2009 Chevy Colorado V8

The 2009 Chevy Colorado V8 just spent some time in the hands of PickupTrucks.com and they found the belated addition of three cylinders added some pep to the General's aging mid-size truck. [PickupTrucks.com]

Chevrolet Camaro Wallpaper

Corvette ZR1 vs. SL65 AMG Black Series, Murciélago LP640, Viper SRT10 - Comparison Test

Unnatural selection: With 600 horsepower (and then some), these supercars are at the pinnacle of the automotive food chain. Just like dinosaurs, they may be doomed.

It’s easy to diss old-fashioned people as dinosaurs, with their plodding resistance to change, but think about this: Those lumbering, small-brained behemoths ruled the earth for 165 million years, which is a lot longer than Homo sapiens have been in charge of messing up the planet.

Although Diplodocus had similar brain power to bankers who thought asset-backed securities were a sure thing, you’ve still got to be impressed with this 90-foot-long, 20-ton beast that perambulated the third planet from the sun all those years ago.

Like dinosaurs, the 600-horsepower beasts gathered here could soon become extinct, but they are also highly impressive. Machines that weigh as much as two tons and sport massive 12-cylinder engines aren’t exactly in tune with thezeitgeist, which is increasingly angst-ridden over global warming, dependence on foreign oil, and the greening of energy. Performance cars may soon become more fuel efficient—lighter and more compact, with smaller engines. No doubt they’ll be great to drive, but they won’t be as dramatic as a Dodge Viper or a Lamborghini Murciélago in full flight.

GM's Ed Peper promises Chevrolet will gain market share in 2009

2008 Chevy Malibu

Here we are, not yet through the first month of the new year, and Ed Peper, vice president at Chevrolet, is already predicting that the Bowtie brand will increase market share in 2009. What evidence does he submit to arrive at this early conclusion? Last year, Chevy managed to post an increase of six-tenths of a point in retail share in 2008, despite the horrible market conditions late in the year, with the Malibu leading the charge by increasing sales by nearly 40% over the previous generation.
The latest Malibu is certainly a good place to start, and Peper believes that the updated Equinox crossover will make similar inroads in the market. Peper also points to wins by the Malibu and Silverado in recent J.D. Power Initial Quality studies as proof that the brand's products are improving and are comparable to their import competition. These wins are a good place to start, and Peper says the brand will continue to heavily market its best products, but we maintain that it's a bit early to be tooting one's horn with only a half of one month's sales in the books.

2008 Chevy Malibu

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Chevy gets shutter happy with 2011 Volt

2011 Chevy Volt

Look! It's a Chevy Volt in someone's driveway. While this scene isn't likely to occur in reality until some time in late 2010, General Motors apparently wants you to start dreaming about it now. We're dreaming about buying the home in the background of the image above, but for the sake of this post let's focus on the high-profile series hybrid parked in the drive. GM just released a bunch of new high-res images that show the Volt interacting with the world that exists beyond the photo studio. The extended-range electric vehicle looks like a high-tech, futuristic and, most importantly, real sedan when seen staged against the backdrop of suburbia, in front of a coastal village and hanging out under some palm trees. Check out the Volt's new glamour shots in the gallery of high-res images below and let us know if one will be in your driveway come 2011.

2011 Chevy Volt

GM Europe Launches New Design Site

GM Europe has just launched a new design site for Chevrolet to discuss the relevancy of the bow-tied brand's global positioning and to remind everyone how decidedly corporate their design regime staff really is.

With the launch of the Chevrolet Cruze (and Chevy Spark?) rapidly approaching, GM Europe has launched a new design site to tell the story of the Chevrolet brand and its design philosophies. Narrated by an all-too creepy LeVar Burton wannabe, the site contains an in-depth look at the development and creation of many of Chevrolet's most recent concepts. Also included, is an interesting storyline with design illustrations and videos of all of the concepts.

It's a pretty neat way to get people involved in the thinking behind the recently globalized Chevrolet, but the method is just a little bit too corporate for our taste. Noted in one of the narrative pieces is that every Chevrolet designer has a model of the Chevrolet Camaro Concept on their desk, we're thinking that a box with their personal belongings is more representative of what they truly have sitting there. Regardless, go to www.chevroletdesign.com to check it out.

[via GM Europe]

Chevrolet 2009 Corvette Competition Sport Package Revealed

Corvette enthusiasts who aren't lucky enough to have a new ZR-1 in the garage have some good news for 2009 as well. Even as General Motors turns its attention to electric cars, the performance side of the market hasn't been forgotten, and a 2009 Competition Sport Package is now available for 1LT and Z06 ‘Vettes.

