Camaro’s Brazil Launch Short Film
This past week Chevrolet Brazil officially launched the Camaro as part of their vehicle line-up, and to coincide with that they put together a great official Camaro Brazil website, and produced an awesome short film. Now, if you don't read Portuguese, the website may be a little difficult to navigate, but the opening animations are awesome and worth a watch, and the video they produced is absolutely a blast.
The film, titled "Não encoste no meu Camaro" (or, "Don't Touch My Camaro" in English) is a great, very fun, film just over 3 minutes long. The basic translations of the text notes in the film aren't necessary at all to get the feel of it, as it is about a feeling and experience most every teenager knows and most every parent of a teenager fears, but if you're interested I'll provide them below. (Translated, albeit, to the best of my very limited ability). The detail, in short, the story of a child who gets a hold of his parent's Camaro keys when they go out of town (anyone else thinking of Ferris Beuller?).
Translations:
- Good morning son - Kisses, Mom
- Don't touch the car
- On Flight 3551 - Take care of home
- Don't think about it.
- Flight canceled, we're coming home.
GM OnStar iPod and Droid App Now Available
The iPhone and Android App that I wrote about a few months ago is now officially available for download in your respective App Store. The Application, which works for 2011+ GM vehicles, has a number of fantastic functions which become available from the press of a button on your phone screen. From being able to turn the vehicle on early (so it can cool down on a hot summer day, or warm up on a cold winter one) to many other things, this App will provide GM drivers (Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, and GMC) a new level of vehicle control remotely. In addition the aforementioned function, the OnStar App will also allow OnStar equipped vehicle owners the ability to: lock the car remotely (in case you're worried you've forgotten), check diagnostic vehicle levels (such as fuel level, oil level, tire pressure, available driving range, and others), and ensure the vehicle's safe. So, if you own a 2011 GM vehicle, go ahead and download this App for your smart phone today!
Camaro SS To Get Power Boost
According to GM authority and their inside sources, the Camaro SS will be receiving a boost in HP come 2012. Even though the SS has more HP than the Mustang GT 5.0, people at Chevrolet were upset enough about the quicker 1/4mile time that Ford has been able to publish with the Mustang to do something about it. Chevrolet acknowledged that they could have done lightening work on the Camaro SS to increase its time, and apparently some of that is being done with the newly revamped and improved interior that the 2012 SS is receiving. They knew that lightening the vehicle enough to best the Mustang GT times though would be a more costly exercise than just increasing the Camaro's HP output, so they're going with that solution instead, for both the LS3 and LS99 engines. There are no official numbers on the 2012's performance as of yet, apart from the fact that it will be more powerful, but as soon as Chevy releases something more official concerning this I'll be sure to update. Until then, speculate to your heart's desire as to what sort of HP the Camaro SS will have.
Camaro Leading in Votes for SEMA 2010 Hottest Car Award
The vehicle which, unquestionably, generated the most buzz at last year's SEMA show seems to be doing it again this year. Every year, before the SEMA conference begins, the SEMA hosts open up voting for their "Hottest Vehicle Award" and at this early stage the Camaro apparently has a pretty hefty lead. Following behind it? Why, none other than the Mustang and Challenger. The Camaro's two closest competitors in most every category are, once again, falling short of it in terms of popularity and buzz. The Camaro is so far ahead that it was dubbed, by the event organizers, to be the "outstanding leader" in voting. Some other also-rans, behind the Camaro, Mustang, and Challenger, include the Audi A4, Scion tC, Hyundai Sonata, and Subaru Impreza. This is great news for Camaro owners because of the very nature of SEMA. As a convention tailored specifically to aftermarket modification, the Camaro's popularity ensures that the biggest and the best will continue to bring out more and more incredible performance modification goodies for the Camaro, building off of the buzz that it seems to continually generate on a daily basis.
