We don't normally cover every little change an automaker makes to its lineup as the model year clicks over, but General Motors has some significant features it's adding for 2009 that shouldn't fall through the cracks. For one, Bluetooth will finally become available on nearly all of GM's cars and trucks. For the longest time, only the Cadillac STS was available with Bluetooth phone integration, which ends with MY2009. Second, the six-speed automatic transmission that before was not widely available in the General's half-ton trucks and SUVs has spread like wildfire across the GMT900 lineup and will now be standard or optional in such vehicles as the Avalanche, Silverado and Sierra 1500, Suburban, Yukon and Yukon XL. Curiously, though, it's still not available on the Tahoe. Other items of note include a new 6-speed automatic for the Pontiac G6 to replace its underwhelming 4-speed, the replacement of GM's 3.6L V6 in the GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook with the direct-inject version that will bump power up to 290 hp, and finally a new four-cylinder base model for the uplevel Malibu LTZ that features the the 2.4L four-cylinder ECOTEC engine paired with a six-speed automatic. Thanks for the tip, Cameron!
[Source: GM]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
TyWright @ Apr 14th 2008 5:15PM
You mean UPGRADES, not IMPROVEMENTS.
Everyone is already doing what GM WILL do next year.
Improvements would mean making cars that don't squeak and fall apart after a few months. GM is an embarrassment to North America.
AMGoff @ Apr 14th 2008 5:29PM
Typical biased BS... and I'm getting sick and tired of it. Unless you've actually gone out and driven a wide sampling of cars currently available from GM, then quite frankly - STFU!
No one cares if you still have a bad taste in your mouth after driving some 1996 Chevy Lumina... things have changed tremendously since then and if you think otherwise, you're either blinded by your own ignorance... or you're a troll.
If prefer imports, that's all fine and good... but the fact remains, domest-o-phobes have less and less to truly balk about.
Either way... tell us your favorite brand? I'll bet you a week's pay I can find a handful of GM marques that rank higher in quality ratings.
Victor @ Apr 14th 2008 5:34PM
I'm actually not a big fan of the General, but I even have to admit that they're getting their act together. Out of the big 2+ 1 (I don't count Chrysler LLC as big anymore), GM has it's act together the most. I can see them becoming more competitive at home and abroad.
havoc @ Apr 14th 2008 6:05PM
i have to agree at least partially with the above 2 (AMGoff, Victor), that they have greatly increased in quality and reliability. now i don't think they shoudl get all the praise for finally producing a half decent product. honestly my biggest beef has been with the interiors. it took gm far too long to give us a nicer more modern interior than the same crap they fed us for decades.
reliability, i don't rate them too highly on still but i haven't owned a gm vehicle for some time, other than the fleet of malibu (i mean classic) rental cars i have had.
what i will say is that gm usually does a good job at making a car with decent pickup and decent size.
who is may fav car company? dunno anymore, except i know it isn't chrysler.
TyWright @ Apr 14th 2008 6:26PM
@ AMGoff
I had an 06 Equinox company car and the paint was missing from the radio dials.
I had an 03 Hummer H2 company car and the paint was missing from the radio dials and the truck was garbage.
I can't even FIT in an 08 Escalade and I'm only 6'3". There's more head room in a Mini Cooper than an Escalade.
Garbage garbage garbage....
GM won't last a decade. Americans are catching on...
Yar @ Apr 14th 2008 6:48PM
I'm 6' 5" and I fit in an Escalade quite easily, I even own an 07 Tahoe and can handily fit in all of its seats. The only way I copould see you NOT fitting in an Escalade is if you weigh 500lbs (which is entirely possible). Oh wow, paint was missing from the radio dials? God Forbid! I'd rather have an H2 with a rubbish radio than a Land Rover that breaks down every 5 days. No one is denying that GM was bad, they were, but they certainly aren't anymore, and they certainly aren't going to 'die' in less than 10 years. GM is the kind of company that will literally be around forever.
