[BigAls87Z28]

The 5.3 is a great option for people who dont want a 400hp V8 engine car due to whatever reason. Enthuisasts will always buy the top performance model. Any regular person buying the top performance model bought it because they heard about how "cool" it is. The V8 segment is ruled by enthuisasts, not average people. Someone who might want a V8 Camaro, but migh tnot have the cash to spend for a 30-35kk 400ish hp Camaro, or the means to insure the thing, might get 80% of the performance and thrill out of a mid range 300-350hp V8 engine.
Look at generations past. The RS model gave you a V8 engine, and some style that made it look more like the higher end models, something with some flair. In the 4th gens, there was no mid range. It was a 200hp V6 that was in a base model interior, or you had to pop north of 27k for a 325hp V8 version. Not EVERYONE wants a 500hp Camaro.
As for the 6.2 costing a lot, yeah performance is gunna cost you!! I dunno if you checked out that sticker on the GT500, but you cant touch one with out 50 large. And it cant even out-perform a base C6 Corvette, lets not compare how it would just be slaughterd against the Z06. Hell, the Z06 beats the Ford GT, so no way in the world was that hunk of cheap **** Mustang gunna be able to keep up with the Z06.

The biggest thing Camaro has going for itself is its a better complete package. Where Ford cheaped out with solid axle and cheap interior matierals along with using a truck V6 and transmission, Camaro's base will come from the Sigma-Chassis, a very well put together fully independent suspension, equiped with higher end materials and better quality. And as for peformance, Chevy will always be there.
Now, I never said that the 6.2 will be the top. Bob Lutz himself said that if things get squirly, that the LS7 is ready to go up higher in performance, which has been seen by a handful of tuners that have tinkered with just a touch bigger cam and tuning, putting it into the 600hp range.
Could Chevy build a 500hp GT500 chaser? Im sure they could, and It would probably be faster, but why? Why chase after the Mustang that clearly is more hype then anything else? Chevy should worry about the core sales first, get things back up to speed. Then, start to really lay into the Mustang and others in the segment.