All Cars, All the Time

Camaro Ready for 2009, But Will We Still Be Waiting?

In blog posts heard 'round the world, GM confirmed that which was already pretty much assumed to be reality: the Camaro is coming back. GM plans to have the Camaro ready for consumption in the first quarter of 2009. One dealer is already auctioning off the rights to buy the first Camaro that hits his dealership.

With gas prices headed ever higher, what will the market be like in 2009? GM promises that the muscle car will also be a fuel sipper. Certainly in my experience the Camaro can be quite frugal out on the freeway. My '86 305 V-8 easily achieved 28MPG on long road trips. Where my car fell down was in stop and go traffic where it would suddenly become very thirsty. GM will offer a range of engines and cylinder deactivation will likely be standard on at least the bigger motors. However, with advances in engine technology there might be competitors out there offering similar performance with considerably better mileage.

GM certainly has observed the fervor over Ford's Mustang and would like a piece of the action. With the Dodge Challenger also headed for production, the market might become somewhat crowded. Certainly a selling point for the Camaro, besides its styling, will be its independant rear suspension, something that the Mustang did not get.

I enjoyed my Camaro for the time that I owned it, but I seriously doubt that I'll ever own one again. I don't doubt that the Camaro's visual appeal will draw in folks for the first year or two, but what then? Wagoner did say that the new car would be offered in all shapes and sizes and that is very tantalizing. I'm unsure if he is referring to the fact that the next Impala will be sharing design queues with the Camaro or something else (Nomad, anyone?). Presumably the Camaro will be offered as a convertible as well.

I am happy to hear that the Camaro will be returning to dealer lots, but I am curious to see what consumers' mood will be like in 2.5 years from now.