When gearheads aren’t trawling Craigslist for the next old-lady-owned tucked away in a barn, they’re dreaming of cool places to put their toys.
Usually, dream garages never become reality. It’s rare to find someone with enough ambition and/or cash to make it happen, but credit one Florida couple for creating something remarkable: the Hangar Home.
Their house’s rear facade doubles as a garage door that conceals a cavernous work and storage area, complete with a set of cushy-looking armchairs for when the weekend project is over. We can’t imagine how long this place took to complete, but all the time and effort really paid off. for two videos of the Hangar Home in action.
2012 Chevrolet Camaro 45th Anniversary Edition – Click above for high-res image gallery
officially unveiled the to a crowd of dealers and enthusiasts on the eve of the Indianapolis 500. The droptop muscle car boasts a slew of tweaks that are destined to eventually make their way to the greater lineup, including new soft-touch materials on the dash, a new steering wheel that’s not ridiculous to use, and a few suspension changes. GM tells us that SS models will be equipped with the new FE4 suspension package, born from the development the upcoming Camaro ZL1. V6 Camaros will now pack 323 horsepower, a gain of 11 over the 2011 model-year cars.
GM will produce the Camaro 45th Anniversary Edition to meet demand, so there should be plenty to go around. In addition to the interior and mechanical adjustments, the car wears special logos on the fenders, seat backs, door sills, steering wheel and dash to separate it from the rest of the Camaro stable. Pricing will be available closer to the convertible’s fall launch date. for the full press blast.
How not to flip a car carrier back over – Click above to watch the video
We’ve seen a lot of how-not-to videos over the years. How not to load your , , from a frozen lake, and . It’s also become clear that tow trucks frequently play a big part in these matters. Today’s example is no different.
to see what happens when a tow truck attempts to return a tipped auto transporter to the upright position. Hint: It probably wouldn’t have been posted to YouTube if it ended well.
Nissan’s “Gas Powered Everything” ad – Click above to watch the videos
What would the world be like if everything were powered by gasoline?
Renault-Nissan has kicked off intended to highlight the advanced technology of electric vehicles with the debut of a pair of videos that bang home the point that consumers depend upon electricity to power items used everyday and that using gasoline is, in some instances, utterly ridiculous.
In one spot, a middle-aged man wakes up for work to the burning whistle of his gas-powered alarm clock and with a few fierce tugs at his coffee maker’s rip cord, manages to fire up the gas-gulping machine. That same man, while at the office, walks up to a miniature gas pump to refuel his laptop computer.
Oh, and the owner of a , while standing at the gas pump refueling his plug-inhybrid, watches in envy as another man across the street unplugs his and drives off as onlookers watch in amazement. Yep, that’s how Nissan sees the world if “Gas Powered Everything.”
Since the videos are, in our humble opinion, absolutely hilarious, we’ll refrain from revealing too much. to view the clips clip. Thanks to everyone who sent this in!
RMR Hyundai Pikes Peak 2011 Test Session – Click above for high-res image gallery
Chances are you’ve heard of Rhys Millen. The man pushes cars over dirt, into extreme sideways angles, through the air and up challenging mountain roads. If you’re a bit younger, however, you may not have heard of his father, Mr. Rod Millen… and that’s a problem, because you should know that name.
Rod Millen, born in New Zealand and possessor of the best driveway on the planet, is a racing legend. Typically known for his off-road records, the elder Millen has been hustling rally cars and trucks across tough terrain since the 1970s. The company he founded, MillenWorks, is responsible for the development of technical innovations used in racing, and by the military. Enjoying that cushy suspension setup in your ChevroletCorvette or Audi R8? You can think MillenWorks for that.
Like Rhys, Rod also has a passion for competing. Before Nobuhiro Tajima came along, Rod Millen was the Pike’s Peak record holder. Driving a Toyota Celica All Trac in 1994, Millen smashed the previous record by 40 seconds. He broke his own record four more times, until the Monster took him down, and Rod hasn’t been back since 2001.
Father’s day is around the corner, and the Millen boys are ready to spend some time together. They’re going to do so in Colorado, because Rod is coming back to the mountain, and Rhys is planning to destroy it.
