- Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Chevrolet, Porsche, Racing
Click above to view the video after the jump
The 58th running of the 12 Hours of Sebring is set to begin tomorrow at 10:30 AM, and with Audi out and Peugeot already dominating the LMP class in the qualifying sessions, the attention turns to the ALMS GT cars - specially the Porsche and Corvette teams.
The rivalry between the Flying Lizards and the Corvette C6.Rs has been stoked (even further) by Chevrolet's new racing webisodes, and after last year's final lap at Laguna Seca, the GT-class feuding is sure to make for some great racing.
After the jump you'll find a video documenting the Lizard's practice session yesterday, including Hans Herrman - the winner of the 1960 race - taking a lap around Sebring in a immaculate Porsche RS 60 Spyder. If you're planning to tune in tomorrow, you can download Andy Blackmore's stellar spotter's guide in all its high-res glory here and read our breakdown of this year's season here.
Continue reading Video: Porsche vs. Corvette prequel at the 12 Hours of Sebring
Video: Porsche vs. Corvette prequel at the 12 Hours of Sebring originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 19:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Filed under: Sedan, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, GM, Police/Emergency
It used to be that every full-line American automaker offered a version of its mainstream full-size sedan to make it appropriate for police duty. By the time 1996 rolled around, the Chevrolet Caprice, which was the last would-be competitor to the standard-setting Ford Crown Victoria, was discontinued, leaving the lucrative police market to the Blue Oval Boys.
The automotive industry took notice, and plans began in corporate board rooms to remedy that situation, and even a few new entrants - most notably Carbon Motors - sprung up with promising designs that eschewed the mainstream production-based sedan design.
In 2005, Dodge rolled out a factory police package for its full-size Charger sedan, and for the first time in a decade the Crown Victoria faced some stiff V8-powered, rear-wheel-drive competition. Then in 2009, Chevrolet announced that its new Zeta platform Caprice would be returning for the 2011 model year packing a strong 6.0-liter V8 of its own.
How would Ford answer this newly mounted competition? Would the aging Panther-based Crown Vic finally get an update? Nope. Instead, Ford just recently announced that it would soon offer a highly ruggedized version of its most recent Taurus sedan, optionally equipped with the stout 3.5-liter turbocharged V6 engine powering all four wheels as seen in the revived Taurus SHO.
We decided to see for ourselves how the three new competitors stacked up against the old guard Crown Vic on paper, and as you can see, there's little to separate each offering on the spec sheets. It should prove interesting to see how police agencies react to these choices, especially since reliability and durability will be mostly unknown factors for the first time in ages. See for yourself.
Ford Crown Vic
Ford Taurus
Dodge Charger
Chevrolet Caprice
Availability
Forever
Late 2011
2005 - Present
2011
Type
Four-door, body on frame
Four-door, enhanced unibody
Four-door, unibody
Four-door, unibody
Engine
4.6L V8
3.5L V6
Twin-turbo 3.5L V6
5.7L Hemi V8
6.0L V8
Power
250 horsepower
263 horsepower
365 horsepower
368 horsepower
355 horsepower
Torque
297 lb-ft
249 lb-ft
350 lb-ft
395 lb-ft
385 lb-ft
Fuel Economy
14 City / 21 Highway
18 City / 28 Highway (2010 Ford Taurus FWD)
17 City / 25 Highway (2010 Ford Taurus SHO AWD)
16 City / 25 Highway
15 City / 24 Highway (2009 Pontiac G8 GT)
Driveline
Rear-Wheel
Front or All-Wheel
Rear-Wheel
Rear-Wheel
Shifter
Column
Column
Column
Console
Wheels
17-inch steel
18-inch steel
18-inch steel
18-inch steel
Brakes
Four-Wheel Discs
Four-Wheel Discs
Four-Wheel Discs
Four-Wheel Discs
Cop Brakes
Y
Y
Y
Y
Cop Suspension
Y
Y
Y
Y
Cop Cooling
Y
Y
Y
Y
Seats
Front - Cloth
Rear - Vinyl Bench
Front - Cloth
Rear - Vinyl Bench
