A little history first. Back in '78, when the guzzler tax came into existence, it penalized vehicles that got fewer than a combined 22.5 MPG; however, trucks, vans and SUVs weren't included because they made up such as small percentage of personal vehicles. Fast forward 30 years, there's a Grand Cherokee in every garage and some folks say it's high time to revisit the gas-guzzler tax...and perhaps the hybrid tax credit. Let's just say we can see both sides of the argument.

It's probably evidence of how far we haven't come that 22.5 combined MPG doesn't seem all that low to us. Regardless, if we're going to have a tax, then a true gas-guzzler tax should apply to gas guzzlers — vehicles that can't top 18 MPG combined — and be made an across-the-board rule, regardless of vehicle type. Yeah, there'd have to be an out for contractors, and yeah, some folks would cheat. What's new?

What about the hybrid tax credit? The intention was to help folks afford hybrids until the costs have been amortized enough for automakers to lower the price. But guess what? Prices ain't coming down. Instead, it's nothing more than a cheap gimmick. A better alternative would be to apply a "gas-sipper credit," a sort of reverse gas-guzzler tax that would credit buyers of the most fuel-efficient vehicles.

In the end, Americans are going to buy what they want, burn what they want, and drive as fast as they like. It's what we do here, and that's all good by us. But a little cash under the table to "do the right thing" is apparently part of the American way too — especially when it's complete hypocrisy. [blogs.nytimes.com]

The report also mentioned cancellation of a future Hummer product and the potential shuttering of a brand, though no concrete evidence has emerged to clarify whether the Hummer product cancellation and brand closure were one in the same (Hummer) or whether Hummer might be allowed to die on the vine while another weak brand, such as Buick, was closed outright or moved off-shore. [Automotive News (Sub. Req.)]

• Chevrolet — Tahoe (nonhybrid) or Suburban: $2,000 customer cash + $4,000 owner loyalty bonus cash = $6,000 total cash.

Tahoe (hybrid): $0 customer cash + $4,000 owner loyalty bonus cash = $4,000 total cash.

Silverado or Avalanche: $2,000 customer cash + $3,000 owner loyalty bonus cash = $5,000 total cash.

• GMC — Yukon: $2,000 customer cash + $4,000 owner loyalty bonus cash = $6,000 total cash.

Yukon (hybrid): $0 customer cash + $4,000 owner loyalty bonus cash = $4,000 total cash.

Sierra: $2,000 customer cash + $3,000 owner loyalty bonus cash = $5,000 total cash.

• Cadillac — Escalade: $2,000 customer cash + $2,000 bonus cash + $2,000 owner loyalty bonus cash = $6,000 total cash.

[Automotive News (sub. req.)]

KBB.COM NAMES 2008 BEST NEW ROAD TRIP VEHICLES

IRVINE, Calif., May 20, 2008 - The expert editors of Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com (www.kbb.com), the leading provider of new- and used-vehicle information, today announce their picks for Kelley Blue Book's 2008 Top 10 Best New Road Trip Vehicles. Memorial Day weekend ushers in the beginning of the summer driving season, and record gas prices will play a large role in trip-planning this year. But even with gas prices reaching $4 per gallon, Americans are still expected to hit the road in droves for summer road trips. From the two-person weekend getaway to the full-family excursion, this year's Best New Road Trip Vehicles list is certain to accommodate any road trip.

In choosing this year's Best New Road Trip Vehicles, the kbb.com editors evaluated all tangible and intangible attributes that would enhance any long drive, such as driving enjoyment, passenger comfort, cargo space and of course, fuel economy. Because not all road trips are the same, Kelley Blue Book's 2008 Best New Road Trip Vehicles provide a potential perfect ride or two for every type of driver and every type of journey. Each vehicle offers different perks such as entertainment options, interior accommodations and driving performance to keep road-trippers satisfied. Depending on the type of trip and the number of companions the right vehicle could be a coupe, sedan, crossover, SUV or minivan.

Kbb.com Editorial Comments: 2008 Best New Road Trip Vehicles

Audi S5

Combining a silky 354-horsepower V8 engine, impeccably tuned suspension and quattro all-wheel drive, the Audi S5 delivers high levels of both performance and comfort, along with the elegance to arrive in grand fashion.

Bugatti Veyron

If the price of fuel has impacted your yacht time more than your driving habits, you might find the $1.5-million, 1,001-horsepower, 16-cylinder, quad-turbo, 250-mph Bugatti Veyron an ideal alternative the next time the jet is in the shop. Just keep in mind that at full speed, the Veyron burns through its 26-gallon fuel tank in about 12 minutes.

Chevrolet Malibu

We recently drove six top-selling mid-size sedans in a back-to-back comparison test, and the remarkably quiet and comfortable Chevy Malibu handily outshined the competition on the highway. The first car in the category to combine a flexible six-speed automatic transmission with a gas-sipping four-cylinder engine, the Malibu is capable of an impressive 32 highway miles per gallon.

Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid

While the Tahoe Hybrid's highway fuel economy rating of 22 mpg is only 2 mpg better than that of its gas-only counterpart (the hybrid's bigger advantage is in city driving), it's nevertheless the most fuel-friendly full-size SUV on the road and provides seating for eight, plenty of cargo solutions and the ability to tow your boat to the lake.

Dodge Grand Caravan

They say that getting there is half the fun. In the Dodge Grand Caravan, getting there can easily be all the fun. The Grand Caravan's wide variety of entertainment options includes multiple DVD players, video game inputs, two overhead video screens, SIRIUS Satellite TV and radio as well as rearward-swiveling second row seats, all helping to transform the once humble minivan into a virtual party on wheels.

Ford Flex

Due in dealerships this summer, Ford's new full-size, three-row crossover will be turning heads from coast to coast all year, while treating occupants to cold drinks with its class-exclusive refrigerated console.

Infiniti EX35

In addition to a plush, flexible interior, the EX35 offers a Lane Departure Prevention System that can help keep any driver — quite literally — in line. A small camera detects lane markers in front of the vehicle and, when inadvertent lane departure is detected, the system applies a small amount of left or right brake force to nudge the vehicle back on course.

MINI Cooper Clubman

With excellent fuel economy and a fun-loving attitude, the MINI Cooper has earned its way onto our list of top road trip cars for the second year in a row. The new Clubman offers more passenger and luggage space than the standard Cooper, making the largest member of the MINI family an even more ideal long-haul companion.

Toyota Prius

The iconic Prius doesn't just deliver the best highway mileage of virtually anything on four wheels, it also features a flexible hatchback design and enough interior volume to qualify as a mid-size vehicle.

Volkswagen Eos

The Volkswagen Eos is a sporty coupe that's also a sexy convertible, thanks to a sleek, sophisticated retractable hardtop. This chameleon also has an exceptionally wide glass sunroof for when you want the open-air experience without getting that wind-swept look.

[Source: KBB Road Trip 2008]

Anyway, the push for the new architecture has a target date of 2012, or just about the time gas hits $15,000 a gallon in the US, so the idea is to provide room and size while reducing weight and improving gas mileage. We're wondering why they don't just follow through with the Autonomy concept that they spent so much money (and the motoring press spent so much time) on. [Bloomberg via Carscoop]

Of course, hybrid sales are still down compared to December 2007, but that's a common yearly occurrence. When you take a closer look at the numbers you see that the more luxurious hybrids are seeing a decrease in sales as compared to their more pedestrian cousins. The Ford Escape sales were up 24.7% compared to last January, while the Mercury Mariner was down 10.6% over the same period. The Toyota Highlander's sales grew 18.4% while the Lexus RX400h dropped by 2.7%. The Toyota Prius and Camry both had a great January, increasing 37.1% and 33.9%, respectively. The Lexus brand GS450h saw a decrease of 61.7%.

There are other factors to consider here. Certainly gas prices, advertising and decreasing awareness play into car sales (for instance, Honda is no longer selling actively selling Hybrid Accords). There's no longer a hybrid tax credit for Toyotas as they've exceeded their sales cap.

But it looks as though the recession is having an impact on hybrid buyers, who are already paying a premium over the gas-only alternatives and might not want to pay a premium on top of that to get the "luxury" edition. It'll be interesting to see how this plays out given that Hybrid Escalade is going to cost significantly more than a Yukon Hybrid. It'll also be interesting to see if this impacts the upper reaches of the market, such as the upcoming Fisker Karma Hybrid Sedan.

[HybridCars.com]

The national law requires the HOV-allowed hybrids to have improved mileage by 50 percent in the city or 25 percent overall to qualify for the commuter-friendly HOV lanes. The Chevrolet Tahoe is the model example for this situation, because it only improves mileage by 40 percent. Many other hybrid SUVs fail to meet this requirement, as well.

Don't go listing your Tahoe on Craigslist just yet. If you already received a Buckeye State HOV-sticker, then you're fine and nobody will take it away from you. But be forewarned that your big, beautiful and actually pretty fuel-efficient ride is just as scummy as the H3 Hummer, at least in the eyes of Ohio politicos hot to harvest to Green cred. [Treehugger]

And if you believe the various pundits assembled by CNNMoney.com, in a recent report, that infection combined with their penchant for manufacturing eensy proletarian vehicles that your average call-center employee in Bangalore can afford means, yes, pain at the pump for the U.S.A. Gas that tops $5 a gallon for 87-octane has nothing to do with profiteering oil companies and our proud nation's anemic refineries—no, when that day comes and it costs $150 to fuel up a Tahoe, it will be the fault of the wee Tata and its ilk. Little bitty cars that sip gas and are driven by deeply impoverished people. There's your eulogy for relatively inexpensive fuel and the rumbling V8.

General Motors To Display Gas-Friendly Commercial Vehicle Lineup At Chicago Auto Show

CHICAGO - General Motors, committed to developing the industry's widest range of gas-friendly to gas-free vehicles, will showcase several gas-saving commercial vehicles at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show Feb. 6 thru Feb. 17.
GM's Fleet and Commercial Operations (FCO) will display vehicles featuring outstanding fuel economy, E85 ethanol and biodiesel capability, and gas-electric hybrid vehicles designed to help GM customers go green without going broke.
"More and more of our business and commercial customers are concerned about the environmental impact of their vehicle fleets and how that influences the reputation of their company," said John Gaydash, GM FCO marketing director. "They want to increase fuel efficiency, lower their dependence on petroleum and help reduce vehicle emissions. Our broad lineup of cars and trucks provides customers with the right vehicles to meet their environmental needs while still making sure the job gets done. "
Here are some of the gas-friendly vehicles designed for commercial and business use that will be at the Chicago Auto Show:
Chevrolet HHR Panel
The Chevy HHR Panel gets 30 highway miles per gallon, and features windowless side panels that are perfect for advertising a business. It also features a flat load floor with underfloor storage. It is a popular vehicle with florists, pizza parlors and businesses that deliver smaller items.
Chevrolet Express 3500 Cargo Van
GM's clean-burning, dependable and powerful 6.6 L Duramax engine can use B5 biodiesel and comes in rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. The Express also has left-hand side load doors and remote release side panels for easy loading and access.
Chevrolet Silverado
The half-ton Silverado gives customers the choice of powering their truck with E85 ethanol, gasoline or a combination of both fuels. In addition, this 2008 Fleet Truck of the Year continues to delight fleet owners with its comfort, capability and best-in-class fuel economy.
Chevrolet Silverado HD 3500
Available with a gas or diesel engine, the Silverado HD 3500 offers payload capacity and towing for any job site requirement. A new six-speed automatic transmission - including two overdrive gears - helps deliver an excellent balance of performance and fuel economy.
The available Duramax 6.6L turbo-diesel engine leads the segment in power and torque, with ratings of 365 horsepower 660 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine includes a diesel particulate filter system that helps provide a 90-percent reduction in particulate matter and a 50-percent reduction in NOx.
Chevrolet Impala Police Pursuit Vehicle
The 2008 Chevrolet Impala Police Car can operate on cleaner-burning, renewable E85 ethanol, an energy source that can help reduce our dependence on petroleum. E85 has been a very popular choice among fleet customers - including law enforcement agencies - because its availability is growing, and because E85 vehicles are an affordable fleet option.
The Impala PPV delivers improved fuel economy thanks to Active Fuel Management. The technology shuts off half the engine's cylinders when full power is not needed, improving fuel economy by up to 8 percent in certain driving situations.
Chevrolet Tahoe Police Pursuit Vehicle
The Tahoe PPV is the only SUV rated as a police pursuit vehicle. The 2008 Tahoe PPV is powered by the Vortec 5.3L V-8 engine delivering 320 horsepower (238 kW)* and 340 lb.-ft. of torque (470 Nm)*. The Vortec 5.3L features Active Fuel Management™ technology, resulting in improved fuel economy, and can operate on E85 ethanol.
Silverado Hybrid
The 2009 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid is a full-size pickup that achieves 40-percent greater city fuel economy and a 25-percent improvement in overall fuel economy. It is expected to deliver fuel economy comparable to many small and midsize trucks that are equipped with four- or six-cylinder engines, and be the most fuel-efficient full-size pickup on the market, besting the current V-8 leader - the non-hybrid Silverado.
The hybrid system provides all-electric driving at low speeds, allowing fuel savings to be realized even when the truck is fully loaded or towing a trailer. Silverado Hybrid can tow up to 6,100 pounds (2,767 kg).
The Silverado Hybrid goes on sale in late 2008 and is based on the award-winning Silverado platform that was named 2008 Fleet Truck of the Year by commercial fleet managers.

