Autoblog

REPORT: Next Chevrolet Corvette to resurrect iconic split-window

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:28:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet, Design/Style

It worked for the Chevrolet Camaro, so why not the Corvette? General Motors' head of global design, Ed Welburn, has reportedly told Inside Line that the C7 'Vette is going to lift the most notorious design cue from the entire line: the split rear window from the 1963 coupe. It will not, however, be the car from Transformers 2, and it will not be mid-engined.

Unlike the Camaro, the C7 doesn't need to make a splash or a styling statement beyond being the new Corvette. On one hand, we can understand that GM wants to make a statement - but why go back to the Sixties to get it? Although we dig it in the 1963 car, the split-window was a gimmick then and it would be a gimmick now, which makes it a bit of an odd move for us. America's sports car already has its adherents, and the C5 and C6 have done well for themselves with original (if evolutionary) designs. On the other hand, if Chevy can make the car hot enough - and a rear-camera helps alleviate visibility concerns) - probably we won't care what kind of glass it has. If a funky rear window treatment can work for Lamborghini's Reventón, there's no reason it can't work for the C7... right?

Gallery: Chicago 2009: Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Concept

[Source: Inside Line | Image: mashleymorgan via CC 2.0]

REPORT: Next Chevrolet Corvette to resurrect iconic split-window originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cadillac XTS looks like Sixteen Concept, ATS aims at 3 Series with RWD

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Cadillac, Luxury

Cadillac Sixteen Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

This morning at the media preview hosted by General Motors in its design dome, VP of Design Ed Welburn showed off full-size styling bucks of the next two models from Cadillac. Rounding out the lineup for GM's luxury brand will be the XTS and ATS. The ATS is a smaller car than the CTS and will take direct aim at the heart of the 3-Series. The model shown was a two-door coupe with a roof-line closer in shape to the CTS sedan rather than the extreme fastback profile of the CTS coupe. The overall design is an evolution of the current CTS with headlights that stretch back across the top of the fender line. Although no one would confirm the platform underneath, they did say it would be rear- and all-wheel drive, just like a 3. Earlier in the morning, new Cadillac general manager Bryan Nesbitt said the next generation CTS is already under development and would be new from the ground up. It seems reasonable to assume that it is being developed to allow for a shorter version for the ATS.

The XTS, on the other hand, is huge and carries a lot of the design first seen on the celebrated Sixteen concept (seen above and in high-res gallery below), which means it's stunning in person. Given that a V16 is out of the question, the hood is obviously much shorter than the concept's. The flanks have more curvature than the current DTS and a character line with an undercut lies just below the belt-line.

Welburn declined to give specific timing except to say that both cars were coming soon. We already know that DTS is ending production soon to make way for the Volt at the Detroit Hamtramck plant. There was also no indication of powertrains, although the ATS is likely to be powered by four- and six-cylinder engines. The XTS may use the next generation small block V8 that debuts next year.

Gallery: Cadillac Sixteen Concept

Cadillac XTS looks like Sixteen Concept, ATS aims at 3 Series with RWD originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Upcoming Buick CUV may get 2-Mode hybrid powertrain [w/VIDEO]

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Green, Crossover, Buick, GM, Rumormill

Click above to watch the video after the jump

For all those weeping and gnashing their teeth over the loss of the 2-Mode Hybrid Saturn Vue, a ray of hope may be on the horizon from a seemingly unlikely source. According to a posting on GM-Volt.com, there's a possibility that an upcoming sub-Enclave crossover from Buick could be granted access to the sophisticated hybrid technology that GM had initially intended for the latest Saturn Vue.

The world may have gotten a sneak peek at the new Buick 'ute on a recent CBS News piece that featured an interview with GM design head Ed Welburn. As the rumors go, the new CUV will share the same platform as the soon-to-be-departing Saturn Vue, so it theoretically shouldn't be too difficult to port the technology over to Buick for a 2011 model year release. Of course, there still remains the possibility that the 2-Mode could also make an appearance in the latest Chevrolet Equinox or Cadillac SRX. Either way, you can check out the CBS News footage after the jump or read more about the possibility of a Buick 2-Mode at the link below.

[Sources: GM-Volt.com, CBS News]

Continue reading REPORT: Upcoming Buick CUV may get 2-Mode hybrid powertrain [w/VIDEO]

REPORT: Upcoming Buick CUV may get 2-Mode hybrid powertrain [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Jun 2009 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ed Welburn defends GM design from HuffPo attack

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:27:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, GM, Opinion/Editorial

So what do you do if you happen to be Global Vice President of General Motors Design and a blogger calls your company out for lacking a modern sense of design? Well, if your name happens to be Ed Welburn, you respond with an open letter of your own.

