The Speculator: Waking Up the Dead

One may be remised to understand how new vehicles are developed for future consideration. It is not just about the concept, but how that eventually translates into production. It is one thing to dream up something that would evoke – even provoke – a customer’s response. It is a noter to deliver the goods all the way to the showroom. 

Lately, there have been ideas that have been swirling around social media and the internet. The ones I want to touch upon are not that far-fetched, as they are based on current platforms and production capacity. Or, hopefully, they could translate into a vehicle worthy of sale in this and other markets worldwide. 

The prospects seem good, if you consider current market trends and feedback from consumers. They want sedans – a subject we touched upon almost ad nauseum – and nostalgia. Perhaps a combination of both?

If we believe social media and speculative articles thrown around the interwebs, then we may see a new sedan – or coupe – from General Motors. Rather, a few of them. The platform exists. The Alpha architecture currently underpins the Cadillac CT4 and CT5. The engines and technology are also available from the parts bin. All GM has to do is design the body and interior – right?

If it was that simple, these cars would be headed to an unveiling near Detroit soon. 

What I am referring to is the rumor that GM would bring back sedans for Chevrolet and Buick by the end of this decade. Both have been speculated to reuse some old model names – Camaro and Regal, respectively. 

The twist is that Chevrolet’s sedan could use the name of their iconic sports coupe. That would be interesting choice, but it has been done before. Think “Ford Mustang Mach-E.”

A Camaro sedan could reinvigorate the base, as long as it is not primarily pressed into rental car fleets – think “Impala.” It should be something special, exciting, and offered with one of the newest Small Block V8s underneath its hood. You will have two displacements available by the end of this year – in the Silverado 1500 and GMC Serra 1500, along with the Corvette Grand Sport – to consider dropping underneath the new car’s hood. 

The big drawback of a new sedan – and coupe – for GM would be the possible balance act between traditional horsepower and meeting any efficiency benchmarks. Also, one should consider whether this sedan can encompass every need from the prospective customer base. One could also consider that customers want sedans again because they are fatigued with SUVs and the soaring prices of pickup trucks for personal transportation.

As for Buick, the brand needs product. A sedan would be a perfect solution to bring new customers into their shrinking number of showrooms.  Their lineup of SUVs and crossovers can only go so far to attract customers. But calling it a Regal….I’m not sure about that. Still, a V8-powred GS or Grand National would be awesome. We know that the reality is more of a twin-turbo V6 seen on the CT4 and CT5 for the new Regal.

If you are going to reuse a name, go with something that is fondly remembered and did not fade into oblivion unceremoniously. With that said, call it something else – not starting with the letter “E.” LeSabre sounds good to me. 

Another rumor that also seemed far-fetched but possible is that of the resurrection of the Honda Element. I can see how this would be done, as the platforms do exist and can be assembled in the U.S.A. Those are the two caveats I would give if they got the green light for such a vehicle. 

Knowing Honda, the new Element could be powered by their Hybrid driveline with the three-motor system for all-wheel drive models. That would be the perfect driveline for a modern Element. The rest could follow prior design features – a boxy body, rubber floors, versatile seating and cargo management.

One thing Honda might have to strongly consider is whether to resurrect the access door arrangement for the side. While it passed muster for safety regulations some 20-plus years ago, not sure if they repeat that in today’s marketplace. It is possile, with the right amount of security features to ensure that those doors can withstand the ever-evolving crash test standards. One proposal suggested that it would have four conventional doors instead. Some loyal enthusiasts might scoff at that development. 

The potential of the return of that darling of the urban home rehabber and do-it-yourselfer would bring back a niche market that the Element once owned. It was one of those vehicles that you didn’t know you needed. Still, its nostalgic pull is there, as enthusiasts are pouring over Facebook Marketplace and Bring-a-Trailer to find older examples to own and fix up. 

There is a lot at stake when developing and producing a new vehicle. The intangibles come into lay – such as heritage and nostalgia. It challenges the preverbal question of “what if” to a series of such-questions that could derail such vehicle projects from reaching the assembly line floor. 

Then again, nothing is impossible. In my lifespan, Ive seen some vehicles that were produced with a lot of risk built in. The Dodge (SRT) Viper and Plymouth Prowler immediately come to mind. No one asked for a 800-plus horsepower V10-powered open top roadster devoid of any chassis control to be produced and sold to customers. Nor did anyone ask for a modern hot rod-looking roadster with a nod to the 1930s in design. Chrysler did it anyway. Enthusiast cults have been formed. Legacies have grown from them. 

Does this open the door for a return of the Camaro, Regal, and Element names on these future vehicles? Keep in mind that their respective companies own the intellectual property rights on these names. Basically, they can what they want with them. 

Of course, more sedans/coupes/hatchbacks/wagons would be great for our marketplace. Not to mention a useful crossover with honest and superb utility. There is an apt line from Q-Tip of A Tribe Called Quest’s track “Jazz (We Got)”: “'Cause the job of resurrectors is to wake up the dead” 

Maybe it’s time to do that, GM and Honda?

All photos by Randy Stern