While GM’s stands at the Chicago Auto Show didn’t offer much in the way of new concept vehicles, the company showed a strong line-up of new production models paired with a new, more powerful Camaro.
On the Cadillac stand, the focal point of their display was undeniably the CTS-V range. On the floor, the company had placed two CTS-V sedans and two CTS-V wagons (including one in Diamond Black with full tint and black wheels), with a CTS-V coupe on a turntable above the others.
They say that a picture’s worth a thousand words, so these photos should explain it all.



GMC’s stand was by far the tamest of GM’s four brands. The company had a single concept on display: the vaguely Ford Raptor-like GMC Sierra All-Terrain HD. Packing a 6.6 liter Duramax turbodiesel V8, the concept develops almost 400 horsepower and an Earth-shattering 765 lb-ft of torque. However, where the Raptor’s focus seems to be more towards a Baja truck for the road, the Sierra All-Terrain is a more work-focused truck.

Somewhat surprisingly, the Buick stand was showing two new production models, as they rapidly update their product line. The first, the Buick Verano, is a compact sedan based on the Cruze. While this will likely draw unfavorable comparisons to the Cadillac Cimarron, the car is aimed a little lower down the segment, pitched towards the Volvo S40 and Saab 9-3. The comparison to the Cimarron was inescapable in my mind, though, despite the car’s solid build quality and relatively low price tag (starting around an estimated $24k).

The second was much more up this hoon’s alley, though. The Regal GS, which debuted at NAIAS, was making one of its first appearances on the show circuit in Chicago, and it looks like it’ll be a pretty good car to drive. Based on the Opel/Vauxhall Insignia, it has the same two-liter turbo Ecotec that’s found in the top-of-the-line Verano and assorted other GM models. In this particular iteration, it puts out 255 horsepower and an impressive 295 lb-ft of torque through all four wheels, although it is remains a mystery why Buick did not keep the Insignia OPC/VXR’s 2.8 liter turbocharged V6. Hopefully this means we’ll see a Regal GNX of some sort (although to many enthusiasts, including myself, reviving the nameplate verges on sacrilege).


Chevrolet introduced a few new cars for the 2012 model year at the show, including a brand new variant of the Camaro: the ZL1. The ZL1, which has the CTS-V’s 6.2 liter supercharged LSA V8, will put out over 550 horsepower, making it the most powerful production Camaro ever.


This stands in massive contrast to Chevrolet’s other major new offering at Chicago, the Sonic. As Chevrolet’s new subcompact, the Sonic steps into a segment in which GM has historically had little to no success. As everyone remembers, the Aveo was (to put it lightly) an absolute turd, so expectations aren’t high. However, the Sonic seems like a huge step up over the Aveo, with the engines and underpinnings from the Cruze. The interior is also put together well, with a superbike-style instrument binnacle and a digital speedometer with shift lights. Whether it actually drives better than an Aveo, though, remains to be seen.

In short, GM’s offerings at the show run the gamut. However, it’s clear that the company has made some improvements across its line, including some significantly better models, that will help the company compete in a crowded marketplace.