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Originally Posted by Z/284ever
We'll see soon. But I do believe that GM left some Alpha mass control on the table with the ATS, due to BK budget issues.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperSound
Unless these are broad changes being made across model lines. The new Malibu did lose a lot of weight. I agree it doesn't mean anything in particular but does make me wonder.
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ATS had significant targets to be better than the 3 Series for mass. NOTHING was left on the table that was affordable in this segment. CF wasn't used. CTS has all aluminum doors (and still weighs 4,000 pounds in V-sport trim).
GM has traditionally not been great at getting mass out. C6 and the Z06 versions was the first big step. Then the Cruze ECO lost some major weight. GM has just struggled to meet global requirements and has been "conservative" in getting there.
The ATS is a great example of what GM can do when properly challenged and having budget and leadership to back it up.
I think we will start to see the benefits of good engineering, not just throwing expensive materials, in the 2016 Cruze and Malibu. At least I am hoping so.
Anyone can throw aluminum, magnesium and Carbon Fiber at a part. That just takes $$$$. Excellent engineering that counts every ounce at the lowest cost wins.
No one should be thinking that GM is throwing aluminum and magnesium at the Camaro just because it's a Camaro. It must remain profitable and affordable even in a sub $30,000 car.
I do not expect GM to throw even more high $$$ materials at a $30,000 Camaro than they do at a $40,000 ATS.