Autoblog

Those clever Hawkeyes don't need Xibit to pimp a ride, so here to represent Iowa pimps we have this 1988 Camaro IROC-Z, apparently inspired by a Sprite commercial. The great thing about any pimped piece of auto is that it sells itself -- all you need to do is see the car on the street and you know, as Paul Harvey said, the rest of the story. The "fresh 305, fresh tranny w/shift kit," TV, subs, lambo doors, is par for the track course. What really interests us about this car is the price: $9,900 or "comparable trade." We're fine with the cash -- what we really want to see is what kind of car qualifies as "comparable trade"? Thanks for the tip, Aaron!

[Source: craigslist]

From the Mustang to the Viper and Veyron, Hennessey Performance has spread its abilities across the performance car spectrum. And with hi-po vehicles like the IS F, ZR1, and GT-R on their way to buyers' garages, John Hennessey says he is working on packages to make all of those cars even higher-po.

The IS F looks to be the first in line, with the experiment subject arriving at Hennessey's shop next week. The car will be a test bed for "headers, exhaust and air induction systems first. Then maybe a blower." He's also got his eye on the baddest boy Corvette ZR1, for which his website advertises "700+ HP coming soon!" The physics-defying GT-R is in the crosshairs as well, and if he can make it better than it already is, that would be among the best testaments for his services.

Coming down just a notch -- but still up there -- the Cadillac CTS-V and Camaro will get their chances for glory as well. While all of this sounds great, what we really hope is that none of this extra work causes Hennessey not to give us the Venom. That's the package we are truly dying to see.

[Source: Inside Line]

click the picture above to see the video

The Ponycar Industrial Complex has been in full reconaissance mode and scanning the universe for Camaros, and agents have located a Camaro SS on a winding mountain road. It's deliciously ironic that the spotters were rolling a Mustang when they were strafed by a bestriped mule in white. It looks good out in the wild, intimidating, even – quite appropriate for a small, vicious animal that eats Mustangs. Check the video after the jump. Thanks for the tip, Max!

[Source: Camaro5]

Coupes seem to be somewhat resurgent lately, and the stupendously awesome Pontiac G8 GXP might be set to lose a pair of doors. While that would make it essentially a repeat of what came here as a revived GTO not too long ago, the name is not likely to return. The basic idea has been outlined in the Holden Coupe 60, itself starting out as an updated GTO, but turning out much cooler. The neo-ponycar wars will require the fitment of the 400 horsepower LS3 to run with the Shelby GT500KR, Challenger, and cousin Camaro.

The newly unveiled G8 GXP serves as the benchmark for what this coupe will likely come equipped with. That means big 19-inch wheels, uprated suspension, a meaner fascia and, most importantly, an available Tremec six-speed manual transmission. There should be a GT version, too, with "only" 361 horsepower, which should still offer a significant kick in the pants for less cash. The biggest impediment to the G8 Coupe actually seeing the light of day are looming new CAFE regulations, but we don't see how selling a bulk of these cars with the still-excellent 3.6 liter V6 to less performance-addled customers would be a bad thing. It'd hopefully prevent Pontiac from running afoul of the fuel economy rules while getting another car out there that enthusiasts can embrace in a variety of flavors. Thanks for the tip, Matthew!

[Source: Inside Line, Photo illustration by Nick Wilcox, Inside Line]

Click above for a gallery of the GM Accessories Camaro model

Once again, Camaro5.com sends in these photos that appear to show the full-scale Camaro model being used by the GM Accessories design studio to test all the factory knick-knacks and bolt-ons that they have in the works. Forget the tease we all got via the upskirt video GM allowed to be filmed -- this shows the full monty.

Here's the quick-and-dirty rundown.

• 7-spoke wheels
• RS stripe package (left side of the car)
• SS stripe package (right side of the car)
• Grille insert
• Rear fascia blackout
• Platform-style rear wing
• Fuel filler cap
• 2 possible ground effects kits (see close-up of the rear -- at that point, the clay modeling is "halved")
• Ducktail spoiler (again, see detail shot -- it's on the right half of the car)
• Slotted brake discs w/ red calipers

Whatever the final assortment of accessories turns out to be, it would seem that there'll be a very wide selection from which to choose. As for the 5-spoke wheels shown in two of the photos, they look 'shopped on. Whether those are GM photoshops or fan mods is anyone's guess. We're definitely feeling that RS package, though -- with those black 7-spokes, please. Keep that wing, though.


