Hummer news - H3 gets a V-8 and H2 gets an upgraded interior
It looks like a couple more of the GM announcements for New York have broken cover...
First is a mid-cycle refresh of the Hummer H2, with a freshened front end (not that anyone outside a Hummer fanatic could tell), a version of the 6.2l V-8 from the Cadillac Escalade (increasing the tow rating to 8000 lbs), and a brand new interior with new seats, new dash and gauges, and improved appointments all around.
Then there is the baby Hummer, the H3. Always criticized for being a bit of a laggard on-road, even if it had serious off-road cred. The inline-5, shared with the Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon just didn't have what it took to be competitive.
That's nothing that 3 more cylinders wouldn't take care of...and that's what we get. The H3 Alpha brings GM's 5.3l V-8 with 295hp and 317 lb*ft of torque to bear to not only move the H3 down the road with more authority, but also to increase the tow rating by 33% to a solid 6000 lbs.
Expect the freshened H2 and the H3 Alpha to go on sale later this year.
First is a mid-cycle refresh of the Hummer H2, with a freshened front end (not that anyone outside a Hummer fanatic could tell), a version of the 6.2l V-8 from the Cadillac Escalade (increasing the tow rating to 8000 lbs), and a brand new interior with new seats, new dash and gauges, and improved appointments all around.Then there is the baby Hummer, the H3. Always criticized for being a bit of a laggard on-road, even if it had serious off-road cred. The inline-5, shared with the Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon just didn't have what it took to be competitive.
That's nothing that 3 more cylinders wouldn't take care of...and that's what we get. The H3 Alpha brings GM's 5.3l V-8 with 295hp and 317 lb*ft of torque to bear to not only move the H3 down the road with more authority, but also to increase the tow rating by 33% to a solid 6000 lbs.Expect the freshened H2 and the H3 Alpha to go on sale later this year.
Gee, Buick...that's just Super
As I've mentioned before, Buick will be unveiling it's 'performance' series of cars at the New York Auto Show in April.The badge being applied to these is 'Super'. This will show up first on the LaCrosse and Lucerne and mark the first V-8 in the LaCrosse and a performance suspension, etc. on the Lucerne.
As you can see here, they will also sport bigger, Enclave-like grill work that, in at least the LaCrosse's case - will be standard across the line.It will be interesting to see if these actually help Buick sales while we wait for true re-designed models in the vein of the Enclave's style.
Chevy's Lambda to get Nomad badge
It's unusual, in the GM pecking order, for Chevy to have to wait for anything. However, when it comes to the Lambda chassis (Saturn Outlook, GMC Acadia, Buick Enclave) - Chevy gets to be last.
Word out of Edmund's Inside Line sub-site is that Chevy will correct this in the 2009 model year with their own version of the Lambda crossover. Along with the new crossover (that will effectively replace the defunct Uplander minivan, much as the other Lambda's replace Saturn's Relay and Buick's minivan-esque Rendezvous), they are expected to recycle another classic name from Chevy's past - Nomad.
Nomad, in case you aren't familiar, was used decades ago on Chevy's station wagons, and more recently on a Kappa-based, rear-drive sport wagon concept. So, at least they'd be consistent in putting the name on a utilitarian vehicle.
Unknown is if the new Chevy Nomad will be stylistically similar to the Saturn/GMC version or if GM will do the right thing and differentiate the styling as Buick as done with the Enclave.
Obviously, I'm hoping for the latter.
Check out the Edmund's story at:
IL: Chevy Mulls Reviving "Nomad" Name for New Crossover Vehicle
Word out of Edmund's Inside Line sub-site is that Chevy will correct this in the 2009 model year with their own version of the Lambda crossover. Along with the new crossover (that will effectively replace the defunct Uplander minivan, much as the other Lambda's replace Saturn's Relay and Buick's minivan-esque Rendezvous), they are expected to recycle another classic name from Chevy's past - Nomad.Nomad, in case you aren't familiar, was used decades ago on Chevy's station wagons, and more recently on a Kappa-based, rear-drive sport wagon concept. So, at least they'd be consistent in putting the name on a utilitarian vehicle.
Unknown is if the new Chevy Nomad will be stylistically similar to the Saturn/GMC version or if GM will do the right thing and differentiate the styling as Buick as done with the Enclave.
Obviously, I'm hoping for the latter.
Check out the Edmund's story at:
IL: Chevy Mulls Reviving "Nomad" Name for New Crossover Vehicle
New Subaru WRX breaks cover - courtesy Motor Trend
Well, there's been lots of turmoil over at Subaru with regard to styling (witness the corporate face they played with on the Tribeca and then quickly walked away from when customers balked). Now we can see yet another direction with the new WRX hatchback.
Personally - I think the front end is hideous. The rest is simply okay.
Now, performance specs might change my mind a bit...but Subaru really needs someone who can draw pretty cars on the payroll.
Check out the rest of this pic as well as more pictures from Motor Trend's spread (in their new May issue) at:
NASIOC: New 2008 WRX from Motor Trend
Personally - I think the front end is hideous. The rest is simply okay.Now, performance specs might change my mind a bit...but Subaru really needs someone who can draw pretty cars on the payroll.
Check out the rest of this pic as well as more pictures from Motor Trend's spread (in their new May issue) at:
NASIOC: New 2008 WRX from Motor Trend
Hyundai Genesis - real pics
Finally, Hyundai has put out some actual photos of the Genesis concept. I still think it bears more than a passing resemblance to some other products already on the market (the Toyota Avalon comes to mind first).
