hyperv6

This is an example of what Bob Lutz did at GM. He cut the BS out and told the engineers and MFG to built the cars the way they need to be built and not wait for someone to tell them to do it that way. In the past no one was given the power to fix things unless told. GM has had the people to build cars like this but they were never told to do it and would get in trouble if they made changes on their own. Mark has carried this on and now has the funding to do more. The only thing GM is hurting on yet is time. It takes time and man power to get product out and even working as hard as they are it will take some more time to see all the changes. I like how they stated that Cadillac is now working on more models than at any point in their history. If they do as they did with the ATS we may see an amazing change with Cadillac in the public eye.

Autoweek has published the first ATS full test and from what they find they feel it is world class and has what it takes to compete. I have always found Autoweeks reviews generally the most balanced and fair in the media market [not counting those here]. They have tested all three engines in the RWD model and they love the car. In all areas it is either best in class or as good. Here are some of the highlights. Interior is A4 matches build quality and is better than the # series. The ATS is lightest in class by 113 pounds and the weight loss is not due to anything that will contribute to noise or harshness. In other words Cadillac did not take the easy way out. Brakes best in class. Ride Handling and Balanced are among the best in class magnetic shocks or not. V6 strong meatiiest and smooth 2.0 Turbo is strong linear quiet NHV 2.5 has more NHV than the 2.0 Trubo but is better than the C class, Not rough and is a good honest not frilly car. The 2.5 might be the best bargin of the bunch. V series almost certain to not be a V8. Cadillac is not working on more new models now than at any point in their history. Engineers are no longer marginalized. Sounds as if the coupe is still game on. Suspension will use same settings world wide. AWD was not tested but will be available in August. 6 speed tranny was good and only had a small hic up but they thought the less gears than the others made it less busy. Manual shifter was not the best but good enough to be in the mix. The harshest words were for the thick A pillars and mirrors for blind spots but they said that is just part of todays cars and really made just a passing comment. The ATS is light agile and fun and Cadillac has met their objectives. So all those who had little faith you can rest at ease and know that the CTS and Camaro look to have good futures based on this first Alpha.

These special models are just what they need to keep things going. I love this car but it is starting to look a little old since we lived with it since the show car till production and since then it has not really changed it's look. I am excited about the new Alpha one coming based on what we do know and can only imagine the suprises we don't know. The styling is the only thing I really wished I knew more on. It has to make a statment but be very driver friendly. I also hope they can hold the line on price with the next one. They can not afford for this car to get any more expensive for the younger buyers. I hope they keep a very sporty lower priced one to go with the higher priced special editions.

I too like Agile. Short simple sends a message. That is as long as the car handle very well. I could see the comments if it was a poor handler. It would be like then Jeep intro'd the Compass and guess what was not included in the Compass? Anyone take note of the bike rack that folds out of the rear bumper? Very nice detail along with the many tech features the younger people look for today. If it does become a Buick I wonder how long till we see one with American flag on the roof? With the coming CAFE I would not be suprised to see both this and the Astra GTC both here. This would add the youth products to Buick that would draw in people under 50.

You do well enough without the emblishments.

I have no issue with you other than immature rude comments. Sorry for the typo's but I never claimed to be a top Typist and they happen. I am far from the only one here that makes them. It is what it is and if it bothers you that bad skip my post. The fact is poor behavior and rude character compromise more than any mis typed post. How one treats others means more than anything else. I am sorry it came to this but you just did not want to do it the easy way when I sent the PM the last time. As of now you know where things are and lets move on.

If you were going to dip back for a name Buick/Opel name of Manta would work for me.

I must've lost you with "advocate". Let me restate: I did NOT suggest using prior nameplates. The issue is that a LOT of the current general crop of made-up word/names carry no meaning, no image. I don't know if having an "open mind" matters when there's no image to process at all. But there are still a few usable names out there that CAN convey an image, and a 'new' fresh one at that (I'm fairly amazed that 'Sonic' hadn't been used before now). My wondering was if there was anything left in the pool where LeSabre & Electra came from. They have dynamic sounds, and that (like 'Sonic') conveys something. "David" is horrendous. Haven't seen anyone suggest "Dunbar", but that's awful, too. The other thing that absolute MUST DIE is the practice of self-limiting a brand to 1 or 2 beginning letters of the alphabet, as if coming up with invented words isn't hard enough already. Names are not unimportant, but on a scale of 1-10 they rank about a '2' where product is the '10' and marketing (apart from name) ranks around '6-7'. I fully understand you are ok with a new name for this car. No issue there. Just the same I not fully against an old name when used at the right time on the right product. Too many times companies cop out to the easy or cheap way out on names and either go for a number or old name. I feel the same with respect to some retro styling. At times it is good others it is just a port excuse for originality. In the long and short there is a place for everything just picking the where and when is the hard part. Also the lack of originality is a issue in more than one area. The David was just a joke as noted on my post. Not a good one but just a joke all the same. But today we also should not read too much into a name. Just look at some of the best selling products in the world. Today it is the product and what it will do for you vs the name. In the paste you had to paint an image today people are right to the point and just want to know what the product will do for them. Some of todays best selling products have simple and plain names. Just look at the electronics field alone. I phone, X Box. etc. Todays market is looking more at the product than image in many cases. That is how they sell so many Camrys as it is not on styling or name.

