Ok some people say that the Mustang appealed to a broader range of people because of the different power outputs and back seats, etc,etc.
How about this, 4 different engines that are probably readily available now and can be tuned to fit these power outputs. And also make there be more interior and exterior colours, and design the car to have a decent backseat. If GM has to buy a mustang and figure out how they did it, then so be it, but just figure it out and people will be happy. And give it a normal trunk that will fit groceries or golfclubs.

Base: V6 with 180HP, this will appeal to women because it isn't scary fast but it still looks sporty, the ricer kids will see this as a sporty looking car with cheap insurance, and so will other kids that want a sporty looking car with cheap insurance. Try to tune this car to get somewehere from 36-40MPG so it is practical for everyone to the exception of people that want a Hybrid car. Im sure this engine already exist so it wont be costly.

V6 with 230-240HP, this can appeal to people getting out of college that have enough money to spend on a decently sporty car that can run maybe high 14's low 15's in the 1/4. It will still be a V6 and won't be to bad on insurance and give it a small spoiler and a slightly different hood so people can tell it isn't a base model. Make this car get between 33-36MPG.

V8: 300HP, appeals to the performance enthusiast. A cheap RWD car that is about the equivelant of a SS today. Give it the option for a GOODLOOKING GFX package, different hood, and a small spoiler to let people know that it's a Z/28 when they see it. Make it cost around 27-29,000 dollars. Allow the options of having PW,PM,PL,PT,etc. If people don't want these than they can select to not have each individual item. this will make the car cheaper and customized to their preferences. This should get the same MPG as a Z28 does now, or slightly better.

V8" 340-355HP. For the die hard camaro fans that want a rocket from the factory. This wont run into Vette territory because by the time a camaro comes out the Vette will probably have 400Base HP and 450 for the ZO6. Give this car a slightly different interior with badges and even more colours. Allow the option for dual exhaust outlets or the 4 outlets like on a Vette. Give it a cowl induction hood(this wont turn away customers b/c only die hard fans will go for it and know it serves a purpose, and it looks cool too.) Also allow for special badges that stand out more on the car. Instead of a small "ss" give it something on the front grill, the rear bumper, the fenders, and on the cowl of the hood. Make this car get anywhere from 25-29MPG and people will be happy.

Also make sure that all these cars have an engine that can be worked on easily so it doesn't take an afternoon to change the spark plugs.
What does everyone think about this idea? i'm off of exams and was bored and thought that this could be a way to allow the car to appeal to a wide range of people.
Jesse

 

You couldn't make the business case to GM for even one engine, let alone four at this point...

 

You have the right mindset, but 4 engines is too many.

If you make a V6 version, just make 1 model. By the time the 5th gen comes out, I really would expect no less than 220hp from a V6 version. The important thing here is to give it enough power to be quick, but not too much to raise insurance premiums to the point where young drivers cant afford the car. Bascially, make this car a WRX fighter.

Then for the V8 version. You can have say, 2 levels of V8 car, but a 300hp coupe costing close to 30k is too much money. Start the car at the low 20s. Place the higher level car close to 30k. Look at the mustangs. I can go out and get a nicely loaded 2003 GT for around 24k. The Mach 1s are closer to 30. Regarding power, by the time this car comes out I would really expect a lot more than 300hp, more along 350hp as the minimum. This car should be nice enough to compete with the Nissan 350Z.

Thats my opinion.

 

sorry all prices were supposed to be in Canadian dollars, I knew I forgot to add something. So US funds the 300HP engine would be around 23000-25000, and the 350HP engine model would be around 28000-32000US
And what do you guys think about special editions to keep interest with the public up? Like if the car was available for its 40th anniversary, maybe a AWD option for only 5000 cars and give that a slightly more powerful engine with a stronger cam, and give it more appearance mods then just seats and a dash with emblems.

 

AWD is most likely never gonna happen on a Camaro. AWD would also imply that GM would have to develop a AWD car platform which to the best of my knowledge doesnt exist.

