What we have for you today isn’t as strange as the makeshift Chevy Colorado mule to develop the Ford Bronco, but it’s pretty close nonetheless. Our spy just caught a third-generation Chevrolet Camaro leaving the GM Milford Proving Grounds. But this is not ordinary Camaro, which makes this sighting all the more noteworthy.
The bright yellow Camaro seen here is wearing Manufacturer plates and has a sticker (on the lower end of the driver’s side windshield) that makes it part of GM’s Milford test vehicle fleet. As such, the vehicle in question appears to be a prototype, and not just a third-gen Camaro belonging to a GM employee. But it gets even better.
We followed the Camaro very closely for a good ten minutes on public roads, and learned some interesting things. First, everything about the way this thing sounds indicates that it cradles a Small Block V8 engine under the hood. Second, there is a six-speed manual transmission in the cabin (yes, we actually counted the shifting). A six-speed was definitely not offered on the third-gen Camaro.
Other notable elements about this strange Camaro include the presence of a roll cage, twin dual exhaust tips at the rear, a raised hood (likely to clear a bigger/taller engine), and GM Performance Parts badges on the side skirts (just behind the front wheels) and on the rear bumper. These elements, in particular, make us conclude that we’re looking at some form of a GM prototype that wasn’t designed to cradle the engine currently residing under its hood.
So, what the heck is this thing? Our best guess is that we’re looking either at a powertrain mule testing an engine for the current, sixth-generation Chevrolet Camaro or potentially validating a GM/Chevrolet crate engine. The possibility of this being an early mule for the future Camaro – which may or may not be happening – is quite low.
It’s worth noting that this would not be the first time GM used a third-gen Camaro for testing purposes. Back in 2015, the automaker tested a third-generation Camaro alongside a camouflaged sixth-generation Camaro. It’s still unclear what that third-gen Camaro was testing at that point in time.
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Comments
I’d be absolutely stoked if Chevrolet made the next gen Camaro similar to the 3rd & 4th Gen. Obviously not the dinosaur that those cars have become, but a sleek, modern interpretation of those cars. Still based on the Alpha-2 Platform Still available with a V8 engine, still rear wheel drive just improved over the current car. I’d buy one in a heartbeat (no pun intended)
They would really have to think that new design carefully if they would consider bringing forth a futuristic version of the 1992 Camaro without placing any elements that may resemble the Camaro that replaced it in 1993, though I did like that design also during it’s initial introduction , the current Camaro does show some potential to make a dramatic design resurrection of its 1992 classic model, especially with the Font-end that could be closed off a little more and would definitely be more of a “Head Turner” than the current model if done right.
Don’t get too excited. I have it on good Authority that this is actually the new Escalade.
There wont be another Camaro after 2023
Probably not. IMO if another Camaro is ever introduced it will be in the 2030s.
However, another RWD sports coupe is now in development for release under a different name. I cannot divulge much more but I will say this: the “Camaro” name is reserved for, and only for, a coupe with a V8 powertrain.
A hatchback Camaro would be quite a leap in current pony car practicality. I don’t think the mule indicates that such a Camaro is in development, though. If they’re testing chassis/powertrain then they can slap any body they want over it.
Oh. Snap. Son.
Since I’m a major Camaro fan, this is as exciting to me as the upcoming C8 reveal. The prior news of what was being planned for the 7th gen Camaro was really bumming me out. This at least gives me a small bit of hope that maybe we will see the 7th gen much sooner than expected.
I’m no expert, and I’ve been wrong plenty of times before, but I am going to keep telling myself that this is a VERY early test mule for the 7th gen Camaro which will still offer a manual transmission. My mental and emotional sanity needs this to be true.
3rd Gen Camaro, the coolest Camaro ever for me, this sighting make me glad, from here can out something excitement
Dude just imagine a 3rd gen camaro re released, that would blow my mind…
This has got to be an April fool’s day joke, in July no less!
Speculation that GM might consider creating a new iteration of the third-gen? A-ha ha ha!
I mean, to be fair, I have a rollbar equipped, six speed manual retrofitted, fuel injected third-gen in my garage too, no joke! But really… Maybe it’s a test mule for GM performance crate engines. But that would be it. Nobody’s going to re-create the third-gen. Heh. What a good laugh you guys gave me today! Well played.
Dan – nobody here is speculating that the car seen here is a return of the third gen Camaro. Nobody. Not one person. Please read the conclusions of what this may be in the article.
Why not? Dodge has been recreating their old lineup with huge success.
This is the most logical conclusion. It’s probably a test bed for gm performance parts.
I’m a Mustang fan first, but an American muscle car fan at heart no matter who makes it. Mustang, Challenger without a Camaro to spar with? NO. They need this to be a test mule for the 7th Gen… please?
LOL. Yeah… definitely a future Camaro mule. You guys should go back and spend more time following it.
Feel free to share a better theory of what a third gen is doing at the proving ground with a manufacturer plate and with an inventory bar code that classifies it as an engineering prototype. Until then, we’ll assume it’s a crate engine mule, at the least… and something more, at the most.
Next Transformers movie car
I want-
Base level 7th Gen Camaro (think 2020 LT1)
Much better visibility (see – hang arm out window)
Rear hatch (see 3rd gen)
Slightly better ergonomics and the ability to take my family to car shows, so a usuable but not enormous back seat.
