Will there be future V-8 Camaros? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

MikesZ · 07-11-2009, 01:26 PM

With the government now owning 60% of GM, and the with the 2016 CAFE requirements looming, I have to wonder if there will be a future V-8 powered Camaro.

GM would need to seriously trim their product line, starting with eliminating repeating products e.g. the Sierra and Silverado are essentially the same vehicle, the Sierra just being a fancied-up Silverado. If not for financial reasons alone.

Even with the Cruze, Volt, and Spark added to the mix, it seems the number of vehicles that could be awarded a V-8 will be limited.

Since you couldn't offer a Silverado, Tahoe, or Corvette without a V-8, then I wonder how the V-8 powered Camaro could survive into the next generation.

I can only hope that Mr. Henderson and Mr. Lutz are considering these issues as well.

I could see a very beautiful DI V-6 Camaro and a DI V-8 Camaro in the future...lighter cars with great power, handling, and performance but also with much improved fuel efficiency.

I hope GM can shed its old skin, eliminate the junk and repeats in their line, and move on to a new range of the world's best vehicles.

Mostly, I just hope.

stovt001 · 07-11-2009, 02:52 PM

A few problems I have with your post

1. Redundant GMC models are here to stay. Despite the implosion of the truck-as-luxury vehicle market, GM thinks there is value there. I would sharply disagree, but there you are.

2. Who says you need a V8 in a Silverado and Tahoe? The new DI V6 is making power similar to the lower end V8s in those vehicles. A high powered truck-specific V6 with an emphasis on torque is certainly not out of the question.

3. The question isn't the number of models with a certain type of engine. The question is the quantity sold of each model. That's the real unknown here. The problem with CAFE is that it does nothing to influence consumer behavior. So when 2016 rolls around, if gas prices are low and consumers are buying lots of trucks and SUVs, then GM will have a CAFE problem and will have to somehow limit lower-fuel economy models despite public demand for them. If, on the other hand, gas prices go high again and GM sells a ton of Cruzes, Volts, 4 cyl Malibus and Equinox/Terrains, then there will be room under CAFE regulations to sell V8 cars and SUVs, in a more limited quantity.

4. You are right on in your concern about government ownership. Normal business sense dictates you wouldn't kill off a profitable, high-demand vehicle like the Camaro SS just to make some trendy political statement, but the government clearly doesn't think that way. In the same way they want to torpedo GM's recovery by forcing them to keep a bloated dealer network, I can see them torpedoing a good-selling product.

MikesZ · 07-11-2009, 03:11 PM

All my friends, neighbors, and co-workers who own Silverados and Tahoes all have the more powerful V-8 versions and would never opt for the less powerful V-6. It just doesn't happen.

FNKNSTN · 07-11-2009, 03:26 PM

This isn't about the number of cylinders a car has, it's about fuel efficiency... AND MAKING CARS THAT PEOPLE WANT TO BUY. If millions of people want to buy a Camaro with a V12 in it, then GM will make a Camaro with a V12 in it.

Right now I'm driving my SS and I'm getting more than double the mileage that my 77 Silverado with a 350 engine gets. I'm filling up my tank maybe twice a month now, instead of once every 3 days of driving to work.

And you're forgetting the point....

GM was a huge company that was making a lot of different cars that people didn't want to buy. They went deep into debt... and the government is GM's life support.

Look at Europe. They drive a bunch of funny little cars that I would never drive... then again, they also MAKE some top line sports cars that I'd love to drive.

The 300-400+ horsepower engines are here to stay.

Not many British hauling loads like these, huh? But it's an everyday thing in Southern California.

Can't do any of this with a Mini

MikesZ · 07-11-2009, 03:30 PM

Yes, mountain terrain and hauling are the reasons my associates all drive V-8 powered trucks and SUV's. For those vehicles, they want the power of the V-8. I drive a funny little car right now. I hate it. I look forward to getting back into at least a V-6. If they put a DI V-8 in the Camaros, then I will get the SS.

Supermans · 07-11-2009, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FNKNSTN

This isn't about the number of cylinders a car has, it's about fuel efficiency... AND MAKING CARS THAT PEOPLE WANT TO BUY. If millions of people want to buy a Camaro with a V12 in it, then GM will make a Camaro with a V12 in it.

I agree with you that this is the way old GM would have operated.. However under new government motors GM, it simply is no longer the case anymore.. THe Government, while run by "green minded" environmentalists will do whatever it takes to force you into buying the types of vehicles they want you to buy and drive.. You have to throw out demand in this case since the Government has little to no incentive in making short term money when there goal is longterm infrastructure change.. In other words, subsidizing fuel efficient vehicles most people don't desire in the form of "cash for clunker" programs and "money back discounts" or "tax breaks" on hybrids..The government is paying you (in the form of taxes that we give them) to pick certain cars over the ones you want or desire..

The dream of our current administration would be if all of us suddenly got out and bought a Prius.. It is as simple as that...

