2010 Chevy Camaro to offer two V6s at launch; Z28 to trump SS?

[radz28]

http://www.leftlanenews.com/2010-che...-trump-ss.html

"Although the Chevrolet Camaro has offered quite a few trim and package options over the years, a fairly consistent hierarchy – in some form or another — was present during the car’s 35 year production run – base six-cylinder, Z28 and SS. But a new report indicates that the 2010 Camaro will tear up this road map.

According to Road & Track, Chevrolet will launch the Camaro with three trim levels, but not the three we have already outlined. Instead, R&T says Chevy will launch the LS, LT and SS, with both base models being powered by V6s.

If the report is accurate, look for the base LS model to be powered by a 220 horsepower 3.5L V6 while the up-level LT will use a version of the Cadillac CTS’ 3.6L V6, likely producing about 300 horsepower. The SS model will do with a version of the Corvette’s LS3 motor, rated at 400-405 horsepower.

If you aren’t confused yet, just hold on a minute. Road & Track also surmises that a Z28 model will join the range sometime after the convertible bows in 2010, but that it will trump the SS – completely going against the Camaro’s history. Power for the Z28 is said to be sourced from a detuned version of the Corvette ZR1’s supercharged LS9 motor, making somewhere in the neighborhood of 480 to 500 horsepower.

While it was widely assumed that the Camaro would offer a 400 horsepower model and 500 horsepower model derived from the ZR1, it was believed that the top model would wear the SS moniker. The availability of two V6s is also a bit perplexing as it would seem to make more sense to offer just one six-cylinder engine – especially considering the direct-injection V6 will surely return better fuel-economy than the 3.5L.

To add even more confusion to the mix, Chevrolet is still considering a four-cylinder option – likely to replace the LS model’s V6. And with Camaro naming apparently out of whack, it’s completely possible that the four pot Camaro could wear the ZL1 nameplate."

SWEET!!!

[Blizzard]

Why I don't read Road and Track.

[Dragoneye]

I don't know why they find all of this to be so surprising. And the "out of whack" comment is a little unfounded.
But the base V6 thing is intriguing...

[B2E2RUN]

R&T is usually only about half correct with any prediction they make....I am surprised they didn't mention the "Berlinetta" in there somewhere....I only believe half the story!

[boxmonkeyracing]

that's funny. i posted that video from R&T on this site and next thing you know LLN is doing a story based off them. WE'VE GOT SPIES!!!!

[MisterCamaro69]

LT= Luxury Touring
LS= Luxury Sport
SS= Super Sport
Z28= Track Star

Makes sense to me, I'd like to see the RS in the mix tho.

[Dragoneye]

Originally Posted by MisterCamaro69

I'd like to see the RS in the mix tho.

Appearance/minor performance package anyone?

[Rallysport]

A 4 banger called the ZL-1? Uhhhh, sorry Road and CRACK, there is no freakin way GM will use that historic nameplate on a @#%$^& $ cylinder. R&T must be staffed with complete morons.

[TheMadHatter99]

Originally Posted by Rallysport

A 4 banger called the ZL-1? Uhhhh, sorry Road and CRACK, there is no freakin way GM will use that historic nameplate on a @#%$^& $ cylinder. R&T must be staffed with complete morons.

Umm...I believe they were being sarcastic in an attempt to reinforce their view that GM was off its rocker with this supposed naming scheme...

[1bad67camaro]

crack kills

[ToneyTone]

Originally Posted by 1bad67camaro

crack kills

[SilverTurtle]

obviously R&T doesn't remember the first gen Camaros... lol

[nUcLeArEnVoY]

The fact that they mention the Z28 trumping the SS is something that has never happened before is proof enough how silly this article is.

[chevys]

Forgive me for asking because I have not kept up with the v6 thing. Is it a possibility of 2 different v6's?? I dont trust any magazines. They are always wrong on Mustang/Camaro stuff anyway. I cant see how you could make a business case for this but perhaps Im wrong.

[nUcLeArEnVoY]

Originally Posted by chevys

Forgive me for asking because I have not kept up with the v6 thing. Is it a possibility of 2 different v6's?? I dont trust any magazines. They are always wrong on Mustang/Camaro stuff anyway. I cant see how you could make a business case for this but perhaps Im wrong.

They can make a business case for it on all kinds of cars, but I don't think it would be too wise for the Camaro. But they keep saying that it is the V6 version they're going to promote and not the V8... although that could be how it was in the Camaro's golden age too, I dunno, I wasn't born then. Either way, V6's are always the volume sale, but the problem is that the Camaro's competition both have only one V6.

Overall, two V6's I think is just a strike against the vehicle's heritage. That's the most harm that will be done. It wouldn't be that big a deal if it were an all new car.

The main issue is the pricing hierarchy if there are two V6's. What's the V8 going to actually COST then after two V6 trims to build a price up on? According to R&T and Yahoo, mid to upper 30's... which is absolutely absurd and very unwise when it comes to their competition. The Chally surprised me by pricing the R/T for just 30K, I won't lie. But making only one volume-sales V8 for the Camaro and pricing it that far above the competition? Man, it's going to wipe out a lot of the people who wanted it. Not saying doom the car, but wipe out a lot of us guys who wanted one.