Front - Cloth
Rear - Cloth Bench
Front - Cloth
Rear - Vinyl Bench
Interior Volume
106.4 Cubic Feet
102.3 Cubic Feet
104 Cubic Feet
112 Cubic Feet
Trunk Space
20.6 Cubic Feet
20.1 Cubic Feet
16.2 Cubic Feet
18 Cubic Feet
Special Features
Overwhelming Ubiquity
Tough as nails
Capable of withstanding 75-mph rear impact
Seats with downsized lateral bosters, cut-outs for utility belts
Ford SYNC
Safety Canopy(R) side-curtain air bag
Rollover protection system
Customizable steering-wheel switches
Rear doors swing 71-degrees
Capable of withstanding 75-mph rear impact
BLIS(R) (Blind Spot Information System)
Cross Traffic Alert
Rear View Camera System
Reverse Sensing System
160-mph (certified) calibrated speedometer
AM/FM radio with CD player, changer controls, four speakers and clock with auxiliary audio input jack
Load-leveling, height-control shock absorbers
Independently switched red/white LED dome lamp
Seats with downsized lateral boosters, cutouts for utility belts
In-dash touch-screen computer technology
Driver information center in the instrument cluster with selectable speed tracking feature
Charting the Five-Ohs: Next-gen Cop Car Comparo originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet
2011 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Carbon - Click above for high-res image gallery
When we first told you about the new limited edition Corvette Z06 Carbon that Chevrolet plans to offer this fall, we had two measly photos to offer up from General Motors. In the run-up to this weekend's 12 Hours of Sebring, GM has shown the Z06 Carbon in public at the Corvette Corral, and now, more photos have now been released - including interior shots that you can find in our updated gallery.
Only 500 examples of the full-blown Carbon will be built, and they include numerous carbon fiber body parts and chassis components from the ZR1. Perhaps the best part of the new model is the inclusion of the carbon-ceramic brakes and the magnetic ride damping system from the supercharged car.
Of course, those that don't manage to get one of these limited edition models can put together most of the car by opting for the carbon fiber and Z07 packages.
[Source: Chevrolet]Pics Aplenty: 2011 Corvette Z06 Carbon limited edition originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Filed under: Aftermarket, Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Etc., Chevrolet, Design/Style
That's no Camaro Convertible. It's a horror show. - Click above for image gallery
Autoblog reader Joe Lopez spied what looked to be a Chevrolet Camaro Convertible prototype out on the street. Jazzed about his sighting, he trailed the car as it pulled into a local Detroit-area Target store. Camera in hand, he moved in for pics. That's likely when the sheer horror of the situation before him struck with the force of a Toyota Prius driven by Jim Sikes.
This was no Camaro Convertible.
Someone had done the unthinkable (and yet, at the same time, inevitable): They had fitted a 2010 Chevrolet Camaro LS with a fabric mock top. Joe's no dummy. He took the photos anyway, and posted them on his blog, 5thGenCamaro. Then he emailed us, so here we are.
As we all know, tastes vary. That established, in our books, at least, mock tops are only moderately less revolting than the ill-advised landau roof. As you can see, this is one of the more super-classy installations, including false roof bows and a ring of tonneau snaps - because those really scream modernity. The shark fin roof antenna poking through the fabric is the proverbial cherry atop this turd sundae.
As you'll see in the gallery below, there's a real convertible - a Chrysler Sebring - parked to the Camaro's right. We believe we can confidently say that this is the only time a Chrysler Sebring actually looks better to us than a new Chevy Camaro. And that, friends, is frightening. If it were a Buick Lacrosse - even the new one - we probably wouldn't care. It'd almost... belong. But this? Who does this? Click on the gallery below, then avert your eyes. Thanks for the indigestion pics, Joe!
