GM Inside News Forum - View Single Post - GMI's Revitalization in Action

EvilCaprice · 06-30-2006, 02:38 AM

First off, incredible job on the photoshopping, guys. I love the ideas, but of course I've gotta add my own comments.

Compact Sedan
Wildcat, stretch Kappa. I really want to see a SWB Kappa coupe for Pontiac (Firebird, perhaps), and to make the economics work Buick needs a sedan to sell beside it. I like your photoshop rendition, something like that sized to take on the Lexus IS, and the Wildcat name is perfect for this car. Use a direct injection Ecotec 2.4L (220hp) in the LS and a DI DOHC VVT 3.6L (330hp) in the GS, with an available six-speed manual in either. Priced in the thirties, they would sell big.

Mid-Size Sedan
Spot on with the LaCrosse.

Mid-Size Convertible
Velite, EpII. If the G6 convertible proves the technology, and the market seems up for it, a folding hard-top LaCrosse could be unveiled as the long-awaited Velite. Give it a sporty GS version with an available manual transmission.

Full-Size Sedan
Statesman, LWB Zeta. Your Roadmaster was pretty much spot on here, except I think the RM name is just to geriatric for the age group Buick needs to attract in greater numbers. Statesman would nicely, and being sold in many different markets (Australia, Mid-East, Asia, etc) could bring some continuity to GM's global presence. I'd like to seen an available smallblock (LS2 derived) in a sportier GS, but its viability is debatable. If the Statesman name is rejected, I'd use the Lucerne tag instead.

Full-Size Coupe
Riviera, LWB Zeta. I don't really see the need for a big coupe in the Buick lineup...Pontiac is supposed to have that covered with the GTO. If they must, go with the Riviera name and your "Wildcat Gran Sport" rear-end. Use the 3.6L and 4.6L engines in base and LS models, with a smallblock "Gran Sport" high performance model.

Crossover
Enclave, no doubt.

And that's it for Buick. As for the Y-body Wildcat GS, why would you use the same "Wildcat" name on two completely different cars? It would make a great concept car, and sure I'd like to see it, but Buick doesn't need to spend time and money on Halo cars that would be better spent improving their core vehicles (in my view, the Wildcat, LaCrosse, and Statesman). GMC takes care of the SUVs, trucks, and vans. Pontiac takes care of compacts, small coupes, big coupes, sports sedans, convertibles, etc. That's a full line.

06-30-2006, 02:38 AM	#20 (permalink)
EvilCaprice 2.5L Iron Duke Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Gulfport, MS Drives: '94 Chevy Caprice (in need of major post-Katrina Posts: 20	Re: GMI Feature: Revitalization in Action; The Dream Buick Lineup First off, incredible job on the photoshopping, guys. I love the ideas, but of course I've gotta add my own comments. Compact Sedan Wildcat, stretch Kappa. I really want to see a SWB Kappa coupe for Pontiac (Firebird, perhaps), and to make the economics work Buick needs a sedan to sell beside it. I like your photoshop rendition, something like that sized to take on the Lexus IS, and the Wildcat name is perfect for this car. Use a direct injection Ecotec 2.4L (220hp) in the LS and a DI DOHC VVT 3.6L (330hp) in the GS, with an available six-speed manual in either. Priced in the thirties, they would sell big. Mid-Size Sedan Spot on with the LaCrosse. Mid-Size Convertible Velite, EpII. If the G6 convertible proves the technology, and the market seems up for it, a folding hard-top LaCrosse could be unveiled as the long-awaited Velite. Give it a sporty GS version with an available manual transmission. Full-Size Sedan Statesman, LWB Zeta. Your Roadmaster was pretty much spot on here, except I think the RM name is just to geriatric for the age group Buick needs to attract in greater numbers. Statesman would nicely, and being sold in many different markets (Australia, Mid-East, Asia, etc) could bring some continuity to GM's global presence. I'd like to seen an available smallblock (LS2 derived) in a sportier GS, but its viability is debatable. If the Statesman name is rejected, I'd use the Lucerne tag instead. Full-Size Coupe Riviera, LWB Zeta. I don't really see the need for a big coupe in the Buick lineup...Pontiac is supposed to have that covered with the GTO. If they must, go with the Riviera name and your "Wildcat Gran Sport" rear-end. Use the 3.6L and 4.6L engines in base and LS models, with a smallblock "Gran Sport" high performance model. Crossover Enclave, no doubt. And that's it for Buick. As for the Y-body Wildcat GS, why would you use the same "Wildcat" name on two completely different cars? It would make a great concept car, and sure I'd like to see it, but Buick doesn't need to spend time and money on Halo cars that would be better spent improving their core vehicles (in my view, the Wildcat, LaCrosse, and Statesman). GMC takes care of the SUVs, trucks, and vans. Pontiac takes care of compacts, small coupes, big coupes, sports sedans, convertibles, etc. That's a full line.