For many muscle/sport car connoisseurs, the Z28 Camaro has been has for numerous years been the car of choice. But has the reign of this prestigious car finally come to an end? Many people think so. Ralph Hanson reports that GM is going to launch the Camaro convertible in 2011, but it looks as if the Z28 will not be put into production. The Z28 was actually included in a list of five cars that may never be put into production on Road & Track.
As of now, GM has indefinitely delayed the production of the Z28. Many wonder what caused this delay. The reasons are a mixture of conservationism in the government and the poor shape of our economy. Most know that GM went bankrupt earlier in the recession and is now a government owned company. Even though they were bailed out by the government, their money woes are not yet fixed. Paul Eisenstein informs that the price to bring the Z28 into the market would be about $50 million.. He goes on to say that GM usually would barely notice this number because of how well the car usually does for them, but during this economic instability, there is no guarantee..
Conservationism now plays a major role in politics and policies of America . Everyone’s “going green” and buying more hybrids that are more fuel efficient and eco-friendly. President Obama is helping push this policy forward. James Martinez of Motor Authority reports that earlier in the year Obama set a standard of 35mpg CAFE standard. This standard is a plan to try to force carmakers to rise to an average fuel consumption to 35mpg by the year 2020. The Z28 wouldn’t fit very well in this average with a supercharged V-8 engine pushing out around 560hp.
The Z28 was supposed to be the car to kill the Shelby GT500 Mustang and the Dodge Challenger SRT8, but this dream may never come into fruition. If GM can somehow cut the cost of the Z28 and increase fuel economy then there may be a chance of this first class to be resurrected. However, while most people would like to think this car is going to be put into production, the truth is that the future is looking grim for this powerful competition killer.
