Next Corvette Could Become a Hybrid
GM may consider putting a hybrid powertrain in the Chevy Corvette if the car's existence is in jeopardy. The new CAFE standards, which dictate that an automaker's entire fleet has to average 35.5 mpg by 2016, could force GM to be more creative with the Corvette in order to squeeze out extra gas mileage.
2010 Ford Mustang NASCAR Nationwide Car Unveiled
In July Ford announced that the Mustang would compete in the NASCAR Nationwide Series beginning in July 2010. Today we have our first glimpse of the Mustang that will race in the series, which is a collaboration with Roush Fenway Racing and Con-way Freight.
21 year old Colin Braun will drive the No. 16 Con-way Freight Mustang.
"I'm so happy that Con-way Freight decided to move up with me to the Nationwide Series for 2010," Braun said. "They have been a great sponsor for the past two years in the truck series so it means a lot to me that they will continue to support me in the future. I'm also looking forward to driving a Mustang next year. I've always thought they are such incredible cars, but have never owned one. Maybe when I win my first race the guys at Ford will want to give me one of my own."
US-Spec 2011 Ford Fiesta to Debut at LA Auto Show
This December we will finally get our first look at the US-spec Ford Fiesta that has been on sale in Europe since last year. We've seen the Fiesta all over the internet, print, television, etc., but those Fiesta's were never US-spec. The Fiesta destined for the US will have a slightly different look thanks to our different crash standards.
The Fiesta is the number two best-selling car in Europe, with almost 340,000 units sold since it was launched last autumn.
The official unveiling of the Fiesta in December marks the culmination of the first phase of the Fiesta Movement, which has led to more than 50,000 hand-raisers for the Fiesta, 97 percent of whom currently do not drive a Ford.
"This is the perfect time to show the North American Fiesta," said Sam De La Garza, Ford Fiesta marketing manager. "The Fiesta Movement will have wrapped up, and after hearing so much about this car leading up to the reveal, everyone will finally get to see what we are so excited about."
The 2011 Fiesta is set to arrive in showrooms by next summer.
Buick Hints at a Possible Premium Compact with Buick Avant Concept
GM newest release on the recently launched site "The Lab" features a new Buick concept, the Buick Avant, which is meant to study the possibility of small premium models.
"We agreed that a small premium vehicle shouldn't be viewed as a compromise in any way," says Andrew Smith, Director of Advanced Design at GM's tech center in Warren. "It isn't a vehicle you buy when you can't afford the larger size version. It should be unapologetic of size and just make you feel great."
In total GM came up with six exterior and four exterior designs.
Supercharged Chevy Camaro Z28 is Back On?
The on-again, off-again Chevy Camaro Z28 is reportedly back on. According to Ed Welburn, GM's Vice President for global design, the work on the modified body is done, although work still needs to be completed under the hood.
For a while it had been reported that the Z28 was dead, but now the latest reports are claiming that the Z28 is back on and probably about a year or so away. The Z28 will be powered by the same 6.2-liter supercharged V8 as the Cadillac CTS-V. In the CTS-V the engine puts out 556-hp and is mated to a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic. The modified body will include a raised hood to make room for the supercharger, tall rear spoiler, new wheel designs and wider tires.
Frankfurt 09' Preview: 2010 Ford Grand C-Max Pics Leaked
At the Frankfurt Motor Show this year Ford is going to show off the new C-Max and the extended version shown here, the Grand C-Max. The new C-Max and Grand C-Max are based on Ford's new global C-platform architecture that will also be the basis for the next Focus. The both models will be powered by a new 1.6-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder.
The 2010 Grand C-Max looks very similar to its smaller sibling, but has been stretched to accommodate three rows of seats. The extra length also adds sliding rear doors, instead of the conventional rear doors on the C-Max.
Expect more details soon...
2010 Dodge Caliber Gets a New Interior...Thank You!
The Dodge Caliber has consistently received negative marks for its low grade interior. To hopefully improve its standing in the hatchback segment, Chrysler has finally updated its interior.
The 2010 Caliber gets a new, better looking interior, which hopefully ditches the crappy hard plastic from the current model. Although Chrysler has addressed one main issue with the Caliber, we in the US still have to make due with the current engine. Europe on the other hand now has the option of the new 2.2-liter Common-rail Diesel (CRD) engine. The diesel puts out 163-hp and 236 lb-ft. of torque. It delivers 16 percent more power, 3 percent more torque and 25 percent more towing capability than the old diesel engine.
Cadillac Converj May See the Light of Day
GM showed off the Cadillac Converj concept at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this year, which showcased GM's plug-in technology in a luxury vehicle. Although it was designed in such a way to give way to a production version, there was opposition from the US government and within GM. The U.S. Treasury Department was opposed to the Converj due to its high costs when GM was in bankruptcy. Additionally then GM North America President Troy Clarke and Mark McNabb, who headed Cadillac, Hummer, and Saab were also against it, but both of those guys are no longer with GM.
Now that GM has emerged from bankruptcy there has been a renewed interest in the Converj, mainly thanks to Bob Lutz. The new marketing chief is reportedly trying to find a way to get the car into production. It could potentially act as a technology halo vehicle for Cadillac. If it does receive the green light it wouldn't see the light of day until around 2014.
