Report: Corvette Z06 to be renamed Z07, come with twin-turbo V8?

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet, Luxury

According to a report in Car and Driver, the new C7 Corvette version of the Corvette Z06 will pick up practically where the ZR1 left off. First, they predict it will graduate to being called the Z07; if so, it will be the next General Motors Regular Production Code (RPO), like Z28 and, yes, Z06, to become a model name.

And if you thought a hybrid Corvette was a sharp point of discussion, how about a production version of the small-block V8 with a displacement of “significantly less than 6.2 liters” aided by twin-turbos? That’s what CD believes will rest under the hood of the Z07, citing the ever-present concern for fuel economy and the fact that bitumen burners from Cadillac have given up supercharging for turbocharging. The horsepower number is predicted to be an even 600, which would be a 95-hp jump over the current Z06 and just 38 less than the late, great ZR1. Helping to keep control of all that truculent muscle will be larger tires encircling carbon-ceramic stoppers, but CD is mum on other specific changes.

The mooted price: $100,000. This might be the most fabulous new spec of all, seeing as it would represent a $24,400 increase over the Z06 and just a $12,600 undercut of the ZR1. Compare and contrast: in 2001, the first year of the Z06, the MSRP of a 350-hp Corvette coupe was $40,725, the MSRP of the 385-horsepower Z06 was $48,500; if CD is correct, the 2014 Corvette’s sea level will be established by the 455-hp Stingray that costs $51,995 and in 2015 we’ll be staring down the twin, forced-induction barrels of a 600-hp, twin-turbo Z07 that starts at six figures and that could still be leaving room for a new ZR1 late in the model’s lifetime.

Corvette Z06 to be renamed Z07, come with twin-turbo V8? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Sep 2013 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Corvette Z06 to be renamed Z07, come with twin-turbo V8?

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet, Luxury

According to a report in Car and Driver, the new C7 Corvette version of the Corvette Z06 will pick up practically where the ZR1 left off. First, they predict it will graduate to being called the Z07; if so, it will be the next General Motors Regular Production Code (RPO), like Z28 and, yes, Z06, to become a model name.

And if you thought a hybrid Corvette was a sharp point of discussion, how about a production version of the small-block V8 with a displacement of “significantly less than 6.2 liters” aided by twin-turbos? That’s what CD believes will rest under the hood of the Z07, citing the ever-present concern for fuel economy and the fact that bitumen burners from Cadillac have given up supercharging for turbocharging. The horsepower number is predicted to be an even 600, which would be a 95-hp jump over the current Z06 and just 38 less than the late, great ZR1. Helping to keep control of all that truculent muscle will be larger tires encircling carbon-ceramic stoppers, but CD is mum on other specific changes.

The mooted price: $100,000. This might be the most fabulous new spec of all, seeing as it would represent a $24,400 increase over the Z06 and just a $12,600 undercut of the ZR1. Compare and contrast: in 2001, the first year of the Z06, the MSRP of a 350-hp Corvette coupe was $40,725, the MSRP of the 385-horsepower Z06 was $48,500; if CD is correct, the 2014 Corvette’s sea level will be established by the 455-hp Stingray that costs $51,995 and in 2015 we’ll be staring down the twin, forced-induction barrels of a 600-hp, twin-turbo Z07 that starts at six figures and that could still be leaving room for a new ZR1 late in the model’s lifetime.

Corvette Z06 to be renamed Z07, come with twin-turbo V8? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Sep 2013 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: Infiniti prices renamed 2014 QX50 and QX80 crossovers

Filed under: Car Buying, SUV, Crossover, Infiniti, Luxury

2014 Infiniti QX80 SUV - front three-quarter view

2014 Infiniti QX50 - dead on front dynamic view, tiltedEarlier this week, Infiniti revealed the pricing for its two midsize crossovers, but now it has announced the pricing for its renamed bookend utility vehicles, the compact QX50 crossover and the fullsize QX80 SUV. Those looking for a smaller luxury crossover will be glad to learn that the 2014 QX50 now starts at $34,400* (a price drop of $2,500 compared to the 2013 EX), while pricing for the 2014 QX80 will remain the same as the 2013 QX56, starting at $61,350* (*prices do not include $995 for destination).

In terms of packaging, the QX50 will carry over unchanged, but the QX80 gets a new Backup Collision Intervention system as a part of its optional Technology Package. All of Infiniti’s 2014 QX utility vehicles are on sale now, but for more details about the QX50 and QX80, scroll down for the official press release.

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Infiniti prices renamed 2014 QX50 and QX80 crossovers originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Jul 2013 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: Spyker to be renamed Swedish Automobile N.V. as Pang Da talks with Chinese gov’t.

Filed under: China, Government/Legal, Saab, Earnings/Financials, Spyker

saab badge

Spyker is on a Chinese money hunt, and it appears the automaker may have found a partner willing to pony up the cash. Pang Da, a Chinese automobile distribution company, had recently entered into a memorandum of understanding with Spyker. Now, Spyker is set to rename itself Swedish Automobile N.V., and the Saab-owner believes Chinese authorities will give the green light for this deal to proceed.

According to Saab CEO Victor Muller, a very important portion of the deal has already gone through; a cash infusion of €30 million ($42M USD). Muller states that “Pang Da’s advance payment and sales of imported Saab cars are not subject to approval from the NDRC. The first advance payment of EUR 30 million was received last Tuesday.”

Bloomberg reports that the rest of the deal may not move forward so easily. According to analysts in China, the country’s government is unlikely to allow Pang Da’s purchase of a stake in Swedish Automobile N.V. because the nation is working to consolidate its auto industry, not expand it.

If approved, however, Pang Da will spend $91 million and receive a 23 percent share of the automaker’s business. Despite the negative view of Chinese analysts, Pang Da says it remains confident the transaction will be approved.

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Spyker to be renamed Swedish Automobile N.V. as Pang Da talks with Chinese gov’t. originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 May 2011 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Charlotte NASCAR Nationwide race renamed Top Gear 300

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Celebrities

Top Gear USA

In an effort to gain some viewership, Top Gear America has teamed up with NASCAR to rename the May 28 Nationwide Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway the Top Gear 300. To tease season two of the American spinoff of the so-far superior English car show, clips from Top Gear America will be broadcast during the race.

Top Gear America clips will also air on Charlotte Motor Speedway’s 200-foot high-definition jumbotron, the biggest high-def TV in the world. That’s gonna make Rutledge’s head look extra big, no? (Just kidding, Mr. Wood, your head’s just fine.)

Details are scant as to what TGUSA paid for all this, but we can’t imagine it came cheap. The green flag waves on the Top Gear 300 at 2:30 EST on May 28. Only time will tell if this move ends up boosting TGUSA’s ratings for season two.

[Source: UPI.com]

Charlotte NASCAR Nationwide race renamed Top Gear 300 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Mar 2011 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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