thegriffon

ahh, the 760i is a 6.0 L V12, not a supercharged 4.4 L V8. GM has a 4.4 L supercharged V8, BMW's is a 4.4 L sequential turbo, and will be first offered in the X6 xDrive50. Since the X6 is smaller, lighter and hopefully more aerodynamic than the Escalade, it should get better economy.

GM's gasoline engine families: B-series (GM Daewoo, SGMW) 1.0–1.2 L 4-cyl 63–84 hp (1.0 L to be upgraded in near future, 1.2 Turbo [beat concept] probable) Family 0 (GM Powertrain Austria) 1.0 L 3-cyl 59 hp (probable 72 hp turbocharged version in Volt concept) 1.2–1.4 L 4-cylinder 69–168 hp Family 1 (GM do Brasil, GM Powertrain Hungary, GM Daewoo) 1.0–1.8 L 4-cylinder 69–189 hp (DI and dual-VVT will boost peak levels to over 200 hp for the 1.6 Turbo) Family II 1.8–2.4 L 92–260 hp (soon 1.9–2.4 L 119–260 hp, more power [300-odd hp?] possible) Family 3 (Saab B-series turbos) 2.0–2.3 L 158–256 hp (future in doubt as Family II turbos are upgraded to flexfuel standard) Atlas (Dynacam) 2.9 L 4-cyl 185 hp 3.7 L I5 242 hp 4.2 L I6 285 hp (a 4.4 is possible but unlikely—expect this line [a different plant to the I4 and I5] to be shut down) XK (GM Daewoo) 2.0–2.5 L I6 135–155 hp High-Value V6 2.5–3.9 L V6 150–240 hp Global V6 (Electron) 2.8–3.6 L V6 201–311 hp (expect at least 370-odd hp from future turbocharged engines) Small-block V8 4.8–7.0 L V8 258–620 hp (expect a base 4.9 L in Gen V and a minimum of over 300 hp) Northstar V8 4.4–4.6 L 275–469 hp (expect the old fwd models to go away, leaving the VVT rwd engines with a minimum of at least 330 in future)

A longer stroke 1.4 L Family 0 engine (GM Europe's smallest 4-cylinder block), dual-VVT, direct injection, turbo. 170 PS on gasoline. What's not to like?

Advanced Technology Makes Diesel Engines Quieter and Smoother February 2008 (Medialink) - Diesel engines have a reputation on American highways for being loud, large and dirty. When most drivers think diesel, they think of transit buses and semi trucks, not passenger cars. But, in many European countries this is not the case. In fact, their highly refined diesel engines are smooth and quiet and make up over 60% of passenger cars. A diesel engine gets on average 25% better fuel economy than a comparable gas engine. In Europe, where fuel prices can be double what they are in the U.S., diesels are a popular choice. So, why aren't they popular in America? The answer is emissions. The U.S. has the highest emissions standards for passenger cars in the world. American manufacturers are currently working on producing advanced engines that will meet, and in some cases, beat comparable gas engines in emissions, fuel economy and torque. General Motors already offers turbo diesel in its heavy duty pickups, full-size vans and medium duty trucks. They also announced that their engine plant in New York will produce a new advanced turbo diesel engine for light duty pick-up trucks and passenger cars in the near future. http://www.mediaseed.tv/Story.aspx?story=34686

It's like politics. It's not about the best policy for GM and shareholders, it's about who has what agenda, what deals they can make and who they're going to stab in the back to get their own way. If that means misleading the brass about how well a wagon would sell, or whether putting the V6 diesel in Commodore is feasible, then so be it. BTW, if GM doesn't screw things up royally with Pontiac (and perhaps even if they do), BPG will be outselling Ford division (retail) within 2-5 years.

Probably the latter. Although this could be done within 12 months, the volume probably isn't there.

FYI this is the kind of project that can go from drawing board to production in 12 months, as it is largely an existing model. GM did as much with the Vectra-based Calibra nearly 20 years ago.

Without an export program it's unlikely this will get off the ground. Holden only sold a couple hundred of the previous Monaro a month (people preferred the much smaller and almost as expensive Astra Cabrio). It also seems unlike the aborted Zeta Monaro, which was described to me by Mooney as less of a true 4-seater, and more of an occasional 2+2 with a much longer hood, as previous buyers indicated no real use for the rear seats.

The emission penalty is a better idea, but either is better than CAFE. Of course it may be better to have it linked to mileage as well. $X per 1000 miles, with X dependent on the average emission rating for your vehicle.

"Du funderare i Sverige som vi inte behöver en bil till transportsträckan IKEA, boxas?" "Yoos tink in Sweden we not need car for hauling of Ikea boxes?"

