As if there weren’t enough possibilities for the Chevrolet Camaro already, the automaker announced today that it will introduce a new 1LE performance package to further augment the already-muscular Camaro SS coupe.

“With the 2013 model year, Camaro offers something for almost every driver, including: the 323-horsepower, 30-mpg 2LS; the all-new, 580-horsepower supercharged ZL1 convertible; the COPO Camaro for drag-racing; and the new 1LE for amateur track days,” said John Fitzpatrick, Camaro marketing manager. “We expect the range of choices, and enhancements for 2013, will help Camaro remain America’s most-popular sports car.”

Popular it is, given the recent announcement that between the Camaro and Corvette, Chevrolet sports cars control a third of the U.S. market segment. As Fitzpatrick said, the automaker hopes to continue boosting that control by offering a growing line of specialized cars.

That’s where the 1LE comes in: it’s a Camaro SS coupe with unique gearing, suspension tuning, and tires that make the car track-ready to the tune of more than 1 g in lateral acceleration. Chevrolet says the latest iteration of its pony car ran a sub three-minute lap at Virginia International Raceway, where we recently tested the new ZL1 Camaro.

“The Camaro 1LE combines the best elements of the SS and ZL1 to take road-racing performance to a whole new level,” said Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief engineer. “That the 1LE breaks the three-minute lap at VIR puts it in the upper echelon of performance cars. That it starts under $40,000 makes the Camaro 1LE one of the most affordable, most capable track-day cars offered by any manufacturer.”

Perhaps more interesting than performance specifications alone, Chevrolet is taking preemptive measures to ensure customers have the chance to actually enjoy their purchase. The trouble with buying a high-power pony car is that owners seldom have legal outlets for all that power. Thankfully, the automaker thought of that and is already working on Touring Class competition approval from the SCCA with the 1LE package. Once accomplished, that classification will mean the new package is a race-ready track car form the factory, and for a bargain price.

Aside from the modifications listed above, the 1LE comes with a litany of ZL1-spec parts including a stronger fuel pump, 20×10-inch aluminum wheels and improved suspension components. For the most part, modifications that make the 1LE are in place to improve traction, so Chevrolet also packaged higher-capacity rear-axle half shafts to cope with the stress that comes with added grip.

Originally introduced in 1988, the 1LE package returns this fall with the 2013 Camaro release.

GALLERY: 2012 ZL1 Camaro

When Opel/Vauxhall first announced that its Ampera plug-in hybrid electric vehicle would participate in the 13th International Monte Carlo Rally for alternative energy vehicles, it made a point to challenge the Tesla Roadster, which won the previous two years.

Completing the racing stages from Annecy-le-Vieux to Monte Carlo from March 22 through 25, the Opel Ampera of Bernard Darniche and Joseph Lambert finished in first place, winning the Ampera’s inaugural Monte Carlo Rally. Following the leading Ampera, three more crossed the line to finish in the top 10.

A total of 130 competitors from 30 manufacturers took part in the Monte Carlo Rally, including a total of seven Amperas, the Renault Fluence Z.E., Tesla Roadster, Mitsubishi i-MiEV, Volkswagen Up!, and Peugeot Ion. A test of endurance for alternative propulsion, teams were judged based on energy usage at a steady speed via a ratio formula that accounted for vehicle weight, CO2 emission, energy density of the fuel and its consumption.

According to French rally co-pilot Joseph Lambert, “The sophisticated technology of the Ampera was always reliable and enabled our tremendous success.”

“The Ampera’s success in this versatility contest under very challenging conditions proves its impressive balance between durability and fuel efficiency. This underscores our leadership role in the field of alternative propulsion,” Vauxhall/Opel director of E-mobility Enno Fuchs said.

GALLERY: Monte Carlo Rally Opel Ampera

There’s no denying that Chevrolet Volt sales have been sluggish. GM has admitted as much with production halted currently until April 23rd.

So the American automaker went back to the drawing board to come up with a new ad campaign for its Volt. Because no doubt, the ad created for the Super Bowl had less than stellar results. This time around, they (smartly) decided to stick to just human beings, showing somewhat candid interviews of “Happy Volt Owners.”

GM CEO Dan Akerson says these commercials will feature “the facts” and are “more interesting” now that they have “the happiest drivers on the planet” in the ads.

The ads are a little more effective than using interstellar aliens inquiring about the Volt technology. It’s real-world people trying to explain how the Volt offers real-world advantages. Will it do the job for Chevy? Perhaps the automaker should see what their European brethren are doing to sell the Ampera.

Watch two of the commercials below

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Back in 2009, Kevin Morgan Designs debuted its custom Chevrolet Camaro Trans Am at SEMA. Now you can have your very own.

Based on a 2010 Chevy Camaro, the Kevin Morgan Designs team morphs it into a Trans Am reminiscent of one from the good ‘ol “Smokey and the Bandit” days. The vehicle up for sale is number-8 from Morgan’s collection and is only the second time that one of these newly-styled and licensed Trans Am are available in the used-car market. Morgan claims that the first one sold in excess of $115,000.

Upgrades to the Trans Am include Eibach lowering springs, staggered 20-inch KM Forged T6 wheels with Pirelli P-Zero tires, the full body kit to transform the Camaro body underneath, a custom TA graphics package, embroidered head rests in the interior, and custom aluminum dash and door panel inserts.

Kevin Morgan is also offering optional upgrades to whoever ends up purchasing the Trans Am. Options include Katzkin custom seats, a Hurst Shifter, Procharger Supercharger, Hellion Twin Turbo System, or even an LS7 or LSX 454 engine swap. Pricing wasn’t listed on the auction for the available options, but we’ll assume they’re fair market price – especially if you end up paying upwards of $100,000 for the vehicle alone.

Click on the source link to check out the eBay auction.

GALLERY: Kevin Morgan 2010 Chevy Camaro Trans Am

[Source: eBay]

Chevrolet Volt sales in America haven’t been what GM had hoped with the American automaker even stopping production to let inventory numbers subside a bit.

But it appears that GM executives can let out a sigh of relief, as the European counterpart, the Opel Ampera, has broken the 7,000 order mark and is nearly sold out until year’s end in Europe. The Ampera was recently named European Car of the Year which was no huge surprise considering the Nissan Leaf took the honor in 2011.

“We are extremely pleased with the continuing demand for our Ampera,” said Enno Fuchs, Opel’s e-mobility launch director. “This news shows us that our sales target of 10,000 units for 2012 is well within reach.”

What’s interesting now is how quickly Opel will be able to fulfill those orders considering GM shut down production for five weeks. The automaker began delivering Amperas to customers in February and according to Opel, deliveries are “going according to plan.” Interestingly enough, many of the Europeans purchasing the Ampera are switching from luxury brands such as BMW, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz stating that the Ampera’s “cutting-edge technology” is what’s enticing.

[Source: Plug In Cars]

It’s a Colorado thing, so you probably wouldn’t understand but four-wheel drives and Subarus seems to sell better than most cars in that state. Subaru aside, another car is trying to woo buyers with a lot of help by the State government: the Chevrolet Volt.

While other states are discouraging people from buying cars like the Nissan Leaf, Colorado is offering up to $6,000 in incentives which combined with the already-available $7,500 in federal tax incentives. That adds up to a maximum $13,500 lopped off the Volt’s price tag, making it a reasonably-riced car for folks living in the mountainous state.

“This rebate in Colorado provides an extra incentive for those that want to purchase or drive an energy-efficient and technologically advanced vehicle like the Chevrolet Volt,” said Volt Marketing Director Cristi Landy. “With the available state and federal tax credits, along with the fuel savings that many owners experience by charging daily, the Volt can fit the lifestyles and budgets of many people.”

It’s almost funny, but with a starting MSRP of $31,645 and the maximum discounts in place the Volt can come as cheaply as $18,145, before destination fees.

Still, that’s approaching sub-compact pricing for a mid-size sedan that gets better milage than the sub-compacts it’s suddenly price-competitive with. MItt Romney might not like the Volt, but with prices like this it seems likely that more folks in Colorado might warm to the extended range EV.

Chevrolet has announced that its turbocharged Ecotec 1.4 liter engine equipped Sonic subcompact will now be available with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

The quickest of its class, the 6-speed manual turbocharged Ecotec 1.4 liter engine propels the Sonic from 0-to-60 mph in 7.8 seconds, faster than the comparable 2012 Ford Fiesta, Honda Fit, or Hyundai Accent. Although initial offerings only came with a 6-speed manual, the addition of an automatic transmission makes the Sonic more accessible to more consumers.

According to vehicle line director and chief engineer for North American small cars Jim Danahy, “Providing the option of a turbocharged engine to our non-stick driving Chevy customers allows us to offer everyone the thrill and power of a fuel-efficient Ecotec 1.4L powerplant. Both in the Sonic and Cruze, the engine enables better fuel economy without sacrificing power or performance. It’s really a winning combination.”

The added convenience of an automatic transmission comes at a cost, as 0-to-60 mph acceleration clocks at a slower 8 seconds and will earn an EPA-estimated 27 mpg city and 37 highway, while the manual transmission is capable of 29 in the city and 40 mpg on the highway. What’s more, adding the automatic transmission will take on an additional $440 to the price of a Sonic LT sedan or hatchback, or an additional $630 to the price of a Sonic LTZ sedan or hatchback.

GALLERY: Chevy Sonic

Earlier today, the 2013 Chevrolet Trailblazer was revealed but GM mentioned that it would not be bringing it to America. Why? Because models like the Traverse is taking precedence in our market.

“The new Traverse builds on the success of the current model offering a wide variety of improvements to ride and handling, interior materials and exterior styling without compromising the functionality and capability families need to support their busy lives,” said Chris Perry, vice president of Global Chevrolet Marketing.

Alongside the 2014 Chevrolet Impala, a more-refined version of the family-friendly Chevy Traverse will debut at this year’s New York Auto Show. The 2013 Traverse update was “designed to give families a new gathering space with elements of style and refinement inside and out, as well as new and industry-exclusive safety features,” according to Chevrolet.

Just as in the GMC Acadia, the 2013 Traverse will feature the industry’s first front center air bag — engineered to protect the driver and front passengers in far-side impact accidents. Deploying in mere milliseconds, the airbag will inflate in between the driver and front passenger, adding extra protection for both people.

Chevrolet released a single teaser image of its all-new Impala today, which will debut at the upcoming New York Auto Show.

 ”The momentum at Chevrolet continues to build with the debut of the 10th generation of the Impala, one of the brand’s most enduring and cherished nameplates,” said Chris Perry, vice president of Global Chevrolet Marketing. “The new Impala further strengthens Chevrolet’s passenger car lineup by giving consumers a full-size sedan that balances the desire for distinction with engaging driving dynamics.”

Introduced in 1958, the Impala has been one of Chevrolet’s best-selling cars, going through a series of changes that carried its nameplate from the massive ’58 sport coupe to the front-wheel drive car often seen as a fleet vehicle.

There wasn’t much additional information, but we’ve previously reported that the upcoming Impala will share the Cadillac XTS platform. Hopefully that means a more refined car in the coming generation.

The all new 2013 Chevrolet Trailblazer was released today at a special event in Bangkok, Thailand preceding its auto show debut at the 2012 Bangkok Motor Show.

The new Trailblazer shares its platform with the re-designed Chevy Colorado, and shares much the same look as the new Colorado. Using the underpinnings from a truck, the Trailblazer is marketed as a capable off road vehicle as well as a passenger hauler with seating for seven.

Under the hood, the Trailblazer will receive two choices sourced from GM’s family of Duramax diesels. The larger option, a 2.8L turbocharged four cylinder will deliver 180 hp and 346 lb.-ft. of torque to the Trailblazer, and the smaller option, a 2.5L four cylinder will put out 150 hp and 258 lb.-ft. of torque. A five speed manual will be available with both motors as well as a six-speed automatic. GM says that more engines will be announced for specific markets, and odds are we won’t be getting the diesels if the Trailblazer comes to America.

Independent rear suspension, two or four wheel drive and the use of coil springs throughout will help the Trailblazer achieve some of the off road prowess its looking for. “The Trailblazer will cater to a wide range of driving styles and requirements. It is car-like responsive and premium in its ride quality while offering the off-road capability that our customers demand. That makes it the complete SUV package,” said Brad Merkel, GM’s Global Vehicle Line Executive for Midsize Trucks and SUVs.

When asked about the Trailblazers designs on the U.S. market, GM spokesman Tom Wilkinson said, “There are currently no plans to introduce the Trailblazer here in the US. Customers here have moved from body-on-frame midsize SUVs to a broad variety of crossovers, and are well represented there with Traverse and Equinox.”

The Trailblazer will go on sale in Thailand and around the world in June of this year. But of course, not in America.

Do you want a Trailblazer? Let us know if you think this vehicle should come to the States in the comments section below.

