Mark Reuss Talks About What New Camaro Criteria Might Be
- Thread starter danbrennan
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Thanks for the link! Interesting article and comments.
Problem, to me, is that GM did not plan on a "next-gen" evolution of the modernized Gen ! car. Might Gen II be next?
THEN there is the "dealer problem". So many of the earlier last-gen cars were ordered as gut-loaded SS cars, rather than taking the Dodge or Ford lead with volume-leader V-6s that got the volumes of Camaros on the road. By the same token, Chevy made the Camaro into a halo car, rather than a mass-market sporty car, for higher transaction prices and profits for all. The high-priced track models were nice, but that is not where the sales numbers are.
I concur with the comments that low-$20k USD needs to be the entry price point for a basic 4cyl turbo model. With the normal "ps, pb, 8-spd auto or 6-spd manual transmission, pw, pdl, upgraded suspension with 16-18" wheels, nice 4-spkr AM/FM radio, and factory a/c . . . all standard at that price. Delete options for factory a/c can happen too. Do this on an existing or evolutionary-refresh platform that can support RWD.
Then an PBEV powertrain can be dropped in in place of the ICE engine, with a good size battery pack, starting at maybe $35K USD. With a new V-8 "pickup truck motor" for the upgrade option, plus near-Corvette engine option (like the old days!) for those that want it and can afford it.
For the companion 4dr models, call them "Malibu" or "Chevelle". Same equipment and option orientation. A many-faceted platform that can be used world-wide. Even adaptable to hydrogen propulsion in the future, too! Can't forget about the "range-extender" options, either.
ONE newer platform, "Charger sized" that can be configured as 2drs and 4drs, multiple powertrains, and letting the PHEVs be AWD, done "right" from the outset, can take a page from the import brands (i.e., Toyota and Nissan) playbook internationally, to spread out the costs among many diverse market areas and customer demographics, to make unit costs lower still.
SURELY, somebody at GM has figured out how to do this by now???
FS87LT
Problem, to me, is that GM did not plan on a "next-gen" evolution of the modernized Gen ! car. Might Gen II be next?
THEN there is the "dealer problem". So many of the earlier last-gen cars were ordered as gut-loaded SS cars, rather than taking the Dodge or Ford lead with volume-leader V-6s that got the volumes of Camaros on the road. By the same token, Chevy made the Camaro into a halo car, rather than a mass-market sporty car, for higher transaction prices and profits for all. The high-priced track models were nice, but that is not where the sales numbers are.
I concur with the comments that low-$20k USD needs to be the entry price point for a basic 4cyl turbo model. With the normal "ps, pb, 8-spd auto or 6-spd manual transmission, pw, pdl, upgraded suspension with 16-18" wheels, nice 4-spkr AM/FM radio, and factory a/c . . . all standard at that price. Delete options for factory a/c can happen too. Do this on an existing or evolutionary-refresh platform that can support RWD.
Then an PBEV powertrain can be dropped in in place of the ICE engine, with a good size battery pack, starting at maybe $35K USD. With a new V-8 "pickup truck motor" for the upgrade option, plus near-Corvette engine option (like the old days!) for those that want it and can afford it.
For the companion 4dr models, call them "Malibu" or "Chevelle". Same equipment and option orientation. A many-faceted platform that can be used world-wide. Even adaptable to hydrogen propulsion in the future, too! Can't forget about the "range-extender" options, either.
ONE newer platform, "Charger sized" that can be configured as 2drs and 4drs, multiple powertrains, and letting the PHEVs be AWD, done "right" from the outset, can take a page from the import brands (i.e., Toyota and Nissan) playbook internationally, to spread out the costs among many diverse market areas and customer demographics, to make unit costs lower still.
SURELY, somebody at GM has figured out how to do this by now???
FS87LT
"Problem, to me, is that GM did not plan on a "next-gen" evolution of the modernized Gen ! car. Might Gen II be next?" - I can only hope 
"Then an PBEV powertrain can be dropped in in place of the ICE engine" - with the "skateboard" battery platforms the BEVs seem to use these days, I've wondered if this is possible. I imagine that to be economical, they would want to build both types of cars on the same assembly line? Although Ford doesn't build the Mach E on the same line as the ICE Mustang. Then again, I've never really accepted that the Mach E is a Mustang
Maybe they could build an ICE-only and hybrid in the same factory? I thought Toyota at one time had planned to build the Prius and Camry in the same plant at one time, but I guess they couldn't make that work.
"Then an PBEV powertrain can be dropped in in place of the ICE engine" - with the "skateboard" battery platforms the BEVs seem to use these days, I've wondered if this is possible. I imagine that to be economical, they would want to build both types of cars on the same assembly line? Although Ford doesn't build the Mach E on the same line as the ICE Mustang. Then again, I've never really accepted that the Mach E is a Mustang
Maybe they could build an ICE-only and hybrid in the same factory? I thought Toyota at one time had planned to build the Prius and Camry in the same plant at one time, but I guess they couldn't make that work.
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Several years ago, Holley had some kits to electrify older vehicles. Electric motor, battery pack, etc. to go in the place of the existing gasoline motor. I figured that if they could do that, the OEM's might figure out a way to do that, too. But in a more robust fashion.
Perhaps GM might use a version of the torque converterless PowerGlide from the 1969-era Chevy II?
Enjoy!
FS87LT
Perhaps GM might use a version of the torque converterless PowerGlide from the 1969-era Chevy II?
Enjoy!
FS87LT
BillyDean7173
Final Six
If and when GM comes up with a concoction and calls it a Camaro, it will be a CINO (Camaro In Name Only).
gM Engineers just pitched building a cheaper back to its roots gen 7 Camaro likely based on the existing look of the Trax, with a mid to high 20's buy in.
Brass said NO.
I guess they feel there is still a market for a sporty 2+2 that costs $50k? Kind of crazy but that is the way it is.
Brass said NO.
I guess they feel there is still a market for a sporty 2+2 that costs $50k? Kind of crazy but that is the way it is.
A Battery powered Camaro is also unlikely, as Chevrolet is assigned as the "CORE" Internal Combustion Engine brand within gM well off into the future.
'70 Z/28 RS
Veteran Member
So glad to hear this. We were talking about that idea a few months ago on here and I was against it back then. Relieved!
