Drew Dowdell

Honda has completely lost their way on design... but they'll still sell them, so what does it matter?

Though...

I do approve of this being badged as a Mitsubishi Raider in the U.S.

I don't think selling rebadged Renault sedans is their way out. They need to do what made them good in the first place. They need a decent and lightweight Galant with interesting turbocharged 4-cylinder engines. They need a decent and lightweight Eclipse.

For simplicity's sake, make a naturally aspirated 2.0 and a turbo 2.0 only.

Offer AWD on both, as was done in the past.

Keep both lightweight and nimble, as was done in the past.

Prove they can do those two cars, and they may be worthy of remaining a viable company.

+1 on the Hemi + 8-speed.... but I understand there is some sort of limitation there.

This is one of the few new cars that I would buy right now.

how much longer can Mitsubishi wait?

I think the Crew Cab has more to do with it than the V8 v. V6 mix. GM started with a very heavy emphasis on the Crew Cab model to the exclusion of all others. And the Crew Cab is pricey

I'm not saying it was bad... just that the 3.6TT's torque curve is nearly flat and it hits max torque at a fairly low RPM (around 1700 if I recall)

Cadillac does have a presser scheduled for LA, but I don't think we'll see the ATS coupe there

quite soon I would think... the mules have already been spied

but they handle terribly... they're only good for long distance interstate travel..

I avoid them when I can and will even select ToMoCo vehicles before I pick an Impala... they are my second to last choice (200/Avenger being the only option, I'll cancel my reservation and go counter book somewhere else)

Welcome to the fold!

The only difference between a convertible and a hard top in that situation is which tool the Firefighters use to cut the smashed roof off the car with.

Interesting... in a way GM is proving that there is a replacement for displacement. 420HP and 460 lb-ft of torque is just above the 420hp / 430 lb-ft that the Cadillac 3.6 TT produces....

I haven't seen the 6.2 liter power curves to compare, but I bet with the way the 3.6TT produces its torque, that it produces more torque at a low RPM than the 6.2 does.

It would make for an interesting "What if?!" scenario.

I just hope they can keep the character of the Charger/Challenger/300. I DO NOT want them to be turned into "European Sports Sedans".... I like my big, cushy, "S-Class on a Budget", 300C as the sledge hammer wrapped in a pillow it is today thanks...

Yes..the size and heft is a big part of the appeal of those cars to me. They aren't about light and nimble.

The thing is, even though the LX cars are large, they can still dance. The Charger R/T is a better dancer than the 300C of course, but people have to compare them to cars of the same size, not just cars of the same price.

I just hope they can keep the character of the Charger/Challenger/300. I DO NOT want them to be turned into "European Sports Sedans".... I like my big, cushy, "S-Class on a Budget", 300C as the sledge hammer wrapped in a pillow it is today thanks...

Nobody wants the Scion iQ, so even fewer would want to pay Aston Martin prices for it.

While it is regrettable... I understand why Pontiac was unable to be saved at the time given the situation. I felt that Saturn had most long term viability of all the brands killed/sold due to the just starting European connection.

The only way I see for Pontiac to have survived was this:

Saturn still has to die.

Cut all models except G8, Solstice, and Vibe.

Pontiac gets the Saturn Astra... call it the Pontiac Astra

This leaves Pontiac with 3 hatchbacks (3-door Astra, 5-door Astra, 5-Door Vibe), a large sport sedan, and a roadster.

Moving forward:

Complete the import of the G8 ST

Quick badge job of the Opel Insignia into a G6 replacement... keeps the Opel name, lower end trim from the Regal. Gets the 2.4 and 2.0T only.

This gets us to 2010

For 2011:

Hatch and Wagon Astras go to Pontiac while Sedan and Convertible go to Buick (all four versions will be in the same showroom remember)

For 2012:

Solstice Refresh

For 2013:

Alpha based Sedan to replace the Insignia, but keeps the name.

Opel Adam based Pontiac Tempest (the "Tempest in a Teapot" commercials practically write themselves)

For 2014:

G8 and G8 ST refresh using what we see as the Chevrolet SS now. Renamed Bonneville.

Chevrolet Trax based replacement for the Vibe, lower content than Encore, but otherwise the same.

At the end of 2014, there would be:

2014 Pontiac Tempest (Opel Adam)

2014 Astra 3-door, 5-door, Wagon

2014 Vibe (Chevy Trax based)

2014 Insignia Sedan (Alpha Based)

2014 Bonneville/Bonneville ST(Chevrolet SS based)

2014 Solstice

The rest of the Buick and GMC lineup would continue as we see today unchanged

This would give Pontiac enough of a footing to actually move forward while also giving Buick breathing room in the showroom and Buick/Opel breathing room in production volume.

Regal inventory was really low all summer, mostly had loaded up models leftover. The new one is has a big jump in engine refinement and plenty of other improvements.

You have to live in a state with electricity choice. If you can't choose your provider, then you need to write your state government. Texas has hundreds of providers, my employer is one of the larger ones. I can pick from dozens here in PA.

Coal is just too expensive to burn cleanly. Natural gas is cheaper when both are meeting emissions regulations.

Lord, the naming is ridiculous!

and where are you going to put it? You didn't have room for a FWB?

So in reviewing this and seeing it includes a 240v charging station, I asked myself, Where is support for a Level 3 charger? If electric is what we all should be moving to, then why do they not support the rapid charging you can get with a level 3 charger?

Am I missing something?

They don't have it in this generation of Voltec yet. I don't think you can do a Level-3 charger at home though... so it's not like Cadillac/Saks could include that with the car

I wouldn't want to tarnish an old name like that with something widely regarded as disposable.

Gosh VW... what happened?

Still a 25% take rate on TDIs is better than most model's hybrid take rate where the hybrid is an option.

Hear that GM? It's the sound of diesel engines in cars that you didn't sell..