Right now, we are in what could be called a Second Renaissance of muscle cars. While not nearly as prolific as they were in the late 1960’s, the muscle cars of today are faster, safer, and loaded with the latest in high technology. But looming over the horizon is the dreaded EPA’s CAFÉ regulations that deem every major auto manufacturer must achieve a fleet wide fuel efficiency of 35 mpg by 2020. That includes muscle cars.
Looking ahead,
Motor Trend is reporting that GM is going to move the Camaro from its current Zeta platform to the newly minted Alpha platform when the car comes up for a refresh in 2014.
Picture: GM
The Alpha platform is being developed for the Cadillac ATS, destined to be a BMW 3-series fighter. The Zeta platform has underpinned many of GM’s coolest cars in recent years, including the ill-fated G8 GXP, and while it is a strong platform, it is also very heavy. Weight is the enemy of fuel economy, and the Alpha platform should be a good bit lighter. Motor Trend also speculates that the SS model will get either a supercharged or turbocharged V6 in place of a V8 engine, but we remain skeptical. Ford has already proven you can get 25 mpg out of a 400 horsepower V8; give the engineers a few more years and 30 mpg should be achievable on an improved chassis.
The other interesting bits of info are that the Alpha platform will also underpin the next-generation CTS, due in 2013 or ’14. This would kill off the coupe and wagon versions of the CTS after just a few years of sales, something we question the wisdom (or reality) of. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens. A lighter, nimbler Camaro does make sense in this day and age, but we still think a V8 is necessary for it to truly remain a muscle car. Otherwise, why not just go buy a Hyundai?
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