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  • 2010 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Heritage Package Makes Debut

    2010 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Heritage Package Makes Debut November 3rd, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran's avatar Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, November 3rd, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 4 Comments

    2010 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Heritage Package Makes Debut

    Earlier this year, General Motors announced the return of the Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport model, a car that combined the standard Corvette LS3-based powertrain with widebody styling and a race-bred suspension.

    Today, at the 2009 SEMA Auto Show in Las Vegas, GM took the wraps of the new 2010 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Heritage Package as well as a host of accessories designed for the car that will be offered next year. Additionally, the customized Corvette Grand Sport was finished in a new Cyber Grey exterior color.

    The list of new accessories include mesh inserts for the front fender vents, several ZR1-style aero pieces painted satin...

    Earlier this year, General Motors announced the return of the Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport model, a car that combined the standard Corvette LS3-based powertrain with widebody styling and a race-bred suspension. Today, at the 2009 SEMA Auto Show in Las Vegas, GM took the wraps of the new 2010 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Heritage Package as well as a host of accessories designed for the car that will be offered next year. Additionally, the customized Corvette Grand Sport was finished in a new Cyber Grey exterior color. The list of new accessories include mesh inserts for the front fender vents, several ZR1-style aero pieces painted satin black, body-colored door handles, a new engine cover, Grand Sport logos, racing-style pedal covers, and an iPod connector. If you’ve been living under a rock for the past couple of months and still don't know, the Corvette Grand Sport is a track-oriented Corvette, available in coupe and convertible bodystyles, with wider wheels and tires, special suspension tuning and unique exterior details. The car achieves a 0-60 mph time of less than four seconds, pulls 1.0 g on the skid pad and still boasts an EPA-rated highway fuel economy 26 mpg. [General Motors] Read More

  • Chevrolet Hits SEMA With Five Radical Camaro Concepts

    Chevrolet Hits SEMA With Five Radical Camaro Concepts November 2nd, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran's avatar Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, November 2nd, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 2 Comments

    Chevrolet Hits SEMA With Five Radical Camaro Concepts

    Chevrolet took the covers off five dramatic Camaro concepts at this week’s 2009 SEMA Auto Show, kicking off what is expected to be one of the event’s biggest showcases. The lineup of tuned muscle cars from Chevrolet cover nearly the full spectrum of Camaro modifications, with forced-induction, six-cylinder and V-8 fans all accounted for.

    The best part is that rather than showcasing wild concepts that would never feasibly make it to production, many of the Camaro modifications and accessories on show can be ordered through Chevrolet dealers for installation at the time of the vehicle’s purchase. This allows customers to...

    Chevrolet took the covers off five dramatic Camaro concepts at this week’s 2009 SEMA Auto Show, kicking off what is expected to be one of the event’s biggest showcases. The lineup of tuned muscle cars from Chevrolet cover nearly the full spectrum of Camaro modifications, with forced-induction, six-cylinder and V-8 fans all accounted for. The best part is that rather than showcasing wild concepts that would never feasibly make it to production, many of the Camaro modifications and accessories on show can be ordered through Chevrolet dealers for installation at the time of the vehicle’s purchase. This allows customers to personalize their cars to their exact wishes, with installation handled by the dealer and the cost rolled into the monthly payments. First up is a specially tuned V-6 Camaro built for comedian and avid car nut Jay Leno. Powered by a twin-turbocharged version of the 3.6-liter direct injected V-6 that is standard in Camaro LS and LT models, Leno’s Camaro blends high performance with surprising efficiency in a racing-ready package. A pair of Turbonetics T-3 turbochargers blows through a custom air-to-air intercooler, force-feeding the engine about 7 psi of boost and lifting its horsepower level to about 425—the same as the V-8 model. That’s about 40% greater than stock and in normal driving (when the turbochargers aren’t making boost), there’s virtually no penalty in fuel economy over the non-turbocharged 3.6-liter engine. Next up is the Camaro Synergy, which essentially showcases a new green paint scheme that will be offered on a special-edition Camaro in the first half of 2010. Other details include 21-inch wheels, a full bodykit and a performance intake system. Similar to the Camaro Synergy, the new Camaro Chroma demonstrates how carefully selected accessories available through Chevrolet dealers can create a very unique look for the popular sports coupe. Apart from 21-inch wheels, however, most of the highlights are basically custom graphics for the car. The same story goes for the last two Camaro concepts, the Camaro Dusk and Camaro Graphics. Both cars feature extensive accessory graphics packages, with the intent of soliciting feedback from Camaro enthusiasts for possible production. In addition to the Camaro contingent, Chevrolet is also showing the Silverado ZR2 concept and an accessorized 2010 Corvette Grand Sport. Some of the accessories, which will go on sale in early 2010, include mesh inserts for the front fender vents, an iPod connector, Grand Sport-logos, and several ZR1 pieces. [General Motors] Read More

