1955 Chevrolet Bel Air on 2040-cars

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Chevy bringing updated Equinox to Chicago

An updated Chevy Equinox will be revealed at next week's Chicago Auto Show, the automaker confirmed Friday in a press release. The debut of the updated, 2016 Equinox comes on the heels of the midsize crossover – pictured above in its current, 2015-model-year form – posting its best January sales month ever. No details have been released, but Chevy did send out the teaser image you see at right, showing an updated front fascia with new headlamps and LED running lights. This update for the Equinox can't come soon enough. The midsize crossover segment is huge right now, and Chevy's player has largely been unchanged since the second-generation Equinox debuted in 2009. When asked about when we might see a tweaked version of the GMC Terrain – the Equinox's sibling – a General Motors spokesperson could not confirm any specific timing. In any case, we'll bring you all the official details of the new Equinox when it shows its updated face, next week. Featured Gallery 2015 Chevrolet Equinox View 14 Photos News Source: Chicago Auto Show Chicago Auto Show Chevrolet Crossover

GM to trim Russian output, raise prices amid currency woes

General Motors is shutting down its factory in Russia's second largest city, St. Petersburg, from the middle of March until the middle of May as the country's currency, the ruble, continues to give economists fits. The ruble's value has plunged due not only to western sanctions, but a precipitous fall in oil prices. We knew these factors were already impacting the auto industry there, as Ford reported in its 2014 earnings statement, and now they're forcing GM to cut production at the factory, shown above, that is responsible for production of the Chevrolet Cruze and Opel Astra. Meanwhile, Automotive News is citing Russian outlet Kommersant as saying that GM has hiked its prices in the country by an average of 20 percent over the past two months. While a GM spokesman confirmed the St. Petersburg plant would be shut down for the two-month span reported by Kommersant and AN, he would not confirm the price increase. News Source: Automotive News - sub. req.Image Credit: Alexander Nikolayev / AFP / Getty Images Earnings/Financials Plants/Manufacturing Chevrolet GM Opel opel astra

German police Corvette promotes safe aftermarket tuning

The German organization Tune It! Safe! promotes safe, legal vehicle tuning in the country, and it probably doesn't have to worry about anyone breaking the law when this Polizei-themed Chevrolet Corvette is on the scene. The Vette is on display at the Essen Motor Show and is the group's latest police-wrapped tuner car, following models like the Brabus Rocket, Mercedes-Benz CLS, and AC Schnitzer-tuned BMW 123d in years past. Tikt Performance did the tuning this time, and the German company added a full carbon-fiber body kit for the Vette, including a front lip, side sills, rear spoiler, and relatively understated wheel flares. It also installed forged wheels that measure 19-inches in front and 20-inches in back and wrapped them with Hankook Ventus S1 Evo tires. To really let the coupe look the part of a proper Polizei car, the tuners included police lights from Hella and the appropriate blue-and-white wrap. Tikt left the 6.2-liter V8 alone to produce 460 horsepower and 465 pound-feet, and the power routes through a seven-speed manual. Even with the stock performance, this police-themed 'Vette would still look fantastic blasting down the Autobahn with the lights flashing. World premiere at the Essen Motor Show: initiative for safe tuning starts the new campaign year with TIKT Performance Corvette A powerful look for a powerful campaign: TUNE IT! SAFE! presents innovative design and maximum precision Innovative design, maximum precision and unique performance – with an enhanced Corvette, TUNE IT! SAFE! shows that attractive, creative tuning in no way has to conflict with legal requirements. In the new campaign year, the seventh generation of a sports car icon stands as a symbol and shining example of safe automobile tuning and 100 per cent driving fun. The campaign car of the initiative for safe tuning, sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Transport, the Association of Automobile Tuners (VDAT) as well as numerous other organisations and institutions, sees its premiere at the Essen Motor Show (Hall 10, Stand F104). TUNE IT! SAFE! also continues its partnership with premium tyre manufacturer Hankook. Tuning specialist TIKT Performance based in Upper Bavaria is responsible for the innovative conversion of the new TUNE IT! SAFE! police car.