Ed Peper confirms New Camaro engine to have 400+ HP V8 w. AFM and 300+ HP V6

[Grape Ape]

In an interview Jim Mateja (an automotive journalist for almost 40 years) conducted with Ed Pepper of GM, the following was said.

Peper said only the coupe will be offered for the first nine months of the model’s life, with a choice of a 400-plus-hp, 6.0-liter V-8 or a 300-plus-hp, 3.6-liter V-6. He said mostly V-8s will be produced, for enthusiasts eager to get their hands on the first ones off the assembly line.

The rest of the interview (below) is old news, but this is the first time I've seen anyone talk about the HP rating of the V8.

For months, Chevrolet has hinted that the remake of the Camaro sport coupe would arrive in January of next year as a 2009 model, but Chevy general manager Ed Peper says, nope, it will go into production in February of next year and won’t be in showrooms until March 2009 — as a 2010 model.

Rather than a January intro and a short 2009 model run before switching to a 2010 designation in the fall, the Camaro will have a long run as a 2010 model before switching to a 2011 designation in the fall of 2010.

Peper said only the coupe will be offered for the first nine months of the model’s life, with a choice of a 400-plus-hp, 6.0-liter V-8 or a 300-plus-hp, 3.6-liter V-6. He said mostly V-8s will be produced, for enthusiasts eager to get their hands on the first ones off the assembly line.

The convertible will be added at the end of 2009, also as a 2010 model.

To silence those who gripe about the debut of a new higher-performance sports coupe and soft-top convertible in the face of soaring gas prices, Peper pointed out that both engines will offer cylinder-deactivation technology to shut off either three or four cylinders when they aren’t needed, to conserve gas. No hybrid is in the works.

Peper said dealers will probably start taking orders for the Camaro later this summer, but he wouldn't give a specific date when consumers can ink a contract.

GM vice chairman Bob Lutz forecast Camaro sales will top 100,000 units a year. Peper agrees, but said Chevy can't reach those numbers until both the coupe and the convertible are available.

Peper also announced that in a matter of weeks Chevy will begin offering its midsize Malibu sedan with a 169-hp, 2.4 liter four-cylinder engine teamed with a six-speed automatic transmission. The sedan will be rated at 22/32 mpg city/highway, which is very close to the Malibu Hybrid’s 24/32 mpg.

The four-cylinder/six-speed Malibu will start at $26,245, which is about $4,000 more than the hybrid, because it willl be offered on the top-of-the-line LTZ trim level, which has the most standard equipment, while the hybrid is offered on the lower LT1 trim level.

At least now Chevy can say it offers a hybrid at a lower price than a gas engine car.

http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2...maro.html#more

[Grape Ape]

I guess there is this to: the V6 also gets AFM and they plan to sell 100k per year.

To silence those who gripe about the debut of a new higher-performance sports coupe and soft-top convertible in the face of soaring gas prices, Peper pointed out that both engines will offer cylinder-deactivation technology to shut off either three or four cylinders when they aren’t needed, to conserve gas. No hybrid is in the works.

Peper said dealers will probably start taking orders for the Camaro later this summer, but he wouldn't give a specific date when consumers can ink a contract.

GM vice chairman Bob Lutz forecast Camaro sales will top 100,000 units a year. Peper agrees, but said Chevy can't reach those numbers until both the coupe and the convertible are available.

[Mr. Wyndham]

It's "Peper", not "pepper". He's not a condiment.

And yeah - that's some juicy stuff!!

[CamaroSpike23]

yeah, thats all good and well, but taking Peper with a grain of salt (sorry, couldnt resist)

he also said this

For months, Chevrolet has hinted that the remake of the Camaro sport coupe would arrive in January of next year as a 2009 model, but Chevy general manager Ed Peper says, nope, it will go into production in February of next year and won’t be in showrooms until March 2009 — as a 2010 model.

