Late model GM performance has a new online TV show

Source: Autochannel.com

LSX TV Online TV Show Launched For GM Enthusiasts

LSXTV.com, in partnership with LS1Tech.com and powerTV, serves up on-demand online video for owners and enthusiasts of LSX-powered GM cars and trucks.

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CA - December 21, 2006 - If you're an owner or fan of LSX-powered GM vehicles like the Camaro/Firebird, Corvette, SSR, or Silverado/Sierra, you know they're the hottest vehicles in the performance aftermarket. Now, for the first time ever, there is a TV show dedicated to these enthusiasts - welcome to LSX TV. Launched in cooperation with LS1Tech.com, LSX TV is 100% late model GM focused.

GM has done an incredible job with the LSX engine platform. The engines feature gobs of power, outstanding durability, plus a huge selection of performance parts to choose from. Since the LSX is one of the hottest segments on the Internet, powerTV decided to bring LSX TV online to focus content toward these enthusiasts.

What type of show content and videos will you find online at www.LSXTV.com?
Imagine being able to see and hear a video of your favorite exhaust system, camshaft or supercharger before you buy. Imagine being able to see and hear before and after dyno tests, installation overviews, performance evaluations, comparisons, and much more! All you need is a computer and a high-speed internet connection to watch the Flash videos featured on LSX TV.

The relationship between LS1Tech.com and LSXTV is a win-win for Late Model GM enthusiasts all over the world. "As a longtime LSX enthusiast, I am excited about LSX TV," said John Ryan, LS1Tech.com Founder. "There is currently not any television programming that is LSX related, so we fill that void. LSXTV will provide interesting programming that caters to the advanced LSX enthusiast, who wants lots of technical content 24-7. We at LS1Tech.com are working with LSX TV to create both featured content and video from our more than 80,000 active members. When you put that all together, you have a bunch of cool content for LSX enthusiasts."

LSX TV is launching full-time in January 2007 at www.LSXtv.com - but the channel did a Beta launch of content at the 2006 PRI Racing industry trade show. With over 4,500 viewers within the first 24 hours, LSX TV has all the makings of a major hit for the millions of online late-model GM enthusiasts.

Bumblebee appears in latest trailer

The 5th Generation Chevy Camaro starring as Bumblebee in the Transformers movie due out in July 2007 has finally made it into a trailer.

Yahoo is hosting the full length trailer here

At first, I wasn't interested in seeing this movie in theaters since I was neve much of a Transformer fan. After seeing this trailer, it looks like a very good action movie. I can't wait.

GM plans to backup the SS nameplate

Finally, after Chevrolet introduces a few models with a watered-down SS package, they are clamping down. No longer will the SS badge be simple some nice wheels and a few emblems combined with a few stitches on the headrests.


GM tightens up usage of SS label
Souce - The Detroit News 12/15/2006

General Motors Corp. is rethinking the way its uses the SS moniker that has adorned souped-up Chevrolets since 1961.

SS -- for super sport -- has traditionally signaled performance versions of vehicles like the Camaro, Impala and most recently the Cobalt sedan.

The automaker felt it was getting a bit carried away with the label after putting it on the most recent version of the Malibu midsize sedan. So now only cars with the best horsepower, braking power and handling will get the title.

It's part of GM's bid to stoke sales by building exclusivity into some models, a move the automaker hopes will burnish the overall image of a brand and make other vehicles from the same nameplate more attractive to buyers.

"Not every car that has some extra features and fancy racing stripes can be an SS," said Ed Welburn, GM Design global vice president.

GM will start the transition with the introduction next year of a new sport version of the Equinox compact SUV. The vehicle will have 42 percent more horsepower than the basic Equinox and other performance enhancing features, but will be labeled a sport as opposed to an SS. At the same time, GM will no longer offer a SS version of the Malibu.

"That's one that probably shouldn't have gotten the SS label," Chevrolet Marketing Director Cheryl Catton said.

Automakers often use special edition vehicles to give their brands an image boost. Such vehicles rarely deliver high sales numbers, but can help generate buzz around a company's lineup.

"They might want to be more careful with the vehicles they stick that badge on," said Brian Moody, road test editor with Edmunds.com. When used properly, he said, sport labels "may drum up interest in the brand down the line."

The image boost that comes with distinguishable lineups can help improve a vehicle's selling power as well as increase its resale value, another important factor for car buyers.

Each brand gets own identity

GM has struggled to define its vehicles in the eyes of consumers, with a murky brand portfolio and often indistinguishable characteristics between its cars and trucks.

But the company has made it a top priority to turn that around and give each brand a distinct identity. Buick, for example, will aim for an image of luxury and refinement. Pontiac wants to come across as stylish and performance-oriented.

"For this to be a truly great company, we need to deliver on the product side," said GM sales chief Mark LaNeve, speaking Thursday during a media preview of the GM exhibit under construction at the North American International Auto Show.

LaNeve said GM is having success already that has helped stem market losses in the automaker's North American operations. He said GM expects to hold or slightly increase its market share -- about 25 percent at the end of November -- in 2007.

Part of GM's image efforts will go public next month at the auto show, where the automaker is entirely rebuilding its display to showcase each brand separately yet still under the GM umbrella.

"Now, from the beginning, we build a car to match the characteristics of the brand, " LaNeve said.

Camaro Convertible at the 2007 NAIAS?

With all of the positive attention the Camaro Concept received at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, how will GM keep the momentum going?
How do they beat the introduction of the Silver car we have seen so much press about?

Word is, they will do that with a Camaro Convertible. The image above is one we recieved via email yesterday. It is a rendering of what the Camaro could look like.

I like it, put me down for one in blue.

Mustanga Italiana

Ever since I first saw pictures of the new Giugiaro Mustang, all I could think of was Camaro concept with a nice evolution of the Mustang front end. It seems I am not alone.

Source: FordMuscle.com

We think it looks too much like the new Camaro concept. But here is what Ford and the designer think…

“When we saw the new Mustang, we knew two things: It was the best we’d seen since the original, and we had to get our hands on one,” says Fabrizio Giugiaro, styling director of Italdesign - Giugiaro S.P.A.

So in early 2005, Giugiaro pitched J Mays, Ford Motor Company’s group vice president, Design and chief creative officer, on his idea to do an Italian job on the beloved Mustang. The result: Mustang by Giugiaro – a one-of-a-kind concept powered by Ford Racing technologies, marking the Italian coachbuilder’s first reveal at the inaugural November media week for the Los Angeles Auto Show.

“It seemed only fitting,” says Mays. “This design study reinforces the global appeal of Mustang, yet it’s right at home in L.A. – America’s most enthusiastic performance and muscle car market. Plus, when design icon Giorgetto Giugairo offered to work his magic on Mustang alongside his son, it underscores the timeless allure of Ford’s most iconic car.”

Design aficionados will remember that the senior Giugiaro – who last year celebrated his 50th anniversary in the business by designing a custom-made Ferrari, the GG50 – created the 1965 Bertone Mustang. The car, which was unmistakably Italian in its interpretation, became the first European-styled car to make its international debut in America following the end of World War II.

This time, it was Giugiaro’s son, Fabrizio, who led the 2-D design process on the Mustang by Giugiaro concept, allowing him to deliver a complete exterior model from the family’s Turin, Italy, studios in just four months.

Visually, the Mustang by Giugiaro appears more compact than the production car, thanks to a reduction of the rear overhang and a signature Giugiaro “trick” of tapering the angles on the car to the limit of its mechanical outlines.

The vibrant orange concept is wider than the production version. The Giugiaros added 30 millimeters to the front, gradually expanding the width by a full 80 millimeters toward the rear, which is typical in Italian design. With its longer hood and the trunk barely visible, the car looks more of a fastback in side view.

The concept features a powertrain and chassis enhanced in conjunction with Ford Racing – which efforts include the development and sale of a race-prepared version of the Mustang, called the FR500C. In its first season on the Grand-Am KONI Challenge Series, the FR500C scored five wins in the 2005 GS Class, including the manufacturers’ championship, in which Mustang bested other production-based sports cars, including the BMW M3 and Porsche 911.

Ford Racing improved on the already-robust 300 horsepower all-aluminum 4.6-liter 3-valve V-8 engine in the production Mustang GT by adding an intercooled twin-screw supercharger for the new concept. The powertrain upgrades deliver 500 horsepower, complete with a boost level of 11 psi from the Ford Racing supercharger.

