Motor Authority - blog Tag: Epsilon

The Saab 9-5 is long overdue for an overhaul, with the basic mechanical underpinnings in the current model first hitting streets as far back as 1997. A totally redesigned model was expected to make an appearance last year but its release was pushed back due to limited resources at Saab and the introduction of the facelifted 9-3, not to mention the company’s then-ongoing ownership limbo. But the wait for the next 9-5 will soon be over as the car is scheduled to make its world debut next month at the Frankfurt Auto Show.

Images for the car have been out for some time now, showing a clear resurgence of Saab's past design traits married to a...

The Saab 9-5 is long overdue for an overhaul, with the basic mechanical underpinnings in the current model first hitting streets as far back as 1997. A totally redesigned model was expected to make an appearance last year but its release was pushed back due to limited resources at Saab and the introduction of the facelifted 9-3, not to mention the company’s then-ongoing ownership limbo. But the wait for the next 9-5 will soon be over as the car is scheduled to make its world debut next month at the Frankfurt Auto Show. Images for the car have been out for some time now, showing a clear resurgence of Saab's past design traits married to a modern, sleek profile, and now the company has released official details and specs. Underneath the new sheet metal is a heavily revised version of General Motors’ front-wheel-drive Epsilon II platform, which is also shared by Opel for its new Insignia range. To differentiate Saab as a premium product engineers have provided a stiffer suspension set-up, a new steering rack and a different range of electronics. The car’s all-turbocharged powertrain lineup is the broadest ever offered by Saab, with customers able to select from a choice of three fuels--petrol, diesel and E85 bioethanol. At launch, there will be a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel with 160 horsepower, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged gasoline unit with 220 horsepower and a range-topping 2.8-liter turbo V-6 gasoline unit with 300 horsepower on tap. Shortly after launch, a 1.6-litre gasoline turbo with 180 horsepower will be introduced, together with a 2.0-liter BioPower E85 engine. All transmissions will be six-speed. The array of high-tech features continues inside, including a head-up information display (HUD), bi-xenon adaptive headlights, adaptive cruise control; Saab DriveSense adaptive chassis with real-time damping control, keyless entry and starting, dual-zone climate control, a parking assistant, and Saab’s XWD all-wheel-drive system with an eLSD. Infotainment choices include a range-topping Harman Kardon 5.1 channel surround sound audio system and an 8-inch color touch screen navigation system with hard disk storage for map data and 10 GB for MP3 music files. A large center console provides storage and connections for several portable devices through USB and 3.5 mm AUX ports alongside a 12 V power outlet. Rear passengers can even access their own audio or watch a DVD. The rear seat entertainment unit in the back of the center console accommodates audio controls and folding viewing screens are installed in the backs of the front seats. Wireless headphones are provided for listening and viewing. The new 9-5 will be built at Saab’s home plant in Trollhattan, where it has been engineered, and production is tipped to start by the end of the year. Read More

The Saab 9-5 is long overdue for an overhaul, with the current model first hitting the streets as far back as 1997. A totally redesigned model was rumoured to make an appearance last year but its release was pushed back due to limited resources at Saab and the introduction of the facelifted 9-3. Saab’s parent company General Motors has since confirmed that the car will now make its debut later this year.

Underneath the heavy camouflage of this prototype for the new 9-5 is a heavily revised version of GM’s FWD Epsilon II platform, which is also shared by Opel for its new Insignia range. To differentiate Saab as a premium product... The Saab 9-5 is long overdue for an overhaul, with the current model first hitting the streets as far back as 1997. A totally redesigned model was rumoured to make an appearance last year but its release was pushed back due to limited resources at Saab and the introduction of the facelifted 9-3. Saab’s parent company General Motors has since confirmed that the car will now make its debut later this year. Underneath the heavy camouflage of this prototype for the new 9-5 is a heavily revised version of GM’s FWD Epsilon II platform, which is also shared by Opel for its new Insignia range. To differentiate Saab as a premium product engineers will provide a stiffer suspension set-up, a new steering rack and a different range of electronics. The car’s wheelbase will stretch 2.84m, which is up 14cm on the current model, and the overall length will stretch just over 5m. Engine options will include a range of four-cylinder petrol and turbodiesel units including a biofuel model. There will also likely by an AWD flagship model with a turbocharged petrol V6 displacing 3.6L and developing upwards of 350hp (261kW). Other engines will include a 210hp (157kW) 2.0L unit and mid-level 2.8L V6. A petrol-electric hybrid model is also expected. The new 9-5 will be sourced from Opel’s Ruesselsheim plant in Germany with production tipped to start in the middle of the year. It will then make its debut at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show as a 2010 model. The included computer generated rendering shows that designers will be sticking with the avant-garde styling of the original Aero X concept car, and will likely keep the protruding nose, large vents and sculpted bodywork. Other details will include a sleek, coupe-like profile and hatchback rear end. Earlier this month several images touted to be official shots of the car surfaced online. You can see them in our previous story by clicking here.2010 Saab 9-5 spy shots Read More

