Reconfigurable Performance Display to show off engine stats in select GM cars

We'll be honest -- we still kind of prefer the days when hacking Wiimotes and other household gadgets was the preferred method for extracting more enjoyment from one's vehicle, but we suppose there's no stopping progress. Starting in 2009 (a few years too late for the Fast & Furious crowd), General Motors will begin to offer up a $295 Reconfigurable Performance Display option in the Cobalt and HHR SS. Said display will enable easily distracted drivers to quickly see how many Gs they're pulling, enable / disable Traction Control, Stability Control and Competition Mode, and get a visual on boost, cam phaser angle, spark advance, engine torque, etc. Oh, and it totally adds 10-horsepower when installed alongside a spare NoS sticker.

[Via Autoblog]

[pancake humper @ Aug 27th 2008 10:15AM]

There is a new Fast and The Furious movie coming out next year though!

[Andrew @ Aug 27th 2008 11:43AM]

I watched the trailer for it the other day, it looks surprisingly decent. Original cast from the first one but it seems more like an action movie now than a car enthusiast flick.

http://www.spikedhumor.com/articles/162271/Fast-and-The-Furious-09-Trailer.html

Cheers

[Leindurstit @ Aug 27th 2008 10:16AM]

DANGER TO MANIFOLD.

[Tpat @ Aug 27th 2008 10:20AM]

Where is that from?

[Roach @ Aug 27th 2008 10:29AM]

I believe F&F1 when they are drag racing and Paul Walker is in his Mitsu Eclipse and the middle of the console area just falls off and starts sparking. Can't help but laugh from that nonsense

[David @ Aug 27th 2008 5:22PM]

It's from the part with Paul Walker (Brian) uses too much NOS and it blows his floor pan off.... on a unibody car.. huh??

[Serge @ Aug 27th 2008 10:20AM]

ScanGauge II
http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/car/8426/

does the same thing and more to almost every modern car for half the cost.

[schmitty338 @ Aug 27th 2008 10:29AM]

maybe so, but it looks like it was made in the late 80s/early 90s and probably was....

[bartoron @ Aug 27th 2008 10:35AM]

True, but it still looks awesome.

[Serge @ Aug 27th 2008 10:38AM]

actually its fairly new. it connects to the cars OBD2 port, which has only been a standard on all gas cars since like 1996 i think. So no, not from the 80s. and it works great btw, i have one on my 96 integra.

[UnixSystemsEngineer @ Aug 27th 2008 10:47AM]

The scan gauge may look ancient, but this GM thing looks super cheap. I'm guessing the design makes more sense when installed though -- I'm having a hard time visualizing where it would go.

On the topic of GM, I got a 2008 Saturn Vue XR AWD for a rental and am really impressed. I wouldn't ordinarily choose to drive an SUV, but my other option was a Corolla (yes, Hertz thinks a Corolla is midsize) and I know I hate those. Why can't they just stock up on Mazda3's? Anyway, the Vue has been redesigned (actually looks uglier than the old model IMO) but has a big V6 and is the quickest rental I've ever had. Thirsty, sure, but who cares when you're not paying for the gas... I just wish it had any grip to speak of. At all.

[daaper @ Aug 27th 2008 3:22PM]

"I'm guessing the design makes more sense when installed though -- I'm having a hard time visualizing where it would go."

Looks to me like it's sitting at the bottom of the driver-side A-pillar...

[Chad @ Aug 27th 2008 5:12PM]

@UnixSystemsEngineer
I assume it goes on the driver's A pillar and replaces the boost gauge that currently goes there in the models they referenced.

[Roach @ Aug 27th 2008 10:27AM]

Yep, or http://www.aeroforcetech.com/ is another good one. Just put on my car last week. For $200 it shows lots of info and can be hooked to analog (ie Wideband) as well as a shiftlight and other goodies

[daaper @ Aug 27th 2008 3:05PM]

I have one of those too. Tracks almost everything you can think of. The 0-60mph and 1/4 mile tests are pretty nice too. Though finding a place to run up over 100mph is practically impossible...unless you're at the drag strip, then it's kinda redundant

[John M @ Aug 27th 2008 10:34AM]

And the first car it's an option on is the Cobalt, a 148HP economy car.

[kal326 @ Aug 27th 2008 10:59AM]

Um, you missed the SS at the end. Which would be the 260 HP/Ft LB economy car.

[iEye @ Aug 27th 2008 3:00PM]

Yea, and YOU missed the fact that it is a GM car, meaning CRAP... sorry to burst your bubble but SS on anything GM that does not have a carburetor is BS...

Please tell me you do not honk at the ladies in a Cavalier... oops I mean Cobalt SS... lame.

[daaper @ Aug 27th 2008 3:07PM]

ah, brand-whores...aren't they great?

