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[Big Country]

I just read the article earlier today, and people need to relax and understand that there are no solid numbers of any kind yet on this car. First off, nobody knows how much it will weigh. Car and Driver made an estimate/guess. Second, it will be on the new LY platform, but since that platform doesn't even exist yet, they made the prototype on a shortened LX platform (they cut approx. 4" from the area behind the drivers seat). Some other interesting statements in the article on the prototype:

1. 20" wheels in front, 21" wheels in the rear
2. Carbon fiber composite hood (hopefully it will make it through to production)
3. The vents on the hood look like they have butterflies that will open and close
4. The R/T in their photoshoot has the 6.1 HEMI
5. They still say rumors are going around that the 6.4 HEMI might make it in
6. Even though it's a shorter platform (they chopped out 4 inches on an LX platform) it's longer in overall length than current LX cars. They did this to keep with a more retro look since that is what people say they want, and having short overhangs in front and behind the wheels didn't keep with that theme, so they added body.
7. It does have a 6spd manual transmission w/pistol grip shifter
8. It has retro gauges (a mistake in my opinion, and one thing I hate about the new Mustang)
9. They estimate the price at $35k, but I feel this will be for the SRT version, not the R/T. I expect the R/T version with the 5.7 HEMI to be very competitively priced with a Mustang GT.

The new Camaro will also debut along with the Challenger at the NAIAS at the end of January. So the musclecar wars will start before the machines even hit the street.