79VetteZ06

You mean on this? They already do have shield. Probably same size of the entire TL front.

The 2.0 T requires regular unleaded. I think the 2.8 needs premium because of the Turbo, but not really sure.

I did not want to get into political discussions. But I have to say it once. Please do not get into Iran. Let us just keep out from the mess, let the European folks, and other Asians who feel it is a rogue, mongrel, terrible, satanic nation take care of the situation. Like Satty said the troops are stressed, our economy is going down the toilet, our infrastructure is on a verge of an overhaul. For once let us concentrate inside rather than outside. US's position in Middle East is a hyperbole, on one side it supports Israel, yet on the other side it does not want to fester oil rich nations, all of them are against Israel. By keeping no stance policy, we put Iran into dillemma by acting against what they perceive we would react, that is the worst position for the enemy to be in. By reacting to every action they make, we become predictable, and even though we have tremendous capability and technology, if the enemy is inside our head, we have made victory a difficult path.

Bob it has been a long time. Good to know you are doing well. Keep chiming in.

Only in UK. I think I read an article from Jim Press saying that it was not worth spending R&d for a RHD sedan that will sell in double digits annually. However, the LHD version shall be sold everywhere.

GM should chill down about thinking that Volt will be so much of a game changer in people's perception. What if people find something else to brow beat GM on after the Volt comes out? What GM needs to concentrate is build few and precious quality products with watchful and critical thinking, giving them good advertising and without spending too much time and cash, as both of those have now become essential commodities for them.

It's the engine that takes bulk of the money. Those 4's pots produce close to 170hp from 1 liter engine running at 12,000 rpm. Lot of money goes into aerodynamics testing. Plus they cannot justify the volume to compete with to the moolah they put in R&D hence the price factor. Every year the Japanese 4 try to out do eachother, thus there is some serious money spent on R&D. And like you mentioned almost everything is carbon fiber, aluminum, and low weight materials.

R1 is all show no go. Kawasaki, Suzuki and Honda easily trounce that thing. Honda has a very good liter bike.

Those are some sharp lines for the Corvette. By the time the movie comes out this car may be released as a concept at NAIAS. I am thinking of a C7. There are certainly some evolutionary creases, yet seems to be breaking a new line. LOVE IT!!

Sick With Power

To me the last photograph showing the rear gives me a vibe of the BMW or a VW. Very nice proportions for a FWD. http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog...alt5.kgp.ed.jpg

I agree with BigPontiac. Hold on to your dough. Pay out as much debt as possible. Unless your old car is in a crapper, do not make decision to buy a new one.

I agree, Saturn should have the TT Astra, and let the Sky be a Chevy, and bring in the dough. Focus it as a cheap car with a family of three engines 1.4 Turbo, 2L N.A. and 2.0 Turbo (SS) all DI's. I do not think Kappa has a future. It will possibly be a modified Alpha.

Yes and the magnetic ride control will pretty much take care of the axle hop. FYI axle hop was a problem only in 2004 and 2005 vehicles. It was eliminated in 2006.

What some people do not realize is that the profits from corporate America represents roughly 4.9% of GDP and that is entire American business, including ones who make profits from other countries, Hallirburton included. While employment roughly makes more than half of the GDP. Losing jobs is more significant and direct impact than losing some of that 4-5% profit to "other country". And you can always make sure to "invest" in stocks of those other countries' investing in their monies here, and bring their money back in the country via dividends. People should be more antagonistic to Wal-Marts, Dells, and other companies who ship their jobs out rather than Toy, or Hondas. Old hardcore American economy was stronger because it involved a comprehensive service sector. With the new so-called technology advancements; the need and push for replacement of a product by corporations to make more profits rather than fixing a broken product destroyed service sector to create a majority of production jobs. However the brunt was faced when corp. pushed the production jobs out too for making even more profits. It has turned into a vicious cycle, and thoughtful, not emotional approach from people will help saving this country. It is Okay to vent emotions in a friendly places like blogs, but when emotions subside, thoughts should rule.

Seriously I am with OCN here. GM does not have balls to bring a car in this market so soon. A small light RWD coupe, sedan, convertible at a price of a mid-sizer with a decent engine would be a perfect vehicle. Alpha is far from reality, and Toyota will be spanking GM to eternity if they build a vehicle that is half decent in looks.

Absolutely! Just like overhyped stock markets. housing bubble, we will see a truck bubble, after which there will be a correction.

That explains. I hope this thing does not weigh 2-tonnes like the Vue.

Looks very nice. Chris, was this car "inside" somewhere or the photograph was taken in dark?

Is that going to be GM's new corporate steering wheel? Insignia first, now Equinox.

The more I look at this increase in gas prices, the more I feel Capitalism in full force. There will be a time when an alternate fuel source will be a good solution as people will be forced to innovate or die because of rising fuel prices. Oil needs competition, and faster they (prices) rise the harder they fall. Oil has a status what Warren Buffet calls the "Toll Road." But in a free market "Toll Roads" hardly survive, unless there is an external (read governmental hand). Yeah the rise in oil is because of many a factors. But when oil gets a competition it and its producers will not be the only one driving the world. Capitalism will thus bring in a new solution. When will that happen? Nobody knows. But there certainly will be a solution. The only thing the thinkers of this new solution should plan for is when oil will drop to $1.00/ gallon in wake of its new competition. That would be its real acid test.

Closing plants and removing hourly workers is making the company "Top Heavy". Now GM has come to a point where white collar middle managers may probably be in majority. It all trickles down from top. Yet somehow these middle managers and upper level executives are not getting whacked. They are also part of the problem by having stupid strategies, bean-countership, horrid marketing, poor management. Yet their job security during GM turmoil is a vindication of not losing any sleep over their leisurely performance. Will it not be easier if they get rid of these mid-top "yes/no" men since they do not belong to any unions and trim the upper fat too?

Prius is being hampered by Battery Shortage; so says To-Yoda.

I agree with both of you. However, GM's problem is not on innovation to success, GM's problem is retention of success and neglection of existing. Many a times GM has lost its turf, a market it created or excelled because it moved on. GM will build spectacular small cars, but it will be assinine to neglect the big trucks which will now be their bastard children. GM has lost grounds many a times, small truck market, losing Camaro for a generation, what they are now doing with GMT 360's. Small truck turf has all but being taken by Tacoma. A neglected era of midsizers led to dominance of Japanese in that market. Look at Toyota, they still have their core Camry while they "innovate" with the Turdra, Sequoia, etc, granted their innovation sucks. GMT 900's have considerable investment. Neglect or stopping to develop this market will cause loss in domination. Construction industry, small retail sectors which lease the trucks will be worse hit than those 400k mile driving farmers. That is a huge market. Big SUVs will decline, but truck market will not see a steep plunge. Yes it will go down, but it will stabilize at some point, whence it will be only for people who NEED them, not WANT them. Despite of these high gas prices, Dodge is still bullish about the truck market, because their market research shows - most core customers, people who buy trucks; buy them for utility not pleasure. Thinking just because gas will go to $7.00 or $70.00 will not hamper this market. I agree considerable dough should not be allocated to the big trucks, but PLEASE do not neglect them. Just like the hybrid Silverado, keep them moving and chugging along. GM should build new, GM should move forward, but keep those trusted people with you GM. Stop ignoring the customers you already have.

Proactive > Reactive.