Buick Envision Launched In China, Is US Next?
http://www.autoblog.com/2014/08/29/buick-envision-cuv-revealed-china/
By Chris Bruce
Buick is launching its new midsize Envision crossover in China at the Chengdu Motor Show, where it will slot between the subcompact Encore and larger Enclave. While it might be hard to muster too much excitement about a Chinese-market crossover, don’t completely ignore this one. There’s a very good chance it could be on sale in North America to fill the same hole in the brand’s lineup over here, possibly as a 2016 model.
We recently spied the Envision completely undisguised as it was arriving at the Chengdu show for its debut. The CUV still looks like a stretched Encore from some front angles, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It’s got a similar oversized grille, hood vents (presumably faux) and large greenhouse as its little brother. Where the midsize CUV differs is its prominent crease running down the side and the different rear treatment, with wing-shaped trim cutting into the taillights.
The interior looks like a pretty nice place to spend time, too, with a predictable mix of leather, wood and metal, and it should be quiet in there with its active noise cancelation system. Infotainment is provided by an eight-inch touchscreen with a touchpad and voice controls.
In China, this CUV is propelled by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 256 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque with standard stop/start and a six-speed automatic. That setup lets it run to 62 miles per hour in a claimed 8.4 seconds. The Envision also gets a standard all-wheel drive system that can send 100-percent of the engine’s power to the front or rear wheels as necessary and route power side-to-side at the back, too.
We tried to pin down Buick spokesperson Nick Richards about the Envision’s chances here, but all we would tell us was, “Our current focus is on continuing the Encore launch and the successful sales growth of these models.” We’d be shocked if it didn’t come to the States, but for now, it looks like we just need to wait and see for official word. Scroll down to read all of he details about the new middle child in Buick’s Chinese crossover family.
Silverado and Sierra Receive Eight-Speed Automatic Transmissions
http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f70/exclusive-half-ton-trucks-get-new-eight-speed-automatic-transmission-172185/
By: Mark Bono
Rumors have been swirling around about GM’s half-ton trucks gaining an eight-speed automatic transmission for the 2015 model year. We were let down after the release of the 2015 Order Guide for the Silverado and Sierra did not contain any mention of them gaining GM’s new eight-speed automatic. We naturally thought the full-size twins will be soldiering on for another year with the six-speed automatic transmission.
Today though we have received two pictures from an anonymous source confirming that the 2015 full-size trucks will be getting the new eight-speed transmission with a catch….. Just like when GM transitioned from the four-speed automatic to the six-speed automatic back in 2008, the top engine will the only one gaining the new transmission. The 4.3 liter V-6 and 5.3 liter V-8 will soldier on with the six-speed automatic while the 6.2 liter V-8 will be paired with the new eight-speed transmission.
GM offers the 6.2-liter V-8 in Double and Crew Cab half-tons with the max trailering package, Silverado High Country and Sierra Denali. In all half-ton applicaitons the engine generates 420 horsepower and 460 foot-pounds of torque.
The new eight speed is apparently the 8L90, which recently debuted in the 2015 Corvette Z06 and will be offered in the 2015 Corvette Stingray as well. The EcoTec3 6.2 liter V-8 in the half-tons is a derivative of the 6.2-liter V-8 that powers the Corvette Stingray. Although no details are known, we can likely expect incremental increases in both performance and fuel economy thanks to the two new cogs.