Derek @ Apr 14th 2008 7:14PM
Upgrade: "2. an increase or improvement"
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/upgrade
Mohawk58 @ Apr 14th 2008 7:03PM
1. No EVERYONE IS NOT doing what GM is just now doing. Find me a six speed on another full size truck outside of Toyota? Find me a six speed in its class with better mileage. Nice try.
2. Find me a six speed in a four banger midsize. Toyota? No. Mazda no.
3. GM is an embarrassment eh? Tell me what the geniuses at Chrysler or Ford thats fueling excitement these days? Where are there alternative fuel vehicles? Do they have anything on the road outside of Escape?? Where is Toyota's RWD cars? Where is their racing investment? NASCAR? F1? what a joke!
Name one company that has ALL the bases covered who executes perfectly in your eyes. Oh and then mention WHAT YOU DRIVE. DO YOU OWN A CAR EVEN??
4. Guys like you have ALL the answers as usual
why not the LS2LS7? @ Apr 14th 2008 8:12PM
Mohawk58:
Mazda offers a 4-banger car with a 6-speed auto: the Miata. And it's pretty expensive in that car.
But I do agree, right now a 6-speed auto is a high-line item right now, you're not going to see them in econo-cars.
But that's gonna change soon as GM (and others) ramp up production of affordable 6-speed trannies.
Dave @ Apr 15th 2008 9:14AM
Maybe in your opinion they are an embarrassment.
Dave @ Apr 15th 2008 9:18AM
Now you have shown your credibility and knowledge of cars. They won't last a decade?
The company is on a historic surge and will be the leader in the automotive world once again with in 10-years. Products coming from the General right now are best in class in several segments.
StickShift @ Apr 14th 2008 5:16PM
Any word on whether all Ecotec Malibus will get the 6 speed automatic, or will it only be the LTZs?
Kaptain75329 @ Apr 14th 2008 5:42PM
The top-end Malibu in V6 trim already offers the 6-speed automatic. The plan is to make the HydraMatic 6-speed auto available with the Ecotec 4-banger too; GM is supposed to be phasing out and retiring their 4-speed automatics in most (and eventually all) of their products.
There is a chance that only the bottom rung 'bu gets the 4-cyl, 4-sp engine/trans combo, but so far it looks like GM isn't going that direction and will instead go with the long-term plan to offer the 6-speed for any car fitted with an automatic transmission.
geo.stewart @ Apr 14th 2008 6:13PM
gee, how do i get the 4-speed in my hhr replaced with te 6?!
would love the increased fuel mileage. ah well
JUSBEEZ @ Apr 14th 2008 8:58PM
How big of an increase in MPG would you see with the 6 speed versus the 4 speed 4 cylinder?????
Matt Keller @ Apr 14th 2008 5:20PM
The 6 cog transmission is also available in the 1LT trim, and standard on 2LT. ;)
AirZurk @ Apr 14th 2008 5:21PM
No DI for the Enclave?
C.W. @ Apr 14th 2008 5:37PM
All Lambda's get the DI. The Traverse had it under its hood at the Dallas Auto Show so I assumed this was coming. Also, I'm 99% sure the Tahoe gets the 6 speed auto, but it isn't listed on its "new for 2009" tab. I say that since virtually every other 5.3 equipped GMT900 gets the 6 speed. The only reason I can see that it isn't listed is that it's probably not offered with the base 4.8 in the Tahoe.
David Jones @ Apr 14th 2008 5:23PM
Dude have someone proofread before you post lol
"For one, Bluetooth will finally become on nearly all of GM's cars and trucks. "
its like you combined come and become available
Andrew @ Apr 14th 2008 5:28PM
I can always tell when it's one of John Neff's posts when it's poorly written and filled with grammatical/spelling errors. He must be one of the higher ups or something. If he was posting like that on my blog, I'd have fired him long ago.