SEMA Preview: Chevrolet Camaro Z28, is that you?
Posted Nov 2nd 2009 2:29PM by Jonny Lieberman
How 2009 is this? Not only are you looking at what we're 99.99% sure is the brand spankin' new Chevrolet Camaro Z28, but we got sent the picture via Facebook. Pretty viral (or whatever), right? Also, that Z28 is sitting on the floor at SEMA, and there's an entire posse of us Autoblog types heading out to Sin City so we will be up close and way too personal with this bad-mutha Chevy shortly.
While no one actually has details yet, we're 99.99% sure again that if this is the Z28, then there's an LSA under yonder hood. To refresh your memory, an LSA is the same engine that powers the very, very mighty Cadillac CTS-V. How mighty? 556 hp and 551 lb-ft of torquage. Not quite as brute as the ZR1's LS9 (638 hp, 604 lb-ft of torque), but then what is? Will the Chevy get every one of the Caddy's ponies? Most likely not quite. The Z28 will probably be slightly detuned so as to preserve some sort of outdated, century-old General Motors pecking order that no one outside of Detroit boardrooms has cared about in fifty years. We keep hearing "just" 550 hp. But again, maybe not.
[Source: Facebook]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
John P. 2:35PM (11/02/2009)
Alright, that looks sweet and I'm not even a big fan of the New Camaro. Wow!
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Jared 4:01PM (11/02/2009)
Has a great presence to it. That's what I like about the Camaro redesign in general.
Tyler 4:38PM (11/02/2009)
Yeah it does but I would still rather have a GT500 because it has more presence and I guess I could be bias that I'm a Mustang guy, but still this is an awesome car that I wouldn't mind owning.
Adam Bruce 1:47PM (11/03/2009)
It looks even better in person. I was there at the unveiling (have pictures on my facebook)
http://facebook.com/adambruce
This car however does NOT have an LSA, rather it has a twin turbo 3.6 Liter V6. Jay Leno was at the unveil last night and said this is the car he would build as a Z28 if it were up to him. It's in the same vein as the first generation Z28. The SS Camaro had the large V-8 (over 400+ Cu.i), however the Z28 was built to race in the Trans Am racing series and therefore had modifications focused on handling with a small (for the era) 5.0 Liter V8.
This car is similar with a small (by Pony car standards) twin turbo V6 and modifications focusing it on handling.
vespid82 2:38PM (11/02/2009)
With the existence of the Shelby GT500, this car has always seemed like a no-brainer to me. ESPECIALLY when they're already producing the LSA for the CTS-V.
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SkylineR34Racer 2:40PM (11/02/2009)
Looks good, wonder what the power curves are like and how it takes corners. one thing that im sure is that tuners will have fun with this car too.
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tfferwew 2:56PM (11/02/2009)
i haven't driven a new camaro so i have no idea how they drive, but if it is really a muscle car then it'll take corners ass out or like a pig on stilts. needless to say i'm buying one soon as i can afford it. nothing wrong with a 550hp car
Lemon 3:49PM (11/02/2009)
The new Camaro has IRS. Its not like the muscle cars of the 60's.
RowFive 4:46PM (11/02/2009)
IRS typically helps, but it doesn't keep the predominant handling characteristic from being understeer in this case. IRS is usually an advantage in simply keeping the rear planted in less-than-smooth turns. This car could easily be factory tuned for less, but out of the box it pushes terribly. Here's hoping the (possible) Z28 offers up some rotation ability in the corners, because the SS and base car are rather resistant to it.
Honestly I don't really think GM cares much about how the car's handling is perceived-- I think they just want it to live up to its straight-line heritage. A shame, because I think a V6 with a well-sorted handling package would be a blast.
SkylineR34Racer 5:28PM (11/02/2009)
Sounds good then I driven my buds 08 Mustang GT and that had a solid rear axle and i thought it was fun and lively in the corners. mind you my car is a 06 4runner 2wd with mods and its decent in corners for an SUV. And i agree there is nothing wrong with 550 HP.
thipps 2:45PM (11/02/2009)
i do like it. its distinctly different from the SS. wheels and stance looks nice and aggressive. down with the GT-500
o and dont forget GM loose some weight in this thing. like 200p
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Lar7789789 2:50PM (11/02/2009)
that front fasica should be on all the camaros, regadless of whether its a ss or v6 or z28
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happyfun86 2:51PM (11/02/2009)
They won't detune it; they'll just underrate it like they did the 4th-gen Camaros.
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Lar7789789 2:52PM (11/02/2009)
regardless of how much horsepower this car has, I don't think the Camaro is going to be around past 2013 once the novelty wears off, which I think its already starting to.
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Mr.K 3:23PM (11/02/2009)
Every dealer around here can't keep them in stock, and there is still a waiting list going to Spring of next year.
I think it'll be a while before it even starts to wear off. GM really got it right with the design on this car.
Dtown 6:58PM (11/02/2009)
I don't think the camaro is going to be around much past 2015 when they face-lift this one and screw it all up again.
The Red Monkey 2:53PM (11/02/2009)
I am a Mopar guy but with the prices of the Camaros for the horsepower I am pretty tempted. Dodge better get their arse in gear or they may lose a customer.
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Rev 2:53PM (11/02/2009)
Bummer. I guess this means the new design isn't going away. The roads have become an even uglier place to be...
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Ari 3:19PM (11/02/2009)
Since when do cars get redesigned months after being released? Your opinion doesn't matter, and after that, it matters even less...
jerjozwik 3:05PM (11/02/2009)
i wish my car made "just" 550...
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