Chevrolet Corvette News

If it wasn't for the fact that our environment and financial institutions are falling apart, and the current big 3 CEO’s can’t manage their way out of a paper bag, we car enthusiasts would currently be in 7th heaven.Every car manufacturer and model type that matters is currently available, or about to be. For the first time since the 70's the Chev Camaro, Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger are in the showrooms at the same time. For those of us that grew up watching Moffat and Geoghan race against Bob Jane, the potential of another race series such as the re-introduction of Trans Am is just too good to be true.Staying with the American theme, we also have the Viper, Corvette and Ford GT. Actually the GT has just ceased production and who knows what's in store for the Viper, but they were recently all available. What a missed opportunity for the big two and a half to do a three way GT race series. Forget the GT3 and GT2 series, what we needed was an original 1950's style "Drive the car to the track series". It only requires three rules, the race driver has to drive the car to the track from the registered base, the engine should be sealed from the time it leaves the workshop until the end of the race and the car must be able to be registered in California. Imagine the dealer show rooms with the Shelby, Saleen, Yenko and Callaway derivatives for sale the day after the race. But as usual the big two and half’s CEO’s did not have the foresight to push for anything as exciting as this. Forget that NASCAR rubbish the manufacturers support, it’s just so not relevant.Moving to Europe we have Ferrari, Bugatti, Maserati and Lamborghini all building their best cars ever. Spyker is staying afloat, Bizzarini is on the way back and Alfa has just built the 8c, a worthy successor to the original, which itself was one of the most beautiful cars ever produced. McLaren has a new car coming. Morgan is strangely getting better and better and Rolls and Bentley are more appealing than ever. Aston is back starring alongside Bond, and Jaguar stands a chance of succeeding. Lotus has just delivered their cleverest car yet, which is saying something….Just don't mention MG.There have never been so many specialty manufacturers, and the cars they built have never been so good. We have Zonda, Koenigsegg, Ascari and a dozen others and most are viable competitors to the establishment.The Tuner sector remains strong with many companies such as 9ff becoming manufacturers in their own right. High-end Tuners such as Brabus and AMG are diversifying into hybrids and electrics.Japan has built a car to compete with Porsche. Here in Australia we have the best affordable performance sedans in the world, and Elfin and Bolwell are back....To cap all this off Mercedes is about to launch a new Gullwing.It just doesn’t get much better.It's such a shame we all know we are watching the start of the end. We are going to see regular knee jerk management decisions and we will all end up driving electric Smarts. Or Dumbs as my kids like to call them.What we need is responsible management of the evolutionary period we are in. Us car enthusiast care about the environment and realise things have to change, however I don't believe we trust any of the current senior management teams to be capable of managing the transition.Lets sack the current CEO's and CFO’s (who flew into Washington yesterday in their private jets begging for hand-outs from the US government to fix the mess they created) and put some realistic staged global emission targets in place. Hand management on to the current crop of Project Engineers, who are obviously delivering.Let's enjoy things while we can. Buy, buy, buy – now – you have plenty to choose from. If you don’t there might not be anything worth buying in 5 years.

