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Chevy Volt owners get OnStar-powered website

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

MyVolt.com

Electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids like the 2011 Chevrolet Volt (and we’ll let you decide which of those two categories General Motors’ green halo car fits into…) promise to save drivers money on fuel bills. But, just as operating expenses for traditional cars rises and falls with the price of gas, so too will battery-powered cars vary in their running costs as electric utility rates fluctuate.

GM has announced a new website for Chevrolet Volt owners called MyVolt.com that seeks to help consumers keep their electric charging rates in check. Statistics for battery usage and fuel economy will be transferred to the user’s Facebook and Twitter accounts, and utility companies are expected to use this data to help owners choose times to plug their cars into the grid. These utility companies can also make sure their power grids are up to the challenge of keeping EVs on the road.

Other techy benefits offered to Volt owners include a display to show whether the car is plugged in (and whether it’s charging at 120 or 240 volts), the creation of a charging schedule to make use of the best rates and the ability to monitor current battery state of charge and predicted range. One intriguing feature will allow OnStar to create its own charging schedule where the program will choose the lowest rates possible in order to achieve a full charge by a set time.

There will also be a provision to remotely start the Volt to get the interior up to a set temperature, and future updates will allow further customization of the car, such as setting radio presets. Want to know more? Check out the official press release after the break.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Volt

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading Chevy Volt owners get OnStar-powered website

Chevy Volt owners get OnStar-powered website originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Oct 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hennessey building ZR1-powered HPE700 Chevy Camaro Convertible

Filed under: Aftermarket, Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet

2011 Hennessey HPE700 Camaro Convertible

2011 Hennessey HPE700 Camaro Convertible – Click above for high-res image gallery

The 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible is getting ready to take the stage at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show, but John Hennessey and his band of tuners can’t wait that long. Hennessey Performance has announced plans and specs for its upcoming, limited-edition 2011 Hennessey HPE700 Camaro Convertible.

HPE had a hit on its hands when it announced the 2010 HPE700 Camaro. That 725-horsepower coupe was limited to just 24 examples and they were all quickly spoken for. Since Chevrolet is bringing out the droptop Camaro, Hennessey has decided to produce another 24-car limited-edition run with the 2011 model. The 2011 Hennessey HPE700 will be available in both coupe and convertible form, and the cars stats are staggering.

The HPE700 ditches the LS3 mill found in the standard Camaro SS and in its place sticks the supercharged LS9 from the Corvette ZR1. Hennessey says the motor has been tweaked to produce 755 hp and 763 pound-feet of torque. The 6.2-liter V8 is able to hit those numbers thanks to revised boost levels and a more robust fuel system. Thanks to all that power, Hennessey has listed a 0-60 mph time of just 3.3 seconds. A trip down the quarter-mile happens in 10.9 seconds at 130 miles per hour. Those figures are for the hardtop version when fitted with optional Nitto drag radials.

It’s not just a straight-line shooter though, as Hennessey adds more than power to its HPE700. The car is fitted with lightweight HPE wheels, 15-inch brakes with six-piston front calipers, larger sway bars and an adjustable coilover suspension setup. The exterior is fitted with numerous carbon fiber trim pieces. Inside, the HPE700 Camaro receives Hennessey logos on the headrests and floor mats, an HPE race shift knob and upgraded shifter, a numbered dash and hood plaque and an Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel.

Currently, there is no set allocation plan for the coupe and convertible in the 24-car run. Pricing has been set at a stout $132,500, but that includes the cost of the base vehicle. It also includes a one-day performance driving course at Lonestar Motorsports Park. The quarter-mile dragstrip, which has been featured in many of Hennessey’s videos, is located next door to the company’s production facility and showroom.

Full details can be found in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: 2011 Hennessey HPE700 LS9 Camaro Convertible

[Source: Hennessey]

Continue reading Hennessey building ZR1-powered HPE700 Chevy Camaro Convertible

Hennessey building ZR1-powered HPE700 Chevy Camaro Convertible originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Oct 2010 12:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RSC Raptor GT does a wicked rotary-powered Fiorano impersonation

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Performance, Europe

RSC Raptor GT – Click above for image gallery

Based on the photo above, you might think that you’re looking at some version of the Ferrari 599. You’d be wrong, though, as this is actually a specially-built rotary supercar from an independent German manufacturer known as – you ready for this? – Rotary Super Cars.

Underneath what appears to be replicated fiberglass and carbon fiber Fiorano bodywork sits a four-rotor Wankel engine developed by RSC with parts sourced from that other House of Rotor, Mazda. The supercar is projected to offer four levels of trim including S, RS, RSR and N-Spec, featuring single or twin turbochargers with output ranging from 500 metric horsepower all the way up to 1,200. An in-house eight-speed sequential transmission is also part of the package, along with active aerodynamics and suspension, electronic differential and a carbon-aluminum driveshaft, making its resemblance to its Maranello counterpart (rotary engine notwithstanding) more than passing.

