A step backwards? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Hall of Fame · 02-23-2011, 07:37 AM

Until you see the two cars parked together I am wondering why the larger Camaro ?

2010 SS 1997 SS

Length 190.4" 193.2"

Width without 75.5 74.1
mirrors

Track 63.7 60.7

Height 54.2 51.3

weight 3849 # 3359 #

New Camaro is taller, wider and 490 # heavier than the old 97 SS

Top speed is the same on the limiter at 155 mph.

Looking at these cars side by side in the garage and the 1997 SS is clearly a more aerodynamic Camaro on the front end. Hood height on 97 is 20" from floor and 2010 is 31".

IROCanSS · 02-23-2011, 07:42 AM

Take them both out and drive them, i am sure the "better" car would be apparent after a few miles.

Nothing against a 4th gen SS but the 5th is a step forward for sure.

ketel0ne · 02-23-2011, 07:43 AM

Because the retro design of the 5th gen is based on the 1st gen not the 4th gen. Possibly looking at those measurements side by side would make more sense?

clg_98ta · 02-23-2011, 07:48 AM

The fifth gen is built on a larger (full-size Cadillac) chassis. Hopefully, the 6th gen will go back to a smaller 'pony-car' chassis.

Hall of Fame · 02-23-2011, 07:49 AM

Here are the 69 specs. They look similar to the 97.

http://www.carfolio.com/specificatio...7#a_dimensions

Hall of Fame · 02-23-2011, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clg_98ta

The fifth gen is built on a larger (full-size Cadillac) chassis. Hopefully, the 6th gen will go back to a smaller 'pony-car' chassis.

No wonder the car is so heavy

PoorMansCamaro · 02-23-2011, 07:53 AM

check the HP/TQ and 1/4 mile times.

That is all.

IROCanSS · 02-23-2011, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ketel0ne

Because the retro design of the 5th gen is based on the 1st gen not the 4th gen. Possibly looking at those measurements side by side would make more sense?

My 2010 next to my 67 is a drastic size difference. The 2010 is huge compared to all other FBodys BUT....

Quote:

Originally Posted by PoorMansCamaro

check the HP/TQ and 1/4 mile times.

That is all.

The quality is eons ahead in the 5th gen as well!

Russell James · 02-23-2011, 08:19 AM

Sales are everything.

Compare '10 and '11 sales to '01 and '02.

No step backwards in any way. A giant step forward with a very strong future of new and exciting Camaros. If there was an award for the narrowist, shortest, slopiest nose... sorry, didn't get that one. But how about those couple hundred thousand sales?

Moving metal over the curb in high volumes profitably... keeps the plants running, suppliers supplying, dealers dealing, and employees employed.... and customers in exciting cars. On the 5th gen, that all happened very successfully. Case closed, one giant step forward for an exciting Camaro future.

greenisgood · 02-23-2011, 08:21 AM

Are you trying to say the 5th gen is a big car?

well I'm just SHOCKED

If I'd known that I never would have bought one

fbodfather · 02-23-2011, 08:56 AM

Not on a Cadillac Chassis.

Some would be stunned to see the amount of research that went into the
5th gen - we looked at a lot of data as to why people rejected the 4th gen car -

Believe it or not, but the 4th gen car had more room in the back seat than anything in its class back then.....BUT - many did not like the fact that you sat so low in the car - they asked for a more 'upright' driving position.......

That's just one of many insights we'd gotten over the years --

Another is that people wanted a car that has incredibly good looks -BUT - they want to be able to enjoy driving the car across the country in comfort if they so wish.............

There were so many different proposals over a period of years. One was the GMX-280 -- we worked on that in late 96 and early 97 - but rejected it because we felt it was too big and would make a better Monte Carlo than Camaro. We could not change tumble-home, Radiator/cooling, cowl height, and some of the sheetmetal - it later became the GTO!

The Camaro Concept was a stunning hit no matter how you look at it.....and America and Canada made something real clear:

"Build it and we'll buy it - but DON'T change it!"

...........and so we did build it with very little change.

For those of us who own a 5th gen - we know how it turns heads everywhere we go. We know how comfortable the car can be -- and frankly, how quiet it can be at 70mph on a freeway.........

There's a lot to love about this car - and I think what's most telling is that we still get a 'thumbs up' no matter where you drive a new Camaro - including right here in the Motor City where people don't normally turn to watch cars driving down the street....

One other note: The new Camaro has a very high beltline - which makes the car appear even more massive......that coupled with big wheels/tires makes the car look much bigger.

(Case in point: Go look at a 16 inch Z28 wheel on the 4th gen -and then look at an RS wheel on the 5th gen..........!!!!)

ChevyCowboy · 02-23-2011, 09:05 AM

I was going to state that the Camaro isnt on a "cadillac chassis" but the Holden zeta chassis but Fbodfather beat me to it. Also simply because a car looks more sleek and smooth doesnt mean its more aerodynamic, Now Im not not sure what one is actually more aerodynamic but something tells me the 4th gen wouldnt be much more if at all anymore aerodynamic

pogiskier · 02-23-2011, 09:08 AM

Thanks for the info fbodfather. I really injoy reading the insider storys of the development of this awesome car.

Hitter11 · 02-23-2011, 09:12 AM

I'm glad the 5th gen isn't similar to the 4th gen. I never liked the look of the 4th gen.

