[AMAZON] #1 Best Selling Car Vacuum ThisWorx TWC-01
Do you obsess about the cleanliness of your Corvette? If so, the #1 Best Selling ThisWorx TWC-01 portable car vacuum cleaner is for you! ThisWorx gets all of the dirt from everyday messes and outdoor adventures quickly and effortlessly.
- Keep a sharp, clean interior and never have food crumbs, dust or dirt sitting in your car again!
Cylinder-Head Porting Basics For The Home Enthusiast
New Chevrolet Captiva Takes Award In Thailand
Ironically, the new Captiva is not a product of "GM proper".
This Middle Eastern Camaro Ad Is Rather Entertaining: Video
A refreshing reminder that commercials don't have to be painstaking to watch.
[SPIED] Caravan of C8 Corvette Prototypes Headed North
Some friends have been telling us that another 30 or so C8 Corvette prototypes have recently been completed in Bowling Green and now we see that camouflaged prototypes are rolling out of Corvette City.
Our friend Andrew Biesemeier of Southern Integrity Auto Transport was making a run on Thursday in Kentucky when this caravan of C8 Corvette prototypes passed him by.
[PIC] Chazcron Updates the 2020 Corvette’s Headlights after the C8 Shows More in NYC
We love this new C8 Corvette render from Chazcron and the MidEngineCorvetteForum.com.
Thanks to Chevy for revealing the 07.18.19 reveal date Thursday evening in New York City with Corvette Chief Engineer Tadge Juechter driving the 2020 Corvette prototype through the city with General Motors CEO Mary Barra riding shotgun.
General Motors Files To Trademark Bolt EUV
Electric Utility Vehicle? Electric Urban Vehicle? We have some ideas.
GMC Discounts 2018 Sierra By Over $12,000 In April 2019
Big Red continues to incentivize the last-gen Sierra to clear out inventory.
Corvette Racing at Long Beach: Positive Vibes Going for Three Straight
Gavin third, Garcia fifth in GT Le Mans qualifying in chase for IMSA victory No. 100
LONG BEACH, Calif. (April 12, 2019) – Corvette Racing will try for its 100th victory in International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) competition from the second and third rows of its category Saturday in the Bubba Burger Sports Grand Prix at Long Beach.
Saturday Morning Corvette Comic: Too Close for Comfort
When somebody (or something!) gets too close to your Corvette!
You can browse more of our Corvette comics here!
Source:
JerryKing.com
Related:
Saturday Morning Corvette Comic: Keeping a Watchful Eye on My Corvette
Saturday Morning Corvette Comic: The Secret Dreams of Pets
Saturday Morning Corvette Comic: Corvette Owners Take Weather Forecasting Seriously
2018 Nissan Kicks SR Long-Term Update 1: That Small Button Does What?
We’ve had the 2018 Nissan Kicks for a few months now, and it’s proving to be quite adept at commuting in Los Angeles’ gridlocked streets. Thanks to its small footprint, you can easily squeeze through small gaps and alleys, making it a breeze to navigate the city. Now that I’ve gotten to know the small car better, I was surprised to find that it has a Sport mode.
The button is on the gear selector stalk, and it’s conspicuously marked only with a horizontal line instead of “Sport.” It’s as if Nissan purposely hid it to keep anyone from figuring out that such a button exists in the Kicks. Once you push it, the only indication that you activated Sport mode is an “S” right next to the “D” on the gauge cluster display. Otherwise there’s no indication that you’re in another mode.
To satisfy my curiosity, I hit the road to see if Sport mode changes anything. After a few minutes, I noticed that it only alters the powertrain’s behavior; throttle response is more immediate, the engine is happier to rev, and the CVT is also more cooperative. The car also cruises at 3,000 rpm instead of 1,500 rpm, allowing you to make the most of the engine’s meager output. As a result, passing slower traffic on the freeway requires less planning.
Unlike the Mazda CX-3, which undergoes a Jekyll and Hyde personality transformation when toggling between Normal and Sport modes, the Kicks’ change is subtle (think more of a quick power-up). The crossover’s responses are just quick enough without feeling like it just drank a quintuple shot of espresso after lunch.
For daily commuting, Normal mode is plenty and fits the Kicks’ rugged city dweller persona quite well; it happily weaves around to get you through even the nastiest congestion. However, if you absolutely must have a reaction for your every action, go ahead and hit the Sport button to eke the most out of your youthful urban runner.
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Next-Gen Chevrolet Trax To Be Named Trailblazer
The Trax name might go away altogether.
