The Future of GMC

[Flybrian]

GMC: Crossing over this fall

Automotive News / August 21, 2006 - 6:00 am

Acadia: GMC adds a mid-sized crossover called the Acadia for the 2007 model year, built on General Motors' new front-wheel-drive Lambda architecture. The Acadia will be GMC's first crossover and will hit dealerships this fall, soon after Saturn launches its new crossover, the Outlook. The vehicles share the same architecture.

The Acadia has three rows of seats and can seat up to eight people. It will be powered by a 3.6-liter, V-6 engine capable of 267 hp.

Small crossover: GMC will not get a small crossover. Such a vehicle had been penciled in for the 2009 model year, developed on a shortened version of the Theta architecture used by the Chevrolet Equinox. Chevrolet won't get a small crossover either. With the crossovers on the Theta and Lambda architectures, executives now believe the automaker has enough crossover models.

Envoy: The Envoy likely will face the same fate as the Chevrolet TrailBlazer: It will be discontinued. High gasoline prices and disappointing sales are to blame. No time frame has been set. GM executives believe the Acadia will meet the needs of most Envoy and TrailBlazer buyers. Additionally, the Acadia will offer better fuel economy and more interior space than the Envoy.

Yukon/Yukon XL: The restyled and re-engineered 2007 models are on sale.

Canyon: Styling of the mid-sized pickup will be freshened for the 2008 model year.

Sierra: The light-duty Sierra pickup will be restyled and re-engineered for the 2007 model year. (See Chevrolet Silverado entry on Page 31 for details.) The heavy-duty Sierra will be re-engineered and restyled as a 2008 model. The Sierra is likely to be freshened for the 2010 model year.

Minivan: When GM's current minivans die, only two GM brands will offer the next generation: Chevrolet and GMC. The 2010 GMC minivan will share GM's Lambda vehicle architecture with the 2010 Chevrolet minivan. Front-end styling is expected to be unique. The GMC model may be called the Sorrano.

Savana: No major changes planned.

[Variance]

Small crossover: GMC will not get a small crossover. Such a vehicle had been penciled in for the 2009 model year, developed on a shortened version of the Theta architecture used by the Chevrolet Equinox. Chevrolet won't get a small crossover either. With the crossovers on the Theta and Lambda architectures, executives now believe the automaker has enough crossover models.

Good move, IMO. Keep it simple.

Minivan: When GM's current minivans die, only two GM brands will offer the next generation: Chevrolet and GMC. The 2010 GMC minivan will share GM's Lambda vehicle architecture with the 2010 Chevrolet minivan. Front-end styling is expected to be unique. The GMC model may be called the Sorrano.

Why? I see no purpose for a GMC minivan especially with the Acadia coming which is more than sufficent. There doesn't need to be a GMC version of every Chevy truck and SUV, GM. This is redundant in more ways than one.

[Bimmer325]

If any brand should offer a minivan aside from Chevy, it should be Saturn.

[Dsuupr]

Glad to hear 2008 is an update for the Colorado / Canyon vehicles. Not bad chassis, just cheap looking.

[Derek77]

The horsepower numbers for the Acadia have changed. It will now have 275 hp @ 6600 rpm, 251 lb-ft of torque @ 3200 rpm

I'm guessing these are SAE certified numbers. GM listed it at 267hp @ 6600 and 247lb-ft @ 3200 pending SAE certification.

[GMTruckGuy74]

There doesn't need to be a GMC version of every Chevy truck and SUV, GM. This is redundant in more ways than one.

begin rant How this should be worded is like this: there shouldn't be a Chevy version of every GMC truck and SUV. Remember, GMC is the totally-dedicated truck divison of General Motors and should have every version of a GM truck in it's stable. GMC is a highly recognized nameplate (look at their demographics - higher income levels, more professional careers, etc over Chevy truck buyers) and brings in a lot of $$$ for GM. This old hierachy thinking that Chevy trucks are more important needs to finally come to an end. They couldn't even get the SSR right! And Caddy needs to give the EXT to GMC. end rant

[loki]

The horsepower numbers for the Acadia have changed. It will now have 275 hp @ 6600 rpm, 251 lb-ft of torque @ 3200 rpm

I'm guessing these are SAE certified numbers. GM listed it at 267hp @ 6600 and 247lb-ft @ 3200 pending SAE certification.

183332[/snapback]

cool, just curious where you found this? allways good when it's more power than what they were "prereleasing" it as

[Derek77]

cool, just curious where you found this?  allways good when it's more power than what they were "prereleasing" it as 

183494[/snapback]

GM's Online Ordering Guide.

[loki]

GM's Online Ordering Guide.

183511[/snapback]

ah.

[GMC]

Let the rich own Escalades(Actually pronounced ESS cal AD ay, which is spanish for climb or scale), Let the Posers(Laughs) and Foremans of the job own Denalis, and let the workers own big ol Chebbies and GMCs! Let Saturn have a minivan, this will make GMC look wimpy to most. I know vans are cool, but most non gearheads think otherwise. Well heres what one might look like, meet the 07 Sorrano, a replacement for the Terraza!

[GMman]

In the October Car and Driver 2007 New Cars issue, the write up on the GMC Acadia mentioned that it "uses the so-called high-feature 3.6 liter V-6, making 267 horsepower".

They hate giving GM credit for having excellent engines.

The Acadia looked great though.

Edited September 1, 2006 by GMman

[Flybrian]

Kinda like Motor Trend is the so-called source for information?

[Dragon]

at first i was against a GMC minivan, but I've changed my mind.

The last 2 companies have bought minivans instead of panel vans because they use it to move both equipment (whith the seats removed) or people (with all the seating in). So there is definitely a “professional” market out there for it.

I've seen what smallish families can do to a minivan. I have no doubt some families NEED a professional grade minivan too.

[FAPTurbo]

I'd still rather that Buick got the upper end van, but I guess a GMC would do fine.

I think Saturn would do well with Opel's Meriva, a smaller van which would compete with Mazda's 5.

[NOS2006]

Actually, they lied. The Acadia is capable of 275 HP right from the factory. I'm sure it could EASILY hit 300 HP with some minor intake, exhaust, and tuning work... maybe even just intake and exhaust!