GM's Lineup through 2011 inc. a 7.0 Liter 505hp Impala

[MR.hp]

I don't like too many late model cars of any brand as of late, but some of these sure do look good. I hope they make a good pitch to push some of these models as GM has missed the boat lately.
Check out the new impala with a 7.0 liter 505 hp WOW. Ford may have to get off their butts.
The Firebird and the GTO may comeback also and they look very nice. I certainly would be interested in the GTO if they made one like that.

http://www.gminsidenews.com/naias/re...corvette.shtml






Of course when gas hits 7$ a gal this will all go down the crapper.

[SS427]

Anything that has a 7.0 in it is good with me

[Fast One]

I wish Buick would get to build something like GMI's proposed Wildcat, GS or Roadmaster. GMI's proposals for the Pontiac Goat & AWD G6 V6 turbo look interesting, too. Ditto for the Chevy Nomad and the AWD Malibu SS with the 325 HP 3.6L V6....

I'd pry open the wallet for any of 'em....

[Fast One]

Of course when gas hits 7$ a gal this will all go down the crapper.

The Volt would probably sell quite well, though.

If the current trends in transportation continue, performance enthusiasts will eventually be forced to learn the finer points of modifying hybrid and pure electric drive systems. I've already heard about some people modding the power management & battery systems on some hybrids to provide maximum power on demand, and then to revert to maximum economy mode.

The price of fuel is not likely to ever go back down to what we have enjoyed in the past. Even if we drill the crap out of Alaska; switch to a different fuel; build a bunch of nukes & go pure electric; make fuel cells affordable; or do a combination of the above; it's not likely that we will ever again enjoy the cheap performance that most of us grew up with. Unless we have a major breakthrough in physics - like fusion reactors with net-positive outputs, for instance.

I am not all that impressed with ~400 cid engines that have to rev like crazy to make useful power, yet struggle to put out more than 1 pound of peak torque per cubic inch. Getting more power by simply upping the RPM and/or the displacement doesn't require much innovation or thought, does nothing to improve the efficiency, and does little to advance the art of engine design. In my opinion, the car buying public is every bit as much to blame for this as the auto manufacturers are. Possibly even more.

In contrast, I am very impressed by engine designs that have more useful power output (broad, flat power curves that don't require internals made from 'unobtainum' to survive @ peak power RPM), yet have less displacement than their predecessors. That's what I call advancing the art.

I believe that modern technology is the only thing that will let the performance car market survive long-term. We can have fun-to-drive, quick/fast cars that still get great mileage/battery life/fuel cell life, if we use modern technology to maximize the efficiency of the entire package. We will have to pay more for our performance than we do when the manufacturers simply up the displacement and/or RPM to add performance, however I believe that it is the most logical path to take.

Don't get me wrong - I love the sound of a big-inch V8 - whether it's idling so lumpy that it sounds like somebody fired up a Top Fueler, or whether it's @ WOT, shaking the ground at full song. I also love the sound of a nasty, high-strung V12, with a staccato idle and the metallic, 'circular-saw-cutting-sheetmetal' wail @ WOT. But I also realize that one can have the same or better performance and much better efficiency with modern technology. To me, the actual performance of any vehicle is much more important than the sound, feel, and image.

[HerrKooled]

that's deep.

[HOTCIVIC]

Unfortunately that line-up is just a dream. It's just a list of cars and drawings that the people at GMInsideNews think GM should build. I read a thread about it over there somewhere and they explained basically it's just fantasy. I thought the drawings were cool though and I hope GM uses them for future cars.

[HerrKooled]

fantasy.

not sure if it was there or elsewhere, i did see a coupe version of the volt as an SS chevelle, with an ZR-1 LS9 driveline.

[old vette dog]

gm needs a bad ass rwd 4 door

[HOTCIVIC]

gm needs a bad ass rwd 4 door

Yep I'd like to see a RWD V8 Impala to take on the 300C SRT8 performance-wise.

[Fast One]

According to nearly every test report, the Pontiac G8 GT handles as well as, or better than most any $60k or under sedan available today - even a bunch of the BMW stuff. Plus, it only costs ~$30k, fully loaded. It just needs better acceleration to compete with the SRT8. Supposedly, the upcoming G8 GXP with the de-tuned 'Vette engine, Tremec 6-speed & 3:70 gears will run 0-60 in ~4.7 seconds. It's expected to go for ~$38k. If true, it should be a bit quicker and a few grand cheaper than the 300 SRT8, and about the same price as the Charger SRT8. Plus, it's supposed to handle better.

Hopefully, it will perform as predicted....