Posts Tagged auto show
2010 Grand Sport Corvette – The Newly Anticipated Model
The Chevrolet Corvette is one of the most celebrated classic cars of our time. Manufactured by General Motors, the Corvette has been around for six generations making its debut back in 1953. Obviously, living up to its name is hard to do so GM has continued to come up with newer and cooler concepts year after year.
The Grand Sport Corvette for 2010 has been highly anticipated since the release of the Corvette C6 ZR1 in 2009. This model was developed with a higher production level and it was internally called the “Blue Devil,” which is a nickname of GM CEO Rick Wagoner’s alma mater at Duke University. It was officially debuted at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan. This car was heavier than the previous models, included an improved motor, and came with increased tires and stronger carbon ceramic brakes.
For next year, General Motors is already concepting what the next $100,000 Corvette will entail. So far we know that it will have wider front and rear fenders, with specifically designed fenders that will include integrated Grand Sport badges. The 2010 model will still have the previous Z06-style when it comes to the front splitter and tall rear spoiler. It will also have functional brake ducts and enable extra cooling. The wheels will be increased in diameter and width, measuring 18-inches in the front with 19-inch wheels. The 2010 Corvette wheels will come with a standard paint job but one can also request for a chrome finish.
The Grand Sport of 2010 will come equipped with a customized Z06 brake system. This includes 14-inch (355 mm) front rotors with six-piston calipers and 13.4-inch (340 mm) rear rotors with four-piston calipers. The new Vette will also have specific manual transmission gear ratios for the ultimate riding abilities. It will also include a specific rear axle ration on automatic-equipped models.
The 2010 Corvette Grand Sport will be available in all factory colors. The fenders will look cooler than ever with the Traditional Grand Sport hash mark painted on and all the vents will come with Grand Sport badging. The GS ZR1 will have the revived dry-sump oil system and will be available in manual transmission only.
Ultimately, the 2009 and the 2010 Corvette officially leaves behind the GT1 class. It was originally manufactured with a mere $60,000 but now, with these cooler features in vision, it will cost GM a whopping $100,000 with each Vette. Because of the higher production cost this 2010 Grand Sport Corvette concept will not make its debut until 2012.
Tags: auto show, brake, brake system, brakes, ceramic brakes, classic car, classic cars, grand sport, manual transmission, Motors, rear spoiler, tires, transmission, vette, vette wheels, Wheel, wheelsRelated posts
2010 Chevrolet Camaro – She’s Back!
Ever since General Motors ended production of its Camaro coupe back in 2002, enthusiasts have been wanting for it to return, something GM made good on in 2007 when they announced that the car, indeed, would be put back into production. All new for 2010, the latest edition of the Chevrolet Camaro is back and better than before.
I’m still a few weeks away from my first test drive, so my report is based on seeing the car at a pair of auto shows in Detroit and Los Angeles, talking with Chevrolet officials who had a hand in the design of the car, and reviewing company documentation. The newest model is sold out for the first four to six months of production, but a test vehicle will be at my local dealer within the next few weeks. I’ve already scheduled my first drive.
Pricing for the base V6-powered Camaro LS will be $22,995 while the V8-powered Camaro SS will retail for $30,995. In October 2008, General Motors began taking orders for the car, a full five months before production models rolled off of a Brampton, Ontario assembly line.
The Camaro is built on GM’s global rear wheel drive architecture and each engine is paired with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission to ensure maximum fuel efficiency. Indeed, the latest iteration of the Camaro is about 25% more efficient than the car last produced in 2002, with no sacrifice to power. Credit modern technology with helping the coupe maximize horsepower while eating up less gas and emitting fewer pollutants.
Key features of the car includes four-wheel disc brakes systems across the entire model line; six standard air bags, Bluetooth phone connectivity, remote vehicle starting system, four-wheel independent suspension, OnStar, XM Satellite Radio and more. Many of the features found on the 2010 didn’t even exist in 2002, so great is the difference between the two models.
Both the LS and LT models are powered by a 3.6L engine with variable timing included in an effort to optimize fuel performance and fuel economy. Still, this engine will achieve 300 horsepower and 273 lb.-feet of torque and get 27 mpg on the highway.
A high performance Camaro SS with a monstrous 6.2L V8 is also available, yielding 422 horsepower and 408 lb.-feet of torque. That engine is based on the LS3, a powerplant that can be found under the hood of a Corvette.
So if you’re looking for the right balance of performance and fuel economy, you’ll want to keep the Chevrolet Camaro in mind, a car that competes with the Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger in the important pony (muscle) car segment.
Tags: auto show, auto shows, automatic transmission, brake, brakes, challenger, Dealer, disc brake, disc brakes, Engine, fuel economy, fuel efficiency, Motors, performance, transmission, Vehicle, vette, WheelRelated posts
Chevrolet Volt Still Slated For Production
Despite its recent financial woes, General Motors has decided to will continue with its plan to release its electric automobile, the Chevrolet Volt. Bob Lutz, GM’s new Vice Chairman of Global Product Development, has insisted that the company will stand by its commitment to add the Volt to its product line. I was excited to hear this news, as it will be the automaker’s best chance at competing with the hybrid auto market that is currently dominated by Toyota and Honda.
After seeing the concept and production versions through news releases and at the North American International Auto Show, I was fascinated by the idea of viable plug-in electric vehicle. General Motors attempted to break into this market with the EV1 in the 1990s, but that particular model just never caught on. The automaker went back to the drawing board for the design of the Volt.
The Chevrolet Volt is one of the first production vehicles to rely entirely on an electric motor for propulsion. A typical hybrid uses the electric engine only during processes that consume a lot of fuel, such as acceleration. Drivers will use a special attachment to plug the vehicle into any standard household outlet. This will charge the lithium ion batteries and offer a zero-emission travel range of up to 40 miles. If a driver has to take a longer trip than the standard 40 miles, the Volt utilizes a gasoline-powered internal combustion engine to recharge the car’s batteries. This process will cause the vehicle to release a small amount of emissions into the environment. Once the battery is charged to an acceptable level, the gasoline engine shuts off and the Volt continues operating solely on the electric engine. The Volt is expected to achieve an equivalent of over 100 miles per gallon based on the Environmental Protection Agency’s new fuel efficiency standards. This will be the first production vehicle to reach this mark. Initial estimates indicate that the car will start at $40,000.
It’s good to see that General Motors is attempting to pioneer this technology rather than attempt to carve out a niche in the already crowded hybrid market. Detroit has been known for churning out the same types of vehicles year after year. Many critics say that this is part of the reason for the Detroit 3’s recent financial woes. By undertaking a project as revolutionary as the Volt, GM has sent a clear signal to the world that it intends to stay on the cutting edge of technology. Let’s hope it is well received by consumers able to afford that hefty price tag.
Tags: auto market, auto show, automobile, batteries, battery, electric vehicle, Engine, evolution, fuel efficiency, hybrid, Motors, per gallon, VehicleRelated posts