Alex Luft | GM Authority

Advert: Daewoo Winstrom (You Most Likely Have Never Seen This One)
by Alex Luft
Posted March 11th, 2010 at 12:02 am

Click the image to watch the video

This GM ad comes to us from across the world! South Korea, to be exact. The Daewoo Winstrom (which sounds very much like wind storm, doesn’t it?) is a Theta-based CUV known as the Chevrolet/Opel/Vauxhall/Holden Captiva in other worldwide markets. In turn, the Captiva/Winstorm is basically a Saturn Vue with a different grille and light treatment, while the current-generation Chevy Equinox is a close descendant. GM acquired Daewoo (automotive) in 2001 to form GM Daewoo – which now manufactures and engineers a considerable amount of vehicles for The General (including this here Winstorm/Antara).

In any event, click past the break for the full ad (in Korean) and pay close attention to how cool the word Winstorm is pronounced by the narrator (in the end).

PS: to our Korean readers – could you let us know what was said in the ad? Just leave a comment below!

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Chevrolet Releases Numbers For 2011 Silverado HD: The Most Powerful Diesel Engine In Its Class (Kinda-Sorta)
by Alex Luft
Posted March 10th, 2010 at 11:17 pm

Today GM released power figures for the heavily-revised 2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD. Thanks to a few well-connected sources, regular GM Authority readers (and listeners) knew in advance that this was going to be a surprise. And what a shocker it was!

6.6 Duramax Diesel

GM’s top-of-the-line 6.6-liter Duramax diesel is the most powerful heavy duty engine in its class – putting out a whopping 397 hp (296 kW) and 765 lb.-ft. (1,037 Nm) of torque!

6.0 Vortec Gasoline

On the gasoline side of the spectrum, GM’s Vortec small-block – the standard powerplant for the Silverado HD trucks – also received some revisions for the 2011 model year. When in the 2500 and 3500 HD models, the 6.0L small-block V-8 is rated at 360 horses (268 kW) and 380 lb.-ft. (515 Nm) of torque. In chassis cab and box-delete models, as well as Silverados with a GVWR greater than 10,000 pounds, the gas engine’s horsepower rating drops to 322 horsepower (240 kW) while retaining the same torque rating. The 6-liter Vortec is further enhanced by “greater idle refinement” and achieves “excellent fuel economy” by the engine’s low-friction OHV set-up and cam phasing. Needless to say, this is GM’s small-block architecture (LS family) known for its strength, smoothness, and durability.

Warranty

What we haven’t mentioned is that all 2011 Silverado models are covered under the best warranty coverage in America – a five-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty that includes roadside assistance and courtesy transportation, among other features.

Yet even with these massive numbers, the Silverado Heavy Duty is still out-trucked by Ford’s latest incarnation of the F350 Super Duty. That’s right – not only can the updated SuperDuty tow more, but its payload is also higher than that of the most-powerful Silverado. In any event, we have GM’s full press release after the jump! and images upon images in the gallery of the 2011 Silverado HD (more…)

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Advert: Silverado Transformation
by Alex Luft
Posted March 10th, 2010 at 9:26 am

Click the image to watch the video

Staying true to our one GM commercial per day intentions, here’s an awesome ad from the archives. The Silverado Transformation advert aired sometime in 2007, coinciding with the launch of the GMT-900 pickups. Check out the clip after the break as it takes us back to the days of the Chevy C/K (that’s pre-Silverado territory, folks!) (more…)

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Officially Official – Chevrolet Camaro Coming To Europe
by Alex Luft
Posted March 9th, 2010 at 8:45 pm

It looks like the rumors were true afterall: the Chevrolet Camaro is finally coming to Europe! The hot-rod coupe – along with its convertible variant – are scheduled to arrive at European Chevrolet showrooms in the spring of 2011.

With the 100,000th Camaro having just rolled off the assembly line, the success of the Camaro is bound to continue well into the future. But the joy of driving one of these Zeta-based ponies off the lot will cost a pretty penny, as the only version coming to European shores is the 6.2-liter V8 model (at least that’s what it looks like).

In that regard, Chevrolet is most likely looking to position the Camaro as a premium-level performance car. This approach mirrors tips received by GM Authority earlier in the year about the next-generation Alpha-based Camaro. Specifically, we were told that the next-gen pony car will continue on the path of the fifth-generation Camaro, working to increase the Chevrolet brand image in Europe and beyond. If you ask us, a 400+ hp muscle car isn’t a bad way to do just that.

