Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[REPORT: Suzuki XL7 production put on "indefinite hold"]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/13/report-suzuki-xl7-production-put-on-indefinite-hold/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/13/report-suzuki-xl7-production-put-on-indefinite-hold/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/13/report-suzuki-xl7-production-put-on-indefinite-hold/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



According to Automotive News, Suzuki has elected to halt production of its only North American-built model, the slow-selling three-row XL7 crossover. Blaming the nation's subprime loan crisis, Suzuki spokesman Hideo Kojima has confirmed that no additional examples of the America-only model will roll off out of General Motors' CAMI joint-venture facility in Ingersoll, Ontario. The plant is still operational, however, continuing to produce other GM vehicles for the remainder of the model year.

Given GM's dire financial state, you might expect for Suzuki to be worried about the future of the their arrangement, but apparently that isn't so. AN quotes CEO Osamu Suzuki as saying: "The possibility that CAMI would be forced into closure or a production stop is 120 percent impossible... it is a central pillar in the reconstruction plan, so I am not worried about it."

So while there may be a paucity of new kabuki-faced XL7s headed out onto North America's roads, Suzuki apparently believes that their joint venture with GM will find a way to carry on.

[Source: Automotive News, sub req'd]





REPORT: Suzuki XL7 production put on "indefinite hold" originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 May 2009 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Chevrolet EquinoxChevroletEquinoxChevy EquinoxChevyEquinoxIngersollOntarioPontiac TorrentPontiacTorrentSaturn VueSaturnVueSuzukiXL-7XL7Wed, 13 May 2009 13:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Spy Shots: GMC Terrain spotted looking all but production-ready]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/21/spy-shots-gmc-terrain-spotted-looking-all-but-production-ready/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/21/spy-shots-gmc-terrain-spotted-looking-all-but-production-ready/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/21/spy-shots-gmc-terrain-spotted-looking-all-but-production-ready/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above for a high-res image gallery of GMC Terrain spy shots

Judging by the looks of this prototype, plans for a GMC version of General Motors' updated Theta platform are almost ready for prime-time.

Essentially the replacement for the Pontiac Torrent, this cladded-up GMC Terrain prototype reveals a masculine, blocky exterior with good differentiation between it and the forthcoming Chevrolet Equinox successor. A large, quadrangular shield grille stands proud while the blocky bumperette-style outcroppings in the corners give the crossover a bluff looking front end in a bid to reinforce GMC's image as a truck brand. In profile, the crossover has strong, squared-off wheel arches and flares that alleviate its otherwise slab sides, and the rear tailgate area cribs its cues from the SUV playbook, including an upright rear window, matte lower cladding and large, high-set taillamps.

Like its platform-mate from Chevrolet, we expect to see the Terrain debut with a 2.4-liter Ecotec direct-injection four-cylinder (good for 182 horsepower and an EPA-pending fuel economy rating of 21 city miles-per-gallon city and 30 on the highway ), as well as a 3.0-liter direct-injection six-cylinder good for 255 hp and estimated 18/25 mpg.

Our spies at KGP Photography note that the Chicago Auto Show has been a common unveiling point for GMC in the past, and judging by the finished look of this tester, a rollout in The City of Big Shoulders seems quite likely.

Gallery: GMC Terrain - spy shots


[Photos: KGP Photography]

Spy Shots: GMC Terrain spotted looking all but production-ready originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Jan 2009 13:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CrossoverEquinoxGMGMCPontiac TorrentPontiacTorrentSoftroaderspy picsspy shotsSpyPicsSpyShotsThetaWed, 21 Jan 2009 13:27:00 EST<![CDATA[What to choose instead of a G8 ST? The Torrent GXP, of course]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/16/what-to-choose-instead-of-a-g8-st-the-torrent-gxp-of-course/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/16/what-to-choose-instead-of-a-g8-st-the-torrent-gxp-of-course/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/16/what-to-choose-instead-of-a-g8-st-the-torrent-gxp-of-course/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of what would have been the 2010 Pontiac G8 ST

Remember when the Pontiac G8 ST had just been announced for production and General Motors had not yet chosen a name for its new not-a-camino? A contest was held, a winner was chosen and the Poncho sport truck got the ST suffix officially added to its base G8-derived name. Joseph Warren, the winner of the naming contest, was granted a G8 ST as his prize for picking the right (and seemingly rather obvious) name, but since that particular piece of sport-truckery has now officially been scrapped, he had to pick something else. His choice? A fresh new Pontiac Torrent GXP. Really, we're not making that up. His only direction was that it had to be priced equal to or less than what the ST would have sold for. He could be parking a desirable G8 GT in his driveway, but perhaps the Torrent's CUV bodystyle is a better fit for Mr. Warren's life. Your mileage may vary.

