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4WD Love Children
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Joe Wilssens
4WD Love Children
Sergio Marchionne wants to merge with GM.
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GM Contact
4WD Love Children
GM’s Mary Barra is currently playing hard to get.
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Courtesy of FCA and GM
4WD Love Children
A future Blazer could make use of the ZR2 design placed on the Wranglers platform.
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Courtesy of FCA and GM
4WD Love Children
The Wranglers reliability could use a boost with GM’s help.
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2013 Jim Fets Photography/GMC
4WD Love Children
The GMC Sierra sure would be a nice truck to drive with an EcoDiesel under the hood.
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Courtesy of FCA and GM
4WD Love Children
The EcoDiesel 3.0L V-6 turbo diesel is no slouch in the Ram 1500.
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A.J. Mueller
4WD Love Children
A Renegade with a bowtie on the grille, would that work?
Story by Budd Stanley, photos courtesy of FCA and GM
What new 4WD’s could be born from a GM and FCA merger?
Could the Big Three become the Big Two? Well, if FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) top boss, Sergio Marchionne, has anything to say about it, GM should be coming to the table to negotiate a merger that would see the two giant car manufacturers become one. The thought of these two massive rivals becoming a single entity is hard to fathom, however Marchionne has been quite vocal about his plans to create ties that would allow economies of scale and parts sharing to be taken to all new levels of automotive mass production.
Such a merger would only happen if massive cost savings would allow both companies to build vehicles for less. The almighty dollar and creating the most powerful automotive manufacturer in the world is what lies at the heart of Mr. Marchionne’s grand scheme, however we can’t help but think of some pleasant side effects such a merger might have on the 4WD’s each company builds.
Brand loyalists beware; we’re going to do some very controversial inter-brand-breeding here that may insult your beliefs, your religion or even make you throw up a little bit. Regardless, if FCA and GM were to jump into bed with each other, our brainstorming has lead to following list of possible 4WD love children that could be conceived from such a romance
Return of the Blazer
Now, we’re just spit balling here, there is absolutely no evidence that GM or FCA would ever consider the wish list that we have brewing in our brains. Regardless, if the merger were to take place, GM have to be looking at the Jeep Wrangler platform with a little bit of drool emanating from the corner of their mouths. A true, honest to goodness, body on frame, solid axle utility vehicle with part-time 4WD is exactly what GM need to up their trail cred as their SUV’s are all monocoques and their trucks skim just off the ground.
What’s exciting is that with some GM-esque styling cues made to the Wrangler body, throw an EcoTec under the hood, and the General could have himself a nice modern day Blazer. While we can hear Wrangler and Blazer faithful spitting in disgust, it would bring a much-needed proper 4WD back to the GM lineup.
Wrangler to get better reliability
As much as we love the Wrangler, the current generation JK still has some reliability and build issues after all these years of development. While it has received a lot of attention in the last couple years with Fiats involvement, GM products are more reliable and more solidly built. The thought of a stronger, more robust Wrangler with fewer rattles sounds quite appealing.
Diesel Sierra/Silverado 1500
There is no doubting it, we’ve proven it in testing that the Ram EcoDiesel is the most fuel-efficient half-ton we’ve ever driven. With some calm inducing Icelandic ambient music playing and a nice flat highway, we could eek out a little under Rams published 8.8L/100km fuel efficiency for the EcoDiesel. Fuel efficiency is one thing, but the EcoDiesel is also a little brute with some grunt and has a beautifully smooth power delivery. Now, can you imagine having that kind of fuel savings in the high quality environment of the Sierra 1500? Yes, we’re still not quite sure how reliable the EcoDiesel is going to be down the road, but an efficient and smooth small displacement diesel in a Sierra would be a good thing.
A GM Cute Ute with balls
There is no shortage of cute little AWD crossovers in the GM lineup, with GMC, Chevrolet and Buick all having their own versions. Needless to say, you have not seen any of them reviewed in these pages as they all lack off-road competence. What you have seen in these pages is the little Jeep Renegade, and with good reason. The Trailhawk version of this little trail terrorist will surprise a lot of seasoned off-roaders in its capabilities to handle medium duty trails. It's a little Terrier with bite, and something we think the GM lineup could use in a slightly different guise.
Will any of these conceptions come to life? Most likely not, however we will be watching Sergio Marchionne’s courtship of Mary Barra very closely over the next couple months. Barra is certainly playing hard to get so far, but hey, power is an addiction.