2016 CAFE Standards: Fear Not!

[stovt001]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

Don't expect a radical weight reduction by switching to any platform if you want to keep your saftey, IRS, and 400hp...I would expect a savings of 200-300lbs at the most.

Even the M3 with all it's exotic materials still weighs some 3700lbs.

Just sayin'.

Oh absolutely 200-300 pounds is all we can really hope for, but I find that a perfectly good weight reduction. 3400-3500 lbs is about par for the midsize coupe segment. So if we're there for the 6th Gen, with 400-ish hp, we're looking really good, IMO.

The thing with the M3 is that it is loaded with luxury features you wouldn't expect in a Camaro anyway, and those things add to weight. My hope is those exotic materials become cost effective due to technological advances and economies of scale so that we can reasonably expect those same materials on the 6th Gen. That is just a hope for now, but by the time comes for a platform change we may get lucky.

Easier weight reduction, without needing exotic materials or a new platform, are the individual items like the seats. What bothers me is that GM made them only partially powered. So you have all the extra weight without the benefits of a power system. Just make them a simple full manual system and put the savings into a trimmer, lighter seat.

[MikesZ]

Both Kevlar/carbon-fiber and Kevlar/aluminum are reported to be cost-effective lightweight, durable materials.

[Dan]

Originally Posted by MikesZ

Both Kevlar/carbon-fiber and Kevlar/aluminum are reported to be cost-effective lightweight, durable materials.

Cost effective?? Uh not on this planet they aren't. Making a Camaro out of those will easily drive it into Corvette price territory which would kill it. You can daydream all you want about 3400 lb cars but with today's and future safety standards those days are gone forever.

[stovt001]

Gone forever? Hardly. Technology won't stop here, and although I'm no expert I think it is safe to say we'll make advances in making lighter-weight materials that are affordable. Since that is really the big ticket to fuel economy now, expect to see significant research efforts in that area.

[Super83Z]

Originally Posted by MikesZ

. GM sold over 64,000 1982 Camaros and over 62,000 1983 Camaros.

Actual production numbers for those 2 years:

1982 Camaros: 189,747

1983 Camaros: 154,831

And Firebird just in case you were wondering:

1982: 116,364

1983: 74,884

[MikesZ]

Yes, Super83Z, you are right. I misquoted the figures. The 64,000 in 1982 and 62,000 in 1983 were just the Camaro Z-28 models!!!!!

[MikesZ]

As for weight... the 2010 Honda Accord 271hp V-6 (fully loaded with Sunroof, power leather, etc.) comes in at under 3400 pounds, so I'm sure GM could design a sport coupe the comes in at the same (or less) weight.

[toehead93]

Add a V-8 or FI to the V-6 and you're already increasing the weight. The next Camaro will have Direct Inject V8 to increase efficiency and power. Realistically looking at the future, from this point, I don't see the Camaro ever weighing less than 3,500#. I think 3600-3700# range is the most realistic unless some of the more exotic lightweight materials become more affordable. And of course that could happen over the next 5-10 years.

[ud_lose]

I think we will see some carbon-fiber panels and a DI V8 making around 30-35mpg (400+HP) average. Soon.

[Supermans]

Originally Posted by Vash

Agree there is no way they have the money, time, resources or desire to change platforms right now. This will be at least a 5-10+ year platform run.

[KJS]

...remember that history has a way of repeating itself.
Think back to 1974...think ahead to 20106 and I see a Camaro II (sound familiar boys and girls) built on the Aveo platform with a hybrid engine/motor getting 50 mpg....

Oh you're laughing now but come the next mideast disaster, oil crisis and price spike and voila instant econo-maro II. :(

Stay tuned...

[MikesZ]

No, there will not be a "Camaro II" but likely a somewhat lighter car (using some composite materials) with improved engine technology. A 30-35 mpg 400+ DI V-8? That would be awesome!