The concept will be a character called “Sideswipe” in the new Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen movie. General Motors says the design is not only influenced by the original Stingray race car, introduced in 1959, but also draws on Corvette heritage cues from other generations. “Sideswipe represents an exercise in exploration for the Corvette,” said Ed Welburn, vice president of GM Global Design. “By giving my creative team the freedom to design no-holds-barred vision concepts, it helps them push boundaries and look at projects from different perspectives.”
There is no information on the engine because there isn’t one. Right now this retro Stingray is little more than a styling model. But this is obviously cool enough that with a little hope, and a lot of money, my show some of GM’s future.
Hyundai announced today pricing on the 2010 Genesis Coupe. Prices will start from $22,000 for the 2.0T version with Six-Speed Manual gearbox and will go up to $31,000 for the 3.8 version with ZF Six-Speed A/T SHIFTRONIC. The R-Spec version, set to be revealed today in Chicago is priced at $23,750.
The 2010 Genesis Coupe is being offered with a choice of two performance-focused engines – a 212-hp, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a range-topping all-aluminum, 306-hp, DOHC 3.8-liter V6 engine.
Guess who’s back and all grown up? The Ford Taurus SHO was first introduced in 1989, and now the 2010 model is ready for its first big-boy drink.
We haven’t seen this old friend in almost a decade, and it seems the SHO has been spending most of that time in the gym. The original car was considered impressive with its 220 hp, and the last generation peaked with a 3.4-liter V8 making 235 hp. Now the 2010 car is SHOwing its muscles with a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V-6 engine that delivers 365 hp at 5,500 rpm and 350 ft.-lbs. of torque at 3,500 rpm.
The new SHO gets help by using the 2010 Taurus for its base looks. The sport treatment also adds decklid-mounted spoiler, twin chrome exhaust tips, and new wheels with low-profile 19-inch Goodyear Eagle or optional 20-inch Michelin high-performance tires. It will go on sale this summer, starting at a base price of $37,995.
Hyundai is getting serious about the performance coupe with the Genesis. If Nissan can make a SpecV version of its performance cars, then the 2010 Genesis coupe can get a Spec R version.
The Spec R starts with the standard 212 hp 2.0-liter turbo V6 rather than the 306 hp 3.6-liter V6 most likely to give the tuners something to work with. No extra power is added to the engine, but instead the car is made lighter by taking out some standard equipment. The production-ready slimmed-down coupe will be unveiled later this week at the Chicago Auto Show.
Ford definitely has good timing. It is premiering its Harley-Davidson edition of the new F-150 at the right time of year in the right place. Winter in Illinois is no place to ride a motorcycle, so Ford is using the Chicago Auto Show to remind everyone that they can still look like a badass without freezing their ass.
What separates this from the standard F-150 is the attitude. Billet grille, 22-inch wheels with low profile tires, and plenty of Harley-Davidson badges make this one a little meaner. The color choices for the Harley-Davidson F-150 are called “Tuxedo Black” and “Lava Red”, but considering the clientele, names like “Riding Jacket Black” and “Snitch’s Blood Red” may be more appropriate.
Inside the truck get the all-leather treatment. The seat backs feature ribbed leather with engraved Harley-Davidson button snaps and even zippered map pockets featuring zippers from Harley jackets.
Scion is a blank slate. Toyota’s youth oriented brand sells cars with the idea that many of its owners will buy parts to customize their cars. Occasionally Scion gives its fans a hand by showing them what is possible by modifying the cars at the factory. The Chicago Auto Show is the place Scion is using to showcase its latest special edition with the tC Release Series 5.0. This tC is upgraded with parts directly from parent company Toyota’s TRD (Toyota Racing Development) catalog.
The upgrades include a TRD stainless-steel muffler to add performance and improve the exhaust note, a thicker rear TRD anti roll bar to improve handling and TRD split nine-spoke rims finished in matte black with a red lip measuring in at 18 inches. The limited production run will consist of 2000 examples all painted in gloss black and have special TRD badging. Although there is no official word about performance, the Scion tC Release Series 5.0 should be quicker in a straight line as well as in the twisties.
In the interior you will find a black leather steering wheel with unique red stitching, black seats also with red highlights and TRD floor mats. Each Release Series 5.0 will be identifiable by a numbered plaque that certifies the tC’s authenticity.
The limited edition tC should arrive in dealerships in March and be priced around $19,970 for the manual and $20,770 for the automatic. Scion representatives have said that this will be the only limited edition tC for 2009.
When you set out to copy a car, it’s nothing new. Indeed, Toyota has been knocking off German cars for years, first Mercedes-Benz and most recently BMW. That’s one of the reasons the current Camry is so unattractive – it looks like a cheap 5 Series. It’s one of the reasons the current top-line Lexus looks like a very expensive copy of a 7 Series.
But, here’s a truly impressive feat: Hyundai has managed to knock of a car that hasn’t even been introduced yet, the new Toyota Crown – the big Toyota for the home market that is just now being launched in Japan.
The new Hyundai Genesis looks very, very much like it.
Or, maybe it’s the other way around. The Crown looks like the twin of the Genesis – although expensive cars aren’t usually styled to look like inexpensive ones.
Toyota revealed at the Chicago Auto Show, the all-new Sport Edition Urban Runner, a new package that adds new dimension in style, value, and upscale luxury to the capable SUV. Sales will begin in early February at a price of $34360.
Standard exterior features include 18-inch six-spoke aluminum alloy wheels, unique rear spoiler, color-keyed grille, Urban Runner badging, XREAS Sport Enhanced Suspension badging, chrome exhaust tip, and black-painted tubular side steps and tubular roof rack with crossbars. The 4Runner Urban Runner is available in only three exterior colors, Black, Titanium Metallic and, new to 4Runner, Blizzard Pearl.
Inside, the Urban Runner features a new audio system with an integrated portable Tom Tom personal navigation device, a Toyota first. With a paid subscription for additional services through Tom Tom, the device can keep users informed with real-time traffic and weather updates. An optional Tom Tom power kit and mounting device makes it easy to transfer the navigation unit to other vehicles.
The Chicago Auto Show was the occasion for revealing the Traverse, which is the Chevy version of the Buick Enclave. It was the main attraction of the press preview days, introduced by the company as a family oriented vehicle by the vehicle line director, Sue Wilson. She had her kids and husband – who they said is a teacher - with her as she drove the new Traverse onto the stage to introduce it to the assembled media. (Perhaps they’ll get the NEA to endorse the thing.)
Chevrolet expects the Traverse to be a great success, and they probably know what they’re doing. They’re so sure of this vehicle - they anticipate that it will outsell the combined totals of the Buick Enclave, Saturn Outlook, and GMC Acadia, all of which are built on the same Lamda platform as the Traverse - that it is dedicating the entire Spring Hill, Tennessee assembly plant (the one originally built to assemble the first Saturns) to building the Traverse. GM recalled 1500 plus UAW workers at the Spring Hill plant. They had been laid-off for the past 18 months. As this is written, they’re training to build the Traverse.
