As automakers attempt to get their vehicles in line with new regulations, they are scrambling to come up with ways to keep their customers interested. Chevrolet is no exception to this rule and they may have come up with a way to create an actual hybrid muscle car. The new Camaro is on the block to possibly become the first hybrid muscle car in existence. If the company can pull it off, it may just revolutionize the way muscle cars are built. Since this is definitely the year of the muscle car, with the big three all debuting their entries, this is the perfect time for Chevy to make their move.
It is expected that the new Camaro will have a gas-electric hybrid powertrain but the company is keeping their secrets close to their chests at this point. What is for certain is that they are bringing the Camaro back this year and may follow it shortly with their hybrid models. The plan so far is to build the cars in Canada, which has been confirmed by the company.
Buzz Hargrove, the president of the Canadian Auto Workers Union pointed out that Chevy is spending nearly $2.5 billion in Oshawa. He stated, “We anticipated that would be followed by other rear-wheel-drive vehicles, but the money they spent on the plant makes it a flex plant, so you can build both front-drive and rear-wheel-drive in the facility.” Production on the Camaro is expected to begin sometime this year.
In order to maintain efficiency, it is believed that the standard Camaro will come with a V6 engine, with a turbocharged and V8 engine available as an add-on option. Whether enthusiasts accept a V6 muscle car has yet to be determined, but many new buyers may appreciate the looks of the new Camaro coupled with a more efficient engine.
According to engineers, plans are also in the works to create a special dual mode hybrid Camaro, but this is most likely years away from fruition. What is clear is that GM is scrapping their initial plans for rear drive Camaro’s and focusing on building a better hybrid instead. The new regulations will put a severe crimp in the way many automakers operate but Chevy is certainly attempting to rise to the challenge. The company however is getting stuck with the rear wheel drive vehicles they already produced and is looking to unload them in other countries where restrictions are not as tight. This may be a problem since many countries that are interested, such as Iran, are considered off limits.
The changes however do mean one thing to the muscle car – it’s going to be a lot more expensive than it once was. Official pricing has not yet been announced, but Dodge has certainly set the bar with their $37k Challenger. Ford has managed to come in lower with most Mustang models, so it will remain to be seen what Chevy has in store for consumers.