GM And Tiger Woods Announce End To Endorsement Deal

DETROIT, MICHIGAN – General Motors and Tiger Woods announced today that they will conclude their endorsement deal effective December 31, 2008.

Both GM and Woods agreed to a mutual and amicable separation that included a desire for more personal time for the 14-time major winner who is expecting his second child in late winter as well as the search for budget efficiencies during a difficult economy for General Motors. For the past nine years, Woods has endorsed GM products around the world and has been heavily associated with the Buick brand in the US, Canada and China markets.

Mark LaNeve, General Motors North American Vice President of Sales, Service and Marketing said, “Tiger has been a great friend to GM and a fantastic asset through the years helping to bring consumer awareness to many new GM products. In light of the news coming out of Washington,” LaNeve added, “This decision is the result of discussions that started earlier in the year and the timing of this agreement with these other activities is purely coincidental.”

In a statement, Woods commented, “I am very proud of the long standing partnership I’ve had with GM and have enjoyed being a part of the company’s dramatic product evolution. We’ve had a lot of fun together and I participated in some unique and rewarding activities. We’ve enjoyed a tremendous partnership over the years and we will maintain strong ties with the many people at GM we call friends.”

[Source: GM]

Thanks to Gottsmack for the tip! [Freerevs.com]

When you go to car shows full of Detroit machinery, you'll probably see more of the Buick GS than you will of the regular Skylark, much as you do with the GTO-versus-LeMans situation. Here's a Skylark owner who took the best-looking feature of the GS (the hood) and kept the rest of the Skylark badging and trim, which I think works pretty well. This car isn't perfect by any means- in fact, it's a little battered- but it's in excellent shape for what it is: a nearly 40-year-old car that parks in a busy downtown urban area and sees regular street service.


The standard '69 Skylark engine was a 230 horsepower, 10 billion foot-pounds torque (slight exaggeration) 350-cubic-inch V8. If you got the GS 350, your engine was a higher-compression 350 with280 horsepower; GS 400 buyers got the monster 340-horse 400 engine. There's no telling what's in this car; by this time it might have a junkyard 455 or even a Pontiac or Olds powerplant.

Back in the 80s, when The General still had plenty of money to throw around (even after the back-to-back-to-back energy crises/billion-dollar Wankel engine/Iron Duked Fiero debacles), the engineers and marketing gurus put their heads together and decided that a sporty two-seater with incredibly futuristic all-electronic instrument panels would be just the thing to get Buick buyers to sign on the line that is dotted. Thus was the Reatta created! However, the septua-, octo-, and nonagenarian members of the customer base that made their way into the showrooms to behold the new Buick staggered back in horror from all that newfangledy gadgetry and general lack of Buick solemnity (in spite of last-minute attempts to make the car reassuringly slow and mushy-handling) and the Reatta episode added another grim chapter to the very thick book of Massive GM Business Mistakes. Still, it was a good-looking car with serious performance potential for junkyard-minded individuals today, so it would be nice to find a deal on a solid one, right? The '86 Reatta sold for $26,700 when new- more than a BMW 5 series- but prices are quite reasonable now; in fact, we've found you this '89 Reatta (go here if the ad disappears) with an asking price of only $1,100. It doesn't run ("ran out of gas and won't start again"), but that won't matter once you get a supercharged 3800 for it! Will the Electronic Control Center work? Maybe! If not, how hard could it be to fix?

That Reatta is a pretty sweet machine, and (as Every Single Seller will tell you, hard to find), but say you want a back seat in your Visual Information Center-equipped GM machine, so you can haul along more passengers on your TRON-style journeys? Why, that means you need an Oldsmobile Troféo project, and you'll need an '88 or newer in order to get one with no unsightly Toronado emblems. It's already been demonstrated that the supercharged Buick 3800 swap is pretty easy with this car, which means all you need to do is hand over $750 for this 1990 Olds Trofeo (go here if the ad disappears), which has snazzy red paint and low miles. Don't worry about its non-running condition, because you'll be tearing out that naturally-aspirated boat anchor before you've even had a chance to discover whether or not the VIC dash actually works. The statement "Doesnt Run And Brake Line" is somewhat cryptic, but don't worry about that- just imagine the torque-steering fun you'll have while watching all the flashing lights and space-age bar graphs bounce around the dash! And, speaking of space-age, check out the new poll steroids our hamsters are now mainlining:
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Although retaining the front engine/front wheel drive layout, the LaCrosse will now be perched upon GM's new Global Epsilon II platform. On the outside, the Buick LaCrosse is a radical departure from the frumpy vehicle of yesteryear and is now targeting a much younger audience in the same fashion as Cadillac a few years ago. Inspired by the Invicta concept car, the 2010 Buick LaCrosse carries much of the showcars design through to production. The most noticeable changes made from the Invicta are a higher DLO with less rake to the front windshield, smaller wheels and less tech in the headlights and taillights. The wheelbase has also been shortened from the concept car, but it’s not a very drastic change.

The biggest design departure from previous Buicks are the portholes. Yup, the "go-faster" holes have been relocated from the front quarter-panels onto the hood, nestled in a sharp inset crease. The traditional Buick waterfall grille has been reshaped and appears very modern in contrast to past Buicks, thanks to a machined finish with chrome strips on each of the slats, giving it a very jewel-like appearance. The headlights have a very strong design and pull rearward into the shoulder line.

The signature body line evokes classic Buick style, but the younger audience will most likely relate it to the Bentley Continental GT. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. The DLO features a chrome strip that wraps very delicately toward the C-pillar and finishes in a very BMW-esque “kink”. The trunk wraps neatly into the C-pillar and is perched fairly high. The taillights somewhat mimic the headlights in that they are stretched forward, wrapping around the rear fender and run into the shoulder feature line. Chrome strips on the taillight lens carry that line across the rear and around the trunk. A large chrome strip sits above the license plate surround and encompasses the bold Buick badge. Dual chromed exhaust ports sit within the lower bumper surface and are a nice detail reminiscent of current luxury cars from Europe and Japan — especially the new Acura TL. Expect 17- and 18-inch wheels to be offered as standard with 19-inch chrome rollers in the style of the Invicta concept cars to be optional.

The 2010 Buick LaCrosse interior will not lose anything in the translation from concept to production with the exception of material finishes. It will feature a hands free key with push button start/stop and ambient interior lighting.

Expect to see the 2010 Buick LaCrosse in person in November at the LA Auto Show and in Detroit in January for the Detroit Auto Show. The wait won’t be much longer from there as the LaCrosse is due to go on sale in early 2009.

Some say he has a tattoo of a Saleen S7 on his rear end. Others tell us he was born with a penchant for oil rather than his mum's milk. All we know is he's called the Auto Insider and he's always ready to provide the scoop from the other side of Eight Mile.

We're assuming powertrain choices will be pretty similar to those offered for the Opel Insignia, except probably sticking with gas engines over the oil-burning options. Expect to see the re-born Buick Regal see an official reveal at the Guangzhou Auto Show in November. Unfortunately, despite our excitement over Buick's new hotness, we won't be there in person. [via China Car Times]

We caught a convoy of 2010 Buick Lacrosse prototypes running on public roads—this time with drastically reduced camouflage. Prior Lacrosse test vehicles had always been clad under oppressive covers, but now we can see all but the finest details on Buick's new sedan. The prototypes captured here definitely show a resemblance Buick's Invicta concept car shown in China earlier this year.

Two distinct prototypes were identified in the group: one with no visible exhaust tips and a clean rear bumper, the other with sporty dual exhaust tips cut into the bumper and larger, more aggressive wheels.

We also managed a revealing interior shot, showing the impressive feeling of craftsmanship that will be applied to the Lacrosse's passenger compartment. It looks as if Buick stylists have learned a lesson, or two, from the Cadillac CTS' interior design.

The test group had an interesting mix of comparison vehicles along for the ride, covering a wide range of market segments. Running alongside the Lacrosse prototypes were a Mercedes E-class, a Lincoln MKS, and a Volkswagen Passat.

Usually we're not advocates of badge-engineering, but these spy photos of what absolutely appears to be a new Insignia (check out that cut-line on the side of the car) rebadged as a Buick Regal for the Chinese market somehow make sense to us. Buick is a hugely popular brand in China for GM and although Opels are sold there, it probably will sell better under the Buick lineup. Kind of like over here with the Chevy Malibu, the car you can't ignore and the Saturn Aura, the car everyone did. Could this possibly mean the US will get a Buick-branded Insignia rather than one badged as the new 2010 Saturn Aura like we'd expected? Probably not. But now we're even more jealous of those spiffy Chinese Buicks. Who knew a Buick could look hot? Well, your grandparents, for starters. Us, we're only hoping we can get our hands on a "Grand National" version — but we're not holding our breath. [via ChinaCarTimes]

The Luxus was the high-end LeSabre for '74, and it came standard with a snazzy steering wheel, special hubcaps, and a vinyl notchback seat. The convertible sold for $4,696, about 50 bucks less than the '74 Caprice Classic convertible. Yes, the big Chevy convertible cost more than the big Buick convertible!


