GM planning Firebird, Fiero, and 8-speed transmission

LLN has scooped us all with coverage of recent trademark filings by GM that suggest that GM is considering a return of the Fiero and Firebird names. We can only guess as to what products they might be attached to, but I'd have to agree with them that Fiero might make a great name to resurrect for a coupe based on the Kappa.

There were rumors before Solstice was officially announced for production that GM had been considering Firebird as one name for the new roadster. It is also likely that they could be reconsidering if their Zeta based coupe should carry the GTO name after the recent bad press from the current GTO's bland styling...or, they could be considering a retro GTO and a more modern styled Firebird.

Also, GM registered a trademark for '8 Speed' for use on a transmission. Expect that wonderful piece of unexpected technology to debut with Cadillac.

Read all about both stories at Left Lane News:

LLN: 8-Speed

LLN: Firebird and Fiero

Warranty wars - GM to offer 5 year / 100000 mile powertrain warranty

In what can only be termed an 'about time' move from GM, and no doubt pushed over the edge by recent increases of Ford warranties...GM is expected to announce later today a move from their current 3 year/ 36000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty on most vehicles in the US and Canada (Cadillac and Buick currently already have longer bumper-to-bumper warranties) to a 3 year / 36000 mile bumper-to-bumper and a 5 year / 100000 mile powertrain. The longer warranty is expected to be effective on 2007 and newer vehicles. It is unknown, but expected, that Cadillac and Buick will join the rest of the brands with longer powertrain warranties as well.

Recently, Ford announced 5 year / 60000 mile powertrain warranties on Ford and Mercury products and 6 year / 70000 mile powertrain warranty on Lincoln.

Update - GM has officially announced that all 8 brands will get 5 year / 100000 mile powertrain warranties to go with their existing bumper-to-bumper coverage. In addition, for the same terms as the powertrain warranty, all cars in all 8 brands will have included roadside assistance.

GM is promoting this with a new ad slogan "A New Level of Confidence" that includes fleets of new GM vehicles driving many feet above all other cars on the road - a nice visual (especially the Pontiac Solstice being transported with giant chains holding it a few feet above the trailer).

A bit more time than 5 years would have been nice - since I know few people who would reach the 100k mark at or before the end of 5 years. 6 or 7 years would have been more in keeping with an average of 15k miles per year. 10 would have at least put GM on par with Hyundai, Kia, and former partner Suzuki as 'standing behind their product' in the mind of many consumers.

It will be interesting to see how well they do with this initiative.

Ford to unveil new SuperDuty on Sept 28th.

Ford really likes showing trucks to Texans first (especially with Toyota's new Tundra being built there starting next year).

At the State Fair in Dallas on Sept 28th, Ford will show off the brand new Super Duty for all the big-truck lovers out there to drool over.

Read a bit more over at LLN:
2008 F-Series Ford Super Duty due Sept. 28

Surprise, surprise...Camaro is a GO!

Rick Wagoner announced today that the Camaro will go into production.

Based on an Australian designed platform with independent rear suspension (Zeta by any other name?) and will begin production in the fall of 2008 for sale in the first quarter of 2009.

The displayed car is the same concept shown earlier, but GM promises that the changes for production will be minor.

This will put Camaro significantly behind the new Challenger which is supposed to be available in about 18 months. Of course, the Challenger is expected to be a higher-priced, V-8 only model while Camaro will be available in a variety of powertrains (including a base V-6) and will also likely have a convertible model soon after launch.

Now, we just have to wait about 24 months for the 3-way ponycar comparison tests to hit the magazines.

Read here to see Bob Lutz take on the announcement:

Fastlane Blog - Give the People what they Want

Mazda prices Mazdaspeed 3

Take the respected Mazda3 and drop in the turbo 2.3l, direct injection 4-cylinder that has found its home in the Mazdaspeed 6 and in the new Mazda CX-7, give it standard airbags all around, standard ABS/traction control/stability control, standard tire-pressure monitoring. Give it a fancy torque management system and standard limited slip diff to keep the 250+hp and 280 lb*ft of torque from overwhelming the front tires (front drive only for the MS3)...toss on some unique front fenders, front and rear fascia, and a neat spoiler at the top of the hatch...give it the Mazdaspeed 6's 6-speed manual, standard automatic climate control, sport seats, and more...and you might expect a pretty steep starting price.

You'd be wrong.

Mazda announced this week the starting MSRP for both the base (Sport in Mazda-speak) Mazdaspeed 3 as well as the Grand Touring trim level (which ads such items as automatic headlights and wipers, Xenon HID headlights and LED taillights, leather seat bolsters, Bose 6-disc CD player, a driver information center, and an anti-theft system).

Starting price for the Sport, including destination is $22800

Grand Touring bumps the price to $24515

Expect these to start showing up on dealer lots in mid-September...also expect to have a hard time getting them for MSRP.

Check out this preview drive over at Edmunds' Inside Line for even more good news:


Inside Line - Mazdaspeed 3: The World's Quickest Hot Hatch is Here

Mazda makes the power hard-top MX-5 official

Mazda, as expected, debuted the production version of the MX-5 (Miata to all us in the USA) with a power hard-top at the British International Motor Show.

Expect, when the car goes on sale, for it to bring a $2000 cost (US) as well as a mere 75 lb weight increase.

Small price to pay for a fun little coupe that just happens to turn into a convertible at the push of a button (after you release the manual header latch).

And now...some pictures:

Volvo C30 breaks cover

LLN has managed to scoop us all with a series of pictures of the production trim of the new Volvo C30.

The C30 is based on the same C1 chassis that is shared between Volvo (S40/V50), Mazda (Mazda3), Ford (non-North American Focus), and Land Rover (LR2). This 2-door coupe/hatch should be priced lower than the S40 but ultimately be available with all the same engines (though if it will have available all-wheel drive is not known).

Expect an official announcement soon and a pricing announcement closer to its availability in each market.

US sales likely won't be until spring.

Read all about it at:

LeftlaneNews.com - 2007 Volvo C30 (production model)

Buick Enclave Spied!

Cheers and Gears has spy photos of the 2008 Buick Enclave. This vehicle, if you haven't been paying attention, was previewed this past winter as the first of the new family of full-sized (this guys are as spacious as a Tahoe/Yukon/Escalade) cross-overs with GM's 3.6l high-feature V-6 putting out over 260hp.

Expectations are that a small V-8 will be made available a year after launch.

Of note here is that the interior spy shot shows that the production Enclave will follow the 'show car' very closely. Exterior design is practically spot-on identical to the 'show car'.

Check out all the details as well as more spy shots (and more of the interior shot above) over at:

Cheers and Gears - Cheers and Gears Exclusive: 2008 Buick Enclave (GMT-967)