Nope, but there will only be a short delay.

More photos and full release for the Coupe 60 at AutoReport

Since GMC will get the lwb midsize Theta, Buick should get the swb compact.

The platform will be Delta 2 for the Excelle. What they do to replace the Regal (which sits between the Excelle and LaCrosse in China), if anything, is another matter entirely.

If it comes, as has been considered, it will be a Toyota, but probably not with the same engines as the GS based on the same chassis. Chinese Crown Royals get port-injection versions of the 2.5 and 3.0 L engines; a US model will likely have the port-injection 3.5 L, and the hybrid. It may need a V6 diesel, but alas Toyota doesn't have one (but Nissan does and will roll it out widely too).

Two important details are wrong with this report. Alpha and rwd. The Excelle will be based on Delta and is fwd. Everything else is correct, including the [Delta] architecture being developed in Germany. As turbo says the photos in the China Car Times article are clearly based on the current Excelle, and are not the new Delta Buick.

Sorry: "Most advanced exhaust gas management: SCR catalyst with AdBlue injection. To optimize emission management, Advanced Diesel with BluePerformance incorporates an oxidation catalyst placed just downstream of the exhaust manifold, a diesel particulates filter housed in the same unit and an SCR catalyst with the urea injection. In addition to filtering out even the smallest particles from the flow of exhaust gases, this combination ensures effective reduction of nitric oxides (NOX) by way of a chemical reaction within the exhaust system initiated by the injection of a small dose of urea referred to as AdBlue. The ammonia (NH3) generated in this process within the SCR catalyst subsequently converts the nitric oxides (NO and, respectively, NO2) in the exhaust gas into environmentally compatible nitrogen (N2) and vapor (H2O). AdBlue technology by BMW: Optimized emissions without requiring additional maintenance. To introduce AdBlue technology into the car, BMW has developed a two-tank system ensuring convenient use of this new technology with all the benefits and ease required by the customer. The amount of AdBlue required in each case is injected from the active tank (approximately 1.6 gallons in volume) by means of a dosage pump. And since the urea solution would freeze at a temperature of 12.2oF, this active tank, as well as the dosage pipes, are heated. The active tank is connected to a second reservoir, referred to as the passive tank. With its additional capacity of approximately 4.5 gallons, this passive tank offers a plentiful supply of the urea solution. The average range provided with this supply capacity is indeed sufficient to have the tank system replenished only when the driver needs to change the engine oil. Hence, the large amount of AdBlue stored in the reservoir enables the customer to enjoy continuous driving, without having to change his/her service intervals. The driver therefore benefits from the advantages of this environmentally friendly emission technology throughout the entire running life of the car, without any additional service or visits to the workshop. Since all BMWs sold in the US benefit from The BMW Maintenance Program, the refilling of the AdBlue tanks will be a no-charge service for 4 years or 50,000 miles. AdBlue from the active tank is delivered to the dosing valve and atomize into the exhaust system. Consistent distribution of AdBlue within the flow of exhaust is ensured by the SCR mixer. The ammonia generated in the hot exhaust flow subsequently acts as a reduction agent in the SCR catalyst and converts environmentally harmful nitric oxides into nitrogen and water vapor in a process referred to as a selective catalytic reaction (SCR). This process gives the special SCR catalyst its name. The control of the SCR system is masterminded by BMW’s powerful engine management computer. A nitric oxide sensor downstream of the SCR catalyst provides feedback on the concentration of NOX in the exhaust emissions. Due to packaging limitations in certain vehicles, the position and location of the AdBlue tank may be varied from one vehicle model to the other. In the BMW 335d, the active and passive tank are at the rear end of the car, while in the BMW X5 xDrive35d, the active tank is housed in the front right section of the engine compartment, and the passive tank is under-floor next to the transmission."

Stupid. The 9-1 is a version of the next Astra, therefore, by default Saturn is already getting one. If they mean versions of the Corsa, then that's not the 9-1 but a smaller, unnamed (what can they call it) model more like the A-Class or Lancia Ypsilon (a bit bigger than the mini). The article actually comes from auto motor und sport. "GM: Mini attack with Saab and CO. GeneralMotors does not want to leave the success of a mini cars in future excluding BMW. Out well informed circles means it that GM works on two versions of a mini derivative. Our draughtsman Mark Stehrenberger visualized the two versions as Saab below coming 9-1 and as Saturn. To Marks the Stehrenberger Blog on Cardesign Campus The Saab comes along in the typical Two box Design as 3-door with steep tail and upward swung C-column. At the front with stub hood the typical Saab grill with powerful air intakes prangt. The side view is dominated by pronounced wheel housings and a low strip window. The tail: Classically with many sheet metal, narrow lights and centrically arranged exhaust final pipes. On the inside everything is trimmed on young. Into one another round instruments, technokratischhes Design, a little geschachtelte Smart Style. The second possible mini model from the house GM carries the Saturn Badge and shows a removable part of roofs between B and C-column as with the Chevrolet Nomad. The mini could develop on the Kappa or the larger Alpha platform with rear-wheel drive, then it from other sources, in addition, the Logos of the GM marks Pontiac or Buick mean to carry."

