Automobile Magazine recently released a rendering of what they believe the sixth-generation Chevrolet Camaro will look like. The illustration pulls design cues from the second-generation of Chevy’s pony car, utilizing a modern variation of the second-generation Camaro RS’ grille and other subtle throwback features.
It’s long been thought that the next generation Camaro would ride on General Motors’ newest rear-wheel drive architecture, Alpha, which underpins the Cadillac ATS and CTS. According to Automobile, the Camaro will ride on the long wheelbase version of the Alpha platform, like the CTS, but it will be five inches shorter than the luxury sedan. The new platform is also narrower and lighter than the outgoing Zeta architecture the current generation car rides on.
Interestingly, Automobile believes the next-generation Camaro will be sold with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, potentially the same 272 horsepower, 295 lb-ft. 2.0-liter LTG engine found under the hood of the ATS. This goes against other information we’ve heard, which suggested a new, more efficient V6 is in order, along with V8 engine options. It seems it could be a possibility though, especially if sales of Ford’s 2.3-liter EcoBoost Mustang turn out to be a success.
As for the styling, if Chevrolet is indeed planning on pulling design cues from the second-generation car, Automobile’s renderings probably aren’t too far off. The current car sold well largely due to its dramatic styling, making it difficult to see them toning it down for the all-new model.
Comments
If Camaro goes LWB Alpha then for the love of all that is holy, put Impala on the same blasted manufacturing lines and end this Epsilon II insanity.
Epsilon II is great for LaCrosse. Great for XTS. If Camaro is a LWB Alpha, there’s no excuse to not give Impala the same treatment. You could even export it… to Australia. I think they have some similar car over there that consumers seem willing to pay good money for.
We can talk more premium badges later, that’s just plain sanity in how to build a car.
They will probably want to leave that space for the SS, since the platform that it’s built on will come to an end in a few years. But, I too think that could leave an opportunity to bring Impala over to the Alpha and then drop in the small block to create another Impala SS. Economies of scale would surely help in paying for the platform development. Will they do it? Who knows…
Impala and SS can be the same car, with different engines and suspensions… provided they’re both on LWB Alpha. That could actually cut costs for SS.
With Caprice/Commodore going away, Impala picking up Alpha would give the perfect platform for a 2nd Gen Chevrolet SS… and give Impala the I4/V6 RWD fighter that Chevy needs desperately to take on Charger.
But where would you send all those who are buying the Impala with FWD and better MPG that could care less about RWD.
Would it not be better to have both cars and not just limit it to the one that will always be the lower volume car.
Think with you head and not your heart. I get what you mean and would love to see something like that but the realties of the market are different. Enthusiast are the minority.
The fact is the stronger the Impala sales get the less argument this case would provide.
The Camaro and SS will provide enough volume to control cost along with sharing development cost with Cadillac. The Impala and Malibu need to share to help retain cost there.
Either way the main focus will be to smaller and more efficient cars as they sell and CAFE is still looming.
You and the Impala and the SS. Give us a break. The SS will run another year and like all Holdens before be dropped on lack of any appeal. Its a damn holden. Its a decade old design and costs $40k. Even the loyalist GM customer doesn’t want one. The Impala is an overpriced front wheel drive vehicle that doesn’t really appeal to a customer but rental companies. Bla Bla Bla.,
The second generation Camaro is actually my favourite design so if they are indeed planning to use cues from it then that sits very well with me. I also have no problem with the use of the 4 cylinder engine. Mitsubishi, Subaru, Honda, and now BMW, Mercedes, and Cadillac are showing just how competent 4 cylinders can be (that’s if the Quad-4 wasn’t saying it loud enough 25 years ago).
The 1970 1/2 Camaro was actually one of the best looking bodies the Camaro has ever had. I still prefer the dual nose cones of the Trans Am, but the Camaro was also a good looking car.
While a turbo four would be cool, I just cannot see it in a Camaro without ruining its legacy as a pony car. I would like to see:
LS/LT: 2.8t V6 (VVT, SIDI, IVVL, and VTM) with 325HP and 340-355LB-FT
LTZ: 4.3t V6 (VVT, SIDI, AFM, and VTM) with 385HP and 390-405LB-FT
SS: 6.2L V8 (VVT, SIDI, and AFM) with 460HP and 465LB-FT
ZL1: 6.2L SC V8 (VVT, SIDI, AFM, and VTM) with 650HP and 650-670LB-FT
Z/28: 5.3t V8 (VVT, SIDI, AFM, and VTM) with 530HP and 535-550LB-FT
It would make sense for the Camaro to offer the same power train options as the CTS; 2.0T, 3.6, and 3.6TT and hopefully the C7’s LT1 as a base V8, with LT4 etc into the ZL1’s and so on… I’d prefer they save those smaller engines for a production Code130r, but that V6 twin-turbo is an interesting twist. I’ve often thought Camaro V6 and Camaro V8 could become 2 separate models (ie RWD Monte Carlo V6)
I agree. Particularly if GM can keep the weight of the base Camaro with the 2.0T under 3,500 lbs. That would provide for a very spirited base model. They could offer the 3.6 as an option in the base model in say combination with the RS package.
I’d like to see a variety of engine offerings in the 6th Gen Camaro. In particular, it would be cool to see GM go back to the roots of the Z/28 and offer a performance car that was more about handling than 1/4 mile times – meaning a lower weight/lower displacement engine which is where the 3.6TT could fit in.
But the 6th Gen Camaro I’m looking for is an SS version with the Corvette’s LT-1 (I’ll even accept slightly de-tuned) engine and either the new 8 speed or 6L90 6 speed automatic transmission. It’s a relief that we no longer have to have the manny vs. automatic debate in terms of which accelerates faster. I’ll always love the feel of a manual transmission but I’m getting to the age that I prefer an automatic. GM no longer needs to water down the gearing of the automatic transmissions so the manny fans can claim their cars are as fast in the 1/4 mile. Put the best transmissions in the 6th gen Camaro and if someone wants a manual transmission it’s for road racing or to save money off of sticker price it accordingly ($1,500-$2,000 less) . But I hope GM doesn’t inhibit the performance capabilities of this car by bogging down the automatic trans gearing. It didn’t when it came to the 5th Gen ZL1 and it shouldn’t do it in any variant of the new 6th Gen Camaro.
Finally, it simply isn’t necessary for GM to try to match Chrysler’s Hellcat Challenger in terms of horsespower. Let Chrysler have its hayday as it sunsets a car that’s getting old looking (again) and weighs in close to the Dodge Ram pick-up. In fact, A ZL1 version of the 6th Gen Camaro with a detuned Z06 Corvette engine (say 615 HP) could be light enough to meet the Hellcat’s 0-60 and 1/4 mile times.
Automobile is clue less and trust what you heard from Al Oppenhieser from GM. At this time No and I repeat No Turbo 4 is in the works yet. Yet it could easily change but Al stated that the car will only have V6 and V8 options.
The long wheel base is not new as this news has been confirmed a while back. I think Al is also the one who stated this too.
As for styling they are wishful thinking as no one knows out side GM at this point. GM has stated the car will have similar look of the present car but it would differ. This would lead one to expect that it will not be a Hared Retro 2nd gen. I love the look of the 2nd gen but that is not what GM has hinted at so far.
Chris let go on the Impala as it is on the FWD platform and it will remain there. The SS will be moved to the Zeta and for intents will be a 4 door Camaro with a different body. GM need the FWD as it really sells well but we the enthusiast will still get a SS and I suspect that with it built here we will see more options and variation. Think about the variation of Camaro’s available and what they could offer in the next SS with the same packages.
As for the dreamers here with the while a$$ ideas let this play out as GM has not shown everything yet.
Keep in mind with this car on a long wheel base platform and only a V6 and V8 option this leaves the door wide open to a smaller Turbo 4 coupe with a shorter wheel base. GM has wanted to do a small car but had no platform to do it with. Leaving the Camaro longer as it is this will offer the room for a smaller coupe based more like a ATS coupe wheel base and GM can offer it at a lower price with Non Turbo and Turbo 4 engines. This could play very well for the younger buyers who can not afford the Camaro price or the Camaro insurance.
While Ford is making the Mustang and the F150 do it all GM is looking to make two cars and two truck more focused as verses one size do all. In the long run it will cost a little more to do it but in the end you will have a more focused and refined product.
Tell me what is better a pair of pliers for two different size nuts or the correct wrench made for each size?
As for the styling just hang on as some of the people I know who have been very close to the Camaro since it came back do not know what it will look like. The disciples that GM as used since the inception of the Gen 5 and in the lead in for the Gen 6 have not been told or seen what the new car will look like. They will be some of the first outsiders to know but they are still waiting so I suspect Automobile has no clue.
Note too that all the staff at Automobile also has been let go. The magazine is going to LA and they are not taking any of the staff. Their duties will be on the staff of sister magazine Motor Trend.
The Camaro is one of the most guarded secrets in Detroit. If you need proof just look at how many at GM had no clue about the Z/28 internally. The car was called Steve and no one ever caught on till the NY show.
You want to know anything on the sixth gen watch for comments from Al Oppenhiser as he is the Guy in charge of the RWD programs. He is the one who often speaks first with any hints and you can trust what he says. He used to talk a lot on future product and even with him cutting back he is often the first one to speak anymore. Often he speaks before Mark but many misses what he says since he is lower profile. He also is a nice guy and a hell of a gear head.
If the Camaro is going to larger CTS platform, let’s bring a coupe back into the line up below it like the old Cobalt coupe — only a little more style and pizazz.
Read above post. Think Cobalt size with RWD.
as the owner of a 2012 camaro i can tell you that this car has been a nightmare from day one… to muliple dead batteries…three alternators..one computer “brain box”..to massive valve cover leak (V8)…to recent waterpump failure (32,000miles)..leaving my 17 year old daughter on the side of the highway…never,..i say NEVER will GM get another nickel of my money! compared to my wifes 2004 corolla with 92,000 miles that in ten years has only required brake pads and tires…GM is a joke..