This was posted along with the Malibu announcement, I'm surprised no one noticed this:

"Littmann said Epsilon becomes even more important as GM strives to reduce its dependence on truck sales. "They must offset greater competition in trucks by building better cars."

or especially these:

"The Malibu will go on sale in September 2003 as a 2004 model. GM will build it in Fairfax, Kan., beginning in March. Another Epsilon vehicle, the Pontiac Grand Am replacement, will follow a year later. GM's Orion Township plant will make it. The replacement for the Saturn L-series and a new midsize Buick probably called the La Crosse will join the party in late 2005 when they roll out of the Wilmington, Del., plant."...

"The Pontiac Grand Am will come in three body styles: a sedan, an aggressive-looking coupe with small rear-hinged back doors and a convertible with a retractable hardtop. Optional equipment will include a new high-output V-6, six-speed manual transmission and all-wheel-drive . GM expects the new Grand Am to outsell the current model; about 200,000 of them have sold each year.



http://www.auto.com/industry/gm14_20021114.htm

 

Finnaly..the GA gets some *****

 

That's the first time I've seen "LaCrosse" and "Epsilon" used in the same sentence.

I wonder if Epsilon will accept the former Aurora V8?

 

No doubt about it.

I think you'll see something at NAIAS that will change everyone's preconcieved notions about Grand Am.

 

An AWD Grand Am might be an interesting lower cost daily driver choice for a lot of people in the snowbelt... especially those who don't like the enormity of SUV's and the like...

 

Future Grand Ams...especially highly optioned ones like convertible or AWD are expected to go over $30K.

 

DOH!

Wow. Really? I can't imagine spending $30k on a Grand Am convertible or not!

I was figuring the vert and/or the AWD to be around $25k tops.

 

GM intends for the Epsilon based Grand Am to be real contender. It will have a great chassis, available turbo high feature V6's, with 270 hp or so and available AWD.

I think a stripped convertible (which really shouldn't be considered a strippo anyway, but without leather, AWD, top engine,etc.), might be priced in the mid to high $20K range.

 

Just don't buy the retractable hardtop and you should be fine on price.

 

Does anyone else notice the 1969 Camaro-like wheel wells on the new 2004 Malibu http://www.wieck.com/public/*2PV_045467

The Malibu MAXX sounds interesting, I wonder what it will look like.

 

Definetely! From looking at the description of the G6 concept that will be shown at NAIAS, the Grand Am will get some MAJOR CAJONES!!!

http://c6firebird.freeservers.com/g6.html

The G6 appears to be a concept for the next gen Grand Am. If this G6 version comes to life as a Grand Am GXP, then that will be a scary little car. Using that info, (it was psoted here a while back but all sources say the 3.5L v6 will be used) you need to look at what this engine will do. The 3.5L V6 is the same one going into the CTS in 2004? Right? And will produce around 250hp? So, figure a supercharged version of this engine at 8psi of boost will produce at least 350hp. Now, this thing will be an all wheel drive car and it will weigh.... I'm guessing 3300 lbs since it will be a smaller car but will have the AWD equipment to add weight. That sounds REALLY fast for a Grand Am!

The GA getting *****? Oh yeah. Big ones too!

 

Epsilon was rumored for the Lacrosse a while back, because it was AWD capable. I doubt the Epsilon vehicle described here would be anything like the concept LaCrosse. And, the actual press release didn't even mention the Buick. But, it is highly likely from what I've heard. This vehicle should be previewed by the Centieme concept at NAIAS.

As for the GA, it's been slated to be AWD for quite a while now, and it should be VERY impressive.

And this rendering of the Malibu looks GREAT IMO. The brow lines, like on the current Impala, were first shown on the Traverse concept, which was supposed to be a preview of this Malibu.... Of course, we all know they originated on the '69 Camaro. According to sources, the lines are not quite as prominent on the actual car as they are in this rendering, and the car is overall more conservative. But, it should be very attractive nonetheless.

The MAXX can be previewed by looking at the Opel Signum, and will more than likely share this body style with the Buick epsilon vehicle.

Oh, and, according to my sources.... A Malibu SS will be showcased at Detroit as well.

 

The engine you are referring to is the 3.6l HFV6. It will produce about 255 hp and probably be reserved for Cadillac only.

The Grand Am will get the normally aspirated 3.2 version as an option.

Also, there will be two turbo versions of the High Feature V6 displacing 2.8 liters .
A low pressure version with about 230hp and a high pressure turbo with 270-290 hp......the GA will probably get the high pressure version.

They were also developing a turbo 3.2, with 321hp, for the CTSv....that is before they decided to drop an LS6 in it.


Before the green light on the GTO was given....Pontiac had the next GA pegged as it's halo performance car.

 

.....oh, I almost forgot.....figure about 225hp for the normally aspirated 3.2.

 

Thats what I'm talkin about!! Glad to hear that.