GMI Covers NYIAS!!

[BigAls87Z28]

GMI Covers NYIAS!!
By BigAls87Z28
www.GMInsidenews.com



There were several big launches for GM in New York this year. Saturn finally took the wraps off its new Aura sedan Sky Redline roadster, and Outlook cross over vehicle. Both cars look ready to compete in two of the most competitive fields out there. There was also some big flash from Pontiac this year with there G6 GXP coupe show car, Solstice GXP production car, and straight from SEMA, there Solstice Club Racer in that blazing metallic orange paint! A trio of sharp looking cars. Chevy made a huge presence with all of there SS cars displayed, and Camaro concept that making passionate enthusiasts, like yours truly, smile and cheer. Chevy also had its set of there new GMT 900 SUV's out for the New York audience, some of the largest group of buyers of these SUV's. Caddy also strutted their stuff with The King of Bling Escalade and the trio of V series cars. Buick, GMC, Hummer and Saab also had great displays showing off there latest and greatest. As Tahoe and I walked around, we got to sit in many of the new GM cars, and here is a little review of the cars we saw.

Saturn Aura
What a sharp looking car in person! It has very nice lines giving it a pleasant look. The detailed headlights and taillights show attention in places where GM usually does not. Interior wise, the dark brown leather has a textured inserts into the seats that is a very nice touch to the interior. The leather inserts on the door panels also help liven up the interior. Interior space is not a problem due to the larger wheel base configuration, giving people up front and in back great room. This will finally bring a great looking and high tech car to the front line for Saturn. European design should give this car a little flare over its domestic and import competitors. Powertrain will start with the most powerful version of the 3.5 OHV VVT engine making 224hp. I would have liked to see a 2.4 VVT 4cyl model at launch, but the 3.6 DOHC V6 and 6 speed automatic will be the big winner here for Saturn. If prices are in line with the imports, it will complete the package and make a definite impression with the public.



Saturn Outlook
With people going to Crossovers and getting out of SUV's, GM is ready to play BIG TIME in this segment. To appeal to those looking for SUV utility, there is a powerful 268hp 3.6 V6 mated to GM's brand new six speed automatic transmission giving it plenty of power to move the family around town and for long trips. From the outside, it has a very nice stance and look to it. The large wheels and tires fill the fenders that takes away from the SUV look. Inside, its a whole new ball game. The design of the interior is beautiful. Its not a standard GM design, but its very pleasing to the eye. The contrasting light blue-green top mixed with the black and tan interior panels was very nice. There is also a lot of space inside this thing!! It felt like, to me, that the third row has more room then the third row of the Tahoe. The Sit and Slide seats are pretty cool, a nice novel approach at moving the seats out of the way to gain access to the back. Other nice touches is the detail work inside and out of this car. Just the little things make this car a little better then it had to be. Power, space, and attention to detail make this cross over better then anything we have seen so far from any of the competitors. This is a big step for GM, and will retain those looking for SUV space with Car like ride.



Pontiac G6 GXP
When seeing pictures of this car on line, everyone's eyes including mine, were drawn to that large whale wing. Things changed when I stepped into the Javtiz Center and saw it for the first time in real life. Man, what a totally different car!! The big thing that stuck out was the fantastic black metallic paint that was sprayed for this concept. Holy wow, what a great job!! Going to the front, the larger grills are filled with the same stainless steel mesh that can be found on V Series Cadilacs. The larger nose also included a front air spoiler and gave the whole front end a totally different look, a much better look that I think Pontiac should consider for future cars. The overall body of the car is still a very nice looking with the larger wheels filling the gaps to give it a fantastic stance. The interior has very nice red inserts in the doors and the heavily bolstered seats. The red metallic trim looks good, but overall Pontiac could have done a little bit more with the interior to spruce it up and give it a much more sporty appearance. The people we talked to seemed to be behind this idea of a GXP G6, and I would not doubt it with this now being the second GXP concept for the G6. I think that this should be the design direction Pontiac should be heading towards. This gives the car a very aggressive yet sleek front end that really complements the car better then its current grill.



Pontiac Solstice Club Sport
Sometimes a car company will make a car that strikes a certain cord in people when it combines style and passion. Mix in affordability, and you have a hit. GM made a car like this in the Pontiac Solstice, and people cant get enough of the car. The sports car brings high style to the masses and gives people something cool to drive, and you can have fun driving it too. With such rave reviews of the car, its only natural to take the next level, and bring it to the die hard enthusiast who are going to bring this car to the max potential. Pontiac and GM Performance Division put together this copper bullet, the Solstice Club Sport concept. It has a removable hard top, along with upgraded brakes and suspension, and lets not forget the over 300 horsepower turbo 2.0 liter Direct Injected 4cyl Ecotec engine. Covered in an amazing paint that makes shine in the day time, and catches your attention from across the autoshow floor, this car is a complete package. Clearly GM has ambition, and do not be surprised that a car with these specs replaces the GTO, in the biggest emerging sport, Formula D Drifting. A sharp car that is sure to tip the scale in performance per dollar.