Top Gear USA Trailers
This isn't 100% Camaro specific news, but it is very cool (and features some great Camaro shots!). Top Gear, the incredibly popular and incredibly cool British TV show all about cars is being adapted (officially, this time) for US Audiences. Coming to the History Channel on November 21st, the American Top Gear adaptation will follow a very similar format to its British predecessor, including similar skits and challenges. This is great news, as I love Top Gear, and a second Top Gear show to watch sounds fantastic (Although, I'm certain that I wont stop watching Top Gear BBC as result).
Here are the trailers below, and in the extended one be sure to watch for the Gen 5 Camaro tearing up a dry lake bed in the Mojave Desert. It's nice to see the Camaro well represented there along side the likes of Ferraris and Lambos.
Camaro T-Top Conversion Kit
Drop Top Customs, who beat everyone else (including Chevrolet) to the punch on the Camaro Convertible have created a new custom Camaro package. This time, they're offering a Camaro T-Top Conversion kit for $6500. My first car ever was a T-Top, and I have a special fondness for them, so seeing this come to fruition with my favorite car is great. The T-Top Camaro looks sleek and stylish, and should be a great middle ground between the Convertible and the Coupe for someone who wants a little extra wind in their hair while driving without having to sacrifice vehicle performance and flex.
The T-Top kit, while great looking, is not without its flaws and questions, though. Drop Top Customs removed the reverse Mohawk top of the Camaro, which has become one of its most immediately synonymous features, with this kit. The T-Top is also only being shown in roof continuation styling, and I'd like to see a glass-top option instead. Also, with the $6500 price tag, one has to question what sort of warranty is included. Do they guarantee against leak protection, or offer warranty in case of issue with said leakage, or a locking/clasp mechanism malfunction? Hopefully these, and many other answers, will be answered at this year's SEMA when Drop Top Customs highlights their Camaro T-Top Conversion Kit.
Neiman Marcus Camaro Sells Out
The Neiman Marcus special edition Camaro convertible I wrote about a couple weeks ago went on sale and then, promptly, was no longer on sale. All 100 special edition Camaros were purchased in just a few weeks time. The vehicle, which was billed as being a combination of Camaro performance and Neiman Marcus luxury, had a hefty $75,000 price tag, but this didn't seem to be any sort of deterrent to its buyers.
So, if you wanted one of these special Camaros and didn't get a chance to get your name in for one yet, I'm sorry, but the window of opportunity has closed. I bet you'll be able to get one in a couple of years, but, I wouldn't expect the price tag to do anything but rise in that time.
Pony Car Rivalry Returning to NASCAR
NASCAR, which was the fastest growing televised sport in America for some time, has been taking recent hits to its brand and popularity. A large part of the reason behind this is the staleness that has come around the vehicles used, specifically within the Sprint Cup Series, its premiere division of races. Dominated at the moment by modified Ford Fusion, Chevy Impalas, Toyota Camrys, and others, the premiere NASCAR division of racing is primed for a revitalizing youth movement. Currently, Ford and Dodge are running their Mustang and Challenger (respectively) at the NASCAR Nationwide Series, which is just one step below the Sprint Cup in terms of competitiveness. The appeal of seeing those much more exciting and consumer friendly vehicles has helped raise Nationwide Series awareness, and seems like it could be an ideal step for the Sprint Cup. Imagine, a return to the glory days of Pony car racing with a top-caliber professional racing event once again coming down to a Camaro, Mustang, and Challenger trading paint through the last few laps and battling for first place and bragging rights. The very promise of such is enough to get most race and automotive enthusiasts excited.
