- Chevy turns to aliens to pitch Volt in Super Bowl ad February 2, 2012
- Chevrolet pulls out of British Touring Car Championship February 2, 2012
- Chevy Sonic teases Ok Go music video and extreme sports ads for Super Bowl January 31, 2012
- Autoblog Podcast #267 January 31, 2012
- Bob Lutz: Hey right-wingers, stop attacking Chevy Volt January 31, 2012
- Mazda bringing special edition MX-5 Miata to Chicago February 2, 2012
- Autoblog Podcast #267 January 31, 2012
- 2012 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring AWD [w/video] January 30, 2012
- Mazda recalls over 52,000 Tribute crossovers, warns owners to park outside January 28, 2012
- 2013 Mazda CX-5 achieves best-in-class 26/35 mpg EPA rating January 11, 2012
General Motors Co. said it will boost production of two small sport-utility vehicles at its Canadian operations to meet demand and plans to recall laid-off workers.
GM produces the Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain at a plant in Ingersoll, Ontario. Under the plan, GM will expand production of Equinox bodies beyond the plant’s capacity to paint and assemble them.
Equinox units will then be shipped to GM’s plant in Oshawa, Ontario, for painting and final assembly alongside production of the Chevrolet Impala. The measure will allow for increased Terrain volume at the Ingersoll plant.
GM said a third shift to support Equinox production in Oshawa will be added in October. The company expects to recall about 600 workers to the plant.
At the Ingersoll plant, the company said, “all laid off employees will soon be recalled.” In addition, the plant’s body shop will add about 70 positions by August to support the increased Equinox output.
The sharing of production between the two facilities “allows us to meet customer demand for hot products while avoiding a potential production over-capacity situation by creatively using our assets and facilities,” Mark Reuss, president of GM North America, said in prepared comments.
A GM Canada sales report issued at the beginning of March said sales of the Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain compact crossovers were up a combined 250% in February.
The company also said it expects by year end to recall all laid-off production employees in Oshawa to support the new Equinox, Regal and Camaro convertible production planned there.
Source: wsj.com
By: Tara Zachariah at tara.zachariah@dowjones.com
Preview of the 2001 Mazda 5
Join us for our 11th annual All Chevy Show sponored by Cox Chevrolet, April 24, 2010 from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm. All proceeds will benefit InStride – Equine Assisted Therapy, Sarasota County.
If you’re like us, you were impressed by the 2011 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Carbon limited edition model. Really, who wouldn’t be, what with its ZR1-sourced active magnetic suspension and carbon-ceramic brakes.
No, it doesn’t get the ZR1’s 6.2-liter supercharged V-8 – you know, the one that pumps out 638 horsepower – but it does get some cool touches all its own, while keeping the standard Z06’s 7.0-liter 505-horsepower V-8. A new carbon pattern engine cover, additional engine cooling, carbon fiber hood, diffuser and side rockers, unique badging, leather and suede interior with contrasting stitching, and logoed headrests are all part of the package. Top it all off with either Supersonic Blue or Inferno Orange paint and a racing number package included with each car, and this Vette looks as fast as it goes.
And how fast does it go? Corvette chief engineer Tadge Juechter says it’ll knock about three seconds off the standard Z06’s Laguna Seca lap time. That’s not bad. Just 500 will be built, but savvy owners can order the CFZ and Z07 packages for their standard Z06, netting them all the go-fast goodies without the special badging.
Source: General Motors
Mazda has released pix of its redesigned Mazda5 mini-minivan that will have its global debut at press days of the Geneva Motor Show on March 2.
For the Euro version — due on sale in the fall — Mazda claims 15% less CO2 emissions from the new 5’s 2-liter direct-injection gas engine and what it calls “i-stop,” a stop-start idle shut-off. A 1.8-liter gas engine also will be offered in Europe; both are mated to a six-speed manual.
Redesigned Mazda5 sports more drama on the sides and rear.CAPTIONBy Mazda
Would be good to see that stop-start on the powerplant Mazda offers in the eventual U.S. version. Tough call for automakers, though, since start-stop can add a few hundred dollars to the price and the EPA gives it no credit in figuring mileage ratings. The 5% or more improvement in fuel-efficiency and lower emissions are counted in Europe.
The new look reflects Mazda’s “nagare” (“flow” in Japanese) design theme, which it says “finds inspiration in the beauty of flows found in nature.” Sounds like it should come with a yoga mat. But Mazda also claims improved aerodynamics and Drive On thinks it looks slick for a small family hauler.
Even as a mini-mini, it comes with the required minivan sliding doors and multiple seat configurations.
– Fred Meier/Automotive Editor (DriveOn.com)
SPECULATION IS RIFE that Mazda is in the midst of preparing a successor to the much-loved RX-7 of the 1990s and early 2000s, which disappeared from Mazda’s line-up in 2002 and was replaced by the RX-8 in 2003.
However, while the last generation RX-7 was powered by a twin-turbocharged 1.3 litre rotary, Mazda is reportedly preparing to take a different tack with the new car.
A new engine is in the wings (the 1.6 litre direct-injected 16X rotary), but there won’t be a turbocharger in sight. Output is expected to be between 150kW and 180kW.
The emphasis will be on light weight and sharp handling, and sources say it will be priced to compete with the Hyundai Genesis and upcoming Toyota FT-86 at the bottom end of the RWD Coupe market.
Mazda’s engineers are also said to be working on cutting more weight from the 16X engine, while also reducing fuel consumption and improving reliability – two major bugbears of rotary engines.
The 16X is said to be capable of generating in excess of 260kW, but a detuned variant for the RX-7 should see longevity and fuel economy move closer to the level of conventional piston engines.
Styling is still a mystery, but expect to see Mazda’s current design language applied to a smaller, more compact vehicle than the four-seat RX-8.
Although sold as a 2012 model, current speculation says the production model could surface in showrooms as early as 2011.
However, the arrival of the new RX-7 is expected to spell the end for the RX-8, which is nearing the end of its lifespan and due for an all-new replacement around 2011.
Source: The Motor Report
Chevrolet Camaro SS to pace 2010 Indianapolis 500
Rally Stripe Paint Scheme Pays Tribute to ‘69 Camaro Pace Car
INDIANAPOLIS — Officials from Chevrolet and Indianapolis Motor Speedway unveiled the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS Indianapolis 500 pace car at the Speedway’s Hall of Fame Museum today.
“We’ve enjoyed a great partnership with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway throughout the years, and are proud to once again have the privilege of pacing the Indianapolis 500 in a Camaro,” said Jim Campbell, General Manager, Chevrolet.
The 2010 Chevy Camaro Indianapolis 500 pace car is a 21st century sports car that looks to the future with a nod to both the car’s and the race’s heritage. The first year for Camaro to pace the Indianapolis 500 was in 1967, the year the Camaro made its debut. Camaro has since paced the race in 1969, 1982, 1993 and 2009.
This year’s pace car features an Inferno Orange Metallic paint scheme with White Diamond rally stripes that travel from the front to the rear over the top of the body, as well as extending to the instrument panel. The design is a modern interpretation of the original rally stripe that debuted on the 1969 Indianapolis 500 Pace Car.
“Chevrolet has done it again with the 2010 Chevy Camaro SS Pace Car, it is simply beautiful,” said Jeff Belskus, president and CEO of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation. “The car’s tribute to ‘500′ history and its sports car feel will be a big hit with our fans, and it will look great leading the Indianapolis 500 field on Race Day.”
This year’s pace car is equipped with a stock 400 hp 6.2L V-8, an RS appearance package and leather interior with Inferno Orange interior accents. The pace car also features unique design cues that further enhance the Camaro’s head-turning design. Features unique to the pace car include:
- 2010 Indianapolis 500 event logo painted on doors and embroidered on driver and passenger headrests
- 2010 Indianapolis 500 event logo badges on front fenders
- All-new front grille insert that Chevrolet plans to offer as a future Camaro accessory
- Amber lens tail lamps
- Complete safety strobe light system with custom interior light bar in the rear window (no rooftop light bar)
- All-new GM Accessory floor mats with red and orange accent stitching
Starting at approximately $23,000, and offering an EPA-estimated 29 highway mpg on the V-6-powered car, the all-new Camaro is a budget-friendly sports car that doesn’t sacrifice on performance. Despite the recent economic challenges, the Camaro has overtaken its closest competitor to lead the regular sports car segment in sales for the last six months. Chevrolet sold more than 6,000 Camaros in each of these months.
The public will get their first look at the 2010 Chevy Camaro SS Indianapolis 500 pace car when it makes its auto show debut at the Indianapolis Auto Show starting on Dec. 26.
Chevrolet is one of America’s best-known and best-selling automotive brands, and one of the fastest-growing brands in the world. With fuel solutions that range from “gas-friendly to gas-free,” Chevrolet has nine models that offer an EPA-estimated 30 miles per gallon or more on the highway, and offers two hybrid models. More than 2.5 million Chevrolets that run on E85 biofuel have been sold. More information can be found at www.chevrolet.com.
Established in 1909, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has long prevailed as an icon of motorsports excellence. The 2009 racing season marked the 100th anniversary of the Speedway and the start of its Centennial Era, which continues with the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race in 2011.
For 2010, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway will play host to the Indianapolis 500 on May 30, the Brickyard 400 on July 25 and the Red Bull Indianapolis GP on Aug. 29. For tickets and information, visit www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com.
General Motors Co. will invest $336 million in the Detroit plant that is set to produce the Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric car, bringing the automobile company’s total Volt-related investments in Michigan to $700 million.
Detroit-Hamtramck, opened in 1985 currently and employing about 1,200 workers, will be the final assembly point for the Volt, which will be put into production in late 2010.
Seven other GM facilities will also be involved in producing the car, including four in Michigan. In addition to those investments, there are the many suppliers, utility companies and organizations investing in Michigan and the U.S. to support Volt production and electric-vehicle development, GM said.
Source: Wall Street Journal
Mazda debuted its fuel efficient SKY-G and SKY-D engines at the Tokyo motor show earlier this year, but never revealed when or in which car either engine would debut. Rumor has it the 2011 Mazda MX-5 will be first to use the fuel-sipping SKY-G engine.
Mazda has made no announcement about its future plans for its lightweight roadster, but Inside Line says an “inside source” revealed the next Miata will grow even smaller and lighter than the current car — not surprising, as recent concepts like the MX-5 Superlight have focused on shaving weight. The new MX-5 will reportedly tip the scales at 2200 pounds, approximately 300 pounds lighter than the current car.
The biggest change planned for the car is under the hood. Although the current MX-5 gets pretty good fuel economy, the next-generation with the SKY-G engine should be stellar. A 1.3- or 1.5-liter version of the SKY-G engine Mazda showed at the 2009 Tokyo show could help the next MX-5 achieve fuel economy figures in the realm of 50 mpg.
This impressive fuel economy shouldn’t hinder performance, as the engine is expected to have around 150 hp. Combined with the 300-pound drop in curb weight, the next-gen MX-5 could have the same power-to-weight ratio as the current car.
Source: Inside Line
2010 Mazda 3 and MazdaSpeed 3 Rank in Car & Driver’s 2010 : 10 Best Vehicles