Flybrian

I was about to remark about the affliction that ails the Sebring. It doesn't bode negatively on the CUVs because, well, they're supposed to look like that. But in film and in real life, the Sebring looks like a squished and distended older Sebring.

GM@NAIAS Chevrolet Volt Concept Image Gallery Chevrolet Volt Press Release and Specifications E-Flex Press Release

Sorry. That ass was for Satty... Croc, I've had it for about a year. Its not a Pearl. Its the generation before, whaich is why I hate it. Alas, its my work phone so its free.

I'm using my Blackberry so it s a pain to go back and correct errors. Ass.

The road to hell is paved...and striped and called Kennedy Blvd. in Tampa. Swerved to avoid a Galant who herself swerved to avoid some baglady who felt like walking out in front of traffic and I caught a ridiculously raised manhole cover. Sure enough, it put a whole in my oil pan. Bad news: it'll cost £1100 at the shop in labor alone. Good news: pan itself, I can get for £40. I'm going to attempt to do this with a friend of mine over several days next week (I have a Monte Carlo rental now). Sigh...

So is your mom but I don't watch her every day.

Aren't all headlamps 'altezza' lamps?

One step closer to me simply buying used.

If this is the sight picture you get through the scope, lay off the coffee.

Seeing that the Outlander was introduced as a 2003 model, that is a sad statement.

Mitsubishi Shows December 2006 Sales Increase Best Outlander Sales in Nearly Three Years CYPRESS, Calif., Jan. 3, 2007 -- Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., (MMNA) today reported December sales of 9,910 units, up 2.5% from last December's total of 9,673. "Much of the credit for this increase goes to the performance of the all-new fuel-efficient Outlander crossover SUV," said MMNA CEO Hiroshi Harunari. "We have high expectations for similar performance when we launch the new Lancer sedan in the spring." Outlander sales were 2,108 units up 225.8% from last year's December volume. This was the best month for Outlander sales since February 2004. Other December sales highlights: Eclipse Spyder closed at 604 units, more than ten times the sales in December of 2005. Eclipse coupe sales continued strong at 1,625 units, finishing at 26,385 for the calendar year, the best calendar year of sales for Eclipse since 2003. NOTE: The Daily Sales Rate (DSR) increase for December sales was 6.4 percent, representing 27 selling days in 2005 and 26 selling days in 2006. Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., (MMNA) is responsible for all manufacturing, finance, sales, marketing, research and development operations of the Mitsubishi Motors Corporation in the United States. Mitsubishi Motors sells coupes, convertibles, sedans, sport utility vehicles, and light trucks through a network of approximately 520 dealers.

**UPDATED** First post now contains full press release and additional photography.

tC Release Series 3.0 on Display at 2007 NAIAS January 5, 2007 – Torrance, CA - Scion, of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., announced today that the tC Release Series 3.0 (tC R.S. 3.0) will be on display at the 2007 North American International Auto Show and hit dealer showrooms beginning in mid-February. The 2007 tC Release Series 3.0 will come in a frosty Blizzard Pearl white and be decked out with a front and rear KenStyle® ground effects kit. Other tC R.S. 3.0 exterior features include darkened headlights, and a custom wide intake-style upper grille with a honeycomb insert that matches the lower grille. This package also has Scion Genuine Accessory clear LED taillights with unique gray trim. The tC R.S. 3.0 has black Alcantara® seats detailed with a gray perforated center seating surface on a white background. Alcantara® is a suede-like material often found in luxury or performance vehicles and on aftermarket racing seats. A Blizzard Pearl RAZO® weighted shift knob with black leather insert is also standard. A Pioneer six-inch subwoofer with 35-watt maximum power complements the standard 160-watt maximum output Pioneer audio system and is tuned specifically for the tC. This compact subwoofer is mounted in the under-floor storage area, keeping it out of sight and leaving the cargo floor clear. This unique vehicle is completed by an individually numbered brushed stainless steel badge. Only 2,500 units of the tC Release Series 3.0 will be built. The tC R.S. 3.0 model will carry a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $2,580 over the base price. The base MSRP for the tC starts at $16,400 for the manual transmission model and $17,200 for the automatic transmission model.

Go to our own GM Economy and Efficiency Guide to see what GM vehicles are SULEV.

Turning your a/c up or down two degrees seems kind of pointless when China and India are pumping out millions of tons of CFCs, doesn't it?

Hey. You mean Monaro. Don't insult it; its a two-door muscle car, not an ill-proportioned...thing.

Good. Better than their aimless Hybrid Accord and much better than any Toyota hybrid.

First six months of 2006 BLS 605 SRX 469 CTS 314 STS 210 XLR 58 Escalade 34 Various Models 109 Total Cadillac 1,799 'Various' probably means DeVille.

GM Europe 2008 Cadillac BLS Sport The 2007 Cadillac BLS Sport adds 18-inch wheels and lowered sports suspension for the front MacPherson struts and four-link rear axle. The chassis tuning ensures dynamic handling performance without compromising comfort and is designed to take full advantage of the range of powerful engines to give the dynamic performance that customers expect from Cadillac. The BLS Sport interior is highlighted by the use of stylish aluminum trim instead of wood and the circular instruments have white numerals and red needles on a black background. A three-spoke leather steering wheel and a analog clock in the center stack come as standard. Optional refinements include leather seating surfaces. Two 2.0 liter turbocharged gasoline engines respectively develop 129kW/175hp and 154kW/210hp, while a 2.8 liter V6 unit gives 188kW/255hp. The Sport also joins other BLS models in offering a direct-injected, common rail turbo-diesel engine fitted with a maintenance-free diesel particulate filter, developing 110kW/150hp). All units come with the choice of a six-speed manual transmission or an automatic with Sport Mode button, which allows the driver to select a sportier transmission shift pattern. The optional state-of-the-art infotainment systems include high-quality audio units from Bose, a DVD navigation system with touch screen operation, a Bluetooth-enabled cell phone system with a hands-free kit and remote controls on the steering wheel. The Cadillac BLS Sport goes on sale in January 2007.

Retro seatbelts? My '96 Olds have Mark of Excellence buckles!