Rather than a January intro and a short 2009 model run before switching to a 2010 designation in the fall, the Camaro will have a long run as a 2010 model before switching to a 2011 designation in the fall of 2010.

[GTAHVIT]

6.0 liter???

That doesn't really make sense does it? Unless we're talking something we don't know about... Gen V(they aren't supposed to be ready in time for the camaro)

As far as engines we do know about, the LS2 or L76 are 6.0L but the LS2 has already been eliminated as an option.

So we're left with the L76 as the only "known" V8 engine... Hmmmmm I'm not sure how I feel about this just yet. The good news is we know that 400 is the minimum V8 hp number and that's a great start.

[3whiterag]

Hmmmmmmmm.

[blindingillusion]

Doesn't 6.0 pretty much confirm the engine will be a L76, because isn't the LS2 going out of production. I wonder what they are going to do to push a 361hp engine >400hp

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by gtahvit

6.0 liter???

That doesn't really make sense does it?

Come now, we've had this conversation before on the boards, have we not? That the L76 is extremely tamed in the G8?

But, now I'm curious. 3whiterag...what does "hmmmmmmmm" mean?

[blindingillusion]

Thinking about it I agree. Just doesn't make sense. The G8 GXP is getting an LS3. You would think that the camaro wouldn't be upped by the G8 in the engine dept.

Hmmmm indeed.

[GTAHVIT]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

Come now, we've had this conversation before on the boards, have we not? That the L76 is extremely tamed in the G8?

Dragon, don't get me wrong. I'm not opposed to the L76. I was just hoping for something in the 6.2 lineup. Mostly cus the aftermarket possibilities are yummy. Not bashing the L76 at all. Good engine, lots of untapped capabilities.

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

But, now I'm curious. 3whiterag...what does "hmmmmmmmm" mean?

+1

Sup?

[AirGoya]

Coolio! So even the V6 will have cylinder deactivation. Also, besides the LS2 that we know is dead, what 6.0L V8 makes more than 400 hp. I would guess that its the LS6 like in the G8 but tuned for performance. NICE!!!!

[GTAHVIT]

Originally Posted by AirGoya

Coolio! So even the V6 will have cylinder deactivation. Also, besides the LS2 that we know is dead, what 6.0L V8 makes more than 400 hp. I would guess that its the LS6 like in the G8 but tuned for performance. NICE!!!!

Look up a bit. you might have missed it while you were writing your post. We think the L76 fits...

[GTAHVIT]

Dragon, I'm still with you, I don't think Gen V's are an option for the first year. I mean you found some good information that says they won't be ready.

Originally Posted by blindingillusion

Thinking about it I agree. Just doesn't make sense. The G8 GXP is getting an LS3. You would think that the camaro wouldn't be upped by the G8 in the engine dept.

Hmmmm indeed.

And big +1 blingingillusion.


As far as the article is concerned, I'm feeling a bit sceptical. When and where did Mr. Peper say this. The engine information is the only new news. Everything else is old news... There isn't any source information that I can find..... I've seen on GMInsideNews that Jim Mateja had an interview with Ed Peper. That's all I can find as of now. I'll keep looking.

Yes, he spoke to Ed Peper yesterday at an event in suburban Chicago. Not sure why it's not "news" but glad its being discussed.

Jim Mateja interviewed Ed Peper. He's been an automotive journalist for almost 40 years (might be more!). I don't think he'd turn in a piece to us that was knowingly false in any way.

Apparently Peper mispoke on the 3.9 V6.

Just spoke to Jim. And then we had to call GM. Peper misspoke. He said 3.9 but it is the same 3.6 liter as in the Traverse. Sorry for the confusion.

I guess it's the real deal.

[smokn']

i really thought it was going to be some sort of smaller displacement gen v. in fact, i really really want a gen v. i might as well go with a goat if it's just gona get some g8 engine. not to bash it, but i wanted something really new. i am impressed with the v6 numbers. any bets how bad the 6 is gona spank the stang gt? lol beautiful.