Autoblog

The cops get a Zeta sedan: GM unveils 355-hp Chevy Caprice police car

Alex Nunez — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:50:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Chevrolet, GM, Holden, Police/Emergency

Chevrolet Caprice PPV - Click above for high-res image gallery.

Well, it's official. General Motors has resurrected the Australian-built Zeta sedan for North America, only this time around, it's just for the cops. Set to arrive in your local muni's police fleet in 2011 is the Chevrolet Caprice police patrol vehicle (PPV). First thing's first: it is not the Holden Commodore, a.k.a. Pontiac G8 (rest in peace). It's a left-hand-drive version of the long-wheelbase, Zeta-platform Holden Caprice/Statesman. Many of you already know that this car is also sold in the Middle East as, you guessed it, the Chevy Caprice. Also, as had been rumored - you can't buy one. It's a fleet special only, and we can envision fistfights breaking out over these at police auctions in a few years.

The Caprice Cop Special gets an E85-compatible 6.0-liter V8 dishing out 355 horsepower and 385 lb/ft of torque, and as you'd expect, the engine's duly ruggedized for police duty with oil, transmission and power steering coolers, along with a heavy duty alternator. And yes, the brakes and suspension are uprated. Cue the Elwood Blues litany whenever you're ready.

Inside, it's obviously outfitted with all the toys, including seats designed to accommodate officers' gun/equipment belts, a front-seat computer, and all the other stuff you'd expect to find in a police car. And since the fuzzmobile's based on the LWB sedan, there's plenty of room in back for you to relax should you find yourself involuntarily sampling the rear passenger seating. Actually, with your hands locked up behind your back, it probably won't be that comfy after all. Check out more photos of the Caprice PPV in the gallery below.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Caprice Police Car

[Source: GM]

Continue reading The cops get a Zeta sedan: GM unveils 355-hp Chevy Caprice police car

The cops get a Zeta sedan: GM unveils 355-hp Chevy Caprice police car originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fritz Henderson to Autoblog: Chevy Caprice is being looked at as "police application"

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 09:28:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Chevrolet, Pontiac, Police/Emergency

Ever since General Motors announced this spring that it was killing the Pontiac brand as part of its restructuring, fans of the Holden-developed G8 sedan have been clamoring to save it as a Chevrolet. After company officials repeatedly said over the past two months that no such thing would happen, Bob Lutz re-lit the fire last week in one of his first pronouncements after un-retiring. Lutz proclaimed that the G8 would indeed become a new Chevrolet Caprice.

During our first drive of the new Buick LaCrosse this week, we had the opportunity on one of the legs to ride with GM CEO Fritz Henderson, and we pressed him for more details on the Caprice plan. Unfortunately it turns out Henderson brought his portable fire extinguisher with him, telling us:

We've been looking at it for police applications. As for whether or not it's broader than police applications, I am not a believer in re-branding and re-badging. We've been talking about in terms of potential police applications and we'll leave it at that."

Henderson also threw a soaking wet blanket on the idea of adding production to Oshawa alongside the Camaro, saying that the cars will continue to be sourced from Australia. So, for the moment, it looks like Zeta sedan fans will probably have to be content with taking a Blues Brothers approach to the problem: Buying their next car as a decommissioned black-and-white.

[Image: GoAuto]

Fritz Henderson to Autoblog: Chevy Caprice is being looked at as "police application" originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: RWD Commodore platform could underpin Caddies, G8 GT could make a comeback

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 01 May 2009 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Truck, Cadillac, GM, GMC, Australia

Pontiac G8 ST - Click above for a high-res image gallery

With Pontiac's death official, Holden stands to lose around $1 billion annually with the demise of the Pontiac G8. However, Holden doesn't plan to go quiet into night. The Aussie automaker has drawn up plans to offer the rear-wheel drive Commodore platform to Cadillac and GMC.

Although GM's CEO, Fritz Henderson, has confirmed that the G8 won't live on, there's a chance it could be used by law enforcement in the States, and with Cadillac's recent attempts to inject more RWD models into the mix (save the Epsilon II-based sub-CTS), the Zeta architecture could be used for a new line of Caddies.

More interestingly, with GMC safe - for now - from sharing a grave with Pontiac (not to mention the inevitable liquidation of Hummer, Saab and Saturn), Holden could make a case for importing the stillborn G8 ST 'ute to the U.S. as a fuel-efficient alternative to GMC's otherwise big and thirsty pick-ups. Where there's a niche, GM normally likes to fill it, and while the case for the Zeta-based Cadillacs could be made -- particularly as GM seeks to downsize the platform to aid its survival -- the G8 ST's revival seems far less plausible.

Gallery: 2010 Pontiac G8 ST

[Source: GoAuto]

REPORT: RWD Commodore platform could underpin Caddies, G8 GT could make a comeback originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 May 2009 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: GM's RWD architecture will downsize and survive

Noah Joseph — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 15:58:00 EST

Filed under: GM, Holden, Australia

Pontiac G8 GXP in the Autoblog Garage - Click above for a hi-res gallery

General Motors may be lacking the cash to develop any new rear-drive platforms, but reports out of Australia suggest that the existing Zeta platform that underpins such models as the Holden Commodore and new Chevrolet Camaro will carry on for at least another decade.

GM's Australian subsidiary only finished development of the current Zeta platform a few years ago, and it's not about to flush that down the toilet. However the next Commodore, currently sold in the North American market as the Pontiac G8, is likely to downsize for the next generation, anticipated to debut in 2013 and carry on through 2020. Along with the reduced size and heft, the General could use smaller, more efficient, though still powerful engines, employing direct injection and/or turbocharging like the Cadillac and Saab variants of the V6 already used by Holden. As we've discovered with vehicles like the Pontiac G8, GTO and the new Camaro, what's good for the Australian market is, in General Motor's eyes, good for North America, so fans of rear-drive American muscle have some hope to hold onto yet, mate.

Gallery: In the Autoblog Garage: 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP

[Source: GoAuto]

REPORT: GM's RWD architecture will downsize and survive originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Apr 2009 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Motor Trend: Next Escalade to go Lambda

Alex Nunez — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 12:56:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Crossover, Cadillac, GM, Rumormill

MotorTrend reports that GM insiders are saying that the next-generation Cadillac Escalade will jump from its current GMT900 truck platform to the Lambda crossover architecture that underpins the GMC Acadia, Saturn Outlook, Buick Enclave, and Chevy Traverse. MT points to the Buick Enclave Super that didn't happen as evidence that an Escalambda would be able to handle an eight-cylinder engine, which would be a step up from the rest of El Generalissimo's increasingly-crowded crossover lineup. Edgier, CTS-like styling would likely be a given, too.

Frankly, this is a good idea. The packaging afforded by the Lambda platform is vastly superior to what the GMT900 trucks offer. Remember that in the latter, the 3rd row is bolted to the cargo floor, it doesn't fold flat, and it's generally uncomfortable. The Lambda solves that instantly, and is better suited for what's positioned as a luxury vehicle anyway. Ride quality would be much better, and if GM Design were to deliver an interior on par with what's now found in the CTS, a Lambda-based Escalade would probably represent a quantum leap forward in terms of styling and refinement over the current vehicle.

As for the Avalanche-based Escalade EXT, MT says that GM's mulling over the idea of moving to a unibody pickup, a la the Zeta-based GMC Denali XT concept, to replace both of those vehicles. Again, not a bad idea, especially for Cadillac. The downside is that owners of the current vehicles who use them to tow will likely need to look elsewhere to fill that need. Still, if Cadillac's gig is to sell legit luxury vehicles, moving to more car-like platforms makes all kinds of sense. It's going to be really interesting to see if any of this stuff actually pans out.

[Source: MotorTrend]

Motor Trend: Next Escalade to go Lambda originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Sep 2008 12:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Confirmed: FWD Impala around through 2012

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 23 May 2008 17:27:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Plants/Manufacturing, Chevrolet, GM, UAW/Unions, Rumormill

It has been rumored for the last few months that Chevrolet would be soldiering on with a front-wheel-drive Impala for at least the next few years. The recent contract agreement between the Canadian Auto Workers union and General Motors appears to cement this rumor as fact. According to the signed pact, GM promised to keep the Oshawa Assembly plant, where the current-generation Impala is made, open until 2012 -- two years longer than first planned. The Impala is a pretty good seller for the General, so we're not too surprised that upper-level management would want to leave it alone, but that doesn't stop us from wanting to see Chevy's bread-and-butter full-size sedan return to its roots by going rear-wheel-drive.

One thing is for certain: by the year 2012, the W-Body platform of the current Impala will be absolutely ancient. On the other hand, we've had nothing but good things to say about the new Zeta platform which underpins such enthusiast-friendly vehicles as the new Pontiac G8. Therefore, we can at least hold out some hope that GM will find a way to offer as many vehicles as possible using the new chassis architecture, whether they are named Impala or not. Anybody want to see a new Nova?

[Source: The GM Source]

Confirmed: FWD Impala around through 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 May 2008 17:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM RWD Update: FWD Impala remains, Zeta to merge with Sigma

John Neff — Mon, 05 May 2008 16:07:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, GM

Click above for high-res gallery of the 2008 Pontiac G8 GT

After our sampling of General Motors' rear-wheel-drive Zeta platform in the 2008 Pontiac G8 GT, we must admit that we're smitten with the platform. Its future in GM's North America car lineup, however, remains in question thanks to stricter CAFE standards that start going into effect by 2011. While the G8, G8 Sport Truck (actual name still pending) and Camaro are all guaranteed a spot on the Zeta platform, other vehicles like large RWD sedans for Chevy and Buick are likely dead in the water, according to Motor Trend. Hopes for a RWD Impala are all but gone thanks to strong sales of the current front-wheel-drive model, which continue despite the success of the now similarly sized Malibu.

Motor Trend also notes that GM plans to merge its current Sigma RWD platform with the Zeta around 2011. At that time, the Zeta/Sigma platform will be built in three sizes - coupe, midsize with 114.8-inch wheelbase and large with 118.5-inch wheelbase - and offer a premium version of each with forged aluminum suspension components. See the list below for a breakdown of how MT thinks things will look by 2011.

Zeta/Sigma variants:

Coupe - Camaro, maybe Holden Monaro and Pontiac G8 Coupe
Coupe Premium - Cadillac CTS Coupe
Midsize - Pontiac G8 and Holden Monaro, maybe Chevy sedan (not Impala)
Midsize Premium - Cadillac CTS Sedan
Large - Holden Statesmen/Buick Park Avenue (China), Holden Ute/Pontiac GT ST, maybe Buick Lucerne replacement
Large Premium - Cadillac STS/DTS replacement

Finally, MT also speculates that GM is working on a small rear-drive platform for Cadillac in Europe. The resulting 3-Series fighter would give Caddy more cachet in the old country, though MT does not specify is this would be an all-new platform or a larger variant of the Kappa platform that underpins the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky.

Gallery: Review: 2008 Pontiac G8 GT

[Source: Motor Trend]

GM RWD Update: FWD Impala remains, Zeta to merge with Sigma originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 May 2008 16:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MT claims Holden Coupe 60 is really 3-year-old Pontiac GTO replacement

Dan Roth — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 09:54:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Spy Photos, Coupe, GM, Pontiac, Misc. Auto Shows, Holden

Spot any similarities? Holden surprised and delighted when it rolled out the Coupe 60 at the Melbourne Auto Show this past week. Motor Trend put two and two together and dug up some three-year-old photos that show off essentially the same car wearing a Pontiac suit, instead. The nose on the original concept shows what GM was planning for the next-gen GTO at the time. We're glad the prototype styling was deemed too expensive for production; the world wasn't ready for a modern interpretation of the 1982 J2000.

