NAME: Glenn Torrens
AGE: 36
HOMETOWN: Sydney, Australia
OCCUPATION: Motoring writer
CAMAROS OR PERFORMANCE GMS OWNED: Modded V-8 Holden Calais sedan (Commodore), HSV Senator sedan.
What was your initial impression when the Camaro Concept was revealed?
Yeehah!
In your opinion, was the Camaro Concept's design more futuristic or more retro?
A good blend of both--styled with a big 'nod' to the past.
What aspects of the Concept's styling did you like?
It IS a Camaro!
What aspects of its styling did you dislike?
Nothing--I love retro-styled cars.
Did you feel that, as a whole, the car's design "pulled together well" or not?
Yes, it did. Proportions, stance, surfacing, details--all excellent!
If a new Camaro were to be based off of GM's global rear-drive platform, would a Camaro with foreign underpinnings be any more or less desirable to you?
I'm an Aussie, so I would be proud of the fact that Holden in Australia would be involved. 'Down under' we have never lost touch with 'musclecar' engineering since the 1960s. It has evolved constantly in the Holden range since then. Our family sedans from both Holden and Ford have V-8 options (5.4-litre in Falcon and 6.0-litre Gen IV in Holden), accelerate well and go around corners, too. Both manufacturers have 'Special Vehicles' divisions.It's glorious down here...!!
What trim level options (RS, Z28, SS) do you think should be included in a new Camaro?
Most people expect lots of comfort and luxury features in sports coupes in Australia--our Monaro, for instance, had more features than the Pontiac GTO version--side airbags, leather trim, climate control, 18-inch wheels.
Do you have a preference on whether it is produced with a live axle or IRS?
No offense, but get with the program, guys--live axles are dead .... Australia has the biggest, longest straights on Earth, yet us bunch of yobbos can produce after-market modified Holden sedans that can run 10s on street tires ... with independent suspension! There will be NO live axle under the Camaro--the GM Holden platform won't be developed to accept it.
GM hasn't built an F-body since 2002; how has that affected you, personally or professionally?
You've had the GTO as a replacement!!
Rate this Concept on a scale of 1 to 10.
9
Do you have any other comments on the Concept Camaro and its future?
I hope you guys get the new Camaro--because it means us Aussies may get another Monaro on the same running gear and coupe platform!!
NAME: Scott Parker
AGE: 25
HOMETOWN: Medford, NJ
OCCUPATION: GMHTP technical editor
CAMAROS OR PERFORMANCE GMS OWNED: '94 Pontiac Firebird Formula
What was your initial impression when the Camaro Concept was revealed?
My initial thought was that we have a serious contender here. I was hoping the exterior would be a pure '69 Camaro remake with a futuristic styling edge, and with only a few exceptions it seemed to deliver. There was bound to be a lot of anticipation given the circumstances, with the Camaro being absent from the market since 2002. However, it is just a relief that we have a new Camaro in the works, and the fact that it is as attractive as it is makes it all the more fulfilling. It is a shame to have such great motors like the LS2 and LS7, not to mention all of the other Gen IV motors in the works, with no true pony car to put it in. Besides, those Mustang guys are getting entirely too cocky.In your opinion, was the Camaro Concept's design more futuristic or more retro?The exterior is about 80 percent retro; the nose is pure Second Generation Camaro and the body lines, hood, and quarter-panel look like they could have come off a '69. These aspects really jump out at you the most, but the closer you look the more contemporary designs come to light. For example, there are a few more edges in the body panels, not to mention the pieces of modern art for mirrors, to remind us that this is a modern car. The 21- and 22-inch rims with low profile tires accomplish the same task as they reveal a big set of brakes. The rear end as well, as the C6 roof lines and Z06 air scoop almost match the over-the-top futuristic interior.
What aspects of the Concept's styling did you like?
I love the cowl hood, the roofline, and shape of the A-pillars, quarter-windows, and quarter-panels. I think a rear-wheel-drive musclecar should draw as much attention to the rear tires as possible, which should also be wide and happy to turn to smoke at will. The second aspect I think every musclecar should have is a mean hood. The combination of the two makes the car look aggressive and rude, which is the epitome of American muscle. The faux scoops on the rear quarter-panel and the cowl on the hood--extending further in the middle toward the windshield--were some of my favorite aspects of the '69 and they are on the Concept Camaro.
What aspects of its styling did you dislike?
There is very little I can say that I completely dislike. Perhaps only the split front bumper, as I am not the biggest lover of Second Gen Camaros. However, I am hopeful that if this Concept goes into production as is (or similar) that there will be aftermarket body kit manufacturers willing to satisfy my craving for a flatter First Gen-style nose-perhaps even one with a Trans Am splitter. The rear bumper and trunk lid I am also not crazy about, but again easily amenable-though I do like the understated spoiler. I am confident the motorcycle-size mirrors won't make it to production, but a sleek and stylish set of break-aways would be nice.
