According to a leaked spec sheet, Ford‘s upcoming Focus ST global hot hatch will start at $23,700 ($24,495 with the $795 destination charge).

Since its inception, Ford’s former Global Performance Vehicles chief Jost Capito intended for the Ford Focus ST to be at the top of its class, ”We want to have the best hot hatch in the sector. We want to be better than a VW Golf GTI, better than a Renaultsport Megane 250 – and we believe we have achieved that with a car that can be used day-to-day but is also extremely entertaining for enthusiastic drivers.”

Packed with the robust EcoBoost 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, the Focus ST produces 247-hp and 265 lb-ft of torque. Offered with a 6-speed manual transmission, the driving enthusiast’s gearbox of choice, the Focus ST lays down a 0-to-60 mph time of 6.5 seconds.

Although the latest hot hatch is certainly a lot of car for an affordable price, tacking on additional trim packages and equipment groups can quickly drive the price closer to $30k. Order codes ‘Equipment Group 201A and 202A charge for $2,505 and $4,840, respectively. A moonroof will cost $895, navigation is an additional $795, the special Tangerine Scream Tricoat Paint finish will cost another $495, and finally, an engine block heater will set you back another $35.

Depending on trim levels and combinations, a fully equipped Focus ST should fall close to $29,000, drawing it near basic Ford V6 Mustang territory. Despite the risk of overlap, these two sport oriented cars are distinct enough as to not risk the cannibalization of sales.

With the Focus ST set to arrive in dealers later this year, it’s only a matter of time before Ford releases a Fiesta ST hot hatch for the US as well.

GALLERY: 2013 Ford Focus ST

[Source: FordSTNation.com]

A series of very public Li-ion defect related incidents have caused the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) decision to hold a meeting with automakers and battery suppliers with regards to the safety of the new technology.

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Last week, Chrysler announced delivery of four plug-in hybrid Town & Country minivans to the Auburn Hills city of Michigan as the initial part of an extensive two-year hybrid development project worth $25.8 million. Today, company delivered eight more units to the Duke Energy utility company as part of the two-year project.

As the only minivan to boast a plug-in hybrid powertrain in combination with flex-fuel capability, Chrysler also revealed the specifications of its new plug-in Town & Country.

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The all-new 2013 SRT Viper is without a doubt the star of this year’s New York Auto Show. Boasting big numbers, the Viper’s enormous 8.4-liter V10 engine produces 640-hp. Plus, SRT has announced a factory-backed return of the Viper to the American Le Mans Series and international endurance racing.

But here comes the most important bit of information of all – show your support for the Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer and the very first Viper can be yours. The official charity of the American Le Mans Series, the Austin Hatcher Foundation For Pediatric Cancer’s mission is to aid cancer children and their families during the treatment and to provide continuing support throughout survivorship, all services are at no cost to families, and are funded solely buy donation.

The auction for the first 2013 SRT Viper will hold at Barrett-Jackson of Orange County, from June 22-24. Serial #01 vehicles have displayed a historic trend of reaching massive figures by auction end, so it will be exciting to see how much the new Viper can raise for the Austin Hatcher organization.

Co-founder of Austin Hatcher Foundation Dr. Jim Osborn said, “We are very excited that the first production Viper be auctioned at Barrett- Jackson Orange County to benefit the many families faced with pediatric cancer. We just can’t thank Mr. Gilles and his team enough.”

GALLERY: 2013 SRT Viper

Ford Motor Company has announced a recall of 140,310 model-year 2012 Ford Focus vehicles built through Oct. 18 in the Wayne, Michigan Assembly plant over a potential windshield wiper defect.

According to Ford, a seal plug on the passenger side windshield wiper motor electrical connector may be missing, causing water to fall into the motor and a short in the unit.

Ford’s recall entails the installation of a redesigned seal plug and dealers will re-coat grease for electrical connectors to ensure wipers are protected and functioning.

Ford told dealers to begin the recall on Tuesday and notified affected owners on Friday.

The 2013 Chevrolet Traverse officially debuted at the 2012 New York International Auto Show this morning as the as the brand’s latest full-size crossover.

“We have injected a stronger presence into the Traverse exterior by focusing on the details. The small but important changes give it a more vibrant personality that more closely reflects the lifestyles of the families who rely on the Traverse to get them through their busy lives,” said GM director of exterior design Phillip Zak.

GALLERY: 2013 Chevrolet Traverse

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Having shared a gallery as well as a walk-around video of the six concepts featured at the Annual Moab Easter Jeep Safari, new photos have just been released of the Moab concepts in action.

An annual showcase of upcoming, potential Jeep products, the Moab Safari is a great way for the iconic brand to connect with its core audience. Unlike other concepts, however, these Jeeps are not meant to sit in rotating pedestals in convention halls. At Moab, Jeep spent the week demonstrating its vehicles and gained a lot of instant feedback from its die-hard community of Jeep 4×4 fans.

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As we draw closer to the New York International Auto Show, Ram continues its slow release of teaser images ahead of its official unveiling later this week.

The latest teaser image features two more macro shots, this time of what looks to be the interior trim of the Ram truck – the first of an interior light, the second of a piece of trim from the dashboard. While teaser images are considered by many automakers to be a fun and effective marketing trick to raise awareness and excitement, these obscure images fail to convey exactly what we should expect from the next generation Ram. Its official reveal will be during the New York International Show and we will share more substantial information regarding the new truck later in the week.

So far, we know that development of the new 2013 Ram 1500 truck heavily focused on the mechanicals, featuring a fuel efficient package that combines Chrysler’s Pentastar V6 along with an eight-speed transmission. What’s more, the new Ram will also feature the air bag suspension system from the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Legendary automobiles are hard to come by these days. A horsepower war engulfs the auto industry, robbing supercars of staying power, but 50 years ago — and still today, Carroll Shelby’s name and legacy remain self-distinguished.

A talented amateur, Shelby was quickly scouted to become a driver for Cad-Allard, Aston Martin, and Maserati during the 1950s. In 1953, Shelby set 16 U.S. and international speed records, exceeding 160 mph across the Bonneville Salt Flats in an Austin-Healey 100S . Then, Shelby set another record in 1956 at the Mount Washington Hillclimb Auto Race, breaking the time-trial record with a 10:21.8 seconds run in a specialized Ferrari roadster.

Racing in Formula 1 from 1958 to 1959, Shelby participated in eight World Championship races, for Maserati in his first year, then Aston Martin in his second. Finally, Carroll Shelby and teammate racing driver Roy Slavadori earn the coveted win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1959 behind the wheels of an Aston Martin.

Despite his talent and success in racing, many of us remember Carroll for what he did after he retired from racing. First revealed at the 1962 New York Auto Show, Carroll Shelby introduced a new “hybrid” sports car that possessed a body from the British AC Cars and an American Ford V8 engine. A game-changer at the time, the Shelby Cobra has now become an icon in automotive history.

While many Cobra fans would believe that the AC Ace chassis and the Ford V8 were necessary ingredients for the perfect Cobra sports car recipe, neither AC Cars nor Ford were Shelby’s first-choice for suppliers. It wasn’t until another British marque, Austin Healey, declined Shelby that he turned to AC. What’s more, Chevrolet quickly refused to supply Shelby with its small block V8, fearing the action would effectively help a man build a car that will compete against its own Corvette sports car.

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Start-ups are inherently risky and while many bright-eyed visionaries initially display great potential, up to fifty percent of new enterprises run out of money. Unfortunately, Waltham-based A123 Systems Inc. are at risk of becoming a statistic. 

Earlier this month, Consumer Reports reported that a brand-new Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid electric vehicle with less than 200 miles on the odometer abruptly shut down. News of the defect spread quickly, causing Fisker engineers scrambling to identify and solve the problem as soon as possible in an attempt to curb any damage to consumer confidence. Investigators determined the cause of the issue as a flaw in the Fisker’s battery module, which is supplied by A123.

Other than the incident at Consumer Reports, A123 CEO David Vieau told reporters that five Fisker customers are potentially affected by the flawed battery packs. As of March 26, A123 has started building replacement modules for Fisker and will begin to ship these battery packs out to customers this week. Despite moving forward, David Vieau admits that the cost of replacing the batteries will “require us to adjust our fundraising strategy.” Vieau did not elaborate.

Caused by faulty calibration in one of four welding machines, a misalignment of the components in some cells could lead to an electrical short, resulting in the permanent failure of the A123 battery or a decrease in performance and battery life. In order to replace all the defective battery packs, expense figure estimates are close to $55 million, which “represents a severe impact” on cash reserves, stated Dan Galves, New York-based Deutsche Bank analyst.

Galves wrote in a report, “We no longer have enough confidence that AONE can raise sufficient capital (without massive equity dilution) and/or continue to augment their book to future business. Recent quality issues may lead to concerns over AONE’s ability to manufacture with quality at high volumes, potentially leading to customer defections or at least difficulty in procuring new contracts.” AONE refers to A123′s stock symbol.

According to financial reports, A123 held $187 million in cash at the end of 2011 but Galves pointed out A123 suffered a cash burn of at least $155 million this year. The company will have to raise at least $50 million of additional short-term capital but, unfortunately, loan requests will be extremely difficult due to a general lack of confidence due to weak first-half results, long-term profitability concerns, pressure on battery pricing, and uncertainty on EV demand.

Dan Galves changed his rating on A123 from “buy” to “hold.” AONE share price have fallen 6 percent to $1.40 yesterday.

[Source: Boston.com]

Earlier this week, we took a close and detailed look at the six Jeep concepts heading to this year’s Moab Easter Jeep Safari. As usual, a video has been released showcasing all six concepts.

The concepts heading to Moab, Utah this year are the Grand Cherokee Trailhawk concept, Wrangler Apache concept, Mighty FC concept, J-12 Conversion concept, Mopar Accessorized Wrangler, and the Wrangler Traildozer concept.

The video includes soundbites from President and CEO of Jeep Brand, Mike Manley and Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO Mopar Brand Service, Parts and Customer Care. Along with the feedback from them, we get a better look at all six concepts inside and out.

Watch the video of the 2012 Moab Easter Jeep Safari Concepts after the break.

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A pioneer in modern cinema, director Peter Yates received critical acclaim for the camera work and editing done for the car chase in the 1968 movie Bullitt. 

Starring Steve McQueen, the Ford Mustang, the Dodge Charger, as well as the hilly streets of San Francisco as the backdrop for the chase, Columbia University professor Emanuel Levy praised, “Bullitt contains one of the most exciting car chases in film history, a sequence that revolutionized Hollywood’s standards.”

Since then, many filmmakers have used Bullitt as a benchmark, applying its techniques to produce car chase sequences of their own. However, no director has attempted to re-create the complete Bullitt sequence again – until now.

For the season finale of Alcatraz, Detective Madsen stops and requisitions a Deep Impact Blue 2013 Mustang GT coupe and chases down a black Dodge Charger that is driven by her convict grandfather. Symmetry to the original Bullitt play throughout the chase, including scenes of the Mustang’s appearance in the Charger’s rearview mirror, the driver in the black Charger clipping the seatbelt, the iconic reverse burnout, the hill hops, as well as the old Volkswagen Beetle that makes multiple and non-linear appearances.

Check out the entire chase sequence from the season finale of Alcatraz below.  Continue Reading…

Each year, the mad scientists of Jeep and Mopar collaborate to create interesting concepts for the 46th annual Annual Moab Easter Jeep Safari, held in Moab, Utah.

This year the team stepped it up a notch, announcing six new Jeep concepts. Mopar has also announced an off-road division that will create authentic Jeep parts and accessories.

“The Jeep Safari has long been a great way for Jeep to connect with its core audience. We look forward to spending the week demonstrating our latest potential production and customization ideas and gathering instant feedback from the most knowledgable 4×4 enthusiasts in the world,” Jeep president and CEO Mike Manley said.

Mopar president and CEO Pietro Gorlier addded that “Mopar is tapping into a growing trend among extreme Jeep enthusiasts who want even more power and capability on the trail. This year, Mopar is pushing the envelope in this arena by offering our customers new Pro 60 portal axles and a new HEMI conversion kit, which we will showcase in those new vehicles. In addition, to further maximize our presence in the off-road market, we are creating a Mopar Off-Road division to develop Jeep Authentic Parts and Accessories.”

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It was only December of last year when Google earned patents for autonomous vehicles. Now, the technology continues to rapidly move ahead as automotive supplier Continental has commenced testing a semi-autonomous vehicle of its own that is more affordable and could be among the first licensed for use on Nevada’s designated public roads by months end.

Nevada is the first state to pass laws regulating driverless vehicles. To qualify for a special state license, engineers at Continental have built and driven a heavily modified Volkswagen Passat with its brake and steering controls removed and replaced with sensors to digitally read and interpret surroundings. According to engineer Ibro Muharemovic, the Passat has logged almost 10,000 miles of autonomous driving and during a more recent trip from Las Vegas, Nevada, to Brimley, Michigan, home of Continental’s development and testing center, more than 90 percent of the journey did not involve the use of hands and feet.

Unlike Google’s ambitions to create a sophisticated fully autonomous vehicle, Continental went along to develop an interim semi-autonomous option that could take over duties during stop-and-go traffic or extended stretches of highway, the least satisfying of driving conditions. However, Continental and Google’s endpoint is identical: to create a solution that will reduce accidents, congestion, and fuel consumption. Continental director of engineering systems and technology Christian Schumacher said, “We still have a long way to go, but the technology is amazing.”

According to Ravi Pandit, CEO of India’s global IT and engineering company KPIT Cummins, “There is a strong business case for an autonomous car that can drop you off or a cab without the expense of a driver.”

Despite the optimism, mass production semiautonomous cars are still a couple years away. The technology exists but the idea raises questions of liability, regulation, and public acceptance. NHTSA will begin a study of autonomous driving in August with a one-year pilot project in Ann Arbor, testing 3,000 cars with the ability to communicate with one another to avoid an accident. What’s more, in an event of a crash, the law has yet to resolve who is reliable or whether the occupants of an autonomous car are legally exempt from bans on mobile devices.

As for passenger anxiety, Ravi Pandit is confident that, “A car can see better than a human can, and the car responds faster.”

Engineer Ibro Muharemovic commented, “I was surprised by how well it worked.” Continental’s Volkswagen Passat is fitted with a stereo camera that can monitor speed-bumps or potholes as far as 220 yards away and adjust steering, braking, and acceleration accordingly. Muharemovic adds, “The driver is always in control and can override the system any time.”

If testing is successful and Continental is qualified for Nevada registration, a special red license plate will be provided to distinguish the driverless car. In the future, production driverless cars would receive a green license plate.

Check out video footage of Continental’s autonomous Volkswagen Passat driving itself below.  Continue Reading…

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

When it comes to the next generation of its popular Escape compact crossover, Ford is leaving nothing to chance, perfecting every aspect of the all-new 2013 model.

In order to make owning the all-new Escape as enjoyable as possible, a team of sound engineers was assembled to create a concert-hall quality audio experience in the cabin. The tuning process has two steps. The first stage is the objective portion, where the engineers monitor sound wave files on laptops hooked up to speakers within the vehicle. The second stage is the subjective portion, relying on a good set of human ears to find the most pleasing quality.

