GXT

Perhaps if they didn't have that tendency to catch on fire...

I know what you mean... just like how people tend to lump in Mitsu with Toyota/Honda. But be glad they aren't singling out GM's new efforts like the Cobalt, G6, etc. Their quality is abysmal. Much worse than the cars they replaced. Lumping them with Ford/Chrysler is likely helping GM in this regard. I can't believe they are still using JD Powers numbers. What a joke. The change to their methodolgy has shown how inaccurate they were (and mostly likely are now). Lutz made a good point about the US manufacturers having to exceed their competition for a period of time before they save their reputation.

I don't want to be critical of GM on this because I think it is a great idea. But let's not overstate what this is. I mean really, what did they do? They created an ugly, empty concept that even they admit they can't reasonably build. I did the same thing, but my prototype travels in time using garbage as fuel. It looks better too. Top speed is well over 88MPH. The only reason GM had to do this is because they have missed the boat so badly with REAL product and they are taking a PR and tech beating for it. If they actually beat Toyota/Honda to market cars based on this idea THEN they can get some credit. Right now it is just an idea that probably all other manufacturers have left in the lab (which is where it belongs at this time).

Why are you bringing up Toyota? Were the mentioned in the lawsuit? I thought it was just Honda/Acura.

Honda made the mistake of retesting and restating the HP of all their current vehicles. If they had just waited (like most manufacturers) for the next model year (and the whatever changes were made to the engine) then their HP numbers would have gone up as well. And then you would be writing how Honda was understating their HP just like the other manufacturers who didn't restate for existing cars.

The EPA doesn't use the car's odometer to calculate their ratings any more than they use the car's fuel meter.

Interesting you should say that. I see some BMW and some Lexus. But mostly I see that the accord will no longer be "bland". This exterior styling puts the future Malibu squarely in the bland category (which is still better than the "ugly" category it is in now). Time will tell about the interiors. At ~35 MPG highway it will be more fuel efficient than the Malibu (arua with the 3.6/6AT is 28 MPG Highway) and with ~270HP it will offer better performance. Add to that the reliability, resale, safety, fit and finish, etc. Even the price should be about the same (judging by the Aura XR). The new Malibu is a huge leap forward for GM, but it looks like they are still a generation behind.

"And before I continue I should tell you that the styling concept you see here is an accurate representation of what the next generation Accord coupe will look like. " "A more powerful and lower-emissions V6 engine will provide higher fuel efficiency with the incorporation of Honda's next-generation Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) technology. Honda leads the industry with the highest Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) rating for any full line manufacturer* of 29.2 miles per gallon - well above the industry average of 25.3 miles per gallon." The TL's 3.2L V6 engine with VCM would fit the bill. Although I would guess that it would be tweaked to offer higher HP than the Camry, so it should be greater than 270 HP. Based on the effect of the first gen VCM on the current accord, 35+ MPG highway should also be possible. Should be a very nice package. I can't wait to see what the interior and the sedan look like. More pics: http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=649408