Flybrian

Again, the number one reason why I'm baffled at the Corolla's continued sales figures. Forget plastics, power, styling, even equipment and look at it only from the above standpoint. The Civic is a car that doesn't feel like its going to shake apart or tip over during regular driving. Even the last Civic was more structurally-sound than most compacts on the market and the current one is a marked improvement over it.

Saab 9-3 Convertible, Now Available with Sand DETROIT – The sand often times conjures memories of walks on the beach with the fresh sea air swirling in and out with the tide. With the availability of optional tan colored top, in place of the standard black or optional blue colors, Saab 9-3 customers are now able to reminisce year-round in this robust four-season convertible. A Sand convertible top was only offered in 1993 and 1994 on the first generation convertible. After a 13-year hiatus, and many customer and dealer inquiries, the Swedish-born brand conceived by aircraft engineers, the option returns. “Saab is a customer-focused brand,” said Yanlin Sun, Saab 9-3 Convertible marketing manager. “Our customers and dealers alike asked us to bring back the sand ... so we did.” Since launching its first convertible, Saab has played a major role in advancing the popularity of open-top cars as a practical, all-year-round means of transport. The 9-3 Convertible's premium quality, sprightly performance, sporty styling and generous equipment levels attract those who long for cruising around in the open air. The Saab 9-3 Convertible is offered in the 2.0T and Aero trim levels priced at $38,240 and $43,845 respectively. As with all Saab models, the 9-3 Convertible comes standard with no-charge scheduled maintenance, the GM 5-year/100,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty as well as a 4-year/50,000 mile Limited New-Car Warranty.

Updated with press release info on first post as well as link to hi-res image gallery.

Exterior

GM @ Shanghai Buick Riviera Concept Image Gallery Buick Riviera Concept - Press Release Conceptualization Interior

The front end is absolutely horrible and I know exactly why they did it, to comply with the current ignorant EUROCAP and potential future international pedestrian impact safety standards that require an ugly, bulbous front end. Once the Europeans especially and the world community realizes how idiotic and misguided this approach to pedestrian safety is, we'll have good-looking grilles and fascias again.

Yeah, it looks neat.

The DX is there so Honda dealers can bait-and-switch people onto the lots with a ridiculously low MSRP/lease offer and bump them up to a realistically-equipped car for more $$$. The steering wheel is too small (I'm driving, not playing OutRun) and nothing beats a real HUD instead of the phony HUD-esque digital speedo readout. Otherwise, a decent compact if you really need a compact. Too bad the far inferior Corolla outsells it.

iDrive. Styling. The fact that there is a BMW everywhere. As someone said previously, 3er is the Camry of 'hip' markets, and that has all sorts of negatives along with positives.

The thing about that hearse is that its really a useless car. The exterior work so ornate you'd fear driving it anywhere and god help you if someone damages it in even the most minor way. I know I'm usually an advocate of "Drive it, stupid!" but something like that should be treated with reverance and kept in a manner that preserves it for what it is.

Well, guys, this is what I came across today... I mean, the guy seems sincere. He says he's found a car he likes and he went as far as to purchase it, but I don't know. He's almost bought cars before, and he technically hasn't taken delivery of this one. Some guy could knock on his door at midnight tonight and sell him a silver 2005 GTO for $500. All he has to do is get a replacement for the busted steering column and scratch out the VIN. Heck, I'll throw in the Illinois plates for free. So, in short, Amer_Rev says he's done car shopping. Should I buy it?

Really? Was Toyota's intention to have a bunch of GM enthusiasts who would never buy the 'box it came in' laugh their asses off at the hillarity of showcasing a gussied up version of a car you can't buy in place of the actual big 5-door Golf-looking thing they sell? In which case, bravo, Toyo!

Yeah? You read the fine print?Vehicle shown may not be drivable, under warranty, or street legal. What a bunch of 'tards.

None. But we got mugged by a security guard...sort of. And I won $5.00 at the casino. More on that tonight.

That image is definitely cool. However, the rest of the car is really just...ick. Gaudy, tasteless, and too eccentric compared to the svelte, dynamic models to follow and the ornate, elegant models that preceeded it. The '57 Chevies are icons, too, but there are better-looking cars even within the same model year.

'59 Cadillacs are a bit disgusting for the sheer overwroughtness of the fins. Its really all fin and nothing else. Plus, quality was abysmal compared to Cadillacs produces even the year right before.

Here's one tick in the Aura GL's favor - absolutely minimal loss of truck space. In fact, you still get a full 60/40-split folding seatback. More later...

I'm back. And I hope you all enjoy what I'm putting together this morning.

Well, I've taken some good notes and, as my flight departs in a little over eleven hours, I bid you all farewell and I will be back on Saturday with (hopefully) some answers and LOTS of pics!

The XUV concept would've translated very well with a manual midgate and weatherproof, manually-operated canvas top on the SWB Envoys.

Oh man. Its going to have one of those goofy hooded LCD screens like a Bimmer.

Look at the 1999 GTO concept. Mainly styrofoam, yes? In any case, it was a coaster that had no engine.

We're not? Been to an NHL playoff game? Seen two Puerto Rican girls go after one guy? Been shopping day after Thanksgiving?

This made sense when Saturn was 'independent,' but not anymore IMO. I know we've been through talks like these before and the truth remains the same: Saturn would've had a bigger dealer network and more 'acceptability' to charge what they're charging now. People were used to $30-36k Oldsmobiles since the mid-90s and they sold respectably.

