Lutz: GM mulls 4-cylinder engine for new Camaro

By RICHARD TRUETT, AUTOMOTIVE NEWS


NEW YORK -- General Motors is considering a four-cylinder engine for the new Chevrolet Camaro as a response to rising fuel prices.

Speaking on the sidelines of the New York auto show, GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz said the drivetrain under consideration for the Camaro is the same high-performance one used in the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky roadsters. It’s a 2.0-liter turbocharged, direct-injected four-cylinder rated at 260 hp. Lutz said that if fuel prices continue to climb, the four-cylinder Camaro could see production.

GM has said it plans V8 and V6 versions of the Camaro but otherwise has been secretive. Lutz confirmed to Automotive News that the V6 version of the Camaro will be powered by the same high-tech V6 used in the Cadillac CTS. It’s a direct-injected, 3.6-liter four-cam V6. In the CTS, the engine is rated at 304 hp.

Low-priced version dropped

In the Camaro, the 3.6 liter’s horsepower should be around 260, Lutz said, Fuel economy, he said, will be around 17 mpg city and 25 highway. That would place the V6 Camaro among best in class for a performance car.

Lutz said GM has dropped plans to offer a low-priced, entry-level Camaro with one of GM’s low-tech V6s. GM will position both the V6 and V8 versions of the Camaro as premium cars compared to the Camaro’s chief rival, the Ford Mustang.

The base model Mustang uses a 4.0-liter overhead-cam V6 rated at 210 hp. The base model Dodge Challenger, due in the fall, will use a 250-hp, 3.5-liter V6.

Most enthusiast attention has focused on the Camaro’s V8 engine, which is likely to be a 6.0-liter with about 400 hp. Lutz said the V8 will have a cylinder cutoff system that shuts down half the engine when the car reaches cruising speed. That will help it get better fuel economy.

But Lutz said he thinks most buyers will opt for the V6 because the performance will be strong, especially when the engine is combined with a manual transmission.

“Back in the old days, if you wanted a muscle car, to get a decent one, you had to buy the V8,” Lutz said. “And if you bought the V6, you got a fairly rough, unrefined pushrod engine with low horsepower and weasely performance.

“This time, the V6 is 260-odd horsepower, four overhead cams, very smooth and decent 0-to-60-mph times. And now the V6 is in its own right a very fast, very legitimate car.”

'We are going to be above Mustang'

Lutz said that with the V6, the Camaro achieves a nearly perfect 50-50 weight distribution: “With the V6, it is not a heavy car. The Camaro will be a very lively and engaging car,” he said.

Lutz would not talk specifically about the Camaro’s pricing. The car is scheduled to go on sale next February as a 2009 model, but Lutz did say GM views the Camaro as better equipped than the Mustang, and the price will be higher.

The Mustang V6 coupe has a base price of $20,235. The V8 GT coupe begins at $26,825. Both prices include shipping.

“We are going to be above Mustang,” Lutz said. “We have a very sophisticated suspension system and, frankly, a much nicer interior. We are not going to try and match the Mustang on price. We are going to be premium-priced compared to the Mustang.”


AutoWeek | Updated: 03/19/08, 3:39 pm et

Article URL: http://autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ar.../FREE/86927553

 

Considering Ford's plan to introduce a Twin Turbo charged V6 with direct fuel injection it makes sense that GM would pursue the same path to begin to prepare with the CAFE law. The future of american sports cars is facing another change, similiar to the one made when EFI was introduced. Many were convinced it would be the end of sports cars but it proved that more could be done with less. If there is a way for improved fuel economy and horsepower to be combined then I'd have to say I'm for it. And as much as it might upset the purist in me, an affordable V6 and V4 might be what's needed for the Camaro and other sports cars to continue selling in these days of increased gas prices and tree lovers.

 

Hey, more choices aren't bad -- if it sells -- it will help Camaro from being cancelled again... ;-)

 

i hate the fact that a 4 cyl camaro might be offered.. sure.. it will probably help but.. i just don't like the idea.. i suppose if it does help though, go ahead..
but seriously, chevy needs to price this thing at a reasonable price.. if it was priced somewhat near the mustang, people would buy this over the mustang.. more sales = more profit, even if you don't make quite as much profit off each sale. I hate the fact that everyone keeps telling me the V6 is gonna be $30k, even worse than that.. it could be. Thats another thing i liked about chevy, affordable performance. If your going to charge the same amount for a V8 camaro and a base corvette, i think its kinda stupid..

 

I don't get it! GM, Ford, Chrysler all have the same problem. They can make engines with good power but they can't make any that give you good mpg? Now correct me if I'm wrong but didn't the late 80's and early 90's Camaros and Firebirds able to give you 28mpg highway? With good powerful V8's? It seems like as these engines advance they loose the ability to give you better mpg with out sacrificing performance.

 

I just talked to a friend the other day, his two year old LS2 400hp Vette gets 28-30mpg highway.
Clyde

 

Yeah, my dad's '06 vette got between 30-32 mph heading up to West Virginia. Also, I thought I watched a program recently about muscle cars where they stated that the 70's Dodge Demon Dart with a 340 (275 horse; 340 torque) got 22-23mpg in the city. I just do not get it...why can't they squeeze better fuel economy out of newer cars? Doesn't really matter, though. If the majority of cars start getting better than 35mpg, then I would not be surprised if OPEC simply raised prices to make up for lost revenue.

 

well first of all its supposed to be an inline four cylinder and the camaro was only brought back as a limited run model, it was never meant to be a full time model

 

Check here:
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.htm

Can't they just make a V8 where you can toggle it from 4, 6, and 8 cylinders full time, instead of just the automatic computer shutoff GM talks about at highway cruising?

 

Are you talking about the new Camaro supposed to a limited run model? If so, I'd like to know what your sources are as I have not heard that on any of the Camaro/Chevy forums nor from GM.
Clyde