Northstar

Thanks for posting. I might agree that Ford has followed GM, but I think that GM will technically be following Chrysler with the future RWD cars, and they'll be following the Mustang with the Camaro. I'm glad to see they don't benchmark Fords but rather Toyotas. I see both good and bad in his response. It's good that he realizes that GM is behind Toyota in terms of perception and in some cases product, but I don't think it's good to basically give up and say Toyota has already passed GM. I think he may mean that three good Buicks might be better than seven average ones. I'm guessing Buick will get four or five vehicles.

Just a few minutes ago I saw an XLR, CL, and a Mitsu Gallant with a "VTEC" badge on it.

I think watercraft stuff would be pretty cool. Like a Sea Doo or Jet Ski type thing.

This is all time, but most of them are current vehicles. Chevrolet: Corvette Pontiac: Solstice Oldsmobile: 442 Buick: GNX Cadillac: STS-V Saturn: Sky Hummer: H3 Saab: 9-3 Convert

Reuters / August 25, 2005 FRANKFURT -- DaimlerChrysler and General Motors have clinched their deal to co-develop new hybrid vehicle technology, a GM spokesman said on Thursday. The partners had announced in December an agreement in principle to develop hybrids as they try to catch up with Japanese rivals on the fuel-saving systems that reduce harmful emissions. "We now have a binding and definitive agreement on development of a full hybrid system," the spokesman said, adding it took effect on Aug. 22. The automakers have said they will develop a "two-mode" hybrid technology that boosts both acceleration and fuel economy by 25 percent and can be used on a wide variety of vehicles. The deal teams GM, the world's biggest automaker, and German-American DaimlerChrysler, the global number five, against rivals including Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co. Ltd., which have a head start in the hybrid market. The "two-mode" hybrid system, adapted from GM's transit bus hybrid on the market in some U.S. cities today, uses smaller electric motors that work like a gear set to offer what the partners call superior performance and fuel economy. That allows the system to use a smaller conventional engine, making it more cost-effective than competitors' hybrids. GM will first use the system in late 2007 in its Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon full-sized SUVs, the spokesman confirmed. Chrysler will follow with a hybrid version of its Dodge Durango full-sized SUV among a range of hybrids. Daimler's Mercedes brand is also working on an application for rear-wheel-drive passenger cars, the spokesman added. DaimlerChrysler was not immediately available for comment. Hybrids burn less fuel by adding one or more electric motors to a conventional gasoline or diesel engine. The batteries help power the vehicle and recharge automatically by capturing energy during braking. The "two-mode" hybrid system will improve fuel economy at highway speeds and trailer towing ability, which are both key for the U.S. market, the companies have said. Toyota's Prius passenger car, first launched in Japan in 1997, has emerged as the most popular hybrid.

This sounds promising. So eventually the Gen IV will have DOD, VVT, VVA, and direct injection? Sounds like a big bump in HP and some fuel savings too.

I saw an ION RedLine on the dealer lot today that had the new black wheels for '06. It looked good and I think the Cobalt SS S/C would look pretty cool with those rims too. I also saw an Envoy Denali.

No, it's the production version of the Chevrolet S3X concept, but it won't be coming to the US.

Um I think it's white :blink: I didn't have time to read the text before because I had to run, but I think Edmunds is wrong on the intro date. I'm pretty sure they've been pushed up to 3rd or 4th quarter of 2006.

