titan

This is great news. The Pontiac "Commodore" (Grand Prix, I hope) will make a great 5-Series alternative. Even better, a Pontiac "Torana" based 3-Series competitor would be awesome. I think it'd be wise to get rid of the G6 and G5, and replace it with a "Torana" based coupe and sedan. Since there's only the G6 and G5 with alpha-numberic names, if the two cars replaced its not to late to return to real names for the lineup.

YES...

I agree. It's very well put together, IMO. I like the front and rear of the car. It kills the Corolla (and next gen Corolla) and the Civic. As before mentioned, the Cobalt has gas struts... why can't the Sentra? Overall, very nice.

Gotta love that engine... that $h!'s sick.

LMAO

Interesting... to each his own, I guess. I think the floating headlamps has a clean and cool look to them. Same goes for the hood, and how it rises near the fenders. I totally disagree about the wood... nothing fake-looking about it. How can real wood look fake? Because it has a matte finish?

^ I agree with Variance also. This car is basicaly better in ever way. I'm happy that the size is intact, and as the article says, they didn't make any radical changes to the exterior because it's been so successful for them. If I were Infinti I would have taken the same course of action. It's just nice to see that the interior is finally up to par with competitors; that was my main concern. The center console, guages... everything's much better in that regard. I think the interior looks great, especially with the Rosewood interior (my favorite wood from any car offering). Sure, the IS is nice, but I find it's to small for me. Ditto for the new 3, which is an awesome car to, but to cramped. In this segment, my focus would be on this G or the NG CTS.

I'm not impressed at all. The interior design is a miss; the exterior, so-so.

I'm under the impression it's under the Commodore. I know that there were talks a while back of the Caprice coming over to underpin a large RWD Buick, but from what I understand, those plans have been scrapped. Buick should get both, IMHO.

It looks great. I love the interior.

Well, I'm a huge Buick fan, and I'm not offended. Also, I respect and agree with most of your posts. However, I don't think Buick needs a minivan. You're right; Buick doesn't have an upscale image anymore, but it certainly won't start to rebuild one by introducing a new minivan. And though the RWD sedan won't come until after 2010, giving Buick a minivan, even as a stopgap vehicle (G5, anyone?) is a huge mistake, IMHO. The only reason I continue to rant about them being grouped in the B-P-G channel is because they could have easily had a nice, standalone showroom. The EPII Lacrosse (surely to be an ES killer), a Commodore based Lucerne, and a Caprice based Roadmaster (or whatever flagship name you choose), along with the Enclave, Theta Buick, and Velite would have made a complete lineup that would have done well. Unfortunately, GM let the brand flounder presumably beyond salvation (which is why it's part of the sales channel now), and that's a DAMN SHAME. I think GMC (should only be trucks/SUVS), and Pontiac (should only be RWD perforamce cars) would have made a great compliment for each other. I think Saturn's new Olds position will work well for it, and that it's makes sense for them to get a Town & Country compeitor.

I feel the same way. If Buick is to be the value alternative to Lexus, then mimick Lexus' product line, damnit.

I disagree. A minivan doesn't fit the supposed image of Buick's brand at all. That said, it doesn't fit GMC or Pontiac's brands, either. It's troubling to me that GM will still stick a product where it sees there isn't one just to fill the segment. The B-P-G channel shouldn't have a minivan at all, simply because it's not within the respective brands images or nature. I still think Buick should have stayed standalone, with GMC and Pontiac grouped together. Saturn should have a premium compliement to Chevy's minivan. There's no need for GM to have more than two minivans, and Chevy and Saturn should get them.

Yep... I knew that 2.5L VQ would come over to the U.S. With the new IS being introduced with a 2.5L V6, it makes sense.

http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2006/_STORY/060822-01-e.html NISSAN DEVELOPS NEW-GENERATION V6 ENGINES --Engines to power all-new Skyline to be released this autumn-- TOKYO (Aug. 22, 2006)--Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., has newly developed two new-generation six-cylinder V-type engines for front-engine, rear-wheel-drive vehicles featuring powerful performance and improved environmental friendliness. The 3.5L VQ35HR and 2.5L VQ25HR engines will be built at Nissan's Iwaki Plant in Fukushima Prefecture and will be equipped in the all-new Skyline to be released this autumn in Japan, as well as the US where the model is sold as the Infiniti G35. Featuring newly designed engine blocks and other key components, the engines offer smooth transition to top-in-class level engine speed of 7,500 revolutions per minute drawing upon the "smooth transition" concept of the popular VQ engine, the only engine in the world to appear on Ward's 10-Best Engines list for 12 consecutive years. The engines achieve a 10% improvement in fuel efficiency compared to vehicles equipped with the existing VQ engine and top-in-class Super Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle level emissions. SU-LEVs have 75% or less nitrogen oxide (NOx) and hydrocarbon (HC) emissions than those stipulated by Japan's 2005 exhaust emission standards. The letters "HR" in VQ35HR and VQ25HR stand for "high revolution" and "high response." Nissan began VQ engine production in 1994 and has produced a cumulative total of 5.5 million units as of last fiscal year, ended March 31, 2006. Main specifications of the VQ35HR and VQ25HR engines: Smooth transition to top-in-class level engine speed of 7,500 rpm * Reduction of weight and friction through adoption of asymetrical piston skirt configuration * Reduction of piston-side force through lengthening of con rod * Addition of rudder frame, newly-designed cylinder block with significantly improved rigidity Thrilling revving sound and top-in-class output * Adoption of perfectly symmetrical intake system * Adoption of continuously variable valve timing control (CVTC) for intake side and electromagnetic valve timing control (e-VTC) for exhaust side * Reduction of intake resistance through adoption of symmetrical twin intake system and straight intake port * Adoption of isometric exhaust manifold and perfectly symmetrical exhaust system Improvement of fuel-efficiency and emission cleanliness * Reduction of friction through adoption of world's first hydrogen-free, diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating * Adoption of catalyst substrate with ultra-low heat mass, super-ignition iridium spark plug and fast light-off O2 sensor control

Nice sketch, and great news. That platform/powertrain combo would be the perfect next gen G6 to accompany the G8. I'd also put a midsize RWD entry Buick on it also, replacing the Lacrosse, to sit under the Buick Zeta.

I agree 100%.

This is a great looking car. From ever angle. And the wheels I used to hate... I love them now. The navy exterior with the Morrocan interior is my favorite color combo.

I LOVE NOS2006's Lucerne. All they have to do is put on the proper portholes, and it's a go.

My thoughts exactly.

No, it's not to big to be the Malibu. Size wise, it looks perfect, IMO. I wouldn't be surprised if it's within a few inches of the Camry in ever dimension, as it should be. As for the Lucerne, don't believe it's a sister car to the Maliub because the article says it may be... after all, as far as they're concerned, it's the Pontiac Lucerne.

I like the tag line, and I like the ads. They're perfect for the target market they're trying to get... if it was a Lexus print add, yuppies would eat it up. Hopefully, they'll eat up Caddy's print ad. As said, the heritage ad with the crest and wreath boldly put in it with the skyline in the background is draw dropping. I'm pleasantly suprised. Very impressive indeed.

That's exactly what I said! I'm itching to build this car.

Beautiful car. Can't wait to test drive it.

Specifically, the MDX and RX. They're geared toward luxury, a comfortable ride, and high quality. In general, the segment includes sportier competitors; the X5, M-Class, A7, SRX, and FX.