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The AutoGuide News Blog is your source for breaking stories from the auto industry. Delivering news immediately, the AutoGuide Blog is constantly updated with the latest information, photos and video from manufacturers, auto shows, the aftermarket and professional racing.

24/11/2011 | By: Jason Siu

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We could be wrong about this, but we always thought the idea of a limousine was for added comfort and a sense of luxury while going from point A to point B. So label us confused when we spotted this eight-passenger, stretched, matte black, Chevrolet Camaro up on eBay with a current bid of $28,100 at the time of this posting.

As if the look of the stretched Camaro wasn’t silly enough, a glance at the red and black interior proves just how ridiculous of an idea this was. Package it with the dual rear gullwing doors, LED lighting in the wheel wells, and the multiple TV screens and you’ve got an official 140″ head shaker. It also sports 14,655-miles on the odometer and the reserve still wasn’t met.

We’re hoping whoever ends up buying this awesome Camaro gives it over 700-hp and takes it down the quarter mile.

Check out the video after the break.

GALLERY: Stretched Chevrolet Camaro Limo

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[Source: eBay]

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15/11/2011 | By: Luke Vandezande

Gas, tires and insurance probably don’t matter much if you’re in the market for a 2012 Chevrolet Camaro or Ford Mustang, but safety does.

The  Camaro and Mustang GT come with more-or-less comparable horsepower and grunt off the line.  What the test drive won’t show you is that the Camaro is the first car to earn a perfect rating from the  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

NHTSA uses front, side and rollover tests to determine a vehicle’s safety during a crash and have strengthened their standards since 2011. The Camaro earned a perfect score in all categories, where the Mustang only earned four of five stars in the front and side crash tests.

The front-end tests are conducted at 35 mph and the side crash at 38.5 mph, as well as a slower 20 mph side-impact test against a narrow pole. Finally the NHTSA uses a mathematical calculation to determine how likely a rollover is.

To be fair,  most muscle car fanatics would call this story incomplete. The Dodge Challenger among many other cars have yet to be tested for 2012.

The next best-rated were the Honda Accord and Kia Optima, earning a five-star rating in each category except the side-impact tests where they only got four.

[Source:  NHTSA]

11/11/2011 | By: Jason Siu

Often times people think that cars are just all about horsepower. Throw some more into it, add a couple of letters and a number to the model name, and sell it as a new model where everyone is just drooling over the performance.

But Chevrolet knew there’s more to just bragging about the 580-hp in the new Camaro ZL1, they knew that they had to thoroughly improve the aerodynamics to start making it a real impressive machine.

Maybe Chevrolet wanted to educate general consumers that the ZL1 was about more than just extra horsepower by releasing this video. Or maybe they just wanted to show off the hard work, research and technology that went into improving the ZL1′s aerodynamics helping to reduce drag and improve grip to net itself a 7:41.27 time on the Nurburgring.

The ZL1 is the fastest Camaro ever, with over 100 hours of testing and tuning the car’s front bumper, hood, front splitter, front tire deflectors, belly pans, rocker panels and rear spoiler. The result is a thoroughly tuned machine inside and out, and we can’t wait to see it perform once its on sale in 2012.

Check out the video after the break.

Continue Reading…

28/10/2011 | By: Danny Choy

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Chevrolet is doing it big at the 2011 SEMA Show as it will releases multiple Camaros and Corvettes this year. Chris Perry, the vice president of Chevrolet global marketing and strategy, says, “Go to any Corvette or Camaro enthusiast event and you will have a hard time finding a factory-stock vehicle. These are cars that owners treat as canvases to express their personalization and high-performance dreams– and have been for decades. The SEMA Show is the perfect venue to test new customization concepts and to inspire new owners to start modifying their cars.”

One of the highlights for Chevrolet at SEMA will be the “Custom Camaro,” a full-size tribute to the original Hot Wheels 1:64 scale model line back in 1968. Other Camaros present at the upcoming SEMA Show include the Red Zone Concept, Camaro Synergy Series Concept, Camaro 1LE Concept and finally, the Camaro ZL1 Carbon Concept.

The Red Zone Camaro convertible features a new-for-2012 Crystal Claret red exterior paint job. A showcase of Camaro style, the convertible will display the personalization options available through a collection of carefully selected accessories including a new heritage stripe graphic, body-color grill and convertible wind screen, “RS” underhood liner, polished strut tower brace, Chevrolet licensed Pedders suspension lowering kit, and 21 inch silver polished wheels.

For its interior, the Red Zone will receive a Titanium leather interior with Silver Ice accents, “Camaro” logo floor mats, soft black instrument panel inserts, and Silver Ice door and instrument panel inserts. Designer Adam Barry tells us, “This is a Camaro for those who want great looks and a performance personality. It’s a simple yet dramatic statement that is uniquely Camaro.”

