Used Car Values

Friday, October 28, 2011

Chevrolet reveals Camaro and Corvette SEMA specials

9:00 AM Thomas Ponco No comments

Corvette, Camaro SEMA Concepts Drive Passion, Style

LAS VEGAS – Few vehicles have inspired as much passion and personalization as the Chevrolet Corvette and Camaro. Chevrolet celebrates that legacy at the 2011 SEMA Show with a lineup of concepts that showcases different approaches to performance and personalization for these iconic sports cars.

At the 2010 SEMA Show, Camaro was named the "Hottest Car" in the inaugural SEMA awards.

"Go to any Corvette or Camaro enthusiast event and you will have a hard time finding a factory-stock vehicle," said Chris Perry, vice president, global marketing and strategy for Chevrolet. "These are cars that owners treat as canvases to express their personalization and high-performance dreams – and have been for decades. The SEMA Show is the perfect venue to test new customization concepts and to inspire new owners to start modifying their cars."

Chevrolet will have many Camaros and Corvettes at SEMA this year – including a full-size tribute to the "Custom Camaro" that was part of the original Hot Wheels 1:64-scale line in 1968. All the concepts reflect the wide range of personalization possibilities, inspiring owners to build their own one-of-a-kind creation.

Here's a look at some of the Camaros and Corvettes Chevrolet will debut at the 2011 SEMA Show:

Camaro Red Zone Concept

A design statement achieved with current and future accessories is the inspiration for the Camaro Red Zone Concept. It uses the Camaro convertible's style to demonstrate what's possible with a carefully selected collection of accessories – and it debuts a new, heritage-inspired stripe graphic that will be available soon. The result is a tasteful combination that blends contemporary style with a classic flair.

Vehicle highlights:
* New-for-2012 model year Crystal Claret exterior color with black convertible tonneau cover
* Chevrolet Accessories 21x8.5-inch silver/polished-face wheels
* Silver heritage stripe
* Chevrolet Accessories body-color grille and convertible wind screen
* Suspension lowering kit by Pedders (Chevrolet Official Licensed Product)
* Concept polished strut tower brace
* Concept "RS" underhood liner
* Titanium leather interior with Silver Ice accents
* Black soft instrument panel insert
* Chevrolet Accessories Silver Ice door and instrument panel inserts
* Chevrolet Accessories floor mats with silver "CAMARO" logos.

"This is a Camaro for those who want great looks and a performance personality," said designer Adam Barry. "It's a simple yet dramatic statement that is uniquely Camaro."

Camaro Synergy Series Concept

The Camaro's Synergy special editions were born at SEMA, and this vehicle is a new take on the concept, using the best of the best of Camaro accessories – as well as a distinctive silver exterior with red accents. Chevrolet will be listening to the reaction that this Synergy concept receives at SEMA, as it could be brought to production.

Vehicle highlights:

* Silver Ice exterior color with black Synergy stripes on the hood, with decklid and "mail slot" decals with red line inserts
* Synergy gill decals and no SS or RS exterior badges
* Chevrolet Accessories body-color ground effects and grille
* Chevrolet Accessories 21-inch wheels – black with red stripe
* Suspension lowering kit by Pedders (Chevrolet Official Licensed Product)
* Red Brembo® brake calipers
* Chevrolet Accessories red engine cover
* Concept "SS" underhood liner
* Concept polished strut tower brace
* Chevrolet Accessories floor mats (ebony with red and "CAMARO" logo in silver)
* Chevrolet Accessories lighting kit (displayed in red)
* Hurst® short-throw shifter
* Black leather interior with red accent stitching on seats, console, doors, steering wheel and shifter boot
* Silver Ice instrument panel and door inserts
* Black leather instrument panel soft insert with red stitching
* SS logo with red outline on the head restraints
* Chevrolet Accessories pedal kit

Camaro 1LE Concept

Born in the Camaro's third generation and refined further in the fourth generation as a road-racing performance package, the legendary 1LE option code designation returns to the Camaro as a concept intended to carve up road courses. While only a concept, it borrows production components from both the Camaro SS and forthcoming Camaro ZL1 to deliver a competition-ready package. Hash mark graphics on the front fender are pure Chevrolet racing cues, too.

