New 'Vert and Z/28 info??

[joegagan]

let's take a pause and recall the original z-28. in an attempt to be competitive in the popular trans am racing series of the time, chevy worked to produce a production version of the camaro that could be competitive using off the shelf, or easily produced performance parts. the result was a Z28 that was affordable, yet exclusive enough to keep production #s low ( making them rare and sought after today).

the 2010 camaro carries on this great tradition. let's keep the Z28 a mark of rarity.

[Douge]

Originally Posted by zebra

are you serious?

for one... they weren't 'bailed out.' they were given a loan; one with a soon-coming repayment plan.

as for "following through on in-demand halo cars" - they built this car up from the ground & released it in 3 years. that's faster than any car on a whole new platform. one thing that made it seem longer is the fact that we knew more info than ever before during the pre-production phases. another note about following through is the fact that without knowing all the differences, you'd almost mistake the production car for the concept that everyone fell in love with. that's a rare occurrence in the automotive world.

with the convertible (and more than likely the Z28) they had planned on a later release anyway. wheh the financial crisis hit, it only delayed the plans a bit further than they already had been. considering the fact that they had a pre-production convertible in plain sight during the 3/16 celebration, that shows that they're making progress on it & still don't mind letting us know that it's alright.

maybe you should do a little more research before coming out with accusations like that... especially in a place where people keep up with the topic you're griping about.

When you are given a loan by the federal government because you cannot secure private funds you are getting your ass bailed out. EOS

Holden engineered the zeta platform many years ago and it was first used in production in 2006.

GM's business model has been losing market share for decades, long before the current crisis and the idea (not even the act of) canceling a much anticipated car when they desperately need to capture and retain customers is another example in a long line of examples of poor decisions.

I made no accusations, just stated my opinion. I don't take offense to your rebuke so don't take this the wrong way, but maybe you should do some research and work on you reading comprehension.

[Camarino]

Originally Posted by Douge

When you are given a loan by the federal government because you cannot secure private funds you are getting your ass bailed out. EOS

Holden engineered the zeta platform many years ago and it was first used in production in 2006.

GM's business model has been losing market share for decades, long before the current crisis and the idea (not even the act of) canceling a much anticipated car when they desperately need to capture and retain customers is another example in a long line of examples of poor decisions.

I made no accusations, just stated my opinion. I don't take offense to your rebuke so don't take this the wrong way, but maybe you should do some research and work on you reading comprehension.

Although i still disagree with you did you notice that, that is a much more intelligent and well thought out statement then...

Originally Posted by Douge

Thanks GM. Next time you ask for a bailout go **** yourself.

If they are not going to follow through on in demand halo cars, they are better off in the trash heap of failed businesses.

[zebra]

Originally Posted by Douge

When you are given a loan by the federal government because you cannot secure private funds you are getting your ass bailed out. EOS

Holden engineered the zeta platform many years ago and it was first used in production in 2006.

GM's business model has been losing market share for decades, long before the current crisis and the idea (not even the act of) canceling a much anticipated car when they desperately need to capture and retain customers is another example in a long line of examples of poor decisions.

I made no accusations, just stated my opinion. I don't take offense to your rebuke so don't take this the wrong way, but maybe you should do some research and work on you reading comprehension.

yes, they got financial assistance from the government, but it has to be repaid... unlike the wall street handouts. just wanted to make sure that distinction was made.

the camaro is built on the zetaII platform. it's based on the existing platform, but it has some redesigns and improvements (mainly for conforming to north american safety standards and making manufacturing cheaper, but also to update and tweak the suspension). the camaro has also been under R&D since 2006 when the zeta was fresh off the boards & still needing tweaks.

i definitely never said that gm hasn't been making bad decisions in the past that were only worsened by the recession because that's one of the big factors in this mess. many companies have been making bad decisions, and it took the financial problems to really expose them.

[RPO F55]

Disappointing, but a sign of the times I guess.....



GM shelves Camaro convertible, Z28

4-cylinder engine option is also on hold


Jamie LaReau
Automotive News
March 23, 2009 - 12:01 am ET

DETROIT — General Motors has delayed indefinitely the Chevrolet Camaro convertible and Z28 high-performance variant to save cash, sources say.

GM also has tabled plans to add a four-cylinder engine version of the Camaro. GM is starting to ship the Camaro to dealers this week.

Insiders say executives hope to restore the convertible to GM's product plan. GM originally had wanted to launch a convertible in 2010 and bring out the Z28 soon afterward.

"Neither one has been outright canceled," says Terry Rhadigan, a Chevrolet spokesman. Rhadigan said GM will seek to bring out the convertible in 2011.

The Z28 was to have challenged two rival performance muscle cars — the Shelby GT500 version of the Ford Mustang and Dodge's Challenger SRT8.

Plans for a four-cylinder engine for the Camaro lost appeal as gasoline prices dipped and the Camaro scored well on federal fuel-economy tests.

Last year, Vice Chairman Bob Lutz said GM was considering the same four-cylinder engine for the Camaro that GM uses in the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky roadsters. The 2.0-liter turbocharged direct-injection engine is rated at 260 hp in those cars.

Gene Stefanyshyn, GM's vehicle line executive for performance cars, said cheaper gasoline played a role in shelving the smaller engine.

"We're looking at it. We don't have anything approved," Stefanyshyn said at a press event here last week. "But with gas $1.78 a gallon, we have to weigh where we put our poker chips."

Another source familiar with GM product plans confirmed that the four-cylinder for the Camaro is dead for "the time being."

Not only have fuel prices leveled out, but GM surpassed its own estimated highway mileage rating of 27 mpg for the V-6 Camaro. The EPA last week rated that vehicle at 29 mpg in highway driving.

