truth about domestics

The folks over at Kicking Tires have managed to grab some photos of the 2012 Chevrolet Aveo from a presentation given by Bob Lutz.  It has a much improved exterior, and it needs to, what with the new Ford Fiesta coming out this summer.  The biggest news is the heavily improved interior, which features a really impressive two-tone design.  For more shots of the car you see above, head on over to Kicking Tires.

(Image source: Kicking Tires)

If you take a look at the evidence, it seems pretty clear that Buick is planning on bringing a Buick Regal wagon to the United States sometime in the near-to-short term future.  Let me lay it out for you.  First Buick shows off the Regal sedan and then says it will come to the US (basically a rebadged version of the Opel Insignia.)  Then Bob Lutz says GM is looking at a high performance Regal GS and a wagon.  Then the Regal GS concept shows up at the Detroit Auto Show in January.  Well now a fleet of Insignia wagons has shown up in the U.S. and was seen sitting with a bunch of Buick Regal sedans.  For more details, head on over to Jalopnik.

(Image source: Opel)

We have all heard that GM will begin selling a law enforcement version of the foreign market Chevrolet Caprice here in the next few years but sadly they have stated there will be no public offering of this vehicle.  Well according to Bob Lutz, there is a chance we might see a civilian version of the Caprice as a “high-end Chevrolet.”  Interesting!  Lutz also goes on to say that the vehicle would be thought of as a “four-door Corvette.”  Nice!  Please do!  For more, head on over to Autoblog.  Or read what the Aussies have to say on the matter here.

(Image source: GM)

The video above is a brief interview with GM’s vice chairman, Bob Lutz.  The interview takes place at the Detroit Auto Show, and Lutz discusses future product, the challenges GM faced, and how soon the General will turn a profit.

Reports have it that Bob Lutz has stated that the next generation Chevrolet Impala will stay front-wheel drive.  This saddens my heart because I had hoped the rear-wheel drive Pontiac G8 would live on as the next Impala.  No dice says Maximum Bob, but he did mention that the next Impala should feature GM’s hybrid system, meaning fuel economy and technology will be at the forefront for the new model.  For more, head on over to the Straight Line Blog.

(Image source: TopSpeed)

The new 2011 Buick Regal is one heck of a good looking car.  While it’s basically a re-badge of the Open Insignia, that is not a bad thing in the slightest because the Insignia has been a hit across the pond.  What many people are asking is if its possible for the United States to get a more powerful version of the Regal, maybe based on the Insignia OPC that features 325 horsepower, AWD and a six-speed manual transmission.  Only time will tell, but a quote captured by Car and Driver from Bob Lutz himself had the letters “GS” (for Grand Sport) and “335 horsepower” in the same sentence.

(Image source: GM)

Apparently in this video there is a statement from Bob Lutz that basically implies that we could see a Volt SS somewhere down the road.  As Autoblog puts it, we could also see a Converj V in the future, now that production has been confirmed.

“Maximum” Bob Lutz is usually not afraid to hold back when making comments to the press.  In this case, he is a tad more reserved, however he still makes a great point.  The following comment is in reference to the Jaguar XFR being pulled out of his CTS-V challenge by Jaguar saying, “the brakes might not hold up to track duty.”

“I think it means that the European high-performance sedans are excellent, even superb cars, but quite possibly not ready for racing laps right out of the showroom.  The CTS-V is not only quicker, but will, in totally untweaked, stock form, run hot laps at any race track until it runs out of fuel.  Transmission oil and diff oil temps are stable, engine oil temp doesn’t go up, brakes get a bit more pedal travel, but don’t fade.  The street tires get a tad greasy, but handling and control remain excellent.  “May the best car win!” (It wins automatically if the competitors won’t show up!)”

Gotta love it!  Stay tuned for more on the challenge as it develops, but for now, check it out at Jalopnik.

(Image source: thetorquereport.com)

Apparently Jaguar has decided to pull the XFR out of the competition with the Cadillac CTS-V that was to take place against GM’s Bob Lutz.  Jaguar’s PR Stuart Schorr said they aren’t afraid that the XFR would lose to the Caddy.  No, their reason?  That the brakes couldn’t hold up to track duty for 5 time attack laps and could pose a danger to the driver.  It seems that the only car willing to take on the CTS-V is the CTS-V itself.  The Jag was originally going to be piloted by Jalopnik’s Wes Siler, but it appears they will now use Lutz’s V or a Mitsubishi EVO that they drive up in.  For more, head on over to Jalopnik.

On a side note, the picture is from a comparison between the XFR and CTS-V, in which case the V won.

(Image source: Motor Trend)

That’s right folks, the challenge was thrown by Bob Lutz for anyone to step up who thought they (and their car) could beat Lutz himself in a race in a CTS-V.  Well the cars range from a BMW M3, to a Jaguar XFR, and a few other nice ones in between.  Hopefully the race takes place soon, all the hype is killing me!  For more, head on over to Autoblog or Cadillac Notes.