2011 Chevy Camaro Ss on 2040-cars

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2016 Chevy Camaro to drop 200 pounds

The sixth-generation Chevrolet Camaro makes its grand debut on May 16 at a big celebration on Detroit's Belle Isle. Until then, Chevy's strategy seems to be showing off the pony car's new components piece by piece. With the exhaust headers and front end already on display, the Bowtie is now giving a glimpse at some of the upcoming model's aluminum components. The Camaro is going on a diet for its latest generation, and Chevy claims that the switch to the Alpha platform and other new components shed over 200 pounds compared to the current model. That will put the pony car at around 3,500 pounds. The lower weight will contributes to better fuel economy, quicker acceleration and more direct handling, according to the automaker. Among the changes are aluminum front and rear suspension assemblies (pictured above) that weigh 21 percent less than the current units. Also, Chevy promises in its announcement "links on some models feature an intricate, structurally optimized design made with a rigid composite material that's even lighter than aluminum." In addition to these improved parts, the Camaro uses the lightweight metal for the beam that supports the instrument panel to save 9.7 pounds more. The only two pieces reportedly carrying over to the latest design are Chevy's bowtie and SS badges, and at least one engine in the range is known to be a version of the 6.2-liter LT1 V8. With over a month until the next Camaro's debut, we might get a glimpse of even more of the car's new parts in the coming weeks. Related Video: 2016 Camaro Does More with Less New model is at least 200 pounds lighter than current car 2015-03-30 DETROIT – For the all-new, 2016 Chevrolet Camaro, the team was challenged to improve the handling, acceleration and fuel economy of the award-winning current model. To meet all three objectives, the team focused on a singular mission: reduce mass. By obsessively searching for opportunities to save ounces, the team pared more than 200 pounds off the Camaro compared with the fifth-generation model. As a result, the Camaro does more with less, according to Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief engineer: "We kept the cornering confidence and control that make the Gen 5 Camaro 1LE so fun to drive, and added a greater sense of agility," he said. "The new Camaro brakes harder, flicks into corners more quickly, and drives out of the corner faster.

Bob Lutz builds the case for a mid-engined Corvette

Rumors of a mid-engine Corvette are like automotive industry folklore at this point. Every once in a while, news pops up that it might be happening or is under development, but nothing actually ever comes to fruition as something people can actually buy. The latest spy shots strongly suggest a mid-engine 'Vette is in the cards, yet again, possibly for 2018. Now, an op ed by former General Motors executive (and definite performance car fan) Bob Lutz in Road & Track gives the inside scoop on the history of one of these proposals and lays out how to make it happen today. According to Lutz, the company's engineers believed the C6 ZR1 was at the limit for front-engine, rear-wheel drive performance in that package, and the only solution was to move the powerplant behind the driver. Lutz even got then CEO Rick Wagoner on board. The scheme made it at least as far as clay models for mid-engine versions of the 'Vette and Cadillac XLR. Eventually, a lack of money got in the way, though, bringing the project to an end. Lutz puts a lot of faith in GM's current leaders, especially Mary Barra and Mark Reuss. He thinks the chances of a mid-engine 'Vette happening this time are better than 50 percent. The model, rumored to be named Zora, could offer over 700 horsepower in an ultra lightweight body and be priced at about $120,000 to "suck the doors off everybody." Head over to Road & Track to get some insights from this highly respected and entertaining auto industry veteran. Related Video:

Chevy recalls 73k Cobalts for side airbag non-deployment

Chevrolet is recalling 73,424 examples of the 2010 Cobalt in the US and Canada because the driver's side curtain airbag might not deploy in a crash. These vehicles carry build dates between January 4 and June 23, 2010, and, specifically, 59,474 of them are in the US. "GM is aware of one crash with one injury that may be related to this condition," the company said in a statement. The problem occurs because of improper routing of the side-impact sensor wiring harness in the driver's door, and there can be a short circuit causing the curtain airbag not to deploy. The campaign to fix the issue will begin on August 26. Dealers will inspect the vehicles and will repair the issue on any affected examples. Related Video: GM Statement: General Motors is recalling 59,474 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt sedans in the U.S. because some of them may have been built with improper side impact sensor wire routing in the left front door. Dealers will inspect all suspect vehicles and any found with the condition will be repaired free of charge to the customer. GM is aware of one crash with one injury that may be related to this condition. Including vehicles sold in Canada, the total recall population is 73,424. RECALL Subject : Improperly Routed Side Impact Wire Harness Report Receipt Date: AUG 10, 2015 NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V500000 Component(s): AIR BAGS Potential Number of Units Affected: 59,474 All Products Associated with this Recall Vehicle Make Model Model Year(s) CHEVROLET COBALT 2010 Details Manufacturer: General Motors LLC SUMMARY: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt vehicles manufactured January 4, 2010, to June 23, 2010. The affected vehicles may be equipped with an improperly routed Side-Impact Sensor (SIS) wiring harness in the driver side front door. The misrouted wiring harness could cause an electrical short that disables the driver side curtain air bag. CONSEQUENCE: A disabled driver side roof-rail air bag will not deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of that air bag, increasing the risk of injury to the driver. REMEDY: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the sensor's wiring in the driver's door and make repairs as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin August 26, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15075.