New rwd coupes confirmed
09-22-2005, 07:00 PM
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New rwd coupes confirmed
GM reverses course, says revised version of Zeta rear-drive architecture is back on track
Automotive News
9/12/05
DETROIT - Six months after General Motors halted plans to use its Zeta rear-wheel-drive car architecture in North America, the company has revived the program.
In an interview with Automotive News last week, Jim Queen, GM's vice president of global engineering, said a revised version of Zeta is back on track.
Engineered at GM's Holden subsidiary in Australia, Zeta was expected to be the basis of the next-generation Pontiac Grand Prix and GTO; the Chevrolet Impala, Monte Carlo and a new version of the Camaro; and other vehicles. Vehicles in the program were expected to debut as early as 2006.
Queen did not discuss vehicles on the new version of Zeta or timing. Some vehicles that could be in the Zeta program include the next-generation Pontiac GTO as well as a Chevrolet coupe and sedans. They could debut by the 2009 or 2010 model year, say one company source and one industry analyst.
Queen said initial plans for Zeta stretched the architecture beyond its limits for some North American vehicles. "We needed to reassess and reconfigure the program," he said.
"As we started counting who was in and who was out of Zeta, we realized too late" that Zeta would not work in North America, Queen said.
Part of GM's reasoning in slowing Zeta's development was to focus on pulling forward its full-sized SUVs and pickups. GM's next-generation SUVs will debut early next year.
At the time, GM Vice Chairman Robert Lutz wrote on GM's FastLane blog that GM had "canceled & plans to build rear-wheel-drive vehicles off the Zeta architecture."
"But that does not mean we've canceled plans to build rear-drive vehicles altogether," Lutz wrote. "We are simply reallocating resources (human and financial) to pull some other programs ahead and get other vehicles to market sooner."
The revised Zeta program is being developed in GM's Australian engineering center. The vehicle line executive on the program is Gene Stefanyshyn, the former vehicle line executive for GM's Epsilon, or mid-sized cars, in North America.
A GM spokesman said no product plans have been approved and that GM still is studying design themes, performance characteristics and variants for Zeta vehicles.
GM uses the term "architecture" to signify a common set of components, performance characteristics, a common manufacturing process, a range of dimensions and connecting points for key component systems.
Automotive News
9/12/05
DETROIT - Six months after General Motors halted plans to use its Zeta rear-wheel-drive car architecture in North America, the company has revived the program.
In an interview with Automotive News last week, Jim Queen, GM's vice president of global engineering, said a revised version of Zeta is back on track.
Engineered at GM's Holden subsidiary in Australia, Zeta was expected to be the basis of the next-generation Pontiac Grand Prix and GTO; the Chevrolet Impala, Monte Carlo and a new version of the Camaro; and other vehicles. Vehicles in the program were expected to debut as early as 2006.
Queen did not discuss vehicles on the new version of Zeta or timing. Some vehicles that could be in the Zeta program include the next-generation Pontiac GTO as well as a Chevrolet coupe and sedans. They could debut by the 2009 or 2010 model year, say one company source and one industry analyst.
Queen said initial plans for Zeta stretched the architecture beyond its limits for some North American vehicles. "We needed to reassess and reconfigure the program," he said.
"As we started counting who was in and who was out of Zeta, we realized too late" that Zeta would not work in North America, Queen said.
Part of GM's reasoning in slowing Zeta's development was to focus on pulling forward its full-sized SUVs and pickups. GM's next-generation SUVs will debut early next year.
At the time, GM Vice Chairman Robert Lutz wrote on GM's FastLane blog that GM had "canceled & plans to build rear-wheel-drive vehicles off the Zeta architecture."
"But that does not mean we've canceled plans to build rear-drive vehicles altogether," Lutz wrote. "We are simply reallocating resources (human and financial) to pull some other programs ahead and get other vehicles to market sooner."
The revised Zeta program is being developed in GM's Australian engineering center. The vehicle line executive on the program is Gene Stefanyshyn, the former vehicle line executive for GM's Epsilon, or mid-sized cars, in North America.
A GM spokesman said no product plans have been approved and that GM still is studying design themes, performance characteristics and variants for Zeta vehicles.
GM uses the term "architecture" to signify a common set of components, performance characteristics, a common manufacturing process, a range of dimensions and connecting points for key component systems.
09-24-2005, 03:55 PM
#3
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Here you go
https://www.autonews.com/buyArchives...rticleId=54443
Was at the Bowling Green F-Body reunion and heard some tid bits there.
Was at the Bowling Green F-Body reunion and heard some tid bits there.
