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January 27, 2006
They're Here
Interior of 2007 Tahoe
By Bob Lutz
GM Vice Chairman
Over the past year, you’ve heard me recite a familiar refrain: GM will not be satisfied building vehicles that are simply competitive. We are out to build best-in-class vehicles in each and every segment. Our all-new 2007 full-size sport utilities, the Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon, are in dealerships now, with the 2007 Cadillac Escalade following in the next few weeks. They’re solid examples of this approach to product development.
I look at these trucks, and I’m proud of what I see, and I’m proud of the team that developed them. Even working within the obvious constraints of full-size SUVs, our designers gave each one a fresh look, and a unique, distinctive exterior. I’ll stack the interiors up against anybody’s, too; the craftsmanship and attention to detail inside has been taken to new heights.
When you drive them, you’ll find vastly improved handling, comfort and quiet. They offer best-in-class fuel economy, and they’re priced reasonably. But you can get all of that information, and the long list of standard and optional features, elsewhere on GM’s web pages. I’m just here to tell you that you have to see these trucks in person, and you have to drive them. They’re not just pictures in magazines and newspapers anymore — they’re down the street at the dealership.
Go have a look. Compare them to any and all of our competition. And once you do, tell us what you think. For those of you who already own one of them, we’d love to hear from you as well.
Posted by Lutz at 3:23 PM
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And Furthermore ...
By Jack Keebler
GM Director--Advanced Concepts Group
First, I'm very grateful for all of the perspectives offered on front-, rear-, and all-wheel-drive. GM has been traditionally (and perhaps rightly) accused of ignoring customer input. Too often without that perspective, we've offered buyers well-reasoned -- but perfectly passionless products.
Second, as I suspected, the widely divergent thoughts posted indicate that there's a healthy market for various driveline layouts. Given the company's eight North American divisions, some identified with specific driveline types, there would appear to be a need for great-driving front-, rear-, and all-wheel-drive cars and trucks.
Specifically though, I promise to work on the creation of a line of small, agile, rear-wheel-drive cars. And quite frankly, I can't imagine a front-drive version of Camaro.
Posted by Editor at 9:33 AM
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Informal Survey Time
Saab 9-3 Sport Combi
By Jack Keebler
GM Director--Advanced Concepts Group
One of the things that GM would like to better understand is the level of enthusiasm for rear-wheel drive versus front-wheel drive, particularly for young buyers of compact and sub-compact cars. Our belief is that front-wheel drive cars can be very rewarding to drive if properly set up. We also like the interior packaging space advantages, low mass and poor-weather traction of front-drive vehicles.
At Saab, there is a long and storied tradition of fast, reliable rally cars. These cars fed significant power through the front wheels and yet remained stable and entertaining to drive, which proved particularly important in long-distance races.
At auto shows we're starting to see many small rear-drive concepts.
What do you think, should we work toward fun-to-drive front-drive or is rear-drive with all-wheel drive a better solution?
Posted by Editor at 5:10 PM
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Buick Enclave video podcast
Buick Enclave Concept at the 2006 NAIAS
In this FastLane video podcast, the Wall Street Journal's Detroit Bureau Chief Joe White interviews GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz at the North American International Auto Show about the design of the Buick Enclave concept vehicle.
View the video (45 MB)
Download the video
Posted by Editor at 11:55 AM
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Camaro Concept Video Podcast
Camaro Concept at the 2006 NAIAS
In FastLane's first video podcast, the Wall Street Journal's Detroit
Bureau Chief Joe White interviews GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz at the North
American International Auto Show about the design and heritage of the
Camaro concept vehicle.
Podcast feed
View the video (54.5 MB)
Download the video
GMTV's feed
Posted by Editor at 9:24 PM
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One for the Ages
Camaro Concept at the 2006 NAIAS
By Bob Lutz
GM Vice Chairman
Well, by now, many of you have seen the hoopla unfold before your very eyes on our webcast (if not, you can view it online), and the secret is finally confirmed: we introduced a Chevrolet Camaro concept car.
If I had a dime for every time I’ve read the word “Camaro” in your comments on this blog in the past year, I could have financed the concept car out of my own pocket! And I would have… I like it that much.
If anything, it proves that we’ve been listening… to the rear-drive faithful… to the Camaro fanatics… and to those who say GM can’t do anything exciting. I think our design staff did a great job on the concept, which really demonstrates the renewed focus on design throughout GM.
Camaro Concept at the 2006 NAIAS
It recaptures the spirit of the first generation Camaro, one of the most popular sport coupes ever, and redefines it for new generations. But, and this is a big but, it’s not just a retro car, it’s a great design in and of itself. It truly demonstrates passion and performance, inside and out… in everything from the deeply-dished aluminum gauge faces and the three-spoke steering wheel to the 400-horsepower aluminum V8 engine mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. The chassis is also state of the art, with four-wheel independent suspension and four-wheel disc brakes. And don’t forget the big tires, 21 inches up front and 22 inches at the rear.
And for those of you who might say, “Well, the Challenger has 35 hp more,” I would just reply that we have a certified 1OO more on tap from the ZO6 engine, should the need arise.
Make no mistake: We would love to build this car. I would love to have one in my garage. But we cannot commit to it just yet. Circumstances dictate that we have other priorities that come first. For now, we’ll just enjoy what we have, and find out what everybody thinks about it, and we’ll make a final decision on it at our earliest opportunity.
Well, what do you think of it?
Posted by Lutz at 10:44 AM
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A Friendly Reminder
By Bob Lutz
GM Vice Chairman
At this point I need to point out to you that, while I’m sure you’re enjoying GM’s Los Angeles show coverage, the North American International Auto Show in Detroit is nearly upon us. You can follow all the action on GM’s webcast.
I recommend you take advantage of this inside look at the Detroit show, beginning with our press events on Sunday.
And I highly recommend you tune in on Monday morning at 10:30 a.m., for a very special introduction that I know a lot of you will be interested in, especially you rear-drive fans. That’s all I’m saying.
Posted by Lutz at 12:25 PM
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Solstice GXP in Los Angeles
GM's Mark LaNeve introduces the new 2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
By Bob Lutz
GM Vice Chairman
As you know, the Pontiac Solstice is near and dear to my heart, as I know it is to many of yours… This week at the Los Angeles Auto Show we introduced a performance variant that’s sure to get all of our hearts pumping.
The 2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP should more than answer any critics who found the standard Solstice lacking in power and punch — however misguided their complaints may have been! The GXP version is powered by a 2.0-liter turbo direct injection four that makes a quite enjoyable 260 horsepower (here’s where I’m forced to add the word “estimated” because the final numbers aren’t in yet — but that’s right in the ballpark), which is nearly 50 percent more than the current Solstice. Talk about having your cake and eating it too.
Stability control, anti-lock brakes, power windows/locks/mirrors and a sports-tuned suspension are all standard equipment on GXP models. All for just about $4,000 to $5,000 more than the $20,490 that can put you in the base model—we won’t officially price it until closer to its on-sale date this summer.
You can find out more about the Solstice GXP, and our other Los Angeles show introductions, at gm.com. In the meantime, I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
Posted by Lutz at 10:33 AM
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