Alas, Z/28, we hardly knew ye
The all-new Camaro we've been waiting on for two years is just a few days from showing its production face, and we've already got some bad news. The General has dumped plans for the Z28. The highly anticipated Camaro variant was rumored to feature the same supercharged 6.2L engine that powers the brawny Cadillac CTS-V with well over 500 ponies. Without the Z28 in the picture, the still powerful SS edition will be the range-topper for now, and we're expecting power to be just under that of the base Corvette's 436 hp.
While this is certainly bad news for Camaro enthusiasts, it does make sense in the face of $4.25 per gallon gas to cancel a supercharged monster that's likely to be eligible for a hefty gas guzzler tax. What doesn't make sense is canceling the Z28 moniker when it means much more to Camaro fans than SS ever will. There goes the aftermarket for louvers and mullet wigs. Thanks for the tip, Doug!
Gallery: 2010 Camaro Spy Pics Black and White
[Source: Left Lane News, Photo: CamarosAndClassics.com]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Bam 4:10PM (7/14/2008)
that kinda sucks
Reply
Torrent 4:17PM (7/14/2008)
Kinda? NO IT DOES SUCK. WHO THE HELL MAKES A CAMARO, BUT NO DAMN Z28? OH YEAH CHEVY DOES.
I didn't want one anyway. I just wanted an RS or anything with over 300 Horsepower.
Vintage 4:27PM (7/14/2008)
Yeah... I don't like the new camaro, but this makes my inner mullet cry. :(
Torrent 4:30PM (7/14/2008)
^^Vintage.^^ Like I said before. Don't comment. Just look and leave.
LOOK AND LEAVE, VINTAGE.
TJ 4:37PM (7/14/2008)
@torrent: what was wrong with that comment from Vintage? translation: 'Not a fan of the Camaro, but I hate to see any hi-po vehicles get the axe.'
Vintage 4:42PM (7/14/2008)
Torrent hates me because he obviously has a mullet.
jgp 4:44PM (7/14/2008)
What do you mean 'kinda'? It thoroughly sucks.
Torrent 4:56PM (7/14/2008)
Yeah........um........I read his post wrong. I thought he meant the new Camaro makes his inner mullet cry..whatever that means....Anyway I have an Afro- thanks for caring.
GHH52 4:13PM (7/14/2008)
I doubt they will ever make this car. Seems an eternity since it was announced. Downsize it before it comes out. Put the Camaro name on the new CRUZE small car and call it a day. What a lost opportunity.
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Torrent 4:18PM (7/14/2008)
OMG THEY JUST SAID IN A COUPLE OF DAYS IT WILL DEBUT. ARE YOU THAT LAZY TO EVEN READ THE FIRST COUPLE OF SENTENCES?
TriShield 4:11PM (7/14/2008)
This is probably the first in what will be many missteps and mismanagement concerning this iconic car.
The Camaro is a car people actually want to buy. It's a car that has a huge legion of fans and it's a car that means so very much to the Chevrolet brand not unlike the Corvette.
Given these facts and the importance of this car what sense does it make to cancel the top model, using a powertrain already in use in the CTS-V and Corvette?
Trucks, SUVs and crossovers are the vehicles that really aren't selling in our market. Why is GM going ahead with their next upcoming endless rebadge of their new compact SUV for Cadillac, GMC, Chevrolet, etc? What sense does that make over canning the top-dog Camaro?
It makes zero sense to me to muddle or neuter an icon yet continue producing in droves vehicles that really aren't selling.
With management like this it's easy to see why the company is on the verge of bankruptcy.
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Alex 4:19PM (7/14/2008)
More likely this is a decision based upon the looming CAFE regulations.
Keat 4:22PM (7/14/2008)
Ya, its not like they have a choice. It's another loss to CAFE regulations.
TBlueMax 11:28PM (7/14/2008)
If the engineering work has already been done and the CTS-V engine will fit, it would be great if Chevy offered it as a Build To Order (BTO) factory option with zero marketing behind it - save your ad dollars Chevy, the enthusiasts will figure this one out without a road map.
In the alternative, how about a GM Performance Parts Z28 crate engine package complete with transmission/suspension/brake upgrades? Heck, go all the way and offer a rolling chassis complete with welded roll cage, composite panels, a carbon fiber bucket for the driver, stripped out interior (akin to the Dodge Challenger Drag Race Package) and let the enthusiasts create their own fire-breathing monsters. This would skip the gas guzzler tax and really make the enthusiasts happy (i.e. "something" > "nothing").
/dreaming
carsteve 4:14PM (7/14/2008)
Thought the SS model was ABOVE the Z/28 model. Wasn't that the case for the most recently discontinued line of Camaros?
Reply
TJ 4:27PM (7/14/2008)
It was, and personally I would like to see the return of the ZL1 moniker for the really hi-po and really limited edition.
David(Postal) 4:34PM (7/14/2008)
Yeah that's what confuses me so much on this story. I always thought the SS was tops
Jason 4:38PM (7/14/2008)
I'll admit that I don't know a whole about Camaros but I thought the same thing, SS > Z28. While it's a shame the Camaro won't be getting the LSA, I think the LS3 will do just fine. Could it also be possible the LS7 will be used?
Joe 5:05PM (7/14/2008)
Yeah, shouldn't the current base model with the V8 be the z/28? Then the SS can have more power and they can come out with a v6 base model.
Icon149 5:11PM (7/14/2008)
Yeah the Z28 i thought was the