http://www.autoguide.com/gallery/d/53757-3/2010-chevrolet-camaro-6096.JPG

Chevy's next generation Camaro is going to shrink in size from its current behemoth underpinnings and share a new global Alpha platform with the third-generation Cadillac CTS and the all-new ATS. With the next Camaro due out in 2015, the CTS is destined to bow in 2013 as a 2014 model, while the 3-Series fighting ATS is scheduled to arrive just afterwards.

The news comes from a report by Motor Trend after a presentation by consultancy firm Grant Thornton LLP at the Automotive Press Association on Thursday.

Other details revealed include plans to discontinue the CTS Coupe and SportWagon, likely because both a coupe, convertible and wagon version of the ATS are in the works. The CTS will then grow slightly (by roughly 6-inches) to be more in line with the 5 Series and E-Class.

To make this plan cost effective its likely that the new Alpha platform will use different amounts of aluminum and steel depending on whether it is being used for a Cadillac or a Chevy, with the Caddy getting a higher percentage of lighter, but more expensive, aluminum.

In addition to this new MT also suggests, the 2015 Camaro SS is likely to get a supercharged or turbocharged V6, rather than a V8.

More: Report: Next Camaro to Shrink In Size, Join Cadillac CTS and ATS on New Smaller Platform (http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2010/02/report-next-camaro-to-shrink-in-size-join-cadillac-cts-and-ats-on-new-smaller-platform.html) on AutoGuide.com

I wonder if this means the end of the V8s?

V8's are history....:(

Interesting. Although on the MT prediction, they seem to be more wrong than right in their predictions.

Interesting. Although on the MT prediction, they seem to be more wrong than right in their predictions.

Good!

V8's are history....:(


Which would make G8s, that are in good shape come the demise of the V8, a more desirable commodity for big iron fanciers.

I don't think V8's are history, I just think they wont be as common in mid-level cars like $30k-$40k range.

I think we'll see them only commonly used in $40k-$60k range cars. Kind of like how V10's are rare but not extinct and only used in ultra-high performance cars.

The V8 will stay but be up-scale power/luxury use. Like CTS-V, M5, AMG, etc... Rather than every other "sports" car.

FYI I read somewhere the CTS will end in 2012 or 2013.

Why would they end the CTS shortly after releasing the coupe and wagon? Doesn't make sense... but we are talking about GM.

Ill try to find the article.

Why would they end the CTS shortly after releasing the coupe and wagon? Doesn't make sense... but we are talking about GM.

maybe, radical restructuring after a near bankruptcy and an influence from Gov't bailouts might have something to do with it ...

good morning, btw

;)

maybe the V8s will stay around after all but they will be part hybrid.

http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1042369_report-gm-planning-rear-wheel-drive-hybrid-cars-starting-with-cadillac-ats

http://www.automobilemag.com/features/awards/0802_gm_two_mode_hybrid_technology_of_the_year/index.html

Yeah, what we need is a 4-5L DI V8....maybe with a dash of electrojuice to top it off with.

The V6 has come a long way and can do most of the heavy lifting, but the V8 will have a place in the future but like stated...maybe more for luxury cars.

While...can they pass off a top of the line Camaro or Mustang with V6's? I'm open to it...but will the die hard old timers allow such a thing without mass suicide?

Time will tell...

You know the V6 in the Camaro RS would be great in a 3300-3500 pound mid size sedan.

G84me,

Hell im only 26 and wouldnt buy a camaro if the top of the line engine was only a v6. Just seems a little ridiculous, regardless of hp and tq to put a v6 in MUSCLE car. GM cant blame fuel economy either, look at fords new v6 ecoboost engine for the sho taurus, mpg is simialr to our v8s and it gives up some tq to our v8s, plus it runs on premium gas and souds......like a v6 with asthma.

G84me,

Hell im only 26 and wouldnt buy a camaro if the top of the line engine was only a v6. Just seems a little ridiculous, regardless of hp and tq to put a v6 in MUSCLE car. GM cant blame fuel economy either, look at fords new v6 ecoboost engine for the sho taurus, mpg is simialr to our v8s and it gives up some tq to our v8s, plus it runs on premium gas and souds......like a v6 with asthma.

That's what always cracked me up about those EcoBoost commercials touting "the power of a V-8 and the fuel economy of a V-6".:bs:

More like, "the power of a big V-8 and the fuel economy of a small V-8".

FYI I read somewhere the CTS will end in 2012 or 2013.

Why would they end the CTS shortly after releasing the coupe and wagon? Doesn't make sense... but we are talking about GM.

I heard that too, but not the CTS in general, just the current generation.

