Epsilon 2 news from Bob Lutz
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I'm especially curious as to the looks and quality of the next G-6.
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Didn't they say this about the G5? And the Torrent? I do have to say that the current Epsilons are nicely differentiated, so I'm not too concerned.
What DOES worry me, though, is that the G6 is apparently still a go on Epsilon... meaning no RWD G6 next time around. One again poor Pontiac will be sandwiched between the Malibu, Aura, and 9-3.
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unless the upcoming RWD Alpha could be a new model like a G7 for example
I agree with you. There is no reason to have g6 as fwd. You have Aura, Malibu, 9-3 and new lacrosse. You have those four vehicles covering every customer that wants mid size fwd car. Why have g6 and spend money on developing and advertising this car. IF you are not going to have it rwd do not have it at all.
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We know the BLS won't be on Epsilon, and I doubt the next G6 will be. Why? Well, mostly because what they listed was every car currently on Epsilon, but we know all those won't be on Epsilon next go around -- Cadillac, for one.
Besides, isn't Epsilon II huge, size wise nearly as big Zeta? So putting the next G6 on a platform nearly as large as the G8 is silly.
And we know Alpha has to come out and be shared amongst a few models, thus a Pontiac/Holden, Cadillac, and some others will be in the mix.
As to whether the cars will be truly differentiated, I'll hold full judgement until I see them. However, I do think that Lutz implied that Zeta and Lambda were the first ones that allowed vehicles that looked substantially different. Although the Outlook and the Acadia are close, the Acadia and Enclave aren't remotely similar in shape. So GM may have finally figured this thing out.
We'll know for sure when we see the new Insignia and the new Lacrosse. Those should debut later this year and then we'll know how similar/dissimilar they look on Epsilon II.
Besides, isn't Epsilon II huge, size wise nearly as big Zeta? So putting the next G6 on a platform nearly as large as the G8 is silly.
And we know Alpha has to come out and be shared amongst a few models, thus a Pontiac/Holden, Cadillac, and some others will be in the mix.
As to whether the cars will be truly differentiated, I'll hold full judgement until I see them. However, I do think that Lutz implied that Zeta and Lambda were the first ones that allowed vehicles that looked substantially different. Although the Outlook and the Acadia are close, the Acadia and Enclave aren't remotely similar in shape. So GM may have finally figured this thing out.
We'll know for sure when we see the new Insignia and the new Lacrosse. Those should debut later this year and then we'll know how similar/dissimilar they look on Epsilon II.
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I wonder how long it will truely be before the Aura is on Epi2?
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The LaCrosse is the first in NAmerica to get E2 in 2009 as a 2010 model.
The Aura will be the second in 2010, and the Malibu the 3rd. That puts the new Malibu out in the 2011 time frame as a 2012 model.
A 4 year model cycle very impressive for Chevy.
Let's hope they do the LaCrosse right and offer only one trim level: fully loaded. The only option it should have is a Nav.
I'd like to see DI 4 cylinders with 200ish horsepower and 30 mpg for the Saturn and Chevy....as well as a five speed manual.
The G6 and new smaller Cadillac are rear wheel drive (Alpha). GM will probably cheap out and put the G6 on a front drive chassis.
The Aura will be the second in 2010, and the Malibu the 3rd. That puts the new Malibu out in the 2011 time frame as a 2012 model.
A 4 year model cycle very impressive for Chevy.
Let's hope they do the LaCrosse right and offer only one trim level: fully loaded. The only option it should have is a Nav.
I'd like to see DI 4 cylinders with 200ish horsepower and 30 mpg for the Saturn and Chevy....as well as a five speed manual.
The G6 and new smaller Cadillac are rear wheel drive (Alpha). GM will probably cheap out and put the G6 on a front drive chassis.
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Four years is fairly impressive, but in this case, GM is just trying to sync all of its midsized sedans onto a common architectures with common parts, as to maximize cost savings.
Taurus is a good example of this at Ford. Next year, it's moving to the MKS platform, and then 3 years after that, it's going RWD to sync all of Ford's large sedans worldwide. Seems like a fast turnaround, but it's needed as to share parts.
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I'd be surprised to see a DI 4 cylinder with close to 200 hp. I do feel the main objective
should be to get the gas mileage figures up. As the phase in of the 35 mpg fleet avg
starts to slowly get phased in starting in 2012.
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This makes perfect sense to me, and the article starts to explain how that will be achieved with suspensions, for example. Quite refreshing when GM raises the bar for itself.
Ah, new automotive terminology: lookshare. I wonder if it will catch on? I'll try using it, cuz it captures a different flavor than badge engineering, which technically it still is, though the geographic separation of the lookshares to me makes the practice quite logical.
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Exactly why it makes since to offer a manual as standard equipment (at least on the Aura, which is supposed to be more euro). People who still want a mid sized car for a commuter vehicle can have an I-4 and a manual along with leather and fancy sound systems...
A high horsepower 4 cylinder would be pretty cool with a nice manual in the Aura and probably in the Malibu too. I know that the 2.2L is getting DI and VVT....Not sure if it's going to make more horsepower or not. Maybe instead of offering the V6 in the Aura, offer the 260hp turbo 4 cylinder. I think Buick should stick with the six speed auto/280hp DI V6 combo. Hopefully it can get mid to upper 20s mpg.
The Aura is going E2 for 2010 model-year.
will the Lacrosse be out first? if so, when will the lacrosse be unveiled to the public?
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If true (not doubting you NSAP) that would only be three model-years for the Aura, '07,'08,'09 then for '10 a new one? Extreamly rare for the General!
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The Buick Invicta Concept will be shown at the Beijing Auto Show on April 19th (only 12 days away), if not unveiled before then in spy shots. The Invicta is essentially the LaCrosse, perhaps with a show car feature or two.
Yes. The LaCrosse will be the first Epsilon II car in North America. The Aura and LaCrosse will be very close as to when they are released. I expect to see the LaCrosse revealed at NAIAS 2009.
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I really think that would be a waste of resources for minimal, if any, value to the customer.
Pontiac dealers will disagree with you. They don't sell Auras, Malibus, or the 9-3. I'm sure the Lacrosse is going more upscale so they wouldn't have anything reasonably priced for someone with a family. 99% of dealerships are not GM stores therefore dealerships don't have all of GM's offerings. It's the same reason why Pontiac got the G5.
Go tell Mazda FWD can't be sporty.
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