Engine options for 7th gen Camaro

[dwlissick]

One thing we mustn't forget is that a new Camaro can't start at $50-60K, it isn't and shouldn't be a Corvette. In 2016, the base trim of the Camaro was well under $30K, specifically $26,695 for the four-banger and $28,190 for the V6.

While this wouldn't be realistic in 2027-2028, price was one of the additional reasons the car didn't sell well enough, as younger buyers less likely to be disappointed by the car's shortcomings, perceived or real.

If GM offered an attractive 7th gen base Camaro for under $35K, I think that would be low enough to drive more "baseline" sales, which could then sustain a low selling top end V8 and FI V8 combo.

I think they already did that. Wasn't the LT1 around that price? And that sold a ton I believe. Ditch the 4 and 6 cylinder and make a "LT" base model wit the V8 engine, make the RS package an option as before. Then make the 1SS and 2SS with RS package as standard like before. I've seen enough people buy the 4 and 6 cylinders and express deep regret, and they often put ZL1 bumpers and brembos on it, among other things.. Making the V8 affordable for everyone is the way to go.

 

[arpad_m]

You're not wrong, it's just difficult to believe that a "V8 for everyone" strategy would work. The (incredibly confusingly named) LT1 trim was a relative success, and GM should've thought of it much sooner, but in 2027-2028 I'm afraid one can no longer get away with such a minimalistic trim. (BTW I edited my previous post, because I left out a full sentence, no idea where it went. sorry.)

Yes, I know, old school V8 enthusiasts don't care about plastics and 90s style 3" DIC screens and crappy audio etc., some would probably be okay even with cranking their windows by hand, but whether there are enough of them in Gen Z and Gen Alpha to sustain a no-frills Camaro in 2028 and ahead, that is the big question.

One thing I always wondered, especially after seeing the 45-minute 6th gen factory tour video, is that since the car is already built to order, every car on the line is different with matching large parts trays traveling along each vehicle, why we couldn't have more freedom in optioning each Camaro. For example, I could've chosen the 2SS trim with 1LE seats but a leather steering wheel, no electronic diff, light gray door cards and headliner to open up the interior a bit, and so on.

This way even a barebones trim could be optioned exactly as people want it and not have to jump right into the 2SS price range for something trivial like a HomeLink transmitter. Allowing more or ideally full customization didn't look particularly expensive, again, given how it's already being catered to, just within artificial limits.

I think they already did that. Wasn't the LT1 around that price? And that sold a ton I believe. Ditch the 4 and 6 cylinder and make a "LT" base model wit the V8 engine, make the RS package an option as before. Then make the 1SS and 2SS with RS package as standard like before. I've seen enough people buy the 4 and 6 cylinders and express deep regret, and they often put ZL1 bumpers and brembos on it, among other things.. Making the V8 affordable for everyone is the way to go.

 

[dwlissick]

You're not wrong, it's just difficult to believe that a "V8 for everyone" strategy would work. The (incredibly confusingly named) LT1 trim was a relative success, and GM should've thought of it much sooner, but in 2027-2028 I'm afraid one can no longer get away with such a minimalistic trim. (BTW I edited my previous post, because I left out a full sentence, no idea where it went. sorry.)

Yes, I know, old school V8 enthusiasts don't care about plastics and 90s style 3" DIC screens and crappy audio etc., some would probably be okay even with cranking their windows by hand, but whether there are enough of them in Gen Z and Gen Alpha to sustain a no-frills Camaro in 2028 and ahead, that is the big question.

One thing I always wondered, especially after seeing the 45-minute 6th gen factory tour video, is that since the car is already built to order, every car on the line is different with matching large parts trays traveling along each vehicle, why we couldn't have more freedom in optioning each Camaro. For example, I could've chosen the 2SS trim with 1LE seats but a leather steering wheel, no electronic diff, light gray door cards and headliner to open up the interior a bit, and so on.

This way even a barebones trim could be optioned exactly as people want it and not have to jump right into the 2SS price range for something trivial like a HomeLink transmitter. Allowing more or ideally full customization didn't look particularly expensive, again, given how it's already being catered to, just within artificial limits.

> especially after seeing the 45-minute 6th gen factory tour video,
Where can I see this? Ive only seen the factory tour for the 5th gen one

 

[bishopts]

I said for years the 5.3 should have been the midline engine instead of the 3.6.
But i also said i wish they would have put the 3.6 twin turbo engine from the ATS in as a special edition engine. It made more power than the LT1.
The 5.3 would have made better fuel economy than the 3.6 with the ability to have the v8 exhaust tone.

So moving forward the 5.5 N/A would be great as a midline engine option. It wouldn't have the low end torque the 6.2 has but it would definitely have more than the 3.6, and mid to high rpm would be pretty great. The combo would have the potential to get out of the hole without spinning and then ramp up power as the rpm comes up.

