Zeta: The Best Thing Going

[KingElvis]

[quote=DuSpinnst]

Originally Posted by KingElvis

There are PLENTY of V8's running around Europe (at least in Germany). Although they are all SMALL DOHC V8's. At least comparatively to what people make it sound like (as in it is not uncommon to see a V8 car).

I would agree that Germany, as Europe's richest nation, tends to have larger cars then in say, France or Spain, and especially Italy.

But I was in Germany this year, and even the Mercedes tend to be diesel sixes - for that matter it seemed like more than half the cars were diesels. Judging by your handle, I'm assuming you have spent some time in Germany, but when I was in Frankfurt and Stuttgart I don't remember seeing any. What I was struck with was how many C class and 3 series cars had steel wheels and hubcaps - often missing - you wouldn't be caught dead in the US in a new BMW or Mercedes with steel wheels.

I admit I was surprised by the number of Jeep brand vehicles in Germany.

Overall, if it wasn't sarcasm, I thinks its awfully difficult to defend the statement: "The world is begging for V8 power."

We also spent time in Rome where the cars are legendarily small. I was sitting at a Cafe next to the Tiber at ponte Milvio and a car hauler was winding its way by full of Chrysler 300s (I didn't see one American car in Rome, with the exception of a Caribinieri/police Ford Crown Vic parked in a plaza - I guess they figured football hooligans couldn't turn it over?) . Some people in the Cafe glanced up to look at it, with this puzzled expression - not of admiration or envy but bemusement or befuddlement like "Who would ever want something like that?"
A 300 or Charger isn't considered too big here - especially since trucks have inflated to the mega size in comparison - but on Roman streets it'd be like driving a bus. Something like a Rav 4 is comparable to a Tahoe here.

[Swahili]

Originally Posted by KingElvis

BigAl

I'm not trying to scold, but this was in the "News Ticker."

Anything posted in the Press Room is linked to the News Ticker. Is it really such a big deal?

[Swahili]

Great write up, BigAl. Similar to New Mexico's enthusiasm (though with not quite as personal an anecdote :rofl I'm even more pumped up about GM's future after reading this. You've always seemed to have some inside knowledge about things and I hope products similar to what you wrote about make it to market by the end of the decade, if not soon after.

4 door car with suicide doors, how frickin' cool would that be!?

[DuSpinnst]

[quote=KingElvis]

Originally Posted by DuSpinnst

I would agree that Germany, as Europe's richest nation, tends to have larger cars then in say, France or Spain, and especially Italy.

But I was in Germany this year, and even the Mercedes tend to be diesel sixes - for that matter it seemed like more than half the cars were diesels. Judging by your handle, I'm assuming you have spent some time in Germany, but when I was in Frankfurt and Stuttgart I don't remember seeing any. What I was struck with was how many C class and 3 series cars had steel wheels and hubcaps - often missing - you wouldn't be caught dead in the US in a new BMW or Mercedes with steel wheels.

I admit I was surprised by the number of Jeep brand vehicles in Germany.

Overall, if it wasn't sarcasm, I thinks its awfully difficult to defend the statement: "The world is begging for V8 power."

We also spent time in Rome where the cars are legendarily small. I was sitting at a Cafe next to the Tiber at ponte Milvio and a car hauler was winding its way by full of Chrysler 300s (I didn't see one American car in Rome, with the exception of a Caribinieri/police Ford Crown Vic parked in a plaza - I guess they figured football hooligans couldn't turn it over?) . Some people in the Cafe glanced up to look at it, with this puzzled expression - not of admiration or envy but bemusement or befuddlement like "Who would ever want something like that?"
A 300 or Charger isn't considered too big here - especially since trucks have inflated to the mega size in comparison - but on Roman streets it'd be like driving a bus. Something like a Rav 4 is comparable to a Tahoe here.

Diesels do outnumber all other vehicles (with good reason!). And the 6's out number the 8's for the most part, but they are around. You just have to really watch the numbers on the back as from a distance you can't tell!

[GotAWD]

good work Big Al, something positive to look forewards to.

[Northstar]

What would be the point of "Zeta Lux"? That would just be Sigma...

