Comments on: GM Snippets

By: 1985 Gripen

1985 Gripen — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 19:08:43 +0000

TimJ: I hope to never see that Automatic Pilot technology in a Saab. What’s more boring than allowing a car to drive you? All cars would basically turn into Toyotas at that point: an appliance. Heck, I don’t even care for automatic transmissions!

I saw a demo of the Microsoft Sync system in a Ford at the L.A. Auto Show. Pretty impressive, but as the tour guide led the show I couldn’t tell how foolproof the thing really is. It works great during the demo though. I really don’t care for Microsoft in general, but have to admit this is a pretty cool system. I asked the woman running the demo if this is the same Microsoft system found in Alfa Romeos in Europe and she denied it, saying that Ford has the exclusive on this system. So I guess Microsoft has TWO automotive systems in development.

By: TimJ

TimJ — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 18:37:24 +0000

SaabUSA may finally have a tie-in for the BFJ campaign – Automatic Pilot

Also at CES, Ford announced Sync 2.0 with emergency and diagnostic features to compete with OnStar (except there is no supplemental subscription required). Since one can opt for SYNC on a Ford Focus, then Bluetooth Integration is no longer a “luxury” amenity IMO.

By: Bernard

Bernard — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 16:33:28 +0000

The maddening thing is that GM already sells a direct injection turbocharged 2.0l engine in the Cobalt SS. This is 100% a Saab engine, but GM decided that Saab should be selling a heavy V6 with a low boost pressure and crappy mileage instead.

It’s obvious that other makers have realized that they can get the publicity (and customers) that GM doesn’t want.

In related news, Audi has presented an E85 turbo concept. I am willing to bet that this will get released in North America before Biopower does.

By: Saaboy

Saaboy — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 04:31:16 +0000

this pisses me off so much. these pos cars are gonna get as much turbo cred. as Saabs glorious pieces of turbo art… wtf…

By: 1985 Gripen

1985 Gripen — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 04:02:08 +0000

Tedjs: well, as you know Saab has been put in charge of GM’s development of a dual clutch transmission so hopefully it’ll be beefier than the Aisin ones.

If Saab were simply given access to GM’s best global engines they’d be in a much better place. Why is it that Cadillac has the best V6 engine within GM while Saab has to use the older port-injected technology of the Holden-sourced one? Let Saab see what they can do with the 3.6-liter direct injected V6 found in the Cadillac CTS and STS. That engine outputs 302 bhp without a turbo. If Saab could put a two-stage turbo setup and BioPowerize it (assuming they could install direct ignition and use Trionic) just imagine what kind of power through XWD it would get with decent fuel economy. If GM really wants Saab to compete with BMW and Audi, they need to stop starving Saab of the best tech.

Shoot, even “volume” player Chevy gets a 3.9-liter flex-fuel VVT V6 with cylinder deactivation technology. Even Chevy seems to get better tech than Saab does.

For all the lip service we get that GM really cares about Saab and its success they certainly don’t be doing anything to ensure it.

I know I’m not the only one tired of the “just wait” hold GM has put on Saab…

By: Tedjs

Tedjs — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 02:06:57 +0000

EcoBoost. I bet Ford makes a big old silver EcoBoost badge and sticks it on every car that has that powertrain in it. They are fighting with Toyota right now to see who can put more ‘green’ hybrid badges on their vehicles. Makes we want to find a late eighties Buick and get a 4 speed automatic badge and stick it on my office door.

Direct injection is impressive technology. Given the fact the fact that the Saab 2.8L V6 already produces 295 lb-ft of torque when the boost is turned up, direct injection could take it to well over 300. Which just might turn that Aisin trans to metal puree.