The Saab 9-5 is one of the oldest vehicles still in production, having first appeared as far back as 1997 and only experiencing one major update since then. Now, just months out from the debut of the all-new 2010 9-5 at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show, Saab has ended production of the current model at its Trollhättan plant in Sweden.

The last car rolled off the line on Thursday, July 2nd. No official numbers have been released but according to Sweden’s Auto Motor and Sport, more than half a million units of the 9-5, including both the sedan and wagon, have been built since production started back in 1997.

While production may... The Saab 9-5 is one of the oldest vehicles still in production, having first appeared as far back as 1997 and only experiencing one major update since then. Now, just months out from the debut of the all-new 2010 9-5 at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show, Saab has ended production of the current model at its Trollhättan plant in Sweden. The last car rolled off the line on Thursday, July 2nd. No official numbers have been released but according to Sweden’s Auto Motor and Sport, more than half a million units of the 9-5, including both the sedan and wagon, have been built since production started back in 1997. While production may have ended, the car will still be available for sale as current stock should last right up until the arrival of the next-generation model towards the end of the year. As for the new 2010 9-5, the car will be built at the Opel Ruesselsheim plant in Germany in coming months. Read More

Cadillac knows its future lies in small cars, especially if it wants to be considered a global player, but GM’s financial woes means the company has had to pare back some of its more ambitious plans. In the latest viability plan, GM CEO Fritz Henderson revealed that Cadillac would have to scale back on its European expansion plans, while development of new diesel models plus a RWD 3-series rival have been put on hold. Instead, the GM luxury division will focus on its performance in existing markets, including North America, parts of Asia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East, as well as the development of a sub-CTS model based now on the... Cadillac knows its future lies in small cars, especially if it wants to be considered a global player, but GM’s financial woes means the company has had to pare back some of its more ambitious plans. In the latest viability plan, GM CEO Fritz Henderson revealed that Cadillac would have to scale back on its European expansion plans, while development of new diesel models plus a RWD 3-series rival have been put on hold. Instead, the GM luxury division will focus on its performance in existing markets, including North America, parts of Asia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East, as well as the development of a sub-CTS model based now on the FWD Epsilon II platform. Epsilon II is a global platform, which underpins cars like the upcoming 2010 Buick LaCrosse and Opel Insignia, and according to MotorTrend it will also be used for a replacement for Cadillac’s poor selling BLS. Codenamed GM 166, the new car will be available in both FWD and AWD and will be priced somewhere between the LaCrosse and CTS. Expect pricing to fall around the $34,000-$35,000 mark, pitting as a prime target for the Lexus ES 350. This sub-CTS model is expected to be Cadillac’s highest volume model but it won’t be just another BLS. Instead, the car has been described as a brand new global model with “dedicated architecture and content.” According to the source, GM 166 will be bigger than its LaCrosse and Insignia cousins and will arrive sometime in 2011. The bad news is that the much-hyped 3-series rival, rumored to be based on a brand new RWD platform called Alpha, is most likely dead. Read More

Buick today announced pricing for its 2010 LaCrosse luxury sedan, which will arrive in showrooms in the middle year with a starting price of $27,835 for the base CX model (plus $750 in destination charges).

Standard equipment includes a new 3.0L direct-injected V6 driving the front wheels, premium cloth seats and 17in wheels. The 3.0L engine generates 255hp (190kW) and 217lb-ft (294Nm) of torque and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

