Chazman

Certainly nothing set in stone, Chris. But there is talk. Serious talk. GM knows that a 2 ton Camaro will not be a very viable product for very long in our current environment. Alpha is the only near term architecture suitable for a sensible Camaro. I expect a pretty short run for the 5th gen. I hope a 6th gen sees the light of day.

Camino, I don't know why you're mad. You're gonna get the G8 and the ST. Look at me, I've been waiting for a new Camaro for over a decade. And now that it's nearly here, it'll weigh over two tons. I mean WTF!!!!!!!!!! I don't want that. Mercifully, this one will have a short run.

I also wonder how successful a two (gulp) ton Camaro will be in an era of $5 gas, and 35mpg CAFE. I mean, WTF!!!

Oh, okay. I figured that one was already dead.

The only two Zetas which have not been cancelled, are the G8 and Camaro. Are you referring to one of those?

It's too bad that Pontiac can't absorb Saturn, and ultimately take it's place. Woiuld anyone shed a tear if Saturn went away, and it's refocused product line were sold as Pontiacs?

I had a chance to drive a G8 GT last week with the 19" wheels and performance package. Very nice car. Nicely balanced. Kind of reminds me of a modern day B-body Impala SS. I have nothing bad to say about it. But the chassis dynamics of my CTS are far superior. The G8 was pleasant enough, but this particular Zeta made my Sigma chassis feel like a race car.

Timeframe?

Alot depends on how the CAFE rules will be written. But I'd say 5 years - max.

I'm thinking the 5th gen will be a relatively short run. Hope a next gen would be in the works.

Old news. GM announced that months ago.

Actually, the Camaro will use a shorter mid section than the standard short wheelbase Zeta.

Now that there is interesting. Wonder if there are any plans at GM to deliver something like that?

http://www.automochatter.com/forum/showthr...p=5767#post5767 Just got back from from the Chicago show press preview. I just wanted to get some random thoughts down. Challenger: Very cool car. Doesn't seem as big in the flesh, as it does in pictures. Also the interior is much nicer in the flesh, than I expected after seeing pictures. Speaking of interiors, I was expecting the Challenger to have a very roomy rear seat, something along the lines of a Monte Carlo. Not really though, the rear seat seemed surprisingly cramped. If you get two people back there, they won't be happy. Three, and they better be VERY little kids. Looks sharp in black though. G8: Once again, much nicer in person than in pictures. Very comfortable interior. I don't even mind the fake hoodscoops. The GT rocks. CTSv: BADASS!!!! From it's suede covered steering wheel, to it's G-meter on the instrument panel, this car has got it going on. CTS Coupe Concept: Hot. What else can you say? It makes BMW's 6 look like your grandma's car. BMW 135: This car is gonna sell like crazy. Loved it! Riviera Concept: Ehhh. Wasn't too crazy about. Alittle over the top, and seeing Chinese character emblems on it was weird. GMC Denali XT Concept: I liked it WAY more than I thought I would. It kinda looks like a VERY large sedan with a pick-up bed. Oh, about that 4.9L smallblock that nobody's ever heard of? I don't foresee that displacement coming anytime soon. For all I know, the concept could have had the Tahoe's 6.0L hybrid powertrain, and that "4.9" displacement came out of PR thin air. Hyundai Genesis: It's okay. Interior is about the quality of...oh, say, a Nissan. Styling, is well, non-offensive. But it does pack a V8 and RWD. Traverse: Probably the best looking Lambda. ZR1: Scott Settlemire made sure I got on the platform to climb into it. Cool, but outta my league. Congrats to the lucky few who get them. Mandatory driving school will also probably be included for the price of admission. Be back later.....

Maybe the question we should be asking is, do we absolutely gotta have an internal combustion engine in a Camaro? I guess with that said, maybe a V6 doesn't sound so bad. But really, I'd like to have a a V8 option. Maybe not a big, honkin', over the top, supercharged engine, required to move 2(+) tons of mass. But more along the lines of an efficient, normally aspirated smallblock with more tham enough power to move a "ponycar sized" ponycar.

The B-pillar REDUCES weight by 50-100 lbs on the 5th gen. The 5th gen will be porky enough, without the added weight of a pillarless hardtop.

I'm sure they could, but would they?

I have to disagree. BMW's are really good - AND they have a good PR machine. I drive a CTS. It's a great car. Certainly right up there with a BMW. But the BMW is just a little better. Steering more direct. Motor just a little sweeter. Chassis and brakes alittle more responsive. Yep, BMW's are "all that". Now if people choose to buy them because they can actually appreciate those subtle differences or because they simply want the image, well that's a whole different story.

Well, this 4.9L, DI, smallblock in the Denali XT concept is interesting.

Why?

Don't take that literally. I think he was just making the point that a lighter car can have the same performance with a smaller engine. There are no plans for a 4.7 GenV.

Yeah, but are those going to get 35 mpg? Actually, Camaro will propbably need some combos that do even better than that, to make up for the sub 30 mpg V8's.

The Gen V smallblock is safe.

I guess the big question is - how much of an upcharge for this motor?

Hey there Tim! I'm with you. I love the early 2nd gens - but between the Mustang, Challenger and 5th gen Camaro - I'm pretty retro'd out. Whatever tolerance I might have had left for retro, the 5th gen's interior pretty much, completely expunged. I'd really want something fresh and modern for a 6th gen. Some heritage cues are fine too. I do prefer a V8, but if that means having to live with a 2 ton ponycar, (like we're probably getting), the price of admission isn't worth it to me. BTW, is a ponycar, really a ponycar if it weighs two tons? Is that an oxymoron like jumbo shrimp?