Hummer H3 to spawn ute, V8, diesel versions With help from GM, Hummer will expand with smaller vehicles and more engines By BYRON MATHIOUDAKIS 16 April 2007 Link to Original Article @ GoAuto HUMMER will consolidate its upcoming H3 range in Australia from 2009 with a variety of new models that will include a compact SUV, diesel, ethanol and hybrid power, and a new full-sized H2. Central to this will be engineering and design input from General Motors’ global outposts, including Holden, but perhaps Hummer’s most ambitious plan involves a vehicle that sits below the H3 – currently the company’s smallest offering. Known as the H4 – although this may change by the time it appears around 2010 – it will give the Hummer brand a vital weapon in the United States against premium-priced compact SUVs such as the Nissan Murano. Hummer general manager Martin Walsh revealed that the H4 will be twinned with an upcoming compact General Motors platform, although he stopped short of saying which one it would be. "It will be another GM platform that will allow us to build a smaller vehicle," he says. John Heinricy, General Motors director of high performance vehicles, told GoAuto that GM’s engineering plants across the globe are intertwined in their new-model developments. "At GM, we work together like it’s one engineering organisation, so I can tell you that on various programs – not particular with Hummer – I’m in conversation with Holden on a weekly basis," he revealed. "We’re sharing knowledge, we’re sharing engineering. Holden does engineering for the US... it all fits together seamlessly." However, a Hummer insider admitted to fearing that its hard-won hardcore off-road image may be irreparably harmed if GM decides to go "soft" with the H4. He insits that Hummer needs to maintain its 4WD reputation by ensuring that all its vehicles have a separate chassis, short overhangs, class-leading approach, breakover and departure angles, ample ground clearance and signature Hummer styling cues. Mr Walsh also hinted at an even smaller model beyond the H4, if market trends – driven by spiralling fuel costs and increasingly punitive legislation against heavier SUVs – dictate a need for it. "Our growth will be downwards in terms of size," Mr Walsh says, adding: "Opportunities will lie in smaller segments." Nevertheless, he cites Hummer’s "iconic design" and leading off-road ability as keys to its success. "As we grow smaller, we must ensure that (Hummer) maintains these two characteristics," Mr Walsh emphasises. "We have to offer legitimate off-road capability – that’s where the real challenge is." In the United States alone, Mr Walsh believes that a smaller vehicle line-up could add between 30,000 and 40,000 sales to the 70,000-odd units (split between 56,000 H3s and 14,000 H2s) Hummer shifted in 2006. At the other end of the spectrum is the development of an H2 replacement. Also due out by about the end of the decade, it will again be developed off GM’s full-sized 1500/2500/Suburban truck platform. However, a greater emphasis on luxury, as well as right-hand drive engineering, should see the H2 II challenge vehicles such as the Range Rover Vogue and Lexus LX570 in markets outside North America. However, this does not mean that Hummer will be standing still with the H3, the brand’s sole global ambassador for the time being. As we reported last week, first up will be the long-awaited V8 version of the H3, to address this model’s single biggest criticism – its lack of performance punch. Dubbed H3 Alpha and on sale in North America from June, right-hand drive production for the V8 will commence at General Motors’ plant in South Africa early next year, with Australian sales following by the end of 2008. Around the same time, a diesel-powered H3 is in line for introduction, although exactly which engine it will employ remains a mystery. The H3’s short nose precludes most V6 installations, so talk is rife that Hummer will fit a derivation of the 2.0-litre common-rail four-cylinder turbo-diesel unit found in the Holden Captiva. Developed by VM Motori of Italy and produced by GM DAT in South Korea, a size increase to 2.2 or even 2.5 litres is a possibility. Hummer is also looking at E85 ethanol versions of its two petrol engine choices, as well as a move to biodiesel technology. In fact, within the next three years, Hummer will offer bio-fuel powertrains "...in every single vehicle application" according to one company spokesman. Further into the future, hybrid technology – including a predominantly electric powerplant with occasional fossil-fuel engine back-up as per GM’s 2007 Detroit show-stealing Volt concept car – could find its way into Hummers. An SUT (Sport Utility Truck) version of the H3 is on the cards, for a US launch in 2008. This four-door crew-cab model, with may be joined later on by a two-door utility with an extended bed for greater commercial-vehicle applications. Despite these developments, Mr Walsh believes that it is the smaller vehicles that will drive Hummer sales in Europe, the Middle East and Australasia, as the Americans drive into new markets and add more dealers in existing ones. Currently Hummer sells only 12 per cent of its output outside of North America. "Longer term I think we can get between 20 and 25 per cent," Mr Walsh forecasts. He declared that the three biggest issues facing Hummer are incorrect perceptions of price, size and fuel economy. The former initially affected H3 sales in America in its first year. Buyers incorrectly assumed it cost significantly more, simply because of its similar design to the larger and costlier H2. Mr Walsh points out that buyers are surprised by the relative compactness of the H3, claiming that it has the same turning radius as a Toyota Camry sedan. He adds fuel consumption is on par with most of its mid-sized SUV competitors. Mr Martin also admits that distancing the Hummer from the old military HMMWV (and its civilian H1 counterpart) might aid the company in gaining greater social acceptance in some markets. "There is still a high lack of awareness of what (today’s Hummer) truly is," Mr Walsh laments. "We are going hard trying to change consumer’s perceptions." Responding to criticism that his vehicles are out of step with the fuel consumption and environmental concerns of today, Mr Walsh vehemently defends Hummer’s place in this world. "Hummer is a niche vehicle. We feel we don’t have anything to apologise for. "We respect the right of people not to choose a Hummer as much as we respect the right for people to choose our product... However, in our future product plans we are incorporating the move to bio fuels and even more fuel efficient options as well." What's coming from Hummer: H3 - July 2007 H3 SUT - 2008 H3 Alpha V8 - Q4 2008 H3 diesel - 2009 H4 - 2010 H2 MkII - 2011