I don't think that's necessarily the case. Considering how desperate the conditions were at the time they were working on the 5th gen with the economic conditions then and GM about to file bankruptcy, they undoubtedly made compromises they might not have if things were as they are now. Now that GM knows what a success the 5th gen is, they have a lot more confidence in supporting development efforts; just look at what they're doing with the Z/28.

The same designer could absolutely improve his designs if given the free reign to do so and IF he's a true Camaro enthusiast who hasn't gotten bored with it already. Look at what Apple's Jonathan Ive is able to do with his own designs generation after generation.

Given the improvements in materials and technology in the last 7 years the same guy who masterminded the 5th gen could do a quite brilliant evolution to the 6th gen. I really hope we see an inspired-individual design; not a compromised "corporate" design.

The guy who designed the 5th gen works for Audi now.

Bummer. Great for them, not so great for Chevy. That guy really understood integrating sculpted lines not only for the outside shape but also within the shape as well. The hood area of the 5th gen was a masterpiece of sculpted beauty. You can sure see the difference in the 2014 refresh with a too-wide hood bulge and the after-market looking hood vent.

There's got to be some good design talent out there in the ranks of the Camaro/Vette owners. Maybe have a contest where owners and fans can submit their ideas. See what they come up with...might be some great ideas lurking out there.

Great! We'll get to see someone els's rendition.

Doc I was mainly getting at the fact that most ppl who create something amazing just cant duplicate or get back to the same success. Michealangelo 's best work was the Sistine Chapel. Though he was a sculptor not a painter, its probably his most famous work. In music you have bands who produce 1 album that is considered the best. After that, no matter how hard they try its just not as good as the "one." Interesting, though great bands for some reason, their sophomore debut albums are usually the ones that are the most recognized? Not sure if you listen to David Gilmore of Pink Floyd? During his prime, he was phenominal. But he cant replicate it any longer.

It's possible the 6th gen could be the greatest creation for a camaro. We'll have to wait on it. It'll be very interesting to see what they come up with. Lighter and faster is one thing, but if it doesnt have the style? Its not worth much IMO.

...Sang Yup Lee isn't the holy grail of automotive designers or something. Yes he penned a good design with the 5th gen but it's not the greatest design ever. Not by a long shot.

There are plenty more talented employees in the design studios.

Maybe he's not but he did "get it" with the 5th gen Camaro and that's what we need with the 6th gen. Talent doesn't necessarily translate into being able to design a muscle car like a Camaro. You have to understand "muscle" and have an overall vision of what that looks like in a car.

I've seen sketches of many talented designers but they all tend to follow trends and look similiar; sharp angles, jagged slashy shapes, sharp pointed knife-blade style designs. That's great if you're doing Japanese anime but not so great for a Camaro. Camaros are all about sculpted curves, just like muscles; Sang Lee understood that and delivered a strikingly beautiful muscle car design. Whoever did the 2014 refresh didn't understand that and it shows. You can quickly pull up images of half a dozen back ends of other cars; toyotas, hondas, etc. that have that same plain look. Nothing looked like the muscular back of the original 5th gen.; it was instantly recognizable even from a distance.

The 2014 will still sell; the compromises of the original design aren't fatal, but they're not the same caliber of sculpted shape as the original.

Hopefully there's someone in Chevy's design team who "gets it" and GM recognizes them and allows them to create the 6th gen design.

I think Doc is right on with the concern over the looks of the next gen.

Me personally, I'm also worried about the power plant(s) for the next gen. The LS3 is a bullet-proof engine, and we also have versions with the LSA and LS7 (coming). They all have proven performance and longevity. The new stuff, not so much.

This ↑↑↑ .

Just because such a hard-edged design can be described as "bold" or "edgy" does not make it graceful or beautiful. If anything, it risks perception that it's anything but beautiful, and that it "works" more in spite of itself than because. Jaguar's XK-E would have been a forgotten footnote in automotive history if Malcolm Sayer had been as abstract in his approach as Picasso was in some of his paintings.

No mfr is immune here; the 2010 Mustang refresh suffered somewhat from this too.


Norm

I kind of second this, I think they hit a smash home run with the 5th Gen, I don't know what is next, but tough to follow.

A possible victim of their own success? I guess I hope not, what I am looking forward to is a 15% lighter performance model that makes the ZL1 obsolete. 3500 lbs and 600+ hp

The Jaguar XKE is one of the absolute, all-time gorgeous sculpted automotive body designs....
Attachment 517302
Attachment 517300
Attachment 517301
Attachment 517299

Enzo Ferrari considered it the most beautiful ever...

Attachment 517303

and it's influence is clearly seen in what I consider one of Ferrari's most beautiful designs; the 365 Daytona:
Attachment 517304


GM take a look at this, the Ferrari 365 GTB Daytona; it's everything "right":

Attachment 517305

Gorgeous sculpted design illuminated with a stunning stop-everything-and-stare color.

Give us a beautiful, sculpted 6th gen Camaro that stops you dead in your tracks, including the colors!

Have you seen the fugly 14's? That's why!

Because I'm ready to buy a 6th gen.

:word: I'm HIGHLY anticipating the 6th gen, if it turns out to be a turd I'm going to be very disappointed..

I don't see that happening (at least in performance....styling has yet to be seen!)

Cadillac ATS is turning 5.5 0 - 60 times stock. CTS (which is a few hundred lbs heavier and larger is doing 6.1 with the less powerful turbo 4...which is basically equal to a 2010 Camaro automatic). 5.9 with V6.

I'm expecting low to mid 5 second 0 - 60 times for a V6 equipped Camaro. The V8 version will be a monster for sure. With less weight, and GM's increasing know how in making the Camaro handle great with the IRS suspension...it HAS to be a better driver's car than the 5th gen.

Yes, I know you're aware of all that, but I still like saying it. :)

Honestly, if it has looks to kill like the 5th gen....I'm a little worried that I'm going to want to blow a bunch of money again in a year or two on a different car. lol.