[Source: GM]

On Monday, we got a call from our friend Nick, who - thanks to a Blackberry and a spirit of adventure - is the first U.S. customer to take delivery of his very own Smart. The company even gave him a plaque to commemorate the occasion. It credits him in part with, "Initiating a revolutionary change in the way Americans think about transportation."

We do need to change the way we think about the Smart. It is safe. Mercedes developed the original version with the goal of making it as safe as their E-class. Bookended by crumple zones, a steel roll cage surrounds the occupants. Not only does that cage resist deformation in even the most severe impacts, in a crash it will actually activate the crumple zones on larger cars, using their in-built protection to cushion the Smart's occupants, too. It also comes with the full retinue of airbags.

It feels safe, too. The size defines the driving experience, but not in the way you might expect. Rather than feeling intimidated in traffic, you feel empowered. Gone is the need to take responsibility for an acre of SUV on a crowded road. Present is the freedom to move down that crowded road as you see fit. Congested urban streets and crowded highways stop feeling claustrophobic and start feeling easy. It's quick to turn, yet feels more stable than most vehicles twice its size.

It's not too small inside. I'm 6'2" and I couldn't reach the steering wheel with the driver's seat all the way back. Compare it to the front cabin of big SUVs like, say, GM's Yukon / Escalade / Tahoe and the Smart is positively spacious, thanks to it's airy design and upright seats.

It's not Green. The problem is, the Smart isn't that smart. The 1-liter, 70bhp engine has to work hard, so it only averages about 38mpg. Less if you drive fast. In Detroit, Mercedes showed off something they called the Micro Hybrid. It wasn't a hybrid at all, but switched itself off below 5mph, resulting in urban fuel consumption of 58mpg. The Smart desperately needs that technology, or a least a diesel engine.

It's not gay either. Sure, if you live in a doublewide and think Budweiser is the height of sophistication, then the Smart probably doesn't fit your Trans-Am ideal of what a manly car should be. But neither does it carry the level of campness of say, a Volkswagen Beetle. Rather, in traffic, the Smart's driver looks, well, smart.

So the Smart is a more complete, practical car than most people assume it to be - but that's also its biggest problem. Most people who stop to ask what it is think it's electric or at least a hybrid. It isn't. Neither is it cheap. The Fortwo Passion Cabriolet pictured here costs $18,500. It'll still get caught in traffic jams. Look at the Smart as a practical car that's easier to use in an urban environment than anything else, and you'll be happy. Look at it as fundamentally altering the way Americans think about transportation though, and you'll be disappointed.

U.S. News & World Report Releases 2008 Car Rankings: Honda Still King, GM Rapidly Improving

WASHINGTON, Dec. 13 /PRNewswire/ — U.S. News & World Report today
announced its 2008 Car Rankings, available online at
RankingsAndReviews.com. The 2008 rankings cover the best and worst cars,
trucks and SUVs based on an analysis of consensus opinions from America's
top automotive experts.

New Car Hits

GM shows the greatest improvement from the 2007 to 2008 car rankings
with several new or redesigned vehicles ranking near the top of their
classes. The redesigned Chevy Malibu, all-new Buick Enclave, and redesigned
Cadillac CTS (winner of Motor Trend Car of the Year) fare well in the
rankings.

Experts laud the Malibu (ranked #6 out of 25 midsize cars) for its
driving dynamics, exterior styling and affordability. The new CTS (ranked
#4 out of 14 upscale cars) is praised as an American car that can finally
compete with the BMW and Lexus nameplates. Finally, experts generally agree
that Buick hit a home-run with its all-new Enclave (ranked #3 out of 23
midsize SUVs) based on classy styling and a superb ride. Joining the highly
ranked Chevy Tahoe, Cadillac Escalade and Chevy Silverado 1500, these new
entrants help GM to achieve a good overall showing in the 2008 rankings.

The all-new Infiniti G37 and Mazda CX-9 also debut high in the
rankings, as do the newly remodeled Honda Accord, BMW 5-Series, and
Chrysler's minivan siblings the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand
Caravan.

New Car Misses

ome new cars miss the mark. In the same class as the Accord, the
all-new Dodge Avenger places last out of 25 cars. The all-new Nissan Rogue
is also a less-than-stellar performer, placing in the bottom half of the
compact SUV rankings. Surprisingly, the newly redesigned Toyota Highlander
is a merely decent performer among midsize SUVs. The 2007 Highlander was
ranked #1 in its class.

The 2008 Winners

A complete listing of all the car, truck and SUV rankings and
meta-reviews are available at: RankingsAndReviews.com. As of December 13,
2007, the #1 ranked automobiles in the most popular categories are:

Economy Cars: Honda Fit
Midsize Cars: Honda Accord
Upscale Small Cars: Volkswagen GTI
Upscale Midsize Cars: BMW 3-Series
Luxury Cars: BMW 5-Series
Compact SUVs: Honda CR-V
Midsize SUVs: Honda Pilot
Large SUVs: Chevrolet Tahoe
Luxury Midsize SUVs: Lexus RX 350
Full Size Pickups: Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Affordable Sports Cars: Mazda MX-5, Honda S2000, Mazda Speed3 (tied)

As with the 2007 rankings, Honda occupies more #1 ranking spots (7 in
total) than any other nameplate. Honda's Fit, Civic, and Civic Hybrid take
the top three spots on the Economy Cars list.

BMW retains the #1 ranking spot in the popular upscale and luxury car
categories. Among the very competitive upscale midsize cars, the BMW
3-Series remains the benchmark, but now has strong competition from the
Lexus ES and all-new Infiniti G37, each tied for the #2 ranking spot.