A high-efficiency Ford Racing aluminum radiator provides increased cooling capability to accompany the extra 200 horsepower provided under hood. Enhancements to the appearance of the engine compartment include special Ford Racing chrome cam covers and fluid fill caps.

Under the car, the FR500C-inspired chassis includes the same brake equipment used on the race car. The changes give the car a lower stance, riding approximately 1.5 inches lower than the production Mustang GT, while sharpening handling response.

“The Mustang by Giugiaro drives as good as it looks,” says Fabrizio Giugiaro. “After taking it to the limits on streets outside of Turin, I can honestly say this car was well worth the 30,000 hours of blood, sweat and tears that we invested to create a modern performance classic.”

The BOSS 302 Mustang

Source: Ford Motor Company - 2006 SEMA

Ford today announced at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show that it is reviving the legendary 5.0-liter 302 cubic inch V-8 engine for the aftermarket with a new line of BOSS 302 crate engines, which will go on sale in early 2007.

Making its debut in 1969, the original BOSS 302 powered a limited production Mustang model sold for two years, which was known as the BOSS 302. The car got its name from the legendary engine that powered the Mustang to a Sports Car Club of American Trans-Am series win in 1970.

“The original BOSS 302 was a race winning engine. Sharing the DNA from the original BOSS 302, the new BOSS 302 begins with a block designed with racing in mind from the beginning,” said Jamie Allison, manager, Ford Racing Performance Group. “Whether racing in a sealed engine class, building an all-out drag racing engine or looking for a street performer, the BOSS 302 block and engine family meets the needs of all Ford 302 enthusiasts at a price that is comparable to a performance-prepped stock 302.”

The new Ford Racing Performance Parts BOSS 302 line was conceived because there was an unmet need for engines built from a block stronger than original regular production 302 blocks but more affordable than full race-prepped blocks. The new BOSS 302 engine block features greater strength than most race blocks and offers a street-capable cooling system design, something that race specific blocks tend to sacrifice.



Despite its strength and capability, the new BOSS 302 line is surprisingly affordable because of its high volume production. And since it was designed within Ford Motor Company, the engine also benefits from the improved quality and durability that comes with a production type engine.

“The original BOSS 302 delivered less than 300 hp. Today, enthusiasts are making 500 hp street cars and they need a robust block. Race-specific blocks offer the strength required but cool poorly for street use and are very expensive for the average enthusiast,” says Allison.

Built from the all new BOSS 302 block, the BOSS crate engines feature performance and packaging that accommodate displacements from 302 to 363 cubic inches. Entry level engines feature the Ford Racing GT-40X Xtra Performance Turbo Swirl aluminum heads to retain stock exhaust locations and are rated at 340 and 345 hp. Higher performance versions include Ford Racing’s “Z”-head equipped 302 and 347 cubic inch engines rated between 360 and 450 hp, depending on configuration. The BOSS engine series is capped by a 500 hp 331 cubic inch engine that showcases the capability of the new block by breathing through all new ported Z-heads.

Features that separate the new BOSS 302 from its competition include:

- 4-bolt mains for lower-end stability at high power outputs
- High-tin 41,000 PSI tensile strength iron alloy for ultimate strength
- Nodular iron main caps for additional strength
- Screw-in freeze plugs for additional more strength and stability
- Front cross-over lifter oiling for high RPM valvetrain capability
- Siamese bores with specifically engineered drillings between cylinders for maximum wall stability and gasket sealing with street capable cooling performance

The suggested retail price for the BOSS 302 block is and affordable $1,759, with BOSS engines ranging from $4,650 to $10,000 for the 500 hp BOSS 331 cubic inch engines. The engines come with a 12 month/12,000 mile limited warranty.

Like the original Boss 302 that was engineered for Trans Am racing, the new BOSS 302 features trickle down performance from racing in the American Speed Association (ASA) Late Model circle track series. A sealed circle track version of a 347 cubic inch BOSS engine will be available both for ASA and NASCAR circle track racers in time for the 2007 season.

Debuting in four SEMA display vehicles, four premier car builders placed the new BOSS 302 in their 2006 show vehicles. All the builders chose to use a 302 cubic inch engine, staying true to the original namesake.

Featured builders are:

Dan Web – Award-winning hot rod creator is featuring a 390 hp BOSS engine in his 1933 Ford 3-window coupe.
Galpin Ford – Known for their “Galpinized” custom creations, they built a “retro-mod” 2007 Mustang featuring a 360 hp BOSS engine.
Chip Foose – Created the new “Powered by Ford BOSS 302” from a 1970 Mustang for the show Overhaulin’; public reveal at SEMA.
Hotrods and Horsepower – Created the SEMA Deuce, a commemorative vehicle for the 2006 SEMA show featuring a 360 hp BOSS engine.

For more information on these engines and other Ford Racing Performance Parts, visit: www.fordracingparts.com.

The spyshots of the Super Vette are FAKE!

Our previously reported Super Vette is a fake. There is a very well written synopsis on the Corvette Action Center website this week, the aritcle, by Rob Loszewski details the actions taken and the feelings of automotive enthusiasts from all over the country. It is worth reading.

Here is a clip from the article (reprinted with permission)

The Web of Deception
A look at Winding Road's Corvette SS and and a half-hazard attempt at making a buck

Several weeks ago, three to four pictures of a silver C6 Z06 covered in tape, contact paper, and a prominent hood scoop began to appear across the web. The photos were taken by some kid with a camera who spotted the test mule coming at him. He quickly gave chase, snapped a few photos and poof…..Corvette and automotive discussion boards were ablaze with wild speculation and obsessive dissection of the photos.

On Friday morning, December 1, 2006, word quickly spread across the internet regarding an online automotive news magazine's pathetic attempt at pulling the wool over the eyes of Corvette enthusiasts by developing their very own mock-up of a supposed 2008 Corvette "Blue Devil / SS" test mule.

In the January 2007 issue of their online magazine, Winding Road detailed how they took a silver production Z06 Corvette, and with the use of duct tape, cardboard and a little bit of ingenuity, built their own test mule. Their purpose: "To build a Corvette so authentic that it's published in a competing car magazine." They continue:

"Irresponsible speculation has been put forth by Corvette fanatics, magazine editors, and competing manufacturers. But because we are enthusiasts to the core, we want this Corvette to exist, too. It is with this in mind that we declare the game officially over. More significant than seeing our car published in another magazine was the reaction we received from the public at large. People want to believe in it. People want to buy it. Listen to them Chevrolet, Build the Blue Devil. Gave over. Thanks for playing." Link

More...

New Camaros on the road by Christmas

It looks like the new Camaro will be prowling the streets by Christmas 2006, but not on any roads in the USA. GM Holden will have hand built prototypes will be on roads in Australia for testing very soon.

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald - Joshua Dowling

The modern-day version of the 1960s American muscle car, the Chevrolet Camaro, will be on local roads before Christmas.

But you won't be able to buy one just yet: the cars will be handbuilt prototypes that Holden and a team of US engineers are developing for General Motors in Detroit ahead of the car's North American release in early 2008.

Following the success of the Holden Monaro export program (the Australian-made coupe was sold as a Pontiac GTO in the US), the team at Holden is leading the final design, engineering and development of the Camaro.

However, the new Camaro will not be made in Australia. GM has confirmed it will be built in Canada from late next year.

Denny Mooney, the boss of Holden, told Drive this week: "We are building prototype Camaros right now. We should see some on the roads before Christmas."

GM's highly regarded Korean-born designer, Sang Yup, has been working alongside Holden designers in Melbourne to transform the car from concept to reality.

The Camaro was unveiled at the Detroit motor show last January and American enthusiasts instantly demanded it be built.

Holden is closely linked to the program because the Camaro shares underpinnings with the new Commodore.

At this stage there are plans to build the Camaro only as a left-hand-drive for North America but the Holden boss is on record saying he would like to sell the car in Australia.

Drive understands Holden has conducted a study on whether the car - were it to be sold here - should be called a Chevrolet Camaro or wear a Holden badge. The verdict: Chevrolet Camaro was the preferred option, given the awareness of the name from the 1970s 80s thanks to racers such as Bob Jane and Kevin Bartlett and the muscle car scene of the time.

Meanwhile, Holden seems close to finalising a deal to export its flagship Commodore sports sedan, the SS-V, to the US as a Pontiac Grand Prix. Holden says it cannot confirm whether the deal has been approved but Mooney says he has a "good feeling about it".

Industry insiders have told Drive that GM in the US is close to making the announcement and may be saving the news for the Chicago motor show in February.