[SpookShow'84]

It would be really great if there could be an initiative that would expand the choices of limited editions similar to what is going on with the Silverado. There are so many types of Camaro users divided into particular types of motor sports applications that could be easily marketed to. Examples could be something along the lines of a SCCA edition with a square set of wheels and tires based off a V6 1LE with a different cam grind and no back seat or fewer power accessories (seats, windows etc...). Maybe an outlaw edition based on a simplified COPO car without a cage and a straight axle. Not all of the bells and whistles on the car as it is are wanted or used by different camps and being able to simplify and maybe reduce costs by offering fewer standard options could motivate people on the fence to get into a car. Versions that more are more focused on what niche the owners fall into instead of the wide do it all brush that is currently produced but not necessarily used to the full extent.

[DGthe3]

What you are proposing is in no way similar to the Silverado special editions. The Silverado's are more or less some sort of colour/graphic package with some bolt on accessories. That is cheap and simple to do. The Camaro equivalent to that is things like the Transformers cars or the anniversary cars.

Changing up the suspension and powertrain is a lot more involved than that. The Camaro team can do it (see the ZL1, and the 1LE's), but its not as simple as blacking out the trim and calling it a 'Midnight Edition'

Is there room for more specialist models within the Camaro lineup? Maybe. Problem is, the most likely answer would almost certainly be 'GM does not discus future product plans'.

This might be a better question for the forum as a whole. See what ideas people like, what they don't. Forums are great for that type of brainstorming. What forums aren't so good for is technical minutia, like 'Why does the 6th Gen SS/1LE have staggered tires when the 5th gen had a square setup?'

[SpookShow'84]

Come on now... it's a little similar. The editions are certainly looks but also come tailored for different uses, they come with different wheel packages, some of them specifically mention MRC being an option although I thought it was standard, there are different shocks for more off-road oriented stuff.

The spirit is the kind of approach is more what I'm talking about. Set the car up a little different for the different user groups the same as the trucks are intended to. Some guys hunt, some guys want something murdered out with cool wheels, those groups get trucks aimed at them. Car guys will fall into their own groups. Option delete adjustments or setups that are already available in existing alternate offerings wouldn't require any re-engineering. It's a shuffle to give groups of different enthusiasts a car that fits them better.

I may be wrong but I thought there had been statements already released concerning a shift in trim level adjustments/options. If Al can't address them he can't, but if he can it would be cool to know what the coming refresh may offer other than new looks.

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by SpookShow'84

Come on now... it's a little similar. The editions are certainly looks but also come tailored for different uses, they come with different wheel packages, some of them specifically mention MRC being an option although I thought it was standard, there are different shocks for more off-road oriented stuff.

The spirit is the kind of approach is more what I'm talking about. Set the car up a little different for the different user groups the same as the trucks are intended to. Some guys hunt, some guys want something murdered out with cool wheels, those groups get trucks aimed at them. Car guys will fall into their own groups. Option delete adjustments or setups that are already available in existing alternate offerings wouldn't require any re-engineering. It's a shuffle to give groups of different enthusiasts a car that fits them better.

I may be wrong but I thought there had been statements already released concerning a shift in trim level adjustments/options. If Al can't address them he can't, but if he can it would be cool to know what the coming refresh may offer other than new looks.

As for the shocks, I think the Z71 uses Rancho shocks so I don't think there is any extra work to put them on a truck. I didn't see anything listed in the Realtree edition to indicate that these are special in any way. Likewise, I think the Wrangler Duratrac tires are also regular items on non-special edition Silverados. So mechanically, you could get a non-special edition truck that drives exactly the same. Step rails, light bars, vinyl graphics, and tonneau covers or other accessories can be be slapped onto a truck with ease and can make for a pretty big difference in functionality, but its still just a regular Silverado underneath that stuff. So those are all just cosmetic packages.

And I'm pretty sure that is not what you are looking for in the Camaro. You want performance upgrades, be it through parts borrowing, lightweight, or straight up performance parts (ie, cams & straight axles). Since there are no street legal production Camaros that have hot cams or solid axles, anything with that kind of stuff needs to be engineered.

Thats what I was referring to in my post.

[GrimReaperSS]

In the case of a straight axle "Street COPO" , there would be added cost of research and engineering because the COPO is intended for track use only. On the street, the suspension would have to be tailored to now having a straight axle that can still ride decently on the street and perform at the drag strip. Also, most importantly, it would have to be safety/ crash tested/certified. Any changes you make to the cars, especially a major drivetrain assembly change, has to get re-tested and certified, thus more R&D money and testing money. Even removing the components like radios, back seat etc requires re-testing....