Lutz Takes Camaro For a Ride Down Under

**BigAls87Z28** · 10-11-2007, 07:12 PM

http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/archives...ul_w.html#more

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Lutz

One I can sort of talk about is the Camaro. We had the first fully representative prototype with close to final surfaces standing at track side. It looked as awesome as the concept, and the blotchy black/white camo scheme could not destroy the great stance and proportion. The body fits were already better than what came off the line a few years ago. The interior had some hand-made plastic parts and showed some gaps, but was remarkable for the first car.

I got to drive it first, not only because “rank has its privileges,” but because I didn't want anyone stuffing it into a barrier before I got to drive.

Twisting the key produced a muted rumble from the big V8. We pulled away smoothly in the first cog of the new, slick, six-speed manual. Depressing the accelerator shifted the world into fast forward, with three or four more quick upshifts. The car had just been completed and had had no tuning or finessing. But I loved the response, the sound, the steering and the brakes. There's more work to be done, for sure, and the group knows it. They still have time for further development. The goal of the team led by Gene Stefanyshyn is to produce the finest car in its class, ever. Do I think they will get there? I wouldn't bet against that team!

Amazing!! Glad to see that a preproduction car is ready to go, and is able to be driven, and driven hard!! Sounds like the CTS's trans is going to hold up just fine to the V8 power. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK GM!

bballer113 · 10-11-2007, 07:21 PM

Damn, waiting sucks

01cavalier · 10-11-2007, 07:33 PM

Yes, it does, if only there was a LOT less time between concept and production...

CamaroCrazy · 10-11-2007, 07:37 PM

I want to see that picture Lutz was talking about. A production Camaro in camo is better than nothing! In time I suppose....

poncho1982 · 10-11-2007, 07:39 PM

OMG I cannot wait.

I want to see the spy shots....

I want to see them on the road....

I JUST WANT ONE!!!!!!

KIDDIESEL79 · 10-11-2007, 07:42 PM

Blue balled.

PontiacBixler · 10-11-2007, 07:46 PM

way too long to have to wait now. Still at least 18 months away from getting one on the lots..... Should have never brought it out 2 years ago at the NAIAS..... Last year should have been the first year we saw it, OR it should be released next spring at the LATEST.

bballer113 · 10-11-2007, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PontiacBixler

way too long to have to wait now. Still at least 18 months away from getting one on the lots..... Should have never brought it out 2 years ago at the NAIAS..... Last year should have been the first year we saw it, OR it should be released next spring at the LATEST.

I would be down for next spring 4-real.

**JoeT** · 10-11-2007, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Lutz

The Wonderful World of Oz. I just completed one of my better business trips! It was to Australia, always a favorite destination. Beautiful country and nice people… and also, happily, home of Holden and the internationally sourced product development team working on our global rear-wheel-drive cars.

I have never experienced an automotive company, including my three years at BMW, that has so much passion for excellence and dedication to the product. It’s contagious. Oz is a nation where the “car-guys” (both genders) rule, at least at Holden. I just love the palpable air of the "we want to win" spirit that this team exudes.

Gotta love this man! He knows a great car, company, people and nation when he see's one!

coaster.n3rd · 10-11-2007, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KIDDIESEL79

Blue balled.

the size of gibralter.

steverino · 10-11-2007, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PontiacBixler

way too long to have to wait now. Still at least 18 months away from getting one on the lots..... Should have never brought it out 2 years ago at the NAIAS..... Last year should have been the first year we saw it, OR it should be released next spring at the LATEST.

Should have never been shown. Just spring it on the public and let the Chevy dealerships come under seige by rabid enthusiasts, film it, and as they say "a picture is worth a thousand words". Could save millions in advertising

genjy · 10-11-2007, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PontiacBixler

way too long to have to wait now. Still at least 18 months away from getting one on the lots..... Should have never brought it out 2 years ago at the NAIAS..... Last year should have been the first year we saw it, OR it should be released next spring at the LATEST.

I've always felt GM should have premiered the Camaro in the Transformers movie.

The Camaro concept was pretty much ancient news by the time Transformers came out.

**zete** · 10-11-2007, 09:19 PM

I've always wondered if they'd build the first year in Australia. A small run, maybe 20 or 30,000 as a stop gap until Oshawa is fully up. It'd be an interesting thing for the factory to do. Instead of a GTO they build a few Camaros, bring them out as 2009s.

One can dream.

GrandPrixGt02 · 10-11-2007, 09:21 PM

^^^agreed, and hopefully it will stand up to the Challenger power for power.

