GM to use active aero grille block in pickups

[MetroMPG]

From ABG:

Automotive News reports that The General has been working on an innovative grille that would boast electronically-operated openings that could improve aerodynamic efficiency when maximum engine cooling isn't needed. Such a system was first seen in concept form on the Cadillac Provoq crossover from the 2008 Detroit Auto Show.

"First seen?" ABG's typical reporting kind of bites. Either wrong, or needs qualification: first seen on a GM vehicle maybe?

I wonder if they're going to use the shape memory alloy a GM engineer was demo-ing (video!) back in this active grille block thread :

Video: active aero (grille block) via shape memory alloy

[Frank Lee]

Yay!

Only took about 100 years for this idea to come back but what the hey, better late than never.

[RobertSmalls]

Awesome. Maybe in ten years, I'll be buying those servos from the U-Pull for use in my compact cars. That is, if I still have a radiator ten years from now.

Too bad very few people who buy non-XFE Silverados care at all about aerodynamics. Pitch it to Joe Truck Buyer as a device to provide faster warm-up, and to keep road salt out of the engine bay.

[MetroMPG]

Brilliant. You should be in marketing, Robert!