GALLERY: 2013 Chevrolet Trailblazer

The Sareni United / YACO Motorsport Chevy Camaro GT3 race car is pure awesome. We thought the final version debuted earlier this year, but the team did some last-minute tweaks to make it look better than ever.

Even though the changes aren’t extensive, the Camaro GT3 race car now sports a large carbon fiber splitter and several canards on the front bumper, no doubt enhancing its aerodynamics. It has also gotten some sponsor decals on its door plate where its race number will reside. The short exhaust pipes still run out behind the front wheels and the same big black spoiler sits on the rear.

Under the hood is a 7.9L V8 mated to a Holinger gear box packing 650 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. We can’t wait to see how it does in competition.

GALLERY: Sareni United / YACO Motorsport Chevy Camaro GT3

[Source: Jon Sibal]

Six Opel Ampera plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, the identical twin to the American Chevrolet Volt, will make an inaugural appearance at this year’s International Rally Monte Carlo.

Entering the Monte Carlo Rally for Alternative Energy Vehicles, the six Amperas will race against 150 other green cars in a series of stages starting March 22 from Annecy-le-Vieux, to Clermont-Ferrand, Luganu, and finally finishing three days later at Monaco.

Regulations for this competition dictates that a car must emit less than 115g/km of CO2 in order to participate. While not as exciting as the WRC event, the Alternative Energy competition can be just as challenging to tackle. The goal is to cover the race distance, maintain a constant speed, all while using as little energy as possible.

The Tesla Roadster emerged victorious at the Monte Carlo rally twice in a row. Intent on giving Tesla a run for its money, the Opel Ampera features an electric motor that drives the wheels and a conventional gasoline engine that kicks in to generate electricity once the battery depletes. The Ampera’s system is prepared to deliver 150 hp and 273 lb.-ft. of instant torque, good for a 0-62 mph time of approximately 9 seconds and a top speed of 100 mph.

Since 1953, the Chevrolet Corvette has been a part of the American landscape, both on the road and on the track.

It is easily the most winning American sports car, having clocked wins on national and international circuits. Corvette’s have been particularly competitive at the 12-Hours of Sebring race. Since its first race outing in 1956, 231 Corvette’s have competed at Sebring, 24 of which have won class or outright victories at this track.

So it is fitting that Sebring International Raceway has inducted the Corvette into its Hall of Fame. It also worked out for Corvette that on its 60th anniversary, the car placed second and third place in this years grueling endurance race.

Russ Clark, Chevrolet’s marketing director for performance cars said; “We are thrilled that Sebring has recognized the success of the Corvette on the race track by inducting it into the hall of fame. Even more important than the awards and race wins are the benefits to our production vehicles as a result of our racing programs,” said Clark. “We have been successful at transferring racing technology to the street, especially in our high-performance vehicles such as the Corvette ZR1, Z06 and our carbon fiber models, including aerodynamic, powertrain, chassis, braking, safety and design features.”

On the occasion of the Corvette’s 60th Anniversary, Chevrolet is offering the 427 Convertible Collector Edition Corvette, which is essentially a z06 without the roof. A 60th Anniversary appearance package is also offered on all 2013 Corvette’s.

Congratulations on your new honor Corvette, you truly deserve it.

Chevrolet is aiming its minicar, the Spark, at North American city-dwellers, but without much marketing certainty or poise. 

“We haven’t set a specific target,” said Cristi Landy, Spark marketing director. “A minicar is new” to the United States. “There are a lot of unknowns here.”

The Spark, which has already been sold in other world markets like Europe, Asia, Australia, South America and Mexico, might find a niche in North America, but it’s hard to look past the slim sales records competing cars are already struggling with. Chevrolet recognized that selling the car with its standard 1.0-liter three-cylinder wouldn’t fly with American consumers who readily jump on highways. Instead the car is getting a revised 1.2-liter four cylinder with 85.2 hp.

Those are tiny numbers, but then again this is a minicar. The Spark measures 5.1 inches longer than the Fiat 500, or 14.3 inches shorter than the already-tiny Chevrolet Sonic.

At $14,660 (including delivery) the Spark is Chevy’s cheapest option. Still, at roughly $1,000 less than the starting-level Fiat, which has almost 16 hp more and the hip Italian styling that people who buy these cars generally appreciate, the company’s cautious sales demeanor is probably justified.

Aside from the different engine, the North American Spark will also get a redesigned front fascia, head lights and tail lights. The interior also gets a smart phone-capable infotainment system standard with the 1LT and 2LT trims.

