Straightening GM's Bowtie

Chevrolet has been on a roll with the new generations of small cars.  The Cruze was the best selling car in June 2011.  Sales of the Malibu, Equinox, and Traverse are staying strong.   The new GM is here to stay.   This fall, the 2012 Sonic arrives and has already been getting good reviews from the auto rags.   Late this winter, the much anticipated global Malibu arrives.  Chevrolet needs to continue this momentum with more improvements to an already good lineup of vehicles.   Below is my wish list of what I would like to see from GM's bowtie division.

CARS

Sonic
Models:  Sonic LS, Sonic LT, Sonic LTZ, Sonic RS
Architecture: Gamma (FWD)
Bodystyles:  Sedan, 5-door Hatchback
Engines:  DI 1.8 liter I-4, Turbo DI 1.4 liter I-4, DI 2.0 liter I-4
Transmissions: 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic
Competition: Ford Fiesta, Toyota Yaris, Nissan Versa, Honda Fit

**High end engine for Sonic RS

Cruze
Models:  Cruze LS, Cruze LT, Cruze ECO Cruze LTZ, Cruse RS
Architecture:  Delta II (FWD/AWD)
Bodystyles:  Sedan, 5-door Hatchback, Wagon
Engines:  DI Turbo 1.4 liter I-4, DI 2.0 liter I-4, DI 2.5 liter I-4, Turbo DI 2.0 liter I-4
Transmissions:  6-speed manual,  6-speed automatic
Competition:  Ford Focus, Toyota Corolla, Nissan Sentra, Honda Civic, VW Jetta/Golf/GTI

**5-door hatchback and wagon bodystyles for North American market.
**All wheel drive models for the snow belt regions.
**Upgraded powertrains to differentiate from the Sonic, improve performance.
**Sporty Cruze RS added as a separate model instead of a package.

Malibu
Models:  Malibu LS, Malibu LT, Malibu ECO, Malibu LTZ
Architecture, Epsilon II - short wheelbase (FWD, AWD)
Bodystyles:  Sedan, Wagon
Engines:  DI 2.5 liter I-4, eAssist DI 2.4 liter I-4, DI 3.0 liter V-6
Transmissions: 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic, 8-speed automatic
Competition:  Ford Fusion, Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, VW Passat, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata

**Wagon model added for more utility.
**DI 3.0 liter V-6 added for those who prefer V-6 to an I-4.
**8-speed automatic to stay ahead of the competition

Impala
Models:  Impala LT, Impala ECO, Impala LTZ
Architecture:  Epsilon II - long wheelbase (FWD, AWD)
Bodystyles:  Sedan
Engines:  DI 2.5 liter I-4, eAssist 2.4 liter I-4, DI 3.6 liter V-6
Transmissions:  6-speed automatic, 8-speed automatic
Competition:  Toyota Avalon, Ford Taurus

Volt
Model: Volt
Architecture:  Delta II (FWD)
Bodystyle: 5-door hatchback
Engine: 1.4 liter I-4 with 111kw electric motor/generator
Transmission: CVT Automatic
Competition:  Toyota Prius, Nissan Leaf

Camaro
Models:  Camaro LS, Camaro LT, Camaro LTZ, Camaro SS, Camaro ZL-1
Architecture:  Zeta - short wheelbase (RWD)
Bodystyles:  Coupe, Convertible
Engines:  Turbo DI 2.0 liter I-4, DI 3.6 liter V-6, DI 5.5 liter V-8, Supercharged DI 5.5 liter V-8
Transmissions:  6-speed manual, 8-speed automatic
Competition:  Ford Mustang, Hyundai Genesis Coupe


**New base engine Turbo I-4 with 270 hp, improved fuel economy.
**8-speed automatic


Chevelle
Models:  Chevelle LT, Chevelle LTZ, Chevelle SS
Architecture, Zeta - short wheelbase (RWD/AWD)
Bodystyles:  Sedan, Wagon
Engines: Turbo DI 2.0 liter I-4, DI 3.6 liter V-6, DI 5.5 liter V-8
Transmissions:  6-speed manual, 8-speed automatic


