'08 GM Buying Guide: Hybrids, G8, Enclave, CTS

[skip0110]

GM has released the 2008 fleet buying guide. It has detailed information on the G8, Enclave, and CTS as well as the Outlook, Aura, Tahoe and Malibu hybrids.

Lots of information on colors, options, power...

http://www.gmfleet.com/pdf/2008_car_and_truck_guide.pdf

Of interest:
Pontiac G8:
- 261 hp 3.6 VVT V6, open diff, 5 speed auto
- 362 hp 6.0 V8 with active fuel management, limited slip diff, 6 speed auto
- 18" or 19" wheels
- dual exhaust on all models
- optional 230 watt sound system

Cadillac CTS:
- two 3.6 VVT engine options: 258 hp or 300 hp
- 6 speed auto
- optional all wheel drive

Corvette:
- improved shifter effore/feel

Buick Enclave:
- 275 hp 3.6 VVT with 6 speed auto standard
- 18" or 19" rims

Chevy Equinox:
- gets an optional 3.6 VVT (263 hp)

Hybrids:
- Tahoe/Yukon are full fledged 2 mode hybrids, 5.3 V8 with active fuel management and and variable valve timing. They can be powered by the electric motor alone, the engine alone, or both.
- The others use the familiar Ecotec hybrid system.

 

[YSSMAN]

From what I've continually been hearing from friends at GM is that the G8 and CTS are shockingly good cars. I can't wait to see them this fall, but the G8 may arrive a bit late (November or December), and the CTS from what I hear may come a bit early (September or August).

...Still the two-mode SUVs should be interesting. GM gets to gloat that they're the only manufacturer who builds them full-size as a hybrid, but God only knows who is going to buy them. IMO, the best thing about the Hybrid Tahoe (et al) is that the two-mode technology will likely pass down to the G8 and CTS, and may even go as far down the ladder as the Cobalt and Astra by the close of the decade.

That is of course, if GM decides to stick to hybrids...

 

[Joey D]

I'm excited to see the G8, they should be on the roads around me fairly soon wearing M plates I would think, and I'm pretty sure the CTS will be around as well. I'm already seeing the new STS's driving around.

 

[YSSMAN]

There are CTS' here in Michigan, you just have to be in the right place to see them. I guess they're in Detroit, they've been on this side of the state at track events and such. They're around...

...Being this close to Lansing, I'm still surprised I haven't seen a pre-pro running around. I'm sure that come Woodward and the GR Cruise, there will probably be one or two driving around just before they are "officially" released.

 

[Jay]

Hmm I'll have to take more notice to car carriers these days, should start seeing G8's on the back of them soon.

 

[Joey D]

Not that I was overly keen on this car, but...

Chevy cancels Cobalt SS Supercharged for 2008

Source: Autoblog

It's been a little while since we talked about the Cobalt SS Supercharged and maybe that's part of the problem. Although this sporty version of the econo-minded Cobalt and one step up from the non-blown Cobalt SS has won its share of accolades from sporting organizations and publications, it hasn't seemed to keep up with the vehicles at the head of the sporty compact class. We know that it is a competent performer, but it seems that GM has quietly decided to discontinue it. The naturally aspirated SS, however, will soldier on, but with a new name. For 2008, the Cobalt SS becomes the Cobalt Sport, and the Cobalt SS Supercharged is being dropped altogether. It could be that Chevy wants to focus more attention on the upcoming HHR SS we showed you a little while ago. Whatever the reasoning, it appears the little Cobalt that could, will be no more. Unless, of course, Chevy is just working on finding a way to get the GXP/Redline 260-hp mill into the Cobalt's engine bay. Follow the jump for the full list of changes for the 2008 Cobalt.

Thanks for the tip, Chris!

[Source: GM]

Deletions

* (21U) Laser Blue Metallic exterior color
* (56U) Sunburst Orange Metallic exterior color
* LTZ Sedan model
* SS Supercharged Coupe model


New Features

* (37U) Imperial Blue Metallic exterior color
* (39U) Blue Flash Metallic exterior color
* (87U) Slate Metallic exterior color
* (JL4) StabiliTrak stability control system
* (NW9) Traction control
* (ASD) Head-curtain side-impact air bag delete for Fleet and Government order types
* (UE0) OnStar delete for Fleet and Government order types


Changes

* 1AM37 is now called Sport Coupe and the equipment group code is now 1SP
* 1AM69 is now called Sport Sedan and the equipment group code is now 1SP
* (TV5) Sport Package is now called Performance Appearance Package and is an available option on 2LT Coupe and 2LT Sedan. The 3LT Coupe and 3LT Sedan equipment groups are deleted.
* (ASF) Head-curtain side-impact air bags are now standard on all models
* (US8) AM/FM stereo with CD player and MP3 playback is now standard on all models
* (U2K) XM Satellite Radio is now standard on all models
* Instrument panel uppers are now Ebony on all models
* LT Sedan with neutral interior now has woodgrain trim

 

[YSSMAN]

...Its old news, I had it on here from GM over a month ago...

