Cars

2016 Chevrolet Camaro has sharper edges and sexier lines

Slowly but surely, Chevrolet is building up to the dramatic reveal of the 2016Camaro muscle car. We’ve seen test mules covered in swirling black and white graphics, and have been told the next Camaro will have a stiffer structure but still weigh 200 lbs. less than the current model.

We’ve even speculated about all the things we’d love to see on the next-generation version of Chevy’s muscle car.

Now, we get to see the car’s…backside.

The 2016 Chevrolet Camaro is going to be lighter, faster, and have a more chiseled exterior.

That’s right, Chevrolet has provided a teaser of the Camaro’s posterior. Seen in the bare metal, you can spot the more angular openings for the rear tail-lamps (we’ve always felt the current ones were too bland-looking) and a lean, low-lying rear spoiler. The wide C-pillar and hazy glimpse of the rear fender appear very similar to the current Camaro, however.

“The Camaro went to the gym and came out with a lithe, more athletic physique for the sixth generation,” said Ed Welburn, vice president, GM Global Design. “It’s a more expressive evolution of the Camaro’s iconic character – and one that complements its leaner size and sharper reflexes.”
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Chevrolet also released an image of the deeply creased hood, which is constructed of lightweight aluminum. If you’re a fan of the current Camaro, imagine ironing the edges of it for a leaner, sharper effect. As for the engines, well, we wouldn’t be surprised if Chevrolet had something special in store.

A V-8 more powerful than the 707-horsepower Dodge Hellcat? Yeah, that would be fun! So would a turbocharged inline-4, to take on the Ford Mustang head-on.
PHOTO:JOHNCHAPA
The new Camaro's aluminum hood will be wrapped tightly around the V-8 and V-6 engines. Could a turbocharged 4-cylinder also make the cut?

Stay tuned, because the Daily News Autos team will be at Detroit’s Belle Isle Park for the official unveiling of the 2016 Camaro on Sunday, May 16.

Bizarre Car of the Week: 1975 Bricklin SV-1


SV-1 stands for 'safety vehicle 1,' and the Bricklin was infamous for prioritizing that over all else, at the expense of power and looks.

When you give your brand new supercar a name like "Safety Vehicle 1," its a fair bet that things might not turn out the way you hope. But you may just end up on Bizarre Car of the Week!

What you're looking at is neither a Corvette nor a DeLorean, but Canada's own Bricklin SV-1, one of the most notorious supercars ever built. Produced in New Brunswick from 1974 to 1976, the SV-1 was the brainchild of Malcolm Bricklin, an American millionaire famous for founding Subaru of America. While we have Bricklin to thank for bringing affordable, all-wheel-drive Japanese cars to the U.S., almost all of that goodwill is cancelled out by the SV-1.

With an integrated roll cage, side bars, and 5-mph bumpers, the fiberglass SV-1 was too heavy for its fuel-starved Ford Windsor V-8.

Designed by Herb Grasse to be a safe and economical sports car, the SV-1 delivered heavily on safety at the expense of efficiency. The body panels were made of fiberglass, and the design integrated a roll cage, side beams, and large, rectangular 5-mph bumpers. All of these safety features caused the car to weigh almost 3,500-pounds, and the fuel-starved Ford Windsor V-8 was not quite up to the task of hauling it around.

This particular SV-1 was signed by its creator Malcolm Bricklin and designer Herb Grasse.

Called one of the "50 Worst Cars of All Time" by Time Magazine, the Ford-powered SV-1 made around 150-horsepower, not nearly enough to haul its heft.

With DeLorean and Corvette looks but half-ton-truck slowness, the SV-1 was doomed from the start and less than 3,000 were ever built.

While Bricklin had experience importing cars, he did not know much at all about vehicle production, so the Bricklin plant couldn't build and sell cars fast enough, and as a result, only 2,854 cars were built before the company went into receivership for its debt of $23 million to the government of New Brunswick.

Well-maintained Bricklins can still be found around the country, like this example on Hemmings from a private seller for $18,500. This "safety red" SV-1 was even signed on the dashboard by both Malcolm Bricklin and Herb Grasse!

Stay tuned to our Street Smarts section every Friday for our Bizarre Car of the Week series!

Home chargers, SUVs, and small sedans: what's next for Tesla Motors?

Tesla unveiled the speedier 'D' version of its Model S sedan in October and has now expanded with the Powerwall home battery system.

You may have seen Elon Musk's announcement yesterday about the Tesla Powerwall, a home battery system meant to increase the efficiency of the average home. While this signifies a big step into another market for the American startup company, their focus is still on building high-quality electric vehicles.





As it stands, the Model S is the only new Tesla you can buy, and with a new, powerful, all-wheel-drive version, it's certainly no slouch. But where do they stand on future models, and how sure can we be that they will succeed?

We take a look at what's in the pipeline, and what we've learned already, about America's most controversial car company.

The Tesla Model S pictured with the new Tesla Powerwall.

Model X SUV

The Model X is (tentatively) slated to debut this September, but Musk and company have been claiming it's right around the corner for years now. With innovative gull wing doors, a fully-electric drivetrain, and the all-wheel-drive system from the Model S, it's sure to capitalize on the electric mobility trend that's sweeping the nation. And the fact that it's an SUV certainly can't hurt.
TESLA MOTORS
The Tesla Powerwall is a home battery system designed to increase home efficiency.

But while the Model X leaves much to be excited for, there are still many hesitations. Being a new, independent company, Tesla is still having teething issues. Their direct sales model is still not legal in all states, and Model S owners are reporting many problems with their brand new S's. There was even the gearbox issue when they first launched the Roadster several years ago. The Model X is sure to be impressive, but it's too soon to say how much.
TESLA MOTORS
The Model X features gull wing doors and a fully-electric drivetrain.

Model 3 luxury sedan

Tesla is going straight for the heart of the luxury market, taking on established, gas-powered entries like the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and Audi A4. The curiously-named Model 3 is their shot at taking a slice of that lucrative pie, and while there are no renderings, concepts, or specifications as of yet, Musk promises the project is in the pipeline. A sub-$50,000 Tesla with an impressive range would be a game changer, and if they're able to pull it off, it could lead to the oh-so-tempting electric car for the masses, something that many have tried but none have truly succeeded at.

Where to go from here?

With their plans to appeal to the masses, Tesla is showing no signs of slowing down. With a battery super factory on the way and definitive plans for future models, all Musk and his crew have to do is start delivering on their promises. If they're able to release the Model X this year to the thousands of pre-orders, they're sure to win big time. A more affordable model could only be good news too, and if they could come out with something in the next 2-3 years that delivers what they say, the Model 3 could be a massive hit as well.

James Bond's 'Spectre' car chase pits Aston Martin against Jaguar

James Bond might have a license to kill, but not even Special Agent 007 will have the keys to this Jaguar supercar once "Spectre" hits theaters on November 6.

This latest addition to the Bond film franchise is set to feature an intense car chase, pitting Daniel Craig (James Bond) in an Aston Martin DB10 against a one-of-a-kind Jaguar supercar piloted by evil-doing Spectre agent, Dave Bautista (as Mr. Hinx).

The stunning Jaguar C-X75 supercar, seen here, is driven by Bond villain and Spectre agent Mr. Hinx.

From the teaser trailer, this automotive battle on the streets of Rome will have Bond fans and automotive addicts drooling. The Aston Martin DB10 is a hint of things to come from the British automaker. Powered by a screaming V-8 engine, the upcoming Aston Martin production version of this seductive movie car should arrive later this year, or early in 2016.


Ironically, it's the villian's set of wheels that could REALLY get hearts racing. That's because it's none other than the Jaguar C-X75 concept car, which first broke cover at the Paris Auto Show back in 2010.
JAMES BOND 007 VIA YOUTUBE
James Bond's set of wheels is this Aston Martin DB10. Like shaken martinis, Aston supercars are a favorite of 007.

This gas-electric hybrid supercar even included micro-turbines, to boost performance and driving range. A top speed of more than 200 mph and 0-60 mph time of less than 3.0 seconds marked the C-X75 as possibly the fastest Jaguar of all time.

Then Jag opted not to build it.

Thankfully for us, the folks at Spectre didn't get that memo. So the mighty C-X75 finally fires up in anger, as it goes head-to-head against the world's most famous spy.