Here's some inside news from our friends at GM about all the hard work, care, and concern going into the development of the new Camaro...
As most of you know, the past couple of weeks has seen several
unauthorized photos of the Camaro -- both interior and exterior --
leaked to the public. Frankly, they've caught us by surprise.
Unauthorized photos are, invariably, taken quickly without much thought
- and as a result -- are not very flattering.
Since then, our Vice Chairman, Bob Lutz has ordered that we remove all
the cammo off of the mules and early builds...and in fact our General
Manager -- Ed Peper is encouraging you to actively look for Camaros on
the road and to take pics of them.....and that's a first at least in my
memory! Since then, we've revealed one picture of a white mule on the
The overwhelming response to these photos has been positive -- altho.
the first couple of days after each picture hits the net -- we have some
'rough spots' -- in terms of comments and behavior. That is probably
not a bad thing because -- in most cases (not all) people are passionate
about this car............
I'd like you to think about something as pictures continue to flood the
There are a lot of GM's -- in fact the industry's finest -- working on
We want this to be the best Camaro ever --
--in terms of straight out performance--
--in terms of ride and handling for every-day use --
--in terms of handing on a road course -- (some may tend to forget that
the late 4th Gen cars will STILL shame most of what's on the road
today......regardless of price...)
-- and we want it to be the best in terms of interior comfort and
We want this Camaro to be a car you WANT to drive everyday -- no matter
where you're going -- no matter what the traffic conditions are....
We want it to put a smile on your face everytime you open the door and
get in and fire up the engine.
BUT -- we are concentrating on something else as well....
PRIDE OF OWNERSHIP.......
Yes -- PRIDE OF OWNERSHIP....
We want you to go out and climb into one of these new Camaros -- we want
you to fire up the engine -- we really wish we could SEE the look on
your face as you floor the accelerator for the first time
(and DON'T forget to PUT THAT SEATBELT ON........)
.......we want you to be so blown away by this new Camaro that you can't
sign the papers fast enough!
......we want to watch as you park it somewhere and turn around - time
and time again -- as you walk away from it - with that sense of pride
that says: "Yup -- THAT CAMARO IS ALL MINE! -- beware, all of you who
drive something so inferior!!!"
We want you to enjoy the respect this car will bring to those of you who
We want you to enjoy the fellowship that Camaro brings to you thru
Camaro Clubs and Internet sites.........
We want people who may not even KNOW what a Camaro is -- to take one
look -- and say "OMG -- what is that and where do I sign?"
We take the creation of an all-new Camaro very seriously.
Most of us were around to watch in mourning as the 4th Gen 'rode off
into the sunset.' Believe me -- you don't know what pain that was for
most of us -- you don't know the sleepless nights -- and painful days.
Yes -- it was very much like losing a child to some of us. On the other
hand - many of you DO know the pain -- because you experienced it with
So - just understand, as you look at pictures of the test mules -- that
we know there's a high expectation -- and we intend to meet those
expectations. We have a lot at stake here -- this is our livelihood --
and it's our PASSION............
Yup -- not everyone will like the console gages -- but for each person
who doesn't like 'em, I -think we'll have at least one -- probably a lot
more -- that think they're the 'cat's jammies." Perhaps another won't
like the back-up lamps -- and another may not like the interior
fabric....but we think that overall -- this Camaro is gonna BLOW YOU
So - enjoy the pics -- keep the civilized discussion going -- but for
those who have some misgivings -- I simply ask you to please wait to
draw final conclusions until after you've touched and felt a new Camaro
I hope to see you in Indianapolis on September 19-21, 2008!