German Car Forum

Camaro may get direct-injection V8


The Chevy small block V8 has been around in one form or another longer than many current GM engineers have been alive, but continuous updates continue to keep the venerable powerplant relevant. GM is currently developing the world's first overhead valve Direct Injection engine, giving the 6.2L test engine big gains in horsepower and torque while bumping fuel economy from 3% to 6%.The 6.2L currently pumps out up to 403HP without DI in the Escallade, but Dave Sczomak, development engineer-GM Powertrain Advanced Engineering, says the technology will bump power to "well over 450HP."

Perhaps even more exciting is the possibility that the anxiously awaited Camaro may receive a variant of the engine. The mere thought of the ultra-sexy Camaro packing over 450HP without added boost could make us want to have a smoke. While we're hoping the Camaro gets the DI engine, the halo status of the Corvette makes the two-seater a shoo-in for the improved engine. That would give the base 'Vette nearly 500HP, and it boggles the mind to imagine the output of a Z06/SS/Blue Devil.
Editor's Note: There's no reason to believe GM wouldn't drop the DI V8 in both Corvette and Camaro. Back in December, a source we spoke to who was familiar with Camaro powertrain discussions told us that there was a faction pushing for seriously big power in the Camaro. When we asked exactly how big, the individual smiled and held up five fingers. We'll learn how that pans out in due course. Then in January at NAIAS, Ed Peper specifically told us that there were no concerns with having Camaro step on Corvette, power-wise, as the two cars have such different market positioning -- sports car vs. muscle car. Plus, the ZR1 ensures that there will be a Corvette with power that greatly exceeds that of Camaro anyway. No matter how things play out, there's good reason to expect some real excitement.

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This is the hottest drop out!

I must say I really like a lot of what GM is doing, unbelievable for me.

M

With sales of the Dodge Challenger kicking off this month and Ford’s Mustang still going strong, we can now look forward to the third and final rebirth of an American muscle car in the form of the all-new Camaro coupe. The arrival of the 2010 Camaro is still more than a year away but, as this latest spy image reveals, designers have the final shape nailed.

This image, which turned up on Camaro5, is of a barely disguised prototype of the new car. It appears the production version keeps the same basic shape as previewed by the concept, including the familiar waistline kink, boxy shape, and chiseled front-end. Although camouflaged, it appears the bonnet loses some of its character lines and the flared rear guards and side vents also got the boot. As predicted, the production version picks up chunkier style side mirrors, more convention door handles and a B-pillar.

Expect to see the same engine lineup as in the Pontiac G8, as the Camaro is based on the same platform as the Aussie built sedan. This means V8 models will get the same 360hp (270kW) 6.0L V8 engine. GM engineers are also tipped to be working on a new Gen IV V8 engine with direct-injection that could make its way into a high-performance version of the upcoming Camaro with output estimated to be more than 400hp (298kW). Based models, meanwhile, will get a 3.6L V6 mill.

Thanks to Tim for sending in the tip.

INTERIOR BUSTED
Spied again: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro interior shots!


Don't like it at all, the gauges at the lower part of the center console looks silly. The plastic look typical GM i.e cheap. I was never caught up in the Camaro hype and never will.

I'm getting bored of this car.

Well, let's forget about these camo shots now. Bob Lutz said that from now on, the test mules will have no more camo. YEAH!

I can't wait till this hits the showrooms.

Yeah this is going to be another hit for GM who has now become the darling of the U.S. car scene with the American press.

M

Now the front disguise is off.

I like it ...a lot.

Those headlights are a bit of a disappointment, I hope they are just developement items.

I agree with Aaroniero.

Either way man, big man Lutz kept closesly to his word by keeping this car as close to the concept as possible. I'm loving it.

Such literal retro-interpretations of classic styling features seldom have any real substance ...and this Camaro is a case in point.

The desperate resurrection of past cars which had some kind of cult status -- it's what you do when you haven't got any fresh ideas or direction.

While that's true, in this case I don't think it's a bad idea. While everyone has complained that chevy has ruined comaro for a while, they went back to what made that car special. I always wanted to own an old school camaro-ss but trying to buy one now is VERY expensive. With this, I can get a more fresh car with the same retro looks. What's wrong with that? I don't hear anyone complaining about Mini, Fiat500 and other non-american cars based off old cars. Why such animosity against american retro designs? (rhetorical questin, not directed at you SDNR)

To me, retro designs always indicated a bankruptcy of ideas, an implicit admission that your past is better than your present. So while it doesn't bode well for the company's future, it doesn't necessarily mean that the individual model looks bad - and in most cases it actually looks good as in this case.

I wouldn't necessarily call it a "bankruptcy of ideas" but rather it's the fastest way of designing something that will be good, and won't upset your customer base. Since everyone loves the original, and GM really needs the cash, they updated the original with modern features and looks. Problem solved.

Well I did complain quite a lot about the Fiat 500 .

The Mini is completely different because it is not such a literal reinterpretation of any classic styling -- it is a thoroughly modern-looking car. The Mini retains the spirit and concept of the original car but is very much up-to-date with its iPod-looks. The Fiat, on the other hand, is pure pastiche ...all intended to give you a vague feeling of the 1950s.

I have also been quite critical of the Mercedes Ocean Drive Concept for similar reasons -- I find it to be too 'figurative'.

I just think cars like the Camaro are really superficial ...and don't actually add much to the advancement of car design in any real way. It is essentially designed to appeal to the sentimental nostalgia of the Baby-boomers who had posters of the original Camaro on their bedroom walls as teenagers.

Retro design is now over 20 years old -- I really wish we would move on from it now.

Yeah ....that is an important point.

I must make it clear that I am not in any way saying that this Camaro looks bad -- because it does look pretty good

^ You know what ....since I typed that last post, I've been thinking about this a bit more.

Maybe I have been wrong -- could it be said that 'Retro' is not just a superficial styling trend but a legitimate design philosophy in its own right?

Are Retro cars more than just nostalgic imitations of older models with new engineering?

After all, there is nothing old-fashioned about this Camaro ....it looks pretty fresh and new. I guess it all comes down to how well it is done and how sincere the intentions of the designers are.

....I would be interested to read what others think.


+ You guys have probably noticed that I can be pretty opinionated at times ...but please don't think that I am not open to other points of view -- I like to be challenged -- it is good for me . I think it is important for me to remain open minded about these things.

well Rob I was amazed at your first post. I thought that if I never saw the original camaro I would never relate this to the old one. I mean from my humble POV, the only relation between the modern one and the old one is the shoulder line & c-pillar treatment. Front/Back are all original although it gives a slight hint to the old one. I liked the concept alot especially the side profile, the low roof and the creases. This car hints the return of great american styling. I liked cadillac's styling for a while but the quality remains my concern here which turns me off a bit. Anyways, seeing MBs design direction, I guess the American car industry is fine. Americans are becoming more European while MB is heading exactly the opposite. I wouldn't say any of them is wrong. Its just part of globalization where civilizations are being melted together. I guess am on crack today

Looking great. Oh come on you stuffy design guys, this one is for fun. This is a pony car, not a new Mercedes-Benz, BMW or Audi. This thing is going to do wonders for GM and they've stayed as true to the concept as possible.

M

^^I'm glad that some of you guys are finally seeing this car from my POV. This car isn't straight copy of the old design, like the challenger, but rather a fresh take on the ideas of the old. Maserati is right, the only thing this car "copies" from the old one is the shoulder line and the c-pillar and bit of the front fascia/overhang. Other than that, this car is "New" from the ground up.

This car is meant to pay homage to the old one, not just copy it. While the designers would love an award, this car wasn't design to win awards, it was designed to win customers. This car was made so that all the old customers of the Camaro come back to Chevy as well as bring in new buyers. I think this car will do quite well, especially if the Z28 or the forthcoming "SS" (hopefully) are priced right.

Mohamed and Raman ...you guys are correct, it is quite different from the original. But it still is obviously looking back to mid-to-late 1960s styling cues. Of course, no 1960-1970s car ever looked like this ......it is still very much a product of our time.

I imagine you are right, you know the North American market much better than I do

You are right Raman ....but I think it is very well designed nonetheless ...it has to be well designed to attract those customers

Finally the camo is all off. The front is very harmonic and gracefully design but the car is a slight let down because of the head lights. Overall GM has done a good job.

Next stop: 2010 Mustang.