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

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

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

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.. :(

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.

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.

John, the Firebird needs Ram Air. :thumbsup:

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.

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.

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

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. 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