AD #1556 – GM Shakes Up Development, Pilot Makes World Debut, Kia Trail’ster Concept
February 13th, 2015 at 12:53pm
Runtime: 8:08
- GM Shakes Up Development Process
- Chevy Bolts Into Production
- Toyota Avalon Refresh
- Kia Trail’ster Concept
- 2016 Kia Rio Debuts
- Mitsubishi Concept GC-PHEV
- Honda Pilot Makes World Debut
- Ridgeline Sketch Released
- Acura RDX Takes a Bow
- Nissan Soups up 370Z Roadster
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On today’s show…GM says it’s going to build the Bolt, Honda reveals the all-new version of the Pilot, and a look at more unveils from the Chicago Auto Show. All that and more coming right up on Autoline Daily.
This is Autoline Daily for February 13th, 2015.
GM SHAKES UP DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
Is the new GM different from the old GM? You bet it is. Mark Reuss, the head of product development at General Motors, says they’re going from 6 investigators to 50 in early validation of engineering designs. And they split engineering into two groups: one for systems engineering, the other for components. GM is now setting specifications based on a discipline called DFMA, design for manufacturing and assembly. It’s no longer grouping parts by purchasing category. They’re now grouped by system. And just to make sure the brass knows what’s going on, vice presidents like Mark Reuss now sit in the room to review all the parts and systems, not just engineers and managers.
CHEVY BOLTS INTO PRODUCTION
Chevy’s new concept EV the Bolt looked pretty production ready to us when it first debuted at this year’s Detroit auto show and it didn’t take too long for us to now confirm that it is. The automaker announced yesterday that it will make a $200 million investment at its Orion Assembly plant in Michigan to build the EV. The Bolt was designed for the masses with an estimated range of 200 miles at a target price around $30,000.
AND THE WINNER IS…
The other day we asked you, “What day is the EyesOn Design car show held every year?” for a chance to win a poster of this painting. The answer we were looking for was Father’s Day or Sunday, June 21st. Our randomly chosen winner is… Rumblestrip. Congrats, we’ll be getting in touch with soon and thank you to everyone else that participated.
Still to come…Kia reveals a rugged version of the Soul, the Toyota Avalon gets a refresh and Mitsubishi comes out with a wild-looking plug-in concept.
TOYOTA AVALON REFRESH
Toyota gave us a look at the refreshed Avalon, but there’s not too much new to see. The front end styling was tweaked a bit and it gets new LED headlights and taillights. It also gets a few new convenience features, but perhaps the most noticeable change comes in the form of a retuned suspension. What Toyota calls a “significant improvement over the current production Avalon.” And as a sales leader in its segment, that’s exactly the kind of improvement it needs to retain that title.
KIA TRAIL’STER CONCEPT
Kia revealed a new concept called the Trail’ster that has the Jeep Renegade in its crosshairs. It was created at the company’s design studio in California and as you can see it’s based on the Soul. Under the hood is 1.6L turbocharged four-cylinder that’s mated to a six-speed automatic. It’s also equipped with an electric all-wheel-drive system on the rear axle. Kia says it not only mitigates turbo lag but also gets better fuel economy than a standard AWD system. Kia says if it comes out with a production version of the Trail’ster, the aim would be to get up to 30% better fuel economy in the city and 10% better on the highway compared to a naturally aspirated 2015 Soul equipped with a 2.0L gasoline engine.
2016 KIA RIO DEBUTS
Kia also showed off the sedan and hatch versions of the 2016 Rio. The front end has been updated with a new grille that’s similar to the Optima and Soul and the interior has also been refreshed as well. It’s powered by the same powertrain as before, a 1.6L inline four-cylinder that’s mated to a six-speed automatic or manual transmission. However, the hatchback will no longer be offered with the manual. The new Rio goes on sale in the first quarter of the year.
