Lutz and Welburn visit the Camaro downunder..

[ozthunder]

GM’s Vice Chairman Bob Lutz completed a business trip to Australia visiting Holden (and apparently the 2007 Sydney Motor Show) and decided to do a write-up on the company’s official blog (Fastlane). Lutz was quite impressed with GM’s Aussie subsidiary and especially with Holden’s “passion for excellence and dedication to the product” as he described the carmaker in his own words.

He also had the chance to take several current and forthcoming rear-wheel drive models for a spin including the first fully representative prototype of the 2009 Camaro with close to final surfaces. Though the car isn’t ready yet, GM’s 72-year-old VC was moderately impressed with the Camaro. Here’s what he had to say about it:

“Twisting the key produced a muted rumble from the big V8. We pulled away smoothly in the first cog of the new, slick, six-speed manual. Depressing the accelerator shifted the world into fast forward, with three or four more quick upshifts. The car had just been completed and had had no tuning or finessing. But I loved the response, the sound, the steering and the brakes. There's more work to be done, for sure, and the group knows it. They still have time for further development. The goal of the team led by Gene Stefanyshyn is to produce the finest car in its class, ever. Do I think they will get there? I wouldn't bet against that team!”

You can tell its a bit smaller than the concept (thankfully). Welburns enthusiasm over this car was really quite relavent when I talked to him @ the Philly show. It's neat that a designer/"suit" goes through with the product like he has (CTS is another example, ala their commercials).

Thoughts? Excited? Or has that Challenger muscled everyone out?

[zerioustt]

def excited..cant wait for this car.

[Dave]

i miss the days when lutz drove a $90,000 prototype daytona

[ozthunder]

lol, i'm sure you would.

I'm sorta pumped, but to be honest with you- quite honest actually- I never liked F-body's. It may change with this..but eh, we'll see. I'm just pumped b/c Holden's involved lol

[Ender81]

Having seen it in person twice I can say I am not impressed with the car at all. I think it's a step in the right direction platform wise though so who knows (god please a more classically styled GTO). In general though I more excited by the new Challenger which blew me away when I stood next to it.

[ozthunder]

Well Ender we've only seen the larger prototype. Don't expect that to be the end-all..they need to make it smaller, it was gargantuan. With proportions comes a lot..so i'm waiting until we see close to production prototypes.

The Challenger is awesome..but I hate retro..so this whole span of Challenger/Mustang/Camaro kinda seems redundant to me from a design standpoint. Heritage forward GM called it (at least thats what Welburn called it 2 years ago).

As for a GTO, i'd rather them bring it as a Monaro. Retro wouldn't fit with the rest of the Pontiac line IMHO.

[NOPSTNS]

how can a company with such a great muscle car heritage be proud to bring back a muscle car....wehn they arent even the ones building it?


why does the boss have to travel 20 thousand miles to see a car hes gonna sell? why not design it yourself? thats kinda like sayin "i admit to not being able to build cars ppl want to buy, so ill look elsewhere."

anyoene else reading into this whole situation? dont get me wrong, i saw the camaro and it looks awesome, but, wheres the pride in ownership? its not american, so why have american pride stamped all over it? i kno many old guys who remember to the "glory days" of the industry when rwd v8s ruled the streets and they all cry for the future of "modern muscle"....

well, id rock that upcoming corvette ZR-1 tho..........!

[Dave]

Originally Posted by NOPSTNS

how can a company with such a great muscle car heritage be proud to bring back a muscle car....wehn they arent even the ones building it?


why does the boss have to travel 20 thousand miles to see a car hes gonna sell? why not design it yourself? thats kinda like sayin "i admit to not being able to build cars ppl want to buy, so ill look elsewhere."

anyoene else reading into this whole situation? dont get me wrong, i saw the camaro and it looks awesome, but, wheres the pride in ownership? its not american, so why have american pride stamped all over it? i kno many old guys who remember to the "glory days" of the industry when rwd v8s ruled the streets and they all cry for the future of "modern muscle"....

well, id rock that upcoming corvette ZR-1 tho..........!

wait what? new zr1?
*edit, nevermind you meant the blue devil. ZR1 is a better name than SS but when i think C6 ZR1 i see a northstar based 7.0 V12 with variable cam timing and a stratospheric redline. not a roots supercharged pushrod eight. might as well call it "corvette" "mustang edition" or how abour "corvenator"

[ozthunder]

The uber Z06= new ZR1.

Holden's building the platform because Holden has proved time and time again it's products are of a higher quality- and interest- than the products that other GM manufacturers have put out. They are consistently lauded for their performance and quality, while it seems like every other American platform (Corvette including) that GM creates has problems out the arse.