Malignant Rumors: Zeta Is Back - Or Is It?

Even though GM's current situation makes it difficult to predict what the future holds for the troubled automaker, Zeta platform rumors have been making the rounds again, and I like what I'm hearing. It turns out GM may want to spread the Zeta love, making use of it in everything from cop cars to Cadillacs. What are the possibilities? Let's cogitate. The G8 (rebadged as a Chevy) police cruisers from down under stand a good chance of making it, as long as Holden pitches the idea right. Not only could they make up for the Impala, the sales would help offset Holden's expected billion (Aussie) dollar annual loss from its expected export of 30,000 G8s to America.

The doorway's already open; Ford's Panther platform is on its way out. With some 60,000 Crown Vics moved yearly as cop cars, this leaves a lot of sales the Zeta sedan could snag. If the cruisers made it, then perhaps the G8 could get another shot, as the new Impala. Don't even start to think LS3 Impala SS, or you'll jinx it.

Then there's the lovely Pontiac ST, a car-based utility vehicle that was trying oh-so-hard to bring back 1983 and whitewash jeans with a vengeance. Sadly, the Pontiac Ute was killed, followed quickly by the brand itself. To make further use of Zeta, people are theorizing that GM could place the ST in the GMC lineup. A car-based GMC truck (Caballero!) would be a fresh vehicle in a stagnant lineup of badge-engineered Chevrolets that's just now starting to get unique options in the form of the 2010 Terrain.

Topping off the range is Cadillac. The DTS/STS replacement with the extended-wheelbase Zeta under it could supply the American luxury brand with a large, RWD car to compete with ze Germans and Japanese. If you factor in Cadillac's ever-improving designs, it's a car for people who want full-size luxury and who also want to buy American. Standard of the World? Not quite, but it would be a fitting (and economically feasible) new model after the latest CTS.

What about the engine lineup? With the Zeta platform, a lot is possible. The required V8's would appear, of course, but what about people who don't want a guzzler? Offer smaller engines like the direct injection V6 and a hybrid option and people will take notice. There's also whisperings of turbocharged 4-cylinders making the rounds. And diesels? That would almost be a necessity for something like the ST, where utility would be a selling point.

The questions I pose are these: What kinds of Zeta-based cars do you think that American consumers want to see (sedans, coupes, utes)? What kinds of power trains are important to you? Ultimately, what would make you buy "big" from GM and its remaining brands?

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

By Phil Alex

Phil Alex was born in Rhode Island in 1985, yet for reasons unbeknownst to him moved to South Carolina. He graduated with degrees in Finance and German from Wofford College in 2007 and has had a strange obsession with cars and travel. When not back in Sparkle City, he resides near Japan's international airport in Narita. He makes no apologies for his articles and welcomes all feedback, as long as it is adamantly worded. Oh, and if for any reason you are inclined to vent some more, check out more of his posts on the Examiner here.

My Two Dents on the Forthcoming 2010 Saab 9-5

The people at Saab are a bit kooky. I don't mean in the old-fashioned "we're building a quirky, turbo hatchback" kind of way. I mean "we're selling restyled GM rubbish for BMW prices and expect you to buy it." They think they can realistically charge over fifty-two thousand dollars for a front-wheel-drive convertible with 17-inch wheels. Following this drug-induced fantasy comes the latest, and most likely last, attempt by Saab to woo the buying public: the next-generation 9-5 executive sedan.

Before we talk about the camouflaged mule, we need to understand the car it's replacing. The current 9-5 is, put plainly, a rip-off. It's outdated, poorly designed, and pathetically marketed.The "sport sedan" that was born from jets comes with a 2.3 liter turbocharged 4-cylinder and front-wheel-drive and costs over forty thousand dollars. That's enough to get a turbocharged 3-Series or a second-hand 5-er, which should be most peoples' choice.

With an interior that features a Kia-inspired automatic shifter - or a circa-1988 manual gearshift - this car screams "don't buy me". I know nitpicking about shifters is a tad much (although I've done it before), but for that money you shouldn't feel like you're buying a time machine.

