|
My best guess is that *if* GM decides to go both-feet-in on doing a GN, it will most definitely use an existing platform and be badged accordingly. GM is not about to create a specific platform for the alluring crowd who worship the turbo G body car...remember, it started its life as a Regal and went from there. When the turbo Regal was introduced, GM did it very quietly, and let the magazine editors run with the flag. Up until that time (and excluding the GS and GSX 455's) Buick was the grandfather car. so, considering back in the years from 1982 thru 1987, GM sold a mere 70,000 of the turbo cars - that's the TOTAL sold within all those years. By the time 1986 rolled around, the turbo Buick finally put out a respectable amount of HP and TQ with its added intercooler, then its demise followed the next year. GM killed it off due to 1. lack of sales, and 2. life-end of RWD platform (the Cutlass was the last RWD in 1988). Plus it had to have been a warranty nightmare as the modifications almost immediately took off with a vengeance, putting drive train stress at its height. Back in 1986, the first year of the intercooled version, a simple chip change and air filter addition swung the high 14 second factory stock vehicle into the mid 13's at will. Then the desire to move into the 12's and 11's immediately followed, putting the drivetrain at risk. Still, it had become a cult car and still is, given that 10 second stock-block GNs are absolutely everywhere and surely the norm. They've been eating Mustangs and everything else since then and even today.
One foot off the platform, hopefully GM has the cajones to make the resurrected GN a special vehicle in itself and builds enough wiggle room for the enthusiast to up the ante with bolt-ons, and still stay within common sense - or not. It will allow the re- entry of the GNX to hit the top of the charts. And regardless, I'm in on this one.
Other foot off the platform...
|