Motor Authority - blog Tag: Delta

General Motors is still more than a year away from launching the Chevrolet Cruze sedan in North America but instead of speeding up its arrival the automaker is working on a new Buick sedan based on the Cruze platform. Fears of GM’s cash problems haven’t managed to deter work on the upcoming Buick compact sedan, which like the Cruze will likely be offered as a global model.

Built around GM’s FWD Delta II platform, the Buick compact sedan also shares much in common with the 2010 Opel Astra, which means there’s a chance it could be produced at Russelsheim plant in Germany. The new spy shot of interior confirms that both... General Motors is still more than a year away from launching the Chevrolet Cruze sedan in North America but instead of speeding up its arrival the automaker is working on a new Buick sedan based on the Cruze platform. Fears of GM’s cash problems haven’t managed to deter work on the upcoming Buick compact sedan, which like the Cruze will likely be offered as a global model. Built around GM’s FWD Delta II platform, the Buick compact sedan also shares much in common with the 2010 Opel Astra, which means there’s a chance it could be produced at Russelsheim plant in Germany. The new spy shot of interior confirms that both cars share a similar cabin design. U.S. versions are likely to be built at GM’s Lordstown plant in Ohio alongside the Cruze. The new model will almost certainly be offered in China as well, considering that is Buick’s biggest market. Engine options should mirror that of the Cruze, which means a range of compact four-cylinder units in both naturally-aspirated and turbocharged forms, with both petrol and diesel options. The other benefit of the Delta II platform is the possibility of a plug-in hybrid version using Volt technology, although GM is more likely to use other brands such as Cadillac to expand its plug-in hybrid range. Don’t hold your breath for the new sedan as it isn’t expected to be launched until sometime in 2012, possibly as a 2013 model.2012 Cruze-based Buick sedan spy shots Read More

This year’s Geneva Motor Show will see the launch of two new Lancia Delta variants: a new range-topping version and a sports model with a powerful turbocharged engine. For those unfamiliar with Lancia, the brand is a division of Fiat Group that offers a range of distinctive hatches and sedans. Lancia has more recently been promoted as Fiat Group’s mid-level luxury offering but the brand’s roots lie in motorsport, especially in rallying.

As for its current models, like the Delta hatchback, Lancia is launching the new ‘Executive’ flagship aimed at customers seeking greater comfort than the regular range. The... This year’s Geneva Motor Show will see the launch of two new Lancia Delta variants: a new range-topping version and a sports model with a powerful turbocharged engine. For those unfamiliar with Lancia, the brand is a division of Fiat Group that offers a range of distinctive hatches and sedans. Lancia has more recently been promoted as Fiat Group’s mid-level luxury offering but the brand’s roots lie in motorsport, especially in rallying. As for its current models, like the Delta hatchback, Lancia is launching the new ‘Executive’ flagship aimed at customers seeking greater comfort than the regular range. The Executive is distinguished by its two-tone bodywork (body in Light Bronze and “Eclipse” gloss black roof), special two-tone diamond-edged alloy rims, gold badging, wraparound head restraints, and a dashboard finished in Frau Pieno Fiore beige leather with special chocolate brown edging. Luxury items include parking sensors, dual-zone automatic climate control, a sunroof, satnav and a refrigerator compartment. Power comes from a new direct-injection 1.8L TurboJet four-cylinder petrol turbo with an available 200hp (147kW), with drive sent to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic. The same powertrain is also featured in the new Delta ‘Hardblack’. Modified slightly by Fiat Powertrain Technologies (FPT) for application in this sportier variant, the compact engine delivers up to 236lb-ft (320Nm) of torque and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with sequential control. The power unit sees the Delta Hardblack accelerate from 0-100km/h in about 7.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 230km/h.2009 Lancia Delta Executive and Hardblack Read More

Chevrolet is planning to expand into the seven-seater MPV market with an all-new model designed as a replacement for the Tacuma (a Daewoo model that was later rebadged a Chevy). Unlike the previous Tacuma, the new model is tipped to be manufactured in the U.S. and may be offered with a hybrid option.

These latest spy shots reveal a very similar design to last year’s Orlando concept, including the boxy design, swept-back roof, and blunt front-end. The shots also reveal a conventional four-door body with a vertically lifting tailgate as opposed to a sliding door and split tailgate configuration.

Sitting on the same platform as the... Chevrolet is planning to expand into the seven-seater MPV market with an all-new model designed as a replacement for the Tacuma (a Daewoo model that was later rebadged a Chevy). Unlike the previous Tacuma, the new model is tipped to be manufactured in the U.S. and may be offered with a hybrid option. These latest spy shots reveal a very similar design to last year’s Orlando concept, including the boxy design, swept-back roof, and blunt front-end. The shots also reveal a conventional four-door body with a vertically lifting tailgate as opposed to a sliding door and split tailgate configuration. Sitting on the same platform as the Chevrolet Cruze compact sedan, the new MPV will be powered by a range of engines displacing between 1.6 and 2.0L. The most powerful model will be a 2.0L turbodiesel with 150hp (112kW) and 236lb-ft (320Nm) of torque, and according to recent reports it may also come with the Volt’s plug-in hybrid technology. It is still too early to determine if Chevrolet will stick with the Tacuma name or go for Orlando for its upcoming MPV but considering that the vehicle will be sold as a global model there is a strong chance that it will go by several titles.Chevrolet Tacuma spy shots Read More

A next-generation Buick small sedan, headed for sale in the U.S. and China, could be built around the FWD Delta II platform in Opel's Russelsheim, Germany plant, according to sources inside Opel. The move would displace some Saab production, but the next-generation 9-3 is already expected to be built in Trollhattan, Sweden.

