GM Issues Trademarks on LT4, LT5, L88, and LTX Engine Names
In a move potentially signalling the future of the LT Engine line, GM has updated their trademarks on multiple different engine monikers
It bears mentioning before we get in to too much speculation that a major company keeping up to date with its trademarks is normally not news worthy. Companies update and file for new trademarks all the time as a means of maintaining legal control over their iconic titles and properties. The thing is, though, the LT/LS engine is undoubtedly a GM thing, and no other automotive company would have the gall to try and name an engine of theirs an LT4 or something similar, which is what leads us to this speculation.
The LT1 engine, which is the current moniker given to GM's newest small-block V8--the 450HP monster powering the 2014 C7 Corvette Stingray--was first used by GM as an engine designation from 1970-72 when it powered Corvettes and Camaro Z/28s alike. It then returned in the 90's, in its next iteration, as a less performance minded small block V8, standard in the Corvette and optional in certain performance trim Camaros and Firebirds. Today, it's back as one of the most impressive engines we've seen in a long time. Its HP numbers aren't up there with the LSA, LS9, or LS7, but the technology in the engine is incredible, it's efficient, and 450HP is nothing to sneeze at.
The LT4 was originally a more performance tuned version of the LT1 engine, and this is where future speculation comes in. Chevrolet will, without question, update their engine line for the C7 Stingray Z06 and eventual Grand Sport and ZR1 variations, and it seems very likely that the LT4 will be the first place they go, in keeping with their history. Tuning, porting, and modifying the LT1 could almost certainly provide an extra HP bump, in the 50HP range, and would be a very likely. This would be the evolutionary step forward. Of course, with that evolution also comes the introduction of the next-generation Camaro. Slated for 2015, the next-generation Camaro will, without a doubt, start with a base vehicle featuring either a forced-induction four cylinder engine, or a naturally aspirated 6 cylinder. However, we all know that Camaros come with much more than just their base. A V8 SS iteration of the next-generation is not only likely, it's an undeniable definite, and it will feature one of these new LT engines.
It's possible that the SS will feature the LT1, but, history would suggest otherwise. When the first LT4 was produced, it became the engine at the heart of the Corvette Grand Sport. This Grand Sport was a more performance minded Corvette with extra HP and incredible power output. The LT4, however, was also the engine option provided to the more powerful Camaro iterations at the time. While it's likely that the next-generation Camaro will feature the LT1 as the SS engine--and wouldn't that be nice--there's still possibility it may be the LT4 that is the Camaro SS engine option, in an effort to keep up with, and ahead of, the Mustang.
The LT5, when first introduced, was an extremely high performance variance engine that powered the Corvette C4 ZR1. All indications then are that the LT5, in this iteration, will become the big displacement monster that will eventually power the C7 ZR1. I'm already excited to see what such an engine might look like. However, as we saw with the current-generation Camaro, this also means that a tuned version of the LT5 might find its way in to the highest end Camaro. What might that engine be called?
The other two trademarked names are the LTX and the L88. The L88 was originally a performance package for the Corvette, akin to the Z51 they currently offer, which featured vehicle lightening, chassis stiffening, and improved braking, and lightweight replacement parts for the 427 engine offered then. When it was available, the L88 was considered the ultimate track upgrade, similar to what the Z28 is for the Camaro. This may return as a track performance package, but it may also become an available engine designation. There's no real telling what direction they'll go with that.
The LTX, however, has history as an engine. The LSX was GM's high performance crate engine, purchased by tuners and enthusiasts world round to improve every type of vehicle imaginable--from 60's Plymouths, to AC Cobra kit cars, to the occasional Honda Civic or Toyota MR2. The LTX may return as that crate engine, or, it may go the other direction of the engine's history. The LTX, which was also a GMPP crate motor, was featured for just two years in vehicles, one of which was the Camaro Z28. The benefits of a crate motor is that they tend to be lighter and more performance focused, since they're tuner engines, and don't come with all of the efficiency equipment that many other engines do. An engine like this has greater potential for power and performance than other stock engines, but also has a history of lower efficiency and shorter engine life spans. Could we see a COPO Camaro style track package--some small production run vehicle--featuring a highly tuned LTX engine with the capability of absolutely shredding up some asphalt? I wouldn't be surprised.
