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  • Video: Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Launch Control In Action

    Video: Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Launch Control In Action August 24th, 2009 By Nelson Ireson's avatar Nelson Ireson, Author, August 24th, 2009 James Martinez 1 Comment

    Video: Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Launch Control In Action

    Chevrolet has unveiled series of updates for the Corvette for the 2010 model year, with changes affecting the entire lineup, from the base model all the way up to the scorching ZR1 supercar. First and foremost is the introduction of the Grand Sport Model, which returns for 2010 with widebody styling and race-bred suspension. Two new videos show off more of the details and unique features of the Grand Sport, including the new launch control feature - available on all manual-transmission 2010 Corvettes - in action.

    Not only are the Grand Sport models 0.2 seconds faster from 0-60mph, finishing the sprint in just 4 seconds, they also feature...

    Chevrolet has unveiled series of updates for the Corvette for the 2010 model year, with changes affecting the entire lineup, from the base model all the way up to the scorching ZR1 supercar. First and foremost is the introduction of the Grand Sport Model, which returns for 2010 with widebody styling and race-bred suspension. Two new videos show off more of the details and unique features of the Grand Sport, including the new launch control feature - available on all manual-transmission 2010 Corvettes - in action. Not only are the Grand Sport models 0.2 seconds faster from 0-60mph, finishing the sprint in just 4 seconds, they also feature widebody styling and a race-bred suspension. The Grand Sport essentially replaces the Corvette's previous Z51 package and brings a greater degree of handling performance, with wider wheels and tires, revised shocks, new stabilizer bar and spring specifications and new gearing. The LS3 engine’s output has been kept at 430 horsepower and 424 pound-feet of torque, however, an optional two-mode exhaust system boosts output to 436 horsepower and 428 pound-feet. Specific modifications include wider front and rear fenders with unique badging, a Z06-style front splitter and rear spoiler, new brake ducts, unique 18in wheels with 275mm tires up front and 19in units shod with 325mm rubber in the rear, Z06-spec brakes include 355mm rotors with six-piston calipers up front and 340mm rear rotors with four-piston calipers. Pricing for the new model was revealed at the start of June alongside the production of the 1,500,000th Corvette. The Grand Sport Coupe starts from $55,720 including delivery, while the Grand Sport Convertible will set you back $59,530 including delivery. That’s a $6,205 increase over the price of the base 2009 Corvette Coupe and $5,360 over the price of the base Corvette Convertible, respectively, but you do get a lot more kit than the standard cars for your money. All of the Corvette's exterior colors are offered on the Grand Sport and an available ‘Heritage’ package adds iconic front fender hash marks offered in four colors, as well as two-tone seats with Grand Sport embroidery. 2010 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Read More

  • Custom Corvette Grand Sport major prize in National Corvette Museum raffle

    Custom Corvette Grand Sport major prize in National Corvette Museum raffle July 31st, 2009 ByJames Martinez James Martinez, Author, July 31st, 2009 James Martinez 1 Comment

    Custom Corvette Grand Sport major prize in National Corvette Museum raffle For just $150, you could have a chance at winning this unique, one-of-a-kind 2010 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Coupe thanks to a raffle being held by the National Corvette Museum. Decked out in Arctic White with a Black Jake stripe, the unique Grand Sport Coupe is a completely custom designed model, and the lucky winner will be the only one in the world with that exact specification.

    Tickets for the raffle cost $150 each, and there will only be 2,009 tickets sold. The raffle is being held as part of the 15th anniversary celebrations of the National Corvette Museum, and the Grand Sport Coupe being auctioned off even features the National... For just $150, you could have a chance at winning this unique, one-of-a-kind 2010 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Coupe thanks to a raffle being held by the National Corvette Museum. Decked out in Arctic White with a Black Jake stripe, the unique Grand Sport Coupe is a completely custom designed model, and the lucky winner will be the only one in the world with that exact specification. Tickets for the raffle cost $150 each, and there will only be 2,009 tickets sold. The raffle is being held as part of the 15th anniversary celebrations of the National Corvette Museum, and the Grand Sport Coupe being auctioned off even features the National Corvette Museum's logo on the car's B-pillar. Other unique features include new chrome wheels, black headlamps, and a spoiler taken from the lightning-quick Corvette ZR1. Inside, there are red two-tone leather seats and a special audio system with touch-screen navigation. For those that miss out on winning the unique car, there will also be a second prize of $10,000 and a third prize of $5,000 when the auction is held on Sunday, September 6th. If $150 is a little too pricey for just the chance of winning a Corvette, there is also a $10 raffle for a 2010 Corvette Convertible with an unlimited number of tickets to be sold.2010 Chevrolet Corvette Grand SportNational Corvette Museum 2010 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Read More

