NewsView: Camaro on Track

Tossed in the dustbin after the 2002 model year, the Chevrolet Camaro is coming back, this time in 2008 as a 2009 model. According to General Motors chairman Rick Wagoner, the car will closely resemble the concept. There’s no word on where the car will be assembled (sources say that GM’s plant in Oshawa, Ontario is the leading candidate), the Camaro will likely be based on GM’s Zeta platform and will be powered by a V6 engine or a choice of two eight-cylinders, one of which may be the Corvette’s 6.0-liter 400-horsepower engine. Manual and automatic transmissions will be offered. You can expect Chevrolet to compete side-by-side with the Mustang and, perhaps, the upcoming Dodge Challenger.

Why it Matters

This is just what the Doc ordered (not Dr. Z) for GM: the rebirth of a 60s classic to inject some excitement into Chevrolet. From its retro styling to it modern underpinnings, the Camaro is a sure home run. Consider: if priced competitively, the Camaro will go head-to-head with the Ford Mustang, offering an independent rear suspension instead of a live axle and up to 400 horsepower out of the Corvette’s 6.0-liter V8 engine -- mated to a six-speed transmission. That’s around 40 ponies more than the ‘Stang GT. But Ford does have the Shelby Cobra GT500…and thus, the new war begins. Our only questions: what about the Firebird, and -- outside of wealthy Baby Boomers -- who will be able to afford the gas for once of these beauties?

Photos courtesy of Ron Perry, the automakers