GMI Exclusive: GM Planning Line of Small Crossovers/Rumors Debunked

[kenman923]

Let's hope that GM is still solvent when these vehicles are introduced.

[WishIhadatruck]

Sounds good to me. I'm all for some small, fuel efficient, and space efficient vehicles from GM.

[PA Dweller]

Will Buick still get a small crossover?

[BrickTamland]

It is good to hear the next generation Aura is only being delayed a year. If I'm not mistaken, it was slated for MY 2010, making the current body style only a 3 year generation, which is scant. Even with the 1 year delay, the current Aura would be a 4 year body style, which is still a year quicker than what is typical.

It is also reassuring to hear about the Cruze. I think Bob is having some senior moments.

[FierySolstice]

Originally Posted by jcgable

I think Saturn has more potential than Pontiac. Can GM force Pontiac Dealerships to convert to Saturn?

The delay of the Aura and the Crzue really don't inspire much confidence for me. Te rest of the information, however, seems promising.

I don't see that what so ever.. Pontiac has way more potential than Saturn. Saturn is going into Buick territory. Pontiac hasn't tapped into its sports heritage in quite sometime. I want to see more supercharged 4's in Pontiacs and less boring Vibes and G5's. Pontiac needs to go back to its heritage names as well, LeMans, Grand Am, Grand Prix, Trans Am. Let's keep the brand sports inspired!

[nsap]

Originally Posted by FierySolstice

I don't see that what so ever.. Pontiac has way more potential than Saturn. Saturn is going into Buick territory. Pontiac hasn't tapped into its sports heritage in quite sometime. I want to see more supercharged 4's in Pontiacs and less boring Vibes and G5's. Pontiac needs to go back to its heritage names as well, LeMans, Grand Am, Grand Prix, Trans Am. Let's keep the brand sports inspired!

Well here is the problem with that...

I fully agree that Pontiac has potential...no doubt. However GM is NOT WILLING to take the brand where it needs to go to be something worth the time to keep. Pontiac needs to pursue their all-RWD lineup of high-styled "poor mans BMW" cars that can truly kick the ass of their BMW counterpart. To me the modern Pontiac should be a car that turns your head when you see it on the road; if not for design, but because it is doing some kick-ass stunt on the road and getting itself noticed.

However GM further proves they are not taking the brand where it needs to go. For God's sake we are getting the G3!

[Jimmy Jive]

So DeltaII won't be spawning any crossovers?

[chevydlrmn]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Jive

So DeltaII won't be spawning any crossovers?

I was hoping for delta 2 cuv's too, gamma 2 must be able to be stretched but lighter.

[t-rex]

I'm thinking a Gamma-based crossover would be considerably smaller than even CRVs and Escapes.

I rented a Ford EcoSport last time I was in Venezuela and found it a blast to drive. It's small (it's just a jacked-up Fiesta wagon) and some of the interior bits were cheapish, but it was a fun drive and had a touch of "toughness" in its character to keep it from looking too girly.

Maybe GM had the huge Brazilian market in mind when they decided to make a Gamma crossover. Heck maybe they'll farm the project out to GM Brazil. I doubt it'll be as small as the Aveo though; they'll probably stretch the wheelbase a bit to put it just under the Captiva/Antara/Vue.

With the Equinox growing a bit I think a baby crossover would find a welcome place in the market. With GM's upcoming 1.4-litre turbo'd engine under the hood, it'll have high MPG numbers, and can give customers who want crossover style and utility an economical choice.

[johnny smallblock]

Originally Posted by momolos

I wanted the new Aura next year to replace my Camry.
Now I don't know what to get.....I am way too young to get a Buick and I know you all will bust chops about my Camry but it was not my choice.
This will be my first brand new car and I wanted the new Aura. I like the G8 a lot also.....but I live where it snows a lot.
Now GM may lose me as a buyer unfortunately b/c they won't offer anytning for me.

The rest of the line up is older. I know about the Malibu but I like sportier cars (again the Camry...totaly not my choice)

Any ideas for me?

G6 convertible
HHR SS
SAAB 9-3
Solstace/Sky
Impala SS

[johnny smallblock]

Originally Posted by PA Dweller

Will Buick still get a small crossover?

I hope so. They should have something for RX buyers to consider.

