Concept the same as production, 500HP an option.
#1
Concept the same as production, 500HP an option.
This is a interview from Ed Peper (General Manager of Chevrolet) and autoblog.
Autoblog: Let's change gears and talk performance. Obviously, there's Corvette, but let's stay away from that for the moment and focus on the Camaro. You've already mentioned the convertible concept which obviously telegraphs your intent to do a production version.
Ed Peper: Yes.
Autoblog: The styling's been a hit for both the coupe and the convertible. How closely are you looking to match the concept's styling -- especially the interior -- on the production version of the Camaro.
Ed Peper: It's going to be very, very close. I have seen the production coupe, and if you saw the two of them side by side -- the production coupe and the concept coupe we introduced last year -- you wouldn't be able to tell the difference. It is very minute. I mean, obviously you have to make some exceptions when translating a concept to production, but it's going to be very, very close. This is not like a wild concept that we come back and can't realistically build the same sort of vehicle for production. No, it is going to be very close.
Autoblog: Have you guys arrived at a final decision for the top powertrain?
Ed Peper: No, not yet. We will have a V8, a couple of V6s -- you know, we'll have a fuel efficient V6 and we'll have a high performing V6 and we will have a high performing V8 but we haven't settled on the engine in that yet.
Autoblog: 500 horsepower appears to be the magic number with the musclecars that the other manufacturers are coming out with, so is that your target?
Ed Peper: Certainly we haven't made a decision yet, but it's in our scheme – it's in our scheme of thoughts, yes.
Autoblog: Is there concern about stepping on the Corvette, power-wise?
Ed Peper: No. Because again, the capabilities of a Corvette are world class. I mean, we are talking about a vehicle that competes in the American Le Mans Series with Aston Martins and all –no, there is no concern because what the Camaro is going to be is what it has always been, which is a really great looking vehicle that will have a muscle car or muscle car set of derivatives with it, but that will also have a fuel efficient version. It's a vehicle that you really, really can drive every single day -- a four seater and so forth, while Corvette is in a class all by itself. It's one of our ultimate brands at the company that just continues to do well. We try to keep the production, you know, in line and not build too many so it keeps a very strong demand. The Z06s are some of the fastest turning vehicles that we have.
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]-->
<!--[endif]-->The dealers just can't get enough of them and, you know, we intentionally in some ways want to keep it that way because we want to make them very, very tight and hard to get and that is what builds a really strong brand.
Autoblog: The Viper has 600 horsepower now, so what's the plan for Corvette?
Ed Peper: We're looking at some things going forward. I can't talk about them right now, though.
Ed Peper: Yes.
Autoblog: The styling's been a hit for both the coupe and the convertible. How closely are you looking to match the concept's styling -- especially the interior -- on the production version of the Camaro.
Ed Peper: It's going to be very, very close. I have seen the production coupe, and if you saw the two of them side by side -- the production coupe and the concept coupe we introduced last year -- you wouldn't be able to tell the difference. It is very minute. I mean, obviously you have to make some exceptions when translating a concept to production, but it's going to be very, very close. This is not like a wild concept that we come back and can't realistically build the same sort of vehicle for production. No, it is going to be very close.
Autoblog: Have you guys arrived at a final decision for the top powertrain?
Ed Peper: No, not yet. We will have a V8, a couple of V6s -- you know, we'll have a fuel efficient V6 and we'll have a high performing V6 and we will have a high performing V8 but we haven't settled on the engine in that yet.
Autoblog: 500 horsepower appears to be the magic number with the musclecars that the other manufacturers are coming out with, so is that your target?
Ed Peper: Certainly we haven't made a decision yet, but it's in our scheme – it's in our scheme of thoughts, yes.
Autoblog: Is there concern about stepping on the Corvette, power-wise?
Ed Peper: No. Because again, the capabilities of a Corvette are world class. I mean, we are talking about a vehicle that competes in the American Le Mans Series with Aston Martins and all –no, there is no concern because what the Camaro is going to be is what it has always been, which is a really great looking vehicle that will have a muscle car or muscle car set of derivatives with it, but that will also have a fuel efficient version. It's a vehicle that you really, really can drive every single day -- a four seater and so forth, while Corvette is in a class all by itself. It's one of our ultimate brands at the company that just continues to do well. We try to keep the production, you know, in line and not build too many so it keeps a very strong demand. The Z06s are some of the fastest turning vehicles that we have.
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]-->
<!--[endif]-->The dealers just can't get enough of them and, you know, we intentionally in some ways want to keep it that way because we want to make them very, very tight and hard to get and that is what builds a really strong brand.
Autoblog: The Viper has 600 horsepower now, so what's the plan for Corvette?
Ed Peper: We're looking at some things going forward. I can't talk about them right now, though.
Last edited by jbres79; 01-11-2007 at 03:39 PM.
#2
I'm pretty disturbed about the part where he said you won't be able to tell the difference between the concept interior and the production interior. The interior is what I haven't worried about up to this point because I mean, it it just so horrible....HORRIBLE....that I just assumed it would be completely redone.
That said, I already plan to buy this car, but I won't buy it with that interior.
That said, I already plan to buy this car, but I won't buy it with that interior.
#3
Promising that it appears the "Corvette rule" isn't in effect. I think a cost rule is however (which makes the LS7 out of the question before anybody asks).
I'm expecting LS3 in the SS and some as-yet unidentified higher HP LSx when the Z28 comes out in another year or two.
I'm expecting LS3 in the SS and some as-yet unidentified higher HP LSx when the Z28 comes out in another year or two.
#6
I'm pretty disturbed about the part where he said you won't be able to tell the difference between the concept interior and the production interior. The interior is what I haven't worried about up to this point because I mean, it it just so horrible....HORRIBLE....that I just assumed it would be completely redone.
#7
I'm pretty disturbed about the part where he said you won't be able to tell the difference between the concept interior and the production interior. The interior is what I haven't worried about up to this point because I mean, it it just so horrible....HORRIBLE....that I just assumed it would be completely redone.
That said, I already plan to buy this car, but I won't buy it with that interior.
That said, I already plan to buy this car, but I won't buy it with that interior.
#8
Even though I dislike the instrument cluster, the rest of the interior is great and the exterior is awesome. I'm glad to hear the whole car will be very close because I love the concept and I would hate a watered down version. The bad instrument cluster would not be a deal breaker for me, the rest of the car is too good to pass up.
#12
He says they will have 2 v6's and A V8. I want an affordable V8 Camaro. If they have a single V8 option, thats near 500hp, it wont be affordable. While I dont think that will happen, thats what I just read.
Maybe he is not including a motor above the affordable V8.
Maybe he is not including a motor above the affordable V8.
#13
the base V8 will be affordable, and will be competetively priced vs Mustang, and will run circles around it to boot.
#15
Disciple
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 270
From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada (20 min. down the road from the "Shwa"!)
Autoblog: Have you guys arrived at a final decision for the top powertrain?
Ed Peper: No, not yet. We will have a V8, a couple of V6s -- you know, we'll have a fuel efficient V6 and we'll have a high performing V6 and we will have a high performing V8 but we haven't settled on the engine in that yet.
Ed Peper: No, not yet. We will have a V8, a couple of V6s -- you know, we'll have a fuel efficient V6 and we'll have a high performing V6 and we will have a high performing V8 but we haven't settled on the engine in that yet.
Peper says specifically that there will be a "high performing" (as opposed to just a V8), but the final decision for what that engine will be, has not been made yet.
Best regardSS,
Elie
Last edited by sselie; 01-11-2007 at 05:37 PM.