GM will keep Camaro affordable

[OctaneSS/RS]

GM product planners will heed calls to make the Camaro affordable and will offer a comparable lineup to Ford’s Mustang range by starting with a low cost entry-level V6 model. Execs at GM know the reason the Mustang is so successful is because it stayed true to its roots as a very affordable car to a very broad base of people, and now the General hopes to emulate this with its new Camaro.

Speaking with Automotive News, president of GM North America Troy Clarke told reporters that high-performance V8 models such as the Mustang Cobra and Shelby Mustang act as halo models and create a buzz that draws in customers to showrooms but at the end of the day it’s the more affordable V6 models that’s bringing in the profits.

The new Camaro coupe will eventually go on sale in February next year and followed by the convertible model roughly nine months later. Clarke revealed that both cars will get a base V6 engine, likely to be a 3.6L unit with about 281hp. Of course there will likely be limited edition V8 models as well.

“We know that the mission with the Camaro isn’t to create a specialty vehicle with a very narrow appeal that is very much subject to your wallet,” Clarke explained. “The concept of the car will evolve into a really fun-to-drive, stylish vehicle, as opposed to something that just breathes fire and has more cubic inches than the next guy.”

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/c...-camaro-cheap/

....pretty much a confirmation of what we've been expecting all along.

[Devryn]

I'm not sure what to make of that article.

1st, I'm stoked that another source says it's likely to get the 281 HP Direct Injection V-6.

2nd, I'm extremely disappointed that it states "limited edition V-8 models." The Z's weren't "limited edition." The closest we've had to "limited edition" is the IROC, and they're everywhere.

Here's to hoping they keep the V-8 under $32K.

[camarodb]

damn them, they feed just enough information to keep the intrest up. in regards to the limitied edition i think it reffers to other then factory models i.e. an SLP camaro, much like the stang and the roush bunch. keeping in mind that roush now does GM tunning as well as ford. so we again will have to wait untill the next press release to see what more they are willing to confirm for us.

[Jinx]

Originally Posted by Devryn

I'm not sure what to make of that article.

1st, I'm stoked that another source says it's likely to get the 281 HP Direct Injection V-6.

2nd, I'm extremely disappointed that it states "limited edition V-8 models." The Z's weren't "limited edition." The closest we've had to "limited edition" is the IROC, and they're everywhere.

Here's to hoping they keep the V-8 under $32K.

I agree. That still doesnt put a smile on my face. In fact it makes it worse. Reason being: limited edition V-8 models. I dont think of a Mustang GT, past Z28s, or even past SS as limited editions. What the hell.

[MaxLegroom]

Originally Posted by OctaneZ28

“We know that the mission with the Camaro isn’t to create a specialty vehicle with a very narrow appeal that is very much subject to your wallet,” Clarke explained. “The concept of the car will evolve into a really fun-to-drive, stylish vehicle, as opposed to something that just breathes fire and has more cubic inches than the next guy.”

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/c...-camaro-cheap/

....pretty much a confirmation of what we've been expecting all along.

His last remark sounds like a not so subtle dig at the Challenger, the V6 model of which seems very much like an afterthought. That one will not have a manual available with the V6 (straight to rental?). As I do intend to buy the V6 (fuel costs have always been a issue), that makes the Challenger something of a non-starter for me, despite the fact that I was as impressed with it as with the Camaro, initially. Besides, the reduced weight and improved handling balance are very nice things on the autocross course, which my '85 visited often, and my '09 will find an important part of its life.

Based on recent reviews of GM cars, and my somewhat limited experiences with them, I trust them to bake real driving pleasure into even this most basic Camaro.

[Jak]

Yeah, I gotta agree, I'm a little disturbed by that "Limited V-8" remark too. I think GM better clarify what they meant. Cause if there's only going to be a few 8's then that going to put the price through the roof. It was my understanding that it was going to be like the mustangs with their v-6/ v-8.

[OctaneSS/RS]

I see the meaning as regular V8 models PLUS limited edition V8 models.

[camarodb]

again much like the mustang there will be a base v-8 I.E. and SS or a Z28 but then i think there will be tuned models like an SLP model perhaps. SLP was working with GM when they had brought the SS back out in the mid 90's, at the time they were duing the exhuast. I see it as a hint of bigger better models to come and not just the Z28' or SS's.

[OverAnxious]

I think we all agree if the base/V6 model is much more than a Mustang, the Camaro will be short lived.

Originally Posted by Devryn

I'm not sure what to make of that article.

1st, I'm stoked that another source says it's likely to get the 281 HP Direct Injection V-6.

2nd, I'm extremely disappointed that it states "limited edition V-8 models." The Z's weren't "limited edition." The closest we've had to "limited edition" is the IROC, and they're everywhere.

Here's to hoping they keep the V-8 under $32K.

I think you're reading too much into it personally

[OverAnxious]

Originally Posted by OctaneZ28

I see the meaning as regular V8 models PLUS limited edition V8 models.

Exactly.