Leaked slides preview GM's future
by Damon Lavrinc on Jul 18th 2008 at 2:15AM 
Click any image for a slightly larger shot.
Earlier in the week, a handful of tiny images from General Motor's presentation to employees leaked onto the Web, providing a glimpse into the future of Cadillac, Chevrolet, Buick and Saab. As the General's spinmeisters try to console both Wall Street investors and tepid consumers after Black Tuesday's depressing announcements,
Aside from GM's plans to reduce white collar expenditures by 20 percent, eliminate salaried employees' health care after age 65 and a cut its way to liquidity to the tune of $15 billion by the end of 2009, Bob Lutz dropped the bomb that the current iteration of the Beat isn't coming to the U.S. and that the 40+ mpg Chevrolet Cruze won't be immediately available to North American consumers after it debuts at the Paris Motor Show.
Regardless, the images give us a sneak peak at the stillborn (Stateside) Cobalt replacement, which features tautly drawn headlamps, deep swage lines and a grille that apes its big brother the Malibu. The Cadillac CTS Sportwagon features a massive D-pillar reminiscent of that found on the CTS coupe concept and taillights that stretch from the edge of the roof to the lower fascia. The Caddy SRX's design is precisely what's been predicted, while both the Buick sedan and Saab 9-4X – a supposed competitor to the BMW X3 – are hardly compelling.Check the images in the gallery below and give us your own opinion about GM's supposed saviors.
Gallery: GM's Future Models Leaked
[Source: AutoObserver]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)
Torrent 2:19AM (7/18/2008)
OMG I NEED THE CRUZE.
SAAB IS STILL UGLY, BUT OMG I LOVE THE CRUZE.
Reply
Torrent 2:23AM (7/18/2008)
Oh, and finally, a nice Buick to compliment the enclave.
I'm not surprised by the SRX because all cadillacs look good.
But why are the CTS's taillights way up THERE? I hate when wagons use the tall frickin taillamps. Take a lesson from Audi...please.
CarbonBlack 2:32AM (7/18/2008)
the tall tail lights remind me of the older SRX, and possibly the CIEN.
Dave 4:05AM (7/18/2008)
If the Cobalt looked like that, I would have bought one.
C.W. 8:12AM (7/18/2008)
same ol' same ol' ... nothing too exciting here. slightly disappointing.
XcRuNk 8:56AM (7/18/2008)
BOB LUTZ, YOU ARE THE MAN!!!!
See those designs.....their all getting green lighted by Lutz.
This guy is the Midas of the auto industry.
I just hope it's not too late for GM.
Atomicbri 9:50AM (7/18/2008)
One website even shows the new Chevy Equinox.... so I guess they are replacing it as well. Plus there is a rear shot of the Cruze on one site as well.
DesiAuto 11:03AM (7/18/2008)
"OMG I NEED THE CRUZE"
Actually none of these vehicles are NEEDED, they published these photographs in their press conf the other day just to impress the press.
Most of these vehicles will not see light of the day and none of them can compete with Honda fit, Toyota Prius,
Escape Hybrid, Civic, Corolla, Mazda3, Yaris etc. and thus will not help GM bottom line.
I repeat my call to fire GM leadership, billions of dollars in losses year over year and they still pay millions of dollars to these morons.
3seriesisking 11:58AM (7/18/2008)
I agree, that Cruze is hot. I could do without the others but that Cruze takes the cake.
Ken 2:27AM (7/18/2008)
IF this is all they got to offer than its ....
Na na na naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Na na na naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Hey hey heyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
Good Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
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Zane 2:32AM (7/18/2008)
Reading through your previous posts, it's apparent that you're a hardcore Ford fanboy. Even if the General were to release an 8C Competizione, you'd diss it off as boring. Your comments are totally worthless to me..
Torrent 2:38AM (7/18/2008)
Yeah. whatever.
CarbonBlack 2:40AM (7/18/2008)
He is one of those people that ONLY LOOK AT THE LOGO TO SEE IF HE LIKES A CAR OR NOT.
Jason 7:16AM (7/18/2008)
"He is one of those people that ONLY LOOK AT THE LOGO TO SEE IF HE LIKES A CAR OR NOT."
vs most of the people who comment on Autoblog, who:
a.) Do the same thing
b.) Only look at the exterior of a car to judge if it's "good" or not
c.) Call a car "junk" just because it's not got a V8 in it
d.) Call a car "junk" just because it's not got RWD
or finally
e.) Call a car "junk" before they've ever driven it, or even sat in it.
F 8:23AM (7/18/2008)
This guy probably thinks the Ford Flex is beautiful.
After seeing one in real life on a dealer lot the other day, I would have to say that the Flex is going to be a sales dog for Ford.
Sean Flanagan 9:34AM (7/18/2008)
Jason,
Don't forget f) Only reply "It looks like X" when a new vehicle is released
Jimbo 9:43AM (7/18/2008)
Jason, you forgot:
g.) Call a car "junk" because it doesn't come with a stick.
Torrent 12:23PM (7/18/2008)
H) Calls a car junk because of brand name.
Just because it's a sebring doesn't mean it sucks. wait... nevermind.
daking 9:01PM (7/18/2008)
saying a car sucks or won't buy because its not a hatch
Zane 2:30AM (7/18/2008)
The Cruze looks brilliant but somehow doesn't fit with the Chevy image. I think it'd be more at home within the Saturn family.
Reply