Tosca Update?

[ghughes]

"I think this is one of GM's major weak points. They need to update their cars periodically. Take the G6 for example. When it debuted, it was extremely popular. What did GM do? Nothing. They produced the same G6 year after year. All they did was add an option here and there, change a trim line, that's it. GM hopefully has learned to capitalize on the early popularity of their cars." They know this damn well, its the lack of credit and funds biting

[mikesright]

I think this is an example of GM just being unlucky. The Corolla has been out for 7 years without much change, while the G6 and Cobalt are out for 4 or 5 and aren't selling as well for some reason.

[crooner214]

I refuse to buy this car without front fender vents.

[tripowergto]

I think some folks are unaware of some of the recent changes in the 2008 G6 model line-up. There is now a new chrome appearance package which offers attractive recessed honeycombed grills along with matching lower facia inserts surrounding the foglights. The brand new GXP package has completely different front and rear facias, a scooped hood, side skirting and radical hammerhead rear spoiler which is different between sedan and coupe models. Multiple new wheels are offered including a very nice black tinted chrome design. The 3.6L w/6 speed auto was just introduced last year to go along with the 2.4, 3.5 & 3.9 Liter engines but the manual shift was dropped. While little has changed within the interior, overall GM has invested reasonably well in many expensive updates to this model. Neither the much newer Aura or Malibu have all these options as well as including a coupe and hardtop convertible.

[FenwickHockey65]

Yes yes, but no major styling changes. Don't get me wrong, I love the G6, but I think it's about time that GM designs a new one.

[Black AH CDX]

more pictures, including pics of the Holden version, can be found here

http://www.carspyshots.net/showthread.php?t=14755

[tripowergto]

I believe the Cobalt and Colorado are in much more desperate need of updates.

[MCGARRETT]

Sorry, but even if the G6 is from 2005, it still looks newrs than this car, this looks like a 2000 Saturn L series refresh. It looks old.

[paul8488]

Just got thinking... is this maybe not simply a Korea-only version?

[teamkiwiracing]

Originally Posted by paul8488

Just got thinking... is this maybe not simply a Korea-only version?

Nope ya right coz one of the spyshots has a Tosca/epica with a Holden Badge on it with a revised grill.

Seem as though the F.L Epica gets ESC/ESP which will be a good thing as well as the 6T40 transmission.

[mikmak]

It just really needs a stronger power plant, at least for the interim before a generational update.

[paul8488]

Where the heck is the Lacetti update? It needs to come out pronto... it now has the nice diesel... needs a pretty new face to compete.

[isszy]

Originally Posted by MCGARRETT

Sorry, but even if the G6 is from 2005, it still looks newrs than this car, this looks like a 2000 Saturn L series refresh. It looks old.

Took the words out of my mouth. I've never seen a G6 in the flesh, but from the photos I've seen, it looks far more modern than the Tosca/Epica.

The Epica looks like the last generation Camry. It fills a need but it is whitegoods compared with the Astra, Commodore or Caprice.

Australians have been staying away from the Barina, Nova and Epica in droves. The Korean experiment has not really worked for Holden.

[nadepalma]

Originally Posted by paul8488

Where the heck is the Lacetti update? It needs to come out pronto... it now has the nice diesel... needs a pretty new face to compete.

I agree that the Lacetti needs and update -- and soon.

However, GM may be hedging their time against when an all new Lacetti/Nubira/Optra (or whatever they call the replacement) debuts.

Remember that DeltaII is supposed to be up and running in the next two years. If that's the case, then it may make little sense to management to update the Lacetti/Nubira/Optra with an all new model a few years off.

However, the General IS selling an updated version of the Lacetti/Nubira/Optra in some key markets like India and some SE Asian markets. I've posted on this before, but basically Chevy took the front end from the hatchback, retained the headlamps, gave it a new grille and slapped it on the sedan and wagon.

And IMHO it's an improvement from the current sedan/wagon and "unifies" the lineup with the hatch version as well:




Here is the thread on this as well, but you need to look toward the end for active links (the rest died): Chevy Optra in India gets a facelift

If I were calling the shots at GM, I'd put this version of the car on sale in Europe and the rest of the world where they sell the Lacetti/Nubira/Optra. And why not? The engineering is already done so its not like they have to reinvent the wheel on this. They just need to take what India and other markets already have done and apply it to Europe, etc. Besides, it incorporate the new Chevy "face" with the older design and brings some cohesion to the c-segment lineup. I like it a great deal and think they could squeeze a few more sales out of the product to keep it viable as interest wanes before and all new model emerges in a new years.

[nadepalma]

Originally Posted by tripowergto

I believe the Cobalt and Colorado are in much more desperate need of updates.

I agree -- and it's too bad that GMNA isn't addressing this.

Honestly, how much can a few cosmetic tweaks run? I know that GM is limited in their resources, but every other car manufacturer seems to be able to do this.

I've made this point before, but even lowly Fiat is able to update their Palio/Siena/Weekend/Perla world car in 3rd-world markets almost yearly. The cars get front/rear/interior tweaks to keep them viable.

Why isn't this possible with GMNA? Just a few cosmetic changes would make the Cobalt (and G5), Colorado/Canyon that much more attractive to consumers.

But again, it's just me...