With the seventh-generation Corvette due out soon, Chevy is reportedly already looking ahead to the C8 model with major changes planned. General Motors had planned a major revamp of the Corvette for the C7 model but when the economy took a turn for the worse, it was decided that less ambitious changes had to be made. As a result the C7 is to follow after previous Vettes, but with improvements. In other words, it’s more of a stop-gap, to keep the iconic sports car alive until the C8 arrives to usher in a new era of the Corvette.

“That [the C7] will be the last of the traditional, old-style Corvettes,” said a senior GM representative to AutoWeek. Reportedly under consideration for the C8 is a light-weight aluminum platform with a mid-engine layout. It is may also be smaller in size and could even use a V6 engine. That might sound crazy, but if a V6 is planned, you can expect a few turbochargers to also be a part of the package.

We’ve already seen reports mentioning GM’s plans to make the Corvette a more global car with improved youth-appeal, and as much as cosmetic changes to the C7 platform are expected to head in that direction, the C8 is now looking to update every aspect of the car.

[Source: Autoweek]

It’s a great day to be Canadian. Why you ask? Well, along with the overall friendliness, beautiful scenery and lack of crime, it now appears as though Canada will get the incredible Audi TT-RS.

Haven’t hear of it? Well, you know that TT-S that’s currently on sale with the turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder. Well, add an extra cylinder and 0.5-liters of displacement and then make the whole package a lot more hard-core and you’ve got the TT-RS. In total it makes 335-hp and 332 ft-lbs of torque and when combined with quattro all-wheel drive and offered exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission, it can hit 62 mph in just 4.6 seconds.

Its unusual that Canada would get a model that the United States wouldn’t, unless of course Audi is still planning to bring the car here as well. Plus, Audi Canada hasn’t officially confirmed this report either. However, there is one good reason that Canada could get the car, namely, the high price of cars in the country. Even when the Canadian and U.S dollars are at parity, (like they pretty much are now), vehicles in Canada cost anywhere from 10 to 15 percent more – plus the significantly higher taxes. This makes it possible for Audi (or any other automaker) to make a slight profit, which would be impossible in the U.S. on a 10 to 15 percent cheaper car.Generally, automakers still choose not to sell such vehicles in Canada because of the low volume possible.

According to Monvolant, (which also claims the BMW X1 rear-drive model will make its way to Canada), just 250 TT-RS models will be imported to Canada. Lucky bastards, eh?

[Source: Monvolant via Autoblog]

We’re not exaggerating when we say that the Corvette Z06 Carbon Edition might just be the sexiest looking Vette ever created. That’s why when Chevy released a new selection of photos of the stunning Supersonic Blue sports car, we thought it warranted a whole new post.

Created to celebrate 50 years since a Corvette first competed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 2011 Corvette Z06 Carbon Edition gets brake and suspension upgrades, as well as a lighter overall weight thanks to plenty of carbon fiber. The changes, says Chief Corvette Engineer Tadge Juechter, are enough to shave up to 3.0 seconds per lap off a standard Z06 on a track like Laguna Seca.

“For track use, the Z06 Carbon is the best balanced Corvette yet. It combines the lightweight and naturally-aspirated Z06 engine with the road-holding and braking of the ZR1,” he comments.

Upgrades include Brembo carbon ceramic brakes, straight from the ZR1, as well as 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels, coated in Michelin PS2 tires. Upgraded engine and transmissions coolers are part of the package, as is a Magnetic Selective Ride Control system. And let’s not forget a special carbon fiber hood (lighter than the one used on the ZR1), as well as a carbon fiber engine cover, carbon fiber rocker panels and front splitter. There’s even a ZR1-inspired rear spoiler, plus black headlights and mirrors.

The body of the Carbon Edition Vette will be offered in two colors (either, Inferno Orange or the all-new Supersonic Blue, pictured above), while the interior gets ebony leather and suede with blue or orange stitching. Suede is used for the steering wheel, shifter, seat inserts, armrests and doors. Unfortunately, we can also tell from some of the photos that there’s still some el cheapo plastics used on places like the steering wheel.

