zeta isnt dead, but long live beta

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.)

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

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

:useless: :bigthumb: :bananasmi :boink: :cheers: :pimp:

Here's what someone thought it would look like, but who knows how old the pic is.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/3028580409phr_camaro_12_z-med.jpg

first good news i've heard all day..

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

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

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.

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?

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.

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...

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.

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...

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.

wowowowowwowow <3!

whats that aimed at?

The only bad thing about engine types is that the Camaro somehow always seems to get the less powered engine because they want to keep the Vette ontop but if the vette goes up in power then the Maro will be 25-50 hp behind, I dont know but I sometimes wish they would let the Maro be better than the vette in a few things other than price.

im just glad to hear that chevy wants to distant the new maro from the GTO. i love the firechickens, but i never liked how they were the same car as the camaro.

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.


I'm liking these ideas, except you and I both know that the base won't be turbo, even tho that would be nice. I'm assuming ou meant give it a 5.0 in the z28 and a 5.7 in the SS... i would like that, make SS more than a hood, spoiler, intake and exhaust (fine.. .and some suspension...). I am getting excited for this Beta...

The only bad thing about engine types is that the Camaro somehow always seems to get the less powered engine because they want to keep the Vette ontop but if the vette goes up in power then the Maro will be 25-50 hp behind, I dont know but I sometimes wish they would let the Maro be better than the vette in a few things other than price.

Yeah... well the camaro has had a few unofficial nicknames such as "The original pony fighter" and "The corvette's little brother" Camaro has its place in the Chevy lineup... or atleast it did and now there is a gaping hole in it.... but yeah thats another story.

But on a side not, here is what would be cool (although these would never sell... so maybe just make a few). Make a few of the new chevelles into station wagons like a few of the old 65s or 67s or whatever they were... I think they actually called them nomads... Or you could just turn the SSR into a new Nomad... that would be sorta cool

nah, too retro... and in LS1's for example pwoer was almost equal, but camaro was underrated cuz if it was known at the time, then who would buy a vette?

whats that aimed at?


I dont know if that was aimed at me or not, so Ill just respond.

I said wowowowowowowow because I was excited

and the <3 is internet language for a heart.

ugh... heard from a friend, who basically lives on GM Insider lol that...
"Beta" is a long long time away, but would give us a great Camaro chassis. :(

Damn, that is some good news. 89 does that mean they would put a 305 in the z28 (i know it's just a pipe dream, but i love the 305) That would just be awesome. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

it doenst MEN anything, he just hopes they do. 305s suck anyway [wit a few exceptions...] :D

it doenst MEN anything, he just hopes they do. 305s suck anyway [wit a few exceptions...] :D

I know, but hey!!! Don't knock the legendary 305 :banghead: (cuz i can't get a 350)

Chevy is still the best bang for the buck as far as performance (you can get a Cobalt SS for 25k

I'm a GM guy, but anyone who buys a Cobalt SS for 25,000 is a dumbass. When you can get a 300hp RWD Mustang GT for the same PRICE!

http://www.gm.com/images/gm_nav_logo.gif
:iamwithst

but the stangs suck like a virgin on prom night

I'm liking these ideas, except you and I both know that the base won't be turbo, even tho that would be nice. I'm assuming ou meant give it a 5.0 in the z28 and a 5.7 in the SS... i would like that, make SS more than a hood, spoiler, intake and exhaust (fine.. .and some suspension...). I am getting excited for this Beta...

yeah i meant the 5.0L (and by that i mean 302 not the 305 :evillol: ) in the Z28 with the bigger engine in the SS, but i think the Z28 should get the better suspension over the SS, at least from a handling perspective.

A V6 :(

lol, hey man, id take a camaro with that twin turbo sixer over the last SS. lighter, better weight balance, better gas mileage, and a good 55 more hp (as far as the ratings go.)

A V6 :(


Thoes who do not know the power of a turbocharged V-6 would put up a frowny face.


I used to be that way, untill I test drove my TTA. Hell, when I first drove it 5 years ago, I though it was a GTA. I was not paying attention. Then the salesman told me it was a turbo v-6 I was amazed. Next day, she was mine.


Now I would take a turbocharged v-6 over an 8 anyday.

its true, when Iw as about 12 or 13 my dad's ex had the 87 Grand national... turbo 3.8 v6. Man... you could smoke the tires just about everytime you hit second... it didnt look fast but I believe 87 was the one year that another GM car outperformed the vette. Grand nationals are some sweet cars, my dad's ex's was stolen which blows, its tough to find a nice one out there like she had

The drawing posted was not done by GM. It was done by teenager who like most of us hear love Camaro's and Firebirds.

I am starting to see stuff about the new camaro in almost every automotive magazine I read



gm high tech performance: Heres what we know, there is a new v8 rear wheel drive coupe coming from chevrolet and it will be here in the 2007-08 timeframe. What we dont know is the name but sources tell us Camaro is the front runner. buzz around Detroit is that the new camaro will have strong heritage styling, perhaps along the lines of the 69 Camaro

Of course it is... all this buzz about the new stang and GM has nothing to kill.. err compete with it...

Of course it is... all this buzz about the new stang and GM has nothing to kill.. err compete with it...

shit, the onything GM is killing is it's self. :rolleyes: