GM's Performance Division planning high-performance future for automaker

[NFS4]

http://autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?port_code=autoweek&cat_code=carnews&loc_code=&content_code=02847914

In a speech Wednesday to Detroit-based auto writers, Mark Reuss, executive director of GM's Performance Division, said GM plans to:


Build at least one high-performance model for each division, a vehicle that leverages the division's performance heritage, such as Super Sport or SS models for Chevrolet and GTO for Pontiac.


Look a for a suitable rear-wheel drive platform for a next generation Chevrolet Camaro.


Take on Honda and other import-brands with its own array of high-performance four- and six-cylinder engines.

Given GM's STRONG truck engines, I hope that they can filter that expertise down to the passenger car lineup. B/C other than the LS1 and Northstar, I can't really think of any decent GM passenger car engines...

 

[PsychoAndy]

not even noon, let alone 10 AM and theres a NFS4 car post......

brandon, seek professional help

 

[fastz28]

Look a for a suitable rear-wheel drive platform for a next generation Chevrolet Camaro.

Interesting. Looks like the f-body is coming back without the Poncho brother.

 

[LAUST]

yeah, the GM V8's is all I will own of theirs currently, the 4.8, 5.3, and 6.0 are the exact same shortblock as the LS1/LS6, just iron with different bore's and stroke. Everything in and ontop of them is 100% interchangeable with the next block...the way it should be Actually there is also a few parts you can pull off the 8.1 and put onto the Small Block line

 

[Shantanu]

B/C other than the LS1 and Northstar, I can't really think of any decent GM passenger car engines

There's also LS6. A few good engines is all they need. The Pontiac GTO is getting the LS1, and the CTSi is getting either that or the LS6.

General Motors is also planning the return of the Cadillac Fleetwood. What they have in mind is a $150,000 230 inch long 700HP V-16 super sedan designed to compete with the likes of Rolls-Royce. See this month's Car and Driver for more details.

 

[geekender]

It would be a lot nicer if they stopped making ugly cars. Up until the past couple of years, they had some of the sleekest cars on the market. Enter Aztek, Escalade, Avalanche, etc...... I don't want a car that looks like it needs a nose job.

my .02

 

[bigshot]

Up until the past couple of years, they had some of the sleekest cars on the market. Enter Aztek, Escalade, Avalanche, etc...... I don't want a car that looks like it needs a nose job.

those are not cars, they are trucks or hybrid such as the aztek. I find the escalade to be quite nice to the eye

you forgot another engine they make which is one of the best in the industry, the 3800 in the Pontiac Grand Prix GT and GTP and in the monte Carlo SS. This engine is bulletproof, has lots of power, and gets better gas milage than most 4-cylinders

 

[amdskip]

More power to them if they can slow down Honda

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: bigshot
Up until the past couple of years, they had some of the sleekest cars on the market. Enter Aztek, Escalade, Avalanche, etc...... I don't want a car that looks like it needs a nose job.

those are not cars, they are trucks or hybrid such as the aztek. I find the escalade to be quite nice to the eye

you forgot another engine they make which is one of the best in the industry, the 3800 in the Pontiac Grand Prix GT and GTP and in the monte Carlo SS. This engine is bulletproof, has lots of power, and gets better gas milage than most 4-cylinders

You mean the hulking 3.8 liter V6 that makes only 200HP and needs supercharging JUST to get 240HP and still can't beat a 240HP 3.5 liter Altima w/an automatic...let alone a manual???

I've driven many iterations of the 3.8 liter V6 and it is nowhere as smooth, quiet or refined as Honda, Toyota, or Nissan's V6's.

To me, the 3.0 liter 220HP V6 in our Highlander has a LOVELY engine note. It is smooth as butta and revs like it's on crack I've love turning off the radio and lowering the windows just to hear that bitch sing

 

[vi edit]

<-- Saving his pocket change for a Silverado SS

 

[Adul]

3800 is sorely lacking in what the nission VQ v6 has. Now if you want to talk about 6 cylinders, look no further then their inline 6. That baby has some balls.

 

[LAUST]

I can't wait to see someone slap 5lbs of boost on that puppy

 

[ElFenix]

woot! new camaro! hopefully something a little smaller with just the straight 6 in it. get a smaller car with that much power, lots of fun. they already have the corvette, they don't need one thats basically the same thing, detuned, with shoddy build.

 

[LAUST]

Also I think the stright 6 is longer then the LS1

 

[KokomoGST]

GM: Bring over the Holdens
Me: Good
GM: More power for the Vette
Me: Good
GM: Recycle that decades old V6
Me: OMG OH NO AIIIIEIEEIEEIIEIEIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

I'd love to see some more blown domestic vehicles, even if isn't anything like a revived GN. More I-6s good too...

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: LAUST

Originally posted by: ElFenix
woot! new camaro! hopefully something a little smaller with just the straight 6 in it. get a smaller car with that much power, lots of fun. they already have the corvette, they don't need one thats basically the same thing, detuned, with shoddy build.

It's a "Pony Car" though, if you are looking to GM for Auto-X, don't

Also I think the stright 6 is longer then the LS1

well, yeah, they'd have to mount the thing crooked like the do in the trailblazer.

pontiac solstice is a car i'd like to see. have a basic RWD platform that you can vary the length easily and you'd have something for the solstice and a new camaro. camaro would be a 2+2 of course.

 

[TuffGuy]

Originally posted by: LAUST

Originally posted by: ElFenix
woot! new camaro! hopefully something a little smaller with just the straight 6 in it. get a smaller car with that much power, lots of fun. they already have the corvette, they don't need one thats basically the same thing, detuned, with shoddy build.

It's a "Pony Car" though, if you are looking to GM for Auto-X, don't

Also I think the stright 6 is longer then the LS1

hmmmm.... wasn't someone telling me that the camaro is great for auto-x?

 

[Cobra]

Obviously you guys have never had the opportunity to experience a 3.8 liter GN running in the high 12s with very few inexpensive mods. Turbocharged...yes, but making more than the 240 hp you find in the detuned 3800 version available today.

I always find it interesting that people think the foreign engines are so much better. Just wait until maintenance or an overhaul is needed for the multi-valve overhead cam wonders...the cost will be much greater. I'll take a pushrod small or big block V8 anyday over these highly strung engines anyday.

Cobra
93 to exact
mid 13s on street radials

 

[Linux23]

Originally posted by: Adul
3800 is sorely lacking in what the nission VQ v6 has. Now if you want to talk about 6 cylinders, look no further then their inline 6. That baby has some balls.

yep, pretty much summed up everthing i wanted to say.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: Cobra
Obviously you guys have never had the opportunity to experience a 3.8 liter GN running in the high 12s with very few inexpensive mods. Turbocharged...yes, but making more than the 240 hp you find in the detuned 3800 version available today.

I always find it interesting that people think the foreign engines are so much better. Just wait until maintenance or an overhaul is needed for the multi-valve overhead cam wonders...the cost will be much greater. I'll take a pushrod small or big block V8 anyday over these highly strung engines anyday.

Cobra
93 to exact
mid 13s on street radials

We're not talking pimped out turbocharged bullcrap that most people don't do to their FAMILY sedans There's a reason why people buy oodles of Camrys and Accords over Grand Prix's and Impalas.

And I wouldn't call the 240 HP 3800 "detuned." It's being fed by a damn supercharger. If it were to be "tuned" they'd be getting more than 200 HP from that old bag of bones without the need of a turbocharger or supercharger.

GM knows that they can't compete with foreign V6's so they are overhauling them...great idea IMHO. Take one look at Nissan's VQ series and you'll see that the 3800 has seen it's last days at the helm.

As for overhauls, I don't think so. My '95 Camry is at 110,900 miles and it's still purring like a kitten. That POS engine in my old POS Sunbird died at 75,000.

 

[Colt45]

They should re-release the '67 Camaro SS. And then give you a choice between the traditional 350, or a 454 w/ blower

Same thing with the 50's chevy trucks, and mid-60's El Caminos.

Except built with modern materials, and enhanced suspension.




Probably wouldn't fly to good in California though...

 

[TLfromAI]

BIG+UGLY+SLOW=GM VEHICLE
GM VEHICLE+LOTS OF CHROME=CHRYSLER VEHICLE

 

[Cobra]

We're not talking pimped out turbocharged bullcrap that most people don't do to their FAMILY sedans <http://forums.anandtech.com/i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif> There's a reason why people buy oodles of Camrys and Accords over Grand Prix's and Impalas.

And I wouldn't call the 240 HP 3800 "detuned." It's being fed by a damn supercharger. If it were to be "tuned" they'd be getting more than 200 HP from that old bag of bones without the need of a turbocharger or supercharger.

GM knows that they can't compete with foreign V6's so they are overhauling them...great idea IMHO. Take one look at Nissan's VQ series and you'll see that the 3800 has seen it's last days at the helm.

As for overhauls, I don't think so. My '95 Camry is at 110,900 miles and it's still purring like a kitten. That POS engine in my old POS Sunbird died at 75,000.

--------------------------------------

So your telling me that 40 Hp out of a supercharger is not detuned, when the normally asperated version was getting 200 Hp. Yeah right.

By the way, while you were dreaming about cars I was driving a 1970 mid size A-body GM with a big block 455 cu in engine with 245000 miles and it was purring like a kitten also. Give me cu in and torque any day for longevity.

 

[brtspears2]

YIKES, nissan vs. the world in engines again....

 

[NFS4]

So your telling me that 40 Hp out of a supercharger is not detuned, when the normally asperated version was getting 200 Hp. Yeah right.

To me, "tuned" means tweaking an engine without slapping on turbos and superchargers.

Now if the 3800 made 200 HP and 240 HP naturally aspirated, I'd consider the 200 HP variant to be "detuned."

Honda's 3.2 liter V6 makes 225 HP in the CL and 260 HP in the CL Type-S
Toyota's 3.0 liter V6 makes 192 HP in the Camry and 220 HP in the Highlander
Nissan's 3.5 liter V6 makes 240 HP in the Altima and 287 HP in the 350Z
Chevy's LS1 made anywhere from 305HP in the Camaro to 405 HP in the Z06

ALL NATURALLY ASPIRATED

Now THAT is what I consider the difference between tuned and detuned.