The good people of the Midwest Automotive Media Association absolutely refuse to have yours truly as a member. I’m not a “general-purpose auto journalist”, whatever that means. Based on the people who do make the cut, I think “general-purpose auto journalist” means “polyester-and-denim-encrusted lard-butt who would PAX dead last in a regional autocross.” Despite this heart-breaking snub, I continue to attend their self-congratulatory annual breakfast at the Chicago Auto Show. The complimentary bacon is outstanding.

The mantra of the MAMA breakfast, repeated by each of the first three or four speakers every year, is this: “The Chicago Auto Show sells cars.” Presumably this is in opposition to the Los Angeles Auto Show, which sells tofu, the Tokyo Auto Show, which sells the panties of schoolgirls from a vending machine, and the Detroit Auto Show, which sells rape. I think it’s a convenient way to distract attention from the inconvenient truth that most manufacturers don’t bother to display new product at the show. With that said, it’s worth noting that the dirty business of actually selling cars was very relevant to the new products on offer. Let’s discuss.

Continue reading Chicago 2010: And the brands played on.

For many ponycar fans, the most compelling variant of Chevrolet’s reanimated Camaro isn’t the big-money, nose-heavy SS model. The lighter, more efficient “high-feature” V-6 base car has captured a lot of hearts and minds since being released earlier this year, and although Ford’s revised 2010 Mustang meets or beats the Chevy in many areas, it was severely hampered by its thrashy, understrength four-liter V-6. With this morning’s announcement of a Duratec-powered V-6 2011 Mustang and a track-oriented Performance Package to match, Ford has made it plain that they intend to match the Camaro pony for pony — a stance that we can only hope they back up further with a new high-performance “Coyote” V-8 announcement in weeks to come.

The new 2011 Mustang has 305 horsepower from a thoroughly revised 3.7L Duratec V-6, allowing it to challenge competitors as diverse as the Hyundai Genesis Coupe, Infiniti G37, and the aforementioned “Jodie Foster Special” Camaro. More details, including specs on the long-awaited V-6 Performance Package, after the jump.
Continue reading 2009 LA Auto Show – 2011 Mustang V-6 Performance Package: The Camaro isn’t the only competitor who should worry.

The 2009 SEMA show kicks off in Las Vegas today and while we can’t be there, we’ll throw up some high-res galleries of the cool stuff that the manufacturers are showing off this year.  First up, General Motors and their Camaro Extravaganza.  Chevrolet has brought 5 different Camaro concepts including the badass Jay Leno Camaro shown above.  In addition, the Chevrolet Trucks team has brought a Silverado ZR2 Concept to the party.  Check out the galleries and descriptions of each after the jump. 

Continue reading SEMA 2009 General Motors Gallery – Camaro Extravaganza

Corvette Racing’s next-generation C6.R will make its racing debut August 6-8, 2009 in the American Le Mans Series event at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. The next-generation C6.R, which will race in the GT2 category, is based on the Corvette ZR1 supercar. The updated C6.R utilizes the ZR1’s body design, aerodynamic package, aluminum frame and chassis structure, steering system, windshield, and other components. C6.R #3 will be driven by Johnny O’Connell, Jan Magnussen, and Antonio Garcia. C6.R #4 will be driven by Oliver Gavin, Olivier Beretta, and Marcel Fassler.

[View with PicLens]

 

Blame management, the unions, asymmetrical trade regulations or tough competition — because the blasé love to blame. But no matter where your armchair analysis pins responsibility, the fact is that America’s once-proud R&D and manufacturing powerhouse has been reduced to bankruptcy — a fate that almost no other government has allowed to befall their automakers.

The President is priming the country for a bankruptcy that will affect assembly workers, suppliers, dealerships, and an already economically battered Midwest. We’ll liveblog his comments after the jump.

Continue reading Liveblog: Obama primes a post-industrial America.

Forget the break-in period and suggested care instructions from the owners manual. When you have a hot car in your hands like the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS, the first thing you should do is take it immediately to the drag strip. That’s exactly what the guys down at Hennessey Performance did yesterday as they got a baseline for their new Camaro build.

We’re heading over to the Hennessey facility on Friday to get some driving impressions before the Camaro begins it’s transformation into a 550+ horsepower monster.

http://www.hennesseyperformance.com/