New York Auto Show; 2010 GMC Terrain prepares to polarize

While GMC's new-for-2010 Terrain crossover may be all but identical to Chevrolet's Equinox, one look at this bluff-faced polarizing design will tell you that badge-engineering wasn't part of the program at General Motors. Yes, both vehicles share the same platform, the same engine choices and even the same suspension calibrations, but the in-your-face look here is likely to inspire love-it-or-hate-it reactions.

We'll let you decide on which side of the fence you sit, with one caveat: It is often the case that certain cars look better in the metal than on screen or in photographs. We were invited to GM's Design Dome for a media backgrounder, and after being in-and-around the vehicle, we profess that we can't make the same case.
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First Drive: 2009 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid and GMC Sierra Hybrid

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Once again, this time-honored dictum is proving true as pickup trucks regain their rightful place at the top of the U.S. sales charts following a precipitous fall from grace last summer.

As you've undoubtedly noticed, the cost of gasoline has dropped to a more manageable level, with an average gallon of regular-grade fuel going for half the price it was less than a year ago. So is it back to business as usual? Not quite. As we found out (again) in 2008, the volatile nature of gasoline stocks means that the market price for a barrel of crude can and will change on a whim. Does anyone really think fuel is going to stay cheaper than bottled water forever? Not likely.

However, America's love affair with the pickup truck will continue to burn bright even though the status quo is changing. All vehicles, regardless of type, must travel more miles on each gallon of gasoline. Enter GM's latest duo of fuel-saving pickups: the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra Hybrids.


These two workhorses were first announced at the LA Auto Show in late 2007, though the 2009 editions are just now beginning to show up at dealerships across the country. For the new model year, GM has made a few tweaks to its range of heavy haulers, most notably switching to a new set of hydraulic body mounts to compensate for the extra weight of the large battery pack. Are there any good reasons to consider these hybrid trucks over their highly-respected standard siblings? To find out, we strapped ourselves behind the wheel of each, followed a route through the streets of San Antonio, Texas, and recorded our mileage along the way.
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Dallas 2009: The base Camaro... with steelies!

For all the stuff we're able to get our hands on, sometimes you just can't beat reader-submitted content. Today's contribution comes from faithful Autoblog aficionado, Jay P., who happened to check out the Dallas Auto Show this week. What he found over in the GM display area is interesting: a bona-fide base Camaro LS.

We knew that 18-inch wheels were standard equipment, but until now, we hadn't seen what they looked like. And dig this: they're steelies!


Black with silver Bowtie caps and beauty rings, they happen to look pretty friggin' good, too. If GM's smart, it'll offer these as separate accessory items. Camaro drivers in cold-weather states might have just found the perfect wheel for their performance winter rubber. The Dallas Auto Show runs through tomorrow, so if any of you guys happen to attend, feel free to send some more shots of this base car our way. Just ping us via the tips link at the top of the page. Thanks for the shots, Jay P!
Source:autoblog



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GM's LS9 crate motor costs more than most cars

Tuners and hot rodders everywhere dove into a horsepower-induced coma when GM announced its epic LS9 would be available as a crate engine. The company has rolled out its 2009 performance parts catalog and sure enough, there's the engine - complete with a $ 21,000 price tag. Steep?

Depends on where you stand.With 630 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque, a dry-sump oil system and a beefy blower on top of the company's light-weight aluminum V8, there's plenty to love. Still, folks looking to get the most power are usually looking to do it with the least buck. Scrapped LS V8's can be had for as little as $ 2000, all the while cranking out 400-plus ponies. Something tells me I could make a good deal more than 630 horses with the left over $ 19,000.
via: Autofiends



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GM disbands unit that creates high-performance vehicles

General Motors, focusing on mainstream products in a battle to survive, has scrapped a unit that produced high-performance vehicles.


The move is in the spirit of GM's viability plan delivered to the U.S. Treasury Department on Tuesday. In the plan, GM said its future-product focus is on fuel- efficient cars and crossovers. It also pledged to increase its current offering of six hybrids to 14 by 2012 and to 26 by 2014. GM also boosted its request for federal aid by as much as $16.6 billion.


GM on Wednesday disbanded High Performance Vehicle Operations, which is based at the company's suburban Detroit technical center, and redeployed its engineers, spokesman Vince Muniga said.

"All high-performance projects are on indefinite hold," Muniga said. "The engineers are moving into different areas of the organization, and they will work on Cadillacs, Buicks, Chevrolets and Pontiacs."

The unit created low-volume vehicles for GM's divisions designed to appeal to enthusiasts and bolster the company's image. Products included V-series Cadillacs and the Chevrolet Cobalt SS, HHR SS and a V-8 version of the Colorado.

Muniga said there are no plans for high-performance versions of upcoming cars.


The High Performance Vehicle Operations unit could be reinstated once GM regains its financial health, GM's Muniga said.

"These guys are pretty good at what they do," Muniga said, "They are moving into different areas to work on core products." More Photos
Source: Autoweek



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GM, the U.S. prepare for the Volt

That means a very concrete example, that there must be points where flow "refueled" can be. For example in a terraced house with garage lives will still be able to charge home. However, away from home it would be nice to the battery of the Volt's power needs.


Thus, General Motors, together with San Francisco, Washington and other "early adopters" to build the infrastructure to make that possible. In offices, but also in public places must allow the Volt (and other plug-in hybrids) to recharge.


It will also look at measures on the purchase of plug-in hybrids by governments and commercial organizations to promote. Consumers with a plug-in car to buy, get a tax benefit of $ 7500, -.
Source:autoblog.nl



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