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Date: Thu, 9 Aug 2001 12:57:19 -0400
From: "Jeremy Brown" <Jerem43nopsamnet>
Subject: Re: Saab and GMC


Just some More GM-Saab ramblings: I Just want to note a cool GM Product from a few years ago that was a neat technological step: The old ZR-1 Corvette was a high power, limited edition car tthat had more power than the standard Corvette and was more fuel efficient than its sibling. GM did this with a unique setup that had three butterfly valves on the fuel system. Two valves were linked and had a smaller diameter than the larger third (about 75% total volume, or so), the valves would open as needed limiting the total amount of fuel utilized to only what was requireded. The car would step up each valve as demanded, the two smaller at lower demand, then the they would close as the larger opened. At full power, all three vaves would open, feeding the engine the maximum feul for maximum power. I do not know who came up with this system, but it does show that GM can do some real original thinking, when they want. In the design area, has any one seen the new GM Avalanche? It is a cool SUV\Truck hybrid that the automotive press has lauded. Expect it to win Truck of the Year (http://www.chevrolet.com/avalanche/ava02_gallery/index.htm). How about the new way retro Chevy SSR? That truck has cool written all over it (http://www.chevrolet.com/ssr/gallery.htm). I know these two vehicles cater to the US over consumption market, but, IMO, they are cool. In the US automotive press, in almost every road test of European sedans the 9-5 is consistantly in the top 3, alot of the time beating out the Mercades. JD Power just named the Saab 9-5 as the Best in Initial Quality of all mid-priced luxury cars sold in the US. Number One. GM\Saab is doing something right. (FYI: that means the in the first 90 days of ownership, the 9-5 had the fewest owner reported problems) Johannes is right about the old GM habit of designing one car and just rebadging it and adding better accoutrements for each higher step model, in fact I used to drive a full sized Pontiac station wagon. The only difference between the Chevy, Pontiac, and Buick models was the trim and seats. Thankfully, they have moved away from that and instead now only share under the hood stuff such as break system or exhausts. GM will also uses a standard under frame, but that is something you cannot really see. The engines that GM uses are shared across platforms, as I previously stated. The V-6 built by Adam-Opel is used in the Saabs and Saturns sold here in the US, but are tuned differently and may use different heads and/or cam shafts. I know that the Turbo used by Saab is not even offered with the Saturn. Jeremy

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