hyperv6

Here is a LHD Holden driven by a GMNA associate. There was a second one from Canada with RHD attending also. I have no idea if this means anything but it was just nice to see on our roads what we could of had. All photo's from the GTO web site.

Like this? love my GP but it's time has come to an end as a FWD. It is a no brainer to know Pontiac will get a RWD sedan if it is to survive. Just the question is when and what they will call it. I hope they will drop this G number system but I understand thier trying to market to folks who would have never bought Pontiac before. Anyone also note they had two Holden UTE's at the Woodward Cruise this weekend. One was RHD.

The loss of the GP and LaCross is no big loss as they both are one of the oldest cars GM has today I know they are have been updated well but the point is they need new product to replace these. If sales were in the present Impala range I could see them keeping them but they are not and sometimes you have to cut the toe off to save the foot. I am sure they have some plan and from what GM has been doing of late they do not always have the new car ready as one leaves the market so I would not be surprised if there is some gap. If anything these cars were gone in 08 anyway from what we have been hearing! Lets face it the a V8 W body LaCrosse vs it's rivals is not much of a match up due to the older platform.

New GP/GTO???? In any case it is a new Holden and it looks good! posted on Drive.comau HSV's eagerly awaited E-Series performance sedan has broken cover a full week ahead of its official launch because of a silly mix-up in embargo dates. Pictures of a white E-Series sedan, most likely a Clubsport, were apparently published by a government department mistakenly advised by HSV that the vehicle's official launch was yesterday, Wednesday August 16. The launch was actually put back a week until Monday 21 August, but it seems this small detail never got to the department in question. These pictures, picked up by enthusiast sites like LS1.com.au, are only the second time Australia has seen scoop images of HSV's E-Series models. drive.com.au nabbed prized video footage of the E-Series driving on public roads around Holden's Lang Lang proving ground in June. It's clear from these two photos that while HSV's E-Series models will have unique styling, they still unashamedly reflect their Commodore origins. In typical HSV fashion the sports sedan gets a unique rear diffuser and wing, side skirts and a deep chin spoiler. But by far the biggest visual differences are the taillights at the rear and huge vent behind the front wheels Disappointingly it looks like HSV has left Holden's quad exhaust pipes and headlights alone, and continued with VZ-style nostrils. Tyres, too, look to be the same 19inch specification Holden offers on the Commodore SS-V, with 20inch wheels and tyres expected on higher spec models like the GTS. Bigger AP Racing brakes will be called on to slow the E-Series, which is up to 100kg heavier on some models than before. As for engines, forget the stories you're been reading about 6.2 or even 7.0-litre V8 engines, they're still in the future, and don't expect massive jumps in power to 350kW and beyond. Drive understands HSV E-Series models will get a more modest power increase, and certainly not the 310kW others have guessed at. A six-speed manual transmission will be standard, and GM's new six-speed auto an option. Drive has previously reported that HSV will launch an all-new active suspension system called MagneRide on the E-Series, which uses magnetic energy and ferrous fluid in the dampers to change damping characteristics on the fly. The system, which is also used on some Cadillac models and on Ferrari's 599 GTB Fiorano, will be fitted to the top-spec GTS model only and will be called Magnetic Ride Control (MRC). That's right; after a two-year absence the GTS model is set to return to the HSV line-up alongside the Clubsport and Senator. But we've heard HSV will not endow this halo car with any more power than more mundane E Series models, relying solely on MRC to set it apart on performance. That, of course, makes room for a higher-performance model – remember the GTS-R? – to join the line-up at a later date, most likely with a 6.2-litre V8 engine and more than 320kW. HSV models are expected to pick up VE Commodore-style interiors, with detail changes to reflect HSV's premium position – but the overall layout and control-placement is expected to remain unchanged. The news for fans of the HSV Maloo ute isn't good. HSV will not be releasing a new version of its lightning-quick load lugger until Holden updates the Commodore ute – and that's not expected until 2008 at the earliest. Check Drive.com.au at 9am Monday morning for the full story on all HSV E-Series models.

I will agree Product is Big part of the problem but it goes much deeper than that. The press has beat down GM and other American cars at time when they deserved it but other time when it was not true. I will not blame the press for the down fall of Detroit but I do blame them for not always being fair when Detroit does get something right. Poor writers share in some of the blame for inconsistant reporting. If press wants to be taken seriously it needs to be fair across the board. I would like to see them continue to be critical where it is justified [how else is Detroit to going to improve]. But in turn when Detroit or GM does something right damn well fess up and give them credit. I think the new Saturn Aura and other new Saturn models will be telling not only of imporved GM quality but also of the press and seeing if they are willing to be fair in their judgment. A good writer would be fair no matter the origin of the auto many are not and that is due to a poor writer. As for the public they for the most part are pretty ignorent when it comes to cars. This was not a major factor in day past but as cars have been more complicated it is a major factor today. Most people today just want to know how much the lease payment is, how good is the gas mileage and that they will not have to visit the dealer in the next 3 years. Pretty simple but important things most buyers today all want to know. The import companys have deliverd on these points and that leads to satisfaction. Combine this with a poor writer the public would believe anything because they don't know any better. Jerry in his story points out that companies like Toyota are now getting a break because of their past and he points out GM is headed in the right direction, Jerry in truth is headed to where the press needs to go and is fair in his story. In the past things were not this fair and some writers still can't see past their own likes and dislikes. The bottom line today is the Automotive press is not one sided it is just poor quality like most other press outlets. For every good writer you have 3 piss poor writers out their no matter what the topic in the press. The media is no better than any other industry which lacks good workers and talented employees. I fully agree Detroit still has a lot to improve in quality and deserves the bumps on the head but the press as a whole could still use a great step up in quality themselves. I guess when so many writers are needed and you have such few talented writers the news industy will suffer as a whole.This topic came up at lunch where one of my co workers was a PR guy for one of the large tire companies and still is a free lance automotive writer. We spoke of how the Auto Magazine industry is a tough buisness and is hurting just as much as the news media outlets [tv, newspapers etc] are for good and talented people. The smart writers are few and far inbetween. Many that are excellent writers are making money doing other things as most writers don't make enough to buy many of the cars they write about. Those who can do and those who can't write! At least in some cases.Bottom line is both sides could use an improvment in quality.

The only reason is it is not 5 years is they have already got a lot of things ready for this car already and they nust need to finish what was already started. I wish more people would learn to watch and read what Fbodfather tells us. He is the guy in the know and will give you the most info anyone can outside the GM gate. He has already warned us the new RWD Impala styling is a home run. I can't wait till Detroit in January I have a feeling we might get a himt at what to expect. Imagine what kind of of impact the new Impala, Malibu, Sting Ray and Camaro will have on the Chevy line up with a updated turbo HHR and Cobalt coming soon after. A dash of El camino would just spice it up a little more with a old idea gone new again.

Well my interior in my 97 in not worn broken cracked or even has a rattle even with the ZQ8 suspension. The dash in the new truck looks like it was made by rubbermaid but out of vcheaper material. The fabric of the seats is some of the poorest looking I have seen. I have driven many of the new trucks and they do ride well and handle good [the new ZQ8 did not imporve over the old] . The metal used in the tail gate seems lighter. I do notice the 5 cylinder is more powerful than my 4.3. Over all it is a good truck but far from what it should have been. Most of the mid class truck are not up to the full size standards in comfort or quality, no matter who built it. It will be a cold day before I would pay 25K for a new loaded ZQ8 Colorado, just not enough there to attract me. I would spend the money on a loaded Solstice or Sky and keep the truck I have. It is 9 years old and nothing is wrong with it or it's rust free body. Besides it is paid for. Plus the 1997 ZQ8 on the on ramps and autocross track is still a blast!

If given a choice of a new Colorado or a brand new 1997 Sonoma ext ZQ8, I would take the new 1997 like I already have. The new truck is just plain cheap in build and feel. The iterior is the worst since the 1982 Camaro! I am waiting to upgrade to a car next time I buy and keep my old truck to haul as my next vehicle will not by a Colorado.

Has anyone considered that the Transformer movie is due in July of 07 and they are calling the new Camaro a 08. Hmmm could the movie be a big lead in to the release of the car in August or September as a 08, The movie transforms a Second gen into a 08 Camaro that fights bad Mustang police car autobots. I am sure GM made sure $$$$ this was not all by chance. If so I would expect the movie to be part of the roll out lead in. I guess we will know by Thursday.

I had a funny feeling something was up when Scott was asking for Camaro's for next Thursday. This is the kind of thing they do when they amounce something. If you can attend this is a historic event and should be gotta be there big deal.

I have to agree it has the evolved look of a cleaned up Grand Prix. The wheel flairs, taillights, rear pumper, vent in the side, guage pod, and for sure the steering wheel have traits and elements of the present GP. Now that That I look at it the steering wheel looks much the same. Lets put it this way if this car was brought out first at Pontiac it would not have shock many other than the RWD.

With gas prices where they are and going to be the timing could not be better for the Lambda V6 to enter the market. For once GM was lucky on the timing for a new product.

This photo is much better than the one's I have seen before. I still like the GMC better but the Chevy looks much better less the chrome bumper section. I would still love to have the Tahoe grill on the Pick up. It is much more modern and cleaner. Other wise they did good. Now will people still buy them with gas this high? I just pray they redo the small trucks and fix the nasty 80's like interiors.

