ocnblu

Prolly true, simply a budgetary concern, since there is no coupe to share a door with.

I can, however, confirm that GM's leatherette, as it appears in the Encore, feels thick and soft as on the import brands, not thin and hard as I'd feared. I stand corrected, and pleased to confirm this. I really like the cloth and leatherette seats in the Encore.

Cannot wait to see the rest of the variants. I wonder if the Ute will have a different rear end, or just a new face. I wish the Ute had a longer door, but I understand why it doesn't... it is a real utility vehicle in its homeland, and a longer bed v. overall lemf was a priority.

Shoot, this reminds me... I am forgetting about the 500L Man Edition. I need to add it to my list of candidates.

A coupe version would assuage me.

Where before it was just lego blocks to be as generic as possible for multiple rebrands, now that it will be only Chevrolet and Holden, they can make it straddle just two, and give it more style that will be believable for either. That was my problem with the G8 and the GTO before it (a little bit different story on the GTO though, less offensive), as a Pontiac, it was not believable, it was just too straight-lined.

It is certainly less generic than the outgoing car. Now that GM's brands have been pared due to their past screw-ups (an affront to loyal GM fans), they can afford to align the styling between Holden and Chevrolet without much trouble. Now that Chevrolet is more of a global brand, it can more easily make the transition.

sad story

Yeah, hyper is theorizing we'll get the next Ute here, and that is maybe why the new Colorado is so big, to make room for it. I am not sure I agree with that, because any Ute will likely be treated as a niche vehicle by GM, and a niche vehicle would not affect the design of a mainstream one.

Mazda is a complete unknown. I hope they can get their message across loud and clear. I'd love to see their diesel in the CX-5.

Well, I went into a bit more detail in my "Super Sonic?" thread over @ the lounge. My motivation for my comment in this thread goes like this: to get the Encore I want, I'd have to spend $27,490. I don't feel I am in a position to extend myself that far at this particular juncture. Plus if I bought one there and not where I work (Hyundai/Mazda/Chrysler/Dodge/Ram/Jeep/Buick/GMC) I'd be in trouble, understandably, and I just started there Dec 10th. PLUS, there is not a lot of inventory on the ground yet, if I do this, I'll want to wait until there is one closer to what I want to dealer-trade in to my dealer. So I have to temper myself and not go overboard. I'd love to have one but there are obstacles. And one more thing... wouldn't it be nice for me to be able to continue my obsession of periodic new vehicles, but without the high stakes? Maybe it is time to go with something I can own, without it owning ME. 2012 was a disastrous year for me, employment-wise.

Volkswagen has nothing to prove in the diesel game. Chevrolet has EVERYTHING to prove.

$23,850, including destination charge, for the cheapest Jetta TDI. Which makes the Chevy overpriced for certain. Although... I see a discrepancy in the article regarding the price of the Cruze. Toward the top of the article, a price of $26,505 is listed... then lower in the text, it says "$25,695 INCLUDING transportation charge". Hmmm...

Well I went traveling today, checking out some vehicular conveyances. Before I left, I checked a local Chevy dealer's website, and it showed a Black Granite Sonic RS in stock. But first, I went to "my" (where I purchased my '07 Sierra) Buick-GMC dealer to try out a 2013 Buick Encore AWD Convenience with Nav. They have 3 in now... light blue base FWD, Brilliant Blue Convenience FWD, and a red Convenience AWD. I took out the red one because I wanted to try it with AWD. This thing is really a nice, quiet running vehicle, they've made sure it will be seen as a Buick, but in miniature. There are quite a few buttons on the dash, some I'd probably never use, but they are clearly marked. The high radio display is a welcome design feature, as is the CD slot. The high seating position and unobstructed view of the road ahead are also nice. All in all, I (once again) feel this will sell really well for Buick, as it has all the features of the larger Buicks, without the bulk, and it somehow manages to inject some high-class fun into traditional Buick styling cues. Bodyshop guy in me noticed a small dent in the front left center of the hood (probably from improper closing by an overzealous person) on the Brilliant Blue one, and a flaw in the stamping of the hood on the left edge that was painted over (should have been seen at the factory and corrected). Other than that, I saw no issues with fit and finish. Sales kid was knowledgeable and personable. We talked about cars in general during the drive. He has a Sonic LTZ 1.4t manual, Blue Topaz sedan, he factory ordered it, he says he really likes it, but the Encore is a lot quieter on the road (Quiet Tuned and all) even though they share a platform. He also shares a disappointment that the Cruze diesel will only be available with an automatic. Before I left, I made it clear that I have a list of vehicles I want to drive before I make a decision, and he did not pressure me. Before I left my town to head to the Chevy dealer aforementioned, I cruised through the Subaru lot... no XV Crosstreks with manual, all CVT (boo), so I didn't inquire within. I also stopped at the closest Ford dealer's overflow lot to look at Escapes... all were optioned up to horrible high MSRP's, and these were mostly SE AWD models... over $29k... not affordable, and with too many unwanted options. So I headed up to see the Sonic RS... it was gone. BEEN gone... website person at dealership hasn't kept it up to date. So I voiced my displeasure, saleskid agreed. I took a quick look at a Lemonade Spark, but he just as quickly shut me down after I told him I travel on a local 4-lane highway to work... "not for highway use, the way it's geared, this is a city car only, my personal opinion". OK then. Then, lastly, I took a jaunt across a bit of country to Lititz, PA, to the Ford dealer I bought my Fiesta from. My salesguy was not in today, so the sales manager checked in his computer to see if pricing had come through from Ford on the '14 Fiestas. Nothing yet... '14 Mustangs and Escapes are available for order though. I left a message for them to let me know when the info comes in, so I can price one out and discuss further.

Agreed on the taillights. If the Malibu's were this smooth, I'd have no issue.

And, to be clear and fair, Volkswagen also only sells TDI Jettas, Golfs and Beetles with high spec... no stripper diesels in VW's lineup either... but I do sincerely wish a 6-speed manual were available with this car in the US. I am glad you guys are going to have an alternative to the crappy Prius and its ilk, that is from an American company.

Worth reposting: In 1978, my uncle, his wife, and another couple took a trip across country. Uncle John took my grandfather's 1977 New Yorker Brougham, his friend had a '77 Ford LTD Landau coupe with 460. I'll remember vividly how he described their high-speed dash across Texas, the big Chrysler running strong, without incident... his friend's LTD unable to cope with the Texas heat, it overheated several times and had to stop. That's when I knew.

These seats are gorgeous! Croc, don't you think this will translate directly to the Chevy SS, in and out? Agreed... very nice.

Well, these look like Chevy taillights, I do believe. Nice shot of the interior, Moltie... switches on the door! Interior looks like a big brother to the Impala....

...massive, serene, silent (except when pushed, and the 440 cu. in. V8 comes alive with authority over lesser wagons...)

Well I went and test drove an Encore today. Very smooth and quiet.

300 stands alone proudly. Great car.