Despite rocketing fuel prices, there always seems to be a market for muscle cars. Holden and HSV last year sold a record number of V8s and 1970s muscle cars continue to sell for record prices. And GM Holden — which this year is reintroducing another of its American brands, the Cadillac — is doing nothing to hose down rampant industry rumours that it is going to import the fastest Corvette yet. They keep sending details of the ZR1, yet claim we should “not read anything into it”. Yeah, right. The latest details on the new 'Vette American muscle car show just how fast the car goes. It accelerates from rest to 100km/h in 3.4 seconds, which is 0.3 seconds faster than the previous Z06 model and the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano which was released here recently at $595,600. The ZR1 also has recorded a quarter-mile elapsed time of 11.3 seconds at 210km/h and has a top speed of 330km/h, making it the fastest Corvette produced. It's not only faster than some half-million-dollar supercars but also more economical. According to fueleconomy.gov, the ZR1's official economy ratings of 16.8 litres per 100km on the city cycle and 11.7 litres per 100km on the highway beat 2008 competitors such as the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano (21.3 city/15.6 highway); the Lamborghini Murcielago (29.4 city/18 highway) and the Aston Martin V8 Vantage (19.6 city/12.3 highway). They're competitive with the Dodge Viper (18 city/10.6 highway) and the Porsche 911 GT3 (15.6 city/10.6 highway). Under the carbon-fibre bonnet is the new LS9 6.2-litre supercharged small-block engine. It belts out 476kW of power and 819Nm of torque, making it the most powerful automotive production engine manufactured by General Motors. The ZR1 also features a six-speed manual transmission with race-hardened gears and dual-disc clutch technology that delivers exceptional clamping power and lower inertia, as well as strengthened axle components. Fuel economy testing has not been completed, but engineers are confident the ZR1 will be the most fuel-efficient 600-plus-horsepower car on the market. The LS9 engine is hand-built by technicians at GM's Performance Build Centre in Wixom, Michigan, a small-volume engine production facility that also builds the Corvette Z06's LS7 engine and other high-performance GM production engines. The LS9 also features the industry's first production application of a new, positive-displacement Roots-type supercharger with a four-lobe rotor design, promoting quieter and more efficient performance. The large 2.3-litre displacement provides adequate air volume at high rpm. Maximum boost pressure is .72 bar (10.2psi). It is teamed with an integrated charge cooling system that reduces inlet air temperature for maximum performance. A raised bonnet provides adequate clearance for the LS9, while a polycarbonate window in the bonnet provides a view of the engine beneath it. If Holden doesn't import the ZR1, Queensland company Performax International could bring in left-hand-drive models and convert them to right-hand-drive. The Gympie company, formerly Corvette Queensland, already converts Corvettes to right-hand-drive, along with the Hummer H2 and several American pick-ups. General manager Nick Vandenberg says they would be keen to import the Corvette.  

The American badge’s latest offering — the ZR1 — has power to burn.

