NAIAS: Camaro to get 2 V6's and a V8??

[JT87]

Excerpt from Autoblog's interview with Chevy's General Manager Ed Peper
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Autoblog: The styling's been a hit for both the coupe and the convertible. How closely are you looking to match the concept's styling -- especially the interior -- on the production version of the Camaro.
Ed Peper: It's going to be very, very close. I have seen the production coupe, and if you saw the two of them side by side -- the production coupe and the concept coupe we introduced last year -- you wouldn't be able to tell the difference. It is very minute. I mean, obviously you have to make some exceptions when translating a concept to production, but it's going to be very, very close. This is not like a wild concept that we come back and can't realistically build the same sort of vehicle for production. No, it is going to be very close.

Autoblog: Have you guys arrived at a final decision for the top powertrain?

Ed Peper: No, not yet. We will have a V8, a couple of V6s -- you know, we'll have a fuel efficient V6 and we'll have a high performing V6 and we will have a high performing V8 but we haven't settled on the engine in that yet.
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The rest of the interview is here. He touches on many topics including the Chevy Volt, the SS brand, the new Tundra, and a bit on the possibility of an Impala concept:
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/11/d...with-ed-peper/

[spaz]

i guess we'll have a choice of a pushrod v6 (probly the 3900 or the 3.6HF. the 3.6 would make a pretty nice RS package.

[big swede]

Kinda strange for this car but I guess more choices are better. If he's talking about a fuel efficient V6 it has to be the 3.5 and a performance V6 has to be the 3.6 D.I. Personaly I would rather see one "economy" V6 and a midlevel V8 like the 5.3. I think 300hp in the 5.3 would be cheaper than the 3.6 while giving more torque and a better sound for a pony car. Then you could add a higher performance V8 for the G-force junkies.

[Brglotus]

I agree, the RS option should have a DOD 5.3 V8, not a V6. I also hope GM puts a different engine in for the SS then the Z28 and not just Ram air package. I say 3 different V8's and only one V6 engine should be available.

[elderon]

This is great news! I was thinking the interior wouldnt be very close to the concept at all.

As for the engine choices - there will probably be 2 V6's and 1 V8 at launch and then some higher output V8 later on I'm guessing.

[vncj96]

I am not to sure about the DI V6 granted if they used it it would help to offset the cost of the engine company wide in more applications but I think the DOD 5.3 would be a better fit. Keep the engines in the camaro simple(no OHC) Plus having the 327 in it again has a better ring to it.

[Z28x]

The DI 3.6L is the most efficient and will offer over 300HP. Why use HV V6 that gets less mileage and puts out far less HP?

[jbartley]

Originally Posted by Brglotus

I agree, the RS option should have a DOD 5.3 V8, not a V6. I also hope GM puts a different engine in for the SS then the Z28 and not just Ram air package. I say 3 different V8's and only one V6 engine should be available.

I agree. I would think GM would be saving the DI V6 for more upscale vehicles.

[01cavalier]

The first thing that came to my mind is a normal V6 and then a turbo or supercharged version. Not sure why, though maybe it could work. Even if they are two different engines, I would think that a second V8 option would at least be available later on.

[stevecmh]

2 V6.. and a fuel efficient one...

one does not buy a Camaro for MPGs... lol

oh well

[Evo69]

What the heck does he mean by "A" V8? This car demands multiple V8s!! I can see with the V6's, I am an advocate for a high performance natural aspirated deep breathing V6 Camaro GTX ricer killer package. But really the two top end Camaros (Z28/SS) should have V8s.

*EDIT* Is there a way one can contact Peper or any other rep to tell them about ones concern about the Camaro engine options?

[t-rex]

Since those buying V6 Camaros will be doing so for price sake, I'd say stick to the cheapest V6 you've got, the 3900. I agree with the others in thinking the 5.3 for midrange model and 6.0 for the top dog.

[IAMCANADIAN]

My guess in engines for the Camaro would be the 3.5L V6 VVT or the 3.9L V6 VVT AFM, then the 3.6L V6. Unless GM wants the Camaro to only have OHV engines, then I'd say 3.5 and 3.9, but I'm guessing it'll most likely be either 3.5/3.6 or 3.9/3.6. V8 I'm guessing will be a de-tuned 6.0L that's currently in the new Holden Commodore. The 5.3 to me doesn't seem likely for many reasons.

[CobaltSScrazy]

Originally Posted by Z28x

The DI 3.6L is the most efficient and will offer over 300HP. Why use HV V6 that gets less mileage and puts out far less HP?

I highly doubt a DI 3.6, maybe the current 3.6 used in Aura. DI should be Cadillac exclusive, at least for the next 2 years. A HV V6 can lower the pricepoint and if you offer a 2.4L I4 w/ a 6speed auto then a HV V6 then a HF V6 you are catering to the consumer and what the consumer wants. I think its a very SMART idea, especially when the HV is tried and true, cheaper, and appeals to old schools of thought in terms of 'off the line performance' (believe me I know, I got into a discussion with another GMI'er who wanted HV b/c of the torque whereas I favor economies of scale and further development of the HFV6, it was a growing and learning experience.)

CobaltSScrazy

[FordFan]

Wow.. that was unexpected. Knowing GM, I though they'd shoe every LSX engine they have in the Camaro. LS1, LS2, LS4 and LS7.