It appears that GM Design has hinted at a new Chevy Camaro—and it's not an SUV.

      GM/The Drive

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      Interpreting a corporate social media post can be risky, particularly in an era where many sizable companies outsource such work to agencies. However, the opposite is also true: most social media content undergoes extensive review before being passed to a third party. Thus, when we advise you to take this image, which seems to depict a design study for a new Chevy Camaro, with a healthy dose of skepticism, these are just a few reasons why. But, oh, how we wish this turned out to be genuine.

      If you scroll through the post too quickly, you might confuse it for a rear view of the C8 Corvette. But upon closer inspection of the image showcased in the background of this shot from one of GM’s design studios, you’ll realize you’re looking at something that doesn’t actually exist. It’s a sleek two-door vehicle that clearly takes stylistic cues from the Corvette, yet it lacks the short front overhang and compact rear end of the mid-engine C8 and instead features the long hood typical of a front-engine coupe. Usually, we’d examine the tail lights for more definitive clues, but there’s no recognizable signature here at this distance.

      This was one of four images posted on GM Design’s Instagram a few days prior to promote its “Tomorrow’s Vision Today” exhibit, which mainly highlights future “mobility” (think self-driving) concepts. It’s no surprise that this sports coupe study has its own dedicated space, separate from the main exhibit.

      Our optimism is supported by other factors. Firstly, we know the Camaro nameplate still exists. Secondly, the Trump administration has removed the EPA's ability to impose penalties for emissions violations, effectively allowing GM to sell as many high-performance engines as it wishes (at least for now). Lastly, we have confirmed that GM is investing in a next-generation V8.

      However, not everything is positive. Despite the regulatory environment being favorable at the moment, vehicle development typically spans several years. A potential 2026 “Blue Wave” could change the landscape dramatically and leave GM with substantial investments in a project that might not be feasible for production—similar to the challenges automakers have faced with their EV programs this year. As long as the political environment remains unpredictable, it’s unlikely any automaker will take significant risks. And let’s be realistic: even if the EPA were to cease operations tomorrow, bringing back the Camaro would still present risks. Just look at the Mustang sales figures.

      Have a tip? Reach out to us at [email protected].