Topic: Sport compacts: be afraid, be very afraid.

[EV Dan]

I dont have a crystal ball but seeing the base 2009 Charger currently being offered for 25k cash I dont think GM will decide on the price being much different from the one south the border. And even if they do what dealers set it to is not really up to them but the market. Ppl will still be cautious with anything bigger than 4cyl for some time to come, but GM need sale numbers today. They invested in Camaro when gas was cheap and now want their money back. So my bet is they may start off at 30-ish and then a few month later, when all hard core enthusiasts get one it will be on par with Camry, as sad (for GM) as it may sound.
P.S. Can't wait to test drive 1 

[initial_D]

The gauges by the shifter are a bit off, but as you say, they have history (in another car?  ).

Sorry, my bad, those gauges are from the original CAMARO, not the original Mustang.  Post is edited.

I like the original gauges much better.

[EV Dan]

Pedal caps need to go for sure. Still hard to believe for that price 1 can get RWD, manual, great exterior and 300HP. The itch is not getting better  Victory red, mmmmm 

[Mitlov]

Pedal caps need to go for sure. Still hard to believe for that price 1 can get RWD, manual, great exterior and 300HP. The itch is not getting better  Victory red, mmmmm 

[Leviathan]

 

[EV Dan]

That's a steal of a deal.  If they price it at $29 995 in Canada, I don't see how they would be able to keep them on the lot.  Only concern would be the fuel mileage versus other cars in its price range, like the GTI or Civic Si.  But it's got an extra hundred ponies... well worth it.

Mazdaspeed3: 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, 20 mpg combined.
Cadillac CTS 3.6 DI 6MT:  16 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, 19 mpg combined.  (same drivetrain as the base Camaro)
Lancer Ralliart: 17 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, 20 mpg combined.

Yeah, the Civic Si gets significantly better fuel economy than any, but for 139 lb-ft, it better.

maybe it's just me, but i really don't see many people cross shopping the a3, vw gti, mini cooper s, mazdaspeed 3 or civic si with the camero/mustang/challenger.  they are completely different types of people.  the camero, mustang or the challenger have a much different appeal.   also, i would love to see some real world numbers on all of these cars.  i just don't see the 3.6L cts getting anywhere close to the mazdaspeed, civic, mini, gti, a3 mileage.   my 3.2L v6 a4 isn't anywhere close to my 2.4L 4 cylinder tsx. 

We maybe in for a surprise. As Impala with 3.5L V6 and a slushy 4sp box gets 29 highway MPG, there should be nothing impossible for a manual 6 + a new gen engine to do just that if not better. Any idea when local dealers get it?

[mmret]

The Camaro will have much shorter gearing than the Impala, despite the extra pair of cogs.

Also, aerodynamics. The Camaro does not look particularly so.

[EV Dan]

The 3.6 liter (3564 cc) LLT is a direct injected version of the LY7. It was first unveiled in May 2006, and was claimed to have 15 per cent greater power, 8 per cent greater torque, and 3 per cent better fuel economy than its port-injected counterpart. It has a compression ratio of 11.4:1, and has been certified by the SAE to produce 302 horsepower (225 kW) at 6300 rpm and 272 lb·ft (369 N·m) of torque at 5200 rpm on regular unleaded (87 octane) gasoline. This engine debuted on the 2008 Cadillac STS and CTS.[1][2] GM will use a LLT in all 2009 Lambda-derived crossover SUVs to allow class-leading fuel economy in light of the new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. In the Lambdas, LLT engine produces 286 horsepower (213 kW) and 255 lb·ft (346 N·m) of torque.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_High_Feature_engine

Not too shabby on paper tho 

[The Mighty Duck]

The Camaro will have much shorter gearing than the Impala, despite the extra pair of cogs.

Also, aerodynamics. The Camaro does not look particularly so.

Should have a nice tall final gear, though, so it'll probably get decent mileage on the highway.

[rrocket]

^^They said 19 city 27 highway (US MPG, so 12.3 and 8.7L/100km or so)

[mmret]

The Camaro will have much shorter gearing than the Impala, despite the extra pair of cogs.

Also, aerodynamics. The Camaro does not look particularly so.

Should have a nice tall final gear, though, so it'll probably get decent mileage on the highway.

You never know. I dunno how much effort it is to change the gear ratios in a mass production 6sp gearbox but it wouldn't be super surprising if they just took a plain vanilla 6sp and shortened the final ratio (so everything is shorter) instead of playing with 1-5 and leaving 6 tall.

Then again their vanilla 6sp should be properly geared for a performance car anyways... *shrug*

[rrocket]

Actually....they would likely just change out the "pumpkin" in the rear differential to make it a different final drive.  That would be the easiest, most cost effective way.

[rrocket]

well at least this beast is going to have a manual.   what's up with the challenger?? 

You can get the Challenger R/T with a manual...

[EV Dan]

The latest:

" GM begins taking orders for Chevrolet Camaro

Oshawa, Ontario - General Motors of Canada has announced that, beginning Thursday, October 16, 2008, dealers across the country will be able to submit customer orders for the new 2010 Camaro Coupe. Pricing will be released within the next few weeks.

“Even before pricing in Canada has been finalized, Camaro enthusiasts are anxious to get their orders on the books,” said Marc Comeau, vice president of sales, service and marketing. “The return of the Camaro and the buzz it has created are great reminders of the passion surrounding this marque, and we’re confident the new, fuel-efficient 2010 Camaro will make enthusiasts out of a whole new generation of drivers as well.”

GM said customers who order a vehicle early will be given priority. Orders can be placed through Chevrolet dealers, who will have information regarding early ordering, vehicle packaging and specifications; this information can also be found online at GM as of October 16.

Production is scheduled to begin in mid-February 2009 in Oshawa, Ontario, with dealership deliveries beginning immediately. The company has also announced a range of accessories, including 21-inch wheels, ground effects, stripe kits and a Hurst shifter that can be ordered and installed at the dealership.

There will also be a “Numbers-Matching” merchandising package available through Choko Motorsports, which will feature several unique Camaro items; details can be found at Camaro Boutique."

source: Canadian Driver

"Even before pricing in Canada has been finalized, Camaro enthusiasts are anxious to get their orders on the books"
-way to bargain, numbnuts 

[prail1]

Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised to see a 40% markup as is standard fare for most US to Canada price conversions.

That being said, if they priced the base at $29,999, it will certainly get people in showrooms, that's impressive numbers for that price point. Heck, I might even consider it! 

[ArticSteve]

Actually....they would likely just change out the "pumpkin" in the rear differential to make it a different final drive.  That would be the easiest, most cost effective way.

For sure.

I bet the rear end ratio on the V6 Camero will be barley above 3.00:1 in the auto at best.  Could very well be 2.79:1   EPA numbers will rule.

[The Mighty Duck]

Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised to see a 40% markup as is standard fare for most US to Canada price conversions.

That being said, if they priced the base at $29,999, it will certainly get people in showrooms, that's impressive numbers for that price point. Heck, I might even consider it! 

I'm guessing that's where it will be.  Maybe $32 500, but if they can offer it under $30k, I think it'll be next to impossible to keep it on the lots.  None of the competition offer anything close to this level of awesomeness at that price point.  Speed3 is great and all, but this is a purpose-built RWD sports car with 300 horses... 

I wonder if GM will do a four-door version?  Maybe the next Impala on the same platform?