09-24-2005, 08:56 PM
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Originally Posted by fredl11
https://www.autonews.com/buyArchives...rticleId=54443
Was at the Bowling Green F-Body reunion and heard some tid bits there.
Was at the Bowling Green F-Body reunion and heard some tid bits there.
09-25-2005, 10:42 PM
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09-30-2005, 02:36 AM
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New American pony car wars? 
Btw, I think Mercury should make a new Cougar using the new Mustang's chassis except without retro styling.
Likely Challenger: Dodge prepping a rear-drive coupe to take on Ford's Mustang
RICK KRANZ | Automotive News
Posted Date: 6/13/05
DETROIT -- Watch out, Ford Mustang. Dodge is preparing a challenger.
In fact, it's likely to be called Challenger.
Chrysler plans to resurrect a respected name from the pony car era for a rear-wheel-drive Mustang fighter, industry sources say. The car is expected in 2009 on the LX platform, the basis of the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum and Charger.
"It is a two-door, essentially a competitor for the Mustang," says Catherine Madden, a production analyst for industry research group Global Insight. "They are really excited about it."
Madden says the sport coupe is planned to debut in 2009, when the next-generation LX vehicles are scheduled to be re-engineered and restyled.
"They would be able to make some additional investment in the platform, make some adjustments for that product" at that time, she says.
"The enthusiasm for that product," Madden says, is "very big."
Chrysler hopes to sell 60,000 to 70,000 of the cars a year, she says. An assembly site was not identified. Production of the 300, Magnum and recently introduced Charger is expected to fill Chrysler's Brampton, Ontario, assembly plant.
Chrysler officials are not talking about the car, but industry analysts say they are familiar with the plans.
Jim Hall, vice president of industry analysis at AutoPacific Inc., says he isn't sure Chrysler can pull it off. "They have a lot of stuff that has to be cleared off the table before they start playing around with that car," he says.
The redesigned 2005 Mustang has exceeded initial sales estimates. Ford expects to build 192,000 Mustangs this year, and most retail units are selling at a price near the sticker.
The 1970-74 Challenger was Dodge's answer to the original Mustang, as well as the Chevrolet Camaro, Pontiac Firebird, Mercury Cougar, and AMC Javelin.
Btw, I think Mercury should make a new Cougar using the new Mustang's chassis except without retro styling.
Likely Challenger: Dodge prepping a rear-drive coupe to take on Ford's Mustang
RICK KRANZ | Automotive News
Posted Date: 6/13/05
DETROIT -- Watch out, Ford Mustang. Dodge is preparing a challenger.
In fact, it's likely to be called Challenger.
Chrysler plans to resurrect a respected name from the pony car era for a rear-wheel-drive Mustang fighter, industry sources say. The car is expected in 2009 on the LX platform, the basis of the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum and Charger.
"It is a two-door, essentially a competitor for the Mustang," says Catherine Madden, a production analyst for industry research group Global Insight. "They are really excited about it."
Madden says the sport coupe is planned to debut in 2009, when the next-generation LX vehicles are scheduled to be re-engineered and restyled.
"They would be able to make some additional investment in the platform, make some adjustments for that product" at that time, she says.
"The enthusiasm for that product," Madden says, is "very big."
Chrysler hopes to sell 60,000 to 70,000 of the cars a year, she says. An assembly site was not identified. Production of the 300, Magnum and recently introduced Charger is expected to fill Chrysler's Brampton, Ontario, assembly plant.
Chrysler officials are not talking about the car, but industry analysts say they are familiar with the plans.
Jim Hall, vice president of industry analysis at AutoPacific Inc., says he isn't sure Chrysler can pull it off. "They have a lot of stuff that has to be cleared off the table before they start playing around with that car," he says.
The redesigned 2005 Mustang has exceeded initial sales estimates. Ford expects to build 192,000 Mustangs this year, and most retail units are selling at a price near the sticker.
The 1970-74 Challenger was Dodge's answer to the original Mustang, as well as the Chevrolet Camaro, Pontiac Firebird, Mercury Cougar, and AMC Javelin.
Last edited by micro; 06-25-2006 at 02:24 AM.
09-30-2005, 09:13 AM
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Originally Posted by micro
New American muscle car wars?
Btw, I think Mercury should make a new Cougar using the new Mustang's chassis except without retro styling.
Likely Challenger: Dodge prepping a rear-drive coupe to take on Ford's Mustang
RICK KRANZ | Automotive News
Posted Date: 6/13/05
DETROIT -- Watch out, Ford Mustang. Dodge is preparing a challenger.