Special editions could be made, but the catch is that the general public isnt as well aquainted with say.. a ZL1 as they are a Mach 1 or Boss Mustang. The only special edition I could really see GM getting away with is an SS model. RS package could be offered as an appearance package on all cars though....

Type LT, Berlinetta, IROC.... I dont think that all of those have the right image.

 

Although I probably wouldn't agree with all of those options, I do agree that it would be nice to have many options. It seems like these days, if you want a new car you can only choose this package or that one. If you get this, you must also get that, etc. I think they should keep option packages available, but also allow you to choose specific options alone. And wouldn't it be cool if you could choose from different gear ratios if you ordered your car? They use to do that with some cars in the '60s I believe, and I personally thought it was a good idea. I don't know, maybe they couldn't do that because of CAFE restrictions or something, since it could effect the average numbers for all the cars.

 

I was thinking this too. To get different gear ratio's, would it be possible to have 3.73,4.11's etc if GM makes a 6 speed auto transmission? Im sure if they made the last 2 gears very TALL in both the auto and manual, it could be done.

 

4 engines sounds like a great idea to me. AT LEAST 3 (1 V6 2 V8) , preferably 4. Thirdgen had aa minimum of 4 engines every year. Up to 6 (1983). I would be very curious to see original buyer profiles for 3rd gen vs. 4th gen because I have a feeling the thirdgen was way more affordable for its time and actually had variety, attracting a wider low-end market resulting in its overall phenomenal sales.

 

kizz that is exactly where I based my idea's from. I figured the 3rd gens selled like hot cakes and that was because they were cheap and sporty looking for people that just wanted the looks and didnt care about performance. And for people that did want performance, they had the faster models available for a decent price, and there was many different performance options available. The first 3 generations had a variety of different horsepower figures for each year, and look at how well they all sold. For the first few years of the 4th gen, people bought into the idea of 2 engines was a good enough choice, but then the base and performance models grew too far apart and people wanted something inbetween, and that's where the mustang was so they went and got a ford. Atleast this is what i think happened and i believe if GM based the next camaro on more engine and appearance options then they would sell a lot better.

 

Perhaps they could offer a V6, V8, and a V8 supercharged option. That would be cool, but somehow I don't see that happening. It would be nice though.

 

Good luck getting the gas milage numbers you listed. Not going to happen anytime soon.

 

I'd like to see at least 3 engine choices.

You can forget about a 180hp base V6. Ions, Sentras and Hyundais will be eating this Camaro for lunch if that's all it's packing.

I believe a base V6 of 220-250hp will be the price of admission in this class several years from now.


And can we F*I*N*A*L*L*Y have more than one V8?! I think having 2 V8's will be critical to the Camaro's success. We pretty much know what the top V8 needs to produce to compete....400hp or there abouts.

 

Ya, I was thinking the same thing, even with DOD, I don't think those kind of numbers would be even close.

Cavaliers don't even get those kind of milages...

 

For that kind of mileage the V6 is going to need some new technology. Or you meant a diesel V6, but somehow I don't think that would work in a camaro.

Jason

 

From a technical standpoint having alot of individual pick and choose options will drive up the cost of a car . It is much cheaper for a car company to have say 3-4 variations of a chassis wiring harness , than say 10-15 to suit all these individual options . Take something simple like Fog lights on a camaro that actually were never standard even on the SS . You couldnt just add fog lights on say a base Z28 with crank windows and manual locks because the wiring for the fog lights was incorporated in a harness that included several other things . Thats just a very basic example .

What GM needs to do is choose wisely how they bundle options together in the next camaro . Keep the very basics as standard ....pw , locks w/keyless entry , cruise , pwr. hatch , rear defogger and a monsoon type audio sytem . Stuff like T-tops , ABS/ traction control are love em or hate em things and shouldnt be standard or bundled with more desireable options .

On-star or any GPS , auto climate control , heated seats , run-flat tires , any type of active handling system , information centers , head-up displays are things IMO that should be left OUT and not even considered as options . Those are the type things that would really drive the cost up .