NSAP Rants: ECOTEC's, DI, G6

[nsap]

NSAP Rants: ECOTEC's, DI, G6
By: NSAP
October 25, 2006
www.gminsidenews.com

Well, it’s been quite awhile since I have posted a rant. During the Summer and on into November is generally a “dead” time for automotive news, so various staff members and myself are short on article ideas. Now that things are picking up, maybe we will all be a little more adamant about posting articles.

Tune the ECO

One of my main gripes about GM right now is the poor fuel economy that the ECOTEC four-cylinders make. This is very frustrating to me as right now is the prime time for all companies to have their best small-cars and the best power plants for them. Gas prices, while lowering, are not stable and people are turning to smaller cars when allowed to. I think of this movement as being similar to the midsize sedan market. It has grown and grown into a HUGE market segment, and I suspect small cars will be doing the same. GM, it is great you have so many vehicles that get over 30 MPG, but you are in desperate need of a 40 and up MPG club. This needs to happen sooner rather than later.

I have never quite figured out why the ECOTEC’s are so thirsty, but hopefully they can become for efficient without any major overhauls. There is some slight proof that they can be more efficient in the new turbocharged 2.0-liter in the Solstice GXP and Sky Red Line. It gets better gas mileage than the naturally-aspired 2.4-liter ECOTEC and all the while manages to have around 65% more power! Complements to direct fuel injection for that perk. Oh, and if anyone at GM is reading this and knows why the ECOTEC’s are not up to par with fuel economy…my E-Mail is in my signature.

Rumor has it that all of the ECOTEC’s will be getting direct-injection in the not-do-distant future. One can only hope that is the case. A little more engine refinement wouldn’t hurt either.

Direct-Injection

Of course the talk of the ECOTEC’s brings me to direct-injection across the lineup. We already know that 3.6-liter High-Feature V6 will be receiving it next year, and I’ve been told that all DOHC engines at GM will receive it soon. I have honestly not figured out any drawbacks to DI. You get more power, a wider power band and getter gas mileage just by adding DI. I E-Mailed a GM Powertrain media representative asking about DI in more detail, and what engines GM would confirm to me will receive DI, but I never received a response.

SEMA

Always the show to end the long period of deadness in the automotive world, SEMA is coming up soon. GM has already announced (and even revealed) a few of their offerings for the show, but I’m sure they left some of the better ones out (they always do). I have not heard for sure, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see a production version of the Pontiac G6 Coupe GXP there, since it is basically confirmed. A “concept” version of the Aura Red Line would also not surprise me. I guess we will just have to wait and see! Stay tuned to GMI, we’ll have all the coverage!!

G6; Sleeper Success?

Just a few days ago I was engaged in a discussion about Ford Fusion conquest sales, and naturally the Pontiac G6 was brought up. I knew for a fact that at one time G6 conquest sales were over 60%, but I had no clue what they were now, or even what the fleet rate was. I was surprised at what I found.

As it turns out, as of July of this year the G6 was managing just over a 40% conquest rate. For those of you who don’t know, that is very good; especially for a product that had (at the time) been on the market for two years. That same month the retail rate was at about 72%, which is fairly decent. Not great, but not bad for a two year old product. In the last few months GM has been moving anywhere from 13,000 to 17,000 G6’s a month. That isn’t bad at all for a car in the toughest market segment of all, and incentives have not been terribly high.

Dare I give GM any positive credit, but in my opinion it looks as if the G6 has been relatively successful for Pontiac. I’m going to remind everyone that Pontiac has no further intention on producing a 300,000 units per year vehicle, as they are pursuing their “niche” brand status. I will attempt to get some more information on the exact demographic of G6 sales and the like from Pontiac. I’ll update everyone on what I find out.


Thanks for reading!

[asim]

Nice little write up nsap! Thanks for all of the effort you guys give here!

I agree, the ECOTEC can definitely be better with a relatively few amount of improvements. I'm sure adding DI will make the engine a lot better for the near-term, but just revamping over the engine is needed.

DI is a great, but once it comes out on more engines, I hope that GM gets the recognition that it deserves for this. Direct Injection DOES improve a engine very much.

I like the statistics you have got for the G6! When you put it that way, the G6 is doing relatively well for not being the best mid-size car choice out there. Keep it up GM!

[give_it_all_]

Not a bad rant at all! Good job!

[63GrandSport001]

If you looked at the vehicles that the Cobalt competes with instead of looking at the fact that they can getrr 40MPG on the highway you would already know why this is.

The Honda civic has a base weigh of about 2,400 pounds and the Toyota 2,500 pounds while the Cobalt is 2,850 pounds. Though that weight difference doesnt really tell us why there is such a big highway difference (35 for the cobalt and 40-41 for the civic and corrola). The none direct injected lean burn older civic only got about 37-38MPG highway so there isnt that big of a difference between them. I think that the highway mileage comes down to aerodynamics for the Cobalt. New direct injected Ecotecs plus better aero on the cobalt can easily turn the Cobalt into a 40+MPG highway car.

Besides the mileage testing system that is flawed if you ask me anyways, from what Ive seen they are all close in mileage.

[pete4280]

I agree to about the fuel economy for the ECOTEC engines. There small cars need better fuel efficiency. This is an important factor for people buying these smaller cars and GM needs to make it a little better.

A five speed auto would be nice for the cobalt or aveo

[Kheiron]

very good and in check rant. I wish the Ecotecs had alot more refinement. I read on the Edmunds aveo LT review thread that ONLY the manual 5speed 1.6L ecotec gets 27/37 city / highway and it typically averages mid-high 20's...for this segment, its worse than unacceptable but borderline sinful. GM had better figure out how to make the ecotec more fuel efficient, especially since the rolla/civic/3/focus all get better gas mileage and the rolla has been on the market since what? 2002?, tisk tisk and shame on GM.

D.I. should help out alot, as well the 6 speed transmissions and adding AFM to the VVT engines should help out also. I read somewhere in the slighltly distant future, even the cobalt will get the 6 speed auto (as an option, if not standard equipment). G6 conquest sales are 40 which is pretty good, I wonder what the average transaction price on a G6 is and how many of those conquest sales are from japanese automakers, instead of stealing from ford/dcx for a "smaller piece of the pie".

As I stated in that thread: Buyers in this midsize/compact/subcompact market are looking for 3 things which vary in order:

1: Quality / Reliability---zero problems, zero recalls, zero trips to the dealership for any reason what-so-ever other than "normal scheduled maintenence" (I can't spell tonight, I know)

2: Saftey---side-impact rear front etc. etc. etc. airbags. Stability control, abs (should be standard across board, shocked its not in 07 models cough cobalt/aveo cough* ...shrugs***) as well as rear view cameras, collapsable steering columns and the step-by-step crash protection system, i forgot its real name but w/e you understand the point I'm trying to convey (hopefully.) GM if you want an example of what SHOULD be happening, look at Hyundai for Chevy/Pontiac/Buick and Volvo for Saab/Saturn/Cadillac as to what safety features should be in those vehicles at NO ADDED COST (i don't care if its financially feasible for you GM, if you hadn't circle jerked and f**ked yourself up the arse, then you'd be able to offer these options at no additional cost or minimal cost like volvo/hyundai do...time to continue to pay for your past sins and improve your image in import worshippers minds as well as those auto Rags import bias' (or tendancies for you naysayers out there ).

Lastly, 3: MPG!!!!!!! Every single engine could use a mpg boost, in sub compact, compact and midsize cars, I don't care if you sacrifice hp, torque, or w/e. Burn oil if you have too! I don't care, just increase the mpg of engines in those cars, specifically all versions of the ecotec, the 3.5, 3.9, etc. Then to advertise more competitive hp/torque numbers gear them differently for the 'sport' models and charge a premium for it.

Ok my rant is over, sorry for the long post and somewhat excentric analogies, just trying to get my point across while having fun. (Mags, I hope you enjoyed my post, def. got the circle jerk thing from you and that Ford Fusion discussion with all their fan boys from a few days ago. Just giving credit where credit is due.)

PS: GO Blue! My UofM Wolverines are going to go undefeated into the horse shoe November 18. T-smith better watch his back, (if you're on facebook, check this group out) b/c "Guns don't kill people, Lamar Woodley Kills People" and he's f'ing pissed about that disgrace in the Big House last year, he also has a bull's eye on your jersey Troy, watch out

-Kherion

[stevecmh]

the G6 needs to be updated fast. New interior NOW

[Havasavana]

Originally Posted by 63GrandSport001

If you looked at the vehicles that the Cobalt competes with instead of looking at the fact that they can getrr 40MPG on the highway you would already know why this is.

The Honda civic has a base weigh of about 2,400 pounds and the Toyota 2,500 pounds while the Cobalt is 2,850 pounds. Though that weight difference doesnt really tell us why there is such a big highway difference (35 for the cobalt and 40-41 for the civic and corrola). The none direct injected lean burn older civic only got about 37-38MPG highway so there isnt that big of a difference between them. I think that the highway mileage comes down to aerodynamics for the Cobalt. New direct injected Ecotecs plus better aero on the cobalt can easily turn the Cobalt into a 40+MPG highway car.

Besides the mileage testing system that is flawed if you ask me anyways, from what Ive seen they are all close in mileage.

