GM engineers are currently working on designing a powertrain that incorporate diesel and electric power plants to maximize fuel economy. Electric drivetrain systems achieve the best fuel economy in the city, while diesel systems do it on the highway.
One draw back to automakers is costs and development. Diesel-electric hybrid systems are costly to not only the automaker but the consumer as well. Expect these new hybrid systems to begine showing up in cars like Mercedes, Chevrolet, and others in the coming years.
-Anthony Alaniz
[Source: Autocar]
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Buick Regal GS Concept
The 2011 Buick Regal, a rebadged Opel Insignia, is getting a GS concept at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show next week. In Europe the Opel Insignia is offered in many variants, including one that offers a 255 horsepower turbocharger 2.0 liter four-cylinder engine with a six-speed manual transmission and all-wheel drive system.
The 2.0 liter engine will be offered in the CXL, but a the engine and turbocharger will get a boost for the GS model. The drive train is expected to shuttle the Buick Regal GS from o to 60 mph in less than six seconds. Also offered on the GS are Brembo brakes, Recaro bucket seats, metal pedals, and a racing inspired steering wheel.
The Regal name is connected to the sporty Buicks of yesteryear; Grand National, GS, GNX, and GSX all coming to mind when thinking of the Buick Regal. Expect the Buick Regal to hit showrooms later this year.
-Anthony Alaniz
[Source: Motor Authority Blog]
The 2.0 liter engine will be offered in the CXL, but a the engine and turbocharger will get a boost for the GS model. The drive train is expected to shuttle the Buick Regal GS from o to 60 mph in less than six seconds. Also offered on the GS are Brembo brakes, Recaro bucket seats, metal pedals, and a racing inspired steering wheel.
The Regal name is connected to the sporty Buicks of yesteryear; Grand National, GS, GNX, and GSX all coming to mind when thinking of the Buick Regal. Expect the Buick Regal to hit showrooms later this year.
-Anthony Alaniz
[Source: Motor Authority Blog]
GM Releases Teaser of GMC Urban Utility Concept
Designed to compete against the Kia Soul, Nissan Cube, and Scion xB, GM is unveiling a new concept at the Detroit Auto Show next week. Not much is known at this time, though expect it to be based off of the upcoming Chevrolet Orlando.
-Anthony Alaniz
[Source: GM Labs]
-Anthony Alaniz
[Source: GM Labs]
Car Fact of the Day
When the Ford Mustang was released on April 17, 1964, Ford was not prepared for what was next. Riots ensued at dealerships and wait lists for the Mustang were months long. Projected sales were around 100,000 cars by the end of 1965. When the end of 1965 finally came around Ford had sold over 400,000 Mustangs, becoming the fastest selling car of all time. The Ford Mustang still holds that title to this day.-Anthony Alaniz
(Photo: 1964 Ford Mustang)
2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG to Grace Gran Turismo 5 Cover
The 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is gracing the cover of the new Gran Turismo 5 video game for the Playstation 3. Sony made the announcement at the 2009 Tokyo Game Show. The game is expected to be released in Japan in March of 2010, while the North American and European releases are expected shortly there after.-Anthony Alaniz
(Photo: Gran Turismo 5 video game cover from egmCarTech)
[Source: egmCarTech]
Ferrari 599 GTO Possible Top Speed of 217 MPH
Expect the Ferrari 599 GTO Fiorano to debut at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. The 599 will carry the GTO badge, like the legendary 250 GTO in the 1960's. The 599 GTO will be powered by a 6.0L V12 engine pushing out 700 horsepower. A 0 to 60 mph run should come in around 3.2 seconds and could hit a top speed of 217 mph. The 599 GTO could very well be Ferrari's fastest road car ever.-Anthony Alaniz
(Photo: Ferrari 599XX from Autoblog)
[Source: Autoblog]
Term of the Day
Gran Turismo (GT) - A sport or touring car with closed coupe body style. It is Italian for Grand Touring.