GM@NAIAS Chevrolet Camaro Convertible Concept Press Release & Specifications Camaro Concept Image Gallery Camaro Concept Colors CHEVY CAMARO CONVERTIBLE CONCEPT DEBUTS AT NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW DETROIT – The Chevrolet Camaro concept was the celebrated star of the 2006 auto show season. You can only top that by literally and figuratively blowing the top off. That’s exactly what GM’s designers and engineers did to create the Camaro convertible concept. The introduction of the Camaro convertible concept was on the eve of the North American International Auto Show at GM Style, an exclusive, fashion-splashed event combining celebrities, couture and automobiles. The Camaro convertible concept, wrapped in Hugger Orange pearl tri-coat paint with twin gunmetal gray sport stripes, is based on the original Camaro concept, with only minor changes required to accommodate the convertible body style. “The best follow-up to last year’s award-winning Camaro concept is a Camaro convertible,” said Ed Welburn, GM vice president, global design. “The Camaro convertible concept instantly evokes an emotional response – it’s a vehicle that you want to make room for in your garage.” The Camaro convertible concept embodies strong heritage while appealing to a new generation of customers who seek a distinctive statement in a new car. “For some of us, an emotional bond was formed when we introduced the Camaro coupe last year,” said Ed Pepper, Chevrolet general manager. “It is magnificent. But now this year, if this Camaro convertible doesn’t make your heart beat faster, you should see either your optometrist or your cardiologist, because you have a problem.” Chevrolet already has announced production plans for the Camaro, which will go on sale in 2009. A production convertible model will be added later that year. Fun spirit Like the Camaro concept vehicle, the Camaro convertible concept blends a dramatic, forward-looking design that is mindful of the brand’s storied heritage. That design includes classic long hood/short deck proportions and a wide, wheels-at-the-corners stance that gives the vehicle the look of hugging corners even when stationary. The Camaro convertible concept is motivated by a torquey V-8 engine that rightly sends power to the rear wheels via a manual transmission. It also features a four-wheel independent suspension system and four-wheel disc brakes. “There is an undeniably fun spirit with the Camaro convertible concept,” said Peper. “The promise of fun made by the convertible top is reinforced with the Camaro’s ‘let’s go’ stance – it’s a car that begs to be driven.” The Camaro convertible concept shares exterior dimensions with the Camaro concept, although the convertible concept’s windshield surround, which features a bright anodized finish, is changed slightly to accommodate the convertible top. Additional design details include: Tonneau cover over the folded top “Halo” headlamps LED taillamps Rear spoiler with LED-lit CHMSL Racing-inspired fuel filler door Front-inlet hood scoop, inspired by the Corvette Z06 Heritage-inspired rear fender “gills” Anodized aluminum door handles Bold 21-inch (front) and 22-inch (rear) wheels, with accent color The Camaro convertible concept’s Hugger Orange pearl tri-coat color is a contemporary update of the classic hue, which was originally offered in 1969. It is complemented with twin gunmetal gray sport stripes. The modern interpretation of the classic color and its dark accent stripes simultaneously reflect the Camaro’s heritage and deliver a deep, lustrous and thoroughly contemporary appearance. The Camaro convertible concept rides on 21-inch front wheels and 22-inch rear wheels. The wheels have a deep-dish, five-spoke design and feature charcoal center sections with bright outer edges and a orange outline on the wheel edge. The charcoal wheels complement the gunmetal gray stripes on the body. Inspired cockpit Inside, the Camaro convertible features a simple yet purposeful interior that reflects design elements inspired by the muscle car era, including the first-generation Camaro. A new, light-and-dark color scheme enhances the airy feel of the convertible, particularly when the top is lowered. The seats’ fronts feature platinum-tone leather surrounding suede-like Alcantara® inserts, with black, sculpted seatbacks. The use of light color only on the seating surface is reminiscent of vintage houndstooth interiors, while a matching, tri-coat platinum paint is used to accent the door panels and instrument panel, giving a modern, bold feel to the interior. “The light-on-dark interior coloring makes a strong statement that conveys the spirit of freedom and fun that is embodied by a Camaro convertible,” said Micah Jones, interior designer. As with the Camaro coupe concept, the convertible concept features an instrument panel inspired by first-generation Camaros, including an intricate “round-gauges-in-square-holes” design. The gauges have a deep, three-dimensional appearance, with white faces and red pointers. “The instrument panel – including the four auxiliary gauges mounted in front of the shifter – pays homage to first-generation Camaros, while achieving a modern appearance through its refined integration of components,” said Jones. Craftsmanship and attention to detail are evidenced throughout the interior, including the smoke satin aluminum finish on trim plates, vents, seat handles and safety belt buckles. The shifter and pedals are made of billet aluminum. The steering wheel has a detailed, deep-dish three-spoke design and the front seats are hinged at the center – rather than the sides – for an integrated appearance. A separate ignition button is used to start the engine and the speedometer and tachometer needles complete full-sweep indexing when the engine rumbles to life. A “spine” motif runs through the center of the vehicle and on the seatbacks, including a prominent center console that stretches to the rear seat. The spine reinforces the symmetry of the Camaro convertible, as well as its precision. An attainable icon The original Camaro was introduced to the Baby Boomer generation, a large group of young, individualistic and mobile Americans that drove fundamental changes in the auto industry. The Camaro was personal, sporty and powerful – attributes that were typically found on more expensive, smaller and, often, foreign sports cars. The Camaro represented a real life-sized sporty car that was attainable for just about everyone. An almost endless list of optional features, colors and trim combinations ensured owners could tailor their Camaro to their exact taste. As Boomers transitioned into larger vehicles to accommodate growing families, younger drivers embraced used Camaros as their first cars, and third- and fourth-generations of the Camaro continued to deliver affordable fun and performance to a new generation of enthusiasts. Indeed, hundreds of thousands of owners of all walks of life have found driving fun in a Camaro during the past 40 years. The new Camaro concepts draw on their namesakes’ heritage, but also the global, youthful influences of the 21 st century. These influences are seen in the Camaro convertible concept’s bold proportions, tailored wheel-to-body relationship and detailed interior – including the multi-dimensional instruments. It’s a design that resonates with a generation of younger car buyers influenced by highly stylized “tuner” cars and import sports cars. “Youthful buyers want a car that makes a statement in its design as much as its performance,” said Brian Smith, exterior designer. “The new Camaro concepts bridge heritage with contemporary style, with a design that is simultaneously admired among import-influenced youth and traditional enthusiasts.” Along with style and performance, the timeless spirit of fun is woven into the new Camaro concepts. “Camaro has always represented the American ethic that style and performance don’t belong exclusively to the wealthy,” said Smith. “Camaro has always been everybody’s sports car, and these new concepts demonstrate its spirit is relevant for a new generation.”

Click the pics for higher-resolution images.

GM@NAIAS Chevrolet Camaro Convertible Concept Image Gallery Camaro Concept Press Release and Specifications Camaro Concept Colors Click the pictures for the high-res version!

Well, the blockiness works for a van because its more utilitarian. I like it. Nice interior, which is what counts. No one buys a van because it visually attractive. Everytime I see a Sedona I want to yak all over my dashboard, but that's not the point.

Oh, man. That's a whole 'nother can of worms. Can't drive if you have a herpes outbreak? Oh. Wait...