[Sources: 5thGenCamaro, MichiganClassics.com]Making a mockery of the new Chevrolet Camaro "Convertible" originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - Filed under: Sedan, Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Mazda, Nissan, Subaru, Toyota
2010 Toyota Camry - Click above for high-res image gallery
Ah yes, the good ol' midsize sedan. Bastion of the American family car set and holder of most automaker's sales crowns, as well as that of the best-selling automobile in the United States. As pointed out by Motor Trend, only three car nameplates have held the top sales spot in America in the last 20 years: the Ford Taurus, Honda Accord and Toyota Camry.
Of course, the current midsize sedan sales leader is none other than the aforementioned Camry. Unless you've been living under a rock for the last few months, you're certainly aware that Toyota has found itself in the hot seat with numerous claims of unintended acceleration and two separate recalls that are meant to deal with such safety defects.
Besides its recent safety woes, Toyota has had to deal with constant pressure from every other automaker seeking to dethrone the Camry as the midsize sales leader. So, the natural question is whether or not the segment stalwart can maintain its edge in the face of such stiff competition and a newly sullied reputation. MT sought the answer in its latest comparo.
These days, Ford's numero-uno midsize sedan is the Fusion, which was significantly redesigned this year, and that car won the coveted Motor Trend Car of the Year Award for 2010. Also new-for-2010 (as a 2011 model) are the Hyundai Sonata, which features swoopy new duds and a high-tech four-cylinder powertrain, and the Subaru Legacy, which is the only model in the segment to come standard with all-wheel drive.
Though not all-new for '10, the Chevrolet Malibu and Nissan Altima are certainly perennial power players in the midsize sedan segment, and as such were included in MT's comparison test. With introductions out of the way, who do you think could have grabbed the top spot in Motor Trend's comparison test of these seven leading midsize sedans? Hint: See the photo above. Suffice it to say... we were a bit surprised. Click here to see for yourself.
In related news, the boys from Inside Line have gone a slightly different route with a much smaller midsize sedan comparison, pitting the 2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2010 Mazda6 and 2010 Honda Accord together in a winner-takes-all fight. Click here for the results.
Do you agree with either MT or IL, or would you rank them totally differently? Have your say in 'Comments.'
[Sources: Motor Trend, Inside Line]You'll never guess which midsize sedan wins MT's latest comparo... originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - Filed under: New York Auto Show, Podcasts, Etc., Audi, Chevrolet, Infiniti, Jeep, Nissan
Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!
Jeff Glucker and Tim Odell of Hooniverse.com join Chris, Sam and Dan for Episode #170 of the Autoblog Podcast. The first stop is the Autoblog Garage, and the Hoons have their own garage, awesomely occupied by much better hardware than ours.
Items plucked from the news include the Ford Police Interceptor, 2011 Kia Optima, rumored Porsche Panamera convertible, 2012 Chevrolet Malibu, and the return of Lotus and Cosworth to Indy. Wade through that, and get rewarded with a few terrible answers to good questions.
Autoblog Podcast #170: The Hooniverse Visits
In the Autoblog Garage:
Audi S5
Nissan Maxima
Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 (Hooniverse)
Infiniti FX50S (Hooniverse)
Hurst Camaro (Hooniverse)
News:
Ford Police Interceptor
Kia Optima
Porsche Panamera Convertible
2012 Chevrolet Malibu
Lotus and Cosworth back in Indycar
Hosts:
Chris Shunk, Dan Roth, Sam Abuelsamid
Guests:
Jeff Glucker, Tim Odell of Hooniverse.com
Runtime: 1:12:23
Get the podcast:
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
[RSS] Add the Joystiq Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator
[MP3] Download the MP3 directly
Feedback:
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com
Voicemail: 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763)
Review the show in iTunes and take our survey
Autoblog Podcast #170 - The Hooniverse Visits originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Hatchback, Chevrolet, GM, Nissan, Diesel
Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn with Leaf EV - Click above for high-res image gallery
Will Nissan's upcoming Leaf electric car compete directly with the 2011 Chevrolet Volt? Well, that depends on who you ask. Apparently, Nissan head Carlos Ghosn doesn't believe the two eco-friendly automobiles will be competing on a large scale. Says Ghosn:
"Frankly, I mean so far there is no competition. Let's be serious. It's not because someone is coming with a prototype and one car that this is competition. The question is how much capacity are you building... What I am sure is that in 2011, I am going to be the only one on the market."
