Ask The Best And Brightest: How Is GM's 2013 Lineup Shaping Up?

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

GMInsidenews.com has put together its take on GM’s forthcoming 2013 lineup, which will see the launch of only a few new cars including the Cadillac “ATS” small sports sedan and “XTS” DTS replacement, as well as Buick’s Gamma II-platform “Baby Buick” and a similar Chevy model. Other tweaks are said to include 250+ HP for the Regal and Verano Turbo engines (i.e. wait on that Regal GS unless you’re going to tune it yourself), a new interior for the Lamdas and SRX, a diesel engine for the Cruze and more. Hit the jump for all the details…

Buick

Enclave: Expect a mid-cycle enhancement (refresh) on the 2013 Enclave. Sources have stated that the majority of the enhancements will reside in a new interior. The Enclave will also gain Buick’s new IntelliLink infotainment system launching on the 2012 LaCrosse and Regal. Don’t expect any radical changes to the engine lineup.

Encore: Yes, that’s right, the “Baby Enclave” will finally launch in the 2013 model year. The Gamma based crossover will be a five-seater, about the size of the Nissan Rogue (or a touch bigger).

LaCrosse: To our surprise, the 2013 LaCrosse will likely see some updates in 2013. Considering the 2012 model has all-new powertrains, we expect the updates to be design related and minor at best.

Regal: In a quest to keep the Regal constantly updated, the 2013 Regal Turbo will sport a redesigned 2.0-liter turbo. Power figures should come in around 250 horsepower. No other major changes are expected at this time.

Verano: The Verano Turbo model will launch in the 2013 model-year with the redesigned 2.0-liter turbo. Like the Regal, the engine is expected to be around or north of 250 horsepower.

Cadillac

ATS: The first Alpha car will launch in 2012 as a 2013 model (sedan only). We hear the name is not a done-deal just yet. Expect a four-cylinder mill to be standard and a turbo four optional. Production is expected to begin in July 2012.

CTS: The 2013 CTS has been a large question mark in recent months. Initially the car was to get a minor redesign in 2013, but sources have fallen silent on the matter for better than six months now. Considering the ridiculously mild front end revamp for 2012, perhaps the MCE for 2013 was canceled? We hope not.

Escalade:No major changes expected at this time. All new in 2014 model year.

SRX: Expect an all-new interior and other tweaks on the 2013 SRX. The interior update will include GM’s new capacitive touch center stack.

XTS: We aren’t proud of this one, but we reported in early 2009 that the Epsilon Cadillac was approved for 2012 (model year off). The new full-size Cadillac sedan will launch in Spring 2012 with one engine offering. The long-awaited 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 will not show up in the XTS until the 2014 model year. Expect the XTS to showcase several new technologies out of GM, including an all-new infotainment interface and all-LCD gauge cluster (like the Volt).

Chevrolet:

Avalanche: No major changes.

Camaro: No major changes expected as a mild refresh is expect in the 2014 model year. GM could surprise us with the launch of another specialty model to complement the ZL1, however.

Corvette: No major changes. The current car will soldier on until the all-new Corvette in 2014 model year.

Cruze: Confidence is increasing that Chevrolet will have a sizable update to the 2013 Cruze, including enhancements to the interior and exterior. As GMI reported, we also expect the addition of a diesel engine offering.

Equinox: No major changes.

Express: No major changes.

Gamma Crossover: Way back in 2009 GMI reported that Chevrolet had been awarded a new Gamma based small crossover for North America. At the time we reported the vehicle would launch in 2012. It turns out that the Gamma Chevy is panning out and is slated to launch in late 2012 as a 2013 model. Not much is known about the vehicle at this time, but expect it to be similar to the Opel Meriva, which is also based on the sub-compact Gamma architecture. GMI followed up late last year with another report on the small Chevy crossover.

Impala: As GMI reported back in 2009, the Impala will be all new in 2014 on the Premium Epsilon platform. As such, the 2013 model will be almost entirely carry over from the current car.

Malibu: GM has already revealed the 2013 Malibu! The eAssist model will launch in January 2012, followed by the new 2.5-liter in late Summer.

Silverado: No major changes. The all-new Silverado launches in the 2014 model year.

Sonic: Expect an RS variant of the new Sonic to launch.

Suburban: No major change as a new Suburban will hit in 2014 model year.

Tahoe: No major changes. The all-new Tahoe will launch in the 2014 model year.

Traverse: Expect a new interior and other minor changes on the 2013 model.

Volt: The 2013 Volt has been the subject of much debate amongst our sources. It is possible the car will see some software tweaks to pull more EV range out of the car’s lithium pack, along with other small changes.

GMC

Acadia: Like the rest of the Lambda team, expect a new interior and other minor changes for 2013.

Sierra: No major changes expected. An all new Sierra will launch in the 2014 model year.

Terrain: No major changes, though the addition of a Denali version is possible. If the Denali does happen, it will likely be an appearance package only.

Yukon/Yukon XL: No major changes. All new models in 2014 model year.


Edward Niedermeyer
Edward Niedermeyer

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  • Cdm Cdm on Jun 28, 2011

    Paul, How does the Saabillac 9-TS not compete in the same space as the CTS?

  • Cdm Cdm on Jun 28, 2011

    Paul, How will having a stable of engines exceeding or near 100 hp/liter displacement affect Cadillac's improving reputation for quality?

    • See 1 previous
    • Cdm Cdm on Jun 28, 2011

      @Paul Niedermeyer Opps! You're right! I guess I saw your comments in the comments, and didn't notice Edward's byline - but your opinion would be welcome, too.

  • JTiberius1701 Middle of April here in NE Ohio. And that can still be shaky. Also on my Fiesta ST, I use Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires for the winter and Bridgestone Potenza for my summer tires. No issues at all.
  • TCowner We've had a 64.5 Mustang in the family for the past 40 years. It is all original, Rangoon Red coupe with 289 (one of the first instead of the 260), Rally Pac, 4-speed, factory air, every option. Always gets smiles and thumbs ups.
  • ToolGuy This might be a good option for my spouse when it becomes available -- thought about reserving one but the $500 deposit is a little too serious. Oh sorry, that was the Volvo EX30, not the Mustang. Is Volvo part of Ford? Is the Mustang an EV? I'm so confused.
  • Mikey My late wife loved Mustangs ..We alway rented one while travelling . GM blood vetoed me purchasing one . 3 years after retirement bought an 08 rag top, followed by a 15 EB Hard top, In 18 i bought a low low mileage 05 GT rag with a stick.. The car had not been properly stored. That led to rodent issues !! Electrical nightmare. Lots of bucks !! The stick wasn't kind to my aging knees.. The 05 went to a long term dedicated Mustang guy. He loves it .. Today my garage tenant is a sweet 19 Camaro RS rag 6yl Auto. I just might take it out of hibernation this weekend. The Mustang will always hold a place in my heart.. Kudos to Ford for keeping it alive . I refuse to refer to the fake one by that storied name .
  • Ajla On the Mach-E, I still don't like it but my understanding is that it helps allow Ford to continue offering a V8 in the Mustang and F-150. Considering Dodge and Ram jumped off a cliff into 6-cylinder land there's probably some credibility to that story.
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