Well, no. Maybe more like the Shelby GT-350R. There were never any production limits imposed on the Z/28, GM just wanted to build enough to homologate Z/28 for SCCA. Once the word from the track and street reached enthusiast consumers though....Chevy had a smash hit.

 

As a Third Gen guy, IMO the IROC-Z28 should stay with the Third Gen. Every Gen has really had some model that was specific to it, and to me when some1 hears IROC-Z they should think of the real things and not some new interpretation of it.

 

Thanks formula79,

Well, the 3800 series goes back to the 60's, and yes it will be updated and changed, all the 3800 series engines are based from the same basic design.

If the Sigma Platform can be used, it would be beneficial to use as many of the same exact components that are already in use. Honda uses lightweight aluminum suspension pieces in it's cars, why can't chevy??

I would also propose a New Buick Regal 4 door and 2 door based on the sigma, with turbo T-type, GN and GNX versions offered as well. Just to make it more viable.

As far as the destroked LS1 to 302 cubes, if done right, it could be a hi-reving screamer, even making as much as 350 hp. Making an engine smaller does not always mean less power.

I understand GM has their own current product plans, but I do not have access to those plans, and I do not know anyone who does.

And maybe it's time they get some ***** and accept some help from people outside their company.

Oh yeah sorry for the late reply, didn't know the boards moved so fast here.

 

What a great point!
Most manufacturers use what GM may consider premium components ......even in their econo-cars.

Certainly a new Camaro should rate that high.

 

good points, I must say.

However, I could not see Chevy developing a entirely new platform for the resurection of a 'failure'in the sales department. And what else is there to choose from. I would prefer that a blank sheet approach be used to build the car as am all around star. Good ride, excellent handling, excellent performance, affordable up to luxurious....... etc etc.

The Holden Monaro platform is old, and it is designed for Australia's roads, which needless to say are very different than those in America, not to mention Australian's are more acustomed to less favorable handling.

And from every 4th generation Camaro I sat in, there was less rear seat room than a 3 series, and less head room, and all the interior space was above the 4 foot deep dash. I am proposing more of a coupe than a 2+2. As long as it is performed right, what is wrong with mors rear seat room.

Yes it would be expensive to redesign the firewall, but the door frames and roof would need to be redesigned as well, which all together would still be cheaper than an entirely new chassis..... maybe (you never know with GM's engineers).

The Sigma platform may not be the way to go, but then what other new RWD platform is there at GM??

As for destroking a LS1, which I thought was 34-something cubes.... It could be attained with a smaller bore, shorter stroke, and longer rod. In other words higher reving. Which as an OPTIONAL engine, it could appeal to some new customers.

I wouldn't opt for a low roof, long small interior car which was the main killer for the 4th gen. I would make it a 4 seat 2 door car with a V8, RWD and a 6 speed trans.

I don't know, I'm sure you guys will change your minds when you (finally) get to see my work.

 

LOL I was kinda trying to point out how out of whack GM's cost cutting is. Instead of using well designed high quality components, they will risk making them out of stamped steel, and end up re-designing them 3 times throughout a models life. They cut the cost on the wrong things

 

Bengal/Sky/Solstice Platform. Holden VE platform.

Sigma is too big and too heavy, IMHO.

 

I realize more than most how costs are the biggest battle that a carmaker faces. They zero in on lessening parts costs too much tho IMO, and ignore internal GM costs that they could control with some courage:IE Labor and wages and salaries.

It is also far easier to beat up a vendor or use cheaper materials than get rid of your buddy down the hall or get tough on the next labor contract.

What bugs me the most is when a guy or two get a bad idea, the company spends a lot of money on a bad idea, and nobody with any common sense stops him. (IE Aztek)

But I think the marketplace will demand a good product, and the result will be a car ten times better than the 4th gen. It may not be better than the Mustang, but it will prolly be good enough to keep loyalists happy.

However, I will chip in a few things that would dissapoint me if they made it to production. These are things that dont cost a penny to avoid.

a) Dorky looking chunky door handles, especially if they were billet look like the 350Z. (Those door handles are a deal killer for me, I would have to go with the G35 Coupe.)

b) Any billet look at all. Billet is so 10 years ago in the street rodding world, and is now avoided like a handshake in Hong Kong. GM is only just now starting to use it on it's concepts. Talk about late to the party. Its like showing up to a rave with a mullet and your hair parted in the middle. To quote the fox 54321 commercials, "dont be that guy".

c) The same old hazy cloudy GM paint jobs and boring colors. The paint colors that GM does take chances on are poorly executed, like the light green or the gold on the Cavalier. You may have never seen those colors even. No wonder they dont sell, they look like crap! There seems to be nobody in charge that says, "thats not quite right".

d) Some kind of 50's or 60's showcar turbine wheels, or some swirly design salad shooter rehash. Come on! Those have never looked good and never will, ever. Lets just have some 5 spokes with plenty of negative offset rim showing.

e) Exposed windshield wiper stuff and huge windshield. Think 4th gen. nuff said.

f) Big wheel well gaps that make the car look lifted. Why do that?

The 5th gens looks worry me the most

 

Personally, I would like to see the 5th Gen Camaro come out along the lines of the Charger concept that came out a few years ago. There are a couple of groups the Camaro sells to. People looking for Corvette performance without the Corvette price, and people that may need a backseat here and there. I fall into the latter group having sold my Corvette so my kiddo and my wife could come along for a ride every once in while. So, for me, use whatever parts & platforms necessary for economies of scale & performance, but give it a trunk and rear access doors (along with RWD V8 of course). I think Mazda has shown GM how to make the rear doors structurally sound, so no real R&D, just make the body line flow better like the Charger. I think that would be a recipe for volume sales. Teenagers can take a few more friends, Couples with kids can have a true sports car, and enthusiasts still get Corvette performance ...

 

I think you need several models of 5th gen to appeal to the "sporty car" crowd and the "serious enthusiast". I would hope we can have a nice, well-rounded V-6 car, and a good V-8 car, and then more limited production models oriented to 1/4 milers, and one oriented to road racers (a la Mach I and Cobra--maybe a Z28 road racer with IRS and an SS drag car with a solid axle). With chassis sharing (using the Sigma platform, let's say, or maybe the new platform worked up for the new Malibu), and modern CAD engine design and testing, niche cars should be affordable to make so we sickos can have our toys and the sorority girls can have their "sporty cars". Also, this should maximize sales.

 

Dont' want to annoy anyone or drag the whole z/28/ss thing but what if the models trims were as follows

Base HF V6 disp 3.2 around 255HP
LS2 disp. 5.0 around 300HP (dubbed RS)
stroked LS2 around 340HP (dubbed SS)
LS@ disp 6.0 around 375HP (dubbed Z/28)

ala regular vette and Z06/Z16 whereing the "Z" designation is the top dog...

 

 

I think in the F-Body world the SS should be top dog. Plus I think the SS should be like a Cobra with a completely different engine than the Z. In the 4th gens the SS is almost like an appearance package with slightly more performance. I'd say...

Base V6 with at least 230hp (255 would be nice )
LS2 5.0 like you said with 300hp for a RS would be cool.
LS1 5.7 with 340hp for Z28.
LS6 5.7 or 6.0 with 405hp for SS.

Now that would make for some great options.

 

at this point I'd be happy with a

a slick looking weight 2+2 coupe 3000 lb target
excellent suspension front and back
quality materials and manufacturing thruout
nice 4 piston brake calipers and rotors
the space for putting wide tires under the fenders.
350 hp LS1, or whatever is midgrade latest and greatest
low to mid $20k.. definantly below $30k


something like that should do avg 1/4's at least 13.0
handle and ride like a dream. of course more power from the factory is always nicer if possible..

awesome platform to do mods on, since everything would be done right from the factory.

Varients based off it: Pontiac Firebird (~$30k with more options)

Buick lux sports coupe (higher $30k)

Saturn lightweight, 230 hp turbo EcoTech sports coupe (if possible, $18-19k )


ah well..

 

SS seems to be the mechanism that Chevy will use to provide greater percieved style and performance for some cars and trucks for a premium of $3-$10k.

Z/28 for Camaro seems much more honest .