Late last week we reported that GM was ceasing production of the Cobalt SS Sedan and now the automaker has confirmed several other performance models will get the axe.

That’s right, the latest vehicles to face the guillotine in this French Revolution-style automotive bloodbath are three (or four depending on how you look at it) high-performance models: the Cadillac STS-V, the Chevrolet Impala SS and the Pontiac G6 GXP (Coupe and Sedan).

With the deletion of the Pontiac brand, we’re not even sure why GM is mentioning the high-performance GXP models. As for the Impala SS, this latest 8th generation model might not be all that captivating, even though a 303hp 5.3-liter V8 allows the car to hit 60 mph in 5.6 seconds, but the Impala SS name is an American Icon. The same can’t really be said for the STS-V, despite it’s supercharged V8, which boasts 469hp.

We could say its a conspiracy by the Democrats to get rid of high performance cars and replace them with green machines, (and while that could still be true) the low volume sales of these models are a convincing argument.

For GM loyalists, the news might get worse still. When asked about the future of the Cobalt SS Coupe, Chevy spokesman Terry Rhadigan would only say that it would continue for, “a while longer.”

Bankruptcy or not, when the recession is over and people start looking for high-performance vehicles again, GM is not going to be an appealing option.

[Source Automotive News via WorldCarFans]

The month of April marked an important milestone for both Honda Motor Co. and hybrid cars. Last month the new Insight achieved the status of being Japan’s most popular vehicle with more units sold than any other model – marking the first time a hybrid has ever been the monthly sales leader.

In April, 10,481 Honda Insights were registered for road use in Japan.

The runner-up was another Honda, the sub-compact Fit with 9,443 vehicles sold, marking the first time Honda has ever held the top two positions. The Fit has been a continuing success for Honda, holding the top monthly sales for the previous four months, as well as the top sales for the past calendar year and past fiscal year.

Official release after the jump:

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BMW has made it clear that it is working hard to deliver performance as well as fuel economy, doing away with larger displacement motors wherever possible and introducing turbocharged smaller-displacement powerplants that produce as much (or more) power.

While BMW has been able to give impressive performance to sporty models like the 135 and 335 by using the twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six, the entry-level 1- and 3-Series models do with naturally aspirated motors.

BMW is rumored to be changing this with a new line of turbocharged 1.35-liter 3-cylinder and turbocharged 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engines, as an integral part of the Efficient Dynamics initiative. The new engines would also be used in the rumored Z2 sportscar.

Three different versions of the turbo-three would be offered with 163, 201 and 241 horsepower, respectively. As for the turbo-fours, there would be just two with either 273hp or 321hp.

As is often the case, many of these new engines would not be available in North American models. However, some of the larger versions would.

There is no word on how much fuel economy would be improved.

Here’s a full list of the specs for each model:

x16i – 1.35-litre, 3-cylinder, 163bhp/140 lb-ft
x18i – 1.35-litre, 3-cylinder, 201bhp/162 lb-ft
x20i – 1.35-litre, 3-cylinder, 241bhp/192 lb-ft
x23i – 1.8-litre, 4-cylinder, 273bhp/220 lb-ft
x25i – 1.8-litre, 4-cylinder, 321bhp/258 lb-ft

[Source: Sky Motoring]

There is a definite possibility that Ford’s European Ka microcar could make its way to dealerships in North American in the next few years.

A new second-generation Ka was just launched in Europe in 2009, using either a 68hp 1.2-liter gasoline engine or a 74hp 1.3-liter diesel engine. At just 142.5-inches long, the Ka is roughly the size of a SMART fortwo.

While Ford has never been interested in bringing over the Ka before, the Fiat/Chrysler merger may change all that as the automotive partners plan on bringing a Chrysler-branded version of the Fiat 500 microcar to the U.S. – a move that could happen in as little as 18 months.

Not only would Ford want a piece of the microcar segment, but its Ka is actually based on the Fiat 500 chassis as well.