I'm glad you did this 'rant'. It doesn't matter what the cause; more weight, flawed mileage testing system, whatever. It's about competition and GM needs to have numbers, flawed or not, that are within 1 or 2 of the Honda and Toyota products. They just can't afford to allow the Civic to advertise 25% better fuel economy than the Cobalt. Honda is cranking up production capacity so if the market grows they'll take more of it. If the market stays the same, they'll take more of it. Supposedly GM makes a profit on the Cobalt so there's just no reason not to sell as many as they can. For sure this market is not going away.

[4gm]

I'm dying for GM to get a low displacement Ecotec with DI and VVT. Can you imagine the mpg's an engine like that could get if the horsepower was kept relative low, like around 140? I'm guessing that kind of engine could easily get over 40 mpg's hwy. Somethinglike that in a good looking car, like the Aveo or Astro, would help GM win over a lot of buyers. It's exactly what GM needs. Didn't Lutz say in an interview that he now wants to make GM the class leaders in fuel economy? I have my fingers crossed.

Or what about a 125 hp Ecotec with VVT and DI in a Corsa for Saturn's stable? Yaris who?

[GTOhBaby]

Great Rant! I LOVE my new G6!!!

[camaro_freak]

Originally Posted by 4gm

I'm dying for GM to get a low displacement Ecotec with DI and VVT. Can you imagine the mpg's an engine like that could get if the horsepower was kept relative low, like around 140? I'm guessing that kind of engine could easily get over 40 mpg's hwy. Somethinglike that in a good looking car, like the Aveo or Astro, would help GM win over a lot of buyers. It's exactly what GM needs. Didn't Lutz say in an interview that he now wants to make GM the class leaders in fuel economy? I have my fingers crossed.

Or what about a 125 hp Ecotec with VVT and DI in a Corsa for Saturn's stable? Yaris who?

and how long would that take to materialize

a standard 5 or 6 speed trans thrown into every small call would improve highway mileage too...

[Al465]

Originally Posted by nsap

NSAP Rants: ECOTEC's, DI, G6
By: NSAP
October 25, 2006
www.gminsidenews.com




Tune the ECO

One of my main gripes about GM right now is the poor fuel economy that the ECOTEC four-cylinders make. This is very frustrating to me as right now is the prime time for all companies to have their best small-cars and the best power plants for them. Gas prices, while lowering, are not stable and people are turning to smaller cars when allowed to. I think of this movement as being similar to the midsize sedan market. It has grown and grown into a HUGE market segment, and I suspect small cars will be doing the same. GM, it is great you have so many vehicles that get over 30 MPG, but you are in desperate need of a 40 and up MPG club. This needs to happen sooner rather than later.

I have never quite figured out why the ECOTEC’s are so thirsty, but hopefully they can become for efficient without any major overhauls.

I think the ecotec gets gas mileage just as good as the competition when comparing and apple for and apple. I own one. What this person is saying is that it should be better than the competition. I believe GM should be the leader in gas mileage and I hope that happens.

[Buick61]

Originally Posted by nsap

I’m going to remind everyone that Pontiac has no further intention on producing a 300,000 units per year vehicle, as they are pursuing their “niche” brand status.

I agree with mostly all of what you said, but I find this hilarious

They have no intention to produce a 300,000 units a year vehicle? I'm sure if the demand was there, they'd intend to find a way to make 300,000 G6s per year.

[superstreet]

Originally Posted by give_it_all_

Not a bad rant at all! Good job!

[63GrandSport001]

Originally Posted by Havasavana

I'm glad you did this 'rant'. It doesn't matter what the cause; more weight, flawed mileage testing system, whatever. It's about competition and GM needs to have numbers, flawed or not, that are within 1 or 2 of the Honda and Toyota products. They just can't afford to allow the Civic to advertise 25% better fuel economy than the Cobalt. Honda is cranking up production capacity so if the market grows they'll take more of it. If the market stays the same, they'll take more of it. Supposedly GM makes a profit on the Cobalt so there's just no reason not to sell as many as they can. For sure this market is not going away.

I will agree that in this market GM needs to do something to get the fuel ecnomy up on the cobalt and I thnk they can. Direct injected I-4 engine sohuld be able to do most of the trick of getting the fuel ecnomy numbers up. But at the end of the day the only way that they are going to be able to get the cobalt completely competitive fuel economy wise they are going to need to drop 300-400 pounds which I dont think they can and keep the cost down while still building them in the states. This really comes down to certian market forces that are completely out of GM's hands and is more obvious at lower car prices as profit margins shrink. The fact that Honda was making money selling civics and GM was losing money should be a big sign of that.

Hopefully with reduced costs they can put more money into the cobalt and still make money selling them to make the car more competitive.

I will say this, on fuel economy.org they let people puit their mileage on the site and even though the civic has a better EPA number average users actually get better mileage with the Cobalt. So based on that the Cobalt gets better mileage then the civic and beats its EPA numbers by a good deal while the civic falls short of them.