This new Kappa's got Seoul, along with another somewhat intresting Daewoo

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GM's Kappa platform spawns another offspring in Seoul

Source: Autoblog

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The cross-pollination among General Motors worldwide operations continues. The Seoul Motor Show features the fourth variant of General Motors Kappa platform and the third based on the Saturn Sky. The new Daewoo G2X is a rebadged edition of the Sky and Opel Speedster. The car being shown in Seoul uses the turbocharged 2.0L direct injected engine from the Sky Red Line. So far, there's no word from GM on when the G2X will be available in South Korean showrooms.

"The G2X is a classic roadster with abundant power and breathtaking acceleration. Hence, it will offer true sports car performance and an exhilarating driving experience," said Grimaldi. "To further strengthen the GM Daewoo brand, we will offer Korean consumers something no other Korean manufacturer has in its showroom."

The G2X brings with it a lot of personality thanks to its exciting shape, which contrasts sharp edges with curved surfaces to create a dynamic look. With a wide stance, sleek silhouette, long front-hinged hood and short overhangs, the proportions are typical of its class.

High-tech features such as gasoline direct injection, a twin-scroll turbocharger with intercooler, double camshaft phasing and twin counter-rotating balance shafts provide the basis for the 1,998-cm 3 four-cylinder engine's impressive performance data. Maximum output of 194 kW/260 hp at 5,300 rpm and high torque plateau of 353 Nm (35.9 kh.m) between 2,500 and 5,000 rpm ensure plenty of power in all situations.

For the G2X, engineers designed a classic sporty configuration based on a rigid chassis, wide track (front/rear: 1,543/1,561 mm) and long wheelbase of 2,415 mm. All four wheels are suspended from twin A-arms made from forged aluminum, the center of gravity is low, and the weight distribution of 51:49 percent (front/rear) is well balanced.

An automatic five-speed transmission with limited slip differential efficiently provides propulsion power to the rear wheels. A torque beam between the transmission and rear axle suppresses reactions to acceleration/deceleration effects. All wheels are fitted with large disk brakes, while ABS and ESP (which, like Traction Control, can be switched off) monitor safety.

Seoul Motor Show: GM Daewoo shows off L4X sedan

Source:Autoblog

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Gallery:http://www.autoblog.com/photos/daewoo-l4x/

Many thousands of miles away from New York, another auto show is getting into full swing. We're talking about the Seoul Motor Show, where the Koreans are getting an eyeful of some pretty nifty stuff. Like what, you ask? Well, like this rebadged Holden Caprice/Statesman, which bowed as the Daewoo L4X sedan. The car on display is the "concept" version of the vehicle that'll go on sale in Korea at a later date.

GM's ubiquitous 3.6-liter V6 provides 258 horses with which to propel the rear-wheel-drive long-wheelbase sedan. It's being positioned as a luxury/executive vehicle complete with niceties such as navigation with TV functionality, heated rear seats with massage, and privacy rollers and blinds for the backseat passengers. We're all for having a variation of the Caprice and/or Statesman show up on these shores badged as a Buick. Unfortunately, Buick dealers, in their infinite wisdom, appear to disagree. We will see a Buick version of the car in China (we're guessing it'll debut at Shanghai later this month), at which point we'll complain loudly about it not being here.

Press Release

L4X - Premium Large Sedan of the Future

GM Daewoo is lifting the veil on a show car version of its much-anticipated long-wheelbase premium large sedan, the L4X.

The rear-wheel-drive product, which is close to a production version, permits a first glimpse into what GM Daewoo is pursuing as its premium large sedan. GM Daewoo's future flagship will boast a superior level of refinement, safety and comfort features.

"The L4X exemplifies what a true premium large sedan should be. It excels in the most fundamental virtues of its segment," said Michael Grimaldi, President and CEO of GM Daewoo. "For example, it has segment-leading interior space and rear seat comfort."

He added, "Our latest show car is not only stylish, it also offers an array of convenience features and luxury appointments to satisfy the most sophisticated Korean consumers."

The L4X comes with a powerful 3.6-liter V-6 powerplant that is matched with a smooth-shifting five-speed automatic transmission. The state-of-the-art alloy engine generates peak power and torque of 258 hp at 6,500 rpm and 34.7 kg.m at 3,200 rpm.

What makes the L4X stand out in terms of superior ride and handling are its sharpened chassis dynamics coupled with a longest-in-class 3,009-mm wheelbase, world-class structural stiffness and a sophisticated rear-wheel-drive system.

Its elegant exterior design, which will set it apart from other premium sedans, is characterized by a stretched silhouette and a wide stance accentuated by flared wheel arches. The longer rear doors are the key to the dramatic proportions, which are accentuated by a sweeping roofline and substantial wheel and tire package. As a result of the longest wheelbase among Korean large sedans, the wheels have been moved to the very corners of the car, making it look and perform in a stable and sporty manner.