[Marco @ Aug 27th 2008 4:59PM]

@kal326

If you're actually impressed by those specs, I feel sorry for your manhood.

If that wasn't sarcasm, you need to facepalm yourself. Underwater. For a LONG time.

[M @ Aug 27th 2008 9:43PM]

Marco, he was just stating that the car is the SS version, not the base model - and that there is a big difference. Chill out.

[kjb434 @ Aug 27th 2008 10:42AM]

I don't think of performance and the Chevy Cobalt and HHR SS......

[schmitty338 @ Aug 27th 2008 11:28AM]

*SIGH*....I know it's not made in the 80's...it was a (I thought obvious) commentary on the design....

[schmitty338 @ Aug 27th 2008 11:29AM]

SHWA? Y did thoust comment system put thy reply under the wrong posteth?

[Zak @ Aug 27th 2008 11:16AM]

That's neat, but they're just copying the GT-R. I keep wondering when American car companies are going to start having the balls to do things that weren't done first by Japanese or German car companies.

[ssrat_ @ Aug 27th 2008 3:35PM]

Saw that on Top Gear, it can tell you everything you may ever THINK of asking about the car, probably even tells you INTERNAL weight distribution

[Leindurstit @ Aug 27th 2008 1:00PM]

Gawrsh, when will they get with the times. After all, who cares about displacement when you can worry about grasping at strings with a touch screen interface allowing you to fine-tune your rev-hunting TYTE-DRIFT mobile.

See also: NAWWWZZ.

[absinthe party @ Aug 27th 2008 11:28AM]

"...to show off engine stats in select GM cars."

Hey, Chevy... a/s/l?

[xB Owner @ Aug 27th 2008 11:50AM]

And GM will probably use this in order to void warranties. Any excuse to void a warranty these days with auto manufacturers. Kind of like Mitsubishi and Subaru using racing heritage to hype sales of the Evo and WRX only to void owner's warranties if they are found using the cars for any sort of sanctioned racing event.

[The Chadd @ Aug 27th 2008 1:31PM]

Odd, my Subaru dealership sponsored SCCA events for WRX owners when introduced in 2002. Never voided warranties, unless a dumbass used a manual boost controller to blow their engine. However, I have heard VW would come to the events and take note of vehicles on the track at the same races. How is the sub-Toyota treatin' ya?

[MadArcher @ Aug 27th 2008 11:49AM]

Is it me or this screen is far from being as neat as the one available on Nissan Skyline GTR R34 ? At least, they are trying something...

[Chris @ Aug 27th 2008 12:49PM]

@ MadArcher,

You do realize this is an option on a sub-$25k economy-made-performance car, not a $100k supercar.

I just wish GM would offer these up aftermarket so I can get one for my 97 Camaro.

[Chris @ Aug 27th 2008 12:51PM]

Not to mention it is a $300 option. I am sure the one on the Nissan was quite a bit more.

[Tim Strobel @ Aug 27th 2008 12:31PM]

That scan gauge is cool. Too bad its only 96 and newer vehicles. OBD1 is where its at

-Honda Fanboy

[Student Driver @ Aug 27th 2008 1:17PM]

"cam phaser angle"? The car will now shoot stuff, with phasers at varying angles? That's sweet. Finally, GM is going to shit, er, ship a product worth buying!

[kojo87 @ Aug 27th 2008 1:59PM]

wait a car manufacturer is doing something that focuses on performance and not fuel economy? just when i thought all hope was lost!

[iEye @ Aug 27th 2008 3:46PM]

The next person who suggest that my next car be a GM gets an immediate punch in the arm... Ford = kick in the shin and Chrystler/kia gets shot...

[M @ Aug 27th 2008 9:47PM]

thanks for the input

[happy_penguin @ Aug 27th 2008 9:35PM]

Slamming American cars on the internets. How predictable. Toyota has their Chevy too. They call it Scion and it took the 28th position this year in the JD Power Vehicle Dependability Study, below almost every American brand including Chevrolet.

http://www.jdpower.com/corporate/news/releases/pressrelease.aspx?ID=2008115

Meanwhile, Mercury and Cadillac still top Toyota and Buick and Lincoln still top Honda.

[Tony @ Aug 28th 2008 12:35PM]

Yeah, and Jeep, Saturn, Hummer, Chevy, GMC, Pontiac, and EVERYTHING made by Chrysler Corp all came in BELOW industry average in durability.
What was your point again?

[happy_penguin @ Aug 30th 2008 10:05AM]

Yeah... You forgot Audi, Mercedes Benz, Nissan, Mazda, Subaru, Volvo, Volkswagen, Saab, Isuzu, Kia, Suzuki and Land Rover. What the fuck is YOUR point?!