MARK PHELAN: Exclusive Camaro test drive - Camaro Forum - 2011 Camaro 2010 Camaro / Camaro Z28 SS Forums

Tran · 05-16-2006, 11:16 AM

May 16, 2005
BY MARK PHELAN
FREE PRESS COLUMNIST

Build it.

That's all I can say after 40 minutes driving the ravishing Chevrolet Camaro concept car around General Motors Proving Grounds in Milford.

The head-turning new sport coupe can't hit the road soon enough. GM has not officially decided it will build the Camaro, but the legendary car's powerful appeal, the adrenaline shot it will give Chevrolet and conversations with a number of GM executives are enough to convince me only a catastrophe will keep this car off the road.

You don't spend this much time nailing every detail -- from the growling rumble of the exhaust to the light and easy feel of the clutch pedal -- if you're not serious about a car.

And the Camaro is serious fun. Its unique design may set the tone for other Chevrolet cars, boost sales and add excitement to GM's most important brand.

The sensuous and threatening-looking coupe will be a welcome addition to Chevrolet showrooms. That was apparent even in the handle-with-care driving mandated by the fact that this is a show car, built for looks not speed.

Despite that, the Camaro felt very polished. The power steering is direct and responsive; the brakes are firm with good pedal feel, and the six-speed manual transmission was more precise than some production cars.

"We spent a lot of time on the sound of the exhaust," GM concept car engineer Kris Hess said as the Camaro's 400-horsepower V8 burbled to life on the test track in Oakland County for my drive. "We have a lot of performance fans on the team that did this car."

The concept's classic wasp-waisted shape, flared fenders and eager forward-leaning grille made the Camaro a hit when it debuted at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January.

Camaro was introduced in 1966 as the answer to the Ford Mustang and went through several generations before production ended in 2002.
"We set out to capture the essence of the Camaro," said Tom Peters, who led the design team that created the concept in Studio X, a secret den below the design building at GM's technical center in Warren. The concept's styling borrows elements from the classic 1969 Camaro, the 2005 Corvette and the YF22 jet fighter's rounded cockpit.

Crowds packed Chevrolet's stand to admire the Camaro at the show, but almost nobody got close enough to see that the concept's interior is equally appealing and well executed.

The big, chrome-rimmed speedometer and tachometer perfectly complement round brushed-metal dials for climate and audio controls. Door and dash insets the color of burnished copper match the faces of four small rectangular gauges -- fuel, battery, oil and water -- set in the center console just ahead of a round aluminum shifter knob.

Even if everything goes flawlessly, the Camaro isn't likely to hit the streets before 2009, and the production model will not be identical to the concept.
There's no magic or sleight of hand involved in making the case for the Camaro.

The concept uses GM's new Zeta global architecture for rear-wheel-drive cars, which goes into production in Australia this summer and should form the basis for several big, powerful sedans and coupes in North America.
The Camaro's engine, transmission, brakes and most other major components are off-the-shelf technology, ready to run today, but ready to mate high-horsepower performance with 30 miles per gallon or more on the highway, GM said.

GM executives have told workers in at least two North American assembly plants -- Oshawa, Ontario, and Wilmington, Del. -- that they're in the running to build the Camaro.

So the decision to build it comes down to a few questions: Will people buy it? How can GM build it profitably? What will it cost?

GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz told Automotive News that GM won't build the Camaro unless it can sell 100,000 a year.

To reach that goal, Chevy will have to offer a less-expensive V6 model in addition to the V8, said Jim Hall, vice president for industry analysis at the Southfield office of consultant AutoPacific.

Even then, it's unlikely Camaro could beat the popular Ford Mustang's $19,115 base price, he said.

The Zeta family of cars features an independent rear suspension, a more-expensive layout than the Mustang's trusty old live axle.
Nobody at GM will touch the price question, but it's clear Chevrolet doesn't need -- and probably couldn't sell -- another high-priced, low-volume image car. The Corvette fills that role beautifully.

Chevrolet accounts for around 60% of GM's annual sales in North America. Adding a couple of exciting and profitable cars to Chevy's lineup would go a long way toward curing what ails GM.

The stylish 2008 Malibu sedan -- unrecognizably different from today's mundane model -- set to debut next year may be the first of those cars. The Camaro could be the second.

Build it.

JustinZS · 05-16-2006, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTran

So the decision to build it comes down to a few questions: Will people buy it? How can GM build it profitably? What will it cost?

GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz told Automotive News that GM won't build the Camaro unless it can sell 100,000 a year.

To reach that goal, Chevy will have to offer a less-expensive V6 model in addition to the V8, said Jim Hall, vice president for industry analysis at the Southfield office of consultant AutoPacific.

Even then, it's unlikely Camaro could beat the popular Ford Mustang's $19,115 base price, he said.

If the car can be low 20's I'll buy it.

PonyTech · 05-17-2006, 01:19 AM

Reading shit like this just makes me lust after this car some more. C'mon lets hear some productoin news!

Camaro · 05-26-2006, 04:48 PM

Yea really, We need some news... I am dying to get this car, but without even knowing if it's coming out or not is driving me nuts!! I'll pay anything.. Just build it!!!!

JustinZS · 06-01-2006, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Camaro

Yea really, We need some news... I am dying to get this car, but without even knowing if it's coming out or not is driving me nuts!! I'll pay anything.. Just build it!!!!

I think it's basically gotten the go for production

Saw this scanned article from MT magazine

wakebord99 · 06-01-2006, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustinS

I think it's basically gotten the go for production

Saw this scanned article from MT magazine

So let me get this straight.. the Camaro coupe will be arriving this year, contrary to every article and GM's own announcement ?!?! Umm I wish but nooo..

lq30 · 06-27-2006, 10:38 AM

Awesome first and last words "Build it."

*Moose* · 06-27-2006, 02:37 PM

"Build it"!!! I'm all for that.

But at this point, GM still hasn't decided to "pull the trigger." Contrary to what's written in magazine's, it's all speculation at this point.

Tran · 07-05-2006, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moose

"Build it"!!! I'm all for that.

But at this point, GM still hasn't decided to "pull the trigger." Contrary to what's written in magazine's, it's all speculation at this point.

Hopefully the Dodge Challenger production news will force GM's hand for an imminent announcement of their own

headpunter · 02-19-2009, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tran

Hopefully the Dodge Challenger production news will force GM's hand for an imminent announcement of their own

lets hope

JMAN311 · 02-19-2009, 11:53 PM

How long did it take you to dig this up for resurrection? lol

zebra · 02-19-2009, 11:54 PM

oh... my... gosh...

'punter... that's about as necro as it gets!

Andro · 02-19-2009, 11:54 PM

Talk about a blast from the past

JMAN311 · 02-19-2009, 11:59 PM

I heard a rumor that it IS going to be built!!!!! Don't quote me on it though....

*DGthe3* · 02-20-2009, 12:03 AM

* * * WARNING* * * WARNING * * * NECRO THREAD * * *

CommandoSS · 02-20-2009, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMAN311

I heard a rumor that it IS going to be built!!!!! Don't quote me on it though....

My cousin's friend's uncle's sister's husband knows Rick Wagoner and he says that there is an excellent chance that the Camaro WILL be produced. No official word though

JMAN311 · 02-20-2009, 12:07 AM

I changed my mind. I bet they don't make it. I heard that it TOTALLY flopped at the Detriot Auto Show

*Mindz* · 02-20-2009, 12:09 AM

Way to necro...

kanys · 02-20-2009, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMAN311

I changed my mind. I bet they don't make it. I heard that it TOTALLY flopped at the Detriot Auto Show

Lol yeah, nothing but a few crickets around the concept there!

headpunter · 02-20-2009, 12:10 AM

i love the fact that we have doubled the original post count of this thread.

RoyalKev · 02-20-2009, 12:11 AM

When you test drove it did it have working abl? (sarcasm)

JMAN311 · 02-20-2009, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoyalKev

When you test drove it did it have working abl? (sarcasm)

Yes it worked amazing....if they did make this car I bet that would be the first working item in the car....I mean it's just lights...

Ctrain24 · 02-20-2009, 12:24 AM

When I saw the thread title, I was expecting a review of the SS.

*DGthe3* · 02-20-2009, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by headpunter

i love the fact that we have doubled the original post count of this thread.

could have something to do with the fact that we probably have more members online at this moment than the total in May '06

DDustiNN · 02-20-2009, 12:59 AM

sigh...

