The New GM has a new key design -- it's about freakin' time. That old separate key and fob set-up was so very 1996, while the writing on those gray rubber buttons would wear off substantially faster than other key fobs. Our long-term's Silverado's unlock button was barely visible after a year. Most of the GM fleet continues to use the old keys, but the latest models (Camaro, Equinox and LaCrosse) utilize a switchblade design almost identical in concept to the one Volkswagen came up with back in the late 1990s.
I say better late than ever because the new key is a quality item. The switchblade snaps up and down with a solid, mechanical action. The button icons are raised so that you can identify them by touch alone. The key ring connection at the bottom seems very robust. In total, it seems to me like the highest quality switchblade key currently around.
There are other GM key designs. One is used for models with keyless ignition/entry, like the CTS and Corvette, just to name two. The Aussie G8 also had a switchblade, but it wasn't as nice as this one.
James Riswick, Automotive Editor @ 6,700 miles
sherief says:
09:41 AM, 11/11/09
Hey its an Audi key..
willin58 says:
09:56 AM, 11/11/09
Is the trunk opener button split in two for remote starting?
dubaizen says:
10:24 AM, 11/11/09
no keyless start???
brn says:
10:41 AM, 11/11/09
Maybe I'm an old fart, but I've no problem with the traditional (1996?) design. If the markings are wearing off, I'll give you that one.
I'll reserve judgment on the switchblade design until I have one.
sabastian says:
11:11 AM, 11/11/09
I love all the homemade Camaro youtube videos that talk about/show the switchblade key like it's something new and amazing.
oachalon says:
11:53 AM, 11/11/09
willin58, if you have the automatic camaro with the remote start the fob looks like this:
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l46/FenwickFalcon35/Camaroswitchblade3.jpg
willin58 says:
12:44 PM, 11/11/09
Just as I thought, thanks oachalon.
ptcdawg says:
02:26 PM, 11/11/09
How does price compare to the old one?
ryster says:
05:25 AM, 11/19/09
My '06 Chevy Impala uses the "old school" key and fob combo shown in the picture. The unlock icon is just about completely worn off after 3yrs of daily use.
I owned a '99 VW New Beetle that had the switchblade style keyfob. It was kind of a novelty back then. A convenient design, but typically very expensive to replace.