Captured out in the wild running comparison tests with other Camaros and a Mustang GT 500, these images show a beautiful, supercharged, 6.2L, automatic transmission machine in full spy car camo. Even through the camo, the very large front intake screens are obvious. Couple that with the more aggressive front chin spoiler, rear diffuser, and quad-exit exhaust system (also the bad-ass black 5-spoke 20" wheels), and you have got a gorgeous looking vehicle there.

The knowledge that this is a Supercharged 6.2L V8 also leads to some speculation. We can safely assume that it's not an LS9, as that monster is reserved for the ZR1 and the ZR1 only. The LSA, with its 556BHP, seems very likely though, as that number puts it right in line with the 550HP Mustang GT500, against which it is being tested. It could of course be a new Supercharged LS3 or LS99, but it seems more likely, with the LSA on the books, they would use that powerhouse for the Camaro Z28. If they are, that's great news, as reviews for that engine are fantastic. With the wide-open quad exhaust on the Camaro as well, and some tuning, they've probably got a few extra Horsies out of the LSA past what the Cadillac version of it was pushing. All in all, this news is incredibly exciting, and leads itself to wonderful dreams and worthwhile speculation. So, what do you think?

Well, Stracke also spoke his mind in a number of other ways recently. He claimed that the Camaro Z28, and Next-Gen Camaro as well, would be utilizing the new GM Alpha-Platform. Having his confirmation of the definitive nature of the Z28's future is definitely a good thing for all of us Camaro fans, as anything less than that up to now could reasonably be considered ridiculous postulating from less than informed sources (I've been very very skeptical of all the various Z28 reports up to now, as they tend to be various forum members from one website or another claiming they know a guy who knows a guy who saw a tester, or something similar). Going beyond this, Stracke also talked about how Cadillac is gunning directly for BMW, saying that they don't want to settle for being anything less than the top-dog. He said that in reaching for this, they're making moves across the entirety of GM to improve their interior style and design, and to take cues from the Audi line of vehicles in that department. Stracke also stated that engineers were currently discussing a potential Hybrid Diesel or Rotary for the next-generation Chevy Volt.

All in all, pretty interesting information from an interesting character, and a seemingly solid admission of proof to the future of the Camaro and the Z28.

"A GM insider confirmed for us that the company is hard at work now on a substantially reworked interior for the Camaro that will appear for the 2012 model year. He couldn't/wouldn't list all of the changes, but did mention that most of the upgrading work will go into the dash and specifically that big expanse of blackness in front of the passenger.

Also new for the 2012 will be a little something called the Camaro Z28. Perhaps you've heard of it once (or a million times) before. Why wait until the 2012 model year? Our source says so it doesn't step on the toes to the convertible which will be the Camaro's "big news for 2011."

Well, I'd absolutely believe that the interior would be reworker for 2012, as with the HUD and other touches they've already started on this, and it is one of the few places that people have complaints with the vehicle at all. Where I get hung up though is with yet another promise from some unknown, unnamed source that we will have a Z28 at some point in time. We keep hearing this, and every single one makes me more and more skeptical. Until GM gives an official notice that they will definitely be making a Z28 and here's the release date, I won't hold my breath. I want to see one, very badly, GM so help me out with that!

Here's the actual post from the Camaro5 Forums:

Camaro5 reported that the test vehicle seen in their images sported the LSA 6.2L Supercharged V8, which would be consistent with what Chevrolet themselves were saying would be in the Z28... exactly one year ago. The stipulation was though, one year ago, that the Z28 would not begin any sort of production or testing run until Chevrolet and GM had their financial situation in a better place. Over the last year the Camaro itself has almost single-handedly saved Chevy, while GM has trimmed a lot of their unnecessary fat as a means of cutting their overhead. It seems logical then that in that year's time this vehicle went ahead in production, although maybe a little premature. We know, from what vehicle history has shown us, that vehicles need multiple months to begin their testing phases, and a few more afterwards for production. What that means is that the choice to move ahead with the Z28 would had to have been made maybe 3 or 4 months ago to be at a place where test mules are running today. GM's end of the year numbers would not have been calculated at that point, nor would the Camaro final year sales numbers, but it could be assumed that GM would have been the incredible rate at which the Camaro was selling and made this decision. I say that, based on this, it's entirely possible that the test mule seen was the Z28, but not ultimately probable.

To further complicate the probability as to whether or not the test mule spotted was, in fact, the Z28 is the simple matter that GM and Chevy have been very candid about the Camaro and what their doing with it as time has progressed. A year ago they said they wanted to make the Z28, and said that they wanted it to happen in the not too distant future. They were also candid about their financial situation. They were then candid about Camaro convertible production beginning, well before test mule shots of that were ever seen. When first starting the Camaro production run, the public was getting consistent updates as to what the Camaro itself would entail. They were not keeping secrets then. So, with all of the truthfulness they've offered up to the public concerning the Camaro in the past, why now go to a more secretive nature? I can't imagine any solid reasons. Maybe they want to continue to promote Camaro SS sales, and think that announcing a Z28 production run would cause those to slow while people wait for the Z28, but I can't see that happening logically. If anything, Z28 announcements would mean more publicity for their powerhouse seller sports coupe. Also, because of the Z28's obviously higher price tag, it seems that the majority of the potential Z28 buyers are in a different economic group or class than those driving or looking to drive SS Camaros today. I can't imagine how GM would benefit from keeping the Z28 private, as they say in business "No press is bad press", and the Z28 is nothing but press.

Here are some images of the vehicle that was spotted, maybe you can tell me what you think or how you feel about it. Does it seem reasonable to assume that this is the Z28? There's no Ram Air hood, which is typically indicative of the Z28. The styling just feels off, it doesn't seem that there's enough here to differentiate this Camaro from any other SS on the road (which isn't a bad thing, b/c the SS is a damn beautiful car).

If I were to put a probability on this, I'd say its maybe 40% likely that this is the Z28. The people providing the info seem genuine enough in their belief of it, but something just doesn't seem right. The sudden secretive nature of GM, the all too soon timing of a mule, and the lack of traditional Z28 styling all lead me to believe that we're (sadly) not seeing the Z28 yet. Here's to remaining optimistic towards the Camaro future though, and hoping that I'm wrong and this is the Z28 and the world will soon be graced with its presence.

Click thumbs for jump to large, hi-res images:

Camaro races ahead of GM's profit expectations

Retro muscle car far more lucrative than automaker had originally forecast


Jan 13, 2010

Tony Van Alphen
Business reporter

DETROIT–The Chevrolet Camaro muscle car, which General Motors builds in Oshawa, has become far more profitable to the automaker than original forecasts, says company vice-chairman Bob Lutz.

Lutz, GM's product guru, said the iconic car is beating internal sales projections, easily surpassing estimates for average transaction prices and the combination is leading to big profits.

He said GM is making an average of $8,000 to $9,000 (U.S.) more per sale than it anticipated on models with transaction prices in the $35,000 to $40,000 range.

"What is especially remarkable is the average transaction price," Lutz told reporters at the North American International Auto Show.

"It's way, way higher than we expected it to be and the profitability of the vehicle has turned out to be far better than our expectations."

Lutz said one of the reasons for the strong profitability is, ironically, fuel economy. GM promoted the V-6, 300-horsepower, more fuel-efficient model with lower pricing and less profit to encourage sales.
The company then overpriced the V-8, more powerful, less fuel-efficient model to keep its sales down.
In Canada, the manufacturer's suggested price is almost $27,000 (Canadian) for the V-6 model and $37,000 for the V-8 version. But V-8 sales still outpaced the V-6s by a wide margin in both countries.

"End result: 80 per cent of sales, V-8s," Lutz said.

The Camaro ceased production at GM's plant in Ste. Thérèse, Que., in 2002 after 35 years, but was revived in March last year in Oshawa after a concept at the show generated a huge positive response. Production on one shift with some overtime totalled more than 83,000 in less than 10 months last year.

Waiting times for delivery for the Camaro in Canada vary, but could be up to 90 days.

The Canadian Auto Workers pressed GM to add another shift to meet demand but the company has rejected that idea.

Muscle cars normally have a strong sales start for 18 months to two years before gradually losing their momentum.

Automakers add special edition models to boost interest after the initial surge. GM is adding a Camaro convertible model in the first quarter of next year.

The Camaro, which uses ads with such tag lines as "lust conquers all," is up against Ford's Mustang and the Dodge Challenger and Charger, which have posted some good sales numbers in recent years.

Lutz attributed the success of the Camaro to designing more than just a retro car, but one with modern styling cues.

He said original clay models of the Camaro looked a lot like versions from the late 1960s, but then-chief executive officer Rick Wagoner told designers they should do more work.

GM showed Camaro buffs and collectors the second version and they criticized it sharply because the car didn't look like the early models.

"Not looking too much like a '67 turned out to be a good thing," Lutz said.

Production Stats:
Camaros produced in December 09: 8,368
Total Camaros produced to date (since March 16, 2009): 82,188

Delivery (sales) Stats:
Camaro December Deliveries (actual sales): 7,548
Total April - December Deliveries (actual sales): 61,648

Apparently DSO Eyewear customized this Camaro to support the active Urban lifestyle. I sort of thought the Camaro did that already, but never the less, they did a good job on some customization touches here. The window trim looks great, and the sound system inside is a big step up from the stock Camaro entertainment system (that is, entertainment not pertaining to the actual thrill of driving). The polished stainless touches on the side skirts and rear bumper/diffuser are a nice addition as well.

This Camaro Dusk is finished in a fantastic dark metallic blue, which works really well on the car. The ground effects, while subtle, are a great touch for the Camaro. The custom interior looks fantastic, and is a nice touch to the vehicle as well. The performance bonuses are minor, with a custom Billet exhaust being the only major performance touch for the vehicle, but with a car that looks that good and already performs as spectacularly as it does, we wont hold that against them.

Ok, so, this next one was a little disappointing to see. That Camaro that websites were saying would be the next Z28 (and I must admit, I bought in to the hype also) was in actuality a custom Camaro made by Chevy for America's most famous car collector: Jay Leno.

I must admit, the vehicle looks great and I am certain Mr. Leno is ecstatic to be the owner of it, but it did disappoint me a good bit to learn that it was not the Z28. Outfitted with twin Turbometrics turbos, Tremec 6060 6-Speed Transmission, and just about every customizable under the sun (Exhaust, intake, pressure plate, discs, hood, fog lamps, lip soiler, rear rocker, rear diffuser, and more), this is definitely one of the prize Camaros at the event. Maybe they will use this as a basis for creating the Z28, I like the styling a lot.

Ok, here's one more for today, and expect more to come still:

Well, I said the Leno Camaro was one of the prize machines at all of SEMA, but this right here is the baddest of the bad! This Camaro 2Go by Rick Bottom designs has a list of modifications too long for me to duplicate here. I'll give you the short-hand version though: extremely custom look, extremely custom suspension, braking, handling, performance, everything. Just how custom is it? How about 1000+HP Vortech Supercharged with suspension built to handle over 1G of force on a skid-pad. ARH full Exhaust system, Fedoro and Baer brake components are just a few other awesome components to the vehicle. That sick enough for you? Yeah, I thought it would be.

Anyways, keep up with me as I give you more from SEMA in the week to follow.