Variance

I feel all holly and jolly.

Buick Grand National/GNX (if you can find one): ...and a second on the 90s Impala SS:

Ok, here's my attempt.

Inside Info: Acadia Denali We’ve just spent the day in Silicon Valley driving GMC’s new Acadia crossover SUV, a Yukon-sized unibody powered by a 275-hp version of GM’s 3.6-liter V6 and six-speed automatic. Now GMC has the driving impressions embargoed until Sunday, so we can’t tell you what it’s like behind the wheel of this big beast quite yet. But we can tell you what we learned after conversing with one particularly cool (and loose-lipped) GM staffer: GMC will have a Denali version of the Acadia soon. It’s probably no surprise that GMC would plan an Acadia Denali—after all, the upscale Denali model of the Yukon accounts for almost 50 percent of Yukon sales. As a brand by itself, Denali clearly has legs. But we figured the Acadia Denali would essentially be a trim level with a swanky interior. Well, after speaking with our new buddy, we have confirmation that there will be a V8 under the Acadia Denali’s hood—and it will be from a brand-new family of V8s, too. If he’s right (and we have no reason to doubt him), this means that GM is developing a new engine family for transverse applications. He wouldn’t give any specs on the new powerplant, but if the 3.6-liter V6 in the regular Acadia makes 275 hp, the mystery V8 for the Denali version should make well over 300. And since the new Buick Enclave is based on the same platform architecture, we’d bet it will get that V8 too. And maybe in an even higher level of tune—say 350 hp. Now that sounds like our kind of crossover SUV. Popular Mechanics (Note: I really didn't know whether to treat this as a rumor or not but I'm giving PM the benefit of the doubt since they reportedly heard it from a GM staffperson.)

Just learned the "new" Focus is being shown in Detroit. Added. http://www.smartmoney.com/bn/on/index.cfm?...-1613&nav=pf_hp

Pricing: HHR Panel DETROIT – Chevrolet announced today that pricing for the new, segment-exclusive HHR Panel will begin at $16,750 (including destination) for a well-equipped LS model. Orders for the HHR Panel will begin in early January. “Priced at only $200 more than an HHR passenger model, the HHR Panel demonstrates tremendous value to business customers,” said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. “The HHR Panel is a model unlike anything else in the segment, offering commercial customers and expressive enthusiasts a bold, functional and different vehicle – and one that delivers more than 30 mpg on the highway.” The HHR Panel features windowless side panels and rear cargo doors in place of conventional rear doors. A flat load floor provides more than 57 cubic feet (1,614 L) of cargo space, along with approximately 5 cubic feet (141 L) of additional covered, under-floor storage. Inside, the HHR Panel has seating for two and a large, flat cargo floor. Tie-down points are located strategically on the floor. The LS model comes with a fuel-efficient 2.2L engine rated at 149 horsepower (111 kW). The LT model is equipped with a 2.4L engine rated at 175 horsepower (130 kW). With either engine, the HHR is rated at 30 mph in highway driving and can provide up to 450 miles of cruising range on a tank of gas. Power front seats, a family of radios with MP3 capability and OnStar are available on LS and LT models. LT models also offer XM Satellite Radio, 17-inch wheels and leather-appointed seating. There is also a rear power plug connector with available 40-amp service, for a variety of specialty equipment needs. This feature answers the call of upfitters, who asked for an additional power source to suit their specialty vehicles. OnStar with Turn-by-Turn Navigation is available on the HHR Panel, enhancing its value as a courier or delivery-type vehicle. OnStar Turn-by-Turn provides verbal instructions to assist the driver with right- and left-hand turn directions; and it establishes a new route if the driver needs to get back on track; for example, if a freeway exit is missed. [source: General Motors]

Spied: 2008 BMW M3 Cabrio ...and s'more coupe pics. M3 Post

Got some new cars to update the list from this source: http://americajr.com/news/naias/2007/concept-cars.html

Made a decision and today bought a 30GB Video iPod. The looks and accessory availability were the main things that won me over in the end. I immediately bought a clear case and am damn glad I did since prints immediately showed up on it the moment I touched it. I'd rather not test how easy it is to scratch. Can't wait for the inital charge to complete so I can try it out later. Thanks for the input everyone.

J.D. Power 2006 Customer Retention Study WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.: 6 December 2006 — Toyota leads the automotive industry in retaining the highest percentage of new-vehicle purchasers, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Customer Retention StudySM released today. Now in its fourth year, the study measures the percentage of new-vehicle buyers and lessees who replace a previously purchased new vehicle with another from the same nameplate. As a whole, the industry registers a slight decline in customer retention, falling to 47.9 percent, from 49.6 percent in 2005. The study finds that of more than one-half of the brands included in the rankings have shown some decline in retention rates since the study’s inception in 2003. “Declining customer loyalty results from considerable improvements in quality combined with a plethora of choices for consumers,” said Neal Oddes, director of product research and analysis at J.D. Power and Associates. “In some instances, new models, such as those in the rapidly growing crossover segment, can have a significant impact on customer retention for a brand.” With a 1.3 percentage-point improvement from 2005, Toyota (63.9%) replaces Lexus (63.2%) in the customer retention rankings. Toyota benefits from its reputation for exceeding customer expectations in terms of both short-term and long-term quality, which has helped to maintain the high resale value of its vehicles, as well as to expand its customer base. Honda retains its third-place ranking at 60.3 percent. BMW, improving nearly 7 percentage points from last year, jumps six places to rank fourth at 56.5 percent. This gain, according to the study, can be mostly attributed to improved customer service stemming from BMW’s introduction of a free vehicle maintenance policy for new purchasers. Bolstered by a 15 percentage-point increase from 2005, Suzuki achieves the largest gain in customer retention among all brands with a 23 percentage-point overall gain since the study’s inception in 2003. Several factors contribute to Suzuki’s improving loyalty rates, including improved short- and long-term quality, as well as the introduction of new models with better customer appeal. Suzuki customers are also often offered attractive purchase incentives. Also registering robust three-year gains are Nissan, advancing 8.2 percentage points from 2003, and Lexus, which gains 7.7 percentage points. “During the past four years, Nissan has had a remarkable turnaround in image and financial performance, due in part to stepped-up quality initiatives and improved resale values,” Oddes said. “The benefit of this is that the brand is retaining more of its customers than it did in 2003, which is helping turn around its financial performance.” Also worth noting is Cadillac, which, through quality improvements and a breadth of products, has achieved an increase in customer retention rates each year since 2003. The 2006 Customer Retention Study is based on responses from 138,630 new-vehicle buyers and lessees, of which 82,274 replaced a vehicle that was previously acquired new. [source: J.D. Power]

NHTSA Investigates Toyota Sienna and Two SUVs Toyota Motor Corp.'s 2004 and 2005 Sienna minivans with power rear liftgates are being investigated by U.S. safety regulators after reports of 14 injuries when the liftgates unexpectedly closed. The inquiry covers 142,418 of the minivans, Rae Tyson, a spokesman for National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, said Wednesday. The probe began Dec. 1. Gas in high-pressure struts that open and close the liftgates may leak because of a faulty seal, the Washington-based agency said on its Web site. [...] Toyota also said Wednesday it will ask owners of 159,100 2001-02 RAV4 small SUVs and 60,700 2001-03 four-cylinder Highlander SUVs to bring their vehicles to dealers to fix possible faulty check engine lights. The lights have been inadvertently illuminating. The faulty lights do not affect the vehicles' operation. Detroit Free Press

UAW Membership to Fall Below 500K UAW membership is expected to fall below 500,000 -- one-third its peak levels of three decades ago -- after Ford Motor Co. completes its buyouts of 38,000 hourly workers represented by the Detroit-based autoworkers union. The Ford buyouts, part of a sweeping restructuring plan, came months after 46,800 UAW members took early retirement or other buyouts from General Motors Corp. and Delphi Corp., its parts-making spin-off, which is in bankruptcy. Analysts speculate that the UAW, which must negotiate new deals with automakers next year, may need to merge with another union or at least drastically slash its own staff. But members say it needs to stay the course: protect current members as best it can, work to add members at suppliers and transplants, and try to break into other industries. Detroit Free Press

LaNeve: GM's Sales Slide has "Bottomed Out" General Motors Corp. U.S. sales decline has “bottomed out,” marketing chief Mark LaNeve told reporters in New York on Wednesday, and the company hopes to end a four-year slide in U.S. market share next year. “If we grow a tenth of a point next year, I’ll be thrilled out of my mind,” LaNeve said, according to a report from Bloomberg News. GM is counting on new SUVs and redesigned cars, pickups and SUVs to stop the fall, LaNeve said. CEO Rick Wagoner is to brief reporters and industry consultants on GM’s restructuring and plans for new models later today at a meeting in Detroit. Detroit Free Press

Preview: Kia Kue Concept Kia released a sketch today of the Kue concept that will be unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in early January. In the great tradition of concept vehicles that come before it, the Kue supposedly foretells what future Kia vehicles will look like. Showing that the Kue is not so pie-in-the-sky as we might think, however, Kia told Automotive News that it's built on a unibody platform, which makes it a candidate for an upcoming redesign of the Sorento that is supposedly being moved to a unibody platform for its next redesign in 2008. Autoblog

In fairness, AMGs are all autoboxes and people equate Lexus to Mercedes more than BMW.

I think that's the same engine used in the 3-Series. I thought the CTS-V had a different engine but I completely forgot about the TBSS.

About the lack of LS2... Each engine must be available in a regular-production, U.S.-specification model on sale no later than the first quarter of 2007 in a vehicle priced no more than $54,000, a price cap indexed to the average cost of a new vehicle. It's only available in the Corvette and that's not exactly a regular-production car, I think. How many Corvettes are made a year?

The Fairlane has been removed from the list. Ford will not be showing it in Detroit. For details: http://www.cheersandgears.com/forums/index...showtopic=13976

Ward's Ten Best Engines for 2007 *Audi AG 2L turbocharged DOHC I-4 (Audi A3) *BMW AG 3L DOHC I-6 (Z4 3.0si) *BMW AG 3L turbocharged DOHC I-6 (335i) *DaimlerChrysler AG 3L DOHC V-6 turbodiesel (Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec/Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD) *DaimlerChrysler AG Hemi 5.7L OHV V-8 (Chrysler 300C) *Ford Motor Co. Duratec 35 3.5L DOHC V-6 (Ford Edge/Lincoln MKX) *Ford Motor Co. 4.6L SOHC V-8 (Mustang GT/Mustang Shelby GT) *Mazda Motor Corp. 2.3L DISI turbocharged DOHC I-4 (Mazdaspeed3) *Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. 3.5L DOHC V-6 (Infiniti G35) *Toyota Motor Corp. 3.5L DOHC V-6 (Lexus IS 350) Ward,s Auto

I'm far from a pro but I'll give it a shot.

Yeah, I don't like that either... And yes, typos own me.

I'll say one thing for the CrewMax, the C-pillar doesn't look to be as ridiculously thick as the Mega Cab's. I sort of understand Dodge's reasoning for the Mega Cab as the Quad Cab was really an extended cab with forward-hinged doors, not really a true crew cab. Call it a case of overcompensation. Toyota's simply trying to out-big the "big boys" with the CrewMax and little more, IMO.

Preview: 2007 Toyota Tundra CrewMax December 5, 2006 – Torrance, CA - Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. will stage the world premiere of the all-new 2007 Tundra CrewMax full-size pickup at a press conference at the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The four-door CrewMax will offer the most room, versatility and storage in the Tundra lineup. Larger in every dimension than the model it replaces, the 2007 Tundra is available in 31 model configurations, with a choice between 4x2 and 4x4 drivetrains, and towing capacity of more than 10,000 lbs. This second-generation Tundra offers three cab styles, three wheelbases, three bed lengths, three engines, and three trim levels. The next-generation Tundra was designed and engineered in the United States and will be assembled exclusively at the company's truck plants in Texas and Indiana. The press conference will be held on Sunday, January 7 at 12:10 PM Eastern Time in the Riverview Ballroom in COBO Center and simulcast live to the Toyota display area at the show. A video clip of the press conference will be available for viewing following the event on the Toyota.com website. [source: Toyota Motor Sales] --- Here's a mediocre-quality spyshot until then:

Bricklin Out but Chery Still Plans to Come to U.S. Malcolm Bricklin's proposed partnership with China's Chery Automobile Co. is dead. But Chery's plan to export cars to the United States lives on, suppliers here said. "Chery is continuing to look at U.S. opportunities," said the head of China operations for a large U.S. company. The executive attended a Nov. 22 Chery suppliers meeting at a hot-springs resort in the Beijing suburbs. The source declined to be identified. A Chery spokesman said: "We don't have a time line to export to North America and western Europe. We would like to wait until we are a little bit stronger to enter those markets." Other suppliers confirmed that Chery is talking with several potential investors about developing and selling a Chery-brand car in the United States. The suppliers said it is unlikely any agreement will be reached soon. Autoweek

Rollover Airbags in All GMs by 2012 With a heart-pounding launch of a dark red Buick Ranier SUV traveling 44 mph off a one-wheel ramp, General Motors Corp. today will unveil its state-of-the-art $10.2 million rollover testing facility in Milford. [...] GM also will announce today that by 2012, it will make rollover-enabled air bags standard on all retail vehicles. Currently, the air bags are on 43 percent of light trucks and SUVs. At the new testing facility at its Milford Proving Grounds, GM will perform 150 rollover tests next year in an effort to better understand rollover crashes, unpredictable events that account for less than 3 percent of all crashes but 25 percent of traffic deaths. Nearly 60 percent of SUV fatalities are the result of rollovers. In fact, a driver is twice as likely to die in an SUV rollover as in a car rollover. The Detroit News