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Could GM Be Cooking Up a New Chevy Camaro? It Sure Sounds Like It

GM’s next-gen Alpha platform provides the groundwork for Chevrolet to revive its iconic pony car.

Close-up of the front left headlight and grille of a blue Chevrolet Camaro SS with illuminated LED daytime running lights.Chevrolet
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By Chris Chin

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General Motors isn’t throwing in the towel for its signature rear-wheel-drive platform, which could potentially lead the way for a new Camaro. According to enthusiast site, GMAuthority, the General is readying a next-generation Alpha chassis for future Cadillac models.

But while there wasn’t any specific hint at a Camaro revival, the earlier variants of the Alpha platform served as the pony car’s backbone since its initial revival in 2010.

Circumstantially speaking, with the Alpha platform continuing on, this could potentially open the doors for a seventh-generation Camaro.

To Alpha and beyond

Red Cadillac sedan with chrome grille and alloy wheels parked on concrete at sunset.
It was just a short while ago when Cadillac notified its dealers that the current CT5 is coming to an end.
Cadillac

It was just a short while ago when GM announced the discontinuation of its BMW 3 and 5 Series fighters, the CT4 and CT5, in a letter to its dealer network. In the same letter, Cadillac’s global vice president, John Roth, confirmed that the CT5 will get a follow-up act.

A new CT5 means GM needs a new platform to underpin the next model, which in this case, is the next-gen “Alpha 2-2.” According to GMAuthority, however, the next-gen CT5 won’t be the only car to come from the newly revised platform.

Dark gray Cadillac CT5 sedan parked on a concrete surface under a modern canopy with mountains in the background.
The CT5 is one of the models that utilizes GM’s rear-wheel-drive Alpha platform.
Cadillac

When GM engineers new architectures for future vehicles, the company often does so with economies of scale in mind. In other words, making as many models from the architecture as possible.

This is to ensure a maximum return on investment, thereby maximizing the benefits of the platform. That said, with the new Alpha 2-2 on the way, there could also be another CT4 in the works.

But more so, this could also mean a new Camaro might be on the docket.

Sharing common rear-wheel-drive grounds

Orange sports car with black racing stripes parked inside a dimly lit garage.
The last Camaro also utilizes the Alpha platform.
Chevrolet

While the rumor is to be taken with a grain of salt, it was just last year Chevy discontinued its iconic pony car.

That’s because the original Alpha platform essentially reached the end of its usefulness, having been introduced back in 2012. It replaced GM’s previous Zeta rear-wheel-drive platform, which was reserved for its Australian Holden division.

Yellow Chevrolet Camaro RS coupe with dual exhausts parked on a paved road near grass.
When Chevy revived the Camaro in 2010, it turned over a new chapter of fun vehicles for the Detroit automaker.
Chevrolet

The Alpha platform also allowed GM to reintroduce rear-wheel-drive vehicles to the States after decades of making front-wheel-drive slushmobiles. The reintroduction of rear-driven cars also reinvigorated GM’s interests and reputation for making fun cars.

One of those cars was the iconic and retro-styled fifth-generation Camaro from 2010 to 2015, which was a huge success.

Silver Chevrolet Camaro RS coupe with tinted windows on a gray gradient background.
The retro-styled fifth-generation Camaro was an instant hit when it launched.
Chevrolet

When Chevy replaced the fifth-gen Camaro in 2015, the Golden Bowtie utilized GM’s then relatively new Alpha platform for its successor. That original Alpha platform underpinned the first-generation Cadillac ATS, the third and last generation CTS. It also underpinned also their replacements, the current but soon-to-be-discontinued CT4 and CT5.

The Camaro also utilize Alpha for its sixth and last generation. Given that the Alpha is getting another lease on life for a series of next-gen models, there’s a strong chance a seventh-generation Camaro could come from it.

Ford and Dodge march on without a rival

Driver's hands on black leather Camaro steering wheel and gear shift inside a car with digital dashboard and touchscreen display.
The Big Three pony car trifecta isn’t complete without Chevrolet making a Camaro.
Chevrolet

Although GM cites poor sales for the end of the Camaro, it’s disappointing to see its arch rivals, the Ford Mustang and the Dodge Charger, continue without any direct competition from Detroit. Additionally, Ford versus Chevy versus Dodge in the muscle car world is one of history’s most iconic automotive rivalries.

Without a pony car from the Golden Bowtie, that Big Three trifecta isn’t complete to perpetuate that rivalry. While GM could also be looking for ways to compete with Ford’s Mustang Mach-E, it would still be nice to see a conventional internal combustion-powered Camaro come back from the dead to lay some elevens down.

About the Author: Chris Chin is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, trucks and anything else with four wheels. He has over a decade of experience writing news and reviews but considers himself an enthusiast first, with a passion for classics and European cars. His daily driver is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with nearly 250,000 miles (87,000 are his).

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