This example is in great shape, either a low-miles original car or a good restoration. Given that this is Alameda, I'm betting on the former; you see a lot of original-owner cars of this era on the island.

Once you're done looking at the photos of this car, you can vote for your favorite Alameda convertible. I'm not including homemade convertibles, roofless customs, or vehicles with removable hardtops- just cars with true convertible tops.

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GM Adds 12-Month/12,000-Mile Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty on GM Certified Used Vehicles and Saturn CPO Vehicles

DETROIT, Aug. 19 /PRNewswire/ — General Motors today announced that it will provide consumers with a fully transferable 12-month/12,000-mile* "bumper-to-bumper" warranty with no deductible on all GM Certified Used Vehicles and all Saturn Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles sold in the United States. The announcement was made by Brian McVeigh, general manager, GM Fleet and Commercial Operations, and Jamie Hresko, GM North America vice president of quality.

GM also announced it has extended the age and mileage eligibility standards for GM Certified Used Vehicles and Saturn Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles to include models six years old or newer, with up to 75,000 miles.

In September, GM Certified Used Vehicles, the industry's top-selling manufacturer-certified used vehicle brand**, will mark the sale of its 3-millionth vehicle, making GM Certified the first OEM certified pre-owned program to reach that milestone.

"This is a clear indication of our confidence in the quality and value of our cars and trucks," said McVeigh. "We're pleased to now offer that same level of confidence with every GM Certified Used Vehicle from Buick, Chevrolet, GMC and Pontiac, and every Saturn Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle. As we reach the 3-million sales milestone, this warranty enhancement adds a real point of differentiation for our program, enabling our dealers to offer customers a range of peace-of-mind assurances that compare favorably with any other manufacturer-certified program in the industry. GM Certified and Saturn Certified do an outstanding job of bringing in new GM customers, and this enhancement will only add to that."

The fully transferable 12-month/12,000-mile* bumper-to-bumper warranty, which begins on the date of purchase of the GM Certified or Saturn Certified model, is standard on all GM Certified Used Vehicles or Saturn Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles purchased from participating dealers after September 13, 2008. The warranty covers the vehicle from bumper to bumper on any vehicle defect related to materials or workmanship, including all but standard wear-and-tear components on the vehicle. All body and sheet metal components are warranted against rust-through corrosion for six years/100,000 miles***.

GM Certified and Saturn Certified also provide buyers a five-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty*** with 24-hour roadside assistance and courtesy transportation, free vehicle history report, a comprehensive 117-point vehicle inspection and a three-day, 150-mile customer satisfaction guarantee.

"We upped our game and made great strides in quality," said Hresko. "We take care of our customers by standing behind our cars and trucks. With a five-year/100,000-mile transferable powertrain warranty plus roadside assistance and courtesy transportation, we already provide the best coverage in America and now we're making that coverage even better."

Cadillac Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles, Saab Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles and Hummer Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles operate separate programs — each of those programs has a 6-year/100,000-mile bumper-to-bumper comprehensive warranty (whichever comes first), effective from the vehicle's in-service date.

Consumers can go to www.gmcertified.com to learn more about GM Certified Used Vehicles, locate the closest GM Certified dealer or search the industry's largest available certified pre-owned inventory, with 60,000-plus vehicles. Consumers can visit www.saturn.com to learn more about Saturn Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles.

[Source: GM]

Follow the fun at our Woodward Dream Cruise tag for all of our coverage of the 2008 Woodward Dream Cruise, the largest one-day automotive event in the world!

Pics taken at C.I.A. Salvage, Limerick Maine- May 5, 2008. I'll leave it to you to wax poetic about the cars if you so choose and/or make jokes at rural Maine's expense, etc.
1) 1946-48 Dodge sedan
2) hood mascot of same
3) 1952 Kaiser Manhattan
4) same
5) 1955 Kaiser Manhattan
6) 1957 Ford firetruck, January 08
7) same, May 08
8) 1960s Falcon Clubwagon
9) 1964 Imperial Crown Coupe- one of 5233
10) tailpanel mascot of same
11) rear side view
12) 1966 Plymouth Belvedere II- 273 V8/auto, For Sale sign on windshield
asking $2K
13) nose of same
14) rear 3/4 of same
15) 1967 Chevy Bel Air
16) 1968 Olds F85
17) nose of same
18) 1968 Mercury Monterey
19) 1968 Plymouth Valiant Signet
20) 1969 Dodge Dart Swinger
21) nose of same
22) 1969 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S
23) badge
24) 1970 Dart Swinger
25) rear view of same
26) 1970-71 Dodge pickup
27) 1970s Opel- I don't know anything about these, maybe you can fill in
the year etc.
28) 1972 Plymouth Scamp
29) rear view of same
30) 1974 Dart Swinger
31) 1974 Buick Estate
32) same

10.) Honda
9.) BMW
8.) Infiniti
7.) Acura
6.) Mercury
5.) Lincoln
4.) Lexus
3.) Buick
2.) Cadillac
1.) Jaguar

Jalopnik Snap Judgement: In this less-than-profitable auto market, dealerships are working harder to maintain ties with customers by offering a better service department experience. Makes sense to us.

Full press release below:

Overall Satisfaction with Dealer Service Increases

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.: 17 July 2008 — Overall customer satisfaction with dealer service improves considerably in 2008—with more than two-thirds of the 37 ranked brands demonstrating gains—according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Customer Service Index (CSI) StudySM released today.

The study, now in its 28th year, measures satisfaction among vehicle owners who visit the dealer service department for maintenance or repair work during the first three years of ownership, which typically represent the majority of the vehicle warranty period.

After remaining relatively flat since 2005, overall satisfaction with dealer service increases to 882 on a 1,000-point scale in 2008—an improvement of 6 points from 2007. The improvement is primarily due to a combination of an increase in the proportion of maintenance work performed and improvements in satisfaction with repair work. Customers who visit the dealer for routine maintenance tend to be more satisfied (894), on average, than are repair customers (862). The proportion of customers bringing their vehicles to the dealer for repair work has declined to a historic low in 2008, averaging 35 percent. Customer satisfaction with repair work increases notably—improving by 9 points since 2007—with gains made by both premium and non-premium brands. However, satisfaction with maintenance work increases only slightly in 2008.

"Improved levels of vehicle quality have led to a decline in the need for vehicle repairs during the first three years of ownership," said David Sargent, vice president of automotive research at J.D. Power and Associates. "Despite the fact that the majority of service visits—65 percent—are for maintenance work, dealers are very focused on the need to satisfy their repair customers. Given today's market conditions—where dealers are finding it extremely difficult to achieve profitability—it is vital that they not overlook the importance of ensuring their service customers are satisfied. Not only does meeting and exceeding the expectations of customers through after-sales service result in increased likelihood that those customers will return for service, but it also results in increased likelihood that those customers will stay loyal to the brand when they are next in the market for a vehicle."

For a second consecutive year, Jaguar ranks highest in customer satisfaction with dealer service. Jaguar achieves an overall CSI score of 923 and is closely followed in the rankings by Cadillac (922) and Buick (919).

"Jaguar dealers receive very high satisfaction scores among repair customers, particularly in the service initiation, service advisor and user-friendly service measures," said Sargent. "Cadillac improves by one rank position in 2008. This is also attributable to its particularly high levels of satisfaction among repair customers. Buick has strong performance among non-premium brands, and its continuing efforts to improve quality have resulted in a decreasing incidence of repair visits among the brand's customers."

The study also finds that communicating with customers after service work has been completed has a notably strong impact on satisfaction particularly through increasing customer perceptions of fairness of charges and the value of service received. For customers that receive an explanation of work performed or an explanation of charges, satisfaction is approximately 100 points higher, on average, than if no explanations were provided. Approximately 82 percent of customers report that they received explanations of the work performed on their vehicle, while 58 percent say they received an explanation of charges, when necessary.

"Many times, it is the quality of communication provided by service personnel that makes the difference between a satisfied customer and a true advocate," said Sargent. "When customers are provided with clear explanations as to why the work performed on their vehicle was necessary, as well as the reasoning behind the charges, it improves satisfaction with the value of the work performed, as well as perceptions of the fairness and honesty of the dealer. Consistently following these relatively simple steps helps to foster trust among customers, which is critical to building loyalty for future service work as well as future sales. For example, 78 percent of customers who rate the fairness of charges as 'outstanding' say that they will return to the dealership for routine maintenance after the warranty expires, while only 49 percent of customers who provide 'average' fairness ratings say the same."

