Buick Regal Gains New Auto Transmission for GS and Standard eAssist for 2013MY

The 2013 model year brings some updates for the Buick Regal sedan, namely a new automatic transmission option and the discontinuation of the 2.4-liter base model.
The new Aisin AF40 six-speed automatic with Driver Shift Control will be available as a no-cost option instead of the existing six-speed manual gearbox on the 270HP Regal GS. Buick says that acceleration matches the manual with an estimated 0-60 mph sprint time of 6.7 seconds.
The automatic version of the GS returns an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 19 mpg city and 27 on the highway.
The new base model in the Regal's range combines the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with GM's eAssist micro-hybrid system that provides an electrical boost to aid the engine at low speeds and on inclines. According to Buick, the Regal with eAssist achieves an EPA-estimated 36 mpg highway.
Pricing and other details on the 2013 Regal will be released later this year.


Published by: carscoop

GM Boss Mark Reuss Builds a Fantasy Supercar Out of the Company’s Parts Bin

Almost every car fan has, at one point or another, considered building his ideal car: for example, one with a Ferrari or Lamborghini bodywork, a Pagani interior, a Veyron engine, Porsche everyday usability and all this at the price of a used 300,000-mile Ford Escort… Well, the automotive term for this is a parts bin special; that is, a model built by borrowing only (or mostly) existing parts from other models. Mark Reuss, GM’s North American president, was asked by Car & Driver to assemble his dream car by using components that already exist on the company’s shelves.
We have to admit that, even though General Motors is not the first carmaker that comes to mind when picking components to assemble our dream car, Reuss has managed to conjure a pretty interesting vehicle.
The bodywork would come from the 2002 Cadillac Cien concept, which Reuss believes “defined Cadillac”.
Up front, the Chevrolet Volt's 149HP electric motor would power the front wheels, while GM’s turbocharged 2.8-liter V6 linked to a Corvette differential would power the rear axle, making the car an all-wheel drive hybrid.
The Volt would also donate its T-shaped battery pack (after it has been cleared by the NHTSA, we presume), mounted between the seats and wirelessly charged through an inductive mat making cables unnecessary.
America’s favorite supercar, the Corvette, would contribute in the handling department with its magnetorheological dampers and the ZR1's carbon-ceramic brakes, while GM’s pony car, the Camaro, would provide the ZL1’s Goodyear F1 SuperCar G performance tires.
Reuss is even talking numbers: the hybrid powertrain would churn out a total of 440HP and 450 lb-ft of torque, enough for a 0-60mph [96km/h] acceleration time of 3.2 seconds. In fact, he went as far as predicting his dream car’s Nürburgring lap time: 7:46. Not ZR-1 or GT-R territory, but quite fast nevertheless.
What about the interior? Well, Reuss would choose the suede steering wheel from the Caddy CTS-V linked to an electric-power steering system, the Recaro bucket seats from the Opel Insignia OPC and a Volt-like multifunction display for energy and VBox info.
Last, but not least, GM North America's president would like his dream car to have a silent interior when in EV mode so he would add a Bose active-noise cancelling system and offer perfect visibility courtesy of a Hughes night-vision system, front and rear cameras and a blind-spot monitoring system.
We applaud Mr Rauss' choices, which would make for one of the best "parts bin special" GM has ever thought of building.
He did omit one thing though: his passenger of choice. Therefore, we feel compelled to make a suggestion: Gisele. She did make a name for herself in the automotive crowd in a CTS-V after all...
Story References: Car&Driver , Photo Illustration: Carscoop

