GM has a good idea IMO with using simpler pushrod engines for it's bread and butter, everyday cars. Most consumers don't even know or care the difference anyways.
I do believe the new 60 deg. engines use all-alumninum construction and will have variable cam phasing and dual-stage intake manifolds. This is a GOOD thing becuase it saves weight and makes for better packaging. The 3800 and old 4300 are very durable, but thats because they are derived from v8's and use the heavy iron-block design and heavy-duty components for that application. It's really not necessary for a v6 in a passenger car.
GM's problem is that it takes its bread and butter cars and tries to dress them up (Pontiac) and call it "driving excitement"
I have to wonder who at GM thinks that plowing understeer and a heavy 3800 engine with it's blender-like sound is "driving excitement"
Hopefully they have put more thought into weight distribution, suspension and steering and engine character with the new pontiacs.
