Here are the highlights of GM’s 2005 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) portfolio. The show is Nov. 1-4 in Las Vegas.
GM Performance Division
Leno ’32 Bowtie Deuce Roadster: An expected crowd-pleaser is GM Performance Division’s Leno '32 Bowtie Deuce Roadster, which combines several American automotive legends: the '34 Chevy, the '32 Ford Deuce roadster, the legendary GM small-block V-8 and America 's sports car icon, the Corvette.
Performance Division engineers used the GM small block, in the form of the LS7 featured in the brand-new Z06 Corvette, to power the roadster. It’s the same engine used in the 2006 Z06 and is available to enthusiasts only in a crate through GM Performance Parts.
Working with comedian and car enthusiast Jay Leno, GM took this engine to even greater heights, developing a High Output version of a production LS7 and boosting the existing 505 horsepower to the 580-plus range. Power is transferred to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission.
Bonneville Salt Flats : Rain shortened this year’s August Speed Week and washed out the October World Finals. But before it ended abruptly, GM Performance Division’s Ecotec Lakester set a 189.205-mph speed record in G Class/Blown Gas Lakester, and the driver reached 203 mph with one of his two mandated passes to set a record.
The Ecotec Lakester will be on display, along with two other vehicles engineered by GM Performance Division for this year’s runs at Bonneville: the 2006 Chevrolet So-Cal HHR and the California Street Rods Student Project Cobalt SS.
Cobalt SS Supercharged Coupe Time Attack Unlimited: Chevrolet and GM Performance Division took the sizzling Cobalt SS Supercharged coupe and turned it into an Unlimited Class Time Attack machine, which already bested the legendary Nissan Skyline’s times by seven seconds in Street Tuner Challenge’s Time Attack on July 21.
The Time Attack Cobalt SS Supercharged coupe’s Stage 2+ Ecotec engine was developed by GM Performance Division and GM Powertrain. It features an Eaton M-62 Gen 5 Hybrid supercharger and delivers 264 horsepower at 7000 rpm and 230 lb.-ft. of torque at 4000 rpm. When nitrous boost is added, performance jumps to 344 horsepower at 6800 rpm and 350 lb.-ft. of torque at 3600 rpm.
The Cobalt SS Supercharged Coupe Time Attack Unlimited will race Nov. 8 at Buttonwillow Raceway Park in central California, the same track where it bested an 801-horsepower AWD, twin-turbo Nissan Skyline and a nitrous charged Volkswagen Jetta.
Chevrolet
HHR : Chevy's new runaway hit, the HHR, pays homage to the past, the 1949 Suburban. Both the HHR and the Chevy Cobalt feature GM's little engine that can, the Ecotec.
The Ecotec 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine is GM's first truly global powerplant. In production trim, it delivers exceptional fuel economy and low exhaust emissions in a reliable, low-maintenance package. In racing trim, it can deliver more than 1,000 horsepower – even when using a majority of production parts.
The HHR was designed to be a blank canvas for imaginative customizers and tuners, and it is already living up to its mission. It will be featured in a number of configurations, including:
A GM Accessories-dressed HHR will be on the show floor; other tuner interpretations of the HHR come from Unique Performance, Darkside, Yearone and PTeazer.
Cobalt : The Chevy Cobalt SS Supercharged has been a major dealer draw, and nearly 30 percent of buyers intend to modify their Cobalt SS, according to the Foresight Research 2005 Chevrolet Halo study. The Cobalt SS Supercharged is pure, guilt-free performance, with an EPA fuel economy rating of 23 mpg city and 29 mpg highway.
Cobalt’s SEMA entries include:
In addition, GM Accessories will display a 2006 Cobalt with a soon-to-be-released ground effects kit, rear spoiler and body-colored wiper arms. A Bob Mull customized Cobalt SS also will be featured.
Chevy’s medium duty portfolio will be represented as well. GM Fleet and Commercial will show off the Monroe and MTX Chevrolet Kodiak C4500, featuring 2,000 thumping watts of audio power at 4 ohms.
Saturn
Saturn’s SEMA lineup provides a preview of the brand’s new design character as well as the work of a highly regarded builder of tuner cars, LJ Garcia. Also known as The Godfather, Garcia’s Wide Body Saturn Ion Red Line represents his first domestic customization.
A wide body appearance and bright yellow paint have become signature Garcia themes, and this Saturn Ion Red Line incorporates both. Other styling elements include carbon fiber APR exterior mirrors and rear wing, as well as an aluminum grille.
The vehicle also features a full complement of audio and entertainment equipment, including 10-inch subwoofers, component sets, amplifiers, monitors and Tsunami products.
