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Published: September 18, 2006
If you are a fan of performance cars built in the U.S. you may recall when, in 2002, General Motors announced that it would cease production of two iconic American muscle cars that seemed to have passed their prime: the Pontiac Firebird and the Chevy Camaro. Facing declining sales, both models were discontinued–much to the dismay of many avid (and loyal) fans.
Even after plans were scrapped, passionate aficionados got involved through the internet and other means beginning a movement called "Bring Back the Camaro."
The pressure from these fans on GM must have worked, because it's coming back. Featured in 2006 as a Concept car, the Camaro has officially been scheduled for (re)production in 2009. The concept car debuts a new design with a lengthened hood, short deck and wide stance that gives the concept car at least a performance car look. This body is to be filled out with a 400-horsepower aluminum small-bock V-8, a six-speed manual transmission and a high tech chassis with four-wheel independent suspension. Not only will it look like a muscle car, it will drive like one too.
Though the concept car has around 400-horsepower, in order to stay true to the manifesto of the original, its production car will be practical for everyday driving. A new feature called Active Fuel Management will save fuel by deactivating cylinders when the car is lightly loaded. This allows a car geared for performance to still deliver more than 30 mpg at highway speeds. The gearbox will consist of a six-speed manual transmission with what GM's press release calls "wide spread ratios for aggressive acceleration off the line, confident passing and merging and efficient highway cruising."
As far as the concept car's handling, comfort of ride and braking power are concerned, a top of the line rear-wheel drive chassis will be coupled with independent front and rear suspension featuring progressive-rate springs and gas-pressurized dampers. Vented disc brakes with 14 inch rotors will be placed on every wheel. 21 inch five-spoke case alloy wheels will round out the front two, with 22 inch wheels in the rear.
More than 1,000 clubs devoted to the Camaro exist worldwide and from 1967 to 2002 nearly 4.8 million of the cars were produced. Looking to reclaim its wide spread popularity, Chevrolet plans to make the new car "relevant to younger buyers while retaining its appeal to current fans,” said Chevrolet General Manager Ed Peper. “The beauty of the best Camaros is that they have always been beautiful to look at with performance that rivals expensive European GTs. Yet they were practical enough to drive every day and priced within the reach of many new-car buyers."
If the buzz alone generated from the concept car's debut and the announcement of continued production in 2009 is any sign, the American muscle car of old may truly be on the rebound. With a revamped look, high-quality parts and state-of-the-art technology, all the Camaro needs is an affordable price and it could be the performance car to beat in the automotive industry. All we have to do now is wait.
2006 Chevrolet Camaro Concept - Serious Wheels. 16 Sept. 2006. John Filiss. 18 Sept. 2006. http://www.seriouswheels.com/top-2006-Chevrolet-Ca maro-Concept.htm.
Auto News - Automobile Industry News - GM Auto News. 15 Sept. 2006. General Motors Corp. 18 Sept. 2006 http://www.gm.com/company/news_events/press_releas es/.
Camaro.com. 14 Sept. 2006. Wordpress and K2. 18 Sept. 2006. http://www.camaro.com/wordpress/.
Official Photos: 2009 Chevrolet Chevy Camaro Concept. Sept. 2006. Automobile Magazine http://www.automobilemag.com/auto_shows/naias_2006 /0601_chevrolet_camaro_concept/.
The pressure from these fans on GM must have worked, because it's coming back. Featured in 2006 as a Concept car, the Camaro has officially been scheduled for (re)production in 2009. The concept car debuts a new design with a lengthened hood, short deck and wide stance that gives the concept car at least a performance car look. This body is to be filled out with a 400-horsepower aluminum small-bock V-8, a six-speed manual transmission and a high tech chassis with four-wheel independent suspension. Not only will it look like a muscle car, it will drive like one too.
Though the concept car has around 400-horsepower, in order to stay true to the manifesto of the original, its production car will be practical for everyday driving. A new feature called Active Fuel Management will save fuel by deactivating cylinders when the car is lightly loaded. This allows a car geared for performance to still deliver more than 30 mpg at highway speeds. The gearbox will consist of a six-speed manual transmission with what GM's press release calls "wide spread ratios for aggressive acceleration off the line, confident passing and merging and efficient highway cruising."
As far as the concept car's handling, comfort of ride and braking power are concerned, a top of the line rear-wheel drive chassis will be coupled with independent front and rear suspension featuring progressive-rate springs and gas-pressurized dampers. Vented disc brakes with 14 inch rotors will be placed on every wheel. 21 inch five-spoke case alloy wheels will round out the front two, with 22 inch wheels in the rear.
More than 1,000 clubs devoted to the Camaro exist worldwide and from 1967 to 2002 nearly 4.8 million of the cars were produced. Looking to reclaim its wide spread popularity, Chevrolet plans to make the new car "relevant to younger buyers while retaining its appeal to current fans,” said Chevrolet General Manager Ed Peper. “The beauty of the best Camaros is that they have always been beautiful to look at with performance that rivals expensive European GTs. Yet they were practical enough to drive every day and priced within the reach of many new-car buyers."
If the buzz alone generated from the concept car's debut and the announcement of continued production in 2009 is any sign, the American muscle car of old may truly be on the rebound. With a revamped look, high-quality parts and state-of-the-art technology, all the Camaro needs is an affordable price and it could be the performance car to beat in the automotive industry. All we have to do now is wait.
2006 Chevrolet Camaro Concept - Serious Wheels. 16 Sept. 2006. John Filiss. 18 Sept. 2006. http://www.seriouswheels.com/top-2006-Chevrolet-Ca maro-Concept.htm.
Auto News - Automobile Industry News - GM Auto News. 15 Sept. 2006. General Motors Corp. 18 Sept. 2006 http://www.gm.com/company/news_events/press_releas es/.
Camaro.com. 14 Sept. 2006. Wordpress and K2. 18 Sept. 2006. http://www.camaro.com/wordpress/.
Official Photos: 2009 Chevrolet Chevy Camaro Concept. Sept. 2006. Automobile Magazine http://www.automobilemag.com/auto_shows/naias_2006 /0601_chevrolet_camaro_concept/.
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