05-16-2006, 11:16 AM	#1
Tran Administrator Drives: 2010 Camaro of course.... Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: NE baby Posts: 2,572	MARK PHELAN: Exclusive Camaro test drive May 16, 2005 BY MARK PHELAN FREE PRESS COLUMNIST Build it. That's all I can say after 40 minutes driving the ravishing Chevrolet Camaro concept car around General Motors Proving Grounds in Milford. The head-turning new sport coupe can't hit the road soon enough. GM has not officially decided it will build the Camaro, but the legendary car's powerful appeal, the adrenaline shot it will give Chevrolet and conversations with a number of GM executives are enough to convince me only a catastrophe will keep this car off the road. You don't spend this much time nailing every detail -- from the growling rumble of the exhaust to the light and easy feel of the clutch pedal -- if you're not serious about a car. And the Camaro is serious fun. Its unique design may set the tone for other Chevrolet cars, boost sales and add excitement to GM's most important brand. The sensuous and threatening-looking coupe will be a welcome addition to Chevrolet showrooms. That was apparent even in the handle-with-care driving mandated by the fact that this is a show car, built for looks not speed. Despite that, the Camaro felt very polished. The power steering is direct and responsive; the brakes are firm with good pedal feel, and the six-speed manual transmission was more precise than some production cars. "We spent a lot of time on the sound of the exhaust," GM concept car engineer Kris Hess said as the Camaro's 400-horsepower V8 burbled to life on the test track in Oakland County for my drive. "We have a lot of performance fans on the team that did this car." The concept's classic wasp-waisted shape, flared fenders and eager forward-leaning grille made the Camaro a hit when it debuted at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January. Camaro was introduced in 1966 as the answer to the Ford Mustang and went through several generations before production ended in 2002. "We set out to capture the essence of the Camaro," said Tom Peters, who led the design team that created the concept in Studio X, a secret den below the design building at GM's technical center in Warren. The concept's styling borrows elements from the classic 1969 Camaro, the 2005 Corvette and the YF22 jet fighter's rounded cockpit. Crowds packed Chevrolet's stand to admire the Camaro at the show, but almost nobody got close enough to see that the concept's interior is equally appealing and well executed. The big, chrome-rimmed speedometer and tachometer perfectly complement round brushed-metal dials for climate and audio controls. Door and dash insets the color of burnished copper match the faces of four small rectangular gauges -- fuel, battery, oil and water -- set in the center console just ahead of a round aluminum shifter knob. Even if everything goes flawlessly, the Camaro isn't likely to hit the streets before 2009, and the production model will not be identical to the concept. There's no magic or sleight of hand involved in making the case for the Camaro. The concept uses GM's new Zeta global architecture for rear-wheel-drive cars, which goes into production in Australia this summer and should form the basis for several big, powerful sedans and coupes in North America. The Camaro's engine, transmission, brakes and most other major components are off-the-shelf technology, ready to run today, but ready to mate high-horsepower performance with 30 miles per gallon or more on the highway, GM said. GM executives have told workers in at least two North American assembly plants -- Oshawa, Ontario, and Wilmington, Del. -- that they're in the running to build the Camaro. So the decision to build it comes down to a few questions: Will people buy it? How can GM build it profitably? What will it cost? GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz told Automotive News that GM won't build the Camaro unless it can sell 100,000 a year. To reach that goal, Chevy will have to offer a less-expensive V6 model in addition to the V8, said Jim Hall, vice president for industry analysis at the Southfield office of consultant AutoPacific. Even then, it's unlikely Camaro could beat the popular Ford Mustang's $19,115 base price, he said. The Zeta family of cars features an independent rear suspension, a more-expensive layout than the Mustang's trusty old live axle. Nobody at GM will touch the price question, but it's clear Chevrolet doesn't need -- and probably couldn't sell -- another high-priced, low-volume image car. The Corvette fills that role beautifully. Chevrolet accounts for around 60% of GM's annual sales in North America. Adding a couple of exciting and profitable cars to Chevy's lineup would go a long way toward curing what ails GM. The stylish 2008 Malibu sedan -- unrecognizably different from today's mundane model -- set to debut next year may be the first of those cars. The Camaro could be the second. Build it.