[superstreet]

Originally Posted by Bornfromparents

Nice write up, you have a good vision of what could be, lets hope GM
will be looking at the many different ideas you just posted.
I like the pontiac crossover sporty rear wheel drive kick in the pants

[KingElvis]

Originally Posted by Swahili

Anything posted in the Press Room is linked to the News Ticker. Is it really such a big deal?

I think GMI is at its best when delving into 'hard' news and I think it has grown because of going in the direction of reportage rather than speculation. If I found out Chevy was nixing passenger side lock cylinders, I feel like I've actually gotten some good out of the site, and learned something I couldn't have found out on my own.

Hey, when I see "news ticker" I expect news - wouldn't anybody?

[asim]

Originally Posted by zeobandit

Great article! That was an awesome read. It sounds like the possibilities for Zeta are almost endless.

It almost is, it's GM great new versatile platform! The only thing that they have to do is keep the price down, which it seems that GM has pulled off!

[Mikkoo]

[quote=DuSpinnst]

Originally Posted by KingElvis

Diesels do outnumber all other vehicles (with good reason!). And the 6's out number the 8's for the most part, but they are around. You just have to really watch the numbers on the back as from a distance you can't tell!

Diesel useage depends on tax laws. Here in Finland, we have a diesel surcharge added on at registration time that makes them more expensive to drive vs a
gasoline engine vehicle. Therefore we probably only have around 25% of sales with a diesel powerplant. So you can't generize and say that everywhere in Europe diesels outsell their gasoline counterparts. Here the tax is because diesels are dirty compared to gasoline engines, so you pay a sin tax of between
300-400 euro's per year. It's not worth purchasing a diesel unless you drive much more than the avg driver does. Here, the Chrysler 300 is a popular vehicle that's normally equipped with a V6. Not too many V8's, because
registration fee's are based on engine displacement sizes. The larger the
engine the more you pay annually.

[Gm786]

Very nice indeed. I can't wait for the new Chevy Camaro!

[Swahili]

Originally Posted by KingElvis

I think GMI is at its best when delving into 'hard' news and I think it has grown because of going in the direction of reportage rather than speculation. If I found out Chevy was nixing passenger side lock cylinders, I feel like I've actually gotten some good out of the site, and learned something I couldn't have found out on my own.

Hey, when I see "news ticker" I expect news - wouldn't anybody?

Every other staff commentary that's been posted has been linked and shown on the News Ticker, whether it be a post from the Rumour Mill or not. No one's ever had a problem.

[Ramair-WS6]

After doing just alittle research it seems that there are already 3 different wheelbases of Zeta. That is if the Camaro stays true to its concept.

2006 Camaro Concept -- 110.5 inch wheelbase
2007 Holden Commodore -- 114.8 inch wheelbase
2007 Holden Caprice -- 118.5 inch wheelbase

I hope that someone that is "in-the-know" can confirm the Camaro wheelbase. If the number is correct and the chassis firewall and A-pillar attachment point is as flexible as they say then this is by far the most important architecture to GM. I say that if GM is capable of building capable 4-door sedan off the 110" Camaro version of Zeta.

[chad4835]

Great summary! This summary really supports the case for Zeta and the future of GM. I hope they incorporate AWD into most of the RWD offerings for the Northern markets. I live in Michigan and have started to hear some rumblings from Magnum, Charger, 300 owners who are having winter driving problems.

[IROCNROL1]

Sounds good, I just have a couple of concerns. It's come up several times in other threads that the Camaro will be portly. As GM has had weight problems in the past, I hope the engineers are keeping a close eye on this issue.

Also, it was stated that the Malibu will move up in size to replace the current FWD Impala. While I don't have a problem with this, I'm a little leery of public acceptance of it when a repeat customer comes in and wants a familiar name/product and is told "If you liked the old Impala, don't buy the new one. Get the Malibu instead." Easy enough to say, and to assume there will be a seamless switchover, but the current Impala's success is based on what it is, not what it's going to be.

Just keep in mind that the vast majority of consumers are not enthusiasts, and as such don't get overly excited about a new car's performance potential. They just want an updated and fresh iteration of what's served them well in the past and a name change may affect their comfort level. Maybe I'm being excessively concerned, I hope so.