Just 500 Carbon Edition models will be made, although Chevy will make some of the items available in packages for Z06 models. A Z07 Performance Package includes the performance upgrades, while a CFZ Z06 Carbon Fiber package includes many of the carbon fiber components (but not the hood) as well as a rear spoiler.

The Z06 Carbon Edition will be available this summer.

Now you’ve probably heard all this before (when we posted the original story earlier this week), so stop reading and get to the gallery.

GALLERY: 2011 Chevy Corvette Z06 Carbon Edition

Honda has already locked down 7,000 orders for its CR-Z hybrid sports car, more than half of the car’s annual sales target of 12,000 units. Still, Honda should be cautiously optimistic as last year sales of the new Insight model started out strong but started to dwindle once Toyota released its third-generation Prius – a direct competitor. Overall, Honda still managed to move 92,283 Insights in 2009, 50 percent more than the sales target. In the U.S., sales of the Insight weren’t nearly as good, with Honda missing the mark of 100,000 units by a fair margin. The good news for Honda is that the CR-Z will have no competitor in the near future, when it goes on sale in the Summer.

Honda is hoping to sell 15,000 CR-Z models in the U.S. this year.

The CR-Z stands alone in the marketplace, as a two-seater hybrid, using a 1.5-liter gasoline engine and electric assist motor, to deliver 122-hp and a 36/38 mpg (city/highway) rating. The car’s biggest potential problem is that as good as those numbers are, they aren’t as good as the standard Insight and performance is less than impressive with a 0-62 mph time of 9.7 seconds. Still, as the only hybrid on the market with a six-speed manual transmission and Honda’s reputation for driving dynamics, we’ll hold off on a final comment until we get to drive it.

GALLERY: Honda CR-Z

[Source: Automotive News]

News that Audi is planning a light-weight version of the R8 emerged several weeks ago, but according to a recent report the car already exists – or at least one of them does, anyway. Designed to bring Audi’s R8 GT3 LMS car to the production realm, it could get the R8 GT3 moniker, designed to take on Porsche’s iconic GT3.

According to Audi R8 project boss Armin Kappler, one road-ready car has already been produced, but has yet to be given the full approval. Likely to keep the 5.2 FSI V10 engine, the car would shed pounds though the use of light weight carbon fiber body parts and a stripped-down interior, while also see the use of a dual-clutch gearbox. What remains to be seen is if Audi would deliver the car without quattro all-wheel drive, as the GT3 race car is a rear-drive machine. This would go against Audi’s quattro philosophy, but would make sense considering the GT3 name and would also help keep weight to a minimum.

If Audi does move ahead with plans for an R8 GT3 street car, it would mean that much like Porsche and Lamborghini, a new R8 iteration would debut almost every year.

[Source: AutoCar]

Over the past year, Chevy has been proud of the success of the new Camaro, with sales exceeding targets. The Camaro sold 61,648 units in 2009, just shy of the Mustang with 66,623, despite the fact that the Camaro wasn’t even on sale for a whole year. But now it appears as though the Camaro’s success has come at the expense of another Chevy, the iconic Corvette. Surprisingly, according to Wards Automotive data, the Camaro is the most cross-shopped vehicle with the Corvette, despite the significant price difference ($18,000) and performance potential.

Last year all sports cars saw a big dip in sales, but the Corvette really got rocked, with units sold down 48.3 percent compared to the year before. It’s not yet clear if this trend will continue as many factors may have contributed to potential Corvette buyers opting for a Camaro instead. The economic downturn is an obvious factor, as is the fact that the Camaro boasts a brand new style and is new on the market, while the current C6 Corvette has been around for over half a decade. Then there’s the obvious fact that a base Corvette and a top-level Camaro SS have roughly the same horsepower.

Supporting the Camaro cannibalization theory, however, is the fact that while sports cars often rely on high-volume V6 sales, up to two-thirds of Camaro buyers opted for the V8. How many of them were really interested in a Corvette we’ll never known.