Performax International general manager Nick Vandenberg said they would be keen to import and convert the much-hyped supercharged Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 due for production next year. “We convert a model if there is interest and I'm sure there would be interest in this one,” he said. The Gympie company, formerly Corvette Queensland, currently converts Corvettes to right-hand-drive, along with the Hummer H2 and several American pick-ups. The `Corvette (Vette) supercar has been rumoured to be called Blue Devil, SS, Stingray or Z07, following on from the 377kW V8 Corvette Z06 that Performax currently converts and sells for $230,000. But, the supercharged ZR1 will have more power, more torque, lower weight, a higher first gear for faster sprints, a close-ratio gearbox and bigger cooling vents, tyres and brakes. And while the Z06 used red as a highlight colour, the ZR1 uses blue, giving rise to the tipped Blue Devil moniker. “In 2007, we did about 15 to 20 Corvettes; based on that I don't see why we wouldn't do it,” Vandenberg said. “The only concern I would have is that it meets noise test and emissions criteria for Australia.” In a preview for next week's Detroit Auto Show, GM showed a production-ready 2009 Corvette ZR1, driven on stage by GM vice chairman Bob Lutz. “What's so terrific about this car is that it is very docile and easy to drive, but then when you step into it, the power just never stops,” Lutz said. While final specifications are yet to be released, it is rumoured the Vette will pump out about 460kW to 480kW of power and about 800Nm of torque from its new LS9 6.2-litre supercharged and intercooled V8 engine. The previous model was quicker than an Enzo Ferrari at 3.7 seconds from 0-100km/h. This one should put the Vette well into the supercar category. GM's LS9 engine shares key dimensions and some features with the current Z06's LS7, but employs a fifth-generation low-profile Eaton supercharger with four vanes instead of three. No point in having a supercharger unless the world knows about it, so a Lexan window has been installed in the centre of the carbon fibre bonnet so you can see the blue-tipped supercharger underneath. To keep the supercharger and intercooler supplied with air, the ZR1 has a huge front spoiler and side vents similar to those used on the C6R race-car. Apart from the supercharger providing extra power and torque, the ZR1 is suspected to sprint faster to 100km/h because of the taller first gear. From there, the Tremec six-speed that is used in many high-performance vehicles has closer gear ratios so, while the Z06 hit top speed in fifth gear, the ZR1 will reach its estimated top speed of more than 320km/h in sixth. That top speed also required the replacement of the US 200mph speedo with a 220mph unit. There are few other changes inside. However, the exterior gets a carbon fibre bonnet, roof and pillars to reduce weight. Weight is further reduced by the use of carbon-ceramic brake discs, replacing the metal discs of the Z06. GM claims ride will be more compliant than the Z06 with Magnetic Ride Control, which has immediate damper response, allowing the use of softer springs. Tyre size has been increased with 19-inch rims in front and 20-inch rims in the rear sporting 335/25Z/20 Michelin PS2s. Performax International has been importing and converting American cars for almost 20 years, producing about 200 vehicles a year for Australian roads and employing more than 40 people. However, it could face competition from GM Holden which has begun importing American vehicles. Last year it launched the baby Hummer H3, built in right-hand-drive in South Africa, while Performax imports and converts the larger H2, which is not built in right-hand-drive. H3 is imported under GM Performance Brands along with Saab and Cadillac, with the launch later this year of the Cadillac CTS. Previous GM Holden boss Denny Mooney often talked of also bringing in the Corvette. However, GM Holden national media relations manager John Lindsay has said he had “no further update” on importing the Corvette.   Corvette's career A Corvette is a small, manoeuvrable, lightly armed warship, smaller than a frigate and larger than a coastal patrol craft, according to Wikipedia. Or, it's an iconic American muscle car envied the world over for its brutish power and performance. The first Chevrolet Corvettes were made in 1953, but it was not until the second-generation and the Stingray version that the model started to gain appreciation in the automotive world. The third generation in 1968 introduced the most popular Corvette look with its E-Type long nose and swooping guards. It was scooped when Hot Wheels released a model before the car was actually unveiled. In the 1980s, the Corvette became more angular and wedged shaped, losing much of its soul, but since 1997 they have returned to the '60s and '70s, albeit a less revolutionary design.  

