GM Design Lab

[MikesZ]

From autoblog.com:

Well the designers at GM Design Lab are at it again...this time posting pics of a small Buick sport version dubbed "Small Premium". Me wonders if this would get the rumored FI V-6 along with the Camaro?

[FenwickHockey65]

I would expect a Turbo 4-cylinder over a V6.

[Zabo]

Small Luxury 2+2 Coupe.. Alpha platform?

[AZCamaroFan]

That looks really good! Actually looks a lot like the Infiniti G37 or 370Z. I don't know about the dash. Passenger side looks too retro.

[Mr. Wyndham]

HOT MAMA!!!

And I was just thinking the other day that GM needed a 370z/Crossfire competitor...

[Outlaw]

Wow. Impressive actually!

[Hylton]

Love the side profile. The front needs just a bit more oomph.

[MikesZ]

Originally Posted by Zabo

Small Luxury 2+2 Coupe.. Alpha platform?

Share the Alpha platform with the next Camaro with turbo 4 and 6 motors? Now this is a Buick I would consider.

[Zabo]

Originally Posted by MikesZ

Share the Alpha platform with the next Camaro with turbo 4 and 6 motors? Now this is a Buick I would consider.

While I go for the inevitable Alpha Z..

[MikesZ]

Originally Posted by Zabo

While I go for the inevitable Alpha Z..

Such choices! It would be possible (if close to this design) to take one of these Buicks and make it oh so deliciously SICK!

[Zabo]

Originally Posted by MikesZ

Such choices! It would be possible (if close to this design) to take one of these Buicks and make it oh so deliciously SICK!

2nded. They need to keep the proportions but tone down that front fascia to better fit the Buick line. That profile is total effin' win.

Seriously, RWD small 2+2 coupe.. gonna be hard to decide on my 4th vehicle (if I'm still single by then..)

[MikesZ]

[QUOTE=Zabo;968430]2nded. They need to keep the proportions but tone down that front fascia to better fit the Buick line. That profile is total effin' win.

Seriously, RWD small 2+2 coupe.. gonna be hard to decide on my 4th vehicle (if I'm still single by then..)

[/QUOT

Your use of the phrase "inevitable Alpha Z" is timely since the current administration is pushing for removal of government fuel subsidies, which will push the price of gasoline way up. GM needs to get that Alpha platform online ASAP. A small RWD 2+2 Chevy or Buick coupe will be welcome. My wife could always drive a Cruze or Orlando (pictured below) so we have a 4 door in the family.

[Zabo]

Originally Posted by MikesZ

Your use of the phrase "inevitable Alpha Z" is timely since the current administration is pushing for removal of government fuel subsidies, which will push the price of gasoline way up. GM needs to get that Alpha platform online ASAP. A small RWD 2+2 Chevy or Buick coupe will be welcome. My wife could always drive a Cruze or Orlando (pictured below) so we have a 4 door in the family.

I wouldn't say it will be so much the 'big bad gubment' more than it will be the reality of our situation. If we can decrease bulk and size while still keeping the vehicle practical, useful, and as powerful as their larger brethren then why NOT do it? Heck, it'd bring costs down on materials and allow more efficient production? We could still use the smaller V8s and higher displacement 6es to create insane track and 1320 vehicles without whining bout 'where'd mah displament go?'.

So using the Alpha for the 2+2 situation is almost a no brainer. Zeta can move to full size and Eppy can stay midsize. I'm still miffed that they canned the Kappa, but in all reality it didn't have a place in GM's future business plan.

Ford's moving in the same direction; moving the Fiesta and Euro Spec Focus to international placement. With the Spark and Cruze, I think Chevy has the ground covered:

Small Car Thing: Spark - Fiesta
Small Sedan/Coupe: Cruze - Focus
Mid Size Sedan: Malibu - Fusion
Full Size Sedan: Impala - Taurus
2+2 Coupe: Camaro - Mustang
Utility Van: Express - Transit
Truck: Silverado - F150
Post Mom-mobile: Equinox - Edge
Mom Mobile: Traverse - Upcoming Explorer rehash
Mini Mom Mobile: Orlando - Flex
I have a farm: Suburban - Expedition

I'm over 60 with too much money: Corvette - ...Ford?

Right there GM has it's eye on the ball.

Now where's Fen to explain where Caddy and Buick's vehicles fit into the mess.

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by Zabo

I wouldn't say it will be so much the 'big bad gubment' more than it will be the reality of our situation. If we can decrease bulk and size while still keeping the vehicle practical, useful, and as powerful as their larger brethren then why NOT do it? Heck, it'd bring costs down on materials and allow more efficient production? We could still use the smaller V8s and higher displacement 6es to create insane track and 1320 vehicles without whining bout 'where'd mah displament go?'.

So using the Alpha for the 2+2 situation is almost a no brainer. Zeta can move to full size and Eppy can stay midsize. I'm still miffed that they canned the Kappa, but in all reality it didn't have a place in GM's future business plan.

Ford's moving in the same direction; moving the Fiesta and Euro Spec Focus to international placement. With the Spark and Cruze, I think Chevy has the ground covered:

Small Car Thing: Spark - Fiesta
Small Sedan/Coupe: Cruze - Focus
Mid Size Sedan: Malibu - Fusion
Full Size Sedan: Impala - Taurus
2+2 Coupe: Camaro - Mustang
Utility Van: Express - Transit
Truck: Silverado - F150
Post Mom-mobile: Equinox - Edge
Mom Mobile: Traverse - Upcoming Explorer rehash
Mini Mom Mobile: Orlando - Flex
I have a farm: Suburban - Expedition

I'm over 60 with too much money: Corvette - ...Ford?

Right there GM has it's eye on the ball.

Now where's Fen to explain where Caddy and Buick's vehicles fit into the mess.

Buick and Cadillac both can be seen competing somewhat with Lincoln. Ford doesn't have an all-out premium luxury brand like Cadillac, instead, they two entry-level luxury brands (if you can even consider Mercury as luxury), one of which (Lincoln) is attempting to move upmarket.

In a sense, Ford really doesn't have much to compete with Cadillac.