A big issue in bringing the car over would be pricing and while a Fiat 500 might be able to fetch a price roughly equivalent to a SMART, a Chrysler or Ford vehicle would have to be much closer (if not under) the $10,000 mark.

There is also a possibility, suggests an article in the Detroit Free Press, that both Chrysler and Ford could team up on the manufacturing of both vehicles, having them built in the same assembly plant in order to minimize costs. If that were to happen, the car would most likely be built in Mexico, where both Ford and Chrysler already have plants.

The whole idea does seem far-fetched, especially in a country that loves big cars, but times are changing and Chrysler has made it clear that a version of the Fiat 500 is slated for U.S. roads.

Ford already has plans to bring the European Fiesta to North America, where it will compete in the ever-increasing sub-compact segment.

[Source: The Detroit Free Press]

Spy photos of Ferrari’s F430 successor have almost become common-place over the past six months and now word comes that the Italian car maker may show a concept version of the exotic at the Frankfurt Auto Show this Fall.

Known internally as the F142, the F430′s successor is more commonly called the F450, as it is expected the V8 engine will gain a slight increase in displacement for at least 550hp – although as much a 585hp is possible.

The new benchmark for exotics will be wider, longer (with a longer wheelbase) and slightly taller than the 430. There is also the potential that it will use the Formula 1-derived KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery) system, turning energy from both braking and deceleration into electrical energy to help power the on-board electronics. This would help improve fuel-economy slightly.

Direct-injection technology may also be used to not only add performance, but also increase fuel-economy.

The F450 could mark a significant engineering change for Ferrari if it uses a double-clutch gearbox like that found in the more civilized California instead of the F1-style box it first brought to market in the 355.

[Source: Auto Motor und Sport via WorldCarFans]

Nissan has confirmed that it will not be attending the 2009 SEMA Show this Fall. What that means is, we aren’t likely to see any drift Cubes, or DUB Cubes or crazy widebody GT-R-powered Cubes.

Which isn’t really a bad thing… although that last one sounds interesting.

Nissan had already announced that it would only attend one major auto show on each continent and the company has now said that it views SEMA as a major show. That being said, we aren’t likely to see a corporate Nissan displays until the LA Auto Show in 2010.

Nissan may be missing out on a huge marketing opportunity here as cars like the Cube are the perfect fit for an event like SEMA. Still, there are certain to be plenty of private companies with Cubes… and as long as GT-Rs draw a crowd you can be sure SEMA will be full of them.

Then again, those private shops may be few and far between as budgets decrease and SEMA floor space only seems to go up in price – even in a recession.

SEMA may just have to start throwing out some deals this year, however, as not only Nissan, but also Mazda has announced that it won’t be looking for a spot on the show floor. Instead, Mazda will donate a few cars for shops to modify and display in their own booths.

[Source: Autoblog]

[Photo Credit: NissanSilvia.org]

To help make its goal of a 20 percent reduction in fuel consumption by 2012, Audi has just released some new technologies for its vehicles, while expanding some existing fuel-efficiency features across its product rage.

Audi’s three systems, (some new and some not-so-new) include a Start-Stop manual transmission, an Energy Recovery System and what Audi calls an “Efficiency Program.”

The Start-Stop system will first appear in 1.4-liter A3 models in Europe and will soon expand to A4 and A5 models equipped with the 2.0 TFSI engine. The system works for manual transmission cars, shutting off the engine when the car comes to a stop – thus saving gas instead of having the car sit idle at a light or in traffic. The Start-Stop system is activated by the clutch pedal, stopping the engine when the clutch is disengaged and restarting the engine as soon as the driver touches the pedal again. Audi will also offer a button to turn the system off.

This system should make its way into other manual transmission cars soon and it’s likely a similar setup for automatic transmission models will arrive shortly as well.

Secondly, Audi will offer an Energy Recovery System in more of its models. Currently it is standard on the 1.4 TFSI A3, A6, Q5, Q7, as well as the A4 and A5 Coupe/Cabriolet equipped with the 2.0 TFSI with the manual transmission.

