Z-06

Too early to say that.

More of an anti-nuclear tirade than tackling the real issue.

Ever worked for anything in the mining business? Yes. We always look in the hole.

First really good month in a long time. Buick is reaching its peak. I think the brand will settle to somewhere between 150K - 200K cars annually.

Happy Birthday

A longitudinal V4 provides a FWD platform a leverage to push the engine behind the driveshaft. Thus, provides a stable structure and mechanically balanced FWD platform. It will also be harmonically balanced compared to a transverse V6, but more or less a wash compared with a transverse naturally aspirated inline 4. You have to understand the history behind the transverse FWD vehicles. Most of them were from Japanese/European manufacturers where there was a need to fit 3/4 cylinder engines in the bays of smaller cars, which did not facilitate enough wiggle room for engines to be longitudinal. The modern FWD trend is to have as short overhangs as possible and push the engine as far back as possible. Also, 4 cylinders with some kind of force induction is becoming a norm in cars. In that setup, transverse FWD 4 cylinder suddenly becomes less balanced, because you have turbo sitting on one side of the engine. A longitudinal V4 with short overhangs is a plausibility in vehicles similar or larger than a Cruze.

Size wise, its direct competitor is the Spark and it is $16,000 too much for an electric golf cart till you start adding BMWs options. Sure it is a second faster than Spark, sure it is a RWD, sure it is possibly more fun to drive, sure it is a BMW. And all those Volt disparagers - GM did something right that BMW is following with a range extender as the Volt has.

It still does not answer WHY the set up has bad balance. Is it harmonic (NVH) or stability or mechanical?

Explain me why is it bad from a balance point.

Because a 90 deg V4 is very short, but wide. When you place it in a transverse setup, it requires much more engine bay length than an inline engine or a 60 degree V6. More importantly though, in a transverse arrangement it has no advantages over an inline-4. But why restrict to transverse setup?

Why is there a notion that this engine will not move a FWD?

So with this development, which is the first vehicle to get the D2XX - Astra? I hope GM addresses the weight issue with Delta platform, which otherwise does not have too many chinks like the EPII.

Dwight, Let us start working on a working model of this.

And GM could not do the same with Avalanche which sells a lot more units than this piece.

Big ego also leads to a big downfall. Good let Mercedes build SLS AMG because it could. Pontiac built the Aztec because it could.

I guess GM doesn't see the ROI in designing and building such product in-house. Isn't this utter BS repeated in practically every GM business case for sensible investments?

It seems any of the mainstream manufacturers Ford, Chevy, Toyota, etc. would benefit from such a sedan of the size of ATS, priced at around $25,000 and coming with 4 cylinder turbos up to 300 hp.

Nothing compares to The BEAST. GM wins again. Next!!!

So Pullman should sue Mercedes for using Pullman name.

HB old men.

That's interesting. I really like the last gen TSX in a smaller tighter form, but the material quality and finish inside of the 2009 is clearly better IMHO without all the hard plastic panels that feel thin and scrape up on the center console and dash, etc. of the first gen. They are not far off, but I end up liking the newer model more back to back, even though it is bigger with less direct steering feel, and softer nicer looking materials and dash. Both are extremely nice cars. I had a client replace his older Lexus LS "day to day run about" with a 2004 TSX we had with 80k miles on it. Enjoys the drive and performance a lot. Great tough cars. The powertrains are great especially, even with the 5-speed auto and that 2.4L. I get incredible mileage and the best of it doing 75-80mph, singing along. My wife and I could tell the sacrifice in the interior quality. Especially the plastics on the dash, the feel of buttons, and the upholstery on the A-pillar. Honda has cut some corners there no doubt. Also, props to Acura dealers' service department. The car has been at 4 dealerships in three states for service. The service provided has been spectacular. BMW has horrible service compared to that. Honestly, the virtues of Acura brand were - to be lean, friendly dealership, cheap luxury with tremendous value, and 9/10th sportiness compared to a RWD competitor. The new cars lack that and that is one of the main reasons for the demise of the brand. I still would not mind having the old TL Type-S with 6 speed, but the new bugs-bunny mobile is just awful. Yes the car is bulletproof. A perfect daily driver without being too ostentatious.

Given historically GM, Honda and Benz were always ahead in this technology, how come Toyota is leap frogging them with a production car for masses?

The last generation TSX was a much better car than the current beak mobile. My wife still has the 2005 TSX we purchased in 2006 with ~25k on the odo. Now with ~107K miles on it, it is still going strong. Barring minor stuff like back heat pad of driver seat, water pump leak, and locked center console lid cover - all fixed under warranty the car has been trouble free. That 6-speed really hangs with the 330i ZHP in the hills of TN. A fun tossable polo pony that got matured without gaining horsepower. Also, quality of the materials in the new TSX is less that the old one, to a point that even my wife scoffed at it as tupperware class.