[protovack]

Originally Posted by pyroguy

There's rumors going around about an all electric or a hybrid electric Camaro coming out. With the division over the feelings about a Camaro as an electric car or hybrid what do you think about the idea of going "old school" and pulling the original intended name for the Camaro up for an electric/hybrid sports car? Call the car the Chevrolet Panther. In the adds paint it black as night, not metallic, just a deep gloss black. Have the car quietly cruising through the streets of Detroit or wherever late at night, almost as if it was stalking its prey. Talk about how it's stealthy, sleak, and then pan to it launching hard racing through the streets smoking the tires, and doing what a muscle car does best. Then emphasize POWERFUL. "It's a new type of muscle car for a new era of muscle...The Chevrolet Panther". Then blend a panther staring at the camera over the new car.

The reason I suggest this is instead of throwing new, completely different technology at a nameplate that has been synonymous with big block V8's, big cams, drag strip eating, pavement pounding, fuel guzzling, superchargers whining, muscle car mayhem, is because it really doesn't fit the mold. Eventually gas/diesel powered vehicles will become a thing of the past, but why not let them live out their days in glory AND bring in the newest must have, latest technology, next chapter in muscle car history vehicle and start an era like the GTO/409 V8/COPO vehicles with a new car that will go down in the history books as being the first of its kind?

Just food for thought. Thanks for taking the time to read through my opinion.

IMO, Camaro should be allowed to finish its years out as an internal combustion engine powered vehicle and let us "purists" have our true American muscle car. However, don't let the idea of a Camaro die, hence my reason for picking the name Chevrolet Panther (Camaro's original intended name). I do not believe EV's are a sustainable future, but they are going to be a large chapter at minimum in the book of automotive history. Might as well make it a good chapter.

I think thats a great idea but I would offer a small correction to your analysis. Camaro has never really been about hyper-powered muscle, huge big blocks, superchargers, and drag racing. The aftermarket may have made it INTO that, and sure there were some limited "from the factory but not really" editions like COPO, but no....Camaro has never been about that from the factory. There have always been V6 Camaros and they've always outsold the V8s. Camaro has always been about an affordable performance car that looks cool and is "pretty quick" compared to other cars on the road, and exciting to drive. That's it. I don't think going electric would somehow defame the name of Camaro, as long as it remains true to the Camaro roots: affordable, exciting, pretty quick. Me personally I'd rather they just call it Camaro, as long as it meets those criteria. I feel like if they re-branded it and called it "Panther" there would be a huge backlash of people wondering why they didn't just call it Camaro.

[396ssrat]

Originally Posted by protovack

I think thats a great idea but I would offer a small correction to your analysis. Camaro has never really been about hyper-powered muscle, huge big blocks, superchargers, and drag racing. The aftermarket may have made it INTO that, and sure there were some limited "from the factory but not really" editions like COPO, but no....Camaro has never been about that from the factory. There have always been V6 Camaros and they've always outsold the V8s. Camaro has always been about an affordable performance car that looks cool and is "pretty quick" compared to other cars on the road, and exciting to drive. That's it. I don't think going electric would somehow defame the name of Camaro, as long as it remains true to the Camaro roots: affordable, exciting, pretty quick. Me personally I'd rather they just call it Camaro, as long as it meets those criteria. I feel like if they re-branded it and called it "Panther" there would be a huge backlash of people wondering why they didn't just call it Camaro.

Huh? '67 Camaro's sure as hell weren't much of a road racer back when they hit the streets. The USA was very much into ground pounding drag racing back then and made very powerful (for the time) big blocks available to whomever wanted one. In those days the Dealer's would install whatever engine their parts department sold. Some enjoyed small blocks and some enjoyed big blocks and a few women drove the mundane straight 6, all 230 inches of it.