2012 Honda Civic Si – Click above for high-res image gallery
The devastating earthquake in Japan couldn’t have come at a worse time for . The Japanese automaker was just starting to launch its new for 2012, and the compact car is a major part of the company’s portfolio. Any delays or hiccups in the Civic’s launch will surely send shockwaves reverberating through Honda’s balance sheets.
Sadly, supplies of electronics parts and raw materials from Japan are , even in plants outside its home market. That includes the new 2012 Civic, which is assembled in Greensburg, Indiana and Alliston, Ontario.
Speaking to Reuters, Honda spokesman Ed Miller admitted that Civic production will likely be stuck at around 50-percent capacity until the fall of 2011. Industry analysts predict that the , and will likely fill in any sales void left by a lack of available Civics.
has committed to investing a total of $2 billion in 17 of its facilities here in the United States, and the latest to receive monitory support is the Arlington Assembly Plant in Texas. $331 million is being pumped into the Arlington facility for tooling and equipment in an effort to expand the plant. 110 jobs will also be added to the facility’s existing 2,400-person workforce.
Currently, the plant builds The General’s GMT900 sport-utility vehicles: the , , and . GM likely has no plans to abandon this segment anytime soon, so it only makes sense that the plant will be updated in order to support the next generation of these full-size SUVs.
The Arlington Assembly investment comes after GM made efforts to expand its , , facilities. for the official press blast.
has announced some changes at the top of its design group, led by Brian Nesbitt. The 42-year-old Nesbitt will be shipped off to Shanghai to become vice president of GMIO design, trading places with Ken Parkinson, who will assume the title of director of North American exterior design. Nesbitt will also double as the brand champion for Wuling and Baojun, while Parkinson will step in as the champion of the brand.The move will give Nesbitt experience in the Far East; an important feather in any executive cap. The design shakeup won’t become official until the first of August.
Global design boss Ed Welburn sounds excited (in a very management changes kind of way…) about the moves, adding that the swap will “continue to position GM’s Global Design organization to provide the company with a compelling vision for future vehicle designs and the excellent execution of GM products.” to read over the GM press release.
According to TheDetroitBureau.com, is planning to alter its strategy with the next-generation to appeal to a wider range of customers. Traditionally, the Corvette has always been offered with high-displacement eight-cylinder powertrains, but according to sources within GM, the C7 Corvette may also offer a small, turbocharged V8.
Just how small, exactly? TDB reports that the next Corvette’s European-style V8 could measure in at just over 3.0 liters, using an overhead-cam setup and dry sump oil system. With the aid of turbocharging, unnamed GM sources expect that this engine will deliver “in excess of 400 horsepower,” or about 125 hp per liter. What’s more, the smaller V8 could be of the extremely high-revving nature, with TDB citing that engine revs could handle up to 10,000 RPM.
GM’s North American president, Mark Reuss, previously told The Bureau that the C7 Corvette will “target a very different sort of buyer.”
However, traditional V8 enthusiasts need not worry, as the story states that a full range of engines will be available, including the classic larger displacement units that have traditionally found a home in the Corvette.
Of course, the rumormill about exactly what’s in store for the C7 Corvette continues to swirl. We’ve heard everything from a to a split rear window design that pays tribute to the 1963 ‘Vette. Whatever the case, GM just in the Bowling Green, Kentucky plant that builds the Corvette and the all-new model is expected to arrive within the next two to three years.
All four off at Flugplatz – Click above for high-res image gallery
Many areas of Germany’s demanding 13-mile Nürburgring race track have became notorious in their own right, and have nicknames that hint at the challenge they present. One such section is called Flugplatz, which means “airport,” and the name certainly fits because this crest is enough to send some cars skyward.
Our friendly spy photographers decided to take a break from the cat-mouse-camo-car game, and trained their lenses on Flugplatz. In the gallery below, we have airborne units from Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom and Japan, all attacking the airport. Engineers like to use this lift-off point to check a variety of parameters. They also like to use Flugplatz to force suspension setups to reenact heavyweight prize fights.
We hear that drivers need to exceed 100 miles per hour at Flugplatz in order to play games with gravity. That makes , and . Check out all of Flugplatz finest in our high-res image gallery.