Vehicle highlights:

* Victory Red exterior color, with flat black hood and hash mark extensions
* Satin black splitter, rocker panels, rear spoiler and outside mirrors
* Sport suspension featuring Magnetic Ride Control
* Electric power steering
* Six-speed manual close-ratio transmission
* Lightweight 20x10-inch (front) and 20x11-inch (rear) racing wheels (satin black)
* Goodyear® Eagle F1 Supercar G asymmetrical tires (from the ZL1)
* Brembo® six-piston front calipers, with two-piece front rotors, and four-piston rear calipers (Chevrolet Official Licensed Product)
* Dual exhaust outlets with ZL1-style active exhaust and diffuser
* Shock tower brace
* Chevrolet Accessories red engine cover
* Black leather interior with Light Stone stitching
* Graphite Silver door and instrument panel inserts
* ZL1 shifter with Light Stone stitching
* ZL1 flat-bottom steering wheel
* Chevrolet Accessories pedal kit

"The Camaro 1LE concept is all about the track," said Al Oppenheiser, chief engineer for the Camaro. "It's an all-out race car package that pays tribute to that special option from the past."

Camaro ZL1 Carbon Concept

Welcome to the dark side of Camaro ZL1. This concept incorporates all the technology and performance of the Camaro ZL1 – which goes on sale in 2012 – but with an added layer of carbon fiber to add a decidedly sinister-looking element of form to a car that's all about function. Included on this concept is the new Ashen Gray exterior paint (available on all 2012 Camaro models).

Vehicle highlights:

* Chevrolet Accessories exposed-weave carbon fiber "Mohawk" hood insert
* Carbon fiber rear spoiler with stainless-steel wicker bill
* Carbon fiber inserts on the interior door and instrument panel
* Lightweight 20x10-inch (front) and 20x11-inch (rear) wheels in satin black with machined faces
* Brembo® six-piston front calipers, with two-piece front rotors, and four-piston rear calipers (Chevrolet Official Licensed Product)
* Magnetic Ride Control
* Dual exhaust outlets with active exhaust and diffuser
* Jet Black leather interior with sueded microfiber seat inserts and Torch Red stitching
* ZL1 short-throw shifter with suede and carbon fiber-trimmed shift knob
* Suede-trimmed flat-bottom steering wheel
* ZL1 pedals

"This concept's dramatic appearance matches the extreme performance capabilities of the Camaro ZL1," said Tony Roma, program engineering manager for the Camaro ZL1. "And even if its styling doesn't intimidate you, its performance on the track will."

Corvette Carlisle Blue Grand Sport Concept

This Corvette celebrates 30 years of "Corvettes at Carlisle," one of the largest annual Corvette events in North America. It introduces a new Carlisle Blue exterior, new Silver-painted Torque 2 wheels and Pearl White full-length racing stripes. The Carlisle Grand Sport also showcases all-out performance with a dual-mode exhaust and Magnetic Selective Ride Control. Corvette was born to race, and that performance DNA runs through every inch of this unique Grand Sport.

Vehicle highlights

* LS3 6.2L with dry sump oil system – hand-built at GM's Performance Build Center
* Six-speed manual transmission
* Magnetic Selective Ride Control
* Gray six-piston brake calipers (2012 option)
* Goodyear® F1 Supercar Gen 2 tires
* Dual-mode exhaust system
* New Carlisle Blue Metallic exterior
* Cyber Gray headlamps (2012 option)
* Genuine Corvette Accessory Torque 2 silver-painted wheels in 18x10-inch (front) and 19x12-inch (rear)
* Genuine Corvette Accessory Carbon Fiber Ground Effects – front splitter and rockers
* Genuine Corvette Accessory full-width rear spoiler
* Genuine Corvette Accessory GRAND SPORT hood blanket
* Genuine Corvette Accessory Pearl White full-length stripe kit
* 4LT trim level with Ebony/Titanium leather color interior and blue stitching
* New-for-2012 Bose® Premium Audio with nine speakers, USB port and audio jack with iPod® integration on the touch screen
* Genuine Corvette Accessory GRAND SPORT Ebony floor mats
* Genuine Corvette Accessory GRAND SPORT console lid
* Genuine Corvette Accessory Racing Pedal Package

Corvette Z06 Ron Fellows 'Hall of Fame' Tribute

Ron Fellows has a long, distinguished racing career, including driving on the championship Corvette Racing C5.R and C6.R teams. That resume helped earn him an induction to the National Corvette Museum's Hall of Fame in 2011. This Torch Red show car honors Fellows' service behind the wheel, using accessories offered from Chevrolet matched with custom graphics. It's a fitting salute to one of the fastest men ever to drive a Corvette.

Vehicle highlights

* Z06 Performance Package (Z07)
* Magnetic Selective Ride Control
* CFZ carbon fiber package with splitter and rocker moldings
* Carbon fiber raised hood
* Black headlamp housings and mirrors
* Red brake calipers
* Ebony interior with red stitching
* Suede-trimmed steering wheel, shift knob, parking brake handle and armrests with red stitching (from the 2012 Centennial package)
* Centennial-model seats
* Genuine Corvette Accessory Racing Pedal Package
* Racing-style graphics that honor racing wins, National Corvette Museum Hall of Fame, Spring Mountain Driving School and Mosport.

