Well, GM has finally turned a corner. There for awhile (COUGH...AZTEK!) the vehicle lineup at General Motors didn't look so good, but now...wow.
Of course, I'm speaking about the production 2010 Camaro announcement, but you didn't know that. Why not? Because now, unlike in years past, there are actually many (no, not several, many) rides that I could be speaking about! The momentum has been building for awhile now with cars like the new CTS and the G8 GT, so I can't say that seeing the production Camaro came as an absolute shock to me. However, what I will say is that I'm very, very pleasantly surprised with its base and optional content.
One of the great things about this business is getting to rub shoulders with a very wide variety of car people, which in turn, allows a hardcore GM guy like me to spend lots of time in all different types of vehicles. It also helps that parent company Source Interlink owns a wide swath of all types of magazines, so if I have a question about an import, want to interrogate an editor who just drove a Lambo, or am stuck on the side of the road as a buddy's ride (wearing a strange underhood device called a "carb") isn't firing, useful information is simply a phone call away.
Ever since 2002, I've had to sit here watching the import movement gain steam as Camaro was put out to pasture. But I must admit: seeing companies like Subaru, Mitsubishi, and Honda offering really interesting and fun options in their affordable vehicles really perked my ears up. Big brakes, huge wheels, nice seats, high-tech audio/video, and a host of other options really spoke to these buyers-whether they got the 300-horse halo engine or not. This was marketing genius, and it seemed like GM missed the boat.
But now, as I revel in the knockout design of the fifth-generation Camaro, I can confidently tell you that General Motors has its hand firmly on the pulse of buyers and prospective buyers-and with the standard and optional content of this new Camaro-even random passerby who get even a whiff of what this car is about.
Buyers' tastes are changing. We want options, and lots of them-and Camaro says no problem. It offers four trim levels: LS, LT, SS, and an RS Appearance Package. One sporty V-6 and two powerful V-8s, ranging from 300 to 422 horsepower. Four six-speed transmissions: two manual, and two autos that allow you to "tap" your shifts yourself if so inclined. A whopping 10 exterior color choices, of which all of them look simply stunning. Several interior colors. Bluetooth and a USB port for the techies, a four-pack gauge cluster for a classic look, big, 4-piston Brembo brakes on the SS, sunroof, XM Radio, and either a standard stereo or a high-quality Boston Acoustics stereo system to blast the tunes. I'd get into the Personal Device Interface Module and Rear Park Assist, but this is getting ridiculous!
During the reign of the fourth-generation cars, the options list wasn't nearly as expansive, and the packages could be frustrating to tailor to individual tastes (COUGH...T-TOPS!). While it is yet to be seen how these options all fit together, it is clear that GM finally gets it: give your prospective buyers what we want, and our money will follow. I'd like to congratulate the Camaro team and General Motors for doing its homework and creating this amazing vehicle in some extremely difficult economic times, you have truly hit a home run.
And to the rest of you? Get out there and buy one-this car will be a classic!