Electric vehicle label – Click above for more labels
Updated United States fuel economy labeling, unveiled on Wednesday, includes additional information on plug-inhybrid and electric vehicles, and highlights other advanced technologies aimed at reducing gasoline consumption and tailpipe emissions.
The redesigned window stickers, required on all 2013 models, enables consumers to quickly compare fuel savings for different types of vehicles, whether they rely on gasoline or some type of alternative fuel. For example, the labels display estimates of how much fuel or electricity would be required to drive 100 miles and how much time is needed to charge a plug-in vehicles like the and .
Lisa Jackson, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), says the reason for the redesigned labels is to give consumers, “the best possible information about which cars on the lot offer the greatest fuel economy and the best environmental performance.” The EPA developed the updated labels with assistance from the Department of Transportation.
Click (pdf) for a detailed look at all of the revised fuel economy labels and to view video on the labels’ Smartphone “QR Code.” Let us know your thoughts on the updated labels by voicing your opinion in the Comments, as well.
GM Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly – Click above for high-res image gallery
has announced that it will add two shifts and 2,500 jobs (both hourly and salaried) at its Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant. Currently, the facility builds the and its European cousin, the , but GM is expanding this plant’s capability to handle the production of the , as well as the next-generation sedan.
According to GM, most of the 2,500 new jobs will be filled by laid-off UAW members.
This latest move means that GM has invested $190 million in the Detroit-Hamtramck facility since April 2010. Last year, The General announced a $121M investment to support next-generation Malibu production, and now, an additional $69 million is being pumped into the plant for tooling and equipment that will be used on the future Impala.
GM’s efforts at Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly follow the investments that the company has recently made in other states, including the in Bowling Green, Kentucky, as well as facilities in Toledo, Ohio; . for GM’s official press release, as well as a video of a Chevy Volt being produced at the Detroit-Hamtramck facility.
Volkswagen has wasted no chance to tell the world that the company’s newest sedan will be custom-tailored to the American market, with styling and packaging tweaks designed to set the vehicle apart from its European counterpart. But is that a good thing?
Progress: 458 Challenge cars were turning in times more than three seconds quicker than the top 430 Challenge cars.
It pays to know your police cruisers…
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Dale Earnhardt Intimidator Chevrolet Camaro – Click above for high-res image gallery
Just when you thought you’d seen every special-edition out there another model comes along. Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet of Newton, NC has pulled the sheets back on a new Intimidator Camaro. The model follows in the footsteps of the 2001 Intimidator Camaro SS, by throwing a heap of extra horsepower at the already formidable muscle car. Under the hood, a supercharged V8 churns out 704 horsepower and 695 pound-feet of torque, while the rest of the vehicle has received suitable upgrades to cope with the increased performance. The suspension now wears one-inch drop rate springs, adjustable sway bars and new subframe connectors, along with a set of cross-drilled rotors help bring the vehicle down from speed.
A custom, single-piece aluminum shifter is part of the package indoors, as well as suede seat inserts, white-face gauges and an Intimidator logo embroidered into each headrest. Outside, the Intimidator Camaro can be distinguished from its non-NASCAR name-checking counterparts by its cowl hood, race-inspired spoilers and chrome wheels. to check out a video of the car under construction.
Chevrolet Caprice PPV – Click above to watch video
By now, you’ve probably committed every detail of the new generation of police cruisers to memory. With so many potential successors to the Ford Crown Victoria throne, it pays to know exactly which models to look out for on the road, especially if you dabble in extra-legal speeds. The guys from recently got the chance to get up close and personal with the new Chevrolet Caprice PPV courtesy of a tour by the Los Angeles Police Department. Along with getting the full scoop on what the vehicle has to offer in terms of officer and criminal comfort, we’re also introduced to some of the killer tech on board the new cruiser.
Officers are now treated to an easy-to-navigate touch screen that handles everything from HVAC controls to advanced crime-fighting tech. License-plate recognition software combines two front-mounted cameras with a criminal database to alert officers of potentially threatening drivers and an additional super-sensitive infrared camera can even detect a perpetrator’s footsteps at night. Go go gadget awesome.