Chevy Camaro Concept
Just when you thought you had enough, here comes your Fbody-Loving mod with even more drool flowing from his mouth. Its been three long months since I first laid eyes on this silver machine, and I still got the same reaction when I saw it. The hair on the back of my neck stood up, your pupils widen to take in as much as you can, everything else around it disappears...and all there is in front of you is the Camaro. While walking around, I actually caught some guys driving the car across the floor for a photo shoot with the Challenger and Mustang GT500 for SEMA. Tahoe and I met up with the Fbodyfather himself, Scott Settlemire for a small interview and to see from his perspective, the reaction of the Camaro concept from all the places he has taken it. He talked about the reaction of the C5 and C6 release, the just released Saturns, and any other reaction for an unveiling, and none of them measured up to the reaction the Camaro got not only in Detroit, but every where else he has taken it. There should be a crystal clear signal to the powers to be in General Motors that this car has a lot of power behind it.

When I returned for the public days, people would sit there around the car and talk about Camaro and it reminded me about something Mr.Settlemire said to me. He said that everyone, everywhere has Camaro linked somewhere in there life. Either they owned one, a brother did, a dad did, a neighbor, a friend, a girl or guy you liked had one, Camaro has some role in everyone's life. This became apparent when I was around these people, and you heard stories of Camaros being talked about, everyone talking about how they first met this car. I just stood there and gazed at the car and thought about my story and how Camaro played and still plays a big part in my life. This car draws out inner emotion that not many cars can bring out.







GM continues to roll out new product, as it seems they have not stopped since 2003, and in 2006, there seems to be no letting up. Every year, its another division getting an infusion of money and product that is bringing the company as a whole above and beyond its competitors. This years focus is definitely on Saturn as they refocus and realign themselves with new and modern product. With cars like the Aura, Outlook and Sky, these 3 combined with the successful Vue 5 passenger CUV, seem to be a fantastic group of cars. All this will tie into Saturn's fantastic customer service at dealers and produce an all around great car buying and driving experience. Four years ago, GM did not have much to work with. They were closing Oldsmobile, they just dropped two sports coupe icons from there line up, product was dated and obsolete and the only bright light was this odd looking, weird shaped Cadiliac. The GM world was much different, and the outlook was pretty sad.
It is now 2006, and everything inside GM has improved. Quality is up, brand new high tech chassis and powertrains have brought themselves to the forefront of modern technology. Even with talks of bankruptcy and the demise of GM and the #1 car maker in the world, there are still men and women within the towers of GM working day and night to bring the best cars to people. And this is just the beginning, as GM has so much more in the pipeline, ready for launch. With these cars, it shows GM's commitment to be the #1 automaker in the world.

[FriedRice]

Great reading about the show. I liked your story about Camaro's. It is very true.

[asim]

Nice write up Bigals.

[gmoney11]

Why does that Tahoe look different?

[BigAls87Z28]

The Tahoe is the Tahoe Hybrid I caught sitting outside as I was walking out of the show. I caught that one, a 3.5 Aura and that midnight blue Sky RL, which you can kinda make out twards the front of the Tahoe.

[ChevroletRevived]

It's a hybrid, gmoney11.

[gmoney11]

Oh! Cool! Thanks.

[genjy]

Originally Posted by gmoney11

Why does that Tahoe look different?

It has a different front bumper than the usual Tahoe.

[chevy6.0fan]

Originally Posted by genjy

It has a different front bumper than the usual Tahoe.

More importantly, its the tahoe hybrid, mention in like the last consecutive 3 posts!

[MrMax]

yea, while we're all talking about the Tahoe Hybrid, has that thing been officially confirmed with a date or anything specific?

[AndrewGS]

Originally Posted by BigAls87Z28

SMUG ALERT!!!







j/k

[BigAls87Z28]

Originally Posted by MrMax

yea, while we're all talking about the Tahoe Hybrid, has that thing been officially confirmed with a date or anything specific?

At Detroit where the Tahoe Hyrbid was first shown, they talked about having one ready for sale by the same time next year, so expect Jan-Feb of 2007. This truck will use the brand new and more advanced Two-Mode Hyrbid Drive System. Yes, more advanced, like better then what Toyota's got. The system was co-opped with Chrysler and BMW now wants in on it.

[nsap]

Originally Posted by AndrewGS

SMUG ALERT!!!

j/k

LOL

That Tahoe Hybrid looks awesome in that pic! Much better than the press photos.


Great write up BigAl!

[SUPERBADD75]

if NYIAS is any indication, GM is making a serious move forward. the only thing is that a few cars won't cause the renaissance they need. more product like this will definitely do the trick though.

[jfnz24]

Nice write up....enjoyed.