2017 Chevy Silveradro and GMC Sierra: Ready for Advertisement

You can't doubt that GM is ready for some major advertising. The all-new Chevy Silverardo and GMC Sierra is ready for some exposure. With a V-8 that boast better fuel-economy than the Ford EcoBoost technology and better sturdier builds all-round, GM is ready.

In lure of the coming of GM's new trucks, stock prices and work productions have seen a definite rise. This is something that the GM corporation really needs. GM has even cut back on the summer time shut down to keep production up.

Later this winter is when we can expect to see the money spent on advertisements. This is a big push for GM as their truck sales are reportedly 60% of GM's profits.

The new hoods do serve a purpose and looks great too. The GM trucks should bring enough work for everyone. Factory workers will have to be trained, GM engineers have been rehired to help make sure the new technology will be worked in correctly and everyone in the GM spectrum should see a sufficient amount of work increases. GM and everyone hopes, especially Detroiters, that this increase in work will help the slowly improving economy. 

The 21st Century Pontiac GTO

Muscle Car GTO's of the 60's and 70's

When car enthusiast hear the name Pontiac GTO, they most likely will think of the GTO's from back in the '60s and '70s when the cars had heavy steel bodies and high horsepower driven motors. And with good reasons, for many years they were some of the most popular muscles cars that were being purchased in the '60s and '70s. But like with all of the muscle cars, their dooms day would come. The 1971 was the last year for the GTO Judge and 1972 was the last you could buy a GTO with muscle car power and looks. The GTO did survive until 1974, but they were drastically de-tuned and the body-style had been changed, making them not so colectable in this-day-and-age.

21st GTO

The GTO was one of the lucky few muscle cars that got a chance to be reborn in the 21^st century. For the years 2004, 2005 and 2006, Pontiac brought back the muscle car legend. With LS1 technology, interior space and roomy comfort just like the old GTO, the new GTO is a great tribute to what the Pontiac GTO was and is all about.

In 2004 the GTO came with a LS1 V8 rated for 350 hp and 365 ft-lb. of torque that could produce quarter-mile times of about 14 seconds flat. But for 2005 and 2006 the GTO would get a boost of power with a motor that produced 400hp and 400 ft-lb. of torque and managed to cut off about half of second on quarter-mile time.

Unfortunately, the suspension performance was found to be a little less than impressive. With its sluggish reflexes, excessive body roll and weak brakes, the GTO had more power than what it could handle. But, with a few hundred bucks and a few aftermarket blot-ons this could be easily fixed right in your own driveway.

With a various amount of cool colors to shop for, an optional ram air hood that could have been ordered, 15 or 16 inch rims and a standard retro looking Pontiac split front grill, the GTO stands out and can definitely hold its own in styling when sitting next to it's counterparts and competitors.

There is one downfall that turned many consumers off and that was the price tag. Unfortunately, you could buy a Trans Am or a Camaro Z28 for the price of a brand new GTO. One of the nice things about the GTO is that if you are looking to buy one now, you should be able to find one for a good price. I've priced them anywhere from around $9,500-$20,000 - depending on mileage and shape - a far cry from the 30k price tag they originally came with. On the low end of the price tag, most of the GTO's had high mileage, but I would not let that deture anyone. Cars these day, if taken care of can last for a long time with general maintenance and automotive knowledge.

In the end, the 2004-2006 GTO is a great buy for car enthusiasts that really likes the technology of the LS1/LS2 motor. With all of the performance capabilities and plenty of aftermarket parts for visual effect and horsepower increases, the GTO is a perfect car for someone who is looking for something that can be fast, but reasonable and practical.

Corvette Stingray or Camaro ZL1: Which is a Better Buy

 Corvette or Camaro

It's tough to say which is a better buy?



But I think it's safe to say they're both completely Bad Ass!

Awesome power.

Awesome styling.

Awesome reputation. 

And well, Chevrolet's Greatest Hits.

So, which one?

The Vette looks awesome, and lets face it, who would not want to be seen in a American icon. I think when you drive in a Vette it gives you a certain amount of confidence. It puts you in a different class of car guy. Plus, this Corvette could very well be one of the Baddest Ass looking Corvettes ever made.


When it comes to Camaro, there is plenty of prestige there as well. Pretty much all the technology available to today's muscles cars is implicated on it, and lets not forget it has its legendary status as well. And, there is too more reasons not to over-look the Camaro: less pricey and more spacious.  

So which one would I choose, doesn't mater.

So which one should you choose? I guess that just depends on what kind of Bad Ass you want to be.

With the Woodard Dream Cruise right around the corner, it should be interesting to see just how many ZL1s and Stingrays flood the streets, possibly maybe even a brand new COPO or two, they are out there. Also another thing that might be interesting to see, is since the Woodard Dream Cruise is such a media attracting event, maybe Chevrolet will feel a little ambitious and give us a little sneak peak at the new Z28s.