[Source: Wards Automotive]

Not only does Ford’s new 5.0-liter V8 for the 2011 Mustang GT make incredible amounts of horsepower, but it also achieves best-in-class fuel economy. Thanks in part to a new six-speed transmission and Ford’s Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT), it gets 17/26 mpg (city/highway) with the automatic and 18/25 mpg with the manual.  This is an improvement over the 15/22 mpg (auto) and 15/23 (manual) rating for the old 4.6-liter V8, while delivering almost 100 more horsepower. The V6 Mustang also gets a class-best rating of 19/31 mpg (automatic)

In comparison, the new 2011 Mustang GT edges out the Camaro SS which has a rating of 16/25 mpg with the auto and 16/24 mpg with the automatic.

We’re sure most Mustang GT shoppers won’t be too concerned with fuel economy numbers, but less money spent at the pumps is always a good thing – especially if you’re looking to throw on a few aftermarket parts.

Official release after the jump:

Receiving its world premiere at the Geneva Auto Show just a few weeks ago, Porsche will unveil the high-performance 911 Turbo S model at the New York Auto Show for the first time in the U.S. on March 31st.

With the current Turbo having been around for a few years and having just received a mid-cycle update it was only time before a top-level S model arrived. In keeping with tradition, the S debuts with more power, pushing the twin-turbo flat-six to 530-hp – the very same amount produced by the GT2. Torque has also been upped to 516 ft-lbs enabling an alarmingly fast 0-62 mph time of just 3.3 seconds and a top speed of 196-mph. Power is transmitted to the ground with all four wheels via Porsche’s seven-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission with paddle shifters.

Other highlights include launch control, the Sport Chrono Package, Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB) and 19-inch center-locking RS Spyder style wheels (yummy). As expected, both a coupe and cabriolet model will be offered

Pricing for the car in North American is likely to be announced at the NY Auto Show debut.

Unfortunately, some other important Geneva show cars, like the GT3 R Hybrid race car and 918 Spyder, will not be on display in NY.

GALLERY: 2011 Porsche  911 Turbo S

Subaru is reportedly looking to scrap plans for an AWD version of the Toyota FT-86 in favor of a rear-drive only model. This is sure to have the marketing department at Subaru up in arms with the accountants, as Subaru’s whole brand identity is based on the company’s Symmetrical AWD setup.

Japan’s Best Car is reporting that the cost of making the Toyobaru AWD has become prohibitive as so only a rear-drive model is now planned. So with Toyota already scheduled to bring a rear-drive FT-86 to market, the only difference between the two models is likely to be slightly different bodywork and interior design.

Based on a modified AWD Legacy platform we still find this news hard to believe and as much as we’d love a more entry-level Toyota model, a high-powered Subaru would be plenty of fun and most likely worth the added cost.

See more Toyota and Subaru FT-86 news at FT86Talk.com

[Source: Best Car via 7Tune]

After its debut at the Geneva Auto Swow last week, Audi has released several videos of the new RS5, including some track footage alongside the original Quattro – the car that started it all. Taking after the Quattro, the RS5 is a mean machine with sexy styling. It is powered by the same 4.2-liter V8 found in the RS4 or R8, but output has been upped to a total of 450-hp at 8250 rpm, while maximum torque of 317 ft-lbs is available from 4000 to 6000 rpm. Combined with Audi’s S-tronic dual-clutch 7-speed transmission, quattro all-wheel drive and a 3,803 lb curb weight the RS5 can accelerate to 62 mph in 4.6 seconds.

Featured for the first time on the RS5 is Audi’s new crown-gear differential, which allows for up to 70 percent of the power to be distributed to the front wheels, or as much as 85 percent to the rear wheels. Under normal operation, the RS5 has a 40:60 rear-bias. In addition, the RS5 features an electronic limited slip differential, that slows the inside wheel in a turn when wheel spin is detected. Plus, an optional sport differential will be made available, distributing power between the rear wheels.

The RS5 sits 0.79 inches lower than the A5 and comes standard with 19-inch wheels (20s are optional). Other highlights include 14.37-inch, 8-piston front brakes, as well as optional carbon-fiber brake discs. There’s also Audi’s drive-select program to control different levels of throttle response, steering, transmission gear changes, the sport differential and even the exhaust system. As for the big rear spoiler, it pops up at speeds above 74 mph and automatically retracts at 50 mph.

Check out both videos after the jump: