[pauly1119]

Originally Posted by hotlap

Ok. What were they testing? Why are they testing it again now?

Why was a 2019 SS testing on the Nürburgring with the C8 two weeks ago?

I'm holding back any optimism that GM is spending any of Number 3's pension money potential on our beloved Camaro. It does however make me wonder if they realize that Camaro is bleeding out faster than they planned and are resurrecting projects that were underway but cancelled when they dropped everything to chasing BEV.

I guess the same reason they have a Porsche 911 GT2 RS and a Porsche 911 GT3 at the GM proving grounds. The Camaro is a great car to compare the C8 to. I would love for them to be testing something new but its not going to happen in my opinion. That car has been spotted there several times over the years. I think it would be a great idea to keep a front engine beast with a manual transmission option other then a Cadillac. I hope Im wrong but it just seems like I'm not.

[hotlap]

Originally Posted by pauly1119

I guess the same reason they have a Porsche 911 GT2 RS and a Porsche 911 GT3 at the GM proving grounds. The Camaro is a great car to compare the C8 to. I would love for them to be testing something new but its not going to happen in my opinion. That car has been spotted there several times over the years. I think it would be a great idea to keep a front engine beast with a manual transmission option other then a Cadillac. I hope Im wrong but it just seems like I'm not.

I agree with you. 100%

Wishful thinking

[Martinjlm]

Originally Posted by hotlap

Ok. What were they testing? Why are they testing it again now?

Why was a 2019 SS testing on the Nürburgring with the C8 two weeks ago?

I'm holding back any optimism that GM is spending any of Number 3's pension money potential on our beloved Camaro. It does however make me wonder if they realize that Camaro is bleeding out faster than they planned and are resurrecting projects that were underway but cancelled when they dropped everything to chasing BEV.

We are dealing with two separate vehicles here. Are they somehow connected? It’s possible but I wouldn’t bet on it. The one on the car carrier could be something being shipped for test. Or it could be something being shipped to storage because it’s no longer needed. Or it could be like RLHMarines suggested, a Gen VI V8 test mule. Similarly, the car testing at the Ring could be driver training for GM’s test drivers. Or it could be a support vehicle for the team testing the C8. I doubt it has anything to do with a new vehicle coming to production because if it were, it would be in 95-100% content (or lap times mean nothing) and in camo because that’s how GM does new product.

If they are connected, then it would be a matter of testing of the Gen VI, since you don’t have to camo the car to test an engine. But why take a new engine to the Ring? Nothing proven by doing that that couldn’t be proven at any speedway in the US.

[hotlap]

Originally Posted by Martinjlm

We are dealing with two separate vehicles here. Are they somehow connected? It’s possible but I wouldn’t bet on it. The one on the car carrier could be something being shipped for test. Or it could be something being shipped to storage because it’s no longer needed. Or it could be like RLHMarines suggested, a Gen VI V8 test mule. Similarly, the car testing at the Ring could be driver training for GM’s test drivers. Or it could be a support vehicle for the team testing the C8. I doubt it has anything to do with a new vehicle coming to production because if it were, it would be in 95-100% content (or lap times mean nothing) and in camo because that’s how GM does new product.

If they are connected, then it would be a matter of testing of the Gen VI, since you don’t have to camo the car to test an engine. But why take a new engine to the Ring? Nothing proven by doing that that couldn’t be proven at any speedway in the US.

I wasn't thinking the two were connected. My imagination was spinning with the idea that a LT2 for the SS was aborted. Engine testing in plain sight so no camo.

samurai observed that the SS had US plates so GM car. The plates are bolted to the fascia instead of the bracket design that blocks the opening. GM bailed on the Camaro in 2018. Why was it even there?

Just my imagination running away with me...

[samurai]

Motortrend picked up the news and has some new insider details:

https://www.motortrend.com/news/2023...kwing-upgrade/


A Z/28 will not happen, but according to their sources the ZL1 1LE will get a mild spec upgrade with things we see on the CT5-V Blackwing. So maybe the Camaro on the Ring was testing some stuff like new Magnetic Ride calibration?



I am happy that at least they will do something as a final Camaro 6, even though it won't be a full Z/28

[SS 376]

Originally Posted by samurai

Motortrend picked up the news and has some new insider details:

https://www.motortrend.com/news/2023...kwing-upgrade/

A Z/28 will not happen, but according to their sources the ZL1 1LE will get a mild spec upgrade with things we see on the CT5-V Blackwing. So maybe the Camaro on the Ring was testing some stuff like new Magnetic Ride calibration?

