Category: Auto Industry

U.S. Spec Perana Z-One to debut at 2010 Concorso Italiano

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet, Luxury


Perana Z-One – Click above for high-res image gallery

The Zagato Perana Z-One debuted in Geneva in March of 2009, a custom-built, limited-production, Corvette-powered coupe with Italian styling by Zagato and slated to be built by South African manufacturing firm Hi-Tech. Up until now we weren’t sure the rolling masterpiece would ever be sold in the States, but we’ve finally received word that Superformance has been named the exclusive U.S. distributor and that the American version will debut at the Concorso Italiano event this August. Apparently there was strong enough demand from American buyers to allocate 99 units per year to sales in the Colonies.

The Perana will be priced “under $100,000” and can be ordered with either the 436-horsepower E-rod LS3 or the 505-horsepower LS7 from the Z06. Either will be backed by a six-speed manual transmission and a ZF limited slip differential. There will be an available brake upgrade and color choices inside and out, but other than that, the options list will be short. Not that the car will be lacking in amenities. The cockpit is swathed in leather and Alcantara, and a navigation-equipped infotainment system will be standard. Besides the anticipated performance capabilities of this 2,800-pound GT, owners get exclusivity and a body designed by the same crew that brought us the Maserati GS, Ferrari 575 GTZ, Spyker C12, Diatto Ottovu and Bentley GTZ. We’ll be sure to get as many pics as possible during our annual Monterey coverage next month. For now, check out the live and studio shots below.

Gallery: Geneva 2009: Zagato Perana Z-One

Gallery: Zagato Perana Z-One

U.S. Spec Perana Z-One to debut at 2010 Concorso Italiano originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Jul 2010 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 7.14.10

Review: 2010 Audi A5 is a personal luxury coupe for the modern age

The Audi A5 marks the return of the personal luxury coupe, and with a fuel-efficient four-pot, it’s a premium blend of frugality and class.

IndyCar announces “new” chassis manufacturer for 2012

IndyCar has picked Dallara as the new chassis manufacturer for the 2012 season and the decision has the potential to finally make the series more appealing to both fans and advertisers.

Officially Official: Ferrari 458 Challenge races in

The race-prepped version of Ferrari’s newest masterpiece has finally been revealed, and well-heeled gentlemen racers have a lot to look forward to.

Also of interest:

  • Patent drawings reveal 2012 Chevrolet Aveo sedan
  • 2011 Ford Edge gets 19/27 mpg EPA ratings, tops mid-size V6 class
  • Top Gear’s James May hits 259.11 mph in Bugatti Veyron SS
  • Mini dishes out more info on Countryman including complete specs
  • Jim Press hired by Renault-Nissan

Browse our archive of Daily U-Turn posts or subscribe to the RSS feed

Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 7.14.10 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Jul 2010 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevrolet Volt will not be rated at 230 mpg; Victory Red paint debuts

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Government/Legal, Chevrolet, GM, Design/Style, Electric

Chevrolet Volt in ‘Victory Red’ – Click above for high-res image gallery

Remember how big a deal General Motors made about the upcoming 2011 Chevy Volt’s supposed 230 mile per gallon EPA fuel mileage rating? Well, you can now forget about it. According to USA Today, the Feds have decided not to use the preliminary testing procedure that produced that mythical 230 mpg figure, and a new methodology for rating electric vehicles has yet to be finalized. Don’t expect a revised mileage figure any time soon. In fact, an actual mpg equivalent rating may not come until the Volt is just about ready to hit the market at the end of the year.

This revelation was revealed this afternoon during an event at GM’s Michigan battery plant in Brownstown Township, and we were in attendance. When we arrived, we were greeted by the sight of the first-ever red Chevrolet Volt. This “Victory Red” example is one of between 30 and 40 manufacturing validation vehicles built so far at the Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant. Those cars were preceded by about three dozen production verification cars built since late March of this year. This particular example was built about one week ago.

In the next two to three weeks, General Motors will start building so-called “salable” Volts that will go into the captured test fleet for GM employees to accumulate miles and catch any last minute glitches before the cars enter full production in November.

What do you think – does Victory Red suit the Volt? Have your say in ‘Comments.’

