General Motors Vice Chairman and global product chief Bob Lutz told reporters at the Geneva Motor Show that the automaker is targeting a production version of its Chevrolet Volt electric concept car in 2010.

“We have set an internal target of production in 2010. Whether we can make that or not, this is still kind of an unpredictable program for us,” Lutz said, according to Reuters. He said the one of the major challenges facing the Chevrolet Volt was development of lithium-ion batteries, and whether they can be developed to run the car safely and affordably. A running Volt prototype is expected to be ready for testing by the end of this year. Lutz also said GM would open much of its development process to the media.

Critics have questioned if GM is simply to capitalizing on the favorable attention of its concept car. However, Lutz said that GM is serious about its efforts, “Competitors who write this off as a PR exercise are going to be brutally surprised.”

Lutz was typically candid about the difficulties of the project, “I would say there is still a 10 percent chance this will fail.”

## Source: Reuters ##

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General Motors has announced that it will end production of the Monte Carlo this summer, according to reports citing automaker sources. According to an email received by a member of the GMInsideNews forums, the Monte Carlo will be avilable for order until May 4th, and the last Monte Carlo will roll off the assembly line at GM’s Oshawa plant in Canada on June 20th.

According to the poster, GM is canceling the Monte Carlo to make room for the new 2008 Malibu that is due in October. When asked about the future of the Monte Carlo nameplate, GM said, “We do not comment on future product”.

## Source: GM Inside News ##

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Yesterday, we reported that it was possible that the next-generation C7 Corvette will produce up to 700 horsepower. In an interview with Motor Trend, General Motors’ VP of Global Product Development, Jim Queen, did not reveal a specific number but speculation was that 700-hp was possible.

Well, Autoblog did its research, and found out that the author of the original article, Motor Trend’s Paul Horrell, simply guessed at a number that the C7 might produce.

What Queen said about an all-wheel drive Corvette (false) and the Corvette and XLR remaining on a unique platform (true), still seem valid.

## Source: Motor Trend, Autoblog ##

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It’s possible that the next-generation C7 Corvette will produce up to 700 horsepower, according to General Motors’ VP of Global Product Development, Jim Queen. In an interview with Motor Trend, Queen did not reveal a specific number but with the 600-hp Corvette SS on the way for 2009, 700-hp doesn’t sound like an unreasonable target. However, Queen did say the C7 Corvette keep its naturally-aspirated V8 — at least for the base model — and its rear-wheel drive layout.

It will be interesting to see how GM is going to deliver 700-hp — will it be a higher-wound version of the Corvette SS’s supercharged V8 or a unique engine?

## Source: Motor Trend ##

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Well, this is getting caught with your pants down. The Corvette SS was caught by a Lufthansa cargo employee — likely a FORMER Lufthansa cargo employee. According to the poster, Lufthansa cargo was responsible for moving the super Corvette around for testing. This time he snapped it back in Michigan.

Based on the shots, the Corvette SS will be feature a supercharged engine with a liquid/liquid intercooler sitting on top of the engine. The Corvette SS still has its hood and front quarters covered so you can bet there will be some changes to those body panels.

More photos after the jump.

## Source: Fast-autos.net ##

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Earlier this month General Motors made it official, there will be a higher performance Corvette. While that came as little surprise, considering all the spy shots and all of the inuendo by GM execs, it was still nice to hear that was official. Long known as the “Blue Devil”, the Corvette is expected to wear the Super Sport badge and will be called the Corvette SS.

Back in December, GM admitted that it got carried away with the use of the SS badge, and it will be more careful in the future. The first sign of this was the Chevrolet Equinox Sport, which was expected to wear an SS badge. Clearly, if anything deserves to wear an SS badge, a 600-hp Corvette has to be one.

The Corvette SS is expected to debut that the 3008 Detroit Auto Show, and will be known internally as the GMX245-SSC (GMX245 is GM’s internal code for the C6 Corvette).

## Source: Winding Road ##

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General Motors is developing an ultra low-cost family car, which it will sell in emerging markets. The low-cost family car would compete with Renault’s Logan sedan and the planned low-cost car by Toyota. Renault’s current Logan sedan sells for less than $10,000, but Renault is rumored to be working on a cheaper variant, and the planned low-cost car by Toyota could be priced below $5,000 US.

Automotive News reports that the project is still in the proposal stage, the new car would be sold as a Chevrolet starting in 2010 or 2011. The low-cost vehicle would only be sold in emerging markets such as Russia, India, eastern Europe, South America and possibly China.

## Source: Automotive News ##

Note: Subscription required.

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General Motors will build a new variant of its Hydra-Matic rear-wheel-drive six-speed transmission for its heavy-duty pickups. The new electronically controlled six-speed automatic transmission will be standard on the all new 2007 GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado heavy-duty pickups.

The advantages of a six-speed transmission include improved fuel economy, and performance. The six-speed transmission has the capability for Driver Shift Control (Tap Up/Tap Down) and Tow/Haul Mode.

## Source: General Motors ##

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To celebrate the success of the Corvette in sports car racing — and specifically its success in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, General Motors will produce a limited series of just 250 ‘Victory Edition’ Corvette Coupes. Corvette Racing has won over 50 races, including five class wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans between 2001 and 2006.

The Victory Edition Corvette will be available in either Black or Velocity Yellow Tintcoat with Competition Grey wheels. The interior features two-tone leather seats with Corvette flag emblems and contrasting stitching (ebony and red theme for the black cars or ebony and titanium grey for the yellow cars). Both interiors feature Competition Grey door sill plates, a carbon-look interior trim package and a unique, numbered ‘Victory Edition’ badge.

