Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet, GM

Earlier today, the folks from Exodus Pictures - a Michigan-based film studio - officially unveiled the FireBreather, a Camaro-based creation built in collaboration with Classic Design Concepts of Novi, Michigan. The one-off Camaro was designed by Ajmal Ahmad, the writer and director of the upcoming sci-fi film Jinn, in which the FireBreather will make its big screen debut.

Underneath the slightly revised sheetmetal is a factory-fresh Camaro SS, but the creative team from Classic Design Concepts have outfitted it with a new front fasica, hood, rear fascia and some incredibly hot-looking wheels. The new nose has a bit of Pontiac Trans-Am nostalgia to it, and we very much approve. No modifications have been made to the Camaro's 6.2-liter V8, but CDC has outfitted an Elbach Pro-Plus Performance handling package, as well as sticker Pirelli PZero Rosso tires.

Want one? Exodus will be offering up 50 individually numbered FireBreathers for just under $60,000. Orders can be placed at the FireBreather's sales website, and will be sold on a first come, first served basis. Click through our gallery to see high-res shots of the FireBreather from all angles.

Exodus Pictures unveils FireBreather movie car at Detroit Autorama originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Coupe, Hybrid, Sedan, SUV, Truck, Crossover, Hatchback, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Ford, GM

Each year that Consumer Reports offers up its annual list of Top American Picks, it seems less and less a consolation bracket and more like a reasonable set of choices. To wit, if you wanted the very best family-sized SUV (Chevrolet Traverse) or fullsize pickup truck (Chevrolet Silverado), Consumer Reports will tell you that you're best off choosing American, regardless of which list its from.

Further, CR has found the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan twins have proven to be more reliable than a Honda Accord or Toyota Camry. Blasphemy, you say? To borrow a marketing phrase from the Blue Oval itself, Drive One and find out for yourself. We have, and we found out that it's a great car. Apparently, it's also reliable. Not surprisingly, the Fusion managed to earn two more awards in its hybrid guise, including CR's Best Overall Car.

All told, seven of the 10 awards handed out by CR went to Ford - an impressive performance. Two Top Picks were filled by vehicles from General Motors while Chrysler didn't have a single model on the list, which isn't particularly surprising since the Dodge Ram is the only model from the Pentastar that CR even recommends. Click here to check out the rest of the winners from CR.



[Source: Consumer Reports]

Consumer Reports releases annual list of American Top Picks, Ford the big winner originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Today’s photo comes from Roadsidepictures.

Be sure to look at all of Roadsidepictures’ photos and our other albums. And if you would like to recommend your favorite photo with a GM car or truck in it, put it up on Flickr and tag it with “gmfyi.”

Today’s photo comes from Bill Strong.

Be sure to look at all of Bill Strong’s photos and our other albums. And if you would like to recommend your favorite photo with a GM car or truck in it, put it up on Flickr and tag it with “gmfyi.”

Filed under: Truck, Work, Chevrolet, GM, GMC, Rumormill

The future of the small pickup truck market in the United States doesn't look good. A new global Ford Ranger is in the works, though we have good reason to doubt that will replace the model currently available in North America. For its part, Chrysler has plans to nix the Dodge Dakota next year, and new reports suggest that the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon twins may have their plugs pulled, as well.

In speaking with General Motors vice chairmain Bob Lutz, PickupTrucks.com asked about plans to kill off the two models, with Lutz responding, "It's uncertain at this point...They may well [go away]."

GM has not announced any official plans to update or kill off the Colorado and Canyon, but we won't be surprised if these two dated models meet that Great Car Crusher in the sky over the next couple of years.



[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

Report: GM may euthanize Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon small pickups originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Feb 2010 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Etc., Buick, Cadillac, Hummer, Jaguar, Jeep, Lexus, Mazda, Saturn, Suzuki

Lexus and Hummer took top honors in their respective categories in the J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Consumer Service Index (CSI) Study. Released this time each year, the CSI rankings (based on a 1,000-point scale) measure satisfaction among vehicle owners who visit a brand service department for maintenance or repair work during the first three years of ownership - that wonderful honeymoon phase when factory warranties are still in full effect. The study is designed to focus on five measurements: service quality, service initiation, service advisor, service facility and vehicle pick-up. The results are tabulated, and then presented as a score on a 1,000-point scale. Unlike previous years, where all brands were lumped into one single category and only three made it to the podium, JDPA broke things into two segments: luxury brands and mass market brands.

Lexus, with a score of 837, was at the top of the luxury brands, again - the automaker won last year as well. It was followed by Cadillac (827), who showed a big improvement over the previous year, and Jaguar (822). If you recall, Jaguar was at the top of the list in 2008 and finished second in 2009 (this is more indicative of a bar that continues to be raised rather than a decrease in service). Hummer (815) was top dog among mass market brands, followed by the now-discontinued brand of Saturn (808) and Buick (805). General Motors holds six of the top seven spots on the mass market category. At the bottom of the list are Suzuki (693), Mazda (717) and Jeep (720).

Overall, the industry is showing improvement as customers have expressed satisfaction with the ease of driving in and out of dealership facilities, parking convenience, thoroughness of work performed, the speed of repairs and flexibility of accommodating schedules. While that sounds like great news, experts say it most of those improvements may be attributed to the lower volumes of service bay traffic as sales slump in the new car showroom. Full release after the jump.



[Source: J.D. Power and Associates]

Continue reading Lexus and Hummer top 2010 J.D. Power Customer Service Index Study

Lexus and Hummer top 2010 J.D. Power Customer Service Index Study originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Feb 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What is it like to build a “green” car from scratch? How are student engineers from 17 competing universities progressing with the building of their advanced technology vehicles as part of the EcoCAR Challenge competition? How far can an EcoCAR drive on a tank of E85 or biodiesel? What decision did one EcoCAR team poll their entire campus about? These questions and many more will be answered on Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 3 p.m. ET right here on Fastlane during a live Web chat with the North Carolina State University and University of Wisconsin EcoCAR teams. These teams are part of the EcoCAR Challenge – a college engineering competition sponsored by GM and the U.S. Department of Energy. The students are now halfway through the three-year competition and are in the process of implementing the advanced propulsion systems they’ve designed into real vehicles donated by GM. Join them for a special Web chat to hear all about their experiences thus far in the competition and how they’re making their green designs a reality. For background on the competition prior to the chat visit www.ecocarchallenge.org.

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Hatchback, Chevrolet

With the recent unveiling of the Aveo RS concept at the Detroit Auto Show and spy shots of Chevrolet's diminutive hatch testing in Michigan, Chevy is obviously prepping all-new Aveo for prime time. And judging by these pics procured by KickingTires after a presentation by Bob Lutz, the Aveo is getting a much-needed makeover both inside and out.

With a front end that stays true to the RS, along with a set of bulging fenders and an artfully carved swage line, the 2012 Aveo is a dramatic departure from the budget-conscious model roaming the streets today. Coupled with a thoroughly revised interior, complete with upgraded materials and the RS' motorcycle-inspired gauge cluster, the Aveo has its sights set squarely on the new Ford Fiesta, particularly when it arrives in five-door form.

Pricing remains a question mark, but we'd suspect all the details to be revealed before the end of the year, with sales starting sometime in 2011.

[Source: KickingTires]

2012 Chevrolet Aveo makes an early debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Feb 2010 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Today’s photo comes from kykorvette.

Be sure to look at all of kykorvette’s photos and our other albums. And if you would like to recommend your favorite photo with a GM car or truck in it, put it up on Flickr and tag it with “gmfyi.”