SUPERCARS’ GEN3 CHARM OFFENSIVE

The Gen3 charm offensive has begun.

Amid dissent and delays, Supercars is pushing back against doubts that next year’s big change will happen.

Following reported resistance to Gen3’s timing, switch to ‘crate’ V8s and adoption of automated paddle shift, an update appeared yesterday.

A photo of the bare Triple Eight prototype chassis for the Gen3 Chevrolet Camaro was issued to the media.

It is a tangle of tubing that gives little insight into the supposed road car look of the new Camaro Supercars racer.

New Gen3 chassis details were provided, but a frame is a long way from a completed car.

The final specs are far from finalised.

Supercars supremo Sean Seamer has said prototypes will begin testing “mid-year”, but even if that target is met, it is only the beginning of a rushed development.

Camaro homologation team Triple Eight has led the Gen3 chassis design process, with DJR and Ford Performance collaborating on the Mustang version.

Supercars’ mandate is that both will be faithful to the shape and look of the road cars, unlike the misshapen Gen2 Mustang.

The prototype Gen3 Mustang is being constructed on a chassis built by possible platform supplier PACE, which designed the Car Of The Future framework.

But building a chassis is a long way from a complete car.

Many key details of Gen3 have yet to be finalised – most contentiously, engine specs and gearbox actuation.

Balancing performance between 5.4-litre Ford and 6.2-litre GM crate V8s is questioned.

Although cheaper to buy, teams question why they need to reinvest when the existing five-litre V8s could be detuned to cut running costs.

Apart from Triple Eight and perhaps DJR, teams argue that the Gen3 timing is too tight for a cost-effective introduction in 2022.

All teams will have to build new cars – a significant expenditure even if they are half the cost.

Most teams doubt the target will be met, claiming extra costs if they have to rush-build new cars for next year.

As the dissent and debate continues, Supercars remains adamant Gen3 will happen in 2022.

As part of its counter offensive against Gen3 doubts, new details about the revised chassis design were released along with the photo of the completed Triple Eight Camaro prototype chassis.

As well as being 100mm lower and wider to accommodate low-slung coupe shapes, the Gen3 chassis features easily replaceable front and rear sections, addressing a long-running complaint about expensive COTF repairs, and improved safety.

“Front and rear sections of the chassis are removable, meaning accident repairs on the front and rear of the car can be more quickly executed,”

Supercars claims. “Critically, this will provide teams with a greater chance of keeping cars on track over a race weekend, especially after significant accidents.

“Additionally, there are a number of key safety developments; notably, the driver will be further away from the door than the previous car and there will be a small hatch in the roof to allow medical crews to treat a driver through an access point in the case of a serious accident.”

Seamer guaranteed the Gen3 Camaro and Mustang would be faithful to the shape and proportions of the road cars.

“Considerable work has also gone into the design and styling of the cars,” he declared. “They look incredible, and we can’t wait to release details and images soon.”

Expect regular drip-feed info from Supercars from now on to reinforce the impression that Gen3 is on target.

Engines and paddle shift remain obstacles.

The ‘flat’ sound of low-cost ‘crate8s’, as well as the changeover cost, is an issue, while opposition to automated electronic gearshifts is widespread.

Supercars faces an uphill battle to sell the change to Gen3 next year when many wise heads advocate holding off until 2023 to get it right.

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