Now for the Camaro Synergy Series, GM aims to put on the best of the best of Camaro accessories and present the concept in a distinct red accented silver color scheme. Chevrolet will pay close attention to the latest Synergy concept as it could be brought to production if it receives the desired amount of positive reception. Highlights on the Synergy include a Silver Ice exterior with Synergy Black stripes along the hood, body color ground effects, 21 inch black wheels with red accents, Chevrolet licensed Pedders suspension lowering kit, red Brembo brakes, a red engine cover, SS underhood liner, polished strut tower brace, a short-throw shifter by Hurst, Black leather on red stitching interior, and “Camaro” logo floor mats. Synergy decals will be prominent displayed on this Camaro while SS or RS exterior badges will be removed. Anything to set this beast apart!

The 1LE option code was first available in the third generation of the Camaro. Further refined, the new 1LE concept will be a track focused package and will feature production components from both the Camaro SS as well as the upcoming ZL1. Victory Red paint and a matte black hood with hash mark decal flatters the Camaro 1LE’s exterior. Satin black accents will highlight the LE’s splitter, rocker panels, rear spoiler and its side mirrors. The 1LE also gets black leather interior with Light Stone stitching, door and instrument panels in Graphite Silver, a ZL1 shifter and flat-bottom steering wheel and a custom pedal kit. For its performance components, the close-ratio six speed manual 1LE will get lighweight 20 inch racing wheels wrapped around by sticky Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar G asymmetrical tires. Brakes are a set of hardcore six pot Brembo brakes in the front and four pot in the rear. Finally, the 1LE’s suspension will feature a trick Magnetic Ride Control set up as well as electric power steering.

Camaro chief engineer Al Oppenheiser explains that the, “Camaro 1LE concept is all about the track. It’s an all-out race car package that pays tribute to that special option from the past.”

Finally, a ZL1 Carbon Concept Camaro will be featured as well. As advertised, the ZL1 will receive layers of naked carbon fiber to present a car that’s all about function. The ZL1 Carbon gets exposed-weave carbon fiber trim on its “Mohawk” hood, rear spoiler, and instrument panel and interior inserts too. A set of 20 inch wheels in satin black complete the aggressive look of the ZL1′s exterior. Performance components featured in the ZL1 Carbon are the same Brembo brakes found in the 1LE, a dual exhaust kit with active exhaust and diffuser, Manetic Ride Control, short throw shifter, flat bottom steering wheel, and a sporty Jet Black leather interior with sueded microfiber seat inserts and Torch Red stitching.

As Tony Roma, Camaro ZL1 program engineering manager, said, “If its styling doesn’t intimidate you, its performance on the track will.”

We begin the Corvettes with the Corvette Carlisle Blue Grand Sport, celebrating 30 years of “Corvettes at Carlisle,” one of the largest annual Corvette events in North America. The concept Corvette will feature a new Carlisle Blue exterior with Pearl White racing stripes, rocker panels, and new Torque 2 wheels. The special Corvette will receive a hand built dry sump 6.2 liter LS3 engine mated to a six speed manual transmission. The Corvette will also get Magnetic Selective Ride Control, gray six-piston brake calipers, Goodyear F1 Supercar Gen 2 tires, dual mode exhaust, and a racing pedal package. The Carlisle Blue Concept will also get a “4LT option” Ebony/Titanium leather color interior and blue stitching, a new Bose nine-speaker audio set up, USB port, audio input, touch screen iPod integration, and Grand Sport console lid and floor mats.

Finally, following the success of Corvette Racing C5.R and C6.R racing driver Ron Fellows, who is honored with the induction into the National corvette Museum’s Hall of Fame in 2011, Chevrolet pays tribute to Fellows’ achievement by creating the Torch Red Corvette Z06 Ron Fellows ‘Hall of Fame’ Tribute. The special edition Corvette features the Z06 performance package, Magnetic Selective Ride Control, CFZ carbon fiber package with splitter and rocker moldings, carbon fiber raced hood, red brake calipers, black headlamp housing and mirrors.

As for its interior, ebony leather with red stitching set a theme for performance and racing pedals, Alcantara steering wheel, shift knob, and parking brake handle complete the look. Check out the gallery below and see the complete 2011 SEMA Show preview here.

GALLERY: Chevrolet at SEMA 2011

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27/10/2011 | By: Jason Siu

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MagnaFlow, based out of Southern California, has teamed up with racing legend Mario Andretti to build one mean, clean Camaro for this year’s SEMA Show. The 2011 Chevrolet Camaro will also be auctioned off for charity at an upcoming Barrett-Jackson 2012 Scottsdale auction in Arizona with all the proceeds going towards the Wounded Warrior project.

The Camaro SS comes courtesy of Chevrolet while MagnaFlow outfitted it with their high-performance exhaust and Magnuson supercharger to enhance the Camaro’s performance. Getting the power to the ground is an ACT clutch while the exterior looks the part with a full Street Scene carbon fiber body kit. Keeping it all classy, MagnaFlow opted for a set of 20-inch HRE wheels mated to Pirelli rubber to cover up the Brembo brakes. Suspension upgrades come from a set of Eibach springs.

In order to earn Mario Andretti’s stamp of approval, Andretti himself took the MagnaFlow-built Camaro out to Nashville Super Speedway to take it through its paces. After inspecting and driving it on the track, Andretti approved of the project and will be alongside the Camaro on November 2nd, at the show.