The first Sparks will be available in July, when the biggest question will be answered: is anyone willing to buy a baby Chevy and will they drive it?

[Source: Automotive News]

Following the discontinuation of the Chevrolet Colorado, speculation quickly cropped up about the new Colorado that debuted at the Bangkok Motor Show last year.

Early on, many people assumed the truck would immediately succeed the recently discontinued generation as a 2013 model, but those assumptions are turning up false. In fact the new Colorado, pictured above, will take another two years to make its North American debut in 2014 as a 2015 model. While it might seem odd that the small truck is being delayed for this part of the world, there are good reasons for the decision.

GM probably couldn’t bring the new Colorado to market right away, even if it wanted to. Last November the company announced its plans to use the Wentzville, Mo. assembly plant to produce the truck, but preparing for that production is time consuming. While it may be possible to get the plant ready in time, it probably isn’t cost-effective.

Even if it were, the world-marketed Colorado isn’t designed for North Americans. Right now, it’s sold with a 2.8-liter diesel engine and is designed with worldwide customers in mind. The company used much of the same strategy in marketing and designing its Cruze, Spark and Sonic — first selling them globally only to redesign them for the U.S. It seems GM is going about the new Colorado in much the same way.

As is often true, it won’t come as a surprise to find different engine options for the North American Colorado than the version sold globally. Even still, it isn’t clear what to expect when the truck finally launches. According to GM Inside News, the company plans to offer its new 2.5-liter four cylinder or 3.6-liter V6, though there isn’t any word on a diesel variant Stateside.

[Source: GM Inside News]

Looking for a truly unique car to add to your collection? Better head to the 2012 Barrett-Jackson Auction in Palm Beach, Fla. from April 5 through 7. This custom 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe V7 features a twin-turbo, mid-engine setup backed by a stunning design.

The Chevrolet LS V8 1,000-hp (915 lb-ft of torque) engine powers this GM Design Award winning Corvette and commands attention. The ’63 Vette truly embraces the blend of classic car design with modern day technology. The body is widened a massive 10 inches and coated in a sleek black finish. One of the most impressive features of the Vette is the new cab forward design which allows the engine to be viewed through the original rear window openings.

Suspension on the custom Corvette Coupe comes courtesy of Penske Racing, while the massive brakes that help stop the 1,000-hp monster are from Baer. Custom HRE wheels adorn each corner, wrapped with high-quality Michelin rubber.

The attention to detail on this vehicle makes it truly mesmerizing and is welcomed into the American super car world. With a 0-60 time in the sub 3-second range, this is truly one of the most collectible Corvettes in the world.

GALLERY: 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Custom Coupe

[Source: Barrett-Jackson]

Ford‘s Panther chassis, platform for the iconic P71 Police Interceptor, is anything but a slouch, but after more than 30 years of service both Ford and police recognize the need for a change.

Ford started building police variants of the LTD Crown Victoria in 1979, by 1992 the company’s cars evolved from modified civilian sedans to law enforcement machines.

Agencies are looking for something more fuel efficient options than the aging Crown Victoria’s and the 14 mpg city and 21 mpg highway rating from its thirsty V8 as municipal budgets shrink with the rocky U.S. economy.

Ford says the the next generation Interceptors address that concern and offer significantly improved fuel efficiency. The Taurus-based Interceptor sedan gets 18 mpg city and 26 mpg highway, a 4.5 mpg average improvement over the previous Interceptor. During 10-hour shifts of Police duty, police cars idle for approximately 6.7 hours of the duration so Ford has made improvements on idle consumption as well. The latest Taurus Interceptor will also use 35 percent less fuel at idle thanks to its smaller displacement 3.5 liter V6 engine.

What’s more, the Explorer-based Interceptor SUV achieves an estimated 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway, a best-in-class figure for police spec utility vehicles.

Ford managed to keep performance intact, despite the improved efficiency. A 3.5-liter V6 is used for both vehicles, producing 288 hp. That translates to a 38-hp gain over the outgoing V8.

During 0-60 runs, results show that the V6 Ford Explorer Interceptor Utility can reach 60 mph one full second faster than the competing V8 Chevrolet Tahoe PPV.

An Eco-Boost turbocharged 3.5 liter V6 producing 365-hp is available as an option as well. Combined with all-wheel-drive, the powerful Ford police vehicle out-accelerates competitors from Dodge and Chevrolet.