MikesZ · 07-11-2009, 03:52 PM

Yep, don't you want one of those solar-paneled roofed cars? Oh I forgot, you may still be able to get a G8 wagon as the other alternative.

07-11-2009, 01:26 PM	#1
MikesZ Group Provocateur Drives: Long Distances Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,021	Will there be future V-8 Camaros? With the government now owning 60% of GM, and the with the 2016 CAFE requirements looming, I have to wonder if there will be a future V-8 powered Camaro. GM would need to seriously trim their product line, starting with eliminating repeating products e.g. the Sierra and Silverado are essentially the same vehicle, the Sierra just being a fancied-up Silverado. If not for financial reasons alone. Even with the Cruze, Volt, and Spark added to the mix, it seems the number of vehicles that could be awarded a V-8 will be limited. Since you couldn't offer a Silverado, Tahoe, or Corvette without a V-8, then I wonder how the V-8 powered Camaro could survive into the next generation. I can only hope that Mr. Henderson and Mr. Lutz are considering these issues as well. I could see a very beautiful DI V-6 Camaro and a DI V-8 Camaro in the future...lighter cars with great power, handling, and performance but also with much improved fuel efficiency. I hope GM can shed its old skin, eliminate the junk and repeats in their line, and move on to a new range of the world's best vehicles. Mostly, I just hope.

07-11-2009, 02:52 PM	#2
stovt001 Drives: 2006 Cobalt, 2004 Taurus wagon Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: California Posts: 3,810	A few problems I have with your post 1. Redundant GMC models are here to stay. Despite the implosion of the truck-as-luxury vehicle market, GM thinks there is value there. I would sharply disagree, but there you are. 2. Who says you need a V8 in a Silverado and Tahoe? The new DI V6 is making power similar to the lower end V8s in those vehicles. A high powered truck-specific V6 with an emphasis on torque is certainly not out of the question. 3. The question isn't the number of models with a certain type of engine. The question is the quantity sold of each model. That's the real unknown here. The problem with CAFE is that it does nothing to influence consumer behavior. So when 2016 rolls around, if gas prices are low and consumers are buying lots of trucks and SUVs, then GM will have a CAFE problem and will have to somehow limit lower-fuel economy models despite public demand for them. If, on the other hand, gas prices go high again and GM sells a ton of Cruzes, Volts, 4 cyl Malibus and Equinox/Terrains, then there will be room under CAFE regulations to sell V8 cars and SUVs, in a more limited quantity. 4. You are right on in your concern about government ownership. Normal business sense dictates you wouldn't kill off a profitable, high-demand vehicle like the Camaro SS just to make some trendy political statement, but the government clearly doesn't think that way. In the same way they want to torpedo GM's recovery by forcing them to keep a bloated dealer network, I can see them torpedoing a good-selling product. __________________ "It's kind of fun to do the impossible" - Walt Disney There's a great big beautiful tomorrow shining at the end of every day There's a great big beautiful tomorrow Just a dream away

07-11-2009, 03:26 PM	#4
FNKNSTN Banned Drives: A Black Car Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 800	This isn't about the number of cylinders a car has, it's about fuel efficiency... AND MAKING CARS THAT PEOPLE WANT TO BUY. If millions of people want to buy a Camaro with a V12 in it, then GM will make a Camaro with a V12 in it. Right now I'm driving my SS and I'm getting more than double the mileage that my 77 Silverado with a 350 engine gets. I'm filling up my tank maybe twice a month now, instead of once every 3 days of driving to work. And you're forgetting the point.... GM was a huge company that was making a lot of different cars that people didn't want to buy. They went deep into debt... and the government is GM's life support. Look at Europe. They drive a bunch of funny little cars that I would never drive... then again, they also MAKE some top line sports cars that I'd love to drive. The 300-400+ horsepower engines are here to stay. Not many British hauling loads like these, huh? But it's an everyday thing in Southern California. Can't do any of this with a Mini Attached Images

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07-11-2009, 03:11 PM	#3
MikesZ Group Provocateur Drives: Long Distances Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,021	All my friends, neighbors, and co-workers who own Silverados and Tahoes all have the more powerful V-8 versions and *would never opt for the less powerful V-6*. It just doesn't happen.

07-11-2009, 03:30 PM	#5
MikesZ Group Provocateur Drives: Long Distances Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,021	Yes, mountain terrain and hauling are the reasons my associates all drive V-8 powered trucks and SUV's. For those vehicles, they want the power of the V-8. I drive a funny little car right now. I hate it. I look forward to getting back into at least a V-6. If they put a DI V-8 in the Camaros, then I will get the SS.

07-11-2009, 03:52 PM	#7
MikesZ Group Provocateur Drives: Long Distances Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,021	Yep, don't you want one of those solar-paneled roofed cars? Oh I forgot, you *may* still be able to get a G8 wagon as the other alternative.