TKR

The original Lotus DOHC engine (as fitted in the Cortina and Escort) was only 2 valve per cyl. The 4 valve DOHC BDA was not fitted until 1969 or 70 if I recall. Triumph really was the gem in the BL group. We had a S1 2000 (manual) when I was learning to drive and it was (in it's day - late 60's) a comfortable, easy to drive, smooth touring sedan. Nice memories.

But it gets a 6.0l V8, RWD and leather trim. Hmmm....which would I rather have??? But seriously....I'm sure it can be added at any time as it is already available in Aust and NZ. If you are serious about one of these and need Nav, start writing to Pontiac.

So...everything manufactured outside of NA is rubbish?? I know you yanks are patriotic but this takes the cake. Yeah right, beacuse Buick is doing so well.

This photo is of a FWD car. The front wheels are too far back to be a Zeta based vehicle. I think the Malibu tag is correct.

You actually are not allowed to die in a motor vehicle in the US!

We now have customers looking at these cars as genuine alternatives to Nissan Maximas and used BMW's etc. This car drives like no Holden before it and looks way better in the metal than the photos convey. I'm sure GM will look past the likes of Razor etc and Pontiac will pick up a whole new bunch of customers. After all, before the GTO (which people seem to either love or hate) Pontiac was nearly dead. At least it created some excitment. I guess you want more dramatic styling like the Aztek?

There are 18 speed semi-automatic transmissions available for trucks. Maybe GM should downsize one of those to keep all the gearhappy people quiet? BTW - the new 6 speed autos are great and I cannot see why a Gen IV needs any more.

We get the Isuzu version as the Holden Rodeo and it is a damn fine truck which competes very well in the Australian and NZ markets. The new 3.6 global V6 goes really well and gets good mileage and the 'old' 3.0l diesel goes for ever but is a bit rowdy and slightly down on power compared to the newer Toyta and Nissan models. All that is really required (and rumored to be here soon) is the 3.0l common rail diesel and maybe a slight facelift. It is not Isuzu's fault that GM puts old engines into NA vehicles.

The look is not too accidentally like an Aussie V8 Supercar. Check out www.hrt.com.au

If GM developed Zeta and did not think that they may fit this trans at some stage then someone should have their butt kicked.

Looks like it will have even more room in the back than the current model - fantastic! I'm sure HSV will do a Grange again. LWB with LS2 / 6 speed Auto. www.hsv.com.au

.........and I would love to see a Prius towing a 6,000 lb trailer.

Dick head! So GM stops building trucks. What then? Oh yeah Toyota gets huge market share and makes bigger profits because you can guarantee they wil stay in the truck market. Result: GM goes under....exactly the ending you were looking for.

Yip, great idea to radically change a sucessful model. Ford did this back in 98 (?) when they changed from the EF to the AU Falcon. Sales pretty much died because of the radically different shape. As is usual most vehicles look better in the metal (with coverings removed). I personally am looking forward to having the VE in our dealership asap!!

We used to get the last (current?) model Corsa as the Holden Barina but due to high cost / low spec due to exchange rates it did not sell well. This was a great little solid car and was economical as well. This has since been replaced by the Barina (Aveo) Hatch (and sedan in Australia). Sales were going great until the latest crash test data (Euro NCAP and ANCAP) came out and showed the Barina as a 2 star car. Enquiry has since died! Maybe they could build the new Corsa in Korea with local content and export it around Asia / Pacific?

Actually, from what I understand, the beancounters at Holden slipped up and initially the Monaro lost money but I would say this was recouped once the US volume was included. On the flip side it gave Holden huge exposure that no marketing campain could ever have achieved.

Why do people think the bluetooth thing is a major issue? I am sure the vehicle has all the neccessary wiring installed to make it easy to fit a Nokia or Sony Bluetooth kit, which will most likely be cheaper then a factory unit. Also from my experience the sound quality and consitency while using Bluetooth is not yet at the same standard as a fixed hands-free / cradle kit. Give me an audio input for a MP3 any day. I would rather GM spend development time / money on things that really make a difference - variable valve timing, Active Fuel Management, 6 speed auto etc.

Not everyone on this planet wants a full sized pickup. Isuzu supply GM with a great mid sized (small for the US) pickup that sells quite well in Australia and New Zealand (Holden badged). Where else would we get this type of product? The problem with GM is that is has been too NA centric (as per your comments) for too long while Toyota and Honda think on a global basis.

.........Holden, Vauxhall, Daewoo, Opel, SAAB. Yip GM should just stick it's head in the sand and stay in the good ol' US of A! How did GM start? Oh yeah now I remember, they bought lots of smaller auto companies.

I'm sick of this type of talk. NZ has basically cut all tarrifs (including clothing, automotive, electronics etc). Now you are suggesting introducing more tarrifs back into the US at the same time US Corporations are spreading themselves around the world and wiping out local manufacturing with cheap items produced in China! What a fn joke!

OMG - GM can't close factories! They can only idle them and continue to pay the hourly workers until at least the next round of negotiations in 2007? Who signed off on that contract? If they still work for GM then they should be gone tomorrow!!!!!! :o

Zeta or Zeta lite (live rear axle anyone?) would be logical if this new vehicle is aimed at Mustang as, the way I understand it, Kappa is designed for relatively low volume production. Wish list: 255 hp V6 or optional 400 hp V8 6 spd manual or 6 spd auto RWD live rear axle (or cheapish version of IRS) 2 door 4 seat 3000 lbs (if at all possible) yeah baby!!!! Bring it on.

Love the Lancia - classic car. :P

I can tell you now that you DO NOT want that Opel radio / CD. It is a real POS to use and they have made it far too complicated - in fact the BMW i-drive is easier to use! The Europeans seem intent on making everything as 'tech' as possible. I just want a car that is easy to use - the Monaro / GTO radio is an example of good layout, although the speakers could be better and a i-pod jack installed.

If all the rumors on different engine families are true then I can see some of GM's current cash problems. How many entirely different engine ranges does one (think global on this one) manufacturer need? Toyota manage to get away with different versions of the same family of engines around the globe. Maybe this gives a hint as to why they can manufacture vehicles with a bigger margin then GM.