thegriffon

That's coming too, to replace or supplement the HHR (remember that, ok it doesn't have awd, but the new one will). A new midsize CUV is just around the corner too. It needs the 2.9 I4 for economy, but will probably make do with the 3.6 L V6.

According to the specs released by GM the Traverse is 205" long, compared to 200.7–201.8" for the other Lambdas. Cargo room behind the third row is listed as 26.1, up from 19.7, and third-row legroom is listed as 37.8" instead of 33.2", more than any other SUV still in production (the Excursion had more), although some minivans (Odyssey, Caravan etc.) have more. A comparable minivan is not $8-10K cheaper than the Lambdas. There is no comparable minivan with a 275 hp V6 standard, but the Sienna comes close with 266. At $25,025 (incl. D+H) it is less than $4K cheaper than an Outlook. With even a 198 hp V6, a Grand Caravan is only $500 cheaper than an Outlook. A Town and Country with a mere 251 hp V6 is $3K more than an Enclave. Even a lwb Kia Sedona is a little over $4k less than an Outlook.

The Captiva is perfect for the segment GM says it is aiming the Equinox at (compact crossovers), but even though it could have been called Equinox in some markets the current one is unlikely to be sold in the US. A new lwb Theta arrives in 2009 IIRC.

next year.

Err, two points: 1: that's not true, the Edge sold 130,125, the Lambdas sold 136,799. In Jan 08, BPG lambdas alone were close to the Edge in sales. 2: more than half of Edge sales are to fleets. It's not nearly so popular among retail buyers. The best-selling midsize crossovers/SUVs are still the Trailblazer and Explorer (134,626 and 137,817 in '07 respectively). The Explorer led early in the year but the TB is now on top. For 2008 the midsize rankings are: 1. Highlander 2. Edge 3. Trailblazer 4. Pilot (declining just as much as the TB and Explorer in '07, and as much as the TB in '08) 5. Equinox 6. Grand Cherokee (Tahoe and Acadia, both a class higher, would be ranked here) 7. Explorer (Suburban, two classes higher, is here) 8. Murano 9. 4Runner 10. Commander

Well, no it's a compact truck, which makes it an SUV. It's not really a wagon anymore than any other SUV. All it lacks is awd, but then for many years so did many much larger rwd, BOF SUVs. An awd option would no doubt improve sales, but park one next to a Patriot and Escape and you'll see, it's definitely an SUV.

Owners. Other divisions wanted the DOHC V6 (which would have saved the V8's now), but feedback from owners indicated they wouldn't accept a smaller engine than the 3800, even if it offered more power (The demise of the DOHC 3400 underscored this for GM). There are plenty of people here who would illustrate that attitude perfectly. As a result the V6 was canned (it would have been increased to 3.7 L) and the 60deg Global V6 program took over. Otherwise we might be looking now at a 3.7 L DOHC V6 with well over 300 hp, just like Nissan's VQ37, and perhaps a better V6 truck engine than the low-rpm version of the 3.6 L.

The European version offers a lwb model with 7 seats. This type of LCV is a popular alternative to compact MPVs, although most have only a maximum of 5 (or 6 with a front bench) seats.

You're forgetting the HHR. GM's next gen crossovers will come from three main platforms: Gamma—compact (C-segment 2500–2700 mm wb) crossovers such as the Escape, HHR, Tiguan, Kuga, 3008 and Patriot, and possibly also smaller compacts such as the Qashqai and Tucson (at least two models, a Chevy and Opel/Saturn). LCVs (e.g. Combo and HHR Panel) and pickups (Tornado/Montana) also on this architecture. Earlier versions support low-cost models which may include smaller crossovers (<4.2 m OAL) in the same vein as the Ford EcoSport and Chevy Niva. TE swb (D-segment c 2700 mm wb)—large compact such as thew CRV, Vue, X3 and RDX (Cadillac BRX/BTX and Vue/Antara); and lower midsize (typically 7-seat) such as the Outlander, Captiva, Santa Fe and Koleos (could replace Equinox). 94X probably large compact (C/D), but could be lower midsize (D/E) TE lwb (E-segment c 2850 mm wb)—new upper- (E/F) and/or lower-midsize (D/E) crossovers similar to the Pilot, Highlander, Veracruz and Journey (Chevy and GMC models, indirect Torrent/Equinox replacements). Lambda—NG fullsize crossovers (> 3000 mm wb, if volume is sustained under higher fuel prices). Whatever path GM decides to take with the mid-large rwd cars (largely a semantic choice) could also supply one or more crossovers/SUTs (SRX replacement [CTX/DTX?] at least).

Genesis is the luxury brand in Korea.

The number of models isn't the problem—Toyota probably produces more models with 5–8 brands (depending on how you count Netz, Toyopet etc.)—the real problem is the gross profit per model before overheads such as advertising etc.. Cutting models doesn't improve those figures and can even make them worse, as development costs per model increase.

Eh, modest exterior changes (now loonger), new bigger engine from the MDX which uses more fuel, in exchange for 10 more hp.

Pictures at AutoReport. You will have to wait for specs.

At over 5.2 m long, this is hardly downsizing.

How about we clear things up a bit: Compact crossovers: (C/D-segment) (hatchbacks—4.2–4.4 m) Sportage Tucson Qashqai RAV4 (Japan, Europe) (wagons—4.4–4.6 m) Escape HHR Vue RAV4 (America/Australia) CRV Sorento Patriot Tiguan Grand Vitara New Forester old Santa Fe (still built in China) Lower-midsize crossovers (D/E-segment) (4.6-4.7 m) Captiva Santa Fe Aztek Outlander CX-7 Rogue (4.7-4.8 m) Highlander Touareg Equinox Pilot Edge Torrent Upper-midsize crossovers (E/F-Segment) (4.8-5.0 m) Tribeca Endeavor Veracruz Journey XL-7 Territory Fullsize crossovers (5.0-5.2 m) Enclave Acadia Pacifica Taurus X Flex CX-9 Outlook (5.2+ m) Traverse

That would be the fold flat 2nd row, and for the power increase, direct-injection.

Official Video: Actually bigger than the other Lambdas. Rear overhang has been increased about 4" for more legroom and rear cargo space.

:rotflmao: I must be tired.

Yep, I've had a soft spot for Lancias since the Ferrari V8-engined Thema 8.32 (which was not much bigger than this). The Ypsilon in particular I really like.

True, they got caught up in the CTS being 3-series priced, therefore the STS was also aimed at the 5-series.

Ciao bella

The various "alpha" designations do not refer to a specific architecture but rather an architectural phase space which is occupied by successive, not necessarily related, architectures. It gets confusing when one person is talking about the current iteration of an architecture v. earlier iterations. E.g. GM in North America will refer to the Astra's updated T-body architecture as Delta, the Cobalt/Ion A-body (the next iteration) as Delta, and the future European compact architecture as Delta, when each is a different architecture. Someone else will say the current Astra is not Delta, meaning it is not the same architecture as the Cobalt and Ion. The same goes for the Zeta's. VE may be considered ur-Zeta, the new, lower-cost version underpinning the Camaro and hypothetically (concepts are custom-built using whatever is easiest and cheapest rather than adhering to a specific architectural definition which may have inspired the design) the Denali XT concept is what is now Zeta. So the G8 was Zeta, but is not now Zeta.

If everyone who wants this truck does the same, then maybe it will not be so minimal.