Video Walk Around of the 2014 Camaro SS
Camaro Marketing Manager John Fitzpatrick Provides a Detailed Vehicle Walk Around to Showcase Everything That's Different for 2014
If you were still a little hazy on exactly what's different for the Camaro in 2014, don't worry, you weren't the only one. With 2014 Camaro news being dominated by talk of the Z/28's return, many people just weren't quiet sure what was changing for the V6/SS/ZL1 models. Thankfully, Camaro put one of their best marketing people on the job and he's showing exactly what has changed.
It's a nice little video that provides some quick information and sound visual accompaniment. We're sad to see that little has changed for the car's interior--the one place where it really has room to improve--but we do like the changes they've made--small and large. The taillamps are very different, and they don't feel truly Camaro-esque, but the LED option is huge, and should be a nice boon for night driving and vehicle visibility. The functional heat extractor is always a big plus, and we're happy to see that included. It's always good to see a vehicle evolve and mature year to year, and we're certain that this year's Camaro is the best iteration we have yet seen.
What do you think? Do you like the changes for 2014? Are you of the mindset, as some people are, that the 2013 looked better?
The 2014 Camaro Z/28
The 500-HP LS7 Powered Camaro Z/28 is the New Bad Boy of the Muscle Car Battle
When first introduced in 1966, the Z/28 package for the First Generation Camaro was the ultimate track performance machine for the every day driver, conceived by Chevrolet designer and engineer Vince Piggins as a "virtually race-ready" Camaro, purchasable from a dealer. Designed specifically to compete in the SCCA Trans-Am series races, the first generation Z28 featured the highest performance engine available, a 302 cu in (4.9 L) small-block V-8 engine with 3" crankshaft with 4" bore and an aluminum intake manifold. That Camaro put out incredible horsepower numbers with a high redline naturally aspirated engine, and featured improved suspension and body lightening as well. The end result was one of the most impressive vehicles that the automotive world had ever seen.
Fast forward almost fifty years and you have a long-running tradition of incredible performance Camaros featuring the Z28 badge, topped off with the recent announcement of the Z/28 badge's return: the 2014 Camaro Z/28. Long coveted by Camaro enthusiasts, and rumored time and time again since the release of the fifth generation Camaro, the Z/28 is finally here, and it continues in the spirit of its predecessors and looks to be an incredible and impressive machine.
The new Camaro Z/28 is being designed as the ultimate track machine and should be, with very minor modifications, capable of competing immediately in SCCA races against the stiffest of competition. The Z/28 will feature the 500-HP LS7currently powering the C6 Z06 Corvette. This engine, which is a 7.0L naturally aspirated small-block V8, is just the start of what makes the Z/28 special, too.
In an effort to improve track readiness and performance, extra HP was the least of Chevrolet's worries when they set out to craft this vehicle. In an effort to stay true to the Z/28 spirit, Chevrolet put forward a series of goals for the Z/28 which included: shedding weight, fortifying the chassis, enhancing aerodynamics, inclusion of a dry-sump oil system, improve cooling including installation of transmission and differential coolers, and mounting massive 15-inch high performance Brembo brakes to bring the vehicle to a stop safely and quickly. With the Z/28, Chevrolet achieved all of these goals, and the end result is incredible.
In total, the Camaro Z/28 is almost 300 pounds lighter than the Camaro ZL1, and a full 40+ pounds lighter than the Camaro SS. Of course, shedding this weight means the Z/28 lacks many of the other Camaros' creature comforts. The extra cooling systems, dry-sump oil system, and chassis stiffening and suspension pieces added weight to the vehicle, so Chevrolet had to cut a lot to combat those gains. The weight loss begins at the wheels, where the Z/28 saves 42 pounds by utilizing smaller 19 inch wheels. This was just the beginning though, and gone complete are the following: the tire inflation kit, trunk carpeting, some sound deadening, fog lights, and air conditioning is optional. The rear window has been redesigned to use thinner glass, the battery is a lightweight unit, the stereo has been nearly scrapped and features only the single speaker mandatory for seat-belt reminder chimes and other safety functions, and the backseat has been made more sparse. While all of this places the Z28 at a higher weight than the Mustang Boss 302, it does also feature extra horsepower and is the lightest Camaro currently available.
Power will be transferred in the Z/28 via a 6-speed manual transmission--the only transmission which will be available--which features an aggressive 3.91:1 final-drive ratio. A limited-slip helical-gear differential will also be outfitted on the Z/28 to help with traction and power management. For the more advanced driver, the Performance Traction Management system will allow for adjustable throttle and brake intervention to help meet the most specific track needs. The end result is a car that will provide incredible driver feel and response and which the masterful can whip around a track in record times.
The Z/28 will go on sale this fall in the US. It will fit in perfectly to the Camaro line-up between the 1LE and the ZL1 as an incredible new take on performance from one of America's most revered vehicle brands.
2014 Camaro SS Facelift Teased a Week Ahead of its New York Auto Show Unveiling
Chevrolet pulls back the curtain just a bit to give Camaro fans a peek of the 2014 facelift a week early
Next week, on Wednesday March 27th, the updated 2014 Camaro will be unveiled officially at the New York Auto Show. There are a number of questions awaiting this unveiling, too--ranging from interior changes to questions about a possible LS7 powered Camaro. As many as we've seen since the first 2010 Camaro was teased over three years ago. This picture, released publicly by Chevrolet today, answers none of those questions, but it does give a nice little taste.
The picture is just a small glimpse at the front fascia of the 2014 Camaro SS, and, a few changes are immediately noticeable. Chief amongst those changes is the new grille style adorning the 2014 Camaro. It's less cluttered, more simple, and sleeker looking over-all--but not by too much. The other difference we can spot is the inclusion of chrome trim highlighting the front nose at the top of the grille area.
The thing is, these changes aren't much, and that's a good thing. The Camaro has been America's most popular sports car for three straight years now, and that has happened for a reason. Chevrolet understands this, and they're certainly not going to try and fix anything that isn't broken. These changes are small and subtle, but also nice, and they hint at a more complete Camaro package--with an eye towards more modern style appointments--and hopefully are indicative of a full-scale update. We'd certainly love to see a Camaro that has new, exciting, and modern touches all around the vehicle, both inside and out, but that does not ever sacrifice its uniquely Camaro character.
Jeff Gordon Camaro Test Drive Prank
PepsiMax and Jeff Gordon Pulled One of the Best Pranks We've Seen In a Long Time with a Camaro
Usually, guerilla viral marketing can be a little ridiculous, but every now and then there's a video that really works: this is one of them. On contract as a spokesman for PepsiMax, Jeff Gordon decided to put his driving skills to the test and give one unsuspecting car salesman both the scare and the ride of his life.
Utilizing hidden cameras, both inside the vehicle and around the closed course that Pepsi put together for Gordon, he went undercover in prosthetic make-up as middle-aged and nerdy "Mike" to test drive a Camaro. Gordon then took the Camaro, and the salesman who greeted him, for a fantastic ride.
Gordon definitely showcased his skillset as a driver, which he has proven time and time again in the NASCAR circuit, by taking the 2009 Camaro through hairpin turns, around tight corners, and in to some fantastic drifts and burnouts. Steve, the car salesman in the video, has a response befitting such a terrifying ride. Pepsi bleeped out a number of curse words, and as the test drive ends Steve is threatening to call the cops. Once he realizes who the driver is, and what the prank itself entails, Steve changes his tone and finishes the video 0n a light note.
The video has gone viral, and has been some great unexpected publicity for the Camaro with over 7 and a half million views in just two days time. If you haven't seen it yet, you should definitely check it out. This is one of those commercials that will be remembered for years to come.
2014 Chevrolet Camaro to Debut at New York Auto Show
With many questions left to be answered about next model year's Camaro, Chevrolet has officially announced the pony car's unveiling for the New York Auto Show.
For months now we've been asking questions about the 2014 Camaro. Leaked documents and spy photos have shown us hints at a redone exterior and a possible LS7 powered Camaro, and on March 27, when the New York Auto Show begins, we'll have our answers.
Right now, nothing is official. There are VIN numbers out there that will coordinate with an LS7 engine in a Camaro, but if that's just some sort of hiccup in the vehicle numbering system at Chevrolet or an indication of the vehicle's future is unknown. Also, tester Camaros have been photographed sporting different front fascias than we've seen before, but those fascias are little more than a combination of older pieces never paired together coupled for the first time: is this result of a tester mule being crafted from pieces available, or is this an indication of what will be available in the future on the Camaro?
There have also been rumors of an update on the vehicle's interior for some time. With the C7 Corvette Stingray showing off a beautiful and classy new look inside the cabin, it would seem likely that Chevrolet could utilize its newly acquired interior manufacturing equipment to give the Camaro a few extra touches--maybe make them available options on 2SS and other such premium model listings?
Right now, nothing is for certain, but for fans of the Camaro it's all very exciting. We've got questions galore, and soon Chevrolet will be answering them for us.
