The new bonkers Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE is here to rip your face off

The 2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE virtually one-ups the standard ZL1, making it the “most track-capable Camaro ever.”

What’s going on?

Chevrolet revealed the all-new track-focused Camaro ZL1 1LE, an upgraded version of the already insanely capable Camaro ZL1.

And yes, if you were thinking of it as a more intense Camaro ZL1, you’d pretty much be spot-on.

Boy-racer in looks, complete with a ridiculous, but functional giant rear-wing, all revisions actually function to improve the Camaro’s aerodynamics at speed. Though interestingly, power remains unchanged. Instead, the upgrades are focused in the chassis, suspension, and aerodynamics.

Ok, so it gets the same 6.2L supercharged LTA V8 as the standard ZL1. What’s new then?

Yea…that wing actually works.

Like the standard ZL1, the Camaro ZL1 LE gets the same supercharged V8 with 650 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque. So the extras go on and inside the body, and mainly the suspension.

The rear wing is made entirely of carbon fiber, as are the added air deflectors on the bumpers. The latter are said to help increase downforce in the corners. Paired with the Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R tires, a max lateral grip of 1.10g was measured.
The suspension is adjustable, with the front axles utilize adjustable shocks and camber plates. The rear stabilizer bar also features three-way adjustability. Rounding it off is a diet of around 60 pounds.

But, yet, you still get a Bose sound-system, air-con, heated and cooled front seats, and a heated steering wheel.

No word on pricing yet. But it will go on sale later this year.

– By: Chris Chin

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Source: egmCarTech http://bit.ly/2lazh2e

Honda confirms production Civic Type-R at Geneva

Honda’s hotly-anticipated production Civic Type-R heads to Geneva before it arrives on US shores.

What’s going on?

We’re nearing the world-renowned Geneva Auto Show. Taking advantage of the spotlight, Honda officially confirmed the launch of the first production Civic Type R at this year’s exhibition.

Honda fans and hot hatch lovers rejoiced over the return of the fastest production Civic to come from the company. The near-production concept first arrived in Paris with Honda promising that changes to the full production model were minimal.

Excited? We are too, and here’s what we’re expecting.

The production Type R gets Honda’s latest 2.0L VTEC turbocharged four-banger, marking the Type R’s first-ever departure from natural aspiration. Production begins this summer at a specially tailored assembly plant in the UK for export to Europe, Japan, and “other global markets.” We assume the US is one of them.

Official power figures haven’t been released yet. Predictions place horsepower ratings close, if not over the 300 mark.

Those details will likely surface closer to the launch event in Geneva.

– By: Chris Chin

Source: Honda

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Source: egmCarTech http://bit.ly/2l3OC7W

Meet the fastest and most powerful front-engined Ferrari ever, the 812 Superfast

Yes, it’s actually named the Ferrari 812 Superfast and hardly needs explanation.

What’s going on?

Ferrari’s flagship GT V12 sports coupe is getting its replacement. What was once the F12 Berlinetta now becomes the 812 Superfast, the fastest, most powerful Ferrari ever built. Like the F12, the 812 continues the big-bodied, V12-powered grand tourer recipe with rear wheel drive. Further more, the V12 avoids the use of forced induction, meaning it’s naturally aspirated.

The use of forced induction, such as turbocharging on the latest 488 GTO, has purists disappointed. Although Ferrari used turbocharging in the past, they largely relied on naturally-aspirated engines to complete the experience. Thus, the 812 Superfast is a bit of a refresh when measured against the automaker’s recent influx of turbocharged models.

So, how fast is it?

Well, to get straight to the point, the 812 Superfast sports the same F12Tdf’s 6.3L V12. But it’s been reworked to serve up 789 horsepower and 530 pound-feet of torque. To compare, the outgoing F12Tdf made 769hp and 520 lb-ft of twist. That means the 812 makes the same amount of power as the LaFerrari. Except, the 812 Superfast doesn’t utilize an additional electric motor like the LaFerrari, making the 812’s V12 the most powerful production Ferrari engine ever. A newly revised in-house seven-speed dual-clutch transmission featuring revised gearing channels the power to the rear wheels.

