Autoblog

Next TVR to get... BMW diesel power?

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, UK, Electric, Diesel

TVR faithful - what few there might be remaining - have been wondering for years what Russian billionaire owner Nikolai Smolenski plans to do with what remains of the company. He bought the Blackpool firm in 2004, and ever since, it seems it has made more headlines than products. The latest is Smolenski's apparent plan, detailed to a Dutch magazine, to replace powertrains in existing cars with either a General Motors LS3 V8, a 3.0-liter, six-cylinder turbodiesel from the BMW 335d, or an electric system.

This has nothing to do with the purported LS9-powered TVR MD-1 we were told we'd see next year. This is being presented as a way to get TVR doing something while the world waits on the MD-1, and appears to involve both creating new cars as well as refitting customer cars.

If you're interested, a complete LS3 or diesel retrofit will relieve you of £33,000 ($53,112 U.S.), which includes the engine, Tremec manual gearbox, brakes and a modern dashboard. The engine and gearbox alone will tally £16,400 ($23,392 U.S.)... which means there must be an awesome dash-and-brake combination. No price has been given for the electric version.

Next TVR to get... BMW diesel power? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Jun 2011 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2010: 1955 Chevrolet E-Rod LS3 Pickup is ready to haul

Zach Bowman — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 02:59:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Classics, Truck, Chevrolet

1955 Chevrolet E-Rod LS3 Pickup - Click above for high-res image gallery

While the wicked E-Rod LSA found its way into a Superformance Grand Sport Coupe at this year's SEMA show, General Motors decided to plop the company's new E-Rod LS3 into something a little more traditional. GM yanked the sheets off of an expertly-crafted 1955 Chevrolet pickup street rod. The project started by mating a minty-fresh Dynacorn body with the chassis of a Trailblazer SS. Throw in a 315-horsepower, 335-pound-feet of torque E-Rod LS3 and you've got the basic ingredients for one very lust-worthy pickup.

GM says that the new E-Rod LS3 will command a price tag of $7,150 when it arrives in 2011. Hit the jump for the press release.

Gallery: SEMA 2010: 1955 Chevrolet E-Rod LS3 Pickup

Photos copyright (C)2010 Zach Bowman / AOL

[Source: GM]

Continue reading SEMA 2010: 1955 Chevrolet E-Rod LS3 Pickup is ready to haul

SEMA 2010: 1955 Chevrolet E-Rod LS3 Pickup is ready to haul originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Nov 2010 02:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hennessey building ZR1-powered HPE700 Chevy Camaro Convertible

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 12:27:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet

2011 Hennessey HPE700 Camaro Convertible - Click above for high-res image gallery

The 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible is getting ready to take the stage at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show, but John Hennessey and his band of tuners can't wait that long. Hennessey Performance has announced plans and specs for its upcoming, limited-edition 2011 Hennessey HPE700 Camaro Convertible.

HPE had a hit on its hands when it announced the 2010 HPE700 Camaro. That 725-horsepower coupe was limited to just 24 examples and they were all quickly spoken for. Since Chevrolet is bringing out the droptop Camaro, Hennessey has decided to produce another 24-car limited-edition run with the 2011 model. The 2011 Hennessey HPE700 will be available in both coupe and convertible form, and the cars stats are staggering.

The HPE700 ditches the LS3 mill found in the standard Camaro SS and in its place sticks the supercharged LS9 from the Corvette ZR1. Hennessey says the motor has been tweaked to produce 755 hp and 763 pound-feet of torque. The 6.2-liter V8 is able to hit those numbers thanks to revised boost levels and a more robust fuel system. Thanks to all that power, Hennessey has listed a 0-60 mph time of just 3.3 seconds. A trip down the quarter-mile happens in 10.9 seconds at 130 miles per hour. Those figures are for the hardtop version when fitted with optional Nitto drag radials.

It's not just a straight-line shooter though, as Hennessey adds more than power to its HPE700. The car is fitted with lightweight HPE wheels, 15-inch brakes with six-piston front calipers, larger sway bars and an adjustable coilover suspension setup. The exterior is fitted with numerous carbon fiber trim pieces. Inside, the HPE700 Camaro receives Hennessey logos on the headrests and floor mats, an HPE race shift knob and upgraded shifter, a numbered dash and hood plaque and an Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel.

Currently, there is no set allocation plan for the coupe and convertible in the 24-car run. Pricing has been set at a stout $132,500, but that includes the cost of the base vehicle. It also includes a one-day performance driving course at Lonestar Motorsports Park. The quarter-mile dragstrip, which has been featured in many of Hennessey's videos, is located next door to the company's production facility and showroom.

