Cars, Car Insurance, Auto Purchase

Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
Chevrolet officially announced the 2009 Corvette ZR1 - an American supercar that brings the technology and engineering refinement of carbon-fiber, ceramics and electronics together in a distinctive design.

“Chevrolet’s goal with the new ZR1 is to show what an American supercar can deliver, at a price that trumps exotics that cost two, three or four times as much - and does so with exceptional driveability,” said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager.

The ZR1’s basic stats:

All-new LS9 supercharged 6.2L V-8 targeted at producing at least 100 horsepower per liter, or 620 horsepower (462 kW), and approximately 595 lb.-ft. of torque (823 Nm)
Six-speed, close-ratio, race-hardened manual transmission
New, high-capacity dual-disc clutch
Higher-capacity and specific-diameter axle half-shafts; enhanced torque tube
Specific suspension tuning provides more than 1g cornering grip
Twenty-spoke 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels
Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires - P285/30ZR19 in front and P335/25ZR20 in the rear - developed specifically for the ZR1
Standard carbon-ceramic, drilled disc brake rotors - 15.5-inch-diameter (394-mm) in the front and 15-inch-diameter (380-mm) in the rear
Larger brake calipers with substantially increased pad area
Standard Magnetic Selective Ride Control with track-level suspension
Wider, carbon-fiber front fenders with ZR1-specific dual vents
Carbon-fiber hood with a raised, polycarbonate window - offering a view of the intercooler below it
Carbon-fiber roof panel, roof bow, front fascia splitter and rocker moldings with clear-coated, exposed carbon-fiber weave
ZR1-specific full-width rear spoiler with raised outboard sections
Specific gauge cluster with boost gauge (also displayed on the head-up display) and 220-mph (370 km/h) speedometer readout
Only two options: chrome wheels and a “luxury” package
Curb weight of approximately 3,350 pounds (1,519 kg)
The specialized components of the new ZR1 work harmoniously to deliver the most powerful and fastest automobile ever produced by General Motors. Performance estimates will be announced closer to vehicle’s summer 2008 launch. Read the rest of this entry »

Chevrolet Captiva Sport
Chevrolet is launching a sports version of the Chevrolet Captiva, the dynamically styled five-door and first compact sports utility vehicle in Chevrolet’s European model range. Over 43,000 units of the highly successful Chevrolet SUV have been sold in Europe since its launch in 2006. Numerous new accessories will make the Chevrolet Captiva Sport even more attractive.

The exterior design will be enhanced by the following features:

Trunk lid in body color
New 18″ wheels
New dark headlights
New “smoked” rear lights
New exhaust ends
New front bumper fascia
Chaos Black bumper and side molding finish
Light Silver finish on rings around fog lights, door handles and roof rails
The modern interior, with its extensive range of equipment, will offer a unique sporty style with the following features:

Red and black leather interior
Red stitching
Black carbon interior accents
The Chevrolet Captiva Sport responds to the fast increasing demand for a distinctive and stylish sports utility vehicle which is available with the economical yet powerful common-rail 2.0L turbo diesel engine or, alternatively, the smooth 169 hp V6 engine.
 

Chevrolet Camaro Convertible Concept
Chevrolet Camaro Convertible Concept Debuts at North American International Auto Show

Series Production confirmed for 2009

The Chevrolet Camaro concept was the celebrated star of the American 2006 auto show season. Now, at the beginning of the 2007 auto show season, there is a new star rising: The Chevrolet Camaro convertible concept. It will be unveiled on the eve of the North American International Auto Show at GM Style, an exclusive, fashion-splashed event combining celebrities, couture and automobiles. Chevrolet already has announced production plans for the Camaro, which will go on sale in the US in 2009. A production convertible model will be added later that year.

