[robz71lm7]

http://media.gm.com/servlet/GatewayServlet...amp;docid=27934

The all-new Camaro will begin with early production versions at the end of 2008 and will go on sale in the first quarter of 2009. “The new Camaro will be almost identical to the concept, a thoroughly modern interpretation of the 1969 model, considered by many to be the best design of the car’s first generation,” said Ed Welburn, GM's global vice president of design, who owns a 1969 Camaro SS. The front-engine, rear-wheel-drive sport coupe will feature an independent rear suspension, and will be offered in a variety of models with the choice of manual and automatic transmissions and V-6 and V-8 engines.

I hope it doesn't weigh 4K lbs and come with skinny tires. It sure is ugly as a dog though IMO. I don't think retro shows any creativity at all. I want a new looking car.

[Chris 96 WS6]

Oh it will be a pig to the FRRAX standards. There's no way the car could weigh 3200 lbs and be affordable in the price range it needs to be sold in.

It will be built in either Wilmington DE or Oshawa Ontario. Its down to those two.

As for retro...well yes its decidedly retro themed,but is it a literal interpretation of the '69? No, that's why I posted the pic, so you would see exactly what such a literal interpretation would have looked like. Instead, they decided to take a '69 and go forward with it.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, if you have not seen the concept in person then you should reserve judgement. I have not seen any pictures yet that really captured the essence of the car.

Back to the weight...I'm not sure what you guys want out of GM.. Seems like FRRAXers want a corvette that is less expensive. Well, that's great for FRAXXers but this car has to appeal to about 100,000 people a year to survive. So you're going to get a capable car but not a road racer's dreammobile. You're also not going to get the road rocket stance and mission of the 4th gen, as that's more or less what drove the non-enthusiasts away to begin with.

The Dodge Challenger is going to come in about 4100 lbs. The Mustang is about 3700 lbs. The GTO is 3800 lbs. 3600-4000 is just what these kinds of cars weigh in today's age, with all the safety equipment that is required, etc, the only way to get weight down significantly is to make it a 2 seater or extensively use exotic materials. In either case you've just blown your target market and the car really isn't a "Camaro" anymore IMO.

I appreciate everybody here, but understand you are not a representative sample of the car buying public. The drag racers all want 3200lbs and a 12 bolt rear end, so I'm not just picking on you all....these same conversations are going on across the 'net.

Personally I'm a big fan of this car and I'll continue to defend it when I think criticism is unfair. GM is working their arses off to get us this car and I'm certain they'll do EVERYTHING they can within the budget they are granted and within the confines of the Zeta platform to give us a great performing car. I think IRS is the right decision for this car and by the time it hits the market probably every car in its class including Mustang will have IRS standard (Mustang is due for major updates in a year or 2).

Once it hits the streets in 2.5 yrs then we'll revisit the criticisms and decide which ones are warranted and which ones aren't. I remember a lot of whining and moaning in '96 about the C6 and the firebird nose, fat rear end and absolute hand wringing the motor was going to be a 346 and not exactly 350 cubic inches. 10 yrs later, does anybody really care?