The Coupe 60 started life as Pontiac's replacement for the sales-proof GTO, but Motor Trend reports that development stopped when GM went full bore at getting its next-gen full-size GMT900 trucks to market early. The reappropriation of this past work to create the stunning new Holden show car could signal a return of the Monaro, which could trickle down to North America as another page in the G8 brochure, or a new GTO, but don't start holding your breath yet.

Gallery: Holden Coupe 60

[Source: Motor Trend, Photo: Motor Trend]

MT claims Holden Coupe 60 is really 3-year-old Pontiac GTO replacement originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 01 Mar 2008 09:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #87

Dan Roth — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 13:31:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Concept Cars, Podcasts, Hybrid, Minivan/Van, Truck, Crossover, Acura, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, GM, Suzuki, Volkswagen, India

The Chicago Auto Show wasn't that eventful, but that's what we lead off Autoblog Podcast episode #87 with. The Challenger was the biggest deal, followed by the Denali XT, and then a bunch of inconsequential things. We did find ourselves talking about the Suzuki Equator and the Ford Transit Connect, too. We give you our first up close and personal impressions of the Challenger SRT-8 in this podcast. We also saw the VW Routan, which certainly doesn't conjure warm, fuzzy memories of Type IIs gone by. Chevy's Traverse calls into question the usefulness of Saturn's Outlook in the product lineup. Speaking of GM badge-engineering, we got word this week that Pontiac will not be getting a Trans Am companion to the Camaro, dang. Another disappointment is the rumor that Cerberus is going to let the Viper run down without rewinding the clock for a third generation. We wrap up by touching on the possibility that an Indian pickup could be the first diesel hybrid in the US, even though it's not even being imported yet, and we're sure that when it gets here, it'll generate even more hate than the new Acura RL. 42 minutes, that's it. Sorry it's a little late this week, it's all Alex's fault, I swear.

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Autoblog Podcast #87 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 16 Feb 2008 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Holden recalls 86,000 Zetas equipped with V6

Dan Roth — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Recalls, Safety, GM, Holden

GM's Australian subsidiary Holden has recalled 86,000 rear-wheel-drive Zeta cars with the V6 engine to correct a potential fuel leak that could lead to fires. The CNN Money article says that the recall doesn't impact the Pontiac G8, GM's North American Zeta variant, because that car's underhood layout is different. We should also mention that the G8 is not even on sale yet, so there are none in customer hands to recall.

VE and WM Commodores in Australia and New Zealand, Chevrolet Lumina and Caprice models in the Middle East, as well as the Chevrolet Omega in Brazil are all affected. When a clip chafes on the fuel line, it can apparently cause a leak with nasty results if the gasoline ignites. The risk is low, says GM's John Lindsay, but they're calling the cars back, nearly all of the Zetas with V6 engines sold since the car's redesign, and fixing them free of charge just to be on the safe side.

[Source: CNN]

Holden recalls 86,000 Zetas equipped with V6 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Jan 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevy El Camino could return for 2011

John Neff — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 12:28:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Truck, Chevrolet

Mike Levine at PickupTruck.com is speculating that there's a good chance the El Camino name will be revived in the near future. The prospects just seem too good considering that Holden, GM's Australian division, is set to soon export the Zeta rear-wheel-drive platform to the U.S. for use in the Chevy Camaro and Pontiac G8. More vehicles are likely, and the El Camino could be among them. Bob Lutz himself has reportedly talked up the business case for an El Camino comeback, and the timing could be right for an Australian Ute to finally make the long trip from Oz to American shores.

PickupTruck.com has a few renderings showing what the El Camino could look like, which isn't hard to guess considering that the new VE Commodore-based Utes are set to debut in Australia in about a month. From the A-pillars forward it would look much like the sedan on which it's based, but all body panels aft of that point will be unique to the Ute. The Australian version will have an engine lineup of V6 and V8 engines, and we suspect that concerns over fuel economy would also necessitate a V6 option for the U.S. market. That's fine, as the General's current crop of V6 engines are smooth and powerful. Of course, it wouldn't be a proper El Camino without the availability of a V8, and we know GM has a few of those lying around.

