HOT! New T/A in the works!!!

[Al 96 Ram Air T/A]

OK...I know the "rumor mill" has been very active, but this one seems to be the most credible one I've heard in a while.

What do you think?

http://www.autospies.com/article/ind...articleId=7325


Autoblog.com is usually "fairly" current on breaking news.

If it looks like the photo enclosed, I'm next in line. Lutz recently stated in an interview that the 400 hp LS2 is a no brainer...if the F-body is built (and he stated that the Camaro is almost surely going to happen). When asked about a potential ZL-1 version (i.e. SS) with the 505 hp LS7 motor...he stated that he has not ruled that out. In other words...if people will pay, he'll consider building it.


The horsepower wars are heating up...again.


Dodge - 505 hp Challenger SRT-8 concept being released at SEMA
Ford - 500 hp Mustang GT500 is a go (confirmed hp rating as well)
GM - 400 hp Camaro...probably a definite, 505 hp maybe, Pontiac - another maybe

And everyone said the 60's was the peak of the horsepower wars...bwahahahaha.

[Joe K. 99 Zeee!!]

Maybe I'm putting this too bluntly, but it's not going to happen. I'll have to dig up the post I made last week with the list of quotes concerning future vehicles. As much as I like the photoshop, Bob Lutz couldn't have said it any more bluntly. A new GTO is still on however.

[Joe 1320]

The bottom line is that the Camaro is always the first one brought to final production. The pontiac trim version comes second. GM will always say it's not in the cards until the last minute if it does make it to production. I wouldn't expect this to be any different. If GM were to acknowledge another trim version, current sales of a product slow down while people "wait" for the new product. Think about it....... when the Camaro comes out, how many would put off buying the Camaro in order to wait for the Firebird? That's exactly why GM won't acknowledge anything until the last minute.

[Dave-S]

A bigger worry is whether the Pontiac Division will still be in existence when the Camaro is finally produced. Lately, there is not much "excitement" at Pontiac..................IMHO of course.

[Joe K. 99 Zeee!!]

One thing is for sure...Pontiac needs help. I like the Grand Prix. The G6 Hardtop convertible is cool. The Solstice is highly successful. But something is still missing. There doesn't seem to be a cohesive force holding the division together. I'm not saying that Firebird is that force. Just that the design/packaging execution isn't clicking yet.

During the 4th Gen years, a disproportionate share of the development budget was spent on the Firebird...a car that was selling at half the quantity of the Camaro. Believe me, I love the Bird, but this will be a business decision.

When the F-bodies went out of production, GM never called the Camaro dead or cancelled. It was always hiatus. That word was never used for Firebird. If anything people are saying no more....across the board. That's an important distinction.

Things can always change though...we'll see. I just don't expect that anything is being worked on at this moment.

[DJ Taso]

Yuck. Why is GM going for the retro look?

[Joshu]

I like it....alot!

[wolfdogs]

GM already made a public statement that its not going ot happen, just last week... no Firebird of any model is in the works.

thats a re-do of an old concept look...

[Jay 02 TA ws6]

One thing is for sure...Pontiac needs help. I like the Grand Prix. The G6 Hardtop convertible is cool. The Solstice is highly successful. But something is still missing.

I agree with you on the Solstice, and the hardtop convertible is a neat twist to the G6... but the other G6 models just aren't up to par with their competition... and the Grand Prix is even further behind. The price of the Grand Prix is one of the major problems with it... $30K for the GXP? How many $30K cars do you know of that have Fisher Price plastic dashboards with ghastly fitment gaps ?

[Joe 1320]

Things can always change though...we'll see. I just don't expect that anything is being worked on at this moment.

Just remember that change is a constant. A platform is developed, a model is designed around the platform and then it's officially called "dead" by GM. Before you know it, the car is redesigned and it's back on. In my opinion, GM's marketing is antiquated and is based on a time when information was hard to come by. In the information age with the internet and media, I can see why GM has a hard time with sales of brand identity vehicles (excepting the mainstay Corvette).

Ironically, to build a Pontiac version of the Camaro wouldn't take much at all. Revised front and rear bumper covers, revised headlights and tail lights, you're basically there. Of course there could be different seat options, trim options, etc. but doubtful that any of this would have to be specially tooled...... most could come from the existing parts bins. I'll say it again, the only reason that the Pontiac version isn't slated for production right off the bat is to boost the initial sales of the Camaro. That is the only way to ensure a cost recovery of a new model. Even the Corvette has a sister car...... the XLR is on the same chassis but wasn't brought to market until after the platform was established from the Vette.

[DeWynter]

One thing is for sure...Pontiac needs help. I like the Grand Prix. The G6 Hardtop convertible is cool. The Solstice is highly successful. But something is still missing. There doesn't seem to be a cohesive force holding the division together. I'm not saying that Firebird is that force. Just that the design/packaging execution isn't clicking yet.

During the 4th Gen years, a disproportionate share of the development budget was spent on the Firebird...a car that was selling at half the quantity of the Camaro. Believe me, I love the Bird, but this will be a business decision.

When the F-bodies went out of production, GM never called the Camaro dead or cancelled. It was always hiatus. That word was never used for Firebird. If anything people are saying no more....across the board. That's an important distinction.

Things can always change though...we'll see. I just don't expect that anything is being worked on at this moment.

One thing I will say is I'm very disapointed that the GTO never made it to Canada. Big mistake I think. Alberta is full of people who want fast cars and buy them every day, and sadly no GTOs. While I have driven the new solstice, and while its nice... its not exactly an f-body. Pontiac has nothing to offer in Canada for the muscle car people, and niether does GM, so all I see are Mustangs and 4x4s.

[thomas]

You know it may or may not ever happen but if it did............. Id sell my wife in heart beat for it!!!!!

I know its a photoshoped but man she looks good! almost a mid to late 70's from the front angle.

[Al 96 Ram Air T/A]

And to add...for the nay' sayers...

Pontiac has been one of the few bright spots for GM of late. Sales have been slowly improving...to the point where even GM is suprised how well Pontiac is doing.

The G6 is selling well...the Solstice is selling well...the Vibe is outpacing the Matrix...

GM is now giving the green light to the G5, which will basically be a rebadged Cobalt.


Don't overlook the successes Pontiac has been having....

[Christopherrr]

And to add...for the nay' sayers...

Pontiac has been one of the few bright spots for GM of late. Sales have been slowly improving...to the point where even GM is suprised how well Pontiac is doing.

The G6 is selling well...the Solstice is selling well...the Vibe is outpacing the Matrix...

GM is now giving the green light to the G5, which will basically be a rebadged Cobalt.


Don't overlook the successes Pontiac has been having....

Very true...Solstice out sells MX5 5 to 1! Crazy...but very true.

The G5 is the Pursuit everywhere else. Don't you see the extreme resemblence with the 4 doors tail lights with the G6? I don't think the sales will be strong if they don't make some visual changes from the Colbalt.

Personally, I'm still ...errr, dreaming for the next Firebird.