The Competition Sport Package adds just the right amount of flash to finish off the Corvette's track-ready looks. Included are a set of racing stripes in Competition Gray, unique wheel and headlamp treatments and a collection of Corvette Racing "Jake" and CSR decals for the interior and exterior. Racing numbers that correspond to the individual owner's build number are also available. Inside, the Competition Sport Package adds an ebony interior with titanium embroidery and Corvette Racing pedals. A new engine cover is also a part of the package.

When combined with the Z51 Performance Package that adds a horsepower-boosting exhaust and differential cooler, the result is a seriously track-ready Corvette, especially in Z06 form.

Barrett-Jackson 2009: First Retail Production 2010 Chevrolet Camaro goes for $350,000

first production 2010 Chevrolet Camaro

One of the most highly anticipated vehicles to be auctioned off at Barrett-Jackson this year was the first 2010 Chevy Camaro. There are very few instant classics these days, and this is one of them. There's still a month before actual series production of the car is slated to begin, but the winning bidder claimed the right to the very first retail production car that can be ordered in any color and with any options he chooses. Last year, it took exactly one-million dollars to win the hotly contested rights to the first 2009 Corvette ZR1, and this year $350,000 claimed the first edition of the newly-revived Camaro. Just as with last year's ZR1, all proceeds from this Camaro's sale will benefit the American Heart Association, which means that anything over the car's MSRP will be tax deductible by the winning bidder. See the car's official auction description after the break.

Barrett-Jackson 2009: First Retail Production 2010 Chevrolet Camaro

Barrett-Jackson 2009: Yenko and COPO Chevrolet collection

COPO Chevrolet collection at the 2009 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction

Way back in the day, things took place a bit differently. Exhibit A: Chevrolet's Central Office Production Order system, which allowed dealerships a back door around GM's officially-sanctioned packages and options. For instance, it was possible to order a Camaro right from the production line that featured an engine that was otherwise reserved for the range-topping Corvette. Perhaps the best-known of these unique products came from Yenko Chevrolet, and bidders at Barrett-Jackson had a very nice group of these rare machines to choose from.
First up was a 1981 Camaro Z/28 that sold for $79,200.00, which was followed by an LT-1-powered 1970 Nova "Deuce" that went for $110,000.00. The compact Nova was followed by three 1969 Camaros, the first of which was a COPO 9561 with the L72 427/425hp engine that sold for $132,000, which actually strikes us as a pretty good deal. Next up was a COPO 9560 with the famed aluminum 427 ZL-1 engine, which sold for $319,000. Lastly, another COPO 9561 hit the block, though this one's status as 1 of 3 that was sold specifically for drag racing in the NHRA helped it earn $297,000.

Barrett-Jackson 2009: Yenko and COPO Chevrolet collection

Gary Holub Yenko Collection

Barrett-Jackson 2009: Jeff Gordon's 2006 NASCAR Chevrolet Monte Carlo

Jeff Gordon's Monte Carlo

While the main focus of Barrett-Jackson is the cars, quite a few charities benefited from the sale of many of the cars. Several people donated money to charities even when they didn't buy a car, proving that many of the bidders have hearts just as big as their wallets. This Monte Carlo SS NEXTEL Cup car driven by Jeff Gordon was a prime example, raising thousands of dollars for Rick Hendrick's charity to benefit the National Marrow Donor Program. Hendrick himself is a survivor of leukemia, and has used his success to help others facing life-threatening diseases. Of course, the buyer's $550,000 (after auction fees) did get something in return: a #24 DuPont Monte Carlo SS that was raced 14 times in the 2006 and 2007 NASCAR seasons, winning two races and capturing four top-five finishes. The car also includes a race-winning engine, Certificate of Authenticity, race day photos and videos, and a personal invite from Hendrick to come hang out with the team at one of the races during the next season. More details on the car in the official description after the break.

Barrett-Jackson 2009: Jeff Gordon's 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Racecar

GM Requested Paramount Include Chevy Volt In Transformers Sequel "At Last Minute"

Roberto Orci, head writer of Transformers 2 claimed in a web chat on fan-site TFW2005 that the Chevy Volt was not in the original script, but rather was foisted upon them at the last minute.

Roberto Orci, head writer on Transformers:Revenge Of The Fallen, the sequel to the blockbuster of two summers ago, claimed in a web chat on fan-site TFW2005 that the Chevy Volt was not in the original script, but rather was foisted upon them at the last minute.

When asked the question:

Was the Chevy Volt TF kind of shoved into the film by GM and not really in the script?

Orci responds:

Yes. Had to figure it out last minute.

This confirms other reports we'd heard from movie insiders who've told us the Volt was a last minute requested addition by the General. Apparently, the GM team was adamant the Volt be included and wouldn't take no for an answer. Keep in mind this is different than what Michael Bay did in the first movie — personally selecting all the vehicles to appear in the film. (Hat tip to Jack!)

