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I work for Chevrolet and I need this car to live up to the hype (even though that hype has died down during the 3 year waiting period we had from first seeing the car to it's actual production date). This is what I feel we NEED...
-HALO front headlights
-rear LED tail lights
-definitely keep the front scoop, but open her up, functional is better as a selling point.
-The gills in front of the rear tires need to be functional like the Z06 (able to cool the rear brakes)
-LARGE front and rear rotors. Preferably slotted rather than cross drilled (more durable).
-Body colored engine covers
-Body colored brakes, or just bright red (like the Z06)
-Bluetooth. I think Chevrolet is one of the last brands to finally use this technology. We will be getting it for the first time next year in the upcoming SUV the Traverse. I know GM spent a fortune on OnStar, but let's face it, people really don't use the hands free calling feature as much as you thought they would. Bluetooth is the way to go.
-Advanced audio system. Bose just created a user friendly cd/mp3/ipod interface that they are going to start putting in high end Ferrari's (I think it's the 599). This system is similar to the Ford's SYNC system, only better (as it should be). We can't cheap out on the technology that is becoming common place.
-I think that we should stay away from the 4-cylinders. I drove the HHR SS the other day (2.0L Turbo-charged 260hp). Granted it was great for an HHR, but that's an HHR. Right now, the 3.9L V-6 in the upper level Impalas paired with the AFM gets great gas mileage. I drove one to Daytona on a Dealer trade and was getting 29 miles per gallon going 90 mph. I think that a 4 cylinder would put a lot of Camaros on the road, but I feel that a Camaro with less than 300hp just wouldn't be right. People will buy the 6's and 8's.
-Stay away from the LS9 engine. You already hurt the integrity of the ZR1 by putting the same engine in a passenger car that's going to sell for about half the price (2009 CTS-V). The 6.2L LS3 would be good enough. Maybe even the LS7 (Z06) motor would be great for the SS.
-Price is important these days with the economy the way it is. However, I'd hate to say it (especially here) but most dealers are going to be charging $5,000-$10,000 over sticker for the Camaros , and they will get it. I'm not complaining because that means my family is going to eat good for a year and I can buy mine at GMS (employee pricing) anyways. To get to the point, the base model V6 shouldn't be any more than $23,000+++.
-Make power windows and power locks standard. As well as Remote Keyless entry and remote start. It's embarassing when trying to sell an Aveo5 SVM being that it doesn't even have A/C.
-I agree to have a slew of GM accessories for the vehicle. Aftermarket companies are going to make a fortune on these pieces if we don't make them first, and make them better. Gm Certified. oh yea!
-DO NOT CHEAP OUT ON THE INTERIOR!!! I cannot stress this enough. We're finally on a role with building some high quality interiors (ie the 4LT Corvettes, the new Malibu). A cheap interior will do nothing but dissappoint people that have been holding off buying a new car because they want a Camaro.
-The transmissions should be 6-speed for the manual and the automatic. If you can put it in the Malibu, you can put it in the Camaro.
-We need to have a choice in suspension (by the way you spelled suspension wrong up top in the main part of the bulletin). The 65 year old guy buying the convertible V6 is going to want a smoother ride than the 30 year old buying the SS. I think that 2 would be enough.
-Make an HUD for the upper trim levels. People love this in the Corvettes and if this Camaro is going to be sharing engines with the Corvette, why not share some features?
-Push Button ignition with smartkey technology. The damn Altima has that in their base models, it can't be that expensive.
-Please make sure the seats are sporty. Some of our other brands (cadillac and buick) have some great seat designs. I think that they need to be different from anything anyone has seen before. Big side bolsters, sporty colors, 2 tone options, perforated leather inserts, the whole 9 yards.
-stay away from stupid features this car doesn't need. We don't need the front passenger seat to fold flat, so make sure it looks like the driver seat (unlike the HHR SS).
-Don't be afraid to have a loud exhaust in upper level V8's. People are going to go aftermarket if Chevy doesn't put it in there.
As far as marketing goes, we need to have a Loyalty program. For example, since we won't see any rebates on the car for probably the first 2 years of it's existence, put $1,000.00 rebates out there for people who already own Camaros. Or maybe do it like the Malibu ($1,000.00 rebate if you have a 1999 or newer non-GM vehicle).
On Chevrolet.com, you have a great little animated intro. It would be great to have some quality TV time. The President's Day sale ads were terrible. The Malibu had a few good commercials (like when the Camry was hiding in the corner), but it also had some terrible ones. Whoever writes the ideas behind our commercials should be fired immediately.
Other than all of that, I'm happy to see that the vehicle looks a lot like the concept as far as the body goes. I pray to the car God that the interior is something we haven't seen yet because I thought that the concept was cool as hell, but I heard the production model would be nothing like it. The concepts interior was different. If the interior of the Camaro looks like the interior of the Impala, we're in trouble. We really need to step up there. If it's a difference of $1,000 in the MSRP, I'm pretty sure I'm not alone in saying that I would pay for it. Please make sure it's something special. My 2009 Gross income partially depends on it.
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