Autoblog

Sporadic reports have begun popping up in the Camaro5 forums about issues with V8-powered SS models equipped with the manual transmission. It seems that doing a hard launch or using the launch control system occasionally results in a broken output shaft, a serious failure that will most likely leave the car immobile and in need of repair. We spoke with General Motors spokesman Adam Dennison about the problem and, as this is being written, a factory hold has been put on deliveries of manual transmission V8 Camaros while Chevrolet engineering teams investigate the problem.

Based on the reports, the transmission issues may not be related to the launch control system as the failures seem to happen whether or not launch control is engaged. The Camaro SS uses the Tremec 6060 six-speed gearbox – the same transmission fitted to the Dodge Viper, Mustang GT500, Corvette Z06 and other performance cars – so this is likely a manufacturing issue with a batch of gearboxes.

Dennison told Autoblog that an engineering meeting is being held this evening to identify the cause and establish a timing for the fix – and a recall seems likely. In the meantime, if you have a manual model Camaro SS, you might want to go easy on the launches for now – and if you have one ordered, you'll have to wait a bit longer. Thanks to Bailey and Derrick for the tips!



[Source: Camaro5.com]
Photos Copyright ©2009 Alex Núñez / Weblogs, Inc.

	Hot or Not? 2010 Chevy Camaro RS with factory accessories [w/POLL] When we came across this 2010 Camaro 2LT RS with an OEM ground effects kit and 21-inch two-tone wheels, we knew we had to take it for a spin. But is it a looker? Weigh-in by voting in our poll.		SPOILER ALERT: Letting Loose the Dogs of War at the 2009 German Grand Prix Every dog has his day and that's the unofficial theme of this year's Formula One season. You can ask any of a variety of players in this year's championship and they'll surely attest to the old axiom's veracity.
	VIDEO: Mercedes-Benz E-Class commercial features malfunctioning car The voiceover for Mercedes' "Ignite" commercial for the new E-Class starts with "It is, quite simply, the most advanced automobile we have every created." Too bad it's already throwing a warning light.	Other news of import Honda confirms production of CR-Z, Fit Hybrid in 2010 GM working on dedicated hybrid sedan? BMW M boss Segler says no M7 model is forthcoming VIDEO: Ken Block Gymkhana spoof is criminally awesome Want to be able to drop the top on your new Nissan 370Z? It's going to cost you

During a Web-chat held on General Motors' FastLane blog, GM's former product head and newly appointed Vice Chairman, Bob Lutz, sat down with the unwashed throngs to take questions and a deliver a few tender morsels to the product obsessed.

Chief among them was Lutz' confirmation that a Cadillac CTS-V coupe is on the way. "As of now," Lutz told the assembled Netizens, "the V package is planned only for the sedan and coupe." As for more CTS-V models – specifically a Sport Wagon variant – Lutz said, "... should sufficient demand materialize, there is no reason why we couldn't do a V-Series wagon, and I would be standing in line for one, just ahead of you." That doesn't sound encouraging, but at least it's on the table.

Lutz also discussed the possibility of the Pontiac G8 being branded as the Caprice and said, "...we're studying the feasibility of bringing it in as a Caprice for both law enforcement and the public."

Lutz when on to address questions about GM's green image, alternative fuels and powertrains, some of his controversial statements from the past and his affection for Jeremy Clarkson. You can read it all here, and hope these chats become a regular occurrence from GM execs.



[Source: GM FastLane]

Just two months after buying 9% of Tesla Motors, Daimler has reportedly sold nearly half of that stake. According to Reuters, 4% percent of the electric car startup is now owned by Aabar Investments, an Abu Dhabi-based investment fund. In a way, the stake is still in the family, since Aabar already bought 9.1 percent of Daimler's stock earlier this year. At the time of its original investment, Daimler and the fund indicated an intention to pursue joint projects in low emissions transportation.

Aabar has indicated it would be interested in pursuing some kind of joint venture with Tesla. The fund is controlled by the Abu Dhabi government and managed by the International Petroleum Investment Company with the intent of diversifying beyond oil.


Photos copyright ©2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Reuters]

In order to put real cars in video games, game studios need to buy licenses from automobile manufacturers. Remember that Cayman shooting brake/breadvan mule recently spotted on the streets of Europe and supposed by many commenters to be a fake? It's been captured in Forza Motorsport 3.