Carefully-selected song recordings were used to test and tune the Escape’s sound system. For example, Stevie Ray Vaughn’s cover of Jimi Hendrix classic “Little Wing” featured a distinct buzzing sound coming from single-coil pickup amplified by tubes. Ford’s audio specialists zeroed in on the song’s characteristics to evaluate tonal balance, ensure quality in the bass region, and to ensure a wide sound stage available in the system.

Next, Suzanne Vega’s “Tom’s Diner” a cappella was used to evaluate center staging. Rihanna’s “S.O.S.” was used as well to tune clean bass when mixed with vocals and to make sure that the tweeters will not sound shrill. Other songs were used to ensure dynamics, imaging depth, spatial qualities, as well as bass extension to ensure strong bass won’t shake the doors.

According to audio engineer Christine Templin, “We tuned the audio system so that it sounds natural — as if you’re listening to music inside a theater rather than in your vehicle.”

Available this spring, the Escape will offer three audio options: the standard six-speaker system, a nine-speaker system, and finally a Sony 10-speaker system.

GALLERY: 2013 Ford Escape

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

KFC’s latest marketing campaign for its classic Chunky Chicken Pot Pie has been a hit as audiences complimented its cool retro style. While that pot pie does look down-right scrumptious, the red 1970 Dodge Charger was the most eye-catching of all.

Fans of the commercial shared their thoughts on KFC’s Facebook page, “The Pot Pies are delicious, but my nod goes to the Dodge Charger!” Another shared the same sentiment, “Man, that’s one sexy 1970 Charger!”

After the outpour of appreciation, KFC announced a special photo contest where the very Charger will be the grand prize awarded to the winner. Chief Marketing Officer Jason Marker explained, “There are lots of ‘classics’ in our current commercial, from the Chunky Chicken Pot Pie and the Dodge Charger to the dudes’ sunglasses and sideburns. Now, one lucky fan is going to own the very car that has been creating all this online buzz. And no matter what the decade, anyone would look cool pulling up to the KFC drive-thru in that classic ride.”

Here is how the contest works: visit KFC’s Facebook page and upload a fun and classic “old school” themed photo. The submitted picture could either be a real photo taken in the 70′s or it could be one that was inspired by the decade. Once uploaded, the picture will automatically post on the user’s Facebook page and will be forwarded to KFC as well. Pictures will be graded on creativity, originality, and consistency with the KFC brand image.

The contest, aptly named “Bring Back a Classic,” will run through April 1, 2012. The winner of the photo contest will be announced after April 15, 2012.

Check out KFC’s Bring Back a Classic Advertisement Below:

Mustang enthusiasts will probably appreciate a visit to the Ford website if they haven’t already taken one recently thanks to the new Shelby GT500 configurator going live.

While playing dress-up with the man-beast of a muscle car is a far cry from actually feeling the 650 hp it has on tap, you can get a good idea of what options are available, how they will look and what it will cost. We resisted the temptation to deck our car out in AutoGuide colors, partially because the matte black rims look great matching, but also because the new taillights are gorgeous next to the paint noire.

With a starting price of $54,200, the updated super ‘Stang is $5,390 more expensive than the model it replaces, though that price also brings a 5.8-liter supercharged V8 compared to the outgoing 5.4-liter version. WIth that extra displacement, drivers get an extra 100 hp.

Optioned out, the top-tier price tag comes in at $66,485, which includes a Shelby-branded car cover among other fancy options.

Head on over to the configurator to have a little customizable fun for yourself.

GALLERY: 2013 Ford Shelby GT500

Perhaps the most important figure regarding the upcoming 2013 Shelby GT500 is its top speed of 200 mph. Best of all the figures on the car however is Ford has announced that this Mustang could be yours for a “mere” $54,995.

A sharp increase of $6,000 over last year’s model, it’s also slightly more than the new Camaro ZL1, which is priced at $54,095.

A larger 5.8-liter V8 engine and a bigger supercharger gives the 2013 GT500 an increase of 100-hp over the out-going 2012 model. Other components joining the powerplant include a new six-speed manual transmission, carbon fiber driveshaft, clutch, and a new final drive real axle with 3.31:1 ratio.