And the trim? Well, when plastic trim (even if is the smoothly-named piano black) is standard on your $40,000+ range-topper, there's a problem. As far as interiors go, there's quirky and then there's "we just didn't care enough to try something new". In 1999, I'm sure it could have been considered the former. In 2009, it's the latter. This is the car the new 9-5 needs to improve on.

The Epsilon II-based replacement is obviously bigger, its lines indicating that Saab is the latest company to test the waters of the 4-door-coupe-sedan market. It's too early to tell, but the raked roofline could very well be hiding a very Saab-ish hatch. This is a good thing; remember, hatches were what made Saabs special. The rear and rear three-quarter view is impressive considering the designers at Saab have mostly been creating unrealistic concepts for the past decade.

I'm not too sure about that kink in the A-pillar leading into the roofline, but I'll hold my judgment until a final product is revealed. What I won't hold back on, though, is that front end. The front three-quarter view is likely to be the worst aspect of this car (spiffy LED lights or no). Hopefully it's just clever camo made to trick us into thinking the front end is ugly, and at the unveiling we will be pleasantly surprised.

Inside, well, that's purely hypothesis. One thing is for damn sure, though: it had better be pretty good. None of this asymmetrical driver-centric rubbish meant to convince out-of-the-loop buyers that they are driving something sporty. It's no Teutonic sedan, after all.

Lastly is the power plants. The rumors are saying the next-gen Saab 9-5 will be sporting (I feel almost dirty using that word and Saab in the same sentence these days) the 210-horse 2.0T four-banger and the 280-horse V6. The sad part is Saab thinks this can compete head on with the 5-series. Yeah, right. For that to happen, we're going to need, oh, something along the lines of a refined V8 powerhouse and standard all-wheel-drive. If they want to top out with the V6, they'll have to lower the price, target the VW Passat and its CC brother, and then maybe - MAYBE - they'll sell. Try to go after the big boys and this will get burned faster than you can say "Rest in Peace, Saab".

Even if by some miracle everything works out, Saab still deserves to be benched. This is a company that has fumbled the ball way to many times to be left out on the field. Its 9-5 is a model that was left out to dry, a car that needed a new look about seven years ago. Now, all of a sudden, people are scrambling to look like they give a damn. I believe the phrase is: "Too little, too late."

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

By Phil Alex

Phil Alex was born in Rhode Island in 1985, yet for reasons unbeknownst to him moved to South Carolina. He graduated with degrees in Finance and German from Wofford College in 2007 and has had a strange obsession with cars and travel. When not back in Sparkle City, he resides near Japan's international airport in Narita. He makes no apologies for his articles and welcomes all feedback, as long as it is adamantly worded. Oh, and if for any reason you are inclined to vent some more, check out more of his posts on the Examiner here.

Malignant Rumors: Can FIAT's World Domination Plans Crash the Toyota - VW Party?

The latest gossip around the campfire -i.e. the charred remnants of the auto industry- is the next stage in Fiat's plan for automotive world domination. What else could the Italian manufacturer be after, now that they've secured a 20% stake in Chrysler? Apparently Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne and his gang are on a bit of a shopping spree, looking to pick up GM Europe and its subsidiaries/affiliates. For those just tuning in, that means Fiat could end up owning Opel, Vauxhall and other operations owned by GM over in the EU along with its Chrysler "partnership" in the US.

If this happens, Fiat will become one of the world's largest automotive manufacturers, competing against the likes of Toyota and Volkswagen with up to 100 billion dollars in sales annually and moving upwards of six million units a year. Why would Fiat do this? Consolidation, cost cutting, and sheer numbers. As is to be expected, there are pros and cons for this balls-to-the-wall crazy scheme.

The pros are plain as day. With the ability to pick and choose the best platforms from a variety of automakers, Fiat will be able to turn itself into one of the widest-spread carmakers on the planet in respect to manufacturing and market penetration. The idea would be to use Fiat's small car platforms worldwide (as Chrysler hopes to do), while adapting and updating GM Europe's midsize platforms and sharing them with its other brands. This would also allow certain manufacturers to remain, keeping a number of dealerships and factories open. Then there's the money.

Marchionne, the Godfather behind this scheme, argues that fusing GM Europe's platforms with Fiat's could potentially save the company around one billion Euros a year. Coincidentally, this is a little less than what Fiat originally offered the currently de-testicled General Motors for its European division, meaning that it is looking to have any losses recouped in less than a product cycle.

