Wednesday 11th May 2016

New Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 spied?

The Mustang GT350R has a new rival!

---

While they aren't offered in the UK, the current selection of super American muscle cars are very intriguing to enthusiasts over here. Flat-plane cranks, Trofeo tyres and carbon wheels have taken muscle cars to a new range of enthusiasts, with new (and very exciting) models like the GT350R Mustang, Corvette Z06 and Dodge Viper ACR.

Now, following the regular models and the 1LE, the new Camaro appears to be rejoining that group with an updated Z/28. You'll remember the outgoing car made quite a name for itself with 305-section tyres at each corner, a 7.0-litre V8 pushing out more than 500hp and one of the moodiest silhouettes ever seen on a production car.

If this test mule is indeed the next Z/28, it looks to be taken that even further still. See for example the front aero flics and chunky rear wing, those supplemented by what appears to be an even deeper front grille. Peer really closely and you can see a Sparco passenger seat, plus those wheels have to be at least 20-inch diameter.

There aren't any technical details yet, but you'd have to hope not too much changes. Although with the Mustang at 520hp and the Camaro currently languishing at 505hp, surely a little more power wouldn't go amiss. Perhaps some wider tyres could be added, just to deal with the increase... More details soon!

[Photos: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien]

[big_rob_sydney]

Just looking at it, I'm wondering what it will weigh. I'm betting it'll be a fat fker.

[big_rob_sydney]

300bhp/ton said:

<Some selective quoting>

You've probably got the right quote there; sportscars should be light. I like them around 1350kg, or less if possible. I appreciate the purity of Lotus, and think along the lines of fewer compromises for a dedicated machine.

My most recent sports car was a Subaru 22B. 1270kg, and slightly modded for around 360bhp. I also run a modified BMW s1000rr, because I appreciate the light weight, ease of parking, and performance. And I have a Lexus LS for family duties, as it has a lot of airbags, and it generally wins the JD powers quality survey year in year out.

As for my previous cars, yes, I had a predecessor of the vxr8 in Australia. Every second time I drove it, something broke on it. Poor design, even poorer manufacturing, and generally abysmal quality. For your reference, the owners group themselves acknowledge that the first gen 3 engines used almost as much oil as they did petrol, and piston slap was too common.

Your selective quoting to serve your own point has comprehensively failed to quote the many positives I've posted. Look up the many times I've spoken in favour of quality manufacturing. How many times have I referenced the JD Powers quality, reliability, or dependability surveys (as I've referred to it above, yet again)?

These are all positives, but of course you have no interest in an unbiased discussion. You've locked horns with me a few times, and taken exception to people having a different view to yourself.

Just for the avoidance of doubt, I love the BMW, the Lexus, and the Subaru. My view is that they've nailed their design brief. All positive things.

By all means, spin that as a negative if you are that way inclined.