GM Stock Value Rises 2 Percent During Week Of April 8 – April 12, 2019
Marking the third consecutive week of growth.
This Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Is Probably the Last C7 Indy 500 Pace Car
It’s official, the Corvette will be leading this year’s Indy 500 for the 16th time; it’s the 30th time a Chevy will serve as the official pace car at the big 500-mile race. But perhaps more poignantly, this is likely the last time we’ll see a C7 as the race’s official pace car. The final C7 Chevrolet Corvette will head to auction in June, which could mean we’ll see a C8 mid-engine Corvette pacing next year’s Indy 500.
A third-gen Corvette driven by car driver Jim Rathmann in 1978 was the first example of America’s Sports Car to pace the race, while a 1948 Fleetmaster Six convertible led the field in 1948. Chevrolet and the inaugural race were founded the very same year in 1911. Since then, the Bow-Tie has won eight races, including the checkered flag given to Verizon Team Penske.
For this year’s Indy 500, a Corvette Grand Sport is decked out in a maroon-ish coat of Long Beach Red Metallic paint with silver stripes, lots of Indy decals, and the Carbon-Fiber Ground Effects package. Under the hood, a 6.2-liter V-8 engine delivers 460 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. The V-8 is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and Chevy claims a zero-to-60-mph time of 3.6 seconds for the pace car.
The Grand Sport also features a performance suspension with magnetorheological dampers, Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes, and 19-inch aluminum wheels up front and 20-inch pieces at the rear. Inside, the car gets Competition seats, a performance data recorder, and other goodies.
See it in person or on TV when the green flag for the 103rd running of the Indianapolis 500 drops on May 26.
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Refreshing or Revolting: 2020 Ford Escape vs. The Competition
Last week, we compared the design of the new 2020 Ford Escape to its direct predecessor. Now that we’ve examined the crossover’s style evolution over the years, let’s take a look at how the new design holds up against the competition.
The 2020 Escape takes on a softer, more carlike appearance for the new generation. The front end looks more like a Focus, and it is lower than before. In contrast, the Toyota RAV4 features a more assertive stance with a gaping grille, more angular headlights, and squared-off proportions. The new Adventure trim looks particularly aggressive. Another top-selling small crossover, the Honda CR-V, has a more rounded shape up front. The grille styling may look a bit awkward, but we’ve always liked the complex light signature of the headlamps. Mazda never really goes wrong with its exterior designs. On the CX-5, you’ll find the brand’s signature grille set off by silver trim and narrow headlights.
From the side profile, the Escape seems conflicted. The bold body cladding suggests it wants to be rugged, but the smooth body lines and curvy hood hint at softer ambitions. The RAV4 looks boxier, thanks to the square wheel arches. It also features harsher window lines and a floating roof. In contrast, the CR-V takes on a rounded appearance, especially with the bulbous rear end. Featuring soft lines and little cladding, the CX-5 is content on the beaten path and isn’t trying to be rugged.
The Escape’s rear end is clean and simple. The taillights have a downward-pointing light signature that coincides with the lines on the license plate holder area and creases just above the bumper. “Escape” silver lettering gives it an upscale look. Once again, the RAV4 features square proportions in the back, giving it a planted look, and the taillights are disrupted by silver trim. The CR-V gets vertical oriented taillights set off by silver trim. The Mazda features the cleanest design of them all, without extra trim or oddly shaped lights getting in the way of the fluid lines.
Ford did a good job streamlining the controls inside the cabin. Instead of tons of buttons, there is a touchscreen that sits atop the dash, and an optional 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster provides drivers with key information. A rotary gearshift replaces a clunky gear stalk. The interior of the RAV4 is set up similarly with a large touchscreen atop the dash, but the control setup is a little less cohesive. The CR-V stands out with its gear stalk mounted high up near the driver, freeing up space for storage below on the center stack. Once again, Mazda wins for the cleanest design. The screen is nestled into the dashboard, and there are few buttons to be distracted with while you drive. A rotary knob placed behind the shifter controls the screen.
Which crossover has the most appealing design? Tell us your thoughts on Facebook.
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The 2020 Jeep Gladiator Begins Heading to Dealerships
It was less than five months ago that Jeep debuted the Gladiator pickup to a receptive crowd at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Now, the model is well on its way to rolling into garages across the U.S. As we reported earlier this week, Jeep sold out of all 4,190 Launch Edition Gladiators, in just one day of sales. Now today, the first batch of 2020 Jeep Gladiator trucks left the Toledo Assembly plant in Ohio bound for dealerships.