The Camaro convertible concept is based on the original Camaro concept, with only minor changes required to accommodate the convertible body style. It shares exterior dimensions with the Camaro concept (L/W/H: 4,730/2,022/1,344 mm), although the convertible concept’s windshield surround, which features a bright anodized finish, is changed slightly to accommodate the convertible top. The Camaro convertible concept is motivated by a torquey V-8 engine that rightly sends power to the rear wheels via a manual transmission. It also features a four-wheel independent suspension system and four-wheel disc brakes.

“The best follow-up to last year’s award-winning Camaro concept is a Camaro convertible,” said Ed Welburn, GM vice president, global design. “The Camaro convertible concept instantly evokes an emotional response - it’s a vehicle that you want to make room for in your garage.”

Like the Camaro concept vehicle, the Camaro convertible concept blends a dramatic, forward-looking design that is mindful of the brand’s storied heritage. That design includes classic long hood/short deck proportions and a wide, wheels-at-the-corners stance that gives the vehicle the look of hugging corners even when stationary.

Additional design details include:

Tonneau cover over the folded top
“Halo” headlamps
LED taillamps
Rear spoiler with LED-lit CHMSL
Racing-inspired fuel filler door
Front-inlet hood scoop, inspired by the Corvette Z06
Heritage-inspired rear fender “gills”
The Camaro convertible concept’s Hugger Orange pearl tri-coat color is a contemporary update of the classic hue, which was originally offered in 1969. It is complemented with twin gunmetal gray sport stripes. The modern interpretation of the classic color and its dark accent stripes simultaneously reflect the Camaro’s heritage and deliver a deep, lustrous and thoroughly contemporary appearance.

The Camaro convertible concept rides on 21-inch front wheels and 22-inch rear wheels. The wheels have a deep-dish, five-spoke design and feature charcoal center sections with bright outer edges and an orange outline on the wheel edge. The charcoal wheels complement the gunmetal gray stripes on the body.

Inspired cockpit

Inside, the Camaro convertible features a simple yet purposeful interior that reflects design elements inspired by the muscle car era, including the first-generation Camaro. A new, light-and-dark color scheme enhances the airy feel of the convertible, particularly when the top is lowered.

The seats’ fronts feature platinum-tone leather surrounding suede-like Alcantara® inserts, with black, sculpted seatbacks. The use of light color only on the seating surface is reminiscent of vintage houndstooth interiors, while a matching, tri-coat platinum paint is used to accent the door panels and instrument panel, giving a modern, bold feel to the interior.

“The light-on-dark interior coloring makes a strong statement that conveys the spirit of freedom and fun that is embodied by a Camaro convertible,” said Micah Jones, interior designer.

As with the Camaro coupe concept, the convertible concept features an instrument panel inspired by first-generation Camaros (1967 - 1969), including an intricate “round-gauges-in-square-holes” design. The gauges have a deep, three-dimensional appearance, with white faces and red pointers. “The instrument panel - including the four auxiliary gauges mounted in front of the shifter - pays homage to first-generation Camaros, while achieving a modern appearance through its refined integration of components,” said Jones.

Craftsmanship and attention to detail are evidenced throughout the interior, including the smoke satin aluminum finish on trim plates, vents, seat handles and safety belt buckles. The shifter and pedals are made of billet aluminum. The steering wheel has a detailed, deep-dish three-spoke design and the front seats are hinged at the center - rather than the sides - for an integrated appearance. A separate ignition button is used to start the engine and the speedometer and tachometer needles complete full-sweep indexing when the engine rumbles to life.

A “spine” motif runs through the center of the vehicle and on the seatbacks, including a prominent center console that stretches to the rear seat. The spine reinforces the symmetry of the Camaro convertible, as well as its precision.

An attainable icon

The original Camaro was introduced to the Baby Boomer generation, a large group of young, individualistic and mobile Americans that drove fundamental changes in the auto industry. The Camaro was personal, sporty and powerful - attributes that were typically found on more expensive, smaller and, often, foreign sports cars. The Camaro represented a real life-sized sporty car that was attainable for just about everyone. An almost endless list of optional features, colors and trim combinations ensured owners could tailor their Camaro to their exact taste.

As Boomers transitioned into larger vehicles to accommodate growing families, younger drivers embraced used Camaros as their first cars, and third- and fourth-generations of the Camaro continued to deliver affordable fun and performance to a new generation of enthusiasts. Indeed, hundreds of thousands of owners of all walks of life have found driving fun in a Camaro during the past 40 years.

Chevrolet 34 Coupe E85 Concept
With a 500-horsepower engine, a channeled body and a chopped top, GM’s custom street rod looks right at home on the salt flats of Bonneville. But instead of a traditional gasoline V-8, this ‘34 Chevy replica rod sports a turbocharged 2.0L Ecotec engine that runs on E85 ethanol. Appropriately, it has been dubbed the FlexFuel Chevy Hot Rod.

“Since the 1930’s, hot rods have embodied American ingenuity, aesthetic flair and the quest for performance,” said Bryan Nesbitt, vice-president of General Motors North American Design. “The ethanol Hot Rod is a modern statement that today’s hot rodder can address energy concerns about the consumption of petroleum without sacrificing performance or style.”

The car’s low-slung stance and stripped-down essence suggests track cars and speed racers of the late 1940s and early 1950s. Open hood sides reveal the high-powered Ecotec engine, which has been pumped up with the help of GM Performance Parts’ Stage III performance kit and a larger turbo. The higher octane of E85 enabled engineers to tune the engine for more power. It is backed by a GM Powertrain 5L40 five-speed automatic transmission.

“The engine was built using the basic recipe that is available in the Ecotec performance book available from GM Performance Parts,” said Al Oppenheiser, GM Performance Division director of concept and vehicle integration. “Also, the E85 conversion is based on a kit that GM is exploring for regular production engines.”

True hot rod aesthetic

Like hot rods built for the last 60 years, the FlexFuel Hot Rod is built from an assemblage of factory and aftermarket parts. The frame and body are based on the 1934 Chevy, but both were fabricated by the craftsmen at the GM Performance Division (GMPD). The body has been sectioned and channeled to give the car its true hot rod aesthetic, while the frame is a one-off piece designed, engineered and built by GMPD. The slanted grille - with a unique chrome mesh pattern - and hood are integrated for a smoother look, which includes a sun visor characteristic of period hot rod racers.

Like any good rod worth its salt, there are no fenders or running boards; the 10-inch headlamps are mounted to the core support. The front suspension is all custom-built, complete with period-perfect lightening holes drilled in it.

A sturdy 8-3/8-inch Winters Quick-change rearend is suspended by a parallel four-link suspension. It is filled with 5.20 gears, which are used to generate brisk acceleration with 35-inch-tall, racing-type Excelsior rear tires and 29-inch-tall front tires. The tires are mounted on custom 18-inch front and 20-inch rear “kidney bean”-style wheels from Budnik.

Steering comes from a custom-fabricated linkage that is connected to a reversed Corvair steering box. The linkage is mounted to the outside of the frame rail.

Hand-crafted cabin

Inside, the FlexFuel Hot Rod maintains its racing-inspired minimalist theme, but with contemporary feel. Hand-formed sheet metal and earth-friendly materials were used to trim the cabin, as well as the racing-style aluminum seats. The dashboard was hand-finished, too, and filled with traditional-looking Stewart-Warner gauges.

One of the interior’s central points of interest is the racing-style driveshaft tube, which covers the custom driveshaft. It is a prominent fixture in the cabin because the body has been lowered around the chassis to achieve the streamlined appearance that was characteristic of old-school hot rods.

Road ready

More than just a conceptualized vision of an alternative-fuel street rod, the FlexFuel Hot Rod is a driver that GM Performance Division will press into service for a number of road events and tests.

