🇺🇸 Dream GM Lineup, Parts 1 and 2
August 14, 2028:
Part 1
Chevrolet debuts all-new Tracker Sport subcompact SUV. GVWR is only 3500 pounds, undercutting the Trax and Trailblazer by more than 600 pounds. Four-wheel drive comes standard in this thing, with front-wheel drive available only via special order. While predecessors had inline-three and inline-four engines, the Tracker Sport comes standard with a mild-hybrid 3.6-liter V6 making 350 horsepower. MSRP: US$33,990. Indirect replacement for the entire compact SUV lineup, including Trax, Trailblazer, Equinox, and unibody Blazer.
Chevrolet debuts all-new Tracker off-road SUV. Sized above the Suzuki Jimny, but below the Jeep Wrangler, Ford Bronco, and Land Rover Defender. GVWR is 4500 lbs for a 1.7L turbo-three version (121 hp), 6000 lbs for a 2.7L turbo-four PHEV version (340 hp on gas, 410 hp combined), and 7500 lbs for a 6.2L V8 mild-hybrid version (495 hp on gas, 655 hp combined). MSRP: US$32,220 (1.7L, RWD), US$47,440/US$51,460 (Turbo, RWD/4WD), US$88,890 (V8, 4WD). Indirect replacement for the Equinox, unibody Blazer, and lower-end Traverse trims.
Chevrolet debuts all-new Blazer full-size high-performance off-roader (ZR2 Bison shown here) with a choice of second row (standard) and third row (optional). Engine choices include a 2.7L Turbo I4 PHEV (340 hp on gas, 410 hp combined), 8.2L L8T-Derived V10 (550 hp), and a 4.1L Twin Turbo LT5-Derived V6 (670 hp, 15 psi of boost). GVWR is 8499 lbs. MSRP: US$68,000 (Premier) — $142,000 (ZR2 Bison). Replacement for the higher-end Traverse trims and the entire Tahoe family. Spiritual successor to the K5/GMT415 Blazer, as well as the GMT360 TrailBlazer. This new Blazer will become more like Toyota’s Land Cruiser J250 than either the J300 or the Sequoia.
GM discontinues GMC brand and replaces it indirectly with the Suburban sub-brand of Chevrolet. New full-size SUV named Suburban Yukon (1500 variant) and an extended-wheelbase variant named Suburban Yukon HUMMER (2500 and 3500 variants). The only engine choices available are a 2.7L Turbo PHEV (600 hp) and a 6.6L Duramax Turbodiesel (550 hp). 4x4 is the only drivetrain standard. GVWR: 8501 lbs (Yukon), 9001 lbs (Yukon HUMMER). MSRP: US$80,000 (Yukon), US$110,000 (Yukon HUMMER).
Chevrolet’s Suburban sub-brand debuts an all-new full-size station wagon on a ladder frame, known as Caprice Kingswood Limited. Engine choices include a 2.7L I4 Turbo (mild hybrid), a 5.3L V8 (mild hybrid), and an 8.2L V10 (550 hp). The high-performance ZR1 Bison is an off-road trim with a 5.5L LT7 Twin Turbo V8 making 850 hp. Maximum GVWR: 6450 lbs. MSRP: US$50,000 (1LT) — $150,000 (ZR1 Bison).
Chevrolet debuts all-new rear-wheel-drive Chevelle, replacing almost the entire front-drive sedan lineup (Cruze, Malibu, and Impala). Trims include Pontiac, Impala, and Brougham. MSRP: US$30,000 (1.0L Turbo I2 / 125 hp), US$35,000 (2.0L Turbo I4 / 250 hp), US$45,000 (3.0TT I6 AWD / 375 hp), US$47,500 (5.0L V8 RWD / 400 hp) and US$50,000 (6.0L V8 / 450 hp). Curb weight range (aluminum and carbon fiber construction): 2400 lbs (I2) — 3600 lbs (V8).
Chevrolet launches all-new APV sub-brand, revives Lumina nameplate for full-size minivan. GM’s answer to the Chrysler Pacifica and Ford Aerostar, it will be assembled in Mars and become all-electric. Trims available include Astro (bare bones), Venture (mid-level), and Uplander (luxury). FWD, RWD, or AWD. MSRP: US$45,000 — US$90,000.
APV also brings Express full-size van into its second generation. Like the smaller Lumina minivan, the Express will become an electric van, but it will also have options for plug-in-hybrid 6.0L and twin-turbo 5.0L V8 engines. Available in 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, 5500, 6500, 7500, 8500, 9500, and 10500 trims. MSRP: US$50,000 (bare bones 1500) — $500,000 (most luxurious 10500).
