Autoblog

It's late, we know, but we're not a host short like last week! Chris, Sam, and Dan kick it about what's in the Autoblog Garage, the 2010 Camaro unveiling and other stuff that the Camaro overshadowed. What could possibly hold a candle to the Camaro officially rolling into that garage bay? Not much, but we touched on Honda's Prius clone fighter, as well as Malcolm Bricklin's legal action against Chery Motors after the breakup, but really, we spent a lot of time kicking the Camaro ball around, as it did happen to be the most excitement you could find without going racing. Hit us up at podcast at autoblog dot com with any questions/comments/suggestions, and thanks for listening!

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Click the above image for a hi-res gallery of the RC-painted Camaro

The British are good for all sorts of car-centric goodness. When they're not busy building zippy little monsters remarkably ill-suited to their weather, they're... making art. English artist Ian Cook took a few remote controlled cars, drove them through paint, and then used them to paint a Camaro.

Called "Popbang Color" and on display now at the British International Motor Show, Ian even used GM RC cars to create the paintings. Next up will be a live demonstration of him painting a Chevrolet Lacetti World Touring Car, which requires, says Ian, "skill with the remote control cars." After that he'll be painting Autobots Playing Poker... (we kid...) Check out the full press release after the jump, and the hi-res images below.


[Source: GM]

Hot on the heels of yesterday's unofficial unveiling of images of the production 2010 Camaro, photos are now flooding the web. As reported, General plans on giving customers the choice of a 416 hp 6.2L V8 or a 296 hp 3.6L V6 when the highly-anticipated coupe goes on sale, but for now, you get to choose which color to look at. Released are 52 pictures of yellow, red, and silver Camaros on the track, in the studio, and on the inside. All of them appear to be the RS model, though a couple of SS interior shots have now joined the group. Click on the images above or the gallery below to see what's been leaked so far, and look for the motherlode to arrive on Monday afternoon when we deliver plenty of high-res pics and video of the live Camaro unveiling at GM's Warren Technical Center. Thanks to all who sent tips!


[Source: Camaro5]

Click above for a hi-res gallery of the 2010 Chevy Camaro

CarTribe has procured a few shots and the initial details of the production Chevrolet Camaro ahead of its official unveiling this Monday. According to their report, the Camaro will come in LS, LT and SS trim, equipped with either a six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed automatic. Of course, that doesn't account for the very-obviously-marked RS car that is shown in the official photos, so who knows what the whole story is.

Engine choices include either a 296 hp, 3.6-liter V6 or a 416 hp 6.2-liter V8 which will feature cylinder deactivation to boost fuel economy. Underneath the retro sheetmetal is a full independent suspension and StabiliTrak traction control system. Four-pot Brembo brakes are mounted up front on the SS variant, and the 3,700-pound coupe will reportedly have a weight balance of 52/48, front/rear. The neuvo-retro theme is carried inside with a gauge cluster inspired by the 1969 model, along with leather seats and blue LED lighting.

We'll have more specs and images as information becomes available.


[Source: CarTribe]

The all-new Camaro we've been waiting on for two years is just a few days from showing its production face, and we've already got some bad news. The General has dumped plans for the Z28. The highly anticipated Camaro variant was rumored to feature the same supercharged 6.2L engine that powers the brawny Cadillac CTS-V with well over 500 ponies. Without the Z28 in the picture, the still powerful SS edition will be the range-topper for now, and we're expecting power to be just under that of the base Corvette's 436 hp.

While this is certainly bad news for Camaro enthusiasts, it does make sense in the face of $4.25 per gallon gas to cancel a supercharged monster that's likely to be eligible for a hefty gas guzzler tax. What doesn't make sense is canceling the Z28 moniker when it means much more to Camaro fans than SS ever will. There goes the aftermarket for louvers and mullet wigs. Thanks for the tip, Doug!

[Source: Left Lane News, Photo: CamarosAndClassics.com]

So a couple of weeks ago we asked you to help us identify a mystery car on the set of Transformers 2. Quite a few of you guessed it was some sort of Corvette concept, or the C7 Corvette due in 2010. For those of you who guessed Corvette concept, you were right. The picture above is that concept, and according to speculation it is getting some paint work done in the house of Chip Foose. We don't know if these pics were taken before or after the car's closeup, but we hope it was afterward and that GM is getting ready to actually show us the car. Jalopnik's also got pics of Bumblebee getting paint work done in the same shop. It's a much yellower Bumblebee than the orange one seen on the TF2 set, and word is it could be a Z/28... or it could be a package you'd order from... Saleen? Click the link for the photos and gossip.

[Source: Jalopnik]

Ladies and gentlemen, you are looking at your 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS. It wasn't found on the set of Transformers2, but on location for a Christian Slater television show that'll debut this Fall on NBC. It's a very tastefully done brawn job. The SS badge takes its place in the lower right corner of the grille, with another small badge on the rear bumper. The front spoiler that a number of commenters took issue with on the Bumblebee mod looks to be, if anything, an aftermarket piece. But there's still a nice lip at the bottom -- though we did like the black version -- and another body-colored spoiler out back. There is also an LED-looking third brake light, which we hope makes it to production. Click the link to see the rest of the photos, and anyone want to start guessing what the Z/28 is going to look like? Thanks to all who tipped in!

[Source: Camaro5]

Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2010 Chevy Camaro

We are giving you the heads up now. Expect to see a fair share of Camaros when November rolls around and the automotive community turns its attention to Las Vegas for the annual SEMA Show. The 2010 Camaro was just named the Official Vehicle of the show, and we're guessing that General Motors will be using the opportunity to make it the most popular car in Vegas. The automaker is currently accepting proposals for project vehicles, and we're betting that everyone is scrambling to get their hands on a 2010 Camaro. With its LS-based V8 and retrotastic design, it won't take long for a plethora of aftermarket parts to become available. The real question left to answer is when will GM debut the production version of the Camaro? It clearly has to happen at or before the SEMA Show in November. Our bet is that the Camaro's debut will take place the week before the Woodward Dream Cruise in August.

[Source: SEMA via AutoWeek]

Autobot Bumblebee wasn't quite himself at the end of Transformers -- as in, there were quite a few chunks of him missing. For Transformers 2: Rise of the Fallen, the producers gave Bumblebee a solid buffing out, and he's returned with a new front spoiler and some stripes. The hood scoop and spoiler -- especially seen from the side -- give the already bulldog-ish Camaro a nice goose on the badass scale. If this is the treatment that the Z28 will get, we're all for it. Click the link for more pics and video from the set. Thanks for the tip, Ed!

[Source: Transformers Live]

Wayne Brannon, Chief Executive of Chevrolet Europe, has confirmed that the UK will be getting its own right-hand-drive version of the Camaro when it goes on sale in early 2010. 1,000 coupe and convertible variants, powered by a 400 bhp, 6.0-liter engine, will be produced with RHD, and it's suspected that about 300 units of each will make their way to dealers in The Kingdom after the Camaro makes its European debut at the London Motor Show.

However, there is some debate about where the Camaro will be sold. Chevrolet is considered a budget brand abroad, so there's apparently some consternation about selling the Camaro with the bowtie badge. While it's likely that it will still be sold through Chevy dealers in Europe, there's a possibility that it will be marketed as a separate brand in the UK, similar to Corvette.

[Source: Autocar]