This 'concept' previews a new rear-drive, V-6 and V-8 powered Hyundai that we should be seeing in production very soon.Expect the V-8 model to start under 30k and pack over 300hp.
I guess that explains the naming...new baby crossover CX-5 coming from Mazda
I wondered when Mazda brought out the CX-7 based loosely on Mazda3 components, why they went with such a high number.
Then, they brought out a Mazda6 based CX-9 (cousin to the Ford Edge) and I wondered the same thing all over again.
Now, Auto Express is showing a rendering based on the recent Hakaze concept that shows what a sub-CX-7 crossover with Mazda's new design language could look like.
Expect this to be more in line, size-wise, with the Mazda3 (the CX-7 is a bit bigger), seating for 4, comfortably, powered by a non-turbo 4-cylinder. It would be available in front or all-wheel drive with either a manual or automatic tranny. Instead of 4 conventional doors, expect a very RX-8 like treatment with suicide rear-doors offering exceptional access to the back seat.
While AE expects the CX-5 to hit the ground as a 2010 vehicle, we've been hearing from Mazda that the concepts they have shown this year would culminate with a production-ish vehicle at the end. Given that, I'd expect to see a CX-5 early in the next auto show season (which starts in September 2007). Then again, the Hakaze could have been the 'production-ish' one also.
Of course, why these crossovers aren't named CX-3, CX-6, CX-9 in keeping with Mazda tradition is beyond me.
AutoExpress.com: Baby Mazda to face Freelander
Then, they brought out a Mazda6 based CX-9 (cousin to the Ford Edge) and I wondered the same thing all over again.Now, Auto Express is showing a rendering based on the recent Hakaze concept that shows what a sub-CX-7 crossover with Mazda's new design language could look like.
Expect this to be more in line, size-wise, with the Mazda3 (the CX-7 is a bit bigger), seating for 4, comfortably, powered by a non-turbo 4-cylinder. It would be available in front or all-wheel drive with either a manual or automatic tranny. Instead of 4 conventional doors, expect a very RX-8 like treatment with suicide rear-doors offering exceptional access to the back seat.While AE expects the CX-5 to hit the ground as a 2010 vehicle, we've been hearing from Mazda that the concepts they have shown this year would culminate with a production-ish vehicle at the end. Given that, I'd expect to see a CX-5 early in the next auto show season (which starts in September 2007). Then again, the Hakaze could have been the 'production-ish' one also.
Of course, why these crossovers aren't named CX-3, CX-6, CX-9 in keeping with Mazda tradition is beyond me.
AutoExpress.com: Baby Mazda to face Freelander
It's still on its way...Caliber SRT-4
According to a chat with the SRT guys held at the CaliberForums.com site, we should be seeing SRT-4's on the streets come fall of this year (of course, assuming that Chrysler's new masters are okay with such hooligan-ism).Remember, the Caliber SRT-4 is a turbo 2.4l powered front-driver packing at least 300hp. Seeing how Mazda needed computer trickery to get the Mazdaspeed3's 260hp to flow well - it will be interesting to see how Dodge manages the trick of putting down an additional 15% over the Mazda.
It should be interesting, if not all that refined an experience.
Kappa + Zeta = Alpha? Pontiac G6 to go rear-drive
Gotta love those crazy engineers at GM.
For some time now, we've been hearing that GM planned to take the Pontiac line in a rear-drive-only direction.
The Solstice, while an example of this, certainly was no proof. Then the Grand Prix replacement went to the Zeta chassis as the G8 it started to look like there might be something to all this talk.
However, it has always bothered me that the G6 could not easily make the transition. It is based on GM's Epsilon global front-drive platform. Even though the 2nd generation Epsilon2 is supposed to have all-wheel drive as an option...all-wheel drive just isn't the same as rear-wheel drive. Especially to enthusiasts. How did GM plan to take a mid-sized sedan to this new rear-drive Pontiac ethic?
Now, word comes that GM is far into development of a new platform...part Kappa, part Zeta...and going by the name 'Alpha'.
This chassis will serve as the basis for both the next generation G6 as well as it's Euro-cousin in the Cadillac lineup, the BLS.
Now that this puzzle piece has fallen into place, we can only hope that we will soon hear rumblings of a Kappa based small sedan/coupe to replace the current Cobalt-clone G5...perhaps with the G4 name.
Ah, a fun time to be a GM fan no matter how you slice it.
Winding Road: GM's Next RWD Platform: Alpha
For some time now, we've been hearing that GM planned to take the Pontiac line in a rear-drive-only direction.
The Solstice, while an example of this, certainly was no proof. Then the Grand Prix replacement went to the Zeta chassis as the G8 it started to look like there might be something to all this talk.However, it has always bothered me that the G6 could not easily make the transition. It is based on GM's Epsilon global front-drive platform. Even though the 2nd generation Epsilon2 is supposed to have all-wheel drive as an option...all-wheel drive just isn't the same as rear-wheel drive. Especially to enthusiasts. How did GM plan to take a mid-sized sedan to this new rear-drive Pontiac ethic?
Now, word comes that GM is far into development of a new platform...part Kappa, part Zeta...and going by the name 'Alpha'.
This chassis will serve as the basis for both the next generation G6 as well as it's Euro-cousin in the Cadillac lineup, the BLS.
Now that this puzzle piece has fallen into place, we can only hope that we will soon hear rumblings of a Kappa based small sedan/coupe to replace the current Cobalt-clone G5...perhaps with the G4 name.
Ah, a fun time to be a GM fan no matter how you slice it.
Winding Road: GM's Next RWD Platform: Alpha