hyperv6

Take no notice of this. You have a reporter who does not know cars reporting on a Engineer who is tuning a car that he has yet to find the limits nor can he say yet what it will do. At this point we know it will be better than 32 MPG and how much remains to be seen not just by us but even GM. THe car is only about 70% complete and still is doing a lot of testing, reprogaming and adjusting. Just to note the Cruz is said to get 44 MPG in high mileage form. I would think we would see that as highway mileage and or better with some electric help with that. But this is all being sorted out.

Neat story. I have some pictures of the Sunfire name on the prototypes. The thing I find strange is that I have met and been able to spend time with many of the key players on the Fiero over the years. The odd thing is they all have different stories on the naming of the car. Some add up and some sound as if they contrived by marketing and to this day many of these guys still hold to the odd stories. It was amazing this car ever got built with the politics from GM and withing Pontiac. I wish someone would write a book on the whole project and put out the truth on may of the things this car went through. It is a good snap shot of how GM worked [or to be honest did not work]. This is a book that would make On A Clear Day You Can See GM look like the good old days. One name that was very close to being picked was Fiamma. Now that is one that just rolls off ones lips. I also have a few shots of the odd mules that were not yet production bodied and they sported Subaru emblems.

GM made it pretty clear they would not just hand Opel over just for the hell of it like Hummer. They have since late Summer looked for a way to strengthen their position. In a away I think almost feel they have done what they have done to shake up the German goverment who was forcing the deal. It is hard to believe GM did not know the Honets Nest they shook up would not have happened. By the time this is done they may retain the company and have the German and Euro support along with it. This has been a epic battle on many fronts and still a lot more to yet play out.

Chevy had a Ride and drive with Camaro's, New Nox and Hybrid Silverado's a couple weeks ago. If you pay the ticket you could drive the Camaro like you stole it. I must say they had a very brave staff riding along.

Compitition is good. For a company that has been doing Chevys Advertising it should be a wake up call and to take the cruise control off.

Checkout a Cobalt SS and see what GM can do with a FWD if they want to. It is as fast as a Camaro at the Ring. Also it will not knock you fillings out. It was even faster than a Mustang GT at VIR. Not bad for a FWD.

Torques steer while not gone is well controled in many of the higer powered GM cars today. Mine with more power and torque has a little pull but will not rip from your hands as in the past. While RWD is still better the GM FWD's with near 300 HP are very acceptable. It is no where as bad as the SSEI I used to have with only 240 HP. That one had you looking at the ditch often. Even my 260 HP GTP is not as good either. The performance group tuning has done a good job. As for fuel mileage. I have a tall not too aero HHR getting 23 City and 31-32 highway with an automatic. I find this acceptable for 3200 pouns and 290 HP. Tubo's VVT and DI is the key to it all. VVT and DI loves Turbocharging. Gone are the days where you had to rev the piss out of a DOHC 4 banger to get it to go anywhere. I never drove a 4 cylinder I liked till last year and I love it. As an option to this I would rather see a 2.8 V6 Turbo with DI. What ever Buick offers it needs to have a turbo to offer the advanced technolgy in this class vs just putting in a 3.6 Malibu engine.

It under normal driving feels and sounds more refind as it make more power and you don't have to really hammer on the engine to move the vehicle like most underpowered 4 cylinders. The power curve is pretty flat as it makes the power low and holds it through the range well. With just a crack of the trottle you can see 12 to 15 PSI with low revs. I just saw 24 PSI the other day for the first time. It will put 3200 pounds into the high 13's and still deliver 31-32 MPG with a tall vehicle. Even the 3.6 will make some noise at high RPM's. It is quiet and smooth on the bottom but hit the revs it will make noise too. Though it will be just a little smoother. One thing to note is the LNF with the tune in the 5 speed Solstice would put out 340 FT pound of torque. This would come in handy with AWD. They detuned the Auto transaxles to 315 FT pounds.

GM can make the LNF do 290 HP now with a engine that will pass even in California. With this engine now more available with the loss of the Sky and Solstice it is time to find a new home. More will be available after this year too with the loss of the HHR SS and Cobalt SS. I would like them to find 10 more HP just to make it sound better at 300 HP. By the way the GM tune not only adds more power but it adds 1-2 MPG. I found this on mine and it was confirmed to me by Bill Duncan of the GM performance group. He is the guy behind the upgrade kit. Bill is one of the guys I wish GM would say more about. He is one of GM's best.

I just don't see anyone able to make a new TA out of the new Camaro that everyone would agree on. The Firebird fans are a more diverse group than the Camaro people. The Chevy people have their favorites but seem to accept all years. The Firebird TA people are more dedicated to one gen over another and even in some cased models. I know many who hate the TA but love the Formula or the other way around. It was hard enough for Pontiac to make a TA out of a Chevy it is even harder for someone who is not Pontiac to make non Pontiac TA. I wish em all luck but this is not going to be easy for anyone.

