A sneak peek of what's to come...

[ragingfish]

Direct from GM Inside News, here is a list of changes to expect in your favourite GM brands in the upcoming years...Quote »PontiacAztek- The Aztek will finally make it’s exit after the 2005 model year.Bonneville- Bonneville will be cancelled after 2005.G4/G5- It is rumored that Pontiac will get a mid-sized Kappa sedan based off the Holden Torana TT36 show car. It would likely have a high performance V6 powertrain and be slightly smaller than a BMW 3 series. If this car is produced, don't expect to see it before 2007.G6- Coupe and hard-top versions (in that order) of the G6 will arrive in late 2005 as 2006 models. In 2006 a G6 GTP will be added powered by a 240 HP version of the new 3.9L OHV engine. A G6 GXP powered by a 270hp+ version of the 3.9L will also come into play after 2007.G8- Large RWD Sedan based of Zeta Platform with debut around 2007/08. Will be powered by both a 3.9L V6, and 5.3/6.0L V8's. Replacement for the Bonneville, and possibly the Grand PrixGrand Prix- The Grand Prix will receive a GXP version in late MY 2005 as a 2006 model. It will be powered by a 280-300 HP 5.3L LS4 powertrain. unfortunately, the 4 speed automatic transmission will remain until 2007 (at the earliest) when it is replaced by a 6 speed automatic. Also, the current 3800 engine series will be discontinued in 2006/07, replaced by the 240 hp 3.9L V6. In 2008, the Grand Prix will either be replaced by the G8 sedan, or carry on along side it.Solstice- The Solstice is set to arrive in late 2005, as a 2006 model. Starting in 2007 Pontiac will offer a GT version of roadster. The GT will have a turbocharged version of the 2.0L Ecotec engine, and a revised front fascia.Torrent- Pontiac will introduce it’s own Theta-based SUV in 2006. It is said to share the body panels with the Equinox, and have the 3.4L, followed by the 3.9L in 2007.BuickRear-Wheel Drive Sedan (Lucerne)- Buick is scheduled to receive a Zeta-based RWD sedan in 2007. It is said to have an optional V8, and will possibly be named Lucerne.New Premium Front-Wheel Drive Sedan- As part of Buick’s car line renovation, there is going to be a premium front-wheel drive sedan to replace the Park Ave. and LeSabre.Riviera- Buick is considering building the Velite concept car. If built, the car would be the mechanical twin of the new Zeta GTO and Chevy Performance Coupe (Camaro/Chevelle) and named Riviera. The Riviera would come in both coupe and convertible versions. Expect the Riviera to get a DOHC V6 in place of it's platform mates OHV engines.Grand National- A rumor (remember rumor!) is that Buick's high performance version of the Riviera will get a 3.6L Turbocharged V6 instead of a V8 in it's performance model. If this happens, there is a good chance that the Grand National name will make a return.LaCrosse- New in 2005, the replacement for the Century and Regal will get basic updates over it's lifecycle. Nothing exciting here.Rainier- The Rainier will be redesigned in 2008. Rendezvous- An all-new Rendezvous will arrive in 2007. It will also be based on the Lambda platform.Terazza- Again, nothing exciting here until GM decides to redo it's minivans the right way. CadillacCTS/CTS-V- CTS-V will move to the 6.0L V8 by 2006 as production of the 5.7L LS6 ceases. The CTS is scheduled for a redesign in 2007. It is possible Sigma might be dumped at this point for a luxury version of the Zeta platform. It is rumored that the CTS-V will get the 6.4L LS7 powertrain in 2008.XLR/XLR-V- Within two model years we should see a XLR-V series with a 400 hp+ 4.4L Supercharged Northstar V8.SRX/SRX-V- The SRX-V is receiving the 400 hp+ supercharged 4.4L Northstar V8.Deville/DTS- Deville will get freshened on it current platform in 2006 to be more in line with GM's design vocabulary. It will continue until the new super sedan comes online near the end of the decade.Escalade- The Escalade will get a total redesign for the 2007 model year. It's redesign is tied to the GMT-900 program which replaces GM's full size truck line.STS/STS-V- The STS-V will receive the supercharged 4.4L Northstar for the 2006 model year.Escalade-V- After the