Quote:
Originally Posted by Dragoneye
If they can figure out a way to take out that much poundage without shrinking the car considerably, compromising the already mediocre NVH AND keeping price down to a reasonable level...they'll have pulled off a miracle. And if they can somehow design and engineer an engine of that caliber so soon after their recent V8 powertrain revamp...well....I just don't believe it.
EDIT: Oh, and I don't think there's a snowball's chance in he!! that they'll invest that much into this car a year or two before replacing the whole lineup with a new car.
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Direct Injection with a 12:1 compression ratio can push another 20hp out of the 5.0 and you know DI is coming.
88lbs was shed from the new Fiesta just by changing the existing safety shell to another type of steel. A new Chassis could account for a majority of weight loss, the wheelbase/track remains the same and the overall length would decrease. Shorter exhaust routes by shaving overall length by a few inches.
If the 5/6 link Jag/Falcon type IRS (Control Blade IRS) is used, weight gain would be minimal and cost would be too... The only reason it seems far fetched is because GM doesn't use that Boron...
I can see a V8 equipped GT losing close to 200lbs, the Boron Fiesta lost 88lbs, aced its crash test rating and only cost $15k for a base car. I still think the wheelbase will be around 107" and the Camaro using a 107-109" wheelbase. I can see a 3450lb car...
The ATS Alpha looks like it will be a great platform, A V8 equipped car with a 108 WB can weigh as little as 3600lbs and be very close to the M3 in weight just as long as the V8 isn't heavy... They also could lose some weight in the 4 link IRS and eliminate the giant "L" link...
Edit: I think you are assuming that I am talking about MY13, I am not.... MY13 comes out Jan 2012 the same time the 2012 ZL1 comes out....
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dragoneye
Minor product improvements like an auto transmission occur as a result of further R&D after initial release...not planning the product 5 years ahead of time and keeping desired, insignificant features from your customers because you can't tell the future.
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I'm not saying they will keep those insignificant features from the public, I was mostly referring to performance... If GM thinks the general public needs a velvet shift knob.. then velvet it is... I was thinking more towards a Dual Wet Clutch paddle 6L90 and dual ECM's to support a factory flash.. Performance features that do not require a new engine certification but are drastic....
Quote:
Originally Posted by DGthe3
Don't forget ever increasing safety regs
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How can they ever possible expect a car manufacturer to pass a crash test rating, meet a minimum fuel efficiency and reduce weight and maintaining the current power of a certain model?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dragoneye
If they can figure out a way to take out that much poundage without shrinking the car considerably, compromising the already mediocre NVH AND keeping price down to a reasonable level...they'll have pulled off a miracle. And if they can somehow design and engineer an engine of that caliber so soon after their recent V8 powertrain revamp...well....I just don't believe it.
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If I would have told you in 1983 that the carburetor was being replaced would have believed it? (I know, you wasn't there). If I told you in 1991 that Aluminum engine blocks and heads were going to replace cast iron, would you have believed me? 1995, Forced Induction V8's would be found on family cars in ten years!!! If I were to tell you and every one of your ancestors that there would be a 550 horsepower, street legal car, not a single one would believe me in their prime...
There will always be advancements that will be hard to accept or believe, in automobiles, but the things you readily accept, are the words spoken from a man that is trying to sell you a car, on a website that is specifically intended to do just that.. and not believing in something because this particular product does not use it now.... too me that is unbelievable... And to think that GM isn't holding something in reserve for this new Mustang would be bad... Two years is a long time, Sales are already slumping after 2 years, can they really hold off a redesign by playing everything right now?
The Vert will help, for three months.. then back to the trend. GM seemed to know what they were doing by holding out on that, right when they need it the most. This market is stagnant, All three didn't break 10,000 sales combined last month and its gonna get worse.. This is the S197's last model year, GM would be wise to hold out alittle or sales could quickly become like the other two... Only difference is, the other two's model life expectancy has been exceeded...
And as Ford pushes the Mustang up into the 3 series realm come this redesign, with the Camaro's current weight and size.. I don't think GM will be invited... When the Camaro does see a new body in 2015, Ford with their one horse wonder, will again put GM into the same Camaro/Firebird predicament with the ATS/Camaro.. competing in the same market with two different vehicles...