Originally Posted by KillerTA

LS1 is a lot different than a stupid name like Ecotec.

It's not a real big issue but for some people, but for people like me who already see this car as leaning more towards the female side, since it's a lot like a miata or that toyota 2 seater, it adds to that. Nameing it a xf36 or some crap like that would still be better than ecotec.

Engine names do help and obviously the most successful example is Hemi. There was also Wildcat for Buick and I think the original corvette had an engine named Blue Flame. I was at an Olds car show and there were cars that had "Super High Compression" labeled on the air cleaner covers. Mopar has Magnum, 440 6 Pack

Look at all the little things on older cars that were brought to peoples attention like TurboHydramatic, Powerglide, Futuramic, Dynaride, Positrac, etc. Giving car parts unique names gets people interested and makes them remember.

It's little easy to do things like that that add to the "coolness" of a car. Would you want Ecotec badged on the side of your car?

Originally Posted by centric

Take it from someone who does marketing all day long. I'm with KillerTA on this.

LS1/B16/alphanumerics don't have any stigma associated with them, so they'll be judged based on what the engine does.

The problem with ECOTEC is "ECO." As in ECONOMY. As in CHEAP. At best, it's an OK name for an economy engine or ecologically friendly engine. It's a very poor name for a performance engine.

Just like "smallblock" is a terrible moniker for the LS-series motors. If GM is trying to elevate "smallblock" to the same realm as "HEMI," they better stop now. Come on, guys, it has the word SMALL in it.

Judging by the results they're getting with the ECOTEC, though, it will likely succeed in spite of the terrible name.

Originally Posted by guionM

Put that turbo in a hardtop for under 23 grand and I'll no longer be holding out for the El Camino...er.... assuming it's greenlighted.



I'm pretty sure it's intentional given the way everything about the Solstice seems almost to be "leaked" through GM's media and higher ups on an almost continual basis.

Originally Posted by falchulk

Its not a feminine car. The s2000 and Miata are feminine. These 2 cars and the z4 are masculine. Thats like saying a shelby cobra roadser is feminine????

Originally Posted by RussStang

Hey, I guess it is all in the eye of the beholder. I always thought the s2000 was much more masculine than the z4.

Originally Posted by RussStang

Hey, I guess it is all in the eye of the beholder. I always thought the s2000 was much more masculine than the z4.

Originally Posted by falchulk

Really? The z3 maybe but the z4 is too chisled to be a girls car.

Originally Posted by 96_Camaro_B4C

I agree. But I don't see any of the cars as "girls' cars". (See sig) They are "true" sports cars. Small, nimble, lightweight, convertible roofs, rwd, 2 seats, etc. Having driven several Miatas (mine, my dad's former '99, a MazdaSpeed Miata Turbo), an S2000, an MR2 (ok, that one LOOKS sort of chick-ish), a Solstice, and others, I find them all to be very entertaining, fun to drive cars. In some ways they are more fun than my Camaro, actually.

And no, I'm not a chick, and I'm not gay.