While this doesn't mean we'll be seeing such a conveyance on the roads any time soon, or that it is in fact a Porsche product and not a tuner special, gamemakers Turn 10 would need to have spoken to Porsche (or whomever is responsible) about including a car that no one even know about a few weeks ago. If this is all real then, after the unlikely Panamera, could the next item on Porsche's list really be a mid-engined mini wagon? Hat tip to Mike.

[Source: Forza Central]

Steve Rattner, the former Wall Street executive who was tapped by the Obama Administration run point for the Auto Task Force, is reportedly stepping down after five months on the job. According to a statement from Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, Rattner (above, far right) will now "transition back to private life and his family in New York City." He added, "I hope that he takes another opportunity to bring his unique skills to government service in the future."

With Chrysler and General Motors recent emergence from bankruptcy, now is probably as good a time as any to transition to new Task Force leadership. Taking over for Rattner will be Ron Bloom, a former advisor to the United Steel Workers union. Bloom's main focus will reportedly be to "[protect] the substantial investment the American taxpayers have made in GM, Chrysler and GMAC."

[Source: The Detroit News | Image: Chip Somodevilla/Getty]

The voiceover for Mercedes' "Ignite" commercial for the new E-Class starts with "It is, quite simply, the most advanced automobile we have every created." However, during the start-up sequence before that voiceover, the actual commercial begins with a warning light: when the driver turns the car on, the message "Front Right SRS Malfunction Service Required" appears in the dash – not the type of message you expect to see when your car fires up and does its system check. Still, knowing how these things work, we suspect this commercial was probably filmed early on in a pre-production prototype with an inactive airbag – a common enough occurence with these sorts of vehicles.

In any case, to watch the commercial and to check out Mercedes' official response to the flub, hit the jump. Hat tip to Wai.

[Source: YouTube]

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The man behind the team that penned the new Jaguar XJ, Ian Callum, has let slip that his crews drawing instruments are again at work again, this time on an XJC. That would be a coupe version of the XJ, something not seen since 1978. In an interview with Motoring Sky during the new XJ's unveiling, Callum admitted that the English automaker hasn't just thought about it: "We've actually drawn one already, but who knows."

That's probably as solid an indication that buyers might get a crack at a coupe model as we're likely to get for some time. If the car Callum's posse draws looks anything like the rendering shown here, then we almost think it's worth buying the sedan just to be able to help Jag build the business case for the coupe.

In the interview, Callum also talks about the car's controversial blacked-out rear pillars and a series hybrid in the works. Click the link for the interview, and if you're keen on the idea of a XJC, then get your wallets out to cast your vote.

[Source: Motoring Sky]

In an Automotive News interview given to coincide with the launches of the X5 M and X6 M, when asked about an M7 BMW's M division head Kay Segler replied, "We've looked at that and decided not to do it. The 760 with awd is a very strong offer. The M sales would be too small for our total investment." That means that the M Sport version (pictured) is the closest you'll get to a super 7. If you don't mind the lack of an "M" badge, the 507-hp Alpina B7 is an M in all but name.

For those of you at the other end, Segler says he needs a year to look into a M version of the 1-Series, but that an X1 won't be finding its way into the M house yet. Of course, there was a time when BMW said there would be no M versions of any of their so-called "Sports Activity Vehicles," saying they wouldn't fit the brand...



[Source: Automotive News, - sub. req'd]

Every dog has his day. Let's make that the unofficial theme of this year's Formula One season. You can ask any of a variety of players in this year's championship and they'll surely attest to the old axiom's veracity.

First to speak up would undoubtedly be Jenson Button, the surprisingly dominant leader of this year's championship. He's been on the field since the turn of the millennium, racing for essentially the same team – under different banners – for the last seven seasons but who, until this year, had only one race win to show for it. His entire team at Brawn GP wouldn't be far behind in backing him up, either, as the scrappy insurgency has emerged as the force to be reckoned with in this tumultuous season. But this weekend's German Grand Prix, back at the Nürburgring thanks to a rotation with Hockenheim, it was another dog who had his day. Follow the jump to find out who.

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