Made-up names don't convey much more than alpha-numerics, but it is good IMO that Buick has avoided A-Ns for the most part. The real problem is not the process of registering a name- that is unchanged in our lifetimes. The issue is that there's not much left to choose from, hence things like 'Velite' & 'Verano'. What do you think these convey to Buick's sought-after new buyers (which, BTW, they have been acquiring for many years now). THIS is where the time/money come in; clinics & polls, greatly expanded legal searching, just to invent something that sounds 'good'. And if you read my post clearly, I did not advocate using a prior nameplate, but a new one in that same vein. Again- I'm not sure what's left from that pool, tho. 'Enclave & 'Encore' are terrible, tho. My father bought LeSabres, in '89 & '90. Still doing very well & driving everyday. He's got a Lucerne now, and is only a tick above Buick's ABA. Your disdain for heritage has caused you to overstate this greatly. I do not have a disdain for heritage when I see it as a positive. This is what I see at Buick. #1 They are going to cars like the Verano and hopefully the two other small Opel. They are unlike anything Buick has really offered so I think new names are in order. The past names really do not apply. #2 Old names like Electra, Wildcat and Riviera would be fine as they have been off the market for a long enough time many buyers today would not relate them to the past 15 years easily. The Riv was a name that never got tarnished too much. #3 Names like Lasabre are good names but need to sit out for while. I would have no issue with a new larger Buick coming back as Lucerne. I just see it hard for a company to reinvent itself when they go to names that were used on cars that have reps for being old people cars with the non GM buyers. The fact is GM buyers will keep buying them no matter the name but it is the non traditional GM buyer that needs to be brought in with no preconceived ideas. The bottom line is the new smaller Buicks need to bring in new younger buyers and I see new names being the key. We want them to come with an open mind. I Also think the old names should be used wisely. Too often a good name is placed on a car and damaged. I think they need to use old names but make sure it really fits the car. I really would love to see the Wildcat come back but Buick has yet to make a car that would fit the image yet. One day I hope that changes. So I really don't hate old names as I just look at who the division is trying to attract and will that name help or hurt. with a younger age group. The Lacrosse whould have been an Invicta. It fit much better. As for Le Sabre it is too soon to bring back. While it was a good car and name for Buick it was not ment for the market they are trying to make gains in today.

Better fix your profile. They say the difference between being Immature or being a A hole is age. Now we know. Now back to the topic.

I don't even care enough about a couple of $25k cars with gutless engines to even bother bashing them for the badge engineering. The interiors on both are poor also. This is not about what you think but about the media that trashes GM but lets Toyota get away with doing the same thing.

Just grow up! For Gods sake your 42 years old. Enough people have left this web site as it is and we do not need you driving more away.

This like the Verano are new cars to Buick and nothing in the past really applies here. There is no reason they can not come up with some kind of new name to apply here. The only issue with new names are the time and cost involved getting them registered. Buick is trying to convince new buyers they have changed and that is hard to do when you slap an old lable on the car. Most of those who bought all the Lasabres in the 90's are no longer driving if they are even alive. Just be happy Buick has stayed with names at this point. Letters and numbers are cheap to gain the rights for them.

Not too hard to lose someone like you!

How about something origina for once? They call theirs the Adam we could call ours the David as In David Dunbar Buick. LOL! Just kidding.

Ok with the grill but the Kadett name MMMMM NO!

The way I see it the 500 is a piece of crap but Fiat is going to make a ton of money with it. GM may as well just on the band wagon and make the money too. I feel they can do a better 500 with no issue. I have said for a long time GM needed a Mini fighter. The nice thing with Opel is it has the Retro look but does not carry the baggage of being based on a Retro design. This will give them freedom that Mini and Fiat struggle with. They need to expand what their cars are but they have to work in the box of keeping it retro enough so it retains the image. Opel or Buick would be free to create their own look while making it modern retro.

This guys will be your new Buick. [They could call it the David? LOL!]. The car would do well here as a Buick as it would be priced in the Mini Range.If GM did not intend on bringing it they will with the sales of the 500 taking off. While it is not my kind of car I do like how they came to a retro image while still using the present Opel lines. The two lines are much like the the other Opel and should look fine in person. As I have read the new Spark was loved by review by MT and the only snipe was the stying was subjective. This car should provide a even better car at a little higher price point. I would price it even with the Fiat and just under the Mini. It would fill the market here well as people here so like small cute Hatches. Note the Cute is key to hatch sales. I would give an option on the roof color.