[GM Requested Paramount Include Chevy Volt In Transformers Sequel "At Last Minute" via TFW2005]

2009 Competition Sport Corvette: At Least Look Like You Belong On The Track

Chevrolet will introduce a limited production Competition Sport package for both the 2009 Corvette coupe and the Z06, bringing the look of Corvette's racing team to their non-ZR1 offerings, if not quite the performance.

Both the Z06 and Coupe 1LT Vettes ordered with the Competition Sport package will get a track focus, which includes competition stripes, wheels and headlamps, an ebony interior, Corvette racing pedals and a special engine cover. As a special treat, the vehicle will also get the Corvette Racing "Jake" and CSR logos.

Any Coupe 1LT ordered with the package will also get the Z51 performance package, performance exhaust, differential cooler, HUD, Z06 spoiler and other goodies, bringing the power to 436 HP and actually increasing the performance. The Z06 will maintain the same mechanicals, including the same 505 HP LS7 V8, making this primarily an aesthetic package.

Given the bad economy, offering these kinds of special packages is probably a decent way
to get customers to pay a premium on cars they're already interested in buying. Of course, just looking like you're ready for the track doesn't mean a 2009 Corvette ZR1 won't still smoke you on the track.

2009 Competition Sport Corvette (RPO CSC)
Chevrolet introduces a new Corvette package available for a limited time

The Competition Sport package is for the Corvette purist and driving enthusiast
Perfect Corvette for the enthusiast who attends driving schools and track events
Focus on lightweight and performance driving
Serious track influenced design features
Excellent value pricing - Limited build scheduled for Spring '09 only

Included in the package:
Competition Gray Exterior Stripes, Wheels, and Headlamps
Corvette Racing ‘Jake’ and CSR logos on b-pillar, headrest, and center armrest
-Ebony Interior with titanium embroidery
-Corvette Racing Pedals from GCA
-Special engine cover
-Racing style numbers with number based on build sequence to be installed by customer

Available in either Coupe 1LT with 436 hp or Z06 1LZ with 505 hp versions
-Z06 version available in 17U Blade Silver or 41U Black
Coupe version available in 17U Blade Silver or 10U Arctic White
Coupe version also includes in package:
Z51 Performance Package, NPP Performance Exhaust, Differential Cooler
Head Up Display
Red Painted Brake Calipers
Z06 tall spoiler

Don’t miss this special opportunity - Order the Coupe 1LT and Z06 1LZ with CSC

Barrett-Jackson 2009: The Corvettes

Barrett-Jackson 2009: The Corvettes

Corvettes have always been well represented at Barrett-Jackson, and with GM's Heritage Collection added to the list, there are plenty of interesting 'Vettes set to cross the auction block. Among the collection is a one-off 1997 Corvette Tiger Shark concept, a 1989 Corvette Snake Skinner that sold for $176,000 on Wednesday, and the very first ZR-1 built for 1992. If that particular ZR-1 doesn't suit your fancy, there are a few others available including a 1990 coupe and 1993 anniversary model, although they each have to be purchased with a corresponding 2009 model. Some other notable offerings include a C5 chassis display, a 750-horsepower Lingenfelter Corvette, and a beautiful 1967 coupe with a modern Z06 motor and transmission. Browse through the high-res gallery below and pick out your favorite. Note that the gallery is not a full list of the Corvettes at the auction, but does represent some of the better examples.

Barrett-Jackson 2009: The Corvettes

2009 Chevrolet Colorado V8 - Short Take Road Test

Compact truck, big power.

Ever since the S-10 was introduced in 1981, Chevrolet enthusiasts have been forced to drop their own V-8s into Chevy’s compact pickups—the bow-tie didn’t see fit to offer eight-pot power in its pint-size trucks. Those folks were usually looking to go fast: big power in a light truck can make for some startling acceleration times. That sort of combination finally can be had from the factory: the Chevrolet Colorado is available for 2009 with an optional 5.3-liter V-8. The question is whether a small-block V-8 can spice up what is, frankly, a pretty lackluster vehicle.

Much-Needed Power, Same Low-Rent Interior

In its latest comparison test appearance, the Colorado finished last out of five trucks and was flayed for its rental-car interior, unrefined engine, and upright rear backrest. At minimum, the new V-8 is a good remedy for the thrashy, 242-horse, 3.7-liter inline five-cylinder engine currently found in lesser Colorados (and GMC Canyons, which also receive the V-8 option for ’09). The throaty 5.3-liter (only available on extended cab and crew cab models, 1LT trim and above) produces 300 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque, and we saw 0-to-60-mph times fall to 6.7 seconds, a substantial decrease from the 8.7 seconds turned in by the 220-hp five-cylinder truck in the comparo. (The five was upgraded in 2007 with more power, so the difference in times would be less today.)