This system works by temporarily storing the energy generated under deceleration and then feeding it back into the electric system. This added electricity therefore means less energy has to be generated by the alternator, which means it doesn’t have to draw as much from the engine.

The final new item is Audi’s Efficiency Program, which works though a series of displays on the dash to inform the driver how to improve fuel economy. It will provide different fuel-saving tips, including telling the driver what gear it is best to be in and at what point shifts should be made.

Audi believes this system might be one of the most beneficial as is claims 30 percent of fuel consumption is based on driving style.

Official release after the jump:

Continue Reading…

Well-known in the tuning community for building high-powered machines of all breeds, Artisan Performance has decided to take on the 2010 Chevy Camaro. And if the renderings are any hint, we’re in for a treat.

And yet as salivating a package as it looks from the outside (with 1.5-inch fender flares), the Artisan Performance SA-600 Camaro SS gets extra-tasty under the hood. Or does it?

Much like on the company’s burnt-copper Lexus IS-F from last year’s SEMA Show, the Camaro features a set of rear-mounted turbochargers. Two GTK350 turbos, as well as an intercooler setup, exhaust system and ECU tune help the Camaro SS to pump out 600 ground-pounding ponies from its 6.2-liter V8. Artisan hasn’t released torque numbers yet, but they’re sure to be equally impressive.

To round out the package, Artisan will equip its SA-600 Camaro SS with iForged wheels in a 21-inch front and 22-inch rear fitment. Inside those rollers you’ll find an SSBC big brake package with 14-inch rotors.

Artisan’s SA-600 Camaro SS will also include many other custom details and a bespoke interior… at a cost. The whole package will run $69,000.

For more info visit:

http://www.artisanperformance.com/

[Source: Autoblog]

Hyundai continues to flirt with the luxury market as the automaker has now announced that it will ship 100 of its flagship Equus luxury sedans to U.S. dealerships to gauge interest.

The Equus is based of the same platform as the Genesis Sedan, which launched in 2008, but is even larger, taking aim at the world’s top-level luxury saloons, including the BMW 7 Series, Mercedes S-Class and Lexus LS.

It is powered by a 4.6-liter V8 engine (also offered in the Genesis Sedan) that makes 375hp.

Already on sale in South Korea, Hyundai first showed the car in North America at the New York Auto Show – a publicity also aimed at gauging interest in the U.S. market.

Whether or not the Equus will ever go on sale in the U.S. will have to be seen. The Genesis Sedan was considered by many to be a risky move and it’s likely the success of the Korean luxury car is due, in part, to the poor economy, as those interested in a luxury car were eager for a bargain.

Bringing the Equus sedan to the U.S. would prove even more challenging as courting flagship luxury buyers away from German models won’t be easy. (Then again, Toyota did it with Lexus).

We do, however, question Hyundai’s approach as those interested in a $75,000 luxury sedan aren’t likely to frequent Hyundai dealerships. Perhaps parking it outside the Ritz-Carlton would be wiser.

[Source USAToday]

General Motors has built a one-off “Hero Edition” Corvette ZR1, which will be raffled-off for charity. The car will be paired up with a 1967 Corvette 427 convertible and will be given away to the lucky ticket holder at the end of the year as a part of the Win The Vettes Corvette Dream Giveaway.

Proceeds from the ticket sales will go to help the Kids Wish Network and is on honor of the group’s Hero Program, which recognized children who have courageously overcome traumatic circumstances.

The Corvette ZR1 Hero Edition is a one-of-one vehicle and comes complete with special graphics, a red engine cover and additional carbon fiber parts.  Oh.. and don’t forget the factory 638hp supercharged LS9 V8 engine.

Corvette Racing team members Ray Krawczyk, Harlan Charles and Tadge Juechter have all signed the car as well.

Tickets are just $3 with the draw being help December 23 – just in time to make someone’s Christmas wish come true.

To purchase Win the Vettes raffle tickets call 866-WIN-BOTH or visit the website here:

https://www.winthevettes.com/OrderTickets.aspx

GALLERY: Corvette ZR1 Hero Edition

[Source: CorvetteBlogger.com]