2013 Chevrolet Camaro 1lt on 2040-cars

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Autoblog Podcast #380

Episode #380 of the Autoblog podcast is here, and this week, Dan Roth, Chris Paukert and Seyth Miersma talk about the Fiat-Chrysler five-year plan, the seeming demise of the Nissan Cube, and proposed legislation to require speed limiters with a 68-mph maximum on America's tractor trailers. We start with what's in the garage and finish up with some of your questions, and for those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. Check out the new rundown below with times for topics, and you can follow along down below with our Q&A. Thanks for listening! Autoblog Podcast #380: Topics: Fiat-Chrysler five-year plan Nissan Cube on the way out? Big rig speed limiters coming? In the Autoblog Garage: 2015 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG 2014 Chevrolet Sonic RS Sedan 2014 Honda Odyssey Touring Elite Hosts: Dan Roth, Chris Paukert, Seyth Miersma Runtime: 01:44:17 Rundown: Intro and Garage - 00:00 Fiat Chrysler Plan - 29:40 Nissan Cube - 01:07:33 Semi Speed Limiters - 01:17:33 Q&A - 01:27:35 Get the podcast: [UStream] Listen live on Mondays at 10 PM Eastern at UStream [iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes [RSS] Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator [MP3] Download the MP3 directly Feedback: Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com Review the show in iTunes Auto News Earnings/Financials Plants/Manufacturing Podcasts Rumormill Chevrolet Chrysler Dodge Fiat Jeep Nissan nissan cube speed limiters

How long will the 'golden age' of performance last?

High-powered sports and luxury cars were everywhere at the New York Auto Show, prompting the obvious question for enthusiasts: How long will this golden age of performance last? Industry leaders have some time before regulations elevate the Corporate Average Fuel Economy level in 2025. Even then, they expect cars rippling with power to survive in some form. "Is it the end of an era," I don't think so," said Ola Kallenius, Daimler AG board member for Mercedes-Benz cars marketing and sales. "That performance element of individual mobility I don't think will ever go away." Kallenius, who oversaw the company's AMG division from 2010-2013, expects it to continue to grow. Last year, AMG sold a record 68,875 units around the world, an increase of 44.6 percent over 2014, with strong growth in the US, China, and Germany. Still, there's always the potential for gas to spike, and pending fuel economy regulations are looming. That could lead AMG to add electrification to its products, Kallenius said, pointing to the electric SLS as a test case. Chevy is also thinking ahead, said Al Oppenheiser, chief engineer of the Camaro. He wouldn't bite when asked about electrification for the Camaro (he did say "never say never"), but admitted in 2025 "it's going to be pretty tough to sell V8s." For now, things are rosy for muscle cars, and Chevy confidently showcased the 640-hp Camaro ZL1 in coupe and convertible form in New York. "I think that this is truly the golden age of performance," Oppenheiser said. It's hard to disagree. News & Analysis News: The 2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF was a show-stopper in New York. Analysis: There was a palpable energy when this RF — for Retractable Fastback — was revealed the night before the show at a trendy off-site venue near the Hudson River. Even as a parade of SUVs and flashy luxury cars rolled out the rest of the week, the Miata remained a hot topic. The Retractable Fastback is really a clever targa top, with part of the roof stowing behind the seats, adding about 100 pounds compared to the standard convertible. It makes the car more practical and arguably more attractive. The RF continues Mazda's tradition of selling the Miata with a hardtop variant. The first and second generations offered a detachable one, and a power retractable hardtop (a $1,700 option) was available on third-gen models. Judging by its reception in New York, the RF could prove to be even more popular than its predecessors.

Chevy brings back Midnight Edition Colorado and Silverado for 2016

Chevrolet is capitalizing on the popularity of last year's shadowy Midnight Edition pickups with new versions at the Chicago Auto Show. The package's darker trim allows buyers to make their trucks look a little more menacing straight from the dealer. The 2016 Midnight Editions don't deviate from last year's monochromatic theme. The trucks feature blacked-out trim from the grille, badges, bumpers, and headlight bezels. The obsidian shades also appear on the side moldings and painted wheels. Chevy completes the dark theme with a black spray-in bedliner. Available with the Z71 package, customers can also get off-road equipment like an upgraded suspension, locking rear differential, and hill descent control – depending on the model. Chevy offered the Midnight Edition for the Silverado and Colorado last year, in addition to other models, and customers couldn't get enough of the dark trucks. "The Silverado 1500 Midnight was by far the most popular model in 2015, as demand outstripped supply in a matter of months. It only made sense to expand our special-edition offerings for 2016, including new Midnight editions," Sandor Piszar, Chevy's truck marketing director, said in the models' announcement. Chevy spokesperson Monte Doran told Autoblog the 2016 Midnight Edition pickups will be available this spring, but he wouldn't comment on pricing. You can get a good look at what to expect in the gallery above and expect live photos soon. Related Video: Chevrolet Trucks Back in Black for 2016 New Midnight Special Editions available on Silverado 1500 Z71, Colorado Z71 DETROIT – Chevrolet is expanding the popular Midnight Special Edition with new models available on 2016 Silverado 1500 Z71 and 2016 Colorado Z71. They join a growing portfolio of special-edition trucks whose popularity helped Chevrolet truck sales increase 27 percent last year – double the increase for the total truck market. "We introduced several special-edition trucks in 2015 – each combining equipment and appearance packages designed for specific enthusiasts in mind," said Sandor Piszar, Chevrolet truck marketing director. "They clearly resonated with buyers, as the special editions sold in one-third the time, and to younger, more affluent buyers than the industry average. "The Silverado 1500 Midnight was by far the most popular model in 2015," Piszar continued, "as demand outstripped supply in a matter of months.