Auto Mobiles

Filed under: Coupes, Sports/GTs, Plants/Manufacturing, Supercars, Chevrolet, GM, Rumormill

The rumormill is a funny thing, and sometimes it can run amok. This appears to be one of those times. The DigitalCorvettes.com forum posted a note earlier this evening saying that Corvette ZR1 production has been halted (Bowling Green is shut down this week, so no Vettes are being built at the moment) and suggesting that the ZR1 may be cancelled. A post on dealer Rick "Corvette" Conti's blog, linked in the referenced DigitalCorvettes thread, added to the intrigue.

Autoblog has contacted GM's Terry Rhadigan, who handles global communications for the Chevrolet brand. We presented the DigitalCorvettes link and asked for an official response. His was very clear:

"Not true."

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In what could be a glimpse of the automotive industry’s future, electric cars grabbed the limelight at the ongoing ‘Mondial de l’ Automobile’ (Paris Motor Show) 2008 with several automakers unveiling a slew of new hybrid electric models. Most of the models, such as Renault SA’s Z.E. Concept, are still prototypes and could be several years away from production. Others, like Daimler AG’s all-electric Smart ED have entered the test phase.

Several automakers debuted new ready-for-production hybrid electric models. General Motors Corp. plans to get ahead of the pack with its rechargeable electric Chevrolet Volt, which is slated to go on sale by late 2010. “General Motors is betting an awful lot on the Volt, and I think it’s more than just an image issue, so we are all very interested in that,” said Finbarr O’Neill, head of international operations for J.D. Power & Associates.

Honda Motor Co. also formally unveiled its new five-door gasoline-electric hatchback called the Insight. Honda promises cheaper prices for the Insight to make low-emissions technology more affordable to consumers and to make the Insight more competitive against the highly successful Toyota Prius. Honda aims to sell 200,000 of the new Insight by next year in Japan, Europe and North America.

Last week, Chrysler unveiled three electric-powered vehicles: a sports car, a four-door Jeep and a minivan, which are scheduled for release in the US in 2010. Other electric cars in the spotlight at the 20087 Paris Motor Show include Venturi Volage, Peugeot RC Hymotion4, Electric Smart Car, Pninifarina B0, Nissan Nuvu Concept, DuraCar QUICC! DiVa, Tang Hua XY08 Chika, and the Joule MPV.

Filed under: Etc., Green

Two statues have debuted on Minnesota's new Interstate 35W Bridge that are shaped to look like the international cartographic symbol for water. Why? Besides mimicking the look of the Mississippi River as it passes through Minneapolis, the new sculptures are made from a type of concrete that is photocatalytic, meaning they will be able to convert gases like carbon monoxide, nitrous oxides and sulfur dioxide to higher oxidized states, making them less damaging to the environment. Another benefit of the new concrete mixture is that it never looks old as it maintains a white oxidized color on its outer skin.

The opening of the new I-35W St. Anthony Falls Bridge also has a deeper meaning, since it replaces the one that tragically collapsed about a year ago from a structural failure. The new one was erected so fast because the original was used by over 140,000 cars per day. Despite how quickly it was built, the new bridge has a 100-year life span, supports ten lanes of traffic thanks to an extra 76 feet of width, and has shoulders on both sides where the old one didn't - not to mention it cleans the air with art. Thanks for the tip, Terry!

[Source: KTSP / Photo: David Joles, Star Tribune]

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Filed under: Economy, Chevrolet, GM, Lifestyle

Many people choose their car because it is an extension of themselves, their personality, their style and their passion. These folks tend to forge a deep attachment with their automobile, an inanimate object void of emotion. Despite that fact, a vehicle has wants and needs of its own, and some can be more demanding than a small child. As with any parent, there are curious automobile owners who often wonder, where did my baby come from? Recently 134 Chevrolet Cobalt fans got the chance to find out.

Back on September 27th, GM opened up the Lordstown, OH plant for 85 lucky owners and their guests. It was a rare chance for many to view the inner workings of an automotive assembly line, without a need to join the UAW. Event attendees received a full facility tour, on site lunch meet and greet, and of course freebee swag. Not surprisingly, the majority of the Cobalt fan base stemmed from the website CobaltSS.net.

The SS is about the only Chevy compact that can muster up an emotional following, as evident in the video of John Heinricy tossing the 2008 model around the Nurburgring. The turbocharged ECOtech powered econo car is just one of the models currently produced at the Lordstown plant. The massive facility is also slated to make the Cobalt replacement, the Cruze. Check out the gallery below to view photos from the event.

Continue reading Cobalt owners take their cars home to Lordstown

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Filed under: Gadgets, Etc., Toys

It's always amazing to see the kind of products that people come up with for those who are obsessed with their cars. The latest cool new toy for the muscle car fan is "Road Mice", a wireless computer mouse that comes in a variety of models including the new Chevy Camaro, Ford Mustang, Dodge Charger and Chevrolet Corvette. The mice are both PC and Mac compatible and utilize the latest RF and optical technology with an 800 dpi resolution. Each one also features working headlights and a scroll button on the hood, which makes Road Mice a perfect way to scroll through the latest Autoblog headlines. Yep, that's right, it's all about us in the end.


