NEW CAMARO TEST MULE SPOTTED IN COLORADO

Quinten_33 · 10-07-2018, 07:41 AM

https://youtu.be/bLu_-rfq3JM

Starting at 1:27, you can see a Camaro LT with an SS vented hood. That’s not a car you take into the mountains of Colorado to act as a support vehicle or a personnel transporter. It could be early testing for a new powertrain so that they can get preliminary data before conducting future testing, or they could heave more of those Camaros up there that happened to not be at the hotel at the time of that video. It’s possible that they’re looking at the Camaros in the white tents, too. Either way, the Camaro team isn’t sleeping in this weekend.

Ignore the 5(or more) C8 IVERs... lol

hotlap · 10-07-2018, 08:05 AM

Could be the budget V8 we’ve heard about.

Something like Pontiac did with the low buck Formula vs the high cost Trans Am would be interesting.

Quinten_33 · 10-07-2018, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotlap

Could be the budget V8 we’ve heard about.

Something like Pontiac did with the low buck Formula vs the high cost Trans Am would be interesting.

That would be great for Camaro sales, and I hope that you’re right. I think that the only other thing that they’d have under that hood is the 2.7L turbo I4, and that engine has already been smoothed out for the Silverado.

GrimReaperSS · 10-07-2018, 11:51 AM

Interesting, would love to have that as a job, hunting/speculating on concepts/mules. It would at least be exhilarating. Although I cant wait to hear the complaints of how "cheap/crappy" the cheap V8 is. They'll give the people what they want and they still wont be happy.

LT4Greg · 10-07-2018, 12:00 PM

Agreed Grim Reaper SS!! People will still bitch and gripe about it.

samurai · 10-07-2018, 12:20 PM

Low Budget V8 with that frontend, I think this really could be a huge success.

RenegadeXR · 10-07-2018, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotlap

Could be the budget V8 we’ve heard about.

I would say there’s about a 99% chance this is the non-SS V8.

I theorized on here that they’d use an LT front end because GM has been pushing the idea of using a unique fron end for different trims very hard lately, and there’s no way they’d give it the front end of a higher cost car. Also the SS front end has been very poorly received while the LT has gotten relatively little criticism, so it gives people in the market for a V8 an option now, stylistically.

I hope they offer this thing with a 1LE package. Would not be surprised.

Frankie18SS · 10-07-2018, 01:14 PM

I'm guessing it's a normal Camaro or something that has a minor change done. On my work commute, I frequently see test mule convoys and there are a couple things I've noticed over the years.

First, the support vehicle can be anything. There's always an oddball vehicle trailing the line of prototypes and that vehicle could be anything, even a Camaro.

Second, it is not uncommon to see test vehicles after they are on sale. I once saw a convoy of 17 Jeep Cherokees shortly after they went on the market. My only guess about this is they are looking for future TSBs.

Third, there are almost always multiple prototypes. If they really are putting a vehicle through the paces to determine feasibility of a new engine combo, there wouldn't only be one.

RenegadeXR · 10-07-2018, 01:27 PM

Very poorly reconstructed image.

JohnCobalt · 10-07-2018, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotlap

Could be the budget V8 we’ve heard about.

Something like Pontiac did with the low buck Formula vs the high cost Trans Am would be interesting.

I actually like that idea! It’s like a sleeper. When I was a kid I remember all mustang dudes thinking my formula was a V6. Those were fun times.

hotlap · 10-07-2018, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RenegadeXR

I would say there’s about a 99% chance this is the non-SS V8.

I theorized on here that they’d use an LT front end because GM has been pushing the idea of using a unique fron end for different trims very hard lately, and there’s no way they’d give it the front end of a higher cost car. Also the SS front end has been very poorly received while the LT has gotten relatively little criticism, so it gives people in the market for a V8 an option now, stylistically.

I hope they offer this thing with a 1LE package. Would not be surprised.

The base front fascia doesn’t have the vents for the aux coolers and front brakes. If there were to be a V8 behind that fascia, it would be a non-track car.

Number 3 · 10-07-2018, 03:37 PM

Berlinetta

RenegadeXR · 10-07-2018, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotlap

The base front fascia doesn’t have the vents for the aux coolers and front brakes. If there were to be a V8 behind that fascia, it would be a non-track car.

I'm a bit confused. There's already a 1LE Turbo that uses the 2019 LT fascia. You're saying that would by insufficient for a V8?

90503 · 10-07-2018, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RenegadeXR

I'm a bit confused. There's already a 1LE Turbo that uses the 2019 LT fascia. You're saying that would by insufficient for a V8?

The I 4 Turbo and V-6 1LEs basically just have the SS stock suspension that makes them a 1LE......The SS fascia has the provisions for the coolers and brake ducting for the V-8 SS and the V-8 1LE....

A non SS V-8 with LT fascia likely wouldn't cut it as a 1LE. It would likely be not recommended for track use.

I could be wrong, but I'm picturing the low-cost V8 to be an LT1 in as inexpensive of an LT or LS as possible...suspension, brakes, tires and wheels, and all....V-8 hp and street-rumble only...

10-07-2018, 07:41 AM	#1
Quinten_33 Drives: Silverado Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Above ground? Posts: 214	NEW CAMARO TEST MULE SPOTTED IN COLORADO https://youtu.be/bLu_-rfq3JM Starting at 1:27, you can see a Camaro LT with an SS vented hood. That’s not a car you take into the mountains of Colorado to act as a support vehicle or a personnel transporter. It could be early testing for a new powertrain so that they can get preliminary data before conducting future testing, or they could heave more of those Camaros up there that happened to not be at the hotel at the time of that video. It’s possible that they’re looking at the Camaros in the white tents, too. Either way, the Camaro team isn’t sleeping in this weekend. Ignore the 5(or more) C8 IVERs... lol

10-07-2018, 08:05 AM	#2
hotlap Drives: 20 1LE 2SS M6 Rally Green Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Franklin WI Posts: 6,632	Could be the budget V8 we’ve heard about. Something like Pontiac did with the low buck Formula vs the high cost Trans Am would be interesting. Attached Images __________________ "the trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so.” Ronald Reagan -

10-07-2018, 12:00 PM	#5
LT4Greg Drives: 2017 Camaro ZL1 Coupe Join Date: May 2016 Location: Georgia Posts: 5,813	Agreed Grim Reaper SS!! People will still bitch and gripe about it. __________________ ZL1 Coupe, PDR, Exposed carbon fiber hood insert, My Link with Nav, M6 6 speed and Silver Ice Metallic. Mods done: ceramic window tint, GM Accessories Camaro floor mats and Roto-Fab CAI.

10-07-2018, 12:20 PM	#6
samurai Drives: C8 Corvette Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Germany Posts: 641	Low Budget V8 with that frontend, I think this really could be a huge success. __________________

10-07-2018, 01:14 PM	#8
Frankie18SS Drives: 18 Camaro 2SS, 07 Saturn Ion Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: North Branch, MI Posts: 339	I'm guessing it's a normal Camaro or something that has a minor change done. On my work commute, I frequently see test mule convoys and there are a couple things I've noticed over the years. First, the support vehicle can be anything. There's always an oddball vehicle trailing the line of prototypes and that vehicle could be anything, even a Camaro. Second, it is not uncommon to see test vehicles after they are on sale. I once saw a convoy of 17 Jeep Cherokees shortly after they went on the market. My only guess about this is they are looking for future TSBs. Third, there are almost always multiple prototypes. If they really are putting a vehicle through the paces to determine feasibility of a new engine combo, there wouldn't only be one. __________________ Ordered from Becky D __ 2018 2SS Silver Ice Redline 6MN, NPP, MRC, GM CAI

10-07-2018, 11:51 AM	#4
GrimReaperSS Drives: 2001 Onyx Black/Ebony SS. 427/M6 Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Sussex, Wi Posts: 509	Interesting, would love to have that as a job, hunting/speculating on concepts/mules. It would at least be exhilarating. Although I cant wait to hear the complaints of how "cheap/crappy" the cheap V8 is. They'll give the people what they want and they still wont be happy.

10-07-2018, 01:27 PM	#9
RenegadeXR Drives: 2011 Camaro SS Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: North Carolina Posts: 1,849	Very poorly reconstructed image. __________________ Disclaimer: Unless specific sources are cited, all of the above is my subjective opinion. No warranties, expressed or implied, are granted. This is a car forum, after all.

10-07-2018, 03:37 PM	#12
Number 3 Hail to the King baby! Drives: '19 XT4 2.0T & '22 VW Atlas 2.0T Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Illinois Posts: 12,170 View My Garage	Berlinetta __________________ "Speed, it seems to me, provides the one genuinely modern pleasure." - Aldous Huxley

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