GM I think is just looking to the 4 cylinder for MPG and when the higher gas prices hit they will be ready. The price will go up due to oil prices or goverment taxes. One way or another it will go up in the not to distant future. The economy has help keeo the goverment from doing much yet but in time they will hit the tax if oil is cheap. Untill then we will still see a full range just as we did in years past when the Skylark could be had with a inline 6 for those who just had to have it to the 455.

With the Regal they are trying to give a affordable step up from Chevy without being a straight rebadge with some ground effects and dated ribbing. It is a modern competitive car in the world makret and should do well here. GM is not forgoing the sport version and options like AWD that you can not get on a Chevy Malibu [at least yet]. This has already been proven to be a car that is well liked in Europe and China so I would think people here will see it in a good way and hopfully start to change their outlook for Buick. The Change of preception of GM and her divisions will be done one model at a time. This is just another step in the way of recovery. Hyundia has shown that if you make tasteful cars that are affordable, reliable and deliver a lot of car for the money you can grow in the market. How long ago Hyundia was a joke in the industry and today they are feared by the likes of Honda and Toyota. Yes they also did it a model at a time.

I like it. I guessed well at the GS handle. I like the AWD and 6 speed but not sure I would put a 3.6 in this. I would rather see the 2.8 Turbo. Unless the 3.6 gets a turbo later. GSX anyone? I expect the 6 speed to make it as the cost will mostly to be get this past the EPA. The rest of the part are aready made to build this very easy. Keeping the cost dow to make 7% of the buyers is key to a manual being offered. To me the car has a little German look to it. If it had rings in the grill it could pass for a Audi. I just wish the grill was a little more understated and thank God the ports are removed. After seeing what the VW CC's styling is doing for VW I expect this may get people to relize Buick is changing.

Rare then even more scarce now. I work with a couple of guys with 4 speeds like this and they are some of the very few I ever see.

Of late Chevy and GM is moving to cust prices on many cars. The Nox is also a recent case. I would expect them to hold the line on the C7 and if they do cut anything it would be the base model. At worse I see them at least adding more content and holding the price.

I agree this is the combo needed. Then offer the upgrade from the Solstice, Sky and HHR SS to make a cheap 290 HP for those who want more. The 6 sp would make this combo sing. Mine at 3200 pounds will run with a new Mustang GT with the 290 HP option. If anyone here has never driven this combo they need too. It is one of GM's best engines of all time. I just do not understand calling it a Grand National? Why name it after a car that is named for a Winston Cup Series from NASCAR in the 80's? Yes the car is names for NAscar since Buick was deep into that series back in the 80's.

Lets not dwell on the present car too much because it is at the end of it cycle. The fact is Chevy and GM has already noted in interviews with many of the Vette team people the areas they will address in the C7. The interior is already been noted and will see upgrades. Based on other new GM models this should be put to rest. The Vette will remain front engine and very affordable compared to 2 seater cars of the same power and performance class. It will not be cheap compared to other Chevys but compared to others in its class it is a bargin. The performance will increase. The new car will shrink and lose weight. Even if they drop the engine size the less mass will increase braking and handling performance and keep acceleration the same or better with the smaller engine. Styling on the Vette will always be Subjective. The C7 will be like ever C car before it half will love it half will hate it. It happens ever body change. They always keep some element of the past in the car so we should never expect more than a evolution. The Vette is like Harley Davidson, a traditional vehicle that is modern today while embracing its heritage. This is something the Japanese can not understand. They they think if it is the most advanced and most technical it is the best but they lose a lot of Heritage. That works for cameras and MP3 players but not cars. People want to hold on to the past while moving into the future with their vehicles. THe only cars from Japan to have much heritage is the Miata that is living off the Lotus and the new Z cars trying to recapture the heritage of the past Z cars but is struggling to do so. Even Porsche understands that with the 911. The bottom line is Chevy has a formula for the Vette that works. It keeps selling no matter how good or bad it is because it is a Vette. Gas prices go up people buy it. GM goes Chapter 11 and it carries on, The economy takes a hit and it still manages to sell as well or better than most other sports cars. If Vette sales start to fade due to price GM will address that. But at this point the Vette is making money and paying the bills so who can argue with that. How many other GM cars are failing to do that right now. The Vette is not nor will ever be a car for everyone. It can be a daily driver but few are used that way. This is not a car to replace a 5 Series BMW nor a Mini. It is what it is and as long as it remains popular GM will not get too crazy with it. Give me any car and I can find a reasonable fault with it. Anything from I Drive and more.