Detail highlights include signature LED repeater lamps in the fender vents, striking LED tail lamps and bright chrome accents. Its bi-xenon headlamps and tail lamps have a high-tech, precise and almost diamond-like appearance, with finely detailed elements that make them sparkle and glisten. The bright chrome bodyside molding and chrome-highlighted door handles add a touch of sculptured elegance to the side.

The themes for the interior design are comfort, harmony, luxury and attention to detail. The L4X offers a spacious and safe passenger compartment that provides a prestigious driving environment with optimized storage, packaging and ergonomics.

To give owners second-to-none premium comfort, the production version of the new GM Daewoo flagship will feature an array of safety and convenience features, including a navigation system with Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) TV, bi-xenon headlamps, curtain air bags, tri-zone automatic temperature controls, power rear seats with three-step temperature control heating and rear-back massage, power rear-window curtains, roller blinds, a rearview camera and power-folding outside rearview mirrors
 
So are they building this one in Korea or in Delaware with the rest of the bunch? I thought that I had read somewhere that the Wilmington plant was almost to full capacity with the 40,000 US-branded Kappas (Saturn Sky, Pontiac Solstice) and the other Opel-badged Kappas.

Either way, it is an impressive car, especially for a GM in many circumstances. The build quality is rather good, the performance is somewhat impressive, and the only major negative I can think of is the rather pitiful excuse for a trunk.

It only comes with an auto? :sick:

No, you can option it with a manual usually, but I've heard many times that the slushbox is the better option on the turbo models... It isn't as jerky in power-delivery, and the transmission seems to have a good sense of where it needs to be for spirited driving.
 
Yeah, you get better acceleration with the Automatic Transmission. Has anyone seen the Holden Statesman Daewoo? It looks quite nice.
 
For the most part, there are some cars which aren't that way, but generally speaking autos are a better choice if you aren't on a road or autox course.

I personally would never buy a manual transmission vehicle since I'm more then likely just going to be driving it around in the city and a manual, for me at least, becomes a pain in the ass after a while.

And you mean this car?

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There the information was added to this thread.
 
Yup it's a rebadged Commodore, just like our G8 is the same thing. I don't really have a problem with rebadging in different markets, it's just GM using the best of what they have in their arsenal.
 
But i really dont get why they rebadge. Is it because say in America, maybe say, chevy is a big-named brand so they dont want to introduce another brand that people havent heard of?
 
I think it's because GM already has a ton of brands in America so introducing Opel and Holden would just be something else the dealers would have to deal with. It looks like Pontiac is going to be Holden and Saturn will be Opel now. Plus it's all about what people know, Pontiac has been around for a long time, if GM just changed it they'd get the WTF look from a lot of customers.
 
Hmmm...I thought someone said on the autoblog it was a Commodore...don't mind me though, I'm an idiot :lol:
 
Hmmm...I thought someone said on the autoblog it was a Commodore...don't mind me though, I'm an idiot :lol:

Yeah the G8 is a Commodore, but that Daewoo concept is a Statesman/Caprice. Very similar based on the same Zeta platform but Statesman has a longer wheel base among other small things.
 
But i really dont get why they rebadge. Is it because say in America, maybe say, chevy is a big-named brand so they dont want to introduce another brand that people havent heard of?

I know the point has already been made, but I would wish to extend it more or less in that we as Americans love our big RWD sedans, and having the Commodore gives us an excuse to resurrect former models in their 'true form' (the Impala and GTO comes to mind). That said, we are calling what should be the Tempest/Grand Prix a G8, but its no big deal...

...But even then, most of us know it is a Holden, and we don't care. Holden has actually become somewhat of a household name, at least in Michigan anyway, with some of the previous models we've shared, beyond that the work we are doing together on the Camaro and Impala as well. Its a well-respected brand that probably could do well under its own name, but killing-off Pontiac or Chevrolet to do so wouldn't make sense, so we're just stealing your models... Kinda like what you do with everything that isn't RWD (see Opel)...

---

The Statesman continues to draw me in with the possibilities of it becoming the Impala in the US. Granted, we are getting the Commodore as the G8, but if the Impala is supposed to be the flagship sedan at Chevrolet, and in-general one of the best sub-Cadillacs you can buy, why not go for the larger Statesman?

...Plus, it gives us an excuse to bring back the classic Impala/Caprice naming duo...
 
Thanks guys. I now really understand it :dopey: And i never noticed the Caprice has a longer wheelbase. In my neighbour hood, there are NO new Caprices. :(
 

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