The study also finds the following key patterns:

* While 5 percent of customers say that they would prefer to schedule their service visit with the dealer via the Internet, only 1 percent of customers actually do so. The vast majority of customers—74 percent—call the dealership to schedule an appointment, while 25 percent of customers just drop in.
* When vehicles are returned to the customer cleaner than they were when received by the dealer, satisfaction scores average 48 points higher than scores provided by customers whose vehicles showed no difference in cleanliness. However, there is a particularly large decline in satisfaction—202 points, on average—if vehicles are returned less clean than when they were received.
* Among customers who report speaking to a service advisor immediately upon arriving at the dealership, satisfaction scores average 927—224 points higher than among customers who say they waited more than 5 minutes to speak to a service advisor.

The 2008 CSI Study is based on responses from 87,302 owners and lessees of 2005 to 2007 model-year vehicles. The study was fielded between January and April 2008. J.D. Power and Associates measures dealer service in various countries around the world, including Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand and the UK.

[Source: JD Power]

Heraldic crests! Knights in armor! Seeing this hood ornament, I find it impossible to believe that Buick didn't offer an Electra Brougham for '73. Surely there must be some mistake!


Just in time for the Arab oil embargo of '73, this 4,682-pound dreamboat purred down the highway courtesy of a 210-horse 455 engine. That seems like a pretty poor power-to-weight ratio, but keep in mind that Tricky Dick lowered the speed limit the very next year. Just in time, too, because this car probably gets 9 MPG at 75 MPH and 11 MPG at 55 MPH.


This car is in very nice original condition, but you don't have to go to a car show to see this kind of thing on the Island That Rust Forgot!

We've had 18 cars from the first year of the Malaise Era in this series, and some- maybe even most- of them are pretty cool. That means we need a poll! Vote for your favorite 1973 DOTS machine, then check out the '73 Electra gallery.

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Do you remember those Xmods R/C cars featured during the Jalopnik Christmas list right? I've been into them for a few years. Anyhoo, it's common for people to fit model bodies on them to have cars beyond what radioshack sells.

Everyone from 13 year old kids, to professional car painters do these sorts of conversions. Think of it as, your old model car that actually moves. Some are even able to do a full interior in the car bodies. Typically very shiny cars you'd see on the show room floor.

Not me. Nope. After seeing your beat up Impala model many moons ago, when it came time for a competition, I knew what I had to do... Build a "Trailer Park Special" car, and stand out from the show cars..

And here it is, paint fade and all. I just won $50 in a compitition with it, saweeet..

The Skylark Custom came with the luxury trim package, including fender skirts and plush padded vinyl interior. The standard engine was a 250-inch six, but just about all buyers opened their wallets for the 230-horse Buick 350 (and some went ahead and paid for the 300 horsepower 400).


Mmmm, padded vinyl! This car listed at $3,098 new, which was 97 bucks more than the Fairlane GT convertible (and 700 bucks less than the '68 Lotus Europa).


These photographs date from more than a year ago; it was actually one of the first cars I shot for this series, but I saved it "for a special occasion" for so long that I forgot the photos even existed.

The Journal claims GM has already taken Chevrolet and Cadillac off the table, considering them core to the company. But what about the rest of the lineup?

Saturn: GM's low-price, non-haggle, donut-loving import-fighter brand has reportedly never made a profit. Even with products like the Aura and Astra, it's having trouble making any inroads with consumers despite a loyal fan base. Coupled with the fact GM has reportedly stopped development work on the next-gen Aura, we think Saturn's got a good chance of getting to know Geo in the division dumpster.

Saab: The storied Swedish born-from-jets brand has either been vastly improved or pathetically watered-down during GM's ownership, depending upon whom you talk to. Either way, with only about 35,000 sales per year in the U.S. — about what the Accord sells each month — Saab is probably due for an ownership change.

Buick: If it weren't for Buick's gangbusters Chinese sales and the strong-selling Enclave, we'd be more concerned about the tri-shield brand. Would it go Asian-market only? Possibly, but Buick's made it out alive before, and we think it'll do so again. There are just too many old people out there to sell to.

