Interesting update on holden design centre and the 09 camaro
Discussion
http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/archives/2007/10/the_w...
The Wonderful World of Oz
By Bob Lutz
GM Vice Chairman
I just completed one of my better business trips! It was to Australia, always a favorite destination. Beautiful country and nice people… and also, happily, home of Holden and the internationally sourced product development team working on our global rear-wheel-drive cars.
I have never experienced an automotive company, including my three years at BMW, that has so much passion for excellence and dedication to the product. It’s contagious. Oz is a nation where the “car-guys” (both genders) rule, at least at Holden. I just love the palpable air of the "we want to win" spirit that this team exudes.
We drove cars on their ride road which, strangely, bears a lot of resemblance to a racing circuit. We sampled G8s in various states of tune, and they were fabulous. We drove the Daewoo Veritas and the Chinese Buick Park Avenue, both large, ultra-lux executive transports created by the global rear wheel drive team. And we also drove..."other things in the rear drive hopper."
One I can sort of talk about is the Camaro. We had the first fully representative prototype with close to final surfaces standing at track side. It looked as awesome as the concept, and the blotchy black/white camo scheme could not destroy the great stance and proportion. The body fits were already better than what came off the line a few years ago. The interior had some hand-made plastic parts and showed some gaps, but was remarkable for the first car.
I got to drive it first, not only because “rank has its privileges,” but because I didn't want anyone stuffing it into a barrier before I got to drive.
Twisting the key produced a muted rumble from the big V8. We pulled away smoothly in the first cog of the new, slick, six-speed manual. Depressing the accelerator shifted the world into fast forward, with three or four more quick upshifts. The car had just been completed and had had no tuning or finessing. But I loved the response, the sound, the steering and the brakes. There's more work to be done, for sure, and the group knows it. They still have time for further development. The goal of the team led by Gene Stefanyshyn is to produce the finest car in its class, ever. Do I think they will get there? I wouldn't bet against that team!
On a side note, Vice President for Global Design Ed Welburn was on the drive, too. Seeing his beloved Camaro as a real car… in near-final metal, glass, rubber and plastic… transformed from a visionary dream into a highly drivable reality… well, it was almost too much for him. He broke ranks, ran over to it, and hugged it! I have the photo to prove it — but of course we can’t show it to you just yet!
More to come soon from the Land of Oz. The G8s are already on the way...
The Wonderful World of Oz
By Bob Lutz
GM Vice Chairman
I just completed one of my better business trips! It was to Australia, always a favorite destination. Beautiful country and nice people… and also, happily, home of Holden and the internationally sourced product development team working on our global rear-wheel-drive cars.
I have never experienced an automotive company, including my three years at BMW, that has so much passion for excellence and dedication to the product. It’s contagious. Oz is a nation where the “car-guys” (both genders) rule, at least at Holden. I just love the palpable air of the "we want to win" spirit that this team exudes.
We drove cars on their ride road which, strangely, bears a lot of resemblance to a racing circuit. We sampled G8s in various states of tune, and they were fabulous. We drove the Daewoo Veritas and the Chinese Buick Park Avenue, both large, ultra-lux executive transports created by the global rear wheel drive team. And we also drove..."other things in the rear drive hopper."
One I can sort of talk about is the Camaro. We had the first fully representative prototype with close to final surfaces standing at track side. It looked as awesome as the concept, and the blotchy black/white camo scheme could not destroy the great stance and proportion. The body fits were already better than what came off the line a few years ago. The interior had some hand-made plastic parts and showed some gaps, but was remarkable for the first car.
I got to drive it first, not only because “rank has its privileges,” but because I didn't want anyone stuffing it into a barrier before I got to drive.
Twisting the key produced a muted rumble from the big V8. We pulled away smoothly in the first cog of the new, slick, six-speed manual. Depressing the accelerator shifted the world into fast forward, with three or four more quick upshifts. The car had just been completed and had had no tuning or finessing. But I loved the response, the sound, the steering and the brakes. There's more work to be done, for sure, and the group knows it. They still have time for further development. The goal of the team led by Gene Stefanyshyn is to produce the finest car in its class, ever. Do I think they will get there? I wouldn't bet against that team!
On a side note, Vice President for Global Design Ed Welburn was on the drive, too. Seeing his beloved Camaro as a real car… in near-final metal, glass, rubber and plastic… transformed from a visionary dream into a highly drivable reality… well, it was almost too much for him. He broke ranks, ran over to it, and hugged it! I have the photo to prove it — but of course we can’t show it to you just yet!
More to come soon from the Land of Oz. The G8s are already on the way...
I'd also like to know what mill they will end up using to get past the emissions"The goal of the team led by Gene Stefanyshyn is to produce the finest car in its class, ever. Do I think they will get there? I wouldn't bet against that team!"
This is good news and, I too, cannot wait to see this beast in the metal. I wonder what they class as it's competitors though? If the Monaro/GTO was still in production, that would be internal competition. Sure, the Dodge Challenger will be competition too, but as thats not yet in production they cannot compare the Camaro to it yet.
To a degree, I think the Mustang currently has this market sewn up, in the US at least. I'm sure the Camaro will be a "better" car, with a stronger, more powerful engine, IRS and a body to die for, but it's not as if they haven't had a blimmin' long time to work on it. January will be two years since the Concept was first launched at the car appears to be at least a year away yet.
Sounds like it'll be worth the wait though.
This is good news and, I too, cannot wait to see this beast in the metal. I wonder what they class as it's competitors though? If the Monaro/GTO was still in production, that would be internal competition. Sure, the Dodge Challenger will be competition too, but as thats not yet in production they cannot compare the Camaro to it yet.
To a degree, I think the Mustang currently has this market sewn up, in the US at least. I'm sure the Camaro will be a "better" car, with a stronger, more powerful engine, IRS and a body to die for, but it's not as if they haven't had a blimmin' long time to work on it. January will be two years since the Concept was first launched at the car appears to be at least a year away yet.
Sounds like it'll be worth the wait though.
Chevy have said they'll be producing all new metal in RHD... and Holden are developing it.
However, I don't think there is much of a market here for it - so it'll probably be LHD (or we'll have to wait a year or more after Jan 2009 for RHD!).
Considering the costs (Mustang money - $28k) I think it'll be a bargain. And I want one.
However, I don't think there is much of a market here for it - so it'll probably be LHD (or we'll have to wait a year or more after Jan 2009 for RHD!).
Considering the costs (Mustang money - $28k) I think it'll be a bargain. And I want one.
willisit said:
Chevy have said they'll be producing all new metal in RHD... and Holden are developing it.
However, I don't think there is much of a market here for it - so it'll probably be LHD (or we'll have to wait a year or more after Jan 2009 for RHD!).
Considering the costs (Mustang money - $28k) I think it'll be a bargain. And I want one.
Interesting you should say you don't think there's a market for it. I'd have hoped the targeted audience would have been you lot! Or rather the Monaro owners, those that can appreciate a car despite what badge is on the nose. However, I do agree it's a small market and there may not be space for both the Camaro and the VXR8, although I'd love to see them both on sale together. However, I don't think there is much of a market here for it - so it'll probably be LHD (or we'll have to wait a year or more after Jan 2009 for RHD!).
Considering the costs (Mustang money - $28k) I think it'll be a bargain. And I want one.
Anyone know how many Monaros were sold here? I'd reckon sales figures for the Camaro could/would/should be similar.
If it's not sold in official RHD form, I really don't see that holding it back. The Mustang has been an amazing success over here despite LHD and no warranty.
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