Full details can be found in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: 2011 Hennessey HPE700 LS9 Camaro Convertible

[Source: Hennessey]

Continue reading Hennessey building ZR1-powered HPE700 Chevy Camaro Convertible

Hennessey building ZR1-powered HPE700 Chevy Camaro Convertible originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Oct 2010 12:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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U.S. Spec Perana Z-One to debut at 2010 Concorso Italiano

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 19:25:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet, Luxury

Perana Z-One - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Zagato Perana Z-One debuted in Geneva in March of 2009, a custom-built, limited-production, Corvette-powered coupe with Italian styling by Zagato and slated to be built by South African manufacturing firm Hi-Tech. Up until now we weren't sure the rolling masterpiece would ever be sold in the States, but we've finally received word that Superformance has been named the exclusive U.S. distributor and that the American version will debut at the Concorso Italiano event this August. Apparently there was strong enough demand from American buyers to allocate 99 units per year to sales in the Colonies.

The Perana will be priced "under $100,000" and can be ordered with either the 436-horsepower E-rod LS3 or the 505-horsepower LS7 from the Z06. Either will be backed by a six-speed manual transmission and a ZF limited slip differential. There will be an available brake upgrade and color choices inside and out, but other than that, the options list will be short. Not that the car will be lacking in amenities. The cockpit is swathed in leather and Alcantara, and a navigation-equipped infotainment system will be standard. Besides the anticipated performance capabilities of this 2,800-pound GT, owners get exclusivity and a body designed by the same crew that brought us the Maserati GS, Ferrari 575 GTZ, Spyker C12, Diatto Ottovu and Bentley GTZ. We'll be sure to get as many pics as possible during our annual Monterey coverage next month. For now, check out the live and studio shots below.

Gallery: Geneva 2009: Zagato Perana Z-One

Gallery: Zagato Perana Z-One

U.S. Spec Perana Z-One to debut at 2010 Concorso Italiano originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Jul 2010 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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UK specialist looking to give TVR Tuscan a second life as Chevy-powered Titan

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Performance, GM, UK, Specialty

Classic World Racing TVR Titan - Click above for high-res image gallery

Might the quintessential British muscle car soon be blessed with the quintessential American muscle car powerplant? If UK-based racing specialist Classic World Racing gets its way, the answer is yes. The car is the TVR Tuscan - and we're talking about the beautiful 1968 version, for what it's worth - and the engine is none other than General Motors' undeniably excellent LS3 V8.

CWR has somehow managed to obtain the original molds for the old TVR Tuscan that had been sitting unused for decades in an old barn, after which the company built a race car using the molds for a client in Malaysia. Shortly thereafter, demand for a roadgoing version was deemed strong enough to make the necessary modifications to make it street legal. In this new form, CWR chose to call the machine the Titan.

Power figures for the Yankee-sourced 5.7-liter V8 engine start at 480 horsepower and go from there, and those ponies will be sent to a limited-slip differential at the rear wheels through a five-speed manual transmission. Couple that prodigious output with a weight of just 2,160 pounds (980 kilograms) and you've got a recipe for formidable performance. Price? Around £42,500 (plus VAT) in the UK - that's about $65,500 dollars. Check out our high-res image gallery below and read the press release after the break.

Gallery: Classic World Racing TVR Titan

[Source: Classic World Racing via Piston Heads]

Continue reading UK specialist looking to give TVR Tuscan a second life as Chevy-powered Titan

UK specialist looking to give TVR Tuscan a second life as Chevy-powered Titan originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Apr 2010 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2009: Yenko Camaro cuts through the aftermarket fog

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:20:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Coupe, Performance

Yenko Camaro - Click above for high-res image gallery

There a lot of new Camaros here at SEMA. In fact, depending upon your depth of exhaustion, residual blood-alcohol level from last night and general brain-deadedness, you might be forgiven for thinking that every other car here is a Camaro. And some of them, well, ain't so great. Useless ground effects packages, 24-inch wheels, shoddy workmanship and terrible eye-searing colors are your bag, man. That said, some Camaros do manage to cut through the crap using simple tools like quality and understatement. May we present to you the new Yenko Camaro, a quiet, big stick-carrying badass in a sea of noise.

Now, as we previously pointed out, this is the Phase I Yenko - meaning that instead of sporting a 427 cid like Yenko 'Maros of yore, the new one has a supercharged version of GM's LS3, the 6.2-liter V8 that comes standard with the Camaro SS. Purists (can Yenko fans be considered purists?) might grouse and claim a non-427 is lame, but we'll say two things on the matter. First, the supercharged LS3 will make at least 600 horsepower. Nothing lame about that. Second, Phase II and Phase III Yenkos are coming and you can bet they'll have Z06-sourced LS7 427, tuned to who knows how high. And, judging by the competition, an LS9 Yenko isn't out of the question.

