GTO will be made by Holden in Australia.
http://autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?p..._code=09498427

 

here's hoping the next gto is just a little lighter...

 

Here's to hoping the next Camaro gets some numbers like Buick

 

If I recall correctly the car doesn't have a roof of any sort. That might add a couple of pounds.

 

I always thought verts weighed more.

 

They do, but the Velite has no roof, no place for the roof, no mechanism for the roof.


For comparison:

My 99 SS convertible weighs 3580
My 99 Z28 hardtop weighed 3340 (It's under 3100 in autoX trim)

 

Yup ... they do ...

 

Something will be made in Oz after the 07 GTO Contract...its a matter of what.

 

I never take manufacturers wieght claims for concept cars seriously. Did they actually put Velite on a scale to get that? How representative is Velite of the Riv production car?

Remember..GM is still claiming that the Opel Insignia was the first look at Zeta...when it actually is nothing more/different than a CTS under the skin.

I think 3400lbs is more of a conceptualization of where they want to be with weight.

 

I spotted a red Holden Ute sitting in plain view from the road at the Tech Center yesterday....

 

The Insignia was on a Zeta...and Zeta is morphed Sigma. Look at the Insignia, look at the Velite.

and the possiblity of a GTO built in Oz is a great idea if you think about it. The GTO will be a V8 based sports coupe. There doesnt seem to be a V6, so a small number niche car, like there is today, would be great for a low production plant like the one in Oz. I think, IMO, it would be cheaper then making the 20-25k units here in the US.

 

If the next-gen GTO get made in OZ does that pretty kill-off the possibility of an 07 Camaro?

Why would they build the GTO in OZ and have a seperate factory making the Camaro (Zeta platform) in the US or Canada?

Wouldnt it make more sense to build the GTO,Camaro,Buick Velite ,next-gen Caddy CTS all in the same plant or at most 2 seperate plants (in the US and/or Canada)?

Does Holden have one of the name-binding contracts like the Canadian union current has on the Camaro name or something?

 

Nope. Insignia was merely represented as a Zeta. It started life as an engineering CTS mule. It was probably headed for the boneyard, until it was shipped to Germany where Opel gave it the Insignias bodywork and interior.

Now, Zeta may actually share parts with Sigma...but the Insignia "concept" was ALL CTS Sigma.

Just like the Solstice concept was a cobbled up J-car, which was represented as a modified Delta...which ultimately spawned the all-new Kappa.

It's all smoke and mirrors my friend. It's show biz.

 

No, the Camaro can be made here in the US, but because of the limited production of teh GTO, Holden could be able to handle the load, while the Zeta plants here in the US make Camaros. There isnt gunna be one single Zeta plant. Holden will have one, the US will have at least one, and Europe will have one. The GTO could be made in Oz because of its reletive low production of under 50k. The Camaro will need to sell at least 100k units a year, and thats V6 and V8 sales. I think having the GTO made there will increase the quality to where Pontiac needs it to be. It will still have the same engine, same chassis, just be more of a sports car.

And why make the CTS on the Zeta chassis? Keep it on sigma. What would be nice is a Caddy coupe based off the Zeta chassis to fit in with the MB CLK and BMW 6 series. Zeta can house the HFV6's, and Im sure the Northstar could fit.

I personaly think that the Camaro needs to be a on a smaller WB. The overall lenght of Velite is good, but make the car with a 108 Wheelbase and cut down the length to 180 inches. That would make for a wide, agressive stance, with short overhangs and a smaller package.

 

This is music to my ears! A new 'Camino for me,built side by side with a new Camaro. All may yet be right with the world. Actually, the more likely scenario is that any new El Camino would be built in OZ with at least one other Zeta and imported here. I don't think even GM knows which to build where yet.