After touring the show circuit in concept form and a run a starring role in the 2007 summer blockbuster Transformers, GM has announced pricing for the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro.
The V6-powered LS Camaro will sticker for $22,995, while the V8-powered SS will retail for $30,995. Both prices include the $750 destination charge.
The V6 engined Camaro LS comes straight from the Cadillac CTS 3.6 DI. Featuring dual overhead cams with variable valve timing and direct fuel injection, the 3.6-liter motor produces 300 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard equipment; a six-speed automatic is optional.
Camaro SS buyers who chose a six-speed manual transmission will have 422 horsepower and 408 pound-feet of torque, courtesy of the 6.2-liter overhead-valve LS3 V-8. Those who opt for the six-speed automatic SS receive the L99 overhead-valve V8, rated at 400 horsepower and 395 pound-feet of torque.
The L99 V8 is based on the LS3, but it also includes GM’s Active Fuel Management system, which can shut down up to four cylinders at highway speed to save fuel - an activity that seems at odds with the Camaro SS raison d'être.
In early testing, the LS Camaro delivers 27 mpg on the highway, the SS automatic returns about 23 mpg.
Both models feature a fully-independent rear suspension, four wheel antilock disc brakes (with a Brembo brake upgrade optional on the SS). StabiliTrak traction control and 18 inch wheels come standard, with a 19 and 20-inch wheel upgrade available on the SS.
Six air bags come standard on every Camaro, including head curtain side-impact air bags and front seat-mounted thorax side air bags. Other options include bluetooth hands-free cellphone support, remote start, USB-audio connectivity, OnStar and XM Satellite Radio.
Camaro LS models can also be ordered with the RS appearance package, which includes HID headlamps, a rear lip spoiler, chrome-trimmed taillamps and 20-inch wheels.
Customers can visit their local Chevrolet dealer and place an order starting this evening. Production will begin next February at GM's Oshawa, Ontario plant and the first dealer orders will be filled in early March.
Partly out of my own desire to escape the onslaught of grim financial news for the entire industry, tonight's post is just a simple burst of pure automotive escapism.
The video pick is an informal showdown between two tuned Hondas: an FA5 Civic Type R and the limited-production FA5 Mugen Civic RR.
Both are powered by modified K20Cs. The Civic R's 2.0 liter inline four is rated at 225 hp at 8,000 rpm and 158 pound-feet of torque at 6,100 rpm. The Mugen RR's 2.2 liter mill spins out 12 more horsepower and a smidge more torque -- all courtesy of the RR's ram-air intake, larger cold air box, high-lift intake and exhaust camshafts, stiffer valve springs, a 4-2-1 exhaust manifold, a low-restriction catalyst and dual exhaust.
The testing regimen isn't particularly scientific, but for acolytes of the Honda brand and import enthusiasts alike, it's entertaining to watch two professional hotshoes square off on the track.
The launch of the new Mazda3 has become the worst kept secret in the industry. As NMM reported earlier, the new Mazda3 will make its official debut at the Los Angeles Motor Show on November 19.
In a surprise move coinciding with the Sydney Motor Show, Mazda released three pictures and a few tantalizing details on the all-new sporty compact sedan.
The new four-door sedan be the first to come to the US market, sometime in the first quarter of 2009. The five-door hatchback will follow some time later in the spring; Mazda will announce on-sale dates at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
The pictures confirm much of what the rumor mill predicted earlier this year. The new trapezoidal grille that debuted on the refreshed RX-8 and MX-5 Miata dominates the front end, flanked by fender flares that recall the design of the newly redesigned Mazda6.
At the rear, new taillights fill out the flared fenders while the trunklid features Mazda's own take on the oft-critized "Bangle Butt."
While the changes sound radical on paper, the overall impression is an evolutionary design with a lot of Mazda design DNA. The changes build on the athletic character that has made the current model a sales success.
Since its launch in 2003, the Mazda3 has sold nearly 1.8 million vehicles worldwide; accounting for almost one third of Mazda's annual sales each year.
As far as engines go, we now know the 2010 Mazda3 will be sold in the US with a 2.0-liter and a 2.5-liter engine.
Horsepower and torque numbers weren't released. The safest bet is that the current MZR 2.0-liter 153 horsepower inline-four will be the standard engine, possibly with a minor bump in horsepower.
What the 2.5-liter engine will be is anyone's guess. It could mean a small bump in displacement for the 2.3-liter turbo direct-injection inline-four used in the current MazdaSpeed3. It could also mean that the next MazdaSpeed3 will inherit a version of the 2.5-liter turbo inline-five used in the Volvo S40 T5 and C30. Volvo is a corporate cousin of Mazda through their mutual ownership by Ford.
We'll know more as the Los Angeles Auto Show draws near. Stay tuned.