After Huffington Post writer Gerald Sindell wrote an open letter to new GM CEO Fritz Henderson suggesting that a new design direction should be Job 1 for the reinvention of GM, Welburn felt compelled to respond. As you might imagine, the response is a rather passionate one. So what did Welburn have to say to Sindell? You can read the rest of the story after the jump.

[Sources: GM Fastlane and Huffington Post]

Continue reading Ed Welburn defends GM design from HuffPo attack

Ed Welburn defends GM design from HuffPo attack originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Welburn teases NAIAS-bound production Chevy Beat on Today Show

Chris Paukert — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 09:56:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Budget, Videos, Hatchback, Chevrolet, GM

This morning's Today Show on NBC featured General Motors' design chief Ed Welburn talking with host Matt Lauer live from General Motors' Warren Tech Center. Welburn previewing the Detroit Auto Show's coming attractions, including the new Buick LaCrosse and the Chevrolet Camaro. Most newsworthy, however, was the designer's willingness to pull back the sheet - albeit partially - on what looks to be a production-bound version of 2007's Chevrolet Beat concept. Welburn promised that the car would be unveiled at the show in Cobo, leading us to speculate that the Beat may come to the States after all. Check out the Beat concept's high-res gallery below, and video footage from the show after the jump.

Gallery: New York Auto Show: 2007 Chevy Beat Concept

[Source: MSNBC]

Continue reading VIDEO: Welburn teases NAIAS-bound production Chevy Beat on Today Show

VIDEO: Welburn teases NAIAS-bound production Chevy Beat on Today Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Jan 2009 09:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Ed Welburn says Camaro interior to be better than concept's

John Neff — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:34:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet

Click above for more high-spy shots of the production 2009 Chevy Camaro

During an interview at the recent Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, GM VP of Global Design Ed Welburn claims the the production 2009 Chevy Camaro will feature an interior that's even better than the one featured in the Camaro concept. The interviewer gets Welburn talking about the interior by mentioning the gamut of spy shots taken that show the interior of a Camaro mule. Welburn claims those interiors are just thrown together with tape and gauges and don't represent the production interior at all. Well, we've all the seen the interior spy shots, and they show a dash design that looks much farther along than what Welburn suggests. The latest interior spy shots show a dash, center console, gauges and steering wheel that all appear to be unique elements destined for the production Camaro, not items pilfered from the corporate parts bin just to get the car running. Unfortunately, whether or not the spy shots do reveal the production interior can't be answered until we see the final product at a future auto show, but Mr. Welburn seems to claim that the 2009 Chevy Camaro will still be packing a surprise or two when it finally does arrive.

Check out both interviews given by Ed Welburn at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance after the jump.

Gallery: 2009 Chevy Camaro - spy shots

Gallery: Chevy Camaro Concept

[Source: Jacksonville.com]

Continue reading VIDEO: Ed Welburn says Camaro interior to be better than concept's

VIDEO: Ed Welburn says Camaro interior to be better than concept's originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit 2008: Cadillac CTS Coupe Concept proves 2 doors is better than 4

Alex Nunez — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 09:48:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Coupe, Cadillac, GM

UPDATE: Click here to watch video of live reveal!

click above for more high-res live shots of the Cadillac CTS Coupe Concept

The grand finale of GM's Cadillac press conference was the moment everyone had been waiting for. After a brief introduction from Bob Lutz, who ziplined in from his secret lair in the RenCen, the hotly anticipated Cadillac CTS Coupe Concept rolled onstage, with design head Ed Welburn riding 'gun. The Coupe blends the CTS sedan's face with a new, wedge-shaped 2-door body that finishes off with what Ed described as a "hint of Cadillac fin" in the arrangement of the taillamps. The concept's rear had a single central exhaust outlet whose shape is a nod to the chevrons used to dress up the current CTS interior. Speaking of the interior, the CTS was dressed in black with maize-colored sueded accents and contrast stitching. In another departure from the sedan, the 2-door CTS has sportier, deeper seats. Welburn was intentionally vague abour powertrains, saying it could be powered by a number of existing ones (i.e. the ones in the CTS sedan) as well as a diesel. The car, according to him, was born out of the extra efforts of his design team, who penned the Coupe for fun after the sedan was finished and never stopped refining it. It got to a point where the a concept was approved, and though no mention of a production version was made, this looks like a sure thing in our opinion. Video of the live reveal is available after the jump, as well as Cadillac's official press release.