GMC: GM's truck brand sells rebadged Chevrolets almost exclusively, and Acadia is reportedly already a goner. But the division has a strong brand presence among site foremen who enjoy driving the same vehicle their workers drive, but at a 10% premium. Will that be enough? We give GMC a 50/50 shot.

Pontiac: The performance division has Solstice, the G8, and the reasonably strong-selling G6. Pontiac has always been an image brand as well as a volume brand; is G8 enough to bring that performance image back? We're not so sure...but we don't think Pontiac is going away any time soon.

So, who's following Hummer (and probably about 25,000 current GM employees) out the door? Give us your thoughts. [WSJ]

The murmuring about Hummer being up for sale got credence with the news that Citibank has been retained to conduct a "strategic review" of the brand. Our little birdie has told us that Citibank's real job is to screen potential buyers. [Automotive News Sub. Req.]

While unit-body construction would likely reduce towing and payload capacity over current GMT900 offerings, reports show that the majority of light-truck buyers rarely use the full capacity of their vehicles. Lambda would provide GM with an opportunity to provide more interior storage space and better fuel economy while still being able to offer 2WD and 4WD packages. Since we know Americans don't want to give up their pickups, moving the "commuter trucks" onto Lambda sounds like another smart choice for the General. Now let's see if it actually happens.
[Automotive News (Sub. Req.)]

Not sure if a student could afford 24s, but how many teachers would slap sparkly "24" emblems on the pillars? The '69 Continental that parks just down the block could well be a student car, though it's summer vacation now and the Lincoln is still there.


As we know, most Jalopniks prefer a dekotora to a donk, but there's no need to get all riled up over a '76 Regal 4-door with 24s if you don't groove on the donk thing; wheels can be replaced.


In '76, the Regal came standard with a 140-horse 350 engine. Since 1976 cars are not smog-exempt in California (1975 and earlier cars are exempt from emissions tests), that's most likely the engine that's hauling this car's vast bulk these days (though a 455 could probably be swapped in, as long as it looks like a 350 to the smog techs and passes the tailpipe gas test).

We've just discovered that our server hamsters now refuse to run on their wheels when a gallery has more than 50 images, so here's the complete set of photos in the old format:

Or maybe rather than killing Buick, you like Buick as it is? We can't imagine why — although who knows, maybe you get excited at the thought of an Enclave? Or do you want to relive the magic with a Buick Riviera Gran Sport that's actually... you know... sporty? Where does the future lie? What platforms? What style? You are the product planner. Are you a bad enough dude to save Ronny Lutz? (Hat tip to Sean!)

Motor Trend's Motor City Blogman, Todd Lassa, is reporting the news of the RWD Buick Lucerne's demise may have been greatly exaggerated. Along with a lot of background info, Lassa says the Buick will be staying rear wheel drive, but moving off the 118.5-inch extended wheelbase Zeta platform and onto the smaller "midsize" 114.8-inch wheelbase Zeta — the same as the Pontiac G8. So it'll stay rear-wheel driven, but shrinking a bit in the process.

Enthusiasts will hate the idea of a rear-wheel powered Buick, sure. Want to know what they'll hate even more? The Blogman's also reporting GM's plans for a rear-wheel drive 2011 Chevy Impala is still dead in the water. The world is a crazy mixed up place sometimes, ain't it? [Motor Trend]

This was quite an expensive machine in its time; the Riviera for '66 listed at $4,424, which was only 500 bucks less than a 2-door Cadillac Calais (and well over a grand more than the Impala Super Sport).


The standard engine for the '66 was the 340-horse 425 "nailhead" V8, which was in its last year of production. You could get a dealer-installed dual-quad carburetor setup that got you an extra 20 horsepower out of the old nailhead, and we can only hope that this car has that option.


This car has some dings and the usual GM rust spots around some of the trim, but it lives outside, gets used as transportation, and looks pretty good.

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Under the Invicta's porthole-punctuated hood is a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four making 250 HP. Presumably, that power would be delivered to the front wheels, but since the 2010 LaCrosse will be riding on GM's Epsilon II platform, that might not be the only possibility. We just recently saw the 2009 Opel Insignia revealed, which is the first Epsilon II car. The Opel is available with all-wheel-drive, so who knows, maybe the Buick will have an AWD option too. Another possibility would be a hybrid model, seeing as the current Chinese-market LaCrosse already has this option. So go ahead and make your jokes about Janet Reno's underwear, we think Buick might just be ready to shed its retiree vibe. Full press release below:

Buick Evolves Global Design Inspiration Into Invicta Show Car

BEIJING - The sleek Buick Invicta show car revealed here in conjunction with Auto China 2008 is Buick's strongest statement yet of its deliberately international plans. The four-door midsize sedan with a coupe-like roofline presents bold direction for Buick's new generation of vehicles in the world's two biggest automotive markets - the United States and China.