What do you think? Would there be any takers for a new El Camino in the U.S.? We think the answer is obvious, as this truck wouldn't be an SSR redux. Click on the read link to view three renderings of what a 2011 Chevy El Camino might look like and let us know your thoughts in the comments.

[Source: PickupTruck.com]

Chevy El Camino could return for 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Jul 2007 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CONFIRMED: Buick getting fourth model, Velite likely

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 31 May 2007 09:36:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Sedan, Buick, Pontiac

In an interview with Car and Driver, Troy Clarke, president of GM's North American efforts, confirmed that Buick would be getting another model by the end of the decade. The forth vehicle to join the Buick stable will be rear-wheel drive and take cues from the Velite concept that debuted at the 2004 New York Auto Show.

Whether or not such a vehicle will be a convertible or a large sedan remains to be seen, but it will share the Zeta platform underpinning the upcoming Pontiac G8 and Chevrolet Camaro. The Velite name may not carry over.

In the same article, Clarke espoused Pontiac's goal of being a performance-oriented brand, while at the same time suggesting that all of Pontiac's products will not sport RWD. Clarke confirmed that a redesign of the FWD Vibe is in the works, and may be released as early as this year.

[Source: Car and Driver]

CONFIRMED: Buick getting fourth model, Velite likely originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 31 May 2007 09:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Autoblog Podcast #65 (enhanced)

Chris Shunk — Sun, 13 May 2007 14:37:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts, Videos

Autoblog Podcast #65 part 1

The enhanced version of Autoblog Podcast #65 is off the burner and onto your plate. In part one, we talk about the possibility of a car-based, RWD pickup from Hyundai's BH platform. In the podcast's second section we talk about the ridiculous auction for the General Lee, and the proliferation of Dodge advertising in the new Fantastic Four movie. In the last part of the podcast, we discuss Zeta (it's on again) and the Chevy Volt.

Check it out. Per your suggestions, we cut the podcast into three sections for smaller downloads, and we've also embedded sections two and three of the podcast after the jump. If you have any more suggestions on how to improve the enhanced version of the Podcast, let us know in the comments. We're working on a better distribution system than shoving all three in our current RSS feed of the audio-only version, so soon you'll be able to subscribe just to the enhanced version's RSS feed.

DOWNLOAD Part One to your desktop (Car-based RWD Hyundai Pickup)
DOWNLOAD Part Two to your desktop (General Lee, Fantastic Four)
DOWNLOAD Part Three to your desktop (Zeta is on, Chevy Volt)

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Continue reading VIDEO: Autoblog Podcast #65 (enhanced)

VIDEO: Autoblog Podcast #65 (enhanced) originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 13 May 2007 14:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #65

Dan Roth — Wed, 09 May 2007 16:06:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts, Trends, Sedan, Truck, Auctions, Etc., Dodge, GM, Hyundai

We're punchy for this one (just check out our outtakes at the end, even better than last time!). We start off with a lively debate over Hyundai's rumored full-size RWD truck on the BH platform and whether it will be good or bad. No consenus was reached, but it will be exciting to see if Hyundai can morph the concept of the Honda Ridgeline into something a little more haul-friendly.

We segue from unibody pick 'em ups into the exciting story of the 2nd most expensive car ever auctioned. That is, if the buyer doesn't fink out (Too late, already did! - Ed.) when it comes time to hit the old PayPal. John Schneider's personal "General Lee" Charger with history (if you can call 80's TV camp real history) was sold on eBay for 9.95 million dollars. The cash isn't going to fund some humanitarian effort, rather, it will be used to finance a sequel to Mr. Scheider/Duke/Kent's Collier & Co. - Hot Pursuit movie. We're sure it's the next Citizen Kane. Speaking of movies, we also touch on the despicably obvious product placement in the Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, which is essentially a popcorn-bucket-length Dodge spot.

