According to the “Godfather” of the F-Body Camaro, Mr. Scott Settlemire, General Motors is presently working on both of the next two generations of Chevrolet Camaro, meaning that by the time the seventh-generation pony car is launched three or four years from now, the eighth-generation car could already be half-formed.
More importantly, Settlemire’s statement suggests that the Chevrolet Camaro is here to stay – at least for a further two generations. Plans change and programs get canceled, of course, but as of right now, it looks like GM is planning to continue producing its hallmark pony car for some time.
Settlemire – a.k.a. the “Fbodfather” – made mention of the seventh- and eighth-generation Camaro models during a recent appearance on the Camaro Show podcast, recorded at CamaroFest VIII. He suggested that looking two generations ahead with the Camaro had become necessary due to Corporate Average Fuel Economy regulations. It’s uncertain whether the Trump administration’s recent moves to freeze the federal fuel economy standards will have any effect on GM’s development timeline for the Camaro and other vehicles.
Click here to listen to Camaro Show ep. 172, in which Settlemire comments on the next two generations of Chevrolet Camaro. His comments on the subject come at around the 6-minute mark.
Comments
Scott is one we should listen to. He is the real deal when he speaks.
He is retired now but still active in the Camaro circles.
Often when he speaks you have to listen carefully. He can not always speak to the point but he can elude to things indirectly to get you to what you need to know.
I am glad he is back out talking again.
I’m assuming these won’t be autonomous drones, and that’s a good thing. I hope a convertible model will still be a available with all trims and powertrains, for those of us who like to burn up the roads topless.
It’s probably just a technology timeline which they will expedite if needed. For instance the 7th Gen goes hybrid and plan on 8th being electric. But should things change in the industry the 7th could be flexible to bridge electrification before the 8th is ready for market. Same goes for a modular platform that can handle both.
Well with the new Alpha platform coming they have to plan on were it will go and what it will be.
Planning ahead now will also help spread out the cost on the development.
The one issue is changes in laws and public demands that could alter things or eliminate things.
This really is not unlike the C8 program in a way. The C8 started out as the C7 till Lutz delayed it years ago. While work slowed it still continued and never really stopped.
It was not their intention to run two programs at once but they may have learned some benefits here.
Much of today’s plans are about cost. Taking the cost of 7 and 8 gens could really spread out the cost over a lot of time.
Scott3, With all of the talk about how the USA is / has moved away from cars, how is it possible that GM is planning not one but two generations of the Camaro? If that is known, what else is known about GM’s future plans regarding cars, whether Chevrolet, Buick, or Cadillac? Thank you very much.
Camaro crossover
No crossover but a Camaro “shooting brake“ version would broaden the line’s appeal and increase market share.
I believe they are looking to go global with this car. This would give them the total volume they need. Ford is already playing this card.
There is a market for this car just not as large as it one was. The goal is to sell low volumes in a number of markets for over all strength.
This is why it will also feature RHD.
But as Scot stated things can always change along the way depending on market conditions. The intent is to live on and they are working on plans to make it happen. If the global market changes we could see changes.
Mazda uses this statagy to build the Miata. They sell low volume in a number of markets that total up.
For the Camaro and Mustang to survive they have to evolve with a global outreach. The real ace is going to be Australia.
I’d like to see the next one pick up along the lines of the car the 4th gen was. They were great looking cars and kind of were left to die on the vine as GM was spiraling downward at that time.
As lethal Camaro recently uploaded a video with a survey he saw where they were surveying how would Camaro owners feel about the current 2.0 L and 6.2 L with battery assist to bump up power numbers around 120-175 hp each. I wonder if this has anything to do with that.
Personally I’d take the NA LT1 over anything currently has just enough power and I know they will shread weight from other places to even out the battery weight but I wish we can press pause on time because I know battery’s are coming
If Bugatti’s new Divo has demonstrated, performance is the key to success and this is what Chevrolet engineers need to remember in designing the next generation Camaro; design a Camaro that will have the title of best ever and buyers will beat down the door to buy one.
The simple fact of the matter is that none of this is new info.
We all have known the 7th Gen Camaro would ride on A2XX alongside the Cadillac CT5. Same cadence as Alpha/6th/CTS/ATS, same cadence as Zeta/5th/G8/CTS (Sigma II being Zeta Premium).
As to eigth-gen, look at the FNR-X concept. Clearly the Camaro after next will be truck based, and that requires far more advanced design outlook to pull off in a timely manner. They’re having to think ahead, to make sure the design considerations are made in the next Colorado platform (today), so the two vehicles can share a platform.
The new Camaro is an awesome, fast car however the body style is not user friendly. Visibility, headroom, poor trunk access, etc. is a no go for me when I look at this car. These have been issues with the car for the last eight or nine years and all that’s done is change the grill and tail lights. Even though I own a very user friendly 2009 Mustang. the new Camaro is IMHO far superior mechanically to the new Mustang. However, I will continue to want a new Mustang until Chevy gets their act together.
Remember………..”REAL PEOPLE” must drive these things!!!
Couldn’t agree more! I was SO ready to buy an SS 1LE, went to the dealer pre-approved and excited and then I sat in it and immediately was like, what the hell? I can barely see anything. This doesnt feel very safe or confidence inspiring. A proper DCT like Porsche’s PDK should find its way into Corvettes and Camaro’s too by now.
Been driving a Camaro for 6 years now without crashing or running over anyone.
The magic of mirrors and using my neck and eyes!
You could also drive with a helmet on, one arm tied behind your back, and one eye masked off and manage not to hit anyone for a period of time, doest mean you’d want to or that it’d be the most comfortable way either.
That said, you definitely deserve a cookie. Check your mail box in the next few months.
Well the future of the Camaro is going to be a tricky path.
#1 they need to get volume up. It really needs to see 100k units per year.
#2 the car has to evolve. It has to be a car that appeals to the American base but also appeal to the other counties they will sell in.
#3 they need to be more responsive to the base potential buyers. Price is one. They need to find a way to reduce cost. The Dodge does not sell because it is the best car, it is not the lightest, it is far from the most advanced, and it is the oldest. But what it is it is the cheapest.
#4 the other think Dodge has going is the best marketing plan. They are selling more archaic heavy dinosaurs by better marketing and lower price.
#5 if GM can find a way to lower prices but we as buyers need to temper our expectations. Stop complaining if we don’t get lighted sill plates or 16 way seats on both sides.
#6 GM needs to get it together internally and work as a team. Of late they are showing signs of not listening to the customer again and they are being left out. Some platforms are not showing issues some are.
The Camaro is not a simple car to build for everyone but if they listen they can form a package to make more happy. I agree they can making it cheaper but we also have to understand what we will get. The standard a Challenger is not exactly a Hellcat so you are not going to get a ZR for the price of an SS.
Some changes to appeal to other markets are a must. LHD, more refinement in ride and noise optionsetc.
The future will require more understanding on both sides but GM has to make the first move to listen to the customers.
Note when I say GM I do not mean the Camaro team. This is on the backs of the same higher cooperate folks that have hamstrung Cadillac for several decades.
My hope they will do all of those things and make it a stunner and more ergonomically friendly. I also wish the folks at GM wou read you comments and take action to make GM the best auto manufacturer in the world. A guy can hope can’t he. ?
Well ergonomics tend to lack in most coupe of ant sporting nature. Style often plays a major part.
They lower the roof for style then they complain about head room. Raise the roof or for room they complain about style.?
If the could just keep a head off the roof in the back it would resolve most of it.
Many want a second gen look but forget how bad that back seat was. Driveshaft tunnels make horrible arm rest. Lol!
That is why both sides need to compromise a bit for the betterment of the future.
True but the Mustang got it beat in economics and in my opinion it looks better also. Being a GM guy I would like to see that change. Jack said style it like the Avista which I could be happy with, but I know that is not going to happen.
How so # 6
Scott is removed from any gm decision making. nice guy and all but not the one to give any insight. the person i would listen to my late husband who came to me in a dream and told me the next generation camaro would be a combination car/motorcycle. would go fast and get good mpg.
While Scott is removed from decision making since he is now retired he is still active with those in the program and has a finger on the pulse of what is going on.
Let put it this way he was not involved with the Camaro when it came back but his efforts did were key in bringing us the 5th gen.
Please Chevy, style it like the Buick Avista, and I will buy one.