And here's why:

1) Solstice/Bengal/Sky address some basic 4th generation complaints. They will most likely be smaller, lighter, shorter and more upright.

2) Since Bengal is going to be a 2+2, Camaro could have very similiar packaging.

3) Let's look at engines... First, a DOHC I4 is about the same length as an LS1 V8, and probably taller. The Bengal will have at least a V6 (which is just as wide as a V8), or good old David Dunbar himself will return from the grave and start strangling marketing people... which may make the engineers happy, but won't help the company much. I think. Anyways, that means that any way you slice it, fitting an LS1 based V8 isn't going to be rocket science because the room is going to have to be there for it.

4) Transmissions.... a Bengal with a V6 means that 4L60E or a new 5 speed automatic are going to have to be specified. This is good. The T-56 is no larger than 4L60E, and most likely shorter than a 5-speed automatic, so that's probably going to fit too. Since Solstice will have a manual option, the interior packaging is going to have to take that into account.

5) Rear end.... Welp, Solstice is IRS. Some folks around here don't like IRS for drag racing, including me, but if I get a new Camaro out of the deal, I'll take it. The IRS should also easily address the "glass jaw" 10-bolt we have all struggled with in the 4th gen.

6) Brakes/chassis. I figure Bengal is going to have some pretty good brakes available for it, and 17" wheels too - BIG brakes will fit. The suspension may be softer than what we Camaro owners are used to, but that can be easily changed. Matter of fact, the base Bengal and base Camaro could probably share suspensions, with the Camaro having more aggressive shock valving. The SS/Z28 Camaro will need a MUCH more aggressive suspension than Bengal, but thicker sway bars, different springs and different shocks can handle that - as long as the basic suspension design is sound.

7) Body. I'm willing to bet Solstice/Bengal/Sky is going to have one stiff body. Like G-car stiff. With the roof that the Camaro will have, this just gets better. Since Bengal will have a convertible, Camaro can offer it as an option. BTW.... T-tops are the cat's meow. Don't forget them, even if magazine writers don't like them - because your customers do. Hmmmm... shorter doors, shorter overhangs, no hump... I can't see a downside here.

8) Interior. Everyone knows what needs to be done here. NO visible parting lines, and never let a customer be able to touch a parting line - EVER. If the customer can touch a plastic part, make it soft-touch paint.

9) Fit and finish means dimensional management, which means "Build Objectives" that are complete, quantifiable, realistic, and bought off on by everyone up front. Then you have to put measurement systems in place to ensure that they happen. Your suppliers are really bad about gages and measurement systems (everybody's suppliers are, it's not just GM). So, get DEEP into their shorts and stay there about it.

10) Most importantly, the added volume of a Camaro makes Solstice/Bengal/Sky an even better business case. Volume could approach 200,000 units total if the marketing steps that were missing in the past are taken. Basically, it can keep an entire assembly facility busy and profitable.

There's my case for a Camaro from Solstice.

2+2.
V6 or V8.
RWD.
Manual and automatic available.
Coupe, T-tops and convertible.
Lighter.
Smaller.
Faster.
Better braking.
Better handling.
Less expensive to produce due to added economy of scale.
More profitable.

So, where's the downside????

 

I agree. Sharing a platform with the Bengal/Sky/Solstice would allow for an excellent business case. The only problem I can think of is that this may make a potential Camaro too small. I'm not sure exactly how big the Solstice was, but I was thinking slightly larger than a Miata. IMO a Camaro would need to be a bit bigger. I guess it will all depend on how big the Bengal will be compared to the Solstice.

 

For the transmission, I would rather have the new 6-speed auto that GM is working with Ford on, instead of the 4L60E, or a 5 speed auto. Also, if the T56 is going to be used in these models and others in the future, something needs to be done to the hydraulic clutch system, both designs sucked in the Camaros, and they cause the tranny's life to be shortened considerably compared to what it could be.(IMO) How about a self adjusting mechanical setup?

Also, while we are wishing... for the rear-end, the SS-Z/28 variants should have a solid rear axle option, or something stouter and worry free like the one that they will put in the CTS-V, narrowed a bit if nessecary.