Fix interior and it will be fine till the C7. The new Grand Sport give you a lot of look and toys for the money. If you make the Vette any cheaper it will be in more trailer parks than it already is and Chevy does not need that. Besides I was at the ALMS race at Mid Ohio to see the Pratt and Miller cars in their first GT2 race. I t was great at lunch time the driver all were around to sign autographs. the line for the Vettes was across the paddock while the Porsche and Ferrari teams had very short lines. The Vette team line was not fat men from Kentucky or Trailer Park Strippers. They were true Sports car fans thrilled to see an American car running with the worlds best. The parking has all sorts of cars from Aston Matin to Carrera GT. The most common sports car was the Vette. None I am glad to say with side pipes. The Vette owner today of the C6 and C7 is not like it used to be. The grade of owner has stepped up and many people of means see no shame to be in one. Also factor in the 911 while a good car is just way over priced for what you get anymore. You may as well pony up and get a used Ferrari.

Just saw a note that BMW may pull the 5 series wagon since they have that new hatch/car/what ever you want to call it now. They also pointed out the Audi A4 was one of the best selling wagons and it was selling at almost 4,000 units per year. Just does not look like there is much demand here for a tradistional wagon even if it is a practical one. Only if they sell at the higher price of a Benz do they make it resonable to sell here. I wonder how long the CTS will survive?

Wagons would fail as a Yoder toter. You can get more Amish and their forbidden contraband in a Van vs a wagon. They love the extended full size vans. LOL!

I agree GM has changed more since June than they have over many years. The fact is many of the changes are still on going and we have yet to see the net effect of them at this point. The fact will remain there are still a lot investment and anti capitalist people alike who want to see GM fail. I would like to see GM make some inroads with the media and gain som support from them. So often I feel Toyota has bought and paid for their support. They too often get thumbs up even when they fail.

Well so far they are doing many of the things they need to do and what they have stated here is what they need to state they will do. The new product I suspect will continue to improve. Not all will be home runs but I am sure we will not have any Aztek's. GM knows things will not change in just a few months but it will take time to change the public preception of them and their products. They needs to improve day by day and model by model to make their comeback. Customer Service is as key as good product. many companies can sell a good car but good service to the customer can be the deal makers to many. Auto brand loyalty anymore is in fluxs and price and service is often what sells the car or product. I think GM has a handle on things and are in good hands. My only worry is what is out of their control as in Economy and world politics. The economy is not recovering yet contrary to what some what you to believe. The decline may have slowed in some areas but we will continue to see unemplyment climb for a little longer and untill wholesale orders increase things will remain a little stagnet. To make thing more difficult is what goes in the Middle East. The Iran thing is going to happen. If we do not take action with NATO Israel will. How this will effect the world economy is yet to be seen. It may depend on how much action takes place. I guess I always fear just as GM always looks like it is getting things together something happens that hurts.

GM is working many things out. There has been a lot of truth to many of the rumours but ther detail are were not always worked out when word was leaked. The Chevy Brand manager I got some info from said things have been pretty crazy at GM with many old pople leaving and many new people coming in. When many were ready to slit a wrist in August I told them to wait till later in Sept or Oct to see what pans out. There were many who in August said the Zeta in any form was not going to happen. I guess this proves never to say never. I guess the best way to sum up what I was told was going on was August was like going back to school after a long summer. A lot has changed and many or in new classes [or Jobs] with new Teachers [New managers]. One guy I talked with said he did not know who he was reporting to at that time. He is very well placed and at that point with the changes he had not yet been told who his boss was and what division other than Chevy he was responsible for in his job. Many also forgot GM did a lot of work on new projects was rushed to get done before the Chapter 11. We are not just seeing a lot of what they had been working on like the new small Caddy and Malibu. I am not sure of the money part of the push but they also did not want to lose time on projects while they were down with the reorganization. Things are tough yet for GM to a point but at least they are not like Chrysler saddled with a lot of poor old product for at least 2 years before Fiat can get much new in. With the way things are now we will learn what they have been doing and watching changes daily from GM as they are not finished yet with all they are planning.

Well the only thing we know about the Impala for sure since the New GM was formed is it is a ways off. It will be intersting to see what Lutz has planned. You know he would not settle just for a larger Malibu. I am not saying it will be RWD but I have a feeling a lot has changed on this and many GM cars recently. GM is no where as open on their plans when they were trying to buy time and keep stock prices up. Also with the Public Offering coming up you know we will see some big plans around that time to sell shares. There is a good chance we make get something better than just rebadged older Holden. Only time will tell.

Chevy might be able to bring in some Civilan versions to make up for the slow sales? Many will love this car but some will not be able to afford them.