A 4 Cylinder Camaro??? Say It isn't So!!!!

MotorCity · 03-19-08, 01:19

Don't get me wrong - I am all for fuel efficient vehicles but a 4 banger Camaro IMO is just wrong!!

Quote:

General Motors is considering a four-cylinder engine for the new Chevrolet Camaro as a response to rising fuel prices.

Speaking on the sidelines of the New York auto show, GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz said the drivetrain under consideration for the Camaro is the same high-performance one used in the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky roadsters. It’s a 2.0-liter turbocharged, direct-injected four-cylinder rated at 260 hp. Lutz said that if fuel prices continue to climb, the four-cylinder Camaro could see production.

GM has said it plans V-8 and V-6 versions of the Camaro but otherwise has been secretive. Lutz confirmed to Automotive News that the V-6 version of the Camaro will be powered by the same high-tech V-6 used in the Cadillac CTS. It’s a direct-injected, 3.6-liter four-cam V-6. In the CTS, the engine is rated at 304 hp.

Low-priced version dropped

In the Camaro, the 3.6 liter’s horsepower should be around 260, Lutz said, Fuel economy, he said, will be around 17 mpg city and 25 highway. That would place the V-6 Camaro among best in class for a performance car.

Lutz said GM has dropped plans to offer a low-priced, entry-level Camaro with one of GM’s low-tech V-6s. GM will position both the V-6 and V-8 versions of the Camaro as premium cars compared to the Camaro’s chief rival, the Ford Mustang.

The base model Mustang uses a 4.0-liter overhead-cam V-6 rated at 210 hp. The base model Dodge Challenger, due in the fall, will use a 250-hp, 3.5-liter V-6.

Most enthusiast attention has focused on the Camaro’s V-8 engine, which is likely to be a 6.0-liter with about 400 hp. Lutz said the V-8 will have a cylinder cutoff system that shuts down half the engine when the car reaches cruising speed. That will help it get better fuel economy.

But Lutz said he thinks most buyers will opt for the V-6 because the performance will be strong, especially when the engine is combined with a manual transmission.

“Back in the old days, if you wanted a muscle car, to get a decent one, you had to buy the V-8,” Lutz said. “And if you bought the V-6, you got a fairly rough, unrefined pushrod engine with low horsepower and weasely performance.

“This time, the V-6 is 260-odd horsepower, four overhead cams, very smooth and decent 0-to-60-mph times. And now the V-6 is in its own right a very fast, very legitimate car.”

We are going to be above Mustang"

Lutz said that with the V-6, the Camaro achieves a nearly perfect 50-50 weight distribution: “With the V-6, it is not a heavy car. The Camaro will be a very lively and engaging car,” he said.

Lutz would not talk specifically about the Camaro’s pricing. The car is scheduled to go on sale next February as a 2009 model, but Lutz did say GM views the Camaro as better equipped than the Mustang, and the price will be higher.

The Mustang V-6 coupe has a base price of $20,235. The V-8 GT coupe begins at $26,825. Both prices include shipping.

“We are going to be above Mustang,” Lutz said. “We have a very sophisticated suspension system and, frankly, a much nicer interior. We are not going to try and match the Mustang on price. We are going to be premium-priced compared to the Mustang.”

White_07_G6_GT · 03-19-08, 01:27

I guess the replacement for displacement will always be the turbo.

Still no matter what they put in it it's still going to be ugly

qballjr13 · 03-19-08, 01:35

I think a turbo 4 is ok. 260hp is very comparable to any other 6 cylinder in most cars. I still think they need to offer a model with radio delete, manual windows and a five/six speed with the 400hp V8....so that you can buy a real musclecar like in the 60's!

a.k.a. Patrick · 03-19-08, 01:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by White_07_G6_GT

I guess the replacement for displacement will always be the turbo.

Still no matter what they put in it it's still going to be ugly

LMAO, agreed.......

MotorCity · 03-19-08, 01:55

Here's some pics from the 2008 NA Internationalk Auto show of the concept..

Way2SSlow · 03-19-08, 02:03

Mr. Lutz might want to keep the price close to the Mustang GT. The current Mustang platform has a pretty large aftermarket support as the 4.6 has been out for quite some time. If GM doesnt keep the price close to the stang, what's keeping potential buyers from purchasing the pony and bolting on some extra power? Modifications are relatively inexpensive and can make up the performance gap pretty quickly....without factoring into the monthly note. I am a big time fan of the new Camaro, but I hope it's priced reasonably.

PS: Nobody is buying a Mustang or Camaro for the interior. Though the owner might notice the improvements made in the interior, these cars are bought for performance. It's all about performance per dollar because there's a better than average chance the car isnt going to remain stock it's entire life.

White_07_G6_GT · 03-19-08, 02:04

Love the concept but it's never going to look like that in production. I figure on seeing big fender gaps and nasty bumpers.

BigJimZ28 · 03-19-08, 02:23

so I will have to buyy two to get 8 cyl.

there is also talk of the 4.6 in the rustang GT getting replaced with a turbo Six

JustinDetail · 03-19-08, 02:26

A turbo six=cool in a domestic muscle car compared to a turbo 4=Evo/STi/Imports. We'll never see a little 2 liter anything in a Camaro/Mustang. That's blasphemy! hehe

Cooter · 03-19-08, 02:44

Chevy use to make a Camaro with a 4 cylinder the Berlinetta iirc.

Ford had the Mustang SVO with a turbocharged 4cyl from 84-86. Those cars are hard to find now and they had the same amt of hp as the GT models then.

Just think about Toyota Supra with those inline 6cyc. Anyone remember that Supra vs the Lambo video. Can you say smoked!!!

I'd own a Mustang with a turbo 6cyl. Well, if the hp was up there comparable to a GT.

Chevy might as well get ready to make them. Its not like gas prices are gonna go down anytime soon.

EV-1 anybody?

Monte78Carlo2k1 · 03-19-08, 03:31

In the early 80's you could also get a V6 Turbo Trans Am. So I could see GM doing this again hopefully this time it won't be a dog.

BigJimZ28 · 03-19-08, 04:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monte78Carlo2k1

In the early 80's you could also get a V6 Turbo Trans Am. So I could see GM doing this again hopefully this time it won't be a dog.

yea it was a dog but they made up for that with the 89 turbo TA(Grand National running gear)