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.

GM's Upcoming Compacts

2012 Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback (Europe)

There has been much debate about upcoming compacts from General Motors.   The Cruze is off to a great start being the best selling C-segment car in the month of May 2011.   There have been reports from GM Autority that multiple sources are saying that a Cruze Hatchback (Europe & Australia sale only), Cruze Coupe, and Cruze diesel are coming beginning in the 2013 model year.  At the same time, GM Inside News is reporting that GM officials are saying there is a two door C-segment car coming, but it's not a Cruze.  The GMI article shows an artists rendering of a Buick version of the upcoming Opel Astra GTC sport hatchback.   Reading these two stories.  It's hard to decipher what is really going to happen; and that's exactly what General Motors wants.

2012 Opel Astra GTC

My take on what will happen is that both stories have accuracy.  First of all, the Buick version of the upcoming Opel Astra GTC is a 3-door car, not a 2-door car.   I think the GM source who blabbed this information is trying to take back something he said by masking it has a model that has already been officially announced for the U.S. market.   The Cruze Coupe, on the other hand, has not officially been announced.  As with each new upcoming model that has not officially been announced, GM sources are required to say that the model "doesn't exist" or "is not coming to U.S. dealers".   

A diesel powered Cruze has already been announced.   The Cruze hatchback has been shown in production form in Europe where it will go on sale later this year.   With Ford and other companies having success with company hatchbacks, GM will follow with the Cruze hatchback.   Remember, the Cruze was on the market for two model years in other markets before it came to the U.S. market.   It makes sense that the Cruze hatchback will follow this trend and show up for the 2013 model year with a mid-cycle refresh.   A two door coupe version of the Cruze is another natural variant that will help increase sales for General Motors.   The pathetic Cobalt coupe was a good first car for many high school and college aged people.   Honda has been successful with sales of their Civic Coupe.   Offering several body styles of the Cruze will help increase sales with a small developmental cost to the company.

There is room for both the upcoming Buick and Chevrolet Cruze variants.  Here's how I see it stacking up

Cruze 2-door coupe:                 $18,000 - $27,000 (LS, 1LT, 2LT, LTZ)

Cruze 5-door hatchback:           $18,500 - $27,500 (LS, 1LT, 2LT, LTZ)

Buick 3-door hatchback.           $21,500 - $30,000 

Chevy Volt Resale

According to Kelly Blue Book, the resale value on the new Chevrolet Volt will be around $17,000 after 36 months.   I am not very leary of this forecast.  I think the resale value of a Chevrolet Volt will be highly dependent on the price of gas in three years.   If the price of petrol plummets to $2.00/gallon, then I can see the value of the car declining since people are not interested in high fuel mileage when gas prices are low.  Yes, Americans are that short sighted.  For further proof, look at the sales of trucks and SUV's.  As gas prices swing widely, their sales swing widely with the price of gas.   Anyway, back to the Volt.   There is a positive correlation to the resale value of small cars and hybrids and the price of petrol.  When the price of one rises, sales of the other rise.

Look at this scenario.   Gas is $5.90/gallon.   Which vehicle would be more desireable?  A Chevrolet Volt, that goes an estimated 1,000 miles between fill ups, or a Toyota Prius, a vehicle that goes an estimated 500 miles between fill ups?  For my money, I would want the Volt and I believe many others would as well because it would be more efficient.

Article can be found at Autoblog

Truck guy

My 2009 Silverado LT Z-71 4x4 - Pic taken 11/2009.

I get irritated with people who have knew me as a kid.  They not only treat me the same way but they gasp when they see that I drive a pickup truck.  I hear comments like, "You're not a truck guy." or "That's not you."

Enter my interest in sociology and psychology.  Human behavior is something I'll never fully understand but it's interesting to watch and experience.

My full driveway - Denali, ESV, and Silverado

Because they people knew me as the fat, insecure, selflessly people pleasing person I used to be, they still treat me the same way.  It doesn't occur to them at all that people do evolve over time especially as they become adults.  I'm well into adulthood now.   You would think they'd treat me as a stranger. . as I treat them.  I guess it's just easier for them to treat me the same way they always had; or they fear the fact that someone they once knew is now a stranger.  It happens as people go through life.

As for trucks not being me.  They are!  I love the versatility and practicality of a truck.  I love that I get get it slap covered with mud and clean it up and head to a fancy restaurant in the same day.   One of my vehicles will always be a pickup truck.  They fit my practical side and my fun side.   I make no apologies for it.  In fact, I am proud of it.

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.