Invicta has evolved from Buick concepts such as the 2004 Velite convertible and 2007 Riviera coupe, both of which received accolades for their thoroughly modern adaptation of classic Buick themes. Invicta was designed collaboratively by GM centers of expertise in Warren, Mich. and Shanghai, China. The name, which is Latin for "invincible," returns to Buick after a 45-year hiatus in the United States.

"Buick's global appeal created an opportunity for GM Design Centers to elevate our collaboration to new levels. Using our virtual reality centers in Warren and Shanghai, designers fused the best ideas from both cultures during the development of the Invicta," said Edward T. Welburn, vice president, General Motors Global Design. "The result will set a new design standard for Buick, and it couldn't have been achieved by one studio working in isolation. The Invicta represents another significant design milestone in Buick's history."

Invicta is powered by Buick's first direct injection turbocharged engine, a four-cylinder powerplant that produces 250 horsepower (186 kW) and 220 lb-ft (298 Nm) of torque. The engine is matched with a six-speed automatic transmission for maximum fuel efficiency.

Modern, sleek exterior

Invicta's designers drew inspiration from the Riviera concept. Invicta features modern and sleek proportions with exterior lines that flow uninterrupted around the vehicle. For example, Invicta's cat-eye headlamps transition into the Buick heritage-inspired sweepspear design cue, which flows seamlessly along the body sides and merges into the taillamps. Similarly, one can trace the top of the headlamp casing to the roofline and the rear of the vehicle without interruptions.

As with Riviera, Invicta features short overhangs with wheels pushed out to the corners for a well-planted stance. The overall appearance is sleek, thanks in part to a sweeping, low roofline and a front windshield that has an aggressive rake.

Up front, the Buick tri-shield is prominently displayed inside the Velite-inspired chrome vertical waterfall grille. Polished aluminum surrounding the headlamps, portholes, around the D-pillar and along the lower side of the vehicle on the lower doors accentuates the overall exterior design. Reminiscent of a number of historic Buick models, Invicta's portholes - three per side - are located on the hood rather than on the front quarter panels.

Invicta's wheelbase and high belt line give the vehicle more substantial proportions while visually reinforcing its premium appearance. Invicta's 20-inch polished aluminum wheels feature a milled Buick tri-shield in the center cap.

To signal its premium attributes while enhancing the vehicle's sleek proportions, Invicta's exterior is draped in a sumptuous AluStone color. Its warm beige tone contains wafer-thin flakes of aluminum that reflect light to emit a liquid gold appearance.

Flowing, crafted interior

The focus and attention to seamless transitions carry over inside Invicta. The doors merge to become one with the instrument panel, which morphs into the center console.

The wrap-around design of the interior and fluid design provide a spacious cabin for all passengers, especially those seated in the back of the vehicle. At nearly 100 cubic feet of interior space, Invicta delivers large-car comfort in a mid-size sedan. The sense of roominess is further accentuated by a full glass roof, which allows all passengers to enjoy the sights, day or night.

Invicta also showcases a high level of interior craftsmanship while creating an environment that is soothing, quiet, comfortable and inviting for all passengers.

The blending of premium materials - such as wood trim and polished aluminum accents, soft aniline leather, supple suede-like material and soothing Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting technology - encase passengers in Buick luxury.

Beyond its sumptuous appearance, Buick created a show car for the senses. Authentic French seam stitching on the soft-touch instrument panel pad, door panels and steering wheel invites touch. Buttons, switches and door pulls are crafted to deliver a tactile quality experience. Soft and soothing Ice Blue ambient LED lighting on the instrument panel, around the central vehicle function controls, along the console and center storage, and in the front footwells provoke visual sophistication. Two discriminating "spotlights" also accent the center point of the front and rear seats.

Buick introduced the Invicta in North America as a production vehicle in 1959. The Invicta show car is the first time the nameplate has appeared on a Buick in China.

