GM's Global Goals: Automaker's international car lines get closer; C7 Corvette to push 700 hp
By Paul Horrell
Jim Queen, GM's VP of global product development, has told Motor Trend more about how GM's international car lines will continue to get closer.
Opel AntaraHe said GM's new Australian RWD platform will be used not just on the Pontiac G8 and Chevy Camaro, but as the basis for the next generation of Cadillacs.
In fact in GM's portfolio, the only large RWD car (not truck) not built on this platform will be the next Corvette and likely the XLR as well.
Queen says the C7 Vette will stick with a naturally aspirated V-8 (at least for the base model) and RWD (not AWD). But power will climb by another significant increment, likely up to around 700 horsepower for the top end model, although Queen would give no specific number. 'We're working hard to get that power onto the pavement,' Queen said, mentioning that weight and weight distribution are the keys. 
Opel Astra TwinTopThe twinning of Opel and Saturn continues. The new Korean-built Opel Antara has just gone on sale in Europe, and will become the 2008 Saturn Vue, from the same source, as announced just before the Chicago Show.
Saturn will also get further bodystyles of the Europe-built compact, the Astra. Three-door and five-door hatchbacks were unveiled at the Chicago autoshow, but sedan and a coupe-cabrio called TwinTop will make the transition to Saturns.