2011 Buick Regal 2.0 Turbo

General Motors has released an update on the 2011 Buick Regal's 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that enables it to run on any blend of gasoline or E85 Ethanol. The Detroit automaker claims the Regal's flex-fuel capability is a first for a direct-injected turbocharged production car.

There are no performance differences between the standard 2.0-liter turbo engine and its flex-fuel variant, as output remains at 220 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque.

However, engineers made some changes to allow the engine to run on E85. Given that ethanol needs a richer air-fuel mixture than gasoline to function properly, the flex-fuel engine is equipped with higher flow-rate injectors. In addition, a sensor in the fuel system measures the combination of gasoline and ethanol in the tank (a maximum of 85 percent is allowed of the latter), allowing the engine management system to automatically adjust the mixture to provide the required performance, emissions and fuel consumption.

GM's 2.0-liter Ecotec turbo engine also sports a new sand cast aluminium cylinder block, which translates into better durability, less noise and vibration than before.

The Regal's engine update is a step towards GM's goal of having more than 50 percent of its production in flex-fuel models by the end of 2012, with the company having already put on the streets more than 5 million flex-fuel cars in the last 15 years.

SLP Performance Receives GM's "Blessings" for Tuned 2011 Camaro ZL1

With its 550HP 6.2-liter supercharged V8, the upcoming 2012 Camaro ZL1 is Chevrolet’s wildest pony car yet. However, it won't be available for sale for another year, and here's where SLP Performance steps in. The U.S.-based company is running a ZL1 tuning program for the current 2011 Camaro SS.In regards of the copyright issues for the Z1 nameplate, SLP has shared a press release from GM stating that the Detroit automaker has no objections with the use of the name until production of the tuning project runs out this year.

Here the statement from GM: "Chevrolet is aware that SLP, a past upfitter of Chevrolet's 4th generation (1996-2002) Camaro vehicle, has been marketing its own limited edition (69) ZL1 upfit package for the 2011 Camaro model year only. Chevrolet and SLP have discussed SLP's ZL1 upfit package, an offering honoring the heritage and legacy of Chevrolet's original 1969 Camaro ZL1. Chevrolet has no objection to SLP continuing its marketing and build-out efforts to complete the run of its 2011 ZL1 upfit package."

SLP Performance’s ZL1 take on the Camaro will be available in a limited run of 69 units for 2011.

Using a 2011 Camaro SS as a base, the tuning firm takes the factory recipe and simply throws it out the window, starting with the engine. The massive 7.0-liter V8 is a custom built unit, fitted among other things, with a high capacity radiator, SLP TVS 2300 Supercharger with 10 PSI boost, cold-air induction system and carbon fiber finish engine covers.

Thanks to these modifications, the poweplant churns out 750-horsepower and is capable to catapult the 2011 Camaro ZL1 to an electronically limited top speed of 205 mph (330 km/h).

Power is sent to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission and, to better cope with the extra oomph, the tuned ZL1 also comes with an SLP adjustable coil-over suspension, complete with new sway bars, and larger Brembo GT brakes.

The exterior upgrades include a carbon fiber hood and trunk lid, new front fascia, grille and splitter, rear spoiler and diffuser with integrated polished aluminum exhaust tips. The car rides on 20-inch SLP alloys, shod in 255/40 front and 295/35 rear Michelin XL Sport PS2 tires.

Inside, a numbered dash plaque announces the limited status of the model, accompanied by carbon fiber finish trim pieces, ZL1 floor mats, Katzkin leather upholstery available in 7 colors, and a number of ZL1 and Chevrolet embroidered logos.

SLP Performance Camaro ZL1 [press release]

Includes:

*Redesigned SLP front fascia with heritage-style grille/bowtie emblem and carbon fiber-finish splitter
*ZL1® fender and rear decklid badges
*SLP forged light-weight wheels, Michelin Sport PS2 tires, and Brembo GT front and rear brakes
*Rear 1/4 panel gill insert graphics
*SLP TVS 2300 Supercharger in Red with 10 PSI boost
*SLP all carbon fiber hood with functional scoop
*Carbon fiber-finish dashboard trim, steering wheel trim, and center console accents
*Katzkin® leather interior trim package (w/cloth Hounds Tooth shown) and ZL1 embroidered headrests
*SLP short-throw shifter with leather-wrapped ZL® shift knob
*High-lip rear spoiler with carbon fiber-finish
*SLP carbon fiber-finish rear diffuser with integrated exhaust outlets and polished aluminum tips
2011 ZL1® CONTENT MSRP $80,000 plus cost of a new 1SS or 2SS with manual transmission
Performance Upgrades
ENGINE
* SLP custom built 427 CID engine w/aluminum block and heads, 10.3:1 Compression ratio
* SLP High Capacity Dual Core Aluminum Radiator
* SLP 1.85:1 high-ratio rocker arms
* SLP TVS 2300 Supercharger with 10 PSI boost (E.O.#D-488-15)
* SLP Blackwing® cold-air induction system
* SLP non-adjustable PCM custom tune w/speed limiter increased to 205+ MPH (est. top speed)
* SLP injection molded engine covers with Carbon Fiber finish, 750HP graphics
EXHAUST SYSTEM
* SLP PowerFlo® exhaust system
* SLP long-tube headers w/stock cats
TRANSMISSION/CLUTCH
* GM 6-speed manual
* SLP short throw shifter w/ZL shift knob
* ZR-1 clutch assembly w/SLP flywheel
DRIVELINE
* SLP heavy-duty half shafts
WHEELS
* SLP forged light-weight 9″x20″ front wheels 10.5″ x 20″ rear wheels w/ZL1® center caps.
TIRES
* Michelin 255/40ZR20 XL Sport PS2 front and 295/35ZR20 XL Sport PS2 rear tires
BRAKES
* Brembo GT front and GT rear brakes with 2 piece 16″ front rotors and 6 piston calipers and 15″ rear rotors and 4 piston calipers
SUSPENSION
* SLP adjustable coil-over springs-shocks and sway bars
Exterior Upgrades
* SLP ZL® all carbon fiber hood
* SLP ZL® high lip rear spoiler w/carbon fiber finish that matches the hood
* Trunk lid carbon fiber finish that matches the hood
* SLP front fascia with unique grille assembly
* SLP front splitter with carbon fiber finish
* SLP gill insert graphics
* SLP rear diffuser with carbon fiber finish and unique exhaust tips with polished aluminum tips
* ZL1® fender and rear deck lid badging (heritage styling)
* Factory bowtie badges front and rear with blue inserts (heritage styling)
* Painted Rear Tail Light Black-Out Panel
INTERIOR UPGRADES
* ZL1® sequentially numbered dash plaque and key fobs (1-69)
* ZL1® floor mats
* Katzkin® leather interior trim package for front and rear seats, center console, and arm rests, available in 7 colors that
compliment all available body colors, plus hounds tooth cloth seat
inserts (heritage), with ZL1 embroidered logo in head rests, and bowtie
on seat backs.
Available Katzin Interior Accent Colors
ASH – MEDIUM RED – ORANGE – PACIFIC – VANILLA – SUNRISE RED – HOUNDS TOOTH (CLOTH)
ACCESSORIES
* Faux Leather Bound Portfolio, Owner’s Manual, Window Sticker, Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin
* ZL1® Car Cover
WARRANTY
* One Year/12,000 Mile (19,000 Kilometer) Limited Warranty
* Not legal for sale or use in California

SAAB to Celebrate its own...Independence Day on February 23rd

A little over a year ago, Saab's future was very much in doubt. GM was looking for a buyer for the Swedish brand and even contemplated closing down the Trollhattan plant. On the other hand, investors weren't exactly anxious to put their money on what they thought was a sinking ship. But, on the 23rd of February 2010, Saab's fate took a surprising turn for the better as GM sold the company to Spyker Cars, saving thousands of jobs and decades of tradition.

To celebrate the first anniversary from the sale, Saab will throw a massive party on February 23, 2011, turning its factory in Trollhattan into an entertainment arena. All 3,800 employees will have the day off and will be joined by dealers, suppliers, VIPs and media in celebrating Saab's rebirth as an independent carmaker.

The highlight of the event will be the unveiling of a special edition model, most likely the “Independence Edition” of the 9-3 Cabriolet. It might also be a good occasion to show the employees the concept car that Saab will premiere at the Geneva Auto Show. This car will be the starting point for the future compact Saab hatchback, which will be positioned beneath the 9-3 model range.

But Saab has other reasons to celebrate as well. “We’ve triggered the biggest new product offensive in Saab’s history with the launch of the 9-5 Sedan and the 9-4X crossover, the introduction of the 9-5 SportCombi later this year, and the arrival of a new generation 9-3 range next year,” said Saab's CEO Jan Ake Jonsson. Who would have dared thinking about that a year ago?