 

[arpad_m]

It was taken down from youtube, but yours truly saved it, here you go:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/5dot...ey=kk51za04ii3jbclpaw2cs7xhw&st=yf60fcoz&dl=1

> especially after seeing the 45-minute 6th gen factory tour video,
Where can I see this? Ive only seen the factory tour for the 5th gen one

 

[Mr_Draco]

One thing we mustn't forget is that a new Camaro can't start at $50-60K, it isn't and shouldn't be a Corvette. In 2016, the base trim of the Camaro was well under $30K, specifically $26,695 for the four-banger and $28,190 for the V6.

While this wouldn't be realistic in 2027-2028, price was one of the additional reasons the car didn't sell well enough, as younger buyers less likely to be disappointed by the car's shortcomings, perceived or real, still didn't bite enough for the lower trims (and probably couldn't afford the more interesting higher trims or freely option in the few things they may have really wanted).

If GM offered an attractive 7th gen base Camaro for under $35K, I think that would be low enough to drive more "baseline" sales, which could then sustain a low selling top end V8 and FI V8 combo.

For pricing, all you have to do is look at the current Mustang pricing and remember the Camaro has always been $2-$3K more. Currently the 2026 base Mustang starts at just under $35k so if it released today, the base V6 Camaro would already be above that $35k mark. The 2026 Mustang GT starts at $47k. This puts the Camaro SS starting at $49-$50k and prices are still going up. By the time the Camaro gets released, I would not surprised at all if the V6 starts at just under $40k and the SS starts at $51-$52k.

 

[Stonehauler]

Let's look at the various engines we KNOW fit with the alpha platform (CT4 and CT5 engines, including blackwing

2.0 Dual Scroll Turbo I4 - 237 HP, 258 Ft-lb CT4, CT5
2.7 Dual-Volute Turbo I4 310 HP, 350 Ft-lb CT4 Premium Luxury
2.7 Dual-Volute Turbo I4 325 HP, 380 Ft-lb CT4V
3.0 TTV6 - 360 HP, 405 Ft-lb - CT5V
3.6 TTV6 - 472 HP, 445 Ft Lb - CT4V Blackwing
6.2 NA DI - 495/490 HP, 465/470 Ft Lb - Corvette Stingray, depending on package
6.2 SCV8 - 668 HP, 659 Ft-lb - CT5V-Blackwing

Possible
6.7 V8 - 535 HP, 520 Ft-lb https://news.gm.com/home.detail.html/Pages/topic/us/en/2026/apr/0409-ls6.html
5.7 - 400+ HP/TQ

Usages
Camaro RS (EcoBoost Competitor)
The 2.3 EcoBoost engine in the Mustang is 310 HP, 350 Ft-Lb, so for a base model Camaro, the 2.7L Dual-Volute Turbo I4, particularly in the 325/380 configuration would seem to be a good fit. It improves on the Ford HP/TQ numbers (a number a lot of folks pay attention to), and gets 20-28 MPG, which is a slight downgrade in the 21-30 numbers of the Mustang, but hopefully the Camaro would be slicker and more fuel efficient than the CT4-V

Camaro SS (Mustang GT competitor)
the 6.2 is an obvious choice, but only if they continue making them after moving to the 6.7 I do not see the 5.7 making an appearance unless that 400+ is more like 480+. If it does top 480, I see it being a top contender for a base SS. If the 6.2 goes and the 5.7 is closer to 425, then th 6.7 will need to be used.

The biggest problems I see is that right now, Dodge is offering a 550 HP 531 Ft Lbs ICE version of the Charger. Does this mean that Chevrolet would need to put up numbers closer to this for the Camaro, or can GM stick closer to the 500 hp side of things with the Camaro (hopefully) being a smaller car than the Charger (which is a big beast of a car)

Camaro (Dark Horse Competitor and other speciality models)
Here is where I see Chevrolet using the 6.7L engine form the corvette, detuned just slightly to 520/505 or so. I see a GT500 competitor using a supercharged version of this engine unless they decide to turbo it instead.



Buick (Provisional Name Regal)
First, I hope this is closer to the CT5 in size vs the CT4, aka, 5 passenger vs 4.
Base
2.0 Dual Scroll Turbo I4 - 237 HP, 258 Ft-lb CT4, CT5
Unless they change out the engines in the Caddy, I don't see the Buick Base getting anything bigger. BMW 330 and 530 are 255 HP and 295 Ft Lbs, so I I see them being semi-comparable. Especially if Buick's price can undercut the BMW nameplate

Luxury (GS)
with a grand national version available, one of the following two engines.
2.7 Dual-Volute Turbo I4 325 HP, 380 Ft-lb CT4V
3.0 TTV6 - 360 HP, 405 Ft-lb - CT5V
Without a Grand National Version
3.6 TTV6 - 472 HP, 445 Ft Lb - CT4V Blackwing

Luxury Performance (Grand National)
6.2 or 6.7L V8. generating 500+ HP and Torque. (not supercharged)