By Liz
Thanks for the warm welcome and nice comments! This blog is a new thing for us and a little bit of an experiment. So we're pleased to get comments. One of the questions we've received frequently involves how much we are still adjusting and tweaking a car like the 2008 CTS, which is scheduled to begin sales in just a few months' time.
Yes, we are in the later stages of development. Many things, indeed, are established firmly. For instance, we established a new track width for the chassis, going a bit wider for improved agility and stance. That’s a big decision that involves many factors, including tools and parts that must be confirmed and established long in advance. However, even at this stage there are things we are testing right now that can and will be tweaked.
Rob has posted a lot of stuff recently from our ongoing winter-traction tests. Some of this involves electronic calibrations. As a result, changes can be made pretty quickly. A laptop computer with our software can make adjustments to calibrations almost immediately. Other examples of things we can (and do) change quickly are steering feel and effort, as well as calibrations for engines, transmissions and stability control.
Also, a lot of what's going on is confirmation. We produce a few test cars at a time and as time goes on those cars get closer and closer to the full vision. As that happens, we continually test and confirm how individual systems are coming together and relating to one another. We call it integration. Even when we are actually in production of a car, we don't stop testing. We're constantly - maybe obsessively - searching for enhancements. And, there are always new features, even entirely new cars, planned for the future. And those are tested right alongside (or sometimes even inside) current cars. Hope that helps paint the picture a bit.
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Comments
Just wanted to give you guys (and GM) kudos for creating a blog such as this for objective enthusiasts. It's great despite the fact that people continue to "hate" on GM, you guys are showing that you are for real and doing something no other company is doing. My one question regarding the CTS is this: why are the tire sizes so conservative? 235/50R18 on the sport package seems awfully soft compared to the more agressive sizes of the competition.
Posted by: Jones | March 1, 2007 2:02 PM
Greetings Liz,
Would you be able talk about the new 2008 CTS as compared to the STS? I am a STS owner and adore the car and have seen pictures of the new 2008 CTS and WOW. Thank you in advance.
JLM
Posted by: John Martin | March 1, 2007 7:34 PM
what is all this about America auto workers in American auto companies not being up to snuff. Let me state they are. Just because you think that the Japanese car outdoes an American, and has all red circles in a certain biased magazine, does not mean it's a fact.
In fact, American trucks are superior to any, and have a rabid following. Let's see how well the foreign market moves in on them.
Another fact. If an American company tried to do in their countries, what foreign companies have done over here, they'd show us where the bear does it in the buckwheat! America the beautiful is becoming America the foreign firms.
Posted by: getalifeagain | March 1, 2007 11:18 PM
Appreciate everyone's passion for the car business. This little site is focused on the world of test driving and developing cars. As such, maybe we should leave debates of global economics and geo-politics to the many, many other forums that deal in those matters. We don't want to cut off comments, but we will if they get real heated or far off the point.
Posted by: Editor | March 5, 2007 12:22 PM
I am wondering if there is a tentative date set for the first "production" '08 CTS to be built? I have a lease expiring in August and am all over the CTS if it shows up in the dealer driveway in time! When will the very first start to be delivered? I'll camp out overnight if I have to like a teenager for a PlayStation... but do I even have a chance of grabbing one of these in late August?
Posted by: Jeff | March 8, 2007 6:52 PM
Where do you mfg these test models? How far in advance from the release date do you make them? Do you scrap them after the car is released? Or do crash testing on them? How far into the current body style do you keep testing cars? Do you get a waiver from the govt to use them on the roads before EPA, etc certifications?
This Blog is awesome. I always wanted a Caddy like my dad [who must have had 25 of them] I've had 4 Pontiacs [one now] 1 Chevy, 4 GMC's [two now].
Posted by: Tom B | March 18, 2007 11:38 PM