Friday, January 10, 2014
2014 Chevy Z/28 (No Air Conditioning)?
The New Z/28 is one of the fastest road course cars of its it kind. The Camaro went under major reconstruction to shave weight and boost performance times at the track. With a $75.000.00 price tag, most people would claim it is well worth what you pay for it.
Unfortunately there is a lot of squabbling on the Internet about how it is so disappointing that for that much money you don't even get an air conditioner with the purchase.
First-off, the Z/28 can be ordered with an air conditioner. Although it does come without one, if you specify that you want one they will put in on at the factory. Anyone, including dealerships has this option.
Lets say you buy one used and it never came with one from the factory. An aftermarket air condition can be bought and installed pretty easy. In fact, if you have some semi-knowledge of auto repair and have some tools, you could install one in your own driveway.
What's the logic behind no air conditioning?
It's simple: it cuts weight and it frees up horsepower. And for a car that is race ready, Chevy just doesn't see the reason for the air conditioner.
And for all of you Ford fans out there that enjoy pointing out the missing air conditioning, as if it was some kind of flaw. Let us not forget a special Mustang that Ford came out with in 2000. A Cobra R with a huge, ugly, senseless wing, no radio, no A/C, and a lot of space behind the front seats; that's because it came with no back seats. You could receive all of that for a price tag of $54,995.
Thursday, December 19, 2013
2018 Camaro 6th Generation Sketches
There are a lot of pictures out on the Internet of what we can expect for the future design of the Camaro. Most of the pics are probably just digitally altered images, some might be close to what we can expect and others are just people having some fun.
The 5th generation Camaro obviously took influence from the styling of the 1967-1969 Camaro, but expert automobile annalist and leaks from General Motors leave telltale signs that the next generation Camaro very well could take on a resemblance of the 2nd generation Camaros.
Although these sketches and blueprints are just ideals put together by designer Michael McGee while working with GM, they do show what the possible direction may be for a 2016 Gen-6 Camaro.
I think it is time for a new Camaro, Mustang just came out with its new look and people may not agree with me but the two cars are starting to look a lot alike. Almost so much alike they could be built off the same frame in the same factory. It could be just me who thinks this, but it is just about that time to really put some new real design work to the Camaro.
These are all nice pictures of what could or could not be for the new Camaro. Obviously, we know pictures like these are over-exaggerated, but we probably can expect something like this on a dialed-down scale in the future. http://www.gmhightechperformance.com/hotnews/1312_sixth_gen_camaro_sketches/
Friday, December 6, 2013
2015 Corvette ZO6 -- Unveiling at The Detroit North American Auto Show
Adding to Chevrolet's already amazingly powerful line-up of cars -- the Corvette Stingray, ZR1, Camaro ZL1, Z28, just to name a few -- Chevrolet will be unveiling a new ZO6 this January at the North American Auto Show that they claim will be their most capable track-tested car they have ever produced.
Earlier this year, the 2014 Chevrolet Z28 was taken to the notorious Nürburgring racetrack in Germany and posted times that beat the ZL1 by 4 seconds and even posted better times than the Porsche 911 Carrera S and Lamborghini Murcielago LP640.
So is this Corvette ZO6 going to be better than that?
The Corvette will have a 505 horsepower motor that will promote 470 foot-pounds of torque -- all coming from a hand-built 7-liter V-8. And for $75,600 you can have this Corvette with all that power that will take you from 0-to-60 in 3.7 seconds.
Chevrolet has been keeping a tight lid of what makes this new ZO6 so special with just a few little photos circling the internet. Whatever it is that's so special about it, there is no doubt that this car is just one more car added to a list of Chevrolet's already great accomplishments this year. And one things for sure, it would be very tough for any car company to compete with this line-up of awesome performing cars.
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Buick Looking Into The Future
Buick has made some great accomplishments in the past few years, that includes the refreshed 2014 Regal. Which starts out at $31,560, and packs the standard 259-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine—an upgrade over the previous and optional original engines—paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.
Some luxuries you can opted for are a remote start, dual-zone climate system, heated front seats, a sunroof and 18-inch wheels.
But Buick is thinking of another way outside of their usual luxury options and stylish looks draw in customers. The 2013 Encore was an awesome crossover for Buick, but it did lack one feature, that is power. 138 hp just was not enough for a bigger vehicle like the Encore, but its overseas cousin, the Opel Mokka, which was recently introduced with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine (with both gas and diesel variants) could find its way into Buicks line-up.
The Buick Verano, a close relative of the Chevy Cruz, could also be a good candidate for a diesel motor coming up in 2014. Either way, a more powerful diesel motor with good gas mileage could be just the attribute that Buick needs to separate itself from companies like Cadillac, Volkswagen, Audi and Mercedes-Benz, etc. -- and bring in new customers.
Sunday, November 17, 2013
Corvette Stingray: 2014 Automobile of the Year
If you know cars or at least pay attention to the news once in a while, you know that Corvette brought back one of their most successful cars of all time, the Stingray. The Corvette made a huge media splash at the North American Auto Show in Detroit this year. And the buzz that it created has been following it around every since.
The buzz was so great that the car is now named the Automobile of the Year. This is not a step in the right direction for General Motors, but more of a path in the right direction that they have been going down all this year.
Just a couple of weeks ago, the Cadillac CTS was named the Motor Trend car of the year. With GM's redesigned trucks and newly redesigned cars, GM has enjoyed some much needed success for 2013 and going into 2014.
Back to the Corvette; the completely redesigned Corvette has been able to impress consumers with the new stylish outside and inside. The aggressive curves give the car more of a super car look and the interior is said to be more of a durable high quality lay out.
Drive-ability is much more tighter and more fun to drive thanks to a more sophisticated suspension, and acceleration is nothing short of spectacular. I have seen claims of 1/4 mile times of 11.9 sec, but times more around 12.4 sec is probably more likely, and with a 185 mph (est.) top speed, there is a whole lot of fun that can be had here.
But power, styling, drive-ability, etc., is not the only reason why the Stingray found its way to being named the Automobile of the Year. Impressive gas mileage due to a cylinder deactivation system is also part of the Corvettes success. Not only can this car move out when the gas paddle is hammered on the floor, but it can also provide the driver with an extremely comfortable driving experiences at low rpm's for everyday driving while saving gas (fuel economy: cty//hwy 17/29 mpg.).
Specs and Stats
The buzz was so great that the car is now named the Automobile of the Year. This is not a step in the right direction for General Motors, but more of a path in the right direction that they have been going down all this year.
Just a couple of weeks ago, the Cadillac CTS was named the Motor Trend car of the year. With GM's redesigned trucks and newly redesigned cars, GM has enjoyed some much needed success for 2013 and going into 2014.
Back to the Corvette; the completely redesigned Corvette has been able to impress consumers with the new stylish outside and inside. The aggressive curves give the car more of a super car look and the interior is said to be more of a durable high quality lay out.
Drive-ability is much more tighter and more fun to drive thanks to a more sophisticated suspension, and acceleration is nothing short of spectacular. I have seen claims of 1/4 mile times of 11.9 sec, but times more around 12.4 sec is probably more likely, and with a 185 mph (est.) top speed, there is a whole lot of fun that can be had here.
But power, styling, drive-ability, etc., is not the only reason why the Stingray found its way to being named the Automobile of the Year. Impressive gas mileage due to a cylinder deactivation system is also part of the Corvettes success. Not only can this car move out when the gas paddle is hammered on the floor, but it can also provide the driver with an extremely comfortable driving experiences at low rpm's for everyday driving while saving gas (fuel economy: cty//hwy 17/29 mpg.).
Specs and Stats
Powertrain | 6.2L V8 DI engine RWD |
---|---|
Standard Engine | Gas V8 |
Displacement (liters/cu. in.) | 6.2L/376 |
7-speed manual transmission | Standard |
6-speed Paddle Shift automatic transmission | Available |
Horsepower @ RPM | 455 @ 6000 |
Horsepower (with performance exhaust) | 460 |
Torque @ RPM | 460 @ 4600 |
Fuel Injection | Direct Injection |
Drivetrain | Rear Wheel Drive |
Axle Ratio | 3.42 |
Steering/Suspension | 6.2L V8 DI engine RWD |
Front Suspension | Short/Long Arm |
Rear Suspension | Short/Long Arm |
Brakes | 6.2L V8 DI engine RWD |
4-Wheel Disc Brakes | Yes |
Brake/ABS System | 4-Wheel |
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
"American Graffiti": The Best Car Cruising Movie Ever
This movie emulates a great time in car history.
Cruising, Racing, Music -- great cars that ended up becoming some of the most wanted cars by American car collectors today. "Wolfman Jack" has his part in the movie, along with many other actors that went on to have well-rounded acting careers. The movie takes place in a more light-hearted time.
I was much to young to remember that time, but me and a lot of other car guys did have a place to cruise right outside of Detroit -- on Telegraph rd. Unfortunately, the fun of that was short-lived. The fun it created on Fri. and Sat. night probably went on for quite a long time before I got my first cruiser, '71 Skylark (455). The fun died out when younger kids were starting to drive their Mommy and Daddy's funded Rice Burners around. The movie "Fast and the Furious" just came out (a poor representation of the drag race world) and everyone who had a wing on the back of their Honda Civic thought they could fly.
Drunk Driving, illegal racing for money, car accidents, crotch rocket motorcycles too fast for their own good etc. etc. left authorities no choice but to police the situation.
Even the days of having fun at the world-famous "Woodward Dream Cruise" has became a thing of the past. Miles and miles of traffic that moves about 3 mph when it's not totally stopped, the street is flooded with 90% of the cars being the same cars you see on your way back-and-forth to work everyday and advertisements is the main reason for the event.
Unfortunately, the last time I was at the cruise spot, I was arrested, along with 250 other people who all received tickets for loitering. My Camaro was towed to a place down in Detroit, and that cost me a lot to get out. The only fun thing about that night was when it came time for all 250 pissed off people to show up in court, I believe authorities may have thought, maybe this was not such a good ideal.
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Friday, November 8, 2013
Cadillac CTS: Motor Trend's 2014 Car of the Year
With great safety ratings and inside and out styling, this Cadillac deserves the crown.
2014 Cadillac CTS4 2.0T | 2014 Cadillac CTS 3.6 | 2014 Cadillac CTS Vsport | |
BASE PRICE | $46,025 | $54,625 | $59,995 |
PRICE AS TESTED | $65,345 | $67,470 | $60,095 |
POWER (SAE NET) | 272 hp @ 5500 rpm | 321 hp @ 6800 rpm* | 420 hp @ 5750 rpm* |
TORQUE (SAE NET) | 295 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm | 275 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm* | 430 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm* |
ACCEL 0-60, MPH | 6.0 sec | 6.3 sec | 4.4 sec |
QUARTER MILE | 14.5 sec @ 93.5 mph | 14.7 sec @ 96.7 mph | 12.8 sec @ 111.9 mph |
BRAKING 60-0, MPH | 115 ft | 111 ft | 98 ft |
LATERAL ACCEL | 0.81 g (avg) | 0.85 g (avg) | 0.94 g (avg) |
MT FIGURE EIGHT | 26.8 sec @ 0.65 g (avg) | 26.7 sec @ 0.66 g (avg) | 24.7 sec @ 0.78 g (avg) |
EPA ECON (CITY/HWY) | 19/28 mpg | 18/29 mpg | 17/25 mpg |
REAL MPG (CITY/HWY) | 20/30 mpg | 18/32 mpg | 20/27 mpg |
*SAE certified |
2014 Cadillac CTS4 2.0T | 2014 Cadillac CTS 3.6 | 2014 Cadillac CTS Vsport | |
