This might sound weird but... How about this-
Base v-6 250 h.p. and 270 t.q. for the high school kids, eliminating a desire for a Scion or Civic.
MIDLEVEL=Z28- 5.3 V-8 W/ 330 h.p. and 340 t.q. for College student's and more enthusist's minded people
SS= LS7 or LS9 V-8. 500 h.p. and 520 T.Q. Super Sport Camaro would be the fastest,nicest and most expensive Camaro.
V-6= 20-22K 3.9 V-6 29-33 mpg
Z28= 25-29K 5.3 V-8 W/DOD 28-31 mpg
SS= 43-45K 7.0 V-8 W/DOD option 25-28 mpg

If the new 5th Gen. Camaro is light enough, 3200 LBS. lot's of power isn't needed.

So my answer for a mid level engine is a 5.3 V-8.

 

No, just the "common man cars" ! I would love to see a super car above that that can take everything except a Blue Devil corvette! I just want my 400hp for as reasonable as I can get it. I don't feel the need to have the modern day ZL1 version. At least not yet..............

 

'I' will, and I believe there are a lot more people like me out there, as I've read before; that don't need street racing top-dog performance, but still like a little speed and love that V8 rumble. I'm just a modest man, with modest needs.

 

Who said the 400+hp engine will be the top V8

 

The same place it was when the 4th gen was still made.......on top and increasing its lead. HP levels like that are a niche market. They dont appeal to the mass.

 

You would, I would, most here would. The problem is we are in the minority.

 

I don't know that we are. The advertised HP of the late 4th gens was not much more than the Mustang GT, which is selling briskly. It's been done to death here, but I don't think the 4th gens' demise had anything to do with the HP. I really think that if the new car has world class safety, a good suspension and brakes well matched to the HP, people won't care. I've seen an AWFUL LOT of the 350hp Chrysler cars around my town with drivers of all ages. Their hp level certainly doesn't seem to be hurting them!
I know one thing, I hope a mid-level V8 Camaro outperforms all of the above mentioned "entry-level" hot cars.
It's hard to believe, but 350-400hp might not seem so incredible, especially in a few years. Wow, it might end up being the best time in performance car history! Who would've thunk it?!

 

The hp spread has become so great , its is gonna take 3 levels of V8 performace to satisfy everyone . You cant have a 325'ish base engine and top V8 in the 500'ish range ( if you guys dont think the top Camaro is going for the GT500 ur nuts ) . Once the Mustang starts rolling out its heritege models like the prior gen , it will have 3 V8's .

I think its to early to speculate anything , the LS family of engines is gonna look vastly different in 2008 .

 

Polling this crew about a V6 vs a V8 is about as useful as polling if the Camaro should be RWD or FWD.

 

Actually, there should be only a V8 for the mid and performance models. Production costs need to be kept down so there should be only a V8, with a Z28 option that means something other than badging (a higher output model).

The only other engine should be a hybrid configuration to expand the market beyond the traditional Camaro buyer. Forget the six... Use the hybrid as the entry level model and let the tree huggers know that hybrid technology is being refined by information gained through the Chevrolet high performance program. This may help get the tree huggers off our backs and open some peoples eyes to the relationship between performance and efficiency. It would also give Chevrolet something to market that the Mustang and the proposed Challenger don't have, and it would firmly plant the Camaro on the front page of every media outlet in the country. If GM wants to be number one it is time to step up and take back their position of leadership and the rebirth of the Camaro, properly orchestrated, could do just that for them.

 

Since you said "390-400 HP", I was thinking LS2 by default, but I know what you're saying....how about LS3, is that better?

 

tnthub, you have an interesting point there regarding the possibility of hybrid technology in the new camaro, but let me expand a little bit. I'm an accounting student so my information is pretty stinkin accurate if i do say so myself.

First off, the current energy crisis has provoked our government to give us a $2000 credit on our tax return in the year of a (mass produced) hybrid vehicle purchase. The credit is expected to rise drastically from the year 06 on.

Okay, for those of you who don't know what a credit is, it is not a $2000 deduction (like medical expenses or business expenses) from your taxable income, IT IS A 2000 DOLLAR REDUCTION OF THE TAXES THAT YOU OWE.

So that being said, hybrid technology, like all other technology, becomes cheaper and more efficient with every passing year. The Toyota Prius is currently priced around 22K so by the time the new camaro hits showroom floors, it is very possible to have a hybrid v6 camaro around base mustang price.

So, a $20K hybrid v6 camaro along with the hybrid vehicle credit of more that 2000$ is sounding like a pretty smart purchase to me (and i'm poor). And now heres the kicker, what if they combined hybrid technology with the new E85 fuel program........kinda gives you goosebumps.....

I mean, whose to say that you cant have the American muscle image and acceleration along with ungodly high fuel mileage? I want my cake and i want to eat your cake too.

Just some food for thought....(ouch, that pun actually caused me physical pain)

 

Gotta say I like that

 

I voted midlevel V8 in the mid 300s range. I think that there should only be three motors (excluding special edition cars). If you made the next step up from the V6 400HP, that will be fine as long as you design it with what we would call a "very intrusive" traction control setting for the 'weak'. Of course retain the performance and off settings for fun

 

I'm surprised more people didn't take the last option. I won't be buying anything even remotely resembling "mid-level" and I think I'm in the majority if the sales trends of the 4th gen are any indication.