MITSUBISHI CONCEPT GC-PHEV
Mitsubishi pulled the wraps off a new concept vehicle yesterday, but unfortunately for its dealers, this thing clearly isn’t ready for Prime Time. It’s a plug-in hybrid EV that features a supercharged V6 mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission and has a total output of over 330 horsepower. A few of its cool features are an augmented reality windshield and what the company calls a Tactical Table. The AR windshield can display things like Lane Departure Warnings, navigation directions and objects in a blind spot. The table is mounted down the center of the vehicle and can be used by every occupant. It’s basically a big touch-screen that allows passengers to interact with one another or even play around with its infotainment features. Even though it’s not going to make its way to production, Mitsubishi put out a press release long enough to make you think it is. So, if you want to learn more about this concept vehicle just click the headline in today’s transcript.
Coming up next, The new Honda Pilot makes its world debut, Acura updates the RDX and Nissan reveals a more powerful version of the 370Z Roadster..
HONDA PILOT MAKES WORLD DEBUT
Honda just introduced the all-new 2016 Pilot. Like the previous two generations the SUV was designed and developed in the U.S. As you can see it ditches the traditional boxy SUV design for a sleeker look that’s similar to the CR-V. It’s powered by a new 3.5L direct-injected V6 gasoline engine that comes with cylinder deactivation and stop/start technology. It comes standard with a new six-speed automatic while upper trims come with a new nine-speed auto. Thanks to the new powertrain and dropping 300 pounds, Honda says the new Pilot is more fuel efficient but it did not announce MPG numbers. The new Pilot goes on sale in the U.S. this summer.
RIDGELINE SKETCH RELEASED
Honda also released this sketch of the next-gen Ridgeline but did not reveal any other details.
ACURA RDX TAKES A BOW
Honda also took the wraps off the new Acura RDX. It comes with a new more powerful 3.5L V6 engine that’s mated to a 9-speed automatic. The engine also features cylinder deactivation which helps boost its highway fuel economy by 1 MPG compared to the outgoing model. The styling has been refreshed and it also offers a host of new safety and amenity features. The 2016 RDX goes on sale this spring.
NISSAN SOUPS UP 370Z ROADSTER
Nissan revealed a NISMO concept version of its 370Z Roadster. Even though it’s a concept it doesn’t look to far off from being production ready to us. It’s powered by a 3.7L V6 that cranks out 350 horsepower. Compared to the standard 370Z, the concept comes with unique exterior and interior features and a NISMO tuned suspension.
But that wraps up today’s report, thanks for watching and have a great weekend.
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Comments (21)
February 13th, 2015 at 1:07 pm
The new Pilot makes me think that this is how the Odyssey would look like if they had kept the old model’s traditional read door design
February 13th, 2015 at 1:09 pm
Did Chevy ever reveal the next gen Cruze?
February 13th, 2015 at 1:14 pm
I am very disappointed with the look of the 2016 Honda Pilot. It is now just a AWD Odyssey.
February 13th, 2015 at 1:16 pm
#1 I meant REAR also I think this will hurt sales, some people still liked the boxy shape, it gave the appearance of more interior space.
February 13th, 2015 at 1:37 pm
The Pilot looks awfully generic, but I like it better than the old one. To me, the old one wasn’t as generic, but was ugly.
If they can actually sell the Bolt for $30K, without tax subsidies, etc., it should do well. A pure EV with 200 mile range for that price is a bargain, and it looks like a small CUV, the current rage in vehicles.
February 13th, 2015 at 1:42 pm
YEY ME!
February 13th, 2015 at 1:42 pm
Retuned suspension is exactly what the Avalon needs, if they mean retuned for a better ride. A friend has an early copy of the current Avalon, and it is a fantastic car in most ways, quiet, comfy seats, attractive interior, etc., but my 25 year old minivan rides better. Maybe I’m exaggerating a little, but not much. I suspect Toyota will fix the ride quality with the “refresh” of the Avalon.
February 13th, 2015 at 1:43 pm
Congratulations RS!!
February 13th, 2015 at 2:13 pm
The Bolt’s 30k includes the 7500 tax credit; list will be 37,500.
http://www.chevrolet.com/culture/article/bolt-ev-concept-car.html
February 13th, 2015 at 3:12 pm
Thanks, Chuck.
