Wednesday, December 26, 2007

The Best from General Motors


The Corvette is Chevrolet’s world-class, high-performance sports car. A true American icon, the Corvette was introduced in January 1953.The first 300 cars were produced by hand and powered by 235-cubic-inch 6-cylinder engines. In 1955 a V8 was first offered and in 1965 a big-block V8 was optional and 4-wheel disc brakes became standard. The fifth-generation C5 Corvette was introduced in 1997, with the Z06 added in 2001 along with additional performance equipment. The 2005 C6 was the first Corvette in more than 40 years without retractable headlights and the Z06 returned again for 2006.

The Malibu is Chevrolet’s midsize sedan that receives a complete makeover for 2008 with a new bolder design including a dual-port grille and upscale elements such as an available two-tone interior. The new Malibu continues to be a five-seat front-wheel-drive sedan but is designed to give buyers “more bang for the buck.” With upgrades to horsepower, fuel economy and equipment, the 2008 Malibu is also three inches longer with a six inch longer wheelbase than the previous model. The Malibu name was first used for the top-level Chevelle in 1964 and the name returned for the 1997 model year as an all-new front-wheel-drive sedan.

The Chevrolet HHR is a new type of vehicle which Chevrolet describes as combining the styling of the SSR roadster truck with a 1949 Suburban for a unique style all its own. Built on the same platform as the Chevrolet Cobalt, the HHR debuted for 2006 offering 5-passenger seating with reconfigurable cargo capacity, including a fold-flat front passenger seat. For 2007 the HHR Panel adds as a unique cargo vehicle that features windowless side panels, rear cargo doors, seating for two and a large flat cargo floor.

The Yukon XL is GMC’s extended wheelbase full-size SUV cousin to the Chevrolet Suburban. The history goes back to the 1935 Chevrolet Suburban Carryall, but the real predecessor was introduced in 1973 as the 4-door GMC Suburban. For 2000 the GMC Suburban became the Yukon XL, leaving the Suburban name to Chevrolet. The all-new Yukon XL debuts as a 2007 model in early 2006.

The Solstice is Pontiac’s two-seat roadster built on GM’s new rear-wheel-drive compact sports car platform named “Kappa.” The first model to be built on this platform, it is also the basis for the Saturn Sky. The Solstice was first shown in concept form at the 2002 North American International Auto Show and went from concept to production in just three years. A GXP version was added for 2007 featuring a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder that produces 260 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. The uniquely styled GXP also rides on a 4-wheel independent sport-tuned suspension and 18-inch wheels with performance tires.

The Grand Prix is Pontiac’s midsize sedan but the Grand Prix name was introduced in the early ‘60s as a large, sporty coupe. In the late ‘60s, the Grand Prix was one of the fastest in its class with an available 390-horsepower V8 engine, but during the ‘70s the Grand Prix was downsized. In 1988, the car was completely redesigned as a front-wheel-drive model 4-door sedan. Totally redesigned once again in 1997, Grand Prix adopted a muscular, aggressive look in both coupe and sedan versions. The ninth-generation Grand Prix sedan went on sale in spring, 2003.

The G6 is Pontiac's sporty, performance-oriented midsize sedan that is built on General Motors’ global Epsilon architecture which provides rigidity and body stiffness for a quiet, solid ride and more responsive handling characteristics. The G6 was the first vehicle to incorporate Pontiac’s new design direction and renewed emphasis on performance when it debuted as a sedan for the 2005 model year. Coupe and convertible versions of the G6 were added for the 2006 model year. For 2008 Pontiac adds the performance-oriented G6 GXP sedan and coupe to the lineup featuring a unique exterior and a 252-horsepower V6 engine.

The Buick Lucerne is Buick’s new front-wheel-drive sedan which replaced the LeSabre for 2006, featuring a fresh new design and innovative technology. The Lucerne was the first Buick to offer Magnetic Ride Control with StabiliTrak to improve the ride and handling. Lucerne also marks the return of V8 power to a Buick car with an available 4.6-liter Northstar V8 that delivers 275 horsepower and 290 lb-ft of torque. The exterior design offers a tight, clean look with a waterfall grille, steeply raked 60-degree windshield, and a 70-degree rear window angle while the interior features Buick's Quiet Tuning, which reduces unwanted noise in the cabin.

The LaCrosse is Buick’s premium midsize sedan that replaces the Century and Regal in the Buick lineup. The LaCrosse features QuietTuning aimed at reducing unwanted noise and vibration levels throughout the entire body structure to provide best-in-class quietness. For 2008 Buick adds the LaCrosse Super to the lineup that first debuted at the 2007 New York Auto Show.

The CTS is Cadillac’s entry-luxury sport sedan, designed to compete with the best European sport sedans. The CTS made its first appearance at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in August 2001. Cadillac did extensive testing at Germany's famed Nürburgring race track. The CTS-V was added for 2004 with a 400-horsepower 5.7-liter V8 engine. For 2008 the CTS gets redesigned for the first time and it features updates to the interior and exterior with a number of technological features. All-wheel drive is available for the first time and a new 6-speed automatic transmission is added.

The Cadillac DTS is the new front-wheel-drive large luxury sedan from Cadillac that replaced the DeVille in the Cadillac lineup for 2006. The DTS continues Cadillac’s product renaissance that began with the CTS and STS, integrating Cadillac’s new design language while still carrying forward traditional Cadillac design elements. The DTS features an all-new luxurious interior and the chassis is tuned for a smooth, quiet ride. DTS also offers a number of safety and convenience technologies.

The XLR is Cadillac’s high-performance luxury two-seat roadster. In 1999 Cadillac debuted an all-new luxury roadster concept at the North American International Auto Show called the Evoq and two years later GM announced that the Cadillac XLR would be produced. The XLR is built on an all-new platform designed specifically for convertibles. Featuring the first use of GM's high-output 4.6-liter Northstar V8 in a rear-wheel-drive configuration, the XLR is produced in Bowling Green, KY, home of Chevrolet's Corvette.

The Cadillac Escalade EXT is Cadillac’s luxury sport-utility truck that was redesigned for 2007 and is built on General Motor’s all-new full-size SUV platform, combining a luxury SUV with a pickup truck. The Escalade EXT is as long as the extended-length ESV model. The Escalade EXT first joined the Escalade lineup when the Escalade was redesigned, in the fall of 2001 as a 2002 model.

The H2 was the second SUV offered by HUMMER drawing on the H1 that was originally designed for military use. The H2 was the first new vehicle under the HUMMER brand since GM acquired exclusive ownership of the HUMMER brand. The H2 may be scaled down, but it offers all the capability expected from HUMMER. The H2 SUT is added for 2005.

The H3 is HUMMER's new midsize SUV and the third model in the vehicle lineup. Based on the Chevrolet Colorado pickup platform, the H3 is designed to deliver authentic HUMMER style and off-road capability in a smaller, more fuel-efficient package. For 2008 the H3 Alpha is added to the lineup featuring unique looks and a more powerful engine. The H3 Alpha comes with 16-inch chrome wheels, Alpha badging, “Luxury” equipment package and Chrome Appearance package.

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