I just read your post in the future vehicles section and would like some clarification please. I am somewhat obsessed with this issue, but I feel this is worth obsessing over.
Thank God somebody else and somebody with a lot of respect around these parts has brought to light what I feel is the most important aspect of a car like Camaro. MOST PEOPLE DON'T CARE AS MUCH ABOUT HP AS THEY DO LOOKS!!!!!
I feel that two of the most stunning, visually impacting parts of the concept are the width and the roof chop. Top GM brass practically had me foaming at the mouth when they said this concept could be produced virtually as is. Lately I have heard some back pedaling on this and would like your well informed opinion on what is most likely to happen.
Questions: Is it your info that the CURRENT ACTUAL width of the concept survives?! Also, does the APPEARANCE of the chop survive? I know there are some slight issues with headroom in the concept. Does the chopped look survive? Can they address this issue without ruining that KILLER roofline?! IMO, the Concept's character, dimensions and proportions must survive virtually unscathed for it to be the hit it needs to be in the showroom.
I KNOW this, I'm 42, and quite well heeled enough to write a check when the car comes out. I'll be writing that check if they bring the concept to fruition. Whether its got 300 or 500 HP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And my wife would look great behind the wheel of a new and stunning RWD Impala! I sure hope you're listening GM!

 

I couldn't agree with you more! I can make a car fast! I'd rather have the exact look that we are seeing now... I'm 31 and I too can almost write a check for one or in full if I wanted to but I'd have to get rid of my Camaros but I refuse to do so...

I want a new Camaro that looks like the concept!

 

Fbodfather is probally the best source here since he's the only person directly involved that actually will post anything on the subject himself.

The car isn't going to be exactly what you saw on the auto show circuit. I wouldn't bet on those massive wheels, those headlights, alot of the interior aspects like the trick seatbelts and the knee high console guages (the most controversial part of the car according to sources.... one or 2 might be moved to the dash), and I suspect there will be a bit more compromise on the front grille.

However, I think the body work will survive pretty much in tact (just like the Saturn Aura's did), and I believe....this is an opinion, not rooted in anything passed to me... that the concept model is how the SS or Z28 version will look (hood scoop, different sized tires, detailed exhaust tips, etc...).

 

Thanks a lot sir for responding so quickly. The Fbodfather seems somewhat quiet these days. I sure hope you are right about the bodywork. Interior bits, mirrors and the like don't bother me if they get changed. But I strongly feel that the basic bodywork of the car must survive.
I figured that the concept was likely modeled after the top dog or at least the V8 car. Wheels are no biggie either as they can easily be changed. I do hope the V8 cars at least match the footprint of the GT500 Shelby.
Anyway, thanks again for the quick response.
Care to chime in with any news Fbodfather?

 

Damn it. I really hate where those freakin gauges are on the concept. The car doesn't need the retro console gauges. Why doesn't GM just put ALL of them in the dash.

 

the 5th gen will be a couple inches narrower than the concept. as for the roof, I have no idea.

 

Taller.

 

I think the console gauges might benefit being moved to on top of the center of the dash pad. That moves them above your arm. With heads up display that puts everything in veiw. Otherwise I hope they stay where they are.

Whats the deal with the headlights. If they replace them will they divert from the 69 grille? What do you consider compromises on the grille?

 

i would LOVE some hid's. thats one thing i hated about my camaro, the headlights weren't bright enough for my liking.

 

I would imagine that for the headlights, the only change there would (should) be from the LED lights to a single bulb. Hopefully the shape wouldn't change, I think the car looks great as it sits. If the roof is too low, I'll open up the seat and shave out some of the foam for a little more clearance.

 

Round headlights would own.

 

The "angel-eye" headlamps are a very nice detail part of the concept. It gives it some class and some personality. Don't skimp on the details, GM!

I'm all for a better styled grille, but I'd like to see the general headlamp theme stay.....

Also, I actually think the console gauges are kind of cool. Once again, I'm in the minority. I know they aren't right in the line of sight, but I don't often scan all 5-6 gauges while driving anyway. Plus, with a lot of the secondary gauges being incorporated into the Driver Information Center computers on a lot of cars these days, it certainly wouldn't be any worse than having to toggle through a bunch of screens to get to the information you want on the screen.

 

I'm hoping it retains more of the concept look than the G6 did. The G6 really seemed to lose quite of bit of its stance and presence in production form.

 

I love where the gauges are at. What is wrong with that? The classic Camaro and Nova's had them there. So what.

 

Novas and classic Camaros had fuel guages in the dash if I remember (and maybe the temp guage as well), while the console had oil and alt guages. The Camaro concept has all it's guages save the spedo and tach in the console. Instead of having guages in easy view of the driver, you have to not only take your eyes off the road, but you have to look towards and refocus towards the floor on guages that aren't much bigger than a few quarters.

Very bad for driving.

That's what I think. They plan on selling the base car for about a base Mustang V6 price, and those headlights are probally pretty expensive!

The G6 body carried over pretty much intact, but I think that the realities of production (ie: the rear side windows, bumpers, interior materials, wheel & tire size, etc...) ended up taking away from the car.