SEMA: 2010 Camaro LS7 Concept with 500HP V8 Crate Engine

The LS7 Concept is one of the factory-prepped 2010 Camaros that will take center stage at GM's SEMA show stand at the Las Vegas convention center. Painted in a Victory Red finish with matte black accents on the hood and taillamp panel, the concept features an LS7 V8 crate engine with a high-performance replacement camshaft from GM Performance Parts helping it to produce around 550HP. The LS7 crate engine is hooked up to a production Tremec 6060 six-speed manual with a GM Performance Parts Hurst shifter.

Other upgrades include GM Performance Parts-developed headers and air intake system that will be offered at the Camaro's launch in early 2009. Furthermore, the LS7 is modified with a wet-sump oiling system that replaces the production engine's dry-sump system that requires an external oil tank.

Finally, GM's crew fitted the LS7 Concept with some additional features such as the Brembo four-wheel disc brake package, lowered ride height, custom 20-inch wheels, a driveshaft safety loop and a sports exhaust system.

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Porsche to Offer 4-Cylinder Turbo Engine on Boxster in 2011

The second generation Porsche Boxster that's due sometime in 2011 will feature a new base model equipped with a fuel efficient four-cylinder engine according to a report from UK's Autocar magazine citing company insiders. The last 4-cylinder Porsche was the 1990s 968 which was the final model in an evolving line that started in the mid-1970s with the introduction of the 924 and continued with the 944. But unlike the 968 that was equipped with one of the largest four bangers ever to be offered in a production car with a displacement of 3.0-liters, the next-generation Boxster's straight-four is expected to be quite smaller, featuring a displacement of 2.0 to 2.4-liters.

The report states that the entry-level Boxster's petrol unit will most likely be turbocharged delivering an output of over 200HP. Not exactly the kind of power you'd expect from a Porsche but company insiders insist that the new Boxster will be significantly lighter than the current model thus compensating for the smaller output.

The million dollar question is of course whether Porsche will develop the engine in-house from scratch or if the German sports carmaker will take advantage of its tie-up with the VW - Audi Group using the company's 2.0 TFSI unit as a base - just as it did with the Cayenne and the ill-fated 924.

Either way, the main reason that Porsche is looking into the development of a smaller engine for the Boxster and quite possibly for the Cayman replacement has to do with the stricter CO2 emission regulations that are going in force in several key markets around the world.

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New Buick Regal: Opel Insignia-Based Sedan Introduced in China

Shanghai GM, a joint venture between General Motors and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) has taken the wraps off the new Chinese market Buick Regal. With the exception of a few minor styling details like the new grille, the side air-vents and the addition of turning signals on the exterior mirrors, the Regal is in essence a rebadged Opel Insignia. Even though Opels are offered in the domestic market, GM execs considered that the Insignia would sell better as a Buick since -believe it or not- the American brand is more popular among Chinese consumers.

Scheduled to hit Buick's Chinese showrooms in late December, the new Regal sedan will be offered initially with two 4-cylinder petrol engines, a naturally aspirated 2.4-liter unit developing an output of 165HP and a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine producing 217HP. Both versions will be offered with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard with Buick announcing 0 to 100km/h (62mph) times of 9.8 and 7.8 seconds for the Regal 2.4L and 2.0T respectively.

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SsangYong Presents Rexton R-Line Based on Project Kahn Study

The customized Rexton study that was shown at this year's British International Auto Salon has found its way into production after the positive feedback from the public that visited SsangYong's show stand - or so the Chinese-owned, Korean automaker supports. Differing only in detail from the study, the Rexton R-Line is the work of Project Kahn, a tuner primarily known for its Aston Martin, Range Rover and Land Rover tuning proposals. Built at Project Kahn's Bradford facility, the Rexton R-Line is based on the Rexton 270 SPR. Apart from the black paintwork, the most apparent changes on the outside concerns the massive 22-inch Kahn Design RST alloy wheels and the quad tailpipes.

Performance and handling are said to be improved with a Kahn Design sports exhaust and a lower centre of gravity from the sports suspension springs which also offers a more aggressive stance to the Rexton R-Line.

