Topic: CD Article: GM - What's new for 2008

[Autos_Editor]

Today's Feature Article:

In this exclusive report, CanadianDriver reporter Norm Mort travelled to GM's Milford proving grounds near Detroit to see and drive most of GM's upcoming 2008 models - some for the first time ever.
   
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[Allen]

There's no doubt that they did a great job on the CTS

[zloy]

There's no doubt that they did a great job on the CTS

... as well as on Acadia, Outlook and Enclave 

[jww]

  +2.

[ovr50]

+2.

Yep, agree also. Good to see GM getting it together again. 

[UmroAyyar]

Keep going, keep doing it. 

[Mitlov]

And let's not forget the Saturn Astra (European driving experience and hatchback body type with Saturn customer service) or the new Chevy Malibu (the first mainstream midsize sedan to pair an i4 with a six-speed-automatic).

GM appears to be stepping up their game.

[Diesel Advocate]

And let's not forget the Saturn Astra (European driving experience and hatchback body type with Saturn customer service) or the new Chevy Malibu (the first mainstream midsize sedan to pair an i4 with a six-speed-automatic).

GM appears to be stepping up their game.

I can't wait to test drive the Astra. I have become quite impressed with Saturn of late, what with the Sky, Aura etc. It definately looks as though GM is finally starting to get it together and give the people what they want.

[2JDM]

Agreed on the CTS and Outlook/Acadia.

But isn't the Aura just a luxury version of the G6, with better engines, etc? 

[Mitlov]

Agreed on the CTS and Outlook/Acadia.

But isn't the Aura just a luxury version of the G6, with better engines, etc? 

The Opel Vectra, Pontiac G6, Chevy Malibu, Saab 9-3, and the Saturn Aura all share a platform.  But that doesn't mean they're the same car.  The Civic and the CR-V share a platform; the VW Rabbit and the Audi TT share a platform.

The Aura is a very close sibling to the Vectra (the interior being the main distinction), and much more distantly related to the G6.

[wing]

The civic and CR-V do not share a platform....  the CR-V is similar to the Accord but still changed a lot.

[Mitlov]

The civic and CR-V do not share a platform....  the CR-V is similar to the Accord but still changed a lot.

Are you sure?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_CR-V  All three generations list the Honda Civic as a "related model."  The engine is from the Accord, admittedly.

Handling is distinctly car-like because it is built on the last Civic platform.

http://www.esmarts.com/cars/honda/honda-crv.htm

Rumors abound that the RDX shares a platform with the Honda CR-V, which in turn started with the Civic platform.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=116773

EDIT:  Honda claims that the 2007 CR-V has its own platform, but it still shares more parts with the Civic than any other model:

Horikoshi-san says the new CR-V has its own platform, sharing just seven percent of its parts with the Acura RDX (and nine percent with the Civic).

http://www.caranddriver.com/previews/11594/2007-honda-cr-v.html

[wing]

I believe Honda Canada over wikipedia, I got my info from the source.  The last quote makes the most sense, it is its own platform like I said, the first gen I believe was civic but it no longer is.

Parts could mean anything, like door handles and window switches etc etc, the chassis and springs and such are beefier.