SEMA Preview: GM Shows Tuned Sonics, Announces Cruze Concepts

General Motors is counting on its revised portfolio of small cars to further increase its sales in North American, and at next week's SEMA aftermarket show in Las Vegas, the Detroit-based automaker will showcase the personalization possibilities for its sub-compact Chevrolet Sonic and the Cruze sedan with a plethora of concepts. For the time being, GM has shared some initial details on some of the concepts it will display in Las Vegas along with a handful of pictures of two customized Sonic hatchbacks.
Most of the prototypes will be wearing conceptual Z-Spec styling parts, which GM says are being evaluated for production. Chevrolet had also shown a Sonic Z-Spec Concept at the Detroit Motor Show earlier this year.
Both the Sonic and Cruze will also be featured in a so-called "Dusk" treatment, which GM says is a more subtle approach to tuning.
For more details on the initial batch of concepts, scroll down to read the information provided by GM in the press release.

[From GM Press Release]

Sonic Z-Spec #1 – Designers took a turbocharged Sonic five-door and dressed it with concept Z-Spec accessories. They added Z-Spec ground effects, a spoiler, unique grille and graphics package – then finished it off with a Torch Red exterior and Z-Spec concept 18-inch wheels.
Inside, the Cobalt Red cabin features custom trim, including perforated black suede seat inserts, a Z-Spec sport pedal kit, sport shift knob and a racing-style flat-bottom steering wheel. Additional upgrades include performance brakes with four-piston calipers, a new high-flow exhaust system and performance suspension parts.
Sonic Z-Spec #2 – The next Sonic concept – in Flat White with Torch Red accents – builds on concept Z-Spec accessories with a more aggressive ground effects package, unique grille, rear spoiler and graphics package.
It rides on Z-Spec concept 18-inch wheels and also includes a re-trimmed interior with Z-Spec sport pedal kit, Z-Spec sport shift knob and a flat-bottom steering wheel.
It also features custom racing seats with the Z-Spec logo. The factory powertrain features the 1.4L turbo engine and six-speed manual transmission. Performance upgrades include brakes with four-piston calipers, a high-flow exhaust system and suspension parts.
Sonic Z-Spec 4D Concept – The more formal look of the Sonic sedan lends itself to a touring car-style motif, which this Ashen Grey Metallic concept picks up with concept Z-Spec ground effects, rear spoiler, grille, “Chevrolet” graphics and larger Z-Spec concept 18-inch wheels. As with its five-door counterparts, this Sonic features a re-trimmed interior – in Dark Titanium with Cobalt Red accents – Z-Spec sport pedal kit, aluminum sport shift knob and a flat-bottom steering wheel (trimmed with Cobalt Red suede).
The factory turbo 1.4L engine and six-speed manual transmission are complemented by performance upgrades that include four-piston caliper brakes, a high-flow exhaust system and suspension parts.
Sonic Dusk – The most subtle of the Sonic concepts is the Dusk. It features a Berlin Blue exterior, with a mild concept ground effects package, unique grille treatment and 18-inch concept wheels in dark Galvano Silver. Even the lights are tinted blue for a sophisticated statement.
The Mojave leather interior has custom seat inserts, Z-Spec shift knob with satin chrome trim, Z-Spec sport pedals and accessory interior trim kit. The Sonic Dusk also features a suede-trimmed, flat-bottom steering wheel, custom audio system and brake and suspension upgrades.
Chevrolet is keeping a few super-secret Sonics under wraps until the SEMA show, each representing an even higher level of performance and personalization.
Cool Cruzes
A pair of custom Cruze sedans demonstrates what is possible with conceptual accessories and a little creativity.
Cruze Z-Spec – Wearing concept Z-Spec ground effects, 18-inch custom wheels, an accessory spoiler and a high-flow grille, the Cruze Z-Spec has the looks and feel of a taut touring car. The exterior appearance of this Cruze is enhanced with a new stripe package that will be available soon, while on the inside are special seat inserts, a racing-style pedal kit, accessory shift knob and interior trim, as well as a new steering wheel.
Cruze Dusk – Complementing the Sonic Dusk concept, the Cruze Dusk suggests a more subtle and sophisticated approach to personalization, including a mild concept ground effects package, a unique grille treatment and dark-tinted wheels. The interior has custom seat inserts, along with an accessory shift knob, sport pedals, interior trim kit, a suede-trimmed steering wheel and a custom audio system.

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source:http://carscoop.blogspot.com/

Carlos Ghosn Says 2012 will be a Record Sales Year, Bets Heavily on EVs

Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn is upbeat about the way the automotive industry is heading, despite the fact that the economic crisis that threatens Europe is far from over. In fact, during the recent launch of the electric versions of theRenault Fluence and Kangoo in Portugal last Friday, Ghosn predicted that 2012 will be a record year for car sales worldwide surpassing 2011's volumes.
“Unless there is an economic Armageddon and you see a Lehman-style crisis, I can tell you that 2012 will be another record year for the car industry no matter what Europe does”, he told Reuters. “2011 is already a record year in sales, no matter what happens in the next two months. It is going to be much higher than 2010,” Ghosn added.
According to the man who turned around Nissan’s fate a decade ago, China, India and Brazil with their increasing demand will make up for Europe’s losses. Like his counterpart at Fiat-Chrysler, Sergio Marchionne, Ghosn thinks that the European market is, at least for now, a lost cause.
“With the latest developments, we are prudent in the announcement we are going to make for 2012 sales in Europe, where there is the highest level of uncertainty”, he admitted.
Ghosn also reiterated his belief that Nissan and Renault electric vehicles will definitely prove a success: “We are selling 1,500 Nissan Leafs a month in the U.S. and more than 1,000 in Japan. By the end of last month we have sold 15,000 units. The only problem we have had is supply.”
However, he is the first to point out that in order for his prediction of Renault and Nissan topping 1.5 million EV sales by 2016 to prove accurate, carmakers, energy suppliers and governments need to work together and install a widespread network of charging points.

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source:http://carscoop.blogspot.com/

Mika Hakkinen Returns to Racing in the Cockpit of a Mercedes SLS AMG

Michael Schumacher isn’t the only Formula 1 champion who can’t live outside a racing car’s cockpit; after a four year absence, two-times F1 world champion Mika Hakkinen will sit behind the wheel of racing car for the final event of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup, which will take place on November 13 at the Zhuhai track in China.

Hakkinen, who after retiring from F1 competed in 31 DTM races for Mercedes-Benz, will be competing in the six-hour long endurance race along with his teammates CongFu Cheng and Lance David Arnold in an SLS AMG GT3.

Mercedes-Benz Motorsport vice president, Norbert Haug, who has worked with Hakkinen for 15 years, said:

“Mika Hakkinen is one of the most successful, best-known and best-liked racing drivers in the world. He won back-to-back Formula 1 championships in 1998 and 1999 with our McLaren-Mercedes F1 team and later had a successful career in the DTM. Mika is a prominent member of the Mercedes family and enjoys enormous popularity, especially in China. That’s also why he was so willing to play an active role in the race debut of the SLS AMG GT3 at Zhuhai.”

The Finn, as always, was more laconic. “Although I’ve visited China many times, I’ve never raced there, which is why I’m looking forward to Zhuhai," said Hakkinen.

"It will be a tough race, but I’ll do my best for Customer Sports Team AMG. It should be a lot of fun, especially in the SLS AMG. It’s a great motorsport vehicle which is both fast and extremely good-looking,” he added. 

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source:http://carscoop.blogspot.com/

SEMA Preview: Turbocharged 2012 Honda Civic Si Coupe by Fox Marketing

While we are getting ready to cover next week's SEMA aftermarket show in Las Vegas, Fox Marketing decided to give us a sneak peek of its highly modified 2012 Honda Civic Si Coupe.

The tuning firm says that the main focus of the build is to demonstrate the "reliability, and performance capability from Honda's new K24Z7 power plant" with an intercooled turbo kit that along with numerous other improvements, pushes the four-cylinder unit's output to over 450-horses.

Fox Marketing says that despite the fact it delivers more than two-times the output of the regular 201HP 2.4-liter i-VTEC engine, the turbocharged powerplant can provide "100,000+ reliable miles without blinking an eye".

The boosted Civic Si Coupe sports a number of other modifications including but not limited to, a lowered suspension, 20-inch wheels shod in Toyo Proxes 4 Tires size 255/30/20 up front and 255/35/20 at the back, larger brakes, a blue pearl exterior finish, an aero kit and Yonaka Ronin Racing Seats with factory Civic Si fabric inserts.