 

This was my thought as well... Camaro needs to have some size and presence , IMHO....


Excellent presenation , Pacer X! I had mostly gaffed at the idea of a Solstice-based Camaro, but you bring up some stellar points.

Size is an issue with me though... lighter is good, and I could handle it if an F5 were a little smaller, but I don't want it to be a tiny little shoe...

 

Nah, I don't like the idea of making acceptions just to get the car back quick. All has to be done right or nothing.

 

GM is really going out on a limb in just making these 3 sports cars. Right now, theres no cars out there for this market. There are no affordable sports cars available in the US besides the Mustang, and even that isn't all that affordable, unless you get the V6. So I can see GM being weary on if they want to base the next Camaro (if their even thinking of it) off the same chassis of these 3 sports cars. I think the Bengal is kind of a test car, to see if the affordable 2+2 sports car will sell well. If it does, I think GM will give more consideration to the next Gen Camaro. But right now I honestly think there are no plans for a Camaro, that their testing the market right now, and if its positive, they'll start work on our next Camaro.

 

If they can strech it out to about the current Mustang's size I'd be happy. I dont want a wee small camaro go-kart though.

 

"Also, while we are wishing... for the rear-end, the SS-Z/28 variants should have a solid rear axle option."

As much as I love a live rear axle, there are two things working against it:

1) The press is going to hate it, and the first reviews are going to contain phrases like:

"...only an antiquated live rear axle and poor choice of exterior colors stand in the way of making the Camaro a world-beater like the Nissan 350Z."

Even though an LS1 powered Solstice would blow a 350Z RIGHT BACK TO FOOKIN JAPAN IN PIECES WITH OR WITHOUT A LIVE REAR AXLE. . wned:

PS - I added the exterior color complaint only because, if you pay attention, mag writers are running out of things to complain about concerning American cars and they'll have to dream something up.

2) Adding a live rear axle to a platform designed for IRS is a MAJOR HEADACHE (it's easier to go the other way, from live axle to IRS, because of packaging), and would add a lot of complexity to the program.

 

I agree with you about the IRS. I wouldnt mid seeing it, honestly. GM proved that with good weight distrubution the IRS can drag race damn well with the C5, and it'd be nice to see the Fbody rippin up the Trans Am races again...

 

Excellent points all around.

Darth & Sixbirder bring up a interesting angle. Me, I would love a Monza sized (roughly the same as an Infinity G35 coupe) Camaro, and it would definately answer the calls for a lighter and more affordable Camaro. Though Solstice is hefty at 3000 lbs, considering the added weight of a convertible vs the added weight of the LS1 and a longer wheelbase chassis, we would easily be talking a Camaro V8 under 3200 pounds !

I know a slightly smaller Camaro isn't everybody's view, but for a 350hp car weighing over 400 pounds less than a Cobra, would you change your mind.

 

The Solstice is not that small. It's not Miata sized. I'd say it's a bit bigger than an RX-7, judging by the one I saw at the auto show.

I think a slightly larger one in a 2+2 with a V8 would make an awesome Camaro.

 

Smaller Camaro = Bad

One of the reasons I chose my LS1 Camaro over an LT1 vette was that the interior is more spacious than the vette (and no, I don't use my backseats).

For bigger guys like me, I'm going to vote NO on a smaller Camaro.

 

The interior doesn't need to be any smaller for the car to get smaller. The 4th gen has huge overhangs in the front and rear. Stuff like that. The car is a large car. Large and sports car don't generally mix.

It could definitely stand to lose some weight.

 

I like the overhangs. It makes the car look mean, unlike many of the BMW type sports cars out there.

 

Smaller Camaro Yes. Smaller interior, No. The "Current" Camaro is one of the most inefficiently packaged cars around. Besides, those huge overhangs don't make the car look mean, they make it look silly and overweight, not muscular and refined.

Going from Camaro to Mustang, I can say I REALLY like how the car is significantly smaller w/ similar interior space. I wish it were a little less "upright" but overall I much prefer its size.