General Motors freshens looks, boosts power in 2010 models

Continuing the series on 2010 new vehicles, this week’s special coverage: General Motors Co. Previously we reviewed new offerings from Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler Corp.

The GM stable has been reduced to three passenger-car divisions, Chevrolet, Buick and Cadillac, plus GMC, which specializes in light trucks and sport utilities.

Car and Driver magazine has 52 pages covering every new model for sale this year, most of them right now.

We use Car and Driver’s report extensively in today’s column. Readers of this weekly article have a sense of humor. You will enjoy this headline from C and D: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze – Just What the Government Ordered.

The story continues. “The Chevrolet Cruze could be one of the most important cars of the next decade and a key to GM’s resurgence.”

The reason we are covering a 2011 model is that the Cruze will be on the market next year. The Cruze comes with few breakthrough technologies, but it’s a “thoroughly well-engineered car that has an ultra-strong structure and a low center of gravity.

“The fit and finish is improved over that of the current GM small cars, highlighted by miniscule gaps between body panels. Like the larger Malibu, the interior of the Cruze shines. “We’d guess a base price of $16,500.”

CHEVROLET EQUINOX. For the Equinox’s second act, Chevrolet has redesigned it inside and out and now offers a four-cylinder engine. It gets to 60 mph in 8.7 seconds.

C and D adds: “Inside, the new Equinox has purged itself of the Fisher-Price-grade materials that penalized its predecessor. Although the plastics are hard, the switchgear gauges and ergonomics are exemplary and well-designed. The car is very quiet. All the noise from the suspension, the wind, the road is sealed out.”

CHEVROLET CORVETTE. The three Corvettes – the base car, Z06 and ZR1 – are joined by a new Grand Sport model. Manual transmission ’Vettes get launch control, and side airbags are now standard on all models.

This reminds me that the 1954 Corvette, owned by daughter Mary in Denver, originally had NO seatbelts. Sports cars have come a long way in providing essential safety features.

CHEVROLET SILVERADO. The hybrid and all light-duty V-8 models are now E-85 compatible. Standard items include stability control and side and curtain airbags. Variable valve timing is added on some engines.

CADILLAC SRX4. This crossover has been downsized, in size and price. It is now a front-wheel drive with room for five in three trim levels: Luxury, Performance and Premium. A 265 horsepower direct-injection V-6 is standard, with a 300 hp turbo V-6 (built in Australia) coming later.

Car and Driver says: “What you instantly notice about the SRX is that its cabin equals or exceeds anything in its class. The materials are superb … and there’s a clever dial on the driver’s door that controls how far the liftgate rises. With the rear doors flat, the cargo bay will swallow nearly the same sheet of plywood that the roomy RX350 can ingest … and the Caddy will carry three bonus cases of beer. If you don’t order the optional spare tire (an electric inflator is the standard roadside fix), there’s a nice well under the cargo floor, perfect for hiding purses and briefcases.”

C and D’s test results for the SRX4: 0-60 in 8.4 seconds; top speed, 132 mph; EPA, 17 mpg city, 23 mpg highway.

BUICK LACROSSE. According to Car and Driver, “Lacrosse’s stunning interior is perhaps GM’s best, (it) doesn’t drive like a Buick. From the outside, the Lacrosse presents a new look for Buick. The shape seems a bit like an Americanized Lexus GS … Inside, however, is a design that is original, adventurous and spectacular. Even the door pulls are things of beauty, looking like lobster claws in leather … The 280 hp V-6 whisks the Lacrosse to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds, all the way sounding smooth and strong. The Lacrosse might prove that Buick’s best days are yet to come.”

GMC TERRAIN. Sharing its platform with the Chevrolet Equinox, the Terrain is a five-passenger crossover SUV that is either front- or all-wheel drive. The base engine is a 2.4-liter direct injection in-line four-cylinder, making 182 hp and achieving an impressive 32 mpg EPA highway rating. There is 32 cubic feet of luggage space behind the second row … stability and traction control, six airbags and antilock brakes are standard.

Future columns are scheduled for European and Asian makes.

In the meantime, HAPPY MOTORING!

George Spaulding is a retired General Motors executive and distinguished executive-in-residence emeritus at the School of Business and Economics at the College of Charleston. He can be reached at 2 Wharfside St. 2A, Charleston, S.C., 29401.