I don't either. In particular, I think the lousy rear visibility on the Magnum has absolutely killed it as a family car -- and that was supposed to be its reason for being, a muscle car that guys could sell the wife on.

 

Could not the Daewoo 2.5 I6 be enlarged or enhanced to make it more powerful and rev happy?

 

Is it still in production? Since it only produced 155hp, one would have to conclude it was enhanceable. Whether it's worth the trouble enhancing is quite another thing.

 

If it could be enlarged to say 3.2 L and made to rev higher the HP output could rise by quite a bit. I think the engine is tuned for economy right now, and is mated to a slushbox only.

 

I like I6's as well. If GM had a compelling need for a compact I6, I'd imagine they would base it on the Ecotec's architecture, rather than the Daewoo unit. They just have too much developement invested in Ecotec at this point, which could be easily applied to a six banger version.

Anyway, if they were to use a six, it would be a V6 - but they aren't.

Why?

Because when work starts on a new car arhitecture, everyone is trying to put their 2 cents into it. They'll look at this small, affordable, RWD platform, designed around a 4 cylinder powerplant and say, let's re-do it to fit a V6. The next guy says let's add this or that. We get mission creep. Our originally envisaged small and affordable platform suddenly becomes neither small nor affordable.

 

No Daewoo engines in a Pontiac, please.

 

Thats the first sensible explanation Ive heard.

My other question would be how much differentiation can you really have between small kappa based RWD 4bangers...I can imagine anything other than one model in four different configurations... Coupe, Sedan, Vert, Wagon?

 

So Sexy! I would trade the GTO in for one of these

 

I can only guess. But probably as much differentiation as a G6 coupe has to a Malibu or 9-3 convertible.

And it won't be just Pontiacs either.

 

I would prefer they target a V6, but it makes more sense to target a 4. I just like the sound of a 6 better

 

I think the 6 makes sense if Cadillac is supposed to get one of them. Otherwise, the Ecotec will do everything they need it too.

P.S. seeing more and more pics of the commodore. I think the fact that you can throw some wheels on it with a lip, unless you run into fitment issues with the caliper. One thing I dislike about the CTS-V is the fact that it allows for virtually no lip. The Camaro concept also looks like it can fit a nice lip. I have a 3" lip on my BMW's wheels and I love a wheel with lip lol

 

The talk about an entry Caddy was based on Torano, but I dont know if anyone is still working on that.

 

I agree -- and in the right lightweight RWD car that'd be a fun package. (And guys, there are actually compelling arguments for a I6 vs a V6 in a sport sedan. Not for nothing did Lexus put an I6 in the first-gen IS300. Not for nothing does BMW continue to make them the mainstay of their product line even though a V6 would be much easier to package. Oh well.)

When do you think we'll see the first Alpha concept? Any chance there will be one at Chicago?

 

I thought the Torano thing got shut down because it was too far from existing platforms and they didn't want to develop a new one? Am I misremembering?

 

Not for a long time, years from now.