Did you feel that, as a whole, the car's design "pulled together well" or not?
Yes, as a whole I think it is seamless and quite capable of doing what it was meant to do. It satisfies both cravings for retro styling and modern aerodynamics and materials. I don't think it will have quite as much impact as the 2005 Mustang did, but I think this will be the got-to-have car for a considerable amount of the older generations who haven't bought a rear-wheel-drive musclecar since the gas crisis. GM die-hards will take to it, but the design as a whole I think will also pull in some crossover buyers--barring another gas crisis and unreasonable pricing.
If a new Camaro were to be based off of GM's global rear-drive platform, would a Camaro with foreign underpinnings be any more or less desirable to you?
A foreign chassis wouldn't take anything away from the car in my opinion, but then I also didn't mind with the GTO. I hate to seem anti-American, but it might actually make the car more solid and a better design overall. The important thing is that the car is designed for its purpose. The chassis should be able to happily take any abuse your typical enthusiast can dish out with only an acceptable amount of compromises made for ride quality and comfort like a Fourth Gen.
In your opinion, at what price would a base V-8 version be affordable to an average performance enthusiast?
To the average performance enthusiast $22,000 to 27,000 would be affordable.
What trim level options (RS, Z28, SS) do you think should be included in a new Camaro?
I would like to see a base V-6 model for those who are satisfied with more modest performance. Placed in between the base V-6 and the Z28, an RS would do nicely as a stripped down, purist's performance model available with a V-6, smaller displacement V-8, and the larger displacement V-8 that is standard in the Z28. No Camaro line could be complete without either a Z28 or an SS trim level. The Z should offer the gamut of options, while the SS should be somewhere in between the RS and Z-but with a whole lot more power than either. With the Shelby Cobra making well over 400 horsepower, it sure would be nice to have a supercharged LS2 or an LS7 to wipe the floor with it.
If GM offers optional, 400-plus-horsepower V-8s in a more expensive trim level, would you be willing to pay low- to mid-30s for this Camaro?
Absolutely. If GM has something capable of exceeding the performance of the current LS2, low- to mid-30s isn't much to ask at all. The power-to-dollar ratio would be astronomical. With the GTO in that range now with an even 400hp--a lighter, solid axle car with even more power would easily run 12s bone stock. What other car on the market is capable of that kind of performance for under $40,000?
Do you have a preference on whether it is produced with a live axle or IRS?
Live axle, all the way. IRS is great for the road course if it is engineered correctly like in the Corvette, but the majority of buyers will be more concerned with cost (which would inevitably rise with IRS) and straight-line performance. It is no secret that IRS is prone to wheelhop on the dragstrip, not to mention broken CV shafts, posi, etc. A stout solid axle such as an 8.5-inch 10-bolt or a 12-bolt would also make the Camaro very friendly to performance enthusiasts such as us who plan to modify their vehicles. A simple axle and posi swap would allow virtually unlimited power potential.
GM hasn't built an F-body since 2002; how has that affected you, personally or professionally?
As a consumer I feel robbed. If I want to buy a new RWD performance car for under $30,000 there are few choices currently. You might be able to find a GTO for a hair under $30K but it's a poor substitute for an F-body. The GTO, for good reason, never really hit the mark for F-body enthusiasts. I think this has definitely limited the growth of the hobby as the result, which is personally disappointing. I want to see some Camaros tap a keg of whoop-ass on these smack-talking Mustang owners.
How would you rate the Concept's design compared to any of the past production Camaros?
I think this is the most attractive Camaro since its inception in 1967. It regains the muscularity and classic geometry that made pony cars into popular icons in the late '60s and early '70s. Though the concept is large in size, probably too large, it doesn't appear as long and skinny as a Second Gen (or Third Gen to some extent). Even the Fourth Gen can't compete with the Concept's fireplug stature, which in turn makes it seem more athletic.
Rate this Concept on a scale of 1 to 10.
I would have to say it's a 9. There isn't much I'd change besides the bumpers and the rear end.
If an IRS-based, V-8 production version looked identical to the Concept Camaro and sold for $25,000, would you buy it?
Absolutely. At $25,000 that would be a steal. We are talking about Corvette level performance not to mention great looks, but in a more practical package. Heck, I'd even buy an LS2 GTO for that money and its not half as good-looking as the Concept Camaro. Having seen the drawings of the IRS suspension supposedly slated for the Camaro, I am sure it will handle better than the GTO too.
Do you have any other comments on the Concept Camaro and its future?
Long live the Camaro. It's about time GM brought it back, and it is my sincerest hope that they make it a little more friendly for drag racing and modification. This applies to the ever-changing computer hardware and software as well as the rear end, which for over 20 years has been ill-equipped to keep up with the demands of racers. These are the things that I think could supercharge the GM EFI hobby, and potentially boost sales. The most important part of bringing it back is keeping it, not closing production after a year for lack of interest.