GM doing fine at retaining Pontiac owners

7:00 AM Thomas Ponco No comments

Twin-turbo Ferrari 458 Italia takes on Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4

6:00 PM Thomas Ponco No comments

Russian tuner squeezes 1,000 horsepower into a Fiat Coupe

5:00 PM Thomas Ponco No comments

You may remember a fun little hatchback called the Fiat Panda 100HP. All it took was a hundred horsepower to turn a ho-hum supermini into what European editors knew and loved as one of their favorite driving machines. That was a little overshadowed by the Fiat 500 that offers the same powertrain, if not all the same fun, but the Panda put things into perspective. Especially considering now how one tuner has taken an earlier Fiat Coupe and squeezed a whopping 1,000 horsepower out of it. That's ten times as much.

So how'd they do it? Well, for starters they scrapped the stock engine and shoehorned in the twin-turbo V6 from the Mitsubishi 300GT VR-4. Advanced though it was for its time, with its 24 valves and dual overhead cams, the Diamond Star engine never produced more than 300 horsepower in stock form. So the tuner performed some undisclosed magic on it and boosted the output up over three times its stock figure.

While they were at it, they also squeezed the Mitsu's advanced all-wheel-drive, four-wheel-steering system in there. Because as bonkers as 1,000 horsepower is by any account, trying to keep that much twist on the straight and narrow when it's just driving the front wheels would be a nightmare. This, on the other hand, is clearly someone's dream come true. Check it out in the trio of videos after the jump.

Honda Upgrades Japan-Market Insight Line

11:00 AM Thomas Ponco No comments

Published October 27, 2011

By Jeff Cobb

New Honda Insight.

Today Honda Motor Company announced it will release refreshed Insight hybrids including a somewhat more upscale version with larger engine to the Japanese market.

The 1.3-liter 40-plus mpg version will be joined by a 1.5-liter model Honda is calling the Insight Exclusive, and the company says dealers will get them Nov. 11.

No word was given whether these tweaked models will find their way to the U.S., but it’s certainly possible.

Changes to the base model include new exterior styling elements and a more refined interior for the vehicle that is smaller and less expensive than a Prius, but rated with lower mpg.

The i-VTEC engine merged with Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) electric motor and a comparatively tiny flat nickel metal hydride battery pack that sits below the cargo floor are said to offer improved fuel economy.

Unfortunately we can only tell you the Japanese mileage numbers and that these are an easy 20-25-percent higher than would be EPA numbers.

Honda says the 1.3 gets 27.2 km/L as measured in JC08 mode and 31.0 km/L as measured in 10·15 mode.

The EPA rates the 2012 model at 41 city/44 highway, and if nursed on relatively flat terrain with some coasting, the car can see its dashboard’s instantaneous mpg readout coaxed to as high as 65 mpg.

If calculated into miles per gallon, Honda’s figures would translate to an exaggerated 64/73 mpg respectively, but again, these should be taken with more than a grain of salt.

The new Japanese market Insights now come standard with Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA).

Newly designed bumpers, a physically wider appearance, and a re-contoured rear seat are among subtle alterations.

Honda added more sound insulation as well to improve interior quietness.

New Honda Insight Exclusive.

As for the Insight Exclusive, this model shares upgrades and adds a 1.5 liter i-VTEC engine delivering lower economy, but more power than the current 1.3-liter U.S. version’s 98 horsepower and 123 pound-feet of torque.

Honda does not list the 1.5-liter’s power output, but says acceleration and highway cruising are improved at the expense of fuel economy.

Mileage figures are stated as 23.2 km/L as measured in JC08 mode and 26.5 km/L as measured in 10·15 mode.

The Japanese test cycle figures would translate to 54.6/62.3 mpg, and these too are significantly higher than the EPA tests would declare.

The Exclusive is further distinguished by a premium front grille, LED accessory lights, bumper and trim styling elements and shark fin antenna.

The more upscale vehicle also makes a navigation computer available that can also receive HD television broadcasts.

The refreshed Japanese Insights’ starting yen prices convert to $24,221 and $26,103 respectively.

Last month U.S. sales of the Insight faltered by nearly 47 percent compared to the month before with sales of only 512 units.

By comparison, the industry-leading Prius sold 9,325 units in September while declining only 1.7 percent from the month before.

Current year to date Prius vs. Insight sales as of September was 93,243 Prii compared to 13,618 Insights.

The Insight was redesigned for the U.S. in 2009 and intended as a Prius fighter. It does not appear to be winning the prize, although it is an excellent car in its own right.

We shall see what the time frame is for the U.S. to get the refreshed models and whether they will help Honda which also suffered this year with its fellow Japanese automakers after the March earthquake and tsunami.

Honda