If some of the bits coming out about GTO are true, then we're going to see 2 classes of American coupes coming to market within the next few years.


Camaro vs Mustang.

Pretty much been gone over here. These 2 are made to appeal to a wide range of buyers, from V6 buyers wanting a stylish coupe with alot of value for the money. Both will have V6 engines standard, and according to Bob Lutz, the new Camaro will be priced within a few hundred dollars of the Mustang, making the base Camaro around $20,000.

Although Camaro is expected to have a version of the new 6.2 V8 as top power, there is talk of a high output mid-level V6 that in theory would give this level Camaro performance numbers on par with the pre-2005 Mustang GTs.

While Camaro is slated to get the 6.2 V8 as top power, Ford won't be standing still with the Mustang. Ford seems to be adopting the continuous improvement philosophy that drove constant changes of the Mustang of the 1980s.

Ford will be incorperating a stronger structure for 2007, with reinforcements in the floorpan and firewall area in preparation for more powerful engines in the very near future. The 4.6 24 valve V8 of the Mustang GT is scheduled for at least one substantial power upgrade before Ford switches to a larger engine in 2009. This is independent to another 2 special Mustangs planned after the GT500. One of these cars is rumored to be a version of the previous supercharged Cobra engine.

There is a super Camaro being made. Thank the "super" Corvette for creating the vacancy by "raising the ceiling". Expect it to compete with the GT500 Mustang.... in more ways than one.

It would be a big mistake to think that the next gen Camaro will have as easy time upping the Mustang's horsepower as it did with the SN95 Mustangs.



Challenger and GTO

There is no longer any question that the Challenger or GTO will be in production. Challenger is scheduled as a 2008 model, due out in just over a year. GTO is scheduled to be out a year later as a late 2009 model.

Challenger and GTO, though lumped with Camaro and Mustang by many, are infact aimed at a different market, and will be made in far fewer numbers. While Ford expects Mustang sales to eventially settle down into the 150K range, and GM expects to sell between 75-100K Camaros, Challenger and GTO production is slated to run between 15-20,000 annually.

Challenger and GTO will be luxury "Grand Touring" cars, with a high emphasis on comfort and ride as well as acceleration and handling. Both cars will be larger than the Mustang and Camaro, with more interior (especially rear seat room) than the 2 pony cars. Both the GTO and Challenger will be more expensive as well.

The Challenger will be almost exactly as the concept car. Scoops, large wheels and tires, and roll down rear windows are going to make the cut according to the word I'm getting. Headlights will be different, and the carbon fiber hood won't make the cut. The interior is going to be a bit better than the concept. Power will be a higher powered version of the 6.1 Hemi, as SRT is working on getting more power out of the powerplant as we speak (a supercharger?).

The GTO is tentatively planned to be made on the same assembly line as Camaro, although the car will not be a reskinned Camaro (by any means if word is correct). Unlike the Camaro, the GTO will have a roomier back seat, and will be generally bigger than the Camaro. Unlike Challenger and the previous GTO, a convertible is planned for later.