Camaro spotted by GM's spy shooters, again
by Damon Lavrinc on Jan 11th 2008 at 1:20PM 
click above to view the new Camaro spy-shot in high-res
General Motors has released another shot of the production Camaro making the rounds on its test track and this time we get a nice view of the front three-quarters. According to the FastLane Blog, the Camaro "is quickly evolving into final form," however, things like the headlight design will likely change before all is said and done. The itty-bitty pic doesn't divulge much, but it does prove that GM is sticking as close to the concept as possible. And just to let you know, we're already looking for a larger version of the pic.
UPDATE: High-res version of the pic added.
UPDATE 2: You knew they were coming. CamaroZ28.com forum member Rampant has provided us with images of the new Camaro shot in a rainbow of colors.
[Source: GM FastLane Blog]
Get a WordPress.com Blog
_opt_thumbnail.jpg)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
ckm 1:30PM (1/11/2008)
what's the green car with the vauxhal (sp?) badge?
Reply
Corey 3:22PM (4/06/2009)
It's a Vauxhall VXR8.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VXR8
EJ25RUN 1:37PM (1/11/2008)
*shrugg*
Reply
Freestyle4x4f150 1:37PM (1/11/2008)
does anyone else see that the front grill looks like a big smile likes its grinning?
Reply
Purifoy 1:40PM (1/11/2008)
Enough already! Who cares about any more spy photos? Bring on the goods! This thing is so overexposed and overrated in the auto press until it's not even funny. Blah! Blah! Blah!
We've had our fill of the apetizers ... now serve us the main course!
Reply
mk 2:06PM (1/11/2008)
couldn't agree more.
And maybe this time Autoblog won't delete my criticism... But since when is one additional photo worthy of a headline? Add it to the gallery, and move on to the real news!!!
Job one on this car is still more than 12 months off. I am not sure which is more rediculous, media over-exposure of so-far VAPORWARE, or GM's inability to actually build the damn thing. Since when does a car like this, on an established chassis take so long to actually build?
It is going to need a facelift before it is released.
FireStorm 2:32PM (1/11/2008)
seems to me like everyone who is complaining about seeing too much of the camaro didnt like it in the first place and wouldnt have bought it even if they had never seen it before it was on the showroom floor
speaking for myself, and i'm sure many people feel the same way, i can't get enough of the car and i'm very happy that autoblog felt the need to inform me that this new picture has been released
mk: the production line will start pumping out cars in 9-11 months.. and this car is not being engineered on an "established chassis".. this is very different from the chassis under the Holden cars, though it does share many similarities as well
one of the key differences is taht it's going to be produced in North America.. at an assembly plant that up until a few months ago was producing grand prixs and monte carlos. the plant needs to be completely retooled from scratch and that takes about a year. GM is moving very quickly on this car considering they want to do it right.
From desicion to build, till actual production, will only be about 2 years. the only reason it seems to be taking so long is because people like you and me who are automotive news junkies are seeing every little tidbit and leak of information that has come out
the majority of the general publics exposure to this car is extremely minimal.. most of that coming from the Transformers movie.. maybe some coming from magazines or the auto shows.. but for the majority of potential customers who would purchase this car, it will still be very fresh
and don't say its not going to be true because its "retro".. the Camaro may be "retro" but it's also futuristic... a distinct difference between this car and the Mustang and Challenger.
mk 5:39PM (1/11/2008)
@Firestorm, you are not entirely wrong...
But this is a Zeta platform car, even if there are a few changes for the coupe body. The Holden VE Commodore has been out for nearly a year on this platform, and will be coming to the US before the Camaro even starts production. They aren't having to re-engineer this platform from the ground up. AND they already know how to manufacture this platform in Australia, so a lot of the trial and error setup is done, and can be replicated.
