Rendered Speculation: C6-based retro Corvette C3R

C3R renderings

While it can be argued that the current Corvette is the best ever built, there are those who would say the C6 is, well, homogenized. Safe. Boring, even, at least in the looks department.
Christian Cyrulewski would be among those who are visually disinterested in the current Corvette. But instead of grousing about it over a beer or six with the local Corvette club, he's taken matters into his own hands and come up with the C3R. In his words, that stands for "third-generation retro Corvette based on the sixth-generation (C6) platform."
Christian's website is short on details but rife with renderings of a curvaceous custom Corvette based on the latest platform out of Bowling Green. Top Speed says Christian plans to cruise the Woodward Dream Cruise next year in a C3R prototype, and if there's enough interest, could offer a kit version of the car. Like your retro-styled muscle cars with actual muscle? Top Speed says Christian also plans a 427-powered version of the kit complete with side pipes. No word yet on pricing, availability, or, heck, validity of the C3R, but we'll keep ya posted.

Rendered Speculation: The Corvette C3R

[Source: Top Speed]

Chevy Volt program is not being delayed ... yet!

You can never be certain about the information you get from fourth-hand, unconfirmed sources. General Motors will be releasing its third quarter financial results this morning, and it will be ugly for sure. Rick Wagoner will also be announcing more cuts that will likely include layoffs among engineering staff. GM is expected to cancel or delay almost all future product plans in an attempt to staunch its current cash burn rate. One of those aforementioned fourth-hand sources told another website last night that the Chevy Volt is among the programs on the chopping block. AutoblogGreen contacted GM's Volt spokesman Rob Peterson, who stated that "there's no truth in that statement whatsoever" regarding the story that appeared on Jalopnik. Chevrolet spokesman Terry Rhadigan also said "I'm not going to respond to specific speculation. The Volt remains a top priority for our Company and there are no changes to the timing of the program." So for now, at least, the Volt is safe.

Gallery: 2011 Chevy Volt - Live Reveal

STS Twin Turbo C6 Corvette a matte monster

STS C6 Z06

The Squires Turbo Systems twin-turbo C6 Z06 gives the former most-powerful Vette model a boost to 700 horsepower at a very reasonable 7 pounds of boost, which, depending on how sorted the Bilstein-shocked suspension is, could give it a good shot at sticking with a stock ZR-1. The most unique thing about this car is that STS mounts the turbos remotely, at the rear of the car. That placement keeps the engine bay freer and adds a host of technical perks like lower temps under the hood and cooler oil going to the turbo. And according to STS, some customers have even gotten better gas mileage. Strangely, though, for all of that new performance, the brakes look untouched. Check it out in the gallery of high-res photos below.

SEMA 2008: STS Twin Turbo C6 Covette

New Chevrolet Cruze Starts Winter Tests In Portugal

Chevrolet’s 2009 WTCC contender, the Cruze, continued its extensive test and development programme with a first public test at the Portuguese Estoril track yesterday and today. The test follows on the initial private tests at the MIRA proving grounds in the UK and at Guadix in Spain. The test and development programme will continue throughout the winter months at different tracks across southern Europe.

Today’s test at Estoril also marked the very last time the current model, the Chevrolet Lacetti, was used in a testing capacity. The successful Lacetti will bow out at the season’s final races in Macau in two weeks’ time, after which the team will only concentrate on developing and building the new Cruze. At Estoril, both cars were driven by Alain Menu and Rob Huff; the back-to-back test being used to set a baseline for the Cruze.

 

QUOTES

Rob Huff: “The Cruze is a great car and feels fast straight out of the box. We obviously still are at the very early stages of development but already now you can feel how much better it handles and what an advantage the wider track will be in the races.”

Alain Menu: “It was the first time I drove the Cruze and I can already tell the car feels good. The wider track makes it easier to drive in certain portions of the circuit, while lap times show promise but also indicate the amount of work still needed. The car responds well to all set-up changes which should make it easier for us to make progress throughout the winter months.”

Eric Nève:

“It is always a special moment to see a new race car out on a real race track for the first time. The Cruze is Chevrolet Europe’s new core model and the launch of the new road car in the showrooms blends in perfectly with the start of the 2009 season, so the WTCC car will once again have an important role to play for the market place. With the success and experience we have gained in the past four seasons incorporated in this new race car, I am convinced that the Cruze can achieve new ambitions for Chevrolet in the WTCC.”

Ring Bros bring the goods once again with 1969 RAZOR Camaro

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Ring Brother's RAZOR Camaro

We first heard of the Ring Brothers back in 2006 when they brought their REACTOR Mustang to the ROUSH booth. That car was nothing less than stunning, and we've made sure to check out any of their custom creations since then. On display this year is the RAZOR Camaro that won the Goodguys Street Machine of the Year for 2008, making it the second year in a row that the Ring Brothers have earned the award. The RAZOR features numerous examples of the Ring Bro's custom billet components, a carbon fiber hood and rear deck lid, Budnik wheels, custom paintwork, and a GM ZL1 crate motor. Even if you're not a fan of the car or the styling, it's impossible to not appreciate the workmanship of the car. We've put together a gallery of high resolution photos below so you can inspect said workmanship for yourself.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Ring Brothers 1969 RAZOR Camaro

Camaro Accessories, Camaro Black, and Earnhardt, Jr. Camaro

2008 SEMA Camaro concepts

You read about them earlier, but GM pulled out every joker it had in the Camaro deck today. One of them was bathed in yellow and filled with a host of GM Accessories options, like contrasting side sills and front spoiler, the hockey stick stripe package, and 21-inch wheels in machined aluminum with black accents. One thing we realized when getting up close and personal is that the inside of the Camaro is as dark as a coffin. It might not be a bad idea to splurge for the interior lighting package if you want to see who's in the car with you.
The Dale Jr. Camaro is something old and something new, with a biofuel V8 that's been tweaked for a little more horsepower, and the monster is shifted with a Hurst short-throw. Outside, gray-over-white goes will all sorts of stripes and emblems, whereas inside the car is black with orange stitching and gets a nice set of white center console gauges. And that ducktail dovetail spoiler? Straight out of '69. The car should come with an 8-track of Bryan Adams' Greatest Hits, which probably wouldn't sound too bad on the Boston Acoustics system.
The Camaro Black Concept is the car this blogger equated to pure badass one year ago, after driving the Camaro Convertible Concept. The blacked-out gloss exterior offset by a matte hood go perfectly with the red halo rings around the headlights. Frankly, we'd lower it even more over the 21-inch wheels, but we wouldn't touch the black interior with red interior lighting. We didn't expect GM to put the 6-cylinder in it, but based on the sound it made rolling by, it's not a problem. The Camaro got its first star turn in Transformers, and if Hollywood ever decides to remake The Car, this one is the star. Until then, you can check out the gallery of high-res photos below.

SEMA 2008: Camaro Concepts LIVE

Camaro GS Race Car Concept LIVE

Camaro GS Race Car Concept

If the 2010 Camaro is, as Ed Peper said, "a 21st century sports car for the young and the young at heart," then this is the race car for those actual and spiritual whippersnappers. The Camaro GS Race Car Concept takes its inspiration from the Trans Am racer of Mark Donohue, but Riley Technologies updates it with a just a few go-fast add-ons. The body is seam-welded, the hood, trunk lid, and doors are swapped for carbon fiber components, and in the front a racing radiator and an upgraded engine cooler are fitted. The production LS3 V8 swaps gears though a Tremec close-ration six-speed gearbox, and all those spent hydrocarbons exit through three-inch dual exhaust pipes. Even better than all that: you can buy it from Riley for the 2009 Grand Am season. Check out the press release after the jump and the live high-res photos below.

SEMA 2008: Camaro GS Race Concept LIVE

Camaro LS7 Concept revealed LIVE

Chevy Camaro LS7 Concept

As the Official Vehicle of SEMA, we knew we'd see several variations of the Chevrolet Camaro on display, but the details had us aching to see them in person. While each has their own unique appeal, the LS7 Concept stood out most. Designed to be something of a throw-back to the glory days of the muscle car era when anyone in the know could walk into their local Chevy dealer and check the COPO box to order up a race-bred, fire-breathing 427 V8 in the engine bay, this LS7 Concept shows what 2010 Camaro shoppers might be able to do with a massive letter-writing campaign. The LS7, as its name implies, features the GM Performance Parts LS7 Crate motor tuned to produce 550 horsepower thanks to a number of GMPP performance accessories. As we told you in the preview, a Tremec six-speed manual handles shifting duties, Brembo brakes make it stop, 20-inch custom wheels help it look the part, and a lowered ride height gives it the final touch. As good as all that sounds, it looks even better in the metal, especially in the concept's Victory Red paint. Check out the press release after the jump and the gallery below for desktop wallpaper-sized shots.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Chevy Camaro LS7 Concept LIVE

2010 Chevy Camaro Black Concept

The Camaro Black is one of the four 2010 Camaro-based concepts that made their way to the Las Vegas convention center for this year's SEMA show. As its name suggests, this Camaro has been totally "blacked" out - from the black paint and the matte black-finished hood to the 21-inch alloy wheels, the tinted RS tail lamps, the darker grille finish and the color-matched exterior badging. The coupe's sinister looks are complemented by a ground effects kit that includes a rear diffuser, a SS rear spoiler and red-glowing HID headlamp halo rings.

Inside, the Camaro Black Concept features a Chevy Accessories' premium audio upgrade package along with MTX speakers, red LED instrument lighting and red footwell ambient lighting, black chrome trim accents, dark-finished accents and leather-covered seats with grey accent stitching.

There are no mechanical upgrades as under the hood lurks the Camaro's standard production 3.6-liter V6 engine producing an output of 300HP.