NASCAR has released that their product is growing stale and priming themselves for major changes to try and raise interest once again. Before making the switch to a new line of vehicles, a move that is currently projected to occur in 2013 (hopefully, that's not too late for the Sport's product), they are also changing some other, smaller aspects of the races. Doing away with crazy, and honestly fairly ugly, front splitter designs is a first and very obvious step. The splitters, which are less than affectionately known as cow-catcher splitters, are a general eyesore. NASCAR is also returning to traditional blade spoilers, which are more attractive and hearken back to the greater days of racing past than their current brethren. Of course, these changes are not enough, and the switch to the glorified pony cars of today may not cut it either. NASCAR gained its popularity on a sort of "dog eat dog" mentality that was highlighted by crazy characters such as Earnhardt Sr. and his racing contemporaries. The inclusion of the classic Camaro/Mustang/Challenger rivalry will certainly help provide a greater sense of excitement, (as few people care about a street race between a Camry and a Fusion, why would they care about the two doing battle on a track?!) and provide the sport with a greater, more youthful sense. The prospect of highlighting these Pony cars on some of motorsports grandest stages is also very exciting to the manufacturers, which is undoubtedly why Ford and Dodge have made strides to do so in the Nationwide series in recent months. Once Chevrolet includes the Camaro, a move which appears to be an almost guarantee at this point, American Motorsports should have a little more excitement to them, once again. Here's to hoping they can just get everything else right, around these vehicles!
Halltech Bumble Bee Intake Review
When it comes to the Camaro, I'm as big a fan as there is. I mean, hell, I write about them for fun. I also spend a lot of time perusing the various forums and reading what other people have to say about them. In doing this, whenever intakes were mentioned, one name always came up a lot:Halltech. The Halltech Yellow Jacket is such a well-reviewed and well-respected system that it's near impossible to avoid its name when reading up on aftermarket performance mods for the Camaro SS. I've always considered getting one for myself, too, but had been putting it off because of the proposed Vararam system. Of course, Vararam has taken 6 months longer than they originally said, so my patience was beginning to run thin. The Vararam system will be, undoubtedly, incredible when it releases, but I wanted something now. This wait ended up being, in the long run, a bit of blessing, because in the time I waited Halltech released an all carbon fiber version of their Yellow Jacket-which they call the Bumble Bee-and boy-howdy! is this thing awesome.
So, I saw the Bumble Bee and realized that my waiting was a bit of a blessing in disguise. Placed my order through my friends at Southern Car Parts (I know, I mention them a lot, but they treat me right and have great prices, so I gotta spread the love!) and got it within a weeks time. Upon opening the box, too, I was immediately pleasantly surprised. The build quality is awesome. It's true carbon fiber, and it's thick! They didn't cut corners anywhere on making this thing. The intake weighs a lot less than my stock (I'd guess about 8 pounds less, but I didn't weigh them on a scale), fits in perfectly, looks great, and gives obvious power. Their Dyno numbers of 18+RWHP are easily believable, as the added punch I felt on the throttle was comparable to when I first put on my new exhaust, and the tone it gives is absolutely fantastic. Coupled with my Borla ATAK exhaust, I can't help but be regularly amazed at how fantastic the LS3 sounds. The install was easy, too, and took maybe 45 minutes (2 beers time!). The supplied heat shield is a fantastic fantastic component, also. I've read about how necessary a proper heat shield is for a CAI, and it makes perfect sense. In all, if you're looking to install a Cold Air Intake on your Camaro SS, the Halltech Carbon Fiber Bumble Bee is an awesome awesome option definitely worth your consideration!
No worries, Bumblebee is well
I recently reported on the accident in D.C. involving the Bumblebee Camaro and a Police SUV. Thankfully, the police officer and the Camaro driver involved in the accident are both very well. Apparently, Bumblebee is all patched up also. I don't know which Transformer is their medic, but he acted quickly, as Bumblebee was photographed the night after the accident hanging out with Optimus Prime in the downtown D.C. area. Bumblebee showed zero sign of ever having been involved in an accident, also, which we can assume means that either: A) they paid good money to have the mechanics take care of that very quickly, or B) There's more than one Bumblebee. Either way, the accident doesn't seem to have slowed down anything but D.C. traffic.