GM PARTS BIN

2002 CADILLAC CIEN CONCEPT

GM Confirms Next Generation Impala, will Invest $68 Million to Prep Oshawa Plant

GM Confirms Next Generation Impala, will Invest $68 Million to Prep Oshawa Plant

The Impala is a historic nameplate for Chevrolet with roots that go back to the golden era of American automobiles, the 1950s, and it's one that General Motors isn't about to let go despite the fact that the series has faded away into mediocrity these past years. Today, the Detroit-based company confirmed plans for the development of a brand new Chevy Impala and announced an investment of $68 million to prepare its Oshawa Assembly Plant in Canada for the production of the next generation sedan.
In addition, GM revealed that it expects to meet high customer demand, and as a result, it will build the next Chevrolet Impala at both the Oshawa Assembly Plant and the Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Plant.
Combined with the recent investment to support the production of the upcoming Cadillac XTS in 2012, GM's investment at the Oshawa plant will reach $185 million, which will create or retain around 750 jobs.
“With the investments for the Chevrolet Impala and Cadillac XTS, we are taking big steps forward to ensure we maximize the flexible manufacturing facility and high-quality workforce that exist in Oshawa,” said Kevin Williams, president and managing director of General Motors of Canada.
“We are building on the recent capacity increases, product launches and shift additions at our Canadian operations to affirm that Canada will play an important role in the new GM as we continue to transform our product lineup,” he added.

PHOTO GALLERY:

China Slaps New Duties on U.S.-Made Cars because it’s Damaging its Domestic Industry !

Another chapter in the tense relationship between the world’s two biggest economies, those of the United States and China, has opened today with the announcement by Chinese authorities of new duties on U.S.-made cars that are imported into the country. Reuters reported that the Commerce ministry of China said on its website that the measure, which imposes “anti-dumping” and “countervailing” duties on cars with an engine capacity of 2.5-liters and above, is effective tomorrow, December 15, and will last for two years.
The reason cited is that U.S.-based manufacturers have been, according to the statement, “dumping cars into the China market, causing damage to China’s domestic industry”.
It’s not just American carmakers but also foreign manufacturers that build cars in the U.S. that will be affected by this new tax.
GM, which has sold more than 2 million vehicles in China for the second year in a row, will have to face duties ranging from 8.9 to 12.9 percent. Chrysler’s duties range from 6.2 to 8.8 percent, while BMW and Mercedes-Benz will be hit with 2 and 2.7 percent respectively.
This movement is considered a retaliation against the U.S. government filing 12 trade cases against China since the latter joined the World Trade Organization on December 11, 2001.
China's Commerce Minister Chen Deming had said in late November that his country would fight back if other countries resort to trade protectionism.

Published by: Carscoop

PHOTO GALLERY

Official: 2013 Cadillac ATS gets New 2.0-liter Turbo with 270HP, Plus 2.5L and 3.6L V6 engines

Cadillac is not…horsing around with its soon-to-be revealed 2013 ATS as the Detroit automaker will offer the compact sports saloon with a newly developed 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four producing an estimated 270-horsepower and 260 lb-ft. of torque (353 Nm) straight from launch. 
The 2.0T is a different engine than the one used on the current Buick Regal GS, with the ATS being the first GM model to receive the force-fed powerplant.
“This engine is the perfect match for the new ATS, which will be a refined performance luxury sedan,” said Don Butler, Cadillac vice president of Global Marketing. “The 2.0T has an exceptionally smooth and responsive power curve that will make the ATS nimble, quick and fun to drive.”
The Cadillac-tuned four-cylinder unit employs several technologies including a twin-scroll turbocharger with air-to-air intercooler, direct injection, continuously variable valve timing and a two-stage variable-displacement oil pump with jet-spray piston cooling.
Cadillac says that overall engine friction is reduced by up to 16 percent, which results into significant gains in fuel economy.
“The 2.0T is one of the most advanced and efficient engines of its kind, and contributes to the ATS’s exceptional balance of performance and great fuel efficiency,” said Mike Anderson, chief engineer for the 2.0T engine. “It has the exhilarating, responsive power available when you want it, yet can provide the fuel efficiency that will make the ATS a fully competitive vehicle in global markets,” he added.
Cadillac noted that at 135HP per liter, the 2.0T engine "has the highest power density among key competitors" providing a somewhat befuddling list that includes the M3's naturally aspirated V8 but not the new 328i's 240HP 2.0-liter unit:

• Audi A4’s 2.0L turbo (105.5 hp/L)
• BMW M3’s V-8 (103.5 hp/L)
• Lexus IS F’s V-8 (83.2 hp/L)
• Mercedes-Benz C250’s 1.8L turbo (111.6 hp/L)

Along with the 2.0T, Cadillac will also offer a normally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a 3.6-liter V-6 engine in the ATS, which will make its world premiere the 2012 Detroit Auto Show in January.

Published by: Carscoop

PHOTO GALLERY: