Chazman

If this were "back in the day", the TBSS would be a handful of badges and some trim on the base I6 version. Guys with afew more bucks would pop for the SS 5.3 version. A handful - a handful- of affluent buyers would have bought the rare and expensive (and harder to insure), 6.0 liter TB SS. They might even go with those extravagant 20" wheels. And decades later, people on enthusiast message boards, would say that no SS ever came with less than 6.0 liters. And they ALL ran 12's.

Just for the sake of discussion Future, what would an appropriate Malibu SS be? Since I've never, ever, heard anyone talk about what an SS "should be" in the context of sophisticated chassis, track ready suspension tune, big ass brakes, summer only ultra-high performance tires, etc.,.......I assume the big beef with the current SS's with some, are the powertrains. Okay, I'll admit that I believe the Malibu SS should have been available with the same manual trans as the G6 GTP...but then what - where would we go from there? Should the SS have been built around the HF 3.6? And at what cost for that? How about with SC Ecotec and M6 out of the Cobalt SS SC? I think that would be a pretty neat package, but probably without broad appeal.

That would merely be an arbitrary criterion IMO.

I'm not really sure how you would articulate SS to the public in absolute and specific terms. Some SS models for example- TBSS and Cobalt Supercharged SS - are developed by GMPD, and are more focused. The rest, Impala, MC, Malibu, Cobalt, Silverado are less focused. In fact the MC and Impala SS are far less performance oriented that their platform mate, the GP GXP. I guess the SS sub-brand requires wiggle room to represent mainstream performance to a high volume of buyers, across Chevy's product line. And one more thing...I REALLY, REALLY hope that GM does NOT make the mistake of calling the LS9 Corvette.....Corvette SS. It may make some marketing types drool in the potential to peddle Cobalts and Malibus...but that would be a travesty for Corvette.

I think that you make a great point.....and the Malibu is a perfect illustration as well. The Malibu SS is faster, more powerful, and is more nicely appointed than the the trim level below it. A sportier base car would net a sportier SS. Chevy though, is just not ready to step up in that regard - yet.

The Camaro will have a link, both to the SS sub-brand and a Z (Z/28).

They have: Brent Dewar as Chevy GM: Brent Dewar as GM VP of marketing and advertising: You can fault the execution of certain products - but SS today is faithful to what SS has always been.

I think it's a mistake to compare the SS sub-brand with narrowly focused, limited production and sometimes very pricey products from SRT, SVT, V-Series or M. SS is not necessarily about a limited edition, hyperperformance, line-up. SS is about volume. SS is about affordable performance. SS is about giving volume transportation appliances abit more performance and trim - affordably. Would it be better if the MC SS and Impala SS were RWD? For some. But Chevy is working with what it has. And these cars are as worthy of the SS emblem as any other SS. As are cars like the normally aspirated Cobalt SS's.

True.But they can't get me to put a picture of a Camry in my sig.

Well, I'd rather have the enthusiasts than not have them. But I agree with your point, enthusiasts alone will not make the Camaro succeed. But I suspect that the things that would give it broader appeal - high quality, gorgeous proportions, well executed interior, fantastic road feel, etc., will also make it more attractive to enthusiasts as well. Enthusiasts are a useful and high visibility tool for a new car. I betcha Toyota would kill for the spectacle of getting 250 enthusiasts, (only 250 because that's all there was room for), on their own time and their own expense...to all meet in the dead of winter, in Detroit for the unveiling of a Camry concept. :AH-HA_wink:

Yes there is a point to the 2.8. It's so they can charge more fore the 3.6.

And one more thing...... Even when many enthusiasts grew to find the last Camaro unappealing, the passion for CAMARO never ended.

You know, it's a funny thing. Being very active in the Camaro community, I think I can speak with some bit of authority on this subject. The Camaro is gone....but the Camaro community is still there. Let me repeat.....the Camaro community - even without a car - is still there. Imagine that. Regarding the 4th gen, I'm surprised it did as well as it did. It's platform was essentially 20 years old when it was discontinued. It's styling was considered stale by most (if not all), years before that. It was as long as an SUV, with 50% of it's length composed of it's front and rear overhangs. It's interior looked like a Playskool reject. Essentially, it was a motor in a box. And yet....the Camaro community's (both inside and outside GM) fervor for a car remains undiminished. Just imagine the energy if we could actually get a great car. BTW, I'm planning on a Z/28.

FWIW, I think the coupe market will stop contracting and perhaps even start growing again. Mostly just my opinion though. Even with that there thought...there are only so many coupes that it makes reasonable sense to develop, build, market and sell. Anyway, barring some unforeseen event, the Camaro is a certainty. The Cadillac coupe is a near certainty. All this other Monte Carlo/Chevelle/GTO/ whathaveyou stuff is still virtual vaporware. Besides, anyone see an opportunity for a NG FWD Monte Carlo?

Oh, and one more thing.... I agree completely that a new GTO coupe would cannabalize Camaro.

That's my point. Which one would be it's sister? If GM wants it to be a larger than Camaro coupe, I suppose it could be on a stretched wheelbase Camaro platform.....but would GM spend the money on such a program just for a low volume GTO? Certainly, the sales performance of the VZ GTO hasn't pressed the case within GM, that such a formula would be worth the money for GTO alone. Or could they re-jigger a sedan to become a large coupe? Sure, but certainly for not less than $100-$200 million (just my guess). I just don't think GM is looking to invest alot of cash into a possible future GTO right now, ( if ever). OTOH, a max performance version of an imported, low volume, Commodore, would be such an elegant solution to this GTO question. Let the flaming begin on that....

I don't disagree. Camaro and the Caddy will essentially cover a large spectrum of the RWD coupe market for GM. But for the sake of argument, if GTO is to be a larger-than-Camaro coupe, I can't see how a business case could be made for it economically, (at anything close to current volume), without there being a Monte Carlo twin to piggyback a GTO program off of.

Right now, there won't be a next gen TB/Envoy...and they certainly wouldn't be based on 355 if there were. At this point, GM sees them as somewhat redundant. If you need a full framed vehicle to tow or haul, there are the 900's. If you're looking for something less truck like, but with a third row, Lambda is on the way. The $1 billion saved will be better spent elsewhere.

There just going to put their product money elsewhere.

Nope, doesn't look like it.

That sure would take some clever marketing and open minded consumers in order to slice the RWD, coupe market, into such thin, distinct slivers. Ain't gonna happen.

FWIW, GM and other manufacturers are continuously coming up with all sorts of concepts. The VAST majority of them never see the light of day.

Is it me or does the concept now have a higher ride height?

Interesting. I think 80,000 per year is unrealistic though.

I'm jealous.