While the svelte Korean coupe will make its official debut a few days from now at the Chicago Motor Show, Hyundai has released full price details for US-bound models.
The base model is powered by a 210-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbocharged four mated to either a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission. The four-cylinder coupes will start at $22,750 for the base model and top out at $24,500 for the well-equipped R-Spec version due later this year.
The V-6 powered coupes belt out 306-horsepower from a naturally-aspirated 3.8-liter motor. $25,750 will get you the base V-6 with six-speed manual. The fully-loaded Track model with a ZF-built six-speed Shiftronic transmission will sell for $31,750. All prices include a $750 destination charge. [IL]
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.
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.
Even though the 2008 Paris Motor Show only days away, the previews keep on coming. For this week's video feature, we've got the Mercedes-Benz CoupeFASCINATION -- a concept car which offers some insight into the design of the next-generation E-Class.
A sporting coupe, redefined The CoupeFASCINATION concept builds on the four door "coupe" theme established with the production CLS series.
With this design aesthetic in mind, designer at Mercedes extended the roofline, adding frameless door glass and a set of suicide-style rear doors to aid entry into the copiously leather-trimmed interior, replete with all the show car glitz one would expect. (On-board humidors, anyone?)
Outside, the fenders swell dramatically around the front and rear wheels, lending a dynamic, fluid look to the long-established but rarely seen "shooting brake" - a vehicle category with its own distinctive charisma.
Up front, the traditional dual headlight treatment that has come to symbolize the E-class is expressed in a set of steeply raked rectangular headlights framed by the traditional pentagonal Benz grille and three-pointed star. The deeply contoured hood features a central ridge which picks up the V-shape of the front end and continues it along the body.
Together, they create a very dominant and expressive statement from traditional Mercedes-Benz design cues.
Inside, a panoramic glass roof adds to the sense of visual lightness aided by the pillarless sides and frameless door glass. In contrast, complementary shades of leather and nubuck cover much of the interior, with the aluminum center console spanning the space between four individual seats. Trim strips in American walnut with a fine chrome surround complete the portfolio of materials.
As for motive power, the CoupeFASCINATION concept features a 204-horsepower 2.2-liter turbodieselinline-four, using BlueTec technology to reduce NOx emissions while providing plenty of torque for swift acceleration.
Drivetrain details remain sparse, but the production version would likely use the six-speed automatic transmission used by the current diesel E-class sedans.
As with all concept cars, there's the question of how much of the the show car's extravagance filters down to the production model. For instance, we don't know if the 2.2-liter diesel will be offered for the US market. It's unlikely that the suicide doors or pillarless sides would make it to production. But in its present form, the CoupeFASCINATION concept is one of the most cohesive and thoughtful designs to come out of the post-DaimlerChrysler era.
A week after we posted the first teaser pic of Porsche's Panamera, Lamborghini announced the company will launch it's own four-door coupe competitor.
In an announcement to the press, Lamborghini said it will unveil a concept car at next month's Paris Motor Show that is nearly ready for production.
The front-engined, all-wheel-drive four-door sedan will be Lamborghini's third model line, joining the V-10 powered Gallardo and V-12 Murcielago coupes and roadsters.
Company sources also said that the production version may use a smaller engine than the 5.0-liter V-10 currently used in the Gallardo. In such a case, Volkswagen AG - which owns Lamborghini - may elect to use Audi's 4.2 liter V-8 engine, possibly with direct fuel injection, twin turbocharging or both.
Shortly after Lamborghini released two teaser shots of the forthcoming concept, forum members at CarSpyShots.com discovered that the company has recently trademarked the name "Urus."
This name would fit with the company's tradition of naming their automobiles after famous bulls. Urus was the latin root name for the aurochs, the Bronze Age predecessor to modern domesticated cattle. A species known for their immense size and power, the last recorded live urus, a female, died in in the Jaktorów Forest in Poland in 1627.
Lamborghini plans to build about 3,000 units per year, roughly matching the sales target set by Aston Martin for their Rapide four door coupe. Porsche, by comparison, plans to build 20,000 units per year.
Lamborghini has been doing quite well despite months of dour economic news; global sales have rised to 1,309 vehicles in the first half of 2008, up from 1,238 in the same period last year. Pre-tax profits have soared by nearly a third to 35 million Euros year-to-date; in 2007, the company' pre-tax profit was 47.1 million Euros.
As anyone watching television lately can tell you, Hyundai has stepped up their advertising game for the launch of the Genesis luxury sedan this fall.
In Hyundai's home market, the first ads for the Genesis Coupe hit the airwaves this week. Naturally, we've got a sneak peek of the coupe's first TV ad spot for our Friday video fix.
Trim levels, pricing details emerge
Along with the video, we now have detailed specs and probable prices for the US lineup.
The base model 2.0GL will be powered by a 210-horsepower 2 liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine mated to a 6-speed manual transmission sending power to the rear wheels. 18-inch alloys, antilock brakes, traction control, heated seats and bluetooth cellphone integration will all come standard, along with dual front airbags.
Options will include side and head curtain airbags, a five-speed automatic transmission, a sunroof and an ultrasonic reverse assist to aid parking.
The 2.0 SP will include all the standard 2.0GL features, with upgrades to 19-inch alloys, a limited-slip differential, full leather interior, xenon headlights and fully automatic climate control.
Further up the line lies the 2.0 GLS, which adds Brembo brakes, upgraded audio, parking assist and Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tires (of a size yet unknown). At the top of the range lies the flagship 3.8 GLS model.
Powered by a 303-horsepower, 3.8 liter DOHC V-6 and a six-speed manual transmission, Hyundai will be gunning straight for Nissan's 350Z Touring. Brembo brakes, 19-inch alloys, a limited-slip differential, upgraded audio, automatic climate control, parking assist and leather seats will all come standard.
Options for the range-topper will include side and head curtain airbags, a six-speed automatic with manual shift control and a sunroof.
Judging by Korean market prices and adding a bit to cover shipping, US customers should expect to pay about $24,500 for a 2.0GL up to about $30,500 for the 3.8GLS.
Ten years ago, the idea of a $30,000 Hyundai would have been dismissed as ludicrous. But then again, the same criticisms were levied against Toyota when they dared to challenge the Germans with the Lexus LS400.
Judging by sheer technical prowess and the recent leaps and bounds in product quality, it would be foolish to underestimate Hyundai's ambitious plans for the future.
[Video: Hyundai via Daum.net] [Images: Hyundai via SCS]
While the svelte Korean coupe will make its official debut a few days from now at the Chicago Motor Show, Hyundai has released full price details for US-bound models.
