Much to GM's liking, the Camaro SS continues to outsell the lesser-engined LS and LT models. This was expected in the early days as enthusiasts tend to buy the most powerful models right out of the gate, but even months into its launch, the Camaro SS is still the top-selling model. Edmunds.com data analysts estimate that over 60% of Camaros sold so far have been SS models.
During a recent discussion with Bob Lutz, he told Inside Line that Chevrolet purposely low-balled the V6 models to boost sales and GM's CAFE number. It hasn't quite worked out that way, but Lutz did mention one side benefit. "The V6 is expensive to build, so the two models cost almost the same to produce."
Translation: We're making more money on the SS models, so for now, we'll take it.
gregnv says:
11:30 AM, 11/18/09
Sure the SS is selling well. We may be in the final era of high horse power fun cars before the army of Prius like driving appliances take over and make driving as fun as using the clothes washing machine. Get them now, while you can.
kurtamaxxxguy says:
01:02 PM, 11/18/09
This was expected in the early days as enthusiasts tend to buy the most powerful models right out of the gate
No surprise. If GM decides to follow Hennessee's example with a more powerful SS, enthusiasts will stampede for those.
jederino says:
03:51 PM, 11/18/09
I sat in one with my wife at the Seattle Auto Show, and we both liked it. Greenhouse is too small, but it felt fun and interesting. An older lady nearby said that, in the 70's, she and girlfriends would ask for a ride from any guy who drove a Camaro. Even if he wasn't attractive. That's why guys buy 'em, and why they need the V8. Good-looking guys could probably get by with the Mustang.
sparky34 says:
08:43 AM, 11/19/09
only GM would be dumb enough to sell cars that cost the same different amounts....why dont they use a v-6 engine that is less-expensive to build...it is virtually the same motor in the CTS?? is anyone following this? so i pay double for the luxury of a CTS but i have the same motor as some punk in a camaro V6??
and why do american atuomakers continue to make their premium models look cool, and make the lesser trims uglier...instead of making the v6 models look sharp (wheels, tires, ect) and then improving from that standpoint on the SS? dodge, chevy and ford all do this and i dont understand why
jbest05 says:
09:04 AM, 11/19/09
Sparky, do you realize that GM does sell both V6 and V8 models with the exact same wheels and halogen headlamps. The 3.6L V6 comes in LS, LT, and RS trim levels while the 6.2L V-8 comes in SS trim level with an RS package available.
The only difference between the V6 and V8 models are a slightly larger air-dam in the front bumper and a fake hood scoop on the V8 models.
If you want your Camaro to look snazzier, then you can opt for the RS model which adds the super-cool xenon headlamps, larger wheels, rear lip-spoiler, lowered suspension, etc.
jbest05 says:
09:17 AM, 11/19/09
Sparky, GM is smart to price the V8 model $8,000 higher than the V-6 even though both cost the same to build. By pricing the V-8 higher, GM earns up to 8,000 of pure profit! Chrysler does the same thing with the Hemi V-8 engine, which cost the same to build as the regular V-6 in the 300 sedan and Charger sedan.
GM is now using high-feature 3.6L V-6 engines in all its models to improve economies of scale and amortize development costs. So that's why the Cadillac CTS, Chevy Camaro, Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia, Chevy Traverse, Saturn Outlook, Chevy Malibu, Saturn Aura, and Buick LaCrosse share the same 3.6L V-6, however, they all have different outputs.
The CTS and Camaro are rear-drive and performance-oriented so they get the most horsepower out of their 3.6L engines at 304 hp. Meanwhile, the Enclave, Acadia, Traverse, and Outlook come with two versions of the 3.6L rated at 270 horsepower (one exhaust on base-model Traverse LS and Outlook XE) and 290 horsepower (2 exhaust pipes standard on Enclave and Acadia - optional on Traverse LT and LTZ and Outlook XR).
GM also has a new high-feature 3.0L V-6 with direct-injection. It produces an impressive 270 horsepower in the Cadillac CTS, but it doesn't produce much torque (only 223 lbs ft of torque) and negligible improvement in mpg over the larger 3.6L V6. That's why GM is putting the 3.0L V6 in smaller vehicles like the Cadillac SRX, Chevy Equinox, GMC Terrain, Buick LaCrosse, and possibly the Buick Regal and next-gen Chevy Malibu.
Hope this helps
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