January 2011 GM High-Tech Performance News - The Buzz

2011 Caprice Delivery Dates Announced
GM began taking orders for the 2011 Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle (PPV) detective package (9C3) this month, which are scheduled for delivery in April. Orders for the full police package (9C1), however, won't be taken until January, for June delivery. Both come with the 6.0L L77, a cousin to the L76, which makes 355 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque. The 10.4:1 compression motor runs on 87-octane as well as E85, and packs a 6L80E six-speed automatic with a 2.92:1 rear gear for highway cruising. Steel 18x8 wheels with W-rated 235/40/18 Goodyear tires combined with four-wheel independent suspension (that uses "Patrol vehicle specific" shocks, springs, and sway bars) will keep the Caprice in hot pursuit of any "perps." Be on the lookout for this new model in your rearview mirror in 2011.

GM Files for IPO & Whitacre Steps Down
GM has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for initial public offering of common stock. The number of shares and prices had yet to be determined (by our press deadline), however, it bodes well for the overall status of the company that filed for bankruptcy a year ago. The IPO should help the government cash out on its 60-percent ownership. Sales have been rising, and experts believe GM will hit the 12 million mark next year. Prior to this announcement, GM had its second profitable quarter in a row raking in $1.3 billion from April to June. Now that GM seems to be out of the woods, Edward Whitacre, Jr. has stepped down as CEO and will be replaced by Dan Akerson, who has been on the board of directors since July '09. Whitacre said he never viewed his appointment to CEO as a permanent position, since it was his "public duty" to return GM to "greatness" and not stay one moment longer. Whitacre's résumé had already included the creation of San Antonio-based SBC Communications, purchasing of AT&T and thereby creating one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world. Akerson will hope to continue his legacy and continue his impressive track record in leadership as Chairman and CEO of XO Communications, Nextel, and General Instrument Corporation.

LSX Shootout Comes to St. Louis for 2010!
In case you missed GMHTP's Fan Guide in the September issue, there are a whole bunch of changes for 2010-most noticeably the change in venue. Gateway International Raceway is a first-class facility located just across the river from St. Louis, Missouri, with plenty of concrete parking. Helping to draw even more of the fastest cars on the continent, the NMCA has upped the purse for all of the classes and created a new 275 radial/10.5 Real Street class for limited power-adder combos. With GMHTP and Camaro Performers teaming up for two fifth-gen classes, and additional money being put up by GMPP for the World's Fastest LS Challenge (for every respective GM platform), it should be a diverse field. Stay tuned for coverage in an upcoming issue.