thegriffon

Ahh, you're getting cooler, not warmer. The new names are simple, logical, make it abundantly clear what the targets are, and maintain a direct link to the current generation (of those models that survive under the new names).

Don't overestimate the time it will take to produce an 8-speed transmission if the program is approved. IIRC work on the 8-speed transmission predates the eCVT being produced now in Baltimore. The concept has already been fully worked out by GM transmission engineers and has not only been patented, but a trademark exists as well. While development work will need to be done to refine and calibrate the shift algorithms once that is done I believe any plant already retooled for the new 6-speeds could be producing an 8-speed version within months with little new tooling needed.

Homeland Security is on the watch for more suicide bombers from the Squirrel Liberation Front, reassuring Americans that the chance of casualties is low, but warning people to watch out for suspicious rodents on power lines.

Neither a lack of smoothness nor low-end power are inherent to the cam-in-block pushrod design. Both are down to the specifics of the actual application. GM has a tendency to favor low-end power (the atlas DOHC truck engines have even lower torque peaks than the pushrod engines). Pushrods are cheaper, and more compact, at least in V-engines. OHC engines however allow an easier implementation of multivalve intake and exhaust systems, which can improve performance at high rpms, and allow separate phasing of the intake and exhaust cams more simply than with a single-cam design (although Chrysler does use independent intake phasing in the pushrod Viper V10). Once you decide you need a multi-cam design there is really no great advantage to using a pushrods unless packaging is critical factor. Honda however has used it to lower the profile of a wide-V F1 engine, combining pushrod activated side-cams with standard OHCs (one of each per bank). This (and the custom Ilmor unit used by Mercedes at the Indy 500) show that their is no practical speed limitation to a pushrod design. For street applications however a multicam pushrod design becomes unnecessarily complicated. Although GM has toyed with it to reduce the packaging size of multivalve V8s, they have apparently decided to take a different route to reduce the size of future multi-cam 32V V8s.As an aside. who would like to put money on a 6.2 L DOHC Cadillac V-series in the next-generation? And can we drop it in a B-series to thump the AMG C 63?

"We believe our quality is better than it has ever been. This decision by CR not to recommend key Toyota models is merely a reflection of our increasing share in the domestic auto industry CR has vowed to destroy, and their loathing of the type of cars American consumers prefer to buy."

I believe GM has decided that the current Tremec T56 is too crude and dated, and with a new, superior transmission imminent would rather wait until they can offer that.

Oh, and you can expect this to be the last C Cadillac to be this cheap. The next generation (c2012) is almost certain to go head to head with the 5-series, helped by major changes for the B- and D-series just before this.

The current A4 is 3-series sized. The new A4 is midsized.

China will skip this Taiwanese facelift, either for their own, or skipping straight to Delta II. There is a Delta Buick sedan being developed by Shanghai GM. They should import this to the US, but ATM I don't think they will. Oh, and people—a new 1.6 L engine arrives next year. Expect a nice power boost and better fuel economy for the Chevrolets and Chinese Buicks that use it.

BMW 630i 7.9 L/100 km manual, 7.7 L/100 km auto, BMW 650i 11.7 l/100 km manual, 10.5 autoBMW 125i 8.1 l/100 km manual, 8.1 l/100 km auto (auto better in city 11.6 v 11.7 L) Mercedes' 7-speed auto also gets better fuel economy than the 6-speed manual in most (but not all) models. More surprisingly, Honda's 5-speed autos sometimes get better economy than the equivalent 5-speed manual. As for the CVT, the 6-speed Aisin auto in the Five Hundred got better fuel economy than the Ford-ZF CVT in the same model. Of course if you don't have a really good 6-sped auto suited to your engine choice, then you may have to make do with a CVT. Oh, and the few models with both DSG and a normal 6-speed manual, get worse economy than a straight 6-speed manual. Where there is an advantage to the DSG it's in the city.

