GMI Rumor: New GMT-355 Platform

[nsap]

GMI Rumor: New GMT-355 Platform
www.gminsidenews.com
By: NSAP

By now it is no secret that the Hummer H3 is underpowered. Almost every review of the little brute has complained about the lack of power. For 2007 GM beefed up the H3’s 3.5L Atlas I-5 engine by boring it out to a 3.7L, good for 240 horsepower. To date, there has not been any reviews on the new version, but it is expected that the H3 is going to require a more than five cylinders to move it along nicely. Initially we heard that the H3 was going to get GM’s 5.3L V8 with Active Fuel Management, but apparently they figured out it won’t fit onto the GMT-355 platform, particularly when mated to the new 6L80E six-speed automatic transmission. This is requiring GM to quickly come up with a solution; a new GMT-355 platform.

The new platform’s official name is still unknown, so lets just refer to it as the 355-Plus. Naturally, the new platform is going to be larger than the current 355 simply to be able to fit those wonderful Vortec V8’s under the hood, and still manage to have the new six-speeds mated to them. This will also leave room for several model changes that have been speculated about.

Speculation

It is projected that the new GMT-355 platform will first show up on the upcoming Hummer H4 and then the next-generation Chevrolet Colorado truck. What this means is that they will be able to use the 4.2L Atlas inline-six, which its future was in question. It is also speculated that the inline-five engine currently found in the GMT-355’s will be gone once the new Colorado arrives.


The next GMT-355 vehicle to hit the market will be the Hummer H3T, which is the truck version of the H3 SUV. This vehicle will ride on an extended version of the current platform, at least at first.

GMI has heard that the next generation Chevrolet Colorado will sport a more global look, and resemble that of this year’s Colorado Z71 Plus concept vehicle from the SEMA show. As you will notice, the concept shares cues with the Chevrolet Captiva, which is sold globally.

[ChevyRules]

Not sure if it is true or not, but I heard that the 4200 is so long that it will hurt off road capability, but it is apparently false since their thinking of putting it in a Hummer right? And that Jeep had an I6 in their Jeeps which are/were kings of off road. So I guess it is false. Anyway...... I hope the GMT-455( I mean look at the Full size trucks, GMT-800, GMT-900, etc) does use the 4200. It is a very good engine and would almost make a V8 pointless since the power difference between the 5300 and the 4200 won't improve towing capabilities that much. But, I support putting the 6000 in the Colorado. . A bit off topic, but relates to the 4200's future. I also see it replacing the 4300 V6 in the Silverado/Sierra. The engine bay looks to be big enough to fit that long sucker.

[plane]

It looks awesome.
Much more aligned with the S-10 heritage (read: Good) than the current design. That's awesome news. This should increase sales nicely.

With Ford giving up, there needs to be a viable domestic mid size truck competitor to the Tacos and Frontios.

Mmm. I'm suddenly hungry for Tex-Mex.

[tgagneguam]

Originally Posted by nsap

...GMI has heard that the next generation Chevrolet Colorado will sport a more global look, and resemble that of this year’s Colorado Z71 Plus concept vehicle from the SEMA show. As you will notice, the concept shares cues with the Chevrolet Captiva, which is sold globally...

1) Curiously, nsap, from whom did you hear the above information? I ask only out of curiosity.

2) I hope that GM does consider this type of vehicle from a global perspective; a vehicle like it should be sold globally, which would justify eamarking an appropriate amount of cash to ensure that this next generation compact pick-up is truly class-leading.

[zl-1]

So the NG 355 would be a slightly modified version of the current 355? It's the cheapest way to do it, which IMO is smart: BOF SUV will probably be relagated to 'hardcore applications' as car-based crossovers offer the right balance between (little) offroad use, (close to) minivan-like flexibility, and fuel economy.

[mkaresh]

As long as they fix the styling. The current pickups look awful.

I've driven the 2007 H3. But I didn't drive it back to back with the 2006. Certainly not a huge difference. The vehicle is too heavy.

[nadepalma]

Interesting to hear.

If they decide to go this route does that mean that the TrailBlazer as a product (and not the current one that sits on the GMT360 platform) might have some kind of a reprieve?

I ask this b/c while I agree that Lambda will make a nice replacement for the TB as a volume segment product (assuming the rumors of the Chevy Lambda product are true and the TB impending death) GM would still be giving up on a portion of the population that tows their own boats, trailers, etc. These new unibody SUVs might be able to tow an okay amount but the toungue weights and towing weights still probably don't come close to the TB's numbers.

Just pondering what this might mean on a largers scale.

If a new 355 platform were to emerge -- whether all new or just merely modified off the current platform -- then it would allow GM to have their cake and eat it too. It would probably create the economies of sale to allow for a new TB-type product with lower volume but larger towing capacity to keep current TB owers who actually use their trucks this way (355) and the "volume" segment of the population who use their SUVs as family haulers (Lambda).

You could almost get two products covering different portions of the segment (like how Toyota has the truck-based RAV4 and the Highlander in the same lineup).

Just thinking out loud.

[TaHoE]

Originally Posted by nadepalma

IToyota has the truck-based RAV4 and the Highlander in the same lineup).

Just thinking out loud.

I think you meant Truck-based 4Runner. The RAV4 is based off a modified Corolla platform.

[CobaltSScrazy]

I hpoe these rumors are true as long as they don't rob other products of features and eat into other product development times (IE delays of MCE's and intros of refined greek platforms) then I'm all for it.

CobaltSScrazy

[bone]

Is this total speculation or perhaps just something on GM Inside News wish-list? Regardless of the answer,the illustrated vehicle is so much sharper than the current Colarado/Canyon.

[ByTheLake]

Originally Posted by bone

Is this total speculation or perhaps just something on GM Inside News wish-list?

...or both?

In either case, we're talking several years at best.

[nsap]

Originally Posted by ByTheLake

...or both?

In either case, we're talking several years at best.

Well lets see, its in the rumor mill, so...

Its rumors we have heard from credible sources.

Last time I checked the H4 (which will be on this platform) is only about a year off.

[Copcarz]

Hopefully an SUV can be made on this new platform. We need a new product at Moraine! A Chevy and GMC body on frame SUV need to be retained.

[56 Starchief]

Originally Posted by nsap

Well lets see, its in the rumor mill, so...

Its rumors we have heard from credible sources.

Last time I checked the H4 (which will be on this platform) is only about a year off.

wow, I wonder how many other products are flying under the radar comparatively speaking with all the Impala/Camaro/ news.

[EldoFan]

Looks markedly better than the Colorado/Canyon.......lets hope the General stuffs some real power plants into the next 355's