Immediate improvements on current models
PONTIAC, MI: Now that GM seems to have its quality and styling issues firmly in hand, it's no surprise to see it's moving toward improved powertrains on the way to its larger, long-term goal of a whole new kind of car.
That was made clear to a gaggle of auto writers assembled at the home of GM's Powertrain Division in this city north of Detroit by a clutch (what better collective noun could there be here?) of executives headed by Tom Stephens, group vice-president for powertrain.
To be fair, it has to be said that GM has not been on the cutting edge with its powertrains the last couple of years (except for its fuel cell work), since a lot of other firms are already offering six- or even seven-speed transmissions. But better later than never, and anyone who thinks that Stephens will be content with using that excuse for long or trailing any other company on powertrains is not familiar with his particular personality composition.
Stephens has a firebrand preacher streak in him that earned him the "Brother Tom" nickname from the media when he first appeared on the scene. His conviction about engines and transmissions was apparent to us 20 years ago and again last week when he said, "basically, we're on a journey, and the mission of that journey is to provide the World's Best Powertrains."
As for that whole new kind of car, more on that in a minute. First, let's praise the Lord and pass the new transmissions.
Which is exactly what the Detroit-based firm has in mind, including 19 "new or significantly revised" engines and transmissions for model year 2007, which has indeed already begun but will pick up steam this fall. This follows the nine new engines and transmissions launched in 2006, Stephens was quick to point out.
This is of course hugely sensible, since a great engine can't really do its job if it doesn't have an equally adept transmission sending its power to the drive wheels.
For the most part. that means more gears in future shifters, since the more gears a transmission has the better it can improve a vehicle's performance, both through increased fuel economy and improved performance.
All of the new products are necessary because GM has so many products around the world, serving all kinds of customers in all different kinds of ways.
The new 2007 powertrain lineup includes an affordable, fuel-sipping hybrid, the most powerful small-block truck V-8 yet produced, a greater use of GM's Active Fuel Management (AFM) technology, and the launches of six-speed automatic transmissions.
It also includes increased offerings of E85 ethanol-capable FlexFuel engines, which has a greater impact in the U.S. than it does in Canada, since we currently have only two (2) stations capable of delivering that kind of fuel.
PONTIAC, MI: Now that GM seems to have its quality and styling issues firmly in hand, it's no surprise to see it's moving toward improved powertrains on the way to its larger, long-term goal of a whole new kind of car.
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| (Photo: General Motors) |
To be fair, it has to be said that GM has not been on the cutting edge with its powertrains the last couple of years (except for its fuel cell work), since a lot of other firms are already offering six- or even seven-speed transmissions. But better later than never, and anyone who thinks that Stephens will be content with using that excuse for long or trailing any other company on powertrains is not familiar with his particular personality composition.
Stephens has a firebrand preacher streak in him that earned him the "Brother Tom" nickname from the media when he first appeared on the scene. His conviction about engines and transmissions was apparent to us 20 years ago and again last week when he said, "basically, we're on a journey, and the mission of that journey is to provide the World's Best Powertrains."
As for that whole new kind of car, more on that in a minute. First, let's praise the Lord and pass the new transmissions.
 |
| (Photo: General Motors) |
This is of course hugely sensible, since a great engine can't really do its job if it doesn't have an equally adept transmission sending its power to the drive wheels.
For the most part. that means more gears in future shifters, since the more gears a transmission has the better it can improve a vehicle's performance, both through increased fuel economy and improved performance.
All of the new products are necessary because GM has so many products around the world, serving all kinds of customers in all different kinds of ways.
 |
| (Photo: General Motors) |
It also includes increased offerings of E85 ethanol-capable FlexFuel engines, which has a greater impact in the U.S. than it does in Canada, since we currently have only two (2) stations capable of delivering that kind of fuel.