Quote:
Originally Posted by Mattsack789
If you didn't see, Obama unveiled the new Emissions and mileage standards today. All cars must get 35+ MPG by 2016. Does this mean the death of the Camaro? Death of SUV's? Death of all American sports cars? I hope we won't end up driving Fiat 500's and electric Mini's from now on.
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If I recall correctly, it actually means the FLEET has to get 35+mpg or whatever the number is.
There is wiggle room in that. Supposing the Camaro SS sells 20,000 units a year, there are 100,000 Malibu's getting 32mpg, and 100,000 Cobalts getting 33mpg+....etc, etc...Then, in 2010, you've got the Volt, which should be rated at 100mpg, and the Cruze, expected to be rated at 45mpg....there is room for Camaro, don't worry.
Besides....2016 is aways away. LOTS can happen in that time-span. I'm VERY confident there will be a 6thgen Camaro. Heck, look at the 5thgen. Despite all the hurdles it had to overcome...weight, aerodynamics, gearing, and horsepower to name a few....GM still managed to produce a volume-seller with a 29mpg rating. That's incredible. Imagine if it was designed without those 'problems'......
Quote:
Originally Posted by stovt001
As far as platforms, another poster brought up Alpha. I've been anxiously awaiting Alpha for a long time now.
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Last I heard...and it was through the grapevine, mind you -- Alpha was going to be a revised Zeta platform. The development of which would be undertaken by Holden, again and ready by the end of this decade.
It's supposed to be lighter, smaller, but maintain all the modular capability that the Zeta platform has.
Quote:
Originally Posted by stovt001
The Camaro's weight problems can be partially attributed to fitting it on a full-size sedan platform.
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That's part of it. You don't base your coupe off a 5-series fighter and intend to weigh in at 3-series territory (even though it does...
). It could also be attributed to the platform being designed to accept a 426hp V8 being stuffed into it...that takes an surprising amount of structural strength. Ever notice how the Genesis coupe, for example, dropped a few hundred pounds when they adapted the platform for a coupe without the V8 parameter of the original Genesis?
Quote:
Originally Posted by stovt001
Fitting a 6th gen onto a compact-midsize platform could significantly address the weight issue, allowing for smaller engines and ultimately improved economy. Early rumors said Pontiac might get an Alpha model to add volume to Cadillac's premium pricing, but since Pontiac is dead perhaps Chevy could still get a model. However, given GM's business situation, extreme risk aversion, and the government's takeover, I've about given up hope on seeing Alpha. I'm sure it got canceled, just like everything else that isn't an econo-box.
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Don't give up hope on it....Besides the fact that the gov't hasn't acutally taken over....there's plenty that could happen in the next 5-10 years. As quickly as they kill a program, they can pick it back up again. That's why they officially call it "shelving" something. So long as demand is there for a sporty, RWD car - Alpha will be produced. If there isn't, you can't blame them for not persuing the program......
....but I think there will
always be a demand for such a product.
