Auto & Car Blog

Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Etc., Plants/Manufacturing, GM

Recently announced as the next Pontiac G8, Holden says that the Commodore model is in need of a diet.

According to Holden chairman and executive director Denny Mooney, the Commodore doesn’t need to get any smaller and is sized appropriately for both the Australian and American markets. It could, however lose a few pounds, as the large-car segment leader in Australia has gained over 1000 lbs. since the original Commodore in 1978; nearly 220 of them added in the most recent generation alone. It has also gained in nearly every other dimension as well, adding 19cm in length, 18cm in width and 10cm in height. The current 3.6 liter V6 is also a huge increase in grunt over the 2.8 liter unit used in the first Commodore, producing a whopping 181% more power.

We hope that the current version of the Commodore comes to us here in the US as close to the current car as can be, maybe with some Lutz magic under the hood. The American car market could use an injection of some full-size fun again…how about an LS7 with a manual transmission option? Who says we can’t deal with a little extra poundage?

[Source: drive.com.au]

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

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Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Concept Cars, Sedans/Saloons, Pontiac

click on the above image for a bunch of high-res shots showing the new Pontiac G8

The last decade has been difficult for General Motors enthusiasts who desired an affordable V8 RWD sedan (we love the V-series Cadillacs, but alas, they’re not exactly budget rides). With the introduction of the Pontiac G8, however, all is forgiven, for this muscular four-door appears poised to offer a blend of attitude and sophistication appropriate for the brand that claims to build excitement.

This Poncho is based upon GM’s new Zeta platform, and the base model offers up a 261-hp, DOHC 3.6L V6. GT models get the 362-hp, L98 OHV 6.0L V8 with Displacement on Demand. No bonus points will be awarded for correctly guessing which we’d pick. The V6 will come with a five-speed slushbox, while the V8 will initially be backed with GM’s new 6L80 six-speed auto, and a row-your-own manual with a half-dozen ratios will follow at a yet-undetermined later date. Naturally, the GT gets a bigger wheel/tire package and larger brakes, and a sport package will be offered for either engine type. Under the skin lies a McPherson strut suspension arrangement in the front and multi-link in the rear, with the full array of adjustments available at each corner.

Elements of the show car that won’t make it to production include the big brakes, lowered ride height, 20″ wheels, and custom interior trim. Note the new badge design; what we’re seeing here is a concept version of a new Pontiac logo that eschews the traditional red coloration for a metallic sheen.

Click on the photo above for a gallery of Pontiac G8 live photos and studio shots! Also, check out the exclusive VIDEO of the G8 and Bob Lutz introducing the new rear-wheel drive sedan after the jump.

Continue reading Chicago Auto Show: GM RWD fans can rejoice, for the Pontiac G8 has arrived (w/ VIDEO!)

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

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Filed under: Etc., Euro, GM

Click image for a gallery of the Camaro Convertible concept

The new buzzword in Detroit is “common” — as in common components or common architectures. That’s the foundation for everything GM is doing right now, and the Zeta RWD platform is the newest poster child.Engineered in Australia for global use, the Holden VE Commodore was the first Zeta vehicle, and the ‘08 Pontiac G8 (a rebadged Commodore) is next in line. Beginning in 2009 and beyond, we’ll see Zeta appear under the new Camaro and the next Impala. The architecture is special because it can be used for anything from a ponycar to a station wagon and everything in between. GM is estimating global units of Zeta at between 500,000 and 750,000 annually. When compared with a different-chassis-for-different-regions approach, the savings generated will be between $500 and $1000 per vehicle. These savings, which can range between $250 million and $750 million annually, result from engineering efficiencies, materials cost savings, plant tooling, and vendor tooling.

Japanese automakers have leveraged common resources for a long time now, which in turn has helped contribute to their cost advantages over the domestics. With a RWD platform that works anywhere on the globe, GM is finally starting to show that they’re as serious about ‘common’ as the competition.

[Source: AutoWeek]

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

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Filed under: Garage, Sedans/Saloons, Toyota, Driving

Click on the image for a gallery of high-res pics of the Toyota Aurion Sportivo SX6

For years, the large, family car market in Australia has been divided between the Aussie built GM Holden Commodore and the Ford Falcon, both on the road and on the track. The large car market has been characterised not only by their size, but also by V6 or V8 powerplants running on rear-wheel drive platforms. For years, other competitors, including Mitsubishi with their Magna and more recently their 380 models, have tried to chip away at this virtual duopoly, with limited success.

The game is changing though. As the price of fuel has risen, the Australian car market has seen a massive shift away from large cars and towards more fuel efficient, medium sized models. The market is currently dominated by vehicles like the Mazda6, the Honda Accord, the Hyundai Sonata and in particular, the Toyota Camry. As Australia’s largest passenger vehicle brand, Toyota has long enjoyed segment-leading sales with the Camry, and although it’s not a sexy choice, Toyota’s mid-sized sedan represents a smart purchase, with high re-sale value, good fuel economy and Toyota’s reputation for outstanding reliability.

Continue reading the Toyota Aurion Sportivo review after the jump.

Continue reading In the Autoblog Garage: Toyota Aurion Sportivo SX6

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

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Filed under: Sports/GTs, Wagons/Estates, GM, Holden, Australia, HSV

Click above for a hi-res gallery of the ClubSport R8 Tourer

HSV’s ClubSport R8 Tourer has officially arrived, giving our friends from Down Under the means to haul stuff, ass and any combination thereof as long as they part with $65K AUD. The super-duper Commodore SportWagon has got LS3 V8 power with 425 horses and 405 lb-ft of torque ready to transfer its rear tires to the ozone layer. To further underscore the undeniable awesomeness of this package, the standard gearbox is a six-speed manual. An automatic is available as an option, as are 20-inch wheels and a full-leather interior. Chances of us seeing this here? Essentially zero, since Pontiac is getting the Ute (G8 ST) instead of the wagon. That’s just a shame. Sure, it’s no Wagon Queen Family Truckster, but a hypothetical Pontiac G8 Safari GXP would deliver raucous fun for the whole family.

[Source: HSV]

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