Forget everything you know about the Aveo name and how bad it was, as Chevy has pulled the sheets off the Aveo RS Concept which will debut next week at the Detroit Auto Show.  This new Aveo RS Concept is a slightly over-the-top look of what’s to come for the Aveo badge in the near future.  

We’re told that while the Aveo RS Concept won’t be destined for production, about 80% of what you see will make it to dealer showrooms, including the very nicely done interior, and agressive body lines.  This concept version of the Aveo is powered by the same 138 horsepower 1.4-liter inline-4 Ecotec engine which will make its way into the Chevrolet Cruze.  The new Aveo will be slightly smaller than the Cruze, but larger than the new Spark which is also expected to bow at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show. 

While this is just a concept, we’re already impressed with what GM is doing with future product, and can’t wait to see the new Aveo go head to head with Ford’s new Fiesta.  Rumor has it that the Fiesta ST will be hitting our shores in the not too distant future, in which case an Aveo RS  would make perfect sense.  We can only hope. 

[View with PicLens]

 

[View with PicLens]

 

GM is continuing their streak of hot rod new models with the unveiling of the Buick Regal GS which will make its world debut at the 2010 North American International Auto Show next week.  Sized just below the LaCrosse sedan, the Regal is roughly the size of the Lexus IS, BMW 3-series and Audi A4. 

Though being called just a show car right now, every bit of the Regal GS would be easy to put into production since it is largely a carryover of the high performance European Opel Insignia OPC.  One big differentiation between the Buick and the Opel is that the Regal GS is powered by a turbocharged Ecotec 2.0L four-cylinder which makes 255 horsepower rather than the 325 horsepower 2.8L turbocharged V6 found in the Insignia.   The engine is mated to a six-speed manual transmission which transmits power to all four wheels via a Haldex AWD system. 

For more in-depth details, hit the jump.  We’ll have full coverage and photos from Cobo Hall starting on Monday January 11th.

[View with PicLens]

 

Continue reading 2010 NAIAS Preview – Buick Regal GS Show Car

Cadillac has been winning the hearts of the S:S:L staff here lately with the fantastic CTS, CTS-V and SRX models they’ve brought to market over the last couple of years.  Cadillac is expanding their already great product portfolio for 2010 with the 2011 CTS Coupe which was shown at the LA Auto Show, and this new CTS-V Coupe variant which will debut next week at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show. 

While we have seen the CTS-V sedan (and Jack Baruth) in action on the race track, the CTS-V Coupe takes that same pavement shredding performance and packages it in a sexier body.  The rear track has been widened by an inch over the sedan, but most everything else is a carryover from the sedan model.  Power of course comes from the 556-horsepower supercharged LSA V8, mated to either a six-speed manual or an automatic transmission. 

Pricing has not been announced yet, but Cadillac promises the CTS-V Coupe will be showing up at dealers in the early Summer.  Look for continued coverage of the 2010 Detroit Auto Show here next week as our crack team hits the grounds of Cobo Hall on Monday January 11th. 

[View with PicLens]

 

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

When we hit the road for the 2009 Petit Le Mans powered by MAZDA6, we knew we were in for a special few days at the race track.  With the weather reports predicting gloom and doom over the skies of Atlanta, we prepared for the worst and figured the weather would at least for some interesting racing.  We weren’t disappointed in the least.   Thankfully, the weather gave us a couple of days of fantastic weather with blue skies and sunshine before the heavens opened up on Saturday. 

Now that we’re back home (with a few bumps, bruises and fire ant bites), we can get to work.  Jack Baruth will be posting up his thoughts on the weekend in a new Avoidable Contact post that will be up soon, and Nick Salvatore is busy twittering away about the weekend.  So, I guess that leaves me to produce something of value from the trip by way of these photo galleries.  I’ve created several galleries from the various events throughout the weekend and inserted them all into this post.   I probably have a few more photos to upload to each of the galleries throughout the day, but this should get you started.  

View full 2009 Petit Le Mans Photo Galleries after the jump

Continue reading 2009 Petit Le Mans Mega Photo Gallery