Endora SC-1 – Click above for high-res image gallery
We’ve seen plenty of coachbuilt – both old and new – coming out of Italy. Now ze Germans apparently want to get in on the action, and this is the design with which they aim to do it.
Called SC-1, it’s the product-in-the-making from Munich-based upstart Endora Cars. The design is decidedly neo-retro, blending styling elements from American and European cars of the ’50s, ’60s and early ’70s with modern touches like LED foglights, taillights and a rear diffuser.
Like the Vette on which it’s based, Endora plans on offering the SC-1 in three states of tune: with the base Corvette’s 6.3-liter LS3 V8 with 437 horsepower, the Z06’s 7.0-liter LS7 V8 with 512 hp and the ’s supercharged LS9 V8 with 647 hp. GM’s six-speed manual transmission and active suspension are slated to be ported over as well, with a paddle-shift six-speed auto offered only on the base model.
Follow the jump for the full press release and check out the images in our high-res gallery.
2011Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible Indianapolis 500 Pace Car – Click above for high-res image gallery
Americans began racing cars just as soon as they started to appear on our streets, as evidenced by the fact that the Indianapolis 500 has been going strong for 100 years. The U.S. Senate wanted to tip its collective hat to commemorate that momentous occasion, so our senators decided to pass a resolution officially recognizing the race for its longevity. And since it doesn’t cost anything to recognize a date, the resolution was passed unanimously.
In other interesting Indianapolis 500 news, the event’s 100-year history also coincides with the 100-year anniversary of . The company and the race are so intertwined that Arthur Chevrolet, who’s brother Louis founded the Bowtie Brand, ran the very first Indianapolis 500. Louis actually ran the race himself in 1915 and 1919, while another brother Gaston took first place in 1920. The will fittingly serve as the pace car for this year’s event.
TinTek’s chrome-wrapped Camaro and Audi TT – Click above to watch
Generally speaking, we’re more into the vinyl wraps than the chrome treatment. That’s because most vinyl wraps give a car a nice matte finish that contrasts nicely with the glossiness of your standard factory offering, while your average full-body chrome treatment is – more often than not – little more than an eyesore. This latest innovation from the Czech Republic, however, combines the two.
As you can see from the , TinTek has developed a chrome-finish vinyl wrap for the full “Dubai’d out” approach, applied for demonstration to an Audi TT and a . While a vinyl wrap has its own costs and intricate application process, it’s surely far more cost-effective than chrome-dipping individual body panels. And while it may not be our proverbial cup of tea, who are we to stand in the way of progress, however questionable the result.
2011 Chevrolet Volt – Click above for high-res image gallery
General Motors has only sold 1,703 copies of the through April, but the automaker plans to crank up the volume for the 2012 model year. GM has announced that it will shut down its Detroit Hamtramck plant for four weeks to prepare for 2012 Volt and Opel Ampera production. The upgrades will enable GM to build 16,000 total units this year, and in 2012 production will grow to 60,000 units; 45,000 of which will be destined for U.S. consumption.
When the 2012 model comes online, GM will begin to open up sales throughout the U.S. The 2011 model is only being sold in California, New York, Connecticut, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Virginia and Washington, D.C. The Volt and Ampera will also be shipped to Canada, China and Europe beginning later this year.
During the lengthy shutdown, GM will add new tools, install overhead conveyor systems and other equipment. The General will also set up the plant to build the during the four-week shutdown, though more work will be completed before the mid-size sedan is launched. to read over the GM press release.
Back in February, President , a move that would likely speed up the $7,500 payment. Under the proposal, dealers would and apply for reimbursement from the government.
Well, according to U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Congress will consider the proposed plug-in point-of-purchase rebate as part of changes to U.S. tax and energy policy for 2012. LaHood, who was touring ’s on Tuesday, told those in attendance:
We’re doing a lot of talking about it. When you give people that incentive to buy a battery-powered car, they’ll do it. We know these incentives help.
Under current policy, consumers who buy qualifying vehicles like the or the receive a $7,500 credit when they file their federal income tax returns. LaHood says that the Obama Administration firmly believes that allowing dealers to handle the incentive as an immediate rebate will entice consumers and, hopefully, convince them to buy plug-in vehicles.