Chevrolet launches all-new Monte Carlo, replacing both the Camaro and C7 Corvette as not a true muscle car or a true sports car, but really as a grand tourer with a mix of sportiness and personal luxury ride quality. It has a 3.0L I6 plug-in-hybrid engine making 375 hp on gas and 525 hp combined. A twin-turbo 5.5L V8 version (gas only) makes 850 hp. US$70,000 (I6, successor to I4 and V6 models), US$100,000 (V8, successor to LT1/SS and ZL1 models).
Chevrolet launches all-new (mid-engine once again) C9 Corvette (replacing C8), no longer just a sports car but actually competing with upper trims of Porsche 911 as well as Ferrari, Lamborghini, and McLaren. Engines include a twin-turbo 3.0L I6 (525hp Sting Ray PHEV), as well as V8s like the 4.6L Blackwing (700–799hp Grand Sport PHEV), 5.0L LT5 (800–899hp Z06 PHEV), and 5.5L LT8 (1200–1299hp ZR2 PHEV, successor to ZR1 and Zora). MSRP: US$175,000 — US$825,000.
Part 2
GM revives Saturn division as part of a joint venture/strategic alliance; GM-Subaru-Porsche. GM unveils all-new Saturn Enab, a front-wheel-drive microsedan. The Enab is an extremely nimble and aerodynamic butterfly-type car with an extremely long bumper-to-bumper length (210 inches), an extremely narrow width (60 inches), and an extremely light curb weight (1950 pounds). Under the hood is a 1.3-liter, naturally-aspirated, longitudinally-mounted flat-four engine making 190 horsepower at 12500 rpm and 105 lb-ft of torque at 7000 rpm. Acceleration times include 0–60 mph in 7.5 seconds and 0–100 mph in 15 seconds flat. The only transmission available is a 4-speed automatic (60+ mph in first gear, 120+ mph in second gear, 180+ mph in third gear, plus an overdrive gear controlled by an ultra-lightweight solar panel). A top speed figure listed is an electronically limited 155 mph. Production is limited to 70 units per month at a starting price of US$58,000. A Performance Package will allow for up to 186 mph, and that version starts at more than US$100,000.
Another car from the Saturn division is the all-new Barista one-box hatchback. Basically the city man’s van. With a drag coefficient rating of 0.20 Cd, it surpasses many electric cars, but it uses a 1.3-liter, transversely-mounted, turbocharged flat-four engine making 160 horsepower at 5600 rpm and 180 lb-ft of torque at 1300 rpm, fitted with a mild hybrid 96-volt system. For an electrified, semi-solarified car, the Barista is pretty modest in curb weight, scaled in the 3000-to-3200-pound range. It has front-wheel drive, it uses a 9-speed automatic transmission (with overdrive gears controlled by a heavy-duty solar panel), it gets 62 mpg on the highway and 65 mpg in the city, and price starts at US$31,500. Acceleration from 0 to 60 mph is completed in 6.1 seconds, and it goes from 0 to 100 mph in 18.1 seconds. A top speed figure listed is 155 mph, but derestricted it can reach 168 mph with the Performance Package (starting at US$48,500 with mandatory all-wheel drive and a 3500-pound curb weight).
Not diggin’ the Enab or the Barista? Well, Saturn also has the all-new Metro minivan with a quadcharged transversely-mounted twin-engine layout plus a plug-in tribrid-solar-electric system. Under the hood includes twin turbochargers (front engine) and twin superchargers (rear engine), as well as a front-engined 1.0-liter inline-three and a rear-engined 1.0-liter inline-three; theoretically that makes for an evenly-splitted variant of a 2.0-liter V6. Although it is a minivan, the new Metro is a spiritual successor to both the Audi TT RS of the 2010s and the Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4 of the 1990s. Each engine delivers 177.5 horsepower, the tribrid-solar-electric system delivers 225 horsepower, and as a result the Metro produces a total of 580 horsepower. The car is a whopping 84 inches wide and 209 inches long. It weighs 4675 pounds. It accelerates from 0–60 mph in 3.45 seconds and 0–100 mph in 8.3 seconds. It also has a top speed electronically limited to 120 mph. The Metro starts at US$65,000, however, only 99 units will be built per month.
GM also revives the Commodore (this time as a brand, and as its first ever globally-marketed performance brand), moving iconic sports sedans of the Holden, Chevrolet, Buick, and Cadillac rings all under one umbrella as part of their “Quality GM” program. At least for the United States market though, Commodore replaces poor-selling Buick altogether. Commodore is positioned above Chevy and below Cadillac, but the new brand will not carry the same “elderly” stigma as the former Buick carried over the last four decades. Commodore’s lineup consists of:
- The all-new C30 compact sedan, a replacement for the Buick Regal GS and entry-level versions of the Cadillac CT4 and CT5, measuring at 194 inches long in overall length (covering 116 inches of wheelbase), 77 inches wide in overall width, and 53 inches high in overall height. Engine choices include a naturally aspirated 1.3-liter Butterfly I4 engine making 190 horsepower and 105 lb-ft of torque, a turbocharged 2.7-liter L3B I4 engine making 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque, and a naturally aspirated 6.6-liter L8T engine making 396 horsepower and 462 lb-ft of torque. Starting at US$31,550 for the 1.3-liter version, US$39,550 for the 2.7-liter version, and US$49,995 for the 6.6-liter version. All engines are mated to a standard 10-speed Hydra-Matic or an optional 6-speed Tremec transmission.
- The all-new C40 midsize sedan, a replacement for the Holden Commodore (Calais), as well as the Chevrolet Impala, Buick LaCrosse, and Cadillac CT5, measuring at 196.8 inches long in overall length (covering 122.4 inches of wheelbase), 77 inches wide in overall width, and 58 inches high in overall height. The only powertrain available to consumers is a naturally aspirated 6.6-liter L8T engine (making 396 horsepower and 462 lb-ft of torque) mated to either a 10-speed Hydra-Matic or 6-speed Tremec transmission. However, fleets can still request a milder 3.0-liter LM2 diesel engine (making 285 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque) mated to a 10-speed Hydra-Matic transmission. Pricing starts at US$48,220.
- The all-new C50 full-size sedan, a replacement for the Holden Caprice (Statesman) and Cadillac CT6, and a spiritual successor to the Chevrolet Caprice (Impala SS), Buick Roadmaster, and Cadillac Fleetwood. In the United States and Middle East, the C50 is marketed as the Caprice for legacy reasons. As with the C40, the C50 comes with a standard 6.6-liter L8T engine, but this time it’s tuned to make 429 horsepower and 462 lb-ft of torque. However, it also has an optional 7.0-liter LT3 making 525 horsepower and 525 lb-ft of torque. In the European market, however, only a 3.0-liter LM2 diesel engine is available. It comes standard with a 10-speed Hydra-Matic transmission in the L8T version and a 6-speed Tremec transmission in the LT3 version. Pricing starts at US$48,220 for the L8T version and US$51,000 for the LT3 version.
- The all-new C60 muscle sedan, a replacement for the Buick Grand National/GNX, Chevrolet Impala SS, Chevrolet SS, Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing (ATS-V), Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing (CTS-V), Cadillac CT6-V, and HSV ClubSport/GTS/Grange models. Marketed as the Bonneville in the United States, it uses a crossplane-crank 4.6-liter Northstar V8 engine (descendant of the 4.2-liter Blackwing), again married to a twin-turbocharging system, making a total of 575 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque in GTP trim. A flat-plane 5.5-liter Gemini LT7 version makes up to 850 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque in red-blooded GXP and luxury-focused High Country trims. Prices start at US$70,000 for the GTP version, US$110,000 for the GXP version, and US$150,000 for the High Country version.
GMC unveils second-generation, two-door, retro-styled Syclone pickup truck. The Syclone shares the front end of a chassis with the full-size Sierra AT4X AEV, as well as the rear end of the very same chassis with the midsize Canyon AT4X AEV. It uses a 4.1-liter twin-turbocharged V6, a “Short LT6” (or “Baby Gemini”) based on the flat-plane 5.5-liter V8 block, producing 670 horsepower with all-wheel drive. Alternatively, one can get the Syclone with a supercharged version of the 7.0-liter LT3 V8 making 670 horsepower with rear-wheel drive. However, all Syclones with the V6 are painted in either black or purple, while all Syclones with the V8 are painted in either red, white, or blue. Pricing starts at US$98,000 for either version! Although a successor to the GMC Syclone, it can also be regarded as a successor to the Chevrolet SSR, as well as the 454SS and Silverado SS.
Chevrolet’s co-developed front-engine C9 Corvette (sharing retro styling with the C5) shares a platform with the BMW Z9 M CSL, utilizing a flat-plane-crank version (a first for a mass-produced pushrod motor) of the 7.0-liter LT3 V8 with 607 horsepower or a naturally aspirated 6.0-liter BMW V12 with 707 horsepower. The only transmission available is a 6-speed ZF manual, making it also the first time an automatic is not available in a Corvette. Price starts at US$108,000 (V8) or US$112,000 (V12).
Chevrolet unveils Camaro Z28R Exorcist making 1200 horsepower and 850 lb-ft of torque from a flat-plane-crank, twin-turbocharged 7.0-liter LT3 engine, converted from OHV to DOHC using LT7 headers. Production is limited to 700 units, acceleration from 0–60 mph is 2.8 seconds on 335-tread rear semi-racing slicks, the only transmission available is a 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. It completes the 1/4-mile in 9.85 seconds at 156.5 mph and hits a top speed of 197 mph, limited by an estimated drag coeficient rating of 0.63 Cd. Price starts at US$210,000, making the Corvette ZORA no longer the brand’s flagship sports car.