February 13th, 2015 at 5:06 pm
It is quite interesting that the 2016 Honda Pilot’s 3.5L V6 engine now has direct injection and cylinder deactivation—both good things. The question is why Honda/Acura continue to use a SOHC 24-valve design (and I think Gilmer-belt drive) rather than to upgrade to the more efficient double-row-chain drive 24-valve DOHC design. Arguably, Honda gets *extremely* high efficiency and reliability from this (somewhat dated) topology with the added enhancements such as direct injection, higher compression and so forth, and horsepower numbers and efficiency continue to climb along with improved fuel-consumption numbers. Nevertheless, SOHC is one of the holdovers from yesteryear, and efficiency would be even higher with a chain-drive DOHC engine. Toyota did this some time back with their 3.5 liter V6, and that engine is clearly one of the top engines. Nevertheless, the new Pilot’s looks are more enhanced CR-V-like in appearance than the old boxy Pilot, but this car line has always had a classy, handsome appearance
February 13th, 2015 at 6:05 pm
From the horror stories told by many auto techs, I would not want any of these new technologies in my motor that will surely cause problems in the long run. Bravo to Honda and others who use good ole fashion engineering to get the best compromise between power and economy in their engines.
February 13th, 2015 at 8:39 pm
The SOHC Honda V6 is about the most efficient engine of its size, even without direct injection. I certainly don’t like their using timing belts, though, as it requires expensive periodic maintenance.
February 13th, 2015 at 11:55 pm
Why didn’t GM put more money and development into the new Chevy Equinox? That segment, the crossover segment, is very competitive and the new Equinox is actually a 2005 version with few modifications. Let’s see something better than the same old thing! How many people do you think you are going to fool with this kind of attempt?
February 14th, 2015 at 6:04 am
#13 That is why most techs I meet, recommend Toyota for longevity and reliability. Timing chain is the way to go!
February 14th, 2015 at 9:05 am
14 Wasn’t the current Equinox almost a new vehicle in 2010? It is much different from the one that started life in 2005.
The current Equinox is still selling pretty well, which may explain their just doing a “refresh,” rather than a complete makeover for 2016. At some point, though, they need to lighten it up substantially.
February 14th, 2015 at 11:38 am
Don’t think the Mitsubishi dealers would be happy to have that vehicle if it were ready for sale. jeez that thing is ugly.
February 14th, 2015 at 12:52 pm
I understand the Equinox and have no problem with the refresh, however continuing production of the Captiva puzzles me.
Use of a timing belt on Honda engines keeps many a tech employed replacing them as regular maint. or replacing cylinder heads as owners neglect them.
The new Pilot should appeal even more to women.
Still not impressed with the Ridgeline. Given the success that GM is having with the Colorado/Canyon, is there a group at Honda collectively kicking themselves?
Did Mitsubishi hire designers from Suzuki? It reminds me of an Axiom.
February 14th, 2015 at 1:40 pm
TTAC also agrees that the Equinox “refresh” is just not enough to keep it competitive, also this means that they won’t touch it for another 4 or 5 yrs. thus making it really old in say, 2019 when there will be new and more modern CUV’s out there.
February 14th, 2015 at 3:16 pm
According to Automotive News, Equinox will get a major redesign for 2017.
http://www.autonews.com/article/20140906/RETAIL/309089965/gms-aging-equinox-and-terrain-show-staying-power
February 15th, 2015 at 3:58 pm
’17 was my understanding as well; Equinox lead the mileage race (hwy @ 32) for quite a while, and in my opinion is still relevant. The refresh, while not ideal, is certainly polishing the current model to limp along (quite nicely) until the ‘refresh’ turns into ‘major overhaul’. The Equinox been “verdy, verdy good to Chevrolet” (pardon my plagiarizing and paraphrasing of Garret Morris, SNL). I know, I know; I’m no comedian (but it was funny to me).