Spotted: 2007 GMC Acadia Cheap Trick Edition!
Alright, so it's just a bit of camouflage... but we're reasonably sure you can fit a five-necked guitar in GMC's upcoming Lambda-platform'd Acadia.
The photogs at KGP recently stumbled upon this tester, which reveals that the Acadia will look decidedly similar to the Saturn Outlook that debuted earlier this year at the Chicago Auto Show. That said, it looks as if the GMC will receive a more restrained front end treatment, and as The Car Connection points out, the side looks remarkably similar, save a more traditional d-pillar (the Saturn's is glassed-over). The rear appears to incorporate slightly more complex taillamps and a different bumper cap and exhaust, but from the spy shots, at least, critics are likely to suggest that it's hard to shake the notion that you're looking at a different vehicle. Ain't That a Shame. Regardless, those keeping The Flame alight among brand loyalists are unlikely to Walk Away, and should be rewarded with capable crossover with gobs of space and the promise of a smooth six-speed Hydra-Matic transmission.
(And yes... we're sorry about the whole Cheap Trick thing-- apparently we Can't Stop This Game)
[Sources: The Car Connection; All Music Guide; CheapTrick.com]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Andrew 9:40PM (6/08/2006)
omg...please say they don't share same profiles...good thing Toyota doesn't do that w/ the Lexus ES and the Camry...another f'n worthless jab at GM. Hyundai/Kia have the same van except different f/e clip and r/e styling....why isn't there a post and attempt at humor about that?
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PJ 9:54PM (6/08/2006)
Enough already! I Can't Take It!
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Lithous 9:57PM (6/08/2006)
"Regardless, those keeping The Flame alight ..."
http://www.lyricsfreak.com/c/cheap+trick/the+flame_20029395.html
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Palm a granite 10:17PM (6/08/2006)
Actually I don't think these two SUV will look anything alike with the different front and rear, it also has molded side panels. It will probably be a really nice looking SUV.
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bob 10:48PM (6/08/2006)
Doesnt matter what they do its still a domestic, making it complete and total junk with no resale value
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Earsell Collier 11:08PM (6/08/2006)
Don't kill the GENERAL just yet. Let't wait and see what the production models look like before we pull out the guns!
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Talis 11:14PM (6/08/2006)
Let the GM bashing begin! I almost can't wait for this to come out as I will be looking at crossovers like this one and the Ford Escape at about that time. I know that Ford will most likely not totally redesign the Escape by that time, so I will be looking mostly at this GMC offering. I know (as always) that GMC will make one of, if not the most capable and reliable SUV on the market so I'm not worried.
Also I do need to say it was coy of AutoBlog to take the time out to poke fun of GM design and the dreaded platform sharing. This is kind of typical though so I guess I should not be surprised.
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chriseh 11:51PM (6/08/2006)
Gee, another shoe box SUV. Why do we even post spy pictures ...they're all the same.
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PJ 11:51PM (6/08/2006)
Okay, serious post this time...
I wish Autoblog readers more often took the middle ground between domestic and import fanboyism. To me, this looks like a borderline beautiful SUV (and I'm hardly an SUV guy). Bob, I doubt you'd be bashing anything this shapely if it wasn't a domestic. And if it drives as well as it looks, it could be a hit.
And there's something to be said for Andrew's first post, too, which points out that most Toyota/Lexus or Kia/Hyundai offerings don't become the subject of joke posts because of their similar styling (though, considering GM's track record, it's entirely realistic to believe these GM SUVs will share more than the aforementioned "import" sedans/minivans).
But I think Mr. Paukert was looking for an outlet for Cheap Trick references more than he intended to bash GM. His comments regarding the similarity between this and the Outlook were most likely just a vehicle for inserting more song titles, not an attempt at brand prejudice.
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Billy Rae Sirius 1:49AM (6/09/2006)
The teaser poster to "Transformers" is out!
http://digg.com/movies/_TRANSFORMERS_Teaser_Poster
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Tom 2:05AM (6/09/2006)
Can you say Chrysler Pacifica? Wow, the Pacifica is getting new headlights and it looks like Chrysler said to GM, "Here, have our sloppy seconds".
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Trav 4:56AM (6/09/2006)
As more people look to unibody alternatives like the Ford Edge and these handsome offerings from GM, the days of the GMC Envoy seem about to run out.
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Ken 8:09AM (6/09/2006)
I think this is the ugly duckling of the Lambda platform. The Saturn Outlook is much better looking in my opinion. Then of course, there is the Buick Enclave. It is interesting that GM could make the Outlook and Enclave both look good and completely different from each other, but couldn't accomplish the same thing with the Acadia. The Acadia kinda looks like a Ford Freestyle. It looks shorter than the Outlook.
Oh, and this won't be competing with the Ford Escape. It will be much larger. I saw the Outlook at the NY Auto Show and it is quite large. Seating for 8. A real usable 3 rd row that real adults can use and still have a respectable amount of cargo space behind the third row. The Saturn rep said it will be about the size of a Tahoe, but with more interior space.
I will likely get one when it comes out. And you anti-SUV types can back off. It's essentially a minivan without the sliding doors. (That's why it's so big inside.) You guys don't normally seem to have a problem with minivans.
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Blah-Blah-Blah 8:35AM (6/09/2006)
Outlook was shown in New York (aka The Great Saturn "Coming Out" Party, where they showed the Sky Redline, the Aura, the Outlook and the PreVue).
And, if they can do as good a job on this interior was they now seem capable of doing, with the 270hp 3.6, this could be a compelling vehicle.
One question, though: Why do they have both a GMC and Buick Lambda CUV, if they're trying to consolidate Buick/Pontiac/GMC franchises? Seems kind of silly and counter-productive. GMC could probably just keep "real trucks" in this scenario...
Could this be the Chevrolet, instead?
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Galley 8:48AM (6/09/2006)
Perhaps it is merely a coincidence that Cheap Trick released their latest album, "Rockford" this week. Critics say it their best since "Dream Police".
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Greg A. 10:01AM (6/09/2006)
GM wants you to want this SUV. GM needs you to need this SUV...
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The other Bob 10:56AM (6/09/2006)
I took a tour of this plant about a month back. According to one of the managers who guided the tour, the only body panels to be shared by the GMC and Saturn versions of this vehicle will be the doors.
The Buick version will have bodywork only to itself, so it should be quite different from the other two.
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Tool 11:07AM (6/09/2006)
I don't get it. If Buick-Pontiac-GMC are channeled together and Buick is getting its own version of this crossover, then wouldn't that be yet another case of too many vehicles, too many dealers, too many brands?
Sounds like the GMC and Buick version will be selling against themselves at their own dealerships.
C'mon GM. Get your act together.
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Steve 10:20PM (6/09/2006)
I think that someone has it wrong! This is the Chevy version that they are speeding to production. Look at the back hatch and you will see the same shape under the window as other Chevy SUVs. Also side by side only the doors are the same pretty much like the VW and it cousin.
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