In fact, it's likely to be called Challenger.
Chrysler plans to resurrect a respected name from the pony car era for a rear-wheel-drive Mustang fighter, industry sources say. The car is expected in 2009 on the LX platform, the basis of the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum and Charger.
"It is a two-door, essentially a competitor for the Mustang," says Catherine Madden, a production analyst for industry research group Global Insight. "They are really excited about it."
Madden says the sport coupe is planned to debut in 2009, when the next-generation LX vehicles are scheduled to be re-engineered and restyled.
"They would be able to make some additional investment in the platform, make some adjustments for that product" at that time, she says.
"The enthusiasm for that product," Madden says, is "very big."
Chrysler hopes to sell 60,000 to 70,000 of the cars a year, she says. An assembly site was not identified. Production of the 300, Magnum and recently introduced Charger is expected to fill Chrysler's Brampton, Ontario, assembly plant.
Chrysler officials are not talking about the car, but industry analysts say they are familiar with the plans.
Jim Hall, vice president of industry analysis at AutoPacific Inc., says he isn't sure Chrysler can pull it off. "They have a lot of stuff that has to be cleared off the table before they start playing around with that car," he says.
The redesigned 2005 Mustang has exceeded initial sales estimates. Ford expects to build 192,000 Mustangs this year, and most retail units are selling at a price near the sticker.
The 1970-74 Challenger was Dodge's answer to the original Mustang, as well as the Chevrolet Camaro, Pontiac Firebird, Mercury Cougar, and AMC Javelin.
Btw, I think Mercury should make a new Cougar using the new Mustang's chassis except without retro styling.
Likely Challenger: Dodge prepping a rear-drive coupe to take on Ford's Mustang
RICK KRANZ | Automotive News
Posted Date: 6/13/05
DETROIT -- Watch out, Ford Mustang. Dodge is preparing a challenger.
In fact, it's likely to be called Challenger.
Chrysler plans to resurrect a respected name from the pony car era for a rear-wheel-drive Mustang fighter, industry sources say. The car is expected in 2009 on the LX platform, the basis of the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum and Charger.
"It is a two-door, essentially a competitor for the Mustang," says Catherine Madden, a production analyst for industry research group Global Insight. "They are really excited about it."
Madden says the sport coupe is planned to debut in 2009, when the next-generation LX vehicles are scheduled to be re-engineered and restyled.
"They would be able to make some additional investment in the platform, make some adjustments for that product" at that time, she says.
"The enthusiasm for that product," Madden says, is "very big."
Chrysler hopes to sell 60,000 to 70,000 of the cars a year, she says. An assembly site was not identified. Production of the 300, Magnum and recently introduced Charger is expected to fill Chrysler's Brampton, Ontario, assembly plant.
Chrysler officials are not talking about the car, but industry analysts say they are familiar with the plans.
Jim Hall, vice president of industry analysis at AutoPacific Inc., says he isn't sure Chrysler can pull it off. "They have a lot of stuff that has to be cleared off the table before they start playing around with that car," he says.
The redesigned 2005 Mustang has exceeded initial sales estimates. Ford expects to build 192,000 Mustangs this year, and most retail units are selling at a price near the sticker.
The 1970-74 Challenger was Dodge's answer to the original Mustang, as well as the Chevrolet Camaro, Pontiac Firebird, Mercury Cougar, and AMC Javelin.
09-30-2005, 04:16 PM
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For now, here is a 1971 Dodge Challenger convertible which originally had a 318 cubic inch V-8, but the car was restored and now has a 440 6-Pack, a shaker hood, and a hurst pistol grip.
10-15-2005, 05:57 PM
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I highly doubt the new coupes will have retro styling. GM should take a page from the new Saturn Sky and Pontiac Solstice with regard to styling.
2006 Pontiac Solstice shown below
Edit: I was wrong about the Camaro's styling.
2006 Pontiac Solstice shown below
Edit: I was wrong about the Camaro's styling.
Last edited by micro; 06-25-2006 at 02:25 AM.
10-17-2005, 06:00 AM
#10
Team Owner
Micro, nice lookin' ride!! Back in 1971, when I was shopping for my first brand new car, I almost bought a Challenger similar to yours.
10-18-2005, 07:54 PM
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That isn't my car. I just found it on ebay.
The reason why I think the next generation Pontiac GTO (and/or Firebird) won't have retro styling is because Michael Simcoe, GM's executive director of body frame integral design, makes a small statement about it in the link below.
(The link is about Buick's plan to return to rwd from December of last year)
http://autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ar...=7324879140287
Buick plans lineup expansion; rear-wheel-drive premium vehicles to be featured
JASON STEIN | Automotive News
Posted Date: 12/20/04
DETROIT -- General Motors' next rear-wheel-drive premium vehicles will expand Buick's product line significantly and give consumers more options - sporty cars and comfy sedans.
Michael Simcoe, GM's new executive director of body frame integral design, says the automaker's new Zeta architecture will extend Buick's product portfolio.
"We will play at both ends," Simcoe says. "We can have prestigious luxury and prestigious sport."
Within two years, Zeta will debut on a Buick sedan. A coupe and possibly a convertible will follow.
Simcoe says Zeta, which will be engineered by GM's Australian subsidiary Holden Ltd., will be a key component in GM's overall strategy for global products.
Simcoe should know. Before being appointed to his position on Aug. 1, Simcoe was executive director for design in GM's Asia-Pacific region. He was responsible for the design strategy at GM Daewoo Auto & Technology Co. and Holden.
Zeta is an evolution in the way GM thinks about product development, he says.
"Zeta is the classic case of GM seeing an architecture around the globe," Simcoe says. "The way it used to work was if it wasn't North American, it wasn't appropriate.
"But there is a lot of potential there with Zeta. There is freedom to do more."
As such, Zeta will offer that freedom to GM's product planners."We are getting encouragement coming from all sides to do as much as we can with it in terms of flexibility," Simcoe says. "That means more variants and more ability to move up and down when it comes to price."
Zeta will debut with Pontiac in the next-generation GTO - but the design won't be retro, he says.
"I wouldn't want retro," Simcoe says. "What the market wants is something that will stand out."
GM uses the term architecture to signify a common set of components, performance characteristics, a common manufacturing process, a range of dimensions and connecting points for key component systems.
The reason why I think the next generation Pontiac GTO (and/or Firebird) won't have retro styling is because Michael Simcoe, GM's executive director of body frame integral design, makes a small statement about it in the link below.
(The link is about Buick's plan to return to rwd from December of last year)
http://autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ar...=7324879140287
Buick plans lineup expansion; rear-wheel-drive premium vehicles to be featured
JASON STEIN | Automotive News
Posted Date: 12/20/04
DETROIT -- General Motors' next rear-wheel-drive premium vehicles will expand Buick's product line significantly and give consumers more options - sporty cars and comfy sedans.
Michael Simcoe, GM's new executive director of body frame integral design, says the automaker's new Zeta architecture will extend Buick's product portfolio.
"We will play at both ends," Simcoe says. "We can have prestigious luxury and prestigious sport."
Within two years, Zeta will debut on a Buick sedan. A coupe and possibly a convertible will follow.
Simcoe says Zeta, which will be engineered by GM's Australian subsidiary Holden Ltd., will be a key component in GM's overall strategy for global products.
Simcoe should know. Before being appointed to his position on Aug. 1, Simcoe was executive director for design in GM's Asia-Pacific region. He was responsible for the design strategy at GM Daewoo Auto & Technology Co. and Holden.
Zeta is an evolution in the way GM thinks about product development, he says.
"Zeta is the classic case of GM seeing an architecture around the globe," Simcoe says. "The way it used to work was if it wasn't North American, it wasn't appropriate.
"But there is a lot of potential there with Zeta. There is freedom to do more."
As such, Zeta will offer that freedom to GM's product planners."We are getting encouragement coming from all sides to do as much as we can with it in terms of flexibility," Simcoe says. "That means more variants and more ability to move up and down when it comes to price."
Zeta will debut with Pontiac in the next-generation GTO - but the design won't be retro, he says.
"I wouldn't want retro," Simcoe says. "What the market wants is something that will stand out."
GM uses the term architecture to signify a common set of components, performance characteristics, a common manufacturing process, a range of dimensions and connecting points for key component systems.
Last edited by micro; 07-05-2007 at 05:36 PM.
10-22-2005, 03:17 PM
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I think the Sky looks more aggressive than the Solstice. If I was to get one of those new little cars it would be the Saturn eventhough I am a die-hard Poncho man. I'm interested in seeing what GM has in store for these RWD cars they keep talking about introducing. As for a new Camaro/Firebird...we'll see what happens. I'm still a little hesitant to believe that either one of them is coming back. Guess we'll have to wait a little closer to 08 to find out.
11-04-2005, 12:32 PM
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Originally Posted by micro
For now, here is a 1971 Dodge Challenger convertible which originally had a 318 cubic inch V-8, but the car was restored and now has a 440 6-Pack, a shaker hood, and a hurst pistol grip.