Ghosn wasn't necessarily referring directly to the Chevy Volt when he made those comments at the Geneva Motor Show, but the sentiment would surely include General Motors' extended-range electric vehicle by proxy. We'd imagine that a good deal of Leaf or Volt buyers would consider the other car a competitor for their hard-earned dollars.
If the issue between the two electric cars is production numbers, Nissan certainly takes the (currently theoretical) win as it plans to build 500,000 Leaf EVs by 2012. By way of contrast, GM has been mum on actual production goals for its Volt program, but we know the initial launch at the end of 2010 will be a comparatively small one.
[Source: BusinessWeek]Carlos Ghosn on the Leaf and EVs: "There is no competition." originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - Filed under: Car Buying, Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet, GM
Last year was brutal for the auto industry, with sales down by 21 percent versus 2008. Sports cars were hit even harder, as many customers shied away from spending big dollars on what typically amounts to a second or third vehicle. The Chevrolet Corvette was no different, as America's sports car saw sales plummet 48 percent versus 2008 - the worst year for Vette sales in nearly 50 years. But was the drop in Corvette sales because of the economy, or its new pony car stablemate, the Camaro?
Wards Automotive claims that web data shows the number one competitor to the Vette isn't something like the Nissan GT-R or Porsche 911 - it's the reborn Camaro. But who in their right mind would cross-shop a track-ready thoroughbred with near supercar performance and a relative bargain price tag against the heavier, less agile, less exclusive Camaro? Apparently a lot of people. The Camaro had a rather remarkable 2009, with 61,648 units sold in its first year back. The new Bowtie coupe even managed to beat out the Mustang the last seven months of the year and came within 5,000 sales of besting Ford's iconic steed despite the fact that the Camaro didn't go on sale until spring.
With the economy still on the rocks, we're thinking there may have been some customers who noticed that the Camaro has the same V8 engine as a base model Corvette, seating for four and a price of entry that starts some $18,000 lower than Chevy's halo car. The Camaro is also a fresh face for the 2010 model year after an eight-year hiatus from the market, while the C6 Vette is now on its sixth year of production, and despite frankly incredible variants like the Grand Sport, ZR1 and just-announced Z06 Carbon, Chevy's top dog is getting a little long-in-the-tooth.
Either way, it's hard to argue with the fact that having two high performance, rear-wheel-drive vehicles in the same showroom is going to mean that there will be some cross-shopping. We're not complaining, though, because choice is a good thing, especially when the options are as nice as these two.
[Source: Wards Automotive | Image: Joe Raedle/Getty]Is the Chevrolet Camaro cannibalizing sales of the Corvette? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Filed under: Motorsports, Chevrolet, Honda, Lotus
Lotus Cosworth KV Racing IndyCar rendering - Click above for high-res image gallery
Lotus is officially returning to the IndyCar series in 2010 in partnership with engine builder Cosworth and KV Racing. Lotus, as you well know, has a long history with Indy-style open-wheel racing, dating back to the early 1960s. Its exploits include a victory by Jim Clark in 1965 and the all-wheel-drive, turbine-powered cars that arrived a few years later.
A few weeks ago, Lotus announced a revival of its cooperation with Cosworth for both road and race cars. The new collaboration with KV is described as being both technical and commercial. It's not clear at this point what Cosworth will contribute from a technical perspective, since all the current IndyCars run Honda V8s. Perhaps KV will provide a platform upon which Cosworth can test and develop a new engine for the next-generation IndyCar regulations that are in the works.
The green and yellow Lotus/Cosworth-badged car will debut in two weeks at the St. Petersburg, Florida race with ex-Honda F1 pilot Takuma Sato at the controls.
