WARREN, Michigan — General Motors pulled back the curtain here today for a long stare at the new products — and a few concepts — it plans to launch in the next two years. Knowing it can't just deal out platitudes to the nation's taxpayer-owners about the two dozen new-model launches scheduled between now and 2011, GM actually showed the stuff. We just can't show you — yet.
But we can describe what's going down. So here's a brand-by-brand rundown:
Buick: Apart from the plug-in hybrid version of the Chevy Equinox/GMC Terrain/Cadillac SRX compact crossover coming for 2011 (and a conventionally powered variant next year), Buick's got two new sedans that definitely are green-lighted and a really intriguing crossover concept that's smaller than its version of the Equinox.
Buick's new midsize sedan has sharp, Ferrari-esque door sculpting and a strong shoulder line that hikes up at the rear fenders that reminds one (in a good way) of the Oldsmobile Intrigue.
We were less convinced by a compact Buick sedan based on the front-drive Delta underpinnings that we'll soon see wearing the Chevy Cruze body. The proportions and general design appeared awkward.
Not so the compact crossover concept Buick designers unveiled, however. The thing wears a new rendition of the Enclave front end and has a prominently wide track and a C-pillar/jutting hatch that looks something like the Nissan Rogue, only with a lot more thought. Nobody said, but we're guessing this taut job also rides on the Delta architecture.
Cadillac: The big news was that Caddy confirmed it's pulling the trigger on a rear- or all-wheel-drive 3 Series competitor, and the coupe we saw looked good, but maybe a bit too much like a hacked-down version of the CTS coupe.
Maybe more significant was a concept indicating Cadillac's probable direction for a large sedan that will cover the ground of today's STS and DTS. Good enough, but we're leery that nobody was bragging about rear-drive with this concept: Word has it GM has locked in a traverse-engine, front-drive layout that also probably will accommodate all-wheel drive. Oops.
And don't forget the new SRX. And the CTS Sport Wagon hit showrooms this month — and the smoking-hot V-Series version is approved.
Chevrolet: Dang, in just a year or so there are going to be a lot of little Chevys running around. The bowtie division showed off the production Spark, a car "sized and priced less than the Aveo." We weren't thrilled.
But the next-gen Aveo looks much better, the highlight being a prominently forward-angled C-pillar that looks inspired by the Kia Soul and certainly can be identified as a distinct facet of current Korean design language. Another fine touch: The handles for the rear doors are forward of that C-pillar and high on the glass, all but disguised and imparting a coupe look for this four-door subcompact.
Chevy also showed the production version of the Cruze, the replacement for the Cobalt we've seen before. And the Orlando mini-crossover looks better every time we see it.
The showpiece was the next-generation Malibu sedan, upsized in visual weight and deftly wearing Camaro cues. Oh, and the Camaro convertible ain't too shabby either, although designers say several details are still to be hammered out.
GMC: Even after seeing the new stuff, we can't say we're sure where GMC is going. We're not sure GMC knows where GMC is going.
But we did like a funky and chunky concept car that looks like the fusion of the Soul (there's that Korean C-pillar again), the Mini Cooper Clubman and a Scion xB. We're not sure it fits with GMC's genteel-truck image, but execs say the fat fender flares could accommodate the all-wheel drive they say should be expected of all GMCs.
Inside Line says: After sweating through bankruptcy, it looks as if GM's designers have gotten down to the business of sweating the details. GM's got some formidable-looking new metal coming in the next couple of years. — Bill Visnic, Senior Editor, Edmunds' AutoObserver
But we can describe what's going down. So here's a brand-by-brand rundown:
Buick: Apart from the plug-in hybrid version of the Chevy Equinox/GMC Terrain/Cadillac SRX compact crossover coming for 2011 (and a conventionally powered variant next year), Buick's got two new sedans that definitely are green-lighted and a really intriguing crossover concept that's smaller than its version of the Equinox.
Buick's new midsize sedan has sharp, Ferrari-esque door sculpting and a strong shoulder line that hikes up at the rear fenders that reminds one (in a good way) of the Oldsmobile Intrigue.
We were less convinced by a compact Buick sedan based on the front-drive Delta underpinnings that we'll soon see wearing the Chevy Cruze body. The proportions and general design appeared awkward.
Not so the compact crossover concept Buick designers unveiled, however. The thing wears a new rendition of the Enclave front end and has a prominently wide track and a C-pillar/jutting hatch that looks something like the Nissan Rogue, only with a lot more thought. Nobody said, but we're guessing this taut job also rides on the Delta architecture.
Cadillac: The big news was that Caddy confirmed it's pulling the trigger on a rear- or all-wheel-drive 3 Series competitor, and the coupe we saw looked good, but maybe a bit too much like a hacked-down version of the CTS coupe.
Maybe more significant was a concept indicating Cadillac's probable direction for a large sedan that will cover the ground of today's STS and DTS. Good enough, but we're leery that nobody was bragging about rear-drive with this concept: Word has it GM has locked in a traverse-engine, front-drive layout that also probably will accommodate all-wheel drive. Oops.
And don't forget the new SRX. And the CTS Sport Wagon hit showrooms this month — and the smoking-hot V-Series version is approved.
Chevrolet: Dang, in just a year or so there are going to be a lot of little Chevys running around. The bowtie division showed off the production Spark, a car "sized and priced less than the Aveo." We weren't thrilled.
But the next-gen Aveo looks much better, the highlight being a prominently forward-angled C-pillar that looks inspired by the Kia Soul and certainly can be identified as a distinct facet of current Korean design language. Another fine touch: The handles for the rear doors are forward of that C-pillar and high on the glass, all but disguised and imparting a coupe look for this four-door subcompact.
Chevy also showed the production version of the Cruze, the replacement for the Cobalt we've seen before. And the Orlando mini-crossover looks better every time we see it.
The showpiece was the next-generation Malibu sedan, upsized in visual weight and deftly wearing Camaro cues. Oh, and the Camaro convertible ain't too shabby either, although designers say several details are still to be hammered out.
GMC: Even after seeing the new stuff, we can't say we're sure where GMC is going. We're not sure GMC knows where GMC is going.
But we did like a funky and chunky concept car that looks like the fusion of the Soul (there's that Korean C-pillar again), the Mini Cooper Clubman and a Scion xB. We're not sure it fits with GMC's genteel-truck image, but execs say the fat fender flares could accommodate the all-wheel drive they say should be expected of all GMCs.
Inside Line says: After sweating through bankruptcy, it looks as if GM's designers have gotten down to the business of sweating the details. GM's got some formidable-looking new metal coming in the next couple of years. — Bill Visnic, Senior Editor, Edmunds' AutoObserver