[johnstarnes]

I wonder what role, if any, that the Opel Meriva might play in Saturn's line up here?

[PA Dweller]

Originally Posted by johnny smallblock

I hope so. They should have something for RX buyers to consider.

Yea exactly, but I wonder how they will prevent it from overlapping with the SRX replacement?

Originally Posted by FierySolstice

I want to see more supercharged 4's in Pontiacs and less boring Vibes and G5's.

If they are going to keep the Vibe they need to add a GM powertrain, something with much more power than the Toyota powertrain. Think something along the lines of the Saturn Sky RL's engine, and offer something in the 190-200 HP range.

[DemonKnightDK]

I had thought that this new generation of vibe was orginally intended to have alot more engineering from GM than toyota this time. Evidently not.

The frame of the vibe is pure toyota, so making a GM engine and trans work probably isnt as easy as people would like to think. (kinda like trying to use the FWD 3.1 and 3.4 in a RWD F-body application.. it just dont work.)

[Olds88]

Originally Posted by momolos

I wanted the new Aura next year to replace my Camry.
Now I don't know what to get.....I am way too young to get a Buick and I know you all will bust chops about my Camry but it was not my choice.
This will be my first brand new car and I wanted the new Aura. I like the G8 a lot also.....but I live where it snows a lot.
Now GM may lose me as a buyer unfortunately b/c they won't offer anytning for me.

The rest of the line up is older. I know about the Malibu but I like sportier cars (again the Camry...totaly not my choice)

Any ideas for me?

If you'd like us to recommend a car then give us some requirements and specs you'd like. If you think a Camry is sporty then even a Buick will impress you with its handling.

A word about RWD and winter climates. I live in Illinois and drive through Wisconsin regularly. My Avalanche is a 4x2 (the ride quality of the 4x4 was just too awful to be worth it) and I've never had an issue with winter driving nor have I with my Caprice Wagon (its also RWD). Stabilitrack really eliminates the dangerous fishtailing that can occur with RWD and a few bags of sand negate FWD's traction advantage.

So my recommendations of cars to check out.
Pontiac G8 - Obvious.
Cadillac CTS - It doesn't get much sportier without actually being a sports car.
Saturn Sky - Actually a sports car
Cobalt SS - FWD, 260 horse turbo-4 30mpg hwy, stickshift. Doesn't get sportier while driving the front wheels
LaCrosse Super (5.3L V8) - Its the ultimate sleeper. 0-60 in 5.5s and nearly as quick in the 1/4 as the G8. It handles remarkably well for a big FWD luxury sedan. I know you don't like Buick's age stigma, but drive the car before you condemn it. Also consider Buicks have very low insurance rates and are less likely to get you pulled over by the boys in blue.
Dodge Charger - Most people on this site will hate on this car because its a Dodge, but they're really nice cars.
Malibu LTZ - Its sportier than a Camry and has a much more inviting interior to boot.

Originally Posted by schmallz

What exactly makes the Aura sporty? Or what makes it sportier than the Malibu?

I thought Aura's suspension tuning was stiffer than Malibu's to give it a more Euro (translation: crappy ride) feeling.

Originally Posted by eaton53

Did you just use Camry and sportier in the same sentence?

Just about EVERYTHING is sportier than a Camry... unless you get into the highest trim levels.

At that point, it's G8 GT, baby... it kicks everything's a$$ at $30K.

Its really hard to argue with a G8. But again LaCrosse Super come close to the G8 while giving you FWD.

Originally Posted by nsap

Well here is the problem with that...

I fully agree that Pontiac has potential...no doubt. However GM is NOT WILLING to take the brand where it needs to go to be something worth the time to keep. Pontiac needs to pursue their all-RWD lineup of high-styled "poor mans BMW" cars that can truly kick the ass of their BMW counterpart. To me the modern Pontiac should be a car that turns your head when you see it on the road; if not for design, but because it is doing some kick-ass stunt on the road and getting itself noticed.

However GM further proves they are not taking the brand where it needs to go. For God's sake we are getting the G3!

Until a chicken is painted on the hood of a Camaro and a split grille applied to the front I won't be happy with Pontiac. Of all the rebadging GM decides not to do, why the Trans Am? I'd MUCH rather own a 2010 Trans Am than Camaro even if they're identical.