thegriffon

Supposedly the fwd 3.6 has always had dual-VVT. The single, intake VVT version has a different RPO, LE0 rather than LY7, and until recently produced even less power (just 210-230 hp) than in the LaCrosse (due to different standards it still may).

Chrysler is looking for engineering interns at the moment too. Check daimlerchrysler.com or monster.com for careers at DaimlerChrysler.

But shorter than a 750Li, by far the most popular model in the US. Mercedes doesn't even sell the swb S-Class in the US market. The Statesman and Lucerne (now very similar in size) are in the same size class (if not price) as the slightly larger 750iL, A8L, S 550L and XJ8-L, and offer comparable interior room. The LS460L is almost as big, but still can't match the shoulder and hip room of its European rivals.

The Q7 doesn't have much of a third row, and the GL is too plain. Tha Navigator is butt ugly now, and the QX56 too big, too ugly and too thirsty. I notice they didn't even bother with the LX470, since not even Toyota can shift them.

The Lucerne and LaCrosse are "priced to sell", way below what GM should be getting for vehicles in their segments; as are (more understandably) the Charger, 300, Five Hundred and Impala. The more relevant question is can the Avalon stay ahead of the comparably priced Maxima (which has suffered most at the hands of the Avalon) and ES350, which are both selling better at the moment; and how many sales is it losing to the Azera and Zephyr?

None. Total sales for 2005 were down 5% compared to 2004. Compared to the 2004 figures for August, GM was down 10.6% p.a. last month. I.e. by August 2005 GM was suffering a shortfall in stock and sharply lower sales. Of course, this time last year GM was still selling Oldsmobiles and a few other models which have been or are being cut. By Brand %change to 2005 for August (annualized, DSR) from 2005 2004 Buick -4.7% -16.1% Cadillac 0.2% -8.5% Chevrolet 1.3% -11.6% GMC 7.0% -18.5% Hummer 1.5% 63.7% (H3) Pontiac -12.1% -1.1% Saab 11.9% -4.3% Saturn 5.3% 12.2%

The cars did OK? Despite the perennial strength of the Ranger, F150 and Econoline, I think with a similar lineup that BPG could outsell Ford on any given month. They already do in many comparable segments.

That's inexplicable. On a daily sales rate (the only measure by which it should be anything other than 0%) they're actually down 3.7%.

Toyota's sales increases look impressive until you se how many vehicles are down and by how much. This may make you think it can't last, but there are still key market segments in which the right product (or any product) would give the company further boosts in overall sales. GM and Ford on the other hand are so much bigger that a few improved products are not going to make as much of a difference except for an individual brand.

Indirectly. In most circumstances the Japanese were incorrectly quoting Japanese figures rather than tests using any SAE standard at all (old or new). The introduction of the new SAE standard prompted new testing which highlighted the discrepancy. US automakers had been conservative in implementing the old SAE test, and had a larger hand in writing the new one (i.e. it now reflects more closely the setup GM has always used to test its engines). Third-party certification eliminates a certain amount of additional losses that GM had factored in, but not strictly required, resuting in higher results. Most companies have waited for new, higher-output engines before introducing the new standard. There are still some highly suspicious results quoted from some automakers. Honda for one quotes the same figures, irrespective of units (metric or US hp) or standard (JIS, EEC or SAE) for the new R18A 1.8 L in the new Civic, when there should be different results for each (SAE the lowest, not as it is at the moment, the highest).

It's just a different way of measuring the trunk volume. You can't just convert from Liters to cubic feet. Comparing apples to apples is easier if you look at models for which we can find true figures for both methods (some manufacturers simply convert the VDA standard from liters to cu-ft rather than use the SAE standard).Commodore 496 L Camry..........503 L .. 15 cu-ft E500.............540 L .. 15.9 cu-ft A6................546 L .. 15.9 cu-ft LaCrosse..................16 cu-ft Thus you can see the LaCrosse has a much bigger trunk than the Commodore, due to its greater length. The shorter Chinese LaCrosse (still 4" longer than the Commodore) has only a 510 L trunk. Broadly speaking the Commodore and LaCrosse would be in the same class though (upper midsize sedan), despite the exaggerated length of the LaCrosse.

I recall a similar case in Egypt some years ago. Shades of Total Recall.

The Honda T360 engine was DOHC, and not the smallest Honda produced. The later Vamos had a slightly smaller 354 cc engine. loki is thinking of the 358 cc engine in the Mazda P360.

How much does GM underestimate engine power? We all know GM is notoriously conservative when calculating engine power. This has been highlighted the last couple of years as GM has begun a comprehensive program of third-party certification, with nominal horsepower increases even as rival automakers cut power claims with the advent of the new SAE standard. The latest beneficiary is the new higher-output version of the fwd LY7 in the Acadia and Outlook crossovers. Compare the previously published figures with the latest, certified results. Ford and Toyota, read'em and weep. Power (hp / kW) 263 / 196 @ 6600 rpm w/ single exhaust (est.) 270 / 201 @ 6600 rpm w/ single exhaust (cert.) 267 / 199 @ 6600 rpm w/ dual exhaust (est.) 275 / 205 @ 6600 rpm w/ dual exhaust (cert.) Torque (lb-ft / Nm) 244 / 331 @ 3200 rpm w/ single exhaust (est.) 248 / 336 @ 3200 rpm w/ single exhaust (cert.) 247 / 335 @ 3200 rpm w/ dual exhaust (est.) 251 / 340 @ 3200 rpm w/ dual exhaust (cert.) We can only guess at how much GM has under-rated earlier, uncertified versions of the LY7.

I don't know about ever, but the smallest OHV (and OHC) 4-cylinder engine in current production for automobiles is Subaru's EN07 at 658 cc, produced in several variants in 8V, 16V, supercharged and one with VVT. Mitsubushi is the only other company currently producing 4-cylinder engines in this class (limited to 660 cc) with the 659 cc 4A30. Suzuki, Daihatsu, Honda and Mitsubishi's latest Kei-class engines are all 3-cylinder.

Saturn will get a minivan, but not a Lambda, something shared with Opel and more in tune with the new brand character. And no, I don't mean the compact Zafira.

http://www.irocracing.com/

Some clarification is needed. Holden would like to export something to the US, but they acknowledge that it can only be something low-volume like the GTO. Thus a replacement for the Grand Prix is not feasible.

The Epica is already a Chevrolet in China. I was thinking of the smaller Excelle, but the primary vehicle it would be replacing is the Regal, still sold as a model below the LaCrosse. Like the Sail before it the NG compact would become a Chevrolet—the Optra, while the new rwd Buick would compete against cars such as the Toyota Reis (Mark X in Japan), and premium lower-midsize vehicles from Chinese manufacturers. As a Chinese Buick it would start with the 1.8 L CVVT engine, with the 2.4 L CVVT and 3.0 L CVVT from the LaCrosse, while the Holden version would sacrifice trim and equipment for the more powerful 2.8 and 3.6 L DOHC V6s.

Because Autonews just said they didn't have anything.

Mooney has already said Holden could not do enough volume for a Grand Prix replacement, but everybody seems to forget that.

Really? Think outside the box you live in for a large market and brand that could use a smaller rwd sedan, that need not have a conflicting fwd model that could not switch to another cheaper brand.

Volkswagen does not say it is a 1.4 L. Actual production numbers for the 1.4 are not so impressive for a twin-charged engine.

Almost exactly the same as Volvo C30 in shape and size, but with a smaller engine.

You know there is only one reason they are releasing this information so long before the engine is produced :AH-HA_wink: