Trimnell1

This is why there was so much argument on the S.O.S. thread, if GM had taken the time to develop Kappa into a very flexible platform capable of both LHD and RHD, a variety of engines, and different bodystyles in the first place, then there would not be any discussion over what might have been. On one hand, I absolutely love the Sky and Solstice for what they are and what they represent for GM, I would buy one in an instant if I was in the market. On the other hand, I can see why Kappa from a business and numbers standpoint could be considered a big disappointment. In order to make Kappa II into the platform it should have been in the first place, GM would have to totally redesign it which means a big investment in money, resources, and time. If Kappa was highly flexible from the onset, they could have taken an evolutionary upgrade path like the Corvette C5 to C6. Like others have mentioned before, the Holden Torana concept was a great idea being based on Kappa. However, it was modified so much that what emerged could no longer be considered Kappa anymore, it essentially became a new platform that was nicknamed "Beta". Also, the Nomad and Curve concepts were great ideas but still showed the basic limitations of Kappa. Hopefully, this Daewoo will sell well so that the business case for Kappa II makes financial sense to GM. I'm all for a Kappa II platform that would give GM a huge advantage over the competition, but does GM have enough money and resources to devote to this project, being as it would have to be pretty much all-new?

The fact that the Northstar could not fit into the CTS engine bay is one of the reasons why GMX-322 has been widened. That and GM wanted to put all three Sigma vehicles onto the Sigma-wide platform used by the STS and SRX, so there could be more commonality among all three. The big question is if GM will use a Northstar variant as either a mid-level sport model or the V-series model, or will Cadillac continue using an LSX V-8 for the NG CTS-V even though it will be able to fit the Northstar. As for Zeta, I'm guessing there will be usage of both the LSX engines as well as the Northstar's replacement. The current Northstar is a huge, bulky, heavy engine (I know because I have one) that makes it hard to install in many vehicles, so hopefully the Northstar successor isn't too far away so that GM has a good variety of V-8 engines to choose from. Chevy would get the LSX V-8s while Buick recieved the DOHC V-8s.

Yeah, I'm thinking that if a Zeta Velite had been approved it would have very few options, only one very powerful engine available, a relaxed cruiser personality, and a pricetag in the high $30 Gs to low $40 Gs. Definitely NOT a car being aimed for the younger crowd. The current Northstar V-8 may or may not fit in Zeta, but by the time they go on sale here I don't think we have to worry about the current Northstar.

You're right Northstar, I try to respect other people's opinions and I don't have a problem with Krinkle at all. But if you come here and say something negative about me then I'm sure as hell not going to take it kindly. Like I said, I'm here to talk about cars and the auto industry, not to pick fights with people that I don't like or disagree with.

Hey Krinkle, why don't you take your attitude and go screw yourself? Sorry Northstar, but I'm not here to attack anyone and if I support evok then that's my business. If you don't agree with my opinions that's fine, but why be an asshole about it and go on childish rants against other members. How many more people must get pissed off with this site's constant in-fighting before the mods do something about it?

I agree with evok, there are so many "insiders" out there with so much crap info that it makes me laugh. Case in point, one of my customers thinks that he has a lot of inside car info, but the thing is his info comes from talking to the local car salesmen and reading the car mags. When he talks cars, he is so full of misinformation that I don't even bother correcting him anymore. So if I want the real story, I listen to evok and the other proven insiders because they're the ones with the genuine connections and info.

Hmmm, that's good to know that maybe some designers and engineers are doing some advanced design work on a small RWD platform so that if GM officially green-lights this project, it will shave some significant time off the development. If I remember right, GM has a host of future upgrades to keep the Solstice/Sky fresh so they should stay modern and cutting edge until/if their replacements arrive. On a related note, the June Motor Trend claims that the proposed Kappa Chevy Stingray is now dead but there is still a plan to install a 300hp HFV6 engine into the Kappa cars. Considering the source of this news, I take every future news story they have with a grain of salt, but if true then I wonder what will become of the 2.0L turbo if this 300hp V-6 presumably will go into the Solstice GXP and Sky Redline?

evok: So if this proposed Kappa II still hasn't recieved an official go or funding from GM, then we are looking at MY 2012 at the earliest before there are any Solstice/Sky replacements or a new line of small RWD cars for Pontiac. I agree with the assessment that GM should have made Kappa I a hell lot more flexible, that way the next-gen Kappas could have followed an evolutionary path platform-wise like the Corvette C5/C6 or GMT-800/GMT-900 programs. Now, since Kappa isn't flexible at all and money is very tight, does GM spend big bucks to make an all-new small RWD platfrom to totally replace Kappa or do the Solstice/Sky die after their run? Not to mention that this makes the future of Pontiac even more bleak, just like what we talked about at our "other" site before it shut down. I'll contact you soon so we can talk some more.

Message sent, although I might have accidently sent two copies of the same message to you. If you didn't recieve it, post here again and I will try again to get ahold of you.

So that's why you have a GMS discount right, evok? Count me in as one of the guys who really values your insider opinions and insights on this site and others that you post at. BTW, I (under a different name) enjoyed bantering with you on AH-HA's old site.

Wow, this looks like it will be a totally hot car just like all the people who have seen it said it would be. Sure there's still a lot of camo on, but from what I can see I think it's an aggressive and sophisticated update on the original CTS. Saturn may not blow away the midsize competition with the Aura, but I get this gut feeling that Cadillac may do just that to the other entry-lux cars. Couple that to an upgraded powertrain and the 60 Mins. interior shots and this is the car that I'm buying next year to replace my Seville.

Actually, the wood trim is listed as "Burl trim appliques" under the Aura XR options list. So if you don't want that wood trim, you don't have to order it. Too bad it doesn't mention if the standard trim is metallic or some other material; and also since croc brought up a possible optional nav system, there isn't one listed either.

Hmmm, great point skepticman, I don't know why I forgot the fact that the LS7 is a handmade and very expensive engine to produce. I don't think that Cadillac wants to up the price of the CTS-V by several thousand dollars, so if not the LS7 then I'm thinking either a Northstar variant or the UV8. They could continue with a small-block V-8, but this time around maybe they want to install a DOHC engine in it.

Josh: We all know that the Z06 comes with a manual tranny only, so do you know if the new CTS-V with the LS7 will be available with an automatic or will it still be manual only? The upcoming 6L90-E transmission will be able to handle the LS7's power, so hopefully Cadillac will offer both that and the manual to give buyers a choice and to broaden its appeal.

Man, what an incredibly gorgeous looking car!!! We all got a good look at it via the clay model photos, but seeing the finished product is amazing. When you watch the video, you can clearly see all the curves, bulges, sharp edges, and other design cues that make it look so much better then the Mustang and Challenger concept.