Happy Times @ NAIAS

[BigAls87Z28]

First up, is the annoucement that GM will import up to 50k Commodores here in the US as the Pontiac G8. It will get new sheet metal, and will show the pre-production car next month at Chicago.

http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43081

Next up is the brand new Caddy CTS. Will be equpied with 6spd manual standard, 6spd auto optional. Will have an AWD option, with both trans optional for AWD. Base is a regular 3.6 making near 260hp, upper model gets a direct injected 3.6 making 300hp. The CTS has grown in size, it is now in the 5/E/A6 class as there is anticipation for the smaller BLS to arrive here in the states.

http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/gallery/data/530/medium/ncts1.jpg

http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43050

Next up is 2 more entries from Pontiac as they expand there GXP line up. New this year is the G6 GXP and Torrent GXP.
G6 GXP gets a 252hp 6spd auto with a killer appearance package.
Torrent GXP gets a 263hp 6spd auto with improved handling and stance.

http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/gallery/data/530/tgxp1.jpg

http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/gallery/data/530/6gxp2.jpg

http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43020

And, here she is, GM's plug in hybrid concept car. With a little bit of Camaro's design theme, a little bit of future tech, this is kind of the next generation of hybrid cars.

http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/gallery/data/530/medium/volt2.jpg

http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/gallery/data/530/medium/volt5.jpg

http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/showthread.php?t=42982

This is on top of the very sexy Camaro Vert concept.

[maroman88]

those GXP's are the hotness

[unstable bob gable]

Cool!

[Knipps]

Commodore FTW

i actually have Holden merch. from my last trip down to Australia.
maybe i'll drive my grandma's when i'm down there :mrgreen:

[LS1Hawk]

G6 GXP is only getting 252hp? That's the same number as the current GTP.

[j0n]

commodore! i gotta start saving now

[NJSPEEDER]

any word on if they are planning to follow through on the 1inch drop to the torrent gxp that was rumored? it is already the best handling mid sized SUV out there, dropping he CG a little would put it completely over the top. :)

[NJSPEEDER]

p.s. al, call whoever you know and tell them to get the damn Ute over here. a small/mid sized pick-up with sporty lines and V8 power woudl sell like mad in the american market.

[BonzoHansen]

I had a Commodore.....64. But that is not the same, I suppose. :)

[Knipps]

p.s. al, call whoever you know and tell them to get the damn Ute over here. a small/mid sized pick-up with sporty lines and V8 power woudl sell like mad in the american market.

:werd:

[DieselKickYoAss4Sure]

p.s. al, call whoever you know and tell them to get the damn Ute over here. a small/mid sized pick-up with sporty lines and V8 power woudl sell like mad in the american market.
should be sporty [ickup wiht good lines and a high output fuel efficiant diesel would sell liek crazyy!

[NJSPEEDER]

i don't know if you have noticed or not phil, but other than commercial vehicles, the united states has failed to embrace diesel. because of how far behind the us companies are with their in-house diesel technology the engines add a ton to the sticker price and would destroy the market position of the Ute.

[ar0ck]

I am really really excited about the Commodore. Lets just hope they keep up with the amount of options the Aussies get!

[BigAls87Z28]

The Ute is being produced on the old VZ platform, dont think its gunna come here though. If anything, when the Ute goes to VE, we might get some.
As for the Commodore, the G8 will come in 2 flavors. First is a 3.6 V6 with 5 or 6spd automatic only. Will make 256hp and have options. Then there will be a G8 GT with the detuned LS2 making anywhere from 360-380hp. There is a possibility for GM to drop in a US-Spec LS2 and go to the full 400hp. That leaves a big gap. Prices are not announced yet, but said that the V6 will start in the mid 20's with V8 starting just over 30k, like the GTO. No list of options or anything. We will have to wait till Chi-Town's autoshow.
btw, CTS is the first production car to win the Eye On Design for a vehicle. This is usualy reserved for creative concepts. Last year, I belive the Camaro won the award.

[NJSPEEDER]

interesting that they would decide to go auto only when they are developing pontiac into the companies primary performance brand.

[BigAls87Z28]

Im sure it will have some sort of padle feature, but thats about it. As for performance, there will be a manual available for the L98/LS2.
This might be one of the last V8 powerd Pontiacs as the division will go to an all RWD, 4/6cyl set up. If you want V8 performance, its gunna be Chevy or Caddy.

[BonzoHansen]

Im sure it will have some sort of padle feature, but thats about it. As for performance, there will be a manual available for the L98/LS2.
This might be one of the last V8 powerd Pontiacs as the division will go to an all RWD, 4/6cyl set up. If you want V8 performance, its gunna be Chevy or Caddy.
So much for the excitement division.

[qwikz28]

Im sure it will have some sort of padle feature, but thats about it. As for performance, there will be a manual available for the L98/LS2.
This might be one of the last V8 powerd Pontiacs as the division will go to an all RWD, 4/6cyl set up. If you want V8 performance, its gunna be Chevy or Caddy.
if they don't put a v8 in the G8 i'm gonna throw up. its already got the number 8 in the damn name. its fate!

[BigAls87Z28]

BTW...About Camaro

Autoblog: The styling's been a hit for both the coupe and the convertible. How closely are you looking to match the concept's styling -- especially the interior -- on the production version of the Camaro (http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/showthread.php?p=894843#).
Ed Peper: It's going to be very, very close. I have seen the production coupe, and if you saw the two of them side by side -- the production coupe and the concept coupe we introduced last year -- you wouldn't be able to tell the difference. It is very minute. I mean, obviously you have to make some exceptions when translating a concept to production, but it's going to be very, very close. This is not like a wild concept that we come back and can't realistically build the same sort of vehicle (http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/showthread.php?p=894843#) for production. No, it is going to be very close.

For the n00bs, Ed Peper is Head of Chevy.

[LS1Hawk]

BTW...About Camaro

Autoblog: The styling's been a hit for both the coupe and the convertible. How closely are you looking to match the concept's styling -- especially the interior -- on the production version of the Camaro (http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/showthread.php?p=894843#).
Ed Peper: It's going to be very, very close. I have seen the production coupe, and if you saw the two of them side by side -- the production coupe and the concept coupe we introduced last year -- you wouldn't be able to tell the difference. It is very minute. I mean, obviously you have to make some exceptions when translating a concept to production, but it's going to be very, very close. This is not like a wild concept that we come back and can't realistically build the same sort of vehicle (http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/showthread.php?p=894843#) for production. No, it is going to be very close.

For the n00bs, Ed Peper is Head of Chevy.

Sounds good to me :nod:

[qwikz28]

BTW...About Camaro

Autoblog: The styling's been a hit for both the coupe and the convertible. How closely are you looking to match the concept's styling -- especially the interior -- on the production version of the Camaro (http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/showthread.php?p=894843#).
Ed Peper: It's going to be very, very close. I have seen the production coupe, and if you saw the two of them side by side -- the production coupe and the concept coupe we introduced last year -- you wouldn't be able to tell the difference. It is very minute. I mean, obviously you have to make some exceptions when translating a concept to production, but it's going to be very, very close. This is not like a wild concept that we come back and can't realistically build the same sort of vehicle (http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/showthread.php?p=894843#) for production. No, it is going to be very close.

For the n00bs, Ed Peper is Head of Chevy.

you see Al, i don't buy that. so much of the concept was just unrealistic, for example, the side mirrors, the wheels, the interior... i just don't see the production being very similar with the exception of the exterior design.... i just hope to get those baller-status seatbelts. that would sell me to buy the car alone

[BigAls87Z28]

Well Jake, the way I look at it is this.
Ed Peper is Head of Chevrolet.
You are a terrorist.
So, when it comes down to who to belive and follow someone's train of thought, my money is on the Chevy guy.
Will it have 22's? No.
Will it have 2x5 viewable mirrors? Probably not
But MOST...not all....MOST of the design is very close. If they can keep the design CLOSE, I will be happy. The fenders, the coke bottle shape, the stance, the art that is the rear deck area, all that is still intact, then I will be loving it.
Im sure the interior will get a more production ready trim, but Id bet on that retroish set up, which im not a big fan of. But Im worried about is the exterior design. I want this baby to just look drop dead sexy, just like the concept.

[NJSPEEDER]

al, would the paddle/manual shift be a return of the same old manu-matic crap that many companies have tried before or woudl it be an actual performance piece?
i have driven a few cars with the older systmes, garbage doesn't even begin to describe it.

[ar0ck]

What if I want 22's?

[NJSPEEDER]

then you gotta find some local pimpin' azz rim shop to buy them from. lol

[Brando56894]

those GXP's are the hotness

:werd: