GMC Previews Sierra All Terrain HD Concept Ahead of Detroit Show

General Motors will be presenting an ultra-tough concept study based on the four-door 2011 GMC Sierra HD pickup truck at the rapidly approaching Detroit Motor Show in mid-January. The GMC Sierra All Terrain HD study is highlighted by its rough n' tough exterior design and enhanced all-road capability.

Shorter in overall length than production Sierra HD models, the concept boasts a unique five-foot, eight-inch Crew Cab/short box body configuration with the wheels pushed to corners of the vehicle.

It also features a wider, 73-inch (1,853 mm) track for greater stability and approximately 3 inches (76 mm) greater ground clearance for a total of 21.1 inches (536 mm) at the rockers and 11.8 inches (300 mm) at the skid plates.

To improve its off-road prowess, GMC retuned and upgraded the suspension with specialized Fox off-road shocks, while the All Terrain HD also features electronic disconnection of the front stabilizer bar at the push of a button. The 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 35-inch-tall BFGoodrich mud terrain tires and the full composite underbody protection that shields the transmission, drivetrain, fuel tank, exhaust system and axle differentials, round off the package.

Motivation comes from GM's new production 6.6-liter Duramax turbo-diesel V8 that delivers 397 horsepower and 765 lb.-ft. of torque (1,037 Nm), and is matched to a six-speed auto.

The concept also features four-wheel drive, with automatic locking front and rear differentials, and 14-inch, four-wheel disc brake system from the production Sierra HD.

General Motors did not say if it has plans to develop a production version of the concept, but given that it is based on the 2011 Sierra HD, we wouldn't be surprised if the automaker launched a similarly flavored variant in the near future.

Porsche to Return to Detroit Show with a Bang, will Premiere a "Spectacular Model". What will it be?

It's been a good four years since the last time we saw Porsche at the Detroit Motor Show, otherwise known as the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), but the famous Stuttgart automaker is getting ready to make a big comeback at the 2011 edition of the event. Not only will Porsche make it to the 2011 NAIAS, but the company revealed through one of its spokesman revealed that it is planning to premiere a “spectacular” model.

“We’ll have something spectacular to show there,” said Hans- Gerd Bode, a spokesman for Porsche, in an interview on Friday. “You’ll have to wait and be surprised.” As you may have guessed, the Porsche official did not reveal any other details leaving us with nothing but speculation at this point.

Aside from the already confirmed for production 918 Spyder Hybrid supercar, other new Porsche models planned for the not so far away future are the next generations of the 911 series, and Boxster and Cayman, plus a smaller three-door SUV, the Cajun. We should mention here that a couple of days ago, Porsche released a press announcement stating that on the firm's supervisory board gave the green light for the production of the Cajun.

Here's the statement:

"During its meeting today, the Supervisory Board of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, laid the foundations for continuous and successful growth of the company. The Supervisory Board instructed the Board of Management to drive forward the development of a further model series up to series production. Under the working name "Cajun", this efficient and sporty model will further expand the world’s most successful Porsche segment in the SUV sector.

In addition to the new Cayenne, which has clearly consolidated its market position as the most successful sporty SUV in the premium segment, the "Cajun" will also have a very positive impact with its typical Porsche features such as light weight, ease of handling and agility. As an attractive entry model in the Porsche world, the "Cajun" will attract new and even younger customers to the premium brand along with the Boxster, the market leader in the segment of two-seater, mid-size sports cars."

Of course, Porsche may show a completely different model including a concept vehicle of some sort. Feel free to speculate in the comments section below.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

Porsche Returning to Detroit Show for 2011 after a Three Year Hiatus

After a three year absence, Porsche will return to the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit next year. The show's organizers say they see this move as an indication that the auto industry is getting "stronger".

The show's co-chairman, Bill Perkins said, "We're very excited about it. The demand for space is very strong. People see the market coming back."

Porsche abandoned the Detroit Show in 2008, citing that it wanted to find more personal ways to reach out to potential customers. It must have worked with Porsche selling 15,719 vehicles in the U.S. between January and August 2010, up 23.5% from same time last year.

The upcoming 2012 Porsche 911 (see spy video here), which will feature a new engine and lighter chassis, could make its world debut at the 2011 NAIAS, though chances are the Stuttgart automaker will prefer to reveal the car at the Frankfurt show in September of the same year.

Nissan, Mitsubishi and Suzuki have also been absent the past two years the show was held, and are unconfirmed for the 2011 edition.

By Tristan Hankins