As if this weren't reason enough to be excited about the New York Auto Show, it will also be the first time that the C7 Stingray Corvette Coupe and C7 Stingray Corvette Convertible will be shown side by side, and will also offer Americans their first in person Auto Show look at the new super-sedan Chevrolet SS. GM will also use the New York Auto Show to officially unveil these following vehicles from their vehicle line-up: The 2014 Cadillac CTS, the updated 2014 Buick LaCrosse, and 2014 Buick Regal.
Camaro 1LE vs Mustang GT Track Pack
MotorTrend Pits the Camaro 1LE and the Mustang GT Track Pack Head to Head Against One Another
I love the writing that I do, but my job certainly does not compare to that of the journalists over at MotorTrend and their peers. When they want to do a test of a vehicle they simply call the company and have a monster of a machine at their disposal, and in this comparison instance they got two of the greatest pony cars being produced today. The Camaro 1LE and the Mustang GT Track Pack represent the finest racing versions of their respective vehicles--that is, those existing in the middle trim, since the GT500 and the ZL1 test has already been exhausted--available today. The two are an almost perfect match to one another for competition, and it makes sense that they would be tested against each other to see what the results were. Those results, however, are different than what one might expect.
Watch the fantastic video, and you'll see the equivalency of the two cars in a straight line. Their quarter mile times are almost exact, and the differences in weight are offset by torque and HP between the two vehicles. It's on the track--the setting for which these two muscle car packages were designed--that a difference can be seen however. I won't spoil the results, but, when the testing is done by the likes of legendary racecar driver Randy Pobst on a course like the much revered Streets of Willow, it's hard to argue with them.
It's obvious that the Camaro benefited greatly from the Independent Rear Suspension and improved track wheels and tires, but how greatly is almost absurd. "Its not just a victory for Chevy, Ford got their ass kicked" sums it up nicely, and the information about proximity to the GT-R drives it home even further. This is a powerful win for the Camaro, and another feather for their hat. I can't wait to see what battles the next generation of products from these two lines brings!
Possible LS7 Camaro Spotted
All Signs Point to Chevrolet Testing an LS7 Powered Camaro
We recently reported on the potential for an LS7 powered Camaro following a leaked dealer VIN Card. It appears that now Chevrolet is testing a new performance prototype Camaro, too. This vehicle, following logical reasoning, would almost certainly be said LS7 Camaro.
The last performance prototypes that Chevrolet performed testing on were the ZL1 and 1LE models, and each was originally tested under covert conditions. Since their respective releases, however, Chevrolet has not tested any other Camaro model. That all changed last week when a yellow Camaro was spotted testing.
The visuals don't prove much to go, admittedly. The Camaro in test seems to be sporting a combination front fascia utilizing the V6 face with the SS mail slot opening. Other things of note: V8 brakes--a combination never before seen with the V6 Fascia--and the quad-tip performance NPP exhaust. It's entirely possible that this is just a 2014 SS, but, there's no reason that Chevrolet would need to test such a vehicle. People on site also reported a powerful V8 rumble emanating from the vehicle.
Hopefully this is further proof of the LS7 engine becoming an available option for the Camaro in 2013. The LS7 engine, which is currently the powerplant behind the C6 Z06 Corvette and is a 7.0L naturally aspirated V8 engine that puts out 505HP, would be a perfect pairing with a 1LE-esque package to create the new generation Z28. A vehicle outfitted in that manner would become competition for the ZL1 around the track, and would certainly have fans year round.
Here's to hoping we hear more about this moving forward!
Camaro Conversation with Chief Vehicle Engineer Al Oppenheiser
TheBlock's full interview and conversation with Al Oppenheiser about all things Camaro related
Any time Al Oppenheiser--the main man behind the fifth generation Camaro--speaks us Camaro fanatics listen. Recently, automotive publication TheBlock was able to have a full conversation with him. Al divulged lots of information about the Camaro's production past and future, some of it new and some of it old, and gave a genuinely charismatic recounting of his involvement in the vehicle itself. Oppenheiser is clearly a brilliant and interesting individual, and his conversations are always worth a read, as they're both enjoyable and informative.
The full text of the article, as well as a link to the original posting, are below. Pay special attention to Oppenheiser's answer about why the ZL1 is the greatest car on the planet, as I found a great deal of entertainment in that posting. Also of note is Al's love for all Camaros, including his mention and directed praise for the first generation. Enjoy!
If you're a diehard Camaro fanatic, there's more than a good chance you're familiar with the name Al Oppenheiser. For those perhaps not yet acquainted with Mr. Oppenheiser by name – it's a good bet you've seen his work. Whenever you roll up to a stoplight and see the new, 5th generation Camaro next to you, yep, that's Al's pride and joy. As chief vehicle engineer for the 5th gen Chevy Camaro, Al and his team were at the forefront of bringing this iconic American sports car back to its loving public after having gone out of production for nearly a decade.
However, being the chief vehicle engineer for the 5th gen was hardly his first rodeo.
Al has been a part of the GM engineering family for over 25 years, and in the process has worked on some of the coolest production and performance car projects imaginable.
In 2008, his team worked on the legendary 1957 Chevy Bel Air named "Project-X." And together with David Ross, GM Design Manager Styling at GM, and many others, brought this bright-yellow star of innumerable magazine appearances back to the future with the first-ever Chevrolet Performance 50th Anniversary 427 Big Block crate engine. This build featured prominently in the pages of Popular Hot Rodding, which seems fitting for what's arguably the most popular '57 Chevy on the planet.
While serving as Director for what was then the GM Performance Division, Al also oversaw several other high-profile build projects for some pretty well known folks from the sports and entertainment worlds.
A driving force behind turning Tom Peter's vision of the next generation Camaro into a functional car, Al has remained the captain of the Camaro engineering team since the car's unveiling at Detroit NAIAS back in 2006.
With those things in mind, it should come as no surprise that we were pretty ecstatic to be able to catch up with Al recently and ask him a variety of Camaro-related questions.
We touched on everything from the accolades the award-winning 5th gen Camaro has garnered, to his thoughts on the drag strip-dominating COPO, and on down the line to track titans, the ZL1 & 1LE – as well as the news of the first Camaro-specific parts Chevrolet has produced in over forty years!
So, join us as we cordially invite you to ride along as we talk with a guy who is as genuinely passionate about the legacy of Camaro as he is about its promising future.
The Camaro won SEMA's "Best in Show" two consecutive years, did you ever expect that the 5th gen would have the success it's had to this point?
Al Oppenheiser
I don't think any of us expected it. We knew it was going to be a hot car. It had been out of production for 8 years, so there was a lot of pent up demand and passion for it. But the fact that we had the stroke of genius to work with Michael Bay and the Transformers Movie transformed the car "literally" and connected it with a younger generation. It really took off on a much greater trajectory than we ever imagined.
Talk to us a bit about COPO. How do you feel about reigniting that flame and transforming the 5th gen into the modern-day incarnation of its legendary drag racing namesake?
Al Oppenheiser
We were asked by a lot of drag racing fans when we would have a 5th gen Camaro for them. Because basically, they've done everything they can to the 1st gens but couldn't get them any faster. So in order to compete with Mustang and Challenger, who have their drag racing kits and versions, it was a thrill to be able to bring the COPO back. We just had to wait for the right time and the right formula. And it's taken off as well, just like the other Camaro versions. It's been a hit, and so much so, that we're proud to bring it back for another run of 69 in 2013.
From a personal standpoint, what drew you to Camaros early on?
Al Oppenheiser
I was a kid, and grew up in the era of late 60s muscle cars, and I fell in love with the First Gen. My first car was a Camaro, I bought a 70 ½ RS/SS, and planned on keeping it forever. I've always been a Camaro guy, always been around it. In my career I've worked in the Camaro and Corvette performance divisions. But the thrill of being able to be part of the concept when we first decided to bring the Camaro back in 2006 for the Auto Show, literally gave me goose bumps. Then they asked me to be the Chief for it. It's a dream come true, I don't call it "work." I refer to it as a "Thank God it's Monday Job."
Generally speaking, what's the first Chevrolet Performance part and/or modification you'd recommend to a new Camaro owner?
Al Oppenheiser
Usually, it's our ground effects kits, splitters, and spoilers, things that help the aerodynamics of the car. I'm really happy that we're getting to work with the Chevrolet Performance Parts guys now to release parts such as the 1LE, so that anyone with a prior year's car can build theirs up similar to the production 1LE for 2013.
Anything we can do to help out owners of prior year cars is a great step. These are cars that will last, and you'll see people auctioning off 5th gens at car shows 40-50 years from now.
What do you think of the whole new suite of Camaro-specific parts?