When handing over the keys to the family car, parents of teen drivers have every right to be worried.
Not only are teen drivers statistically the most likely to crash, they are also more likely to speed and less likely to wear seatbelts than older drivers.
In an effort to help parents curtail risky driving and promote safe driving habits, Ford has designed the MyKey system, which will debut on the 2010 Ford Focus.
The MyKey system allows parents to program any key through the Focus' vehicle message center and turn on a range of safety-concious settings. These settings are stored in the car and activated when the specific key is inserted into the ignition.
The MyKey system can be programmed to include a persistent reminder to buckle up — not only will a reminder beep continue to nag the driver, the stereo is muted until the driver's seat belt is fastened. A message center display “Buckle Up to Unmute Radio” also appears on the instrument cluster.
To combat the dreaded lead-footed teenager, the MyKey system can also be programmed to limit the car's top speed to 80 mph.
Parents can also limit the volume of the car's stereo, permanently activate the traction control system and set a speed alert chime to sound at 45, 55 or 65 mph.
The speed alert system has an added benefit: improved fuel economy. According to studies conducted by Ford, driving at 55 mph instead of 65 mph consumes 15 percent less fuel.
By mastering other eco-driving habits such as avoiding jackrabbit starts and excessive idling, young drivers can help improve fuel economy by more than 30 percent, according to studies conducted by Ford.
Ultimately, the MyKey system is an innovative tool to promote safe driving, even if teens ultimately chafe at the system's electronic leash.
No doubt Ford is banking on the MyKey system to make the Ford Focus a popular choice for both parents and teens alike, the latter of which may be appeased by the optional SNYC multimedia system that is offered in the Focus and other Ford vehicles.
When mentioned, Pininfarina is a firm most often recognized for designing nearly every Ferrari production car in the last fifty years. Less well known is the fact that Pininfarina is more than just a design agency. Over the years they've produced car bodies for Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Peugeot -- all of them mainstream consumer brands.
In it's latest project, Pininfarina collaborated with French battery maker Bolloré to develop the 2010 B-Zero, a four door, four seat plug-in electric vehicle.
Designed for use as a city commuter car, the B-Zero relies on a 30 Kilowatt-hour lithium-polymer battery to drive its front-mounted electric motor. The battery's charge is preserved by a regenerative braking system that relies on a bank of capacitors to temporarily store the electric current generated by slowing the car.
While capacitors have little to offer when it comes to storing an electrical charge, they can absorb and release electrons much faster than a battery. By using capacitors, the B-Zero can capture more electrical energy from regenerative braking and deliver more energy to boost acceleration from a standstill.
The B-Zero is also equipped with a bank of solar cells across the roof and nose to continually charge the battery via ambient light. All told, a single charge will provide 153 miles of range with a maximum speed of 80 miles per hour, according to Pininfarina.
Pininfarina expects to start production of the B-Zero in late 2009, though that date may slip if battery production is slowed. The company claims the battery pack will last for 125,000 miles.
As more extended-range electric vehicles and plug-in electric vehicles come to market, we draw closer to a viable post-gasoline future — one that combines the mobility we expect with the benefit of low or no emissions.
While the process of recycling lithium batteries at the end of their lives remains an issue, the B-Zero remains a solution to 21st century urban mobility.
Thanks to a tipster at Mini enthusiast site MotoringFile.com, we've got an early preview of the 2010 Mini Cooper Convertible. The new ragtop convertible is set to debut at the Detroit Motor Show in January and go on sale in Spring 2009.
The styling changes are subtle and evolutionary, taking their lead from the tin-top Mini Cooper and Cooper S which went on sale in 2007. Among the changes are a new gloss black trim option for the Mini's headlights and window line trim, both of which have historically been chromed.
The old convertible's prominent (and view blocking) fixed roll bar has been replaced by an integrated pop-up roll bar system similar to those found on the BMW 1 and 3 series convertibles. The new convertible top also has a larger glass rear window with integrated rear defroster.
All of these changes should improve visibility behind the car, but the broad swaths of fabric at each corner will still make lane changes a tense proposition when the top is up.
New "Always Open" Gauge Another new development is the addition of a new "Always Open" gauge. Unique to the new Mini Cooper Convertible, the new gauge indicates the number of miles driven with the top open. Positioned to the left of the Cooper's tachometer, the new gauge is intended to encourage drivers to drop the top whenever possible.
New colors; JCW kit on sale at launch New color choices will also debut when the new convertible hits the streets next spring. Interchange Yellow (top left) and Horizon Blue (bottom left) will be available, along with the Hot Chocolate canvas top color. A denim blue top will also be offered, but we don't have pictures of it just yet.
According to MotoringFile, the new Mini Cooper S convertible will be offered from launch day with the factory optional John Cooper Works tuning kit.