Wrapping it all up, we ring the bell on the "duh" category a couple times for the Lutz. The Zeta is back on, not that we really thought it was dead. B.L. has decided that it's likely wiser to tweak powerplants than to toss away an entire product renaissance worth of engineering. Whew, and we thought he might actually do it. Speaking of questions, we had no question about GM's committment to developing the Volt's battery technology. It will require an infusion of hundreds of millions of dollars, which seems like a good deal to us. Someone somewhere will have to put some time, money and effort into working out the batteries, so why not GM? It beats just sitting around and waiting. We just hope that when Chevy drops the series hybrid on us, it's wrapped in a prettier shell than the Prius. That's it for this week, enjoy!

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Autoblog Podcast #65 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 May 2007 16:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wanna see a red Pontiac G8? Yeah, we thought so

Chris Shunk — Mon, 07 May 2007 10:23:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Pontiac

The folks over at Kicking Tires had no intention of running into a red prototype Pontiac G8, but when they saw it, they whipped out the camera phones and did a great job with the limited tools at hand. The result is a pre-production look at one of the most anticipated vehicles for the 2009 model year. You can see from the pic that the silver Pontiac logo from the Chicago show is still present on this tester (we like it a lot), and as it turns out, on the right vehicle, the classic Pontiac grille looks quite nice on the right product. We'd agree with the Kicking Tires crew that the G8 looks better in red than it did in its showcar charcoal.

We've heard a lot about the Zeta platform over the past year or two, and the G8 is likely to be the first example of GM's flexible RWD platform here in the States. After driving the Holden Commodore down under, we're more primed than ever when the G8 finally hits production at the end of the year.

Kicking Tires got three pictures of the G8, and you can check them out here. Our shots of the G8 at the Chicago show are below.

Gallery: 2008 Pontiac G8

Wanna see a red Pontiac G8? Yeah, we thought so originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 May 2007 10:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Enter the Rumormill: Zeta-platform Impala delayed 12 months?

John Neff — Fri, 04 May 2007 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Chevrolet, Earnings/Financials

Brian from Cheers & Gears, the GM aficionado site, sent us a link to a forum thread that is definitely of interest. Keep in mind that there's no official confirmation of any of this yet, so we're taking it with a grain of salt until we hear it from someone at GM. With that established, let's dig in.

The word from one of C&G's posters who is apparently in the know is that the next-generation, Zeta-based Impala has been delayed and will now launch in June 2010 instead of 2009 as originally planned. According to the insider, no reason has been given for the delay (if it's true), but speculation is rampant. Some think the delay is posturing in the face of new fuel economy proposals moving through Congress, while others believe that funds are possibly being diverted to the Chevy Volt program. One theory we thought sounded viable is that Chevy wants the two-mode hybrid version of the Impala to debut at the launch of the new car and not one year later, so moving the launch date back a year would line them up nicely.

[Source: Cheers & Gears]

Continue reading Enter the Rumormill: Zeta-platform Impala delayed 12 months?

Enter the Rumormill: Zeta-platform Impala delayed 12 months? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 May 2007 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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El Camino on the horizon again?

John Neff — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 16:33:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Truck, Chevrolet

Mike Levine over at PickupTruck.com has made an argument for the return of the El Camino, the car-based pickup sold back in the day that has risen to cult status in the modern era. Considering the cost of fuel these days and fuel economy standards that are likely to rise in the next decade, a car-based pickup could offer a viable solution for people who need the utility of an open bed but not the dismal fuel economy that accompanies a traditional pickup.

A resurrected El Camino would likely be built on the rear-wheel drive Zeta platform developed by GM's Holden division in Australia where such vehicles already exist and are quite popular. The Holden Utes come in two- and four-door versions and are available with V6 and V8 engines, including a Super Sport version with a 350-horsepower V8. A Zeta-based El Camino could easily be built alongside the new Camaro in Oshawa, Ontario, and styling would likely mirror the new pony car's lines to earn some instant street cred by association. The commissioned rendering by Mark Stehrenberger shows what a new El Camino with the corporate Chevy face could look like.