AndrewGS · 10-11-2007, 09:27 PM

It would be cool to have a picture of Lutz driving the car, even if you couldn't tell much about the details or anything, just something to say "we're on it."

10-11-2007, 07:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
bballer113 2.4 Liter SIDI ECOTEC Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Dallas. Texas Drives: 07' Sunburst Orange Cobalt SS/SC Posts: 340	Re: Lutz Takes Camaro For a Ride Damn, waiting sucks __________________ Current ride: 07' Sunburst Orange Cobalt SS/SC

10-11-2007, 07:33 PM	#3 (permalink)
01cavalier 7.0 Liter LS7 V8 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Casa Grande, AZ Drives: 2007 Cobalt, 2001 Ford Ranger Posts: 4,810	Re: Lutz Takes Camaro For a Ride Yes, it does, if only there was a LOT less time between concept and production... __________________ No longer have the Cavalier, now it's a Cobalt!

10-11-2007, 07:37 PM	#4 (permalink)
CamaroCrazy 3.0 Liter SIDI V6 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Cary, NC Drives: 1994 Camaro Z28 2000 Camaro Posts: 734	Re: Lutz Takes Camaro For a Ride I want to see that picture Lutz was talking about. A production Camaro in camo is better than nothing! In time I suppose.... __________________ Webshots: My Camaros, the Camaro Concepts, and the Sunoco Camaro in action at VIR The Typical Honda/Toyota driver: You are bland and boring and risk-averse. Not to mention you could care less about buying a foreign junk car. These are dependable cars, no doubt, but lack any substance or style. Crappy handling and worse styling. Screams "I have no style or class and live a boring, meager existence. Please let me get over into the exit lane." ~ Posted by Steve11115555 on Forbes.com

10-11-2007, 07:39 PM	#5 (permalink)
poncho1982 2.8 Liter Turbocharged V6 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Columbus, Ohio Drives: 1995 Camaro Z28 Posts: 972	Re: Lutz Takes Camaro For a Ride OMG I cannot wait. I want to see the spy shots.... I want to see them on the road.... I JUST WANT ONE!!!!!! __________________ "It's starting to hit me like a ....ummmm... two ton heavy thing" Current car: 1995 Camaro Z28 Current Car #2 : 1998 Monte Carlo

10-11-2007, 07:42 PM	#6 (permalink)
KIDDIESEL79 2.8 Liter Turbocharged V6 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 804	Re: Lutz Takes Camaro For a Ride Blue balled.

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10-11-2007, 07:46 PM	#7 (permalink)
PontiacBixler 3.6 Liter SIDI V6 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: NY Drives: 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Posts: 1,117	Re: Lutz Takes Camaro For a Ride way too long to have to wait now. Still at least 18 months away from getting one on the lots..... Should have never brought it out 2 years ago at the NAIAS..... Last year should have been the first year we saw it, OR it should be released next spring at the LATEST. __________________ What is happening to the GM that grew up with for these many decades? If I could I would institute a hostile take over and kick the entire board and executives out and fill the positions with creative minds under the age of 35.

10-11-2007, 09:19 PM	#13 (permalink)
zete GMI Staff Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: NCR, Great White North Posts: 5,304	Re: Lutz Takes Camaro For a Ride Down Under I've always wondered if they'd build the first year in Australia. A small run, maybe 20 or 30,000 as a stop gap until Oshawa is fully up. It'd be an interesting thing for the factory to do. Instead of a GTO they build a few Camaros, bring them out as 2009s. One can dream.

10-11-2007, 09:21 PM	#14 (permalink)
GrandPrixGt02 2.4 Liter SIDI ECOTEC Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 152	Re: Lutz Takes Camaro For a Ride Down Under ^^^agreed, and hopefully it will stand up to the Challenger power for power. __________________ 1995 Chevy Beretta (soon to be turbo charged) 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix Gt coming soon: Cadillac CTS-V or Trailblazer SS or GTO 6.0 M6

10-11-2007, 09:27 PM	#15 (permalink)
AndrewGS 6.2 Liter LS9 Supercharged V8 Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Spring, TX, MX (Houston) Drives: Clunker Posts: 8,439	Re: Lutz Takes Camaro For a Ride Down Under It would be cool to have a picture of Lutz driving the car, even if you couldn't tell much about the details or anything, just something to say "we're on it." __________________ Andrew - MySpace - Flickr - KD5FHW 1995 Buick Roadmaster Limited - They'll pry this "clunker" from my cold, dead hands! 2005 Chevrolet Silverado C1500 LS ♫ *Listen to the death march... whoo-hoo... of America!* ♫ *- Bearing the General Motors Mark of Excellence*

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