2008 Corvette Blue Devil……. January 29, 2007
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It is no secret that Chevolet has been diligently working to bring new and exciting products to the public. The new Corvette version that has been in the works for a while now is no exception. This Corvette, orginally tag named by Bob Lutz as the Blue Devil will be a much upgraded performance level vehicle based on the current Z06 platform. The leaked information indicates that car will be powered by a supercharged engine giving a reported range of between 600 and 650 HP. Some have even speculated that the powerplant will be a dual overhead cam engine. This Corvette will have more carbon fiber body panels than the current Zo6, allowing it to reduce the curb weight to the 2900 lb range. All this coupled with rumours of upgraded suspension and larger brakes will truly make this Corvette a race car with street manners.
With all the mystique and speculation about the new high performance version of the Corvette, there is of course lots of pictures and artists renditions, out on the internet and in magazines each trying to capture the elusive vision of this much desired supercar. We will not add to the media frenzy by posting any pictures here at this time since there are no certified examples of exactly what this Blue Devil will look like.
Speculation extends to the engine itself being called the LS7, L88, ZL1 all these have been historically famous Cherolet designations. The latest guess is that it will be called the LS9.
To complete the mystery of this latest Corvette, there is of course the speculated names that have been floating around the media and the enthusiasts forums. Starting with Mr. Lutz’ endearing name of the Blue Devil is has progressed to Devil Ray, Sting Ray, Z07, Corvette SS, along with many others. There has even been a flurry of activity recently due to the fact that General Motors has renewed the name of the ZR-1.
Regardless of what they name the engine option or the Corvette version itself, it will be a world beater at a fraction of the cost of it’s nearest competitors. Corvette has had a long history of innovation with a strong performance and racing heritage and this Corvette will be a pinnacle of engineering. As enthusiasts, we are as excited about the new Blue Devil as everyone else. The one thing for sure is that this Corvette is not just an engineer’s pipe dream, it is real. Like most other enthusiasts, we don’t care what they call it, just bring it on…we are ready!
The Chevy Enthusiast
Targa Newfoundland……… January 22, 2007
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If you love spectacular scenery and high performance rally competitions, then you need to experience the Targa Newfoundland Rally. This event has been rapidly growing in stature over the last 5 years. Competitors from all over the globe enter in this event held every September.
http://www.targanewfoundland.com/home.asp
To get a good view of this competitive event, tune in to Global Television on Saturday January 27th, 2007 at 9:00 pm EST. It will also be broadcast on Speed Channel on March 4th, 2007 at 3:30 EST.
Watch for the Team Targa Corvette! This yellow Z06 Corvette owned and navigated by Mike Bell and driven by Mark Swain is a crowd favorite. They have also provided in-car camera footage of the event that will be used in the telecast. Watching the in car footage is almost like being in the car and will definitely get your heart pumping.
Wilson Niblett Corvette is a proud sponsor of the Team Targa Corvette Z06 and performed much of the pre-race vehicle maintenance and overhaul. This car is also followed closely by a dedicated team of volunteers that travelled to Newfoundland for the event. Couple all this dedication and support to the enthusiastic in car team of Mark Swain and Mike Bell and you have a team that competes with all their heart. The key ingredient in the successful mix is an essentially stock Corvette Z06 , designed and built with the same passion by Chevrolet.
Be forewarned, watching this program will make you want to go for a spirited drive around Newfoundland in September, especially in a Corvette Z06!
The Chevy Enthusiast
More 2008 Malibu……….. January 15, 2007
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The new 2008 Chevrolet Malibu has been very well received at the Detroit Auto Show. When we were there, we were very impressed and the general concensus in the crowd was positive. Chevrolet has pulled out all the stops on this dynamic vehicle. The beautiful styling and innovative engineering changes make this one car to watch for in the showrooms this fall.
HHR Cappuccino announced……… January 11, 2007
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Chevrolet has announced that they will be producing a limited production run of 2008 Chevrolet HHR Premiere Cappunccino editions. These vehicles will feature a special Frost Metallic painted exterior and an Ebony – Grey two tone interior. It is reported that they will only build 4000 of these striking vehicles for a world-wide distribution. Production will start during the first quarter of 2007.
“The HHR has been among the hottest selling vehicles in the industry since its introduction last year,” said Cheryl Catton, General Director of Chevrolet Car Marketing.
Keep your eye on this new vehicle and the recently announced HHR Panel………coming soon!
The Chevy Enthusiast
2007 Chevrolet Volt Concept…….. January 9, 2007
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If you have ever dreamed of having a vehicle that is quiet running, has smooth power and could ease the pain of fluctuating gas prices? Well, check out the new Chevrolet Volt Concept car that was unveiled at the North American Auto Show in Detroit this week.
http://www.gm.com/company/gm_exp_live/events/naias_2007/index_flash.html?navID=3.0.1.1
The above link will bring you to a Flash page on the General Motors site. You can click on the various images of the Volt and get a perfect view of the advanced styling they have used to create a pleasing yet functional wind cutting design. At the bottom of this Flash page, you can select “Webcasts”. click on this and you will view the actual presentation of the Volt by Rick Waggoner and Bob Lutz at the Detroit Show.
The technology of this concept is very forward thinking and incorporates many new features. The batteries can withstand deep discharge and recharge rates without degradation. Many of the panels are newly blended composites created with the assistance of GE. The side windows are Lexan, just as is used in fighter planes for it’s strencght and light weight.
