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/

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.

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.

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

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

"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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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

The Stats speak for themselves.

It's a car that can give you luxury and sportiness in one show.

Motor Trend makes a good choice.

2014 Corvette Stingray: Too Fast for the Price

These are just a couple of Stingrays that fond their way into a wreck.

 Big bank rolls with no driving skills -- cloud your new Corvette Stingray end up looking like these?

Has General Motors put to much power into there new Corvettes?

Lets face it, if your someone who has enough money to buy a special edition Corvette ZR1 or a supercar like a Lamborghini or a Ferrari, most likely you will set that
car in the garage and look at it, show to your friends -- but drive it around every day -- that probably wouldn't even be an option.

But with the Stingray being priced reasonably -- a price about the same as last years Corvettes -- these cars will be finding their way to the roads of even the most average Joe cities. It could be scary.

2014 Z/28 Camaro - The Fastest Road Course Car Available?

Expected to be released in early spring - 2014, the Z/28 may be one of the best road course cars for the price tag it will have taped to the window. No exact number yet, but the price is expected to be right around the same amount as you would pay for one of the other performing Camaros that Chevy has in it's line-up.

The latest trip to the most grueling road course in the world, the Nürburgring, the Z/28 laid down numbers on a damp track that beat not only it's sibling, the ZL1, but also the Porsche 911 Carrera S and Lamborghini Murcielago LP640. 

The Camaro boasted a 7:37.40 lap time and Chevrolet believes that the time could improve by as much as four seconds depending on weather conditions. Not only was the track damp but toward the end of the lap it started to rain. 

This was a 24 hour test for the Camaro, so not only did it run this one lap to impress, but it also ran for 24 hours with breaks only to accommodate the the tires and brakes. A a test of endurance that Chevrolet has been doing to their sports cars since the early 1990s when their fastest car was a 300hp Corvette. 

300hp sounds quite soft apposed to this Z/28 that brings a 505hp 7.0 liter engine to the table. That power helps it get around the track as fast as it does. But Chevrolet claims the real secret to it's fast times is the frame that is 300 pounds lighter than the ZL1. The combination of horsepower and lightness gives the Camaro the ability for more efficient braking going into corners and faster alliteration coming out of corners. 

These cars are race ready - you can order a radio and an air condition for the Camaro, but Chevrolet has claimed they will not be standard. Regardless it's a peer race car ready for the track right off the showroom floor.

2014 Chevy Malibu: Will it Fare Better Than 2013

General Motors is known for being the last out of the gate when it comes to styling of their mid-sized sport/luxury sedans. There also known for catching up with the times when they get around to it.

Instead fixing the problem they usually make up the difference by slashing prices and offering incentives. But this time around, with GM doing as well as they have this past year, and also with GM stock holders not wanting the short cut that GM usually takes - GM will take a new approach.

Instead of waiting for a couple of years and then promoting a refresh version of the car right before they offer a all-new redesigned Malibu, like they would usually do - GM decides to refresh now, sooner-than-later. A refreshed model of the 2013 Malibu has been designed and will make its way to the showroom floors in early 2014.

With new exterior styling including a stouter front clip, redesigned front seats to help add room to the back seats - which was a big complaint for consumers, more trunk space and some engine up-grades that include the stop/start technology system and better gas mileage for the base 2.5 liter motor (25 city and 36 highway) - GM hopes this Malibu will compete better with its competition - especially the Ford Fusion and the Toyota Camry which is in the same class as the Malibu, but did much better this past year in sales.

Although the Malibu is not completely redesigned - as GM would call it (refreshed), it will unusually receive the complete and full advertising push. This treatment is usually only reserved for all-new redesigned models, but with GM doing as well as they have with their other models - such as the new Sileradro, Impala, Cruze and their Cadillac line - GM wants nothing to do with a dud in their line-up.

Self Driving Car: General Motors is Close and Ready

 The Question is Are Drivers Ready?

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HySnLN9Pk4  watch video 
Drivers really don't need another reason to not pay attention on the road. But a ventrally you will be able to slide behind the wheel and hit the gas on the Cadillac SRX test vehicle with "Super Cruise" and it feels like any other luxury SUV. However, when you hit 50 mph it feels different.




At that point, you hit two buttons on the steering wheel to activate Super Cruise, you position the SRX in the lane and take your hands off the wheel. After that, Super Cruise takes over.

"It's a pretty remarkable feeling isn't it?" asked Eric Raphael, manager of the General Motors Super Cruise program, who sat in the passenger seat next to me.

As we zipped around the GM test track in Milford, Mich., I was in the driver's seat but my hands were off the steering wheel and my feet didn't touch the gas or brake.


"Some of this technology, like adaptive cruise control, is already in some Cadillac models," said John Capp, GM director of electrical systems. "Our plan is to have the whole system available by the end of this decade."

Race for self-driving cars

General Motors has been working on autonomous drive technology for years. Some of the technology has gone into features like adaptive cruise control, which automatically starts braking as sensors detect your car is closing in too quickly on the car in front of you.

The next frontier is developing cars that completely drive themselves. "There's a lot of momentum with this technology. Nobody wants to be left behind," said Raj Rajkumar, professor of electrical engineering at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. "In 2003, if you'd have said that someday we'd see self-driving cars, you would have been labeled 'insane.'"

The crazy talk ended when everyone saw the Google car safely tooling around on public streets with researchers from the tech giant not steering or controlling the car.

Since then, nearly every automaker has proclaimed their intention to build self-driving cars.
Nissan and GM said they'll have one by the end of the decade. Elon Musk is shooting to have a Tesla with "co-pilot" technology to assist drivers by 2017.

"This technology is all very natural, very incremental, but it is coming," said Rajkumar.

  By: Philip LeBeau | CNBC Auto and Airline Industry Reporter 

Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon

 

General Motors have confirmed that in addition to their full size trucks they will also be adding a four cylinder Duramax turbo-diesel option for the newest generation of the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon.

The new Turbo Diesel that will be used here in America is currently powering the Chevrolet Colorado overseas and has had some good success. GM is throwing their cards on the table in attempt to keep up with the fuel efficient mid-size truck competition and bring back a once absent crowd back to GM - which they have already made a good start with the new redesigend Impala, Silverado and GMC Sierra.


The two different engine sizes - 2.5 and 2.8L turbo-diesel’s sports a variable-geometry turbocharger for the most efficient power across the rpm range and for better smoothness a balanced shaft is implicated.  Both motors are designed to promote long lasting, dependable performance, and with new high quality engineering and technology, GM hopes to knock to down to frequency of maintenance.

Engine Ratings
2.8L turbo-diesel
180 horsepower
346 lb.-ft. of torque
available six-speed automatic transmission.

2.5L is rated
150 horsepower
258 lb.-ft. of torque
available six-speed automatic transmission

A smaller sized truck with good gas millage and impressive torque numbers - should make for a good selling point when those turbo-diesels hit the market here in America.

General Motors has yet to announce an official launch date for the two vehicles, but said, last month, that the Colorado/Canyon pair “will join the all-new 2014 Silverado and Sierra 1500s, and the upcoming Silverado and Sierra HDs, to give Chevrolet and GMC the industry’s most comprehensive lineups of pickups, helping customers choose the right truck for their needs.”

2014 Corvette Stingray: Coming to Show Rooms Soon

If you didn't get a chance to see the 2014 Corvette Stingray up close at one of the International Auto Shows, then your wait might finally be over. General Motors has now started shipping some of these fine works of arts to dealership locations around the USA.



If your lucky, one of the extra 1,000 Stingrays that GM has built at their world-famous Bowling Green Assembly Plant will be sent to a dealer near you. GM claims these cars should start arriving at undisclosed dealerships with-in the next couple of weeks. 

“It’s an amazing sight to see the transporters filled with Stingrays heading to customers in all corners of the country,” said Dave Tatman, the plant manager of GM’s Bowling Green Assembly Plant, in a statement. “The pride at Bowling Green is overwhelming and it shows in the tremendous quality and attention to detail going into each one of these new Corvettes.”


The redesigned 2014 Corvette got great reviews upon its unveiling. The styling was much impressive and to match up with the styling came a fuel-efficient 460 horsepower motor that could get 30 miles to the gallon on the highway thanks to the cylinder deactivation technology that GM implicates. The car carries itself very well and latches on a very reasonable price tag ( base $51,995).


By time next summer comes around, the 2014 Corvette Stingray should be gracing the roads all around the USA.

Hey, even if you can't afford one, maybe you can get lucky and con a salesman into at least letting you take one for a test drive.

2014 Chevy Impala's Rare History Accomplishment

The newly re-designed Impala has made a lot leaps this year, all while sticking with it's old roots of what made it famous when it first came out back in 1958. A stylish vehicle with a respectable powerful motor and the comfort and room on the inside to fit the whole family.

But what really sets the 2014 Impala apart from other American cars this year is; it is the first American-branded car in at least 20 years to be rated the top new sedan by Consumer Reports magazine.


Consumer Reports gave the Impala a rating of 95 which is the highest of all of the sedans. This is impressive considering the only two other cars that were rated higher were a BMW 135i coupe and a Model S hatchback, neither of which are 4 door sedans.


Along with the Consumer Reports magazine victory, the full-size, five-passenger Impala also received the top, overall, five-out-of-five-stars rating from the Federal Government for over all occupant protection in safety crash testing.


These accomplishments are a far cry from last years ratings which only managed a 4 of 5 star rating from Federal Government in safety crash testing and a low 63 rating from Consumers Reports.

The only one downfall to this new Impala is the price is a little bit up from last years Impala. But considering it's new accomplishment and more horsepower and all the extra goodies it comes with, who's to say it's a downfall. For more info on the 2014 Impala.

New Tahoe, Yukon, Suburban: GM's 2015 SUV Fleet

GM: Still on Top of the SUV Market

Ford really doesn't have much of an answer for the all-new redesigned Tahoe, Yukon and Suburban. With GM's newly redesigned Silverado and Seirra already making noise, their 2015 SUV's should have no problem keeping up with the competition.

Both the trucks and the SUV's boast a 5.3-liter V8 with direct injection, and continuously variable valve timing that can generate 355 horsepower and runs through a 6-speed automatic transmission. With this combination added in with the fact that they are lighting then their predecessors and a cylinder deactivation system, GM's SUV's are set in place to get better gas millage than any of the Ford and Dodges SUV's.

New Age Interior

The interior has been redesigned to fit the new age look that it has been desperately needing. The stereo system is available with Bluetooth streaming capability, as part of Chevy MyLink, and includes Pandora web radio. There are plenty USB power ports placed all over the inside for convenience, and there is also a 110-volt, wall-style power outlet that some consumers will also find convenient.

Gadgets and Extras

Other cool stuff includes available lane departure warning, collision avoidance and all sorts of other tech goodies. New for the, Denali Yukon, it comes with the Magnetic Ride Control found in the high end sports cars and even in the Cadillac Escalade.

Exterior Lines

The exteriors are visually linked to their pickup-truck counterparts,but  GM does guarantee that no exterior parts are shared with the Chevrolet Silverado or GMC Sierra. And some of their newly designed exterior is also fitted for more aerodynamics, which will also help with gas Millage.

Pricing

No word yet on pricing, but depending on what options a consumer will opt. for will affect the price, and if you're already spending some good money I will be willing to bet that someone will probably go fully loaded.




 

2014 Cadillac CTS is Put to the Test at Nürburgring

One of the Toughest Tracks in the World and Cadillac Aces it.

Cadillac validated its brand-new 2014 CTS midsize luxury sedan and power-packed CTS Vsport at the world’s most-demanding test track – Germany’s Nürburgring – and recorded lap times to enhance the nameplate’s reputation as a driver’s car.

Notably, the 2014 CTS Vsport, featuring Cadillac’s first  Twin-Turbo engine and eight-speed transmission, recorded a lap time of 8:14.10, almost six seconds faster than the first generation CTS-V recorded 10 years ago with a larger V-8 engine.


Nürburgring validation certified that all CTS suspension packages are capable of handling the extreme conditions and unlimited speeds of Autobahn driving. CTS development included Autobahn and track calibrations of the steering system, shock absorbers, chassis controls and powertrain cooling.
“The Nürburgring’s extreme conditions allow us to push cars to the limits of stability, steering, braking, ride and handling,” said Dave Leone, CTS executive chief engineer, Performance Luxury Vehicles. “The new CTS models had a lot to live up to considering the nameplate’s history of outstanding performance, and we were not disappointed.”

Measuring 12.9 miles (20.8 km) and including some 154 turns, the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife (“north loop”) is widely considered the world’s most-demanding course for vehicle validation. Cadillac vehicle dynamics performance engineer Kevin Zelenka and Jeff Grabowski drove full production models of CTS and CTS Vsport with no performance modifications, validating all-new 2014 CTS sedan that goes on sale this fall.

“The new CTS was an absolute riot to drive on the Ring,” said Zelenka. “It’s more athletic and refined, and the Vsport proved extremely capable. If a car performs well on the Ring, it will perform well on any road in the world.”

The CTS has been the centerpiece of Cadillac’s portfolio for more than a decade. The third-generation CTS is one inch lower, five inches longer and more than 200 pounds lighter than its predecessor. The new car also has lower curb weight, greater structural stiffness and more horsepower than its primary competitors.
The all-new CTS is engineered from the ground up to deliver a driving experience that combines sport-tuned handling with world-class comfort. Its segment-exclusive Magnetic Ride Control and electronic limited slip differential constantly monitor rear-wheel rotation to ensure optimal handling in a variety of road conditions.
The 2014 CTS standard model will start at $46,025, including $925 destination. Three collections of option packages – Luxury, Performance and Premium – will be offered with either the 2.0T turbocharged four cylinder or 3.6L naturally aspirated V6 engine in either rear- or all-wheel drive. The CTS Vsport model starts at $59,995, including $925 destination, and features the new Cadillac Twin-Turbo 3.6L V6 (420 hp) in RWD only with an eight-speed transmission.


 
About Cadillac
Cadillac has been a leading luxury auto brand since 1902. Today Cadillac is growing globally, driven by an expanding product portfolio featuring dramatic design and technology. More information on Cadillac appears at www.cadillac.com. Cadillac's media website with information, images and video can be found at media.cadillac.com.

article from: GM News

2013-17 COPO Camaro: Strictly Business

The COPO (Central Office Production Ordered) Camaro is the rarest of all the Camaros that is available to the public. It was first introduced in 1969 and was built by General Motors for the sole purpose of drag racing. The ideal behind it was to bring competition to the NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) drag racing circuit. Up until 1969, the Ford Cobra Jets and Dodge HEMIs dominated the Stock and Super Stock circuits because the Camaro did not meet NHRA rules and regulations and was unable to race. So to fix that problem, GM decided to make sure the COPO Camaro would be produced and delivered to the consumer with every NHRA rule and regulation followed.

Although the existence of the '69 COPO Camaro would be short lived, the legend would stick around up until present day. Starting in 2013,  General Motors brought it back with the same intentions, strictly drag racing. 

There will be 138 COPO Camaros that will be produced and sold for 2013 and a pacific number each year after. There will be three different engine options for the consumer to choose from: A 427 cubic inch naturally aspired V-8, a 327 cubic inch V-8 with a 2.9L supercharger and a 327 cubic inch V-8 with 4.0L supercharger. The Camaros will also have a special designed drag race suspension including a rear solid axle, racing tires, role cage and a fuel cell with an easy access exterior on/off switch. You will also find that there is no back seat, but you will have full functioning racing harnesses for the front seats which all complies with NHRA's rules and regulations.


What makes these cars so rare outside of its raw horsepower and racing capabilities? The COPO Camaro is the only American made cars that you can buy that have no VIN. #, no title and they can not be registered to drive on public roads.

2013 Special Edition COPO Camaro Convertible 

A special edition convertible version of the COPO Camaro was auctioned off at the Barrett-Jackson Auction in 2012. General Motors managed to bring in $400,000 dollars for the first ever sold 2013 Inferno Metallic Orange Camaro with all proceeds going to help the American Heart Association.

Now, if you were someone that wanted to get your hands on one of these rare Camaros, you would not have to shell out $400,000 dollars, but you should expect to at least shell out about $89,000 dollars, that is if you are someone who is lucky enough to order one before there all gone.

COPO CAMARO GENERAL INFORMATION:

NHRA horsepower ratings:

• 327/4.0L supercharged– 550
• 327/2.9L supercharged – 500
• 427 Naturally aspirated – 425

NHRA shipping weights:

• 327/4.0L – 3175 lbs
• 327/2.9L – 3250 lbs
• 427/N/A – 3195 lbs

• Recommended max engine RPM – 7500

CHASSIS:

• Chrome-moly cage – NHRA certified to 8.50 ET
• Subframes tied together
• Front engine cradle modified to accept additional oil pan clearance
• Rear subframe modified to accept unique COPO NHRA Stock Eliminator suspension

REAR SUSPENSION:

• 4-bar with adjustable top links
• Adjustable panhard link
• Double-adjustable Strange Engineering coil over shocks
• Anti-roll bar

FRONT SUSPENSION:

• Adjustable Strange Engineering coil over struts
• Sway bar removed

STEERING:

• Production steering gear modified for manual (non-assist) operation

BRAKES:

• Light-weight vented rotors
• Billet 4-piston light-weight calipers
• Light-weight tandem master cylinder
• OEM pedal modified to mount master cylinder
• All components provided by Strange Engineering

WHEELS:

• Bogart Racing light-weight with unique COPO logo
• Forged outer ring
• Billet center
• 15” x 10” rear – 5/8” studs
• 15” x 3.5” front – 1/2” studs
•  4 – 3/4” bolt circle pattern

TIRES:

• Rear – 9” x 30” x 15” radial slick
• Front – 4.5” x 28” x 15” – drag-only

GEARS & AXLES:

• Strange Engineering 9” aluminum center section
• Light-weight steel spool
• Strange 9310 alloy 4.29 ring & pinion set
• Strange Engineering 35-spline axles
• Strange Engineering chrome-moly yoke

DRIVE SHAFT:

• 4” OD x .125” wall 6061-T6 aluminum tube
• Chrome-moly end caps
• Forged chrome-moly slip yoke
• Heavy-duty 1350 universal joints

TRANSMISSION:

• ATI Racing Products “Pro Glide”
• SFI-approved ATI “Super Case”
• 1.80 ratio 9310 straight cut gear set
• Precision balanced carrier with 4340 tool steel output shaft
• Turbo spline input shaft:
• 327/4.0L – Vasco material
• 327/2.9L and 427 – 300M material
• 7 clutch high gear pack
• Billet clutch hub
• High flow front pump with heat-treated pinned stator tube
• Deep aluminum pan
• Hard Chrome Rings
• Fluid overflow catch can

TORQUE CONVETER:

• ATI Racing Products “Treemaster MRT” Series
• 327/4.0L – 9” diameter housing
• Furnace brazed impeller and turbine fins
• Precision pump drive tube
• Heavy duty needle bearings
• 22 element sprag with dual cage construction
• 327/2.9L and 427 – 8” diameter housing
• Furnace brazed impeller and turbine fins
• Precision pump drive tube
• Heavy duty needle bearings
• Investment Cast Cover

SHIFTER:

• Hurst “Quarterstick” – 2-spd. automatic
• Forward pattern
• Built-in neutral safety switch
• Light-weight aluminum cover

327 ENGINE:

• Chevrolet Performance “LSX” cast iron block with steel main caps
• 4.065” bore x 3.150” stroke
• Static compression ratio – 10:1 nominal
• Callies 4340 crankshaft – double-keyed snout
• Callies 4340 H-beam “Ultra” rods
• 6.350” length
• .928” pin bore diameter
• Clevite H-Series heat-treated tri-metal rod & main bearings
• Mahle 2618 alloy forged domed pistons
• Graphal coating
• Hard-anodized top ring groove
• Friction-coated skirts
• Mahle .043” x .043” x 3mm piston rings
• Ductile iron top with radius molybdenum face
• Plain cast iron tapered 2nd
• Chrome-plated oil rails with low-tension expander
• Comp Cams steel billet hydraulic roller camshaft
• Duration – 246°/254° @ .050” lift
• Theoretical valve lift – .630”/.630”
• Lobe centers – 117°

Valvetrain:

• Chevrolet Performance “Ceramic Ball” high-RPM hydraulic roller tappets
• 3/8” diameter LS7 pushrods
• 1.8:1 ratio LS7 rocker arms with roller trunions
• PSI “Max Life” beehive valve springs
• Hardened steel spring seats
• Light-weight steel retainers
• Fully CNC’ed aluminum cylinder heads – based on LS7
• 275 cc nominal intake port volume
• 89 cc nominal exhaust port volume
• 70 cc nominal combustion chamber volume
• Del West titanium intake valves – 2.200” head diameter x 7mm stem
• Light-weight sodium-filled exhaust valves – 1.610” head diameter x 7mm stem
• Fel-Pro Performance multi-layer steel head gaskets with raised cylinder sealing bead
• Internal wet sump oil pump
• Deep-sump cast aluminum oil pan – 6 quart capacity
• ATI Performance Products SFI-approved damper – 10-rib shell
• Whipple twin-screw supercharger
• 327/550 – 4.0L
• 327.500 – 2.9L
• Whipple billet throttle body
• 327/550 – 172mm oval blade
• 327/500 – 109mm round blade

427 ENGINE:

• Chevrolet Performance LS7 aluminum block
• 4.125” bore x 4.00” stroke
• Static compression ratio – 13:1 nominal
• Callies 5140 crankshaft
• Callies 4340 H-beam rods
• 6.100” length
• .928” pin bore diameter
• Clevite H-Series heat-treated tri-metal rod & main bearings
• Mahle 2618 alloy forged domed pistons
• Graphal coating
• Hard-anodized top ring groove
• Friction-coated skirts
• Mahle .043” x .043” x 3mm piston rings
• Ductile iron top with radius molybdenum face
• Plain cast iron tapered 2nd
• Chrome-plated oil rails with low-tension expander
• Chevrolet Performance steel billet hydraulic roller camshaft
• Duration – 233°/276° @ .050” lift
• Theoretical valve lift – .630”/.630”
• Lobe centers – 107°

Valvetrain:

• Chevrolet Performance “Ceramic Ball” high-RPM hydraulic roller tappets
• 3/8” diameter LS7 pushrods
• 1.8:1 ratio LS7 rocker arms with roller trunions
• PSI “Max Life” beehive valve springs
• Hardened steel spring seats
• Light-weight steel retainers
• Fully CNC’ed aluminum cylinder heads – based on LS7
• 275 cc nominal intake port volume
• 89 cc nominal exhaust port volume
•  70 cc nominal combustion chamber volume
• Del West titanium intake valves – 2.200” head diameter x 7mm stem
• Light-weight sodium-filled exhaust valves – 1.610” head diameter x 7mm stem
• Fel-Pro Performance multi-layer steel head gaskets with raised cylinder sealing bead
• Internal wet sump oil pump
• Deep-sump cast aluminum oil pan – 6 quart capacity
• ATI Performance Products SFI-approved damper
• Meziere billet electric water pump
• Chevrolet Performance/Holley “Hi Ram” intake manifold
• Whipple billet throttle body – 102mm blade

FUEL SYSTEM:

• Aeromotive “Eliminator” fuel pump – free flow rating = 800 lb/hr
• Aeromotive A1000 pressure regulator with manifold pressure compensation capability
• Aeromotive 10-micron high-flow filter
• Light-weight black nylon braided -8 AN hoses
• Black anodized aluminum -8 AN hose ends and fittings
• High-impedance fuel injectors
• 327/550 – 105 lb/hr @ 43.5 psi with EV1 connector
• 327/500 – 80 lb/hr @ 43.5 psi with EV1 connector
• 427/425 – 42 lb/hr @ 58 psi with EV6 / USCAR connector

ENGINE CONROLS & IGNITION:

• Delco MEFI 5A electronic fuel injection processor
• Speed density operation
• Interfacing software & hardware available in the aftermarket
• Cable-actuated throttle
• Production LS7 ignition coils
• Production LS7 secondary wires
• GM sensors

ELECTRICAL:

• Dash-installed control switches:
• Starter
• Ignition
• Fuel pump
• Cooling fan
• Intercooler pump/water pump, depending on engine package

GAUGES:

• Autometer with gold “Bowtie” logo on dials:
• 5” 10K RPM tach with shift light
• Electronic water temp with 2 1/16” face and 100°-260°F range
• Electronic trans temp with 2 1/16” face and 100°-260°F range
• Electronic oil pressure with 2 1/16” face and 0-100 psi range
• Electronic fuel pressure with 2 1/16” face and 0-100 psi range
• Voltmeter with 2 1/16” face and 8-18v range

SAFETY:

• RJS Safety Equipment 3” driver restraints
• RJS Safety Equipment window net