The Gladiator launches with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine good for 285 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. Next year, the truck is expected to receive a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V-6 with 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. But don’t expect a Hellcat V-8 anytime soon.
Prices for the Gladiator start at $35,040, although Launch Edition models sold for well over $60,000. In the middle, Sport S models sell from $38,240, Overland models for $41,890, and Rubicon models for $45,040.
The Gladiator is built at the south plant of the Toledo Assembly Complex where the Wrangler JK was built until April 2018. To prepare for the new pickup, Fiat Chrysler invested $273 million in retooling and modernization efforts, adding 329 full-time jobs at the same time. Production of the new Wrangler was moved to the north side of the Toledo complex. Jeep vehicles have been rolling off the line in Toledo since 1941.
Source: FCA
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A Turbocharged Mazda3 May Be in the Cards
Mazda may introduce its own competitor to the Volkswagen GTI. Speaking with Autocar, Mazda’s Kota Beppu hinted at a higher-performance version of the Mazda3 hatchback.
“I’m a car guy, so I myself want to drive a high-performance Mazda 3… I’ll do my best,” the Mazda3 program manager said. He notes there is a lot of interest from “most developed countries,” including the U.S., Japan, and Australia.
The project has not been officially green lit, Beppu said. But according to Autocar, insiders suggest that would just be a formality.
So how much power would it make? It’s unclear, but the report says Mazda is most likely to use its 2.5-liter turbo-four engine. In the Mazda6, CX-5, and CX-9, the unit makes 250 hp with premium fuel, as well as 310 lb-ft of torque. If it shared these specs, the Mazda3 would be more powerful than the GTI, which currently boasts 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque but is rumored to get as much as 300 hp in its next generation.
Beppu said Mazda is eyeing a more powerful engine, but the car wouldn’t be for the track. “It needs to be responsible and friendly…more friendly than a Golf GTI,” he said, adding, “it should be fast.” He concedes that too much power would induce torque steer on such a light, front-wheel-drive car, but using the available all-wheel drive would fix this problem.
It was only a handful of years ago that Mazda had a hot 3 compact car. Given Mazda’s recent pivot to a more premium-focused brand, it’s doubtful that the Mazdaspeed badge will return. But this is at least better news than we got at the L.A. auto show, when we were told a performance model was not likely to happen.
Currently, the Mazda3 has a 2.5-liter engine putting out 186 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. Eventually, a 2.0-liter lightly supercharged engine (with around 190 hp) and a mild hybrid system is supposed to arrive, but Mazda has not been clear on the timing for the U.S. market.
Source: Autocar
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Houston Brings its A Game to the Hot Wheels Legends Tour
The 2019 Hot Wheels Legends Tour is rolling on in search of the hottest set of wheels to eventually immortalize as one of the iconic 1:64-scale die-cast metal toys. The second stop of the tour was Houston, Texas, part of an 18-city parade across the U.S. that kicked off in Miami last month. Eager custom-car builders and die-hard enthusiasts showed off their cool creations to judges that include Hot Wheels designers and car buffs.
Like last year’s inaugural tour, each stop will produce a finalist that will head to the big finale at the SEMA trade show in Las Vegas in the fall. There, one car will be chosen to become a toy; last year, Luis Rodriquez of Hope, New Jersey, won with his mashup of a Toyota Supra, Nissan 300ZX, and Subaru WRX called 2JetZ.
The finalist from Houston was Ron Fehring’s yellow 1972 Chevy LUV, which was also a Hot Rod Power Tour winner. (We luv—er, love—when that happens.) If you’re interested in entering your own wheels, the next event will be held in Dallas on April 13 and you can register your car here. Also, check out the Hot Wheels Facebook page or visit hotwheels.com for the complete list of tour cities.
Shout out to Jasper Watts and Lindsey Love for all the photos!
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2020 Nissan Versa First Look: Moving Past Basic
The outgoing Nissan Versa defined basic transportation. It was one of the last cars you can get in a bare-bones model, and convenience features were few and far between, requiring you to spend extra by moving to a higher trim. For the third-generation 2020 Versa, Nissan aims to change the way we see A-to-B transport, which explains the new model’s substantial makeover and generous equipment list. For 2020, the Nissan Versa will only come as a sedan. The Versa Note hatchback goes out of production after the 2019 model year, with the Kicks serving as an indirect replacement.
