Recent Comments:
GM: Turbocharged four for the CTS? Only if customers want it. {Autoblog}
Jul 30th 2008 4:25PM I would say things a bit differently.
I think the real challenge for GM isn't whether they can sell 4 cylinder Cadillacs, it is whether they can build a high volume, low price world car.
In that vein I have an unusual idea. Take all the direct injected advanced development goodness from the 3.6 DI V6 in the Camaro and aim for a 100 HP 1.2L four to be used at the economy end of the range.
Instead of saving all the DI magic for the upper end, why not leverage the surprisingly good development work done by GM in recent years and scale it down so you can compete with ultra fuel efficiency in the low end of the market?
DI for the masses at low displacement.
-Jeff
2010 Chevy Camaro - Official Details and Images {Autoblog}
Jul 25th 2008 3:21PM GM, if you're still monitoring this thread, listen up.
I've been a lifetime european and lately japanese car buyer.
I recently test drove a G8GT and was floored. After a lifetime away from domestic product, the G8GT is the kind of car that could bring me back in the fold. The only concern is fuel economy and those butt ugly hood scoops in the nose.
I'm a busy professional and a father. I don't want to look like a high school racer. Other than that, the G8GT is a magnificent sedan for the money. I normally shop in the $50K range but would buy a G8GT and save the money for gas an insurance, if it didn't have that vicious snout. Even if you just offered a stealth package or a modesty package that offered a smooth hood and toned down the fugliness it would be good. I think you'd bring more of those BMW owners back.
Now back to the Camaro.
Five words I never thought I would say "I like the new Camaro". In fact I would consider one (except aforementioned fatherhood dicatates four doors).
The drivetrains are amazing. A 300HP DI V6 with good mileage? Delicious for the money. And the V8s are amazing too. But that V6 is one amazing powertrain for the money.
The interior of the Camaro is fugly and too retro. It is still a world above preivous GM interiors though. Why not showcase some of the design skill that went in to the G8 or some of the newer Buick product. Those are world class interiors. I know it was meant as a throwback, but the rest of the car is thoroughly modern, the interior should be too. I'm hoping during mid-life refresh it gets a nice lift.
Is there a new Chevy sedan in the offering running th under pinnings of the Camaro? If you offered a stealthy looking Chevy with the drivetrain of these products, I would come back in a heartbeat. As long as the interior was competitive.
Excellent work, kudos to all involved. Despite what others claim, I will start cross shopping (and so will many more) your cars with the best from Europe and Japan.
The renaissance at GM is real. Nice work.
-J
Leakage: 303 hp Porsche Cayman S Sport {Autoblog}
Jul 25th 2008 2:29PM Here is something I never thought I would say.
But for half the money I'd rather have the DI V6 Camaro.
And I prepace this with saying I was anti-GM for my entire adolescent and adult live and I've always driven european or japanese. But my god, there is nothing out there today that is better value for the dollar than some of the new V8 GM cars. The G8GT and even the V6 and V8 Camaro, a car I would have never even considered, are looking amazing.
Of course the interior on the Camaro is a disgrace, but I think that will improve. If they got the interior folks from the G8 involved you would have a killer car.
BMW (of which I've owned many) strike me down, but I'd rather spent half the money and have 95% of the car with some of these new GM products. And with $25K in my pocket, I could buy a lot of gas an insurance.
I love the styling of the Cayman but in the mid-50's its just poor value against the amazing domestic stuff. Sexy as hell though.
-J
Vauxhall VXR8 gets LS3 V8 {Autoblog}
May 7th 2008 1:08PM I would really like to see a comparison test between the G8 with the V8 and the current gen M3, which is twice as much money, but similar statistically. Failing that, even a detailed statistical comparison would be interesting.
No question, the M3 is the superior car, but by what percentage? Is it subjectively 15% better for 100% more money?
-Jeff
