US used Chevrolet Caprice as car of police!

Chevrolet has developed a new Chevrolet Caprice PPV for the US market, and as indicated by its PPV suffix (Police Patrol Vehicle) it will be police-only. The new Caprice PPV is based on the GM Zeta platform which is shared between its large vehicles like the Camaro, and in long wheelbase form, the Holden Statesman. The Caprice has the same 3,010mm long wheelbase as the Statesman.
Under the hood is a massive 355 horsepower 6.0 liter V8 that can take the cop car from 0 to 100km/h in under 6 seconds. A smaller V6 engine will be offered later. The transmission used is a 6-speed automatic. The front seats are sculpted to “pocket” the officer’s equipment belt (worn on the waist), which greatly increases the comfort for a great range of police officer sizes. The foam density of the seatback and cushion insert surfaces are designed to conform to the shape of an equipment belt’s various items, too, allowing the officer’s back to rest properly on the seatback surface.

Feedback was obtained from the police force during the development process. “The new Chevrolet Caprice police car is the right tool at the right time for law enforcement. We asked for a lot of feedback from our police customers, which helped us develop a vehicle that is superior to the Crown Victoria in key areas,” said Jim Campbell, general manager for GM Fleet and Commercial Operations.

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GM halting Duramax production for 10 weeks

The revamped 6.6-liter Duramax V8 engine will go into production in April 2010 and the current Duramax, which doesn't meet emissions requirements that go into effect January 1, 2010, will cease production the day before the new year begins. In the interim, GM will be retooling the factory and won't be producing any of the engines to go in the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra.This has some dealers and outside observers wondering if GM will run out of 2009 Duramax engines before the new ones are built and installed in engine bays. One dealer says GM will take orders for extended cab models with the big diesel, but no longer accepts orders for Duramax regular cabs. Analysts believe that with the car and work truck market showing some recovery, that demand will grow just as GM is trying to play the inventory game.While the General prepares it's urea-infused powerplants, any engines that GM builds through the end of 2009 can be installed in vehicles even if those vehicles are ordered and built next year. For now, GM says it is padding its stocks of Duramax engines and is confident about being able to meet the need.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

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Comes To Formula D with 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS

One thing we've always loved about drifting in general -- and Formula D in particular -- is the mix of cars. Where else can you see a Dodge Viper going head to head with a Toyota AE86 Corolla? What about a Ford Mustang taking on an R33 Skyline? A Pontiac Solstice against a RX-7? A NASCAR engined Scion (no, really)? But what high horsepower, high torque RWD potential dorifto all-star is missing from Formula D's line up?

Pat yourself you know where if you answered Chevy Camaro SS. In fact, BR Racing is building a 2010 Camaro drift machine (above) for Conrad Grunewald to race. As many of you know, the SS comes to the dance packing 426 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. But for Formula D, that's not nearly enough. BR Racing is therefor stuffing in a tuned LSA mill (same as a Cadillac CTS-V) but turning the pressure (meaning boost) up. How up? More than 600 horsepower at the wheels, which probably means right around 700 crank hp. Sounds like an adequate amount that should have no trouble turning the Hankook Ventus R-S3 tires into molten clouds of stinky smoke. Full press release after the jump.












[Source: Motor Mavens]

PRESS RELEASE

Custom 2010 Camaro Constructed for Competition in 2010 Formula DRIFT Championship

LOS GATOS, CA – BR Racing by Luke Lonberger in partnership with Conrad Grunewald Racing reveal they are in the process of building a 2010 Camaro SS in preparation for the 2010 Formula DRIFT Championship competition.

"I am very excited to be able to drive such an iconic American muscle car in the Formula DRIFT Championship," said Conrad Grunewald, driver and owner of Conrad Grunewald Racing. "Our main goal is to have the Camaro ready for the 2009 SEMA show but our preseason testing should start immediately after the show. I have a great amount of confidence that BR Racing and Luke Lonberger can build this Camaro into a highly competitive car and I look forward to getting back out on the track."

Hankook Tire Corporation will provide tire sponsorship for the 2010 Formula DRIFT season. Grunewald announced the Camaro will use Hankook Ventus R-S3 tires on custom Forgeline aluminum 3-piece wheels. The car is to be controlled by Eibach's Multi-Pro-R2 two-way adjustable dampers and coilovers. A GM Performance LS-A supercharged 6.2 liter V8 controlled by the AEM Universal EMS and expected to make over 600 RWHP will power the Camaro. All body work will be constructed with carbon fiber from Seibon Carbon.

The car will also be on display the 2009 SEMA Show at Las Vegas Convention Center, Nov. 3 to Nov. 6, 2009. The Camaro build can be followed at www.conradgrunewald.com.

