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GM reportedly developing 2.5-liter turbo four-cylinder

General Motors is allocating a massive amount of resources to developing electric technology, but it's not forgetting about the gasoline-powered cars that make up the bulk of its sales. It's reportedly designing a new 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine based on its 2.7. Citing "sources familiar with the matter," enthusiast website GM Authority wrote that the 2.5-liter four is "in [the] final stages of development," meaning it should be announced sooner rather than later (assuming the report is accurate). Technical details are few and far between as of writing. The publication learned that the 2.5 will be part of the Cylinder Set Strategy (CSS) family of engines and that it will be mechanically related to the 2.7-liter currently found in the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, among several other models. It will feature dual overhead camshafts. It's too early to tell which models the 2.5-liter four-cylinder will end up in, or how much power it will generate. The output will likely depend on the application. For context, the 2.7 delivers 310 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 348 pound-feet of torque between 1,500 and 4,000 rpm in the Silverado. In the smaller Colorado, it provides anywhere between 237 and 310 horsepower depending on the trim level selected. While this is pure speculation, our crystal ball tells us the engine will end up powering crossovers. It's an easy deduction to make. We can't imagine it will be offered in the Silverado, and seeing it in the Colorado is unlikely because its entry-level engine develops 237 horsepower; there's likely not much of a market for a midsize truck with 200 or so horsepower. Putting it in the Corvette wouldn't make sense and the Camaro has nearly reached the end of its life cycle without a successor planned. This leaves us with Chevrolet's range of crossovers, like the Equinox, as well as their GMC-, Buick-, and Cadillac-branded counterparts. We're not discounting the possibility that the cars set to receive the 2.5 haven't been unveiled, but those are likely crossovers, too; the odds of seeing another big Chevy sedan are very, very low. General Motors hasn't commented on the report, and it hasn't publicly announced plans to expand its CSS family of engines. If the report is accurate, we should learn more about the new turbocharged, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine in the not-too-distant future. Featured Gallery 2022 Chevrolet Equinox RS View 56 Photos Buick Chevrolet GM GMC

How long will the 'golden age' of performance last?

High-powered sports and luxury cars were everywhere at the New York Auto Show, prompting the obvious question for enthusiasts: How long will this golden age of performance last? Industry leaders have some time before regulations elevate the Corporate Average Fuel Economy level in 2025. Even then, they expect cars rippling with power to survive in some form. "Is it the end of an era," I don't think so," said Ola Kallenius, Daimler AG board member for Mercedes-Benz cars marketing and sales. "That performance element of individual mobility I don't think will ever go away." Kallenius, who oversaw the company's AMG division from 2010-2013, expects it to continue to grow. Last year, AMG sold a record 68,875 units around the world, an increase of 44.6 percent over 2014, with strong growth in the US, China, and Germany. Still, there's always the potential for gas to spike, and pending fuel economy regulations are looming. That could lead AMG to add electrification to its products, Kallenius said, pointing to the electric SLS as a test case. Chevy is also thinking ahead, said Al Oppenheiser, chief engineer of the Camaro. He wouldn't bite when asked about electrification for the Camaro (he did say "never say never"), but admitted in 2025 "it's going to be pretty tough to sell V8s." For now, things are rosy for muscle cars, and Chevy confidently showcased the 640-hp Camaro ZL1 in coupe and convertible form in New York. "I think that this is truly the golden age of performance," Oppenheiser said. It's hard to disagree. News & Analysis News: The 2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF was a show-stopper in New York. Analysis: There was a palpable energy when this RF — for Retractable Fastback — was revealed the night before the show at a trendy off-site venue near the Hudson River. Even as a parade of SUVs and flashy luxury cars rolled out the rest of the week, the Miata remained a hot topic. The Retractable Fastback is really a clever targa top, with part of the roof stowing behind the seats, adding about 100 pounds compared to the standard convertible. It makes the car more practical and arguably more attractive. The RF continues Mazda's tradition of selling the Miata with a hardtop variant. The first and second generations offered a detachable one, and a power retractable hardtop (a $1,700 option) was available on third-gen models. Judging by its reception in New York, the RF could prove to be even more popular than its predecessors.

GM ending stop-sale order on heavy-duty trucks

General Motors responded to an inquiry from Autoblog regarding a stop-sale order on its full-size heavy-duty pickup trucks. Here's GM's official statement. GM is committed to building the highest quality products possible. We paused delivery on a small number of HD pickups with the 6.6 liter Duramax engine last week to finalize an investigation into a potential quality issue. The investigation has been completed and the stop sale will be lifted for the small number of vehicles at dealerships.Customers can be assured GM’s heavy duty pickups are covered by a 5 year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty. The original article continues below. General Motors has reportedly sent its Chevrolet and GMC dealers a stop-sale order that applies to some examples of the 2022 Silverado HD, the 2022 Silverado MD, and the 2022 Sierra HD. The units affected by the stop-sale order may develop an engine-related problem. Citing anonymous sources, website GM Authority wrote that the Duramax 6.6-liter turbodiesel V8 in the affected trucks can hydrolock, which means liquid could enter the cylinders and cause a substantial amount of damage. The report does not specify where the liquid would come from; hydrolocking can happen by driving through a deep puddle of water, for example, but a large amount of coolant can cause it as well. The publication adds that the stop-sale order was assigned internal reference number N222362910. It also notes that the trucks included in it can't be sold, delivered to buyers, traded with another dealer, sent to auction, or even used for demonstration purposes until further notice. Earlier in April 2022, GM Authority reported that General Motors planned to buy back an unspecified number of Silverado HD and Sierra HD trucks due to quality-related issues with the 6.6-liter V8. Details about the problems experienced by customers haven't been released; all we know is that each truck will be replaced, though the replacement may not have the same equipment due to the ongoing chip shortage. Related video: