It should have been mentioned that auto belts and retractable head lights were the result of NHTSA regulations. Headlight design in the U.S. was limited to a few approved sealed beam units until 1983 (with effects lasting into the 90's). Designers were pretty much forced to use pop-ups for aerodynamic and stylistic…

I thought it was a poorly timed April Fools joke!

so, Nissan is now an F1 supplier?!?!?

wasn't this announced a (few) month(s) ago?

It's a dark time when a Subaru wagon (turbo or not) is not even offered for sale anymore.

I'm guessing that this WASN'T a production model Cobra, which suffered from improperly manufactured intake manifold/exhaust and was down at least 20hp from advertised 320.

Drove one often, and I didn't think the torque steer was that bad. Always thought of torque steer as the relationship between the throttle and wheel, but not traction related (half shaft/suspension geometry related). MS3 doesn't pull much at all until the tires are fighting for grip- which it does often with that…

I just don't understand why this would ever be considered a "supercar". This is Lotus' version of a Mondial- a 2+2 (I know some joker nominated that too). It has a Camry engine- not "Camry based", but the same federalized engine that powers the best selling beige-mobile of all. I understand its necessitated use, and…

Honda B16a was first to utilize VTEC in 1989 models (approximately 100hp/liter). That Wiki article , I believe, intends that the NSX's C30 was the first C engine to utilize VTEC (poorly worded). NSX was first North American model to have it.

my imagination's lacking- 7th is 16% taller, final drive is the same. ALL the other gear ratios are the same. Am I the only one that thinks it weird that GM went to the trouble of a 7 speed box just for the gain of an additional overdrive gear (now there are 3) WITHOUT tweeking any of the other 6 ratios?

why would a 5.5 liter be appreciably lighter? They certainly couldn't use a shorter deck without losing rev capacity.

hard to imagine that 7th could be any taller overall than the old 6th gear

pretty sure GDI is the common industry shorthand, as DI has referred to distributor-less/direct ignition for many years. In VW nomenclature it's FSI (fuel stratified injection) and TFSI when forced induction is applied.

Beg to differ about the Gen V engines NOT needing GDI and VVT. Gen V engines (90' V6 included) will be going into GM's full size trucks. When you sell over 500,000/year the significant benefit in fuel economy and emissions are absolutely required for CAFE calculations. Not to mention that fuel economy is a huge factor…

The current successor to the Grand Am is the Buick Regal, which has gained aprox. 700 lbs versus a 4th gen Gran Am. GM's current compact is the Cruze, and that weighs in at about 3150 lbs. The C7 is roughly 100-150 lbs. LIGHTER than a 1993 C4.

My comparison was clearly stated. Overhead Cam WITHOUT rockers (cam lobe acting on tappet acting on valve) vs OHV . Concerning high rpm operation- OHV requires higher spring pressure to compensate for added valvetrain mass, and that is exacerbated at high RPM. Increased spring pressure = increased load + wear.

was comparing to direct acting OHC design- lobe>lifter>valve. more points of contact with OHV- lobe>lifter>pushrod>rocker>valve. 4 additional points of wear/contact .

Not sure if you intended it, but 1993 was a C4 with LT1 V8 (gen II), basically a completely different car than the C5 on up. While still composite body on frame, the newer chassis uses hydroformed frame rails, and is in another world regarding stiffness. Newer LS based engines (gen III,IV,V) use almost no parts from…

2008 C6 with Z51, 4LT, exhaust option was 3300 lbs. per C/D (9/2007). That's pretty comparable model to base C7. Z06 did have heavier brakes/rubber/dry sump, but was also FIXED roof/aluminum frame (and $20k more $). Zo6 not exactly an option package -totally different frame + engine

and my '81 Subaru Wagon weighed almost 500lbs less than your Grand Am, and considering it drove the rear wheels and had a longitudinal engine, maybe that's a fairer comparison against the C7. end of sarcasm