GM can make a new GNX

"JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7" (jayzayeighty)
07/29/2014 at 22:51 • Filed to: None

Take the ATS coupe, make it less stylish with a more spartan interior. Only offer it in black and put a Buick badge on it. A tuned version of the CTS Vsport's V6 turbo, the Corvette's 7MT with a short final drive and long 7th gear for a high potential top speed. The top end punch of the V6 turbo combined with the 7th gear ratio could make it the fastest production American car again. Make it look sinister in the front fascia and compare it to Darth Vader.

DISCUSSION (24)

718Rogue > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
07/29/2014 at 22:55

I like this idea.

I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
07/29/2014 at 22:56

Isn't GM already planning to create a GNX with the Alpha platform?

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
07/29/2014 at 22:57

I'd rather just have an ATS V Coupe.

Kinja'd!!!

GhostZ > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
07/29/2014 at 22:58

Considering that Buick already has a Regal (The GNX's base platform) based on the Epsilon II platform, which CAN accept the 3.6l Turbo from the XTS it shares its underpinnings with, if they were going to do it they'd just do it on the existing regal rather than develop an ATS version.

I also seriously doubt the corvette transmission would line up. It would just be offered with an Autobox, just like the original GNX and Grand National were.

...also, just for the record, there is no way in hell that the 3.6l turbo with a 7-speed would be the fastest production US car. It wouldn't even be faster than their own Camaro ZL1. High gear ratio is a necessity for top speed, but not the sole contributor. Raw power goes a long way.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner
07/29/2014 at 22:59

C&D hopes so.

So, probably never going to happen.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
07/29/2014 at 23:02

I approve highly of this.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
07/29/2014 at 23:02

It's probably just going to be too frilly, and with the 8AT, they might drop a pedal altogether for it. If we get a factory turbo V6 RWD coupe from the factory, it should be understated, sinister, and bare bones and be called a Grand National at least! The C7 is pretty and the Z28 is awesome, but they need to make a car that makes you slightly scared to see aside from the Sonic looklook

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > GhostZ
07/29/2014 at 23:09

The regal turbo is cool, but a FWD GNX would be blasphemous in a not-so-good way. That engine can make heaps of power and if they built a really modified one and made the car weigh less than an ATS while being more aerodynamic, it would at least be damned impressive. I wasn't being totally serious about the "fastest production car" part, though. Aside from the Super T-10 (only four gears), no manual transmission would have been able to take the GNX's power in the 80s. Today, one could!

JGrabowMSt > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
07/29/2014 at 23:11

How about the new Regal GS? Thing honestly looks really badass, and if I were in the market for a new car, I would seriously consider it.

Just make it a RWD platform, turn up the boost, and only make it in black with chrome accented front end only.

I mean the Regal is how it started anyway.

GhostZ > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
07/29/2014 at 23:13

The ATS is also FWD, and both platforms are capable of AWD. So unless you start from scratch using the Chevy SS, you're never going to get a RWD GNX.

There were plenty of transmissions that could handle what a GNX was putting out, they just weren't cheap enough or compatible enough to stick in the car and still sell it. The GNX had an auto because GM were cheap, lazy bastards.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
07/29/2014 at 23:16

They will offer it with a manual.

Kinja'd!!!

RMudkips > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
07/29/2014 at 23:16

I'm gonna sketch an interpretation of this. I'd add a DCT option, but yes a MT is definitely a good idea.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
07/29/2014 at 23:18

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't the GNX based on the Regal?

If that's the case, the 325 horsepower, 435 lbs-ft of torque the 2.8T engine produces in the Insignia VXR would be a good candidate to drop in and call the GNX. GM would have to get it to pass emissions over here though.

It's even available over in Europe with AWD and a manual.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > GhostZ
07/29/2014 at 23:19

Back then it was more a torque problem than a power one when it came to their 5 speed. The L98 350 would break it because it could drop a hammer of torque right from a stop, so they had to use a doug nash 4+3. Keep in mind this follows the long era of gutless American cars, so they'd have to develop an all-new 5 speed. Also, the ATS is RWD or optional AWD. It's a pipe dream, the post is not a very serious one.

GhostZ > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
07/29/2014 at 23:21

All GM would have to do is recast the 5-speed with nickel-plated gears or a strengthened dog gear system and it would handle plenty more torque, it would have just cost a lot more too.

Also, my god, you're right. I don't know why I thought the ATS was FWD. An ATS-V coupe suddenly seems really, really appealing right now.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
07/29/2014 at 23:22

It was. The AWD manual insignia VXR just wouldn't fit the nameplate IMO, although the GNX was based on the regal turbo and that is now a peppy FWD sedan. The GNX needs to be monstrous, not just neat! I'd take the Insignia VXR, all the same.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > GhostZ
07/29/2014 at 23:27

I think the turbo V6 would be easier to deal with than the L98. All I know is that they tried to make their 5MT work in the Z28 and Corvette and they couldn't, but when you step on it in one of the aforementioned cars and the car shakes from the kick of torque it's nice to have a stout, heavy duty 4 speed dating back to the muscle car era rather than their unproven 5 speed. I really am just dreaming here.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
07/29/2014 at 23:27

I dunno man, 325 horsepower is more than the 5.3L V8 in the last generation of Silverado made, 100 more torques as well. It could be a serious machine. The AWD just needs some rear bias and it could be killer.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
07/29/2014 at 23:31

It would have to look badass and be really sedate to carry on the name, but an even faster VXR drivetrain with rear bias sounds pretty attractive!

GhostZ > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
07/29/2014 at 23:33

You're not entirely wrong.

Back in the 60s, the Super T-10 w/ Nickel cut gears was used for NASCAR engines and is definitely good for 700-800 ft/lbs in its heaviest, strongest form. There's something to be said about reinventing the wheel.

Also, the speed limit was 55 back then, right? All the more reason not to need another overdrive gear.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > GhostZ
07/29/2014 at 23:41

This is true, although the Doug Nash 4+3 (L98 vettes) has overdrive on 3 gears to keep the EPA happy. Also, impressive numbers for those NASCAR transmissions! Going 85 in regular 4th on the highway guzzles gas and is really loud, so the OD is nice to have. Drop it out, though, and. 4th gear is perfect for the car to rocket well into the triple digits. Then overdrive gives you the ability to cruise to 150 MPH on a 3.07 rear axle, so it's really actually helpful on 4th!

The Transporter > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
07/30/2014 at 00:01

Knowing GM they'd probably just captive import an OPC Opel Insignia, slap a Buick Regal grill on the front, paint it black and call it a GNx.

CruzeHatch > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
07/30/2014 at 09:56

Maybe base it off of the Chevy SS platform - not sure if it shared the platform with the CTSV or not.

GhostZ > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
11/20/2014 at 11:59

I just wanted to come back in time to recommend this. Archer is awesome.