American NewsAll News
Browse by News Category
Report: Don’t Rule Out High-Performance Volt SS says GM Marketing Boss Bob Lutz
When it launches, the Chevrolet Volt is poised to become the next Toyota Prius, the poster boy for environmentally responsible motoring. And while it might be what mother earth and the Obama Administration want, you can be sure it’s not what the 77-year-old Camaro-loving head of GM’s marketing department wants. No, Bob Lutz wants high…
Report: Fiat’s Five Year Chrysler Group Plan, Model by Model Breakdown
Last week Fiat/Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne set out a long-winded plan for the future of the American automaker and how its future will be closely tied to its new Italian parent company. There was a lot to digest at the seven hour press conference and so we thought a model by model breakdown would be…
Exclusive: John Hennessey Reveals Venom TT Chassis, Powertrain Details
Initially thought to be a far-fetched fantasy, Hennessey Performance Engineering has announced that it will debut its Venom GT supercar at the Geneva Auto Show next year and AutoGuide has learned some important chassis and powertrain info about the vehicle. In a chat with company founder and CEO John Hennessy at the SEMA Show last…
Breaking: GM Confirms Cadillac Converj Plug-In Hybrid Will See Production
First unveiled at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the seemingly futuristic Cadillac Converj is now well on its way to production. According to a report in The Detroit News, the Volt-like plug-in hybrid, has been given the green light, but won’t be offered for several more years. Similar in both look…
Report: Shelby Unveils Supercharged F-150 Super Snake Muscle Truck Concept
It’s just a concept for now, but Shelby Automobiles Inc., is hoping there’s enough interest to go ahead and start building production versions of this muscle truck. Called the F-150 Super Snake Concept, the Shelby-inspired vehicle is based on a 2007 F-150 regular cab and lists extensive modifications to improve handling, styling and power. For…
SEMA 2009: Robby Gordon to Compete in 2010 Dakar Rally in New Full Carbon H3
As a brand, Hummer’s time in the spotlight is pretty much over, although if there is something that can save the brand it might be a core group of enthusiasts and a strong motorsports background. While Hummers are best known for being excessive street machines, unlike a lot of SUVs, they are actually incredibly capable…
SEMA 2009: SMS Supercars Announces Superparts Division to Sell Parts Individually
Over the past year or so Steve Saleen’s new project, SMS Supercars has released high performance versions of the Camaro, Mustang and Challenger. This week at the Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) Show, SMS announces the introduction of SMS Superparts, a division of the company that will sell the parts individually through a distribution network….
SEMA 2009: Hennessey HPE700 is a Camaro, ZR1 Love Child
One of just two vehicles worthy to flank the Mobil 1 booth at the 2009 SEMA Show is the Hennessey HPE700 LS9 Camaro. As the name suggests, under the hood there’s a supercharged LS9 motor lifted from a Corvete ZR1. The easy-to-remember HPE700 name isn’t entirely accurate, however, as the engine has been tuned somewhat…
Report: Chrysler to Replace Several Models With Fiat-Based Products
During Chrysler’s seven hour press conference explaining the direction of the company over the next few years, it became increasingly clear that the new Fiat ownership is planning to build up the Chrysler group of brands using Fiat products. Much of the news isn’t entirely new, but it has now been confirmed and the extent…
SEMA 2009: 2010 Cobra Jet Mustang Debuts at Aftermarket Expo in Las Vegas
After the success of Ford’s 2008 Mustang Cobra Jet, Ford announced at the 2009 Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) Show the return of the car for 2010. In a “SEMA Special” silver with a charcoal Cobra Jet graphics package, the new turnkey race car is ready for NHRA competition. “The 2008 Cobra Jet was a…
SEMA 2009: Ford’s Massive Mustang Presence at SEMA in Detail
There was no doubt that the focus of Ford’s SEMA Show booth was the all-new 2010 Mustang, with a total of nine modified Stangs, plus the all-new Cobra Jet model. Ford originally scheduled eight cars, but it looks like Galpin Auto Sports snuck in a second entry. The cars were built by tuner shops, race…
SEMA 2009: Hankook Tire Formula Drift Camaro SS Debuts in Vegas
One of the many Camaros on display at the 2009 SEMA Show is the Formula Drift Camaro SS. Sponsored by Hankook Tire and displayed prominently at the General Motors booth, the car was built by BR Racing, Luke Lonberger and Conrad Grunewald Racing and will compete in next year’s Formula D drift championship piloted by…