We have GM’s full presser after the jump! (more…)

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Advert: 2010 Winter Olympics – Volt And Equinox
by Alex Luft
Posted March 9th, 2010 at 9:54 am

Click image to watch the video

We were fortunate enough to get our hands on the Canadian Chevrolet ad campaign from the 2010 Winter Olympics. To this humble blogger, this ad (and the entire campaign) is the perfect mix of catchy, informative, and fun. Click past the break to watch the ad in its entirety and be sure to come back the rest of the week for the other four parts of the series (plus an entire outtakes session). (more…)

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Advert: A Real Texan Knows A Real Truck
by Alex Luft
Posted March 8th, 2010 at 2:00 pm

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We’ve exhumed another Silverado ad! This time, it’s the 2007 Silverado coming face-to-face with its most direct predecessor, the circa-1972 Cheyenne. There is an ephemeral amount of respect and heritage in the clip, although it’s not apparent to the non-enthusiast eye. Click past the break to watch the awesome (in our opinion) ad! (more…)

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Buick Is Back, Says Motor Trend
by Alex Luft
Posted March 8th, 2010 at 10:56 am

This was a long time coming: for the first time in 28 years, Buick commands the cover of Motor Trend (MT) magazine, followed by a headline declaring that Buick is Back! The cover of the April 2010 issue of MT features photos of the LaCrosse, Regal Turbo, and Regal GS Concept and touts the growing momentum behind the Buick brand.

What’s more, the April edition of the publication contains two Buick features. International Rescue is a drive review of the 2011 Regal while Trading Places is a comparison of the 2010 LaCrosse and Lexus ES350 (needless to say, the LaCrosse emerges the winner). The last Buick to grace the cover of Motor Trend was the Century T-Type in August of 1982.

The GM Authority Take

This is a major milestone for Buick and GM: being recognized for the excellent product coming into Buick showrooms must feel amazing! But we should warn Buick and GM to avoid resting on their laurels, as certain members of the GM Authority crew (your truly included) still think that Buick has a ton more work ahead to truly be a successful brand.

In fact, it can be argued that the only reason Buick took the cover for this month’s edition of MT was because of the huge improvement of the brand’s newest products compared to the outgoing models. In a nutshell, it’s not that hard to improve over the last-generation LaCrosse, Regal, Rendezvous, and Lucerne. If you would like to hear our opinion of where Buick should be headed, have a listen to the very first episode of the GM Authority debate podcast right here.

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Video: A Quick Tribute To Bob Lutz
by Alex Luft
Posted March 8th, 2010 at 9:00 am

As Bob Lutz prepares to leave his post as The General’s Vice Chairman (and all-around awesome car guy), we thought it would be fitting to post the following video highlighting some of his most major nostalgic and memorable moments with The General. Click past the break for the full clip! (more…)

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The Job Is Done: Bob Lutz To Retire May 1
by Alex Luft
Posted March 6th, 2010 at 11:43 pm

After a decorated 47-year career in the automotive industry, General Motors Vice Chairman Bob Lutz will retire effective May 1, 2010. Maximum Bob’s contributions to the trade are far too great to be named in a single article, but most recently the legendary exec spearheaded the return of the 5th gen Camaro, the development of the Chevrolet Volt, and – of course – led GM though its product-based reincarnation.

Lutz’s decision to retire came in part because of the success of GM’s newest and best-selling vehicles such as the Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac SRX, GMC Terrain, Chevrolet Equinox, and Chevrolet Camaro. The super-star executive and uber car guy is also very satisfied with GM’s transformation into a company with a product-focused culture, one that Lutz believes to be in place for the long term.

I can confidently say that the job I came here to do more than nine years ago is now complete – the team I have been fortunate to lead has far exceeded my expectations. Our product lineup is as strong as it has been in GM’s history. The perception of our products and brands is beginning to catch up with reality. And most importantly, the absolute commitment to being a product-driven company is ingrained throughout the organization – from the top down – and I am confident that, under Ed Whitacre’s leadership, the straightforward, singular focus on product will endure.

Lutz was appointed senior advisor to newly-appointed CEO and Chairman Ed Whitacre in December 2009. He will continue to provide guidance on design and key product initiatives until he retires May 1. Whitacre had the following to say about Lutz’ forthcoming departure:

The influence Bob Lutz has had on GM’s commitment to design, build and sell the world’s best vehicles will last for years to come. I, along with many other men and women in GM and throughout the industry, have greatly benefited from his passion, wisdom and guidance.

Lutz, 78, rejoined GM September 1, 2001 as the head of product development after having held positions at BMW, Chrysler, and Ford

The GM Authority Take

We image Bob will finally be able to fully enjoy his impressive collection of toys, including cars, planes, and suits. And Bob, you’re still welcome on the GM Authority podcast any time.

GM’s full press release after the jump! (more…)

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Advert: Chevy Silverado HD As Locomotive
by Alex Luft
Posted March 6th, 2010 at 10:20 pm

Click me to watch the video!

As we seem to be going through the time of the truck (with the unveiling of the 2011 Silverado HD and impending reveal of the updated GMC Sierra HD), I felt it most appropriate to show another Silverado commercial. Click past the break for an ad showcasing the last generation Chevy Silverado Heavy Duty doing some fairly unrealistic stuff (for those who like to speed read and miss key words, the key words here are last generation). (more…)

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6.6 Duramax Diesel

6.0 Vortec Gasoline

Warranty

The GM Authority Take

The GM Authority Take