[Shotimes] OT New Camaro just slightly retro

[Mark Nunnally]

> Might want to give the proposed new Camaro a little break.  It is
> supposed to have IRS, nothing wrong with the Vette engine, lots of
> torque, power and decent MPG, at a lower price than a 4-cam engine.

I agree, the LS series is a great motor.  It's small, compact, very light
(lighter than a V6 SHO engine) and a bunch lighter than the past/current OHC
stuff in the mustang and makes big power.  But that's also sorta the
point...The LS-1 was basically the same, and around in the last version of
the Fbody.  The mustang (then) was way way behind the power dept and the
camaro still sold lousy enough for them to kill it.  I don't think they
killed it because the quality got bad, but due to slow sales (or maybe
that's the reason for the slow sales).  I just don't see how "killing it"
and then bringing it back in just a few short years is going to do much for
sales, but who knows.

> As for weight.  With all the safety/emissions and other regulations,
> very little these days of any size is below 3500 pounds.  People scream
> for stiff bodies, and air bags, and huge stereo systems, along with
> miles of heavy wire to support all the power stuff.  Very f ew cars can
> get the weight down other than the oddball exotics that are sold in tiny
> numbers.

The 03 Cobra had IRS, but @ 3700+ lb it was still a pig in anything other
than a straight line.  I'm not up on my tech specs on the current dodge
stuff (IRS or solid rear axle) but I know the charger is 4100+ lb!

EVO, Sti, Z06, and a lot of other "mainstream" non exotic performance cars
have done really well in the design/engineering in keeping the weight down,
the C5 Z06 came in at 3115 lb curb weight (remember the previous 3525 lb
ZR-1 C4?), and the Sti and Evo both were about 3200 lb in original form, and
if IIRC have stayed in that range.  I've driven a lot of cars, and a lot of
them at the track, and I'd have to say past 3400-3500 lb the fun factor
really starts to go away, regardless of the hp.  I will include my 92 SHO in
that group as well.  At 200 lbs heavier than my 89 (both when stock), the 89
had a lot more fun factor.
 
> I always am confused when magazines put down American cars for using the
> same basic body/design for several different cars.

I'm all for the V8/RWD platform, but unless folks just go crazy for the
retro styling, I just don't see it selling well.

mark