Lutz: GM mulls 4-cylinder engine for new Camaro
03-19-2008 | 03:52 PM
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Lutz: GM mulls 4-cylinder engine for new Camaro
Hhhhhhhmmmmmmm............
Lutz: GM mulls 4-cylinder engine for new Camaro
By RICHARD TRUETT, AUTOMOTIVE NEWS
NEW YORK -- General Motors is considering a four-cylinder engine for the new Chevrolet Camaro as a response to rising fuel prices.
Speaking on the sidelines of the New York auto show, GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz said the drivetrain under consideration for the Camaro is the same high-performance one used in the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky roadsters. It’s a 2.0-liter turbocharged, direct-injected four-cylinder rated at 260 hp. Lutz said that if fuel prices continue to climb, the four-cylinder Camaro could see production.
GM has said it plans V8 and V6 versions of the Camaro but otherwise has been secretive. Lutz confirmed to Automotive News that the V6 version of the Camaro will be powered by the same high-tech V6 used in the Cadillac CTS. It’s a direct-injected, 3.6-liter four-cam V6. In the CTS, the engine is rated at 304 hp.
Low-priced version dropped
In the Camaro, the 3.6 liter’s horsepower should be around 260, Lutz said, Fuel economy, he said, will be around 17 mpg city and 25 highway. That would place the V6 Camaro among best in class for a performance car.
Lutz said GM has dropped plans to offer a low-priced, entry-level Camaro with one of GM’s low-tech V6s. GM will position both the V6 and V8 versions of the Camaro as premium cars compared to the Camaro’s chief rival, the Ford Mustang.
The base model Mustang uses a 4.0-liter overhead-cam V6 rated at 210 hp. The base model Dodge Challenger, due in the fall, will use a 250-hp, 3.5-liter V6.
Most enthusiast attention has focused on the Camaro’s V8 engine, which is likely to be a 6.0-liter with about 400 hp. Lutz said the V8 will have a cylinder cutoff system that shuts down half the engine when the car reaches cruising speed. That will help it get better fuel economy.
But Lutz said he thinks most buyers will opt for the V6 because the performance will be strong, especially when the engine is combined with a manual transmission.
“Back in the old days, if you wanted a muscle car, to get a decent one, you had to buy the V8,” Lutz said. “And if you bought the V6, you got a fairly rough, unrefined pushrod engine with low horsepower and weasely performance.
“This time, the V6 is 260-odd horsepower, four overhead cams, very smooth and decent 0-to-60-mph times. And now the V6 is in its own right a very fast, very legitimate car.”
'We are going to be above Mustang'
Lutz said that with the V6, the Camaro achieves a nearly perfect 50-50 weight distribution: “With the V6, it is not a heavy car. The Camaro will be a very lively and engaging car,” he said.
Lutz would not talk specifically about the Camaro’s pricing. The car is scheduled to go on sale next February as a 2009 model, but Lutz did say GM views the Camaro as better equipped than the Mustang, and the price will be higher.
The Mustang V6 coupe has a base price of $20,235. The V8 GT coupe begins at $26,825. Both prices include shipping.
“We are going to be above Mustang,” Lutz said. “We have a very sophisticated suspension system and, frankly, a much nicer interior. We are not going to try and match the Mustang on price. We are going to be premium-priced compared to the Mustang.”
AutoWeek | Updated: 03/19/08, 3:39 pm et
Article URL: http://autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ar.../FREE/86927553
By RICHARD TRUETT, AUTOMOTIVE NEWS
NEW YORK -- General Motors is considering a four-cylinder engine for the new Chevrolet Camaro as a response to rising fuel prices.
Speaking on the sidelines of the New York auto show, GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz said the drivetrain under consideration for the Camaro is the same high-performance one used in the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky roadsters. It’s a 2.0-liter turbocharged, direct-injected four-cylinder rated at 260 hp. Lutz said that if fuel prices continue to climb, the four-cylinder Camaro could see production.
GM has said it plans V8 and V6 versions of the Camaro but otherwise has been secretive. Lutz confirmed to Automotive News that the V6 version of the Camaro will be powered by the same high-tech V6 used in the Cadillac CTS. It’s a direct-injected, 3.6-liter four-cam V6. In the CTS, the engine is rated at 304 hp.
Low-priced version dropped
In the Camaro, the 3.6 liter’s horsepower should be around 260, Lutz said, Fuel economy, he said, will be around 17 mpg city and 25 highway. That would place the V6 Camaro among best in class for a performance car.
Lutz said GM has dropped plans to offer a low-priced, entry-level Camaro with one of GM’s low-tech V6s. GM will position both the V6 and V8 versions of the Camaro as premium cars compared to the Camaro’s chief rival, the Ford Mustang.
The base model Mustang uses a 4.0-liter overhead-cam V6 rated at 210 hp. The base model Dodge Challenger, due in the fall, will use a 250-hp, 3.5-liter V6.
