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Rocky
Rocky
This article is for you pal
The new 2007 model-year Chevrolet Tahoe made its first public appearance this past October 2005 to a wide-eyed automotive press anxious to see what the future holds for the GM full-size platform. The announced release date for the 116 inch wheelbase Chevy Tahoe and Yukon shown here is scheduled for February 15, 2006. GM will share this styling with all full-size 130 inch wheelbase models, which include the Suburban, Avalanche, Silverado, GMC Yukon, Denali, Sierra and the Cadillac Escalade - phasing them in throughout the 2006 calendar year. The longer wheelbase GMT-900 SUV's are scheduled for an April 2006 release. In addition, this should represent the future 2007 model-year 2500HD/3500 pickup truck styling, which could be available as early as fall 2006. The totally redesigned styling in combination with the new 360 horsepower LBZ Duramax Diesel engine will produce a remarkable combination.
Considerable development effort was devoted to the chassis on these new shorter wheelbase full-size SUV's. The 1500 series frame is now fully boxed, which stiffens the structure, and allows for a new coil-over front suspension - replacing the long-used torsion bar arrangement. Rack and pinion steering is now standard, while the rear suspension retains an updated 5-link solid axle. Surprisingly, the yet to be released 2500 series 2007 Suburban will ride on an updated GMT-800 chassis, which we assume will retain the torsion bar front suspension and leaf springs at the rear.
Aerodynamics played a major role in the exterior design. The windshield angle was increased, and the front-end was reshaped to reduce drag. In addition, a lowered air dam further reduces aerodynamic drag. The cumulative effect of all of these changes reduce drag by nearly 12% - compared to the GMT-800 styling. Combine a lower overall weight and lower aerodynamic drag with the new Displacement-on-Demand Gen IV 5.3L V-8, and GM expects a combined fuel economy rating above 20-mpg.
While thought to be a little bland, those of us here at TDP appreciated the interior comfort and styling of the previous GMT-800 platform (1999-2006 model-year). However, having been in production since fall 1999, the time has come for a freshening. The new interior shown here incorporates a wealth of both design and functional improvements. Other than the Chevy emblems, there's not a lot of similarity to the 2006 model-year interior.
The new dash is moved down and away from the occupants, providing nearly 6 inches more room and increased visibility. Those riding shotgun are protected by a new dual-stage airbag system, available side-curtain airbags, new seat belt tensioners and structural design changes that increase rollover protection.
The GMC Yukon line is not without a fresh look as well. We're hoping the GMC trucks offer a more aggressive look, but we'll all have to wait a while to learn how these new designs translate into the 2500HD/3500 pickup truck lineup. Stay tuned for more news and information about the new 2007 models in the months ahead. TDP
Rocky
I expect my regular consultant fee.
Rocky :P
What ever I do drive at the time, I enjoy. That said, I am not driving a huge truck, or something which is work. It's all good.
-Loren
I expect my regular consultant fee.
Find me a new diesel Suburban and you'll get your consultation fee.
After reading the article you posted. I got excited briefly when they were bringing up the Duramax option, but quickly realized it was for the new trucks. Oh well.
No doubt the new Tahoe/Suburban are nice. I haven't looked at a Suburban yet, but I have sat in the Tahoe and I like the improvements. I'm just peeved GM feels the 6 speed is only good enough for the Denali/Escalade.
In the transmission decision on the manufacturer's end, my favorite policy is that of choice. If someone's favorite transmission isn't offered on a car, that's one less sale for the manufacturer and one more person forced to settle for a second choice.
Rocky
Rocky
P.S. I know how GM works, and it will probably be a upgrade so they have something to brag about later. These folks are so darn predictable diesel. BTW- I will ask the Duramax question also.
I will fill you in ASAP with my return answers.
Rocky
Think as gasoline prices pass through $3/gallon these days that Honda may have hit the target (yet again?). Where is GM in all of this?
this is the one that has been arond awhile. New one coming out soon.
Hate to see GM blow an opportunity here. Ford only has the tired old Focus, Toyota and Nissan and Honda are rolling. GM needs to also. GM didn't succeed with the GEO Metro, or let it drop, but times are different now.
When will the new Aveo be available?
Anyway, nvbanker is using a LS430 which is Lexus' big sedan in lieu of the Navigator, Rocky. The LX470 is the big Lexus SUV.
American car buyers are choosing powerful engines in the same proportions even in these days of $3 a gallon gas, the analysts at J.D. Power report. The Power Information Network (PIN) says in the first quarter of the year, about 25 percent of all vehicles purchased in the U.S. were powered by eight-cylinder engines, roughly in line with the figures from the third quarter of 2005. At the same time, sales of six-cylinder engines have stayed steady at 40 to 42 percent of all sales, and four-cylinders have continued to account for 30 to 33 percent of all vehicle sales. "Gas prices are certainly becoming a popular dinner and water-cooler discussion topic, but consumers appear to be conditioned to prices at current levels," said Jeff Schuster, executive director of global forecasting at J.D. Power Automotive Forecasting.
That's because the consumer doesn't believe gas prices will stay this high. Just like no one belived gas would stay over a dollar a gallon.
You'd think that buying the tow package would get you a new cam to push the torque peak down below 2000 rpm where it belongs.
I now assume a computer generates answers to questions at the GM site.
Now, I do wonder why Cadillac crash tests have not resulted in all 5 star results. Looks like the CTS did not fair as well as the Sonata. Which numbers also best a Volvo
-Loren
Note that the half ton transmission (4L60) is rated for 8600 lbs, while the 4L80 is rated for 16500.
