z28luvr01

Ven, the abandonment of the GMX383 Zeta Impala is just a symptom of a much larger problem - the wholesale abandonment of volume RWD in North America. Impala is already gone, the G8's future is shaky, and the Buick/Caddy Zetas you mention for export have not been confirmed yet for US consumption. Camaro is the only confirmed Zeta, and it's future is looking more perilous by the day especially if it ends up being the only car to ride on the platform. Hell, with Alpha being not much more than vaporware right now and Sigma scheduled to be retired sometime next decade, you could argue that aside from the Corvette and maybe the Kappa cars, RWD by and large will be finished in this country. No RWD hurts not only the enthusiasts - it hurts the luxury and prestige buyers as well. Ask Acura how it's doing in its quest to become a top luxury brand. Anyway, the reasons given for the cancellation of the Impala is a shallow one that really has no teeth when you do a bit of research (see my earlier post in this thread). Despite this, we'll be hearing the fuel economy excuse over and over again as desirable performance and prestige models from GMNA are killed one by one.

From this thread: The 2 mode hybrid WILL fit Zeta. Also, I've posted this before, but it's worth a look again: Here, we see two cars very similar in size and weight powered by the same basic engine and achieving very similar fuel economy despite one being FWD and one being RWD. One could argue that the STS's transmission has two more gears than the DTS's, or that the STS has slightly smaller interior dimensions, but the perceived discrepancy in fuel economy between FWD and RWD is very much overblown. Whatever your reasons for choosing one drivetrain configuration over the other, fuel economy should not be an issue.

Your explorer.exe is damaged and not loading. Some installations of Windows leave an i386 directory on the computer, which contains compressed versions of the files you probably need. 1) Go into safe mode, open up DOS prompt (from the task manager, run "CMD"). 2) In the DOS prompt (which should give you a C: prompt), type "cd \i386" 3) If this fails, skip to the end of this list. You're probably screwed. 4) If it works, type "expand explorer.ex_ explorer.exe" to build a new explorer.exe from its compressed version. 5) Now, copy it to its correct location. type "copy explorer.exe c:\windows". Say yes when it asks you if you want to overwrite. 6) Reboot, and see if it works. If you don't have an i386 directory on your computer, you'll have to get the file from another location. You could borrow someone else's XP CD and copy the i386 directory to your computer, or just steal the explorer.exe file from a working computer and put it in c:\windows. Hope this helps.

Sounds like someone just threw Zeta a life preserver: http://www.smh.com.au/news/news/stand-by-f...0590666881.html

Perhaps Zeta's biggest fault is this, from Wikipedia: So, if I get this straight, the plan is to starve Holden of unique product until it becomes unnecessary, at which time Chevrolet will swoop in and knock Australians off their feet. I don't think that'll be such an easy thing to do - despite what the sales numbers say Holden is still an important part of Australian culture - killing it off would be analogous to killing off Chevy in the US or Opel in Europe. Australians are fiercely patriotic and would be relucant to accept an "American" brand. If my memory serves me correctly, they even hated the modifications done to the Monaro to make the GTO, and even hated the fact that they had to share it with the US. I sure hope Reuss has more sense than to allow this to happen.

I think what happens, at least in the case of GM, largely depends on how they pursue solving the problem. If this scenario were to come true (which would take involve taking Big Oil to task), GM would be in pretty good shape if the Volt pulls down Prius-like sales numbers and flex-fuel capability is extended to the entire lineup to grab CAFE credits while they're availalble, while buying themselves time to engineer permanent solutions. If the plan to flood the continent with 40-50mpg microcars ends up being a reality, in 2012 GM will be in the midst of an irreversible tailspin before its inevitable crash-and-burn by 2020.

I know I'm dreaming, and we're more likely to get a 1.4L 4cyl Gamma Camaro than this, but: How about a compact 4.x liter V8 for Alpha with 300-350 horsepower with 12:1 compression designed from the ground up to run ethanol ONLY? Now that's innovation.

I'm not exactly sure, except for one thing: It needs to have Holden badges on it.

It's easier on my eyes than the Mustang, but the Camaro pwns both.

It's weird how investing into Zeta and developing more efficient vehicles off and giving it to as many markets as possiblet to gain economy of scale makes no sense, yet sinking money into the GMT-355s (which will never be as efficient or desirable as even the worst Zeta vehicles) makes perfect sense. Whoever's calling the shots on these decisions is a few cards short of a full deck. I don't know who it is, but it isn't Lutz.

This presents a scenario that I've long advocated - the sharing of production of GMNA and Holden Zetas between Elizabeth and Oshawa as market demands and currency values shift. This quote here is particularly interesting: So, the "Crewman" is being designed from the ground up as a GMC but could possibly be rebadged and given to Holden also. Stateside production of the Crewman would allow every one sold as a Holden to be sold at a nice profit in Australia (given the current value of the USD$). Depending on the volume, that could offset the potential losses incurred by building a Ute in Elizabeth and shipping it here.

A Crewman-like vehicle is a no-brainer for both the US and Holden. With the GMT-355s getting more outclassed by the day, it makes sense for GM to just cut their losses with them and replace them with a lighter weight, more efficient, as roomy, as capable Zeta=based vehicle that can handle the occasional trip to Home Depot. That's the kind of innovative thinking that'll allow GM to clear the CAFE hurdle while still providing desirable vehicles (and not wasting Zeta). I'd seriously be all over one of these if it came to production. it's interesting that despite the fact that a certain sect in GM is clearly calling for Holden's demise, GM still seems to value the brand, appointing a valued future executive as its head, and giving it stunning concepts.

At your service http://www.cheersandgears.com/underground

Chevy has a car that'll challenge the Camry and Accord for sales leadership, and it isn't the Impala. The 50th Anniversary Impala should have been an SS. If not the SS, then at least the E85-capable 3900. Using the weakest engine for a special edition of a car with a nameplate possessing such a fantastic heritage is just a joke. If that doesn't say that the end is near, I don't know what does.

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you, and I give you credit for trying to undo what centuries of inbreeding has done. Having had two German Shepherds with hip displaysia, I'd love to get one from my mom someday that won't have to be put down because of that condition. My comments were based on the fact that nearly every breeder I've ever encountered, either directly or indirectly, has viewed their dogs more as merely cash cows. Here's a real test for a breeder - How would they feel about their stud if he ran away, ended up in a shelter, and got neutered as per shelter policy? Would they pick him up and take him home, or leave him there?

I would rather rescue a dog from a pound or, if looking for a specific breed, look for a rescue fund. There are plenty of dogs out there that need homes, and getting one from one of these outlets usually ends up saving a dog somewhere from being gassed. Breeders are all about the $$$$ and don't care about the dogs at all.

From the Autoblog article: Sorry, NOS. I know you were looking for some more raw, dirty, kinky sex with some Cadillac B-pillars as well. Oh, and BTW, this is pure hotness.

Did you wash your pants and disinfect your butt after sitting in that thing? Because you're not allowed in my car until you do.

Both of those were pretty solid offerings from an engineering standpoint. From humble minivan underpinnings he created both an entry-luxury "crossover" and a active lifetyle vehicle. Both were lacking in the aesthetics dept. (the Buick less so), but they do show Reuss' ability to make something out of nothing. He's the right guy for Holden, whose recent existence has thrived on taking scraps from other GM divisions and turning them into something worthwhile.

I can't wait to see one either, I missed it last year at the NYIAS. The one in that pic looks hot. Hopefully the US train delivering them oesn't derail like the one that was delivering one of the first GTO shipments. Love the bit on the Torana too. That car can't come soon enough for Holden - hopefully noone stops them from going through with it.

Wait, I've found the solution to Silvester's B-pillar concerns: . . . . . . . . Seriuosly though, it's his right not to buy the car because it has a B-pillar. I too would like to see the hardtop make a comeback, but if that was a dealbreaker in getting an affordable Camaro to market than so be it. This car has the goods to slaughter the Mustang and any other RWD mid-sized coupe out there, even with a B-pillar.

:rotflmao: at NOS A few people in the know on CZ28 have said at one point that the DI 3.6 would be used instead of a "volume" V8. Don't know it that's still the case. That engine paired with a slick 6 speed in a Camaro would be intriguing, as it could bring in customers who wouldn't normally buy a Camaro, ie. people who want a G35/37 coupe but want something that doesn't look like a melted turd and don't want to pay the extra several thousand dollars just because it's a Infiniti.

She's a beauty, but those Wal-Mart wheel covers have got to go. Might I suggest using them for skeet shooting practice?

I really, really like this thing. Hopefully the production exterior isn't dumbed down too much, and they don't wuss out on offering a 2dr.

BTW, to the Volt http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/archives/2008/...y_birthday.html