5th Gen Firebird - What are your thoughts for the next one...

[JohnnyGMachine]

Hey guys,

There's been TONS of talk about a 5th gen Camaro. I've been workin' away on my 5th gen Camaro concepts and am almost finished and getting closer to posting. I will also be showing atleast one design rendering showing what I think a 5th gen firebird could be. Before I get too much further on it I'd really like to hear what you guys would want to see on a new Firebird or Trans Am. I especially want to hear from the Pontiac diehards!

What were the favorite body styles, front end designs, and option packages, etc. from any year Pontiac F-Body.

Thanks,
John

[MaxHarvard]

the lines of the first gen were sooo perfect right from the factory. I like the swooping rear end of the first gens and the long nose. Wide stance and the massive hood :D

[Steve1968LS2]

The firebird needs to be more "aggressive" than the Camaro.. sort of like how the WS6 was much more bold than the SS (4th gen).

Unfortunatly I don't see a new Firebird coming out anytime soon.. :(

[Derek69SS]

New cars should look like new cars, not recycled 40 year old designs. :yes:

To keep its heritage, it would need hood-scoops or a shaker, a grille with a vertical split, a rear spoiler, and some other minor styling cues that remind you that it's a firebird, without having that recycled design look of the new mustang.

Will it be a coupe, or a hatch? They only had the "coupe" look for 3 of their 35 years.

Is it a continuation from the last generation, or starting over as a "copy" of a first Gen?

IMHO, the early 2nd gens had the best look throughout the years. I'd build off that. It could still look like a "modern" car, yet keep it's heritage.

[Damn True]

A big block.

Seriously, if GM is to be sucsessful with a new F-body it needs to be as close to a stand-alone car as possible. Pretty much like a _____ but with different sheet metal wont cut it IMO. For that reason, I don't think it would be in their best interest to do a Poncho version of the F-body. (Ducking below my desk and donning firesuit for flames now.)
IMO, when setting up branding of a product that is as iconic as the Camaro you need to have as much differentiation as possible.

[XcYZ]

John, the Firebird needs Ram Air. :thumbsup:

[907rs]

I'm thinking it should be a "new" design as well, but with a few subtle queues from the past.

I desperately hope that GM doesn't do a full-blown retro theme like Ford did on the Mustang.

[JayR]

Keep in mind that Pontiac has taken a lot of abuse from the press and public with sales reflecting it for all the tacked on gills and vents and wings that never even do anything. The clean little Solstice roadster is a good indication of where Pontiac design is going. There should be some cues but not overdone like some Pontiacs i won't mention that may have been designed with an ugly stick.

[Ummgawa]

John, the Firebird needs Ram Air. :thumbsup:


Spoken like a true Pontiac man...I agree. :yes:

[Diognes56]

The Firebird, in my opinion, was supposed to be Pontiac's halo car, but it was never allowed to really excelle at that mission. I think they should let it loose if they are going to bring it back. Though Lutz did say that "the Firebird's day is done" :( .

Anyway, I love all of Kris's ideas for the 5th gen Camaro (really liked your PHR Charger too) and honestly think that they would be perfect compitition Mustang. Think the same, but different. The long hood and short deck are a given. The platform being pretty much the same is a given, but give the Camaro a live axel rear and the Firebird an independent rear. The Camaro a Mustang fighting blend of modern and retro, make the Firebird straight up modern. The Camaro gets the 5spd auto or 6spd manual, the Firebird gets the 6spd manumatic or the 6spd manual. Make the Firebird something that spans the gap between the Camaro and the Corvette. JMHO.

Here are two things that I would really like to see.

A. The return of the "Super Duty". I would love to see a limited edition version of the Trans Am with a 455ci version of the LS2, very similar to MTI's 455H.O. (http://www.motorsporttech.com/print/mti_455gto_brochure01.html) package.

B. Remember the T-TA? I think that basic idea should become the Formula, that way there is more than looks to make the Formula different from the Trans Am. How does a Twin-Turbo 3.6L V6 sound?

David

[JohnnyGMachine]

Realistically here's what I think GM would offer for the Firebird as far as option levels...

1 - Base Model Firebird - This would be a V6 car rated around 230 hp. with a 5 speed auto or a 5 speed manual transmission. A base 16" or optional 17" wheel unique to the base Firebird. I think that they should offer an optional V6 sport package that would include the 17" wheels, stripe package, rear spoiler, and maybe a throatier exhaust package that would give it maybe a 10 hp. increase - H.O. V6 package? This package would have the base 4 wheel disc brakes and would be equipped with the base sport suspension.

2 - Firebird Formula - This would be a V8 car with the LS2 (or variant) rated around 400 hp. with am autostick 5 speed auto trans or a 6 speed manual transmission. The base wheel would be a 17" wheel and maybe a premium 18" wheel unique for the Formula. This package would include a Hi-Po sport suspension package and larger 4 wheel disc brakes. Unique features that separate the Formula from the base model besides suspension and drivetrain components would be a formula rear spoiler and unique integrated front spoiler and rocker extensions. There should also be a few exterior and interior colors/options along with a stripe package and ram air that would be optional to further differentiate the Formula from the "regular" birds.

3 - Trans Am - This would share many of the hi-po parts with the SS Camaro version from the Chevy side of the fence. The LS2 V8 would pump out in the 475-500 hp neighborhood and ram air is standard. The 6 speed manual transmission would be the only trans of choice. The ram air hood would be slightly different than the Formula hood in that it has rear heat extractors added to help reduce underhood heat and pressures at high speeds. There would also be a unique Trans Am spoiler, front fascia, rear fascia treatment, and rocker extensions. The interior would have unique leather T/A seats, unique guage cluster and additional factory options. The suspenison would be stiffer and lower further reduced body roll (probably about none) and would come with larger discs and and calipers as standard. There would be a 19" unique to the T/A that would be offered in a couple finishes.

4 - Competition Trans Am - This would be very close to the Trans Am above but would include a beefier transmission, competition brakes (similar to a C6R?), fully adjustable suspension, 19" T/A wheel with polished lip and charcoal finished spokes, and Competition white paint with blue racing stripes (only option for exterior paint). There would also be a weight reduction option which would include a carbon fiber front fascia, hood, front fenders, sound deadener delete, racing bucket front seats, radio and rear seat delete. Although this would make for a very pricey package, they would be very limited - 100 or less and only be offered to enthusiast with racing credentials. This would be a street legal car but not offered to the general public.


Just my thoughts...
John