Camino LS6

Doesn't have much in the way of redeeming qualities. And why is the engine Chevy orange? Jeers.

All of these are hatchbacks: Subaru Justy Suburban Nova SS Plymouth Duster International Scout Traveller Yugo 3rd and 4th gen F-bodies Vega coupe and wagon

Come to think of it, "hatch" isn't much of a bodystyle classification to begin with - it's more like a feature of another bodystyle.

Could be quite the sleeper if it lost that stupid hood.

In this time of mangled automotive terminology, your definition is as good as any. For me, it's as easy as taking a glance. The A3 is clearly a wagon, if an all but useless one. But then there are things like a Malibu max, what exactly would you call that? And we all know that the Dodge Magnum was a wagon, but Chrysler didn't call it one.

You can add me to the anti- B pillar list when it comes to extended cab pickups. I loved the access I had in my 2001 2500HD extd cab.

True they have an automotive program, but in this case, if the dealerships are not wanting to sell the cars, then sell them direct via Costco at a set price and then you just pay for the shipment cost of having the car delivered via truck to your home. GM could and Costco make a fortune this way. Unfortunately most states have franchise laws that require vehicle sales through licensed dealers. Remember what happened when Chrysler opened the corporate dealer in Los Angeles? Yep. In fact, each state has its own set of franchise laws - effectively tying the manufacturer's hands.

My pleasure.

Nice. Thanks.

Yes, width. Been wondering about that with Alpha - I don't like a cramped cockpit. My current impression from what we know is that something with Zeta dimensions falls right in the middle of these two new platforms. That's what I want, so I'll just have to stay tuned for more details.

Wow, I even missed this thread until just now. Hope you had a great one!

Happy Birthday!

From what little we know so far, my guess is that I'd want something built on the largest Alpha or the smallest Omega. I do have a hard time seeing much flexibility in size as being very useful on Omega - it would start at a size that is just about as large as cars get these days, wouldn't it?

All of the engineering I'm talking about would be extremely expensive and seem to be double work at first glance. But think of it this way: If it allowed the same range of possible models/configurations as two or three separate architectures normally would, it should become quite cost-effective. Which brings me to Omega. If Alpha is so extremely flexible, then what makes Omega necessary? How big is too big for Alpha? And, would Omega need to be flexible as well? Or would it be purpose-built to a specific size? I don't know now which architecture to place my own automotive hopes in just yet, but the possibilities are very interesting.

Agreed. But the concept could be carried to great extremes - an ATS and an ATS-V could be very different under the skin...

I do not think structurally there will be too much to add for the diference between the V6 and LS V8. The weight difference between an LS3 engine and 3.6 DI is about 25-30 lbs, not enough to justify strengthening of materials to bolster the engine. As an engineer, I would design for the V8 anyways and GM has designed the Alpha for the same. I wouldn't be so sure of that. A V8 introduces a great deal more stress on a given chassis with its power as much as its weight and that of other components it requires. If GM has taken the concept of modular design to a new high... Yes. And you make a valid point. However, crash stress and power stress are not the same...

To extrapolate a bit more, maybe what I'm talking about is one of Alpha's secrets (and Omega's too?). In the past, a car that was to have an optional V8 was built to that spec which rendered it stronger and heavier than it needed to be for a lesser drivetrain. Perhaps Alpha is not like that at all, but built in different configurations with each accomodating a different drivetrain to maximize weight reduction for the smaller, lighter, engines and drivelines. If that is so, a V8 Alpha bodyshell and structure could be very different from one destined for a 4-banger. This might be a very good answer for overall efficiency, and perhaps even cost - though I could see that aspect go the other way as well.

I've thought about all of that. What I'm thinking is that we will see a major exchange of the hard parts for something beefier along with some augmented structure for any V8 cars - thus the magic weight loss may disappear. Needless to say, I'm quite curious about all of that. I need to see just how Alpha's structure goes together. I suspect that it resembles Zeta with the capability to exchange subframes etc.

Ah, ok. Yes, its an old turd.

What's the sound card have to do with it?

We all assume that Alpha has been package-protected for a V8, but with its light weight, I am starting to wonder.

Thanks Drew. Cubitar: I always look at it. FYI Drew, the reply box often goes into bold, or italic, or underline mode all on its own for me.

No,no, the list at the bottom of the page is what I'm talking about. It seems to have vaporized.

...member names displayed in the threads anymore? This detail was always something I liked about C&G as compared to other sites.

I want to see just how flexible it is.