zeta isnt dead, but long live beta

89IROC&RS · 03-30-2005, 01:55 PM

In responce to a thread from a while ago mistakenly pronouncing the zeta platform, and thus the camaro, dead, i cite information from the latest motor trend magazine. Pg 20. (but in my own words, not verbatem, ill just hit the highlights.)

The next GTO will be built upon the Zeta platform with all american styling reminicient of old GTO's. It will carry over the 400hp LS2 from this year and the Corvettes, and will debut in 2007 as a 2008 model.

The Zeta platform will also be used to build..

the Pontiac G8, the rear wheel drive replacement for the Grand Prix and Bonnivile.

the Chevrolet Chevelle as a midsized Coupe.

the Buick Velite being introduced in 2007, aimed at competeing with the Chrysler 300.

For those of you disappointed that the Chevy name on the Zeta is Chevelle, worry not, there is (in my opinion) better news.

GM is working on a second platform that will fit between kappa and Zeta, This new platform is called Beta. Sources say that this is going to be the platform used for the.....

Holden Torana TT36 - the concept of this car was smaller than the GTO / Commodor, as a five door hatchback, with a Twin Turbo 3.6L V6 making 375hp.

Chevy Camaro - the smaller platform would take the camaro back to its ponycar roots, and distancing it from the GTO. Because GM promised canadian workers that they would always build camaros on canadian soil, they will either have to open a new plant in canada, or use a different name (this is the cue to start emailing GM to do what it takes to keep the Camaro name, including kissing and making up with canada.)

And finally the Pontiac G4.

I for one am extreamly excited about the revival of both the Camaro and Chevelle names. Now we just need to make sure that GM does it right. Styling is my key concern. With powertrain options a close second. But the fact that they finally cut back the size of the Camaro makes me happy, we all have to admit that they were getting to be pretty hefty. Think about the 400hp LS2 in a lighter 3200lbs Camaro. (although i confess ignorance to the predicted weight of the beta platform cars.)

Xenostalgia · 03-30-2005, 03:17 PM

LONG LIVE THE MAROS!!!!!!
</cheer>

Rally Sport · 03-30-2005, 04:54 PM

Thats some good news, I hope that the Chevelle and Maro dont look messed up though.

Savage Messiah · 03-30-2005, 04:57 PM

Rally Sport · 03-30-2005, 05:06 PM

Here's what someone thought it would look like, but who knows how old the pic is.

KaotiKCamaro5 · 03-30-2005, 05:40 PM

first good news i've heard all day..

philly rs · 03-30-2005, 05:45 PM

i will beleave it when i see it, gm is not on my good side at all

Rally Sport · 03-30-2005, 05:55 PM

I think GM is stupid but im not going to go Ford anytime soon or at all.

89IROC&RS · 03-30-2005, 07:29 PM

the pic is pretty old, but its a nice pipe dream. Personally id like to see them work with the overall stance and shape of the third gen camaros, give it the rear window and trunk of the second gens, styling cues including front and rear ends from the first gens, with the technology and performance of the fourth gens. OH man, i think id orgazm.

R.OConnor · 03-30-2005, 07:39 PM

Looks like there just may be a god after all...

From what I have heard (and when I say heard, I mean read) if you ask GM about the Firebird they say "The firebird's day if over" but if you ask GM about the Camaro they get real quiet and dont want to talk about it which is actually good news...

As for the chevelle, awesome... but I wonder a bit of how much it will kind of tie back to the A-body thing... I like A-bodys, dont get me wrong but the last thing we really need is something that looks like the monte carlo (which is a nice car but we dont need two of them). If they do the chevelle again.... AND GM, LISTEN NOW, it should look a retro but not too retro, it needs to still have stong links to the last Chevelle that was produced

As long as the Camaro comes back with style and two doors (I swear if they pull a charger, somebody is getting hurt) I will be happy...

Now, can I get an Amen?

89IROC&RS · 03-30-2005, 09:03 PM

ill give that an Amen, except... um... you saw the last year of chevelles right???? personally id prefer if they took styling cues from the 1970 chevelles. I think that GM needs to put the guy in charge who is doing the design work for the next GTO. The look may not be up everyones ally, but its definatly american, and definatly GTO. Kinda looks like the bad ass concept they had a while back, crossed with what we have now. The funny thing is that the designer is an australian.

but i like his work. Maybe if that auzzy and the kid who did those computer renderings got together, wed have one helluva good lookin car.

Chevyracincamaro · 03-30-2005, 09:16 PM

forshame fearless leader, you are fueling the rumor fire.
alas, i have heard that the camaro will come on what is to be called the beta chassis. my stance is to just sit back and wait to see what happens. im almost tired of hearing about it. either way, GM is in serious trouble (plainly seen) and they are lookin to make serious quality control changes. this can possibly bode well for current and future cars. keepin the fingers crossed...

89IROC&RS · 03-30-2005, 09:32 PM

lol, man when it comes to what GM is putting out right now, i have no complaints. The Cobalt SS is a tenth of a second slower 0-60 than a Dodge SRT-4, ties in the quarter (same time, lower mph) but is faster through the slalom, brakes better, and was faster through a road course. (see latest Motor Trend) All this with 25 less hp, 50 less lbs/ft, and a bunch more weight to drag around. The new vette is leaps and bounds beyond the last generation. And im salavating at the idea of a 427 powered ZO6 (or are they calling it a ZO7 now i forget) Chevy trucks have outsold Ford for the first time in a decade, The new fit and finish to Chevys is on par with the best japanise imports. Caddy has finally found its balls, and is challenging BMW in both luxury and performance. Chevy is still the best bang for the buck as far as performance (you can get a Cobalt SS for 25k and the new vette for 50k. All you guys who keep talking about how bad GM is doing, i dont understand it. Life is good, but ive already stood on this soap box, so ill leave it at that.

Chevyracincamaro · 03-30-2005, 09:38 PM

from everything ive read, GM isnt doing well, from a business stand point. i know that on a performance level Chevrolet is superior (ok i might be a LITTLE biased) but apparently in the general market GM cant compete as well with toyota, and how ever many little companies ford owns...

89IROC&RS · 03-30-2005, 09:45 PM

well i agree, GM is coming out of a down period, They had management making alot of poor calls regarding product design. And they lost alot of buisness for it. GM is now under new management who is turning things around, and i feel that GM is on the upswing. Part of that is getting back into the performance sedan market that right now belongs to many import manufacturers. Need i say WRX or EVO??? Personally i think an entry level camaro on the beta chassis with that twin turbo 3.6L making 375hp would be the perfect car to challenge those cars. Then give it a 5.0L LS based V8 in the SS, and then the 5.7L LS2 for the SS. to compete with the Mustang GT and Shelby 500. at least thats my pipe dream. My wet dream would be the revival of the ZL1 name with the 7.0L LS based engine, but methinks i might be left hopingon that one.

POST REPLY TO THIS THREAD