Gallery: Chevrolet Volt in ‘Victory Red’

Photos by Sam Abuelsamid / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: USA Today]

Chevrolet Volt will not be rated at 230 mpg; Victory Red paint debuts originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Jul 2010 18:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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World Class Car Pack for Forza Motorsport 3 includes McLaren MP4-12C

Filed under: Toys/Games

You didn’t think Forza Motorsport 3 was just watching GT5 trailers and girding its loins for November, did you? No way. Available today from the FM3 is the World Class Car Pack, headlined by the V8 Orange Julius otherwise known as the McLaren MP4-12C. The nine additional cars offered for your virtual gratification include the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG, Mercedes-Benz CL 65 AMG, Acura TSX, Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart, Fiat Punto Evo Sport, Kia Forte Koup, 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe, 2011 Citroen DS3 and 2011 Mazda 2. You can get the pack right now at Xbox Live for 400 Microsoft Points, or just go with the Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart for now as it’s free.

[Source: Motor World Hype]

World Class Car Pack for Forza Motorsport 3 includes McLaren MP4-12C originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Jul 2010 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Smart to reveal electric scooter at Paris Motor Show

Filed under: Paris Motor Show, Smart, Motorcycle, Rumormill, Electric

When you’re already known for producing what basically amounts to the smallest vehicle currently available for public consumption, what do you do for an encore presentation? Go even smaller, of course. In the case of the Smart brand, that means cutting the total wheel count in half. That’s right, a scooter.

According to Autocar, Daimler’s littlest auto brand is planning to debut a new plug-in electric scooter at the upcoming Paris Motor Show. According to a “senior Mercedes-Benz official”:

Smart was originally established to tackle the need for improved mobility, especially in congested city environments. Up to now we have concentrated our efforts on four-wheel solutions. The next stage is to look at how to expand beyond this with other environmentally friendly vehicles.

If true, this electric scooter may be seen as a response to longtime German rival BMW’s efforts in the two-wheeled arena. In fact, BMW recently showed off an electric scooter concept of its own called the C1-E, which was based on its previous production C1 covered scooter.

Just one last question: What are the chances this electric scooter will be called the ForOne?

[Source: Autocar]

Report: Smart to reveal electric scooter at Paris Motor Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Jul 2010 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Chung, Mullaly, Winterkorn named top car company CEOs

Filed under: Ford, Hyundai, Volkswagen



Automotive News has put together its list of 2010 auto industry all-stars, and taking first place in American, European and Asian CEO categories are Ford CEO Alan Mulally, Volkswagen CEO Dr. Martin Winterkorn, and Hyundai-Kia CEO Chung Mong-koo. Hard to fault the choices, and it shouldn’t come as a surprise at all that the same three gentlemen took slots two through four of Motor Trend‘s list of top 50 auto execs for 2009.

Mulally was cited because his “steadfast plan to turn Ford around is bearing fruit in impressive fashion” and Chung was lauded for having ” turned the Hyundai brand into a superpower.” Winterkorn, who could have been awarded based on VW’s Hulk-like growth, was actually noted for his “Strategy 2018,” by which time he plans for the VW group to be selling ten million cars per year. Check this spot in eight years to see if he’s still an all-star. For now, though, congrats to all.

[Source: Automotive News – sub. req’d.]

Report: Chung, Mullaly, Winterkorn named top car company CEOs originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Jul 2010 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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General Motors announces 8-year/100,000-mile warranty for Chevy Volt battery

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Technology, Chevrolet, GM, Electric

Chevrolet Volt battery pack – Click above for high-res image gallery

During a media briefing at its Brownstown Township, MI battery plant this afternoon, General Motors Vice Chairman Tom Stephens announced that the lithium ion battery pack for the 2011 Chevrolet Volt would be warranted for eight years or 100,000 miles. Since the beginning of the program, it has been General Motors’ intention to develop the battery pack to last for the life of the vehicle.

Despite the fact that the Volt is considered an electric car by GM, the presence of an on-board gas engine for range-extending means that the EPA and California Air Resources Board consider the battery to be part of the car’s emissions control system. As a result, it is subject to the same regulations as parts like a catalytic converter, and therefore, it must have the eight-year warranty.