Let's see, I went on one in Universal Studios that was called the Rockin' Roller Coaster I think, and then I went on the Tower of Terror there too. At six flags I've been on Ninja (which is kinda mild), Batman (which I have a funny story about below), Mr. Freeze, and The Boss. They also had Excaliber which I went on, but it's not a roller coaster really. Here are some pics (they're big so I'm only posting links): Mr. Freeze: http://www.coasterforce.com/photogal/sfstl...0Freeze%201.jpg Batman: http://www.coasterforce.com/photogal/sfstl...L%20BTR%202.jpg Boss: http://www.coasterforce.com/photogal/sfstl...%20Boss%202.jpg Ninja: http://www.coasterforce.com/photogal/sfstl/SFStL%20Ninja.jpg Excaliber: http://www.coasterforce.com/photogal/sfstl...caliber%202.jpg While we (me and my friend) were waiting in line for the Batman, we met some weird guy from the American Coaster Enthusiats (some group that you can join and get discounts at parks sometimes) and he was telling us about all these roller coasters he's been on a stuff. Instead of just calling it Batman he called it "the ride Batman: The Ride." Anyways he's telling us how all Batmans are the same, and they're just mirror images of each other (the one in St. Louis is turns right at the little drop, whereas the one Variance posted turns left). Anyways he was really weirding me out by the time we got up to where you pick what row you want to be in on the coaster, and there's the sign that says "Batman: The Ride." Anyways he goes up to it and points "hey look guys, NAMTAB!" Neither my friend nor I knew what the hell he was talking about, and finally he explained that it's an "inside joke between Coaster Enthusiat members" that Batman coasters are really called NAMTAB because they're just mirror images of each other. So that's my story. :lol:

I don't think the S3X is coming here. It's for Europe only (and maybe other parts of the world besides N.A. too).

Here is another pic I scanned from Autonews. http://img361.imageshack.us/img361/1169/gm...truckspy2up.jpg

Well this is good news, I thought the BAS Hybrid was just going to be the belt alternator starter, and wouldn't have an electric model to go along with it. A powerpoint I have on GM fuel economy and future technology, it has the Aura getting the same system in early '07 and the Malibu (next gen) both getting it. Both are with the 2.4L as well.

I'd probably move the Torrent to GMC, move the Terraza and SV6 to the grave, and move the Aveo to Saturn.

Apparantly they don't think they can get rid of all the '05s in the last couple weeks of the discount and don't think they can get rid of them without it.

Yes, GM did most of the work on the new transmision. Both Ford and GM had a design and they went with GM's since it was further along. I'm guessing there is a 6T80E, because I'm guessing the Lambda V8s will have more than 280 lb-ft.

I wouldn't really call Buick a luxury brand, more of an entry luxury brand like Chrysler. The problem is that if Buick tries to move up with RWD cars and such then they're going to run right into Cadillac, and I doubt there are many people who would pick a Cadillac over a Buick. Buick should stay right where they are now in terms of pricing.

That looks really good gt1750! Nice job.

ToniCipriani - a Camaro convert wouldn't start at $19k so I don't think it would really compete with the Solstice for sales. However a Solstice coupe and a Camaro V6 might compete for sales. NOS - the GT500 doesn't have a Vette to run into at basically the same price range as a ZL1 would. I don't think many people would buy a $45k Camaro if they could have a Vette for the same price, unless of course they needed the back seat. Ford doesn't have anything above the GT500 until you get into six figure sums. If someone really wanted a super high-performance Camaro, they could just get an SS with the LS3 and supercharge it.

Woah, I don't think I had seen that before. That looks pretty good.

Besides the bar across the front, I'm not seeing many similarities.

Let's see here... Buick Terraza - leave the minivan game to Saturn and Chevy Pontiac Montana SV6 - there's nothing remotely sporty about a minivan Buick Rainier - fills the same slot as the Envoy Denali Saab 9-7x - doesn't fit into the Saab lineup, I'd rather see them get a crossover to replace it Pontiac Torrent - like the SV6, there's nothing remotely sporty about it. A FX35/45-like replacement would be fine, though.

Well if you're going to pay $60k for a ZL1 Camaro, wouldn't you really rather have a Z06 for $5k more? Again, the only thing I see reason for a ZL1 is for a back seat.

I don't see a need for a Camaro to have more than 425-450HP. If there were to be a ZL1 with say 475HP, who is honestly going to buy it for $45k or whatever over a base Vette that will have 450HP by that time? Unless you REALLY need the back seat (if it's even usable), what's the point? I guess a V6 model would be acceptable for lowering insurance costs and whatnot, but isn't insurance pretty expensive on a Camaro V6 anyways since it's probably classified as a sports car too?

I didn't notice before, but it appears that there is a S2000 running through the cones behind the Solstice. They were probably doing some comparison tests or something.