Hopefully Chevy Understands the New Camaro Design is More Important than a 0.5 Second Faster 1/4 Mile

[PDXSSCE]

"Chevrolet greenlit the 2028 Camaro with a V8 and a manual, but real fans in a major enthusiast group are pushing back hard on the horsepower obsession, and what they want instead reveals the exact mistake that killed the last Camaro."

https://www.torquenews.com/1/i-hope...sign-more-important-05-seconds-faster-14-mile

 

[Joshinator99]

"Chevrolet greenlit the 2028 Camaro with a V8 and a manual, but real fans in a major enthusiast group are pushing back hard on the horsepower obsession, and what they want instead reveals the exact mistake that killed the last Camaro."

https://www.torquenews.com/1/i-hope...sign-more-important-05-seconds-faster-14-mile

“Chasing horsepower records”…pure BS. The Camaro made less power than both the Mustang and Challenger…!

I do agree usability needs to improve with the new model if they want to sell them.

 

[Ruby1LE]

I've been screaming FORM & FUNCTION for years! If some want to buy a Camaro for a collection that rarely gets driven, they are by far in the minority, most people buy cars they can afford and can drive daily. That means: yeah it can look "exotic", like A/C temp controls built into the rings around the lowest vents ever placed on a center console, but if it leaves you no surface for objects like a cell phone or worse, has a little crevice under those vents that SD cards or coins slide into, customers are not happy. Same for controls, like the fan speed. Why does Chevy insist on using a SMALL push button switch instead of the old reliable turn knob that doesn't even require you to look for it in order to turn it up or down?? The fact that Camaro shared and will share the platform with Cadillac and now Buick, there should be some ideas for a good looking interior, that serves the driver & passengers as well as their more "family friendly" options. And don't even get me started on the door windows' HIGH belt line, talk about low visibility...

 

[Stonehauler]

Usability yes. This means an interior and exterior that is functional for the user (driver) of the vehicle.
That means controls in good interior with the appropriate physical switches, and easy to navigate secondary digital interfaces. All digital interfaces are bad when you have to take your eyes off the road to interact with them. Physical controls with real switches/dials can be reached and adjusted with touch providing the localization your body needs to identify the correct switch/dial to manipulate. Digital interfaces themselves are not bad, as they can provide more depth of control when performing vehicle setup/standing still adjustment, but even then, the UI needs to be intuitive.

Second, the exterior needs to be designed in such a way that it does not impede the driver. It can be the best looking car in the world, but if you can't see what is around you because of that design, the design does not work. Establish minimums for sightlines, etc. for people, and then test to ensure those minimums are achievable for both short and tall people, not just the "average Joe/Jane"

Only then, design that beautiful car, but remember that nostalgia for a particular year's car is only going to be for certain generations of people. Once you get too far out of that range, they will have nostalgia for a different car...

 

[Postal-lost-2005]

How'z about just getting the Camaro on the assembly line then we can all try to guess what else we can add to it. To me weather 2/4 door just get it on the road.

 

[PDXSSCE]

Only then, design that beautiful car, but remember that nostalgia for a particular year's car is only going to be for certain generations of people. Once you get too far out of that range, they will have nostalgia for a different car...

The second generation Camaro was by far the best selling, so clearly Chevrolet got it right. I feel that a modern vehicle with styling cues from that generation, would appease loyalists and excite newcomers.

 

[DeuceCam]

Regarding visibility:

I'm all for improving it. However, they still need to allow they seat to go really low, like it does in the 6th gen.

Side note for GM: The C8 corvette seat doesn't go low enough.

 

[Stonehauler]

The second generation Camaro was by far the best selling, so clearly Chevrolet got it right. I feel that a modern vehicle with styling cues from that generation, would appease loyalists and excite newcomers.

Best selling in that ERA....60/70s

I would argue that the 6th gen was an open ohmage to the first gen camaro, with a lot of the inspiration from the first generation coming through to the 6th generation.

When I think of classic Camaros, that is the version I see.

For me, when I think of the Camaros I grew up seeing, I saw the Camaros of the 1980s, the IROC-Z, etc....and to be completely honest...I liked the firebird better...
The firebird was a ton better looking in the 4th gen...

Even when you go back to the 2nd generation, the once you hit 1973, the firebird just had better looks, although prior to 73, the Camaro might edge it out.

I get nostalgia, I really do, but the 70s are gone man....and the 80s are almost gone too.

If you want the Camaro to come back and stay back, either stick with the classic look (1st gen with better visibility), or with a much more modern look. Maybe take some of styling cues from the modern Corvette and start there, designing a front engine RWD, 2+2. That said...I don't think that's what it's going to be

 

[PDXSSCE]

Best selling in that ERA....60/70s

There were six generations of Camaro. The second generation (1970-1981) outsold all of the other generations (~1.9 million), regardless of years or era.

I would argue that the 6th gen was an open ohmage to the first gen camaro, with a lot of the inspiration from the first generation coming through to the 6th generation.

