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GM DESIGN TEASING SEVENTH-GEN CAMARO INTERIOR THAT WILL NEVER BE?

Or Was It Meant To Be A Refreshed Sixth-Generation Interior?

The muscle car market feels like its on the brink of another extinction event. Whether its regulatory pressures, high prices, inflation, constrained supply, or that customers are upgrading to more versatile fun machines like the Ford Bronco and Chevrolet Colorado ZR2, the sales figures tell us that the segment just isn’t what it used to be. That’s especially true for the Camaro nameplate. At one point a sales champion roughly a decade ago, the athletic sports car seems to have fallen out of favor in recent years, with even the more premium Corvette outselling it these days. As it stands, the plans that were in place for the seventh-generation Camaro are no more, as MC&T first reported back in 2019. Moving forward, the Camaro nameplate may be reborn as something that’s a departure from tradition, but those plans are not yet solidified. Even so, the GM Design Instagram page seems to be pulling at our heartstrings once again with what looks like to be a Camaro-based interior with a few significant changes. You can see the image just below:

The most noticeable difference between the production sixth-generation Chevrolet Camaro we see today and this GM Design interior sketch is the display screen, which merges driver-centric instrument panel with the infotainment system in the center. We see a similar technique today in the current-generation Cadillac Escalade. Additionally, the steering wheel appears to be adopted from the C8 Corvette, with a pair of downward facing spokes and a “squircle” shape with a flattened top and bottom. The center console is otherwise very sixth-gen Camaro, with cupholders shaded to the right to keep out of the way of a busy arm rowing through the six-speed manual transmission. The low-positioned HVAC exits are also present and accounted for. Rounding out the differences are pull-tabs on the seat bottoms, likely to quickly adjust seating position, and a red switch just aft of the shifter, which looks like an electronic parking brake, but could also cover a repositioned ignition button.

As for whether or not this interior design sketch was destined for a more high-budget refresh of the sixth-generation Camaro, or a seventh-generation Camaro that never was, we’ll likely never know. And this isn’t the first time GM Design teased a very realistic looking Camaro sketch that piqued our interest. Recall what looked like the sixth-generation Camaro Z/28 that never happened? I certainly do.

Maybe this is all subliminal work by designers to keep the Camaro conversation going. Or maybe it’s all circumstantial. Either way, we love to see it. It’s just a shame it’s not real.

Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 Z28 GM Design sixth-generation gen 6
Image via GM Design.

Written by Manoli Katakis

Muscle Cars & Trucks was founded by Manoli Katakis - an automotive media veteran that has been covering the latest car news since 2009. His journalism has uncovered dozens of major product changes, updates, plans, and cancellations long before automakers were ready to make things official.

Some highlights over the years of his reporting include the uncovering of the Zora trademark before anybody else reported on the coming of a mid-engine Corvette, as well as the dead-accurate reporting of the coming of the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2, two years before it hit the market, and even before the debut of the concept vehicle. This type of reporting has immediately continued here, with reports of the original seventh-generation Camaro plans being shelved, as well as what's in store for the Chevrolet Silverado.

Some of his work can be found on massive automotive media outlets, such as Motor1. He also has been a guest on the 910AM Radio Station with Detroit News auto critic Henry Payne, as well as the enthusiast-oriented Camaro Show podcast.

Over the years, Manoli has interviewed various automotive industry titans, leaders, and people that make things happen otherwise. These include figureheads such as GM CEO Mary Barra, GM President Mark Reuss, automotive aftermarket icon Ken Lingenfelter, Dodge firebrand Tim Kuniskis, along with various chief engineers of vehicles such as the Ford F-150 & Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro & Corvette, and many more.

At MC&T, Manoli is taking his journalism expertise, deeply planted sources, driving abilities, and automotive industry knowledge to new levels, covering more vehicles and brands than ever before. This is the place where you will continue to read groundbreaking stories about American performance vehicles, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles. Here is where you’ll also read insights and quotes from various automotive subject matter experts on the latest relevant products, as well as some of the latest official news from their manufacturers.

Fun facts: he also once beat Corvette Racing driver Tommy Milner in an autocross with a Chevrolet Bolt EV. The biggest vehicle he’s ever driven is a John Deere mining truck. Besides a go-kart, the smallest vehicle he’s driven has been a Hyundai i10. He’s also spent time in the cockpit of various American performance vehicle icons, including the fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro Z/28, Dodge Challenger Demon, and Ford Mustang GT350R. He has reviewed dozens of trucks, SUVs, and performance vehicles over the years.

One of his favorite new vehicles on the market today happens to be the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison. He is also a card carrying member of the Sports Car Club of America, and regularly participates in Detroit Region autocross events.

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