2006 Best Concept

[Ghrankenstein]

2006 Best of GMI Awards: Best Concept

Chevrolet Camaro Concept

By Ghrankenstein

Special Credit to Big Al


This award was a landslide. 2006 was a superb year for GM concept vehicles, and we’re geeked at the promising future that they imply. The Chevrolet Camaro concept, though, represents more. No other concept vehicle, GM or otherwise, has come so tantalizingly close to offering so much to so many.

Big Al says: Camaro. Only because 250 enthusiasts dont drive, fly, bus or take a train hundreds of miles, on their own dime, to see hyrbid cars or crossovers.

The Camaro is, short of the GMT-900 Silverado and Sierra, GM’s cornerstone of appeal, the expression of her ability to produce a vehicle that is both affordable and aspirational, and that, like the Corvette, appeals to car enthusiasts of all ages.

The Camaro concept had to usurp center stage, and it exceeded even the most optimistic expectations.

In recent years GM and Chevrolet have played the “heritage” card, and have offered some good products in the aftermath. GM’s most competitive recent vehicles, though, have largely been non-heritage, and two of our favorites have been from resurgent Saturn. This is great for Saturn, and great for GM, but future Saturns, and future great vehicles from all other GM branches will ultimately be funded by the success of Chevrolet.

We’re encouraged, and even jealous as non-Chevrolet retailers, by the teaser pictures of the 2008 Malibu’s interior, and by the spy photos and candid testimonials of its exterior resemblance to the heritage-inspired SS Concept. We think that the 2008 model year will revive the Chevrolet Malibu as America’s family sedan, but we also agree that the world-class Corvette’s halo effect on the rest of the already high-quality Chevrolet lineup is minimal in comparison with what such a chillingly beautiful Camaro could bring.

Big Al says: The body lines, the fender flares, the grill, everything. Showing first gen heritage with modern flare from the Corvette, bringing both old and new together, this car just flexed, oozed, emitted, and sounded every bit Camaro. When I saw it at New York, the hair still stood on the back of my neck...and again when I went back...and again when I saw it at Englishtown Raceway on the Power Tour...and every time I minimize my windows and have my desktop come up, there has not been a car that has hooked me this hard ever.

Al is younger than I am, and like many GMI members, he’s talking about a vehicle that he could afford to own with a regular person’s job and a good driving record. At the same time, Al is speaking about a vehicle much like my former 2002 Z-28, whose owners will rarely fail to take a fond parting glance upon leaving, and frequently gaze toward in disbelief that one of modest means could own an object of such beauty and power. I’m sure that Al would gladly sell my liver to have one, if it had any real market value. Conversely, I’d gladly eat Big Al’s brain for the opportunity to throw the new Camaro into a pond. Among performance enthusiasts, the Camaro concept showed us what we wished could be within our grasp.

Big Al says: I want one because not only does the car look amazing, but the Chevrolet Camaro has become part of my family. I look forward to purchasing my own in the future.

The vast majority of us who saw the Camaro concept thought the same thing. Most of us have had vehicles that are so beloved, and such objects of passion, that they have nearly become family members. Many are vintage pickups, many are Corvettes, and others run the gamut from old Nissan Sentras to BMW 540is. Those vehicles share stalwart passion and loyalty, and Chevrolet learned the hard way that she cannot abandon such a market.

The Camaro Concept has unequivocally proven that Chevrolet still has passion and performance in its genes. She only needs to sell us what she has promised. GM’s latest string of products suggests that Chevrolet will do no less. If Chevrolet takes the high road, hundreds or thousands of us on GMI, just like Big Al, will look forward to taking delivery of Camaros in the future.


Paul8488’s Take- Chevrolet WTCC Ultra: Even if it loses half its oomph in transition between concept and production, it'll still be the best looking little car on the road.

[throwback]

Not surprised the Camaro won. But the best concept for 2006 is the Aero-X, I don't think anyone predicted a SAAB would ever take center stage at a major auto show.

[FoMoCo Fan]

That Saab was very cool. The Giugiaro Mustang was nice as well. (when it comes to non GM products)

[DuSpinnst]

Aero X would be Most Suprising Concept, the Camaro we KNEW was going to be good. The Aero X (and the Efigy down in Australia) where just pulled out of NOWHERE and are AWESOME concepts.

[asim]

Whoo! Now we can't just wait for production. I hope the production model just doesn't lose all of it's great appeal that it had in the show car.

[johnstarnes]

Originally Posted by FoMoCo Fan

That Saab was very cool. The Giugiaro Mustang was nice as well. (when it comes to non GM products)

Yes I love the Saab Aero-X but am blown away by the Mazda Navare (sp?) just recently unveiled....the "flow" design concept. GORGEOUS!

[FBODYRULES]

good, I love that cool

[GM_Fanatic]

The Saab Aero-X deserves honorable mention at the very least, but I admit, it didn't stand a chance against the Camaro.

[stevecmh]

without a doubt.... but i will be very excited when it turns being no longer a concept

[bryce miller]

i like it but hope the production car stays as cool

[99Hugger]

Well duh.

[ByTheLake]

I'm not a Camaro fan but GM needs to give the Mustang (and Challenger) a little competition. I think Camaro will sell, especially early on. Let's hope its a product that will sustain itself and not fade away after a few years.

[stevews602]

I'm just hoping GM does not cut too many corners with the production Camaro. They need to get this on right.

[jc7222]

Camaro?????
Absolutely NOT!!!!!
Saab Aero X hands down.
Anything that can upstage a Ferrari must be hot.
If GM were to come out with a super sports car that looked like that but, had a Chevy or Pontiac badge I am sure the results would be different.
While the Camaro may be more significant to GM, it is definitely not the best concept.

I am seriously considering getting a Camaro but, should GM get any sense at all and make that Aero X, 10 times out of 10, I would buy the Aero X over any Camaro.

The only thing "best" about the Camaro over the Aero X is that GM is actually going to make it.

I see the Camaro as that hot girl next door. But the Aero X is the supermodel.

[tripowergto]

Originally Posted by jc7222

I see the Camaro as that hot girl next door. But the Aero X is the supermodel.

Just as it should be!! The hot girl next store is attainable and relatively low maintence while you'll never attain or want to maintain the supermodel.