BMW 630i 7.9 L/100 km manual, 7.7 L/100 km auto, BMW 650i 11.7 l/100 km manual, 10.5 autoBMW 125i 8.1 l/100 km manual, 8.1 l/100 km auto (auto better in city 11.6 v 11.7 L) Mercedes' 7-speed auto also gets better fuel economy than the 6-speed manual in most (but not all) models. More surprisingly, Honda's 5-speed autos sometimes get better economy than the equivalent 5-speed manual. As for the CVT, the 6-speed Aisin auto in the Five Hundred got better fuel economy than the Ford-ZF CVT in the same model. Of course if you don't have a really good 6-sped auto suited to your engine choice, then you may have to make do with a CVT. Oh, and the few models with both DSG and a normal 6-speed manual, get worse economy than a straight 6-speed manual. Where there is an advantage to the DSG it's in the city.

ahh, nope.

BLS goes away :AH-HA_wink:

6-speed autos are already achieving better fuel-economy than CVTs, and in some cases, better than 6-speed manuals in the same vehicle.

So does Toyota. And Honda is still using 5-speeds when everyone else is rolling out 6-speeds. GM is adding capacity to the 6-speed transmission production as fast as it can afford to. The Malibu's new 4-cylinder 6-speed will be produced in NA as well as Korea, and production is being expanded for the larger 6-speeds as well.

How does speculation in a news report count as confirmation? A Mexican newspaper report on a German Magazine report by someone who misheard VRX for BRX? That is about as far from "confirmation" as it gets.

The real impact of the big lambdas and higher fuel prices—the best selling midsize crossovers (smaller than fullsize trucks like the Enclave) are now the …

Got a little Mosaic complex there huh?

Opel/Vauxhall Astra is Europe's Top Seller in September • GM Europe Q3 sales up 66,730 cars and LCVs, or 14.6 percent • GM Europe YTD share up 0.3 points, at 9.5 percent • GM Europe YTD sales 123,725 vehicles ahead of last year • YTD: Opel/Vauxhall grows 4 percent, Chevrolet up 32 percent Zurich. In the first three quarters of 2007, General Motors (GM) Europe sold a record 1,652,082* vehicles, up 123,725 units or 8.1 percent from the same period last year. The resulting market share of 9.5 percent constitutes a growth of 0.3 points. It is the highest market share for the group since 1999. In September, GM Europe sold a record 205,497 cars and LCVs, a plus of 20,950 vehicles or 11.4 percent. The Opel/Vauxhall Astra was Europe’s best-selling car in September. “Records for September, the third quarter and the calendar year to date demonstrate GM Europe’s sustained sales momentum. Our sales grew by 14.6 percent and led to an all-time sales record for the third quarter of 523,590 vehicles. Our market share for September was 10.1 percent. GM’s European growth this year is fueled by increases in both the Chevrolet and Opel/Vauxhall brands. This is a result of having great cars and aggressive growth plans in Central and Eastern Europe,” said Jonathan Browning, GM Europe Vice President for Sales, Marketing and Aftersales. GM Russia sales grow 98 percent, to market share of 9.3 percent GM Russia sales in the first nine months almost doubled from last year (+98 percent), with Chevrolet contributing 61 percent and Opel 37 percent. GM’s market share in Russia grew by an outstanding 3.2 points, to 9.34 percent. This is the highest market share increase of any manufacturer group in any of the world’s fastest-growing markets. The U.K., Italy and Greece were the main contributors to GM’s growth in Western Europe. Opel/Vauxhall sales grow 12 percent in third quarter; Astra tops sales charts The Astra was Europe’s best-selling car in September, with 49,268 cars registered. Together with the new Corsa, that sold 347,800 this year, an increase of 52 percent, and segment-leaders Meriva and Zafira, Opel/Vauxhall’s best sellers led to a strong sales increase of 12 percent for the brand in the third quarter and 4 percent for the first nine months of the year. Opel almost tripled its sales in Russia (+281 percent) in the third quarter and successfully grew sales in Southern Europe as well as in the South Eastern Europe markets. Vauxhall sold 306,078 cars and LCVs in the first three quarters this year, an increase of 8.8 percent, leading to a market share of 13.7 percent. In September, Vauxhall achieved second place in the market and a sales growth of 13.1 percent. Vectra and Zafira were the best selling cars in their respective segments, Astra was first in fleet sales. Chevrolet becomes a major player in Europe With 112,800 cars sold in the third quarter of this year, constituting a growth of 28 percent, Chevrolet reached a record market share of 2.05 percent, an improvement of 0.3 points. “Chevrolet’s August and September market share for total Europe of above 2 percent and cumulative sales of 328,300 cars confirm Chevrolet as a major player and the fastest growing volume brand in Europe,” Browning said. Saab growing in Southern Europe, Central and Eastern Europe Saab sold 64,580 cars in the first three quarters of this year. While experiencing a slight decrease in sales overall, the brand is growing in Southern Europe as well as in Central and Eastern Europe. Cadillac, Corvette and HUMMER Cadillac sales of 3,390 for the calendar year in Europe grew by 30.7 percent, with strong growth in Russia, Austria, Denmark, Spain and Italy. Corvette sold 1,034 cars and HUMMER sales increased by 11.5 percent to 1,520 vehicles. Total Europe Total Vehicle Market . Jan-Sep Jan-Sep % % Total 2005 Total 2006 2006 2007 Variance Change Sep 2006 Sep 2007 Variance Change Total Market 21,086,312 21,818,594 16,586,879 17,335,312 748,433 4.50% 1,955,259 2,027,466 72,207 3.70% GM Group 1,984,062 2,003,226 1,528,357 1,652,082 123,725 8.10% 184,547 205,497 20,950 11.40% Market Share 9.40% 9.20% 9.20% 9.50% 0.3 3.40% 9.40% 10.10% 0.7 7.40% Cadillac 2,693 3,443 2,593 3,390 797 30.70% 213 395 182 85.40% Corvette 1,332 1,273 1,090 1,034 -56 -5.10% 68 47 -21 -30.90% Saab 82,054 90,459 70,383 64,580 -5,803 -8.20% 9,245 8,684 -561 -6.10% Hummer 622 1,948 1,363 1,520 157 11.50% 152 166 14 9.20% Opel/Vauxhall 1,601,846 1,563,648 1,203,775 1,252,909 49,134 4.10% 142,544 155,060 12,516 8.80% Chevrolet 295,213 342,156 248,998 328,270 79,272 31.80% 32,292 41,088 8,796 27.20%

GM Sales up 22% in Latin America, Africa and the Middle East GM LAAM sales increase sets all-time quarterly sales record, 12th consecutive quarter of record sales, Best Q3 market share since 1997 Miramar, FL - General Motors Latin America, Africa & Middle East (GM LAAM) region set an all-time quarterly sales record in Q3 2007, selling over 329,000 vehicles, up 59,000 units over the same period last year. In addition, GM’s quarterly market share in the region increased to 17.5 percent, representing the best Q3 share since 1997. Through the first three quarters of 2007, GM LAAM has sold 894,000 vehicles, up 20 percent over the same period last year. Maureen Kempston Darkes, GM group vice president and president of GM LAAM said, “LAAM is on the way to surpassing last year’s annual record volume. These results are contributing to the Corporation’s goals in the rapidly growing emerging markets.” Latin America played a key role in GM LAAM’s record-breaking quarter. All-time quarterly sales volume records were set by GM in Brazil, Colombia, Egypt and Venezuela. In addition, Argentina set a Q3 sales record. LAAM Q3 sales represent the twelfth consecutive quarter of record sales. GM sales in the region were led by key Chevrolet vehicles, such as the Corsa, Celta and Aveo, which together represented 38 percent of the quarterly volume. Key Q3 launch vehicles – all Chevrolet – for the region included the Captiva, Epica and Tahoe for Colombia; the Vectra GT hatchback for Brazil; and the Captiva for South Africa. The Captiva provides South Africa an opportunity to further increase its product offerings in the SUV segment, following the introduction of the Cadillac SRX and Hummer H3 earlier this year.

Official Saturn news reels/video: http://www.mediaseed.tv/Story.aspx?story=33970

The new Malibu is 2012. 2010 is a new large car, apparently not the Malibu. How this will all shake out I have no idea. Aveo, Cobalt, Malibu, Impala Caprice?

Hahah, it's either retro or dated, like the Mazda Bongo. It's like an off-road Corvair van.

other than the concept-only slide-out interior, it's a pretty standard European-style commercial van. Expect to see models made by GM and Nissan and wearing Opel, Vauxhall, Nissan and Renault badges.

Different grade Commodores get different grilles. This is a Calais, and at the moment a preview concept rather then the production model. More photos at AutoReport.