Follow the Read link to catch Mike Levine's case for the El Camino in full, and let us know what you think in the comments.

[Source: PickupTruck.com]

El Camino on the horizon again? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Apr 2007 16:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In The Autoblog Garage: Holden Commodore SS V-Series

Dane Muldoon — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 15:33:00 EST

Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage, Sedan, GM, Pontiac, First Drive

click image to view high-res gallery of the Holden Commodore SS V-Series

Since the Pontiac G8 burst onto the scene at the Chicago Auto Show heralding a new era of affordable, rear-wheel drive GM sedans, interest in the new vehicle has been intense. Based on GM's new Zeta platform, the G8 is actually an Australian Holden Commodore under the skin and is set to be manufactured Down Under at Holden's Elizabeth plant in South Australia. This could give us a great opportunity to tell you all about how the Pontiac G8 will feel and drive long before one lands on U.S. soil. That is, so long as Autoblog has someone actually in Australia - someone who can convince Holden to lend us a Commodore SS V-Series. Well we do, and they did.

[Images: Dane Muldoon and Damian Griggs]

Gallery: Autoblog Garage - Holden VE Commodore SS V-Series

Continue reading In The Autoblog Garage: Holden Commodore SS V-Series

In The Autoblog Garage: Holden Commodore SS V-Series originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Mar 2007 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pontiac may get a G8 RWD sedan

Eric Bryant — Thu, 24 Aug 2006 12:31:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, GM, Pontiac

General Motors' announcement last week to build the Camaro and other rear-wheel-drive product at its soon-revamped Oshawa facility is a perfect ignition source for all sorts of RWD product rumors, so let's get things started with talk about the Pontiac G8. The cancellation of the Bonneville has left the Poncho brand without a full-size vehicle, and the end of the GTO's run means that a combination of RWD and a V8 can no longer be found at a Pontiac dealer. So much for being the "excitement" division, huh?

Well, that may quickly change, as Pontiac wants to build a full-size RWD vehicle on the Camaro's Zeta platform. This would provide a flagship vehicle for the faltering brand, and would likely be the sportiest RWD GM sedan this side of Cadillac's V-series (Buick and Chevrolet are also likely to be receiving Zeta-based four-doors). Such a vehicle would likely follow the Camaro's showroom appearance in late 2008.

To us, this seems like a no-brainer. SUV buyers seem to be looking to migrate to a car without giving up much in the way of size or performance, and of course vehicles like the Chrysler 300C are doing well because of this market trend. Such a vehicle would give GM a way to flex its V8 powertrain prowess, would help Pontiac live up to its billing, and should be a strong contender in that oh-so-densely-packed $35-40K near-luxury segment.

[Source: Chicago Tribune]

Pontiac may get a G8 RWD sedan originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Aug 2006 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2008 Chevy Impala

Erin Mays — Mon, 05 Jun 2006 08:06:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Chevrolet

Behold... the 2008 Chevy Impala-- or at least, that's what The Car Connection thinks it is. The mystery vehicle in question sports round rear taillights, a grillw that looks suspiciously like the 2003 Chevy SS concept, and a long wheelbase. TCC makes a good case that the prototype is rear-wheel drive based on its similarity to the Zeta-based Holden Commodore that spy photographers shot tearing around GM's practice tracks. All of this follows the now-conventional wisdom that GM will swap driveline ends with the Impala, which in recent guises has been suffering the ill effects of torque-steer due to massive power increases.

Of course, it helps that with the increasingly common use of technologies like traction control and improved snow tires, rear-wheel drive has once again come into vogue (read: "Thanks, Chrysler 300!").

[Source: The Car Connection]

Spy Shots: 2008 Chevy Impala originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Jun 2006 08:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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