New Technologies and Future GM Platforms

therapy · December 3, 2012

Was thinking about how new technologies have made their way into vehicles for the last few decades. At one point airbags were considered futuristic, now a $15,000 car comes with like 7 of them.

Another time, GPS was Mercedes-level stuff only, now it's available as an option on value hatchbacks as well.

Ditto with Active Fuel Management, Anti-Lock Brakes, MP3 player compatibility, TPM sensors...all these things add some level of versatility or benefit to us (though their implementation is sometimes questionable) but what's next?

Which new technologies would you like to see on future products? Which features do you think would make your life a lot easier/better if your car had them?

Personally, I'm hoping for the following:

* Internet radio / real-time traffic. Some cars already have this, so I hope GM adds it. I have an aftermarket head unit (Pioneer) but I'd ditch it in a second if GM had their own equivalent of the Ford Sync stuff that was usable and incorporated real-time internet for traffic, radio (Pandora, Spotify, etc), and maps with location search that's automatically updated. Also, Yelp integration would be great for business trips.

* Better fuel economy / a reasonable hybrid product. The current Hybrid GMT900s just plain suck. Add 10% better mileage for 20% more money. No thanks. What I'd like to see is a "performance" truck hybrid, something like the old GMC Cyclone or Chevy Typhoon, with a high-torque electric motor to assist the high-horsepower standard gas engine. Some real performance could come out of something like that if the weight balance was right. I'd also like to see a full size, crew-cab pickup at over 20mpg city in the next 5-10 years with over 300 hp / 350 tq.

You guys?

kstruckcountry · December 4, 2012

A diesel in a half ton and better trannys... That's about it for me. Basically any fuel mileage gain past what we already have from more gears is either shedding weight, or so minimal it's not worthwhile (AFM, hybrids). I think more R&D should go into making the trucks last longer, as that is the best way to truly achieve "efficiency" with a heavy vehicle.

MikeNH · December 4, 2012

Transmissions already are probably the best in the business, some people don't like how the 6-speeds behave but you're never going to get a vehicle now that holds lower gears, they all aim for top gear as fast as possible, which is why I always drive at lower speeds in M4 or M5. I'd just like more flexibility in powertrain configuration- getting a bigger engine in the lighter truck- ie a 6.2 with 3.73s in a reg. cab. Though I really think the direct injection will help whatever GM uses in the new trucks tremendously- GDI is so much more responsive the engine feels more powerful than it really is.

Morgan1986 · December 4, 2012

I would like things to be more simple . A truck with a 6 speed stick shift , no touch screen radio or crap like that , just a good reliable work truck that is under 20 thousand with a motor that is meant for work and not zip. Alot of this tech I dont care for and it just makes vehicles more expensive. I wish manufacturing plants where like Dells website you order what you want.

MikeNH · December 4, 2012

You're not going to find sticks in trucks anymore because automatics beat them at pretty much every performance metric and reliability is becoming a non-issue too. A friend of mine had his 4L60 rebuilt at 200k as a precaution, nothing more. Though with the shift kit he used the 1-2 shift now will about snap your neck.

Morgan1986 · December 4, 2012

You're not going to find sticks in trucks anymore because automatics beat them at pretty much every performance metric and reliability is becoming a non-issue too. A friend of mine had his 4L60 rebuilt at 200k as a precaution, nothing more. Though with the shift kit he used the 1-2 shift now will about snap your neck.

yea I dont care about the performance of a stick or anything like that I am just like the concept of it even if its not as good as a auto,

waumo1 · December 4, 2012

I would like them to work on the ergonomics of existing controls so they can be operated by feel without looking away from the road while keeping the "improved" features of the newer systems. A prime example is the H&V controls.

I would like to see them "recontent" some of the features they have "decontented" - like footwell lights.

Jayson.Medic · December 10, 2012

I second the diesel in a half ton. that would be a great option.

therapy · December 10, 2012

I would like them to work on the ergonomics of existing controls so they can be operated by feel without looking away from the road while keeping the "improved" features of the newer systems. A prime example is the H&V controls.

I would like to see them "recontent" some of the features they have "decontented" - like footwell lights.

I like this concept. Trucks are daily drivers for a lot of people (like myself), and some people have long commutes in rush-hour like conditions. Making the HVAC and Audio Controls more intuitive is a great idea. I'd love to see voice activated NAV, too. "Computer, GPS directions to nearest gas station with diesel." or whatever.

I hate having to go through nested menus on a touch screen.

MikeNH · December 11, 2012

I wouldn't mind voice control if it actually worked. Every Ford with Sync (not the new thing that's giving Ford headaches) I've tried can't understand me. At all.

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yukon_denali_05 · December 11, 2012

More voice activated controls for GPS devices and something similar to the app "around me". One thing I miss from my mountaineer is the climate control buttons on steering wheel.

waumo1 · December 12, 2012

Oh I forgot. The great high tech item of a cabin filter would make me think of trading up!

kstruckcountry · December 12, 2012

^ That would be great too

yukon25008.1 · December 12, 2012

I second the diesel in a half ton. that would be a great option.

Won't happen. GM aleady tried that and paid the price of failure.

I agree there is not going to be a diesel half ton truck.. Theres just no market for it..

DanMan_S · December 12, 2012

I second the diesel in a half ton. that would be a great option.

Won't happen. GM aleady tried that and paid the price of failure.

I agree there is not going to be a diesel half ton truck.. Theres just no market for it..

If they keep up the progress with the direct injection, high compression gas engines, eventually we can see the benefits of the diesel engine without the problems of using diesel fuel. Diesel's being great doesn't have much to due to the fuel, the fuel simply allows the engine to work...it's due to the insane compression ratio and combination with the turbochargers for efficiency.

A few automotive companies have been working on building gasoline engines that perform like diesels (high compression self ignition diesel cycles) that promise the benefits while running regular gasoline.

Long term, if reciprocating internal combustion engines aren't made obsolete via gas turbine/series hybrid vehicles (electricity on it's own is a joke due to the lack of infrastructure, insane charge times and poor battery technology), i see gasoline engine and diesel engine design converging into a single engine technology that provides the benefits of both systems. Ford's Ecoboost is a step in the right direction, but it needs to make serious efficiency increases to be an effective competitor.

So in conclusion, if GM started offering a high compression, twin turbo 5.3L/5.5L V8 for 'efficiency' reasons, I'd be all over it.