2011 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Carbon Limited Edition

Looks like Chevy isn’t done with the Corvette Z06. This here’s the 2011 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Carbon Limited Edition – a car that inches its way closer to the racing-spec ‘Vettes.

“Designed to further incorporate technology developed through racing, the Corvette Z06 Carbon Limited Edition is a tribute to the 50th anniversary of Corvette’s first race in the 24 Hours of LeMans,” said Chevy GM Jim Campbell.

Upgrades include the use of Brembo carbon ceramic brakes with dark gray calipers. That should give the car better stopping power to cope with the powerful LS9 engine. The car’s also given enhanced cooling upgrades and a magnetic selective ride control which controls the stiffness of the car’s suspensions.

The outside gets better treatment too with a choice between an Inferno Orange and Supersonic Blue paint jobs. Black headlamps, a ZR1 body color spoiler and raised carbon fiber hood, and splitter rounds up the car’s aero package.

Only 500 units of the Carbon Limited Edition will be built and will go on sale this summer.

Chevrolet Working on Twin-Turbo Camaro V6?

Bob Lutz can sure pull out some nice juicy bits now that the GM is now easing its way back to doing business after all that restructuring that it has done lately.

After announcing the new Caddy CTS-V Sport Wagon, Lutz is now hinting on the possibility of a twin-turbo V6 Camaro. The SEMA show had something just like that featured as the Jay Leno Concept. The car packs 425hp comparable to the V8 SS.

If built, the car would be a candidate to slug it out with Ford’s next-gen Mustang dubbed the Coyote 5L if Ford cares to develop the car.

The Camaro has been one of GM’s best selling cars with a lot of credit due to the Transformers deal. A version of the car that offers a good deal of power would be a welcome addition to GM’s fleet.

Audi US Boss Backtracks on Volt Comment

Now Audi of America chief Johan de Nysschen’s doing damage control after making a comment that the Chevrolet volt is “a car for idiots.”

This was after drawing the ire of people with many pointing out the hypocrisy of taking potshots at EVs while Audi’s on a drumbanging run on the electric R8 that they will be showcasing at the Frankfurt show.

De Nysschen initially called anyone who will buy a $40,000 plug-in hybrid like the Volt when cheaper electric and hybrid alternatives are available at half the price an “iditot.” In his clarification, he still maintained this economic argument but avoided further comments on buyers.

“Let me clearly state that in my opinion, electric vehicles will be part of the future transportation of society – but only if we go about it the right way. In fact, Audi is working on electric vehicles,” he said.

US Audi Boss Mocks the Chevrolet Volt

With the exception of Ford, there’s a lot of reason for Europeans to take potshots at US automakers. Take US Audi President Johan de Nysschen who’s quite a bit vocal about his sentiments about General Motors and the Chevrolet Volt.

De Nysschen calls the Volt “a car for idiots.” A fan of fuel-economic diesels feels that anyone who’s willing to dish out $40,000 for the Volt instead of settling for $25,000 diesels and conventional hybrids.

“No one is going to pay a $15,000 premium for a car that competes with a (Toyota) Corolla,” De Nysschen told MSN Autos. “So there are not enough idiots who will buy it.”

So are all-electric vehicles really just for Hollywood ecomentalists and De Nysschen’s so-called “intellectual elites.” I would’ve been one to ridicule General Motors for making cars not at-par with Japanese and European makes but I think it’s a bit hypocritical for Audi to diss EVs when they’re also making some.

Nissan Says LEAF to Trump Chevy Volt MPG

Battle of tweets (or twits?) with this one. Chevrolet’s pretty proud with their claim that the Volt will get a whopping 230 mpg that they announced it on Twitter for some cheap publicity. Nissan jabs back by saying that their LEAF electric vehicle gets 367 mph.

A while after, Nissan updated its status message to “Nissan Leaf = 367 mpg, no tailpipe, and no gas required. Oh yeah, and it’ll be affordable too!” Nissan’s figure is supposedly based on the Department of Energy’s formula.

Thing is figures only mean as much until a third party authority validates these numbers. MPG figures don’t really apply to electric vehicles since the EPA uses kilowatt hours per 100 miles to rate efficiency of plug-ins and electric vehicles.

Using that standard, the Chevy Volt uses 25 kilowatt hours per 100 miles.

2010 Chevrolet Camaro Heads to Europe

Europe used to have no place for American muscle cars. They’re too clunky, thirsty, and have no idea what bends and corners are. Surprisingly, however, that some of these pony cars have developed some sense of handling especially in their latest incarnations.

The new Chevrolet Camaro came back to consciousness as the car into which the Autobot Bumblebee from the Transformers movie, well, transforms. Chevrolet has a heyday in sales of Camaros because of that run. Too bad the car wasn’t available in many parts of the world. Until now.

For Europeans wanting their own Camaros the long wait will be over. The 2010 Chevrolet Camaro will finally hit European shores. General Motors confirmed that it will be shipping cars to European dealers.

While there’s no word yet on how much the cars will cost, buyers will be able to choose between the V6 and the V8SS.