thegriffon

They are all either SOHC or DOHC engines.

With direct injection and high rpm 400hp or more is certainly possible.

Part of it is also down to mix-The vehicles Toyota spends heavily on incentives still don't sell, so the average remains very low, while the few models GM offers high incentives on make up a much larger percentage of sales. From a financial point of view it's still bad for GM—you don't want to be dependent on a segment which depends heavily on incentives to sell—but as a reflection of relative popularity it can be misleading.

You saw a Z9 parked outside your building?

The money goes to more than being rwd and a BMW. You also get the latest-technology direct-injection Dual-VVT-L engines and every possible fuel-saving technology BMW could apply short of a hybrid system. "Brake Energy Regeneration (iGR) makes its debut on the 1 Series. The system uses an Intelligent Alternator Control (IAC) and an Absorbent Glass Mat battery to recycle previously lost energy, in turn saving fuel. This is achieved as the IAC reduces drag on the engine by only engaging when required to charge the battery, whereas a traditional alternator is always pulling power from the engine. Additionally, the energy generated by the engine on over-run (under braking or descending a hill) was previously wasted. Now this lost energy is utilised by the IAC to charge the battery. iGR alone is responsible for a three per cent improvement in fuel economy. The new 1 Series comes with Automatic Start-Stop function to cut fuel consumption. Standard on all manual transmission models (except 130i), the system automatically switches the engine off when the vehicle is stationary and the driver puts the car into neutral. To restart the driver only need engage the clutch again before pulling away in the normal manner. Should he not want to use the Automatic Start-Stop function it can be manually switched off. The use of Electric Power Steering results in a 90 per cent energy saving compared to a conventional mechanical hydraulic steering system. Power assistance is now provided by an electric motor that works only when required, such as turning a corner. Other fuel saving enhancements have been made courtesy of various ancillary devices, such as the air-conditioning power supply being disconnected from the drivetrain when not in use. Even flaps behind the kidney grille improve economy, closing up for improved aerodynamic efficiency should the engine require less airflow. The feature also improves cold starting times."

heath

A belfry or belfrey is the normal name for a bell-tower, although originally it was simply a fortified tower (as opposed to a steeple), commonly attached to the oldest churches (hence the narrow windows and crenellations). The name is derived from either Frankish bergfrith (protected-peace) or greek purgos phoretos, both terms for a mobile seige tower. The French form beffroi refers to a bell-tower, watchtower, mobile seige-tower or gantry. Since a seige-tower may be open at the rear for entry and resupply (via gantry) in English belfry also refers to a large shed, which may also be open on one or more sides.from noose: snare

And, oh, yes, it is very cramped, so may sixtyeight would rather fork out extra for the Saturn Astra GTC with the 1.8 VVT (3hp less than the BMW)

:rotflmao: The super-spartan model is the 2.0 L DI 118i for 22,800 € (incl 16% sales tax in Germany). At current exchange rates that's US$29,500, or US$3,600 less than the cheapest 3-series (before hidden dealer cash) in America—a 320i sedan (still port injection). You can get a 5-door with the old 1.6 L 4-cylinder for just 21,600 € though.

They don't only build Astras in Western Europe. How's the Zloty? or the Rand? If GM Europe wants to use up excess capacity in Antwerp they need to use marginal accounting to determine the cost. It always gets me that Holden doesn not source Astras or Corsas from South Africa (where both are built), when almost everybody else in Australia (BMW, Mercedes, Toyota, Ford) sources their small cars from there.

I agree, it's the elephant seal of Lexuses. You can tell the V8 really didn't want to fit in there. It looks as if you stop too quickly it'll just pop out.

The extra money goes to more global vehicles not on US analysts radar, 6-speed transmissions across the board, more investment in DOHC V6s.

No. Neither will it be SuperSport nor SS. They will revive an old designation though.

You're thinking of the old Astra VIN code. It designates a related production series, not an actual platform. Every manufacturer uses them, but not everyone uses a single designation for one model, or updates them with each model change. Daewoo generally inherited it's letter designations from GM Europe, ut the platforms may now be completely different. GM Europe's product development codes are actually in the form of GM4400, GM2900, GM3200 etc, although you may also see tham as J2900, Z3200, A3300, T3000. Like most manufacturers GM rarely changes the VIN letter for the model even if the platform is completely different. Thus everything from the Original Isuzu Aska, Opel Ascona and Chevy Cavalier through the previous Vectra and 9-3 to the current Chevrolet Optra is a J-body, the original fwd Opel Kadett through to the current Chevy Aveo is a T-body, from the Opel Rekord through to the latest Holden Commodore, but also the fwd Daewoo Tosca/Chevrolet Epica is a V-body.Current GM VIN codes are: D-CTS, DTS M-Solstice, Sky Y-corvette and XLR X-Corsa, Tigra, Combo T-Aveo J-Optra K-DTS H-Lucerne E-SRX, 9-5 F-9-3 A-cobalt, Ion, Astra, Zafira, Chevrolet Vectra V-GTO, Epica, Commodore W-Caprice, Statesman, LaCrosse, Regal, Impala, Grand Prix Z-Vectra, Signum, Aura, Malibu, G6 L-Vue, Equinox, Torrent C-Captiva, Antara U-fwd mpv

Sword (A bill is a straight single-edged sword/hacking tool with a downward curved tip)

Aside from the US-market Elise, most Lotuses still use GM's Family II four-cylinder, including the Toni's favorite new Europa.

The Commodore looks shorter because it is taller and wider than the G6. Legroom is not much different, but it offers much better shoulder and hip room than either the G6 or Grand Prix. The 300 and Charger bracket the Grand Prix in length, but are as wide as the Commodore and offer even more rear legroom. I would expect a target price of $30-35K, similar to a Charger R/T or 300C, depending on whether this becomes an extension of the G6 range/GP GXP replacement ($30K), or a model above the G6 (equivalent to a Maxima/300), in which case a 3.6 V6 could squeeze in at around $29-30K. I would expect the latter. Model Headroom Legroom Shoulder room Hip Room Wheelbase Length Width Height Front Rear Front Rear Front Rear Front Rear G6 2852 112.3 4802 189.1 1749 68.9 1450 57.1 1003 39.5 923 36.3 1073 42.2 955 37.6 1407 55.4 1366 53.8 1338 52.7 1318 51.9 VE 2915 114.8 4894 192.7 1899 74.8 1476 58.1 985 38.8 965 38.0 1071 42.2 1001 39.4 1501 59.1 1499 59.0 1439 56.7 1472 58.0 GP 2807 110.5 5038 198.3 1875 73.8 1420 55.9 978 38.5 928 36.5 1076 42.4 926 36.5 1472 58.0 1410 55.5 1388 54.6 1360 53.5FYI the Grand Prix is dead for one big reason—aside from the availability of a cheap 4-cyl G6, and an expensive V8 GP, the GP actually sells for less than a G6. Dump the GP and you'll see sales of the G6 increase noticably, even if they lose some sales to other brands. Your average GTP buyer will look at a new Maxima and go white at the price.

For anyone who thought the GMtv footage sucked, high-quality quicktime video of the Camaro concept is now available from AutoReport http://auto-report.net/WordPress/?p=306 I'll be adding footage of other concepts and introductions as and if they become available.

Mazda "Mazda, Fingers. A mythological folk-hero worshipped by thieves everywhere, he was the first thief, he stole fire from the gods. He couldn't fence it, it was too hot. He really got burned on that one." In origin, Ahura Mazda is the spirit of wisdom, supreme god of Zoroastrianism, or Mazdayasna, closely associated with light and fire., from which Mazda Motor takes its name.

"…Since they were kind enough to share their brake fluid [and since we both have the same publisher], Robinson squares up the Olds and pushes the Corolla (it had a seized differential) for an entire lap to take the checkered flag and the $1500 first-place prize. …"

Ghibli? GT California? Super Veloce?

Not a larger engine, but the CTS-V's 400 hp SAE/412 hp DIN LS2 instead of the 362 hp L98 in the new Lumina SS and the standard Caprice.

Release schedule: Saturday, January 6, 7:00 p.m. EST, Live, GM Style Show Red Carpet Arrivals GMTV http://gmtv.feedroom.com?fr_story=FEEDROOM171912 One-Clip http://gmtv.feedroom.com?skin=oneclip&...p;autoplay=true Saturday, January 6, approximately midnight EST, GM Style Show - Edited summary Video on demand only, GMTV http://gmtv.feedroom.com?fr_story=FEEDROOM171913 One-Clip http://gmtv.feedroom.com?skin=oneclip&...p;autoplay=true ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sunday, January 7, 12:45 p.m. EST, Live, Chevrolet Electric Vehicle News Conference GMTV http://gmtv.feedroom.com?fr_story=FEEDROOM171909 One-Clip http://gmtv.feedroom.com?skin=oneclip&...p;autoplay=true -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Monday, January 8, 9:40 a.m. EST, Live, 2008 Cadillac CTS Redesigned GMTV http://gmtv.feedroom.com?fr_story=FEEDROOM171910 One-Clip http://gmtv.feedroom.com?skin=oneclip&...p;autoplay=true -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tuesday, January 9, 9:00 a.m. EST, Live, 2008 Malibu Redesigned GMTV http://gmtv.feedroom.com?fr_story=FEEDROOM171911 One-Clip http://gmtv.feedroom.com?skin=oneclip&...p;autoplay=true

The NYT article is an online error, publication date is actually tomorrow.

winner