Chevrolet Sonic Z-Spec Concept Bows in Detroit

Making its world premiere alongside the regular variants of the all-new Chevrolet Sonic sub-compact at the Detroit Show today is a Z-Spec-badged concept study of the five-door hatchback model.

In a similar fashion to the Z-Spec 2011 Cruze , Volt and Spark minicar displayed at the SEMA Show last November, the Sonic Z-Spec demonstrates a possible lineup of factory-engineered accessories. The parts seen on the concept could be purchased individually, to suit customer tastes and budgets, but could also spawn a limited-edition version from Chevrolet in the near future.

The Detroit Show study is finished in a black paint job with contrasting orange details such as the BBS alloy wheels, the front grille surround, the upper part of the mirrors and the roof wing, plus the racing stripes. The car is also fitted with a body kit that comprises of a front and rear apron, and side skirts, while the larger chrome exhaust tail pipe completes the look.

Inside, the Sonic Z-Spec features a two-tone color theme with beige leather sports seats, steering wheel accents and gearbox, complemented by a piano black trim on the center console and doors.

Chevrolet has not yet issued a release on the performance upgrades, but judging from the aftermarket partners featured on the labels just above the rocker panels, the Z-Spec model should feature Brembo-sourced brakes, a Borla sport exhaust system, a K&N filter and a sport suspension from Pedders.

READ MORE - Chevrolet Sonic Z-Spec Concept Bows in Detroit

Chevrolet Sonic Z-Spec Concept Bows in Detroit

Making its world premiere alongside the regular variants of the all-new Chevrolet Sonic sub-compact at the Detroit Show today is a Z-Spec-badged concept study of the five-door hatchback model.

Read more »

READ MORE - Chevrolet Sonic Z-Spec Concept Bows in Detroit

James Robbins’ Corvette Design Study: Close But No Cigar

Here at Carscoop, we love us some Corvette design studies. Heck, if we wanted to we could probably serve up a new one every day of the week.

Today’s CAD mock up comes from transportation design student James Robbins. Think of it as a C6.5, a stopgap measure between the current gen Corvette and a future C7 model. The design brief required Mr. Robbins to use the basic proportions of the C6, which limited what could be done with the design.

Now here’s my two cents:

I find the shape of the bootlid and the V-shaped side intakes to be quite pleasing to the eye, but the ugly Dodge Viper / Ferrari 458 Italia taillights don’t fit the car at all. Also, the front end styling is a bit too conservative and I feel that more could have been done with the glasshouse. The overall design is good but it’s hard to say if that’s due to Mr. Robbins’ tweaking or the C6’s nice proportions.

I can’t help but feel that with a little more work around the head- and taillights, this could have been a real stunner. As it stands, it’s a good effort though just not quite there. But don’t take my word for it. Voice your own opinion in our comments section.

READ MORE - James Robbins’ Corvette Design Study: Close But No Cigar

James Robbins’ Corvette Design Study: Close But No Cigar

Here at Carscoop, we love us some Corvette design studies. Heck, if we wanted to we could probably serve up a new one every day of the week.

Today’s CAD mock up comes from transportation design student James Robbins. Think of it as a C6.5, a stopgap measure between the current gen Corvette and a future C7 model. The design brief required Mr. Robbins to use the basic proportions of the C6, which limited what could be done with the design.

Read more »

READ MORE - James Robbins’ Corvette Design Study: Close But No Cigar

Blast from the Past: Chevrolet’s Stunning 1973 Aerovette Concept

How do you replace a motoring icon? In the years leading up to 1968, U.S. automaker Chevrolet was dealing with this very problem with their venerable Corvette. The first and second generation Corvettes, designed by Harley Earl and Larry Shinoda respectively, were stylish and innovative creations that drew countless fans from the automotive community.

The answer lies, in part, with the Aerovette: a mostly forgotten concept that made just two auto show appearances before being relegated to the GM Heritage Museum.

In the late ‘60s, GM engineer Zora Arkus Duntov and his team were toying with the XP-882, a mid-engined design and engineering exercise built on Oldsmobile Tornado underpinnings. Though fascinating from a design and engineering standpoint, Chevy General Manager John DeLorean saw no future for the XP-882 and canceled the project in 1969. It was simply too expensive and too impractical for the impending 1970s America.