11-06-2005, 09:19 AM
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by kman8447
nice challenger!!! If the new one looks like the concept car I would definately get one!
Thats what the damned Charger should have looked like!
11-21-2005, 11:28 PM
#15
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So much for the Challenger using modern styling...
The link below has a picture from Dodge
http://www.thecarconnection.com/imag...HPYJHPLRDA.jpg
"Leaked pictures"
http://www.thecarconnection.com/imag...HFGBHDXWPH.jpg
http://www.thecarconnection.com/imag...KXHPOWHZRB.jpg
and yet this is the same Dodge that makes this bold, new Magnum R/T?
Hot Magnum SRT8
Twenty inch forged aluminum wheels hide four-piston Brembo calipers clamping on 14.2 inch front rotors (13.8 inch at the rear wheels).
The link below has a picture from Dodge
http://www.thecarconnection.com/imag...HPYJHPLRDA.jpg
"Leaked pictures"
http://www.thecarconnection.com/imag...HFGBHDXWPH.jpg
http://www.thecarconnection.com/imag...KXHPOWHZRB.jpg
and yet this is the same Dodge that makes this bold, new Magnum R/T?
Hot Magnum SRT8
Twenty inch forged aluminum wheels hide four-piston Brembo calipers clamping on 14.2 inch front rotors (13.8 inch at the rear wheels).
Last edited by micro; 06-25-2006 at 02:35 AM.
12-18-2005, 09:22 AM
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There were made with four doors to appeal to the baby boomers who had the two door models way back when...the baby boomers are likely to have kids and would need the extra doors...its a marketing ploy to sell more cars.
12-26-2005, 02:33 AM
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Autoweek usually gets their news from Automotive News.
http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage
http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage
12-26-2005, 02:38 AM
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Rather than worry about whether or not to install a hand-built (and expensive) LS7 in the new Camaro to compete with the new GT500, GM should make it handle far better than the new Mustang and give it an LS2 and the 3.6 liter 255 hp DOHC V-6 from the Cadillac CTS.
12-27-2005, 01:39 PM
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really?
Lol, I guess they got enough flak from every direction that they finally realized how stupid it was to pull the plug on Zeta.
"ummm, well we don't have enough money to make all these cool new products we've been telling you about, so because we have been losing money for the last 20 years we are going to offer the same types of products as we have for the past 20 years...... What? Why are you looking at me like that???" - Wagoner talking to the press.
Regardless, it still is stupid to continue to build new platforms at the amount of money they put into them. They already know what works, and why not just stick with that in a new platform?
Sorry if I lost you, but look at it this way, before GM owned Saab, they (saab) developed their own platforms. They also did not have the sales numbers to support a billion dollar platform. They also built incredibly safe vehicles, so obviously they knew how to develop a good platform with less. I would still like to know why GM Ford and DC need to spend so much to develop a new platform. Damn Ford and the trend they started with the escort.
Also, I heard there was rumors of the Solstice platform growing to include 2+2 models. Anyone else hear that?
I like that charger concept shown in the spy photos above. I think it'd look cool as hell lined up next to a new camaro and a shelby gt500.
For Camaro Styling, I just hope it has a realistically sized back seat and is more like a 2 door 4 seat sports car instead of a 2 + 2 halves coupe. I could care less if it is retro or not, as long as it looks good.
"ummm, well we don't have enough money to make all these cool new products we've been telling you about, so because we have been losing money for the last 20 years we are going to offer the same types of products as we have for the past 20 years...... What? Why are you looking at me like that???" - Wagoner talking to the press.
Regardless, it still is stupid to continue to build new platforms at the amount of money they put into them. They already know what works, and why not just stick with that in a new platform?
Sorry if I lost you, but look at it this way, before GM owned Saab, they (saab) developed their own platforms. They also did not have the sales numbers to support a billion dollar platform. They also built incredibly safe vehicles, so obviously they knew how to develop a good platform with less. I would still like to know why GM Ford and DC need to spend so much to develop a new platform. Damn Ford and the trend they started with the escort.
Also, I heard there was rumors of the Solstice platform growing to include 2+2 models. Anyone else hear that?
I like that charger concept shown in the spy photos above. I think it'd look cool as hell lined up next to a new camaro and a shelby gt500.
For Camaro Styling, I just hope it has a realistically sized back seat and is more like a 2 door 4 seat sports car instead of a 2 + 2 halves coupe. I could care less if it is retro or not, as long as it looks good.