The Chicago police department ordered and will soon take delivery of approximately 500 Ford Police Interceptors this year, making the city the first to field test Ford’s ne enforcement vehicles.

GALLERY: Ford Taurus, Ford Explorer Interceptor

It seems like the Ford F-150 is going to keep its current look, despite a Chevrolet Silverado update slated for the next couple years. 

“Segments like the midsize car, where we need to make a big noise against Honda and Toyota, are much better places for Ford to make strong gains, but where we already have a strong presence and people are holding onto their trucks longer than ever before, we’re likely to continue giving customers what they want,” Eric Merkle said at the Motor Press Guild monthly meeting at the Ford Design studio in Irvine, Calif.

That doesn’t mean Ford fans will have to deal with dated drivetrain tech. Merkle was clear in telling the Chicago Tribune that updates will still happen, though cosmetic changes will be minimal. Instead, major changes will be focused on powertrain updates.

Those updates will probably include smaller, more efficient engines given that the company is talking about doing the same with the Mustang, which probably comes the closest to rivaling the pickup truck community’s V8 fanaticism.

There’s another budding branch in the Ford family tree of pickup trucks, one that we reported in August of last year.

“You know we announced the partnership with Toyota,” Merkle said, “to explore the idea of a hybrid pickup truck. … I think it would be kind of cool to use whatever electric generator that might include to run a bunch of power tools or set up a well-stocked campsite,” Merkle said.

Despite what the hardcore truck community might think, there are changes on the horizon for all gas-thirsty vehicles, pickups included. For now, the loyal old school can take comfort in Merkle’s prediction that the F-150 will stay true for the coming years.

GALLERY: 2012 Ford F-150

[Source: Chicago Tribune]

Toyota is the brand to beat when it comes to hybrid vehicles, and the recently launched Prius c subcompact helps reinforce that trend. 

According to Toyota, the Prius c, which launched on March 12, has sold 1,201 in its first three days on the market, making it one of the company’s fastest selling vehicles.

In just three days, the Prius c outsold the February sales of the Volt, and Leaf, which sold 1,023, and 478 respectively.

The fact that gas prices in the US could hit $4.00 a gallon as early as memorial day certainly make the Prius c a shining beacon of hope for drivers who hope to save some money at the pump with the 53 mpg fuel economy rating.  The under $19,000 price tag doesn’t hurt either.

As a whole, the Prius family of vehicles (the Prius, Prius c and Prius v) sold almost 10,000 units during the first half of March.

You can check out our review of the Prius c right here

Blowing candles out on a birthday cake seems like an age-old tradition, but who would have thought a car could do it? When one of America’s most famous sports car turned 60, Chevrolet decided to give it its candles to blow out.

The American automaker took a Corvette 427 Convertible out to the track that acted as a giant birthday cake and lit 60 candles along the pavement. A driver piloted the 7.0-liter Corvette – the same engine found in the Z06 – with 505 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque as it made its way around the course, blowing out its candles along the way.

Weighting in at 3,355 lbs, the Corvette 427 Convertible hits 60-mph in just 3.8 seconds and has a top speed over 190-mph.

Watch the video after the break.

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Ford will tell you how the F-150 beat the Chevrolet Silverado in the 2012 Best Value in America awards, but it won’t tell you that the company also lost to Chevrolet. 

A press release titled “F-150 wins Best Value Award” might seem pretty simple, but the eighth annual “Best Value in America” award isn’t quite as clear. Vinventric, the company bestowing the award, has the full story on its site. It seems that Ford did in fact win, but not to the extent the Ford press release might suggest.

In fact, Chevrolet won the award for “Best Value Truck Brand.” Meanwhile on the Ford press site, the release reads “F-150 beat out Chevrolet Silverado for the second year in a row.”

While Ford did actually win the half-ton segment, Chevrolet won overall and didn’t so much as bother to announce the victory on its site.

“Our awards take into account all costs involved with owning a vehicle, which enables consumers to understand automotive value and measure the impact that owning a specific vehicle will have on their financial situation,” stated David Wurster, President of Vincentric.

Among those costs, Vincentric considers depreciation, fees and taxes, financing, fuel, insurance, maintenance, opportunity cost and repairs.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced that it closed the investigations surrounding possible fires on the Volkswagen Passat and cracked cooling fans on various GM trucks without issuing a recall or fines to either automaker.

