For production, there will most likely be only a fixed roof coupe and aconvertible. The styling of the roof could not accommodate T-tops, andquality control issues mean GM couldn't accommodate all the squeaks,leaks, and rattles they would bring. Still up for discussion is whetherthe rear quarter windows will be functional a'la the show vehicle orfixed, like on the 1999 to 2004 Mustang.
Chevrolet couldn't be happier with the response to the Camaro. "In ourwildest dreams, we couldn't have expected it to be this good. The peoplewho don't like it are adamant about why, which is fine too. I'd say 80percent of people, once they see it at a show, reverse their thoughtsand come around," Scott Settlemire, manager of Chevrolet and HummerShows and Exhibits, said.
"We had people whistling, screaming. There were tears, lots of tears,"Settlemire said of the unveiling in Detroit. "I've been into cars for 30years, and I've never seen such a reaction."
Vlad Kapitonov, who was in charge of the exterior design of the car, iscompletely satisfied with the final product, though for a while he wasnervous.
"She wasn't easy. There was a rough point in the development, and I waswondering if it was even worth it. Other people are working on this carand it's stressful," he said. "You're taking directions from a lot ofpeople, a lot of management, and you're dealing with a lot of peopletrying to get what you want out of it."
Kapitonov questioned if dealing with the added stress was worth thefinal product, he said. It wasn't until he experienced a memorablemoment in the finishing phases of production that he knew all his hardwork was not in vain.
"In this moment when it [the Camaro] was finished up in the shop. We putthe hood down, and that was it," he said. "They set it up, drove it off,and now it's worth it. And then, of course, at the unveiling."
Kapitonov said the new Camaro will offer more than just power, though itdefinitely packs a punch.
"It makes me so proud of it, too, that there's a double punch. Whereit's got a solid exterior there is also a solid interior. Not a lot ofshow cars are that consistent through and through."
In The Belly of the Beast
Speaking of the interior, this is one area where there was nocontroversy--it's a slam dunk. It reminds me of GM's better designs fromthe mid-to-late '60s. It's simple, yet exciting and beautiful, spaciousand airy, as well as thoroughly modern. Sure, the retro touches like theconsole-mounted gauge pods are a bit hokey, keeping with the show cartheme, but it's definitely a case of doing more with less, with plentyof nice curves.
"The overall theme of it was to be super simple with just one strongsimple gesture to it," said Micah Jones, the creative designer forRear-Wheel Drive Performance Interiors who spearheaded the design insideof this vehicle. "And that gesture goes wide and around you on thedoors. Super horizontal."
Except for the obvious show-only touches, the basic theme could beeasily carried over for production, and it should be carried over. Thedriving position is excellent, all the controls are intuitively placedand there's lots of room, even the backseat isn't a complete torturechamber. The rear quarter windows not only help visibility, they add tothe open feel of the interior. Best of all, there's no giant lump on thepassenger's-side floor in front.