next-generation Escalade arrives, it will get a V-Series model. It will likely be powered by a V12 powertrain.Kappa Coupe- Cadillac is considering building a Kappa-based coupe to compete with the BMW 3-SeriesSuper Sedan- Cadillac is considering building a Super Sedan in the image of the Sixteen show car. It would be a technology showpiece that started price wise above the STS, and went well into the hundred thousands. The top model would have a version of the V12 shown in the Cien concept of a few years ago. Chevrolet CarsAveo- The Aveo will soldier on at least the next three years with minimal changes keeping with it's minimalist intentions.Camaro/Chevelle- Chevy has an all new sporty coupe set to debut in 2007 on the Zeta platform. This car is very similar to the 2007 GTO, with the exception of tighter styling. At this point the assumption is that this car will be the all new Camaro. There is however an outside rumor that this car may be hastily redesigned and given a more appropriate name such as Chevelle. Then GM would design a Camaro on an all new midsized RWD platform loosely based on a lengthened Kappa platform. This platform (rumored to be called "Beta") was first previewed in the Holden Torana TT36 concept shown at the 04 Sydney International Auto Show. This would slightly delay a Camaro to possibly 2008. Either way, we will keep you updated!Cavalier- As of this writing, Cavalier production has ceasedCobalt- Chevy's new premium compact, the Cobalt goes into production in 05 with base models getting a 145HP Ecotech Engine. There will be both sedan and coupe body styles with the 205hp Supercharged SS topping the line. Expect a 175 HP midrange model to be added in 2006. The Cobalt will go on for at least 3 years with no major changes. Corvette- New 400 HP Corvette C6 debuts in 2005. Expect a 500 HP Z06 to be shown sometime in 2006 and go into production shortly there after. There are rumors of a 600+hp Super Corvette that will do battle with the Dodge Viper and upcoming Ford GT replacement. We will not see this car until 2007 at the earliest.Impala- The Impala is getting a freshen for 2006. A 3.5L (200 hp) or 3.9L (240hp) V6 will be standard, an up level option will be a 5.3L LS4 powertrain (280-300hp). Expect a 6 speed automatic to show up at some point after 2007. Exterior design will be underwealming, but look for GM's best selling sedan to get a a much improved interior, and a back seat with a twist. It is also possible that the Impala will go RWD in 2008-9.Malibu/Malibu Maxx- The Malibu line will be getting redesigned with a front end featuring the aggressive, scowling look of GM's truck line in 2007-8. The 240hp 3.9L is expected to be added sometime in 2006 or after depending on market conditions. Monte Carlo- A 3.5L (200 hp) or 3.9L (240hp) V6 will be standard, an up level option will be a 5.3L LS4 powertrain (280-300hp). Depending on the Camaro situation, the Monte Carlo may be a few years from getting the axe in favor a RWD Coupe in the style of the Pontiac GTO. Chevrolet TrucksEquinox- The 2005 Equinox has been a quite success for Chevrolet. Expect a SS model in 2007, featuring the 3.9L V6.Silverado Line- 2005 is a carryover year for the Silverado. In 2006, there is a good chance that GM will offer a nearly 400HP version of the 6.0L LS2 in a standard cab, shortbed Silverado SS. After that, the aging Silverado line will get a redesign in 2007 (GMT-900). Expect the usual increases in chassis strength, towing ability, and interior quality. Expect Chevy's current scowling look to look more "big rig" a.k.a Dodge Ram An optional 7.5L V10 powertrain will be added.SSR- Being Chevy's halo