Caprice
Models:  Caprice LT, Caprice LTZ, Caprice SS
Architecture:  Zeta - long wheelbase (RWD)
Bodystyle:  Sedan
Engines:  DI 3.6 liter V-6, DI 5.5 liter V-8
Transmission: 8-speed automatic

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CROSSOVERS/SUV'S

Trax
Models:  Trax LS, Trax LT, Trax ECO, Trax LTZ
Architecture:  Delta II (FWD/AWD)
Bodystyle:  5-door Hatchback
Engines:  DI 2.0 liter I-4, eAssist DI 2.4 liter I-4, DI 3.0 liter V-6
Transmission:  6-speed automatic
Competition:  Ford Escape, Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Nissan Rogue

**New compact SUV based on the Delta II architecture to compete with compact SUV's.

Equinox
Models:  Equinox LS, Equinox LT, Equinox ECO, Equinox LTZ
Architecture:  Epsilon II (FWD/AWD)
Bodystyle:  5-door SUV
Engines:  DI 2.5 liter I-4, aAssist 2.4 liter I-4,  DI 3.6 liter V-6
Transmissions:  6-speed automatic, 8-speed automatic
Competition:  Ford Edge, Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot, Dodge Journey

**Moved to the Epsilon II architecture.
**eAssist model added for increased fuel economy.
**DI 2.4 liter I-4 replaced with DI 2.5 liter I-4 from the new Malibu.
**DI 3.0 liter V-6 replaced with DI 3.6 liter V-6 as top engine.
**8-speed automatic

Traverse
Models:  Traverse LS, Traverse LT, Traverse LTZ
Architecture: Lambda (FWD/AWD)
Bodystyle: 5-door SUV
Engine:  DI 3.6 liter V-6
Transmission:  6-speed automatic, 8-speed automatic
Competition:  Ford Flex, Dodge Durango

**8-speed automatic

Blazer
Models: Blazer LS, Blazer LT, Blazer Z-71, Blazer LTZ
Architecture: GM2XX - short wheelbase (RWD/4WD)
Bodystyle: 5-door SUV
Engines:  DI 3.0 liter V-6, Turbodiesel 2.8 liter V-6, DI 3.6 liter V-6
Transmissions:  6-speed automatic, 8-speed automatic
Competition:  Nissan Pathfinder, Toyota 4Runner, Ford Explorer, Jeep Grand Cherokee

**New Colorado-based SUV

Tahoe
Models:  Tahoe LS, Tahoe LT, Tahoe Z-71, Tahoe LTZ
Architecture:  GM2XX - medium wheelbase (RWD/4WD)
Bodystyle:  5-door SUV
Engines:  DI 3.6 liter V-6, Turbodiesel 4.5 liter V-8,  DI 5.5 liter V-8
Transmission: 8-speed automatic

**Duramax 4.5L V-8 and 8 speed automatic.
**New generation of truck V-8's.

Suburban
Models:  Suburban LS, Suburban LT, Suburban Z-71, Suburban LTZ
Architecture: GM2XX - long wheelbase (RWD/4WD)
Bodystyle: 5-door SUV
Engines: DI 5.5 liter V-8, Turbodiesel 4.5 liter V-8, DI 6.2 liter V-8
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Competition:  Ford Expedition EL

**Duramax 4.5L V-8 and 8-speed automatic
**New generation of truck V-8s.
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TRUCKS

Colorado

Models:  Colorado LS, Colorado LT, Colorado Z-71

Architecture: GM2XX - short wheelbase

Bodystyles:  2-door regular cab, 4-door extended cab, 4 door crew cab

Engines:  DI 2.5 liter I-4, Turbodiesel 2.8 liter V-6, DI 3.6 liter V-6

Transmissions:  6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic

Competition:  Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier, Ram Dakota, Honda Ridgeline