Power comes from the stock supercharged and intercooled GM Ecotec engine, delivering 205 horsepower and 200 lb.-ft. of torque. Its impressive performance is further enhanced by a power intake system, damper kit, racing catch tanks, headers and oil block adapter. Performance is supplemented by a CVN Motorsports custom air-ride suspension, DP Racing LJ01 custom 19 x 9-inch wheels and Falken GRB FK-451 tires.
Other Saturn entries include the Aura concept, which provides the inspiration for the brand’s all-new midsize entry that debuts in 2006; the 2007 Saturn Sky, which showcases a selection of the GM Accessories that will be available at launch, as well as some concept accessories currently in development; and the redesigned 2006 Saturn Vue Red Line, which combines bold new styling and proven performance with impressive fuel economy.
HUMMER
The new HUMMER H3 is driving record HUMMER sales. The HUMMER H3 Street on display at SEMA is designed to appeal to urban buyers with an interest in a customized appearance, while delivering the brand’s trademark iconic bold design and unmatched off-road personality. Another entry, the H3 Rugged, further showcases HUMMER’s unique off-road capabilities.
The Street is powered by the same engine that powers the H3, the Vortec 3500 3.5L inline five-cylinder. It also features an independent SLA torsion bar in front and a Hotchkiss design multi-leaf rear suspension like the H3, as well as electro-hydraulic power 4-wheel disc, 4-wheel anti-lock brakes.
The HUMMER H2 SUT features a chrome grille, hood handles, side vents, fuel door, tubular side step and tail lamp guards. Body-colored accents and 20-inch JAX alloy wheels round out the package.
Pontiac
Another breakaway hit in GM’s small-car portfolio, the brand-new Pontiac Solstice roadster, is already a head-turner. GM Performance Division built the Solstice Weekend Club Racer concept to showcase how a racing version of the car might be configured. This aggressive package would allow Solstice owners to compete in amateur track events with a minimum of upgrades.
The most noticeable changes are external, starting with a removable hard top. The concept top transforms the Solstice into an enclosed car, which is what many amateur and professional racing classes demand.
Another Solstice on display will feature available exterior and performance accessories to showcase how simple additions can make this great roadster even better. Available GM Accessories for the Solstice include 18-inch wheels, a tonneau cover, front end cover, suspension package and an air induction kit.
Pontiac ’s roomy new 2006 G6 coupe already has the looks and performance of a competition-inspired machine, so it doesn’t take much to boost the excitement factor. GM Performance Division built the G6 Performance Coupe to showcase how wild the 2+2 coupe could be with replacement body parts. Those parts include new front and rear fascias, new rocker panels and a large rear deck wing. Forgeline 19-inch wheels and racing-inspired Wilwood brakes complete the functional/stylistic additions.
A G6 sedan accessorized by GM Accessories will be on display, as well as a G6 concept, the Roush G6.
Finally, Pontiac ’s new, compact Torrent SUV heads for the slopes. GM Accessories built a showcase of available and potential accessories to highlight winter sports activities, including a snowboard rack and off-road B.F. Goodrich tires.
GM Accessories
General Motors has its designs on the burgeoning customization market – literally – with a recent investment in its accessory design studio in Auburn Hills, Mich. The studio, an extension of the GM Design Center in Warren, is dedicated to the design of high-quality accessories that integrate seamlessly into the style and function of GM vehicles.
GM Accessories will take the wraps off of several new initiatives at SEMA, including a new integrated electronics accessories portfolio; a new, comprehensive performance exhaust portfolio; and two supercharger kits that will add some juice to the already high-powered 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Coupe.
The electronics accessories portfolio will be unveiled beginning later this year and includes rear seat entertainment / dual DVD headrests; remote start; inclination sensor, which works in conjunction with the vehicle’s theft-deterrent system if it senses that the vehicle is being jacked up; navigation system; six-CD changer and XM Satellite Radio, a production option being offered on vehicles that include XM factory wiring.
It takes more than an engine to make a performance vehicle – it also must sound like one. To that end, GM Accessories has developed one of the industry’s most comprehensive performance exhaust portfolios. By the second quarter of 2006, GM plans to have performance exhausts available on 30 GM vehicles.
The good news for Cobalt SS owners is that GM Performance Parts is offering Stage 1 and Stage 2 supercharger kits. The Stage 1 Kit includes higher flow fuel injectors and an ECU calibration to provide a 25-horsepower boost to the Cobalt’s engine, for a total of 241 horsepower (torque is 200 lb.-ft.). Add the Stage 2 Kit, with its smaller supercharger pulley and drivebelt, and the engine comes alive, adding 15 lb.-ft. of torque across a broad engine speed range.
The Cobalt Stage 1 and Stage 2 Kits will be available from GM dealerships in the first quarter of 2006.