So GM, where was the production Chevrolet Spark in Detroit?

If you’ve been following the whole Chevrolet Beat concept turned production version (now known as the Chevrolet Spark) scene, then you remember that about a week ago Ed Welburn gave Today Show host Matt Lauer a sneak peek at the car before its alleged Detroit debut.

All of us in the automotive media industry figured “Hey, we’ll finally get to see the production Chevrolet Beat in Detroit.” However, in Detroit, GM showed the same old Chevrolet Beat concept that made its debut at the 2007 New York Auto Show. The closest we got to seeing the production Spark was one press photo released by GM’s Media Site (check it out after the jump). So where was the Chevrolet Spark?

According to KickingTires, who contacted GM’s communication department, the car under the tarp on TV was a foam model of the Spark. Since it wasn’t a full working prototype, Welburn refused to reveal the whole vehicle on TV and for that very reason GM decided to show the Beat concept instead since it is very close to the production model.

GM Global Communications Department’s Klaus-Peter Martin said that the company had always intended to reveal the Chevrolet Spark in Geneva (which was stated in the Chevrolet Spark’s press release). The 2010 Chevrolet Spark and the 2010 Chevrolet Orlando will both come to the U.S. market in 2011.

2010 Chevrolet Spark:

Source: KickingTires

Detroit 2009: First look at the production 2010 Chevy Camaro

2010 Chevy Camaro SS

It seems like eons since Chevy initially unveiled the Camaro concept in Detroit. Since then, we've seen so many camouflaged test mules and pre-production cars that we were starting to worry the design would feel too familiar before the Camaro hit dealerships. In reality, three years is a relatively short time for car to go from concept to reality, and from the reactions we saw on the show floor, the Camaro has nothing to worry about. Despite the focus on green cars, the Camaro was still one of the most popular vehicles at the Chevrolet display and we had to wait our turn to get a look inside. We are big fans of the overall design and love the retro look, but were somewhat disappointed with the overall feel and quality of materials used inside -- the 2010 Mustang easily trumps the Camaro in terms of interior quality. Still, the true test will come when we can fire up the LS3 V8 and take advantage of the 400 horsepower and six-speed transmission.

Gallery: Detroit 2009: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS

Gallery: Detroit 2009: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro RS

Yes, They Drive Those Old Chevrolets On The Island That Rust Forgot!

Some folks wonder whether the Down On The Street vehicles actually get driven, so I had them in mind when I snapped these shots while running some errands on the island yesterday.

Within a few minutes and several blocks of each other, I caught the beater 1970 Impala and the 1962 Corvair painter's van in action, going about their business just like all the Sentras and Tauruses you might see. Later on, I saw the Austin Cooper S in motion as well, but couldn't get a photo.

Corvette Centennial Transformer toy reveals robot mode

We haven't really heard a peep about the Corvette Centennial Concept since late last year, but that'll be changing in short order as hype about Revenge of the Fallen, the upcoming sequel to the wildly successful live-action Transformers movie, gets closer to its release on June 26th. We're expecting to see a real car from General Motors to go along with the movie roll, but it's not something that you'll be able to buy. This machine is meant as nothing more than a tribute to the Corvette, and it coincides nicely with GM's 100th anniversary.
The most current set of rumors suggest that the Centennial 'Vette will take the form of Transformers character Sideswipe, though there's no official word on that point quite yet. Regardless, the robot mode has been revealed via a new Transformers toy leak. Pay close attention (click on the image to enlarge) to the robot's feet -- he's a skater, and that should make for some interesting scenes in the movie. Just a few more months to go. Thanks for the tip, everyone!
[Source: Transformers Live Action Movie Blog]

2010 Chevrolet Equinox - Video

Chevy'€™s next-gen trucklet gets a welcome revamp, including a pair of new fuel-efficient engines.

Keep Reading: 2010 Chevrolet Equinox - Video

2011 Chevrolet Cruze - Video

GM is investing in its Lordstown, Ohio, plant to build the Cobalt replacement.

Keep Reading: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze - Video

Corvette-Engined Formula Le Mans LMP2 Racer Makes Angry Noises

GM’s venerable small-block LS3 from the 2009 Corvette/2010 Camaro SS has found its way under the rear bodywork of a new Formula Le Mans prototype. Click below to see and hear the beast in action.

The Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) has announced a new European race series called Formula Le Mans. The star of the series is a new Corvette LS3 V8-sourced racecar. Built by Oreca, of Viper motorsport heritage, the new racer is a carbon-kevlar open-cockpit LMP2 that looks (and sounds) to be a promising entry.

Oreca released a promo video that makes the hairs on our arms stand on end. The LS3 mill sounds absolutely devilish is this configuration.

Listen To The Roar Of That LS3

[Formula LeMans via YouTube]