Silverado

Models:  Silverado WT, Silverado LS, Silverado LT, Silverado Z-71, Silverado LTZ

Architecture:  GM2XX - various wheelbases

Bodystyles:  2 door regular cab, 4-door extended cab, 4 door crew cab

Engines:  DI 3.6 liter V-6, Turbodiesel 4.5 liter V-8, DI 5.5 liter V-8, DI 6.2 liter V-8

Transmissions:  6-speed manual, 8-speed automatic

Competition: Ford F-150, Ram Truck, Toyota Tundra, Nissan Titan

**Duramax 4.5L V-8 and 8-speed automatic.
**New generation of V-8's.

Silverado HD

Models:  Silverado HD WT, Silverado HD LS, Silverado HD LT, Silverado HD LTZ

Architecture: GM2XX - various wheelbases

Bodystyles: 2-door regular cab, 4-door extended cab, 4-door crew cab

Engines: DI 5.5 liter V-8, Turbodiesel 6.6 liter V-8, DI 6.2 liter V-8

Transmissions:  6-speed manual, 8-speed automatic

Competition:  Ford F250/F350, Ram HD

**New generation of truck V-8s and 8-speed automatic.

Wagons HO!

'10 Holden Commodore Sportwagon            Source:  Holden Australia

 

I have a question for you.  When you think of station wagons, what comes to mind?  Mostly likely, it is your mom and dad's wood-grained car that took you to soccer and baseball games.  Well folks, get ready for your vision of the family wagon to be shattered.  No, seriously!  The wagon above is what the much loved high performance G8 would have looked like as a functional station wagon.  Today's wagons are not only sporty, but they are a more fuel efficient way to carry your children, the dog, and all of your stuff.

In a world where fuel costs are as unstable as the Pacific plate, wagons are a good choice for carrying people and cargo.  Today's wagons are not the stodgy, floaty barges of our youth.  Most are fast, handle well, and do so with greater fuel savings to any SUV or crossover vehicle.   Wagons are based on cars instead of trucks so they are lighter.   Wagons can come equipped with all wheel drive is you so choose, and again, provide four wheel propulsion with better fuel efficiency.  Wagons are also arguably safer due to their better handling ability and lesser-likeliness to turning turtle during evasive maneuvers at freeway speeds.

2011 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon                   Source: Autoblog

More wagons need to be brought to the retail market by all manufacturers.   General Motors took a risk and released the first regular production Cadillac wagon ever:  the beautiful CTS.  Available in rear wheel drive or all wheel drive, the CTS caters to those who like the idea of having utility without the added height and fuel economy of a crossover or SUV.  GM then followed up the CTS with the monstrously absurd CTS-V wagon (read:  I want one!).  Imagine a 556 horsepower brute of a station wagon that handles the Nurnburgring comparable to sports cars that cost twice as much.   Of course, all of this performance comes at a price few can afford.   The base price for a CTS-V is $63,660 and fully equipped at $72,320.

Buick LaCrosse Wagon (digital image)

In the near future, General Motors can have several more affordable wagons to offer the public.   Buick, for example, is one of the fastest growing brands in the auto industry right now.   The only crossover that Buick currently offers is the large Enclave.   The LaCrosse and Regal have recently been resigned and have been well received with consumers and the automotive media.  Wagon version of the LaCrosse and Regal would add sales to each nameplate and offer buyers a more efficient alternative to crossovers and SUV's.    Both the LaCrosse and Regal ride on GM's mid-size Epsilon II architecture that is suitable for both front wheel drive and all wheel drive configurations.  Currently, only the LaCrosse offers an all wheel drive option.   That option is expected to arrive on the Regal, possibly in 2013.  The LaCrosse wagon would offer buyers a near luxury wagon and give Buick a leg up on archrival Lexus that does not offer a luxury wagon of any type.   It would be offered with two powertrains.  The new for 2012 eAssist direct injected 2.4 liter I-4 engine with a six speed automatic transmission.  Currently, the 2012 eAssist sedan is EPA estimated at 25 mpg city/37 mpg highway.  The wagon would add weight but would only decrease mileage to an estimated 24 city/36 highway.  There are currently no large wagons on the market that achieves such lofty fuel economy numbers.  The top engine would be a no cost option LFX DI 3.6 liter V-6 engine with 6 speed automatic that produces 303 hp and 264 lb. feet of torque.  The V-6 model could be had with either front wheel drive or all wheel drive.  The mileage with the V-6 would be around 18 city/27 highway for the front wheel drive model and 17 city/25 highway with the all wheel drive option.    Estimated base price for the LaCrosse would be slightly more than the sedan, around $30,000 to $31,500 for an all wheel drive V-6 model.  Loaded models could reach $40,000.

Buick Regal Turbo Wagon                Source: Autoblog

The Regal Wagon would be positioned below the LaCrosse as the entry level midsize Buick.  The Regal wagon would be offered with the base DI 2.4 liter I-4 engine with or without the eAssist mild hybrid option, both with 182 hp.  The optional engine would be the existing turbo DI 2.0 liter I-4 engine with 220 hp and 258 pound-feet of torque.  The top model could be the GS model with a 270 hp version of the top turbo engine. There is a version of the Regal Wagon currently on sale in the European market as the Opel Insignia.  General Motors could quickly and easily give it the Buick treatment for very little development cost.  In fact, there have been Buick Regal wagons spotted around Detroit  for a year now wearing  "X" badging, denoting all wheel drive, something not currently offered on the Regal.   Base pricing for a Regal Wagon would run between $28,000 to $35,000 for the high performance GS Wagon.

2013 Chevrolet Malibu ECO Wagon      Source:  Orphiluschin

2013 Malibu ECO Wagon                   Source:  Ophiluschin

If the Buicks' price tags still cause you to quake in anxiety, the upcoming 2013 Malibu would make a beautiful wagon for someone who needs a value packed mid size wagon that gets good fuel economy.  The Malibu is being completely redesigned for 2013 on the Epsilon II architecture and is the first Malibu to be a world car.   It is the first Malibu that will be sold in Europe, Asia, North America, and Australia.  In Europe, wagons are very popular because of their utility and efficiency.  For the Malibu to be taken seriously in Europe, a wagon will be needed for improved sales.  Offering a Malibu wagon worldwide will spread development costs globally while improving sales for the brand.   Being on the Epsilon II platform, the wagon could be all wheel drive for wintry climates around the world.  The wagon would offer the same engines and transmissions as the sedans.  In North America, it would be the eAssist DI 2.4 liter I-4 with 182 hp returning 27 city/38 mpg highway. Buyers could also choose the new DI 2.5 liter I-4 with 190 hp and 180 pound-feet of torque while returning an estimated 35 mph highway.  On the wish list would be a redesigned version of the current DI 3.0 liter V-6 offered in the Equinox and Terrain.  Pricing would range between $24,000 and $30,000 for a loaded LTZ model.

Chevrolet Cruze LT Wagon (digital image)   Source: Orphuschin

For compact car buyers, Chevrolet could offer a wagon version of the wildy popular Cruze.   The Cruze has been on the market since 2009 in Australia, Asia, and Europe, and 2011 in North America.  Since arriving in North America, the Cruze has become the sales leader among all compact cars, and in June 2011 was the best selling car on the market and third best overall.   A Cruze wagon would compete with European wagons from Ford, Opel, and Peugeot.  The North American Cruze wagon would offer the same base 1.8 liter I-4 and turbocharged 1.4 liter I-4 of the current sedan models, but also add the upcoming turbodiesel 2.0 liter I-4 that is coming for 2013.   The upcoming turbodiesel is expected to get 50 mpg highway.  The current Delta platform is not compatible with all wheel drive powertrains.  All current generation Cruze wagons would be front wheel drive.  Pricing in North America would fall between $18,500 and $28,500.  Because wagons of this size sell very well in Europe, designed a Cruze wagon would be a good way to increase global sales of the model and help GM improve their reputation for building premium small cars.

The future of wagons could be bright.  If General Motors would introduce the models above, the station wagon could again be the choice of families who want all the functionality of an SUV with the fuel economy and sportiness that today's cars offer.

Cars becoming political machines?

General Motors was bashed for producing large gas guzzling SUV's.  At the same time, GM was developing an electric hybrid under wraps that was promised to be revolutionary.  The resulting Chevrolet Volt was finally introduced this year in a limited market.  The buzz around the Volt has been tremendous with automotive enthusiasts.  Motor Trend called it a "moonshot".   Automobile Magazine named it "Automobile of the Year".   At the Detroit Auto Show, the car was awarded Automobile of the Year.  Customers are averaging 1,000 miles between fill ups.   No small feat.  The Volt is truly the electric car (with a back up gasoline motor) that is the most efficient and liveable electric hybrid car on the market.

Despite all this praise, Autoblog Green published a story saying that right wind republicans hate the Volt because it was "designed for Democratic Bureaucrats".   The Volt was designed to be the most efficient car on the road.  The Volt was designed to raise GM's CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) numbers.  The Volt was designed to show the world that GM can truly design a revolutionary product.  The Volt was not designed because of democrats.  It was designed for the free market place that exists in our country.  Cars are not political devices.  They are transportation.  The republicans who are spreading this hate should be supporting General Motors because it is a home designed product.  They should not bash it.   What's good for GM really is good for America.

Cars

2009 Pontiac G8 GXP

2011 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon   Source: Autoblog

I have many interests.   To keep me occupied in the car, my mother used to teach me about all the cars on the road.  She created a monster.   I learned to read when my mom purchased a subscription to Motor Trend magazine when I was 4 years old.  By the time I was 12 I had subscriptions to Car & Driver and Automobile Magazine.  Growing up, most family members thought I would grow up to become a car salesman.  As an adult, I enjoy helping friends and family who are shopping for cars.   When I've purchased cars I've always known more than the car salesman.

2013 Chevrolet Malibu LTZ

This is a really interesting time in automotive history.  Rising fuel prices and a huge downturn in the global economy have changed the way car companies are designing and building cars.   Car companies are in a tug of war between designing and building fuel efficient cars (reduce weight) and safe cars (increase weight).  Upcoming models like the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu are a direct result of the recent changes in the auto industry.  The Malibu is shorter, wider, yet has nearly the same room as the outgoing model.  The new Malibu is safer with 10 airbags, more fuel efficient with 38 mph ECO model and a 4-cylinder only engine lineup.  There is a tremendous amount of buzz about the new Malibu.  Only time will tell if the new model will increase sales over the already successful current Malibu.

2012 Buick Regal GS

The most fun I have with my car interest is learning about upcoming models.  The internet feeds my constant need to learn about upcoming models.  I also love to hear rumors of future cars.  It's cool stuff.   I get excited during auto show season and in the fall when new models are released for the first time.

As with everyone, I have my opinions about what cars are good and what cars are bad.  I admit to being biased since I am loyal to car companies that are based in the United States.   I know that it is a global economy but GM, Ford, and Chrysler are the only car companies which interest me.  I am unimpressed by Toyota and other Asian companies products.  I am impressed with how quickly the Korean car companies have learned about the American market, but I would never consider one because I believe in supporting homegrown companies.  It's part of my strong Pro-American beliefs.

All this being said, I urge you to check out a new car, truck, or SUV from an American car company.  I think you'd be surprised at how far they've come.