Hopefully the competition will put pressure on GM.

[Supermans]

It doesn't seem smart to have two V6 models in the lineup. What this means is that the 220HP V6 will be the $18-19,000 model and the 300HP V6 could be in the $25-26,000 range. The V8 at $29-30,000.. Enthusiasts will want to buy the V8..Those on a budget will opt for the cheapest base they can get..The middle V6 won't have much of a market..

[carsismeZ06]

LS3 has 430 horsepower, the LS2 has 400 horsepower.

[carsismeZ06]

while looking for LS2 specs, I found thi website. This might confirm the Camaro and LS2 V8 connection.

http://www.ls2.com/

[09'Z28]

Scott we need you

[Dragoneye]

Originally Posted by nUcLeArEnVoY

The fact that they mention the Z28 trumping the SS is something that has never happened before is proof enough how silly this article is.

It may not be as silly as you think. Don't be surprised if that's how it turns out.

Originally Posted by chevys

I dont trust any magazines.

Good philosophy. That's why Camaro5 is here, right?

Originally Posted by carsismeZ06

while looking for LS2 specs, I found thi website. This might confirm the Camaro and LS2 V8 connection.

http://www.ls2.com/

No LS2. (<= "period" )

[CamaroSpike23]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

It may not be as silly as you think. Don't be surprised if that's how it turns out.
I think he meant that R&T stating that the Z28 has never been the top dawg was silly.

Good philosophy. That's why Camaro5 is here, right?
to spread the truth. i dont know if you've searched other places, but a lot of sources are getting their info from US
No LS2. (<= "period" )

LS2? FTL!!!
LS9? FTW!!!

Originally Posted by MisterCamaro69

LT= Luxury Touring
LS= Luxury Sport
SS= Super Sport
Z28= Track Star

Makes sense to me, I'd like to see the RS in the mix tho.

while this makes sense, i think R&T and others need to read a little bit more

the trim models are just certain options that the car will have standard. basically increasing in the amount. technically speaking, all of chevy's vehicles have different LT and LS and SS trim packages. the trucks also have the WT package. say for example the cobalt:

LS trim- regular coupe/sedan base model
1LT trim- coupe/sedan, has power locks, onstar option, power windows
2LT trim- onstar standard, cruise control standard, 4 wheel ABS front disc/rear drum,
Sport trim- white faced sport gauges, leather steering wheel, 4 wheel ABS disc standard, 2.4L (high output) standard, steel muffler and chrome tip standard, stabilitrak, tuned sport suspension, traction control standard, 17 inch aluminium wheels,
SS trim- 2.0 turbo 4-cyl, performance suspension, 18" forged aluminium wheels, titanium faced gauges, performance cloth seats, f/r sport fascias with halogen foglamps and extensions,


i dont pay any attention to "trim packages" cus all that is to me is is the interior accessories that i could care less about, ill take a stripped down Z28 with manual windows, no ABS or T/C, cloth interior... BASIC interior. keep the price low, get only what you need.

[Captain Awesome]

I'm getting the impression there ain't gonna be no manual windows version of this car.

[1GTEC]

I subscribe to R&T, saw the article, etc.
I think its probably pretty accurate given the path of Chevy lately. All vehicles have the LS & LT trims. I'd really like to see Chevy bring the RS Rally Sport trim back as a top V6 model. Basically, have a V6 with some style.

[CamaroSpike23]

RS----Z26 : MERCHANDISED PKG, OPEL CONVERSION
SS----Z27 : SUPERSPORT
Z28---Z28 : MERCHANDISED PKG, SPECIAL PERFORMANCE

let the interior trim packages be called whatever they want,
the RS-Rally Sport packages has most often been an exterior image conversion to the base model for those who want style over performance,
the SS-SuperSport package has most often been a big v-8 with normal susp
the Z28-Z28 package has most often been the big v-8 with upgraded susp.

[punkdrum01]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

Appearance/minor performance package anyone?

I think there is a very high probability we will see "RS" packages available, especially after seeing the accessory spyshots we saw a few months ago. I believe it had "RS" decals on it did it not???

I still do not believe we will see two different V6's. I think we see the turbo 4 cyl before we see a 2nd V6. Who the hell wants less horsepower and inferior fuel economy???? Unless the 3.5L is signficantly cheaper to manufacture, I just don't see it happening.

As for the V8 lineup,..... I give up....... To me LS3 if the obvious answer for the base V8. The only doubt I have about the LS3 is that we still have not heard anything from GM about incorporating AFM/DOD technology with the LS3, a feature GM confirmed would be available on the Camaro. That leads me to think that the L76 is still on the table. Problem with the L76.....it does not make the 400+hp GM has promised. Since Gen V engines are supposedly a few more years from being operational.......I really dont know where that leaves us. Unless they offer both the L76 and the LS3 like on the G8.....but then they would still need to offer a 3rd V8 for the Top Dawg........grrrrrrrrrrrr.........September cant get here quick enough!!!!!!!!