DETROIT: While they may or may not end up in driveways, there were plenty of vehicles turning heads at this week's North American International Auto Show, including Hyundai's new luxury sedan, a Cadillac coupe, Chrysler's green concept cars and a hybrid Toyota pickup.Slumping US car sales did not slow down the action at the grandaddy of the car show circuit, where car makers introduced more than 50 production and concept models in three media preview days. High fuel prices did not play much of a role, either. For every plug-in hybrid or fuel-cell concept, there was a 620 horsepower Chevrolet Corvette or a brand new full-sized sport utility vehicle from Kia. Chrysler promoted a tiny electric concept car as well as the full-sized Dodge Ram, which made a grand entrance alongside 120 longhorn cattle.“The overriding theme was that there was no theme,” says Jack Nerad, executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book, the car buyers' guide.Car makers put a head-spinning variety of fuel-efficient technologies in cars at every price range. There was the $US80,000 ($91,000) Fisker Karma, a plug-in electric hybrid sports car with Maserati good looks that can travel 80km on a single charge. BYD, one of four Chinese car makers at the show, unveiled a plug-in hybrid sedan that will go on sale in China for under $US30,000 this year. Ford introduced EcoBoost, a direct injection, turbocharged engine which it says will improve fuel economy by 20 per cent. Even Ferrari unveiled an ethanol-capable F430 Spider.Diesel engines, which are about 30 per cent more efficient than their petrol counterparts, made a big comeback now that cleaner diesel fuel allows them to meet emissions standards in all 50 US states. BMW unveiled its first diesel-powered vehicles for the US market, the 335d coupe and X5 xDrive35d sport utility vehicle. Audi showed a 500 horsepower diesel super car concept, the Audi R8 V12 TDI, which can go from zero to 90km/h in 4.2 seconds. Daimler offered a diesel option on its GLK compact sport utility vehicle, among others.But diesels were not limited to German car makers. Toyota announced it would soon offer a diesel V-8 in the Tundra pickup and the Sequoia SUV, while Honda said it would put a diesel engine in its Acura sedan in 2010. Chrysler put a diesel hybrid in its Jeep Renegade concept vehicle, while General Motors has a diesel engine in its Saturn Flextreme plug-in concept car.David Champion, the senior director of Consumer Reports' Auto Test Centre, says diesel used to connote pollution and big trucks. He is eager to see if clean diesel has changed that perception, and if US consumers will choose diesel even though it is no cheaper than petrol.“Whether the marketplace is going to endorse diesels remains to be seen,” he says.Other car makers met demands for more fuel-efficient vehicles by downsizing. The Hummer HX concept, a Jeep-like offroad vehicle with a removable roof, would be the smallest Hummer ever if it is made. Toyota's A-BAT concept is the Prius version of a pickup, with a hybrid powertrain and a 1.3m bed. Land Rover unveiled the compact three-door LRX concept, while parent Ford showed the Ford Explorer America concept, a reworking of its phenomenally popular SUV that uses a unibody frame — rather than the traditional truck frame — to save fuel and give the vehicle a more car-like ride.“Explorer has been such an important model for them over the years. Taking that in an inventive direction that's still true to the Explorer name could be a big success for them,” Nerad says.Ford also got kudos for the eye-popping design of its Verve concept, which showed what Ford's subcompact may look like when it hits the US market in 2010.“Here's your proof that good design doesn't cost any more than bad design, but it makes all the difference in the world in terms of buzz,” Global Insight car analyst Aaron Bragman says of the Verve.Other cars generating serious buzz were the Cadillac CTS coupe, a sharp-looking, two-door concept that many analysts agreed was a highlight of the show, and the posh Hyundai Genesis sedan.Hyundai hopes Genesis will help it compete with other luxury makers when it goes on sale this year for just under $US40,000, but analysts aren't sure the bet will pay off, saying the Hyundai name means great value but not luxury. “You don't sell Mercedes-Benz and BMW because they're great value. You sell them because of the cachet and the image,” Bragman says. 

It's the sort of odd-couple relationship that really shouldn't work ... but does. North America's eternal fascination with giant trucks and muscle machines continues

After being a smiling model on quiz shows The Price Is Right and Temptation, McGregor has landed a gig hosting the Foxtel reality show, Blood, Sweat & Gears."It was always the next step," McGregor says. "I meet people saying they love Temptation, but it's so hard to get your personality across when you're just smiling in the background."A graphic designer by trade, 26-year-old McGregor spent the past two-and-a-half years in Nine's Temptation family with Ed Phillips and Livinia Nixon.McGregor admits he's not "the craziest car fan," but didn't hesitate when it came to auditioning for BS&G."To be honest, I got a phone call from one of the guys at Foxtel asking me if I would like to audition for it," he says. "I never knock back an audition, even if I don't think I'm suited to it."He may not be a revhead, but the Aussies on the show certainly are."They're absolute nuts. It's like a religion to them. Since I have had the gig, I have had so many people come up to me and tell me a story about their cars," McGregor says.The show pits seven guys and their beloved cars against each other.The contestants are;Andrew: Japanese Import (Nissan 200SX)Andy: American Muscle(Chevy Corvette)Dave: Classic Australian(Holden LJ Torana)Dimitri: Classic Australian(Ford GT Falcon)Dominic: Performance Rotary (Mazda RX7)Jeremy: Australian Muscle (Holden Commodore VL HDT)Mohamed: High Performance European (Ferrari 350 Modena)Official judges are Ian Luff, a former race driver, and Nathan Luck, a motoring journalist. Each week, the revheads and the cars will be put through a series of tests. While the drivers will know who wins each stage, they never find out their placing on the leaderboard. McGregor says it adds to the tension."They don't know who is doing well and the challengers get a little angry and eaten up inside," he says."These guys think their car is the best. But they find out a few things about themselves as drivers - maybe they're not as good as they thought. I think it will get people into the show."While McGregor is enjoying his debut as TV host, he is unused to seeing himself as a presenter."You're always your own biggest critic and it is still kind of strange when I see myself. But I love hearing feedback, even when it's bad. It makes you better at what you do."

