HENNESSEY UNVEILS C7 CORVETTE STINGRAY UPGRADES THAT REACH 1,000 HP

By Michael Harley, Autoblog.com - The all-new 2014 Chevrolet Corvette C7 Stingray hasn't even arrived in showrooms, but that minor speed bump hasn't slowed Hennessey Performance (HPE) from introducing a full suite of packaged (and a la carte) upgrades to the highly anticipated American sports car that will undoubtedly trump even the factory's future high-performance Z06 and ZR1 models.

In base form, the C7's new 6.2-litre V8 will be rated at 455 horsepower.  While that's a strong start, Hennessey's first two packages bolt on a TVS2300 supercharger system and other miscellaneous upgrades to find upwards of 150 additional horses (both come with a 3 Year/36,000-mile warranty).  The more aggressive packages start with an HPE custom balanced and forged engine that is accompanied by two ball-bearing turbochargers, forged pistons and plenty of other go-fast hardware to deliver 1,000 horsepower (both come with a 1 Year/12,000-mile warranty).

The company has announced four different upgrade programs (prices include professional installation):

• HPE600 Supercharged (US$12,495) 600 hp @ 6,300 rpm
• HPE700 Supercharged (US$18,450) 700 hp @ 6,300 rpm
• HPE800 Twin-Turbo (US$54,950) 800 hp @ 6,300 rpm
• HPE1000 Twin-Turbo (US$67,950) 1,100 hp @ 6,300 rpm

John Hennessey told Autoblog Canada that his company has been planning the C7 upgrades "for over a year" and that his team is "confident that we will be able to adapt the same types of upgrades that we have been doing for the C6 models over the past several years."  While he was unable to offer any performance estimates, Hennessey reminded us that his HPE700 upgrade on the C6 Grand Sport ran 0-60 mpg (96 km/h) in 3.3 sec. and 10.7 sec. @ 128 mph.  "I would expect similar performance on the C7 or possibility a bit quicker," he said.  "We prefer to be cautious on performance estimates and promises until we know for a fact what the numbers are."  Hennessey Performance plans to have the first cars in customer's hands by the end of the year.

2014 CHEVROLET SPARK EV

By Jeffrey N. Ross, Autoblog.com - For anyone who has yet to experience the joys of indoor go-karting, you're missing out.  Electric karts race around the inside of former big-box retail establishments, warehouses and the like delivering more excitement than you typically get from those rickety old concession karts powered by lawnmower engines.  Since we can't afford anything wearing a Tesla badge, these usually come to mind when someone mentions an electric vehicle that's fun.  After driving the 2014 Chevrolet Spark, though, our mental association might just be out of date.

Thanks to their instant torque, an EV being a hoot to drive shouldn't come as a complete surprise, but Chevy's all-new Spark EV is making its bid to rise to the top of this growing class, a field that includes the Fiat 500e, Mitsubishi I-Miev, Nissan Leaf, Scion iQ EV and Smart Fortwo ED, and it's doing so with more torque, better efficiency and a lower price.  With a name like "Spark", it would be easy to assume that this small car was conceived with an EV model in mind from the beginning, but that's not the case.

Even entering its third generation in 2009 (the first two weren't sold in North America), GM admitted that the Spark was not designed with an EV drivetrain in mind.  Just four years later, though, the Spark EV is setting to hit North America's roads (at least in California and Oregon), so we headed to scenic Portland, OR to check out Chevy's new battery electric vehicle (BEV) and the first EV for General Motors since the controversial EV1.

The Spark EV doesn't have just instant torque, it has
gobs of instant torque.

The first order of business in transforming the Spark from a standard gas-burning car to an EV involved replacing the Spark's adequate yet anemic 1.2-litre inline four-cylinder engine with a permanent-magnet electric motor produced in-house and a 21-kWh lithium-ion battery pack sourced from B456 Systems (previously known as A123 Systems).  The result is a small car with an impressive output of 140 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque.  No, your eyes aren't deceiving you -- this car has almost double the horsepower of the base Spark and, more importantly, about five times the torque.  That's not just instant torque, it's gobs of instant torque.  With this setup, the Spark EV has an EPA-rated range of roughly 130 kilometres (82 miles) to go with MPGe estimates of 128 city (1.8L/100km equivalent), 109 mpg highway (2.2L/100km) and 119 mpg (1.9L/100km) combined.

Getting the Spark EV from concept to reality didn't take long -- just three years -- thanks to lessons learned from the Chevy Volt, including the designs of the charging system, the trio of heating and cooling systems (for the car, electric motor and battery pack) and battery validation.  The research, engineering and parts sharing from the Volt also helped lower the costs, making it more competitive against other small EVs.  With an MSRP starting at US$26,685 (we know sales are eventually planned for the Canadian market, but no dates or pricing details have been officially announced), the base price effectively starts much lower once you factor in applicable tax credits.  The only options available on the Spark EV are limited to choice of paint colour and two trim levels (1LT or 2LT), leaving our Electric Blue 2LT tester with a US$27,820 MSRP.  By the end of this year, Spark EV buyers will also be able to outfit their cars with the DC Fast Charge system as an option too. 

Chevy's "confidence gauge" provides an expected range as
well as minimum and maximum range estimates.

As we've come to expect from modern ICE-turned-EV models, the styling changes made to the wedge-shaped Spark have been rendered in the name of aerodynamics.  The most obvious change is the runabout's Volt-like upper grille, which is blocked with a silver trim; the lower grilled is a little sneakier with its aero improvements, adding active shutters behind the air intake.  Other noticeable EV-specific changes include lower and wider side sills and a rear fascia with diffuser-like ridges.  The whole aero package is finished off with underbody panels and air deflectors in front of each tire.  Just in case the Spark EV didn't look 'electric' enough, though, Chevy also added matte black stickers above the rocker panels, EV logos on the rear valence and hatch as well as staggered-width, 15-inch aluminum wheels.

Inside, the gas Spark's cabin has carried over almost untouched with the biggest change being a revamped instrument cluster.  The cluster is still mounted atop the steering column, but the motorcycle-like layout has been replaced with a new display very similar to what is found in the Volt.  Moderately reconfigurable, the main information displayed on the cluster includes the battery pack's state of charge, vehicle speed and an indicator to let the pilot know how efficiently they are driving.  The Spark EV's display does introduce a new "confidence gauge" feature, which provides an expected range as well as a minimum and maximum range if the vehicle is driven most and least efficiently.  There is also a new screen added to the standard Chevy MyLink home screen for "electric info" that provides further information regarding the battery's level, charging times, energy details and tips for how to drive more efficiently.  This screen can be selected from the home screen menu, but there is also a leaf button on the right side of the center stack for quicker access.

The rest of the interior receives less noticeable upgrades mostly centered around the center stack, including slightly different heating and ventilation controls (which can also be controlled through the MyLink screen), a glowing blue keyless push-button starter and circuit-like etchings in the piano black center stack trim.  The conventional parking brake lever found on standard Sparks has been eliminated on the EV thanks to an electronic parking brake button mounted behind the shift lever (adjacent to the Sport mode and traction control buttons).  Like other Spark models, the exterior colour spills over into the interior on the instrument panel and front door panels, and the 2LT gets a leather-wrapped steering wheel and dark leatherette seats with blue stitching; the base Spark EV gets cloth seats with colour matching inserts.

Fortunately, the packaging of the battery takes up about the same amount of space as the conventional Spark's fuel tank and exhaust system, so passenger comfort is not affected.  Most of the time we spent in this Spark EV, there were three passengers aboard, with all having sufficient headroom and legroom.  The only space that is affected by the battery pack is the cargo volume, which drops to 263 litres (9.3 cubic feet) behind the rear seat, down from 323 litres (11.4 cubic feet) due to a taller load floor, and a total 663 litres (23.4 cubic feet) down from 883 litres (31.2 cubic feet) due to the fixed rear bench seat.  On the other hand, the lack of a folding rear seat bottom actually makes it easier to lower the seatbacks, since they do not require the removal of the headrests. 

We started the day with a full charge, with the confidence gauge showing a range between 75 miles (120 kms) and 90 miles (145 kms).  Throughout the day, this gauge proved to be a useful tool, as it accurately showed the expected available range based on driving style and surrounding road conditions.  At one point, while going up a fairly steep grade, our stated range dropped eight miles (13 kms), but the upper and lower limits remained the same.  Within the constraints of testing an EV, our modest time with the Spark EV was limited to just under 57 miles (92 kms), but we finished our drive route with 31 miles (50 kms) left on the gauge -- barely surpassing the EPA-rated range.

During our review of the 2013 Spark, we noted the hatchback's balance and ease of driving, and despite a curb weight increase of 318 kg (about 700 pounds), most of which comes from the 254 kg (560-lb) battery, the 2014 Spark EV still accelerated well and felt nimble on twisty roads.  As we saw in its recent commercial, Chevy is enjoying the fact that the Spark EV puts out more torque than a Ferrari 458 Italia, but more than just a marketing gimmick, this abundance of torque makes the EV surprisingly quick and fun to drive.  In fact, the bounty of torque was enough to get the low-rolling-resistance Bridgestone tires to chirp on a couple occasions.  Acceleration from 0-60 mph (96 km/h) is officially estimated at 7.6 seconds, a time Chevy says makes it the quickest EV among rivals by almost a second and a half.  The aforementioned Sport mode tightens up response but doesn't add anything to the overall acceleration or performance.  The balance of the Spark EV is surprisingly good -- the car has a 52/48 weight distribution -- and the steering is downright commendable, with good weight and a surprising lack of torque steer when trying to send all 400 lb-ft from the motor to the front wheels.

A major downfall for the Spark EV is that it is cursed with what may be the worst brakes we've ever felt on an electric or hybrid production car.  This, friends, is saying something.  We get that regen adds a little sponginess to the pedal feel, but even low-speed stops routinely took an extra foot or two longer than expected -- not a confidence booster when constantly moving the car near to the edge of a sheer dropoff for the pictures you see here.  Better braking in city driving can be obtained by dropping the shift lever into "L", which creates what amounts to a one-pedal driving mode in urban traffic.  Like in the Volt, it also improves brake regeneration when coasting down a hill.

As for battery, Chevy says that it will take about 20 hours to charge using the standard 100-volt cord supplied with the car, or a more palatable 7 hours from a 240-volt source.  The big news is that the Spark EV will offer the capability of a DC quick charge option that will be able to charge an empty battery to an 80 per cent charge in about 20 minutes (the remaining charge taking an additional 10 minutes).  Moreover, Chevy says that the Spark EV is capable of receiving multiple quick charges per day.  Interestingly, Chevy reps admit that BEVs are still an urban solution, noting that the focus of charging locations should be on the home and workplace rather than public charging stations -- officials say more than 90 per cent of charging takes place at home.

By their very nature, economy cars aren't supposed to be entertaining, and perhaps neither are most electric vehicles.  Yet here sits the 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV, delivering genuine fun in a small and relatively affordable package.  No, it can't lay claim to the longest range (Fiat 500e), the lowest price (Smart Fortwo ED) or the best efficiency (Scion iQ EV) in its class, but it's about as much entertainment as you'll find in a mass-market electric car.

While there are plenty of reasons to enjoy the Spark EV -- even for people who don't use "hypermiling" in their daily vernacular -- although GM currently has no plans to release the car anywhere outside the "key influencer markets" of California and Oregon in the US, we know sales are eventually planned for Canada, South Korea and China.

2014 CHEVY CORVETTE STINGRAY GOOD FOR UP TO 7.8 L/100 KM (30 MPG)

By Jeffrey N. Ross, Autoblog.com - With each bit of advance information that trickles out about the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, we can't help but be more amazed and eager to drive it.  First, it was announced that the C7 would start at a reasonable-sounding US$51,995 (CAD pricing not yet available, but expect it to be around the same) and then Chevy revealed the LT1 V8 will generate 455 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, but now we're getting the latest piece of the Corvette puzzle: fuel economy.

Few people buy a Corvette for fuel economy, but recent generations have offered downright impressive consumption figures considering the model's performance envelope.  And now owners of the new Stingray Coupe will be able to save a little bit more money at the pump thanks to fuel economy ratings of up to 7.8 L/100 km (30 miles per gallon) when driven in Eco mode - that's an 11-per cent improvement over the C6's already robust number.  *EPA window sticker ratings will be 13.8 L/100 km (17 miles per gallon) in the city and 8.1 L/100 (28 mpg) when the car is in Tour mode and the 7.8 L/100 km (30 mpg) when it is in Eco mode using cylinder deactivation.  There is still no word as to what the fuel economy will be on cars with the optional six-speed paddleshift automatic, but at least on paper, this is a big win for the Corvette over key rivals, including less powerful cars like the Porsche 911.  Below is more info on the 2014 Corvette Stingray and its fuel economy performance.

Corvette Stingray Most Efficient Sports Car on the Market

No other car can match the 2014 Corvette Stingray, which delivers 455 horsepower and an EPA-estimated 29 mpg highway.

DETROIT - The 2014 Corvette Stingray will deliver up an EPA-estimated 17 miles per gallon in the city, and 29 mpg on the highway.  This makes the new Corvette Stingray the most fuel efficient sports car on the market, as no other car offers more than 455 horsepower and greater than 29 mpg highway.

"The Corvette Stingray establishes the benchmark for modern performance cars by using technologies to deliver more performance and more miles per gallon," said Tadge Juechter, executive chief engineer for the Corvette.  "We expect more and more performance cars will follow Corvette's example."

The EPA estimate of 17 city and 29 highway is for the Corvette Stingray equipped with an all-new, seven-speed manual transmission.  The estimate reflects an average of fuel economy in both the default "Tour" mode (which delivers 28 mpg highway) and driver-selectable "Eco" mode (which delivers 30 mpg highway).  For Stingrays equipped with the seven-speed manual transmission, Eco mode enables Active Fuel Management, which disables four of the cylinders during light engine loads for improved fuel economy.

For Corvette Stingrays equipped with the six-speed automatic, Active Fuel Management is active in all drive modes until the driver engages the manual-shift mode using the steering-wheel paddles.  Fuel economy estimates for Corvette Stingrays equipped with the six-speed automatic will be finalized soon.

Significantly, the all-new Corvette Stingray is more fuel efficient and more powerful.  The highway rating represents an 11-percent increase in fuel economy over the previous Corvette, while the all-new 6.2L LT1 V-8 delivers 455 horsepower, a 6-percent increase over the previous Corvette (the LT1 delivers 460 horsepower with the available dual-mode exhaust.)

By comparison, the Porsche 911 Carrera S delivers 400 horsepower, and an EPA-estimated 27 mpg highway.

Sports cars with more than 455 horsepower typically offer significantly lower highway fuel economy estimates than the Corvette Stingray.  For example, the Jaguar F-Type S offers 495 hp and 23 mpg highway while the Audi R8 V10 offers 510 hp and 19 mpg highway.

Sports cars that deliver more than 29 mpg highway based on EPA estimates typically deliver significantly less engine output.  For example, the Porsche Cayman offers 30 mpg and 275 hp while the BMW Z4 sDrive28 delivers 34 mpg and 241 hp.

The 2014 Corvette Stingray coupe goes on sale this fall, with a convertible following by the end of the year.

POWER WHEELS BUILDS A C7 CORVETTE FOR THE KIDS

By Jeffrey N. Ross, Autoblog.com - If you thought the idea of a 7.9 L/100 km (30-mile per gallon) Corvette seemed crazy, just wait until you see the all-electric version of the Stingray.  Fisher-Price has created a new Power Wheels machine based on the C7 Corvette, and like its full-scale namesake, this kid's toy promises great performance.

Fisher-Price says this is the fastest Power Wheels it offers with a top speed of 10 kilometres per hour (six miles per hour), and kids will be able to enjoy the car for longer periods of time thanks to its 12-volt battery, which is said to have a longer-lasting charge than other lesser models.  Just like the grown-ups, though, kids are going to have to wait a little bit longer to enjoy the Corvette as this new Power Wheels model won't be in stores until November.

CHINA TAKES LEAD AS GM'S NO. 1 MARKET

By Chris Paukert, Autoblog.com - It's happened.  General Motors' biggest vehicle market - at least in terms of new model sales - is China.  According to TheDetroitBureau.com, GM and its various Chinese joint venture operations enjoyed a 10.6-per cent sales increase in the first half of 2013, selling almost 1.6 million units in the market.  That puts GM China about 200,000 units ahead of its North American sales totals over the same period - this, despite indicators that the communist nation's economy is losing momentum.

TBD notes that like GM, rival Ford has also enjoyed a robust 2013 in China thus far, with its sales up a whopping 47 per cent to 407,721 units sold - 75,254 of them in June alone.  Between the two American automakers, passenger car sales for the first half of 2013 are up around 14 per cent, well ahead of the rest of the industry's 10-per cent growth estimates for the market.  Some of the sales growth may come as a result of an overall anti-Japan sentiment in China, though the American brands have long outsold their Japanese counterparts in the country.

By the General's own predictions, China will only continue to grow in sales importance.  The company has designs on selling over five million cars a year in the market before the end of the decade, a total that figures to dramatically widen the gap versus its North American totals - even if America's auto market makes a full recovery to the salad days of over 17-million units a year.

BACK TO THE TRACK 2014 CAMARO Z/28 RETURNS!

By Art Stevens, Bounder Magazine - Car enthusiasts world-wide were pleasantly surprised in April when Chevrolet unexpectedly introduced the Camaro Z/28 for the 2014 model year at the New York City Auto Show.

The Z/28 was first introduced in 1967 to compete in the Sports Car Club of American's Trans-Am 2 class.  Originally designed for road racing, the 2014 Z/28 continues the same lineage.  The list of design and technological innovations for the Z/28 is longer than this article will allow.  Here are just a few of the many highlights.

PowertrainWhile there are many powerful engines currently in the Camaro line-up, Chevrolet chose to power the 2014 Z/28 with a hand-assemble LS7 (7 litre - 427 cu. inch) engine, providing an unconfirmed 500+ horsepower rating, making this engine the most-powerful normally aspirated regular production small block V8.  Chevrolet advises that the engine achieves a 7,000 rpm redline due to the highest quality parts and precision assembly.  Their use of lightweight components such as titanium intake valves and connecting rods with a forged-steel crankshaft make for an incredibly strong engine.  A standard 10.5 quart, dry-sump oiling system delivers pressurized oil from an external reservoir so vital components are lubricated under high-g driving.  Another liquid-to-liquid system is used to cool the transmission and the differential.

The six speed TREMEC TR6060 manual gearbox with a 5.1:1-ratio short-throw shifter with a tire melting 3.91:1 final-drive ratio is the only available transmission.  Automatic transmission cannot be ordered. 

The rear wheels get the power via a limited-slip differential.  The differential features a helical gear set rather than traditional clutch packs.  The gear set continuously adjusts torque bias to allow Z/28 drivers to apply more power to get through corners faster.  The differential coupled with the Performance Traction Management (PTM) system, drivers can adjust the amount of throttle and brake activity to match their individual driving abilities and driving environment, essentially making PTM custom to each driving situation.

Body2014 Camaro Z/28 design of the exterior takes its styling cues from the original legend while incorporating today's design and technology elements.  The 'Z's racing pedigree provided styling influences that make the 2014 Z/28 track-ready with aerodynamic treatments designed to produce downforce - specifically at track speeds.  Camaro designers have created a large splitter, which connects to an underbody panel to reduce lift.  Front and rear wheel fender flares and extended rocker panels contribute to aerodynamic stability.  Z/28 also has an aggressive rear spoiler and functional diffuser to complete the fully integrated aerodynamic package.

InteriorThe 2014 Z/28 is equipped with all-new driver and front passenger racing seats designed by RECARO.  The seat bolsters are aggressive in design to ensure both passenger and driver remain firmly planted, even in high-energy driving situations.  (The Z/28 is capable of 1.05 g in cornering acceleration and 1.5 g in deceleration.  It's important to "stay seated" during the performance!)

A flat-bottom steering wheel provides leg room when entering and exiting the driver's seat, as well as provides room for quicker heel/toe shifting.  A short-throw shifter allows for rapid, confident shifting.

ChassisThe 2014 Camaro Z/28 is equipped with massive Pirelli PZero Trofeo R 305/30ZR19 tires.  The 500+ ponies are slowed using Brembo Carbon Ceramic Matrix rotors and fixed, monoblock calipers.  The gigantic 394x36 mm front rotors use 6-piston calipers, while the 390x32 mm rear rotors are paired with 4-piston calipers.  Chevy engineers say that compared to similar-size, 2-piece steel rotors, the lightweight and large carbon calipers save 22 pounds, while encouraging impressive stopping power and heat toleration, which is what's required for track usage.

General Motors claims Camaro Z/28 is one of the first production cars featuring race-proven, spool-valve dampers.  The spool-valve damper allows four-way adjustment to precisely tune both bump and rebound settings for high-speed and low-speed wheel motions.  The wider tuning range dramatically increases the damper stiffness on Camaro Z/28 without significantly impacting ride quality."

Weight Watching
Some automotive journalists have reported that Chevrolet engineers were put on a mission to have the new Z/28 shed pounds in all possible areas.  In addition to the previously mentioned 22 lb. weight saving in the brake design, the 2014 Z/28's 19-inch wheels save 42 lbs. over the 20-inch wheels found on the Camaro SS and ZL1 models.  Additional weight savings were found by the elimination of the tire inflation kit, trunk carpeting, fog lights and removal of some sound deadening materials.   The rear glass is slightly thinner than all other Camaros, and the Z/28's battery is a lightweight model.  The stereo has been removed with only a single speaker remaining in order to provide the seat-belt reminder chime.  Changes to the materials in the back seat and elimination of the back seat "pass through" feature shed an additional 9 pounds of weight.  These changes have the 2014 Camaro Z/28 weighing 300 lbs. less than the ZL1 and 40 pounds lighter than the Camaro SS equipped with a manual transmission.

All indications are that the 2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 will require a serious test drive for drivers with a passion to return to the days of the true track-bred performers.

Pricing of the 2014 Camaro Z/28 is yet to be determined, with delivery to dealer showrooms scheduled for this Fall.

CORVETTE MARKS 60TH PRODUCTION ANNIVERSARY

By Michael Harley, Autoblog.com - On June 30, Chevrolet celebrated 60 years of Corvette production after the very first of its iconic sports car model rolled off the Fling, Michigan, assembly line in 1953.  The future classic was initially shown as a concept vehicle at the General Motors Autorama in New York City on January 17, 1953, but it was such a hit with the crowds in attendance that the automaker decided to go head with a limited run of 300 vehicles.  Each of the 1953 models shared the same color scheme - Polo White over red convertible - and were priced at US$3,498 each (in 2006, the third 1953 Corvette produced sold for a record US$1,060,000 at auction).

"Over the past six decades, the Corvette has been woven into the fabric of North American culture, as the sports car of choice for movie stars, musicians, and astronauts," said Chris Perry, vice president of Chevrolet Marketing.  "The very best Corvettes represent the state-of-the-art for their eras in terms of design, technology and performance."

Few realize that the Chevrolet Corvette is the world's longest-running, continuously produced passenger car (the Porsche 911 didn't start production until 1963).  And, with the all-new C7 in showrooms later this year, American's sports car doesn't show any signs of wanting to give up the coveted title. 

Check out the press release below for more interesting Corvette facts.

Iconic Corvette Began 60 Years Ago

- First Corvettes rolled off the assembly line on June 30, 1953
- Since then, more than 1.5 million Corvettes have been producedBOWLING GREEN, Ky. - Chevrolet today marked its 60th anniversary of the Corvette, an iconic American sports car.  The first Corvette went into production in Flint, Mich. on June 30, 1953.  Since then, Corvette has become an American icon that continues to offer the best in today's technology and performance.

"Over the past six decades, the Corvette has been woven into the fabric of American culture, as the sports car of choice for movie stars, musicians, and astronauts," said Chris Perry, vice president Chevrolet Marketing.  "The very best Corvettes represent the state-of-the-art for their eras in terms of design, technology and performance."

Here are some key facts highlighting 60 years of Corvette history:

• Corvette is the world's longest-running, continuously produced passenger car.  The longest-running vehicle of any type is the Chevrolet Suburban.
• Corvette made its debut as a concept vehicle at the General Motors Autorama in New York City on January 17, 1953.  It was such a success that a limited run of 300 production Corvettes began on June 30 of that year.
• All 1953 models were Polo White with a red interior and they were priced at US$3,498.  In 2006, the third 1953 Corvette produced sold for a record US$1,060,000 at auction.
• Corvette was exclusively available with an inline six-cylinder engine until 1955.  That year, the optional V-8 engine was ordered by 90 percent of buyers.  The six-cylinder was dropped in 1956.  Corvette has been available exclusively with V-8 power since.
• Corvette was produced only as a convertible for its first 10 years.  The fixed-roof 1963 "split-window" Corvette Sting Ray coupe launched the second-generation Corvette.  Sales doubled and it became a year-round car for drivers in colder climates.
• Approximately 1,560,000 Corvettes have been produced since June 30, 1953.  The 500,000th Corvette was built in 1977; the 1 millionth was built in 1992, and the 1.5 millionth Corvette rolled off the line in 2009.
• Corvettes have been produced at three facilities: Flint, Mich. (1953); St. Louis, Mo., (1954-1981); and Bowling Green, Ky. (1981-2014).  The change from St. Louis to Bowling Green happened during the production year.  The first 1981 Corvette was built in St. Louis, and the last 1981 Corvette was built in Bowling Green.
• No 1983 Corvettes were sold to the public.  The model year was skipped in preparation of the all-new 1984 Corvette, which launched the C4 generation.  Forty-four Corvette prototypes were built as 1983 models.  Only one remains, on display at the National Corvette Museum, in Bowling Green, Ky.

2014 CHEVY SILVERADO, GMC SIERRA 4.3-LITRE ECOTEC3 V6 NETS 13.1 L/100 KM CITY AND 9.6 L/100 KM HIGHWAY



By Jeffrey N. Ross, Autoblog.com - There is no doubting that fuel economy has become an important factor in the highly competitive fullsize truck market, with the Ford F-150 EcoBoost V6 and Pentastar V6-powered Ram 1500 setting quite a precedent in recent years.  Now it's General Motors' turn.  The General has just announced that the new base V6 used in the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500 models will return an EPA-estimated 13.1 L/100 km and 9.6 L/100 km (18 mpg city and 24 mpg) highway in two-wheel drive trim, regardless of cab configuration.

While these figures don't go so far as to earn GM any "best-in-class" fuel economy claims (thanks to the 9.4 L/100 km (25-mpg) Ram 1500 HFE), this new 4.3L EcoTec3 V6 does edge the F-150 and Toyota Tundra while boasting best-in-class numbers for torque, payload and towing capacity among six-cylinder rivals.  This all-new engine produces 285 horsepower and 305 pound-feet of torque, and it gives the 2014 Silverado and Sierra the highest towing rating among standard V6 models with a 3,266 kilogram (7,200-pound) towing capacity - besting the Ram by 318 kilos (700 pounds), the base F-150 by 499 kilos (1,100 pounds) and coming within 90 kilos (200 pounds) of the V8-powered Nissan Titan.

Below is the official press release from Chevrolet.

Silverado V6: Best-in-Class Capabilty, 24 mpg Highway
- Best torque, payload and towing of any standard V-6
- Unsurpassed city fuel economy for full-size pickups

DETROIT - The 2014 Silverado with the all-new 4.3L EcoTec3 V-6 - the most capable standard V-6 in any full-size pickup truck - will also be a segment leader in fuel economy, helping save customers money when they buy and when they drive.

EcoTec3 engine technology enables 2WD Silverados to match Ram HFE's 18 mpg city, while 4x4 Silverados achieve 17 mpg city, the best of any full-size pickup.  EPA highway estimates are highly competitive: 22 mpg for 4x4 versions, and 24 mpg for 2WD models.

Reflecting Silverado's straightforward approach to performance and fuel economy, these EPA estimates are achieved without expensive add-ons and apply to all three cab configurations, regular car, double cab, and crew cab.

Silverados equipped with the 4.3L V-6 also will be the most-capable trucks with standard V-6 engines, with the highest available payload rating of 2,108 pounds and the highest available towing rating of 7,200 pounds.

"Budget-conscious customers often buy V-6 pickups to do real work, and the 2014 Silverado with the 4.3L EcoTec3 V-6 will combine unmatched capability and excellent fuel economy with surprising levels of refinement," said Jeff Luke, executive chief engineer.

"Our V-6 has torque where you need it to get the job done, with 230 lb-ft of torque available at 1,200 rpm, and more torque available from 2,400 to 5,300 rpm than competitive V-6s make at their peak.

Truck customers now returning to the showroom will find that Silverado's standard V-6 now offers better performance than many V-8 powered pickups from just a few years ago, with far superior fuel economy.

"The average pickup on the road is more than 11 years old," said Luke.  "Customers driving these trucks with V-8 engines will be amazed at the power and refinement of Silverado's new EcoTec3 V-6, which has fuel economy some 30 percent better than older V-8s with comparable performance."

The new V-6 joins the mainstream 5.3L EcoTec3 V-8, with EPA-estimated highway fuel economy of up to 23 mpg, the best estimates of any V-8 pickup, and better than estimates for the Ford EcoBoost turbo V-6 (22 mpg EPA highway for 2wd models).

Seamlessly switches to four-cylinder operation
Silverado's combination of capability and efficiency results in part from its EcoTec3 engines, which provide the proven power of a large-displacement truck engine when needed, then switch seamlessly to four-cylinder operation under lighter loads.

"In creating the 2014 Silverado 1500, we looked at a wide variety of powertrain configurations, and concluded that purpose-built truck engines could best provide the payload and towing capability that truck customers require with the long-term dependability they expect," said Luke.

By creating a new trio of EcoTec3 engines for the 2014 Silverado, Chevrolet was able to make the most of the size and performance of each entry:

- The 4.3L V-6 is a rugged and refined standard engine with best-in-class torque, payload and towing
- The 5.3L V-8, expected to power three out of four Silverados, gives mainstream customers 355 horsepower, with fuel economy better than any V-8 competitor or Ford's EcoBoost turbo V-6
- A new 6.2L V-8, available this fall, will be the most powerful engine offered on any light-duty pickup, with an estimated 420 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque, and a maximum available towing rating of 12,000 pounds

All three EcoTec3 engines feature direct fuel injection, Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation) and continuously variable valve timing, a combination not found in competitive trucks.  The engines also use a compact overhead valve design and weight-saving components such as aluminum blocks and cylinder heads to reduce the mass of the engines for additional energy savings.

CHEVY MOSEYS MERRILY PAST THE PUMPS

By Graeme Fletcher, The Ottawa Citizen - I never thought I would hear the sound of a diesel engine emanating from beneath the hood of a GM car ever again.  In the late 1970s and early '80s, Oldsmobile produced an oil burner that was such a disaster it tainted the entire breed.  But here I was listening to the dulcet tones of the new diesel engine option beneath the bonnet of the Chevrolet Cruze.  It was, much to my surprise, music to my ears and, as the test proved beyond a doubt, a delight to my wallet.

The newest Cruze is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder clean diesel.  Like the units from Europe, it displaces a modest 2.0 litres, but thanks to a variable-vane turbo-charger, it produces better power than either of the Cruze's two gasoline-powered alternatives - and without low-end turbo lag.

In this case, it develops 151 horsepower and 264 pound-feet of torque at a low 2,000 rpm - that's 13 hp and 116 lb.-ft more than the 1.4L turbo-charged gasoline engine - pretty stout numbers for compact sedan.

This engine also has a neat over-boost mode that, for a span of 10 seconds, bumps peak torque from 264 to 280 lb.-ft.  That seems like a relatively short time advantage; however, it was actually beneficial any time I needed the additional twisting power.  You see, it takes the Cruze Diesel nine seconds to get from rest to 100 kilometres an hour and 7.5 seconds to complete the 80-to-120 km/h passing move.  As I say, the overboost is ready to do its thing just about any time it's called upon.

And aside from the overwhelming torque advantage it commands over its gasoline siblings, this diesel boasts outstanding fuel economy.  On the highway, it sips 4.2 litres per 100 kilometres - better than Volkswagen's highly respected TDI turbocharged diesel.

What was more remarkable, however, was the fact it's one of the very few cars I have ever tested that matched its official combined average fuel economy rating.  Officially, it is rated at 6.0 L/100 km.  During the test, the Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel averaged 5.9 L/100 km over a distance of 750 km.  My best economy during that time was a city/highway average of 5.1 L/100 km, which is phenomenal by any standard.  The fact diesel fuel was 10 cents a litre cheaper than gasoline underscored the diesel's advantage.

The power is relayed to the front wheels through a six-speed manumatic that, for once, has a real manual mode.  That this feature will see little, if any, use does not detract from the fact it works properly - unlike all other GM manumatics.  It also has a range of ratios that maximizes the diesel engine's sweetness.

When it comes to the ride and handling, the diesel does not feel any different from the regular model.  Part of it is thanks to a diesel engine that's relatively light (185 kilograms), which means it introduces no additional understeer when the Cruze is pushed toward the traction limit.  The suspension is tuned to deliver a comfortable ride and limits body roll when attacking a series of sweeping corners.  Factor in the P215/55R17 tires and a steering setup that's commendably poised and polished to the feel, and the diesel is a fun drive.  As a sporty ride, the diesel Cruze more than qualifies.

Inside, the diesel model comes pretty well loaded, with air conditioning, the usual power items and heated leather seating.  The test car also included Chevrolet's MyLink infotainment system with navigation.  How the buttons are arranged and the fact the seven-inch screen is touch-sensitive makes it one of the easiest systems to use.  It's not often the words "Chevrolet: and "best" are in the same sentence, but in this case it's true and well deserved.

As for the rest of it, the diesel model is all Cruze.  The back seat accommodated three teens without the usual whine factor and the trunk, at 13.3 cubic feet, swallowed a family of five's luggage easily.  The nit is the crush-anything-placed-beneath-it deck lid hinge design; I managed to mangle a misplaced rollie suitcase, much to my annoyance.

I hate admitting I'm wrong, but in the case of the Chevrolet Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel, I am - simply because it does everything demanded of it so well.  The engine is quiet, composed and a very willing workhorse that delivers exceptional fuel economy.  When all is said and the diesel fuel pumped, you can't ask for much more.

C7 CORVETTE PRODUCTION TO KICK OFF WITH PREMIERE EDITION

By Seyth Miersma, Autoblog.com - The much-lauded team behind the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette is kicking off production of the new C7 generation in predictable fashion, with a limited edition version of the car announced this afternoon.  Chevy is throwing a launch party at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, KY, at which the wrapper is being pulled off this 2014 Corvette Stingray Coupe Premiere Edition.

Just 500 examples of the Premiere Edition C7 will be built in total, with all being top-spec 3LT models and all wearing this Laguna Blue Tintcoat paint over Brownstone suede interiors.  Other appearance upgrades for the Premiere Edition include suede and carbon fibre interior trims, a visible carbon fibre roof, hood stripe, "Stingray" kickplates and wheel caps and, wait for it ... a matching set of Stingray luggage from Thule.  It's every dude's dream:  a Corvette with matching luggage.

Functionally, the Premiere Edition will be blessed with the Z51 performance package, as well as Chevy's trick Magnetic Selective Ride Control.  Those, along with the car's impressive 6.2-litre, 450-horsepower LT1 V8, should make this special edition as formidable as it will be collectable.  Continue reading below for Chevy's brief press release.

Production of the 2014 Corvette Stingray Coupe Premiere Edition will be limited to 500, all top-of-the-line 3LT models with:

• Laguna Blue Tintcoat exterior, and Brownstone suede interior
• Suede-wrapped interior trim and carbon-fiber interior packages
• Visible carbon fiber roof, variable tuned performance exhaust system, and Z51 Performance Package with Magnetic Selective Ride Control
• Unique accessories, including "stinger" hood stripe, "Stingray"-logo interior sill plates and wheel caps, and custom Corvette-branded luggage from Thule
• Additionally, Premier Edition models will have a unique vehicle identification number, starting with 300001, as well as an exclusive dash plaque commemorating the limited-edition model.

INNOTECH REVEALS CORVETTE-BASED TRACKDAY RACER

By Zach Bowman, Autoblog.com - You're looking at the Innotech Aspiron, and while the name sounds like something you'd find on the shelf at a discount computer store, the car aims to be a legitimate track day warrior.  The open-top two seater pulls parts from the Chevrolet Corvette and wedges them down in a skimpy chassis, wrapping it bodywork that reminds us of cars like the Hulme CanAm and Caparo T1.  All told, Innotech says the car can weigh as little as 762 kilograms (1,680 pounds) depending on driver configuration, and with thrust from a range of General Motors V8 engines, we imagine the creation will have no trouble scooting its way around a track.

Buyers can opt for an LS3 from the base 2013 Corvette or the LS7 from the Corvette Z06.  Innotech also offers an LT1 option, though it's unclear if that's the all-new LT1 from the 2014 Corvette Stingray or the old cast-iron block.  Need something with a bit more punch?  You can also choose from the LSA found in the Cadillac CTS-V or an LS9 plucked from the see-through hood of the mighty Corvette ZR1.  That means buyers can have anywhere from 500 to 800 horsepower at their command, though an upgraded LS9 is also available with up to 1,000 hp.  A Ricardo six-speed manual transmission shuttles all that muscle to the rear axle.

Prices start at around US$150,000 and reach all the way up to "price available upon request" territory.  Below is the full press release.

INNOTECH ASPIRON (2014)

Track day supercar with a powerful V8 engineThe INNOTECH Aspiron is a high performance adrenaline booster for hard core drivers, built for track day enjoyment and sheer speed in an open cockpit.  Our customers probably own other supercars, like the Corvette, Viper, Porsche 911, Ferrari or Lamborghini, but in comparison to these cars, the Aspiron is designed as a true track day car with strong racing genes, hand built to customer specs, with a power to weight ratio to shame any road car.

Among track day supercars, the Aspiron offers the best value for the money; a great mix of modern design and on track performance, combined with reasonable pricing and affordable maintenance cost.

Uncompromising track day performanceRace car style body offers a spacious 2-seater fully open cockpit, protected by massive roll-over bars.  The cockpit, trimmed completely in carbon-fibre, is equipped with adjustable carbon-fibre seats (incl. FIA homologated seats), 6-point racing harness and adjustable pedals.  Optional XL sized carbon-fibre seats accommodate large drivers.  A multifunctional dash data logger gives you all the info on the engine, lap times, etc.  Plenty of downforce is generated by large adjustable carbon-fibre wings, front and rear.

With its outer dimensions (mm/in: L 4850/191 x W 2050/80.7 x H 1100/43.5, wheelbase 2745/108) the Aspiron provides a stable platform like a LeMans prototype. - However, INNOTECH managed to keep the weight low, as one would expect from a modern track day car (kg/lbs: 760 - 860/1680 - 1890 depending on car specs).

Aspiron has a very solid tubular space frame structure with a safe central gas tank location.

Race car style chassis incorporates front and rear A-arm suspension with long arms and adjustable coilover chocks.

The engine is the heart of every supercar: INNOTECH Aspiron was designed to take Chevrolet V8 6.2L - 7.0L engines: LS3 - LS7 - LT1 or supercharged LSA - LS9, stock or upgraded, approx. 500 - 800hp on pump gas, with low maintenance cost and good durability.  High performance ARE dry sump systems are on all engines.  Top of the line is an upgraded LS9 running on Ethanol E85 with approx. 1000hp.  Custom built engines based on LS racing blocks (C5R, C6R or RHS blocks) are available upon request.  All that power goes to the rear wheels via Ricardo 6-speed manual gearbox with limited slip differential (well known from the Ford GT for its durability).

The car in the photo is equipped with a naturally aspirated V8 7.0L based on LS7 block, with forged internals, ARE top level dry sump system and custom engine management system.  When dynode on a very hot humid summer day, the engine showed 692 hp at 6900 rpm and 588 lb-ft (800 Nm) at 5500 rpm, with 400 lb-ft (545 Nm) available at 2500 rpm.  What a beast ...

Thanks to powerful engines and low curb weight the Aspiron has an excellent power to weight ratio, from 600 hp per tonne for a base model to 1000 hp per tonne for a top model - with a driver on board!

The Aspiron of course has powerful brakes to match its speed: 355-380mm/14-15" rotors, forged 6 or 8 piston calipers, race brake pads and optional brake bias adjustment from the cockpit.

Aspiron base models run on O.Z. Racing Alleggerita wheels 8.5 x 18 front and 12 x 18 rear, with 245/40 R18 front and 335/30 R18 rear tires, TOYO R 888, Hoosier R6 semi slicks or racing slicks.

For those who want to spend more money on forged wheels INNOTECH offers optional customized Forgeline GA1R or HRE R40/R43 in 18" size with a large variety of finishes.

Customers can choose among many paint colors and finishes.  Each car will be made to order to customer specs.  Small Limited Editions are also foreseen.  Aspiron cars are built in Europe and INNOTECH supplies customers worldwide with all needed parts.

2014 INNOTECH Aspiron - models and prices w/out sales tax:

• Aspiron R 500 V8 LS3 6.2L (500 hp) 114 000 EUR / 149 000 USD
• Aspiron RS 700 V8 LS7 7.0 (700 hp) 137 000 EUR / 179 000 USD
• Aspiron RSC 750 V8 LSA 6.2L (750 hp) 147 000 EUR / 192 000 USD
• Aspiron RSC 800 V8 LS9 6.2L (800 hp) 157 000 EUR / 204 000 USD
• Aspiron RSR 900 V8 LS9 6.2L (900 hp) runs on race gasoline, price upon request
• Aspiron RRR 1000 V8 LS9 6.2L (1000 hp) runs on Ethanol E85, price upon request

Custom built V8 GM Based engines and a large variety of optional equipment will make your Aspiron the one and only in the world!

TRANSFORMERS 4 SPIED FILMING AT GM PROVING GROUNDS, NEW BUMBLEBEE CAMARO CAUGHT

By Jeffrey N. Ross, Autoblog.com - Spy photographers usually try to focus their lenses on test mules and prototypes, but this week, a camera-toting sleuth stumbled upon some filming for Transformers 4 on location at General Motors proving grounds facility in Michigan.  While Michael Bay's personal website has already shown us a handful of confirmed and potential characters for the movie, these images are our first live look at the Autobots including what appears to be the new Bumblebee.

Based on a highly stylized version of the redesigned 2014 Chevrolet Camaro, this Bumblebee has more of a conceptual look similar to the leading car used in the 2007 film.  This includes a revised front end with LED-trimmed headlights and a more aggressive fascia as well as a widebody kit, but it still features the signature black-and-yellow Bumblebee paint job.  The unique-looking Camaro is so fully realized that we can't help but wonder if it was an alternate design proposal for the 2014 facelift, repurposed here for Hollywood duty, or if it hints at the next-generation pony car.  Either way, we have no idea how this car and the first-gen Camaro - previously confirmed as being Bumblebee - will fit into the movie.

Also present in these shots are the new Optimus Prime and Hound as well as yet-to-be-named Bugatti Veyron and Chevrolet Corvette Stingray characters.  Also worth noting is that recently revealed cars like the Lamborghini A ventador, Pagani Huayra and the mystery Freightliner are all unaccounted for during this film session.