Hemmings e-Weekly Newsletter: 19 Apr 07

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Muscle Cars
GM rear-drive cars in jeopardy

The Camaro is still alive , but GM says some of its other plans for rear-wheel drive cars are on hold.
photo courtesy General Motors
GM’s Bob Lutz says the General’s future rear-wheel drive program is “on hold,” thanks in part to proposed fuel economy standards that may increase to 34.5 mpg within 11 years. President Bush has proposed a four percent increase in average fuel economy until 2017. The current standard is 27.5, mpg and Lutz said the new CAFÉ standards “would make it tough for GM to be compliant.”

Lutz made those comments in a recent Chicago Tribune article.

GM is not alone. Ford and Chrysler, which have a bunch of vehicles that cannot crack 25 mpg, are on the hot seat, too.

However, Lutz said the new Chevrolet Camaro, which enthusiasts are anxiously awaiting, will proceed as planned. “That project is simply too far along to stop now,” he told the Tribune. That is good news for Camaro fans, who have been without a new car since 2002. With DaimlerChrysler getting ready to release the stunning new Challenger in 2008, GM better keep it in high gear if it wants to bring out the Camaro, even if gasoline is teetering at $3 per gallon. The new Pontiac G8, a rear-wheel-drive that some say is a replacement for the GTO, but is still not on sale, is reportedly safe because it is nearly ready to come to market.
- By George Mattar