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Spied: 2009 Chevrolet Camaro - Car News
We catch a couple of Camaros in camo.
BY JORDAN BROWN, PHOTOGRAPHY BY KGP PHOTOGRAPHY
January 2008 Usually, passing a car hauler on the highway is a non-event. However, when that hauler is carrying various Holden test mules and two 2009 Camaro prototypes, people take notice. Our spies are no exception, so when they caught this particular hauler, allegedly in transit to the Arctic Circle for cold weather testing, they started shooting.
Externally, these prototypes prove the production car will remain true to the styling of the original
Camaro concept. Aside from the typical camouflage paint scheme—not a likely factory option—the first thing you’ll notice are the dulled-down wheels and brakes. While the rollers are still a respectable 20 inches, they’ve certainly taken a much safer shape on these prototypes. With how close the remainder of the car remains to the concept, we suspect the production car will wear wheels more similar to our first look.
The brakes have also made a departure from the original concept, a change we expect will stick so they can be shared with the
Holden Commodore. The ventilated and cross-drilled rotors we saw at the car’s Detroit debut may still appear on a high-performance edition.
Aside from that, the only discernable changes to the exterior are the enlarged mirrors and a change in ride height, alterations which are to be expected as the car nears production.
For the First Time, a Look Inside
But the real story is on the inside, where the most obvious changes take place. While the overall look and feel of the interior remain very true to the concept, many things have been slightly reworked and reshaped in a clear effort to ease the car into production.
While the car loses some of its flash and futuristic feel, it gains a sense of practicality and feasibility, and for the first time, the Camaro gets a radio. Other changes include a larger steering wheel—undoubtedly to accommodate an airbag—and basic cloth seats, which will certainly be strictly base-model fare.
So only time—and more spy shots—will tell us what the final version of the Camaro will look like. While there are some aspects of the car we’d like to see refined a bit more, we are glad that GM isn’t straying too far from the concept car we loved so much. Hopefully next time the spies will have time to pop the hood and answer some real questions.
Related Content: Spied: 2008 Dodge Challenger [link=http:
04 Intimidator
1/4/2008 2:21:28 PM
Nice camo... talk about fuggin annoying!!!
LnLSS06
1/4/2008 2:31:29 PM
Your getting a little bit behind Space:
1st a recently release pic from GM:
By Ed Peper
Chevrolet General Manager
I hope everyone enjoyed the holiday season and is looking forward to 2008, because I know I am.
Word has come down from Bob Lutz to remove the camo from the pre-production Camaros so further evaluations could be done for aerodynamics and cooling efficiency.
Here - for the enjoyment of our FastLane readers - is the first picture of the Camaro development vehicle without camouflage:
Here are some interior pics of the Camaro Mule. Keep in mind the interior is only 40% designed in these images:
SolaraSlayer
1/4/2008 2:35:20 PM
We've been waiting so long,
Once again, whenever these cars finally arive..
it will be anti-climactic.
I'm soooooo tired of waiting.
Twisted_Metal
1/4/2008 2:40:14 PM
Maybe it's just me but I don't like it ...
Revitupfaster
1/4/2008 3:24:08 PM
I dunno....the original concept vehicles looked more "Edgy" to me. I kinda liked the sharp angular look. This car looks a lot more like the Dodge challenger prototype pics.
I should hope that the interior in that one pic is only 40% designed.
Because it 60% blows!
I like the exterior. Hopefully the interior looks like the concept car. But they rarely ever do.
The Black Machine 29
1/4/2008 10:28:30 PM
wow they really did make it uglier the whole ass end looks less masculine now.
LnLSS06
1/5/2008 5:41:02 AM
quote:
ORIGINAL: The Black Machine 29
wow they really did make it uglier the whole ass end looks less masculine now.
You have to remember the the back end in photo above does not include the spoiler.
The GM upity ups say this car should match the prototype close to 80%. There are somethings that need to be change for aerodynamics and federal laws but it should match pretty close.
SpaceRider
1/5/2008 5:46:35 AM
quote:
ORIGINAL: LnLSS06
Your getting a little bit behind Space:
Hi JR, I'm not getting a little bit behind, or a little bit in front,
or a little bit on the side I'm not getting anything JR Good catch & post on the update on the Camaro.
