GMC Terrain 2010

GMC Terrain 2010. The Terrain uses the same platform as the Chevrolet Equinox but has blockier styling. The GMC is a front-drive, five-seat crossover SUV, with an optional all-wheel-drive system and a choice of 2.4-liter four-cylinder and 3.0-liter V-6 engines. There’s a raft of available luxury features.

Base Price: $24,995 - $31,745

Specifications

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 5-door wagon
PRICE AS TESTED: $36,430 (base price: $28,095)
ENGINE TYPE: DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 183 cu in, 2994cc
Power (SAE net): 264 bhp @ 6950 rpm
Torque (SAE net): 222 lb-ft @ 5100 rpm

TRANSMISSION: 6-speed automatic with manumatic shifting

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 112.5 in Length: 185.3 in
Width: 72.8 in Height: 66.3 in
Curb weight: 4008 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 7.5 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 20.3 sec
Street start, 5–60 mph: 7.8 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 15.9 sec @ 89 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 120 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 161 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.78 g

FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway driving: 17/25 mpg
C/D observed: 17 mpg

Vehicle Details

$31745 Terrain AWD 4dr SLT-2
4-Door All Wheel Drive SUV, 182 bhp, 172 lb-ft, 6-sp Automatic, 20/29 mpg
5 passengers, 4200 lb, 2.4-liter, 4-cylinder engine, 23.1 lb/bhp

Audio system, AM/FM/XM stereo with CD player and MP3/WMA playback capability Graphic Interface Display (GID), Radio Data System (RDS), auxiliary jack input, speed-compensated volume, USB port receptacle and outside temperature display
Audio system feature Pioneer premium 8-speaker system with subwoofer and amplifier.
XM Radio is standard on more than 50 2010 GM models, including three trial months of service. XM turns your world on with commercial-free music channels for virtually every music genre, all in amazing digital quality sound. Turn on your favorite sports, the biggest names in News, Talk and Comedy, family programming, exclusive concerts and original music series, wherever you go from coast to coast. Everything worth listening to is now on XM (XM service available only in the 48 contiguous United States and the District of Columbia. XM Radio subscription required and sold separately after trial period. Fees, taxes, and a one-time re-activation fee, may apply. Subscriptions governed by XM Customer Agreement available at xmradio.com. All fees and programming subject to change. Family programming Packages are available. Not available with (UE0) OnStar delete.)
Bluetooth for phone personal cell phone connectivity to vehicle audio system and HMI (Human Machine Interface)

MECHANICAL
Engine, 2.4L I-4 SIDI (Spark Ignition Direct Injection) with VVT (Variable Valve Timing), (182 hp [135.7 kW] @ 6700 rpm, 172 lb-ft [232.2 N-m] @ 4900 rpm)
Transmission, 6-speed automatic
Rear axle, 3.53 final drive ratio (Included and only available with (LAF) 2.4L I-4 SIDI engine and (MXO) 6-speed automatic all-wheel drive transmission.)
Alternator, 120 amps
Chassis - all wheel drive (TLM26 model only.)
Battery, 525 cold-cranking amps with rundown protection
Suspension, front independent, strut type coil springs
Suspension, rear independent trailering arm with three lateral locating links, coil springs
Suspension, Soft Ride
Steering, power, variable electric assist
Brakes, 4-wheel antilock, 4-wheel disc
Exhaust, single.

Tommy Kaira hybrids

Japanese car tuning and manufacturing firm Tommy Kaira have now turned their attention to hybrids, it seems, in a break from their normal line of hot Nissans. In contrast to the wild GT-Rs, Skylines and Z-cars that usually benefit from Tommy Kaira's body and engine upgrades, the Toyota Prius 3 and Honda Insight might seem a little tame, but the big wheels, beefy exhausts and squat stance used rather suits the shape of each car - especially the Insight.

Of course, one has to question the motive for performance tuning on hybrids. When manufacturers have spent so long perfecting aerodynamic shapes in wind tunnels and choosing low-rolling resistance wheels and tyres, it seems nonsensical to take several steps back by increasing drag and resistance with kits like these.

You also have to wonder who'd actually buy the kits. I certainly can't see them being popular with the Ecomodding crowd, and many car "enthusiasts" seem to take a dim view of hybrids, expecting they'll spell doom and gloom for performance motoring, so there doesn't seem to be an obvious market there earlier.

But of course, the main market is in Tommy Kaira's native Japan, where customers aren't beyond tuning tiny Kei cars, let alone relatively powerful hybrids. Perhaps there, where aerodynamics have little effect in inner-city traffic, the draw of a tuned hybrid is much greater.

And of course, a belated happy New Year to all Tarmac's readers. Best wishes for 2010!

(Images: Tommy Kaira)