Personally, I am a true “Gearhead” at heart and love new technology, especially if it will add a performance increase to a vehicle. The new Volt Concept does just that. Here is a car that will cruise in traffic at 70 Mph (120 Kph) with the on-board generator only coming on occasionally to top up the battery charge in the vehicle. If you go only 40 Miles in a day in city traffic, the gasoline (or E85) powered on-board generator might never need to be activated; therefore using no petroleum based fuels.
Just think, when you arive home at the end of the day, all you have to do is plug the car into your electrical outlet. When you awake the next morning refreshed and ready for the day, so is the battery pack in your car!
I would love to drive this vehicle and I sincerely hope they bring it to production in the near future.
How about you? Do you have a desire to own a vehicle like this? Let me know what you think.
The Chevy Enthusiast
2007 Silverado accolades…….. January 8, 2007
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The 49 member panel of the North American Automotive Journalists has chosen the 2007 Chevrolet Silverado the North American Truck of the Year. The winner was named Sunday Jan 7th, at the start of Press Review days for the prestigious North American International Auto Show held in Detroit.
This accolade comes on the heels of the industry recognized 2007 Motor Trend Truck of the Year award announced recently.
For anyone that has not driven a the newly re-invented 2007 Silverado, you are surely missing out on a fantastic vehicle. If you thought the last generation of the Silverado marque was a terrific vehicle, you will be genuinely surprised to find the 2007 model another leap forward. This truck has not only been redesigned but re-engineered to bring new power, ride, handling all packaged in beautiful 21st century styling with a comfortable, ergonomicaly designed interior.
Try one today…………you will love it!
2009 Camaro Convertible……….. January 4, 2007
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There has just been an announcement that the new Camaro Convertible prototype will be on display at the Detroit Auto Show this year. The car will debut on Jan 6th amid a presentation of fashion clothing and celebrities at the GM Style Event. The show will be open to the media on Sunday Jan 7th until the 9th. Public access to the show will begin on Jan 13th.
While it has been confirmed that the Camaro Hardtop will be produced in Oshawa, Ontario as a 2009 model, there has not yet been a confirmation that this stunning convertible will be on the option list. The prototype has been finished in an updated version of the popular Hugger Orange colour from the 1969 colour palette. The accent stripes are Dark Charcoal to bring back the essence of the sought after Z-28 option of that era.
Modern LS engine architecture, manual transmission and an independent rear suspension, all coupled with modern tire technology……….performance automobile fans are all drooling in anticipation!
If you are in that area, check it out! If last years display of the 2009 Camaro Hardtop was any indication of the cars popularity, you will just have to look for the largest crowd in the show and that is where you will find this latest rendition of an automotive icon.
See you there!
The Chevy Enthusiast
More 2008 Malibu……… January 3, 2007
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Wow! That is all I can say about the new Chevrolet Malibu. Although it is not available yet, we have some more advance photos of the car and it look fantastic.
There are a lot of changes to the Malibu and the new attributes are too numerous to list here. We will keep you up to date as the car gets nearer to production. Meanwhile, if you have any further questions about this stunning new vehicle, contact your favorite Wilson Niblett Sales Rep.
Ron Fellows Special Edition Corvette Z06……… January 31, 2007
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Chevrolet is producing the long rumoured Ron Fellows Special Edition Corvette Z06 for 2007 MY production. We had learned of this special Z06 being produced, last year at the ALMS race at Mosport. The following is from a General Motors Media Release posted today:
“Marking his championship tenure with Corvette Racing’s GT1-class domination in the ALMS, Corvette racing living legend Ron Fellows is celebrated with a specially prepared 2007 Corvette Z06 production model. All are distinguished by Arctic White paint (including the door handles) that is accented with a racing-style fender stripe and Ron Fellows’ autograph.
The front fender graphics are reminiscent of the identifying graphics of the Corvette GT1 race car. They feature double Monterey Red Metallic stripes with Machine Silver borders and Fellows’ autograph in a contrasting Victory Red shade, along with the callouts of the championship years when he was at the wheel. There is also a maple leaf logo motif incorporated with the graphics, a nod to Fellows’ Canadian heritage. Indeed, the red-over-white color scheme of the car’s paint and graphics represents Canada’s colors.
This special Corvette Z06 is the first signed special edition in Corvette’s 54-year history, and is the first Arctic White Z06 ever offered. Only 399 are planned for production: approximately 300 for the United States, 33 for Canada and 66 for other export markets.
Exterior cues include a full-width racing spoiler and a unique windshield banner. Additional standard equipment includes the well-equipped 2LZ package and chrome wheels. Special interior appointments include:
An accomplished road racer, Ron Fellows is inextricably woven into the Corvette Racing team’s success. He helped test and develop the first Corvette C5.R race car and recorded the team’s first win in 2000. Fellows also grabbed the ALMS GTS class championship in 2002 and shared that position in 2003 and’04. Fellows has been a part of all six consecutive ALMS GT1 manufacturers championships for Chevrolet, and was voted the most popular ALMS driver in 2004 and’05. Additionally, he has slipped behind the wheel of NASCAR Nextel Cup Chevy Monte Carlo SS race cars when the series hits road courses. He’s also scored a pair of NASCAR Craftsman Truck series wins, three NASCAR Busch Series wins, 19 SCCA Trans Am wins and was the GM Player’s Challenge champion in 1989.
The Ron Fellows ALMS GT1 Champion Corvette Z06 will be available this spring.”
We do know that a limited number of these collectible cars have already started to come off the assembly line in Bowling Green.
We are very excited about this Corvette and look forward to seeing it in person.
The Chevy Enthusiast