[Petrol Head]

Originally Posted by protovack

I think thats a great idea but I would offer a small correction to your analysis. Camaro has never really been about hyper-powered muscle, huge big blocks, superchargers, and drag racing. The aftermarket may have made it INTO that, and sure there were some limited "from the factory but not really" editions like COPO, but no....Camaro has never been about that from the factory. There have always been V6 Camaros and they've always outsold the V8s. Camaro has always been about an affordable performance car that looks cool and is "pretty quick" compared to other cars on the road, and exciting to drive. That's it. I don't think going electric would somehow defame the name of Camaro, as long as it remains true to the Camaro roots: affordable, exciting, pretty quick. Me personally I'd rather they just call it Camaro, as long as it meets those criteria. I feel like if they re-branded it and called it "Panther" there would be a huge backlash of people wondering why they didn't just call it Camaro.

The 4 and 6 cylinder Camaros have always existed for one purpose: to provide volume sales to support the production of the V8 models. That’s a fact. Just like the Mustang. From day one of both cars everyone knew the big selling versions of these cars would have to be 4 and 6 cylinder because not everyone can afford the gas/insurance or cold weather performance of a V8.

But make no mistake - not ONE of those 4 and 6 cylinder Camaros and Mustangs (and Firebirds too) - since 1964 and 1967 - were EVER purchased without the buyer’s eyes glazed over at least once to an SS, Z28, Formula/Trans Am, or GT.

And if they ever quit making the V8 versions while continuing the lesser models, there’d have been a massive revolt.

Just ask Ford..... what became the front wheel drive 4 cylinder Probe was going to be the new Mustang for 1988. It was in Motor Trend magazine. Ford was blindsided by so much hate mail they had to change their company plans and continue production of the Fox body while try to figure out what to do with the Mazda platform they’d already committed to. Hence came the Probe.

[RagingHawk]

Originally Posted by Frankie18SS

I had a V8 S10 years ago. It wasn't as fast as my current SS but it was a blast to drive so I understand the need for visceral feel from a car. That being said, the SS is faster and waaaay more refined so I enjoy driving it more. Electric sports cars are going to be the future and, as a GM-for-life guy, I'm proud that Chevy is leading the way into mass production. Tesla is just starting to become profitable so it's still too early to be considered viable.

I actually find it hilarious that people are willing to dismiss a better performing car because it doesn't sound as good. By that logic, they would be perfectly content driving a stock Cruze if it sounded like a V8.

With your logic the future electric 'sports cars' will not sell at all since you think 0-60 times are the single determinant of performance. Many electric SUVS will match those times of those electric 'sports cars' and people like you will flock to SUVs because they see no reason to 'dismiss a better performing car' that also offers more utility.

Because of guys like you these automakers are releasing new electric SUVS with tons of power in the beginning and a flashy 0-60 time since that's all the modern consumer market values and that way they can kill off their sport coupes and just switch to 'performance SUVS'.

You guys are all about bragging rights and aren't real car guys. Those 0-60 times will make people nauseated and no one is asking for such extreme 0-60 acceleration. But the automakers want to kill sports cars and you guys are helping them achieve that.

[RagingHawk]

Here's your electric 'sports cars' folks ... I want you to focus on two main values here ....:

2019 Tesla Model S P100D
Luxury vehicle
Model: 2019 Tesla Model S
MSRP: From $133,000
Range: 315 mi battery-only
Torque: 792 lb-ft
Curb weight: 4,941 lbs
Battery charge time: 96.7h at 110V, 10.72h at 220V, 1.33h at 440V
MPGe: 92 city / 105 highway
Engine: Electric

...
...

2020 Porsche Taycan Turbo S
Luxury vehicle
4/5 · Car and Driver
Model: 2020 Porsche Taycan
MSRP: From $185,000
Horsepower: 750 hp
Tire size: Front: P265/35R21, rear: P305/30R21
Engine: Electric
Curb weight: 5,121 lbs
Battery: 93 kWh 723 V lithium-ion

...
...

