The last El Camino was an enormous success for GM. The truth is that the same body was sold for nearly 10 years. What happened after that? GM made lots of mistakes throughout the late 80’s and 90’s. In fact, the company (with LUTZ), is just beginning to turn the corner now and come back strong.

The reason why there was no El Camino replacement was that the truck market took off and stayed very strong until just a couple of years ago. Now that people are looking for more refinement and better mileage out of their vehicles, the time is ripe for a car-based pick-up. I don’t think Subaru had the goods to make the Baja a big-time seller-but GM could make such a pig fly. I think it will sell like crazy.

Also if tuned right turbo engines typically have the compatible combustion rate to run Ethanol. Imagine the performance and economy you would get in a turbo engine running on ethanol?

Yeah MY Si I also agree with you on how while the better looking or better designed cars are typically not offering the best economy the Domestics and I say some Foreign companies too need to improve and put a little more effort in designing more affordable cars that typically get better mileage but are in the compact or subcompact. The HHR does get good gas mileage though, even though yeah majority of people don’t prefer the looks of it.

While I wish I did remember the days of when muscle cars were in their glory days and while gas was under 50 cents a gallon and no one gave a damn about gas prices, I’m actually an 80’s baby, trying to finish my last years of college, and drive a sporty subcompact… lol I’ve just been enthusiastic about all cars since I was toddler holding a Micro Machine.

I’d rather see GM make the small-block more efficient than use turbo-six motors. They sound like crap and do not drive like a V8. A direct-injected 4.5L small block could probably produce ~300hp easily and get damn good economy while doing so.

MY Si,
Ethanol is that answer. Domestic fuel for domestic engines.

I’m interested to see how ECOBOOST turns out for Ford. I’ve been complaining for many years that the domestic auto companies need to come out with smaller displacement turbo engines and just now they are catching on… The 2.0L 260hp direct injection Ecotec that GM is just starting to use will be my engine of choice for in my next ride, and while I would hope GM puts that same technology in their 2.4L Ecotec to get similiar higher HP numbers that Chrysler gets with their 280+hp 2.4L Turbo World Engine, or the 2.3T that Mazda has. Now for SUV’s and trucks this wouldn’t do anything for them, but in the Saab 9-3 Turbo X that has a 280hp Turbo 3.6L I bet they’d be able to get more HP out of a 3.6L or 4.6L turbo for that matter.

If Ford can get mid 300’s to almost 400hp out of a twin turbo V6 or whatever this engine will be then I say GM and Dodge need to follow suit.

AND…how many El Caminos did chevy ever sell? Less than the Magnum, I think!

When gas prices get high enough to actually make the stupid American consumer to actually think about what they need vs. what they want, I will bet that a LOT if not all current SUV buyers will trend back toward the good ol’ wagon.

Regardless, CAFE is good, CAFE is right.

Almost every sedan-based wagon I can think of has done terrible here. What the hell are you thinking? So far, Lutz is on a roll. Off base? Hardly. You continue to make some of the most ridiculous comments. Your opinions suck.

SwerveEarly: I thought the same thing. The GMC version of the El Camino was named “Caballero”.

jonnycat: GM seems a little too freaked out by the upcoming CAFE standards. I realize the upcoming standards will drastically change the auto industry, but it seems like GM is using this issue as an excuse for indecision (especially with Pontiac’s portfolio). They have too much talent and ability to allow themselves to appear so hesitant and disorganized to the public.