BUICK INVICTA SPECIFICATIONS

Vehicle type: four-door, five-passenger luxury show car sedan

Wheelbase (in / mm): 114.5 / 2908

Length (in / mm): 194.2 / 4932

Width (in / mm): 73.8 / 1874

Height (in / mm): 57.7 / 1466

Track (in / mm): 64.4 / 1635 front; 64.5 / 1637 rear

Engine: 2.0L DOHC, direct injection turbo

Horsepower (kW): 250 / 186

Torque (Nm): 220 / 298

Transmission: six-speed automatic

Suspension: MacPherson strut, front; independent, rear

Brakes: four-wheel anti-lock disc

Wheels: polished aluminum, 20 in. x 8.5 in. with milled Buick emblem

Tires: P245/40R20

Opel Insignia: A New Design Language For A New Era

* Sculpted design with a flowing coupé silhouette
* Four-wheel drive, active chassis and seven engines available at launch
* World premiere July 2008 at the London Motor Show

Rüsselsheim. A new name, a new car, a new ambition. With its groundbreaking design and sophisticated technology, the Insignia makes a quantum leap toward rejuvenating the brand and providing the perfect opportunity to discover Opel. The styling of the new 4.83 meter five-seater clearly expresses Opel's strategy to make advanced technology and attractive design affordable.

The Insignia boasts a flowing, powerful silhouette with a coupé-like roofline. The body's sculpted shape is accented by a distinctive radiator grille with a newly-designed Opel emblem. Unmistakable design elements include a sweeping front and rear light "wing" signature and a "blade" side contour that begins directly behind the front wheel and glides through the entire side of the body. Both details give the Insignia's a muscular but graceful allure.

"With Insignia we are introducing an exciting new sophisticated design vocabulary, which combines sculptural artistry with German precision," says Mark Adams, Vice President Design, GM Europe. "Our aim was to develop a confident look which compels the world to experience for themselves the superb driving dynamics the Insignia radiates."

Echoing the exterior, the interior shapes and surfaces, which articulate this promise for exciting mobility, are crafted with high quality materials. The dashboard wraps around from the instrument panel to the door in a very sophisticated way, embracing the occupants. This wing theme will be echoed across all Opels. Red ambient lighting, which also will be featured in future Opel models, vibrate a warm, luxurious aura. A lot of emphasis too has been put into the seating, which set the highest standards in ergonomics, comfort and safety.

Opel's pioneering role and unique expertise in lighting technology continues in the Insignia with the latest generation AFL Adaptive Forward Lighting system: Nine different light beam settings automatically adjust themselves to cater to various driving conditions, simultaneously enhancing safety and driving excitement. Another new element on the AFL system is the LED daytime running lights, which consume considerably less energy than a conventional system featuring halogen lamps, thereby lowering CO2 emissions from 6 g/km to nearly zero.

"As each feature demonstrates, the Insignia is the result of our quest to develop a car that combines striking design, excellent driving dynamics and innovative technology" says Hans H. Demant, Managing Director, Adam Opel GmbH.

The Insignia is offered from the start with front-wheel and all-wheel drive. The "Adaptive 4X4" system's proactive, instantaneous torque distribution not only ensures optimal traction but also enhances driving stability and dynamic handling performance. In the all-wheel drive Insignia, the FlexRide mechatronic chassis system with its Adaptive Stability Technology helps the car adjust to prevailing driving conditions and allows the driver to select settings to match his mood. FlexRide is also available in the front-wheel version.

The Insignia will launch with an exceptionally broad range of seven engines. All meet Euro 5 emissions standards and come with either manual or automatic six-speed transmissions. The four gasoline engines range from a four-cylinder 115 hp unit to a V6 with 260 hp. The three new direct-injection diesels feature a displacement of 2.0 liter and outputs spanning from 110 to 160 hp. Subsequently the Insignia engine line-up will be expanded with an EcoFLEX version offering very low CO2 emissions in addition to other, more powerful variants.

"The Opel Insignia sets new standards in technology and innovation — this will be obvious right from the launch. But we are keeping several cards up our sleeves when it comes to environmental compatibility, excitement and safety, which we will play strategically overtime" says Alain Visser, Chief Marketing Officer, GM Europe.

The Insignia notch- and hatchback will debut July 22, 2008 at the London Motor Show and hit showrooms starting in November. The Insignia was developed at GM Europe's International Technical Development Center in Rüsselsheim, Germany, which also is home to its production. The Rüsselsheim facility is one of the most advanced car plants in the industry.