The next trim level is the $30,395 CXL FWD model, which builds on the CX and adds heated leather seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, fog lamps, side mirrors mirror with LED turn indicators... Buick today announced pricing for its 2010 LaCrosse luxury sedan, which will arrive in showrooms in the middle year with a starting price of $27,835 for the base CX model (plus $750 in destination charges). Standard equipment includes a new 3.0L direct-injected V6 driving the front wheels, premium cloth seats and 17in wheels. The 3.0L engine generates 255hp (190kW) and 217lb-ft (294Nm) of torque and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The next trim level is the $30,395 CXL FWD model, which builds on the CX and adds heated leather seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, fog lamps, side mirrors mirror with LED turn indicators and puddle lamps, and 18in alloy wheels. An AWD version is available for $32,570. Topping the range is the $33,765 for CXS, which sports a 3.6L direct-injected V6, heated and cooled leather seats and chrome-plated 18in wheels. Its powertrain is rated at 280hp (209kW) and 259lb-ft (351Nm) of torque. The new LaCrosse will enter production at GM’s Fairfax Assembly plant in Kansas City in the coming months, with sales to start shortly after.2010 Buick LaCrosse sedan2010 Buick LaCrosse rolling footage and interviews Read More

A long series of teasers and spy shots have given hints at what the 2010 Buick LaCrosse would look like, but today General Motors has revealed the whole package just ahead of the start of the Detroit Auto Show. While the design is completely fresh, the car is also "instantly recognizable as a Buick" says Ed Welburn, vice president of GM Global Design. Key styling elements, including the 'sweep spear' side feature, portholes in the hood and the waterfall grille carry over classic Buick traits.

The LaCrosse had originally been planned for a debut at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show, but that was pushed back due to cash shortfalls at the end of... A long series of teasers and spy shots have given hints at what the 2010 Buick LaCrosse would look like, but today General Motors has revealed the whole package just ahead of the start of the Detroit Auto Show. While the design is completely fresh, the car is also "instantly recognizable as a Buick" says Ed Welburn, vice president of GM Global Design. Key styling elements, including the 'sweep spear' side feature, portholes in the hood and the waterfall grille carry over classic Buick traits. The LaCrosse had originally been planned for a debut at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show, but that was pushed back due to cash shortfalls at the end of the year as GM pulled out of the show entirely. The CTS Coupe was also delayed, though when - or if - it will be shown is still unknown. Development of the car is believed to be on indefinite hold. The LaCrosse, however, has moved to production, and today's reveal shows that the car is still relevant despite the delay. Three trims are available, equipped with a pair of engines. A 3.0L V6 direct-injection unit with 255hp (190kW) and 211lb-ft (286Nm) of torque is available with a six-speed auto in the CX and CXL trims, while a 3.6L direct-injection V6 with 280hp (209kW) and 261lb-t (354Nm) of torque mates with the same Hydra-Matic 6T70 six-speed auto on the sportier CXS. The CXL trim adds leather seats, dual-zone climate control, fog lamps, LED turn indicators and 18in wheels plus optional AWD to the base CX package. The CXS gets similar upgrades, plus a real-time active-dampening suspension with 19in wheels available as an option. Fuel economy is estimated at a moderate 18mpg city/27mpg highway for the 3.0L V6, and 17/26 for the 3.6L unit. Curb weights are 3,948lb (1,741kg) for the base CX, 4,018lb (1,822kg) for the CXL with FWD, 4,199lb (1,904kg) for the CXL AWD and 4,065lb (1,844kg) for the CXS. The all-new LaCrosse is another take on the FWD Epsilon II platform that also underpins the Opel/Vauxhall Insignia and eventually the next-gen Saab 9-5. With its new style, borrowed from the Invicta concept, that 'defines Buick's modern global design', the LaCrosse is prepped to be the brand's new ambassador. Buick is pinning a lot of hope on the new LaCrosse, and has accordingly paid a lot of attention to the little things the company hopes will make it a success. Materials, fit and finish, design elements and features are all intended to provide a world-class experience. "The new LaCrosse is intended to represent modern elegance," said Welburn. "Throughout the design, you experience a balance of contrasts. Both the interior and exterior have been designed with harmony in mind. The exterior balances taut, sculpted lines with sensuous accents and surfaces. Inside, smoked chrome accents, warm wood, first-class leather and materials combine with cool blue ambient lighting to create an inviting environment.” A combination of sensing technologies designed to help provide the driver with a 360-degree view from inside the cabin put the LaCrosse fully into the 21st century, though if Buick's past models are any gauge, the high-tech features will be employed seamlessly behind the scenes, with little direct driver involvement. The end goal of the total safety package, which also includes front, side and roof-mounted head-curtain air bags and StabiliTrak stability and traction-control systems, is to achieve a perfect NHTSA 20 Star Safety Rating. Production will begin mid-year at the Fairfax Assembly facility in Kansas City, Kansas with retails sales to start soon after.2010 Buick LaCrosse sedan2010 Buick LaCrosse rolling footage and interviews Read More