All this sounds well and good, but what about the cons? With Opel - a German subsidiary currently owned by an American company - possibly being absorbed by an Italian firm, problems are bound to arise. The biggies are the jobs and the cash, and in this case the two are inextricably linked.

Germany would end up loaning Fiat money for the purchase of Opel, which would lead to a consolidation of manufacturing facilities. The consequences are closure of factories and the resulting job losses. Also, some of the politicians seem to think that the money acquired from Germany would help offset the costs incurred by the Chrysler deal. This is a big no-no when it comes to public relations (however it is quite shrewd business-wise).

Will it happen? Well, that's up to Germany and its brethren in the EU. The trade unions and politicians will no doubt have a field day with this, but it is important for everyone to look at the big picture. People stand to lose their jobs; this is a fact. However, keeping some people employed instead of having all people lose their jobs is a hit that will have to be taken. Not everyone can walk away a winner. Too many companies have been near-sighted over the past several decades, and they have paid dearly.

Marchionne may be walking on a financial tightrope, but the man is no Rick Wagoner. He has turned Fiat around and now sees the perfect opportunity to expand while taking advantage of a bad situation. Corporate vulture? Maybe, but he is thinking about the long-term, and that's what matters.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

By Phil Alex

Phil Alex was born in Rhode Island in 1985, yet for reasons unbeknownst to him moved to South Carolina. He graduated with degrees in Finance and German from Wofford College in 2007 and has had a strange obsession with cars and travel. When not back in Sparkle City, he resides near Japan's international airport in Narita. He makes no apologies for his articles and welcomes all feedback, as long as it is adamantly worded. Oh, and if for any reason you are inclined to vent some more, check out more of his posts on the Examiner here.

My Two Dents on the New BMW 6-Series Coupe Concept

Finally, we've gotten a glimpse at the new 6-Series Coupe. Not the Gran Coupe nor the Gran Turismo, but the actual, factual, second-gen new 6-Series. Although it's technically called a concept, you know what we're dealing with. This is supposed to be BMW's big GT, but when picturing it on the street next to a Maserati GranTurismo for example, the car just doesn't impress on a major scale. It's not all bad, though.

The exterior is very expected, and thus bland. "Bland" because the 6-Series is a car you buy for its outward appearance as well as interior finish, and the appearance just isn't "chic" enough to fit the bill. That's not to say it doesn't look good, but its face could have been more "well-tailored prom king" and less "plain Jane at locker 47" (fingers crossed for the M6). Considering the 6-Series' target consumer has a high-school mentality, its pretty but average exterior might hurt it in the long run.

The nose is where it really loses points for me; it's just too busy and simple at the same time. The rest of the exterior, though, is quite a nice evolution. That flare that drops from the front fenders into the rockers is very attractive and does a good job of adding depth to an otherwise 2D surface (character line or no). At the rear, the 6-Series' tail - with its snazzy wraparound lights - succeeds nicely in evolving away from the Bangle butt and blends nicely with the rest of the car (and lineup).

As previously mentioned, both interior and exterior styling are equally important in this segment, making the new 6-Series slightly unbalanced. How so? While the exterior is pretty but beige, the interior is jaw-droppingly stunning.

Under the glass roof, the 6-Series' concept's interior is an eyes-wide event. Its layout is driver-centric and appears to be tailored for a king, all while screaming at you with B&O speakers.

Lines cross at obscure points and the materials are interestingly fitted in order to make the inner realm of BMW's GT a time consumer to look at (in a good way). It simply takes a while to fully absorb all the details and it's delightful.

Set to fill the gap of between the 5- and 7-Series, this car is almost exactly as expected and thus a tad disappointing from a passer-by's standpoint. To debut this at Paris, a show viewed as the models' runway of the automotive world (i.e. the outside is what everyone sees first and judges...harshly), indicates that BMW may truly be running into a design dead-end.

If that's the case, BMW's "dontblogaboutthis" car had better be a fan-friggin-tastic techno tour de force because the next 6-Series is shaping up to be a vehicle where it's only what's on the inside that counts. As always, sales will tell the story, and facelifts are always there should the need arise.

By Phil Alex