False Rumor: The Corvette ZR1 is Not Dead... Rumors are "Not True"
Yesterday DigitalCorvettes started a rumor that GM had stopped production of the Corvette ZR1 and that the car had been killed. Well today those rumors have been put to rest by Terry Rhadigan ), Chevrolet’s manager for global communications.
Rhadigan recently told Autoblog that the rumors were "Not True." GM still has orders for the ZR1 and production is going to start up again next week.
GM Unveils Bare Necessity Car and Truck Concepts with Videos
In addition to the announcement about the Volt and the 25 new models that GM is planning on releasing, the automaker also announced the launch of "The Lab," a microsite featuring future projects by GM's Advanced Design team. The microsite currently features two new concepts that are being developed, the Bare Necessities Truck and the Bare Necessities Car.
The theme of the two concepts is to offer buyers what they want and nothing more, hence "bare necessities."
GM to Release 25 New Models by 2011
In addition to the announcement about the Chevy Volt, GM has also announced plans to introduce 25 new models between now and 2011.
Chevy is going to introduce 10 new models; Buick and GMC will also introduce 10 new models, including a a Buick plug-in hybrid compact crossover in 2011; Cadillac is introducing five new models through 2011.
One of Cadillac's new models will be a new entry-level sedan that will slot below the CTS in the lineup. The new sport sedan will be offered in rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive versions.
"We are determined to repeat what CTS has already achieved in design, quality, driving dynamics, performance and fuel economy to grow our presence in this high-volume and highly competitive segment," Henderson said.Final Pontiac Solstice Rolls off the Line...Say Goodbye to the Solstice and Sky
The last Pontiac Solstice has rolled off the line at GM's Boxwood Road assembly plant. When GM entered bankruptcy on June 1st, the automaker announced that it would be closing the plant by the end of July that builds the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky roadsters. The announcement at the time wasn't a total surprise since GM had been looking for a buyer for Saturn and since Pontiac had been given a death sentence.
The last roadster produced was a silver Solstice.
Ford Announces Fuel Economy Improvements of 20 Percent by 2010 and New 4-Cyl EcoBoost Engine
Ford has officially announced the introduction of the new 2.0L 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine and that the automaker is expecting a 20 percent improvement in fuel economy as a whole by the end of 2010 versus 2005.
The new 2.0L 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine will be the first EcoBoost engine to include Twin-Independent Variable Cam Timing (Ti-VCT) when it is introduced sometime next year. Ford's goal is a 10 to 20 percent fuel economy improvement over larger displacement V6 engines without compromising power. It's expected to have at least 230 hp and 240 lb-ft of torque. Ford hasn't announced which models will receive this engine and surprisingly the first application may not even be in a car. Note that the Explorer America Concept was shown with a 2.0L EcoBoost engine.
The 2010 model year sees the introduction of EcoBoost engines in the Ford Flex, Taurus SHO, Lincoln MKS and MKT. Ford expects its to offer EcoBoost engines in 90 percent of its vehicles by 2013.
Ford Unveils the Glass Roof Equipped 2010 Ford Mustang
Ford has unveiled the 2010 Ford Mustang with the glass roof option and just in case you're worried about the sun's rays, the roof blocks out 90 percent of UV rays. Ford even claims that roof's UV-filtering capability is equal to wearing SPF 50.
The glass roof option adds another $1,995 to the price of either the V6 Mustang or Mustang GT.
GM Has a Buyer for HUMMER, but Buyer Not Revealed
Following yesterday's bankruptcy announcement, GM has announced that the automaker has entered "into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a buyer for Hummer."
GM stopped short of revealing who the buyer is, but stated that the sale is expected to close by the end of the third quarter this year. GM also stated that the buyer is committed to aggressively funding future HUMMER vehicles, hopefully like the H3T and that 3,000 jobs are now secure.
GM Officially Kills Pontiac...To be Phased Out by the End of 2010!
As was rumored last week, GM has officially announced the death of the Pontiac brand this morning.
General Motors released an updated Viability Plan this morning that focuses on speeding up the reinvention of GM's U.S. operations. GM hopes to become more leaner, more customer focused and a more cost-competitive automaker.
GM is going to continue to focus on its four core brands, Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC, which unfortunately for G8 fans means the death of Pontiac. Pontiac is going to be phased out by the end of 2010. In 2010 GM plans on offering a total of 34 nameplates, which is a reduction of 29 percent from 48 nameplates in 2008.
The updated plan also moves up the resolution of Saab, Saturn and Hummer to the end of 2009, at the latest, which is two years earlier than expected for Saturn.2010 Chevy Camaro is the Next Indy 500 Pace Car
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has announced that the 2010 Chevy Camaro will be the official pace car of the 93rd Indy 500 on May 24, 2009.
The 2009 race marks the fifth time that a Camaro has been the official pace car. It also marks the 44th time that a GM vehicle has paced the event.
Chicago 09': 2010 Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson Edition Unveiled
Ford has unveiled the 2010 F-150 Harley-Davidson edition, which marks the 14th Harley-Davidson edition of the F-150.
The exterior of the 2010 F-150 Harley Davidson edition features a bold front fascia and six-bar shaped billet style grille and boasts specialized forged aluminum and Harley-Davidson® chrome badging. The truck is available either in Lava or the same Tuxedo Black. 22-inch wheels are also standard.
The truck is powered by a 5.4L V8 that puts out 320 horsepower and 390 lb-ft. of torque.
Pricing has yet to be announced.
Tesla Roadster Sport Starts at $128,500...0-60 MPH in 3.7 Secs
Tesla has announced the new Tesla Roadster Sport, which is a "high-performance" version of the Tesla Roadster.
The Roadster Sport gets an upgraded suspension, adjustable dampers, anti-roll bars and Yokohama’s Ultra High Performance tires. Additionally the Sport comes with an hand-wound stator and increased winding density for lower resistance and higher peak torque.
The upgrades help shave off .2 seconds off the car's 0-60 time from 3.9 to 3.7 seconds.
The Tesla Roadster Sport will be available this summer starting at $128,500.
VIDEO: Just in Case You're Wondering How Ford's SYNC System Works
Here's a quick video that Ford has created to show how its voice-activated SYNC system works.