Gallery: SEMA 2009: 2010 Yenko Camaro

SEMA 2009: Yenko Camaro cuts through the aftermarket fog originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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n2a Motors now taking orders for Anteros Roadster and Coupe

Drew Phillips — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet, Specialty

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Anteros Roadster and Coupe

While the Anteros Roadster made its debut a few years at SEMA, we got our first look at the coupe just a few months ago. Now, n2a Motors, which builds the Corvette-based sportscars has announced that it is taking orders for both the coupe and convertible, priced at $149,500 and $154,500, respectively.

Based on the chassis and running gear of a 2009 Chevrolet Corvette, each car features a carbon composite body, hand-stitched leather interior, three-piece aluminum wheels, and a custom exhaust. Under the hood is the Corvette's LS3 V8 putting out 430 horsepower and 424 lb-ft torque, complete with Chevrolet's 100,000 mile powertrain warranty intact. Customers can also choose to have the Z06 used as a base vehicle, and upgrades between 525 and 1000 horsepower are available at additional cost.

The transformation from Corvette to Anteros takes approximately 800 hours, and no two cars will be alike (hence the name n2a). Along with the press release that can be seen after the jump, n2a Motors has also released dozens of new photos of both the coupe and convertible that can be viewed in high resolution in the gallery below.

Gallery: n2a Motors Anteros Coupe and Roadster

[Source: n2a Motors]

n2a Motors now taking orders for Anteros Roadster and Coupe originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Feb 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Garage 419 pits GT-R against rented Hertz Corvette... with nitrous

Chris Shunk — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 13:32:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Etc., Videos, Chevrolet, GM, Nissan, Specialty

Click the image above to view the gassed 'Vette take on the Nissan GT-R after the jump

The Garage 419 team is anything but conventional, so when they say they're going to race a Nissan GT-R against a $500 competitor, you know it's going to be entertaining. Host Matt Farah had the easy task of rolling to the strip in the Godzilla of street racers, with 478 horsepower, all-wheel drive, and launch control at his beck and call. Editor Gene Sanchez had the tougher task of obtaining a $500 car to challenge his co-worker. Sanchez had a couple tricks up his sleeve, though, as he rented a $200-per-day LS3 Corvette from the Hertz Fun Collection and added a bargain-basement $300 nitrous system. Unfortunately, the 'Vette was burdened with lousy run-flat tires and a six-speed slush box, but at least the yellow underdog had the crowd on its side. Does a juiced up Corvette have a chance in Hell of besting a bone-stock GT-R on a one-eighth mile drag strip? The only way to find out is by hitting the jump to see the race for yourself.

Continue reading VIDEO: Garage 419 pits GT-R against rented Hertz Corvette... with nitrous

VIDEO: Garage 419 pits GT-R against rented Hertz Corvette... with nitrous originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Dec 2008 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Web Rides TV pits the Audi R8 against the LS3 Corvette

Chris Shunk — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Videos, Audi, Chevrolet

The LS3 Corvette and the Audi R8 are have a similar purpose, but go about their jobs in completely different ways. The 'Vette is all about a big engine, with big power and pushing the rear wheels. The R8 utilizes a high-revving 4.2L V8 and AWD to keep the rubber firmly planted on the pavement. Both vehicles have over 400 hp, weigh in at under 3,500 lbs and have similar 0-60 times, but for the price of one R8 you could by a LS3 and Z06 Corvette.

The car nuts over at Web Rides TV put the two vehicles through a "Super Lap" consisting of a slalom, a straightaway, and two sharp turns to see which vehicle would come out on top. The result produced an entertaining video, some great sounds and a very clear winner. Hit the jump to see it for yourself.

Gallery: Review: 2008 Audi R8

Gallery: 2008 Chevrolet Corvette

[Source: Web Rides TV]

Continue reading VIDEO: Web Rides TV pits the Audi R8 against the LS3 Corvette

VIDEO: Web Rides TV pits the Audi R8 against the LS3 Corvette originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vauxhall VXR8 gets LS3 V8

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 06 May 2008 12:35:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Europe, Vauxhall, UK

Click either image for a high-res gallery of the Vauxhall VXR8.

Our friends across the pond finally get to enjoy the new LS3 that's currently powering the Pontiac G8 GXP and Holden Commodore HSV, with the revised Vauxhall VXR8. The upgraded V8 has grown from 5,967 cc to 6,162 cc and is producing 425 hp at 6,000 rpm. Coupled with the revised automatic gearbox, 0-60 times drop to 4.9 seconds (from five), and the run from 80 to 100 mph is reduced from 4.3 seconds to four seconds flat. Fuel economy remains the same as the outgoing LS2 and automatic-equipped models now get a transmission cooler standard. The new VXR8 is currently on sale in the UK for £35,695, an extra £485 over the outgoing model.

Hit the jump for the full press release.