  • Lingenfelter Reveals New Camaro-Based Pontiac Trans Am Concept

    Lingenfelter Reveals New Camaro-Based Pontiac Trans Am Concept November 2nd, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, November 2nd, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 7 Comments

    Lingenfelter Reveals New Camaro-Based Pontiac Trans Am Concept

    There are many behind-the-scenes players in the automotive industry that few on the outside ever hear of, despite their huge contributions. One such company is Lingenfelter, which in conjunction with Hot Rod Magazine, has unveiled a new Pontiac Trans Am concept based on the latest 2010 Chevrolet Camaro.

    Labeled the ‘LTA 455' Trans Am, and inspired by the original Camaro-based Trans Ams from 1971, the new design has been in development for the past three years and was showcased for the first time in concept form at the 2009 SEMA Auto Show in Las Vegas this week.

    The modern version comes with a 455 cubic-inch (7.5-liter) V-8 engine...

    There are many behind-the-scenes players in the automotive industry that few on the outside ever hear of, despite their huge contributions. One such company is Lingenfelter, which in conjunction with Hot Rod Magazine, has unveiled a new Pontiac Trans Am concept based on the latest 2010 Chevrolet Camaro. Labeled the ‘LTA 455' Trans Am, and inspired by the original Camaro-based Trans Ams from 1971, the new design has been in development for the past three years and was showcased for the first time in concept form at the 2009 SEMA Auto Show in Las Vegas this week. The modern version comes with a 455 cubic-inch (7.5-liter) V-8 engine packing more than 655 horsepower and 610 pound-feet of torque. Some of the modifications include a Corsa exhaust system, custom honeycomb wheels and Nitto tires. No word on production but if the concept proves popular enough Lingenfelter may go ahead and offer the package as a new conversion for Camaro owners. Believe it or not but this is not the first Trans Am conversion kit currently in development for the new Camaro. Earlier this year, ASC Creative Services also unveiled its modern interpretation of the legendary muscle car, which you can read about in our previous story by clicking here, and soon after that Trans Am Depot unveiled a second conversion kit. [Carscoop] Read More

  • Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Image Leaked On Facebook?

    Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Image Leaked On Facebook? November 2nd, 2009 By Nelson Ireson's avatar Nelson Ireson, Author, November 2nd, 2009 Nelson Ireson 1 Comment

    Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Image Leaked On Facebook?

    There's no denying the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro has been a smashing success in terms of sales, all the way from the base V-6 to the 422-horsepower Camaro SS. But the big-daddy Z28, all but ready for production, has been sidelined until recently. In September reports that the Z28 was back on the road to production re-emerged, and today a photo released on Facebook could depict the car as it'll be shown at SEMA.

    The photo is pretty self-explanatory, and though it's not certain that it's the actual Z28, it certainly looks the part: a badder, more powerful version of the Camaro SS. The hood venting is likely to be more than cosmetic, however, as...

    There's no denying the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro has been a smashing success in terms of sales, all the way from the base V-6 to the 422-horsepower Camaro SS. But the big-daddy Z28, all but ready for production, has been sidelined until recently. In September reports that the Z28 was back on the road to production re-emerged, and today a photo released on Facebook could depict the car as it'll be shown at SEMA. The photo is pretty self-explanatory, and though it's not certain that it's the actual Z28, it certainly looks the part: a badder, more powerful version of the Camaro SS. The hood venting is likely to be more than cosmetic, however, as the Z28 has long been pegged to get a version of the 556-horsepower supercharged LSA engine found in the Cadillac CTS-V. Good for a ridiculous 4.1-second 0-60 time and low-12-second quarter miles in the four-door monster, it should be even quicker in the slightly lighter Z28. Other likely mods include a custom interior, abundant Z28 badging and possible limited-edition number plates. It ought to handle as well or better than the CTS-V, too, which has recently been shown to be a serious vehicle in its own right, putting to bed (almost) all comers in the much-covered Bob Lutz Challenge. So what if the Facebook photo shows some kind of SEMA special, though, right? When--if ever--will we see the real deal rolling down the streets? It could happen within a year, making the car a likely 2011 model due in the second half of 2010. Laying down the final tune of the powertrain, putting together the logistics and priming dealers and marketing campaigns are about all that's left to make the leap from imagination to smoky burnouts, however, so crack open those savings accounts or make some high-risk investments. The Z28 may be coming. [Facebook via Autoblog] Read More

  • 50th Anniversary Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Concept Official Details

    50th Anniversary Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Concept Official Details November 1st, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran's avatar Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, November 1st, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 1 Comment

    50th Anniversary Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Concept Official Details

    General Motors has given us a futuristic vision of technology and design with the 50th Anniversary Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Concept. Celebrating 50 years since the debut of the original Corvette Stingray Racer Concept in 1959, the latest addition to GM’s long line of stylistic show cars was first displayed at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show before it starred as “Sideswipe” in the movie Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.

    The overall idea of the 50th Anniversary Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Concept was to incorporate past design cues in a fully futuristic shape. Speaking specifically about the car, Ed Welburn, vice president...

    General Motors has given us a futuristic vision of technology and design with the 50th Anniversary Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Concept. Celebrating 50 years since the debut of the original Corvette Stingray Racer Concept in 1959, the latest addition to GM’s long line of stylistic show cars was first displayed at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show before it starred as “Sideswipe” in the movie Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. The overall idea of the 50th Anniversary Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Concept was to incorporate past design cues in a fully futuristic shape. Speaking specifically about the car, Ed Welburn, vice president of GM Global Design, said: "By giving my creative team the freedom to design no-holds-barred vision concepts, it helps them push boundaries and look at projects from different perspectives." The 50th Anniversary Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Concept is at this point solely a design exercise, not foreshadowing a production vehicle, though talk of the upcoming C7 Corvette has been circulating for some time. Some of the concept’s features we could envisage making into a production Corvette one day include its clamshell hood, scissor-style doors, ergonomic seats, rear-view camera with night vision enhancement, and a high performance hybrid powertrain. This latter element comes with interactive touch controls inside the cabin to allow the driver to customize the power and efficiency of the car and then share it with friends via an in-car camera system and advanced telemetrics. For a full run-down of the potential hybrid and other powertrain options for the next-gen Corvette, check out John Voelcker's article over at Green Car Reports. [General Motors] Read More

  • VizualTech Design Drops ALMS-Style Chevrolet Camaro

    VizualTech Design Drops ALMS-Style Chevrolet Camaro October 27th, 2009 By Nelson Ireson's avatar Nelson Ireson, Author, October 27th, 2009 Nelson Ireson 2 Comments

    VizualTech Design Drops ALMS-Style Chevrolet Camaro

    The Specialty Equipment Market Association trade show is home to some of the most outlandish concept and one-off vehicles of any given year, but the latest creation out of VizualTech's design studio is both way out there and a car that we'd like to see not just built, but raced, as it's intended as an American Le Mans Series GT car.

    Though not designed specifically for the SEMA show, its timing at just a week before the Las Vegas tuner market event is anything but coincidental. Far from the aesthetically questionable and functionally crippled cars that constitute many of the entries in that show's appearance list, however, the rendered ALMS...

    The Specialty Equipment Market Association trade show is home to some of the most outlandish concept and one-off vehicles of any given year, but the latest creation out of VizualTech's design studio is both way out there and a car that we'd like to see not just built, but raced, as it's intended as an American Le Mans Series GT car. Though not designed specifically for the SEMA show, its timing at just a week before the Las Vegas tuner market event is anything but coincidental. Far from the aesthetically questionable and functionally crippled cars that constitute many of the entries in that show's appearance list, however, the rendered ALMS Camaro looks every inch the real-deal racer. With a super-low stance made possible by pushing the wheels out and slamming the car's body down between them, the car also gets a serious aero treatment, with a high rear-mounted wing, huge fender vents front and rear and a big diffuser poking out the back. The low profile front lip spoiler and ground-scraping side skirts also hint at a well-sculpted underbody tray, while the enormous wheels and tires show that grip is among the key concerns of the designer as well. All of this adds up to one impressive rendering and a possible direction for the car should American motorsports get back on the priority list over at GM's dormant High Performance Vehicle Operations (HPVO) program. Until then, however, the Camaro SS will likely remain the hottest factory variant of the Camaro--not that its 422 horsepower V-8 or raucous performance and in-your-face styling are anything to sniff at. Check out the Lingenfelter-Hotchkis SEMA Camaro for more awesome custom muscle car action. [VizualTech via CarScoop] Read More

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