They have known that they were going to build the new Camaro in Canada since they decided to green light the concept, at least a YEAR ago already. The concept has been on the show circuit for longer than that. Why they chose to continue the GP and Monte carlo so long before putting them down, and starting ramp up on the Camaro toolings is another mystery.
Job one, as reported here, is forecasted to be in February of 2009. Just more than 12 months from now.
Why on earth is this car taking more than three years to go from concept to production, on a chassis that is already being produced and sold (ground-up chassis development cannot be a reason for this delay, the chassis is already being sold under the Commodore/Caprice, and as other cars in other near and far-east markets.)
For some reason, the Camaro, and ramping up for production in Ontario is taking a VERY long time. Heck, the G8, which is a face-change on the Commodore is taking too long, and the Camaro has taken way longer already.
All this media hype has been making muscle car fans mouths water for so long already, such delays only "disenfranchise" people. GM has been on somewhat of a roll lately, but why can't they bring a product to market faster than this seems to be working?
I have a feeling that anyone interested in a car like Camaro has been drooling over this since the silver concept broke cover quite some time ago, and are more aware than the typical four-wheeled appliance buyer.
Americans are sometimes given a bad rap about having a short attention span, but c'mon... sometimes a wait can be too long.
I am not even a prospective Camaro buyer, or Mustang or Challenger for that matter. I am more interested in lighter cars with new designs. But this sort of methodology does not bode well for a car that I would want to buy coming to market any time soon, if it takes this kind of time to pull off.
TriShield 1:40PM (1/11/2008)
It looks virtually the same as the concept which is exceptional. I'll pass on the new Challenger for the new Camaro. If the Ute really doesn't make it Stateside this is going to be my next ride. In blue with black stripes.
Reply
TriShield 1:41PM (1/11/2008)
This car looks exceptional and virtually the same as the concept. I'll pass on the new Challenger for the Camaro. If the Ute doesn't make it Stateside this will be my next ride. In blue with black stripes please.
Reply
Brian 1:42PM (1/11/2008)
I simultaneously love the rear 3/4 shot and hate this one. The rear 3/4 could easily fit on a car that has no retro styling. Everything about the front sucks. I hate that the hood has so much overhang.
That's by biggest complaint with the Evo X as well. Push the front grill back in line with the headlights on that car and the entire front profile changes for the better.
Reply
Tecmec 1:59PM (1/11/2008)
Am I the only one who isn't particularly fond of these last two Camaro pics? I LOVED the concept, but to me this pre-production version just isn't the same. I can't put my finger on why, but to me, this pre-production version seems very toned-down. Heck, maybe it's just the white color...I dunno
Reply
yksgib2002 4:51PM (1/11/2008)
I really couldn't agree more. Somehow this car has that 80s GM vibe - sort of generic and on the lower half of the quality scale. Maybe it will drive well. I can't put my finger on it either but it just seems...bleh.
PandaBeat 2:29PM (1/11/2008)
No, you're not alone. There's something about it that looks, uhm, wrong... :(
It's like it's fat or something. It's a Chevy Mustang. :(
zzzZZZZZZzzzz
mark_welby 2:03PM (1/11/2008)
I'm tired of the new Camaro and Challenger and they're not even out yet! The internet is a real buzz-kill as far as new cars go. It's like having a surprise birthday party thrown for you, but you're taking part in the planning of it. *SURPRISE!!! * ..... "yawn".
Reply
Russell 2:23PM (1/11/2008)
http://childparenting.about.com/cs/behaviorproblems/a/whining.htm
Russell 2:24PM (1/11/2008)
Read this
http://childparenting.about.com/cs/behaviorproblems/a/whining.htm
mark_welby 2:57PM (1/11/2008)
Are you whining about my whining, Russell ?
naggs 3:04PM (1/11/2008)
you frequent an automotive news website and then complain about how it ruins the surprise?
amazing
naggs 3:05PM (1/11/2008)
you frequent an automotive news website and then complain about how it ruins the surprise?
amazing