Next-gen Chevrolet Camaro to ride on Alpha platform, shrink

Marty Howard · **Posted:** Fri Feb 05, 2010 3:13 pm

We’ve already reported that the next-generation Ford Mustang will be moving down size, and a new report suggests the next Chevrolet Camaro will be making a similar move. The next-generation Camaro is expected to bow in 2014 as a 2015 model.

According to Motor Trend, General Motors has given the green light to a plan to build the next-generation Camaro on a version of the company’s upcoming Alpha platform. The rear-wheel drive Alpha platform will also underpin Cadillac’s future ATS model and is even tipped to be the foundation for the next CTS.

As the Alpha platform will underpin three separate GM models, at least two different wheelbases are expected – a shorter version for the Camaro and ATS and a longer version for the next CTS. The next Camaro’s wheelbase should stay similar to today’s car, but look for its overall length to shrink by as much as a foot. This formula should allow GM to take advantage of the CAFE “footprint” calculation for required fuel economy.

Unfortunately for V8 lovers, the Camaro’s engine bay will also be downsizing. The next-generation Camaro SS will likely ditch its V8 powerplant in favor of a turbocharged or supercharged version of GM’s 3.6L direct-injection V6. Although total horsepower will likely slide from the current SS, the next Camaro will be lighter than the current car, allowing for equal – if not better – performance.

http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-next ... -size.html

Jason Mauldin · **Posted:** Fri Feb 05, 2010 3:22 pm

Marty Howard wrote:

Unfortunately for V8 lovers, the Camaro’s engine bay will also be downsizing. The next-generation Camaro SS will likely ditch its V8 powerplant in favor of a turbocharged or supercharged version of GM’s 3.6L direct-injection V6. Although total horsepower will likely slide from the current SS, the next Camaro will be lighter than the current car, allowing for equal – if not better – performance.

Hello Ford,

Increase production of the Mustang...

Marty Howard · **Posted:** Fri Feb 05, 2010 3:34 pm

yeah, I am having a really hard time seeing GM making a non-v8 car and keeping the Camaro name on it. But who knows this day and age.

Jason Mauldin · **Posted:** Fri Feb 05, 2010 3:39 pm

Maybe it'll work. Ford seems to have a winner in the Mustang, and they developed that car by listening to the people who were actually buying the cars.

This new camaro sounds like GM is trying to build a car for the people who "claim" they would buy a camaro. Good luck with that.

Richard Casto · **Posted:** Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:42 pm

I think back in 2008 when the new Camaro was announced, I predicted in a thread here that it would be gone in five years. While the name might stay, I might be right about the classic v8 muscle car.

Pete Guthrie · **Posted:** Fri Feb 05, 2010 6:09 pm

we will see what becomes of the camaro. dieselpower magazine is full of less than attractive rumors as well.. we will see what happens.. a camaro w/o a v8 is not a camaro

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Fri Feb 05, 2010 7:46 pm

Ford already tried a downsized Front Wheel Drive replacement for the Mustang. Fortunately before it was too late they changed the name to Probe and kept the Mustang.

Tell me more about the future downsized Mustang mentioned in the article. I haven't seen that. A slightly smaller Mustang might be nice if they can keep a V-8.

Pete Guthrie · **Posted:** Fri Feb 05, 2010 8:29 pm

i wonder if it is another mustang 2... hahahaha. what a dog.

i saw a maverick today. didnt know they were still around. camaro.. why not put the 640 hp blower v8 into the camaro... mmmmmm nice.

Kevin Harvey · **Posted:** Sat Feb 06, 2010 10:49 pm

Pete Guthrie wrote:

i wonder if it is another mustang 2... hahahaha. what a dog.

My exact thoughts...

WELCOME TO 1974!!!!!! I look forward to owning another '76 Mustang II Ghia. :cry:

Marty Howard · **Posted:** Sat Feb 06, 2010 10:50 pm

The Mustang is supposidly getting slightly smaller, will keep the Coyote V8, and an optional IRS. I think Ford is heading in the right direction.

Kevin Harvey · **Posted:** Sat Feb 06, 2010 11:32 pm

Very good.

Now if they will just make something in between the SVT Cobra and the Ford GT to compete with the Z06 and I will come back home.

(and no one better say that the GT500/Roush/Saleen/etc. versions fit that void because they do in price but not in performance)

Marty Howard · **Posted:** Sat Feb 06, 2010 11:59 pm

I think ford has learned that the Mustang will never really compete with the Vette since there is too much history against the Camaro instead.

What ford has in it's arsenal now though is the hardware to build a new model that could compete. Maybe a Coyote 6.0 in a sports coupe with the Euro alloy IRS?

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Sun Feb 07, 2010 9:48 am

Marty Howard wrote:

I think ford has learned that the Mustang will never really compete with the Vette since there is too much history against the Camaro instead.

What ford has in it's arsenal now though is the hardware to build a new model that could compete. Maybe a Coyote 6.0 in a sports coupe with the Euro alloy IRS?

Only if they can keep the price down in Ford territory and the perceived "practicality" high. That has been a key part of Mustangs since Day 1.

I don't know if they could go "up market" in price and still sell it as a Ford or even a Mustang. Ford's other remaining brands don't support a high performance image (not sure what image Lincoln and Mercury do support :lol:

)

A higher end (BMW market) Ford isn't going to sell to many "BMW folks". Most purchasers of higher cost performance high volume cars are buying image. (THSCC members being an obvious counter example since you "mostly" buy performance but don't tell me "image" isn't at least part of the equation.)

I agree that a "Mustang", no matter how good, cannot still be a Mustang and compete against the Corvette. Corvettes are sports cars. Mustangs, BMW's (non Z4's etc of course), etc are sedans. I suspect the future market for high performance sports cars is limited even more than in the past unless they also carry a lot of "status". The smaller percentage of society who will have the bucks will require lots of "status" . . . not likely from the Ford brand in either the US or in emerging economies.

Jason Mauldin · **Posted:** Sun Feb 07, 2010 10:31 am

Marty Howard wrote:

I think ford has learned that the Mustang will never really compete with the Vette since there is too much history against the Camaro instead.

What ford has in it's arsenal now though is the hardware to build a new model that could compete. Maybe a Coyote 6.0 in a sports coupe with the Euro alloy IRS?

All you have to do is park the Mustang next to the Vette to see that there's really nothing you can do to make the mustang compete with that car. It's painfully obvious.

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Sun Feb 07, 2010 1:50 pm

Jason Mauldin wrote:

Marty Howard wrote:

I think ford has learned that the Mustang will never really compete with the Vette since there is too much history against the Camaro instead.

What ford has in it's arsenal now though is the hardware to build a new model that could compete. Maybe a Coyote 6.0 in a sports coupe with the Euro alloy IRS?

All you have to do is park the Mustang next to the Vette to see that there's really nothing you can do to make the mustang compete with that car. It's painfully obvious.

Not "painful" if you appreciate the Vette but don't really "want" one. My "image" is happy with Mustangs and if I really wanted a "track" car I would get another real race car (maybe a FF with the newly allowed Honda engine but more likely something with fenders) :lol:

However, hopefully within the next year or so my 2001 Mustang GT with manual trans will be available. It would make a heck of a low budget FAST track car with some bigger brakes and stiffer springs.

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