Most enthusiast attention has focused on the Camaro’s V8 engine, which is likely to be a 6.0-liter with about 400 hp. Lutz said the V8 will have a cylinder cutoff system that shuts down half the engine when the car reaches cruising speed. That will help it get better fuel economy.
But Lutz said he thinks most buyers will opt for the V6 because the performance will be strong, especially when the engine is combined with a manual transmission.
“Back in the old days, if you wanted a muscle car, to get a decent one, you had to buy the V8,” Lutz said. “And if you bought the V6, you got a fairly rough, unrefined pushrod engine with low horsepower and weasely performance.
“This time, the V6 is 260-odd horsepower, four overhead cams, very smooth and decent 0-to-60-mph times. And now the V6 is in its own right a very fast, very legitimate car.”
'We are going to be above Mustang'
Lutz said that with the V6, the Camaro achieves a nearly perfect 50-50 weight distribution: “With the V6, it is not a heavy car. The Camaro will be a very lively and engaging car,” he said.
Lutz would not talk specifically about the Camaro’s pricing. The car is scheduled to go on sale next February as a 2009 model, but Lutz did say GM views the Camaro as better equipped than the Mustang, and the price will be higher.
The Mustang V6 coupe has a base price of $20,235. The V8 GT coupe begins at $26,825. Both prices include shipping.
“We are going to be above Mustang,” Lutz said. “We have a very sophisticated suspension system and, frankly, a much nicer interior. We are not going to try and match the Mustang on price. We are going to be premium-priced compared to the Mustang.”
AutoWeek | Updated: 03/19/08, 3:39 pm et
Article URL: http://autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ar.../FREE/86927553
03-19-2008 | 04:03 PM
#5
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Joined: Oct 2001
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From: AR (PA born and fled)
Originally Posted by Bob
We are not going to try and match the Mustang on price.
3...2...1...
03-19-2008 | 04:08 PM
#6
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 801
From: New York
If I want a brand new 5th gen V8 Camaro I shouldn't have to spend more than $23K!!!!!!!
j/k.To ME, "premium priced" is just a fancy way of saying 'priced higher' [than the Mustang]. Anybody who thought that wasn't gonna happen was fooling themselves. I will stay firm in my belief that we'll see a V8 at ~$28,000 ('base' trim), though.
Only time will tell..............
03-19-2008 | 04:08 PM
#7
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,897
From: Greenville, SC
“We are going to be above Mustang,” Lutz said. “We have a very sophisticated suspension system and, frankly, a much nicer interior. We are not going to try and match the Mustang on price. We are going to be premium-priced compared to the Mustang.”
It sounds like GM will be matching the V6 HP with the GT HP and also with price. I guess it will be priced like the G8. Probably 25-26K for the V-6 and 30-32K starting price for the V-8.
There is an air of confusion though, first he says it will have the CTS V-6 which is rated at 304 HP then goes on to say that it will have 260 or so? After which he says the "affordable" V-6 will be dropped?
My guess is the 4 banger will take the place of the "cheap" car coming in at 22-23K.
I'm still holding out, but damn, my faith is dwindling...
I may just buy a mustang after all.
03-19-2008 | 04:11 PM
#9
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,028
From: Chicago, IL
sounds like there's been a change of plan.. initially Lutz and others did say it would be priced within a couple hundred dollars of a similarly equipped mustang...
hopefully this "premium" over the mustang isnt going to be too much.. and hopefully we'll be able to get a v8 for under 30grand.. i mean, the G8 GT is under 30grand, the Camaro shouldn't be more than the G8
hopefully this "premium" over the mustang isnt going to be too much.. and hopefully we'll be able to get a v8 for under 30grand.. i mean, the G8 GT is under 30grand, the Camaro shouldn't be more than the G8
03-19-2008 | 04:12 PM
#10
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 417
From: Malden, Ma
Why am I going to have to spend more than $23K to get a V8 Camaro? Heck, I could get a Z28 brand new back in '93nfor less than $20k. Looks like the 5th gen will be DOA. 
Seriously, I'm glad that Camaro won't be held to the pricing of Mustang. If the car is optioned better in a base coupe, has better materials/interior, and better drive train, then I can justify paying a bit more than Mustang. Obviously it would be nice if Camaro could offer more for less, but that's not realistic. Now it's just to make a decison between the G8, CTS, and Vette.
Seriously, I'm glad that Camaro won't be held to the pricing of Mustang. If the car is optioned better in a base coupe, has better materials/interior, and better drive train, then I can justify paying a bit more than Mustang. Obviously it would be nice if Camaro could offer more for less, but that's not realistic. Now it's just to make a decison between the G8, CTS, and Vette.
03-19-2008 | 04:23 PM
#13
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,232
From: Orlando, FL USA
I think its funny how Ed Welburn and now Bob Lutz are REALLY pushing the V6 car at every chance. Sign of the times indeed. The days of the base, forgotten model are long gone