Having owned a 1997 40th anniv. SSEI i can say I loved the car. Was it perfect no but you could enjoy a grea t ride and good handling. Only thing I would have whished the car different was for it to be RWD. under hard accceleration it would get floaty in the front end. Only gripes were interior quality related but none were major I mostlty address by myself. One thing that was very poor on this car, changing the belts. I lost a supercharger belt but made it home due to the fails safe set up GM uses. But to replace the belt you have to remove the front engine mount. Nothing hard but one should not need to remove a mount holding the front of the engine up to change a belt. That struck me as something a import would do. I have driven Bonnevilles from near every year from 1980 up. I love the 1960 with Tri power, the 1977 two door with the still available 400 engine. Ialso must include my SSEI to this list. By far the most enjoyable I drove is a GXP. too bad it was not around long. I now have a Com G GP. It is a much more nimble and fun car to drive but I miss the interior and ride of the SSEI.

Am I the only one SHOCKED that see's this is a car named for a half insane invewntor that is ELECTRIC and built by the Brits? has anyone here ever owned a British built car with an electric problem? Let's just hope they get the good Lucas prince of darkness parts! Not that I have anything against this car but I expect it will be one to attract a crowd at the orpahn auto show in Michigan in a few years unless a large company picks up and backs this car. Lotus has been on life support too many times to count. If someone wants a electric car to ever make it, they need to make it cheap and easy to repair, carry 4 people with a good range. Kind of a juiced VW Bug for the new century not another DMC2.

Just check this weeks review of the Cobalt SS in Autoweek this week. Two different drivers and to opinions 180 degrees apart. The one guy claimed it had no power and the other told him he needs to step on the gas. With the media we have today it is required that people stay informed on their own merits. When 75% of most Americans can't tell you where a dipstick is on their car how can we expect them to know the truth on quality cars. There brains are programed for garbage in and garbage out. Know we know why Opra is so well liked, she is doing the thinking for Millions!

I think it is better looking than the Cobalt. This car is only here to create cash flow for the dealers and give then a low line profit car. Also the added sales will help fill out more plant production as the sales of the Cobalt settle. This was not a car they want to spend too much time and money on as they are working on what we will have 5 years from now. I would rather see the money they save now on this spent on a new car then just tarting up this car more just to say they did not badge engineer it. Beside no matter what they did many would still call it badged engineered. This is a case less more later.

This is the 1990 Fiero that was killed, note GM still has this car. The styling on the 1990 Fiero was lifted for the 4th GM F bodies. It was adapted and made larger for the front engine car. Also the GM 80 came back in the early 1990's as a GTO show car thas not shown much. The Firebird 4th gen nose was on it and it was AWD like was being tested on some of GM's cars at that time. It really never had a chance of making production and is now a mostly forgotten show car not seen in 15 years.

This story is not 100% accurate. The plan was to build the GM 80 at the Pontiac MI Fiero plant. They over sold the Fiero the first two years to secure a plant to build the car at and then would make the space frame plastic bodied F body at the same plant. Once they killed this car it doomed the Fiero as it was in a high capacity plant but only building the expected 30,000+ cars in 1988. Pontiac had a 1990 Fiero ready but lost the car in Feb of 88 when pressure from many with in GM some from the Vette program worked to kill the car. They were affraid of lost sales to a 220 HP Fiero GTP that would have been around $20 K when the Vette was just over $30K. The reason the GM 80 died is Ford saved the Mustang plain and simple and those working at GM on the car did not want it in the first place. They had FWD forced on them. The whole GM 80/ Fiero deal is a great example of what all was wrong at GM back in the early 80's

Anyone take not Goshen's recovery has started to stall. The lack of new product and lack of increase in sales has slowed their recovery. If GM can be lucky to maintain this trend it would be great. My worry is how world event will paly on the oil prices and economy. This is one area GM has no control over. GM has a ways to go but this is one more step toward recovery. Kepp her going Rick!

Guillermo: Hey Uncle Frank do you think that we are doing the GXP image justice. Uncle Frank: Na! We get paid no matter that we come across as a bad Saterday nigh Live skit. Why should I care. Too bad the Solstice and G6 Convert have no trunk space as the Trunk Monkeys are funnier. Trunkmonky.com. This is where they should have shown the soltice in it's element carving up the roads in the mountains somewhere. I dought Jim Wangers would have tried to sell the GTO in the 60's with Ralp and Ed from the Honeymooners? I will see him in two weeks, I will ask what her thinks on this approch since he did almost all of Pontiace advertising in the 60's. I hope these die a quick death before too many see them. Fank and Guillermo would do more justice for a Aveo. One needs a sense of humor to buy one of them.

The inside looks nice and I could live with the 4.3 but if the outside of the Chevy is not any better in person it is no sale here. I was hopping the Avalanche was closer to what we would see!! That is one good looking truck. The GMC is better but too Square and flat up front. How long till GM can put the Tahoe front on this thing and get it looking better tha n what it does now. Right now it has the cheap base grille look from 1988 going now. I think I will keep the GMC I have for now as it still has at lest another 150,000 mile plus left in it.