[Source: FourDoorMedia.com via MustangBlog.com]

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Filed under: Aftermarket, Time Warp, Coupes, Wagons/Estates, Ford

Mustang wagons have long been part of ponycar folklore. Some customs exist, but a factory-built first-generation Mustang shooting brake still appears to be mythology. Our friends at Hemmings have turned up some very nicely done cars that individuals have put together, a particularly fetching blue one has a very well thought out roofline and rear hatch. This whole bit of nonsense may have its genesis in a one-off wagon that Intermeccanica built for Barney Clarke and Robert Cumberford back in the '60s. It seems that you can do a lot with an early 'Stang and a Sawz-all if you're determined, and wagons are just the start of it.

[Source: Hemmings]

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Filed under: Porsche, Volkswagen

For a few years there at large profile gatherings in America - especially sporting events - people wielding signs that referenced the Bible passage "John 3:16" and said things like "Be prepared" and "The end is nigh" were a common sight. We wouldn't be surprised if signs began showing up around VW headquarters that read "He is coming, 26-11-08." But the "he" they'd be referring to is Wendelin Wiedeking, CEO of Porsche, now that Porsche has announced its plans to take a greater-than-50-percent share in VW before the end of November.

Porsche's annual meeting is on November 26. The company hasn't said how big a stake it plans to take, nor when it will be doing the taking, but it's apparently ready to get this whole VW-ownership escapade into an endgame. There are still legal issues and technical challenges and Lower Saxony to deal with, but we have a feeling it's going to be a lot more difficult to argue with the phrase "absolute majority."

[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd]

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Filed under: Porsche, Volkswagen

For a few years there at large profile gatherings in America - especially sporting events - people wielding signs that referenced the Bible passage "John 3:16" and said things like "Be prepared" and "The end is nigh" were a common sight. We wouldn't be surprised if signs began showing up around VW headquarters that read "He is coming, 26-11-08." But the "he" they'd be referring to is Wendelin Wiedeking, CEO of Porsche, now that Porsche has announced its plans to take a greater-than-50-percent share in VW before the end of November.

Porsche's annual meeting is on November 26. The company hasn't said how big a stake it plans to take, nor when it will be doing the taking, but it's apparently ready to get this whole VW-ownership escapade into an endgame. There are still legal issues and technical challenges and Lower Saxony to deal with, but we have a feeling it's going to be a lot more difficult to argue with the phrase "absolute majority."

[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd]

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Filed under: Motorsports, UK, Celebrities

Americans may be more familiar with the International Race of Champions, IROC for short, due to that race's popularity in the '80s and '90s and for the Chevy Camaros and Dodge Daytonas affixed with the badge. In the rest of the world, though, the more popular series is called the Race of Champions, but the idea is the same. Take top drivers from various racing leagues and pit them in similar cars against each other on a number of different race tracks. This year, the ROC's organizers are testing a bunch of cars to be used for the next event, including the track-ready KTM X-Bow and a wild-sounding contraption that uses twin Suzuki Hayabusa engines driving all four wheels. The actual race will take place in London at Wembley Stadium on December 14 and will feature Tom Kristensen (Team Scandinavia), Michael Schumacher (Team Germany), Sébastien Loeb (Team France), Andy Priaulx (Team Autosport Great Britain), Troy Bayliss (Team Australia), Mattias Ekström (Team Scandinavia), Jenson Button (Team Autosport Great Britain), Mark Webber (Team Australia) and Sebastian Vettel (Team Germany).


[Source: Race of Champions]

Continue reading KTM X-Bow, Suzuki Hayabusa-engined car tested for Race of Champions

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Filed under: Motorsports, UK, Celebrities

Americans may be more familiar with the International Race of Champions, IROC for short, due to that race's popularity in the '80s and '90s and for the Chevy Camaros and Dodge Daytonas affixed with the badge. In the rest of the world, though, the more popular series is called the Race of Champions, but the idea is the same. Take top drivers from various racing leagues and pit them in similar cars against each other on a number of different race tracks. This year, the ROC's organizers are testing a bunch of cars to be used for the next event, including the track-ready KTM X-Bow and a wild-sounding contraption that uses twin Suzuki Hayabusa engines driving all four wheels. The actual race will take place in London at Wembley Stadium on December 14 and will feature Tom Kristensen (Team Scandinavia), Michael Schumacher (Team Germany), Sébastien Loeb (Team France), Andy Priaulx (Team Autosport Great Britain), Troy Bayliss (Team Australia), Mattias Ekström (Team Scandinavia), Jenson Button (Team Autosport Great Britain), Mark Webber (Team Australia) and Sebastian Vettel (Team Germany).


[Source: Race of Champions]

Continue reading KTM X-Bow, Suzuki Hayabusa-engined car tested for Race of Champions

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