News emerging from Opel sources in Germany today ties together a thread of production shifts and design rumors at General Motors dating back more than a year. A source within Opel told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung that GM has a proposal that could lead to a 'very great quantity' of Buicks being built in Germany. So... A next-generation Buick small sedan, headed for sale in the U.S. and China, could be built around the FWD Delta II platform in Opel's Russelsheim, Germany plant, according to sources inside Opel. The move would displace some Saab production, but the next-generation 9-3 is already expected to be built in Trollhattan, Sweden. News emerging from Opel sources in Germany today ties together a thread of production shifts and design rumors at General Motors dating back more than a year. A source within Opel told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung that GM has a proposal that could lead to a 'very great quantity' of Buicks being built in Germany. So far the plans aren't definite, but they mesh well with other plans at GM. The shift of the Buick to the Russelsheim operation is thought to be a form of compensation for diverting Saab's construction of the 9-3 to Sweden, which is itself part of GM's overall plan to make Saab more independent. That, in turn, is part of the company's plan to prep Saab for sale to help GM make it through its current financial straits. Building a U.S.-market Buick in Germany might at first blush might seem a risky move, as the current Saturn Astra's price is higher than it might otherwise be due to unfavorable exchange rates with the Euro. On the other hand, Saab has already invested a great deal of money into the Russelsheim plant for production of the next-gen 9-1, based around the FWD Delta II platform. If Saab continues its march toward independence, that investment could go to waste unless another GM product makes use of it. The next-gen Saturn Astra is an obvious alternative, but the brand's murky future and the Astra's low-margin status cast some doubt on the viability of that plan. Thus enters the next-gen Buick small sedan. Rumors of such a sedan have been circulating since mid-2007, and though at the time the expectation was that the car would be built in China, shifts in the global economy and GM's situation have made the Russelsheim operation more ideal. The sedan itself is expected to be of a size with the Honda Civic and Chevrolet Cobalt, though marketed toward a more premium customer. Though it's in the same size range, the Chinese-market-only Buick Excelle small sedan isn't likely to be exported to the U.S. Though it's not expected to be available for retail sale until the 2012 model year, the new small sedan would help move Buick further toward its goal of becoming a more global brand. The recently unveiled Buick LaCrosse is the first step in that direction, sharing a platform with the Opel Insignia and the next Saab 9-5. The 9-5, on the other hand is being moved away from the Opel design center in Germany in order to give it greater appeal to Americans - a sort of role-reversal, and entirely fitting with GM's larger plans to leverage its global resources in local markets. The Delta II platform expected to underpin the new Buick is also shared by the Chevrolet Cruze, Orlando, Volt and Opel's variations on those cars as well. The European Cruze will be built in South Korea, however, while North American versions will be built locally. Offloading Buick production on the same platform to Europe could be a way to use existing production capacity, while the more premium market placement of the Buick brand allows GM to compensate for the slightly inflated price likely to result from its European provenance. Design of the small Buick sedan is expected to take cues from the Chinese-design Riviera concept revealed in 2007 (pictured). Though that car was a gullwing four-seater, a production sedan can be envisioned from it, especially when considering how closely the new LaCrosse resembles the Invicta concept. Nonetheless, at this point the new Buick small sedan, its production location and GM's related production shuffles remain little more than speculation, however tidily they fit together.Buick Riviera Concept Read More

Despite General Motors’ financial troubles both here and abroad, the carmaker today announced future expansion plans for its Australian subsidiary Holden. Holden builds the Pontiac G8 for the U.S. market and was the main development team for the upcoming Camaro. It has now confirmed that a new compact sedan and hatch will be built alongside the current Commodore range in Australia from the third quarter of 2010.

The vehicle will be based on GM’s global Delta FWD platform and feature new technologies to increase fuel efficiency and reduce greenhouse emissions. The latest version of the Delta platform underpins models like the... Despite General Motors’ financial troubles both here and abroad, the carmaker today announced future expansion plans for its Australian subsidiary Holden. Holden builds the Pontiac G8 for the U.S. market and was the main development team for the upcoming Camaro. It has now confirmed that a new compact sedan and hatch will be built alongside the current Commodore range in Australia from the third quarter of 2010. The vehicle will be based on GM’s global Delta FWD platform and feature new technologies to increase fuel efficiency and reduce greenhouse emissions. The latest version of the Delta platform underpins models like the upcoming Chevrolet Cruze, and it will no doubt be modified for use in the future Aussie built compact car. Design and engineering work for the new model will take place at Holden’s headquarters in Port Melbourne, Australia. Some of the features being considered include engine stop-start and hybrid technology as well as capacity to run on alternative fuels such as E85, diesel and LPG. The standard engine option will be a four-cylinder petrol unit. The project will secure between 500 and 600 jobs at Holden as well as a similar figure at local supplier firms. One year after production of the new compact Holden commences, local rival Ford will start production of its own compact four-cylinder car, the next-generation global Focus. Read More