Well we can see from the present photo's the trucks basic shape is pretty similar. We do know the widshield will be raked back much more than the present. Also as you stated the bodies between the GMC and Chevy will be changed enough that you will not have to see the grille to tell what one it is. These are all good things. It has been stated MPG will be advanced so I expect a lot more weight loss with the use of Aluminum like Ford has started to use. We may see even more plastic. As for the Engines the HP and MPG are the only two factors that will really suprise. As for the new 4.3 have not heard of it being based on the 6.2. The most I have seen was that many expect the 3.6 to be put into the vehicle as it is one of most used GM engines today at GM. DIesel and Turbo engines will come into play too somewhere. I see a complete new truck but as with most good selling lines I just don't see a wow I can't believe they did that kind of changes. There is a lot that the Trucks will need to change but non of the companies are going to Hail Mary anything as they are selling too well to take a chance to screw something up. The last time we saw someone take that great of a risk was Dodge witht he Ram but they were in a really bad place and needed that Hail Mary then. The trucks were pushed like the new Malibu and with the luke warm Malibu Being only released as an Eco I wonder if they will just hold them till they are farther along with all the new things to make a better impact. 6 months would be worth the wait. The new Malibu is a much better car than we have seen yet but first impresstions are lasting and the Eco while is a nice car far from represents what the full on Malibu will be.

It also is not easy to sell multiple coupes based on the same chassis under the same brand anymore. Just watch how the Subaru and Scion will fight for the same buyers with there new coupes. Funny how no one is bashing them for badge engineering like they did the F body.

Not going to happen. Unless Delayed the new Camaro is expected 2015. The weight loss of the new car will be a God send to this car as it will not only improve Acceleration, to a greater degree handling and braking. It will become a true 3 dimentional car. Mix in the Magnetic Suspension and it will clearly be a car that will over shadow the new Subaru, Scion and the future Mustang unless Ford can perfect a better suspension package that they have just started on. The new Camaro will shadow the ATS with engines like the 2.5 base and then a Turbo Eco on to the Turbo V6 and then the V8. Look for the V8 to be in only the most expensice model. I do not see another coupe in the Chevy line up and if it was it would not be performance related. I think your 130 R was a hint at where the Camaro was going. Not so much in styling but size and driveline. GM has no use for two performance coupes that would be based on the same platform. Better to move it to Buick and do a coupe that would offer performance and more luxury. Something with a more Audi like flavor. Say like replace the Regal with a Alpha based coupe since the Verano has moved so close to the present Regal.

I think we will be seeing changes soon to the Lacrosse in platform and price. It has to move up along with the other Buick too. I see the next Regal seeing changes too since the Malibu has caught up. This is just part of where GM just does not say much on future products anymore.

I get to see advanced copies because of our advertising department. It should be out in the next couple weeks.

Just caught a advanced story on the MT first drive. They were impressed even after a shorten run. They liked the styling and vs the Taurus they said it was more quiet, rode better and handled better. Note this was compared to the non SHO model. They noted the car did not feel as tight as it should but it was a hand built preproduction car and they said that is normal and was taken in consideration. They even compared the Taurus as being more Crossover like with its tall roof. They noted that the LTZ is loaded and is much like the Lacrosse in quality of interior. It will also be just over $40,000. The LT model has had a lot of work put into it and it will be very impressive even as a lower level model at a lower price. It should be priced in the Ford SE range. It was pointed out that the Impala will sell in lower numbers but will give Chevy a better return per unit. They like how the Impala will be for comfort and the Supersport will be used to fight the SHO. The one question they did have is which one will be the Flagship for Chevy. They also said this will help the Malibu much buy not having to compete with the old Impala anylonger are large discounts. Note too they has a small piece on the coming non Eco Malibu. They like the new 2.5 and expect the 2.0 Turbo to do well. The new engine is 40% quieter and it shows. The new Malibu will be the most quiet in class. The interior quality is is called a overlap of Buick plushness and quality. There was some chome that they claimed stood out for the wrong reasons but other wise they liked it. No comments on rear leg room but they seem to like the car and have no great issues other than the chrome. Another first drive on the Spark also stated if you want a small car pass on the Smart and IQ and go to the FIat 500 or Spark. The Spark is not for everyone but it was as good in class as you will find. They left the styling subjective but other wise they had good things to say.

I actually think the ATS looks a bit boring and a bit too like a Chevy. It just doesn't look all that expensive to me. I actually hope the CTS is far less plain and actually more aggressive looking than the ATS. ATS just isn't exciting to look at. The current CTS looks chunky and blocky to me, I hope they can streamline and and make it more athletic looking. Have you even seen a ATS in person?