02-19-2009, 11:53 PM	#11
JMAN311 Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: May 2008 Location: South Denver, CO Posts: 1,461	How long did it take you to dig this up for resurrection? lol __________________ 2SS/RS \| CGM Exterior \| Gray Interior \| 6-spd

02-19-2009, 11:54 PM	#12
zebra resident truck enthusiast Drives: one bad___ truck!! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: the boro, tn Posts: 8,047 View My Garage	oh... my... gosh... 'punter... that's about as necro as it gets! __________________ ← what mine'll look like

02-19-2009, 11:54 PM	#13
Andro NOICE!!! ™ Drives: GOT BOOST? Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Sin City Posts: 4,574 View My Garage	Talk about a blast from the past __________________ http://camautomag.com/wolf-in-sheeps...s-with-912whp/ http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=85033

02-19-2009, 11:59 PM	#14
JMAN311 Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: May 2008 Location: South Denver, CO Posts: 1,461	I heard a rumor that it IS going to be built!!!!! Don't quote me on it though.... __________________ 2SS/RS \| CGM Exterior \| Gray Interior \| 6-spd

05-17-2006, 01:19 AM	#3
PonyTech Drives: waiting on 5th gen Camaro Join Date: May 2006 Location: NC Posts: 18	Reading shit like this just makes me lust after this car some more. C'mon lets hear some productoin news!

05-26-2006, 04:48 PM	#4
Camaro Drives: 1987 camaro Join Date: May 2006 Location: earth Posts: 1	Yea really, We need some news... I am dying to get this car, but without even knowing if it's coming out or not is driving me nuts!! I'll pay anything.. Just build it!!!!

06-27-2006, 10:38 AM	#7
lq30 Drives: Looking Join Date: May 2006 Location: Houston TX Posts: 25	Awesome first and last words "Build it."

06-27-2006, 02:37 PM	#8
Moose Moderator Drives: '99 Camaro SS #1392 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Newtown, Pa. Posts: 3,576	"Build it"!!! I'm all for that. But at this point, GM still hasn't decided to "pull the trigger." Contrary to what's written in magazine's, it's all speculation at this point.

02-20-2009, 12:03 AM	#15
DGthe3 Moderator.ca Drives: 05 Grand Am GT Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Niagara, Canada Posts: 13,325	* * * WARNING* * * WARNING * * * NECRO THREAD * * * __________________ Note, if I've gotten any facts wrong in the above, just ignore any points I made with them __________________ but to assume we're 'done' with Camaro - well -- trust me - we aren't! -FbodFather __________________

02-20-2009, 12:07 AM	#17
JMAN311 Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: May 2008 Location: South Denver, CO Posts: 1,461	I changed my mind. I bet they don't make it. I heard that it TOTALLY flopped at the Detriot Auto Show __________________ 2SS/RS \| CGM Exterior \| Gray Interior \| 6-spd

02-20-2009, 12:09 AM	#18
Mindz Account Suspended Drives: you wild... Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: The happy place... with the white padded walls... wearing a coat that makes me hug myself... Posts: 10,630	Way to necro... __________________ "The blue rush feels like an Iconic camaro to me, like hennessey and other tuner cars have their own feel to them" ~ AdnanHfuda "Wow...That was record time...I didn't have to remove the pic. It suddenly disappeared in like 5 seconds...haha...Wow!!!" ~Big Al Camaro5 Car of the Week 3/22/10

02-20-2009, 12:10 AM	#20
headpunter Not That sad..considering Drives: Man Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: the part of washington the capital forgot about. Posts: 3,790 View My Garage	i love the fact that we have doubled the original post count of this thread. __________________ Stop Whinging

02-20-2009, 12:11 AM	#21
RoyalKev Drives: 2010 Camaro SS - 1991 Mustang Gt Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 756	When you test drove it did it have working abl? (sarcasm)

02-20-2009, 12:24 AM	#23
Ctrain24 Drives: 2010 Camaro SS/RS Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 494	When I saw the thread title, I was expecting a review of the SS.

02-20-2009, 12:59 AM	#25
DDustiNN got his Camaro back :D Drives: 2010 Camaro SS/RS Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Canton, MI Posts: 1,843	sigh...