Its still sad, but I'll be happy when the DI Turbo engine shows up not too long from now...

 

[Joey D]

Do you know if they are going to keep the Cobalt around or are they going to make something that looks similar to the Astra?

 

[YSSMAN]

Current GM cannon states that the Cobalt will remain Chevy's small car on the Delta chassis until the car is updated by the close of the decade on the Delta II version. The Saturn Astra will remain an Astra, as in a hatch-only, however it will eventually migrate to the Delta II chassis with the Cobalt by the close of the decade as well.

...The only current Delta car that will disappear will be Pontiac G5, which will likely become the two-door version of the Pontiac G6 when it goes on the RWD Alpha chassis in 2010 as well...

 

[1X83Z]

After seeing this the other day I decided to make my own GM buying guide:

ENCLAVE UGLY

COBALT BAD

BUY TOYOTA

Credit to a6m5 for being the ghostwriter.

 

[Joey D]

I actually kind of like the Enclave.

 

[1X83Z]

I actually kind of like the Enclave.

I did too, until I viewed one. Or more precisely, three.

 

[TopHat]

I still like it... But those seem to be slightly overweight. Do you have any Enclaves that ARENT morbidly obese? Oh. Wait. Nevermind.

 

[1X83Z]

I still like it... But those seem to be slightly overweight. Do you have any Enclaves that ARENT morbidly obese? Oh. Wait. Nevermind.

Each of those new GM SUVs are way too fat - they've lost the spry awesomeness pioneered by the 1991 Explorer.

It was a bad sign when an Outlook appeared on our rental lot the other day. Already?!

 

[YSSMAN]

I personally love the new Theta SUV/Crossover thingamajigs. The Enclave is by-far my favorite of the three (yes, I've seen it in person), but if I were to actually buy one, I'd likely choose the Outlook.

...The price is right, the performance is good, and they certainly are better than the Honda Pilot that they were meant to compete against...

I'm interested to hear what Chevrolet plans to do with their version. I think the current idea is that they're going to get different engine options and a price cut under what Saturn offers, so the crossover should start somewhere in the $25K range (a screaming good deal!). Its likely to replace both the Trailblazer and the Equinox, so we'll see what happens with it...

 

[1X83Z]

I personally love the new Theta SUV/Crossover thingamajigs. The Enclave is by-far my favorite of the three (yes, I've seen it in person), but if I were to actually buy one, I'd likely choose the Outlook.

...The price is right, the performance is good, and they certainly are better than the Honda Pilot that they were meant to compete against...

Which of course is a classic example of GM trailing competition again, since the Pilot debuted in 2003 and will get a redesign in about one calendar year, at which point it will surge ahead above these bloated pieces of trash.

I love it when GM benchmarks dated competition.

 

[YSSMAN]

They baked in a bit of a performance buffer, but I understand where you're coming from. I'd still say they're better than the new Highlander (ugly, ugly, ugly) after seeing one in Chicago, and it certainly is better than the current Pilot.

...The game is always changing. We'll see what happens I suppose. The reception to the Theta trucks has been pretty overwhelmingly positive, and thats a good start for GM. Personally speaking, I think the only real drawback to the trucks is their size, which isn't much smaller than the "standard" Tahoe or Yukon, but at least the fuel economy is good...

 

[1X83Z]

They baked in a bit of a performance buffer, but I understand where you're coming from. I'd still say they're better than the new Highlander (ugly, ugly, ugly) after seeing one in Chicago, and it certainly is better than the current Pilot.

New Highlander is going to be an incredible vehicle, just as the old one was.

...The game is always changing.

And Toyota and Honda are always changing with it. The Highlander used four different engines over its six year span. The Trailblazer used two. The Highlander added a third row of seats; Chevrolet needed to make an entirely different bodystyle to do that. GM simply needs better R&D.

 

[YSSMAN]

And this is why the new Thetas will likely use three different motors depending on brand, trim, and style. The "base" engine will likely remain the 276 BHP LY7, while the 300 BHP LLT will likely become optional by 2009, and then it is becoming more and more likely that Buick will have a Northstar V8 in the Enclave for later in 2008 or early in 2009. Transmissions, however, will likely remain six-speeders across the board.

