Expanding lineup: General Motors unveiled the Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon at January’s 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The wagon is now in production in Lansing
Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC revealed a fleet of exciting and important new vehicles a few weeks ago, but the news got lost in the hubbub over the Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric car's projected 230-mpg rating.
The lineup coming from General Motors Co. includes a new vehicle launched last week at the Lansing Grand River plant and updates to existing models made across town at the Lansing Delta Township plant.
Not to take anything away from the Volt, but if you're interested in the other 2.8 million or so vehicles the Detroit carmaker hopes to sell annually, here are some highlights.
• Cadillac: GM's luxury brand will build on the CTS sport sedan's strength with a sport wagon that started rolling off the Lansing Grand River line Wednesday and will arrive at dealers shortly. A dramatically styled coupe will follow in 2010 or 2011. The coupe also will be made at Lansing Grand River, along with the CTS and STS sedans currently in production.
Pricing for the coupe hasn't been announced, but the wagon will sell for about $40,665 - about $3,000 more than the standard CTS sedan.
The 2010 wagon and sedan will feature new engines from GM that global vehicle chief engineer David Leone said have been refined to boost power and fuel economy.
"It's a little bit of magic," Leone said at the CTS wagon launch.
The standard direct inject 3-liter V6 engine boosts horsepower to 270 from the 263 horses on the 2009 version. The fuel economy has also improved to 18 miles per gallon in city driving and 27 mpg on the highway, up from 17 mpg in city driving and 26 mpg on the highway on the 2009 engine.
An optional 3.6-liter V-6 also is available.
The CTS ride also has been improved this year with more sound isolation features to block road noise, Leone said.
There aren't any major updates on tap for the STS this model year.
Cadillac also plans to add a new SRX crossover this year. An older version of the SRX was made in Lansing, but production moved to Mexico late last year.
Look for Cadillac to add new models to expand the top and bottom of its size range between now and 2012.
A smaller sport sedan and coupe will use GM's new Alpha global vehicle architecture. The new car was developed to compete with the iconic BMW 3-series, but at a lower price.
All-wheel drive and station wagon variants are not out of the question. The car's styling is very consistent with the CTS.
Cadillac also will add a larger car to replace the STS and DTS sedans.
• Buick: Starved for new models for years, GM's would-be Lexus-fighter is in line for some attention.
In addition to the sophisticated LaCrosse sedan that goes on sale shortly, Buick is to get a midsize sedan.
The upcoming sedan borrows some styling cues from GM's European Opel brand. It bears a strong resemblance to the Opel Insignia, Europe's reigning car of the year.
The midsize model will probably be called the Regal when it goes on sale next year.
The Enclave crossover made at the Lansing Delta Township plant is getting minor tweaks for the 2010 model year. They include USB ports in premium radios and optional chrome wheels. The same holds true for its sister vehicles at the Delta plant, the GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook.
However, GM decided last week to kill plans for a compact crossover for Buick, partly because customers who got previews didn't like it.
As for the LaCrosse, look for the portholes atop the grille to become a signature element across Buick's model line. The question of what Buick will do to create a flagship model above the LaCrosse remains open.
• Chevrolet: The next generation of Chevy's subcompact Aveo has a wedgy body, dramatic lights and styling that add new flair to the car. Chevrolet also will add a smaller car, the tiny and aggressive Spark.
The Cruze sedan will offer amenities including leather upholstery to bolster an expected 40 mpg-plus EPA rating when it goes on sale next year.
The Orlando, a compact minivan/crossover, promises interior room for seven 6-footers and fuel economy well over 30 mpg.
The award-winning Malibu sedan gets a total makeover in 2012, when it becomes sleeker, wider and moves to a 3- or 4-inch-shorter wheelbase. Chevrolet says the new dimensions increase passenger and luggage room.
The inevitable replacement for Chevrolet's popular Impala large sedan remains a mystery.
• GMC: In addition to the brawny Terrain compact crossover coming this fall, the truck brand may add a tough-looking little crossover van.
Lansing State Journal business reporter Barbara Wieland and Detroit Free Press auto columnist Mark Phelan contributed to this report.
A smaller sport sedan and coupe will use GM's new Alpha global vehicle architecture. The new car was developed to compete with the iconic BMW 3-series, but at a lower price.
All-wheel drive and station wagon variants are not out of the question. The car's styling is very consistent with the CTS.
Cadillac also will add a larger car to replace the STS and DTS sedans.
• Buick: Starved for new models for years, GM's would-be Lexus-fighter is in line for some attention.
In addition to the sophisticated LaCrosse sedan that goes on sale shortly, Buick is to get a midsize sedan.
The upcoming sedan borrows some styling cues from GM's European Opel brand. It bears a strong resemblance to the Opel Insignia, Europe's reigning car of the year.
The midsize model will probably be called the Regal when it goes on sale next year.
The Enclave crossover made at the Lansing Delta Township plant is getting minor tweaks for the 2010 model year. They include USB ports in premium radios and optional chrome wheels. The same holds true for its sister vehicles at the Delta plant, the GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook.
However, GM decided last week to kill plans for a compact crossover for Buick, partly because customers who got previews didn't like it.
As for the LaCrosse, look for the portholes atop the grille to become a signature element across Buick's model line. The question of what Buick will do to create a flagship model above the LaCrosse remains open.
• Chevrolet: The next generation of Chevy's subcompact Aveo has a wedgy body, dramatic lights and styling that add new flair to the car. Chevrolet also will add a smaller car, the tiny and aggressive Spark.
The Cruze sedan will offer amenities including leather upholstery to bolster an expected 40 mpg-plus EPA rating when it goes on sale next year.
The Orlando, a compact minivan/crossover, promises interior room for seven 6-footers and fuel economy well over 30 mpg.
The award-winning Malibu sedan gets a total makeover in 2012, when it becomes sleeker, wider and moves to a 3- or 4-inch-shorter wheelbase. Chevrolet says the new dimensions increase passenger and luggage room.
The inevitable replacement for Chevrolet's popular Impala large sedan remains a mystery.
• GMC: In addition to the brawny Terrain compact crossover coming this fall, the truck brand may add a tough-looking little crossover van.
source: lansingstatejournal
