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2022 Chevy Tahoe, Suburban and GMC Yukon get updated transmission

General Motors' full-sized SUVs have slipped in one more change before the year turns. GM Authority reports that the 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, and the 2022 GMC Yukon and Yukon XL equipped with gas V8 engines, will pick up a revised ten-speed automatic transmission. The new unit carries RPO code MHS, and Chevrolet communications rep Catherine Scales told GMA the updated gearbox "allows our manufacturing and dealer teams to more easily align the specific calibration needed for the transmission and can enable OTA updates in the future." It seems GM wants to make it easier to update the transmission's tuning and calibration in the future with the automaker's networked Vehicle Intelligence Platform/Global B electronic architecture. The 10-speed auto comes bolted to the 5.3-liter V8 and the 6.2-liter V8. The 3.0-liter inline-six Duramax diesel continues with the 10-speed automatic already in use. To recap the other changes for the full-sizers, we'll start with the 2022 Tahoe and Suburban, which get a new 12.3-inch digital instrument display to replace the former 8-inch unit and physical gauges. Navigation will be standard equipment displayed on the 10.2-inch infotainment touchscreen on all trims barring the base LS. Lane-keeping assist and parking sensors are also now standard, while reverse automatic braking is added to the Enhanced Display and Alert package on the top trims. Finally, the 6.2-liter V8 option is expanded to the Z71, RST and Premier trim levels, but it requires selecting one or more packages on the Z71 and RST. Moving onto the 2022 Yukon, availability of the 6.2-liter V8 expands to the AT4 trim, and the big V8 comes with a shiny pair of exhaust finishers. Redwood Metallic paint joins the exterior color palette, more wheel options are on offer, and illuminated sill plates can gussy up the rocker panels . An Enhanced Trailering Technology Package adds 13 cameras with the option for an interior accessory camera for those with enclosed haulers. On the safety side, expect reverse automatic braking to join the list of available driver assistance features. Inside, the Yukon welcomes the 12.3-inch digital cluster, the Yukon Denali welcomes the power sliding console as a standard feature instead of a $350 option.  Related Video:

Opel CEO talks new EV, will likely be fresh face for Chevy, too

The rumored demise of the Opel Ampera has been confirmed, but there's good news, too. Opel CEO Karl-Thomas Neumann has been busy Tweeting information about the brand's next plug-in vehicle, admitting that the Ampera is on the way out but that plug-in vehicles are here to stay. His Tweets, in full, read: After the eventual run-out of the current generation Ampera, we'll introduce a successor product in the electric vehicle segment. Our next electric vehicle will be part of our massive product offensive – with 27 new vehicles in the 2014-2018 time frame. We see eMobility as important part of the mobility of tomorrow and we will continue to drive down costs & deliver affordability. As we learned earlier this week, the Ampera will not be refreshed when the current Chevy Volt is updated, most likely because of slow sales. Opel sold just 332 Amperas in the first five months of 2014. For now, General Motors is still building Amperas in Michigan for export to Europe. So, what might this new EV mean for the General Motors plug-in fleet? Official spokespeople are being quiet, but we think it's safe to say the new EV Neumann is talking about is not simply a rebadged Chevy Spark EV. This is the first official word about an entirely new EV, and we expect it will come to both the Chevrolet and Opel brands.

GM veteran Bryan Nesbitt tapped to head Buick design

General Motors styling veteran Bryan Nesbitt (pictured above) took over a new role on Monday as executive director of global Buick design and global architectures. Andrew Smith, who previously did that job and also coordinated the look for Cadillac, has remained in charge of the pen at Caddy with this shift. Nesbitt rose to prominence when he designed the Chrysler PT Cruiser, according to Automotive News. He joined GM in 2001 and has been there ever since in multiple high-level roles. In 2007, he was appointed vice president of design for North America and was later briefly general manager of Cadillac in 2009-2010. Nesbitt took over as the vice president of GM's international operations design in China in 2011. This shuffle also moves Ken Parkinson, currently styling boss for Chevrolet trucks, to China as design vice president there. In addition, John Cafaro becomes the person in charge of the look for Chevy globally, rather than previously splitting that role between cars and trucks with Parkinson. GM Global Design Leadership Changes – effective June 1, 2015. Bryan Nesbitt, Design Vice President, GM China will repatriate to North America and assume the position of Executive Director, Global Buick and Global Architectures. He will be located in Warren, MI. Bryan will be the design Champion for Buick in the US and China. Ken Parkinson, Executive Director, Global Chevrolet Trucks and Global Architecture will assume the position of Design Vice President, GM China. He will be based in Shanghai, China. Andrew Smith, Executive Director, Global Cadillac and Buick Design will assume the position of Executive Director, Global Cadillac. He will continue to be the design Champion for the Cadillac brand. In addition, he will continue to lead the Global Color & Trim team. He will be based in Warren, Michigan. John Cafaro, Executive Director, Global Chevrolet Cars will assume the position of Executive Director, Global Chevrolet. He will be the design Champion for Chevrolet. In addition, John will lead the exterior components and accessories team. He will continue to be based in Warren, MI. The roles and responsibilities of Helen Emsley, Mark Adams, Carlos Barba, Clay Dean, Michael Simcoe, and Teckla Rhoades remain the same. Related Video: The video meant to be presented here is no longer available. Sorry for the inconvenience.