- GM has approved a Camaro successor set to arrive for MY28, report says.
- New model will ride on Alpha 2 platform with traditional rear-drive layout.
- Four-door pony car to share platform with new Buick sedan and Caddy CT5.
The Chevrolet Camaro is getting a second act, according to a new media report, and no, this isn’t one of those rumors that evaporates by lunchtime. After going quiet following its 2023 exit, GM has reportedly greenlit a successor, but one that won’t quite pick up where the old car left off.
Production is said to kick off in late 2027 at GM’s Lansing Grand River plant, the same place that built the outgoing car, says Autonews, whose insider sources claim the carmaker is 100 percent rebooting its storied Mustang rival along with a new Buick sedan with which it will share its running gear. That points to a 2028 model year return, which means the Camaro’s break won’t be nearly as long as the one it took between 2002 and 2010.
Related: Chevy Just Introduced A Facelifted Camaro, But You Can’t Buy It
The new model is expected to stick with rear-wheel drive, riding on the Alpha platform that underpinned the last Camaro along with Cadillac’s CT4 and CT5, Automotive News says. That’s good news for anyone worried GM might turn it into yet another anonymous crossover. Or worse, an EV. The CT4 is being axed, but the CT5 is being renewed and will be closely related to the new Camaro and Buick’s first US sedan since the Regal was dropped in 2020, as all three models will share the same platform.
Engines haven’t been confirmed, but the platform is known to handle everything from turbo fours to supercharged V8s. So there’s still room for proper muscle car credentials with the help of the newly-enlarged 6.7-litre engine going into the 535 hp (542 PS) Corvette Grand Sport, as well as the opportunity to keep the base price low for people who want the looks, but can’t afford the V8 or its running costs.
Old Badge, New Direction
So far, so familiar. But here’s where things get a little different. GM Authority claims that the Camaro replacement “might not be exactly what you would expect,” which opens the door for, well, the first production four-door Camaro.
That might be a disappointment for coupe fans, but could be great news for buyers who’ve previously discounted the Camaro for practical reasons. And a four-door Camaro doesn’t sound as wild as it once did, especially with rivals already exploring similar territory. Dodge has the sedan base covered with the Charger, and Ford has reportedly been toying with the idea of expanding the Mustang lineup.
Hiding In Plain Sight?
And we can’t help thinking about the concept sketch GM revealed last year (seen above) showing what appeared to be another muscular two-door Camaro-type coupe. At the time it looked like just another design exercise and we kind of dismissed it, assuming that if the Camaro badge did return it would be on some kind of sporty SUV.
But now you have to wonder if it was a subtle hint hiding in plain sight. Was GM teasing us the design of a four-door MY28 Camaro – scalloped side, fat fenders, fastback roof, ducktail spoiler – by showing us a two-door and we didn’t even realize?
For now, details are thin and GM isn’t saying much. But one thing is clear, if this report is to be believed. The Camaro isn’t dead, it’s just evolving. Whether that evolution keeps diehard fans happy is a whole different question.