Gallery: Vauxhall VXR8

[Source: Vauxhall]

Continue reading Vauxhall VXR8 gets LS3 V8

Vauxhall VXR8 gets LS3 V8 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 May 2008 12:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Corvette ZR1 Eaton Supercharger in-depth

Chris Shunk — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 18:29:00 EST

Filed under: Videos, Supercars, Chevrolet, GM

Click the photo above for pics of the ZR1 Corvette and its LS9 engine

Yesterday we showed you an overview of the Corvette ZR1's heart, the force-fed 6.2L LS9 small block V8. In naturally aspirated form, the LS3 powerplant hits in the base 2008 Corvette hits 436 horsepower, but the addition of a new four lobe Eaton supercharger lifts the ZR1 into the horsepower stratosphere. Ron Meegan, assistant chief of GM's small block engine program, took us through the ins and outs of the ZR1's efficient new supercharger and we had our cameras rolling. Hit the jump to learn how the Eaton supercharger works and what makes it special. We also attached a one-minute video that details some of the differences between the supercharged LS9 V8 in the ZR1 and Cadillac CTS-V.

Gallery: 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

Continue reading VIDEO: Corvette ZR1 Eaton Supercharger in-depth

VIDEO: Corvette ZR1 Eaton Supercharger in-depth originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Mar 2008 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dyno-might: Dragtimes gets the numbers on the LS3 Corvette

Frank Filipponio — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 15:55:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Etc., Chevrolet

When we told you about our first encounter with Chevrolet's new 2008 Corvette, one of the highlights was the new LS3 engine. Up from 6.0 to 6.2 liters, the new base 'Vette motor promisea 430 hp, or 436 with the optional exhaust. That was a 30 hp bump over the '07s. Not content to let sleeping dogs lie, the gang over at LG Motorsports decided to strap one to a dyno to verify those numbers. And the results were spot on.

First up was the 6-speed auto. It returned a plot that showed peak horsepower of 370.8, with torque at 363.8 ft-lbs. With a drivetrain loss of about 16%, that is spot on. Next up was the 6-speed stick. It came back almost 20 hp better than the slushbox. The numbers were 389.5 hp and 377.4 ft-lbs of torque. That shows about a 10% loss for that engine/transmission combo. Even better.

And then, just for kicks, LG added "longtube headers, performance cam, ported intake, K&N aircharger, under-drive pulley and a custom tune" and got a quick boost of more than 100 hp at the rears. That car now shows 506.7 hp and 457.1 ft-lbs... at the wheels! One of the best performance for the dollar bargains on the planet, this '08 Corvette seems ready to take on the world.

[Source: Dragtimes]

Dyno-might: Dragtimes gets the numbers on the LS3 Corvette originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Jul 2007 15:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #64

Dan Roth — Thu, 03 May 2007 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts, Coupe, Sedan, Performance, Supercars, Chevrolet, Hyundai

We're back with #64 after being laid low by illness and schedule last week. Starting it off is some analysis of the 430HP LS3 Corvette, which we were lucky enough to see unveiled in Bowling Green, KY. 430 horses in the base car...nice. Speaking of rear-wheel-drive sports cars, there's yet another special Mustang, the Super Snake. It's upper limit of 725 horsepower has instantly rendered the GT500KR that debuted in New York totally irrelevant. Wake us up when the rollouts of special Mustangs are over. *Yawn* Of course, we still manage to talk about some hot 'Stangs for a few minutes. We wrap the whole deal up with the new Hyundai coupe based on the Genesis sedan's architecture. Whether it's the new Tiburon (finally a contender?), we don't know. Nor do we know if the rendering we've seen is anywhere near accurate, but Hyundai's continuing with their aggressive push, so we'll see where it leads. It's a tight 27 minutes this week, so enjoy!

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Autoblog Podcast #64 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 May 2007 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2008 LS3 Corvette spotted in Kentucky

Alex Nunez — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 08:36:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Chevrolet

Click here for gallery

The official unveiling is apparently set for this Saturday, April 28 at the C5/C6 Bash at the National Corvette Museum in BowlingGreen, but thanks to a poster at Digital Corvettes, you can get sneak preview of the 2008 Corvette and its LS3 V8 right now. The new mill is expected to pump out 430 horsepower, and the '08 Vette will also sport new 5-spoke wheels and interior tweaks, among other things. We'll have to wait until the weekend for the full dog & pony show to go down, but one thing's certain: the presence of 430 standard horsepower will only further cement the Corvette's standing as an unbelievable performance value. Production of the LS3-powered Vettes is scheduled to start this week.

Thanks for the tip, Drew!

[Source: Digital Corvettes]

Gallery: 2008 LS3 Corvette

2008 LS3 Corvette spotted in Kentucky originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Apr 2007 08:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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