POWERTRAIN/CHASSIS | |||
DRIVETRAIN LAYOUT | Front engine, AWD | Front engine, RWD | Front engine, RWD |
ENGINE TYPE | Turbocharged I-4, alum block/head | 60-deg V-6, alum block/heads | Twin-turbo 60-deg V-6, alum block/heads |
VALVETRAIN | DOHC, 4 valves/cyl | DOHC, 4 valves/cyl | DOHC, 4 valves/cyl |
DISPLACEMENT | 121.9 cu in/1998 cc | 217.5 cu in/3564 cc | 217.5 cu in/3564 cc |
COMPRESSION RATIO | 9.5:1 | 11.5:1 | 10.2:1 |
REDLINE | 6500 rpm | 7000 rpm | 6500 rpm |
WEIGHT TO POWER | 14.3 lb/hp | 12.0 lb/hp | 9.4 lb/hp |
TRANSMISSION | 6-speed auto | 8-speed auto | 8-speed auto |
AXLE/FINAL-DRIVE RATIO | 3.27:1/2.19:1 | 2.85:1/1.97:1 | 2.85:1/1.97:1 |
SUSPENSION, FRONT; REAR | Struts, coil springs, adj shocks, anti-roll bar; multilink, coil springs, adj shocks, anti-roll bar | Struts, coil springs, adj shocks, anti-roll bar; multilink, coil springs, adj shocks, anti-roll bar | Struts, coil springs, adj shocks, anti-roll bar; multilink, coil springs, adj shocks, anti-roll bar |
STEERING RATIO | 16.2:1 | 16.5:1 | 15.4:1 |
TURNS LOCK-TO-LOCK | 2.8 | 2.5 | 2.5 |
BRAKES, F;R | 13.6-in vented disc; 12.4-in vented disc, ABS | 13.6-in vented disc; 12.4-in vented disc, ABS | 13.6-in vented disc; 12.4-in vented disc, ABS |
WHEELS | 8.5 x 18-in, cast alum | 8.5 x 19-in, cast alum | 8.5 x 18-in, cast alum (Vspt fr), 9.5 x 18-in, cast alum (Vspt rr) |
TIRES | 245/40R18 93V M+S Pirelli P Zero Nero All Season | 255/35R19 96V M+S Pirelli Cinturato P7 All Season | 245/40R18 93Y (fr), 275/35R18 95Y (rr) Pirelli P Zero |
DIMENSIONS | |||
TURNING CIRCLE | 39.0 ft | 36.7 ft | 36.7 ft |
SEATING CAPACITY | 5 | 5 | 5 |
HEADROOM, F/R | 39.2/37.5 in | 39.2/37.5 in | 39.2/37.5 in |
LEGROOM, F/R | 42.6/35.4 in | 42.6/35.4 in | 42.6/35.4 in |
SHOULDER ROOM, F/R | 56.9/54.8 in | 56.9/54.8 in | 56.9/54.8 in |
CARGO VOLUME | 13.7 cu ft | 13.7 cu ft | 13.7 cu ft |
TEST DATA | |||
ACCELERATION TO MPH | |||
0-30 | 1.6 sec | 2.3 sec | 1.6 sec |
0-40 | 2.8 | 3.4 | 2.4 |
0-50 | 4.3 | 4.8 | 3.4 |
0-60 | 6 | 6.3 | 4.4 |
0-70 | 8.2 | 8.3 | 5.6 |
0-80 | 10.5 | 10.4 | 6.9 |
0-90 | 13.2 | 12.8 | 8.5 |
0-100 | 16.9 | 15.8 | 10.3 |
PASSING, 45-65 MPH | 3.5 | 3.1 | 2.1 |
TOP-GEAR REVS @ 60 MPH | 1800 rpm | 1500 rpm | 1500 rpm |
CONSUMER INFO | |||
STABILITY/TRACTION CONTROL | Yes/yes | Yes/yes | Yes/yes |
AIRBAGS | Dual front, f/r side, f/r curtain, front knee | Dual front, f/r side, f/r curtain, front knee | Dual front, f/r side, f/r curtain, front knee |
BASIC WARRANTY | 4 yrs/50,000 mi | 4 yrs/50,000 mi | 4 yrs/50,000 mi |
POWERTRAIN WARRANTY | 6 yrs/70,000 mi | 6 yrs/70,000 mi | 6 yrs/70,000 mi |
ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE | 6 yrs/70,000 mi | 6 yrs/70,000 mi | 6 yrs/70,000 mi |
FUEL CAPACITY | 19.0 gal | 19.0 gal | 19.0 gal |
RECOMMENDED FUEL | Unleaded premium | Unleaded regular | Unleaded premium |
It's a car that can give you luxury and sportiness in one show.
Motor Trend makes a good choice.
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