[Source: MotorAuthority]

GALLERY: Magnaflow Chevy Camaro Mario Andretti Edition

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25/09/2011 | By: Nauman Farooq

Yesterday we told you about the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 hitting the auction stage at Barrett-Jackson in Las Vegas, NV. Today, we are reporting on its outcome.

This very special 2012 Camaro, which will be the 69th ZL1 made, to commemorate the 1969 ZL1, sold for $250,000. That is probably over four-times as much as what the MSRP will be for this car.

However, the premium price is for a very worthy cause. All the money, and we do mean 100% of it, will be going to the YMCA of Southern Nevada.

The buyer for this car is none other than car dealership mogul and NASCAR Sprint Cup team owner Rick Hendricks. Previously, Hendricks was also the winning bidder for the very first Corvette ZR-1, the very first of the new generation Camaro’s, and the very first Volt plug-in hybrid.

He will receive his Carbon Flash Metallic ZL1 in the first quarter of 2012.

GALLERY: 2012 Camaro ZL1 Debut in Chicago

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24/09/2011 | By: Nauman Farooq

 

The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is one of the most highly anticipated models of 2012. This 580-hp, supercharged V8 monster will certainly be one of the fastest sportscars on the market.

Many enthusiasts are waiting to get their hands on this model, but if you want the very first one, get ready today. At the Barrett-Jackson Auction being held today in Las Vegas, a Chevrolet dealer will auction off the first customer ZL1.

While in actuality, this will be the 69th ZL1 built at the Oshawa factory, this carbon-black metallic example is a tribute to the 69 examples of the 1969 Camaro ZL1, but it will be the first one delivered to a customer.

The car is donated by Fairway Chevrolet in Las Vegas, with 100% of the proceeds going to the YMCA of Southern Nevada.

The ZL1 will be delivered to the highest bidder by next spring.

GALLERY: 2012 Chevy Camaro ZL1

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17/09/2011 | By: Nauman Farooq

Love it or hate, but the Chevrolet Camaro has lots of fans, and they are never shy to show their appreciation for the car. At a recent contest held by the Bowtie brand, 125,000 fans voted on what they think is the best Chevy ever made, and the winner is…. the 1969 Camaro, edging out the Chevelle SS as a fan favorite.

Tom Peters, who has designed many Chevrolets over the years, including the C6 Corvette, was very pleased with this nod to the ’69 Camaro, especially since he fell in love with one when he was 14 and he now currently owns one. Peters said; “the ’69 Camaro is not only one of the best vehicles in Chevrolet’s history but one of the best vehicles ever.”

He adds that; “Today, the ’69 Camaro has become one of the best examples of timeless design in the industry. Like the very best designs, the Camaro is much more than just a machine because it evokes powerful emotions in people of all ages. That’s why we looked to the ’69 for inspiration when designing the fifth-generation Camaro, and why the ’69 Camaro is an example of the timeless vehicles Chevrolet will strive to deliver for the next 100 years.”

It is worth noting that the current Camaro is among the best selling sportscars on the planet currently. So while enthusiasts and auto critics might not have much love for the new Camaro, the buying public begs to differ.

02/09/2011 | By: Nauman Farooq

While not everyone is a fan of the new Chevrolet Camaro, it appears that it actually has more admirers than one would think.

Not only has it been the best selling sportscar for the last two years, it is now also the most popular car on Facebook. With a fan-base of 1.8-million, the Camaro , it has out numbered any other car on this social media site.

The site also proves that the new Camaro is attracting a younger crowd, as 60% of fans are between the ages of 18 and 34. With fans uploading photo’s of their Camaro’s, its community is getting bigger and stronger with time.

It will certainly get stronger still when later this year, Chevrolet will launch the Transformers Edition Camaro, and the powerhouse Camaro ZL1, which features a supercharged V8 capable of producing well over 550-hp. A muscle car with muscle, we like the sound of that.

[Source: egm CarTech]

27/08/2011 | By: Jason Siu

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Tony Stewart and Stewart-Haas Racing have teamed up with Mobil 1 as their oil brand of choice and with two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championships to their respective names, it’s a pretty good sponsorship for Mobil 1. Now they’re leveraging their relationship with Stewart (to your advantage we might add) by offering a Tony Stewart-customized Chevrolet Camaro SHR as a giveaway, among other various prizes.

The grand prize will be a special edition 2011 Camaro Convertible customized by Tony Stewart and the Mobil 1 team. The approximate retail value of the vehicle will be $50,000, so it’s a good bet that there’s a few nice goodies packed into the convertible. 20 lucky people will receive a Mobil 1 twill jacket while 45 will get a Mobil 1 pit shirt. 150 more people will have the opportunity to win a Mobil 1 fleece sweatshirt, while 300 will get their hands on a Tony Stewart t-shirt. Last but not least, 450 people will get a consolation price of a Mobil 1 pit cap.

The random drawing will be conducted on October 17th, 2011 and the grand prize Camaro winner will be notified on or around October 19th.

Hit Mobil 1′s Facebook page to check out a video on the Camaro giveaway and enter to win the Mobil 1 Sweepstakes here.