Lutz: Gm Mulls 4-cylinder Engine For New Camaro

[fbachman]

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 V-8 and V-6 versions of the Camaro but otherwise has been secretive. Lutz confirmed to Automotive News that the V-6 version of the Camaro will be powered by the same high-tech V-6 used in the Cadillac CTS. It’s a direct-injected, 3.6-liter four-cam V-6. 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 V-6 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 V-6s. GM will position both the V-6 and V-8 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 V-6 rated at 210 hp. The base model Dodge Challenger, due in the fall, will use a 250-hp, 3.5-liter V-6.

 

Most enthusiast attention has focused on the Camaro’s V-8 engine, which is likely to be a 6.0-liter with about 400 hp. Lutz said the V-8 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 V-6 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 V-8,” Lutz said. “And if you bought the V-6, you got a fairly rough, unrefined pushrod engine with low horsepower and weasely performance.

 

“This time, the V-6 is 260-odd horsepower, four overhead cams, very smooth and decent 0-to-60-mph times. And now the V-6 is in its own right a very fast, very legitimate car.”

 

We are going to be above Mustang"

 

Lutz said that with the V-6, the Camaro achieves a nearly perfect 50-50 weight distribution: “With the V-6, 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 V-6 coupe has a base price of $20,235. The V-8 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.”

[Rocco715]

Thats dissapointing, with the mustang you have the option of a V6 (standard) or the V8 (GT) why not give the consumer both options? atleast if they don't do that they'll make a new Camaro SS with a V8

[tobias]

Thats disapointing, with the mustang you have the option of a V6 (standard) or the V8 (GT) why not give the consumer both options? at least if they don't do that they'll make a new Camaro SS with a V8

 

Perhaps I read that wrong but it sounds like you may see three versions of the Camaro. The 4, the 6 and the 8.

[svensk]

Thats dissapointing, with the mustang you have the option of a V6 (standard) or the V8 (GT) why not give the consumer both options? atleast if they don't do that they'll make a new Camaro SS with a V8

Huh? There is going to be both options.

[VMax2007]

I think I'll buy me a 4-banger Camaro, that way I can say my crewcab truck is faster than my Camaro.

[mitchell87]

I think they would have a 4,6, and 8 camaro. At least for a few years. If the 4 was put into the camaro, it would be the 260 horse from the solstice GXP, which is better then the mustang or challenger 6, but the fact remains, it is still a four cylinder. Thanks, but i'll take my 400 horse V-8.

[tobias]

I think they would have a 4,6, and 8 camaro. At least for a few years. If the 4 was put into the camaro, it would be the 260 horse from the solstice GXP, which is better then the mustang or challenger 6, but the fact remains, it is still a four cylinder. Thanks, but i'll take my 400 horse V-8.

 

[solarjustin]

All I have to say if someone is worried about fule mileage don't buy a Camaro! A camaro with a 4cyl I would be too embarsed to be seen in that.

 

Now I'll give it to GM for making a 260hp I-4, but in the solstice it is only rated for 19mpg city and 26mpg highway, I would think a V-8 with AFM could come close to the same numbers.

[mitchell87]

I New Corvette is rated at 26 mpg highway i believe. If they would put AFM on that, you could geuss about 29-30, in a 430 horse sports car, sounds like fun to me. That is if you can keep your foot out of it, and only drive 75.

[solarjustin]

I New Corvette is rated at 26 mpg highway i believe. If they would put AFM on that, you could geuss about 29-30, in a 430 horse sports car, sounds like fun to me. That is if you can keep your foot out of it, and only drive 75.

 

That really does not say much for the I-4 in that small car if your corvette can get 26mpg on the highway!

[chitownpete]

Dont forget that some people buy cars because they look or feel cool, not because they are fast. Look how many 200 hp V-6 Camaros and mustangs have been sold. Its about sales and some people would rather have better mileage than performance they wont use. As far as the old "if you care about mileage you shouldn't buy a XXX" you should drop it. Many people care about mileage regardless of what they drive. There are people who will buy a Camaro/Mustang/Challenger as their only car. I personally would want the fast version but higher production numbers lower prices for all.

[mitchell87]

Dont forget that some people buy cars because they look or feel cool, not because they are fast. Look how many 200 hp V-6 Camaros and mustangs have been sold. Its about sales and some people would rather have better mileage than performance they wont use. As far as the old "if you care about mileage you shouldn't buy a XXX" you should drop it. Many people care about mileage regardless of what they drive. There are people who will buy a Camaro/Mustang/Challenger as their only car. I personally would want the fast version but higher production numbers lower prices for all.

 

 

I agree with you, but the 260 horse 4 is rated at 28 with the manual or 26 with the auto. The 430 horse vette is rated at 26, not much of a differnce there, but as long as there is a big V-8 as an option, I could care less what the other option are.

[LAGA]

My 05 Mustang GT with a after market cai and custom tune gets 25 mpg on the highway. And, it will smoke the tires!

[huero626]

I wouldn't be shocked the Camaro already has had a 4 cylinder engine. It was offered in the 3rd Generation Camaros. I would rather have the Dodge Challenger, I think it looks way better than the new Camaro.

[Happy_Dan]

They have to sell a LOT of Camaro's. Thus the 4 cylinder. It seems like blasphemy to us hard core f-body guys, but if it will keep the model alive, I guess I can live with it.

 

My fifth gen Camaro will be a 500+HP Z28 or SS or nothing at all. My 4th gen will carry me happily for a long time and 128MPH is not an issue. LOL.