Bob Lutz, General Motors’ vice chairman, recently returned from a business trip from to Australia — where he was able to sample the Pontiac G8, Daewoo Veritas, Chinese Buick Park Avenue and the upcoming Chevrolet Camaro — and posted his findings on GM’s corporate blog.
In addition to the cars mentioned, Lutz also said he was able to test “other things in the rear drive hopper,” but focused mainly on the Camaro.
One concern with the Camaro was that it would lose something in its translation from show car to production car. But, according to Lutz, “It looked as awesome as the concept, and the blotchy black/white camo scheme could not destroy the great stance and proportion.” Lutz also said that the interior was on par with the concept and, despite being a pre-production car, was “already better than what came off the line a few years ago.” Lutz was able to take the Camaro on a test track and was equally impressed with it’s on-road prowess.
Lutz failed to leak any details on the powertrain — other than it will be available with a six-speed manual — but did refer to the V8 as “big,” lending possible credence to the earlier report of an all-new 6.2L V8 powering the Camaro.
Lutz intends the Camaro to be “the finest car in its class” and, from his testimony, it seems that it’s well on its way to achieving that goal.
10/12, 3:01 PM
posted by:
CTS DRIVER
all lln needs to do is copy lutz`s report and call it a review.
10/12, 3:18 PM
posted by:
atourya
“from his testimony, it seems that it’s well on its way to acheiving that goal.”
WHAT IS THIS. LLN is turning into a journalistic prostitute.
I used to really like this site…
10/12, 3:18 PM
posted by:
Wickedated
OK enough already, either make it or can it. This thing’s been talked about for the past 2 years…
10/12, 3:38 PM
posted by:
CA36GTP
Bring it already, before the hype sinks it!
This along with the G8 is a great one-two from GM to regain dominance over a rear-drive market it shamefully abandoned decades ago. Add the Impala, Park Avenue, etc. in the coming years, and the U.S. automotive market could transform.
Just don’t screw it up!
10/12, 3:41 PM
posted by:
atourya
CA36GTP, please don’t forget the GNX!
10/12, 3:53 PM
posted by:
Blakkarr
GNX isn’t going to happen. Buick is no longer going in that direction.
10/12, 3:55 PM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
yeah, more RWD!
I want a 454 in the Camaro
10/12, 4:52 PM
posted by:
sharpie
I like what GM is doing. Ford on the other hand . . .
10/12, 5:42 PM
posted by:
CA36GTP
LLN could write an article entitled “The Toyota Camry is the sexiest thing on wheels ” and nobody would accuse LLN of Toyota bias.
The moment something vaguely positive is posted about GM, sound the alarms!!
10/12, 9:27 PM
posted by:
GMCsyclone#478
If Katsuhiro Nakagawa (Toyota’s vice chairman) was quoted as saying this about the new Corolla, all these whiners wouldn’t be complaining.
This article was simply reporting what a vice chairman had to say about some of his company’s upcoming products. Of course he’s going to speak positively. These weren’t LLN’s words. And this story was reported similarly on other auto news sites as well.
It’s always shoot first and ask questions later when commenting on American car news.
10/12, 9:28 PM
posted by:
1c3d0g
Great, GM. Now don’t f*ck it up!
10/12, 11:00 PM
posted by:
deutschetouring1337
Haha found out who is doing the new Corvette DSG system, BorgWarner probably. I had thought it might be ZF or Getrag since GM had ZF do some of the work on the Vette CX-R drivetrains and Getrag for the Cadillacs.
10/13, 1:46 AM
posted by:
Cyclone of Red
Ok. The president of the company praises the car. Fine. What else is he going to do? Call it a stinking pile of **** and then ask us to buy it? But to take his testimony and add “it seems that it’s well on its way to achieving that goal.” is absolutly rediculous. You have no foundation for such a statement. MAYBE if it was a more disinterested 3rd party who had made the comments, but not when its the vice chairman of GM.
The only person I have noticed on this board that is increadibly biased towards imports is 1115. Besides that most of us are just realistic. If we like a car that happens to be japanese, we praise it. If we don’t, we bash it and the same for domestics. All of you who can’t grow up and get over the import/domestic issue go have your mom change your diaper before you post so you wont be in such a pissy mood and we don’t have to read your preposterous drivel.
10/13, 2:05 AM
posted by:
JedS88
I’m not getting my hopes up.
10/13, 8:29 AM
posted by:
CTS DRIVER
master yoda says cyclone of red speaks great truths…yes.
10/13, 12:14 PM
posted by:
67_L-88
I absolutely love the Camaro concept, but i do agree with Cyclone of red
10/13, 1:00 PM
posted by:
BLISS
I LIKE THE COLOR
10/13, 7:17 PM
posted by:
deutschetouring1337
Hehe So much for “An American Revolution”. Its funny how GTO owners felt the current is a real GTO when its not, just like most owners will feel this version is as american as it gets, but of course its not lol. Rsearch this new car, youll be disappointed.
10/15, 7:00 AM
posted by:
Get Real
Gee…he stopped flying his private jets to drive a car.
Let’s hope he can push Quality, something the last Camaro never had.
Lutz was at Chrysler during their 90’s decade of pathetic quality so maybe that last paragraph is doomed.
10/15, 8:22 AM
posted by:
autonut
There wasn’t a car Lutz did not call great during his tenure at GM. The only problem is: cars fail to sell with GM moniker. Lee Iaccoca called Lutz “ineffective” at helm of GM. Old gents may not admire each other, but it is under Lutz, the car guy, GM can’t actually sell cars. You guys right, what he going to call his creations “pile of crap”? As far as LLN being a two bit whore: you don’t bite hand that feeds you. And GM feeds it the most.
10/15, 11:35 AM
posted by:
injunraiv
autonut, a few ‘corrections’ Luts was never at the ‘helm’ of GM at any time in his career. While he was at Chrysler, that comapny had a renaissance in design which put the cars back on people’s radar. Their lack of quality seems to be holding their sales back. If Iacocca called him ‘innefective’, I would like to know the context. And whether this was before or after leaving Chrysler.
Lutz came to GM in a down cycle, and will be at least part of the reason for any resurection. I will be eternally grateful to him for the ‘05 GTO in my garage. Unless you’ve driven one, you have no idea what a fabulous car this was, even if it wasn’t a rousing business success for GM.
10/15, 12:52 PM
posted by:
Get Real
No insult meant, but I think your GTO is 4 decades past from being great.
“wasn’t a rousing business success for GM”….means the public didn’t buy it and it failed.
Lutz IS inefective anywhere he is, He talks but doesn’t produce.
Lutz ia a Hot Air Man.
10/15, 5:59 PM
posted by:
injunraiv
“No insult meant, but I think your GTO is 4 decades past from being great”
Not a chance, fella. There were some mistakes made for sure, but that is a great car today. The public did buy it, but then something went awry. I have my theories, but that is a topic for another conversation.
I’m waiting for my chance to test an upscale bimmer to see how much further the ride can go, but for the price you can’t beat this car.