I would prefer no partner at all. But given a choice Honda or VW would be the two who have the most to offer GM in the field of small engine tech. If gas stays as it is the small car programs will be the most important thing in the future. But on the other hand how about a W 427 in a new Vette? Beside we GM employees could get their discount on the Bently or Lambo.

Well we already know the Camaro will be made here in NA. I think it would be safe to assume the Impala will also be built up here too. Because of the volume of the Chevys we know they will be their own true cars and not share any sheet metal with Holden only under pinnings. As for Buick and Pontiac I expect they already have plans but need to approve them now that Holden is done with the line. The SSV is a GXP with only a need of the front and rear in need of change. As for the Buick, I would love to seee the car here but we know so little of what GM is planning for Buick that no one on this side of the gate at GM can really make a good guess at this point. I just find it hard to get excited over a the coming Super. But I know they are just buying time. Both Buick and Pontiac could have a great car and save a lot of money by bringing these into the showroom with minor changes. Since neither will see as much volume as Chevy it would be a wise move when they are tring to save money. Question is where to build these cars. who will have room and where would it be more profitable with the exchange rate at the time of production. One note on the SSV. It already has a red back lite dash.

It looks like Holden is bringing the new VE to the states for the GM board to drive and I am sure the press to drive. He is the full strory from DRIVE.COM.AU Drive.com.au It’s only just been revealed, but already Holden’s VE Commodore is embarking on a world tour. "Holden has developed a secret plan to pitch the new VE Commodore SS to its parent General Motors as a Pontiac sports sedan model in the USA. The future of the plan, which estimates a $20 million cost to legalise the car for North America, could rest on a sample drive by the General Motors board of directors in Detroit early in August. At the same time board heavyweights, led by chairman Rick Wagoner and product czar Bob Lutz, will also drive a new long wheelbase WM Caprice luxury saloon. At one stage the WM was going to be exported to the USA as a Buick Park Lane, a plan which has been scrapped. Holden execs hope that the drive might renew GM interest in that car. But it is the SS-V, with its 6.0-litre V8 (complete with 270kW), six-speed automatic transmission, 19-inch wheels and aggressive bodykit that Holden chairman and managing director Denny Mooney sees as having the most potential as a replacement for the current Pontiac Grand Prix. While Mooney won’t be at the board-drive, he will be in Detroit the week prior at a leadership meeting with the chance to extol the car’s virtues. “If we had available (production) capacity I’d love to take the SS because it would make a great Pontiac,” said Mooney. “Pontiac is already talking about the fact they want to go rear-wheel-drive. A brand like Pontiac, in my opinion, could take this car and sell it. “I think if you talk to anyone at Pontiac they’ll tell you they’d love a rear-wheel-drive performance Grand Prix. “But I am not going to over-sell this thing. We are going to send these cars over there and let them speak for themselves. Mooney said the $20 million legalisation costs would primarily relate to complying with crash regulations. “Between engineering, prototyping and tooling it would be in the neighbourhood of $20 million,” he said. “We’d have to crash a lot of cars to run their specific tests, but from a performance standpoint it wouldn’t be an issue.” In part that’s because the new Commodore’s fuel tank moves in front of the rear axle line, something crucial to US crash approval. Sending the SS to the USA to replace the ageing front-wheel-drive Grand Prix would extend Holden and Pontiac’s relationship, established when the Monaro was exported to the USA as a GTO from late 2003. That deal has only just expired. But Mooney was also adamant that such a plan would depend on the demand for VE and WM in the domestic and established export markets. The Elizabeth assembly plant in South Australia has a capacity of about 145,000 cars per year. He does not expect spare capacity for the first 12 months of VE’s life. “We have to wait and see how this car goes. If we had the available capacity then we’d be looking at the US as a potential market. While built-up exports to the USA are no more than a plan at the moment, both VE and WM will be sent from the Elizabeth assembly plant to the Middle East as Chevrolets. The WM will be sold as a Buick Royaum in China, but will be sent in a ‘CKD’ (completely knocked-down) pack to be assembled on-site. It will also be exported to Korea and sold there as a Daewoo. The short wheelbase SS-V or an even more sporty Holden Special Vehicles version will go to the UK in extremely limited numbers, replacing the out-of-production Monaro. Cars are also being sent to Opel in Europe for evaluation. But Mooney is dubious about a positive reception there. The export of built-up cars is a separate deal to Holden’s role as a developer of the rear-wheel-drive architecture that makes it s debut underpinning VE and WM. That will be used by a number of future vehicles to be manufactured in Asia and the USA as well as Australia." I expect new news will pick up from here and new reports will start coming much more often.