GM
GM is still too brand-heavy, and as much as it pains me to admit it, one or more brands will have to be eliminated, or at least combined into functional composite divisions. In particular, Pontiac would cease to exist, with the G8 and Torrent models continuing in the surviving divisions. Saturn would die off and the Aura/Insignia would move to another division. Hummer would consolidate into GMC, which would itself merge with Buick. Some product lines (Trailblazer/Envoy) would die off, and others (DTS) would merge with another similar vehicle.
Platforms and powertrains would be evolutions of current and stated future products, to the greatest extent possible. As always, the engineering is blessedly not an issue for me. I’m just the idea guy here. Horsepower ratings and platform compatibility are little more than wishful thinking based on a slight dose of reality. GM has been hitting pretty well on the styling front, so I would generally expect the cars mentioned herein to be largely evolutions of current and proposed models, unlike Chrysler, which needs some serious help. In general, I see a small car/CUV platform with FWD/AWD, a mid-size FWD/AWD platform, and a mid to large RWD/AWD platform. Specialty platforms include the Corvette/XLR, small trucks, and large trucks.
Chevrolet
As always, Chevy is the middle-America full line brand. Subcompact to sports car to full-size van. Pricing would again be a key component to the Chevrolet message...value.
Aveo – This would be an evolution of the current 4 and 5 door models. Styling would incorporate cues from the Cruze and Volt. Engines would consist of the 1.4L DI 4cyl at 130hp and a 1.4L turbo at 150hp.
Cruze – This would replace the Cobalt. It would offer the 1.4L turbo at 150hp, and a 2.0L DI turbo 4cyl at 180hp. An SS variant would offer a High Output 2.0L rated at 220hp.
Volt – as proposed and evolving
Impala – The current Impala would be discarded and replaced with an evolution of the current RWD G8, with Chevrolet-specific front and rear clips, and an upgraded interior consistent with GM North American current efforts (i.e.
Camaro – Evolution of current on shared CTS/STS/Impala platform. Powertrains would include the 2.4L turbocharged 4cyl at 220hp, and the 2.8L 6cyl, 3.6L 6cyl, and 4.5L 8cyl from the Impala. The SS would offer a 5.5L LS3 8cyl rated at 385 hp, and a possible Z28 model would offer a 6.5L DI 8cyl rated at 425hp.
Vette – Evolution of current. New Corvette Stingray would offer minimal luxury items and be powered by a 3.6L DI 6cyl turbo rated at 375hp. It would be the ultimate tuner/track animal Vette ever, with a combination of Z06 and Z51 chassis tuning. Corvette would offer the 6.5L DI 8cyl rated at 440hp, the Z06 would offer the 7.0L 8cyl rated at 505hp, and the ZR1 would offer a supercharged 7.0L 8cyl rated at 625hp.
Equinox – combined onto the Vue platform, stays 5 passenger CUV. Gets 2.4L 4cyl (175 hp), 2.4L 4cyl hybrid (185 hp), and 2.8L 6cyl (240 hp).
Traverse – evolution of current Lambda, 3.6L 6cyl at 304hp and 3.6L 6cyl hybrid at a combined 300hp.
Tahoe – 4.5L 8cyl standard (340 hp), 4.5L 8cyl hybrid (345 hp), 5.5L 8cyl (385hp). Possible 4.5L 8cyl diesel (275 hp)
Suburban – same as Tahoe
Silverado – same as Tahoe, but with the 3.6L 6cyl as the base.
Cadillac
BLS – based on Saab 9-3 platform to go against the 3, IS, A4, C Class, etc. Powertrains would include the 2.8L 6cyl at 240hp and the 3.6L 6cyl at 304hp.
CTS – evolution of current, including coupe and sportwagen. Positioned more against the 5 series, E class, A6, GS, Infiniti M. Powertrains would include the 3.6L 6cyl at 304 hp, and the 4.5L LS3 8cyl at 350hp. The CTS-V would include a version of the ZR1 Corvette supercharged 7.0L V8, putting out approximately 600 hp.