I am happy that at least they will do something as a final Camaro 6, even though it won't be a full Z/28

This seems like by far the most plausible explanation, at least adding revised MagneRide. I could see the Blackwing's MagneRide having comparable performance to the DSSV system. But I don't know if they can add CCBs without making the ZL1 1LE a $90,000 car...

[j o n]

Originally Posted by samurai

Motortrend picked up the news and has some new insider details:

https://www.motortrend.com/news/2023...kwing-upgrade/


A Z/28 will not happen, but according to their sources the ZL1 1LE will get a mild spec upgrade with things we see on the CT5-V Blackwing. So maybe the Camaro on the Ring was testing some stuff like new Magnetic Ride calibration?



I am happy that at least they will do something as a final Camaro 6, even though it won't be a full Z/28

https://www.musclecarsandtrucks.com/...5-v-blackwing/

"Considering that Motor Trend tends to get the headline right but the details wrong, the accuracy of this latest report is suspect. For example, it would be near impossible to retrofit a Camaro with MR 4.0 technology. It’s not just a damper change, as we recently interviewed GM’s magnetic ride suspension guru, and you can read all about those details here."

[JitteryJoe]

Definitely some wishful thinking on my part but does 18hp even warrant an emissions retest? Even if it did can't a manufacturer use testing from a similar car? I vaguely recall reading that the Ford C Max's MPG was grossly overstated because they were allowed to use data from the Fusion.

[396ssrat]

The Challenger isn't exactly a beautiful new design either but continued powertrain improvements keep the sales figures coming. I know it would be rare but if gm borrowed a play from the Dodge playbook but an upgrade in horsepower could just sell some cars keeping the product line alive a little longer. It wouldn't be that difficult to make a different hood bump. Or maybe they'll slip a 430hp 572 in there. Lol

[Number 3]

Originally Posted by hotlap

Ok. What were they testing? Why are they testing it again now?

Why was a 2019 SS testing on the Nürburgring with the C8 two weeks ago?

I'm holding back any optimism that GM is spending any of Number 3's pension money potential on our beloved Camaro. It does however make me wonder if they realize that Camaro is bleeding out faster than they planned and are resurrecting projects that were underway but cancelled when they dropped everything to chasing BEV.

Fun fact. I quietly retired from GM in April and cashed out lump sum. So I'm good! But thanks.

Still working though which is why "quietly".

[Number 3]

There is something strange going on at GM as far as testing.

Even just a few years ago you could count on camouflaged cars 80 weeks prior to start of production. Cars with headlamps about 50 weeks.

Hummer EV? A few driving around, even at Woodward. Lyriq? How many test cars driving around? It launches next Spring. Nothing. Of course they've shown both so camo isn't needed but very few public sightings. So GM is getting development done without using public roads.

As for any Camaro? If it maintains WB and track you could do an Alpha 2 based Camaro under the skin of a current car. So who knows. But GM is doing things differently.

[Martinjlm]

Originally Posted by Number 3

Fun fact. I quietly retired from GM in April and cashed out lump sum. So I'm good! But thanks.

Still working though which is why "quietly".

Awesome! Exactly why I retired when I did. Took my pension in lump sum and put it in investment products earning 4X what it was performing at in the GM retirement system. Then got a job doing pretty much what I was doing at GM.

[arpad_m]

Originally Posted by Number 3

Fun fact. I quietly retired from GM in April and cashed out lump sum. So I'm good! But thanks.

Still working though which is why "quietly".

Now GM can finally open the floodgates and design a brand new 7th gen that everyone will love, without jeopardizing our resident (ex-)insider's financial status

But seriously, that's great news, hope you'll enjoy these coming years

[Hops]

Originally Posted by samurai

Motortrend picked up the news and has some new insider details:

https://www.motortrend.com/news/2023...kwing-upgrade/

A Z/28 will not happen, but according to their sources the ZL1 1LE will get a mild spec upgrade with things we see on the CT5-V Blackwing. So maybe the Camaro on the Ring was testing some stuff like new Magnetic Ride calibration?

I am happy that at least they will do something as a final Camaro 6, even though it won't be a full Z/28

I'm just happy there will be a 2023 model year Camaro. I have more time to think about replacing ss 1le with new one, or maybe a zl1. I can't be the only thinking this way!