The Biggest Threat to the Chevy Volt are...Rats?!

Okay, readers: hands up if you like rats. No, not the cute white ones you see in science labs or can buy at pet shops. I’m talking about the sewer-dwelling, disease-carrying ones that invade your house to eat, poop and scare your misses.

What if I told you those same feral rats are not only a danger to your home but also to your brand-spanking-new plug-in hybrid extended range electric vehicle? How’s that grab you, hmm?

So a month ago , the automotive mavens at Kicking Tires were handed the keys to a new Chevrolet Volt. What’s that got to do with rats, you ask? Well, in a move that some at the office have labeled, “karmic justice” and others have labeled, “bloomin’ rats”, a member of the repressed rodent classes has attacked Kicking Tires’ futuristic loaner and rendered it befuddled. *Gasp!*

So here’s the skinny: with a blizzard blowing in Chicago, Kicking Tires’ Senior Editor David Thomas dropped the blog’s Volt off at a multistorey garage and plugged it in at a public charging station. Last week, site blogger Joe Wiesenfelder received a text message alert from ChargePoint reporting a, “ground fault” and that the, “session [was] terminated”.

On Thursday night, Wiesenfelder received an email from Todd Dore, the treasurer for the Fox Valley Electric Auto Association. Mr. Dore parks his converted VW Beetle next to the blog’s Volt, and reported that a rat had scurried underneath, probably looking to escape the subzero temperatures of the Chicago winter.

On Friday morning, Mr. Wiesenfelder unplugged the Volt and plugged it back in without any troubles. Sensing nothing unusual, he left the garage. He picked up the car Friday evening and drove it home. On the way, the Volt produced several strange warnings including, “ABS”, “Service Brake Assist” and “Service Stabilitrak”.

The next day, Wiesenfelder noted that the secondary rear window (the smaller, vertical pane that’s not at all like the one on the Toyota Prius or Honda Insight) wasn’t demisting though the primary one was.

Concerned, he took the troublesome Volt into Grossinger City Chevy of Chicago the following Tuesday. The dealer confirmed that the rat had gnawed through a wiring harness in the engine compartment causing, at very least, those troubles.

It won’t be covered under warranty, of course – acts of rats are classed the same as acts of God – though the Volt has been trouble free for over a month and 3,000 miles. In colder countries, apparently, rats are known to climb into the engine compartments of recently parked cars to warm up. The Volt’s battery is known to stay warm when charging and even when fully charged, making the perfect overnight home for a frostbitten rodent.

Wiesenfelder doesn’t think that this is the last time this will happen, or that it’ll be limited solely just the Volt. He’s asking for input from readers and Chevrolet on how to address the problem, and Carscoop would like to do the same. How do you keep a rat from crawling into your parked car at night?

It Came From eBay Hell: The Geo Storm Pickup You Never Knew You Wanted

Few names in automotive history make the average car enthusiast’s skin crawl like, “Geo”. Geo was General Motors response to the growing number of Japanese and South Korean imports that had invaded the U.S. market. Essentially taking the most boring and insipid models from Suzuki, Toyota and Isuzu and building them stateside, Geo embodied the whole, “Who Gives A...” attitude that has made GM so reviled by some.

The Geo Storm was essentially an Isuzu Impulse stripped off all the things that would have made the latter an appealing proposition to the enthusiast: Lotus tuned suspension, turbocharger and AWD. What was left was essentially a four-cylinder sedan with two less doors and a vaguely sporty body. Still, it was a big seller for Geo and GM, no doubt leaving the corpse of Colin Chapman rolling in his grave.

And so it was, from the depths of eBay Hell, a “1 of a kind” Geo Storm pickup truck. Behold the myriad of features such as a sliding rear window with “WWII Bomber Girl mural”, gullwing T-Tops and custom 17-inch rims. A fourth generation Camaro-style front end, red white and blue “Patriotic paint theme”, a Chevy Chevelle SS hood cowling and a shaved tail gate handle complete the exterior package.

The car retrains Isuzu’s 12-valve engine and 5spd manual transmission, the former of which has recently had a comprehensive tune-up. It’s hard to poke too much fun at the seller: a civilian combat veteran hit by some family health problems. All told it’s a good conversion and the price – US$13,000 – could be a lot worse. Check out the pics (and video) and leave your voice your opinion below.

Source: eBay