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Question of the Day: Worst year of the Malaise Era?

The Malaise Era for cars in the United States spanned the 1973 through 1983 model years, and featured such abominations as a Corvette with just 205 horsepower (from the optional engine!) and MGBs with suspensions jacked way up to meet new headlight-height requirements. There were many low points throughout this gloomy period, of course. The horrifyingly low power and fuel-economy numbers for big V8s during the middle years of the Malaise Era make a strong case for 1974 or 1975— the years of Nixon's resignation and the Fall of Saigon, respectively— as the most Malaisey years. But then the GM-pummeling debacles of the Chevy Citation and Cadillac Cimarron could make an early-1980s year the low point. 1979, the year of the ignominious Chrysler bailout? You choose! Related Video:

GM: Without LG Chem, we couldn't build Bolt EV [UPDATE]

It's absolutely no surprise that General Motors has a thing for LG Corp. The Detroit automaker and the Korean parts supplier have been working in public on electric vehicles ever since it was announced that LG Chem would supply the battery cells for the Chevy Volt in 2009. LG Chem was even named GM's 2010 Supplier of the Year. But, yesterday, the connection between the two companies was strengthened with the announcement that LG Electronics would be supplying a number of components for the upcoming Chevy Bolt electric vehicle. The Bolt is expected to be able to go about 200 miles and will carry a price tag of about $30,000 (after incentives) when it arrives in 2017 or so. LG's new components can be found almost everywhere in the Bolt. They include the battery pack and the battery heater, a new motor, the power inverter module, the electric climate control system compressor, the on-board charger, high-power distribution module, the accessory power module, and power line communication module. Oh, and then there are LG Electronics' advanced display technologies like the new instrument cluster and a new infotainment cluster. LG Electronics also supplies parts for the 4G LTE OnStar system, just like it does in other new Chevys. If that all sounds like a lot of components to you, you're right. Mark Reuss, GM executive vice president of global product development, purchasing and supply chain, said that without the expanded relationship with LG, GM would not be able to bring the Bolt to market (insert old ironic quote link here). "I think GM was lacking that [electrification knowledge] in a very complete way for many years, I'll just be frank about that," Reuss said. "I also think that on an electrified basis, this requires a long-term commitment and trust that sometimes is violated on a more short-term, regular, traditional basis. I think we have found something completely different with LG and I think that has become a widely talked about and duplicated want from our purchasing and corporate standpoint with our supply base." The "this" that Reuss is talking about here is the OEM-supplier relationship, something has evolved with the LG-GM situation. Previously, the automaker-supplier relationship used to be more like a dictator telling underlings what he needed, Reuss said, and that was a bad idea. "Today's competitive landscape requires a different approach, especially in electrified vehicles," he said.

2016 Chevrolet Camaro starts at $26,695

Parking the new 2016 Chevrolet Camaro in your driveway will cost $26,695, including the $995 destination charge. That's a cut from $27,000 for the same trim on a 2015 Camaro. If you prefer a V8 under the hood, then the base 1SS goes for $37,295, compared to $34,500 for that model currently. The 2016 Camaro is offered as a coupe and convertible in four trim levels: 1LT, 2LT, 1SS, and 2SS. The LT is available with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 275 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque or a 3.6-liter V6 with 335 hp and 284 lb-ft. The SS gets a 6.2-liter V8 with 455 hp and 455 lb-ft. The first examples arrive before the end of the year, but droptops and the turbo engine don't materialize until the first quarter of 2016. Base models come with tech like Chevy's MyLink infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, a rearview camera, automatic climate control, and multiple driving modes. The RS Package adds to the style with 20-inch wheels, HID headlights, LED taillights, a different grille insert, and rear spoiler. Opting for the SS brings a more aggressive exterior look, plus performance upgrades like Brembo brakes, differential and transmission coolers, and a limited slip differential on those with a manual gearbox. Upgrading to the 2SS adds amenities like heated and ventilated front seats, wireless phone charging, a Bose stereo, rear cross-traffic alert, and Side Blind Zone Alert with Lane Change Alert. Options like a Magnetic Ride Control suspension and dual-mode exhaust offer additional sportiness. Reading about the 2016 Camaro is nice, but Chevy now has a visualizer for the pony car. It's not quite a full configurator but lets you check out different colors, wheels, and stripes to imagine your future purchase. Enjoy finding just the right combo. Related Video: CHEVY REVEALS PRICE, ONLINE VISUALIZER FOR 2016 CAMARO 21/08/15 Gen Six Camaro offers more performance, technology and customization choices DETROIT – As production of the lighter, more powerful, more advanced 2016 Camaro grows near, Chevrolet revealed more details to help customers tailor their Gen Six exactly how they want it, including pricing information and an online visualizer. The 2016 Camaro offers higher levels of performance, technology and refinement, starting at a suggested retail price of $26,695 for the Camaro 1LT, while the most powerful Camaro SS ever starts at $37,295 for the 1SS.