That's what always cracked me up about those EcoBoost commercials touting "the power of a V-8 and the fuel economy of a V-6".:bs:

More like, "the power of a big V-8 and the fuel economy of a small V-8".


don't forget what car company is saying this qoute "FORD" with there 315hp/325tq 4.6 V8 vs 365hp/350TQ 3.5 V6. For them it makes since to kill the V8 since its so weak in the power dept.
meanwhile GM has only started catching up with the asian car makers with making power out of a V6 hence the new camaro CTS v6.
Dodge on the other hand will never be able to get rid of the hemi cause they're V6 suck. So I think there will always be a V8 but you might have to buy a dodge.
What happen to the inline 6 used in the trailblazers I thought that was a good power plant GM should replace the 4.3 in there full size truck with the inline 6.

What happen to the inline 6 used in the trailblazers I thought that was a good power plant GM should replace the 4.3 in there full size truck with the inline 6.

It's not a 6 cyl. that was in the TrailBlazer, it's an inline 5 cyl.

Specifics - yep, the next Camaro will ride on the new Alpha platform. Cadillac will get that first for their new "ATS" vehicle line, which is a 3-series competitor. The current CTS (Sigma) will die, and the next CTS will ride on a stretched version of Alpha. Basically the ATS is taking the position the CTS did when it came out, and the CTS is moving up to the STS range (in price, if not in size).

And yes, V8's will become scarce, but not extinct, in the future. Having the Corporate Average Fuel Economy fleet average rise to 35 mpg in the future will do that (yes, it's an average, but how many 40+ mpg vehicles do they need to sell in order to sell x number of 25 mpg Camaros?)...

Rayvan, what you said is incorrect "It's not a 6 cyl. that was in the TrailBlazer, it's an inline 5 cyl." The trailblazers recieved a 4.2l inline 6 cyl or a 5.3l or a 6.0l v8. The inline 4.2l 6 cyl engine was leaps and bounds ahead of its time when it was launched in 02. it was rated at 275hp and 275 tq with vairable valve intake and exhaust timing, which was later changed to only variable intake (or exhaust cant remember) in later years. The engie can't make the current mpg requirements. Its easier for gm to use a big v8 and cut half the cylinders or back it off to a direct injection v6 with a 6spd auto then revise the inline 6.

The 4.2L Atlas I6 was raised to 291 hp in a later revision. It's also a pretty "tall" motor which won't fit underhood most GM cars. The I5 was a derivative of the I6 but used in the Colorado/Canyon and small Hummer...

Can there be a muscle car V6? Why not...but I understand how most view that.

To me, give me the best bang for my buck (power, looks, quality, etc) and I'll be happy with just about any engine out there.

I've owned:

V6 (Lexus IS350)...a great engine by the way that gave me over 300HP and about 30mpg.
Rotary (RX8) loved it, simple and fun but a gas hog
I4 (Nissian NX2000) fun little car

So, I'm only loyal to my pocket book and who can give me the best bang for my buck.

For GM, cutting weight and size from the Camaro just makes sense. Just think, the V6 version will go over 30mpg now and the V8 will gain more also.

Weight is the enemy folks to performance, fuel economy, and handling. I hope the American car companies start paying attention to it more...the new Ford Turus is a fat cow and our beloved G8 is "round around the eges" herself...while she carries it well.

You all talk about mileage, I just took the G8 for a 500 mile roadtrip. Running 89, on a fresh Castrol Edge change I averaged 27.3 miles per gallon. This is at 370hp. Thats exactly 1.2 mpg less than my Monte SS uses to get with the 3800 v6 on a roadtrip.

We all should go blow up our V8's they get horrible mileage....

I remember when the Mustang was going to be replaced with a new FWD turbo 4 cyl platform. That was the Ford Probe. 20 years later the Mustang still lives and the Probe...

Back when 3500lbs was considered a pig for a sport coupe and it was fairly easy to get a car to 3000lbs we had inefficient V8 engines. Writers complained about 3rd gen Camaros vs Mustangs because the Camaro was so heavy. They weighed about 3400lbs. That was with iron blocks and all steel suspensions. Now we have a nearly 4000lb sedans and 3800lb sport coupes. Shave off 600-700lbs and you would see a nice jump in economy and performance. I had a 2000 C5 FRC that regularly saw 30mpg on the highway with cam, ported heads and all the bolt-ons. That car weighed just under 3100lbs.

Unfortunately, when it comes to luxury and safety it's hard to have a lightweight vehicle without adding significant cost. These cars would be even heavier if we didn't make use of aluminum manufacturing.