[Source: Lotus]Continue reading Officially Official: Lotus, Cosworth back in the IndyCar series
Officially Official: Lotus, Cosworth back in the IndyCar series originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 13 Mar 2010 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Filed under: Spy Photos, Convertible, Performance, Chevrolet, GM
Chevrolet Camaro Convertible - Visit Camaro5.com for additional photos
GM's obviously thrilled with the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro's success, as it's pretty much owned the Ford Mustang on the sales charts to this point. Now, the retooled Mustang hopes to bounce back with new powertrains aimed at erasing any performance advantage the Camaro model has. File that battle under "To Be Continued." The other thing the Mustang has going for it, however, is that sunseekers can opt for a ragtop variant. As in, today. Chevy fans? Not so much.
The waiting game continues apace, however, as the Camaro Convertible inches closer to showrooms. The latest good news comes from Camaro5.com, where a contributor nabbed the droptop Camaro out testing with its roof down - the first such sighting. We think it's a looker, just like its fixed-roof sibling, and better still, with the top stowed, all the visibility compromises the coupe has to make in the name of its wicked curb appeal are summarily erased. This is one ride we're definitely looking forward to. For additional photos, make tracks over to Camaro5.com.
[Source: Camaro5.com]Spy Shots: Chevy Camaro Convertible spotted top-down originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 13 Mar 2010 15:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Filed under: Coupe, Budget, Chevrolet, GM
Chevrolet Cruze - click above for high-res image gallery
Check out this little nugget General Motor's North American president Mark Reuss let slip during a recent web chat:
"[...] 2 door cruze is a nice idea, and it may show up in the global market. As we have 2 door Cobalts currently, [North America] would naturally look at a Cruze 2 door, but I believe our small car portfolio will be WAY beyond what it is now, so a 2 door something still is needed."
Quite interesting, no? Especially as the Cruze will eventually replace the Cobalt as Chevy's C-segment car. We suspect there will be a bit of overlap between the two cars (GM's high-volume models die hard), but the idea of a Cruze SS Coupe is quite tantalizing. To us at any rate.
Also lip smacking is another bit of info Reuss let slip when a man named Pete asked the following question, "Can you tell us if the plans for a ZETA RWD sedan in one of the core brands is moving forward?" Mr. Reuss' response, "quite possibly Pete......." That's not the Lutzian answer we're used to ("RWD, twin-turbo wagons with manuals for all!") but it's not a "no," either. Also of note, Reuss, a competition-license carrying "car guy" at one time owned Buick GNX #446. Good to know, and stay tuned....
[Source: GM Reinvention]
GM President Mark Reuss: Chevrolet Cruze Coupe "may show up" originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Filed under: Car Buying, Marketing/Advertising, Chevrolet, GM
A[nother] different kind of car company. A[nother] different kind of car. Apparently, as it once did with its Saturn division, General Motors is again fiddling with the tried-and-true dealership sales model by creating two separate new test programs that would potentially offer a low-pressure car buying environment.
One of them, a so-called Test Drive Studio, would be a "permanent or semi-permanent, minimally branded, brick-and-mortar" facility that would first appear in Chevrolet-centric areas such as Miami, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Chicago. Included amongst the newfangled features would be test drives in the Chevy Malibu, Traverse and Equinox, followed by their main competition. "May the Best Car Win," indeed.
According to Steve Tihanyi, general director for marketing services, alliances and branded entertainment, "It's a non-threatening environment. It's not pressure-filled; you can drive all the right competitive products against the [vehicles]. If you take Malibu as an example, we will also have vehicles like Camry, Accord, Ford Fusion, or Taurus, so you get a really good cluster of vehicles to experience at your own pace."
Also new will be a competitive test-drive program that will run concurrently with auto shows in 30 markets all around the United States. "One thing we know about auto shows is a lot of people who come will be in market in zero to 12 months," says Tihanyi.
To go along with the new dealership test model, GM will start a digital marketing campaign in each of the four aforementioned test markets, targeting buyers currently shopping for vehicles in GM's competitive markets. Says Tihanyi, "So, hypothetically, if you are on Edmunds.com and shopping a Camry, we are going to offer up an opportunity to come to the Test Drive Studio in that market to compare everything you have in your shopping set right now. Our feeling is you may have not had the Malibu in your consideration set, but if you try it, you will."
[Source: Marketing Daily | Image: Scott Olson/Getty]Report: GM launching pair of low-pressure 'test' dealerships that offer competitor car drives originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Chevrolet, GM, Design/Style
2012 Chevrolet Malibu renderings by Ted Krygier - Click above for high-res image gallery
Yesterday, we brought you the official patent drawings of the next-generation Chevrolet Malibu - the Epsilon II-based sedan that will more than likely debut later in 2011 as a 2012 model. Less than 24 hours later, one of our dedicated readers, Ted Krygier, has put his best Photoshop skills to work, completing a colored rendering of what the Malibu could look like based on the patent sketches
In colored-up form, it's even more clear that the next-gen Malibu will use a design inspired by the Opel/Vauxhall Insignia up front, with a few Camaro-like touches around the rear end. The styling is quite a bit more aggressive than the current Malibu, and since the new car appears to have a shorter wheelbase, its road stance should be more akin to that of the Ford Fusion. Still, we like what we see thus far. Hat tip to Ted for the renderings!
[Source: Cheers and Gears]Coloring Between the Lines: Reader shades in 2012 Chevy Malibu patent drawings originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments - Filed under: Aftermarket, Classics, Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet
Autoblog attends Hotchkis track day - Click above for high-res image gallery
Suspension tuner John Hotchkis, principle of Hotchkis Sport Suspension and apparently at peace with the fact that we broke his precious E-Max, invited yours truly out to the Streets of Willow to pound some more hard fought miles into the amazing yellow 1971 Dodge Challenger. Actually, a whole bunch of people were on hand to do the pounding, and not just on the E-Max. Hotchkis was putting on a before-and-after clinic to showcase (and show off) a couple of its suspension packages. Not only was the mighty, heavily tweaked E-Max on hand, but the Hotchkis gang brought along a fairly stock 1970 Challenger, a rented Chevrolet Camaro SS and a Camaro SS that had been given the full Hotchkis suspension treatment.
The Plan: Put each car in the more-than-capable hands of John's brother, Mark Hotchkis, a former Indy Lights driver who also happens to campaign a Porsche 962 in vintage races. Each car would be put through a series of tests (slalom, skid pad and a lap of the track itself) revealing numerically just how much better the new Hotchkis suspension pieces worked. They also brought a few of us journalist types along to not only see viva la difference, but share our impressions with the world/you guys. But before we get to the results...
Photos by Jonny Lieberman / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc. and Dan Khan Continue reading Hotchkis Track Day proves "After" is much better than "Before"
Hotchkis Track Day proves "After" is much better than "Before" originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments - Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Chevrolet, Racing
Corvette Racing Series, Episode 1 - Click above to watch video after the jump
As Chevrolet Corvette Racing team heads into its first full season of competition in the American Le Mans Series GT2 class, the first full episode of a new General Motors video series chronicling their journey has been posted on YouTube. The 12-part series will follow the team as it gets ready for the nine race series as well as the annual June treck to Le Mans for the 24 Hours.
Episode one begins with a look back at where 2009 left off. On the final corner of the final lap of the Laguna Seca race last October, Jan Magnussen slammed into a retaining wall with a 57 g impact after making contact with one of the Flying Lizards Porsches.
As soon as the cars returned to the team's Wixom, MI shop, the crew set about getting ready for 2010 including preparing for the all-new 5.5-liter V8. First, though, they had to rebuild the #3 C6.R. Check out the first episode of the series after the jump.
[Source: YouTube]Continue reading Video: Episode 1 of Chevrolet's Corvette Racing Series hits the interwebs cinema
Video: Episode 1 of Chevrolet's Corvette Racing Series hits the interwebs cinema originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Archive for the 'CHEVROLET' Category
Thursday, August 2nd, 2007
-Filed under: Trends, Crossovers/CUVs, Buick, Chevrolet, GM, GMC, Pontiac
Stricter mileage standards being voted on by the government is already taking its toll on automakers like GM, which now have to shift focus onto smaller and more fuel efficient vehicles. Traditional bread winners such as big heavy SUVs are being phased out by a new generation of smaller and more car-like crossover models.