When I think of classic Camaros, that is the version I see.

For me, when I think of the Camaros I grew up seeing, I saw the Camaros of the 1980s, the IROC-Z, etc....and to be completely honest...I liked the firebird better...
The firebird was a ton better looking in the 4th gen...

Even when you go back to the 2nd generation, the once you hit 1973, the firebird just had better looks, although prior to 73, the Camaro might edge it out.

I get nostalgia, I really do, but the 70s are gone man....and the 80s are almost gone too.

If you want the Camaro to come back and stay back, either stick with the classic look (1st gen with better visibility), or with a much more modern look. Maybe take some of styling cues from the modern Corvette and start there, designing a front engine RWD, 2+2. That said...I don't think that's what it's going to be

This is a subjective view, which is fair, but I'm viewing it through the lens of what has been proven to work - both with the Mustang and Corvette, which have never gone out of production.

 

[BrandenZL1]

If they bring back a high-end variant with the Z06 5.5L FPC under $100k with the same mediocre interior and poor visibility I'd still be first in line. I need something between the 790hp Dark Horse SC and a generic NA pushrod v8.

I might be in the minority but I'll take some inconveniences as long as it's a blast to drive. Then again, I got rid of my M5 and daily my ZL1 instead soooooo.....

 

[Ace]

They already build a car that could compete with a same modelyear M4 and ATS-V for way less money. And it failed to sell.

I think Chevy knows that the new Camaro has to be an affordable ponycar, that doesn't try to be a sportscar but just a smooth Grand Tourer with a V8. For people wanting that thrill they just have the Corvette

 

[Hack]

I agree with the flavor of the article, if not specifics. I think Camaro/pony car buyers want HP and performance. However, comfort and usability are also important. And so is value.

If a Camaro with a 5.7 can be sold for >25% less than one with a 6.7, sure maybe go with the 5.7. It's unlikely that I will buy a Camaro with a 5.7 unless weight also decreases, to be honest. If Camaro will be similar in price with either, I think sales will be much better with the 6.7.

The things are liked least about my Gen 6 were comfort/ergonomic related. Mostly the very firm suspension, seats not reclining enough and to a much lesser degree visibility. It would be great if the new Camaro didn't have cylinder deactivation or direct injection. Engine reliability and longevity are important to buyers. It would be lovely if there was some sort of obvious opt in/opt out for sharing my data. I was upset when it was shared and my insurance rates increased. Why would I buy from a company that does this?

I agree with the author that exterior design is important. I bought black because it hid some of the ugly body lines in the nose. A better-looking design should improve sales. Once I drove my Gen 6, I didn't care so much what it looked like due to the excellent performance. But some people won't go drive a car if they don't like the style. I think the 1970 or so styling and the late 70s styling were both excellent in Camaros and either would be great to emulate. In 2010 when it looked like a 69 I really liked the Camaro's styling. I didn't buy that generation Camaro because I didn't think the performance was there, however.

 

[Number 3]

The interesting thing is what configuration the car comes in. IF (and I’d be shocked to see it) this Camaro is a direct competitor with the Mustang then it will have to be the fastest just like it was before. It was the faster car n most cases and it didn’t sell. So coming our slower womt work.

now if GM is clever enough (also doubtful) that they come out with a car that redefines what a Pony car is, then they might win. In this case GM has to come up with an idea for a car that just doesn’t pull in Mustang And Challenger buyers, but pulls in buyers from other segments.

problem is GM has just Alpha to do it and as we all know Alpha isn’t cheap. So keeping an6 Chevy version under $35,000 by 2027 will be huge and that won’t pull in many Accord or Camry buyers.

i‘m actually excited to see what GM does here. As I’ve said if it’s just a sedan, then that took the mental capacity of a 12 year old. But if they do a coupe off a Chevy sedan, ok nice try to keep the Camaro a coupe but the coupe will have performance hurdles in the segment. Now if they try to redefine the segment with something interesting, for me that keeps the Camaro name in tact.

but if it’s just another bite at the traditional coupe (Gen5/6) it better be even faster than it was because at that rate your trying to conquest a market that is even smaller than when they killed the Gen6.

 

[Hack]

I personally wouldn't care if the lower trims of V8 equipped Camaros turn corners better than the Mustang. I just want the engine power to hit nicely between 0 and 60. Manual transmission. 2 doors. And I want good sound and comfortable. To me that's what the pony car segment is about, not razor edge handling.

Sure, do a 1LE model with spine cracking suspension and O-ring tires that last 1,000 miles, but don't set up the base V8 that way.

 

[arpad_m]

Why is the Alpha architecture expensive to use in 2026? It's well over a decade old, base R&D must have been recouped long ago, and manufacturing is simply about churning out metal and plastic pieces like with every other architecture, I don't think it has anything special in terms of material science.

I know I'm oversimplifying it, but conceptually what is causing the high cost of using Alpha for a 2028 model year car?