Fw: Callaway Silverado C19 SportTruck Revealed

 

From: Mike Levine

Sent: Sunday, April 10, 2011 5:06 PM

Subject: Callaway Silverado C19 SportTruck Revealed

Photos: Callaway Cars

The Callaway Silverado "C19" SportTruck has arrived. Callaway Cars, the legendary American tuning house known for powerfully modifying Chevrolet Corvettes and Camaros, has released photos and information about its first-ever high-performance full-size pickup truck.

Based on the current Chevy Silverado 1500 half-ton, Callaway is amping up both the 5.3-liter V-8 and 6.2-liter V-8 haulers with Eaton's Twin Vortices Series roots-type superchargers. The same superchargers are also used to boost power to stratospheric levels in the Chevrolet ZR-1 and Cadillac CTS-V.

Callaway's powertrain tweaks also feature an air-to-liquid intercooler system plus high capacity fuel injectors and a high flow air intake system.

The bottom line is 450 horsepower high up the curve (@ 6,200 rpm) and 450 pounds-feet of torque (@ 4,000 rpm) in the 5.3 and 540 horses (@ 6,200 rpm) and 522 pounds-feet (@ 3,800 rpm) in the 6.2, according to Callaway's website. That an increase of 135 horsepower and 115 pounds-feet of torque over the stock 5.3 and 137 horsepower and 105 pounds-feet over the stock 6.2.

Despite the huge performance gains, Callaway promises the trucks will keep the same fuel economy ratings as the standard Silverado, which the EPA rates at 15/21 mpg city/highway for the 5.3 4x2 and 13/18 mpg for the 6.2 4x2.

Other Callaway improvements include: Carbon fiber injector covers, a low-restriction exhaust system, embroidered headrests and floor mats and Callaway badging and key fobs. A three-year, 36,000 mile warranty is standard.

Optional upgrades include: Chrome-coated supercharger housing, Callaway nine spoke alloy wheels paired with BFG tires, a Callaway suspension and LeMans GT brakes, a sport interior package, tonneau cover, a five-year, 100,000 mile extended warranty and you can pickup your Callaway pickup at the factory.

The Callaway Silverado package starts at $15,995, before options. It's available for two-wheel and four-wheel drive trucks in any cab style or bed length.

We'll take a regular cab short box C19, please.

[Source: Callaway Cars]

Fw: 2012 Cadillac SRX gains more powerful 3.6-liter engine, new features

From: Steven J. Ewing

Sent: Tuesday, April 12, 2011 11:59 AM

Subject: 2012 Cadillac SRX gains more powerful 3.6-liter engine, new features

Filed under: Car Buying, Crossover, Cadillac, GM

2012 Cadillac SRX - Click above for high-res image

Cadillac has officially announced a host of changes for the 2012 SRX crossover, including a new standard engine - General Motors' 3.6-liter direct-injected V6. This powerplant will serve as the only available engine on the SRX here in the United States, replacing both the base 3.0-liter V6 and 2.8-liter turbocharged V6 that was axed earlier this year.

Under the hood of the 2012 SRX, the 3.6-liter mill produces 300 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque - increases of 35 hp and 37 lb-ft over the anemic 3.0-liter engine that served as the base engine when the SRX was refreshed for the 2010 model year. The new V6 offers the same amount of horsepower as the discontinued 2.8-liter turbocharged unit, though it's down on torque by 35 lb-ft.

In addition to its new heart, the 2012 SRX will offer standard Bluetooth connectivity on all models, and a standard heated steering wheel on luxury, performance and premium trims. Additionally, performance and premium trim levels get a new 20-inch wheel option. Pricing will be announced in a few months when the 2012 SRX officially starts production. GM's official press blast is available after the jump.

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading 2012 Cadillac SRX gains more powerful 3.6-liter engine, new features

2012 Cadillac SRX gains more powerful 3.6-liter engine, new features originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Apr 2011 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fw: Brewery Turns '58 Chevy Apache Into Electric Hot Rod

 

From: Mike Levine

Sent: Wednesday, April 13, 2011 12:53 PM

Subject: Brewery Turns '58 Chevy Apache Into Electric Hot Rod

By Dave Lee

Steam Whistle, a brewery based in Toronto, is home to a fleet of classic rides used to promote and deliver its pilsners, and among them is a 1958 Chevy Apache that runs on green power.

The Apache, part of the brewery's Green Initiatives project, has been retrofitted with 24 lithium batteries that provide a driving range of about 93 miles, according to the brewery's website. A high-efficiency motor supplied by Azure Dynamics (which also supplies motors for Ford's Transit Connect small cargo van) can produce 465 pounds-feet of torque at only 200 rpm.

An ongoing video series documenting the creation of the green-powered Apache — nicknamed "Retro Electro" — is posted on Steam Whistle's website here.

