heintz

I would have had the Dodge Copperhead and the Buick Y-Job in there somewhere. But my other choices, the Velite, The Cad 16 and the Nomad ARE there.

Since there is no sign of the Kappa Nomad ( a car I would buy in a microsecond) how about a Camaro Nomad?

I hear this is supposed to sell for $15,000! At that price it looks GREAT!

Looks like a 1930's idea of a "future" car. Truly hidious!

Was this designed by the same desogner who did the Nomad? Has a similar feel to it. Much prefer the Nomad though.

Interesting article in the January 7th edition if the San Francisco Chronicle. History is indeed a revelation.

Nazis rode to war on GM wheels.

And everyone makes mistakes!

That's were the GXP and Redline versions will help to sustain sales. I predict another addition or model to come out next year to keep interest in these great roadsters.

I'm curious - what were Sky sales during the same time period? What were Miata sales during 2004 and 2005? Have they declined since the Solstice and Sky came out?

...and how do Kappa sales worldwide compare to MX5 sales?

Hmmm... didn't they also say it will be on the Kappa platform?  A 2+2?  Can I say TEMPEST?

Can I say Nomad?

This car isn't that bad. It should look much better in person as do all vehicles. The Nav is apparently touch screen as well.

There is something missing on this car. It has none of the "I've got to have it" appeal. There is nothing there, no substance. Just an OK car. That seems like a waste of years of developement time just to produce an "OK" car. Just because it is a medium priced sedan doesn't mean it shoudn't have some appeal. It SHOULD be competitive feature wise as well as be desirable. I AM a Mopar fan but not in this case.

Incidently,I have similar feelings about the production Aura. Yes, they didn't change it much from the show car, just enough to make it bland. Is there a rule that medium size "family" cars have to be bland?

This is hideous!!! It must be derived from the Airflite showcar which was gorgeous. A good example of making a sows ear out of a silk purse.

Well, after sitting in the Solstice at my local dealer, I pass; you can have mine. The seats are strictly lousy with very poor bottom and back support and the driver sits off the left side since the seats are too narrow. The view across the cowl, hood and front fenders offers a very poor reference to the road. Instrumentation leaves much to be desired. No thanks! I am over the initial excitement; I pass!  You can pay the premium price for a mediocre sports car. 

sports car. Not me.

Although I agree with some of his comments ( I don't like the seating position either) I don't see where you can say buying a car for around $20.000 is paying a "premium"! And for that price it isn't what I would call mediocre. Not everyone will like every car built. Just hope enough like each one to make it pay for itself.

I would serously like to be paying for a Nomad right now.

I don't think it was a feasible vehicle.  The main problem with Kappa is the lack of trunk space.  Have you seen the trunk?  It's non-existant due to the fuel tank.  People with roadsters are much more forgiving of that than, say, an owner of a wagon.  You start carrying 4 people you need to carry their stuff.  Nomad and Curve both failed at that.

Of course, don't you think that the stretched configuration would have forced a move toward a "split" gas tank, whuch would have benefitted EVERYONE with a Kappa. How did such a ridicuous configuration as the "Mayan" tower EVER get into production anyway?

Again...I wasn't confused at all.  Those were two separate thoughts...???

OK, my turn again. Yes, I meant the later Nomad. I saw both the 2000 and 2004 Nomads at shows. I thought the 2000 version was awkward and ugly. On the other hand I LOVED the 2004 version and would buy one in a second if they were to make it.

It was my understanding when they introduced the 2004 Nomad that they had done extensive engineering on it and that it was a long ways toward production feasability. At least, that is what several reviewers said at the time. Didn't they qoute the (British) designer on this point?

And wasn't the Curve and the Nomad supposed to demontrate the amazing versatility of the Kappa platform? What happened to that versatility? Trimmed to bring the Sol into production faster? What about the engineering that went into the Curve and Nomad? Did they just flush it? Or is it sitting in a drawer somewhere, ignored?

If this isn't a business case for the development of a more flexible Kappa II (coupes and sedans in addition to roadsters), I don't know what is.

I totally agree.

GM needs to figure out how to bring kappa to market in a four seat varient. There are only so many 2 seat cars one company can produce.

I'm sure they know how. Look at all the engineering they put into the Nomad and the Saturn concept, both 4 seaters. I am waiting to buy a Nomad. (Yes, may be an infinate wait).

I think this is pleasant looking, though nothing interesting about it. It IS a utility vehicle. On the other hand, the Durango makes my eyes water, and I come close to losing my lunch. THAT is one horrendous, ugly, disgusting design. And I AM a Mopar fan!

It was ugly-I like the Crossfire and Airflite so much better-I never liked that rear window upward kink-it ruined the design here, and it didn't work for that Ford Shelby GR-1 or Reflex concepts either. And I didn't like the Firepower's front end either. ME-412, Crossfire, and Airflite should be lighting Chrysler's design path, not this. Go back to the drawings boards, guys, and not something bland or questionable (i.e. Caliber).

I just saw the Airflite at the San Jose Show. I think it is the best body on that chassis yet. Seems to fit better than the 300 or Charger, with more style. The Firepower is un-necessary (but impressive). The Copperhead WAS necessary. But, no!

Could someone outline what this UV8 is? Sounds like some kind of sun block.

Imagine the difference in perception Buick would have right now if this and the Velite were on dealer floors right now!

"Good Question. Almost Every plant that was'nt announced for closure, has product for a few years.

Springhill - Ion line shutsdown. Vue Line Continues.

Fairfax- Malibu and Aura

Orion- G6

D-Ham- Lucern and DTS

Delta Town- Enclave,Outlook,Acadia

Wilmington - Solstice and Sky

Oshawa 1 - Impala and Monte Carlo

Moraine- Trailbazer and Envoy

Lansing Grand River - CTS-STS-SRX

Ramos Arizipe - HHR and ?"

I understand he Willmington plant is highly underused with just the Kappas.

"I hate to play the role of Bartholamew, but this "king" is butt ugly, for three reasons.

1. It looks in the side profile like they dipped into Arh-hnolld's steroid kit.

2. The front end looks like a close-up of Jay Leno, while he was still wearing

braces on his teeth!

3. The rear-end looks like Garfield the cat, when he hatches some fiendish plot!

What happened to the graceful, slim proportions they had on the Nomad concepts?"

Hey, I think they both look great! One doesn't make the other worse or better. The only thing I don't like is that the Nomad isn't in production, and it is my alltime favorite car!

I can't believe someone at GM finally realized an SUV doesn't have to be a slab sided box!

I'm going to go ahead and assume this is a chop. 

There's no way Chrysler would approve a design that hideous for production.  If I'm wrong, I'd say Chrysler's turnaround has reached it's peak.

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I agree. This is too horrible to be real. But, they also have that Imperial concept which is even worse. I think the design department, which was one of he best, Is suffering from collective blindness.

Sorry, pal, but there's no "Chrysler" here...it's ALL GM, ALL CHEVROLET, ALL CAMARO!

If this was ALL GM, ALL Camaro. the fender would be round over the front tire, not flat as a ruler. Round like most of the previous Camaros, round like the (gorgeous) SS concept). I would have preffered to see a small version of the SS as a camaro. THAT was a classic yet evolutionary Camaro design.