Also available on the GT500 is the new Performance Pack which offers SVT/Bilstein electronically adjustable shocks and a Torsen limited-slip differential. Finally, an optional Track Pack adds an extra engine oil cooler, rear differential cooler and a transmission cooler to manage the sustained high temperatures during a track day.

Despite the absence of rear independent suspension, there’s no denying that the 2013 Shelby GT500 is a complete and well thought out package. Start keeping your eyes peeled for 2013 GT500′s at Standing Mile events starting this summer.

In an interview, Ford vehicle line director Gunnar Herrman reported that development on the next-generation Focus RS hot hatch have been delayed to bump development of various other vehicles and its trims and variants, especially the Ford Kuga/Escape and the Ford Focus Electric.

Simply, Herrmann explained that “It’s just because we have other priorities to clean up and, effectively, we have to make a final decision on how we proceed [with the new RS].”

For the new Focus RS, the previous Volvo derived 2.5L, five-cylinder engine will be replaced with a new turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder producing approximately 320 horsepower. Like the previous generations of the Focus RS hatchback, the new RS will be front wheel drive, coping torque steer with the help of a limited slip differential as well as a Revoknuckle front suspension.

GALLERY: 2010 Ford Focus RS

[Source: World Car Fans]

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

Dodge is introducing the 2012 Avenger SE V6 today as a class leader in power output, providing both performance and affordability for driving enthusiasts.

The heart of the 2012 Dodge Avenger SE V6 is the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 mated to an automatic six-speed transmission. The Ward’s “10 Best Engines” honoree delivers 283-hp and 260 lb.-ft. of torque while also achieving a 4-cylinder-like 29 mpg highway fuel economy rating. Likewise, the Avenger SE V6 starts at a 4-cylinder-like price tag– only $21,495.

According to Dodge President and CEO Reid Bigland, “The Dodge Avenger is one of the fastest growing mid-size cars in America, with sales up 112 percent this year. We’re building off this momentum with the introduction of the new SE V6 package, delivering a true no compromise solution of the mid-size car buyer — 283 best-in-class horsepower, 29 mpg highway, 18-inch wheels and a rear spoiler- all for just $21,495 MSRP. You get the power, the efficiency, the look, and tremendous value that is unmatched in the segment.”

Other standard equipment offered in the Avenger SE V6 include electronic stability control with traction control and electronic roll mitigation, multi-stage driver and front passenger air-bags, side-curtain and front seat-mounted side airbags, tilt/telescoping steering wheel with integrated audio and cruise controls, outside temperature display, LED taillamps, and premium interior with soft-touch surfaces. All this comes with a five-year, 100,000 mile powertrain warranty.

GALLERY: 2012 Dodge Avenger

A direct reflection of the current market, GM has been struggling to keep up with demand for the 4-cylinder Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain crossovers for the past two months.

Facing a shortage in supply, GM has restricted dealer orders to better ration its bestsellers. Unfortunately, this has caused many dealers to fill their inventory with the 3.0-liter V6 models, which are less desirable to consumers in the face of rising costs at the pump. Currently, four-cylinder models account for 80 percent of Equinox and Terrain sales.

GM spokesman Jim Cain explained that “temporary order limits” had to be placed on the Equinox and Terrain. “It’s a function of a strong industry, a hot vehicle, and a very robust demand for the four-cylinder model.We’re working with our suppliers to increase deliveries of key components.”

According to GM, the supply constraints will only be temporary until the supplier adjustment has been resolved. From the dealer’s perspectives, it has been difficult to shift the V6 models as the national average has risen to $3.79/gallon of gas. For Herb Chambers Chevrolet-Cadillac of Danvers,MA, general sales manager Eduart Lela said, “I cringe when I have to order a six.”

In an effort to work with the dealers, GM offers a $1,000 discount for each V6 Equinox or Terrain moved in order to lift sales.

GALLERY: Chevrolet Equinox

[Source: GM Inside News]