Inside, the RSC Raptor GT is also said to feature a pair of seven-inch digital displays coupled with a five-inch tachometer, gear indicator and shift lights, the entire package supposedly weighing in at a claimed 2,425 pounds. RSC also plans an all-wheel drive, mid-engine project with similar specs, which seems like a lot to bite off while they still appear to be chewing on this one. But in the meantime you can check out the trio of renderings in the gallery below and the press release after the jump.

Gallery: Rotary Super Cars Raptor GT

[Source: Rotary Supercars via World Car Fans]

Continue reading RSC Raptor GT does a wicked rotary-powered Fiorano impersonation

RSC Raptor GT does a wicked rotary-powered Fiorano impersonation originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Oct 2010 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Jet-powered scooter vs. Lamborghini Gallardo

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Videos, Lamborghini, Motorcycle, Humor

Rocket Scooter vs Lamborghini Gallardo

Jet-Powered Scooter vs. Lamborghini Gallardo – Click above to watch video after the jump

We love ourselves a good drag race, but sometimes two-equally matched vehicles going head-to-head down a straight gets a bit boring. This is where ingenuity, bravery and a lack of self-preservation come in handy. Apparently, the Swedish have figured out a sure-fire way to spice up your standard 1,320-foot race. Take one Peugeot scooter (the video incorrectly calls it a Vespa), add a small jet-engine to the back and let ~~Charlie Pace from Lost~~ a rider line up next to a Lamborghini Gallardo.

It’s a jet-powered David versus an Italian Goliath. More importantly, it’s the type of racing we can wholeheartedly get behind… and you can watch the video for yourself after the jump. Anybody want to guess the winner? Thanks for the tip, Per Eriksson!
[Source: Youtube]

Continue reading Video: Jet-powered scooter vs. Lamborghini Gallardo

Video: Jet-powered scooter vs. Lamborghini Gallardo originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Sep 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Monterey 2010: Moal Coachbuilders debuts Ferrari-powered Gatto

Filed under: Concept Cars, Classics, Coupe, Performance, Ferrari, Luxury

Moal Coachbuilders Gatto – Click above for high-res image gallery

Moal Coachbuilders, the shop that brought us the likes of Tim Allen’s one-time Licorice Streak Special, showed up in Monterey with not only that Tool Time-worthy hot rod, but also its new Gatto retro sports car. The bright blue coupe reminds us of something in the vein of an Aston Martin DB4 GT or a Maserati A6 GCS. It’s a beautiful shape that looks like it just stepped out of a ten year restoration… but it’s brand new. Well, most of it is.

Under the hood resides a very special V12 engine – a 300-horsepower V12 derived from a Ferrari 250 GTO. Don’t ask us how that came about, all we know is that the car was created for a wealthy California investment manager, and was built to his specifications. Besides that lustful engine under the bonnet, the Gatto also features a hand-built monocoque chassis, aluminum panels crimped directly onto the subframe to save weight, a Tremac five-speed gearbox, custom Borrani wheels, custom-fitted leather seats and straightforward analog gauges. One of the only modern touches is air conditioning.

It’s a gorgeous car, but the funny thing is, we almost walked right past it, thinking it was another of Bonham’s auction items or something. That’s the nature of McCall’s Motorworks Revival – so many great cars that sometimes things get lost in the shuffle. Thankfully not this time. Too bad we couldn’t get anybody to open the hood… Click below to see our high-res image gallery.

Gallery: Monterey 2010: Moal Coachbuilders Gatto

Monterey 2010: Moal Coachbuilders debuts Ferrari-powered Gatto originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Aug 2010 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jet-powered school bus reaches 350 mph, eliminates tardy slips

Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, Specialty

Jet School Bus

School Time Jet Bus – Click above to watch video after the jump

Riding the bus to school was never exactly a pleasure cruise, but when we turned 15, it suddenly moved from a lower form of torture like water boarding and squarely into the realm of driving bamboo under our fingernails. Having tasted the freedom afforded by piloting the family Suburban into the high school parking lot with a pale, wide-eyed parent pleading to various deities from the passenger seat, being forced back into the worst possible interpretation of public transportation was an insult too great to stand.

Things might have been different if we’d been riding this beast to school.

Built by Paul Stender and his crew of mad scientists at IndyBoys, Inc, the School Time Jet Bus is a 35-foot long cheese wagon with a 42,000-horsepower GE J-79 jet engine borrowed from an F4 Phantom. While most of the vehicle is a complete custom creation, it can still seat up to three passengers. Did we mention it shoots 75-foot flames? According to the IndyBoys web site, the bus is built to topple the 350 mph barrier, but it’s unclear as to whether or not anyone has been brave enough to get the bus close to that speed. Hit the jump for a video of the creation showing off at an airshow. Thanks for the tip, Lawrence!

[Source: CNet]

Continue reading Jet-powered school bus reaches 350 mph, eliminates tardy slips

Jet-powered school bus reaches 350 mph, eliminates tardy slips originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Aug 2010 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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