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El Camino on the horizon again?
Mike Levine over at PickupTruck.com has made an argument for the return of the El Camino, the car-based pickup sold back in the day that has risen to cult status in the modern era. Considering the cost of fuel these days and fuel economy standards that are likely to rise in the next decade, a car-based pickup could offer a viable solution for people who need the utility of an open bed but not the dismal fuel economy that accompanies a traditional pickup.
A resurrected El Camino would likely be built on the rear-wheel drive Zeta platform developed by GM's Holden division in Australia where such vehicles already exist and are quite popular. The Holden Utes come in two- and four-door versions and are available with V6 and V8 engines, including a Super Sport version with a 350-horsepower V8. A Zeta-based El Camino could easily be built alongside the new Camaro in Oshawa, Ontario, and styling would likely mirror the new pony car's lines to earn some instant street cred by association. The commissioned rendering by Mark Stehrenberger shows what a new El Camino with the corporate Chevy face could look like.
Follow the Read link to catch Mike Levine's case for the El Camino in full, and let us know what you think in the comments.
[Source: PickupTruck.com]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Hamud 4:40PM (4/09/2007)
Sounds great, always liked the utes... Here in Brazil we have many car based pickups, they are really popular. Chevrolet has the Montana, a Corsa based pickup, it's a huge success.
This one from the drawing looks astonishing.
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J B 4:41PM (4/09/2007)
OMFG! Seriously, if they bring back all of the greats I will crap my pants. What better automotive era to live in other than the 60s/70s!
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Jon 4:42PM (4/09/2007)
Will it also have the Volt as a sister car as well? The front looks like a cross b/t the volt and camaro. It sounds like a good idea....tentatively
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Petey 4:43PM (4/09/2007)
GM is too distracted with all these non-sense concpets.. where is the Fit/Yaris fighter? Minivan? Mid-size? LS600hL competitor? etc, etc.
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CaliberSRT4 4:50PM (4/09/2007)
From the illustration it looks nothing like a "car/truck" looks like a the new "camaro" with a longer/flatter hatch. Just brink the Holden over!
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geo.stewart 4:54PM (4/09/2007)
Petey- look at hte NY Auto Show- Beat, Jazz, Trax . they are working on your fit-fighter. Minivan market is tapped out. too late to come to the party with a healthy offering. Its not a dead market but the players are set. LS600hL competitor. I'm not sure Cadillac can pull off a 100K+ automobile but cant wait to see what they have going on to give Lutz his Cadillac 16 or 12 or whatever.
Midsize, the new Impala looks to be competitive. dont know that they can beat the Accord/ Camry but should be able to play in the sandbox.
Read the website dude, these are all posted. Since many have been clamoring for what is overseas, an El Camino would be one answer and give another non-badge engineered auto for hte Zeta platform. I still think the Nomad concept on the Sky platform would be the way to give Chevy a niche car and differentiate without badge engineering.
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Carlos 4:55PM (4/09/2007)
Yeah! The utility of a pickup and the awesome mileage of a Camaro! =p
But I like the idea. It'd be a fun car, and it'd be nice for a SMALL pickup to be available.
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3cubedminus3squared 5:12PM (4/09/2007)
I have to agree with #5 it does not look like a truck at all. the front isn't that aggressive either.
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Maineiac 10:04AM (4/10/2007)
I like it.
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Deezee 5:50PM (4/09/2007)
2011 el camino? Meh.
I cant wait until the 2025 Chevy nova! But even that will suck compared to the 2102 Malibu.
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incognito 6:19PM (4/09/2007)
How about a decent compact truck with a modern diesel, that gets decent MPG and is a viable alternative to a car? I don't see how a Camaro with a pickup bed could really offer much better mileage, or have wide appeal.
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Jaymez 6:36PM (4/09/2007)
If they build a 2011 El Camino, I'll be pissed!
I mean, I'm already planning on a 2009 Camaro after I pay off my Silverado. An El Camino probably won't be in my budget in '11, unless I have any luck with this career change bit.
No, I can't sell off the Silverado. That's the first new vehicle I ever purchased and I'm keeping that as long as humanly possible.
I'd love a new El Camino! I would have bought one instead of my truck, had it been available here two years ago. I'll take mine in royal blue with white accents. Nix the stripes, please.
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reddsharkk 6:50PM (4/09/2007)
#4 did you seriously just say GM needs a lexus ls hybrid fighter? at 104k, i would say this hardly fits the category of any gm product, even caddy.
GM should emulate successful car designs they used to have. Look at what it did for the mustang. The new camaro should do well, if it ever comes out. At least their concept car doesnt look like something from outer space, although i dont know how useful this would be. I do agree this sketch looks just like a camaro.
Cmon GM, im waiting for the 2045 chevy astro van, with the honeycomb rims.
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TheSwener 6:52PM (4/09/2007)
What I hate is that dodge already has a perfect platform for this; just chop off the back roof of a magnum, fill in the rear doors, and BAM!! Instant success.
I would sell my soul for one of those...
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Owain Ozymandias Buck 7:12PM (4/09/2007)
Oh yeah. I'm feeling it!
I'd plunk down a wad for one in a heart beat.
They don't really look right, but I'll take a four door. I like a good wagon, but I miss having a bed pretty often. These things make so more sense than a full-on truck for most day-to-day tasks. A lot less mass=less to move=quicker, more efficient, and better handling. Have y'all seen what Holden Utes are rated to tow? Pretty capable. And with Independent rear suspension too.
Call me trashy, but I'd love an El Camino.
Ooo! TheSwener has a dang good answer there. I hadn't thought of it, but it sure would work. Course, I'd want the diesel in it...
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Typesbad 7:52PM (4/09/2007)
A '67 model once tried to kill me and its owner with a stuck accelerator linkage, but that doesn't lower my fondness for these vehicles and thier Ford Ranchero counterparts.
That said, while the genre was fun, it was also dumb. Big vehicles that needed a V-8, with limited fore & aft room inside, and a ridiculously shallow bed outside. There is a reason these things disappeared once compact pick ups became readily available. You wouldn't need more than a V-6 now, and the cabin packaging could be adjusted, but the concept still probably wouldn't expand beyond micro-niche numbers.
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Kotse 8:47PM (4/09/2007)
Heck, if GM would include a torque monster diesel option in the El Camaro....err El Camino..Heck, this might be my first rwd American ride since my dad's hand me down, "souped up" '65 Stang from my college years!
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HotRodzNKustoms 8:14PM (4/09/2007)
I think it would be a wise move with the way the market is trending, I also agree that GM should draw on past success to make future sales. I would so buy a Chevy Nomad SS on the Kappa platform!
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NoNameDenton 9:38PM (4/09/2007)
And next up Ford will bring the Aussie Falcon ute to the United States as the new Ranchero and it will be the 1960's and 70's again, except without disco (and thank G-d because I love the muscle cars from that era). I say bring it on GM, because your leading the way and maybe Ford will learn some tricks. I love the concetual art, but would love to see one in real life on the road (and of course get one with the Corvette 7 liter V8 ;) )
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Marty Vance 10:44PM (4/09/2007)
Dear Mr. Lutz,
Please greenlight this, then fast track it. Make sure the bed is at least 4.5 feet long. Give us lots of engine choices. Don't dismiss the idea of putting an SS badge on it.
There is a market out there for performance, utility, and low center of gravity in a single vehicle. Most of these people (myself included) are not fooled by the term "crossover". How many Magnum RT's and SRT8's has Dodge sold?
Bringing back the El Camino on the Zeta platform is an easy win.
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