02-23-2011, 07:37 AM	#1
Hall of Fame Drives: Hall of Fame Join Date: May 2010 Location: SC Posts: 401	A step backwards? Until you see the two cars parked together I am wondering why the larger Camaro ? 2010 SS 1997 SS Length 190.4" 193.2" Width without 75.5 74.1 mirrors Track 63.7 60.7 Height 54.2 51.3 weight 3849 # 3359 # New Camaro is taller, wider and 490 # heavier than the old 97 SS Top speed is the same on the limiter at 155 mph. Looking at these cars side by side in the garage and the 1997 SS is clearly a more aerodynamic Camaro on the front end. Hood height on 97 is 20" from floor and 2010 is 31".

02-23-2011, 07:48 AM	#4
clg_98ta Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,698 View My Garage	The fifth gen is built on a larger (full-size Cadillac) chassis. Hopefully, the 6th gen will go back to a smaller 'pony-car' chassis. __________________ Black 2SS ordered 1/4/2010, received 2/19/2010

02-23-2011, 07:53 AM	#7
PoorMansCamaro Drives: Really Slow Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: PA Posts: 56,957	check the HP/TQ and 1/4 mile times. That is all. __________________

02-23-2011, 08:56 AM	#11
fbodfather Drives: Camaros................ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Seven Fields, PA (Pittsburgh) Posts: 4,523	Not on a Cadillac Chassis. Some would be stunned to see the amount of research that went into the 5th gen - we looked at a lot of data as to why people rejected the 4th gen car - Believe it or not, but the 4th gen car had more room in the back seat than anything in its class back then.....BUT - many did not like the fact that you sat so low in the car - they asked for a more 'upright' driving position....... That's just one of many insights we'd gotten over the years -- Another is that people wanted a car that has incredibly good looks -BUT - they want to be able to enjoy driving the car across the country in comfort if they so wish............. There were so many different proposals over a period of years. One was the GMX-280 -- we worked on that in late 96 and early 97 - but rejected it because we felt it was too big and would make a better Monte Carlo than Camaro. We could not change tumble-home, Radiator/cooling, cowl height, and some of the sheetmetal - it later became the GTO! The Camaro Concept was a stunning hit no matter how you look at it.....and America and Canada made something real clear: "Build it and we'll buy it - but DON'T change it!" ...........and so we did build it with very little change. For those of us who own a 5th gen - we know how it turns heads everywhere we go. We know how comfortable the car can be -- and frankly, how quiet it can be at 70mph on a freeway......... There's a lot to love about this car - and I think what's most telling is that we still get a 'thumbs up' no matter where you drive a new Camaro - including right here in the Motor City where people don't normally turn to watch cars driving down the street.... One other note: The new Camaro has a very high beltline - which makes the car appear even more massive......that coupled with big wheels/tires makes the car look much bigger. (Case in point: Go look at a 16 inch Z28 wheel on the 4th gen -and then look at an RS wheel on the 5th gen..........!!!!) __________________

02-23-2011, 09:05 AM	#12
ChevyCowboy Lining Up! Drives: 2011 Camaro 1SS, Summit white, M6, Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Moncton, New Brunswick Canada Posts: 103	I was going to state that the Camaro isnt on a "cadillac chassis" but the Holden zeta chassis but Fbodfather beat me to it. Also simply because a car looks more sleek and smooth doesnt mean its more aerodynamic, Now Im not not sure what one is actually more aerodynamic but something tells me the 4th gen wouldnt be much more if at all anymore aerodynamic __________________ 11 Camaro 1SS - Summit White - Black Stripes - 6.2 - M6 - Hurst Short Throw Shifter - Sun Roof - Rally Sport - Dynatech LT - ORY - Night Fury Cam - 1LE Sway Bars -

02-23-2011, 07:42 AM	#2
IROCanSS Account Suspended Drives: 89 IROC 350 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Back roads, southern Ohio Posts: 12,504 View My Garage	Take them both out and drive them, i am sure the "better" car would be apparent after a few miles. Nothing against a 4th gen SS but the 5th is a step forward for sure.

02-23-2011, 07:43 AM	#3
ketel0ne Drives: Used to have 2010 SGM Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Charles Town, WV Posts: 1,314 View My Garage	Because the retro design of the 5th gen is based on the 1st gen not the 4th gen. Possibly looking at those measurements side by side would make more sense?

02-23-2011, 07:49 AM	#5
Hall of Fame Drives: Hall of Fame Join Date: May 2010 Location: SC Posts: 401	Here are the 69 specs. They look similar to the 97. http://www.carfolio.com/specificatio...7#a_dimensions

02-23-2011, 08:19 AM	#9
Russell James Drives: '15 SS 1LE, '69 Z28 drag car Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Mich Posts: 4,482	Sales are everything. Compare '10 and '11 sales to '01 and '02. No step backwards in any way. A giant step forward with a very strong future of new and exciting Camaros. If there was an award for the narrowist, shortest, slopiest nose... sorry, didn't get that one. But how about those couple hundred thousand sales? Moving metal over the curb in high volumes profitably... keeps the plants running, suppliers supplying, dealers dealing, and employees employed.... and customers in exciting cars. On the 5th gen, that all happened very successfully. Case closed, one giant step forward for an exciting Camaro future.

02-23-2011, 08:21 AM	#10
greenisgood Drives: 2011 2ss/rs Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: New York Posts: 301	Are you trying to say the 5th gen is a big car? well I'm just SHOCKED If I'd known that I never would have bought one

02-23-2011, 09:08 AM	#13
pogiskier Drives: 2011 camaro 2ss black,hurst shifter Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Logan, UT Posts: 307	Thanks for the info fbodfather. I really injoy reading the insider storys of the development of this awesome car. __________________

02-23-2011, 09:12 AM	#14
Hitter11 Drives: 2010 Black Chevrolet 2SS/RS Camaro Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Chicago Suburbs Posts: 66	I'm glad the 5th gen isn't similar to the 4th gen. I never liked the look of the 4th gen.

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