With all the recent announcements of how American car companies are in danger of bankruptcy in coming years, I’ve been thinking more about what the automotive world will lose if that occurs. Specifically, I’ve been considering the cars, and more specifically than that, the cars GM is currently (or will soon be) giving us. At the beginning of July, there was a particularly drastic piece of news concerning GM and the project cost estimates of keeping the automotive giant alive.
My first thought was, “good, finally Buick and Hummer will get what they deserve,” but then I remembered things like these…
Cadillac
It’s obvious that Cadillac has made a huge improvement in terms of almost their entire lineup since the break of the new millennium. The reason I say “almost” is that I still greatly dislike the Escalade and both of its ridiculous variants (ESV and the EXT), as well as Cadillac’s laughable attempt at dethroning the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Roadster with its XLR and XLR-V. However, bloated SUV and failed roadster attempt aside, I really like what Cadillac has done over the past eight years. Even more, I like where Cadillac is now going.
Very recently, at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, Cadillac announced something I (as a big wagon fan) am particularly excited about: the CTS Sport Wagon. Slated for a Spring 2009 release, the Sport Wagon will feature the same 3.6L V6 and 6-speed automatic combination which has already proven itself in the standard CTS. The Sport Wagon also has available AWD and a very large panoramic sunroof. It also doesn’t hurt that it’s one of the best looking wagons I’ve seen in a very long time. I’ll take mine in Thunder Gray with the AWD, the 40GB Navigation System, and that sunroof. A V-Series version would make the CTS the coolest wagon ever, perhaps even better than the Audi RS6.
Pontiac
I haven’t always known how I’ve felt about Pontiac… until now. I still don’t like plenty of the vehicles in their lineup, such as the Vibe, Torrent or G5, but there actually is so much good in their current and upcoming lineup. Take the G8, for example. With the modern GTO gone in 2006, Pontiac was left without a serious flagship vehicle, a spot the 2008+ G8 fills nicely. An upcoming GXP version features the LS3 engine which is currently found in the Chevrolet Corvette, tuned to 402 horsepower and mated to a six-speed manual. Performance-wise, then, the G8 runs with the best European sports sedans in its class without fault. The G8, though, isn’t my favorite car in Pontiac’s lineup. My favorite isn’t available yet.
The Pontiac Solstice (or at least the platform it shares with its Saturn counterpart) has always been my favorite American roadster, and it’s about to become my favorite Targa. At the 2008 New York Auto Show last March, Pontiac announced that the older Solstice Coupe concept will be put into production for early 2009 release as a 2009 model. Although details surrounding powertrain choices are unconfirmed at this point, rumors speculate that a new turbocharged inline-4 producing 300 horsepower should not be ruled out as a possibility. Personally, I wouldn’t mind seeing the same setup that’s currently at work in the Solstice GXP model: GM’s Ecotec 2.0L Turbocharged Inline-4 with a 5-speed manual. The current GXP is already known to be absolutely awesome to drive with its well-balanced rear wheel drive; give the roof the beautiful curves the body already has and you can’t end up with anything but a winner.
Saturn
Saturn. They don’t have a fancy new-for-200x model like my other two GM favorites do, and they don’t sell high-horsepower sedans either. So what do I like about them? I can’t really explain it. I just really like what they’ve done as of late. One of the best moves they’ve ever made wasn’t designing something new but instead pulling from GM’s immense international pool: the Astra. Originally designed by Opel for the European market, the Astra’s addition to Saturn was announced at the 2007 Chicago Auto show. I really liked the thing from my the time I first sat in it at the Boston Auto Show. If I were told to choose an economy car for myself, I’d skip past rivals such as the Nissan Sentra and Ford Focus and go straight for the Astra. Only 138 horsepower, you say? It doesn’t matter. The Astra will easily out-handle anything in its class, making it a better drive overall, because face it, you don’t buy an $18,000 car for its 0-60 time (which on the Astra XR happens to be an unremarkable 8.6 seconds).
Saturn’s appeal does not end with Astra, by any means. The Sky and Sky Red Line are roadsters built on the same, well-designed platform as the Pontiac Solstice. As I stated earlier, it’s my favorite roadster “template,” and if I were to choose between the Pontiac Solstice Roadster (not the coupe) and the Saturn Sky, I’d go with the Sky, simply based on the originality of the design. Like the Astra, the Sky is an Opel converted for the U.S. market, and like it’s Pontiac cousin, the Sky is a great-to-drive, well-balanced roadster.
I’ll ask myself again. What do I like about Saturn? It’s clear now: Saturn is naturally cool because it’s become the U.S. gateway to GM’s European cars. Recently, even Ford has followed in Saturn’s tracks by announcing the importation of the Euro-spec Focus in the coming years. Finally, the American economy car market is getting the attention it deserves, rather than the old “Honda Civic will do, and leave it at that.” Thanks, Saturn.
Conclusion
Notice that the title of this post is “Three Reasons…,” not “The Only Three Reasons…” These companies happen to be my current American favorites, but it doesn’t mean they’re the only ones that are essential. Buick is the GM’s bestseller in China and makes a damn good crossover, the Enclave, for domestic consumption. Chevrolet has the Corvette; enough said. And HUMMER? Well, they’ll be gone soon, hopefully. But I’d actually be sad to see the better part of GM go.