Gallery: 2010 Pontiac G8 ST


[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

What to choose instead of a G8 ST? The Torrent GXP, of course originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Jan 2009 12:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>pontiacpontiac g8pontiac g8 stpontiac torrentpontiac torrent gxpPontiacG8PontiacG8StPontiacTorrentPontiacTorrentGxpFri, 16 Jan 2009 12:33:00 EST<![CDATA[UPDATE: 2009 GMC Terrain a new vehicle, will join a new Chevy Equinox]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/17/update-2009-gmc-terrain-will-join-a-new-chevy-equinox/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/17/update-2009-gmc-terrain-will-join-a-new-chevy-equinox/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/17/update-2009-gmc-terrain-will-join-a-new-chevy-equinox/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



Okay, the Automotive News story we were tipped on earlier is now out, and we can clarify the details about the upcoming 2009 GMC Terrain. As initially reported, the Terrain replaces the Pontiac Torrent, which gets laid to rest as Pontiac becomes car-focused once again. The news is that Terrain will be a new vehicle roughly sized the same as the Jeep Liberty, and probably not the exact truck you see above, from the sound of things. It'll join a new Chevy Equinox also built atop the updated Theta platform, and the GMC will have unique sheetmetal that's said to be "bolder" than that of the Chevy. Look for pricing to be in the same ballpark as the Equinox, which will start in the $22,000 range. The Terrain (and presumably the Equinox) will be built at the CAMI plant in Ingersoll, Ontario. So, while the new Terrain will share a name with the Antara variant being sold in the Middle East, it sounds like it's going to be its own truck, and not a straight rebadging exercise like the one shown here. We expect to see both the new Terrain and the next-gen Equinox at some point during the upcoming show season.

[Source: Automotive News]

UPDATE: 2009 GMC Terrain a new vehicle, will join a new Chevy Equinox originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Dec 2007 00:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 Chevy Equinox2009 GMC Terrain2009ChevyEquinox2009GmcTerrainbreakingCAMI plantCamiPlantpontiac torrentpontiac torrent replacedPontiacTorrentPontiacTorrentReplacedterrain replaces torrentTerrainReplacesTorrentMon, 17 Dec 2007 00:10:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: 2009 GMC Terrain to replace Pontiac Torrent in US]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/16/report-gmc-terrain-to-replace-pontiac-torrent-in-us/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/16/report-gmc-terrain-to-replace-pontiac-torrent-in-us/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/16/report-gmc-terrain-to-replace-pontiac-torrent-in-us/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click image to enlarge

UPDATE: The 2009 GMC Terrain will be a new, Jeep Liberty-sized vehicle and not the Middle East version with the same name shown above. Details here.

With the Torrent dropped from Pontiac's long-term plans as the brand returns its focus to performance-oriented cars, GM appears to already know how and where it'll replace the small crossover. The answer was apparently unveiled back in November when GMC introduced the Terrain in Kuwait. Like the Saturn Vue, the GMC Terrain is essentially a badge-engineered Opel Antara; and it's reportedly coming to the US, according to an Automotive News report that's set to hit the wires tomorrow. Due as a 2009 model, the Terrain will be GMC's first foray into the compact SUV CUV segment. As you can see above, the division's branding looks right at home on the Vue/Antara bodywork. The long-in-the-tooth Chevy Equinox can't be hanging around much longer, either, and while GM has denied plans to do so in the past, we've got to believe the Chevy Captiva version of the Antara is waiting in the wings to carry the Equinox moniker forward. At least we hope that's the case.

[Source: All Cars All The Time]

REPORT: 2009 GMC Terrain to replace Pontiac Torrent in US originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 16 Dec 2007 15:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 GMC Terrain2009GmcTerrainbreakingchevy captivaChevyCaptivaChevyCaptivegmc terraingmc terrain to usGmcTerrainGmcTerrainToUsopel antaraOpelAntarapontiac torrentPontiacTorrentSun, 16 Dec 2007 15:56:00 EST<![CDATA[New York Auto Show: 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander on-hand impressions]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/15/new-york-auto-show-mitsubishi-outlander-in-person-shots-impres/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/15/new-york-auto-show-mitsubishi-outlander-in-person-shots-impres/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/15/new-york-auto-show-mitsubishi-outlander-in-person-shots-impres/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Mitsubishi's first Outlander unwittingly lived up to its name, operating on the fringes of mainstream SUVdom, largely failing to cross-over to the widespread success of competitors like Ford's Escape and Honda's CR-V. It wasn't that it was a horrible vehicle, but it didn't offer much in the way of Unique Selling Points (USPs), save its love/hate front clip. But judging by our first exposure to the new-for-2007 iteration, the Outlander's luck may be about to change.

Significantly larger and more powerful than the first-generation model, the Outlander has undergone a Toyota RAV4-esque plus sizing. It now offers more interior room, including an optional flip up third-row. There's reason to hope that it will be a good handler, as well. Based on new architecture that will underpin the next-generation Lancer (and more importantly for enthusiasts, the coming Evolution), the Outlander rides on a longer wheelbase and a wider track, and uniquely, makes use of an aluminum roof to lower its center of gravity.

(Dozens of photos, original commentary full press releases and specs after the jump!)

Continue reading New York Auto Show: 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander on-hand impressions

New York Auto Show: 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander on-hand impressions originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 15 Apr 2006 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Chevrolet EquinoxChevroletEquinoxChevy EquinoxChevyEquinoxCR-VCRVFord EscapeFordEscapeHondaLexus RXLexusRxMazda TributeMazdaTributeMitsubishiNissan MuranoNissanMuranoPontiac TorrentPontiacTorrentRav-4Rav4Saturn VueSaturnVueSat, 15 Apr 2006 12:03:00 EST