Entering its sixth season, Formula DRIFT is recognized as the North American professional drifting championship. Established on the streets of Japan, drifting has evolved into a worldwide competitive sport that challenges each driver's driving ability and vehicle control. Formula DRIFT provides a forum for professional drifters to compete in 7 events nationwide for the coveted Formula DRIFT Championship crown. As the first official series in North America, Formula DRIFT has taken competitive motorsports to the extreme attracting fans and car enthusiasts from all walks of life and establishes itself as the global focal point for the Sport.

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Production Ready Chevy Camaro Convertibles Scooped at Holden Plant

General Motors has been driving us crazy lately with the drop-top variant of the new Chevrolet Camaro as the Detroit automaker is constantly pushing back and forth the vehicle's market launch date. Nevertheless, the project seems to be well on track as these latest scoop photographs prove. The completely undisguised Camaro Convertible models that appear to be production-ready were bagged at GM Holden's e Fishermans Bend plant in Melbourne, Australia, by a Camaro5 forum member.

According to a recent report from Autonews, General Motors is said to have pulled the introduction of the ragtop convertible back to the 2011 model year instead of 2012, but better hold your horses until we hear an official announcement from a GM spokesman.

Like the 2010 Camaro coupe that landed in dealerships this spring, the Camaro Convertible will be offered with a V6 and V8 engine options.

[Via: Camaro5]

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VIDEO: Man in Bumblebee Costume Transforms into Camaro!

This has to be one of the coolest costumes we've ever seen and it definitely tops our "want it" list for this year's Halloween. The video, which appears to have been shot during some sort of promotional event at a Chevy dealership in Mexico, shows a man dressed up in a Bumblebee suit talking to a couple of potential buyers before transforming -literally- into a Camaro! But since seeing is believing, skip the jump to check out the video for yourselves.

[Via: Jalopnik]

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2010 Chevrolet Agile Official Photos: Fortunately, It's only for South America

Proving once again that for the most part, teaser sketches and concept studies have little if anything in common with the actual production model (cars like the Peugeot RCZ are the exception to the rule), General Motors revealed the first official photos of the 2010 Chevy Agile small car. Despite the promising sketches, the production version of the Agile looks like an Opel Corsa that suffered multiple plastic surgery procedures to make it look like a small Chevy crossover.

Luckily for us, the new Agile that was conceived in Brazil using GM's Viva platform is not the next North American or European market Chevy Aveo as the crossoverish hatch was developed for South American markets.

The Agile will be built at General Motors' Rosario plant in Argentina with series production set to begin this fall.

Chevrolet's official press release did not mention anything on the available powertrain options, but South American buyers can expect a range of four-cylinder engines.

[Thanks for the tip Gustavo!]

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Pontiac Firebird Conversion for 2010 Chevy Camaro

The demise of the Pontiac brand killed off any dreams that General Motors might create a Firebird model out of the new 2010 Chevy Camaro, but fans of the car may find some comfort in the Trans Am conversions that are being readied by the crew over at "Trans Am Depot". The company said that it will unveil a one-off Kevin Morgan "Trans Am" Concept at the 2009 Trans Am Nationals at the end of the month with the production version kits set to be available for order later this year.

The Phoenix T/A project that is said to recall the '77 - '78 Trans Am will feature among other things, new front and rear fascias, unique alloy wheels, lowered suspension and turned aluminum inserts in the interior plus a series of performance upgrades.

Trans Am Depot said that the company will be offering everything from the body conversion only to the limited Phoenix Edition with details, pricing and delivery information to be released at a latter date.

Phoenix T/A Conversion Specs - Excluding Performance Upgrades

Exterior

• 1' - 1.5' Lowering Kit w/sway bar handling upgrade
  
• Wheels & Tires
  
• Front: 20x9.5x120 CB-66.9 Gold or Silver Machined Face Snowflake Wheels. PIRELLI PZERO 275/45ZR20
  
• Rear: 20x11.5x120 CB-66.9 Gold or Silver Machined Face Snowflake Wheels. PIRELLI PZERO 305/35ZR20
  
• Hood
  
• Shaker Scoop
  
• Fender Extractors
  
• Exhaust Conversion w/ splitter tips
  
• Rear Fascia Clip w/tail lamp lenses and bulbs
  
• Rear Spoiler
  
• TA Graphic Package
  

  Interior
  

• Embroded Head Rest and Console Lid - KM Graphic Punch
  
• Turned Aluminum Door Panel
  
• Turned Aluminum Dash Inserts
  
• Turned Aluminum Instrument Cluster
  
• Door Panel Badges
  
• T/A SN Badge and Designation

[Link: Trans Am Depot , Via: Jalopnik]

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