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READ MORE - Blast from the Past: Chevrolet’s Stunning 1973 Aerovette Concept

Transformer's Corvette Stingray Concept Replica from Custom Hell

Chevrolet's 2009 50th Anniversary Corvette Stingray Concept that made its way into the Transformers movies is one of those love-it / hate-it cars. On the one hand, it was sleek and muscular and pointed to the next generation Corvette. On the other hand, it owed a bit too much design-wise with the 2003 Cadillac Cien and the nods to the original Corvette Stingray appeared a little forced.

Still, I'd find it hard to believe that anyone, even lovers of the '09 Concept, would consider putting down over US$40 grand on this so-called replica. It's even harder to believe that underneath all that fibreglass is a 2005 C6 Corvette; it could just have easily been based on a twenty year old Mazda Miata / MX-5 like so many other eBay customs.

So what does the US$42,500 "Buy It Now Price" get us? For starters, the underpinnings from the C6 Corvette including its 440 hp LS2 V8 and 6spd automatic transmission. You get a clear title and 29,111 miles on the odometer to boot.

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READ MORE - Transformer's Corvette Stingray Concept Replica from Custom Hell

Chevy Showcases Z-Spec Line Concepts of Volt, Cruze and Spark at SEMA

General Motors' Chevrolet division unleashed three prototype models fitted with bits and pieces from its forthcoming Z-Spec line of accessories at the SEMA Show today. The cars chosen to showcase the new dress-up parts were the 2011 Cruze compact, the new Volt extended-range electric vehicle and the soon-to-be-launched Spark minicar.

The Detroit-based automaker has not yet released details on its Z-Spec concept models, but from what we can tell by looking at the photos, all three cars receive similar upgrades including unique alloy wheels wrapped in chunkier tires, exterior graphics, mild body modifications and numerous touches inside like the sports steering wheel and niftier materials and colors. Photo gallery after the jump.

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READ MORE - Chevy Showcases Z-Spec Line Concepts of Volt, Cruze and Spark at SEMA

SEMA Show: Corvette Jake Edition and Z06X Track Car Concepts

After the two Camaro concepts (see here), it's Corvette's turn to show up in style at the SEMA Show. Behold the Corvette Jake Edition and Z06X Track Car concept models.

First up is the Jake Edition Concept featuring the skull mascot known as Jake, which started off as a discrete logo on Corvette racing cars back in 2005. GM considers that it embodies the determination and triumphs of the Corvette Racing team, so it built a special concept vehicle to honor it.

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READ MORE - SEMA Show: Corvette Jake Edition and Z06X Track Car Concepts

eBay Find: Genaddi Corvette Z06 LSR Roadster Prototype

One of show-stoppers of the 2006 SEMA gathering in Las Vegas, the Corvette Z06-based Genaddi LSR Roadster, is now up for auction on eBay Motors. Built by the Genaddi Design Group, the one-off custom roadster ditches most of the Corvette Z06's composite and carbon fiber body panels for ones made of aluminum. It also features a rather awkward-looking new rear-end design with protruding tail lamps that bring to mind the Ferrari Enzo and a customized interior.

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READ MORE - eBay Find: Genaddi Corvette Z06 LSR Roadster Prototype

eBay Find: Genaddi Corvette Z06 LSR Roadster Prototype

One of show-stoppers of the 2006 SEMA gathering in Las Vegas, the Corvette Z06-based Genaddi LSR Roadster, is now up for auction on eBay Motors. Built by the Genaddi Design Group, the one-off custom roadster ditches most of the Corvette Z06's composite and carbon fiber body panels for ones made of aluminum. It also features a rather awkward-looking new rear-end design with protruding tail lamps that bring to mind the Ferrari Enzo and a customized interior.

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READ MORE - eBay Find: Genaddi Corvette Z06 LSR Roadster Prototype

Chevrolet Cobalt Coupe Concept by David Cardoso

In sedan form, the Chevrolet Cobalt will soon be replaced in the U.S. by the not-so-new for most readers, Cruze, which was formally introduced in production guise at the 2008 Paris Show, and went on sale shortly after in numerous markets around the world aside from the States. But what about the Cobalt Coupe? Will we see GM presenting a successor to the two-door version of the compact model?

