2009 Camaro at Detroit Auto Show

kaisen · 01-09-2006, 05:43 PM

Many of you will say I bleed GM, but that's not quite true. However, I do have a spot in my heart for Camaros. I've been very involved in the Camaro community, and owned three around the time they were dropped from GM at the end of the 2002 model year.

Scott Settlemeier was Camaro brand manager for GM at the time. Funny thing was Scott's title never changed, long after Camaro died. Scott's a great guy, and a true car enthusiast. Over the years, when asked if Camaro would be back, he only said "have hope".

It is a loosely guarded secret, but GM plans to revive the Camaro nameplate for the 2009 model year, perhaps as early as January 2008. It shares platform (Zeta-light) with the next generation GTO.

Here are photos from the Detroit Auto Show:

What do you think? How does it compare with the Mustang and Challenger? Is retro overdone?

E

singpilot · 01-09-2006, 05:50 PM

Saw that unveiled on MSNBC this morning. looked pretty chiseled. GM really needs something to hit it big right now. Hope that's it.

Dantilla · 01-09-2006, 05:54 PM

I used to have a '67 convertable. I'd like to see the return of a Camaro. This one is pretty nice, but it doesn't make me say I've GOT to have it.

ronin · 01-09-2006, 06:00 PM

so far so good. I like it. the interior needs serious help, however. those gauges... sheesh

yellowline · 01-09-2006, 06:06 PM

Definitely a step in the right direction after the last F bodies. They could've decided not to pair the GTO with the Camaro for historical reasons, but any RWD car from the Big 2.5 is to be celebrated.

If the sedans based on this platform can offer reliability, AWD to sell them in snowy areas, and get somewhat good gas mileage, I wonder if the Japanese will be caught with their pants down. I think it's a chance for a fresh start and something totally new. SUVs might be on their way out by then.

Too bad there won't be used ones hitting the market as I graduate from college.

Jim Richards · 01-09-2006, 06:10 PM

Looks like a Cadillac from the front end. The interior looks like a ricer's wet dream. Still, I'm happy to see Cheby try to offer something that's fresh and interesting. The Corvette and now the Camaro. Hmmm, I wonder if we'll ever forgive/forget the Citation, Vega, Cavalier, etc. that they inflicted on the American market.

I wish them every success, even if it's not something that'll grace my garage.

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

wow....sorry, but I think it looks ridiculous. ymmv.

then again I like the M Coupe, so mmmv.

rattlsnak · rattlsnak's Garage

Camaro, looks good indeed, but the new Dodge looks AWESOME..!

01-09-2006, 06:58 PM

I like it a lot! Hope they keep the muscles on the production car.

Oh Haha · 01-09-2006, 07:03 PM

For their sake, I hope they are building those babies right now!!!
I won't buy one as I have my 911 but I think it is exactly what GM needs to get to the public to help their sales. Ever wonder why DC is getting all of the sales lately? The Germans are running the show.

HardDrive · 01-09-2006, 07:18 PM

No worries friends. GM will manage to either:

A) kill the project for lack of vision
B) Bring it to market in such a pathetic, water down version that it falls on its face. Please consult the new Pontiac GTO (AKA "The big fast Cavalier").

Oh Haha · 01-09-2006, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by HardDrive
No worries friends. GM will manage to either:

A) kill the project for lack of vision
B) Bring it to market in such a pathetic, water down version that it falls on its face. Please consult the new Pontiac GTO (AKA "The big fast Cavalier").

You know, you are probably right. Bob Lutz should smack Wagoner right in the goonies and just take over. Wishful thinking, I know.

onewhippedpuppy · 01-09-2006, 07:29 PM

Not bad for a retro design, but isn't retro getting tired? Maybe it's just me, but it seems that every new American car coming out is retro themed. I just believe that car companies should be looking forward, instead of backwards. That's why I like the new Bangle-ized BMWs, they may not be pretty, but they ARE different. When the retro craze fades out, there's going to be quite a few companies with their pants down.

wcc · 01-09-2006, 07:40 PM

The prerequisite of owning a Camaro is a mullet! You can have it, POS,!! The one that "kid" designed is better IMO!

yellowline · 01-09-2006, 07:43 PM

Quote:

The prerequisite of owning a Camaro is a mullet! You can have it, POS,!!

I'm not a porno director with gold chains, nor am I a yuppie...why do I drive a Porsche then?

Try going beyond the stereotypes next time...

wcc · 01-09-2006, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by yellowline
I'm not a porno director with gold chains, nor am I a yuppie...why do I drive a Porsche then?

Try going beyond the stereotypes next time...

Porche people I think they are a little above the norm and try to be different. If that isn't so then drive a Camaro. So my question to you is do you have a mullet?

masraum · 01-09-2006, 08:12 PM

It's better in the pics than in the photoshop mockups or whatever above, but they didn't get it right.

Ford got the Mustang right. The outside really grabs most people. It's instantly a hot fast car, especially the version with the driving lights in the grill.

The camaro pictured above, not so much. In some of the top pics cover everything from the back of the door forward and look at the rear side of the car. Looks like a mustang. The front end is too angular, and the tail lights are all wrong. Since they are obviously going for the retro look they need more of the original car. If they had joined the tail lights it would have been a touch better.

It may be hot, but not hotter than the current mustang. The retro charger is better looking too.

cool_chick · 01-09-2006, 08:16 PM

The car, to me, resembles the '67-'69 series....

But yet with the 2000s feel. I personally like the design a lot.

coloradoporsche · 01-09-2006, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Hmmm, I wonder if we'll ever forgive/forget the Citation, Vega, Cavalier, etc

Hey now, my first car was a 1980 Citation!

Sideways engine and all. Kind of a pee yellow color. Until I painted it Earl Schieb Metallic gray, which turned out sort of brown over the yellow. It put out maybe 90HP. Damn that car was sweet.

OK, maybe not. But it probably could have beaten a Mustang II.

cool_chick · 01-09-2006, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dantilla
I used to have a '67 convertable. I'd like to see the return of a Camaro. This one is pretty nice, but it doesn't make me say I've GOT to have it.

I did too. Those little vent windows. ..the engine compartment was so huge (don't make them like they used to haha)! OMG I wish I still had it.