ToniCipriani

Well their laptops are solid... that's all I can say. Best laptop brand after IBM.

Actually, not all Lotuses use Toyota Engines, just the Elise and Exige. The Europa S shown at Geneva actually has the engine from the Cobalt SS, but a turbo instead of SC.

Not really. Doesn't have to do with the satellite.

Well, Bluetooth isn't at all that safe, on a security perspective. I'm thinking encrypted 802.11 Ethernet, which happens to be more common than Bluetooth. I want to reserve the Bluetooth for the in-car phone system. Hence, you don't need the contact syncing system, as the hansfree display contacts from your phone, not the car.

No. Our 1995 Lumina is a way better car than my 2002 Cavalier. The 2006 G6 trumps them all though

It seems like everyone are now pushing out playing MP3s from CDs, some with DVD support. Seeing Infiniti and Chrysler starting to push out radios with hard drives, that does sound like the way to go. Automotive systems seems to be gettin more sophisticated as well, but Delphi seems to be slow on these technologies. Well, I have some ideas which I thought about, and probably I'll realize one as my fourth year project: 1. Removable portable storage for multimedia and driver's information This system will consist of a removable storage, e.g. USB key, flash card, etc., that plugs into the console. The new G35 has this. My idea is to have a multifunction USB key that attaches to a concealed slot in the console. USB for wider range of support. The user, when arrives at home, can remove this key and plug it back into their PC. They will be able to copy music and videos onto the key, then plug it back to their car and enjoy it on the road, or even copy it to the internal hard drive of the radio and create a larger library. That's pretty much where the G35's system ends (minus the video part). Now for my system, in addition to multimedia features, it functions as a driver's information system as well. On the USB key, there will be a small hidden section which can only be read by proprietary software. This software, there will be a dealer's version and a owner's version. In the dealer's version, crucial information is stored, such as warranty repairs, maintenance information, vehicle mileage, user complaints, etc., all retained in the key. The owner's version contains simplified versions of the same information, which the user can print out oil change and repair records, fuel economy information, etc. Users can also key in problems as they find them via the software. It is also connected online to a server hosted by the manufacturer, and if problems are found or recalls are issued, suitable action can be taken and notify owners. So during dealer visits, everything can be obtained just using this key. This avoids the situation where some minor problems are found and forgotten to take care of, enhancing the consumer experience. On fleet vehicles, mileage and fuel economy information can be useful. There can even be a fleet version of the software, which is able to manage more cars. On some high performance cars, G-force reports, horsepower records, can also be downloaded and printed as well. You can then show off to your friends how many Gs your car pulled on that skidpad. 2. Wireless GMLAN Essentially similar to #1, just that instead of communicating using a USB key, everything will be done over encrypted wireless networking. As the car is parked into the garage at home or the workshop at the dealership, the car is "docked", and the information can be downloaded. On a faster version of the network, multimedia can also be sent to the hard drive of the radio. Only concern here is the transfer performance. 3. XM Radio On Demand via Internet Streaming Users can have programmable channels, in which users can hook online streams onto the XM servers, and listen to online streams, with time shifting feature. For example, you can program international or out of state/provice radio stations, such as BBC radio streams from the UK, or Radio channels from Hong Kong, or even listening to US local radio in Canada, as long as they have an online streaming version. And by setting time zones, time shifting is automatically calculated, and shifted to the correct time of playing. This can give XM subscribers more freedom, and can cover the "International" part of XM Radio. It's actually one of the things why I'm not getting XM, because their selection of Chinese genres are basically none. This should attract more foreign users to XM Radio.

Found more info regarding this: http://www.engadget.com/2006/04/17/2007-in...h-drive-and-cf/ There's actually a hard drive built in to it, and you can rip CDs using it.

BrookVille

Umm... problem is... these weren't separated... They were sold on the same dealer lots.

But then people will think it's sourced from Toyota...

It's actually something to do with the more restrictive exhaust. The Convertible has some extra structural beams which obstruct the original exhaust design.

Not to be pessimistic, but... Not sure if those numbers include GM Canada. Haven't seen many around, and almost every single one I see is from Enterprise.

I suppose this is what you're looking for: http://eogld.ecomm.gm.com/NASApp/domestic/...genum=2&butID=9

KFC This thread has more posts that my personal post count

As far as ABS being standard, I recall the Cavalier being panned for that back in the early 90s...

I know this issue has been beaten to dead quite a few times, but with the recent releases from Saturn, it triggered my mind to think about it. Wouldn't Saturn's current lineup fit Olds perfectly? Let's see: Outlook -> Replaces Silhouette, called Recon Aura -> Redesigned Alero on Epsilon, could be called Profile, but since Alero sold, name could be kept Vue -> Partially replaces Bravada (older Blazer based), could be called Expression Astra (if imported) -> Hatchback and convertible, called O4 Sky -> O4 Roadster The only thing different is that Olds will have Aurora as the flagship, redesigned on Zeta.

A sudden thought: could the Aura be what the Alero was supposed to be when redesigned on Epsilon? Call me crazy.

dew

I guess you meant remote start. I didn't say pedals being standard. Oh, and do the coupes mirror all the powertrain of the sedans? Any sighting of a 4-cylinder coupe?

Um... no. Both of them look hideous. Especially when the Citroen is like a Banglized Prius.

Wondering: If the restriction is because of a certain beam that only exists in the convertible which causes a more restrictive exhaust setup, then why is only the 3.9L restricted, and not the 3.5L?

Hmm... found a nice example to revive this thread...

Torrent can stay as long as it gets a full redesign which looks nothing like the Equinox, gets a more car-like personality, and a nice all-wheel drive that is there for handling. Given what GM has done to the Outlook and the Enclave, I'm pretty sure it can be done. But unfortunately I'm dreaming.

The GT is essentially a base V6. I'm pretty sure they're trying to do what they did with Chevy: base renamed LS, LS renamed LT, LT renamed LTZ, etc. As I mentioned before, the GT and base V6 when fairly loaded are essentially the same, minus the seat cloth and transmission. It makes sense to eliminate the base V6 (although I was stupid enough to buy one ).

Happy Birthday, one of the only G6 owners here!