Gallery: Detroit 2008: Cadillac CTS Coupe Concept - Live Reveal

Gallery: Cadillac CTS Coupe Concept

Continue reading Detroit 2008: Cadillac CTS Coupe Concept proves 2 doors is better than 4

Detroit 2008: Cadillac CTS Coupe Concept proves 2 doors is better than 4 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Jan 2008 09:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ed Welburn is giving out hugs, if you're a Camaro

Alex Nunez — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, Etc., Chevrolet, GM

Last week, we told you about Bob Lutz's Fastlane Blog post in which he stated that the production Camaro is as awesome as the concept. If you clicked through to read it in its entirety, you'll recall that one of the Aussie anecdotes that Maximum Bob recounted involved GM Design honcho Ed Welburn going up to the camo-clad Camaro prototype and hugging it. Well, as Lutz stated, someone in the group had a camera with them and captured the moment for posterity. Today, Fastlane posted it online, and if we're not mistaken, this is the first official shot of the production Camaro, camouflaged or otherwise. We'd prefer otherwise, of course, but we'll take what we can get, so camo it is. If you stare at the pattern long enough, we think it turns into a Calvin-style sticker of Bob Lutz whizzing on the Dodge Challenger and Ford Mustang.

[Source: GM Fastlane Blog]

Ed Welburn is giving out hugs, if you're a Camaro originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Oct 2007 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit Auto Show: A conversation with Ed Welburn

Alex Nunez — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, GM

Yesterday, we sat down for a few minutes with Ed Welburn, GM's Vice President, Global Design, to get his thoughts on the current design direction at GM. He's overseeing a wholesale change in the General's approach to vehicular design inside and out, and for the first time in years, people -- journalists and regular folks alike -- are pointing at General Motors' new cars and trucks not to deride them for how they look, mind you, but as examples of how to do it right.

Cars like the Saturn Aura, the upcoming Saturn Vue, the upcoming Malibu, the Camaro, and the GMT900 family of trucks and SUVS demonstrate that General Motors has thrown its old approach out and is playing the game on an entirely different level. The man leading the way is Ed Welburn, whose team of talented designers has produced a string of highly compelling vehicles that GM hopes will lead them through a product-based turnaround.

We asked Ed to share the story of his first contact with General Motors with us, and then we spoke at length about the current state of design at the automaker. The anecdote Ed shared with us is below, and you'll find the remainder of the interview after the jump.

Ed Welburn - GM Vice President, Global Design
North American International Auto Show
January 7, 2007

Autoblog: I remember an interview you did with Tavis Smiley a while back where you recounted the story about when you were 11 years old and you sent a letter to GM. Can you share that with our readers? It's a good story and I think our readers would be interested in hearing it.

Ed Welburn: You know, my interest in automobile design and cars goes back to early childhood -- age 2½, 3. I was drawing cars. Very primitive cars, but I was drawing, that's what I drew. By age 11 I'd decided that car design is what I wanted. I wrote General Motors at age 11, told them I wanted to be a car designer, and that I wanted to know what kind of courses to take in school, what kind of schools I should go to, and they sent me great information -- I mean terrific information. I just really followed their lead and today when young people write me asking about careers in design I do the same. I make sure they get great information about schools of design and how to pursue a career.

Continue reading Detroit Auto Show: A conversation with Ed Welburn

Detroit Auto Show: A conversation with Ed Welburn originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Jan 2007 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM designer sketches "future" Chaparral

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Motorsports

Yesterday we showed you videos of the continuation 2E Chaparrals being built and raced by James Musser and the gang. The Chaparral racecars were so groundbreaking and awe-inspiring that a whole slew of automotive designers and engineers were drawn to the field after laying eyes on them for the first time.

GM Design Director Ed Welburn is one of them. As this Winding Road piece tells us, Welburn is a huge fan of these Jim Hall racers from the1960s. While helping with that continuation car story, Welburn mentioned to the WR team that he wasn't the only Chaparral fan on the GM design staff either. He said that several others could frequently be found sketching what they thought modern Chaparrals might look like.

Click through to Winding Road to see what Jose Gonzalez dreamed up in the form of a full size version of the teaser pic at right. His creation emulates the earlier 2C rather than a 2E, and it is oh so sexy. You'll also see another design featured in this month's magazine and WR promises a third in the near future. So click over and check it out. For anybody who remembers these Texas chargers fondly, or who just appreciates wonderful racing design they are a must see.

[Source: Winding Road]

GM designer sketches "future" Chaparral originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Jan 2007 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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