...Either way, GM made the Thetas with three rows that are actually usable from the get-go (even I, at a bit more than 6ft, fit with relative comfort in the third row), not to mention an actual reasonable (read larger) cargo compartment behind the third row seats, even when in use.

In the looks department, they aren't even comparable:

 

[TopHat]

The Acadia wins here. Definitley.

 

[1X83Z]

To be entirely honest, I prefer the looks of the Highlander.

God - I swear I hate Toyota - I just hate GM more. The fact that GM and Ford think they can enter a hugely popular segment with these two trashy SUVs and then just claim they're competitive is ridiculous. I can't wait until the new Highlander and new Pilot come out and the Acadia heads back to the rental fleets where it belongs.

 

[skip0110]

The Enclave is bigger than a Pilot, by over a foot.

A Pilot is the same size as a Highlander, which is the same size as a 91 Explorer.

Don't compare these vehicles. The Enclave and it's Theata twins are the size of a Sequoia or a Sienna, or a few inches shorter than a Armada.

 

[1X83Z]

The Enclave is bigger than a Pilot, by over a foot.

A Pilot is the same size as a Highlander, which is the same size as a 91 Explorer.

Don't compare these vehicles. The Enclave and it's Theata twins are the size of a Sequoia or a Sienna, or a few inches shorter than a Armada.

Finally someone spoke the truth.

 

[Joey D]

I believe they are out to replace the Trailblazer like vehicles in GM's line up. The only one I can stand is the Enclave, the others look terrible.

 

[Joey D]

I hate you Chevy...I really friggen hate you. You didn't put a V8 in the S-10 and Blazers when it would have made them about 100 times better....no you put them in the Colorado is not only a bad truck, but can't figure out that headlights go above turn indicators.

V8 for '08: Chevy Colorado engine lineup expanding

Source: Autoblog

The addition of GM's 5.3L V8 to the HUMMER H3 Alpha for 2008 has resulted in some trickle-down goodness for the SUV's pickup truck platform-mate, the Chevy Colorado. PickupTruck.com is reporting that the smaller Chevy truck will indeed receive the same infusion of V8 power in 2008. We've driven both the Silverado and the GMC Sierra with that engine, and we liked it a lot in the big trucks. Imagining it in the Colorado has grins spreading across our faces, as it will certainly add a good amount of pop, and with the 5.3's cylinder deactivation system, it should also be respectable at the pump, considering it'll have a lot less truck to move around than with the GMT900.

The addition of the 295-horse V8 will catapult the Colorado to the top of the heap in the midsize pickup segment in terms of power, edging the new Dodge Dakota (290 hp), and putting it well beyond the Toyota Tacoma and Ford Ranger (numbers 1 & 2 respectively on the sales charts). GM's been teasing everyone with V8-powered small concept pickups for a while now, and though it won't officially confirm or deny the report (a spokesman only says, "stay tuned"), it sure looks like the General's finally decided to give us the real thing. Good.

 

[1X83Z]

I believe they are out to replace the Trailblazer like vehicles in GM's line up. The only one I can stand is the Enclave, the others look terrible.

Saw two more Enclaves today. Little girls ran for their mommies. My camera broke trying to take a photo. Mirrors cracked; homes caught fire. The city is in ruins.

None of the three are attractive.

 

[Joey D]

How are you seeing so many of them? I think I've seen one since the beginning of May.

 

[1X83Z]

How are you seeing so many of them? I think I've seen one since the beginning of May.

None of the ones I see have regular license plates, but rather these license plates:

However, a Google search of "Enclave B-Blast" returns exactly zero matches. Truly zero. So I have no idea what's going on - I just want them out of Colorado.

 

[skip0110]

M5Power - On a hunch, I tried enclave "buick blast".....but nothing.

I hate you Chevy...I really friggen hate you. You didn't put a V8 in the S-10 and Blazers when it would have made them about 100 times better....no you put them in the Colorado is not only a bad truck, but can't figure out that headlights go above turn indicators.

I think GM figured that it was not worth sinking the crash testing/reliability testing money into a platform as old as that of the S10. So, they left it to the aftermarket.

As I understand it a V8 S10 conversion is so simple it's almost a weekend project if you have an engine hoist (cherry picker).

 

[Joey D]

The S-Trucks should have gotten them when they were redesigned in 94. And yes it's stupidly simple to do a V8 conversion, I've done 2, one on a Blazer and on on a Sonoma. The Sonoma took 2 days because we fabricated the brackets and with the Blazer we managed to take out the 4.3L, put all the brackets in, wire it, and have the V8 running in 22hours of straight work...granted there were 5 of us doing it and 2 of the guys knew exactly what they were doing.