LT2 V8 with 470-500hp
6 speed manual w/ active rev match
Really comfy cloth seats
Bitchin radio w/ Android audio and good bass / highs
HUD, decent gauges
18 or 19″ wheels (no 20s)
No other options.
you need to stop f-ing with my emotions Chevrolet.
just stop.
It’s gotta be something important. The gen 3 didn’t ride that high. If it was just a mule for a motor, or tranny upgrade, it would sit at the stock height or lower. Roll bars seem like they’d just be stiffening the frame up for the gen3 body to sit over the top. Just my 2 cents.
“Alternatively, this strange prototype could be validating a GM/Chevrolet crate engine.”
Hate to break it to you but this is almost certainly it. Vette engine in crate box, or Blackwing Crate… if Caddy will let it go,
Cool the gen three talk as GM has used Camaro’s for Mules for other cars before. There is a 4th gen in the Corvette museum with a C5 under the body.
I agree with. Hits that this very well could be a Mule for the GM performance crate engines. That is big business now.
The scoop is not a shaker but it is covering a taller engine so we may have some induction work here.
Hey Alex, do you think that this could just be a GM Performance Parts testbed? The only thing that would make me think otherwise, which is a big thing, are the four C8-style “squircle” exhaust tips. Those tips look just like the ones on the C8, so it makes me wonder if this is a testbed for using a C8 engine in a Camaro Chassis. But this car looks immaculate and very factory-condition that a 7th-gen Camaro Chassis couldn’t be hidden underneath. Thus, I believe that this is simply a testbed for a new crate engine that is also used in the C8. It’s probably an LT2.
Interesting observations. The exhaust tips typically wouldn’t matter much, but these seem to be exactly the same as the ones on the C8 IREVs we’ve been seeing all over the place. Agreed that this looks too perfect to be hiding a new architecture underneath.
You’re probably. We should find out soon enough.
Screw that, bring back the most Iconic car, the one that owns the black-gold colors, the vehicle that rises from the ashes and burned all the others from the water, the only vehicle that GM had to stop because because the people were braking into the factory to steal the engine parts cause it was made for racing from factory, bring back the bird 455.
2023 will b the last ICE Camaro. I’m buying the SS with the 7000 dollar track package. How do I get the stupid vinyl taken off the hood? Factory delete or must the dealer do the uninstall?
It would take no more than 30 minutes to pull the wrap off with a heat gun, not sure why you would do that, but , buy the car and do as you please. I am not a 100% purist, as I prayed that GM would put an A10 in the 1LE and they did. That black wrap on the hood lets everyone know you are driving a 1LE, it is a part of the package, don’t fuckt that up.
A 3rd-gen Camaro test mule? I’m thinking they should bring back the International Race of Champions package (IROC-Z for those who don’t quite remember).
Boom!
That’s Borla exhaust. I have it on my ’96 Z28
Strange, indeed. I did love my 3rd gen Z-28 but I’d love to see something futuristic and edgy.
First off, that’s not a “shaker” scoop, I’m not even sure it’s functional. It looks like the fake scoop that was available on the 80’s Choo Choo Customs El Camino’s.
I’m thinking this Camaro is just a GM Performance Parts test bed, maybe for their “Connect & Cruise” kits or LS conversions. From conversations I’ve had with people at GM Performance tech/customer service, I got the impression they install and test their engines and parts in various cars.
This is defo a Camaro or probably the upcoming Caddy coupe.
Early C9 Mule! Lol!
Crate engine test mule?
I think its a click bait story. There isn’t anything here. Its an old Camaro they probably test crate engines with (as the other comments stated). Not everything with manufacturers plates is a prototype. I work at GM and we have a 2001 S10 and a 1993 Silverado that have manufacturers plates on them and they’re “shop” trucks. Just used around the plant. Waste of time. Someone inside GM is getting a kick out of you guys
They are testing the LT5 EROD. It will be announced in November at the SEMA SHOW.
Still love the 5th gen. design Camaro, just design slightly bigger windows and go back to the original grill and give more horse power. 500hp.
Probably testing what will become the ZZ7 350 crate
A GEN 3 Camaro in appearance with all the underpinnings and mechanicals from the next generation ATS with the LT4 or LT5 as the Camaro’s top engine.
Nothing to get lathered-up about. Some platforms work well for powertrain / propulsion testing, so why change. (BTW…for those that have ever been to DPG, you’ll remember the ’67 GTO they had for years running high-speed tire tests. Didn’t mean they were brining the car back. Was cool to see it hauling around the track.)
Someone lost a bet and got stuck driving that ugly yellow POS. FOOLISH TO THINK ANYTHING THING ELSE. now back to the future ! Lol have a good day gentlemen.
Finally, a Camaro that you can see out of. Build it!
My guess is the car is a test mule for a GM Performance Parts gen1 small-block crate motor package with a blower similar to that currently used on the Camaro/Corvette/Caddy CTS V. GM makes a substantial amount of $$$ selling dozens of different crate motors, but they currently have no supercharged gen1 engines in the lineup.
A 383 with aluminum heads, roller cam, and a blower—with a factory warranty and that would readily bolt right into a million different cars on the road—could be another big seller.
Lost a bet and stuck driving a ugly yellow POS lol
Or maybe an engineer just wanted a good looking weekend car to drive for a change?