truth about domestics

According to a recent report on Autos Canada, females are purchasing the new 2010 Chevrolet Camaro in numbers close to males, in some cases almost 50-50.  That’s far better than the previous generation Camaro which was selling in more of a 80-20 ratio, guys to girls.  It’s good to see that the new Camaro is bringing a new audience to the Chevy showroom, and hopefully that good news continues.  For more, head on over to Autos Canada.

(Image source: GM)

Enjoy the brief video of General Motors’ SEMA 2009 offerings.  You will notice a few shots of the Corvette Grand Sport, a truck or two and a boat-load of Camaros.  That’s right I said it, a boat-load.  Enjoy!

Some guys have all the luck.  The folks over at Autoblog were recently given the opportunity to drive the new 2010 Lincoln MKT crossover around Ann Arbor, Michigan and their reaction was mostly positive.  They liked its powerful EcoBoost powertrain, superior fuel economy, and technological bits, but were unsure if it would fit in as well with the car buying public as the Navigator SUV once did.  To this I say, sure it will!  It can haul nearly as much in terms of people and cargo, yet it’s quicker, rides and handles better, is quieter, and returns significantly higher fuel mileage.  Only time will tell, but for now, head on over to Autoblog for the well rounded review!

(Image source: Ford)

Lingenfelter is now the second company to offer a Trans Am conversion kit for the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro, after the Phoenix conversion kit.  The Lingenfelter is a tad different in the fact that it replaces the stock 6.2L V8 of the Camaro with a 455 cubic inch 655 horsepower version of its own motor.  Called the Camaro LTA, it’s not a bad looking kit, but me thinks pricing will be a wee bit too high for most of us regular folks.  For more details, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: Autoblog)

“Maximum” Bob Lutz is usually not afraid to hold back when making comments to the press.  In this case, he is a tad more reserved, however he still makes a great point.  The following comment is in reference to the Jaguar XFR being pulled out of his CTS-V challenge by Jaguar saying, “the brakes might not hold up to track duty.”

“I think it means that the European high-performance sedans are excellent, even superb cars, but quite possibly not ready for racing laps right out of the showroom.  The CTS-V is not only quicker, but will, in totally untweaked, stock form, run hot laps at any race track until it runs out of fuel.  Transmission oil and diff oil temps are stable, engine oil temp doesn’t go up, brakes get a bit more pedal travel, but don’t fade.  The street tires get a tad greasy, but handling and control remain excellent.  “May the best car win!” (It wins automatically if the competitors won’t show up!)”

Gotta love it!  Stay tuned for more on the challenge as it develops, but for now, check it out at Jalopnik.

(Image source: thetorquereport.com)

The 2010 Ford Taurus and its performance sibling, the SHO, have been getting rave reviews ever since the car was unveiled a few months back.  Now that it’s hitting the road, the good news continues to pour in.  MSN Autos recently had the chance to drive a SHO and their reaction was positive all around.  They liked the power, performance, fuel efficency and technology that the car had to offer for such a reasonable price compared to the luxury crowd that you would have to look to to find a comparable package.  For the full story, please follow the link to MSN.

(Image source: Ford)

Finally some potentially good news for Chrysler!  The next generation of the 300 is due out in about a year or so, where it will be receiving some major interior, exterior, chassis and powertrain upgrades.  Well, this all sounds fine and dandy to new owner Fiat, and rumor has it that they plan to use the new platform to expand their global rear wheel drive portfolio.  The platform could be used as a Lancia to replace the current Thesis sedan or as a Maserati to slot below the Quattroporte.  For more details, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: WKJeeps.com)

You would think that since the Camaro is based off GM’s global rear wheel drive architecture that was developed in Australia by Holden that the Camaro would be sold down under too?  Well, think again.  The Aussies drive on the left side of the road, requiring cars there to be right hand drive so, no Camaros are available.  Well, Performax International has come up with a solution!  For the low, low, LOW price of $128,500, they will convert a U.S. spec Camaro into a right hand driver, suitable for the Australian roads.  Even though this price is insane, they have already received 6 orders.  Proof that American Muscle knows no bounds…

For the full story, head on over to Carscoop.

(Image source: egmcartech.com)

Apparently Jaguar has decided to pull the XFR out of the competition with the Cadillac CTS-V that was to take place against GM’s Bob Lutz.  Jaguar’s PR Stuart Schorr said they aren’t afraid that the XFR would lose to the Caddy.  No, their reason?  That the brakes couldn’t hold up to track duty for 5 time attack laps and could pose a danger to the driver.  It seems that the only car willing to take on the CTS-V is the CTS-V itself.  The Jag was originally going to be piloted by Jalopnik’s Wes Siler, but it appears they will now use Lutz’s V or a Mitsubishi EVO that they drive up in.  For more, head on over to Jalopnik.

On a side note, the picture is from a comparison between the XFR and CTS-V, in which case the V won.

(Image source: Motor Trend)

In the most recent Consumer Reports annual reliability report, a full 90% of Ford’s models scored average or better reliability.  This is just another proof point for Ford in their turn around that they didn’t need government assistance, nor did they need to file for bankruptcy to do it.  Sadly the same high marks cannot be said for GM or Chrysler.  For the full story, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: MSN)