Filed under: Coupes, Chevrolet, GM, First Drive
Camaro nut reports from inside second focus group
With the 2010 Camaro just a couple months from being unveiled in production trim, GM is conducting focus groups with fanatics that it aims to please. Forum poster OctaneZ28 from 5thGen was on-site at the General's Milford Proving Grounds recently for the second such focus group and is now telling the world as much as he can about the soon-to-be-released bow-tie pony car. So far he's as giddy as a school boy. Since OctaneZ28 is a true die-hard Camaro fan, it's hard to consider his opinions objective, but he's posted some things from the focus group that we find interesting.
First off, he mentions driving both the V6 and V8 models, and he calls the 3.6L version a real sleeper. Does that mean the base engine could be direct-inject version with more horsepower? OctaneZ28 also mentions the production convertible, which is said to keep the form of the coupe and is the most researched drop-top in the history of GM. That's weighty stuff. Lastly, the six- and eight-cylinder models will be heavily differentiated, and there will be 10 colors available for the car. It may seem like forever and a day since the first Camaro concept bowed in Detroit, but now that we're in the home stretch, all that waiting looks to be paying off.
Gallery: 2010 Camaro Spy Pics Black and White
[Source: 5thGen]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Chris 11:41AM (5/21/2008)
I am curious about mileage figures. While looking for a new convertible I looked at Mustangs, with six cylinder engines only to discover 19/26 mileage figures.
So if the Camaro does come out in 2010 it will be up against even higher fuel prices.
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Vintage 12:22PM (5/21/2008)
Neat. The focus group is full of balding middle aged men. Who'd have thought?
HAhahaha. Subaru is going to be getting my money, nice try though Chevy.
Tagg 12:47PM (5/21/2008)
Vintage,
Have you ever seen a Subaru focus group? I would bet its full of soccer moms and balding 30 year olds with "artsy" glasses.
AngeloD 12:40PM (5/21/2008)
""Neat. The focus group is full of balding middle aged men. Who'd have thought?""
If you look closely you'll see the group has 8 women and 12 men, only three of whom appear to be balding (the men that is).
Good luck with your Subaru, they make a fine automobile.
Why you are comparing it to a rear wheel drive pony car is a mystery.
The Luigiian 3:26PM (5/21/2008)
Chris,
Check your local Ford dealer come 2009. Ford is rumored to be considering their Duratec 35 engine as base for Mustang come MY 2010 (2009), which if it happens will make the 'Stang more efficient. The engine delivers 18/28 (22 overall) in the Taurus, the Mustang weighs less so I'd hazard to guess more like 19/29 in the Mustang.
Still not great, but for anything better you'd be better off checking out a Honda Civic or Mini Cooper convertible.
jamie 1:25PM (5/23/2008)
How to get 200 mpg from your Camaro, Mustang or Challenger!!!
http://rexresearch.com/pogue/1pogue.htm#article
Now where do I find the carburetor on this thing?
why not the LS2LS7? 11:44AM (5/21/2008)
Why would they tell a focus group this was the most researched drop-top in the history of GM? No one needs to know this in order to make up their mind about a car.
Sounds like GM is using the focus groups as an advertising outlet.
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rouse42 11:46AM (5/21/2008)
is it gonna be a retractable hardtop?
tankd0g 12:02PM (5/21/2008)
Sounds like GM is focusing it's focus groups.
Corey W. 12:07PM (5/21/2008)
It's not a ad for a commercial or something, that's the kind of information that would be relevant to such a focus group. It's like the claim about the C5 Hardtop being the stiffest Corvette ever.... A "nice to know" bit of information.
why not the LS2LS7? 10:42PM (5/21/2008)
Stiffest car ever affects you. It affects the handling. Most researched drop-top doesn't have any obvious effects. It useless information.
Torrent 11:52AM (5/21/2008)
Saleen says they will definitley use the 400HP LS2. Yes I said Saleen.
I also heard that the models will be Base V6, RS and SS- then a year or so later, the Z28 will be released.
Some other guy said that a 2009 Chevy Color Palette had been sent to his dealership. He said he would get the scans up ASAP.
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Frylock350 11:59AM (5/21/2008)
I'm hoping for the following powertrain choices
Base Engine 3.6L SIDI V6 300+hp
Base Optional 6.0L L76 360hp (ala the G8)
Base Optional 2.0L SIDI TT I4 LNF 260hp
Z28 430hp LS3
SS 550+hp LSA or 638hp LS9.
And it would be absolutely amazing if GM offered a boosted atlas I6 to the tune of 450hp.
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aman 3:56PM (5/21/2008)
I doubt the base version will have that much hp.
Base: 3.6 or 3.9 260ish hp
Optional: L76, LS3, LS7 (crosses fingers)
Frylock350 4:13PM (5/21/2008)
I'm just hoping that for my sake the L76 is offered with a 6sp manual. I don't need the LS3's power (I don't even need the L76's power, I just want that V8 rumble) and don't care to feed the car premium fuel.
The reason I stated 300hp is because that's the figure the direct injected V6 makes in the CTS. Besides which the SIDI motor is more efficient than the standard DOHC V6. The 300hp V6 would make the base Camaro the undisputed V6 power king in this class.
Julius 12:02PM (5/21/2008)
My only question is how the interior would look.
And re: fuel economy, the CTS with the 3.6 already gets 16/25 (MPFI) or 18/26 mpg (DI), so the Camaro would likely be the same. And this in a V6 with 45 to 90 more HP than the 4.0 V6 in the Mustang. I'm sure that with some changes in gearing and software calibrations, the Camaro coupe and convertible could do better than the CTS, making it much more viable.
In any case, I'd bet that most buyers would stick with the V6 option and be ok with it... and the bigger question is if GM will stick the 260 hp 2.0 I4 DI turbo (19/28) as well.
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ambientFLIER 7:55PM (5/22/2008)
There is no way the 4 cyl is getting those mileage figures in the heavier camaro.
Disgruntled Goat 12:13PM (5/21/2008)
Poor GM, they can't catch a break. They quit making one of their iconic brands 8 years ago when gas was (relatively) cheap and then when they finally figure out they really do need to sell a Camaro they launch it into the teeth of $4/gallon gas. They really need to find a leader who knows something about the automotive marketplace or they're just going to keep shooting themself in the foot.
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inteller 12:21PM (5/21/2008)
if "real sleeper" means that stealthy camo they have on the failboat there, then yes we all better look out.
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Jason 12:36PM (5/21/2008)
"the six- and eight-cylinder models will be heavily differentiated"
BOOO. Oh well, not that surprising, seems like all sports cars are like that (Mustang, Charger, Challenger). If you want the cool looking car you have to get the expensive V8 model, otherwise you're stuck with the weenie-looking V6 version. Guess it just helps upsell the more expensive models, and strokes the egos of those can afford them.
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