Photo credits: Fox Marketing
source:http://carscoop.blogspot.com/

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2012 Ferrari FF Neiman Marcus special edition【Video】

Neiman Marcus has releases the ultimate gift in its annual Christmas Book, the 2012 Ferrari FF. The Neiman Marcus exclusive edition of the FF jumps from 0 to 60 in less than 3.7 seconds and reaches top speeds of over 200mph.

The Ferrari FF packs a 651-hp V12 engine, all-wheel drive and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Out back, the FF’s 16-cubic-foot cargo hold will arrive filled with a custom-made luggage set that is designed to match the hue and finish of the leather interior.

The special edition Ferrari, priced at 395′000 USD, can be pre-ordered from Neiman Marcus starting October 27th, 2011, and will be delivered Spring 2012.

Press Release

THE 2012 FERRARI FF, BESPOKE FOR NEIMAN MARCUS

The NM exclusive edition of the 2012 Ferrari FF jumps from 0 to 60 in less than 3.7 seconds and reaches top speeds of over 200 MPH. The top-of-the-line model features 651-horsepower and a V12 engine, a proprietary, lightweight 4WD system (4RMTM), as well as a 7-speed, dual-clutch transmission for seamless automatic shifting. Each car is identified by a numbered interior plaque and unique exterior color, "Grigio Caldo." The interior features soft-touch, semi-aniline leather with a matching custom luggage set. It comfortably seats 4 adults and features a class-leading 16 cubic feet of trunk space. The vehicle comes with Ferrari's 7-year maintenance plan, and enrollment in the 2012 Ferrari Winter Driving Experience in Aspen, Colorado. 10 available. Reserve your Ferrari FF by calling 800.558.0022 beginning promptly at 12:00 PM EDT on Thursday, October 27, 2011. Delivery to occur in Spring 2012.

($395,000.00; page 170)

VW has announced the new 2012 Passat Exclusive to the German market, which will be available only on the local auto market, with its large wheels, lowered body and leather with wood trims interior, coming at a pretty high price.

The exterior of Passat Exclusive is boosted by new 18” light alloy Vicenza wheels and lowered suspension with 15mm.

Inside is a Nappa leather finish in Chocolate Brown with a Pepper Beige contrasting stitching complemented by wood trims and a black leather steering wheel with Piano black lacquer.

Priced at 32,450 Euros for the sedan and 33,625 for the wagon, the Passat Exclusive is one dapper looking car.




Press Release

Der neue Passat Exclusive

Der Passat Exclusive wird als Limousine (ab 32.450 Euro) sowie Variant (ab 33.625 Euro) angeboten und basiert auf der bereits sehr edlen Ausstattungslinie „Highline". Im Exterieurbereich ist der Passat Exclusive an den neuen 18-Zoll-Leichtmetallrädern des Typs „Vicenza" zu erkennen; um 15 Millimeter abgesenkt wurde das Fahrwerk.

Typisch für die von der Volkswagen R GmbH konzipierten Exclusive-Ausstattungen ist ein aufwendig veredeltes Interieur. Genau das kennzeichnet auch den individualisierten Passat. Er besitzt eine Nappa-Ledersitzanlage im Farbton „Chocolate-Braun" mit farbigen Ziernähten und Kedern in der Kontrastfarbe „Pepper Beige". Das Leder selbst ist als sogenanntes „Cool Leather" ausgeführt, das sich dank einer optimierten Sonnenreflexion weniger stark aufheizt. Optisch korrespondierend: die Türinserts in „Chocolate-Braun" und die Fußmatten in „Pepper Beige".

Ebenfalls auf die Lederfarbe abgestimmt sind die Edelholz-Applikationen im Dessin „Tamo Creme seidenmatt". Das schwarze Leder-Multifunktionslenkrad ist darüber hinaus, wie die Sitze, mit „Cool Leather" bezogen; die Dekore des Lenkrades sind in „Klavierlack schwarz" ausgeführt. Zur Serienausstattung gehört auf der funktionsorientierten Seite zudem eine geschwindigkeitsabhängig geregelte Servotronic-Lenkung. Optional kann der Passat Exclusive unter anderem mit einem titanschwarzen Dachhimmel und aktiv klimatisierten Sitzen (vorn) bestellt werden.