2009 Chevrolet V8 SS Mule Spotted In California

This thinly disguised Holden Commodore based Chevrolet with SS badgetry was spotted yesterday (July 12) just outside of San Diego, California. Practically, we’re talking about a sister model to the upcoming Pontiac G8 GT with the 362Hp 6.0-liter V8 unit. Unfortunately, GM people impolitely covered the nameplate of the Michigan plated Chevy mule so we can’t be sure of the model. While many of you would love this prototype to be the rear-wheel drive successor to the Impala SS, we’re betting it’s either the Brazilian Omega SS or (most probably) the Middle-Eastern market Lumina SS. -Click "Read More..." below for more images

Via: vwvortex , Source: motivemag

2008 Chevrolet Omega: Brazil’s Turn For The Holden Commodore

General Motors announced today the introduction of the Holden Commodore based, Chevrolet Omega in the Brazilian market. Evidently, the word “based” is an understatement because the only visible difference between the Chevy and its down-under stable mate is restricted to the bowtie in the grille. While American consumers will have to wait until early 2008 to get a taste of the RWD Australian sedan via the Pontiac G8, the Chevrolet Omega will go on sale in Brazil this August where it will be available with GM’s 250Hp 3.6-liter V6 unit.

For those unfamiliar with the Brazilian market, the current Chevrolet Omega is a rebadged version of the previous Holden Commodore. GM decided to import the Omega from Australia in 1999 after the original Chevrolet Omega based on the Opel Omega A and built locally between 1992 and 1998, ceased production. -More pictures after the jump

Thanks for the tip Ricardo!

Via: blogauto

2008 Buick Park Avenue: Chinese get the RWD Holden Statesman / Caprice

About a week ago at the Seoul Motor Show, GM introduced the Daewoo LX4 or in other words, a rebadged 2008 Holden Statesman / Caprice. Now its turn for the Chinese to get a taste of Aussie RWD luxury and note it’s not the first time as the previous generation Statesman / Caprice was also offered as the Buick Royaum. And no, there’s still no word for an American version but why should there be since the Chinese bought more Buick's than the Americans last year…

Although there’s no V8 power under the hood, Chinese buyers will get the option of two V6 engines, the 250Hp 3.6-liter which is also offered the Aussie models and a 201Hp strong 2.8-liter. In comparison with its Australian and Korean counterparts the Park Avenue looses the front wing air-vents while it gets a new front grille outside and redesigned center console, larger air-vents and different seats inside. -Press Release and more images along with a teaser video featuring Tiger Woods after the jump (click “Read More”)

PRESS RELEASE: BUICK PARK AVENUE - SCROLL DOWN FOR THE IMAGE GALLERY & THE VIDEO

Shanghai, China – Shanghai General Motors (Shanghai GM) has introduced the newest member of its Buick lineup, the Park Avenue luxury sedan.

Like the affluent New York City boulevard of the same name, Buick’s Park Avenue is trendy and luxurious. With its range of advanced technologies and high-grade amenities, not to mention a stylish design that conveys a sense of power and passion, it is representative of traditional American luxury sedans.

“The Park Avenue is the perfect blend of tranquility and power,” said Shanghai GM President Ding Lei. “It shows Buick’s ability to move with the times while continuing to leverage GM’s global resources and our local knowledge. Designed especially for business leaders and other elites, it is a component of our effort to maintain our leadership position in China by addressing the needs of all of our customers.”

The Park Avenue is based on GM’s new global rear-wheel-drive architecture to ensure a premium driving experience. At 5,175 mm in length, 1,899 mm in width and 1,480 mm in height, and with an impressive 3,009-mm wheelbase, the Park Avenue also offers a highly spacious ride.

The Park Avenue ’s genuine leather seats are designed to accommodate people of varying sizes with 8-way power adjustment for the front seats. All seats incorporate a massage function. A high-quality entertainment system with LCD panels and an advanced heating, ventilation and air conditioning system offer the relaxation and comfort that one would expect of a luxury sedan. The Park Avenue ’s GPS navigation system contains road information for more than 300 cities in China . The Bluetooth mobile phone system is also available.

Like all Buick products, the Park Avenue offers a high level of safety and peace of mind. It is equipped with the GM Local Area Network (GM-LAN) high-speed communication system, which is based on the top-of-the-line 32-bit 500 kb/second engine control system. W ith a signal transmission speed approaching real-time, information flow from various sensors is instantaneous, enhancing efficiency and safety. Further enhancing safety are six intelligent air bags for the driver and passengers.

The Park Avenue is powered by GM’s smooth yet powerful AlloyTec V-6 engine, which accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.8 seconds. The engine control unit features the latest Bosch E77 32-bit ECM processor. With the Remote Engine Start (RES) function, the driver can start the engine up to 20 minutes in advance within 60 meters distance. The RES function also can adjust the temperature inside the car.

Customers have a choice of two engine displacements. The Park Avenue ’s 3.6-liter engine generates maximum output of 187kW (250 hp) @ 6,500 rpm and maximum torque of 340 Nm @ 3,200 rpm. Its 2.8-liter engine offers maximum output of 150 kW (201 hp) @ 6,000 rpm and maximum torque of 265 Nm @ 3,000 rpm.

Shanghai GM is offering five Park Avenue variants: the 3.6-liter Flagship, which is priced at RMB 498,800; the 3.6-liter Elite, which is priced at RMB 388,800; the 2.8-liter Luxury, which is priced at RMB 458,800; the 2.8-liter Elite, which is priced at RMB 368,800; and the 2.8-liter Comfort, which is priced at RMB 328,800.

Technorati: Buick+Park+Avenue, China, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, Carscoop, blogs, 2007

Seoul Show: Daewoo L4X aka Holden Statesman

Funny isn’t; GM takes the Aussie made and Holden Commodore based Statesman to Korea but not to the US where it could replace the Chevrolet Impala. The rear-wheel drive LX4 will be offered in Korea with Holden’s 258Hp 3.6-liter V6 matched with a 5-speed automatic transmission but not with a V8. The only significant change the Koreans made to the Statesman is the new jail-house like grille and the bird stand on the hood. -Press Release and a high-res image gallery after the jump (click “Read More”).

Press Release: Daewoo L4X - Premium Large Sedan of the Future

GM Daewoo is lifting the veil on a show car version of its much-anticipated long-wheelbase premium large sedan, the L4X.

The rear-wheel-drive product, which is close to a production version, permits a first glimpse into what GM Daewoo is pursuing as its premium large sedan. GM Daewoo’s future flagship will boast a superior level of refinement, safety and comfort features.

“The L4X exemplifies what a true premium large sedan should be. It excels in the most fundamental virtues of its segment,” said Michael Grimaldi, President and CEO of GM Daewoo. “For example, it has segment-leading interior space and rear seat comfort.”

He added, “Our latest show car is not only stylish, it also offers an array of convenience features and luxury appointments to satisfy the most sophisticated Korean consumers.”

The L4X comes with a powerful 3.6-liter V-6 powerplant that is matched with a smooth-shifting five-speed automatic transmission. The state-of-the-art alloy engine generates peak power and torque of 258 hp at 6,500 rpm and 34.7 kg.m at 3,200 rpm.

What makes the L4X stand out in terms of superior ride and handling are its sharpened chassis dynamics coupled with a longest-in-class 3,009-mm wheelbase, world-class structural stiffness and a sophisticated rear-wheel-drive system.

Its elegant exterior design, which will set it apart from other premium sedans, is characterized by a stretched silhouette and a wide stance accentuated by flared wheel arches. The longer rear doors are the key to the dramatic proportions, which are accentuated by a sweeping roofline and substantial wheel and tire package. As a result of the longest wheelbase among Korean large sedans, the wheels have been moved to the very corners of the car, making it look and perform in a stable and sporty manner.

Detail highlights include signature LED repeater lamps in the fender vents, striking LED tail lamps and bright chrome accents. Its bi-xenon headlamps and tail lamps have a high-tech, precise and almost diamond-like appearance, with finely detailed elements that make them sparkle and glisten. The bright chrome bodyside molding and chrome-highlighted door handles add a touch of sculptured elegance to the side.

The themes for the interior design are comfort, harmony, luxury and attention to detail. The L4X offers a spacious and safe passenger compartment that provides a prestigious driving environment with optimized storage, packaging and ergonomics.

To give owners second-to-none premium comfort, the production version of the new GM Daewoo flagship will feature an array of safety and convenience features, including a navigation system with Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) TV, bi-xenon headlamps, curtain air bags, tri-zone automatic temperature controls, power rear seats with three-step temperature control heating and rear-back massage, power rear-window curtains, roller blinds, a rearview camera and power-folding outside rearview mirrors.

L4X Specifications

Specification

Length (mm) 5,164

Width (mm) 1,900

Height (mm) 1,480

Wheelbase (mm) 3,009

Track (mm) Front 1,592

Rear 1,608

Engine Type V6 DOHC

Displacement (cc) 3,565

Max. Power (hp) 258

Max. Torque (kg.m) 34.7

Technorati: GM, Daewoo+LX4, Holden+Statesman, Seoul+Motor+Show, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, Carscoop, blogs, 2007, pictures, images

Holden HSV GTS gets... "Hot Wheels"

This special edition of Holden’s latest HSV GTS (basically the same model as the HSV Clubsport R8 / Vauxhall VXR8) dressed in a "Hot Wheels" suite was presented at the Melbourne Auto Show. Not bad but we would’ve liked to see this HSV wearing a different set of "hot wheels", preferably black or dark grey colored rims. -Continued: Click “Read More…” below to see the press release & one more pic

HSV Teams With Hot Wheels
Holden Special Vehicles and Mattel's Hot Wheels have teamed up to bring to life a HSV GTS in exclusive livery, as part of the Melbourne Motor Show. Between March 3 and 7, the Hot Wheels/HSV GTS will stand proudly on the Hot Wheels stand, in the Concourse Foyer near the Clarendon St entrance, alongside the Hot Wheels Mega Track and fashion displays.

Technorati: Holden+HSV+GTS, Hot+WheelsGeneva+Motor+Show, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, Carscoop, blogs, 2007, pictures, images

Vauxhall VXR8 420Hp - UK version of the Holden HSV Clubsport R8 breaks cover

Brits are going to get a taste of "Down Unda" V8 thunder as GM’s UK subsidiary just revealed the Holden HSV Clubsport R8 based, Vauxhall VXR8. Fitted witth GM’s 6,1-liter V8 that pumps out 420Hp, the VXR8 sprints from 0-60mph (96km/h) in just 4.9 seconds. It will be available with a 6speed manual or 6speed sequential auto-box. With a tag price of 34.995 BP (68,700 USD or 52.200 EUR) the VXR8 is a tad cheaper than its American rival, the 425Hp Chrysler 300C SRT-8 (39.700 BP) and significantly cheaper than the 507Hp BMW M5 but then again, the M5 is a different story. Still though, one can’t stop wondering why Pontiac didn’t go all the way with the G8 adding an HSV based version in its range. -Continued: Click "Read More…" below to check out the press release and a high-res image gallery

PRESS RELEASE: DON’T MOURN MONARO – HERE COMES THE VXR8!

New Vauxhall supersaloon on sale in July, priced at £34,995
6.0-litre V8, 420bhp, 0-60mph in 4.9 secs.
First VXR model available with an auto gearbox

Motoring enthusiasts across Britain mourned the passing of the Monaro. The only Australian-built car to be sold in the UK offered raw and exciting performance thanks to its 6.0-litre V8 and rear-wheel drive set up. But the thunder from down under hasn’t stopped yet – in fact it’s only going to get louder. Vauxhall has announced the arrival of a new Aussie musclecar – the VXR8 – and it’s more powerful and exciting than even the legendary Monaro.

The dramatic-looking new saloon is powered by the same 6.0-litre V8 as the outgoing Monaro VXR, but revisions to the engine have made it even more efficient. It now develops a massive 420PS and 550Nm of torque, giving it enough grunt to sprint from 0-60mph in just 4.9 seconds. No other supercar offers this sort of power for anywhere near the VXR8’s price.

Yet the VXR8, based on Australia ’s Holden HSV Clubsport R8, offers more in the way of practicality than the outgoing Monaro, with four doors and space for all the family. Although practical, with a spacious boot, comfortable, long-legged cruising ability and luxuries such as climate control and leather trim, the VXR8 is certainly no softie. Driver aids such as the stability system and traction control can be turned off at the flick of a switch – perfect for drivers who want to hone their skills on a track day!

And VXR8 goes as well as it stops, too, with powerful 365mm front disc brakes that slow the car down from 60mph to a standstill faster than a Lamborghini Murcielago or BMW M5. In response to customer demand, the VXR8 will also be the first VXR model to be offered with an automatic gearbox. In order to maintain the control which VXR buyers require, the optional £1,400 self-shifter has a manual override and a sport setting which ensure the performance isn’t blunted – in fact the auto is only half a second slower to 60mph than the manual!

Satellite navigation and 20-inch wheels will be offered as options for those who want to make their VXR8 look more distinctive and help find their way to the best driving roads. Even with all the option boxes ticked however, the VXR8 is still around half the price of other cars with comparable performance. As all fast car fans know, Aussie rules…

Technorati: Vauxhall+VXR8, Holden+Commodore, GM, HSV+Clubsport+R8, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, autos, Carscoop, blogs, images, pictures, 2007