5th gen Cargo space
 

I wonder what the trunk space will be like for the new Camaro. That will play a big role in my purchasing decision. I sure hope its better than the non-existant cargo space of the 4th gen. One of the things that prevented from getting the 4th gen (other than price) was the practically zero trunk space due to the T-roofs. Will the trunk space be significantly greater? Will it have folding rear seats? I'm banking on that. I need the storage and cargo space for weekend getaways and such. That's where my Acura RSX is so handy and convenient. Its a small hatchback. But has a big trunk for a small car and when you fold the seats down, it has tons of space. I hope the Camaro offers the same.

Although I will certainly want a trunk that I can actually use, it will not be much of a deciding factor in my purchasing decision. I have the everyday go-getter for that. With that said, I certainly wouldn't expect more cargo area than the current GTOs, and even that may be wishful thinking. From what Lutz had been quoted as saying, the Camaro will use the short rear, short midsection, and long front section of the Zeta chassis...

As for the fold-down rear seats, if they stick with the 2+2 configuration they have now, i would doubt they will have a fold down design. That design just doesn't seem like it would work well folding rear seats, but I have no idea...

This is one area I'm really looking forward to. I hate not having a trunk. For example, if we leave our duty belt w/ gun, city radio, etc in our cars and it's broken into and the city stuff is stolen, we are held responsible for replacing our gear. How jacked up is that??? I mean...we leave it in the back seat covered up w/ a towel or jacket because there's no trunk. Some jerk breaks into OUR car damaging OUR vehicle and we get to pay for the cities stuff. It's BS if you ask me. Now, if we have a truck, it's a different issue. It's more difficult to get into and you can't see covered up stuff in the trunk. I'm not looking for a huge amount of space. I'm just looking for an area that I can stow away groceries, work stuff, etc. I think it'll do me just fine.

Wasn't one of the reasons they couldn't put folding rear seats in the GTO was because the gas tank had to be moved further forward to meet US safety regulations? I'm certain of it. Since the 5th gen is being designed from scratch, I would imagine there should be folding rear seats. I think GM has to provide a folding rear seat to appeal to people who will use this car as a daily driver. The Mustang has had them for years and as much as some F-body guys may hate me saying this, the Mustang is a way more practical and better daily driver car than the 4th gen ever was. That's why the Stang has survived and the F-body died. I mean your city equipment problem in the seat with your LS1 SS is a perfect example of the problems of not having trunk space. Now that I think of it, GM has to and will accomodate this part of the buying public. Maybe someone can drop Fbodfather a line on this subject and get more info.

How exactly does the location of the gas tank have anything to do with folding rear seats?

I do agree that the Mustang is a much more practical daily driver than the camaro has ever been... that is why I was kind of hopeful for a more functional rear seat. I am not a fan of the 2+2 combination at all. I would much rather see a bench seat in the back, or at least some kind of design that allows some use out of that horrible middle hump. I know my yellow lab will not like that hump there at all.

Good thread.
I hope the rear seats fold down, they did on our '67, but that wasn't a popular option then :D

I think that is pretty much the norm these days, isn't it? At least a portion of the rear seat would fold down to accomodate cargo, etc.

I hope we see this on the Camaro :cool:

In the Holden Monaro/GTO, they had to move the gas tank up closer to the rear seats to prevent the car from exploding into a fireball in a rear collision (ala Ford Pinto). That's why the seats can't fold down, because the gas tank is blocking the path between where the trunk is in the GTO and any open space created by seats folding down.

It just needs to be big enough to hold an after market sub, small cooler, and some detailing stuff.:thumbup:

Regards to All!!! Mike

Not a big issue for me. If my crap can’t all fit in the trunk I’ll just use the back seat for the rest. Like the MOB, I’m not buying this car for trunk space. :bellyroll:

That is the frist time I heard that about the gas tank.
I'm still having trouble picturing how the fuel tank would be in the way of the rear seats folding down forward :iono:

Unless the tank sat high enough to be between the trunk and the seat and I can't see that happening...

Dude, many times in the back, and front for that matter, of a Dodge Colt. :eek:

I win!!!!!:thumbsup: ;) :D :D

I just did some searching on the fuel tank. It looks like the tank was relocated to the area between the rear axle and the rear seat footwell area, taking up some of that room where rear passengers would have their feet.
I still don't see how that prevented a fold down rear seat.

It sounds like the Monaro didn't have that feature from the start which would explain the GTO not having it :D

Speaking of this, that fuel tank relocation R&R more than likely contributed to the higher price of the GTO. I always thought the chassis was pretty much 100% carry over from the Monaro - so much for that :cool:

I read an article/interview with the lead designer on the 5th Gen and this subject was brought up. I cannot quote exactly but to summarize he said that the trunk space issue in the 4th gen was going to be addressed. To allow for this, he said that they were going to use a "split tank design" similar to the corvette???

It don't matter to me as long as I have enough space back their to put a set of 12in subs and make it sound good.