To ensure that it can retain buyers downsizing from large SUVs to more fuel-efficient models, GM will be introducing a new compact crossover to essentially replace the Pontiac Torrent (pictured). However, under its new brand strategy, Pontiac will be strictly for cars while GMC will be responsible for truck sales, which means the new model will be branded as a Buick or Chevrolet.
It isn’t the end of the road yet for GM’s full-sized SUV models. Vehicles like the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon SUV will be equipped with hybrid options to ensure they continue beyond the current generations. The Acadia large CUV is also planned to receive a V8 in a couple of years, while the Envoy SUV from GMC will likely suffer the same fate as the Trailblazer.
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req’d]
Posted in World Cars, Passenger Cars, Automotive News, BUICK, CHEVROLET, GMC, PONTIAC | No Comments »
Monday, April 30th, 2007
New York 2007: Chevrolet Trax - urban crossover
Active buyers who want to get in touch with their sportier side – or who just want to navigate the urban jungle in a sportier ride – will make tracks to the Chevrolet Trax, an urban front-wheel-drive crossover concept with a twist: This micro SUV has an electric limited-slip differential that features an independent battery pack and an electric motor to drive the rear wheels, providing a low-cost all-wheel-drive system.
The four-door Trax is bathed in a Blaze Orange exterior finish, with rugged Burnt Orange accents on the front and rear corners that reinforce the notion this Chevrolet is all business despite its small size. Simple door lines make getting in and out easier; and fold-flat rear seats add functionality.
Other features that suit its dynamic and off-road character include a voluminous, single-unit bumper and fender in front and rear, a pronounced front wheel arch shape, dynamic side character lines, a rear-mounted spare tire and roof rack. Brake calipers in Flame Yellow infuse additional attitude. The package rides on 16-inch wheels and Kumho tires for precise ride and handling.
The Trax is powered by a 1-liter gasoline engine.
“The Trax is a vehicle that you can show off anywhere, be it off-road or on the road,” said Sangyeon Cho, manager of the min icar exterior design team at the GM Design Center in Inchon , South Korea . “It brings a rational combination of SUV design, function, performance and value to the consumer.”
Posted in World Cars, Passenger Cars, Tuning Cars, Automotive News, CHEVROLET | No Comments »
Wednesday, April 25th, 2007
Inspired by a “half-soldier, half-modern” military helmet, the Chevrolet Groove concept is contemporary and funky, but evokes classic Chevrolet heritage design cues like an upright windshield and prominent fender flares that give the Groove a strong, sturdy stance reminiscent of a retro hot rod.
Groove lead exterior designer Jawook Koo, of the GM Design Center in Inchon , South Korea , was seeking a mini design that was big on presence.
“I wanted to get out of the mini vehicles stereotype that is characterized by a weak, insecure and ‘cute’ appearance, so that consumers can feel safe just by looking at the vehicle,” said Koo.
The Groove’s design conveys anything but weakness. The striking matte Lunar Quartz exterior finish contrasts with the strategic use of satin silver exterior chrome details. Big, five-spoke 17-inch wheels pushed all the way to the rear give the impression of a vehicle that’s much longer than it is, thanks to the short-but-pronounced hood and long, flat cabin, a design that provides for a roomy interior. Contrasting Vertigo brake calipers bring additional attention to the big wheels.
The front overhang includes open-air vents that are integrated into the front LED fog lamps, and the elongated front headlamps further “lengthen” the vehicle.
Getting this front-wheel-drive concept in the Groove is a highly efficient, 1-liter diesel engine.
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Friday, February 9th, 2007
2007 Chevrolet Volt Concept, General Motors
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Monday, January 15th, 2007
Troy Clarke, president of GM North America, shows the new 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Tuesday at the North American International Auto Show at Detroit’s Cobo Center.
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