Regardless, it's a good summer to be a Chevrolet fan.

2020 Camaro Speculations

 2015 Camaro's Future

With Ford Mustang hard at work for more fuel efficient sports cars for the future. The competition for Chevrolet is on, and why not the federal fuel standards are only going to get tougher. We all ready know that Mustang is building smaller and lighter sports cars and flirting with hybrid options. One can only speculate that Chevrolet has already been hard at work doing the same. 
 

 

What Will the Camaro Be?

The next iteration of Chevrolet’s recently reborn sporty/performance car, which is currently outselling archrival Ford Mustang. Confirmation came in early 2010 from a director of Grant Thornton LLP, a consultant to parent General Motors, and from industry-analysis firm CSM Worldwide. Those sources say the redesigned Camaro will launch in calendar 2014, doubtless as a 2015 model, and will move to the rear-wheel-drive Alpha platform that underpins Cadillac’s new ATS premium-compact car, due in mid- to late 2012 as a 2013 entry. Today’s fifth-generation Camaro uses a cut-down version of the Zeta 1 architecture developed by GM’s Holden branch in Australia and which featured on the 2008-09 Pontiac G8 large sedan.



Like the car it will replace, the 2015 Chevrolet Camaro will be offered as a coupe and convertible with powertrain choices ranging from mild to wild. Reporting by website GM Inside News (GMI) suggests overall size and weight may be little changed, even though a smaller, lighter Camaro would seem almost mandatory in light of escalating federal fuel-economy standards and growing consumer preference for more fuel-efficient vehicles of all kinds.

According to GMI, the Alpha program originated in late 2004 as another Holden project, but languished until 2007, when Cadillac decided to develop the platform for a long-desired challenger to the likes of Audi A4, BMW 3-Series, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. However, as GMI notes, the project suffered “mission creep” as Cadillac decreed more and more changes that “quickly turned a light, sporty platform on its head…” Among the conditions imposed by the luxury brand were space for V6 engines as well as the intended 4-cylinder units; engineering to accommodate optional all-wheel drive; and a larger “Alpha +” platform for the next-generation of Cadillac’s CTS premium-midsize sedan. 

As a result, says GMI, “Each addition has caused another issue to engineer around, thus causing the Alpha program to exceed GM’s mass requirements...by nearly 500 pounds. It is unclear how heavy Alpha products will be, but every independent Alpha source…has indicated that the final curb weight could push 4,000 pounds unless GM puts the program on a [crash diet] before launch.” GMI goes on to cite company insiders and supplier sources as saying “the Alpha program has been a near-constant stream of drama and problems for GM, which were compounded by the company’s June 2009 bankruptcy. Even today, as the program nears its final stages...problems are still being worked out.” Among those are a planned multi-link front suspension that no longer works as intended with the accumulated flab and is being given the band-aid treatment rather than a full do-over.

 
GMI reports that engineers are “now struggling to reduce Alpha’s mass by a quarter-ton,” a huge amount for a new platform at such a late design stage. “One source has indicated that GM is willing to throw all sorts of new composite technologies at the body, structure, and powertrain to achieve that goal [for both] the Cadillac Alpha cars and the sixth-generation Camaro.”

 

The Camaro's Speculations

 

With so many issues still unresolved, it’s anyone’s guess at this point (June 2011) how the 2015 Chevrolet Camaro will turn out. Regardless of how many pounds are pared from the platform, we suspect the exterior package will be downsized to some degree, possibly close to that of the current Ford Mustang or even a bit smaller, perhaps on the order of the original 1967-69 or 1982-92 Camaros.

As for engines, several sources suggest that the 2015 Chevrolet Camaro will be offered with a base 4-cylinder or two, possibly small-displacement jobs with GM’s eAssist “mild hybrid” electric drive and available turbocharging; one or more optional V6s, likely based on the company’s ubiquitous 3.6-liter twin-overhead-cam design and also perhaps with eAssist and forced induction; and a smaller but more-efficient V8 than today’s 6.2-liter, something on the order of 5.0-5.4 liters, again with eAssist likely and perhaps optional supercharging. The V8 would likely be the same basic mill being rumored for Chevrolet’s next-generation C7 Corvette sports car and should be virtually all-new with the possible exception of retaining overhead-valve cylinder heads for reasons of lower cost and easier under-hood packaging, not to mention hallowed “Chevy small block” tradition. Whatever the final choices, all engines will doubtless maximize mpg with measures such as direct fuel injection, “double” variable valve-timing (intake and exhaust), and low-friction internal components.

Likewise, transmissions for the 2015 Chevrolet Camaro will be chosen to provide a competitive balance among performance, fuel economy, and refinement. There’s talk of new 7-speed manual and automatic designs for V8 and up-level V6 models, but we think it more likely that GM will stick with its current 6-speed transmissions, at least for 2015-16.

Other aspects also can’t be confirmed, doubtless because they’re still a long way from decided. Even so, logic suggests the 2015 Chevrolet Camaro will mimic the current car with a 4-wheel independent suspension (though doubtless redesigned), standard 4-wheel disc brakes, and good-size wheels and tires. Steering assist will probably go from conventional engine-belt-driven hydraulic to electrohydraulic or pure electric, again to maximize mpg.

Styling? It’s almost sure to retain Camaro’s traditional long-hood/short-deck proportions and the current models’ wide stance, but surfacing and details will hinge on the final exterior size and on whether sales trends suggest the need for a big departure from today’s aggressive sharp-edged look. We know Ed Welburn, GM’s Vice-President of Global Design, is an avid Camaro fan, so his Camaro team will likely strive to blend familiar elements with fresh touches--and to improve aerodynamics as another aid to fuel economy.

 

Camaro Expectations

  

GM has been working hard to update and upgrade Chevrolet’s car line, starting with the new-for-2008 Malibu midsize sedan. The reborn Camaro is part of that effort and is evidently seen as no less important to the brand’s sales and image than mainstream products like Malibu and the new Cruze compact sedan. Remember that Chevy’s ponycar was resurrected after six years in limbo to start sale on the very eve of GM’s historic 2009 bankruptcy. As noted, the fifth-generation has lately been outselling traditional foe Ford Mustang--adding convertibles for 2011 has no doubt helped--and management undoubtedly hopes the sixth-generation will do as well or better. Even so, market conditions and buyer tastes are always changing, so it will be interesting to see if the next Camaro resonates with the public as much as the current one seems to. Of course, a lot will depend on what happens to Mustang with its upcoming redesign, expected in 2014-15 in time to mark the model’s 50th anniversary.

 

The New Camaro's Chances

 

There is no mistaken, despite the many factors now conspiring against affordable sporty/performance cars, the 2015 Chevrolet Camaro is going to happen. Too bad we don’t yet know much about precisely what will happen, but we do know somewhat of what will happen. 

One can only hope that are American Sports Car does not turn into some that mimic those annoy Rice Burners/Tuner cars!

 

This is a really cool Q/A interview with Chief Engineer of the brand new Z/28, Al Oppenheiser

 New Trans Am and Firebird speculations

 

 

The 2014 Indianapolis 500 Pace Car

 2014 Corvette Stingray

Indy 500 Pace Car

When the 2014 Stingray was introduced at the North American Auto Show it made a huge buzz,

and now to keep that buzz going it will appear as the Pace Car for the Indy 500.

Chevrolet also got the honors for the festival car with their Special Edition Hot wheels Convertible Camaro.

This is a nice boost for Chevrolet and their sports car division.

1970-1973 Split Bumper Camaro RS

To say the least, the split bumper Camaros are great looking classic cars that are sought-after by many car enthusiasts. But there has always been a lot of confusion of which Camaros came with the split bumper option.

Camaros with the RS trim package or Z22 option are the Camaros that originally came off the assembly line with the split bumper option. There are a lot of split bumper replicas out there because of the high demand for the unique look the Z22 package produces.  


Since there are more original full bumper Camaros, there is a huge market for kits that can transfer a Z28 or an SS trim package into a split bumper look. If you're okay with a replica, then there's no problem, but if you want an original split bumper Camaro for investment purposes, then you need to know what you're looking for or you are sure to get duped. 

If you are looking for a Camaro with a legit Z22 trim package, you will probably be making a smart move by doing some investigating on these Camaros before purchasing one. Taking someone's word for it is a fools game. In fact, there are ways you can find out if the Camaro you are looking at is a real RS trim package or if it is a Z28 or an SS trim package with an aftermarket bumper.



The first thing you can do is ask the owner if they have a build sheet. If they do, then the build sheet should specify if the Camaro was optioned with the Z22 option. If it wasn't, then the bumper most likely is aftermarket.

If they don't have a build sheet, then you will have to look at the features of the car. A true Z22 package should have most of these options: body colored inserts on the door handles, bright chrome window and body trim, sill and hood panel moldings, hidden wipers (RPO C24) option and bright accented parking lights, tail lights and backup lights.  

It should also be noted that an Z28 and an SS could be ordered with an RS package. Since through the years a lot of car enthusiast may have gotten rid of some of the RS trim options for one reason or another, you might have to contact Chevrolet for VIN# specifics to come up with the true identity of a car. The build sheet and or the VIN# is the only real way to be absolutely be sure of what you are looking at.

It also should be noted that an RS package is not worth more than a Z28 or an SS package. But if a Z28 or an SS came original with a full bumper and it was converted to a split bumper, that could decrease the value of the Camaro.