Chevrolet forecasts 2009 Camaro sales

Some scant details pertaining to the 2009 Chevrolet Camaro’s capabilities have emerged ahead of its launch. The new millennium muscle car 2009 Camaro from Chevy will feature a 6.0-litre V8 engine dispensing over 300kW/ 400 bhp. This will not be the only engine derivative of course, because Chevy is aiming to cast the net wide with Camaro, make it reach as many customers and admirers as possible. It is speculated that in addition to the 6-speed manual, a semi-automatic will also be fitted.

Therefore a 200kW/ 270bhp 3.6 will be on offer as an option for those either too chicken (or simply not skilled enough) to realize its full potential or can’t afford the benefits of the hemispherical (hemi) V8. Hemi will of course offer the current benefits of fuel saving by shutting down four cylinders during times when eight are least needed.

GM is intimating at annual sales of up to 100,000 units all over the world, including the convertible version. Markets will include North America, Europe, Asia, South Africa, Australia and the Middle East. Our recent spy pictures confirmed the production-readiness of Camaro when test cars were spotted several times without any form of disguise, cruising on public roads.

[source: WorldCarFans]

Chevrolet Cars in Autoshows:
+ Speculations: New Chevrolet Camaro Cabriolet Images
+ Geneva Motor Show 2008 Preview: Chevy Aveo 3-door
+ Detroit Auto Show 2008: Corvette ZR1 chassis display
+ First Look! 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
+ RIA concocts dream Chevy lineup
+ LA Motor Show 2007: Chevy Beat concept tops public polls and will go into production
+ Frankfurt Motor Show 2007: Deutschland Americana - Geiger C6 Biturbo
+ 2009 Chevrolet Camaro Sneak Preview
+ Test Drive: 2007 Chevrolet HHR Panel
+ 2007 Detroit Auto Show: Chevrolet Volt Plug-in Hybrid
+ ConceptChevrolet Captiva LT
+ 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche Reviews
+ Spy Shots-Chevrolet Corvette
+ First Drive Experience-Chevrolet Camaro Cabrio

Chevrolet Volt Development Charges On

Engineers at GM’s battery test facilities have developed a new computer algorithm to accelerate durability testing of the advanced lithium-ion batteries needed to power the Chevrolet Volt for up to 40 miles (64 km) of electric-only driving. This advanced computer program duplicates real-life vehicle speed and cargo-carrying conditions, and compresses 10 years of comprehensive battery testing into the Volt’s brisk development schedule.

2008 SEAT Ibiza

SEAT, the Spanish manufacturer owned by Volkswagen, teased Geneva Motor Show visitors this year with the 3-door Bocanegra concept car. Today it unveiled the production version, which, as expected, takes on the Ibiza nameplate. The attractive 5-door had a lot of work done at the plastic surgeon's office, as the old car's bland lines have been transformed completely.

Flat is definitely out, and the pair of diagonal character lines first shown on Bocanegra now adorn the new compact. In front, the Ibiza wears a new face -- one that European shoppers should get used to, as it's likely to trickle through to other SEATs over time. The most obvious change is the wider, more traditional-looking grille, which helps to mainstream the SEAT's appearance compared to the quirky faces you'll find on some of its stablemates.

© Source: autoblog
We need your comments below >>

Porsche Museum: Completion before the end of the year

The end is in sight for work on the building site for the new museum for Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart. At present, over 40 different companies with up to 250 tradesmen and specialists are at work at the Porscheplatz. “Work is going well according to plan. Wind and weather allowing, the museum should be completed by the end of the year,” says Anton Hunger, Publicity and Press Manager for Porsche AG with responsibility for the new museum.

Hyundai to Mass Produce Hybrids Cars Starting 2009

Hyundai-Kia Chairman Chung Mong Koo said last Friday, while showing South Korean President Lee Myung Bak around the Kia facility, that Hyundai will start production of its first hybrid car by 2009. Further plans are to produce a small fleet of electric cars starting 2012.

Mr. chung said: "The importance of developing futuristic, environmentally-friendly cars is increasing for sustainable growth. Therefore, technology for advanced cars, like the hybrid, is imperative.”

Hyundai has set out a plan to achieve this target, first to develop the technology, create a mass production system and expand the model line-up. The first car to receive the hybrid treatment is the compact Elantra (Avante) LPI (Liqufied Petroleum Injection), the Elantra LPI Hybrid will run on both Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and electricity. 2010 should see the introduction of mid-sized hybrids using LPG and regular petrol.

Hyundai hopes to turn a new corner with the introduction of hybrid LPG powered cars and be improve its competitiveness in the environmentally-friendlier car segment, which Hyundai considers to be a next-generation business sector.

World Premiere of Continental Sensor System in the New Volvo XC60

The start of series production of Continental's sensor system for the avoidance of rear-end collisions at city driving speeds represents an important milestone for the international automotive supplier's all-round ContiGuard(R) safety system. The sensor system monitors the road ahead of the vehicle and is networked with the braking system. It automatically applies the brakes if there is a risk of a rear-end collision and the driver either fails to react or if his reactions are too slow.

2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid Review

Increasing both power and fuel economy at the same time is like going out on a date with Scarlett Johansson and having her pick up the check. Yet this is just what the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid accomplishes thanks to General Motors' first full-fledged hybrid system known as "Two-Mode." While other GM models have donned the hybrid badge, the Tahoe and its sister GMC Yukon hybrids are the first to feature sizable electric motors capable of propelling the vehicle without the gas engine. The result is a full-size SUV capable of fuel economy in the 20s, that also carries eight people and can tow a 6,000-pound trailer.

At the heart of the Tahoe Hybrid is the "Two-Mode" technology co-developed by GM, BMW and DaimlerChrysler. A 6.0-liter V8 with cylinder-deactivation technology serves as the gasoline engine, while a pair of 60-kilowatt motors packaged within the transmission provide the all-electric motivation. Dubbed an electrically variable transmission (EVT), the Tahoe's transmission features those two motors, three planetary gearsets and four traditional hydraulic wet clutches.

The moral of the above story is that this 5,600-pound full-size SUV returns fuel economy better than most large crossovers. City mileage is particularly impressive, and like most hybrids, is about equal to highway mileage. This is the result of being able to accelerate up to approximately 25 mph using electricity only, a fuel-saving asset on surface streets and in stop-and-go traffic. If that's your driving domain, the Tahoe Hybrid makes a lot of sense.

In addition to improved fuel economy, the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid boasts more power than its gas-only brother. However, don't expect much better acceleration, as the hybrid tips the scales at a hundred or more pounds heavier than a fully loaded Tahoe LTZ. That's despite Chevy's best efforts to cut weight by constructing several body panels of aluminum and trimming heft from the seats (though ironically not from the heavy removable third-row seats, which could easily benefit from a nip and tuck).

So, unless the 2008 Tahoe Hybrid's significant towing capabilities are important, a full-size crossover like the Buick Enclave or GMC Acadia may be a better choice. They provide more usable passenger space, they're friendlier to drive, get close to the same fuel economy and are $10,000 cheaper when fully loaded. The new two-mode hybrid system is certainly impressive, but we're not entirely sure if the Tahoe is the right vehicle for it.

© Source: edmunds
We need your comments below >>