2010 Chevy Camaro by Fesler-Moss gets Corvette ZR1's Supercharged V8

GM's decision to not offer -at least for the time being- the new Chevy Camaro with the Corvette ZR1's 640 horsepower supercharged V8 engine has left the door wide open for tuners to satisfy the specific needs of power-hungry Camaro buyers. This latest proposal is the collaborative work of Chris Fesler and former GM Performance manager Jon Moss. The 'dynamic-duo' is preparing a limited edition run of specially modified Camaros that can be equipped with any LS-series V8 engine that's currently available including the 'Vette ZR1's LS9.

Other mods include a custom made bodykit with a new front fascia, a boot lid spoiler and 1969 Camaro RS inspired headlamps and tail lights, new alloy wheel designs, suspension and brake upgrades, special decals plus interior enhancements.

Via: Jalopnik and WFC

Features:

• • GM Performance LS-3, LS-7, LS-9 and LSX engines,
  
• • 6 speed or built 4L65E transmission,
  
• • Fesler-Moss braned Magnuson Supercharger,
  
• • Fesler-Moss 3 piece billet wheels,
  
• • Goodyear tires,
  
• • Racing suspension,
  
• • Upgraded rear end,
  
• • Body upgrades,
  
• • Paddle shifter by Mastershift,
  
• • Performance brake upgrade,
  
• • Larger exhaust upgrade,
  
• • Sound system upgrade,
  
• • Color matched interior
  
• • Street legal in all 50 states
  
• • Several different paint options

GM: Volt to hit the Market as Scheduled in November 2010, One More Brand to get Plug-in Hybrid

Despite the looming bankruptcy and the other serious issues facing the company, General Motors' global product development chief, Tom Stephens told journalists on the sidelines of an event at the University of Michigan that the American automaker is on plan with the development of the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid. "At this point in time, I know of no reason why we can't be in production by November of 2010," Stephens said.

Stephens, who replaced Bob Lutz as GM's vice chairman of global product development on April 1st, 2009, also told reporters that the automaker has not made a decision yet on which of the remaining three brands (Cadillac, Buick and GMC) after the axing of Pontiac and the sale of Saturn and Saab would get a vehicle based on the Volt's plug-in hybrid drivetrain.

"It's best utilized in urban vehicles," said Stephens. "We have to consider what is the usage of the person buying the vehicle. For a commuter who drives 40 miles a day and takes it shopping on weekend, it's the perfect application.".

That said, we reckon that that one of the most obvious and less inexpensive options in terms of development costs would be a Buick model based on the small sedan that the company is currently working on as it uses the same Delta platform as the Volt (as well as the new Astra and Chevy Cruze).

Auto Cars 2011's spy photographers recently captured a camouflaged prototype of the Astra/Cruze/Volt-based small sedan during testing in Germany, however it's not clear if the sedan is designed only for the Chinese market or if it will also head to the States.

Via: Autonews (Sub. Req.)

Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe 'ala' Louis Vuitton

We've seen some obnoxiously modified Rolls Royce cars but we think this Phantom Drophead Coupe with its Louis Vuitton outer skin and larger than life alloy rims is so vulgar that it deserves to be ranked amongst the worst. Goes to show you that bad taste has no limits nor boundaries, it knows no rules or classes...

Via: Autojunk & Autoblog.nl

eBay Find: 1991 Volkswagen Golf Country Syncro

No, the Golf County pictured above isn't one of those garage-built crossovers that we find from time to time on eBay. This is a rare, stock to the bone model that was built in a limited run of around 7,700 units from 1990 to 1991. See, well before the Tiguan and Touareg SUVs came to fill the void in Volkswagen's "off-road" range, the German automaker tried to create an innovative hybrid-offroader based on the second-generation Golf model.

Unlike many of today's faux-crossovers, the Golf Country used VW's Syncro all-wheel drive system combined with a heavily revised suspension and higher road-clearance to offer the vehicle true off road capability.

Other features included a skid plate to protect the engine area along with front and rear guard rails plus an externally mounted spare wheel carrier.

In Europe, the Golf MK2 Country was offered with either a 115HP 1.8-liter 8v gasoline engine or a 75HP 1.6-liter turbodiesel. This particular example found on eBay, is a '91 petrol model that is said to have been exported to Japan before finding its way to Canada in 2008. If you're interested, the 'Buy it Now Price' is US$7,200.

Thanks for the tip Alex! Link: eBay

2010 Opel Astra: New Teaser Photos Released

As we're getting closer to the Frankfurt Motor Show, GM's European unit Opel is getting more daring with its official teaser shots of the all-new Astra that will be sold in the UK under the Vauxhall brand. This time, Opel has released three photos of what appears to be the final clay model of the five-door variant with the Astra's Lead Designer Marc van der Haegen and Engineering Coordinator Laszlo Kreth, hiding parts of the car with pieces of paper adorned with some kind of designs. There are also a few shots of an early test mule with widened tracks that uses the body of today's Astra.

Aside from the five-door hatchback, Opel is also planning to introduce a coupe-like three-door hatchback called the GTC, a four-door sedan, a station-wagon and a Coupe-Convertible model of the Astra with a folding hardtop.

The Astra uses the same architecture found under GM's Chevy Volt plug-in hybrid. However, the small compact model will be powered by a wide range of conventional gasoline and diesel engines including a new generation of 1.4-liter turbocharged petrol units available with various outputs.

And for those looking for something sportier, as with today's model, there will also be a Golf GTI rivaling OPC model (VRX in the UK) equipped with an evolution of the current 240HP 2.0-liter turbo four pot.