[Source: Camaro5]

Click above for higher-res shots of the Camaro Convertible

According to the person who posted these on Camaro5.com, what you're seeing is the production base Camaro convertible. Or, at least a prototype of it. Assuming that these shots are the real deal, the car depicted appears to be a study of sorts, as it shows how it looks with two different sets of wheels -- base and an upgrade -- one style fitted to each side of the car. As commenters on the Camaro5 thread have pointed out, this particular prototype doesn't have the placeholder headlamps used on the mules, and there's no faux scoop on its front fascia, either. That, we like. Hell, we like the whole thing. As was the case with the concept that set the stage for it last year, this droptop Camaro looks very slick. If these are legit, many thanks to the leaker, as we've all gotten a little bored with the coupe spy shots. "Look, a black one. And a white one. Again."

Let us know what you think in the comments. Are these real or a ruse? Thanks, Rod!


[Source: Camaro5]

click the picture to view the video

Genuine GM Accessories are as obsessively tested as the rest of the car during the design and prototype stage. When the production tweaks are being given to the basic car, the Accessories wizards are in there too, mocking up and trying out different creative ways to offer some pizazz at the parts counter. What we're most excited about in this video is the appearance of the new Camaro with some extra goodies. You don't get to see much, but the shroud of Auburn Hills gets pulled back just enough to show off ground effects done up in clay. The rear spoiler also appears to be different, though it's never actually shown. If customized Camaros of the past are any indication, we expect the hottest item will be the big peeing "Calvin" for the rear window and those ridiculous blackout head and taillight covers – this time, they'll be available with a GM part number, w00t! Top tippage, Tim!

[Source: 5thgen.org]

Click above for more high-res pics

It's been two weeks since we've found new spy shots of uncovered Chevy Camaro prototypes, but the enthusiasts over at Canaro5 (photos were first on CamaroZ28.com) have released 17 new pics of the pony car with a bow-tie. The photos have a February time-stamp and are taken from the same location as the last spy shots we published, but there are plenty of close-ups and new angles this time around.

While some details like headlights and some trim components are not production-ready, the sheet metal is pretty much 100% authentic, and looking pretty damn good if we may be so bold. The side view of the Camaro pictured above is just dead-sexy, and in Ebony this fine filly looks like it can eat lesser transportation for breakfast. It's nice to see a prototype roaming public streets without the hideous camo, and crisp photos and accommodating engineers are a lot better than what we've seen in the past. The only bad part is that we have to wait it out for another year before the 2010 Camaro hits dealer showrooms. We've posted six pics in the gallery below, or you can follow the link below to see all 17 photos on CamaroZ28.com.


[Source: CamaroZ28.com via Camaro5]

Click above to view video

Unlike a number of other drugs, the great thing about 2010 Camaro sightings is that you cannot OD on them. With that in mind, we bring you a lengthy Camaro video, this time of a black car being trailed by an "official" camera car. The great thing about this video is that it comes with its own theme music, and the great thing about that is that you know you're going to hear this song coming out of a lot of Camaros when they hit the streets next year. Maybe they'll even offer loudspeakers in the grill as an option so you can blast it on the way to Dairy Queen. We like the song and the car, and as we said when we reviewed the Camaro Convertible concept: we'll take it in black with black wheels, please. To see the feast for eyes and ears, follow the jump for the video.

[Source: Streetfire]

The hits just keep on coming for fans of the Chevy Camaro. Just yesterday, we quoted Bob Lutz as suggesting that the Camaro could get a four-cylinder engine option. Now we hear that Mark LaNeve, VP of sales and marketing for GM North America, says that, "We won't position it as a muscle car," speaking again of the 2010 Camaro. Sure, you could spend hours debating the terms "muscle car" and "pony car", but we're pretty sure that very few ever thought of the Camaro as a fuel-efficient option. But, that's exactly how GM will position it. "The mainstream positioning will be fuel economy, design and a V-6," says LaNeve.

The truth seems to be that GM just cannot afford to sell a couple hundred thousand Camaros a year with V8 engines rated at around 20 miles per gallon combined. But, before V8-lovers get too upset, remember that it is the fuel efficient engine options which make the fire-breathing V8 an option at all. Without mainstream options like either a direct-injected V6 or even a small turbocharged 4, there is simply no way that Chevrolet could ever reintroduce the Camaro at all.


[Source: Business Week]