-Anthony Alaniz
-Anthony Alaniz
Corvette Sells Lowest Volume Since 1991
It has been a tough year for automakers this year and not even the Chevy Corvette could escape the slump of the recession. Chevy sold only 13,934 Corvette in 2009. In 1991 Corvette sales slumped to just 17,472. In 2008 Chevy moved 26,971 off of their dealership lots.
-Anthony Alaniz
[Souce: Straightline]
-Anthony Alaniz
[Souce: Straightline]
Cadillac XTS Production to Start in 2012
The Cadillac XTS, the replacement for the out of date DTS and STS sedans, is planned to begin production in early 2012 for the 2013 model year. The XTS will be built in GM's Oshawa, Ontario plant. The Oshawa plant will also produce the 2011 Buick Regal and the 2013 Chevrolet Impala replacement.
-Anthony Alaniz
[Souce: CTV News]
-Anthony Alaniz
[Souce: CTV News]
Fenix Automotive New Supercar
Lee Noble's new project, Fenix Automotive, is slowly releasing information and pics of its new supercar. Nobles previous endeavour, Noble Automotive, has brought us the M12, M400, and M600, usually powered by Ford of Europe's 3.0 liter V6.The Fenix supercar will be powered by Chevrolet V8 engines. Customers can choose between the 480 horsepower LS3, or the ZR1 683 horsepower LS9. The curb weight is expected to hover around 2,600 pounds and should reach 0 to 100 mph in less than seven seconds.
-Anthony Alaniz
(Photo: 2011 Fenix Supercar from AutoBlog)
[Source: AutoBlog]
Car Fact of the Day
Pininfarina is an Italian automobile design company founded in 1930 that has worked with multiple car companies; from Ferrari to Alfa Romero to Cadillac to Ford on designing specialty vehicles. Pinifarina has also designed trams, trolleys, and high-speed trains. Pininfarina has also consulted on industrial projects and interior design.-Anthony Alaniz
(Photo: 1989 Ferrari Mythos by Pininfarina)
Tata Nano Planned for Sale in U.S. Within Three Years
The Tata Nano, billed as the world's cheapest car, is expected be on sale in the U.S. within the next three years, while sales in Europe are expected to start by the end of 2011. In order to be sold within the U.S. Tata Motors CEO Ratan Tata said that "For the United States we need a car with a larger engine and we need additional crash test modifications and we are in the process of doing it."
-Anthony Alaniz
[Source: Reuters]
-Anthony Alaniz
[Source: Reuters]
Chrysler Sales Dip to Lowest in 47 Years
Selling only 931,000 vehicles in 2009, Chrysler saw its sales fall below 1 million for the first time since 1962. Chrysler also saw a 36 percent drop in sales in 2009 as compered to those in 2008. Overall automakers sold 10.6 million vehicles, the lowest number since 1982.-Anthony Alaniz
(Photo: Chrysler logo courtesy of Chrysler)[Source: Left Lane News]
Alfa Romero 159 Replacement
Alfa Romero has called up three design studios; Stile Bertone, Pininfarina, and Italdesign Giugiaro, to design the replacement for its 159 sedan. Each company has been asked to design a different bodystyles. Stile Bertone is set to design a coupe version. Pininfarina is designing a convertible, while Italdesign Giugiaro is designing the four-door sedan.
The redesign comes as Alfa Romero is about to celebreate its 100 birthday. There are no confirmed names for the new 150 replacement, though reports are speculating that it will be called Giulia when it goes on sale in Europe late this year. U.S. sales are expected to start sometimes in 2011.
-Anthony Alaniz
[Source: Motor Authority]
The redesign comes as Alfa Romero is about to celebreate its 100 birthday. There are no confirmed names for the new 150 replacement, though reports are speculating that it will be called Giulia when it goes on sale in Europe late this year. U.S. sales are expected to start sometimes in 2011.
-Anthony Alaniz
[Source: Motor Authority]
Term of the Day
Gear Ratio - The number of revolutions of a driving gear relative to the number of revolutions of the driven gear. For example; if a driving gear makes three revolutions while its driven gear makes one, the gear ration is 3:1.
-Anthony Alaniz
-Anthony Alaniz
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)