truck, the SSR is the first to receive the 390 HP truck version of the 6.0L LS2 in 2005. After 2005, the SSR's fate is tied to the extended Trailblazer platform that it is built on. There are rumors of a panel wagon version of the SSR that would be much cheaper than the hardtop convertible version. No timeframe is available though.Tahoe/Suburban- The Tahoe, Suburban, and Silverado designs are closely tied together. Like the Silverado expect more butch (Dodge Ram) styling, improved chassis dynamics, and a much revised interior. Expect to see the new Tahoe before the new Silverado in 2006 or 2007.Trailblazer- The Trailblazer received a slight interior freshening in 2005. For 2006 expect a nearly 400 HP version of the 6.0L LS2 to power the Trailblazer SS which will finally make it to market. After that, the Trailblazer will get a full redesign in the 2007/08 timeframe. Expect a new interior, more refinement from the 4.2L I6, and an available 5.3L V8 in the short wheelbase model. A rumor floating around is that with the redesign, the short wheelbase Trailblazer may be modified to accommodate a third row of seats. If this happens, the long wheelbase Trailblazer might be cancelled.Uplander- Redesign for 05, after that, who knows, and who cares? GMCCrossover- Due to good sales, GMC will be getting a Lambda-based crossover vehicle in 2007. Envoy/XL/XUV- After a very light interior redesign in 2005 and the addition of the Denali model, expect GMC’s midsize SUV to get a full redesign in 2007. Expect a new interior, more refinement from the 4.2L I6, and an available V8 in the short wheelbase model. GMC has been testing a twin-turbo version of the 4.2L I6, but we have yet to find any indication that it will go into production. A rumor floating around that with the redesign, the short wheelbase Envoy may be modified to accommodate a third row of seats. If this happens, the long wheelbase Envoy might be cancelled.Sierra- Like its Chevrolet counterpart, the Silverado, it will be redesigned in 2007. It too, will receive the V10 powertrain and all changes mentioned above.Yukon/Yukon XL- Like the Tahoe/Suburban, the Yukon and Yukon XL will get redesigned in 2007 and will carry design cues from the Sierra. Expect the Yukon and Tahoe to arrive before the new Sierra.HummerH2/H2 SUT- Both H2 vehicles will get an ‘Alpha’ version in 2006. Alpha is Hummer’s new performance line-up. Any redesign is tied to the Silverado/Sierra's redesign.H3- The H3 will arrive in late 2005 as a 2006 model. It will start the first year with one powertrain, the 3.5L I5. Starting in 2007, the 3.5L will be replaced by a new 3.7L. A Turbo version of the 3.7L will be available in 2008, as the H3 Alpha.Hummer Truck- Hummer is considering building a truck based off of the H3 platform.HX- The HX will be Hummer’s competitor for the Jeep Wrangler. It will be based on the Theta platform and will have a removable top and doors. It will also be the cheapest vehicle in the Hummer line-up, starting in the mid $20,000’s. SaturnSignal- Saturn will get it’s own Epsilon-based sedan in 2006. It is rumored that the new Saturn resembles the Opel Vectra, and Vauxhall counterparts. It will have a much improved interior and more up market intentions than previous Saturns.Kappa Roadster- To expand Saturn’s lineup, they will be bringing a Kappa-based roadster to the market that is similar in design to the Vuxhall Lighting Concept.Vue- The Vue is scheduled to be redesigned in 2007.Ion- After a freshening in 2005, the Ion will next receive a redesign in 2008.

[AKLGT]

wow! they are really stepping up to some nicer vehicles. hopefully they also increase the reliability issues as well. after all, that's the ONLY reason i bought another GM car, because it was essentially toyota and NOT GM.

[ragingfish]

I'm saddened to see they are killing off bonneville...Granted, the Bonne has changed massively since my first car, an 89 model...but it was a fantastic car...I can only hope the alleged "G8" will live up to the legend that is the Bonneville...

[wicked1981]

Cant wait for this one..... Solstice- The Solstice is set to arrive in late 2005, as a 2006 model. Starting in 2007 Pontiac will offer a GT version of roadster. The GT will have a turbocharged version of the 2.0L Ecotec engine, and a revised front fascia.

[kostby]

And so the Vibe is... dead? I don't see mention of NUMMI for any production plans.It sounds like the mid-to-late 1960's: Horsepower rules! Woohoo!

[ragingfish]

These are just upcoming changes and removals...If the car isn't listed, it's not due for any major changes...

[ragingfish]

That would be a misprint. It should be the 3.4. NOT the same engine as the VUE.