Inside, Project Kahn's team has added high quality black nappa leather and soft Alcantara seats with red stitching while the seats, door panels and center console have also been specially upholstered.

The vehicle's standard equipment includes climate control, electronic stability programme (ESP) with active rollover protection (ARP), hill descent control (HDC), ABS, parking sensors, cruise control, auto lights and wipers, side airbags, electric folding door mirrors and heated seats. SsangYong claims that the only thing the R-Line doesn't have as standard is an audio system not because they're cheapskates, but because they believe customers are likely to want to specify their own choice of premium sound system.

The Rexton R-Line is equipped with a 2.7-liter five cylinder turbo diesel engine producing 186HP and 402 Nm torque at 2,400rpm. Transmission is a Mercedes T-Tronic automatic with gear lever and steering wheel shift buttons, and with permanent all-wheel drive. Pricing for the Project Kahn-prepped Rexton R-Line begins in the UK from £29,995 on-the-road.

Citroen C1 Mini Receives Subtle Facelift

Citroen has revealed the first details of its updated C1 mini that will go on sale across mainland Europe during November/December (depending on the market) and from January 2009 in the UK. The Citroen C1 which is part of the Peugeot 107 and Toyota Aygo triplets has received some minor styling changes to the front end and in particular a redesigned bumper complementing the looks of the recently updated C2. There are also new alloy wheel designs and trims whilst inside the French automaker upgraded the cabin with new upholstery and materials.

Even though Citroen has not provided any specific mechanical details, the French automaker supports that the vehicle's environmental and economical credentials have also been improved. According to Citroen, the 68HP 1.0-liter, three-cylinder petrol engine boasts lowered CO2 emissions of 106g/km (-2.7%), and a combined-cycle fuel consumption figure of 4.5 lt/100 km or 62.8mpg UK / 52.3mpg US (+2.1%).

As before, the C1 will also be available with a 1.4-liter HDI diesel unit that develops 55HP at 4,000 rpm and torque of 130 Nm at 1,750 rpm and is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. The diesel-powered C1 achieves a combined-cycle fuel consumption of 4.1 l/100 km or 69.0mpg UK / 57.3mpg US and emits just 109 g/km of C02.

Car News: 2009 Ford F-150 SVT "Raptor"

The new Ford F-150 will be making its way to dealerships in the very near future, and this latest video (uploaded by the folks at Ford SVT) shows the modified F-150 Raptor being put through its paces in an undisclosed desert.

While the video says that "Yes, it's 'stock,'" we'd sure like to know what sort of modifications Ford has put into this special F-150. Does the F-150 Raptor mean that SVT is making a comeback into Ford's product line? We're not sure as of now. In the meantime, we're awaiting the chance to take a production Raptor to an undisclosed desert of our own.
via:nextautos

Car News: Mercedes-Benz Goes GLK Crazy for SEMA

Good market prospects are being forecast for the compact GLK in the U.S. The visual appeal and functionality of its exterior design make the GLK a distinctive and versatile vehicle, as do its exceptional handling and excellent safety characteristics combined with superb comfort both on and off-road.


Tuning operations were tasked with highlighting the possibilities presented by the GLK's wide-ranging talents through their ideas and designs. The four most convincing concepts were selected and the winners given the opportunity to implement their proposals. This process saw the creation of GLK models that are as leading-edge as they are unorthodox, and that now take centre stage in Mercedes' participation at this year's SEMA Show.


"Widestar", "The GLK Urban Whip", "The GLK Pikes Peak Rally Racer" and "The GLK Rock Crawler" will attract attention even at SEMA, which is not exactly short on highlights and is becoming increasingly important as a trendsetting springboard for the European tuning scene. This presentation also represents the GLK premiere on the North American market, where sales are scheduled to begin in January 2009.


"Our GLK is a character bursting with expressiveness, and a new model for us within a young market segment in the U.S.," comments Mercedes-Benz Head of Design Gorden Wagener. "We selected SEMA in Las Vegas as the backdrop for its first appearance in North America because we want to take advantage of the show's glamour and to underscore the highly individual character of the GLK. An SUV with an edge that is so refreshingly alternative, demands a somewhat alternative setting."
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