Scott K Scott K

Kappa-watch - Daewoo version of the Sky?

Daewoo G2XFunny, it seemed that the Solstice was the reason for the Kappa chassis. But, more and more often, it appears that the Sky is the darling of the platform.

Earlier this year, we saw that the 2.0l turbo Sky Red Line was going to be sold as the Opel GT (in fact, the RL had not yet even been officially announced).

Now Daewoo is getting into the act.

While Opel gets only the turbo, Daewoo will only get the normally aspirated 2.4l from the base Sky for their G2X.

What we have here is proof positive what GM has been talking about when referring to the way they plan to leverage their global might without diluting their brands. Daewoo is not sold here anymore (except as entry level Chevy's and Suzuki's). Opel doesn't play here either. Saturn only sells cars in North America.

So, you take one halo car and generate 3. Notice the difference between this and when GM used to slap a different grill on the same car and sell it across the street from one another (if not in the same exact showroom). These cars will never, ever see each other on the street. A German driving an Opel GT will never be reminded at a stoplight that he could have bought the same car at Saturn or, heaven forbid, the Daewoo dealer.

All three brands get a halo car to pull folks into showrooms without the potential negative feelings of the car not being truly special.

This might just work after all.
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GM to increase Kappa production

Kappa = Pontiac Solstice, Saturn Sky, Opel GT

Dealers = greedy

Customers = angry

GM = increasing Kappa production as much and as fast as it can in order to help take the edge off the situation. Will Solstices (Solsti?) and Skies soon be commonplace and stacking up on dealer lots? Not likely given the limitations of hydroformed body panels (a low volume technique pioneered by GM for these cars).

Any increase in supply will likely be more than accounted for by the feverish demand. I, for one, am hoping that GM doesn't screw up a good thing by building too many of these lovely cars and having to discount them (if only because of the ill will that would result with the customers who felt they had to pay full sticker price - or more - for their Kappa).
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How Bourgeois spots camo-ed Equinox SS

How Bourgeois blog - spy photo Equinox SSThe HB blog has some nice photos of a lightly disguised Equinox. Differences? New front fascia with what appear to be brake cooling ducts, big 5-spoke wheels that reveal the only Equinox with rear discs, dual exhausts.

Imagine this with the same high-feature 3.6l V-6 with variable valve timing (260hp-ish) and you can see a nice sporty version of the Equinox.

Worthy of SS badging? Maybe not. But expect it one way or the other soon.

See more photos at:

How Bourgeois - HB Ride Spotting: Chevrolet Equinox SS
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Porsche to debut Cayman (minus the S)

Given Porsche's trend lately to use an S to denote a slightly higher performance variant of an existing model, and that the new Cayman debuted as the Cayman S...folks have been wondering if/when a non-S model would show up.

The answer from Porsche? July.

The non-S Cayman will have a 2.7l flat-6 (down from the S' 3.2) with 245hp (down from 295).

Also down? The price. Cayman will start at $49400, down almost 10k from the Cayman S.
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TCC Drives 2010 Camaro

The good folks over at thecarconnection.com have had a chance to take a spin in the Camaro concept car.

Interestingly, they state that the concept is built on a prototype of the new Zeta chassis that will underpin the actual production car (that has not been officially announced, though is almost certainly will be eventually). Also, the headroom of the concept is barely adequate for the 6-foot author - so expect a higher roof on the production Camaro.

Read all about it here:

TheCarConnection Drives Chevy's Camaro - The Car Connection
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Opel unveils Antera (Saturn Vue replacement)

New Opel Antera, basis for 2007 or 2008 Saturn VueFirst we had the 3-door Antera GTC concept, then the identical Saturn PreVue concept...now we have the first pictures of the production version of the 5-door Opel Antera and soon to be new Saturn Vue (though Saturn may change the name to hammer home how different this is than the Chevy Equinox/Pontiac Torrent/Suzuki's new XL-7 sibling that is the current VUE).

In Opel guise, the Antera gets a 2.4l gasoline 4-cylinder as it's base powerplant (very likely the base engine for Saturn duty as well). A 3.2l V-6 with 240-ish hp would be the replacement for the Honda sourced engine used in the VUE (and would give the Outlook's 3.6l engine bragging rights). Opel will offer a 150hp, 2.0l diesel as well, but don't expect it to make the jump to Saturn unless diesel's become much more popular than they currently are.

Expect a higher level of fit-and-finish than the current Vue as well as modern high-tech gadgets like stability control (StabiliTrak) and in-dash navigation available on top models.

New Opel Antera, basis for 2007 or 2008 Saturn Vue

New Opel Antera, basis for 2007 or 2008 Saturn Vue

New Opel Antera, basis for 2007 or 2008 Saturn Vue
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Cadillac to build CTS coupe

Autoweek.com sketch of CTS CoupeI knew something was up with the styling bucks Bob Lutz showed on 60 Minutes a few weeks back.

The one they showed the back of was way too sporty for a CTS sedan with a very rakish rear window. Over at the Caddy Edge, I predicted that this was actually a CTS coupe...and much joy ensued.

Now, the rumors are more official since Autoweek (the above sketch is from them) and Automotive News are both reporting it.

Take a look here:

CTS Coupe Rumored
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GM Dealers ask for something dumb and GM gives it to them

Autoblog.com is reporting on a pretty depressing development. GM has sworn that they would get away from badge engineering product (in the modern context - making minor changes and selling the same vehicle under different names)...and we've heard more than once that Pontiac would get decidedly sporty models and more recently that they would not be a full-line manufacturer.

Well, apparently GM isn't strong enough to toe that line...the dealers whined about the loss of the Sunfire coupe and instead of simply telling them that they are now a niche brand that will sell sporty cars...GM caved and is giving them a 'G5' that is little more than a Cobalt coupe with a Pontiac grill.

Maybe they'll show some guts next time when the dealers ask for watered-down product and actually say 'no'.

Autoblog.com - Pontiac G5 Debuts at Fundraiser
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