1972 Chevy Pickup 3/4 Ton 4x4 Custom 20 Deluxe on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Hot air balloons caught in high winds drag fullsize SUV

A sudden storm front whipped up enough wind to send some hot air balloons flying into the air in Wisconsin over the weekend. One ballon proved so energetic that it was able to drag a fullsize SUV across a field and into a stand of tents. The freak accident occurred at Balloonfest in Waterford, Wisconsin. Spectators were horrified as balloons dragged handlers to the ground and launched with terrified pilots clinging to their baskets. Organizers had started packing up the colorful balloons due to ominous storm clouds when the wind kicked up. "Happened just like that; it was crazy," Nathan Fricke, crew member, told Fox 6. Winds were clocked at 40 to 50 miles per hour. A balloon caught in the wind dragged a large SUV (we think a Suburban or Yukon XL) hundreds of feet and into a cluster of tents on the edge of the staging area where balloons were on display for festival goers. Considering that the SUV surely weighs well over 5,000 pounds, it's lucky that no one was injured in the incident. News Source: Fox6Now Weird Car News Chevrolet GM GMC SUV

Consumer Reports criticizes small turbo engines for misleading performance, fuel economy claims [w/video]

Consumer Reports has taken aim at at small-displacement, forced-induction engines, saying the powerplants don't manage to deliver on automaker fuel economy claims. Manufacturers have long held that smaller, turbocharged engines pack all power of their larger displacement cousins with significantly better fuel economy, but the research organization says that despite scoring high EPA economy numbers, the engines are no better than conventional drivetrains in both categories. Jake Fisher, director of automotive testing for Consumer Reports, says the forced induction options "are often slower and less fuel efficient than larger four and six-cylinder engines."
Specifically, CR calls out the new Ford Fusion equipped with the automaker's Ecoboost 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. The institute's researchers found the engine, which is a $795 option over the base 2.5-liter four-cylinder, fails to match competitors in acceleration and served up 25 miles per gallon in testing, putting the sedan dead last among other midsize options.
The Chevrolet Cruze, Hyundai Sonata Turbo and Ford Escape 2.0T all got dinged for the same troubles, though Consumer Reports has found the turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder in the BMW 328i does deliver on its promises. You can check out the full press release below. You can also read the full study on the Consumer Reports site, or scroll down for a short video recap.

Chevy donates first 2016 COPO Camaro to United Way

Want to get your hands on the first new COPO Camaro? Scottsdale will be the place to be this weekend. That's where Barrett-Jackson will auction off the drag-racing muscle car with the serial number 2016COPO001. The example on the docket is the very same show car that Chevy revealed at the SEMA show just a couple of months ago. Like every new COPO Camaro, it's based on the new sixth-generation coupe and packs an array of drag-racing upgrades. Those include a three-speed automatic transmission, solid rear axle, and adjustable suspension. While Chevy will offer the new COPO Camaro with a choice of three engines, this particular example packs the 5.7-liter supercharged V8, as well as a unique red and black livery designed by Chevy drag racing driver Courtney Force. 100 percent of the proceeds from the sale are destined to go to United Way, following previous examples that benefited wounded veterans. You can bet it will raise a pretty penny at auction, but if you miss this one, of course there will be more. Just don't wait around too long as the Bowtie brand will only make 69 of them this year. 2016 COPO Camaro No. 1 Sale to Benefit United Way Courtney Force designed show car to be auctioned for United Way 2016-01-26 DETROIT – Chevrolet will auction off the first, sixth generation 2016 COPO Camaro race car to raise money for United Way. The purpose-built COPO Camaro, serial number 2016COPO001, will be sold on Friday, Jan. 29, at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction. All proceeds of the winning bid will benefit United Way. "This is a special opportunity to purchase the first of the sixth generation, 2016 COPO Camaro while also helping such a great cause," said Jim Campbell, U.S. vice president of Performance Vehicles and Motorsports. The COPO is a powerful, purpose-built Camaro designed to race in NHRA Stock Eliminator class. The COPO Camaro legacy continues with an all-new sixth-generation version. This modern-looking machine infuses legendary COPO performance with the modern, lighter and stronger design of the 2016 Camaro. Chevrolet introduced the sixth generation COPO Camaro No. 001 last November at the SEMA Show and includes a personalized look created by Chevrolet and NHRA Funny Car driver Courtney Force. It features a Red Hot exterior color with Courtney Force-signature graphics and red-accented grille trim. "I was extremely honored to work with Chevrolet and help design the 2016 COPO Camaro," said Courtney Force.