GM's future plans.

http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=103041


CHEVROLET

Aveo: The 2008 Aveo will be redesigned. It will be based on a fwd car developed in Korea by GM Daewoo Auto & Technology Co. with assistance from the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center in Shanghai. The current Aveo is based on the Daewoo Kalos.

Cobalt: The 2006 model year is big for performance at Chevrolet, with the SS badge added to a wide range of high-horsepower vehicles. Cobalt SS coupe and sedan models feature a 171-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine as well as suspension and styling enhancements.

A freshening is planned for the 2008 model year.

GM is exploring an awd Cobalt variant that likely would be aimed at the Mitsubishi Evolution and Subaru WRX.

Malibu, Malibu Maxx: The 2006 Malibu and Malibu Maxx receive a freshening. SS models are added, with a 3.9-liter, 240-hp V-6 four-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode, sport-tuned suspension and exterior styling enhancements. The Maxx will be dropped at the end of the 2007 model year.

The Malibu will be restyled and re-engineered for the 2008 model year, developed on Epsilon 2 architecture being created by GM Europe.

The 2008 Malibu will introduce Chevrolet's new design theme. Insiders say it will be a dramatic styling departure, with an upscale look. A key styling element will be Chevrolet's new horizontally split grille. A hybrid powertrain will be optional.


The restyled and re-engineered 2006 Chevrolet Impala has a V-8 option.

Impala: The restyled and re-engineered 2006 Impala debuts this fall with three new engines. There are two new V-6 engines: a 211-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 and a 242-hp, 3.9-liter V-6. The Impala SS is equipped with a small-block V-8 -- a 303-hp, 5.3-liter engine with displacement on demand. Side-curtain airbags are standard for front and rear passengers. The suspension is retuned with a wider track.

The interior receives a major overhaul.

Monte Carlo: While the Impala's sheet metal is all new, the 2006 Monte Carlo's exterior is changed less dramatically. Essentially, only the front-end styling is altered.

The Monte Carlo has the same engine family as the Impala.

Plans for the Monte Carlo beyond the 2009 model year have not been determined.

Sporty rwd car: GM wants to offer a sporty, four-passenger car. But the automaker is still looking for a feasible, low-cost, rwd architecture. The Beta platform is under consideration. GM Daewoo is involved in the research.

The car would be targeted at the Ford Mustang. The timing is unclear, but insiders say GM is mulling unveiling a concept Camaro at the Detroit auto show.

Corvette: The Z06 re-enters the Corvette lineup this fall after a one-year absence. The Z06 is engineered as a street-legal race car, packed with a 505-hp, 7.0-liter V-8. That is a 100-hp increase over the previous engine.

The Corvette will add a six-speed, paddle-shift automatic transmission.

Sporty rwd car: GM wants to offer a sporty, four-passenger car. But the automaker is still looking for a feasible, low-cost, rwd architecture. The Beta platform is under consideration. GM Daewoo is involved in the research.



Anyone find this a bit odd and maybe disconcerting?

I can't wait to see the new Malibu with the new Chevy design theme. I would think that there will be an increase in the number of concept cars showing this thme before the Malibu hits the showrooms.

I still call BS on Daewoo being involved with any RWD vehicle, unless it is just for interior work.

I still call BS on Daewoo being involved with any RWD vehicle, unless it is just for interior work.

It said "research" so I would think that the research that would have to be done would not take place where GM Deawoo is operating. Like anthropometrics, Americans are quite different than other populations. The only thing I can see for research, interior-wise, would be researching where to buy or produce certain parts.

Personally, I think the "Beta" thing is bogus......but man oh man, I hope I'm wrong.

If they are looking at a awd cobalt varitant...................could a AWD HHR be far behind? Could it make the R&D worth it?

I still call BS on Daewoo being involved with any RWD vehicle, unless it is just for interior work.
research may = CAE

You don't need to be a rwd expert to run a structural analysis program.

No kidding. Daewoo is a very competent company with highly trained engineers. This does not bother me one bit. They will do what they are told to do by GM management anyhow. (That might be a bad thing, lol)

I still call BS on Daewoo being involved with any RWD vehicle, unless it is just for interior work.


Well first, let me just say that AFAIK "Beta" is purely vapor.

But last year, for afew months, it was all the buzz. Lutz even publicly...and privately...expressed his enthusiasm for it (beta is an internet name though).

The rumor back then was that Holden and Daewoo would work together on it, and build a new plant somewhere to supply Asia and elsewhere with sporty, upscale, RWD sedans.

Beta couldnt work on any production line right now. Not Kappa, Sigma, or anything else. The changes are too extensive. Holden got carried away with the architecture and made too many changes to make it feasible for production.

I can see where Daewoo might be involved (GM plans to make a low cost RWD car for the Asian market), but I suspect there is more technology going that way than coming this way. Who knows, Daewoo might be the the means GM uses to get affordable IRS assemblies for the Sigma-lite.

As far as the so-called Beta (the variation of the Kappa), fergetaboutit. The Kappa chassis is going to need alot of work to get the pricepoint down where it can be used for various other vehicles.

Good info, but typical in this auto predicting business, it's a quite a few steps behind.

did he say awd cobalt??? turbo awd yes please.

TONY

A turbo 2.4 AWD Cobalt would be really exciting to me. Cobalts are super quick handling wise and would be nasty in AWD form with a little more power on a street course. To me, AWD transforms the Cobalt from a quick car that I would never purchase to a serious car that I would look at for my next car purchase. A huge winner for Chevy and it seems like most importantly, huge street and especially internet cred ;) .

So why is the new dramatic styling theme for Chevrolet going to debut on the Malibu. To me it would have made a lot more since to have started a new theme with the '06 Impala since its the flagship sedan.

From what people have said about the Malibu, its going to really blow some doors off, but really, it needs to be coming out for the 06 model year, and not 08. The 04 Malibu would have been awesome for 2001-2002. It would have really put it ahead of the pack. But in 04, the Camry and Accord both were brand new, and were well ahead.
By 08, Camry will already have a year out with the new restyle, and Accord will still be bringing them in.
GM needs to set a time goal, and then cut 2 years off it. And they need to adjust themselves to do that as soon as possible.

i like the idea of a evo/wrx fighter edition awd cobalt. both in coupe and sedan form could be really cool :)

Disappointed that a Nomad (either the Kappa-based 2 door or another platform) wasn't listed under Chevy's plans.