It's very likely as in a recent webchat on GM's Reinvention site, Mark Reuss, the man in charge of the automaker's core North American operations, strongly suggested that a coupe variant of the Cruze could be on the horizon.

And while most of us would assume that a coupe model would basically translate to a reshaped Cruze with two-doors less and perhaps a sportier roofline and other unique styling cues, independent designer David Cardoso has a different idea in mind.

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READ MORE - Chevrolet Cobalt Coupe Concept by David Cardoso

Chevrolet Cobalt Coupe Concept by David Cardoso

In sedan form, the Chevrolet Cobalt will soon be replaced in the U.S. by the not-so-new for most readers, Cruze, which was formally introduced in production guise at the 2008 Paris Show, and went on sale shortly after in numerous markets around the world aside from the States. But what about the Cobalt Coupe? Will we see GM presenting a successor to the two-door version of the compact model?

It's very likely as in a recent webchat on GM's Reinvention site, Mark Reuss, the man in charge of the automaker's core North American operations, strongly suggested that a coupe variant of the Cruze could be on the horizon.

And while most of us would assume that a coupe model would basically translate to a reshaped Cruze with two-doors less and perhaps a sportier roofline and other unique styling cues, independent designer David Cardoso has a different idea in mind.

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READ MORE - Chevrolet Cobalt Coupe Concept by David Cardoso

Corvette Stingray Roadster and Possibly Ferrari 458 Caught on Set of Transformers 3

The new roadster version of the Corvette Stingray was caught on video along with the Bumblebee Camaro and what appears to be a Ferrari 458 Italia during filming of the Transformers 3 movie. In the previous Transformers film, the tin-top Corvette Stingray coupe took the form of Sideswipe. We're still short on details, but we assume that the roadster model will reprise the same role. The next Transformers movie is scheduled for release in July 2011. Watch the video clip after the break.

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READ MORE - Corvette Stingray Roadster and Possibly Ferrari 458 Caught on Set of Transformers 3

Corvette Stingray Roadster and Possibly Ferrari 458 Caught on Set of Transformers 3

The new roadster version of the Corvette Stingray was caught on video along with the Bumblebee Camaro and what appears to be a Ferrari 458 Italia during filming of the Transformers 3 movie. In the previous Transformers film, the tin-top Corvette Stingray coupe took the form of Sideswipe. We're still short on details, but we assume that the roadster model will reprise the same role. The next Transformers movie is scheduled for release in July 2011. Watch the video clip after the break.

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READ MORE - Corvette Stingray Roadster and Possibly Ferrari 458 Caught on Set of Transformers 3

Chevrolet Aveo RS Concept Previews GM's New Ford Fiesta Rival

The 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit next week will host the world premiere of the Chevrolet Aveo RS Concept car handing us our first look at the next-generation Aveo that will be sold on both sides of the pond competing with superminis like the Ford Fiesta and Toyota Yaris.

Longer, wider and more spacious than the current production Aveo, the five-door concept adopts several styling cues including the dual element grille, round tail lamps and fender flares from other Chevrolet models such as the Spark and Cruze.

Being an RS version, the concept model sports several unique features like the 19-inch, five-spoke alloy wheels that cover the large Boracay Blue brake calipers, a roof spoiler, a specific front bumper with large air vents, exposed motorcycle-inspired rear taillamps that feature tinted aluminum housings and a rear diffuser with a center-mounted exhaust and chrome exhaust tips.

Though virtually production ready, the concept model's interior has been adorned in leather with contrasting blue stitching, special decorative trim and a pair of sport front seats.

Under the hood, the Aveo RS houses the same 138-horsepower 1.4-liter turbocharged inline-four Ecotec engine that will be available in the upcoming Chevrolet Cruze. Power is transfered to the front wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox.

Needless to say, the series production model will be far less aggressive in the details inside and out, though there is a chance that we might see a similarly styled and powered sporty RS model added in the Aveo's range.

GM said that the production Aveo will be manufactured at its Orion Assembly in Orion Township, Michigan starting from 2011.

READ MORE - Chevrolet Aveo RS Concept Previews GM's New Ford Fiesta Rival