And you can bet it will happen. GM needs a boost in morale like few other automakers,
and a vivid reminder of a time when printing money would have been more difficult than talking North Americans into buying its products. Its niche products like the Camaro that will sell mainstream sedans, like the Malibu and Impala, as long as these continue to become more competitive. Who knows, maybe there will be enough all-American muscle cars on the road within the next few years to revive something similar to the old Trans Am racing series, where the Big 3 from Michigan go head to head, racing sport coupes on Sunday to sell on Monday, as the oft-coined saying goes. Stranger things have happened, and I for one would love to see an American motorsport series using real cars that real people can actually go out and buy, rather than the
hopped up, plastic-bodied, tubular framed billboards that currently run on race day. A guy can dream, can't he?
My guess is that there's as many 14-year old kids dreaming about the new Camaro as there was drooling over Smokey's Trans Am and the neighbour's '73 split-bumper Z28 back in the day, my personal favourite by the way, all black with white stripes if anyone wants to surprise me on my birthday. And while kids don't have the $25- to $40K needed to splurge for a limited use sports coupe, there's a reasonable case for building brand image while minds are still moldable.
The Camaro's real target market is made up of people my age and older, who, now flush with real estate profits and stock market riches, are ready to relive the good 'ole days in a car that makes them feel 14... 'er... 18 again. A motorized elixir for eternal youth? Bring it on, Chevy!
Specifications:
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| Will a production Camaro become a reality? There's no doubt about it. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press) |
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| The Camaro's real target market is made up of people in their 40s, plus, plus. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press) |
My guess is that there's as many 14-year old kids dreaming about the new Camaro as there was drooling over Smokey's Trans Am and the neighbour's '73 split-bumper Z28 back in the day, my personal favourite by the way, all black with white stripes if anyone wants to surprise me on my birthday. And while kids don't have the $25- to $40K needed to splurge for a limited use sports coupe, there's a reasonable case for building brand image while minds are still moldable.
The Camaro's real target market is made up of people my age and older, who, now flush with real estate profits and stock market riches, are ready to relive the good 'ole days in a car that makes them feel 14... 'er... 18 again. A motorized elixir for eternal youth? Bring it on, Chevy!
Specifications:
- Price Range (estimated MSRP if produced): $24,000 - $50,000
- Body Type: 2-door coupe
- Layout: front engine, RWD
- Engine: 400-hp, 400 lb-ft of torque, 6.0L, OHV V8
- Engine Horsepower / Litre: 66.7
- Transmission: 6-spd manual
- Performance (estimated 0 - 100 km/h): 4.6 seconds
- Brakes: disc/disc, ABS
- Curb Weight (estimated): 1,630 kg (3,600 lbs)
- Dimensions (L/W/H/WB): 4,729 / 2,022 / 1,346 / 2,807 mm (186.2 / 79.6 / 53.0 / 110.5 in)
- Track (frt/rr): 1621 / 1608 mm (63.8/ 63.3 in)
- Tires (frt/rr): 275/30 R 21 / 305/30 R 22
- Fuel Economy (estimated combined city/hwy): 11.0 to 10.5 L/100 km
- Potential Competitors: Audi TT, Chrysler Crossfire / Firepower, Dodge Challenger, Ford Mustang, Mercedes-Benz CLK, Nissan 350Z, Porsche Cayman
- Web Site: www.gmcanada.com
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