Chevrolet News:Chevrolet Asks Camaro Owners About A Hybrid Camaro

[William Maley]

When one automaker comes up with an interesting idea, usually others will follow. See German crossover 'coupes' as an example. With Ford working on a hybrid version of the Mustang, it doesn't come as a surprise that Chevrolet is looking into this as well.

Back in August, a poster on the Camaro6 forum got a screenshot with a survey asking Camaro owners which powertrain they would consider if they bought a new sports car. Respondents were given the four choices listed below, or None of the Above:

• 4 Cylinder, 2.7L, Turbo engine, 310 HP, 25 mpg combined, 0-60 mph in 5.2 seconds - $0
• 4 Cylinder, 2.0L, Hybrid Turbo engine, 365 HP (total system power), 30 mpg combined, 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds - $4,000
• 8 Cylinder, 6.2L, 455 HP, 20 mpg combined, 0-60 mph in 4.0 seconds - $4,000
• 8 Cylinder, 6.2L, Hybrid engine, 545 HP (total system power), 24 mpg combined, 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds - $8,000

There are few things to take note of,

• No V6 option is listed among the choices
• The turbo 2.7L is likely the same found in the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra. Also, the 310 horsepower output is the same as Ford's 2.3L EcoBoost.
• The turbocharged 2.0L hybrid sees a one second drop in 0-60 mph time when compared to the standard 2.0L. Plus, the combined figure rises 5 to 7 mpg - depending on the transmission.
• The V8 hybrid setup only sees a 0.3-second decrease in the 0-60 mph run, but an increase of 4 mpgs.

We need to note that the results of this survey might not result in a hybrid Camaro.

"We routinely survey our customers across all of our vehicles on potential future technologies or features, but that doesn’t mean we are going to institute them,” a GM spokesman told Motor Authority.

But it is clear that GM is watching Ford closely with the hybrid Mustang. Who knows, maybe the next-generation Camaro will offer some sort of hybrid power?

Source: Camaro6, Motor Authority

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[Drew Dowdell]

I'm going to say that GM is filleting some Red Herring here. At those price premiums, the Camaro hybrid would probably not sell.

But where or where in the GM lineup would there be an Alpha platform car that would use such engines and be able to command a price premium like that?

Oh hi CT4/5/6......

Just because they say it's a 6.2 liter doesn't mean it's a 6.2 liter.  The new 4.5 V8 from Cadillac comes in 500hp and 550hp flavors too. 

I like that the 2.7 might be potentially used in the Camaro. It would probably be a good CT4/5/6 engine too then. 

[G. David Felt]

I can totally see the Hybrids being the way of the future for Pony cars and then a pure EV option.

Would love to see Torque numbers. I see marketing is still lying to the public that HP is the focus point compared to Torque.

[ccap41]

1 hour ago, William Maley said:

Also, the 310 horsepower output is the same as Ford's 2.7L EcoBoost.

2.3L EcoBoost*

[smk4565]

Eventually they will hybrid all things.

[ocnblu]

LOL, what a great idea, Chevy.  NOT

[riviera74]

We could use some hybrid and/or EV Chevy crossovers long before a hybrid Camaro.  A hybrid Mustang would be a mistake for Ford; they should reserve that for the next Explorer and/or Expedition.

I doubt anyone looking for high MPG would consider a Camaro for a simple reason: a hybrid is simply too practical for what is supposed to be a fun and exciting car.

[daves87rs]

Depends on the open mind of the Camaro owners....

Seems the Mustang owners are cool with it.....

[ocnblu]

I asked a co-worker, who owns a 2017 Krypton Green 2LT 3.6 with stick, what he thought.  He said NOT

[G. David Felt]

Seems GM is making sure their EVs can run with the best. 

Latest interview with GM Spokes person Michael Albano told C/D that Electrification is paying a huge role at GM and they wanted the best to insure optimal performance. 

Al Oppenheiser who has brought us generations of Camaro's including the 427 recently and the latest ZL1 and even the Z/28 will be taking his electrification of the Camaro at SEAMA and moving over to the newly formed AV/EV organization focused on zero-emission auto's.

This is a lateral move for him keeping him in his Chief Engineering role which will bring us a Camaro EV and similar performance focused EVs for the entire company.

Oppenheiser began his career in 1985 and has been the Chief Engineer since 2007 covering Gen 5 & 6 of the performance Camaros.

Oppenheiser has developed a loyal team of colleagues within Chevrolet and the Camaro community with a strong community of Performance Fans as a whole according to this story.

As a car guy representing the human element, he has committed to making sure the EVs of tomorrow have the right sound, right handling, right performance to thrill the next generations of Camaro / Performance auto owners.

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a25429195/chevrolet-camaro-chief-engineer-moves-to-gm-electric-cars/

He will start his new role January 2nd 2019. Very excited to see what GM brings to the sales floor of fun EV auto's.

[ocnblu]

How embarrassing.  Here's a new official photo of Oppenheiser from GM's "get to know us" website:

[Cmicasa the Great]

I'm really missing something with your opposition to these possible changes @ocnblu. Is it a hate of all things associated with EV or U just have a strong love of the ICE? It is the future one has to believe. If one can build a vehicle that is more efficient in all way plus gives better performance right out the box.. why would anyone oppose the technological advancements? The price hike? While the Tesla models are not ones to call to answer the possibility of recouping purchase premiums via fuel savings alone.. a Bolt for instance could easily save an owner more money in fuel costs and maintenance versus a similar sized vehicle costing $4-5K less. Again I tout 4 V8s, 2 S/Ced, one V6 with over 305HP and a 4cyl Turbo. Let them say the Escala is coming, and there is an EV only version with with 400 range, 0-60 in 3.5 or below and a price tag of $100-110K.. My desire to have a CT6-V DIES immediately 

Edited December 8, 2018 by Cmicasa the Great

[Cmicasa the Great]

It was probably your great-great grandfather back in 1902 that said.. " I don't want no damn motorized vehicle... I give up my horse when they pry it from between my cold dead thighs"?