“This thing is going to rack up a lot of miles,” said Oppenheiser. “With the FlexFuel conversion, it can run purely on E85, gasoline or any combination of the two. That means it can be refueled anywhere the road takes it.”

Chevrolet Jay Lenos Corvette C6RS E85
“Tonight Show” host Jay Leno’s predilection for performance cars is no secret, but many fellow enthusiasts may not know that he is keenly interested in alternative fuels. To prove that red-blooded power mixes easily with a touch of green, Leno partnered with Pratt & Miller - the engineering company that builds and campaigns C6.R Corvettes - to develop a modified Corvette Z06 that is capable of running on E85 ethanol. It was unveiled at the 2007 SEMA Show.

More than merely a conversion of the stock LS7 engine to E85 capability, Leno’s alternative-fuel supercar is powered by a custom, 8.2L (500-cubic-inch) all-aluminum small-block V-8 that pumps out approximately 600 horsepower and 585 lb.-ft. of torque.

“The C6RS is the result of an idea we hatched to prove that high-performance cars and alternative fuel technology weren’t diametrically opposed concepts,” said Leno. “I love the idea of having 600 horsepower at my disposal, but using a homegrown alternative to gasoline.”

The engine is built around a custom aluminum cylinder block that was CNC-milled from a single block of billet aluminum. And while the cylinder heads, intake system and dry-sump oiling system are stock LS7 components, the engine - which has larger bore and stroke dimensions than the 7.0L (427-cubic-inch) LS7 - uses a one-off reciprocating assembly, including a forged steel crankshaft, forged rods and forged pistons. Katech Engines, the company that builds engines for the Corvette C6.R racing program, developed the engine.

The fuel system and engine control computer were modified to accommodate E85, and spent gases exit through a Corsa exhaust system. Supporting the 600-horse engine’s power is a blueprinted and strengthened T-56 six-speed transmission and a high-performance Centerforce dual-friction clutch.

C6.R inspiration

On the outside, Leno’s bad and black C6RS emulates the styling of C6.R racecars, with wider front and rear fenders and a wider rear fascia with an integrated spoiler on top and a racing-style diffuser at the bottom (the diffuser incorporates an LED-lit backup lamp). A C6.R-style waterfall hood front fender louvers, rockers and lower grille opening further define this special Corvette - and all of the car’s front-end panels are made of carbon-fiber, including custom brake air ducts routed through the front fenders. With all of its body modifications, Leno’s C6RS is 1.6 inches wider than stock.

The C6.R’s - and production Corvette’s - aerodynamically styled bodywork is designed to slice efficiently through the wind, which helps enhance fuel mileage.

The race-ready look of the car is enhanced with a quartet of BBS wheels that feature racing-type locking center hubs. The forged aluminum 18-inch front wheels and 19-inch rear wheels ride on Michelin P295/30ZR18 and P345/30ZR19 tires, respectively.

Adding authenticity to the car’s custom bodywork was the involvement of Pratt & Miller. The company took on the task of crafting Leno’s Corvette into a street-going replica of the racecars, which included installing or fabricating a host of unique components, including:

A custom DeWitt high-capacity radiator with dual cooling fans
A carbon-fiber ram-air induction system
Carbon-fiber inner fender panels that vent hot air from the engine compartment
Brembo brakes with six-piston mono-block calipers in front and four-piston rear calipers
Dyna-Mat used throughout the cabin and chassis to reduce interior noise
While the exterior and drivetrain were inspired by the racetrack, the C6RS’s cabin exudes luxury, with premium touches and enhancements from Genuine Corvette Accessories that include a two-tone shift knob and boot; leather-covered console armrest, parking brake handle and boot; an interior trim kit, racing-style pedal covers and more.

With its 600 horses on tap and domestically produced E85 fuel in the tank, Jay Leno’s alternative-fueled C6RS is an all-American supercar that proves high performance and environmental consciousness go together like the Corvette and checkered flags.