Zeta-based DTS, 700hp C7 'Vette, and Astra sedan/'vert

[Flybrian]

GM's Global Goals: Automaker's international car lines get closer
By Paul Horrell
Link to Original Article @ Motor Trend

Jim Queen, GM's VP of global product development, has told Motor Trend more about how GM's international car lines will continue to get closer.

Opel AntaraHe said GM's new Australian RWD platform will be used not just on the Pontiac G8 and Chevy Camaro, but as the basis for the next generation of Cadillacs.

In fact in GM's portfolio, the only large RWD car (not truck) not built on this platform will be the next Corvette and XLR.

Queen says the C7 Vette will stick will a naturally aspirated V8 and RWD (not AWD). But power will climb by another significant increment, up to around 700 horsepower. 'We're working hard to get that power onto the pavement,' Queen said, mentioning that weight and weight distribution are the keys.

The twinning of Opel and Saturn continues. The new Korean-built Opel Antara has just gone on sale in Europe, and will become the 2008 Saturn Vue, from the same source, as announced just before the Chicago Show.

Saturn will also get further bodystyles of the Europe-built compact, the Astra. Three-door and five-door hatchbacks were unveiled at the Chicago autoshow, but sedan and a coupe-cabrio called TwinTop will make the transition to Saturns.

[big blue]

+1 for GM there. I think the best news there is the news about the rest of the Astra lineup coming over to Saturn, didn't expect that one. Looks like Zeta will become the new backbone for GM, and that's definitely a solid one to form.

[Drew Dowdell]

He said GM's new Australian RWD platform will be used not just on the Pontiac G8 and Chevy Camaro, but as the basis for the next generation of Cadillacs.

In fact in GM's portfolio, the only large RWD car (not truck) not built on this platform will be the next Corvette and XLR.

uh, What about the Sigma and Kappa?

[Cadillacfan]

I'm not sure what he means by next-gen Cadillacs. Hopefully that means next-gen LARGE cadillacs and not future Cadillacs in general. Sigma is still an important platform for the brand not only because it's proven to be worthy of a luxury brand but because it's what truly keeps Cadillac separate from the other GM brands. I have doubts that GM would phase it out in favor of a platform that will be the basis for Chevrolets, Pontiacs, Buicks, Daewoos and eventually Opel/Saturn sedans. They might lose some much needed credibility if they do just that. If anything, they should be working feverishly on a next gen Sigma platform. Modifying it for the new CTS was a good start but it's only a small step considering that it offered AWD from the very beginning.

Maybe it's time to shorten it a bit or at least allow it to be much more flexible then it already is.

The C7 vette sounds very exciting. I am assuming that the 700 hpr figure will be limited to the next-generation Corvette SS since the current one will only be around 600. Assuming that my prediction will be true, the next Z06 will probably have horsepower ratings in the 600s while the next gen base vette will be in the low to mid 500 range. It seems like a possibility considering that the last gen Z06 had the same amount of horsepower as the current base model.

[NOS2006]

Well they can get over 700 HP with the LS9, they already have. The only problem is transferring that to the pavement with good enough traction to grip the ground without blowing a rear end or snapping an axle.

[z28luvr01]

He might mean after the new CTS runs its course. Assuming the same 5 model year cycle as the current CTS, the new car would run until '13. By then, both Holden and GMNA will be using the same version of Zeta (they aren't right now). Once that happens, it makes a lot of sense to phase out Sigma for Zeta, since it's cheaper and, according to some, has superior dynamics.

[Sixty8panther]

So Kappa will become a mini-Zeta?

[Sixty8panther]

Almost forgot: Awe-f@#kin'-sum news.

[NOS2006]

Yup exactly. That is it. Nothing gets by you.

:rotflmao: I'm happy to hear the great news then!

[hyperv6]

Here is an update on this story by Autoblog.com

UPDATE: After conferring with Motor Trend and finding the original source, it's clear that GM's Jim McQueen did NOT say the C7 Corvette will produce up to 700 hp. The original article's author, MT's Paul Horrell, merely extrapolated on his own and made an educated guess that the C7 might produce that much power, probably considering that the C6 SS would already be producing in the neighborhood of 600 horsepower. The stuff about no all-wheel drive and maintaining a unique platform still stands, though.

[Sixty8panther]

Evok: you posted a link to THIS thread.

Edited February 24, 2007 by Sixty8panther

[mightymouse]

Here is an update on this story by Autoblog.com

UPDATE: After conferring with Motor Trend and finding the original source, it's clear that GM's Jim McQueen did NOT say the C7 Corvette will produce up to 700 hp. The original article's author, MT's Paul Horrell, merely extrapolated on his own and made an educated guess that the C7 might produce that much power, probably considering that the C6 SS would already be producing in the neighborhood of 600 horsepower. The stuff about no all-wheel drive and maintaining a unique platform still stands, though.

McQueen? HA

The C7 set-up will make most car guys poop their pants. Really. And I am not even a Vette guy....

[turbo200]

Evok: you posted a link to THIS thread.

he wants you to read it.

that aside, at least the astra derivatives are coming. why is there a mention of DTS coming sooner with no elaborations? [edit: it's a C&g headline] DTS coming like next year, would be so awesome! Cadillac needs a lineup that is fleshed up, yesterday.

Edited February 24, 2007 by turbo200

[turbo200]

McQueen? HA

The C7 set-up will make most car guys poop their pants. Really. And I am not even a Vette guy....

is anybody else hoping for mid engine? for better handling?

[NOS2006]

is anybody else hoping for mid engine? for better handling?

[Oracle of Delphi]

uh, What about the Sigma and Kappa?

It said large car platform, Kappa is not a large car platform.