We spend most of our time here at CC dealing with muscle-era vehicles and the engines that power them. However, every once in a while we get the opportunity to glimpse into the future. That thought may conjure images of electric bubbles on wheels, fuel-cell-powered pickup trucks, and other less-than-appealing prophesies, but actually, internal-combustion as we know it is alive and well. At least, that's the message we came away with after attending the GM Powertrain future technology media event recently. We've compiled information on several of the displayed technologies--some complete with fully operational demonstration vehicles--that should be of some interest to even the most hard-core motorhead.
Before we get into this any further, we probably should explain just what GM Powertrain is. As most motorheads are aware, GM's many divisions operated somewhat independently of one another back in the day. This is evidenced by the fact that, although Chevrolet, Pontiac, Buick, and Oldsmobile all offered 350ci V-8 engines, virtually no internal parts were interchangeable between marques. This situation began to change in the late '70s, and by 1984, the engine divisions of the individual marques were pared down to two major groups, while all transmissions came under the Hydramatic Division, and all castings were handled by the Central Foundry Division. There were other divisions as well, including GM's marine and industrial efforts. In 1991, GM Powertrain was formed to bring the multitude of divisions together into one group. In 1997, GM Powertrain became a global operation when the company's overseas holdings, including Opel, Holden, and Saab, were integrated. This merging of efforts created one of the largest powertrain producers in the world, but perhaps more importantly, it also helped facilitate and accelerate the development of new technologies, which brings us back to the focus of the event. GM Powertrain is developing a number of new technologies for future vehicles, many of which will see showrooms within a few years. Although performance was not the sole goal, it was a consideration, particularly in several of the projects on display.
Check them out in the sidebars below.