Originally the 2002-03 model year Passats were under investigation for possible ignition coil fires in July 2010 but things didn’t stop there. In January 2011, the investigation was upgraded to include 2001-07 VW Passat models with the four-cylinder, turbocharged engine. There were 135 unique fire engine reports attributed to the coil-on plugs, but after a thorough investigation there was no safety-related defect identified, so the investigation closed.

Unfortunately the investigation closure alone doesn’t ensure the absence of a defect. NHTSA will continue to monitor the issue to see if further action needs to be taken. None of the fires reached beyond the engine bay and no reports of crashes or injury were related to the 135 incidents.

GM on the other hand, got a thumbs-up after NHTSA looked into the cracked cooling fans on GMT-560 series of trucks. Those trucks span models from Chevrolet, GMC and Isuzu including the 4500 and 5000 medium-duty trucks. Even though NHTSA said that it “remains concerned about the potential for injury,” at the current time it can’t find the cause for the issue and that the complaints are “small and diminishing.”

Not exactly comforting, but we also know NHTSA would issue a recall if the organization saw fit to do so.

The Goodwood Festival of Speed is Britain‘s premier motoring event celebrating racing heritage. Last year, the venue celebrated the centenary of the iconic Chevrolet brand. For 2012, Chevrolet returns once more to celebrate the 60th birthday of the Chevrolet Corvette.

First conceptualized as the 1952 EX-122 concept, designer Harley Earl wanted to create an American sports car to challenge Britain’s Jaguar and MG. The EX-122 made its first public debut in January 1953 at the GM Motorama, at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York.

GM also intended for its sports car to be made more affordable, utilizing existing mechanical components. However, this isn’t to say that the Corvette was made on the cheap. GM developed  an ultra-modern, aerodynamic body and the Corvette became the first mass-produced vehicle to extensively use fiberglass, an innovative material that saved weight, prevented corrosion, and is capable of being molded into more complex shapes.

As for its engine, the first Corvettes came with GM’s ‘Blue Flame’ inline-six engine and an optional 265 cubic inch Small Block V8 before GM took it to new heights with a larger 283-hp 283 cubic inch Small Block V8 for 1957. The 283 became one of the first mass produced engines to achieve 1-hp per cubic inch.

Today, the Corvette remains one of America’s highly popular and iconic high performance sports cars. Over the span of six generations, more than 1.3 million Corvettes have been produced.

Chevrolet UK Managing Director Mark Terry said, “The Corvette is a true icon of the Chevrolet brand– it provides the performance DNA that runs through the whole Chevrolet model rage. Styling influences such as its trademark dual cockpit, there since the original, can be found in all of our cars today, and it still delivers the same performance, the same jaw-dropping styling and the same wow factor as it always has– it’s the greatest ambassador possible for the Chevrolet brand.”

Celebrate Corvette’s 60th with fellow automotive enthusiasts at the Goodwood Festival of Speed from June 28th to July 1, 2012.

GALLERY: 2012 Chevrolet Corvette

Due out in late 2015, the sixth-generation Chevrolet Camaro could get smaller engine options but isn’t likely to change its design theme too much hints chief engineer Al Oppenheiser.

With development of the car currently under way, a finished product is still a long way off, but recent comments by Oppenheiser reveal the key areas of concern, from weight, to fuel economy, to the sports car’s distinctive styling.

From an engineering standpoint, weight is a major issue. Oppenheiser admits the current car has been critiqued for being heavy. “We always get hammered for mass, and that’s not going to be getting easier going forward,” he told Automotive News.

Related to that is the choice of engines, with CAFE (corporate average fuel economy) targets requiring significantly more efficient engines. As a result, Oppenheiser says everything is currently on the table, from displacement to the number of cylinders. And with rumors of a turbocharged V6 Mustang or even a turbo 4-cylinder, Chevy has to be thinking similar thoughts.

But perhaps the biggest issue of concern is the styling of the modern Camaro, which is believed to be much of the reason for the car’s success, overtaking the Mustang in sales for the past two years. Oppenheiser readily admits that, “In some ways it is actually going to be tougher,” to redesign what has become an instant fan favorite.

Perhaps his most telling comment, Oppenheiser hints that the styling update is likely to be evolution and not revolution. “We always have to stay fresh and ahead.” Still, he says, “we do not want to lose the fact that we have nearly 40 percent of the market.”

[Source: AutoNews]