The Camaro ought to return as barely retro, all-electric

I discover it onerous to consider the Chevy Camaro can be lifeless for lengthy. Very similar to the Toyota Land Cruiser and its Chevy stablemate, the Bolt, I believe the Camaro can be again. Nothing is confirmed, so meaning I’m free to take a position. Right here’s a recipe for a future Camaro:

Make it all-electric. Properly, duh, you would possibly say, even Dodge lastly caved to electrical energy for its muscle vehicles. However Porsche and Ford plan to run inside combustion engines for so long as potential within the 911 and the Mustang, or at the least so long as federal rules permit. Plus Dodge’s plans are tremendous obscure. We all know the present Charger and Challenger are performed after this mannequin yr, however apart from the obscure notion of “electrical muscle” and a ‘68 Charger idea — effectively, what are they doing? That’s the place Chevy is available in. Basic Motors’ Ultium batteries are extremely versatile and configurable. You may argue it’s extra of an thought than a particular powerplant, becoming every little thing from the Hummer to the next-gen Bolt. I’m positive there’s one thing that will match below the hood of a Camaro and supply greater than sufficient energy. Be the all-American electrical sports activities automotive.

Let’s go retro. However solely barely. Determine what the that means of a Camaro is in 2024 and hone in on that. Chevy has by no means been fairly as throwback as its Ford and Dodge rivals are with their muscle coupes, and with electrical energy, this might even be the time to make a design assertion. Have a look at what Toyota did with the not too long ago revealed Land Cruiser. It has some cues from the FJ62 (1985-92), and it appears to be like retro if you wish to see it that means; however actually it’s a contemporary design. Chevy ought to return to that very same period and use the third-generation Camaro (1982-92) as inspiration. It’s not only a time that by no means totally will get its due. It’s additionally the time interval many Geriatric Millennials and Gen Xers recall from childhood and their teen years. This group has plenty of shopping for energy proper now. No want to totally do an I-ROC with a T-Prime, however the third technology had glossy proportions that made for a timeless silhouette. And because the Land Cruiser proves, Nineteen Eighties sq. headlights may be properly reprised with LEDs.

Don’t do a sedan: If you happen to’re going to make an electrical four-door Chevy sedan — nice thought — please do! However don’t name it a Camaro. We’re previous the purpose about being sanctimonious about names, physique types and the way all of them relate to the previous. The Maverick is a pickup. The Blazer is a crossover. Occasions change. On this case, it’s only a sensible matter. Chevy has loads of nice sedan names on the shelf, Impala, Caprice anybody? And the Malibu remains to be on sale. There’s simply no have to make a Camaro sedan.

The Mustang has continued in an unbroken line since 1965. The Camaro has taken just a few years off (bear in mind the 2000s Monte Carlo?) and so has some flexibility to marinate and are available again proper. The Camaro has plenty of supporters inside GM, like EV boss Al Oppenheiser, who’s none apart from the previous chief engineer of the Camaro, and naturally, CEO Mary Barra. They, and others, ought to make it occur.