The strong fuel-economy performance of the 3.6-liter, 304-hp V-6 lessens the need to offer a four-cylinder engine, sources say.

GM also offers a 6.2-liter V-8 in two versions, making 400 hp and 426 hp.

GM began building the Camaro, which starts at $22,995, including shipping, on Monday, March 16. GM estimates that it will take until May or June to fill the 14,000 sold orders in hand.

[Hylton]

I know it's disappointing but I think it's a good move.

[SSmoked]

IMO theirs no way in hell a 4cyl is gona power a 3500 pound camaro. honestly unless its a twin turbo 4cyl pushen at least 300hp at aint gona do much. but at that hp its even with the v6?? why is gm doing something so stupid. dont invest that money into a 4cyl camaro invest it in a cobalt or something. imo there aint gona be alot of people wanting a 4cyl muscle car.

[Hylton]

Originally Posted by SSmoked

IMO theirs no way in hell a 4cyl is gona power a 3500 pound camaro. honestly unless its a twin turbo 4cyl pushen at least 300hp at aint gona do much. but at that hp its even with the v6?? why is gm doing something so stupid. dont invest that money into a 4cyl camaro invest it in a cobalt or something. imo there aint gona be alot of people wanting a 4cyl muscle car.

The 350 in an '81 Z/28 (3600 lbs) was 185hp so 250hp will work with a 3800 lbs 2010 Camaro.

[DDustiNN]

Originally Posted by RPO F55

DETROIT — General Motors has delayed indefinitely the Chevrolet Camaro convertible and Z28 high-performance variant to save cash, sources say.

"Neither one has been outright canceled," says Terry Rhadigan, a Chevrolet spokesman. Rhadigan said GM will seek to bring out the convertible in 2011.

WTF? These two statements completely contradict each other...?

Originally Posted by RPO F55

GM began building the Camaro, which starts at $22,995, including shipping, on Monday, March 16. GM estimates that it will take until May or June to fill the 14,000 sold orders in hand.

This is good news... that's about when I was expecting to see mine

[GothamCamaro]

The Z28 I knew would be shelved for a while, the convertible I didn't see coming. I wonder how that affects some of the guys that were waiting on the convertible. There were a couple of senior members that I recall.

The 4 cyl. Camaro, yeah great idea when were at $4 per gallon but with the incredible mpg on the V6, no worries on working on that.

GM is making smart moves, they need to recover.

[cam2fst4u]

i know there was alot of people that was waiting on the vert. going to be some dissapointed people. wasn't the only dif between the SS and Z28 going to be a supercharger and maybe some wheels or something?

[teamlynn1]

Not sure if this has been posted yet guys but CRAPOLA!






GM shelves Camaro convertible, Z28

4-cylinder engine option is also on hold


Jamie LaReau
Automotive News
March 23, 2009 - 12:01 am ET

DETROIT — General Motors has delayed indefinitely the Chevrolet Camaro convertible and Z28 high-performance variant to save cash, sources say.

GM also has tabled plans to add a four-cylinder engine version of the Camaro. GM is starting to ship the Camaro to dealers this week.

Insiders say executives hope to restore the convertible to GM's product plan. GM originally had wanted to launch a convertible in 2010 and bring out the Z28 soon afterward.

"Neither one has been outright canceled," says Terry Rhadigan, a Chevrolet spokesman. Rhadigan said GM will seek to bring out the convertible in 2011.

The Z28 was to have challenged two rival performance muscle cars — the Shelby GT500 version of the Ford Mustang and Dodge's Challenger SRT8.

Plans for a four-cylinder engine for the Camaro lost appeal as gasoline prices dipped and the Camaro scored well on federal fuel-economy tests.

Last year, Vice Chairman Bob Lutz said GM was considering the same four-cylinder engine for the Camaro that GM uses in the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky roadsters. The 2.0-liter turbocharged direct-injection engine is rated at 260 hp in those cars.


Camaro fuel economy
ENGINE CITY HIGHWAY
V-6 auto. 18 mpg 29 mpg
V-6 man. 17 mpg 29 mpg
V-8 auto. 16 mpg 25 mpg
V-8 man. 16 mpg 24 mpg
Source: EPA





Gene Stefanyshyn, GM's vehicle line executive for performance cars, said cheaper gasoline played a role in shelving the smaller engine.

"We're looking at it. We don't have anything approved," Stefanyshyn said at a press event here last week. "But with gas $1.78 a gallon, we have to weigh where we put our poker chips."

Another source familiar with GM product plans confirmed that the four-cylinder for the Camaro is dead for "the time being."

Not only have fuel prices leveled out, but GM surpassed its own estimated highway mileage rating of 27 mpg for the V-6 Camaro. The EPA last week rated that vehicle at 29 mpg in highway driving.

The strong fuel-economy performance of the 3.6-liter, 304-hp V-6 lessens the need to offer a four-cylinder engine, sources say.

GM also offers a 6.2-liter V-8 in two versions, making 400 hp and 426 hp.

GM began building the Camaro, which starts at $22,995, including shipping, on Monday, March 16. GM estimates that it will take until May or June to fill the 14,000 sold orders in hand.

Richard Truett contributed to this report

[camarogreg@evs]

In today's issue of Automotive News...GM says the convertible and Z28 are "Shelved". It mentions the convertible may be built in 2011 but no mention of the future of the Z28.

Read full story here...
http://www.corvetteconti.com/blog/?p=6246

[TheCaptain]

Why... i want a convertible!!! Well, when it does get released, i should be able to pay cash for it!