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Camaro hybrid possible, other GM RWDs are not

Camaro hybrid possible, other GM RWDs are not

Nelson Ireson February 4th, 2008 Nelson Ireson By Nelson Ireson Author February 4th, 2008
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December 31st, 1969 The full repercussions of the new CAFE standards have yet to be realized, but already plans are being shaken up and reworked. For GM, the first real casualty is the RWD V8 revival that we've been so anxiously anticipating. Don't worry, the Camaro is still coming - and may even get a hybrid variant - but cars like the RWD Buick LaCrosse and Chevy Impala are vanishing as if they never existed. Power, efficiency and other specifics of the potential Camaro hybrid are still on the drawing board. It's little more than rumor at this point, but GM has supposedly selected a team of engineers to figure out how to apply its dual-mode system to the Camaro. Pricing for the V8-powered Camaro will be higher than initially anticipated, in part because the cost of the platform won't be shared across multiple vehicles. Some of the cost of developing the new RWD platform can be defrayed by sales in non-U.S. markets, but that will only go as far as the fuel economy standards in those nations - and places like Australia and even China are cinching down the emissions belt at an ever-increasing rate, reports The Car Connection. The Middle East remains an option, but Iran, one of the largest markets in the area, is strictly off limits to American car companies. The new Camaro will still have to compete both in terms of performance and price with the Mustang and the new Dodge Challenger, so the V6 version of the Camaro may have to shoulder a good portion of the sales load. But the fact remains that the V8 Camaro will carry a price premium, and the hybrid version of the Camaro would be even more expensive - perhaps even edging in on Corvette territory. Trailing on the heels of the death of Cadillac's V8 program, Chrysler's HEMI-cutback and Ford's EcoBoost focus, the extinction - or at least endangerment - of the American production V8 is at hand. On the other hand, hybrids are popping up everywhere, even in potentially performance/luxury situations - and on cars like the Camaro. Such incongruity would have been hard to imagine just a few years ago. But the 1mpg efficiency hit that accompanies RWD drivetrains in passenger cars means that, in the face of the new CAFE standards, some compromises or innovations must be made, or it'll be a repeat of the 1970s rush to FWD.
Camaro hybrid possible, other GM RWDs are not

Camaro hybrid possible, other GM RWDs are not

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The full repercussions of the new CAFE standards have yet to be realized, but already plans are being shaken up and reworked. For GM, the first real casualty is the RWD V8 revival that we've been so anxiously anticipating. Don't worry, the Camaro is still coming - and may even get a hybrid variant - but cars like the RWD Buick LaCrosse and Chevy Impala are vanishing as if they never existed.

Power, efficiency and other specifics of the potential Camaro hybrid are still on the drawing board. It's little more than rumor at this point, but GM has supposedly selected a team of engineers to figure out how to apply its dual-mode system to the Camaro.

Pricing for the V8-powered Camaro will be higher than initially anticipated, in part because the cost of the platform won't be shared across multiple vehicles. Some of the cost of developing the new RWD platform can be defrayed by sales in non-U.S. markets, but that will only go as far as the fuel economy standards in those nations - and places like Australia and even China are cinching down the emissions belt at an ever-increasing rate, reports The Car Connection. The Middle East remains an option, but Iran, one of the largest markets in the area, is strictly off limits to American car companies.

The new Camaro will still have to compete both in terms of performance and price with the Mustang and the new Dodge Challenger, so the V6 version of the Camaro may have to shoulder a good portion of the sales load. But the fact remains that the V8 Camaro will carry a price premium, and the hybrid version of the Camaro would be even more expensive - perhaps even edging in on Corvette territory.

Trailing on the heels of the death of Cadillac's V8 program, Chrysler's HEMI-cutback and Ford's EcoBoost focus, the extinction - or at least endangerment - of the American production V8 is at hand. On the other hand, hybrids are popping up everywhere, even in potentially performance/luxury situations - and on cars like the Camaro. Such incongruity would have been hard to imagine just a few years ago. But the 1mpg efficiency hit that accompanies RWD drivetrains in passenger cars means that, in the face of the new CAFE standards, some compromises or innovations must be made, or it'll be a repeat of the 1970s rush to FWD.

Tags: Industry, General Motors

Posted in: 2010, Chevrolet, News, Hybrid, Camaro


Comments (7 total)

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  1. By Raptor #1, Posted: 2/4/2008

    Hybrid muscle car? Doesn't feel right :-)

  2. By HECTOR #2, Posted: 2/4/2008

    God that thing is ugly! Guido looks forward to driving one through New Jersey.

  3. By atomicbri #3, Posted: 2/4/2008

    Ok what I don't get is why GM can not make a RWD vehicle that gets good gas mileage. Does it have to have a V8? And can it not be an option? How about a V8 Hybrid for the RWD Impala or so.... I think GM is just too lazy and uses excuses all the time as to why they should fail. Its like they throw up their hands and say forget it when the going gets a little tough. Don't try and make an excellent handling car with great gas mileage.... nooooo leave that to Honda. GM is always screwy. I thought maybe for once they got their heads out of the sand and were turning around. With this news, feels more like they are treading back to where they were a few years ago.

  4. By chris #4, Posted: 2/4/2008

    atomic; FWD is a lighter application because everything is more compact. you dont need a huge drive shaft for one thing, and the longer the drive shaft, the more strain due to torque, so the bigger it has to be. RWD will always be a heavier proposition. thats why everything went FWD after the 70's.

    If they can make a hybrid camaro as the range topper, as the best most baddass camaro you can get; even if its edging into C6 teritory, people will buy it. and the technology is already at their disposal... Id say do it.

  5. By Gus #5, Posted: 2/4/2008

    Cost will be a huge issue in these cars.
    If history is any indication, they will need to be CHEAPER than the Mustang to survive in the long run, not more expensive.
    The car isn't even in showrooms yet, where they will probably be marked up like crazy since they are the first ones, seriously turning off anyone considering this type of car, and now rumblings of ever more expensive stickers.
    People who buy Mustangs and Camaros (typically) are not wealthy, so even $5,000 is a very big deal.

  6. By NaBUru38 #6, Posted: 2/4/2008

    But the Mustang has the same problem as the other muscle cars. I guess it will also become more expensive and will receive turbocharged engines in the next few years.

  7. By Gus #7, Posted: 2/4/2008

    That's true.
    I don't know if it will still be less than the Camaro or Challenger?

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