Japanese Hybrids Outrank New American Hybrids

For 2008 there are several new entries from GM and Ford in the rapidly
expanding Hybrid segment. The challengers (the new Saturn Aura and VUE
hybrids, Chevy Tahoe hybrid, and siblings Ford Escape / Mercury Mariner
hybrids) underperform the more established Toyota and Honda models. Experts
agree that these newcomers do not yet offer the combination of fuel economy
and driving performance exhibited by the likes of Toyota's Prius and Camry
hybrids.

About The 2008 Car Rankings Methodology

The 2008 rankings of cars, trucks, and SUVs were determined through
U.S. News & World Reports' consensus-based rankings methodology. The top
vehicles are those receiving the highest accolades determined by an
analysis of automotive experts' opinions, safety ratings, and reliability
statistics. [Source: US News & World Report]

General Motors and Government of Dubai to Bring Hybrids to the Middle East

Dubai, UAE - General Motors and Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced today an agreement for an evaluation program that will bring hybrid vehicles to the Middle East. The agreement, which includes a comprehensive local market evaluation of GM's all-new Chevrolet Tahoe Two-Mode Hybrid and the all-new Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid, could eventually lead to one of the largest fleets of hybrid vehicles in the world.

The accord is groundbreaking because it demonstrates the common goal of General Motors, Dubai RTA and the Government of Dubai to reduce their impact on the environment - even in a region that is rich in oil-resources.

The agreement was signed by His Excellency Matar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board & Executive Director of the RTA and Terry Johnsson, President of General Motors Middle East Operations, in the presence of Engineer Essa Al-Dosary, CEO Public Transportation Agency, Engineer Abdul Aziz Malik, CEO Dubai Taxi, and a number of department directors and officials from RTA and General Motors.

Maureen Kempston Darkes, GM Group Vice President and President of GM Latin America, Africa and the Middle East said, "We are honored that Dubai RTA selected the all-new Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid and Malibu Hybrid for this program. This is further evidence that our environmental strategy goes to markets all around the world - and is truly a global effort to reduce emissions and develop sustainable transportation. These advanced technology vehicles are leaders in their automotive segments and selecting them is testimony to the visionary leadership of the Government of Dubai.

His Excellency Matar Al Tayer said that this initiative comes in implementation of the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai to seek a safe, clean and attractive and sustainable environment that lives up to the reputation and prestige of the Emirate. It also comes in the framework of RTA's commitment to protect life and property, preserve the environment and natural resources, improve standards of occupational health and public safety, and implement all the necessary technologies to reduce noise levels caused by means of transportation.

The GM-RTA agreement calls for the provision of a small fleet of Chevrolet Tahoe and Malibu hybrids that will be used as limousines and taxis by RTA on the roads in Dubai. The program will last one year, beginning in January 2008. General Motors will provide technical training on safety and other aspects for 15 RTA technicians, along with training for 40 drivers of Dubai Taxi. During the program, GM and the RTA will work together to validate the vehicles for use and serviceability. The intent is for the Dubai RTA to consider the Chevrolet hybrids for its fleet plans scheduled for early 2009.
###

Installing the hybrid powertrain meant giving the Tahoe a distinctive look. Since the system adds on around 400 pounds of curb weight, GM engineers set about removing mass from other places. Aluminum replaces steel at the rear lift-gate, hood and bumper. An all-new stamping of the hood ties into modified front-end features to increase aerodynamic slip. Even the running boards have been redesigned to help the Tahoe slide thorough the air with less effort. Further mass was extracted from the seats, wheels and tires.

Starting the Tahoe was standard turning-the-key type business. As in Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive system, the screen normally occupied by the navigation system now features animated graphics displaying what percentage of which mode is powering the vehicle. There's also a simpler economy gauge with a needle left of the speedometer to prevent driving mishaps while gazing at the fancy display.

Also as in full hybrid systems like Toyota's and Ford's, a feather foot will keep the Tahoe in full electric mode. A leaden foot brought on the familiar Chevrolet V8 kick, which scooted the monster into motion as expected. Some quick regenerative braking brought the Tahoe to a stop, and full autostop mode silenced the behemoth in standstill Santa Monica, California traffic.

The usual engine-driven accessories have been replaced by all-electric versions, so power steering and AC work while the Tahoe is running in both electric-only and autostop mode. Besides hanging out in California, the Tahoe and GMC cousin Yukon have both been run up to the cold of the Great White North for frigidity tests and down to Death Valley for a scorched-earth exam. As GM staff pointed out, the core hybrid technology behind the two-mode transmission had also been torture tested in the running gear of GM-Allison public transit buses before being incorporated into the larger GM hybrid plan, of which the two-mode Tahoe is just one part. The other part is the Volt plug-in dealy.

Cramming hybrid technology into the existing Tahoe body without having to tear up the base platform or the Arlington, Texas plant where the Tahoe will be built has helped streamline production. GM expects to have the two-mode system installed in showroom Tahoes and Yukons available this this Fall as 2008 models. GM says the system improves city mileage by 40 percent. GM's has yet to reveal highway improvement figures, though had said the composite highway target was 25 percent. Engineers say they're hoping to best that highway figure when the official numbers are released.

Channeling the power according to driver demand is the HOS, or Hybrid Operating System. By joining the HOS and two-mode transmission with existing engines, GM plans to make hybrid technology across the entire model lineup. Theoretically there are no limitations as to which engines can bolt up to the two-mode transmission, from full size trucks to smaller Saturns. A turbodiesel or even flex-fuel engine could married to the transmission, with the HOS sorting it all out. Such modularity could give GM an edge when it comes to hybrid line expansion. Pricing has yet to be announced, but we were assured the Tahoe and Yukon Hybrids would not be the most expensive models on the showroom floor. Still, we're saving our change for the Hoss Cartwright Bonanza Edition Yukon.

GM may eat hybrid cost (sub. req.) [Automotive News]

Related:
Tahoe Hybrid to be Produced In Texas; LA Auto Show: 2008 GMC Yukon Hybrid Unveiled [internal]

According to The New York Times, those "talks" we reported on yesterday? Yeah, they're occurring, but apparently they're not what manager-magazin.de thought they were. According to Detroit bureau chief "Hey!" Micki Maynard's sources, it's actually all about the platforms. Namely, the platform that GM has and that the Chrysler Group wants. That's right, according to the NYT, the General's all about pimping out their GMT-900 platform to the king priest of the religion of platform prostitution, the 'merican side of the German-American hybrid. This makes some sense, because not only does Chrysler not have a Huge-UV, we've also heard the Chrysler Group's planning on killing the biggest one they've got, the Durango Big-UV platform, in their quest to cull the Chrysler-chaff from the...whatever. I guess it'd make sense for Chrysler to sell something a wee bit bigger that they could get a wee bit more money for — and all while not building anything themselves. Sounds like a plan to us. Anyone know what'd be in it for the General? Oh wait, they get to not shut down a plant and face the wrath of the UAW. Hmm...interesting. – Ray Wert

Chrysler and GM Hold Talks on Joint Project [NYT]

Related:
The Official Car Pundit Drinking Game: Wait, There's Chrysler News Today?; General Motors Provides "No Comment" On Chrysler Acquisition Rumors; All Your Automakers Are Belong To GM: General Motors Looking At Acquiring Chrysler Group? [internal]

Ain't product placement a bee-otch(TM)? On the media-soaked occasion of the MTV Music Awards, GM yesterday unveiled a promotional hybrid Tahoe created by celeb shops Chip Foose shop and Unique Performance. The "pimped out" (quotation marks GM's) Tahoe, which has a powder-coated billet grille, two-tone paint, Foose badging, dual stainless steel exhaust tips, chrome side molding, lowered suspension and other tweaks — will transport an as-yet-unnamed celebrity to the MTVMAs. The truck is only one segment in a multithreaded product-placement plan for Chevrolet that involves the General supplying the show with a fleet of mildly customized E85-fueled 2007 Tahoes, Avalanches and Suburbans for transporting talent and sponsoring the pre-show "Top of the Rock" concert and the "Chevy Fly-Cam," which may or may not be a tiny camera mounted on one of Kirk Kerkorian's diamond-encrusted helicopters. Still, with the Ricky Bobby / Wonder Bread juggernaut in full effect, GM's bid for logo-soup dominance could come up short. Let us know; we'll be busy that night, sticking 10-penny nails into our eyes.

Related:
Super Bowl Sponsorships, Ford Versus GM [internal]

Update: Sources tell us it's the Z71 package. We were only kidding calling it the SS...we swear — all for comedic effect.

GM Readying Racier GMT900 SUVs! [Winding Road]

Related:
GM Debuts Largest GMC, Chevrolet SUVs in Los Angeles [internal]

One of the most active stories of the day has been that of visitors to GM's "Make Your Own Tahoe Commercial" site creating irreverant works, like those some Jalopnik readers did back when we first posted the link. Would-be parodists have fired at the Tahoe from several directions: environmentalists tweak its size and gas mileage showing, while unaffiliated wiseasses use the demonstrative-asshole or penis-envy angles. The obvious conclusion is that GM's online viral ad campaign has backfired on the company, subverting its messaging and possibly even damaging the Tahoe's brand. But what if it hasn't? What if it's become one of the most successful online campagns ever launched?

Why? First, it's allowed SUV haters — who'd never even consider a Tahoe — to blow off steam in a venue of GM's choosing. Second, it's provided GM free with free, irreverent, self-deprecating content that may serve to improve (yes, improve) the Tahoe's image among demographically desirable 'Net users who live for that kind of thing. Third, it's gotten thousands, if not millions of viewers, to watch Tahoe commercials at will. Net gain, Chevrolet.

Chevy's Make-Your-Own SUV Ads Go Off Message [NPR]

Make Your Own SUV Ad [Treehugger]

Related:
Make Your Own Tahoe Commercial [internal]

MPH's David Thomas is on a hunt to find Ethanol in the city of Chicago. He's rocking GM's Live Green Go Yellow poster car, the Chevrolet Tahoe, which can swallow 26 gallons of corn-fossil cocktail faster than you can say "Wacker Drive" with a straight face. That means he'll have to stay on top of where the corn pumps are, lest he find himself having to go for the hard stuff. And that'll defeat the whole purpose, no? Exactly.

Ethanol Hunt Day 1 [MPH]

Related:
More on Ethanol [internal]

The 2007 Chevy Tahoe SUV, redesigned with a new front-end, better fuel economy (by one mile per gallon) and a more powerful engine, has been selling like gangbusters for the General. This gives us an alternate explanation for why GM's been asking their suppliers to speed ahead with production of components for the Chevy Suburban and the GMC Yukon, the Generals new full-sized SUVs.

And that makes sense right?...

...You have a new SUV that gets a bit better fuel economy, a bigger engine, and its selling moderately well. I guess that means SUVs can save you again, right?

Well, whatever happened to that whole "car" thing GM used to build? You know...the vehicles with good fuel economy, small enough to fit into a normal parking spot and cheap enough to build, buy and maintain you can own one forever? Yeah those things, cars. The vehicles GM will need to exist when gasoline hits $3.00 a gallon again.

GM's already forgotten about those again. And like Pavlov's dog, GM is hearing the bell of short-term profits in lieu of long-term solvency. Here's to hoping that bell is merely Pavlov's and not the one tolling in that old Metallica song...

GM moves to accelerate production of key SUVs [Automotive News]

Related:
The Jalopnik Morning Shift: AAA is reporting on gas prices. [internal]

Okay, so we tossed this off on a tight schedule; we didn't have time to pull an Altman and call George, Julia, Brad, Courtney, Harrison, Larry "Bud", Tim, Susan et. al. to bop 'round and make appearances in our own personal Chevy Tahoe commercial, so we apologize in advance for its half-assitude. We're sure some of y'all can do much, much better than us. One thing though; if it's an Apprentice tie-in, how come we couldn't get The Donald on the line? Stupid Donald.

A Jalopnik Chevy Tahoe Commercial [Chevy Apprentice]

Related:
Blogging The Apprentice, Chevrolet Tahoe Promo Episode [Internal]

On this week's episode of NBC's "The Apprentice" the cast of prospective Trumps and Trumpettes, split into corporate teams Synergy and Gold Rush, were bid to create an event for GM's dealer-owners. The events centered on the introduction of the 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe to dealers (back in October, when the show was filmed), while piggybacking on an online promotion of the Tahoe. Did Chevrolet get its money's worth? We have no idea, but we did get all blogosphere on NBC's and GM's asses. Click through for the play-by.

9:14 — Team Gold Rush members call around to find a putting green for rent. Someone mentions a horse and carriage. Theme for the day is "an experience of class." No one knows what that means. We go to the fridge for an iced tea.

9:15 — Team Synergy looks for the "big idea." Massages are too personal. Someone uses "synergize" in a sentence. They come up with a theme, "nature refined," combining luxury and outdoorsiness. Some manner of bitchy, self-satisfied woman whose name escapes us is pleased. Brent the Socially Awkward Canadian stuffs his face.

9:20 — Team Gold Rush's Event is in Hempstead park. A horse-drawn carriage rolls in. The Russian guy pisses off the help by making joke. The putting green has no grass. The Russian guy says, "Is not my problem." Lots of Chevy Tahoe banners. Russian guy says, "fock you!" Actually, he doesn't, but he should have.

9:23 — Team' Synergy's project manager describes the Tahoe as a luxury vehicle that's for outdoorsy experiences. Skeet shooting is on. The park doesn't allow skeet shooting, says a park official. Skeet shooting is off.

9:27 — (Synergy) GM Dealers arrive. Andrea the project manager is super annoying. Golf-cart racing, rock climbing, fly fishing. Chevrolet logos abound. They take a Tahoe for a test drive. Smiles all around.

9:29 — (Gold Rush) Gaggle of C-List Models has 20 minutes to memorize Tahoe's specs. They're impressed by the power liftgate. Dealers sip drinks while riding in carriages. The team's captain makes a quip about old-school horsepower, and the dealers' glazed expressions speak volumes. Carolyn looks unimpressed. The models can't operate the liftgate, and are clueless when questioned about the Tahoe's specs. "Does it come in two- and four-wheel drive?," one of the dealers asks? Blank stares. A comedian launches into a dick joke. Dealers appear confused. Worst. Event. Ever.

9:33 — Boardroom: Dealers felt Gold Rush lacked in product knowledge. Complaints about dick joke. Synergy comes out ahead in dealer satisfaction. "Nailed the Tahoe Experience," it's said. Synergy wins. Brent the Canadian, who never met an awkward situation he wasn't blamed for, or a deli tray he didn't maim, is safe.

9:36 — Tahoe commercial spot. Online tie-in with www.chevyapprentice.com.

9:40 — Synergy goes to Atlantis Marine World on Long Island to swim with sharks. Get it?

9:42 — Gold Rush employees maneuver for position pre-boardroom reckoning. Russian guy is pissed. Does not say, "fock you," but we wish he had.

9:45-10:00 — Boardroom: Bye bye Theresa.

An hour ago called; it wants us back.

Related:
Pontiac s Solstice Stars in Apprentice [internal]

Farago goes all Turbo and Ozone on GM's happy-happy, joy-joy numerology re: the new Tahoe, raining on their parade with the vigor of an incontinent deity fresh outta god-size Depends. Which, you know, he might be. We're still not sure on that count. And the man, who can't really be anti-SUV because he owns one (two out of three Jalopniks are SUV drivers, actually), comes down hard, going so far as to call the GMT900s (which he actually likes) "an irresponsible irrelevance." Uff-da!

General Motors Death Watch 57: What the Dickens? [The Truth About Cars]

Related:
The Truth About the GM Death Watch: Pricing for Dollars [Internal]

Why you should buy this car: The Tahoe looks sharp, drives plush and coddles (five passengers) wonderfully. It ll tow a boat, ford a stream, plug some mud and save GM. Maybe.

Why you shouldn t buy this car: It s not a car. We re talking eleven miles per gallon, real world. Given the plethora of equally capable, more spacious alternatives, that s just plain unconscionable.

Vitals
· Manufacturer: Chevrolet
· Model tested: Tahoe LT
· Model year: 2007
· Price as Tested: $39,990
· Engine type: 5.8-liter V8 iron block
· Horsepower: 320 bhp @ 5300 rpm
· Torque: 340 lb-ft @ 4200 rpm
· Redline: 5500 rpm
· Wheels and Tires: 8.5 x 20 in/cast aluminum wheels, Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza M+S, P275/55R-20 111S
· Drive type: 4WD: part-time two-speed with automatic front-axle engagement, automatically locking center differential, open front differential, and automatically locking rear differential
· 0 - 60: 8.5 secs.
· 1/4 mile: 16.5 sec @ 84 mph
· Top speed: 112mph
· Fuel economy city/highway: 18 / 22
· NHTSA crash test rating front/side/rollover: 4/4/3

Suitability Parameters:
· Speed Merchants: No
· Fashion Victims: No
· Treehuggers: No
· Mack Daddies: Yes
· Tuner Crowd: No
· Hairdressers: No
· Penny Pinchers: No
· Euro Snobs: No
· Working Stiffs: Yes
· Technogeeks: No
· Poseurs: No
· Soccer Moms: Yes
· Nascar Dads: Yes
· Golfing Grandparents: No

[by Robert Farago]

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews: 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe, Part 1, Part 2 [internal]

It's the feel-good story of the year: Company builds truck, public buys truck, public stops buying truck, company builds another truck, public buys that one, company says "woo!" Chevrolet's redesigned Tahoe — a linchpin in GM's comeback chain — looks to be selling against type. While sales of large SUVs are down 50% since January of last year, Tahoe sales are up 50%. Could GM's strategy be working? Will the Tahoe keep selling after the honeymoon's over? Will Erica and Roland split up over the cotton gin mishap in Biloxi? Stay tuned.

Hot Tahoe fuels GM optimism [The Detroit News]

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews: 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe, Part 1 [internal]

Exterior Design *****
Someone in GM s design department(s) glimpsed the swan inside their ugly truckling and set it free. By adding gentle curves to the Tahoe s front, back and sides; sorting out the stance and sweating the details, they ve created an elegant yet powerful truck, whose balanced proportions make it look smaller than it is. As Papercutninja suggests, an MIB version would be killer.

Acceleration ***
Ye ole 5.8-liter V8 horses and torques in the low three hundreds, but the Tahoe weighs a ton. Make that three tons. The Vortec 5300 s grunt is only more-than-merely adequate, and you have to dig deep to get it. In other words, kicking out the jams means breaking out the plastic. Buy the smaller engine (Vortec 4800 available this spring) and you will grow old getting to the pumps.

Braking **
Braking feel is far better than it was (i.e. it exists), but Car and Driver s crack testing squad reckon the new Tahoe s stopping distance is marginally longer. That s a bad bad thing.

Ride ****
Chevy ditched the old Tahoe s torture bar front suspension for coil-over-shock springs with elastometric bushings (sounds like something my grandmother used to wear), widened the track and bestowed five links upon the solid rear axle. More importantly, the new Tahoe s got wood. With its stiffer chassis, the SUV rides like a Cadillac STS: comfy around town (no more body shudders or crashes), plush at speed, nice and level through the corners and majorly floaty drifty over undulations.

Handling ***
You re much less likely to tip over and die than before.

Gearbox **
Four-speed? C mon, really? You would ve thought GM s mission-critical hunt for more mileage would ve started somewhere near the old Tahoe s drivetrain, but no: same old iron, same old slushbox. That said, it all works well enough — until you get to the pumps. Did I mention I got 11 mpg? Maybe now would be a good time

Audio/Video *****
BOSE s mountain-dwelling audio engineers are a bit too willing to put their name on low end gear for our tastes (demeaning the value of their imprimatur), but this nine-speaker subwoofed job is a winner. Killer tunes; absolutely massive: clear, loud, precise. Full XM and MP3 compatibility ice the cake. Our Tahoe didn t boast a video screen, but we ve seen the system in other models and it keeps the deck hands from mutiny just fine.

Toys ****
Just in case you re not guzzling enough gas getting from here to there, the Tahoe comes with a remote starter so you can burn fossil fuel standing still. Works for me. As does the fact that the climate control system senses the outside temperature and figures out whether to pre-heat or pre-cool your mobile crib. Safe. As is the rear camera (a necessity for this barge), heated washer fluid and door handle activated illuminated entry (so you can see who s hiding in the back before they cap yo ass).

Trunk *
If you re five-alive and leave the rear row at home, there s enough room for a weekend grocery run. Any more people, any more stuff, and it s a joke.

Overall ***

[by Robert Farago]

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews: 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe, Part 1, Part 3 [internal]

Jalopnik Precast, February 13, 2006 [via Odeo]

Car and Driver got 12, but they had the Tahoe for at least a week. I drove it for twenty-five minutes AND I had to endure a salesman named Vito He Wishes It Was His Real Name Corleone telling me that veal piccata is God s gift to the casual diner. Even so, I managed to reduce the new Chevrolet Tahoe s nominal fuel economy to 11 miles per gallon. It wasn t hard; I just leaned on the monster s go pedal here and there, and floored it everywhere else. OK, I was not-so-silently competing with C & D for gas hog infamy, but if you think soccer Moms and NASCAR Dads don t cane their SUV s, you have never driven in now that would be telling.

[Fair disclosure: due to publication of material concerning General Motors and federal bankruptcy court, a press fleet Tahoe was withheld from my examination. Your intrepid reviewer was forced to put the first of GM s buy-or-we ll-die SUV s through its paces on a faux consumer basis. While a week behind the wheel would have better informed my impressions, at least I didn t have to worry about the potential link between incendiary prose and incendiary devices.]

Now for the good news: politically incorrect lead foots helming Chevrolet s gargantuan gas gargler will look stylish at the pumps. By re-balancing the Tahoe s proportions and honing the tiniest details — from two-tone side mirrors to elegant hood creases to chunky refrigerator-style door pulls — the truck s designers have sculpted a sleek, sophisticated shape from the old model s blocky, asymmetrical mediocrity. Chevy s ch-ch-ch-changes have transformed the Tahoe from proletarian workhorse into Armani-clad SUV. It s tailored, refined, classic and chic. We haven t seen a Chevy this sophisticated since, um, ever.

Inside, the Tahoe is an excellent example of what happens when good taste meets bad truck. The cabin s controls are now arranged and deployed with Zen-like restraint and laser-like focus. The colors and shapes harmonize perfectly. The ergonomics would shame a BMW 7-Series (e.g., the little light inside each button that indicates switch activation). Unfortunately, it s strictly museum quality stuff: look but don t touch. The Tahoe s pebbled plastics are as brittle as a cockroach carcass, and the leather seats feel flatter than a boot-squashed example of same. And then there s the packaging

Or lack thereof. Chevy s lumbering leviathan can t swallow more than five people without threatening the extra passengers with claustrophobia and deep vein thrombosis — and dispossessing the lot of them. While Explorers enjoy people-pleasing electrically powered fold-flat third row chairs, Tahoes must wrassle with Munchkin-maiming stow-in-your-garage-and-go-straight-to-the-chiropractor rear boat anchors — I mean, seats. Which returns us to the nub of the matter: why would anyone other than a boat-towing, mud-plugging outdoorsperson drive a cramped bucolic gasaholic when they could helm something with a lot better interior efficiency and twice the mileage?

They wouldn t. They won t. And increasingly, they don t. Talk about irony. Just as SUV s finally become civilized — did I mention that the new Tahoe rides, handles, stops and goes just like a large luxury car? — drivers abandon the genre for cars. The new Tahoe is a surprisingly sexy, capable and refined machine, a genuine credit to its creators, but its prodigious thirst is its undoing. Is that such a terrible thing for me to say? I am really such a bad person for saying it? Or can I have that Solstice now? [by Robert Farago]

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews: 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe, Part 2, Part 3 [internal]

Apparently, just to shut us up about our grousing about whether or not the Tahoe Hybrid at the Detroit show actually had a real hybrid system underneath its cleaned-up body, the General has announced that production models will be put together at its Arlington Assembly plant outside Dallas. The hybrid system itself will be built in Baltimore, where GM's investing over a hundred mil to ready the plant. Production begins in late '07. In the meantime, maybe new GM PR guy Steve Harris will let us fondle the concept vehicle.

GM Arlington Plant To Build Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon Two-Mode Hybrid [mph]

Related:
Hybrid Happenings at GM [Internal]

Conspiracy theorists were abuzz about why the General sealed off its Detroit show display last night and pulled the Tahoe Hybrid off its pedestal. Guesses ranged from the Trilateralesque (e.g., PR damage control spurred by some media type finding out the show Tahoe's hybrid powerplant was faked) to the mundane (e.g., a group of analysts were getting a private tour). In reality, according to the New York Times, GM gave the "60 Minutes" crew the run of the place for those hours, likely as a way to state its product case in the face of a CBS News hatchet job.

G.M. has temporarily closed off its display to accomodate the filming of a 60 Minutes episode. Speculation is that rather than just letting CBS crucify the company and its beleaguered chief Rick Wagoner, G.M. is hoping to ameliorate the damage from the report.