Santa didn't get me anything again this year. I was hoping
for a new puter : )
JR, thanks for your post/pic's.
It sure looks way different then the concept did.
I will wait for final judgement, until I see one in person : )
Peace/Out
mickey
1/5/2008 1:34:44 PM
Man that bite for as much as i like camaros and was really hoping to look in to trading the monte in on one. I just dont see it happening for the new one. The way it looks on the inside SUCKS!! And anyone who knows me has heard me say it from the git go i wanted one.
But that was before they put the crap the have in there now for stereo, HVAC, or any of the other crap tryign to fall out of the dash.
The guages under there look close to the Org. so they dont bug me. the speedo dont even bother me the hvac and stereo look like crap!!
Thanks Space for the coverage. and also R.J for our help in this to
LnLSS06
1/5/2008 3:48:53 PM
I would like to add a snippet by one of the designers.
quote:
fbodfather
A word about pics - past/present/future...
I've always said that one of the best parts of owning a Camaro is the 'people' part........we are blessed to have so many people who feel so passionate about this great nameplate.
I've spent a lot of time on this (and many other) sites over the past dozen years because I felt that it was important to have the 'pulse' of the enthusiast. I also feel it's appropriate at times to give some hints (wink, wink) and answer questions.
Now -- all that said -- I can also tell you that --at times -- it's been a huge source of frustration as well.
We (that's you and me) need to remember that we (that's you and me) are not the 'end all' of what is and is not Camaro.
I have said in many meetings over the years that those of us within GM that work on Camaro/Firebird/Corvette are but the custodians of the brand.
We are not the brand.
We are the CUSTODIANS of the brand.
And I can tell you that it's something that every person who has worked on -- or is working on -- these brands understands that idea.........
I'd ask everyone on this site to keep the same thing in mind. Yes -- you may be an absolutely "dyed in the wool" enthusiast -- but please understand that while there are things you many not like -- we must keep ALL enthusiasts in mind as we design/engineer/build these wonderful cars.
You may not like, say, a seat fabric -- and that's fine -- but at the same time, 95% of our other enthusiasts may love it or find it acceptable...............in fact, it doesn't take you long on this site or any other site to realize that there is no way we -- or any other manufacturer -- will ever get 100% agreement on anything!
We must balance everything so that the enthusiast will love it -- but so will vast numbers of other people who may not be an enthusiast -- but take one look at a new Camaro and fall in love with it....and just HAVE to have one in their garage.......
Yes -- we'd love to give you a 900 horsepower Camaro that gets 35mpg and has 25 available exterior colors with 20 interior colors -- all for $19,995..........but that is about as realistic as me marrying Sandy Bullock or Daisy Fuentes or Christie Brinkley...........
The Camaro MUST be realistically priced so that most -- if not all -- of you can afford one.........
That's why I constantly ask people to keep a sense of 'decorum' as we (that's you and me) discuss the Camaro (and other cars...)
I'm sorry, but "That looks like *ss" is NOT appropriate for this site or any other ( correct me if I'm wrong....) ....because, you see -- when you type something like that, you insult many people...and while you may not like it, 80 percent of other enthusiasts may think it's great and like it.
Now....with that said -- I talked with John F. (Fbodfather 2.0) today after the interior pics leaked from the car carrier..........and we both believe it's important to talk about where these cars are in terms of production intent.
As you look at the uncammo'd cars (and yes, we will be posting some other pictures in the near future) -- and as you look at the unauthorized pictures of the interior........PLEASE KEEP THE FOLLOWING IN MIND:
1. None of these mules are anywhere near complete. Most parts are pre-production parts. If I had to assign a 'percentage' -- I'd say the cars are at 65% of production intent........
2. Some of the parts you see aren't even close to what you'll see on the production Camaro. For instance -- if you were to suddenly see a Camaro without the front bra in place -- you'd see some 'horrible' headlamps. There's a good reason for that...the production lamps are not ready - -and as a result - many of the mules have what I call....
" ..hey Joe - go run down to the local autoparts store and grab us a buncha headlamps and then go hot-g
