Short clips of a mule testing around Auburn Hills. Click here.

 

for Chrysler

 

They'll need it to make up for the impending Chery debacle.

 

INdeed

 

I predict it will outsell the Pontiac G8.

 

Now The Dodge Guys Will get to Argue over ADM'S Online! LOL!


I would Love to have a New one But my 71 will do Just Fine!


KC

 

It's ugly. Sorry KC, no offense.

 

No way!! You have it now? I remember my dad bringing home a 71' Orange and Black Challenger with a 440 six pack pistol grip it was awesome! My mom made him trade it in after my brother was caught racing it. I came home from school to find a brand new puke blue Dodge Polaris wagon in its place! I still am not over it to this day! But maybe a new 09 would look nice next to my Mustang!!!!

 

Offering only V8s at introduction will limit sales and if it is really done this way, it's not sales but a footing in the market ahead of Chevy that Chrysler wants (even the new Avenger has a base 4 banger). GM is really missing the opportunity with the Camaro. Let's hope the '09 refresh on the Mustang works as well as the '05 design did.

 

I'd still take a classic first, but this apple didn't fall far from the tree that's for sure. I never thought I be liking a late model dodge but the Challenger is one sweet car.

 

The concepts for the Challenger have all looked fantastic, especially that black "drag pack" version (can't remember the exact name). Looked almost exactly like the classic version. I can't wait to see the finished product.

 

I don't think GM is missing a thing with the Camaro. It's almost certain that it will be the better car than the Challenger dynamically; offer more powertrain options; and likely be on the market longer.

 

I still have it. It has a Built 440 Approx 550 Hp. It's been Stored since 99. Too Busy With the Stangs at the Present! It's a Keeper.


KC

 

I wouldn't get that excited about it, the Camaro is just words on paper, the Challenger is pretty much ready for production. Nothing on the Chevrolet showroom floor now is revolutionary, and all the new existing products were heavilly hyped. SSR? HHR? Cobalt? whatever the attempt at a crossover is called this year? The virtual showroom on chevrolet.com looks like an Enterprise ad.

 

Tell that to the guys testing the mules in Australia.

- Zeta platform
- IRS
- V8 and V6 options with 400 HP in the base 8

The Challenger - much as I like it - is basically a land barge running on what amounts to an outdated chassis.

Final note: While Chrysler makes deals with Chery Trashcompactors Inc. to build its subcompact cars, GM is trotting out product like the new Cadillac CTS and Pontiac G8. And if those cars are any indication, I expect the Camaro to be a success.

 

The Zeta platform is not a small platform. Chevy engineers have been worried about the weight since the project's beginning. The Holden Commodore on that platform weighs around 4,000-lbs. So the new Camaro better have a 400-hp V8. At that weight it would heavier than a Shelby GT500 with less 100 less HP. The target weight GM designers were tasked with was 3500-3600, but with the IRS it might wind up considerably heavier. The convertible is expected to be an additional 150-200 lbs heavier than the coupe.

IRS? Due to cost consideration, Chevy may not offer the IRS in the base model, since they (GM) couldn't get the price of the base model within 2K of the base Mustang when equipped with the IRS. The decision probably won't affect the high-end offerings, though.

The V6, also for cost reasons may not be Chevy's newest 3.5, but the pushrod 3.9 in the first model year. The newer, smoother motor may only debut at the release of the convertible the following year.

I have no doubt the new Camaro will offer good performance and I'm sure that it will appeal to a large number of buyers. The Bowtie crowd will be ecstatic to have a pony car again. But I'd be willing to bet if you want a screaming V8, IRS, and a premium interior package you are going to have to shell out $35-37k USD for a car that weighs 3,800-lbs.

The Mustang GT may not be the greastest automotive offering the buying public has ever seen, but price/performance/style-wise it is one of best-bang-for-the-buck rides available (JMO--feel free to disagree!). Only time will tell if the new Camaro, or Challenger will change that.

 

Hoping the 2010 Mustang will stay within its current state of weight.
I can't see them spending time on dropping the weight on a platform that could be gone in 5 years (if the new global platform is true)

And in that case, I really hope they ADDRESS the weight when creating that platform.

The competition won't be light... and I can't see the weight of the Camaro hitting its target without some big changes in the platform, or some lightweight materials (that'll drive up the price)

 

i know they confirmed the srt-8..but a buddy of mine has a reserve on a challenger..(anestisologist $140 per hour lol)..and the salesman thats going to hold it for him said somthing about the viper v10 being in it...i found that intriging..

 

hes a salesman.....they dont know anything.....at least a lot of them dont.
I had one tell me today that an S281 cost 60K...

 

You forget: the Zeta platform - by its very nature - is highly scaleable. I've no doubt it will be well sorted.

Ain't gonna happen. You can forget about Chevy trying to shoehorn a Pleistocene solid axle into the Zeta platform. And which live axle would they use exactly? More trouble than it would be worth, not to mention it's a major selling point against the Mustang.

I wouldn't put money on that.

I'm more interested in what they do with the V8 anyway.

Yep. Still less than a Shelby. And they're selling every one of those.

On this we can agree completely.