Related:
Hybrid Happenings at GM [internal]

The General debuted a couple of new hybrid vehicles here in Detwa, one of 'em with a rather interesting twist. Farago wrote in from afar to remind us that GM had previously shown a hybrid vehicle that wasn't actually a hybrid, and that if possible we should check for the hybrid system with our own two eyes. Interestingly enough, when our operative asked a GM staffer on the Chevy stand for a peep under the hood of the '08 Tahoe Dual-Mode Hybrid, a couple of product specialists came over and warned them off the stand as soon as the staffer started to pop the bonnet. Take that as you will, readers.

In other news, Saturn introduced the Vue Green Line Hybrid. Designed to be a more affordable hybrid, the numbers aren't exactly stunning (27 city, 32 hwy), but the small ute's price is significantly lower than offerings from either Ford or Toyota, coming in around $23,000.

Toyota Camry Hybrid Revealed [Internal]

While the automobile industry gorges on gorgeous, unveiling wild and sexy concept cars in LA and Detroit, the real business of the car business grinds on. GM enters 06 with its financials on the crash cart side of perilous, and it ain t anything a turbo-charged two-door with all the luggage capacity of a grocery bag is gonna fix. Almost all the General s chips now rest on the little square marked GMT900: their new(ish) SUVs and trucks. So, is it a hit? Motor Trend s persistently undercapitalized (first test) chevrolet tahoe tells the tale.

With spiking fuel prices, an onslaught of import competition, hurricanes, and a spotlight on hybrid and crossover alternatives, the full-size truck market- traditionally the source of most of GM s profits- has been hard hit. Several models in the company s full-size range have experienced double-digit sales losses (in some cases 40-percent monthly sales declines) compared with last year. And the incentives to move the iron are large and expensive.

Anyway, as usual, MT immediately softens the blow. To its shame, MT absolves GM from any blame for trucking-things-up, and brings new meaning to the word sycophantic.

To its credit, the General saw the impending problems early in the development process of its upcoming full-size sport/utilities and pickup trucks, which are based on the new GMT900 platform. Insiders said the new SUVs had to be considerably better than the current segment players if GM wanted to maintain dominant share position. As incentives disappeared and employee discounts lost their charm, GM knew it needed to get its new truck platform into the market- fast.

GM deserves credit for foreseeing the SUV implosion and reacting swiftly? Talk about revisionist history. In fact, GM neglected its car business for well over a decade, got caught with pants down and rushed a warmed-over refresh of its existing product line to showrooms in the hopes that it could hold some of [what it has publicly admitted to be] a shrinking market. Does MT really think its readers are both uniformed AND gullible? Or, as Paul Simon asked in a Chevy-truck-friendly song (Loves Me Like a Rock), who do you think you re foolin ?

Nausea prevents me from entering the full third graph of this extended intro, but I will share its last sentence, as it goes straight to the heart of the matter.

Can a single SUV architecture save a company s profits at a time when its most viable segment is shrinking?

The anonymous author lauds the new(ish) tahoe s improved aerodynamics for increasing fuel efficiency by almost 12%. (I make that about one mpg.) But hang on, fuel ratings have been bettered in other important ways, too. Yada-yada-yada most fuel efficient engine in its class. And the answer is unadjusted combined-average fuel-economy ratings in two- and four-wheel drive above 20mpg. Oy friggin vey.

By failing to provide real world mileage figures for city, highway and combined driving, by forgetting to put a hard number to the tahoe s improvement in fuel efficiency (more than almost 12% ?), the mag plays straight into the hands of GM s spin machine. More importantly, it s a total abrogation of Motor Trend s journalistic responsibilities to its readers.

At this point, our Between the Lines radar lit-up like a group of pot smokers at a NORML demonstration. Stinger missiles locked and loaded, we cruised through the article s arid spaces, searching for cleverly hidden enemy waffles.

The tahoe s V-8 proved more than adequate for moving through traffic (but less than ideal?). The new(ish) tahoe s quarter mile time was slightly slower than the previous model s. The steering has a soft spot on center. The interior is nothing short of stunning, especially when compared with the previous generation s (how about compared to a Toyota s?). Although it s cumbersome to store [the tahoe s 85-pound rear] seats in a closet when not in use GM expects the Tahoe to get five-star ratings when government crash tests are completed (and we expect MT to make a big deal of it if they don t).

In the main, MT s review makes it clear that GM has addressed all the tahoe s previous shortcomings. But the article hasn t answered the question it raised in the intro: is the new(ish) tahoe good enough to keep the white flag off The General s door? Obviously, there s no way the conclusion can avoid this issue. Or is there?

Has GM hit a gusher? Too soon to say. But the Tahoe is exactly what GM needed - a bigger, stronger, safer, more fuel efficient sport/utility with a decent interior - finally. Let s hope this is indicative of a better planning and development approach that ll produce more competitive products from here on out. Next up? Another high-profit, high-volume, but risk-filled segment: full-size pickups. GM knows the drill.

Many of you have emailed Jalopnik to tell us that this kind of mealy mouthed mush has stopped you from buying car mags altogether. We know the drill. And we share your guarded optimism that the web will eventually force car magazines to recognize that their readers interests should be their primary concern.

Meanwhile, we re willing to go on record and state that the new(ish) tahoe will do nothing substantive to staunch the flow of red ink hemorrhaging from GM s bottom line. If the tahoe was exactly what GM needed, it would be a perfectly packaged, endlessly stylish rear-wheel-drive sedan with a hybrid powerplant.

RF

[Jalopnik s Between the Lines column parses the rhetoric of the automotive industry, and the media that covers it, from the point of view of that kid at the back of the class with ADD, a genius IQ and a thirst for mayhem.]

Related:
Between the Lines: Motor Trend on the Bugatti Veyron [internal]

Chevrolet unveiled its long-awaited, next-generation 2007 Tahoe this morning, providing a solid anticlimax for those who'd been waiting for it. Buyers of full-size SUVs will be pleased to find GM's displacement-on-demand technology has boosted preliminary mileage of the 5.3-liter Vortec V8 (standard on 4WD models) to 20.5 mpg. Of course, GM is already overselling the benefits of DoD. "It not only delivers better fuel economy than some smaller vehicles, it does so with the full capability expected of a full-size SUV. That means you can tow a boat out to your favorite lake on the weekend and take the kids to school during the week without worry, was the statement issued by Gary White, GM's vice president of fullsized trucks. White fails to mention that, unless the boat is a bathtub trawler, the engine will likely use full displacement, meaning mileage of around 14mpg. But hey, it's unveiling day; we won't spoil the party. Smoke up, Johnny.