Lutz: GM mulls 4-cylinder engine for new Camaro
#17
You know this article is confusing. First it was said the V6 was going to be a 304 HP and then says its going to be 260. I dont know, the wording is weird.I just saw the unveiling of the Challenger online, and that thing looks good but IMO, the camaro looks much better to blow away the competition. If the Camaro does get a 260 HP V6, that will only be 10 HP more. What was all that news about Camaro getting 300+ HP. IDK what to make of this news. Please someone help me. I am one of those who will most likely get a V6 so i want to make sure that i am satisfied with what i get. Even if it does come with 260 HP, ill prolly get it. Just hope the pricing is just a bit more. Wouldnt mind paying like 22K - 232K for a V6 nicely equiped.
#18
This is certainly the first time anyone at GM has stated the car will be more premium in price than the Mustang. Mr. Lutz states that the reason for that is the more sophisticated suspension and better interior. Yet the Mustang is a moving target and due to be updated in 2011.
Seems to me that GM has made it known that the V6 is going to be the sales target for the Camaro. Ed Welburn couldn't say enough about the V6 in his last interview and now Lutz is talking V6 with 50/50 weight distrobution and being fun to drive. CAFE has hit home in the Camaro camp. I wouldn't mind a 2.0L turbo 4cyl at 260 hp.
Interesting how he mentioned that with the V6 the Camaro isn't heavy.... I'm sure we are all curious as to what he feels that heavy is and what does this say about the V8 curb weight?
Seems to me that GM has made it known that the V6 is going to be the sales target for the Camaro. Ed Welburn couldn't say enough about the V6 in his last interview and now Lutz is talking V6 with 50/50 weight distrobution and being fun to drive. CAFE has hit home in the Camaro camp. I wouldn't mind a 2.0L turbo 4cyl at 260 hp.
Interesting how he mentioned that with the V6 the Camaro isn't heavy.... I'm sure we are all curious as to what he feels that heavy is and what does this say about the V8 curb weight?
#19
Methinks the turbo 4 is more than just a "possibility". I'd say its prob on the way the more I think about it and how the V6 is seeming to become the new PR crown jewel while the V8's hardly get a mention.
#20
Isn't GM going to build more V8's at startup compared to the V6 models? I thought they were going to do it this way because enthusiasts will most likely be buying it, and thus to avoid dealer mark up. But now with Lutz and Welburn talking up the V6, I wonder if that changes anything?
#22
I'd say 300+ as there has been a mule running around with an engine that looks identical to the same 3.6 DI one out of the new CTS that makes over 300hp. I have the pic but having issues hosting it although I'm sure its in an old thread somewhere on this site
#23
With the V6 and now 4cyl getting the press I wouldn't be mad at GM if they just dropped in the LS3 as the V8 option and left it alone just to save time and effort.
#24
I too think the writer either misunderstood Lutz or had bit of typo fever about the V6 ratings. It would make absolutely zero sense to have a 260HP I4 and a V6 that made the same power but sucked more gas.
So...
If there is going to be a 4 cylinder Camaro it would make sense to just put in the 2.0L T/C 260HP. But keep in mind the curb weight on the Solstice is only 2860lbs and it is rated 21/29mpg. The Camaro is simply more car than the Solstice and these numbers are sure to drop once the pounds are added. Even a 10% hit to mileage would bring it down to 19/26.
If Lutz has already said the 3.6L V6 Camaro will get around 17/25 (I'm assuming with 300ish HP), would it really be worth it to throw a 4cyl into the mix that probably wouldn't get a very significant increase in mpg? Btw...the CTS is rated at 17/26 and is 3861lbs.
On top of that, the 2.0L requires premium fuel while the 3.6 uses regular (yes, even for the DI 304HP model). You can expect the cost spread between regular/mid/premium to increase with time. All that makes the cost per mile between the two motors pretty much negligible.
I've made some assumptions with my numbers here (mpg penalties for weight on the 2.0, etc) but the general idea is that it just does not make sense to me.
So...
If there is going to be a 4 cylinder Camaro it would make sense to just put in the 2.0L T/C 260HP. But keep in mind the curb weight on the Solstice is only 2860lbs and it is rated 21/29mpg. The Camaro is simply more car than the Solstice and these numbers are sure to drop once the pounds are added. Even a 10% hit to mileage would bring it down to 19/26.
If Lutz has already said the 3.6L V6 Camaro will get around 17/25 (I'm assuming with 300ish HP), would it really be worth it to throw a 4cyl into the mix that probably wouldn't get a very significant increase in mpg? Btw...the CTS is rated at 17/26 and is 3861lbs.
On top of that, the 2.0L requires premium fuel while the 3.6 uses regular (yes, even for the DI 304HP model). You can expect the cost spread between regular/mid/premium to increase with time. All that makes the cost per mile between the two motors pretty much negligible.
I've made some assumptions with my numbers here (mpg penalties for weight on the 2.0, etc) but the general idea is that it just does not make sense to me.
Last edited by SManZ; 03-19-2008 at 05:22 PM.
#25
I'd actually speculated about the LNF a while back in the "turbo 6" thread and the consensus there seemed to be the same as SManZs. Everyone thought the Camaro would be too heavy. I guess that gearing could play a part of it, but yeah, I think you'd have to get LNF into the high teens in the city to justify it vs. the regular fuel 3.6.
#26
It'll probably be 260hp on 87 octane in the base car
As much as people want a 300hp V6 base car, I don't see it happening.
The base will mimic the mustangs approach and be the volume seller of who want the look of a sports car, with the economy and insurance savings that a V6 has to offer.
Those who want performance will have to look to the V8 400+hp variant.
They are pumping the V6 and rightfully so.
I'd see the V6 being either dropped or I4-T as an option if (big if) the fuel prices skyrocket and the V6 doesn't sell.
It HAS to sell for the car to survive.
I can see the V6 being lighter than the V8 obviously...but overall the car will be heavier than its previous gen and probably even the mustang.
They are overshooting their weight mark and price mark
And yes he's comparing it to the Mustang of current... as he obviously can't comment on something that's not out yet.
As much as people want a 300hp V6 base car, I don't see it happening.
The base will mimic the mustangs approach and be the volume seller of who want the look of a sports car, with the economy and insurance savings that a V6 has to offer.
Those who want performance will have to look to the V8 400+hp variant.
They are pumping the V6 and rightfully so.
I'd see the V6 being either dropped or I4-T as an option if (big if) the fuel prices skyrocket and the V6 doesn't sell.
It HAS to sell for the car to survive.
I can see the V6 being lighter than the V8 obviously...but overall the car will be heavier than its previous gen and probably even the mustang.
They are overshooting their weight mark and price mark
And yes he's comparing it to the Mustang of current... as he obviously can't comment on something that's not out yet.
#28
#29
I've said it before and I'll say it again...
I'd gladly pay more... thousands more... if it means less weight.
I'd happily pay more... thousands more... for a 450 hp NA engine over a 550 hp SC engine. Even better if this choice also means less weight.
I'm also curious what he feels heavy is. Wasn't he a big proponent of keeping the Solstice's weight down as much as possible? While not a featherweight, that car turned out quite reasonable for what it is.