Al Oppenheiser
Every Camaro show I go to, and I go to several of them per year, everyone wants to bring me over and show me how they've individualized their car. They took our car and did something to personalize it. Usually it's exterior, and then it's under-hood mods. Everyone wants an air box or a smaller pulley. It's great that now consumers are going to have such a broad complement of parts to choose from to truly personalize their vehicles.
Why is the ZL1 the best car on the planet?
Al Oppenheiser
Because we had a passionate group of engineers and designers put everything we knew about performance technology in the car. From the aerodynamics – the car makes down force – which is rare for a production car, down to the supercharger. To all the features and functions in the performance traction management, such as the magnetic ride control. One of the great things about the magnetic ride control is that it's a peripheral benefit for us, because the car is so set up for the track. It's over a 1G-capable car.
Most people don't get to take the car out to Road America, but even still, just driving the car around town on rough roads -- take Michigan roads for instance --that MR really comes into play in "tour mode." It's outstanding. So what's generally designed to enhance performance on the track is also a great feature just driving around on regular roads. The ZL1 literally has every technology trinket you could put on a car – and it's all standard.
Do you own a Camaro?
Al Oppenheiser
Sure do. A '68. I'm the second owner. It's a black convertible, and I did a complete ground-up restoration on it. I kept the parts original, so I sandblasted everything. And then I put new bushings and things on it. I played around a bit under the hood; it's a Small Block that makes about 360 hp. I have a 10-bolt in the back still. It's plenty of capability in a convertible – I can chirp the tires in every gear. It's actually got a one-foot paint job, but the remarkable thing is I drive it all the time. People are amazed, they think it's a trailer queen, but I built it to drive. I love spending time in it.
Sounds like you've got serious passion for the Camaro.
Al Oppenheiser
You know, there was a time I was working on the 2010 Camaro, during the day, and I'd come home and work on the '68 at night. So I was working on Camaros 'round the clock. Occasionally I'd fall asleep on the garage floor about 2 o'clock in the morning. My wife had a series of shoes at the back door she'd throw to wake me up. She'd say "You gotta get up and go to work on the new one!" I live and breathe it. And that's why I've got a dream job.
There was certainly an assortment of killer Camaros at SEMA 2012. Out of all them, which one would you most like to take home?
Al Oppenheiser
This one (points to the '67 Hot Wheels Camaro). I was a Hot Wheel collector. In my youth I had over 300 Hot Wheels cars, and every track. When we got to work with the Mattel guys it was so cool. I got to see their development lab; they have their little mini Proving Grounds like we have for the big cars. So it was really cool. The idea to do a tribute car like this is phenomenal. As much as I love the Fifth Gen., I've always been a 1st gen guy, and I'd take this home in a heartbeat!
TheBLOCK.com would very much like to thank Al for taking time out of a very busy schedule to chat Camaro with us. While we're on the subject, we want to know: What's been your favorite 5th gen Camaro build? Drop by the Camaro forum and start sharing pics and stories!
LS7 Powered Camaro?
Leaked GM Dealer VIN Card Declares LS7 Engine Option for 2014 Camaro
For those Camaro lovers who have been waiting for their Z28 model, the time may finally be here. In the Dealer VIN cards handed out by GM to dealers, an image of which was posted online today, there was an amazing find. Amongst the available engine option codes was an available E code--which would be the VIN identifier for the 7.0L LS7 engine.
Now, nothing's official about this engine just yet, but this does seem to signal a move towards according it in a Camaro trim level. What that trim would be is the mystery, though, and if there's a VIN designation for it it would seem there would be some trim level featuring it.
Of course, all of this is mysterious, as 2013 was intended to be the final year of production for the Camaro. With the C6 Corvette run's coming to an end this final year of the C6 Z06 was intended to be the last vehicle to feature the LS7 engine. Seeing it here though, and being aware of the Camaro's longer time table before we see the next generation, it may make sense that GM has decided to extend the engine's life a little while longer.
If it does come to grace a Camaro, this means we'll then see a naturally aspirated fifth generation Camaro capable of outputting 505hp. Those numbers, which are the current performance numbers for the 7.0L LS7 engine as it is tuned in the Z06, would make for an extremely powerful Camaro with a more natural torque and power curve--albeit less overall power--than the ZL1. A combination of that engine with a 1LE like lightened performance package would be the ideal coupling for a Z28 Camaro--matching, very closely, the Z28's history of being a higher powered and more lightened and track focused naturally aspirated Camaro iteration.
What do you think? Could this be the Z28? If so, would it do the Z28 badge justice?