The Z series Corvette is one example of home-grown American muscle that does not just accelerate – it also excels in the corners. The ZR1 is the latest in a line of not-just-straight-line performance coupes from Chevy, and it’s almost ready for its September U.S. launch. This sportster is all about speed; its low-slung shell hides GM’s familiar 6.2L LS9 V8, which is stroked and supercharged to produce approximately 462kW and 813Nm with a top speed of 325km/h. Its Z06 stablemate's official figures stand at 3.7secs, and the ZR1 will beat that. The power privilege will set you back over USD$100,000, which is a fair sight cheaper than its equivalent European counterparts. However, all Vettes are still left-hand-drive only. Holden are still pestering parent company GM for some right-hand-drive Chevys, though there are companies that convert and sell the current Z06 for a cool quarter-million Australian.

Well, these two celebrity cars and many more will be auctioned at the renowned Barrett-Jackson classic car auction in the US.If the budget can stretch, each car is expected to fetch more than $500,000.The weird and wonderful Monkee-mobile was made famous in the hit 1960s television series The Monkees.The restored car is based on a 1966 Pontiac GTO and was modified into a convertible by US hotrod legend George Barris.If the Monkee-mobile does not appeal, Cooper, a noted car collector, is parting with his 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing customrecreation and there's also the original truck used in the Beverly Hillbillies TV series.Apart from the Monkee-mobile and Cooper's Mercedes, fans of the 1991 Oscar-winning film Thelma and Louise can bid for the original 1966 Ford Thunderbird used in the film.There's also a Hummer and trailer used on the 2006 movie Miami Vice and actor William Shatner's custom-painted 1995 Harley Davidson.Also up for grabs is the 1969 V8 Dodge Charger coupe, more commonly known as the General Lee car, from the television series Dukes of Hazzard.The Barrett-Jackson sale is billed as the world's greatest car-collector event.The televised six-day event starts 12, January 2008 and officials expect to sell more than 1000 cars.It comes only months after Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone auctioned his car collection.Once of Ecclestone's cars, a 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K special roadster sold for almost $10 million.Apart from the celebrity cars, a host of muscle cars and classics, including Ford Mustangs and mint-condition Chevrolet Corvettes from 1954 to 2007, will go under the hammer.Barrett-Jackson will auction a vintage Shelby Mustang from each year performance legend Carroll Shelby produced his street-ripping 1960s classics.The highlight of the collection will be Shelby's personal 1969 GT500 convertible, followed by a pristine 1967 GT500 originally given by Shelby to his son Mike. 

The 2009 Corvette ZR1, the fastest, most powerful automobile ever produced by General Motors, will be unveiled at next month's Detroit motor show. It features an all-new LS9 supercharged 6.2-litre V8 engine targeted to produce a massive 460kW and approximately 800Nm of torque.The ZR1 is expected to be the first production Corvette to make a top speed of at least 320km/h. However, the Corvette's chief engineer, Tadge Juechter, says the 2009 ZR1 may be the last in a long tradition due to new US fuel economy and emission regulations.