GM Offers LA Drivers E85 Ethanol for 85 Cents a Gallon FlexFuel Vehicle Promotion Targets Ethanol Infrastructure Growth BRENTWOOD, Calif. – The rising price of gasoline is hard to avoid in Los Angeles, but owners of the more than 46,000 FlexFuel vehicles capable of running on E85 ethanol are about to get a break this Tuesday – paying only 85.9 cents a gallon for the cleaner, alternative fuel. On February 26th from noon to 2:00 p.m., Conserv Fuel at 11699 San Vicente Blvd. in Brentwood will offer E85 ethanol for 85 cents a gallon. And General Motors is paying the bill. GM is sponsoring the promotion to help raise awareness about the first station in Los Angeles to offer E85 ethanol, and to encourage drivers of FlexFuel vehicles to use this cleaner, renewable fuel instead of gasoline. “At GM, we believe the biofuel with the greatest potential to displace petroleum-based fuels and help reduce tailpipe carbon gas emissions in the United States is ethanol, and so we have made a major commitment to vehicles that can run on E85 ethanol,” said Susan Docherty, general manager of GM’s 16-state Western Region, which includes California. With more than 2.5 million FlexFuel vehicles on the road today, GM is the automotive industry leader in producing vehicles that run on E85 ethanol. That number is expected to double by 2010, with annual production of E85-capable vehicles reaching 400,000. For the 2008 model year, GM offers 11 FlexFuel models, identifiable by FlexFuel exterior badging and yellow gasoline caps.

There are actually two Cubes, the original 5-seater (smaller than the original xB/bB), and the lwb 5+2 seat (you wouldn't want to put anyone in the rear seats except in an emergency, e.g. they lost their legs) Cube­³, about the same size as a Meriva, Ractis or the original bB/xB (the new bB is smaller, Agila and Cube-sized; the new xB is bigger, PT Cruiser-sized). The Cube³ is planned for export markets, but with 5 seats.

The Lucerne's future will depend partly on how well the Chinese PA sells. If sales are strong enough in China (with only V6 engines), then a rwd Lucerne replacement is almost certain, no matter how limited North American volume. Expect a base 3.6 DI for a little under $40K (about the same as a Mk S, but much less than the Mk T).

Vital Signs Patterns: A Video Game, an M.R.I. and What Men’s Brains Do By ERIC NAGOURNEY Published: February 19, 2008 Why does it often seem that men enjoy playing video games more than women? Perhaps because they do. … Full article from the NY Times N.B. A study of this size is far from conclusive, but it is indicative of what might be expected from a larger study, and the results are no surprise.

That is why the Golf scored badly in some surveys—not enough cupholders in the right place. It's a European thing. You're not supposed to drink anything while driving.

Dacia launches Logan Pick-up in Romania Dacia Logan Pick-up is the latest addition to the Logan family, which already includes a saloon, an estate and a van. It is made at the Pitesti plant, in Romania, and addresses the needs of both business users (tradespeople and merchants) and private motorists looking for a practical leisure vehicle. Dacia Logan Pick-up naturally boasts all the hallmark qualities of the Logan family. With a choice of Renault petrol and diesel engines, and a chassis carried over from Logan MCV, Logan Pick-up is eminently modern and robust. And it is superbly practical, with an 800 kg payload, a maximum load length of 1.80 m and 300 liters of stowage space behind the seats in the cabin. Dacia Logan Pick-up offers unbeatable value for money. It will be launched on the Romanian market in March 2008 at a starting price of 7250 euros. … Go to full press release and photos at AutoReport Competitors (most not sold in Europe): Fiat Strada Chevrolet Montana Ford Courier Proton Arena Volkswagen Saviero Japanese, subcompact rwd van-based pickups (cab-forward, so longer bed): Daihatsu Gran Max (sold in Japan as the Toyota LiteAce/TownAce) Mazda Bongo (what Noah drove in the ark, but resold by Nissan and Mitsubishi) Suzuki APV/Carry Somewhere between the two is the Mitsubishi Freeca pickup.