[H/T to Steve for the tip]

Report: Auto leasing surges to highest level since 2005

From: Dan Roth

Sent: Thursday, April 07, 2011 6:41 PM

Subject: Report: Auto leasing surges to highest level since 2005

Filed under: Car Buying, Etc., Marketing/Advertising

Leasing is back in a big way, says The Detroit News. After virtually disappearing, lease packages with monthly payments below $199 and no money down are popping up everywhere lately, and those deals are finding consumers. Take it as a sign of economic improvement, but the reemergence could come back to bite automakers in a few years, too. With leases accounting for more than twenty percent of new car sales in February and March, a whole bunch of returned vehicles could flood the used market in just a few years, cratering the resale values that make automakers and lenders so enthusiastic to offer good lease terms right now.

If irrational exuberance takes hold again and artificially low, unsustainable lease rates are used to pump up sales figures, it's hard to see how we're not in for an eventual crash. Attractive lease deals on brand-new models like the Chevrolet Cruze are cause for concern to some analysts. Leasing is more often used to move luxury vehicles and aging models, so coming out of the gate with a sharp lease deal smacks of a grab at market share. General Motors counters that it has merely brought leasing back to 15-20 percent of sales, a healthy level, and it's being careful.

Dealers are happy to see the increased showroom traffic the new surge in leasing has brought. Many stores saw sales implode as the recession was busy taking everyone off a cliff. Being able to offer a popular car with an affordable payment again is an effective sheepdog to direct people into dealerships, and besides, the used car market has been depleted for months thanks to measures like Cash For Clunkers and people holding on to their cars longer, keeping them out of circulation.

[Source: The Detroit News]

Report: Auto leasing surges to highest level since 2005 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Apr 2011 17:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How to Get EcoBoost in Your Television

 

From: Mike Levine

Sent: Friday, April 08, 2011 12:56 PM

Subject: How to Get EcoBoost in Your Television

We're busy crunching numbers and making pretty charts to summarize our recent twin truck Ford F-150 EcoBoost road test but you can learn more about Ford's all-new gasoline turbo direct injection six-cylinder this Sunday on TV.

NBC will broadcast the "Ford F-150 EcoBoost Torture Test" at 4:30 p.m. ET, which details the incredible punishment inflicted on the 3.5 liter V-6 engine. The program, narrated by Mike Rowe of Dirty Jobs fame, uses footage from the six webisodes and the tear down event, according to Ford spokesman Richard Truett.

If you have questions during or after the show, jump online for a live chat with Jim Mazuchowski, Ford's manager of V-6 engines, from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm ET at www.thefordstory.com.

Audi makes it right with disgruntled customer, loans free S4 until order arrives

From: Chris Shunk

Sent: Friday, April 08, 2011 2:31 PM

Subject: Audi makes it right with disgruntled customer, loans free S4 until order arrives

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Performance, Plants/Manufacturing, Audi

2010 Audi S4 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ordering a special edition luxury vehicle from Germany can take some time. The plant needs to put you in the production queue with the rest of the orders, shipping across the Atlantic can eat up weeks and parts availability can also throw off timing. Such a protracted timeline played out for Audi forum member Datz as he waited for his brand new S4, except three months became five months and then his December order led to a July delivery.

Instead of sitting back and listening to excuse after excuse from the dealership, Datz reportedly took to the Internets in search of justice. The expectant owner even sent a note out to Audi U.S.A. chief Johan de Nysschen, and he says he focused his vitriol on Audi's goal to be the global leader in luxury autos instead of complaining about his plight at the dealership.

Instead of ignoring the email, de Nysschen took action, calling the disgruntled buyer to see how he could hep. The Audi boss apologized for the delays, telling him that his $2,500 Daytona Gray paint job and trunk component delays were the issue, though he reportedly added that those issues are Audi's, not his.

Calling the customer was a very cool thing for de Nysschen to do, but he went a monumental leap forward by providing a 2010 S4 loaner to use while he waited for his new vehicle. He also called the plant and had production moved up to April, with a June delivery date. Nicely done Audi, and way to use the Internet to your advantage, Datz! Now you can beat the snot out of the loaner to get it out of your system before you get your own S4 to coddle.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Audi S4

Photos copyright (C)2011 Damon Lavrinc / Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Audizine.com via Quattro World via Motor Authority]

Audi makes it right with disgruntled customer, loans free S4 until order arrives originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mopar Introduces Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Pickup Truck Conversion Kit

From: Mike Levine

Sent: Friday, April 08, 2011 4:03 PM

Subject: Video: Mopar Introduces Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Pickup Truck Conversion Kit

Yesterday, we told you about the Jeep Wrangler JK-8 Independence headed to Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, UT. It previews a conversion kit that Chrysler's Mopar parts division will sell that will allow off-road enthusiasts to turn a Jeep Wrangler JK Unlimited into a pickup truck.

Today, we have video of Jim Sassorossi, head of Mopar sales and marketing, introducing it to the media.