As technology increases there will be advances in the amount of horsepower engines can achieve without losses in fuel consumption. This may lead to more powerful engines being used in production vehicles (can you say LS6?). Though some have said Chevy will move to an overhead camshaft design (non-pushrod), we believe that if the General was really going to pursue this option on its V-8 engines it probably would have happened on the LS1 (remember the now-discontinued 32-valve OHC LT5?).
Long-time hot rodders may have trouble accepting the fact that many of today's six-cylinder powerplants produce better horsepower numbers than the big V-8s of the '60s and '70s. Could there be a day when the V-8 is replaced by a sixer? Unlikely, but as these powerplants improve, who knows.
Exterior designs on new cars appear to be heading to the past-but with an awesome modern twist. First VW reintroduced their Bug (okay, maybe not all of the new designs are truly awesome), then Chrysler jumped onboard with their 300M (then used chrome and retro-styling on their PT Cruiser). Chevrolet missed the mark when they boasted of styling cues reminiscent of the '65 Impala in their 2000 Impala. That's rumored to change, according to our sources, who tell us that the next-generation Camaro will have very obvious ties to its past. Could there be a two-door Chevelle SS in the future? How about a rear-wheel-drive Monte Carlo (complete with V-8 power)? Could the design staff conjure up a Bel Air (complete with power-pack) that would convince you to buy a new hot rod? Only time will tell, but with the desire to use parts or platforms that will fit a variety of different vehicles (current Impalas and Monte Carlos share the same engine cradle), the possibilities may open up for more V-8-powered, rear-wheel-drive vehicles.
In the area of safety, technology will most likely be used to produce smart cars that aid the driver in avoiding collisions, rather than today's push towards vehicles designed to protect the occupants when they are involved in a crash.
When it comes to aftermarket and classic cars, the advancements have been phenomenal. Fuel injection is now fairly easy to install and is reliable for use in cars not originally equipped. This editor owns a '63 Biscayne, formerly a radio delete, plain-Jane econo car with inline six and three-on-the-tree. The vehicle is now equipped with a fuel-injected crate 502, a computer-controlled 4L60E automatic overdrive transmission, cruise control, power steering, leather upholstery, a digital dash, air conditioning, power everything-and it'll start up on the first try every time and can be driven anywhere without worries.
The staff at Super Chevy likes to think Chevrolet will remember that they rose to the top of the heap with the help of people seeking power and performance (along with a few creature comforts)-at a decent price. In designing their future models we hope that the General's sprit-and those of true innovators like Zora Arkus-Duntov, Louis Chevrolet, and the long list of others who made Chevrolet what it is today-will be carried into the designs and concepts of tomorrow.