The Victory Edition Corvette features a DVD Navigation System, a Luxury Package, heated seats, a memory package, a heads-up display including G-force meter, auto-dimming inside rear view mirror and a Bose 7-speaker sound system.

Every Corvette Victory Edition will get a numbered car identification interior badge. The Corvette Victory Edition will be available in Europe at the beginning of March 2007.

High-resolution images after the jump.

## General Motors ##

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General Motors has made it official, Chevrolet will get another Corvette model — this time it will be a 600-hp super Corvette known as the “Blue Devil” and it is expected to arrive summer 2009.

When asked about production plans for the super Corvette known as the “Blue Devil” at the Detroit Auto Show, Bob Lutz said, “As you all know, it is not our policy to discuss future product programs. However…,” he added, “it is very important for Corvette to be the most powerful, most capable, best handling sports car in the United States.”

Last week Lutz said, “There is a distinct appetite for something beyond the Z06 in performance, beyond the Z06 in exclusivity and beyond the Z06 in price.”

While there is no mention of price, most expect the limited-edition super Vette to cost at least $100K.

“Corvette has taken on the character of a brand” and it can support several models, said Lutz.

## Source: AutoWeek ##

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The new Pontiac G8 may not be the only rebadged Holden that will be coming to the States. According to a new report, “substantial” export orders for “the Americas” have moved the planned launch date of the new Commodore Ute up to the Spring. Carpoint is also reporting that the new ute will be built with left-hand drive.

Is GM planning to revive the Chevrolet El Camino by importing the new Commodore Ute to the United States?

Last year, when asked about bringing back the El Camino off the Zeta platform, GM’s product czar, Bob Lutz said, “The kids in the company, myself included, would love to do another El Camino…” He added, “It would be fairly simple. We’d only have to put a Chevrolet face on the Holden Ute. The building blocks are there.”

## Source: CarPoint ##

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Chevrolet debuted the winning ad from its Chevy Super Bowl College Ad Challenge, during Super Bowl XLI. Last fall, Chevy announced the competition, which asked college students to develop an ad concept focusing on one of Chevy’s youth market cars, the Aveo, Cobalt, HHR, or Equinox.

The winning ad concept was selected from over 800 entries from across the country. The winningad was conceived by Katie Crabb of North Prairie, WI. Katie came up with the idea for the ad as part of a class project through University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee.

Video after the jump.

## Source: General Motors ##

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General Motors revealed the special edition 2007 Indianapolis 500 Pace Car Replica Corvette Convertible yesterday. A Chevrolet Corvette will pace the 91st running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 27, 2007. The 2007 race marks the ninth time Corvette has served as the Official Pace Car of the Indianapolis 500. Chevrolet will offer 500 replicas of the official pace cars.

“Chevrolet and Corvette have a long, storied history at Indianapolis, and the new pace car special-edition commemorates that heritage with what will surely be an instant collectible,” said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager.

The Indianapolis 500 Pace Car Replica Corvette Convertible will feature a host of unique enhancements, including Atomic Orange paint, special Indianapolis 500 exterior graphics, Z06 rear spoiler, special rims, seats with embroidered Indianapolis 500 logos, interior trim plate and pods painted Atomic Orange and Atomic Orange engine covers.

All of the replicas will be powered by the Corvette’s standard LS2 V8 and be equipped with the Z51 performance package. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, with the six-speed paddle-shift automatic optional. Navigation system and OnStar are standard.

Pricing for the pace car replica convertible is $66,995 MSRP, including destination. The paddle-shift six-speed automatic is the only option, which brings the price to $68,245. TThe Indianapolis 500 Pace Car Replica Corvette Convertible will be available beginning this spring.

High resolution gallery after the jump.

## Source: General Motors ##

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General Motors revealed the Ron Fellows ALMS GT1 Champion Corvette Z06 yesterday. Distinguished by unique interior and exterior appointments, the Ron Fellows Corvette Z06 will be offered in limited, pre-determined quantities, and when it’s gone, its gone.

The Ron Fellows ALMS GT1 Champion Corvette Z06 celebrates Corvette racing legend Ron Fellows and his championship tenure with Corvette Racing’s GT1-class. The Ron Fellows Corvette is aspecially prepared 2007 Corvette Z06, featuring Arctic White paint accented with a racing-style fender stripe and Ron Fellows’ autograph.

This special Corvette Z06 is the first signed special edition in Corvette history, and is the first Arctic White Z06 ever offered. GM will only build 399 units: approximately 300 for the United States, 33 for Canada and 66 for other export markets.

Exterior cues include a full-width racing spoiler and a unique windshield banner. Special interior features include red seats, center console, door panels and instrument panel; red, leather-covered armrest with a Corvette “cross flags” logo hand-signed and numbered by Ron Fellows.

The Ron Fellows ALMS GT1 Champion Corvette Z06 will be available this spring, and will be priced at $77,500. OnStar and navigation are the only options, which bumps the price to $79,945.

High resolution gallery after the jump.

## Source: General Motors ##

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General Motors announced it is recalling 98,000 Chevrolet Cobalt coupes from the 2005-2006 model years. The specific vehicles are not equipped with optional roof-mounted side impact air bags.

The affected cars don’t have sufficient padding to meet federal requirements. GM spokesman Alan Adler said the head impact protection would only be an issue for motorists not wearing a seat belt while belted motorists would not be affected.

General Motors will upgrade the car’s head impact protection by adding “an energy absorbing plastic” to the headliner trim.

## Source: The Auto Channel ##

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