GM has released some additional specifications on the battery pack. In its final production form, 95 percent of the components were designed and developed in-house by GM, it weighs in at 400 pounds and has an output of 110 kilowatts. Internally, the water-cooled pack consists of 288 LG Chem lithium polymer cells. Over the next few months, GM will be ramping up the production rate at Brownstown in preparation for the start of Volt production this Fall.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Volt battery pack

General Motors announces 8-year/100,000-mile warranty for Chevy Volt battery originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Jul 2010 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX configurators up and running

Filed under: Car Buying, Crossover, Ford, Lincoln, Luxury

The 2011 Ford Edge and 2011 Lincoln MKX configurators have gone live for your shopping – or time-wasting – enjoyment. The Edge SE starts at $27,220 for the 3.5-liter V6, but you can hit it out of the park before even leaving the first page by selecting the Edge Sport all-wheel drive for $38,070. That’ll get you a 305-horsepower, 3.7-liter V6 canvas to play with. There isn’t much more you can add to it, but after stuffing it like a turkey we got it up to $45,171. For those with a mind to be a kinder on wallets and Mother Earth, there are SEL and Limited trims on offer, as well as the 2.0-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost engine (…eventually).

The Lincoln MKX puts less on the table when it comes to varieties: the front-wheel drive starts at $39,145, the AWD at $40,995. Both get that 3.7-liter V6, six-speed SelectShift transmission and SYNC as standard fit. If you go the package route, your work is just about finished, because they cement quite a few exterior and interior choices. But don’t take our words for it – click the links and get to configuratin’. Hot tips, Drew and Tony!

Gallery: First Ride: 2011 Ford Edge Sport

Gallery: 2011 Lincoln MKX at Detroit Auto Show

[Source: Ford, Lincoln]

2011 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX configurators up and running originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Jul 2010 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX configurators up and running

Filed under: Car Buying, Crossover, Ford, Lincoln, Luxury

The 2011 Ford Edge and 2011 Lincoln MKX configurators have gone live for your shopping – or time-wasting – enjoyment. The Edge SE starts at $27,220 for the 3.5-liter V6, but you can hit it out of the park before even leaving the first page by selecting the Edge Sport all-wheel drive for $38,070. That’ll get you a 305-horsepower, 3.7-liter V6 canvas to play with. There isn’t much more you can add to it, but after stuffing it like a turkey we got it up to $45,171. For those with a mind to be a kinder on wallets and Mother Earth, there are SEL and Limited trims on offer, as well as the 2.0-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost engine (…eventually).

The Lincoln MKX puts less on the table when it comes to varieties: the front-wheel drive starts at $39,145, the AWD at $40,995. Both get that 3.7-liter V6, six-speed SelectShift transmission and SYNC as standard fit. If you go the package route, your work is just about finished, because they cement quite a few exterior and interior choices. But don’t take our words for it – click the links and get to configuratin’. Hot tips, Drew and Tony!

Gallery: First Ride: 2011 Ford Edge Sport

Gallery: 2011 Lincoln MKX at Detroit Auto Show

[Source: Ford, Lincoln]

2011 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX configurators up and running originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Jul 2010 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Patent drawings reveal 2012 Chevrolet Aveo sedan

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Hatchback, Chevrolet


2012 Chevrolet Aveo patent drawings – Click above for high-res image gallery

The public got its first look at the all-new 2012 Chevrolet Aveo at this year’s Detroit Auto Show, but the RS Concept was only shown as a five-door hatchback, and as we all know, four-door sedans remain the preferred form factor here in the U.S. A newly discovered patent reveals the look of the three-box Aveo, which remains the same as the hatch from B-pillar backwards, but carries a few more interesting design cues.

The roof-line of the Aveo sedan has a similar profile to the larger Cruze and from the side, the tail-lights have the same triangular shape. From the rear, the horizontally arranged lights of the Cruze are replaced by vertically stacked lamps and the sedan gets conventional rear door handles in place of the hidden units in the C-pillar of the hatch. The production Aveo should arrive sometime during this upcoming auto show season, with production starting in the first half of 2011 at GM’s Lake Orion assembly plant north of Detroit.

Gallery: 2012 Chevrolet Aveo patent drawings

[Source: Autoblog Spanish]

Patent drawings reveal 2012 Chevrolet Aveo sedan originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Jul 2010 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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