The result is a 0-62 time of just 2.9 seconds and a top speed of 211 miles per hour. On paper, it’s clear the 812 will live up to its name.

Why didn’t they call it something more interesting, like Superfast in Italian?

That’s a bit of a problem because Lamborghini already has that covered, with the Aventador SV, or Superveloce, which is what Superfast is in Italian.

What else is new about it?

Here’s where some of the new stuff gets questionable. Ferrari announced that the 812 Superfast is the first model to undergo a switch over to electric-assisted power steering, versus the previous dependency on old-fashioned hydraulics. Like the changeover to turbocharging, the use of electric power steering worries purists. EPS systems still struggle to compare well to hydraulic-assist in performance applications in terms of feel and natural progression. With the 812, there’s a risk the steering could have less feel, less natural progression and weighting, and a less-accurate on-center tactility.

And like the F12Tdf, the 812 comes with Ferrari’s latest Virtual Short Wheelbase four-wheel steering.

Deep down, you can tell the 812 Superfast is technically a heavily revised F12Tdf as structurally, the car shares the same overall shape and key design cues. To compliment the new looks, extra power, and new name, the interior gets a complete makeover as well.

When will it come out?

The new Ferrari 812 Superfast is scheduled to make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month. It also marks Ferrari’s 70th year in existence.

Pricing?

A lot. Enough to buy a nice house in many places of the world.

– By: Chris Chin

 

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Source: egmCarTech http://bit.ly/2lpm6yy

Meet the fastest and most powerful Ferrari in all of history, the 812 Superfast

Yes, it’s actually named the Ferrari 812 Superfast and hardly needs explanation.

What’s going on?

Ferrari’s flagship GT V12 sports coupe is getting its replacement. What was once the F12 Berlinetta now becomes the 812 Superfast, the fastest, most powerful Ferrari ever built. Like the F12, the 812 continues the big-bodied, V12-powered grand tourer recipe with rear wheel drive. Further more, the V12 avoids the use of forced induction, meaning it’s naturally aspirated.

The use of forced induction, such as turbocharging on the latest 488 GTO, has purists disappointed. Although Ferrari used turbocharging in the past, they largely relied on naturally-aspirated engines to complete the experience. Thus, the 812 Superfast is a bit of a refresh when measured against the automaker’s recent influx of turbocharged models.

So, how fast is it?

Well, to get straight to the point, the 812 Superfast sports the same F12Tdf’s 6.3L V12. But it’s been reworked to serve up 789 horsepower and 530 pound-feet of torque. To compare, the outgoing F12Tdf made 769hp and 520 lb-ft of twist. That means the 812 makes the same amount of power as the LaFerrari. Except, the 812 Superfast doesn’t utilize an additional electric motor like the LaFerrari, making the 812’s V12 the most powerful production Ferrari engine ever. A newly revised in-house seven-speed dual-clutch transmission featuring revised gearing channels the power to the rear wheels.

The result is a 0-62 time of just 2.9 seconds and a top speed of 211 miles per hour. On paper, it’s clear the 812 will live up to its name.

Why didn’t they call it something more interesting, like Superfast in Italian?

That’s a bit of a problem because Lamborghini already has that covered, with the Aventador SV, or Superveloce, which is what Superfast is in Italian.

What else is new about it?

Here’s where some of the new stuff gets questionable. Ferrari announced that the 812 Superfast is the first model to undergo a switch over to electric-assisted power steering, versus the previous dependency on old-fashioned hydraulics. Like the changeover to turbocharging, the use of electric power steering worries purists. EPS systems still struggle to compare well to hydraulic-assist in performance applications in terms of feel and natural progression. With the 812, there’s a risk the steering could have less feel, less natural progression and weighting, and a less-accurate on-center tactility.

And like the F12Tdf, the 812 comes with Ferrari’s latest Virtual Short Wheelbase four-wheel steering.

Deep down, you can tell the 812 Superfast is technically a heavily revised F12Tdf as structurally, the car shares the same overall shape and key design cues. To compliment the new looks, extra power, and new name, the interior gets a complete makeover as well.

When will it come out?

The new Ferrari 812 Superfast is scheduled to make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month. It also marks Ferrari’s 70th year in existence.

Pricing?

A lot. Enough to buy a nice house in many places of the world.

– By: Chris Chin

 

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Source: egmCarTech http://bit.ly/2m1gh7d

Nissan extends the 2018 Titan lineup with a King Cab configuration

Nissan adds a new King Cab configuration to the 2018 Titan’s lineup, allowing for seating up to six.

What’s going on?

The 2017 Chicago Auto Show is what’s going on, and Nissan brought some new offerings to show off. The latest we have here is a new body option for the 2018 Nissan Titan. Now, you can get the Titan in King Cab style, meaning it sports an extra row of seating in the back over the standard cab. But it’s smaller than the full four-door Quad Cab variant.

Where as the Nissan Titan Quad Cab comes with four full-size doors, the Titan King Cab comes with two regular front doors and two rear-hinged, rear doors. The style will be available on both the half-ton Titans and the larger, heavier duty Titan XD. But only a 6.5-foot bed can be paired with any of the King Cabs.

Should buyers also want to delete the rear bench on the King Cab for more storage space, that’s also an option.

Other than that, what else is new about it?

Not much.

OK, what powers it?

As you’d expect, the King Cab Titans only come with the traditional gasser 5.6L V8 with 390 horsepower. The larger Titan XD could be fitted with the lovely 5.0L Cummins turbodiesel V8 with 310hp and 555 pound-feet of torque. The gas V8 comes with a six-speed automatic while the diesel gets a seven-speed box.

That means the towing capacities of the new King Cab Titans are similar to the Quad Cab and standard cab models, depending the engine choice. The 5.6L gas V8 Titan King Cab can tow up to 9,410 pounds with a max payload of 1,640 pounds. While the diesel is expectedly more capable, towing up to 12,510 pounds and a max payload of 2,710 pounds.

When will it come out?

Nissan didn’t officially announce the pricing for the King Cab Titans. But that information is likely to surface as we near the spring launch date.

– By: Chris Chin

Source: Nissan

 

 

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Source: egmCarTech http://bit.ly/2kC5fr7

Report: Alfa Romeo cans plans for a Giulia Sport Wagon

Alfa Romeo planned to build a long-roof variant of its Giulia sedan, but axed it in favor of the Stelvio crossover.

What’s going on?

Auto enthusiasts caught a glimpse of hope after rumors suggested an Alfa Romeo Giulia wagon was on the way. Some digital renderings even surfaced, reinforcing the talk of the town and previewing what could possibly be a long-roof Giulia.

Click here for more news on the Alfa Romeo Giulia or Alfa Romeo Stelvio.

But sadly, the rumors turned out to be false, according to the latest from CAR.

Alfa originally intended to build a Sportwagon variant of the Giulia, catering to Europe’s general love for wagons. And for a moment, the potential hope to see that wagon stateside made all of us Americans excited. But after further assessment, Alfa found demand to be too small for a wagon version altogether, even in Europe.

Why did Alfa Romeo cancel the Giulia Sport Wagon?

Simply put: blame the Stelvio SUV and the high-demand for crossovers. Alfa Romeo’s manufacturing chief, Alfredo Altavilla, says the company’s betting on the Stelvio SUV to fill in the gap instead of a Giulia Sport Wagon.

The company believes will “drive just as well as a Giulia wagon would,” eliminating the need for both models. But as crossover SUVs proved they can drive well, their higher center of gravity and heavier bodies still take tolls, especially when compared to wagons.

The lack of a Giulia Sportwagon might be a bit upsetting. But considering how Alfa Romeo delayed the Giulia several times and continues struggling with its finances, the decision makes sense.

Will there be any other Giulia variants?

Although no wagon is planned, rumors are still abound for a possible coupe version of the Giulia. The two-door variant would compete with the likes of the BMW 4-Series and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe.

– By: Chris Chin

Source: CAR

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Source: egmCarTech http://bit.ly/2kPXxrZ