Compared to the 1970's the larger engines have made some gains in performance. This may account for some larger engine sales. Domestic four cylinder engines tend to be less sought after than Japanese, as most are, or were coarse running and not as fuel efficient. Generally, the domestic smaller engines are thought to not last as long. That said, some do last now, and some are foreign made in US brand cars anyway.
I do think the four cylinder will be taking more market share going forward, like the Civic 40 MPG highway listed car. With HP now around 160, the four banger is no longer underpowered. I personally would love to own a V8 again, and though a 6 would be an improvement for me
While a car getting less than 20 MPG is extremely costly, I think many people with a V6 or V8, getting around 22 to 24 MPG on an average will just suck up the higher fuel costs.
If you put lots of miles on a car each year, then a Civic 40MPG car is the way to go. I did the math on the Hybrid Toyota and it would take 5 years for catch up to the Civic if you drove 30K miles a year, and of course 10 years at 15K miles per year. Takes a long time, unless you figure in some tax breaks, which I did not. Why is our government subsidizing Toyota's?
The GM V6 seems to do almost as well as the i4 s in their line up. I think I would go V6 in a GM. Now a smooth inline 6 would be a good thing, but it is not in the cards.
-Loren
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Someone said a country has used a plant product to make fuel (alcohol?) and is oil independent. Maybe it's a S. American company.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
See, I don't think people are embarassed to be seen in an GM product I just people don;t like GM's nid-size or compact cars. I mean GM sells alot of SUV"s and the Caddy line has been doing well but the buying public just didn't like their latest round of compact or mid-size offerings: the Chevy Cobalt, G6, Malibu, and Grand Prix. The 1997-2003 Pontiac Grand Prix owners were very enthusiastic about their cars. I just don't see the same enthusiasm with 04+ Pontiac Grand prix that I saw with the 1997-2003 Grand Prix owners. If any car by any particular brand doesn't sell well than that manufacturer did something wrong with their product wether it be wrong styling, not putting enough interior room in their car, or the interior plastics weren't good enough.
The hardcore GM fans seem to think everyody against them but why are GM's SUV's so successful as opposed to their mainstream car line with the exception of 2003+ Caddy?
Chevy SSR
Chevy HHR
Yukon Denali
Cadillac STS
Escalade.
That's it, sorry. Everything else they make doesn't move me.
Chevy SSR
Chevy HHR
Yukon Denali
Cadillac STS
Escalade.
Let me guess. You are over 50?
Not one of those cars would not be attractive to a 30-40 year old except perhaps the SSR which may be not recognized as a retro vehicle to younger folks.
What vehicle has the lowest average age and what is that age?
Here is a quote on a "young" average vehicle.
Honda’s aim is to appeal to younger consumers, according to Naughton. Many of them already buy the Element, which has seen sales fluctuate. The average age of an Element buyer is 43, which is young in an industry where an average buyer’s age tends to be in the upper 40s, 50s and above. “We chose a game on the Internet because it’s fun and could be spread by word of mouth and could reach a target audience of college kids,” Naughton said.
In truth, carmakers are discovering yet again that the primary selling points for kids are the same as 30 years ago: price and value. The average sticker price for a new car sold to buyers under age 24 (most of them buy used cars) is $15,000, says CNW Marketing Research Inc. Says Eric Noble, president of The Car Lab, which has studied the market for auto makers: "A youth car is just a cheap car."
Little surprise that two South Korean cars -- Hyundai Motor Co.'s $10,000 Accent and $13,000 Elantra -- have the youngest average buyers of any on the market, at age 24.
What's somewhat odd IMO, most of the Prius owners I've seen around here have been mostly retirement age.
Those praying that Toyota has a chink in the armor from this are victim to the usual GM-short term thinking. These hybrid development costs will be amortized over millions of cars, as the technology becomes standard in future cars. Toyota has now created a brand that is associated with hybrid technology, which means that the public will trust a hybrid from Toyota that it might not trust from some other automaker.
Selling Priuses to the tech fiends who were more interested in gadgetry than in price has given Toyota valuable data that it can use as it improves its technology to sell better hybrids in more regular cars to more typical consumers. Soon enough, there won't even be a price premium, as high oil prices will likely motivate Toyota to simply install hybrid technology across its entire line as standard equipment. That move will sell a lot more Camry's to Joe Sixpack, who has come to trust Toyota in this area, and will create the basis for future sales with more satisified customers. On the whole, a smart, long-haul strategy.
Just out of curiosity is there anyone under 65 who has recently bought or is thinking about buying a new Buick?
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
LOL, my dad is under 65 and isn't thinking about buying a Buick....
The average age of the Avalon buyer crept up from 56 to 61 in 2005
The average Camry buyer's age of 56
The average age of the Buick buyer in 2005 dropped from 68 to 63 Means half of buyers are under 63.
Average buyer of, PT Cruiser, 50; Corvette, 48; MX-5 Miata, 50
Electric vehicle with a small gas/propane/cng/diesel/whatnot generator onboard.
100MPG would be easily achieveable.
-Loren
Hawg Wash.
Rocky :confuse:
The hybrid vehicle market is still in its early stages. They probably really make sense for city delivery vehicles (trucks and buses included) at this point. But significantly, Honda announced that they will have an advanced version of the Honda Fit that will get spectacular mileage and boost the sales figures of hybrids, thereby driving down the cost (good strategy). Plus remember that the present day hybrids are kind of "first generation"- they will get better in time- regenerative braking is a very powerful energy saver. But so will conventional gasoline and diesel engines. Jury is still out.
:shades:
IMO it's because they are the ones most affected by the higher gas prices.