News from GM Europe

- Double Saab premiere: BioPower 100 Concept and 9-3 with BioPower
- European debut of all-new Cadillac CTS luxury sedan
- Cadillac also debuts GM's powerful new V6 clean diesel
- Chevrolet shows HHR and Camaro Concept car for first time in Europe
- GM Forum: European debut of driveable high-tech fuel cell Sequel concept; GM V2V technology for enhanced traffic safety

Geneva. With four world and four European premieres, as well as a host of other innovations, General Motors ushers in the new automotive spring season at the 77 th International Motor Show in Geneva (March 8 – 18, 2007). The highlight of GM’s display and making its worldwide debut is the striking Opel/Vauxhall GTC Concept (Gran Turismo Coupé), whose confident styling heralds a new era in design language for the brand. With its bold, expressive lines, high driving dynamics and pronounced interior flexibility, the GTC Concept reflects the new, exciting interpretation of the Opel/Vauxhall brand trademark characteristics. The Corsa OPC also makes its world premiere. Its 1.6-liter turbo engine with 141 kW/192 hp and top speed of 225 km/h make it the fastest and most powerful series production Corsa ever. With top-level agility and vehicle control, the athletically styled, compact sporty car ensures pure driving fun. Sales of the Corsa OPC, which is the sixth member of the OPC family, begin directly after its premiere in March.


Celebrating its 60 th anniversary of automotive production this year, the Saab brand unveils the BioPower 100 Concept for the first time in Geneva. This new concept car demonstrates the true potential of pure bioethanol (E100): greener motoring with greater performance. With the extension of its successful E85 BioPower range to the 9-3 model line, the Swedish premium brand further strengthens its leadership of bioethanol propulsion technology in Europe. Following the 9-3 BioPower model’s debut in Geneva, all Saab models (including the cabrio) are now available with bioethanol E85 engines.


After its world premiere at the Detroit Motor Show in January, the brand new Cadillac CTS now makes its European premiere at Geneva. With new Cadillac-typical design, as well as new, further improved engines and transmissions, the Cadillac CTS opens the next chapter in the US luxury brand’s story. The new CTS will be available at European Cadillac dealerships this fall. The new Cadillac CTS’ top-level power option features GM’s new, 3.6-liter direct-injection V6 VVT (variable valve timing) engine, delivering an estimated 223 kW/300 hp and 366 Nm of torque. For the first time, the Cadillac CTS will be available in both rear and four-wheel drive configurations with six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions.


In addition, Cadillac debuts GM´s powerful new V6 clean diesel engine. The 2.9-liter V6 turbo-diesel unit (184 kW/250 hp, 550 Nm) features state-of-the-art injection and combustion technology for minimum emissions and maximum performance. The new engine will be sold outside of North America. Its first production application is scheduled for 2009 in the new Cadillac CTS. The compact dual overhead cam, four-valve V6 engine belongs to a new GM family of diesel engines, featuring an innovative closed-loop combustion control system designed to meet future emissions standards. The engine can be installed in a longitudinal or transverse layout and can be adapted to a wide range of two- or four-wheel drive vehicles.


Chevrolet unveils two European premieres in Geneva with the HHR and Camaro Coupé Concept. Last year, the Camaro Concept vehicle was the acclaimed star of US motor shows. Now Chevrolet brings this exciting concept car, which recaptures the spirit of the legendary Camaros of the mid-1960s, to Europe for the first time. The manufacturing start and market launch of the series production version in the USA is scheduled for 2009, with imports to Europe due to follow later that year. Chevrolet is still considering whether to bring the HHR, which combines a distinct design with a roomy, adaptable interior, to the European market. Chevrolet also showcases its expanded diesel range in Geneva. There are now five Chevrolet model lines available with a diesel engine in Europe.


The Corvette and HUMMER brands are also on display at GM’s 6800 square-meter stand in Hall 1 of the Palexpo exhibition center. Corvette reveals the new Victory Edition of its Coupé, which is being produced in a limited series of just 250 cars to celebrate the Corvette’s success at Le Mans. HUMMER unveils its new H3 to the public in Geneva. Destined for markets outside North America, it is available with the new 3.7-liter Vortec five-cylinder engine (180 kW/244 hp).


At the GM Forum, which is located in the middle of all the GM brands’ stands present at the Geneva Motor Show, General Motors showcases a driveable version of the most technologically advanced automobile ever built – the Sequel – for the first time in Europe. The Sequel is the world’s largest automaker’s solution to provide the world with a cleaner, fossil fuel-free vehicle that is better than contemporary cars in nearly every way.

Also presented at the GM Forum is the current status of GM’s V2V (vehicle-to-vehicle) technology development. V2V is designed to prevent accidents by warning drivers about potential danger from other vehicles. Vehicles equipped with this technology can communicate with each other and exchange information such as location and speed. Drivers can then be warned in advance if another car is traveling in their blind spot, stopped in an area that is difficult or impossible to see, or about to enter the same intersection as they are. The systems’ practical uses are demonstrated with a 1:32-scale model at the GM Forum.