  • Volvo considering R-Design performance package for S80 flagship

    Volvo considering R-Design performance package for S80 flagship July 29th, 2009 ByJeremy Weber Jeremy Weber, Author, July 29th, 2009 Jeremy Weber 2 Comments

    Volvo considering R-Design performance package for S80 flagship Most people may not associate Volvo with performance, but the Swedish company has been offering sporty, factory-installed options on a number of models in its range through its R-Design branch for several years now. Noticeably absent from the list of vehicles that get the R-Design treatment is the S80 sedan, but it seems that now Volvo is finally going to test the waters to see if there is a market for an S80 R-Design.

    In order to do this, Volvo will be monitoring the success of an R-Design interior package in order to gauge customer reaction to a more expensive R-Design treatment for the exterior of the car, reports Autocar. The interior... Most people may not associate Volvo with performance, but the Swedish company has been offering sporty, factory-installed options on a number of models in its range through its R-Design branch for several years now. Noticeably absent from the list of vehicles that get the R-Design treatment is the S80 sedan, but it seems that now Volvo is finally going to test the waters to see if there is a market for an S80 R-Design. In order to do this, Volvo will be monitoring the success of an R-Design interior package in order to gauge customer reaction to a more expensive R-Design treatment for the exterior of the car, reports Autocar. The interior package costs around ($820), but the full exterior treatment will cost significantly more if Volvo decided to build it. If an R-Design S80 were to be released next year, we could expect to see a sporty bodykit accented with a new rear-spoiler and a more aggressive appearance all round, as well as a custom interior and possible suspension adjustments to give the car a sportier ride. Should the R-Design S80 get the go-ahead, the adjustments will mostly be cosmetic but Volvo is also considering an option to install a fuel-saving engine stop-start system - a feature that is already found in other Volvos such as the C30 and S40. Increasing the environmental credentials of its cars will be an important undertaking for Volvo as it looks to roll out a number of hybrid vehicles in the next few years in what will soon be a fairly competitive market.2010 Volvo S80 Read More

  • V6-powered TSX joins Acura’s 2010 lineup

    V6-powered TSX joins Acura’s 2010 lineup July 28th, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, July 28th, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 7 Comments

    V6-powered TSX joins Acura’s 2010 lineup Acura teased us back at February’s Chicago Auto Show with a new V6-powered version of its TSX sports sedan, and now the car is finally ready to go sale as part of the automaker’s updated 2010 lineup. The midsize sedan picks up Acura’s familiar 3.5L V6 from its TL and RL siblings, which in the TSX is rated at 280hp (209kW).

    To handle the extra power, the car has also been updated with stiffer suspension and new control setting for Acura's Sequential SportShift 5-speed automatic transmission with F1-style paddle shifters. The V6 TSX also sports unique five-spoke 18in aluminum wheels shod with Michelin Pilot all-season tires.
    ... Acura teased us back at February’s Chicago Auto Show with a new V6-powered version of its TSX sports sedan, and now the car is finally ready to go sale as part of the automaker’s updated 2010 lineup. The midsize sedan picks up Acura’s familiar 3.5L V6 from its TL and RL siblings, which in the TSX is rated at 280hp (209kW). To handle the extra power, the car has also been updated with stiffer suspension and new control setting for Acura's Sequential SportShift 5-speed automatic transmission with F1-style paddle shifters. The V6 TSX also sports unique five-spoke 18in aluminum wheels shod with Michelin Pilot all-season tires. In addition to larger wheels, the V6 TSX is further distinguished from the four-cylinder variant with the use of a slightly revised front fascia and V6 badging. The 3.5L engine meets California's CARB LEV II ULEV emissions certification and delivers an EPA estimated city/highway fuel economy of 18/27mpg. Remaining on sale is the 2.4L four-cylinder version. Producing 201hp and 172lb-ft of torque, the four-cylinder engine comes standard with a 6-speed manual or optional 5-speed automatic. All 2010 TSX models feature a double wishbone front and multilink rear suspension system, while the new V6 model's independent front suspension receives firmer springs and revised calibration for the dual-mode suspension dampers. Like all Acura models, the new TSX features as standard a power moonroof, automatic climate control, a premium seven-speaker sound system with XM Satellite Radio, Bluetooth hands-free and USB and auxiliary ports. Optional goodies include Acura’s Technology Package, which adds satellite navigation, a reversing camera, and a premium sound system.2010 Acura TSX V6 Read More

  • Sportec takes Audi S4 Avant output to 425hp

    Sportec takes Audi S4 Avant output to 425hp July 21st, 2009 ByAlex Kaufmann Alex Kaufmann, Author, July 21st, 2009 Alex Kaufmann 2 Comments

    Sportec takes Audi S4 Avant output to 425hp You'd think that spending the time, effort and money to get another 92hp out of your car would yield more than 0.1 seconds in the 0-62mph dash and the same top speed, but for the Swiss tuners at Sportec, that's unfortunately exactly what happened. Despite cranking the car up to 425hp from the stock 333hp, the resulting vehicle just isn't much faster.

    It sports a more aggressive look, however, thanks to a body kit and 19 or 20in wheels. Handling should be improved as well, with a 30mm lower ride height, stiffer springs and upgraded brakes also on tap.

    Of course, despite the small gain in 0-62mph acceleration, performance all over the rest... You'd think that spending the time, effort and money to get another 92hp out of your car would yield more than 0.1 seconds in the 0-62mph dash and the same top speed, but for the Swiss tuners at Sportec, that's unfortunately exactly what happened. Despite cranking the car up to 425hp from the stock 333hp, the resulting vehicle just isn't much faster. It sports a more aggressive look, however, thanks to a body kit and 19 or 20in wheels. Handling should be improved as well, with a 30mm lower ride height, stiffer springs and upgraded brakes also on tap. Of course, despite the small gain in 0-62mph acceleration, performance all over the rest of the charts is improved, illustrating that acceleration from a stop isn't the be-all, end-all of performance metrics. In-gear acceleration, rolling acceleration and everyday driving will all be improved by the extra power, and Sportec claims it does it all while delivering a significant savings in fuel consumption versus the similarly powerful Audi 4.2L V8 found in other vehicles. Like many of Sportec's tuning packages, the S4 Avant kit can be had piecemeal or as a complete treatment, with each part customizable by the buyer.Sportec Audi S4 Avant Read More

  • Sportec boosts the Porsche 911 Turbo to massive 858hp

    Sportec boosts the Porsche 911 Turbo to massive 858hp July 1st, 2009 ByJeremy Weber Jeremy Weber, Author, July 1st, 2009 Jeremy Weber 3 Comments

    Sportec boosts the Porsche 911 Turbo to massive 858hp Switzerland's Sportec released the first details about its latest extreme performance kit for the venerable Porsche 911 Turbo just ahead of this year's Geneva Motor Show, but full details and photos are finally available, confirming our info on its range of power mods, aerodynamic enhancements, plus chassis and suspension tuning.

    The Swiss-made performance kit, called the SPR1 T80, lifts output to a mammoth 858hp (631kW) and 650lb-ft (880Nm) of torque out of the custom T80M engine. With a weight of 2,959lb (1,345kg), the SPR1 T80 has a power-to-weight ratio of 572hp/ton (638hp/tonne) - better than the Bugatti Veyron.

    Some of the... Switzerland's Sportec released the first details about its latest extreme performance kit for the venerable Porsche 911 Turbo just ahead of this year's Geneva Motor Show, but full details and photos are finally available, confirming our info on its range of power mods, aerodynamic enhancements, plus chassis and suspension tuning. The Swiss-made performance kit, called the SPR1 T80, lifts output to a mammoth 858hp (631kW) and 650lb-ft (880Nm) of torque out of the custom T80M engine. With a weight of 2,959lb (1,345kg), the SPR1 T80 has a power-to-weight ratio of 572hp/ton (638hp/tonne) - better than the Bugatti Veyron. Some of the modifications include reinforced titanium engine internals, new turbochargers, a baffled exhaust system, a high-performance clutch, an active suspension system, and lightweight forged alloy wheels. Eight piston front and four piston rear calipers grip lightweight and high-power F1-style ceramic brake discs. Performance figures push the limits of supercar territory. The SPR1 T80 takes just 3.0 seconds to hit 62mph (100kmh) with 186mph (300kmh) appearing in just 18.9 seconds. A top speed of more than 236mph (380km/h) has been recorded at Nardo, Italy. Other key features of the SPR1 T80 include titanium connecting rods and a flat carbon fiber under floor for improved aerodynamics. Wide tires on the each of the four 20in drive wheels provide the grip to handle the 214.5hp each is tasked with. With these kinds of numbers it’s not surprising that Sportec only plans to build 10 examples of the car. The entire 911 Turbo has essentially been rebuilt from the ground up.Sportec SPR1 T80 based on the Porsche 911 Turbo Read More

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