1999 Black 35th GT

Ughh...that thing is fugly. It looks simply like they put a new (and god awful) front end on a slightly different styled Challenger body. The redesigned GTO looks 10 times better than that abomination!

cambostang

I like it. I think it looks very muscular. I would buy one with 400hp and around 30k.

kevinb120

Well, concepts are one thing, its GM's execution that I would worry about. They need to do a T-top IROC edition in metallic blue to get the mullet revolution back in full swing.

Looks more like a charger clone then anything. Mustang will have had another generation change before GM was even close to building it.

Blip

I can only hope.

Boomer

Yeah, some people forget to realize that....

"This thing will kick the mustangs butt... and have an IRS, 6-speed, 400hp etc"
Yeahl... it'll kick a stock 2005 if it has that... BUT... 2009 IS the reskin, and don't tell me FORD isn't going to react if it sees fit.
(by this I mean... if the Camaro has all these goodies but is prices 5k higher...well...)

adrenalin

Man that is nice

slowjoe24

Is this concept going to be at the Detroit NAIAS?????? I'd love to see it!!

cheech6g

i love it.....MUCH nicer than the challanger concept. In my opinion, the challenger concept lacks any form of defenition to seperate it from a NEW challenger as aposed to an updated 70's one. its hard to exactly say how i feel, but thats close enough. this car however i feel is great, reminds me of how i felt after seeing mustang concept, well not as much, but you get the point.

i dont like the pointy front end or the tail lights. but the overall look is just awsome. i hope the production is as cool looking as this.

rhumb

I generally like it, quite a bit. A few awkward details like the grill and tail lights, but this is "only" a concept at this point, and that stuff could be cleaned up a touch.

The basic lines, proportions and volumes are very good. It's a bit sharper and tighter looking than the slightly pudgy Challenger but a bit more contoured and sculptural than the Mustang with its somewhat generic fender line. It's a more interpretive retro-inspired look than the almost dead-on "repro" look of the Challenger, which I feel is a better approach of reflecting the past rather than trying to relive it. The clearly '67-'69 design elements are leavened by a more angular, nearly faceted execution and the gun-bunker greenhouse, too, gives it a fully modern look.

The interior drawings from the video look less successfull at initial glance, perhaps going a little too retro, but I'll await actual concept car pics before making a conclusion on that.

Mechanicals sound promising with what sounds like basically GTO running gear (400 hp, 6-spd Tremec MTX), which makes sense if they're sharing a Zeta (?) platform. That would certainly raise it above the current Stang GT, but who knows what the final Camaro iterations will be -- we're still 2-3 years out from a production model -- and who knows what Ford will do to counter.

Presumably, given the shared Zeta platform, an IRS would be part of the package which would also represent a clear step up from the current Stang in terms of chassis dynamics and whatnot. But again, Ford could finally get off the dime and roll out the nacent IRS they seem to be sitting on.

Obviously a huge number of variable in trying to render any firm judgement of a Camaro concept still a few years from production and the current Stang. GM does not have a great or consistant record of being able to well and faithfully translate exciting concepts into production, though the Solstice shows they can execute that very well indeed. GM, as with DCX, should be able to keep costs in line due to the use of broadly shared platforms rather than the Stangs bespoke single-model S-197 underpinnings, and would thus, presumably, allow them to more readily offer more content at a given price point (IRS vs buggy axle, 6 spd tranny vs 5, etc).

Ford, presumably, will not rest on their laurals with the Stang, though Ford's record isn't spotless in that regard and various statements from Ford and SVT staff do hint at a bit of smugness and hubris, but the two very compelling concepts from GM and DCX should quickly drain that from their systems. And perhaps Ford will see fit to use the S-197 platform more broadly (ummm, Cougar...) to allow better economies of scale, shared development costs, etc., to improve content and value.

Anyways, hugely excellent for us car enthusiast consumers that GM and DCX seem intent on jumping back into the pony car fray with both feet. Such intense competition can only mean great things for us in the near future.

Now if only the Japanese see the light and field some affordable 2+2 RWD V8 sport coupes from their ample parts bins...

bob

I could care less about a 6 speed (I'd feel different if it wasn't a double overdrive) or IRS, just give me a darn good 5.4 3v that can compete with the rumored 400hp 400 ft/lbs. mill that is gonna be in the F-bod. I'll be in the market for a new car around this time and if Ford doesn't have something more potent than a 3v 4.6 I'll be cross-shopping

bigred0383

What do you guys think (all current GM engines, all with 6sp manuals or 5sp autos):

Base: 3.9L V6 puts out what, 200-250 hp for around 20k

Z28: 5.3L V8 puts out 305-325 hp for around 25k

SS: 6.0L V8 puts out 400 hp for 30+

I am just hoping we don't start taking it on the chin like we did in the late 90's early 00's with the horsepower wars. I really have liked being the top dog since 2003.

Route 66

I think will see a Subaru Brat with the two seats in the truck bed. You know, the seats where you feel like you flying a space ship.

Galaxie

I would hope that that would be GM's engine lineup. While horsepower is great, once you crank up the power the insurance rates become out of reach for younger buyers.

I hope that Ford will increase the power or displacement on their engines. At the same time, hopefully in '09 they will bite the bullet and stick an IRS in their car. The entire unit was designed, and would allow the S197 to be used for other vehicles as well.. (a Ford Falcon for us would be nice )

rhumb

Or perhaps these 2008-09 lineups:

Camaro:

Base: 3.9L V6 at 250hp ($22K)

RS: 5.3L V8 at 325-350hp ($25K)

Z/28: 6.0L V8 at 400-425hp ($28-30K)

SS: 7.0L V8 at 450-475hp ($32-35K)


Challenger:

Base: 3.5L V6 at 250hp ($22K)

R/T: 5.7L Hemi V8 at 350-375hp ($27-30K)

SRT-8: 6.1L Hemi V8 at 425-450hp ($30-32K)

SRT-10: 8.1L V10 at 500-525hp ($35-40K)


Stang:

Base: 3.5L V6 at 250hp ($20-22K)

GT: 4.6L 3V V8 at 325-350hp ($25-27K)

Boss: 4.6L 4V V8 at 375-400hp ($30-32K)

Mach I: 5.4 4V V8 at 400-425hp ($30-32K)

GT500: SC 5.4 V8 at 475-500hp ($35-37K)

Lalo

I think it looks great! The grill is ok, but overall it is an awesome car

ManEHawke

I like it, not love it like the Challenger.
It's a bit too edgy and a too busy front end, but it's definately not bad.

I am however jelous of the big blocks the other 2 are planning for their muscle. I hate the image of Ford using SC's to be in that power level. A 5.4L is nice, but would love to have a N/A 400+ hp one.

mustangjack

Actually Chrysler copied the 67-69 Camaro shape with the original Challenger/Cuda. They are both just right back to the same 60's shapes.

FiaCobra

Well, i don't like the whole nose...it's butt-ugly

As far as the Challenger, thats one mean lookin' ride. If i'm unable to scoop up a GT-500, i'm getting a Challenger.

MilStang

I have to agree, the grill is too angular or something. The rest is pretty nice.

I can't find the video everyone is talking about or any other pictures. That link goes to a page with nothing about the Camaro. The search doesn't pull up anything either. Any hints out there?

Topnotch