STS – Cross between most recent DTS and current STS, grows in size to better compete against the 7 series, A8, LS, and S-Class. Powertrains would include the 4.5L LS3 8cyl at 350hp and the 5.5L LS3 8cyl rated at 400hp. The STS-V would include the 7.0L supercharged 8cyl from the ZR1 Corvette, rated at approximately 600hp.
SRX – 5 passenger CUV based on Saab 9-4, itself on the Epislon platform. Powertrains would include the 2.8L 6cyl at 240hp and the 3.6L 6cyl at 304hp.
Escalade – moves to the Lambda platform and evolves to a 7 passenger CUV. It has a 3.6L 6cyl at 304hp, hybrid 3.6L 6cyl at 300hp, and an optional 4.5L LS3 8cyl rated at 350hp. The 5.5L LS3 8cyl rated at 400hp would be exclusive to the Platinum.
XLR – Halo car continues on the Corvette platform, with the 5.5L LS3 8cyl rated at 400hp and the 7.0L 8cyl rated at 505hp from the Z06 Corvette for the XLR-V.
Buick/GMC/Hummer
These would be combined into a joint division for marketing (maybe drop the Hummer brand name, but rebadged them as GMC Hummers), but they would maintain their brand names and none would individually offer a truly full range.
Buick
Entry-level luxury, competing against 2nd tier luxury brands such as Mercury (as I envision elsewhere in this blog), Volvo, Acura, Volkswagen, etc.
Aura – Upcoming Opel Insignia becomes the Buick Aura. Mid-sized (approx 190 inches), it would go against the
LaCrosse – Evolution as intended, with the 3.6L DI 6cyl at 304hp, 2.8L hybrid, and optional 4.5L LS3 8cyl (340 hp) for the Super. Compete against 300, ES, Impala, etc.
Enclave – Lambda updates as Escalade with the 3.6L and hybrid 3.6L 6cyls, except instead of the 5.5L 8cyl on the Escalade Platinum, the Super would get the 4.5L 8cyl at 340hp.
GMC
Full spectrum truck and SUV lineup, including medium duty (commercial) trucks and Hummer models. Models, including GMC crossovers would emphasize toughness and off-road capabilities (as Honda does with the Pilot VTM-4 awd system).
Canyon – As with the Chevrolet Colorado, it would be a gentle evolution of the current vehicle, with a serious redo of the interior. Current powertrains would be dropped entirely, and substituted with a 2.4L 4cyl (175 hp) and a 3.5L DI 6cyl (304 hp).
Sierra – see Silverado.
Terrain – Pontiac Torrent revisited, see Equinox. Gets 2.4L 4cyl (175 hp), 2.4L 4cyl hybrid (185 hp), and 2.8L 6cyl (240 hp). Would include
Acadia – See Enclave…
Yukon/Yukon XL – See Tahoe/Suburban, and again would include the
Hummer 2 - 4.5L 8cyl standard (340 hp), 4.5L 8cyl hybrid (345 hp), 5.5L 8cyl (375hp) for the Alpha model. Possible 4.5L 8cyl diesel (275 hp).
Hummer 3 – 3.5 DI 6cyl, with the 4.5L 8cyl for the Alpha model. SUT would mimic H3.
2 comments:
If it weren't for China's demand for Buick it would have been put to pasture soon after Olds.
I have never understood the need for GMC. Why can't they just make all of their trucks and SUVs under the Chevy name?
I would like to see the Saturn Sky survive and the rear wheel drive line up from Pontiac is good for a performance division. Their platform pool will dry up if Australia's Holden keeps cutting production.
Ya know, I completely spaced on the Sky/Solstice. That platform could survive (maybe split the two cars between Chevy and Caddy), and form the basis for the small, BLS Caddy. That would keep it RWD and provide additional amortization for the platform. Good catch. And I completely agree that GMC is not needed, particularly since Chevy does in fact offer the commercial trucks. If GM can spread the G8/Camaro platform through the lineups (Impala, revised Lacrosse, CTS, etc.), we can keep Holden going as well.
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