Photo: Carlifestyle/Instagram
With the latest reports on the future of the Camaro talking about the current generation set to be upgraded all the way to 2026, GM needs a strong plan if if wants to rescue its muscle badge from its current sales dive. So, how about a wagon like the one portrayed in this rendering?
The pixel portrait we have here takes the meanest Camaro you can buy, namely the ZL1 with the 1LE package (you know, the Nürburgring tamer) and turns it into a family hauler.
And while CarLifestyle, the Instagram label behind the quick work, used the Audi RS6 Avant to make its point, there might be more to these pixels. For one, the German automaker believes there's a place for a performance wagon on the U.S. market; keep in mind that the 2020 RS6 marked the American return of the nameplate, as well as the first time when the wagon arrived in the US.
Rewinding to the 1970 model year, we'll remind you that GM experimented with a wagon for the second-gen Camaro (the Pontiac Firebird, which shared its F-body platform with the Chevy, was also included). The resulting Camaro K (for Kammback), which came in two-door form, never made it past the fiberglass demonstrator stage, though.
Besides, a wagon body would solve two of the current Camaro's most important drawbacks, namely improving rear seat accommodation and visibility, not to mention the additional luggage space.
Even so, with wagon sales limited by the market's increasing crossover and SUV preference, the chances of GM adding such a version are extremely slim.
However, returning to the life cycle expansion mentioned in the intro, Australia's WhichCar published a story on this late last month talking about the 2026 as the end of the line for the sixth-gen model, albeit with no official confirmation to date.
And with this being the first positive tale after what seemed like an infinite number of reports talking about GM preparing to ax the Camaro, we're looking forward to receiving more details on the matter.
Come to think of it, the idea of keeping the Camaro around until the middle of the decade makes sense. For one, a demise could cause serious image problems, and in an era when competition from across the world is stronger than ever, American brands need to rely on their history.
Now, while an all-new Camaro would obviously be a more expensive option for GM, another argument comes from the fact that the company has adhered to the new Gen3 rules in the Australian Supercar racing series and will field a Camaro ZL1 starting from the 2022 season, with the initiative set to last until 2026.
In addition, the Challenger, which has been around for over a decade, has proven that age isn't necessarily a problem when it comes to sales; while the Mustang led the 2020 U.S. race with 61,090 units and Chevrolet only moved 29,775 Camaros last year, an impressive 52,955 Challengers were sold.
If we consider that the Camaro was GM's answer to the pony craze started by the Ford Mustang, one way to keep the iconic Chevy badge alive would be to once again follow the footsteps of the Blue Oval and introduce a new Camaro family. That could include a sales-generating electric crossover/SUV (Mustang Mach-E rival) alongside more traditional coupes and cabriolets animated by V8s, potentially with mild-hybrid assistance.
Speaking of which, we'll remind you that GM has presented a $27 billion electrification plan that should see it introducing 30 EVs by 2025.
P.S.: Here's a rendering that shows how such a plan could work for Dodge.
And while CarLifestyle, the Instagram label behind the quick work, used the Audi RS6 Avant to make its point, there might be more to these pixels. For one, the German automaker believes there's a place for a performance wagon on the U.S. market; keep in mind that the 2020 RS6 marked the American return of the nameplate, as well as the first time when the wagon arrived in the US.
Rewinding to the 1970 model year, we'll remind you that GM experimented with a wagon for the second-gen Camaro (the Pontiac Firebird, which shared its F-body platform with the Chevy, was also included). The resulting Camaro K (for Kammback), which came in two-door form, never made it past the fiberglass demonstrator stage, though.
Besides, a wagon body would solve two of the current Camaro's most important drawbacks, namely improving rear seat accommodation and visibility, not to mention the additional luggage space.
Even so, with wagon sales limited by the market's increasing crossover and SUV preference, the chances of GM adding such a version are extremely slim.
However, returning to the life cycle expansion mentioned in the intro, Australia's WhichCar published a story on this late last month talking about the 2026 as the end of the line for the sixth-gen model, albeit with no official confirmation to date.
And with this being the first positive tale after what seemed like an infinite number of reports talking about GM preparing to ax the Camaro, we're looking forward to receiving more details on the matter.
Come to think of it, the idea of keeping the Camaro around until the middle of the decade makes sense. For one, a demise could cause serious image problems, and in an era when competition from across the world is stronger than ever, American brands need to rely on their history.
Now, while an all-new Camaro would obviously be a more expensive option for GM, another argument comes from the fact that the company has adhered to the new Gen3 rules in the Australian Supercar racing series and will field a Camaro ZL1 starting from the 2022 season, with the initiative set to last until 2026.
In addition, the Challenger, which has been around for over a decade, has proven that age isn't necessarily a problem when it comes to sales; while the Mustang led the 2020 U.S. race with 61,090 units and Chevrolet only moved 29,775 Camaros last year, an impressive 52,955 Challengers were sold.
If we consider that the Camaro was GM's answer to the pony craze started by the Ford Mustang, one way to keep the iconic Chevy badge alive would be to once again follow the footsteps of the Blue Oval and introduce a new Camaro family. That could include a sales-generating electric crossover/SUV (Mustang Mach-E rival) alongside more traditional coupes and cabriolets animated by V8s, potentially with mild-hybrid assistance.
Speaking of which, we'll remind you that GM has presented a $27 billion electrification plan that should see it introducing 30 EVs by 2025.
P.S.: Here's a rendering that shows how such a plan could work for Dodge.
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