Sirius, the satellite radio people, wants to offer at least four channels of in-car video programming by the middle of 2005. Expect it to concentrate on kid-oriented shows that will narcotize the precious little tots during extended family drives. Parents are already rejoicing.
GM's Captivating Kappas
Pontiac showed the production version of its 2006 Solstice two-seat roadster, to no one's surprise, at this year's Detroit Auto Show. But what wasn't expected were variations on the same rear-drive architecture in concept (but very plausible) form from both Chevrolet and Saturn.
GM calls its new small, rear-drive platform "Kappa" and it's the most interesting development at the corporation since... heck, since ever. The basic structure is similar to the Corvette's in that it's built around a solid, stamped-steel backbone incorporating the transmission tunnel and full-length hydro-formed perimeter frame rails. The suspension is independent with forged-aluminum double A-arms and coil springs at all four corners.
About the size of a Miata (at 157.2 inches, it's 1.9 inches longer than the Mazda, though its 95.1-inch wheelbase is 5.9 inches longer), the production Solstice closely resembles the concept version shown at the 2002 show with the 18-inch wheels pushed out to the car's four corners. It's powered by a 2.4-liter version of GM's Ecotec DOHC, 16-valve four now equipped with variable valve timing and making 170 hp. It's backed by an Aisin close-ratio five-speed manual transmission. A supercharged version (probably displacing 2.2-liters) making somewhere near 240 hp will come online sometime after the car's introduction.
Using the same Kappa platform, Chevy's Nomad is a neat sportwagon that closely resembles the original, Corvette-based Nomad concept car of 1954 and the Saturn Curve is a tightly drawn coupe. Both are just concepts at the moment, but they make sense as GM tries to spread Kappa's development costs and production among more products. The Nomad uses a turbocharged 2.2-liter Ecotec making about 250 hp, while the Curve has a supercharged version that "produces more than 200 hp." Don't be surprised if they both make it into production over the next several years.
A fourth Kappa-based car, the Vauxhall VX, was also on display in Detroit and is an open roadster like the Solstice. It has the supercharged Ecotec in its nose, an engine this time rated at 240 hp. We're told it will show up in the States rebadged as something. Maybe a Saturn.
2005ChevroletCobaltSS
Debuting at the Los Angeles Auto Show alongside its four-door sedan brother (together they replace the arthritic Cavalier), the Cobalt SS coupe is built around GM's Delta front-drive small car platform that also underpins the Saturn ION and Opel Astra. There's nothing particularly staggering about the Cobalt's MacPherson strut front and torsion beam rear suspension or unibody structure, but GM didn't have to re-invent physics to produce a vehicle better than the old Cav.