PurdueGuy

Shall we call it Zigma? lol

looks like a futuristic concept... from the 80's. The double badges on the back is lame, IMO. Looks like a lambo with a decent but outdated nose job.

I can't help but read that as being jealous of the situation that exists between Chevy & Pontiac in the states. Or perhaps you're just not a fan of Vauxhall being little more than Opel UK...

As an enthusiast... I can. GM can't, though, unfortunately. Stupid CR.

Lesseee.... + any US driver that can't find diesel... isn't looking. Someone who says "I don't even know where I would get it" has probably stood next to a pump with a green handle many, many times. + diesel could be a very minor inconvenience in the US, as the "scant supply" might require trying a second filling station to find it. Maybe that's overwhelming for someone who is used to it being at every station. + the phrase "scant supply" does bring to mind inadequate quantities, though I can see it working for being difficult to find. Could have been phrased better. + 138hp in the Astra is adequate... but not particularly fun. + aatbloke always has to have the last word, I suspect going without might cause his head to explode. I expect a reply as to why this is not the case.

As I think about this... I can't help but think the pedestrians were somewhat negligent too. It doesn't excuse the driver AT ALL, but pedestrians have got to pay attention, too...

I guess I must be odd, liking both compact cars and full size trucks/suvs... each has their place. So many people talk like everyone must "give up" one for the other...

that's terrible. I've seen a car get hit by a train before (driver alone in car, died), but what you saw may have been worse, because I was distanced and it was probably more surreal. To see a person flying over a car is a lot more real and scary, I expect.

yup - more technology (vvt) = more cost to purchase and repair. This is a case where the technology will probably pay for itself, though.

honestly, fuel cells make more sense in non-mobile forms first anyway. Backup generators, etc. Hauling around tanks for hydrogen is an issue that's irrelevant for non-mobile applications, and if fuel cells can catch on in non-mobile apps, then that can start bringing the costs down for a potential use in cars later, if other tech doesn't advance to the point that it's not advantageous.

I think the point is that the Aveo's mpgs are underwhelming to say the least. Heck, the HP & weight of the Aveo is almost exactly the same as the Saturn SOHC S-Series, yet the SOHC S-Series was rated (granted, under the older system) at 40mpg highway, and users regularly achieve that. Unless the Aveo is seeing real world MPGs far higher than it's epa rating, it's a rather disappointing car when it comes to economy. The Metro couldn't even be legally mass produced & sold in the US today due to new safety standards, but I do agree that GM needs something better in the cheap/high mpg car category. Hopefully the NG Aveo or some other upcoming car will do so.

sexy car.

It just looks like a current gen, but a little wider, and with different headlights...

Actually, nighttime charging isn't just a little better, it's a TON better. The power grid is immediate - brownouts during the day don't tell you anything about the state of the system at any other time. Most power plants practically shut down completely at night, because there is no way to store the energy for use during the day. Also, the increased efficiency of producing electricity at a power plant vs producing power in an ICE is very substantial, and managing pollutants is far easier & more effective as well, so it does address environmental concerns. Also, there are almost 100 planned new nuclear plants around the country, so the thought of the power coming from natural gas or coal will become slightly less relevant. So actually, both the environmental (or global warming, if you buy into that) and supply issues are addressed (well, the supply issue is more of a "not as relevant as it seems" item, especially since it's not like electric cars are just suddenly going to take over. If they catch on, infrastructure can be upgraded along the way as well, and needs to be anyway.). Initially, the electric car's ability to be relevant depends on it fitting a need as an inexpensive commuter car (second or third car). That means it needs to be financially viable ("fuel" savings largely making up for the cost of the vehicle). The EV1 wasn't - it cost too much to make. It would also help if the car were more than a 2-seater. The idea of an electric Volt means 4 seater, and shared costs with the regular Volt, as well as anything else that is based on the e-flex platform. Range is still a question mark, but as long as it makes the commute (which for most people isn't all that far), it can make do as a commuter. I also can't see the electric car needing a 500 mile range before it's relevant as a primary car. Few gasoline cars have that kind of range. The bigger issue is infrastructure that addresses range - whether it be fast charger stations or battery exchange stations, or something else that allows for "refueling" quickly and reliably. That's what keeps the electric car in the second or third car slot - it's not anywhere near as versatile as the gasoline car with the established infrastructure. I don't know that the electric car will catch on. At this point, I have doubts about it ever making it as a primary vehicle because of the infrastructure issue. Even if they somehow come up with 1,000 range, that means you're still tied to staying within less than 500 miles of home. I know I wouldn't go for that as an only vehicle. I enjoy road trips too much. I would consider one for zipping around town, though.

nothing in my area, either. Midwest seems to be the starting point for gasoline alternatives (ethanol, biodiesel) and Cali for fuel alternatives (electric, hydrogen). I'm probably in what'll be the last place to get much of anything, aside from maybe Montana & the Dakotas.

+1 for civic ripoff

From what I've seen, all the new Cobalts are now coming with the VVT 2.2L.

What a stupid oversimplification. Do you think in pure black and white in all areas of life?

beautiful!

The rear door IS the b-pillar. And the creaking thing could be more an Ion thing than a quad coupe design thing. Let's face it... it is the Ion.

Actually, IIRC, the 3dr s-series did better in side crash tests than the 2-doors - the mini doors are built like tanks. I would expect the same from the quad coupe. Looking at the Ion isn't exactly a fair examination of the general design concept, since the Ion wasn't designed all that great to begin with. Also, weight barely increased at all between the 2 and 3dr S coupes.

GM, please make an Astra Quad Coupe model for the next gen Astra. I bet Europe would love it too...

a couple years away, it's called the "next gen."

didn't read the whole thread, but my opinion: it's a pretty good looking car, and will make a fine Saturn. To anyone hoping they change this or that, don't get your hopes up, I expect they designed it to require minimal changes for the NA market.

Personal feeling A) Polygamy is wrong. Personal feeling B) The gov't should protect religious and personal freedoms. Not fully heartfelt conclusion) The gov't maybe should allow polygamy, but only among consenting adults. The situation referenced is just sickening.