Chevrolet forecasts 2009 Camaro sales

400 bhp V8 Hemi and 270 bhp V6 choices

GM / Chevrolet Camaro

by Thami Masemola
April 3, 2008 5:18 PM
Filed Under: American, Chevrolet, Concept Car, General

Some scant details pertaining to the 2009 Chevrolet Camaro’s capabilities have emerged ahead of its launch. The new millennium muscle car from Chevy will feature a 6.0-litre V8 engine dispensing over 300kW/ 400 bhp. This will not be the only engine derivative of course, because Chevy is aiming to cast the net wide with Camaro, make it reach as many customers and admirers as possible. It is speculated that in addition to the 6-speed manual, a semi-automatic will also be fitted.

Therefore a 200kW/ 270bhp 3.6 will be on offer as an option for those either too chicken (or simply not skilled enough) to realize its full potential or can’t afford the benefits of the hemispherical (hemi) V8. Hemi will of course offer the current benefits of fuel saving by shutting down four cylinders during times when eight are least needed.

GM is intimating at annual sales of up to 100,000 units all over the world, including the convertible version. Markets will include North America, Europe, Asia, South Africa, Australia and the Middle East. Our recent spy pictures confirmed the production-readiness of Camaro when test cars were spotted several times without any form of disguise, cruising on public roads.

Source: GM
Press Release (Click to expand)

Most motoring enthusiasts will remember the Chevrolet Camaro, a brute machine, the very epitome of American muscle cars. Well, its back and it is looking meaner and better than ever.
Naturally, the legend returns with a powerful 6.0L 8 cylinder engine producing over 300 kW under the hood. GM’s high revving 3.6 litre engine with 200kW on tap will also be offered as an option.
Just like the good old times? Absolutely but the new Camaro also boasts the latest in automotive technology. Essentially the new car combines vintage charm with modern luxuries. To top it off, it sounds vicious. An American muscle car has never sounded this glorious before.

Sub fives’ for the 0-100km/h sprint can be expected from the hemi engine. The hemi means that environmental activists need not be up in arms because up to 4 of the cylinders can be “switched off” when not needed. With only 4 cylinders operating, there is relatively low engine noise, improved fuel consumption and a more steady output of power. Best of all, this provides for a more comfortable, easy ride whenever the driver prefers.

The interior too echoes comfort and a certain ruggedness reminiscent of the original Camaro and the true enthusiast will want to cruise and enjoy the ride almost as much as revving it up for a thrilling sprint.
GM vice chairman Bob Lutz forecast Camaro sales will top 100,000 units a year. In Europe, a convertible will also be available and is likely to boost sales. Lutz also noted that compared to its closets rivals, the Mustang and Dodge Challenger, the Camaro was a premium performance car. The best news though is that this one is likely to reach South Africa, albeit well after 2010.

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Comments

heat_fan1

April 3, 2008 5:03 PM

HEMI engine, huh? Where do you guys find these writers...

taprice

April 3, 2008 6:09 PM

A Chevy with a HEMI, now GM is getting wierd... ;)

german-cars-lover

April 3, 2008 6:22 PM

HEMI ?? So, even GM asked help from Germany .

Joe_Limon

April 3, 2008 6:08 PM

lol you were already shut down hard core by stating this about a month ago, and here you go saying it again. Also, "intimating" that is a really odd choice of words.

FOXHOUND

April 3, 2008 6:31 PM

OK german-cars-lover how do you come up with that the hemi comes from germany? the chrysler company began testing the hemi design in 1948 on their strait 6 engine. so how does the hemi come from germany? tell me your logic behind that. we all want to know. the truth is GM would be borrowing the hemi from chrysler. and if they do SO WHAT? is that so different than mercedes asking GM to borrow the magnetic ride suspension system from the corvette? again SO WHAT.... companies always trade technologies, and you act like this is something new.

MB.65

April 4, 2008 2:13 AM

german cars lover. just shut up and get off of this forum. you're comments are not worth the time it takes to scroll past them and we don't care about your fanatism.

BENZian

April 3, 2008 7:50 PM

The Hemi engine is pure American through & through...though a 5.7 liter V8 Chevy 350 engine is also a thing of beauty... wink wink

thamzn

April 3, 2008 7:57 PM

Hey hit_fan1 and Joe_Limon, I'm sure if u expand the press release obtained straight from GM u'll see the words hemi about two times...

Joe_Limon

April 3, 2008 7:27 PM

I didn't say anything about the hemi being in a chevy

m555david

April 3, 2008 6:56 PM

Since when Chrysler supplies engines for GM? Who is a numb-nuts that decided to use Hemi and GM in the same sentence? Geniuses.........

gmfan09

April 7, 2008 1:29 AM

Its not a Chrysler Hemi. Is a Chevy small block. Why is everybody so confused by this.

International

April 3, 2008 9:07 PM

If you look closely you will see on the black coupe the fuel door is on the passenger side. Now look at the orange conv. what happened to the fuel door? It would be cool if you could fill it up from the back where the license plate goes, old school. Or on driver's side and the obvious, airbrushed out...

unknown

April 4, 2008 12:10 AM

this article FAILS....

benz_man

April 8, 2008 8:04 AM

LOL

justindoup

April 4, 2008 3:26 AM

Hemi actually means hemispherical heads. It was originally designed by BMW in the early 1900's and implemented into production during the 20's and 30's. In addition, more car makers just adopted the design of a hemispherical engine for racing. Such examples include the Peugeot Grand prix Car of 1912, the Alfa Romeo GP car of 1914 and previous Aston Martin vehicles. So why does everyone give credit to Chrysler?

justindoup

April 4, 2008 3:29 AM

Yea, forgot to mention the Camaro is going to be Legit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

heat_fan1

April 4, 2008 3:48 AM

Alright, I'm not going to question WCF's journalistic integrity (actually, yeah I am), but a) that "press release" is one of the strangest I've seen, and b) I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure the references to HEMI in the article have been changed. I question the "press release" mostly for the use of the word "hemi", which is a trademark of Chrysler and thus can't be used by GM.

I love this site and I've been following it since the days when it was only German Car Fans. But some of the writing of late has been rather disappointing.

frankwcf

April 4, 2008 11:02 AM

First of all, a hemi engine is not exclusive to Chrysler (please check the link to hemispherical engines). Second, the press release comes from GM and if you have questions about what they can or can not say in it should be taken up with them. The report was accurate except for the use of (capitalized) HEMI instead of hemi, which has been adjusted as is the link to wikipedia for an explanation on the hemi engine.

heat_fan1

April 4, 2008 2:03 PM

Frank,

Secondly, I'll agree that the press release comes from GM.

Firstly, the term "hemi engine" IS exclusive to Chrysler (see the second sentence in your Wikipedia link). Other companies cannot use the term "hemi engine" and must use something like "engine with hemispherical heads". I wouldn't be surprised if GM is getting a call from Chrysler's legal team right now. And they shouldn't be surprised if they get a call from me regarding the poorly written press release.

benz_man

April 5, 2008 3:47 AM

Something is askew. Maybe GM has recently re-developed the cylinder heads on the small-block and now have adopted a hemispherical design? I'm not sure, but I do know GM is not using Chrysler's HEMItm or its V8. That would be nonsense, considering GM has (and continues to) invest millions in powertrain development to ensure the current small-block will meet future emissions requirements. If this is a legitimate press release from GM I'm not too concerned over there usage of "hemi" (as a technical term), but for WCF to post an article such as this knowing the uproar it would cause begs my questioning of motives involved. Cause we all know some don't fully understand the intricacies of combustion chamber design, and some would assume its the Chrysler V8...

justindoup

April 5, 2008 8:02 AM

Everyone needs to relax a little on this blog seriously!!! Its just a technical term for an engine!!! The technical engineering of a Hemi design is not branded or restricted to one company!!!

Joe_Limon

April 6, 2008 1:04 AM

when this article first came out hemi was capitalized, they have since corrected it. But the capitalized hemi is a trademark.

The_woo_factor

April 7, 2008 11:34 AM

Is this bumble bee in transformer?

german-cars-lover

April 8, 2008 12:10 AM

Just to be honest , HEMI is actually German .

benz_man

April 8, 2008 8:06 AM

Where'd you get that from?

122

April 8, 2008 2:30 PM

German-cars-lover, what do you really know other than being overly biased about anything german?

benz_man

April 8, 2008 8:06 AM

Does Daimler AG still own the HEMItm?

themouas

May 24, 2008 1:45 AM

Why is everyone so confused of the term "Hemi?" Toyotas, Nissans, Hondas, all import cars imported to America have Hemispherical designs. They just don't advertise them like Dodge. This is not a Dodge thing, Dodge advertised it because people don't know sh**, the '94 ZR-1 engine was a Hemi too!

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