Sporting Nissan’s latest design language, the 2020 Versa looks more appealing and has better proportions than its predecessor. It gains the automaker’s V-motion grille, floating roof motif, and thin headlights and taillights, giving it a mini Altima look. Unlike its larger siblings, the 2020 Nissan Versa has a rounded shape, and the swept back A-pillar makes the roofline appear lower. Moving inside, you’ll immediately notice an interior that’s essentially a carbon copy of the one found in the Kicks subcompact crossover. Higher trims like the SR model shown in the photos should feature a partial digital cluster featuring a 7.0-inch display alongside an analog speedometer.
Under the hood, an updated 1.6-liter I-4 produces 122 hp and 114 lb-ft of torque. Sound familiar? It’s because that’s the same mill powering the Kicks and a number of other Nissan small cars across the globe, including the Micra in Europe. Unlike the Kicks, the Versa comes with either a CVT or a five-speed manual, the latter likely only offered on the base trim. Nissan hasn’t disclosed if the 2020 Versa’s underpinnings are all-new, but we suspect that the car still rides on the same V platform as the outgoing model and the Kicks. Considering a sedan’s lighter curb weight, the 2020 Versa should offer excellent fuel economy and could easily meet or exceed the 40-mpg highway mark.
Nissan’s move away from no-frills transportation suggests that it’s making a different value play with the 2020 Versa. Standard active driver assist features include forward collision warning, front and rear automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and lane departure warning. Roll-up windows are a thing of the past, as power-operated ones now come standard along with keyless entry and start. Other available features include Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, heated front seats, adaptive cruise control, automatic climate control, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.
Declining subcompact car sales have led to other automakers backing out of the segment. Nissan has pulled out all stops to ensure it gets a bigger slice of the entry-level pie and bring more consumers into the brand. The Japanese automaker also sees sedans remaining a crucial market because of their popularity among millennials and consumers in other smaller demographics despite the overall trend toward SUVs. Pricing for the 2020 Nissan Versa hasn’t been announced, but because of all the additional standard safety equipment, it probably won’t start at around the same price as the outgoing model.
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GM Talks with Amazon-Backed Electric Truckmaker Rivian May Be Dead
Talks between General Motors and electric-vehicle startup Rivian about the largest U.S. carmaker buying an equity stake have reached an impasse and may be dead, people familiar with the matter said.
GM had negotiated potentially taking a stake in Rivian and forging a partnership that may have helped the Plymouth, Michigan-based startup bring fully electric trucks and SUVs to market faster. GM was widely expected to become a strategic investor alongside Amazon, which in February led a $700 million equity raise by the closely held company.
Discussions ended in the past two weeks, with Rivian founder R.J. Scaringe wanting to keep his options open, said one of the people. Rivian has had several other potential suitors take a look, the person said. If GM can’t find a way to resurrect a deal, the automaker will continue developing its own electric pickup truck, which is in early stages of development.
“As we have stated, we admire Rivian’s contribution to a future of zero emissions and an all-electric future,” GM spokesman Pat Morrissey said in an emailed statement. “Talks occur on a regular basis in the auto industry between a variety of partners, but as a matter of policy we don’t discuss who, where or when those discussions might occur.”
A deal would have contributed to both sides achieving key goals. GM would be able to introduce an electric pickup quicker than it could with its own internal engineering, and Rivian would benefit from the larger automaker’s manufacturing prowess and global purchasing muscle.
GM shares rose 1 percent to $39.70 at 2 p.m. in New York.
Under Scaringe, Rivian has developed a platform it says can be used as the base battery and electric-drive system for full-size pickups or SUVs. GM was interested because its own next-generation electric vehicle and battery system is designed for small and midsize cars and crossover SUVs.
In a February interview, Scaringe, 36, said he wants to sell Rivian’s technology to multiple players. The startup is looking to expand its capital base for the next development phase after delivering its first vehicles next year. It has raised about $1.15 billion so far.
Scaringe said Rivian wasn’t in dire need of funds because backers led by Japan’s Sumitomo Corp. and Saudi auto distributor Abdul Latif Jameel are fully committed to seeing the company succeed.
The startup’s battery-powered R1T pickup and R1S sport utility vehicle concepts drew rave reviews at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November and are expected to deliver as much as 400 miles of driving range.
Rivian acquired a vehicle-assembly plant for a bargain from an established automaker. It bought a factory in Illinois for just $16 million from Mitsubishi in early 2017. Similarly, Tesla builds its electric cars at a facility shuttered by Toyota after GM pulled out of a joint-manufacturing venture there as part of its 2009 bankruptcy.
By David Welch
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