[ocnblu]

Takes too long to replenish.  Sameness across all makes and models/complete homogenization.  Quick obsolescence.  No noise.  No soul.  No joy.  No infrastructure.  I could go on and on and on.

[Cmicasa the Great]

29 minutes ago, ocnblu said:

Takes too long to replenish.  Sameness across all makes and models/complete homogenization.  Quick obsolescence.  No noise.  No soul.  No joy.  No infrastructure.  I could go on and on and on.

infrastructure is the only one I agree on... the soul and sound these days, in many a performance vehicle these days are artificial and U kno it. No Joy.. its all subjective . Obsolescence? Easily reprogrammed. But the deal is that U and I kno that probably 90% of the people on this very enthusiast board have any idea what this is 

[Robert Hall]

4 minutes ago, Cmicasa the Great said:

  But the deal is that U and I kno that probably 90% of the people on this very enthusiast board have any idea what this is 

Something red with holes.   Looks like a strange custom wheel, but probably not. 

[Cmicasa the Great]

5 minutes ago, Robert Hall said:

Something red with holes.   Looks like a strange custom wheel, but probably not. 

uuum Yeah. Its a 26inch Spinner rim.. from the early 2000s ?

[ocnblu]

(continued...) No harmonic balance, no travel range... must I keep going?

[Cmicasa the Great]

4 minutes ago, ocnblu said:

(continued...) No harmonic balance, no travel range... must I keep going?

no need for the ( @Robert Hall ) red 26inch spinner wheel .. its inherently smooth.. Travel range seems to uptick yearly. An upstart company is estimating their pick-up is going to get 400 miles in range on a charge... 50% of that in 30 minutes if I am correct

[Robert Hall]

Automakers have to evolve to survive.  Powertrain technology, like all technology, evolves over time.   If transportation modes didn't evolve, we'd still be using horse and buggy like the Amish who choose to literally live in the past.  Who wants to live like that?  

[Suaviloquent]

Still waiting for those micro mini cars personal pods of doom.

 

Yeah, even millenials want real cars.

[Cmicasa the Great]

2 hours ago, Robert Hall said:

Automakers have to evolve to survive.  Powertrain technology, like all technology, evolves over time.   If transportation modes didn't evolve, we'd still be using horse and buggy like the Amish who choose to literally live in the past.  Who wants to live like that?  

My Point!!!

1 hour ago, Suaviloquent said:

Still waiting for those micro mini cars personal pods of doom.

 

Yeah, even millenials want real cars.

Problem is.. and as has been pointed out several times in this very thread.. THEY DON'T. "Call Uber" is their answer very often

[A Horse With No Name]

Depends on Millinials. Lots of them want electrics.

[Robert Hall]

15 minutes ago, Cmicasa the Great said:

My Point!!!

Problem is.. and as has been pointed out several times in this very thread.. THEY DON'T. "Call Uber" is their answer very often

I like Uber..very convenient sometimes.   If I lived downtown in a big city with lousy parking and lousy traffic, I'd use it all the time..

1 minute ago, A Horse With No Name said:

Depends on Millinials. Lots of them want electrics.

Or autonomous  vehicles.  Driving is very distracting from playing on their phones, playing video games, etc.

[G. David Felt]

2 hours ago, Suaviloquent said:

Still waiting for those micro mini cars personal pods of doom.

 

Yeah, even millennial want real cars.

Have to go to Japan or China for that,

Toyota i-road anyone?

How about the GM Chevrolet EN-V auto that is in China, 2 person small auto.

First gen above, 2nd gen below.

[balthazar]

I'm holding out for one of these, promised in the 1960s (still waiting) :

[riviera74]

Those vehicles are hilarious looking.  I will pass, thank you.

[A Horse With No Name]

8 hours ago, dfelt said:

Have to go to Japan or China for that,

Toyota i-road anyone?

How about the GM Chevrolet EN-V auto that is in China, 2 person small auto.

First gen above, 2nd gen below.

I now see why Ocnblu is so opposed to electrics...obviously an electric car fornicated with his washer dryer combo and this is the illegitimate spawn of that unholy union.

6 hours ago, riviera74 said:

Those vehicles are hilarious looking.  I will pass, thank you.

Ummmm....yeah....glad I have my Cannondale. Two wheels and manual everything for the win here.

[balthazar]

C'mon; gyroscopically-balanced electric PortoPods are the next coming thing!!

[Robert Hall]

31 minutes ago, balthazar said:

C'mon; gyroscopically-balanced electric PortoPods are the next coming thing!!

Maybe combine a Segway w/ VR goggles.  

On a related thought, I saw a video of guy wearing VR goggles hooked up to a GoPro and walking around sidewalks, a mall, etc and saying that he was in a VR environment that looked like...walking on sidewalks and around a mall...

Edited December 9, 2018 by Robert Hall

[balthazar]

When I was a young teenager, a couple times I went to a different barbershop than the usual. They draped the typical cloth over me, but the cartoon print on it was skiers and hikers traversing giant naked female bodies. Nothing graphic, but still kinda surprising to be covered with near life-size boobs, buttocks & legs.

Anyway, I kinda assumed that's the sort of thing VR goggles were for. :D

[Blake Noble]

when they say camaro “hybrid...”

[ocnblu]

Cool!