The JCW kit includes an upgraded intake and exhaust along with a reprogrammed ECU with a more aggressive boost curve and higher peak boost. The kit is expected to cost about $2000; a JCW-tuned Cooper S will churn out 192 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, with 200 pound-feet of torque available on a limited basis when the factory overboost setting is engaged.
The JCW kit can also be installed after at the dealer for those who either buy off the lot or wish to add power to their Cooper ragtop after purchase.
Early rumors coming from MotoringFile say that March 2009 is the projected on-sale date. As the Detroit show draws near, we'll have more details on pricing and trim updates as well. Stay tuned.
Within the world of concept car design, inspiration can come from almost anywhere.
With its cobalt hues and fluid form, theRenault Ondelios has a distinct Blade Runner vibe. The Mini Crossman takes the cheery countenance of the Mini Cooper and injects a hearty dose WWE-strength 'roid rage.
But rarely has one design theme been carried to its natural conclusion in one fell swoop.
Meet the Nissan Nuvu — an organic design concept built for the future of urban driving.
Unveiled among many other pie-in-the-sky concepts at the Paris Motor Show this week, the Nuvu is Nissan's take on what the metropolitan electric vehicle will become by the end of this century.
Diminutive dimensions, maximum mobility In the early stages of the Nuvu project, Nissan designers envisioned a far more crowded world. With every major city filled to bursting point, space would become a expensive commodity -- creating pressure on everyone to scale down their lives to a city-friendly scale.
"The most important aspect of Nuvu is the interior design which provides comfort and space in an intelligent package designed to make the best use of our crowded roads and limited parking," said Francois Bancon, general manager of Nissan's Exploratory and Advance Planning Department.
Inside the Nuvu, broad swaths of glass lend the feeling of open space to an otherwise small car. Within its nine-foot, ten-inch length, the Nuvu can seat the driver and two passengers, with the second riding in a fold-out jumpseat beside and behind the front row seat.
The decision to build a 2+1 concept stemmed from research conducted by Bancon and his designers. "We found that for 90 percent of the time, the driver was alone. For five percent of the time there was one passenger and for four percent of the time there were two passengers. You can do the math to find out how often four or more people were in the car." said Bancon.
Responding to this research, the Nuvu's seating configuration offers the flexibility to ferry both people and their things for a typical supermarket or shopping trip, without making the sacrifices brought about by strict two-seaters (I'm looking at you, Smart forTwo).
A tranquil refuge from the urban world If the present is any indication, our intensely urban future will likely be blighted by the cold cubic subdivisions of concrete and steel as towering buildings become commonplace.
Bancon and his design team sought to create a refuge from such a world. Every surface is bathed in light radiating through the Nuvu's glass roof. Designers chose contrasting blue-green and orange hues creating a haven of green tranquility in stark contrast to the urban jungle.
To reinforce this message, Nuvu incorporates a witty representation of its green credentials: across its all-glass roof are a dozen or so small solar panels. Shaped like leaves on a branch, the power they generate is fed to the drivetrain battery using a tree trunk power conduit within the car.
Under the hood, Spongebob meets kilowatts The ecological design theme continues outside. Nearly every surface of the Nuvu has an organic quality to it. Aside from the broad sharp outline of the side windows, the Nuvu is defined by sweeping line and bulging surfaces. Painted in a matte orange hue, the car begs comparison to goldfish, guppies and countless other aquatic youngsters.
Distilled to its mechanical essence, the Nuvu is designed for ease of operation and near zero maintenance.
Driver controls are as simple as possible. All the major functions — steering, braking, transmission and throttle — are processed digitally by-wire, while the steering is controlled by an aircraft-style steering yoke. With just one turn from lock to lock, the steering is very direct for agility and maneuverability; the Nuvu's turning radius is barely more than 12 feet.
With a six-foot two-inch wide track and the use of 165/55R16 tires mounted on lightweight wheels, ride comfort, stability and agility are all of the highest order.
Two screens on the dashboard display the view behind the car; there are no door mirrors to disturb airflow. These screens double as monitors for the Nuvu's Around View Camera - a technology already in use on the Infiniti EX crossover — which give a birds eye view of the car when maneuvering at slow speeds.
The Nuvu is powered by a rear-mounted electric motor that offers an estimated top speed of 75 mph and a range of about 78 miles. The motor draws energy stored in laminated lithium-ion batteries that can recharge passively via the integrated solar panel roof. When plugged in, the Nuvu's batteries require 10 to 20 minutes for a quick 25 percent recharge and three to four hours to completely a full charge from a 220V home outlet.
After touring the show circuit in concept form and a run a starring role in the 2007 summer blockbuster Transformers, GM has announced pricing for the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro.