SEMA 2009: Hurst Unveils Supercharged Performance Series Camaro and Mustang
Hurst Performance Vehicles used the 2009 SEMA Show to expand its product lineup significantly with the introduction of Performance Series versions of the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang. Both cars appeared in predominantly white livery with black and gold detailing. The Hurst Performance Series Camaro features a Magnusson Supercharger, Hurst Competition/Plus shifter with a…
Report: Dodge Viper Production Halts in 2010, Replacement Due 2012
Chrysler will stop production of the Dodge Viper in 2010 and replace it with its successor in 2012. The announcement came on a day of extensive announcements about Chrysler’s plans for the next five years. The new Viper will be one of 11 all-new or redesigned Dodge vehicles that will debut by 2014. Production on…
SEMA 2009: Kevin Morgan Designs Trans Am Makes Official Debut
The Lingenfelter Trans Am Concept wasn’t the only TA on display at the 2009 SEMA Show, with Kevin Morgan Designs debuting its version of the iconic car. Based on a slightly more modern interpretation of the Trans Am, the Kevin Morgan car takes its cues from the 1977-’78 model and is based on the all-new…
SEMA 2009: Mopar Jeep Lower Forty Is Ready for the Rocks
The Mopar performance department at Chrysler went all out in building the Mopar Jeep Lower Forty, which is designed to deliver serious off-roading – just the way Jeep drivers like it. Starting life as a two-door Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, the gear-heads at Mopar decided to add on a set of 20-inch Mopar wheels and 40-inch…
SEMA 2009: Hendrick Motorsports 25th Anniversary Camaro SS Gets ZR1-Inspired Looks and Performance
NASCAR racing team Hendrick Motorsports chose the SEMA Show to officially debut its limited edition run of Camaro SS models, built to celebrate 25 years in the business. Called the Hendrick Motorsports 25th Anniversary 2010 Camaro SS, each car will be built by famed Corvette tuner Callaway Cars. The ZR1-inspired muscle car was displayed prominently…
SEMA 2009: Chevy Unveils Four Custom Camaros, Including Twin-Turbo V6 Designed by Jay Leno
Along with a host of wild and wacky Camaros at the General Motors booth at SEMA, the General also built five in-house muscle cars that are noticeably more subtle. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t as impressive. In fact, one of the most original Camaros of the dozens on display at SEMA is included in…
SEMA 2009: Chevy Silverado ZR2 Concept Gets Supercharged LS Engine, Carbon Fiber Body Parts
Inspired by Chevy’s highest performance vehicle, the Corvette ZR1, the Silverado ZR2 concept gets plenty of high performance options, like a supercharged LS motor and plenty of carbon fiber. Unveiled at the SEMA Show, this extended cab/short box truck also boasts a massive new front grille, carbon fiber fender flares, a four-inch suspension lift, a…
SEMA 2009: Lingenfelter Trans Am Debuts in Vegas
On display at the Nitto tires booth at the 2009 SEMA Show is a modern interpretation of the Pontiac Trans Am. Based on a 2010 Camaro, the car was designed and built by the Corvette and Chevy tuning experts at Lingenfelter. The car takes cues from the 1971 second-gen TA and so in order to…
SEMA 2009: Dodge Challenger 1320 Unveiled With 556-hp and a Light Weight Chassis
Mopar always has a big display at the SEMA Show and 2009 is no different, with plenty of Mopar-modded Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles. One of, if not the, most impressive car on hand is the Dodge Challenger 1320. Named after the number of feet in a quarter mile, the 1320 is essentially a street-legal…
SEMA 2009: Mopar Dodge Ram Bianco Ready to Take on Ford F-150 Platinum
Dodge’s unveiled its custom Mopar Dodge Ram Bianco Image Vehicle at the SEMA Show today, possibly firing a warning shot at the Ford F-150 Platinum and letting he Blue Oval know that there may be competition in the luxury truck business. Ford’s F-150 Platinum caters more to ranch owners than ranch hands, and the Mopar…
SEMA 2009: Lingenfelter Camaro Debuts With Supercharged Z06 Motor and 750-hp
Garnering more than just a few stares at the 2009 SEMA Show was the Lingenfelter 2010 Camaro. The car looks stunning with a complete aero kit including a more aggressive front and and a new hood. And look more aggressive it should, with plenty of power on tap. Being Corvette experts, the team at Lingenfelter…
Breaking: General Motors Decides to Keep Opel
General Motors has decided to keep it’s European operations after all. GM has announced that due to the improved economy and improvements in the company’s bottom line, it will not sell off Opel and British automaker Vauxhall. General Motors had been negotiating to sell the group to a Russian-backed group fronted by Canadian autoparts maker…
