Design: What makes a Camaro a Camaro?

[Zabo]

The Camaro

That's what we're here for right?

But through all the iterations shown here, all the talk of the 5th gen.. I've never seen this question proposed;

What makes a Camaro..a Camaro? What does it take for the car to tell the world that it's definitely CAMARO and not some new chevy RWD sport coupe.

If you had to forgo EVERY prior generation, but still has to make a Camaro look like a Camaro..what would be required?

[MikesZ]

IMO, some design cues from previous gens ties together past, present, and future for the Camaro community. I agree the next gen would need to have a blend of traditional Camaro elements along with modern developments and aerodynamics.

[The_Blur]

I have no desire to look that far forward. I'm hoping that GM makes the decision to keep this design for at least 6 years with subtle changes that keep the Camaro ahead of market trends with new design enhancements. The Camaro naturally features a compact design with a long hood with the function of keeping good weight distribution. The rear wheels should feature that traditional muscular fender. There should be fog lights and a standard low spoiler on some models. Otherwise, we'll let the GM design team do their own thing. They're geniuses, and they know better how to design a car. After all, look at our new 2010 Camaro.

[Zabo]

Originally Posted by The_Blur

I have no desire to look that far forward. I'm hoping that GM makes the decision to keep this design for at least 6 years with subtle changes that keep the Camaro ahead of market trends with new design enhancements. The Camaro naturally features a compact design with a long hood with the function of keeping good weight distribution. The rear wheels should feature that traditional muscular fender. There should be fog lights and a standard low spoiler on some models. Otherwise, we'll let the GM design team do their own thing. They're geniuses, and they know better how to design a car. After all, look at our new 2010 Camaro.

That's true. Also, part of the thread was not so much design ideas, but more what makes a Camaro, a Camaro. What cues and such set it apart as an Fbody and make it distinct?

[MikesZ]

Originally Posted by Zabo

That's true. Also, part of the thread was not so much design ideas, but more what makes a Camaro, a Camaro. What cues and such set it apart as an Fbody and make it distinct?

Well I think the distintive "Camaro wedge" nose needs to be retained in some form. As far as the GM design team...they are more interactive than ever with consumers (listening more) so I think threads like this are worthwhile. My mind's eye can see a lower, lighter, sleeker design. The Alpha RWD platform would require a smaller car anyway. I would like to see a stinger hood variant (modernised).

[nUcLeArEnVoY]

This is a good question.

To me, the best evolution throughout the generations can be summed up with the Corvette: you can look at a Corvette right now and then back to let's say a '68 Stingray and say "Yeah, it doesn't surprise me that this is how this car used to look." The same doesn't apply to the Camaro. Once the 2nd generation started, it was over. The generations that actually have the biggest similarities are the 3rd and early 4th gens. Other than that, no dice.

Now that they went back to the first-gen design, they have a template to stick with, and to me what they should always keep is the greenhouse and the roofline; that is what distinctly makes a car a car. A front end can always go with changes and so can a rear, but once you change the roofline or the window shape, you start changing the car's identity. That is what I think they should keep and very, VERY lightly modify with every generation and then the Camaro will always stay Camaro. It's what they did with the Vette and it will work with the Camaro.

[MikesZ]

Originally Posted by nUcLeArEnVoY

This is a good question.

To me, the best evolution throughout the generations can be summed up with the Corvette: you can look at a Corvette right now and then back to let's say a '68 Stingray and say "Yeah, it doesn't surprise me that this is how this car used to look." The same doesn't apply to the Camaro. Once the 2nd generation started, it was over. The generations that actually have the biggest similarities are the 3rd and early 4th gens. Other than that, no dice.

Now that they went back to the first-gen design, they have a template to stick with, and to me what they should always keep is the greenhouse and the roofline; that is what distinctly makes a car a car. A front end can always go with changes and so can a rear, but once you change the roofline or the window shape, you start changing the car's identity. That is what I think they should keep and very, VERY lightly modify with every generation and then the Camaro will always stay Camaro. It's what they did with the Vette and it will work with the Camaro.

Actually, from the Vettes in the late 70's to the Vettes in the mid-80's there was more than slight changes. But the evolutionary flow was better from one generation to the next whereas that was never the case with the Camaro. Each generation of Camaro has been very distinct from the previous. But I think that's what I've always liked about them...I never get bored when the next gen comes out because it is virtually all-new.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Whatever happens, it needs to stay unique. This won't be an issue for a little while though, I expect...I tend to agree with Blur -- looking this far forward in terms of design can be a problem, because anything we come up with now, or even next year...it'll be old by the time the 6th gen rolls around.

[Zabo]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

Whatever happens, it needs to stay unique. This won't be an issue for a little while though, I expect...I tend to agree with Blur -- looking this far forward in terms of design can be a problem, because anything we come up with now, or even next year...it'll be old by the time the 6th gen rolls around.

True. So how about this? Retitle the thread "What makes a Camaro a Camaro?" Honestly I think it's still a good topic for discussion.

[Supermans]

GM should keep the design very very similar, however focus on making the car lighter and making the engine more powerful..

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by Zabo

True. So how about this? Retitle the thread "What makes a Camaro a Camaro?" Honestly I think it's still a good topic for discussion.

For sure it is. You want me to rename it?


My opinion, Camaro-specific design cues consist of that angle in the bottom of the rear-quarter glass, the long hood/short deck is a must, DUAL tailpipes (not quad like the G8), off the top of my head, I think the headlights and front-end design are also Camaro-specific. Oh, and I think any Camaro should have a relatively low roofline.

[Zabo]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

For sure it is. You want me to rename it?


My opinion, Camaro-specific design cues consist of that angle in the bottom of the rear-quarter glass, the long hood/short deck is a must, DUAL tailpipes (not quad like the G8), off the top of my head, I think the headlights and front-end design are also Camaro-specific. Oh, and I think any Camaro should have a relatively low roofline.

If you would, I'll edit the initial post as well.