LOL

[RagingHawk]

These crazy high HP/TQ numbers are intended to wow you guys in order to persuade you of the transition that will soon take place, that is the killing off of ICE sports/muscle cars. They are betting that most people will will see those numbers and the 0-60 and be impressed. Therefore, have a no hassle transition. And sadly modern 'car guys' are helping them.

Once it is all over, the power figures(minus the specialty performance ones) will go down and we will be charged 45K MSRP for something stupid like the new base Mustang SUV. There will likely not be any coupes available for sale.

[RagingHawk]

If you do a top speed run in an electric vehicle and keep it up for 2 minutes straight the car will explode.

[pyroguy]

Originally Posted by protovack

I think thats a great idea but I would offer a small correction to your analysis. Camaro has never really been about hyper-powered muscle, huge big blocks, superchargers, and drag racing. The aftermarket may have made it INTO that, and sure there were some limited "from the factory but not really" editions like COPO, but no....Camaro has never been about that from the factory. There have always been V6 Camaros and they've always outsold the V8s. Camaro has always been about an affordable performance car that looks cool and is "pretty quick" compared to other cars on the road, and exciting to drive. That's it. I don't think going electric would somehow defame the name of Camaro, as long as it remains true to the Camaro roots: affordable, exciting, pretty quick. Me personally I'd rather they just call it Camaro, as long as it meets those criteria. I feel like if they re-branded it and called it "Panther" there would be a huge backlash of people wondering why they didn't just call it Camaro.

Until the 80's very few 6 cylinder Camaros existed. The first generation had MANY big block cars that weren't just COPO, Yenko, Berger, Gibb, etc. special editions. The SS396 was a big time player. Then into the 70's the small block Chevy ruled the street. Many hot rodders added cams and many drag racers added superchargers. When the 5th gen came around the ZL1 name came back and superchargers became prevalent, not just a special edition. Yes as the years push on more and more V6 and now turbo 4 cylinder cars are showing up because more and more people are gas mileage conscious. My point is when people hear about Camaros they don't think fuel sipping econo-car. They think muscle car, strong, pavement pounding, fast accelerating, gas guzzling, noisy, V8 power.

[Zack46]

Originally Posted by 396ssrat

Perhaps they could name a new electric Camaro "Shocker" instead.

[Zack46]

Originally Posted by RagingHawk

These crazy high HP/TQ numbers are intended to wow you guys in order to persuade you of the transition that will soon take place, that is the killing off of ICE sports/muscle cars. They are betting that most people will will see those numbers and the 0-60 and be impressed. Therefore, have a no hassle transition. And sadly modern 'car guys' are helping them.

Once it is all over, the power figures(minus the specialty performance ones) will go down and we will be charged 45K MSRP for something stupid like the new base Mustang SUV. There will likely not be any coupes available for sale.

[Zack46]

Originally Posted by MackSteelPrivateEye

I just placed a Pre order for a 2025 Emaro SS (Super Semiconductor) with 10 speed manual trans. and electronic generated deep muffler tones piped into my speakers.

[caSStro18]

Might be the end of the road for the ICE Camaros. Maybe I should start looking for a ‘67-‘69 Camaro. Then I’ll have the first and the last of the Camaros with an internal combustion engine. The beginning and the end. The alpha and the omega.

[MrChrisLS3]

Originally Posted by caSStro18

Might be the end of the road for the ICE Camaros. Maybe I should start looking for a ‘67-‘69 Camaro. Then I’ll have the first and the last of the Camaros with an internal combustion engine. The beginning and the end. The alpha and the omega.

If there is A 7th Gen Camaro, I would not expect to see an all or nothing proposal. They may offer an EV Camaro, but I don't think the Camaro will only be EV.

[Zack46]

Originally Posted by MrChrisLS3

If there is A 7th Gen Camaro, I would not expect to see an all or nothing proposal. They may offer an EV Camaro, but I don't think the Camaro will only be EV.