Chevy Camaro Daytona 500 Pace Car revealed

News broke last week that the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro would be the official pace car of the Daytona 500 this year, and now we have official proof. While Corvettes have paced the legendary race the last two years, now there's a new performance vehicle in GM's stable to pace the race.

The '10 is the first Camaro to pace the 500 since 1969 and only the third overall.
The pace car will be an SS model brandishing a 426-hp 6.2L V8 and special Cyber Grey (and Orange) paint scheme developed by PPG. It will also be outfitted with a fully integrated strobe system to help light the way for dozens of NASCAR cars that will be following its every left turn.

PRESS RELEASE

Chevy Camaro Returns as Official Pace Car for 51st Daytona 500; Iconic 2010 Model Returns to the "Great American Race" After 40-Year Absence

DAYTONA BEACH, FL (Feb. 7, 2009) -- Daytona International Speedway officials announced the return of the Chevy Camaro as the Official Pace Car of the 51st running of the Daytona 500--the first Camaro to pace the field since 1969.

"Chevy has been a great partner of the Daytona 500 for more than 30 years, and the Camaro is an automotive icon,'" said Speedway President Robin Braig. "This 2010 model will set the tone for a 21st century sports car, and that's a perfect fit to lead the pack at the 'Great American Race.''

The 426-horsepower vehicle, powered by the 6.2-liter all-aluminum Chevy V-8, carries a PPG Cyber Grey paint scheme with a bold accent design befitting "The World Center of Racing." A Camaro has paced the field just twice in Dayton 500 history, in 1968 and '69, and this 2010 model is scheduled to hit showroom floors this spring.

Built on GM's new global rear-wheel drive architecture, the Camaro also will be offered in V-6-powered LS and LT models. Additional specs of the 2010 model pace car include:

* All-aluminum 6.2-liter V-8

* 426 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque

* Fully integrated strobe system, including a GM-designed custom light bar utilizing Whelen 500 series linear strobes

* 27-mpg estimated highway fuel economy

* Fuel-saving Tremec 6-speed manual transmission

* Top speed of xxx mph on the test track

Saleen to buy Viper?

Saleen has been in an upheaval of sorts for a while now. Founder Steve Saleen left to do his own thing, then the company's assets were sold off to private investors. It's new owners plan to keep making superchargers and bolt on's, but the turnkey Racecraft series and S could face the axe. Meanwhile, the company's former owners retain possession of it's supercar manufacturing business while they figure out what to do with it.

In the meantime, Chrysler has been openly trying to pawn off it's Viper brand. They have three potential owners, and they're not naming names at this time. At the same time, Saleen is refusing to comment on the possibility that they might be one of the three mystery buyers. You know what they say about silence...

[Source: AutoWeek]

GM bringing Bumblebee 2 to Chicago Auto Show

GM will be introducing us to the new Bumblebee from the movie Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen at the upcoming Chicago Auto Show. He's the same Bumblebee from the first film, but the Camaro into which he transforms has been spiffed up for the sequel with a new front bumper, chin spoiler, hood scoop and different wheels. Whereas the first Bumblebee was based on the Camaro Concept, it appears that the new one is based on the actual production car.

Joining the orange Camaro in Chicago will be other characters from the film in their car forms. New additions to the sequel brandishing a GM badge include a 2010 Chevy Volt called Jolt, a Chevy Spark called Skids and a Trax concept called Mudflat (together known as the Twins), and a character called Sideswipe based on the still-yet-to-be-revealed Corvette Centennial Concept.

PRESS RELEASE

On Wednesday, February 11, 2009 Chevrolet and Paramount Pictures are proud to announce the return of BUMBLEBEE ™ to the Chicago Auto Show, in anticipation of the upcoming movie, "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen." BUMBLEBEE ™ , the heroic AUTOBOT ® based on the Chevrolet Camaro concept, will appear for the first time in public with other new Chevrolet "characters" from the film at a press conference scheduled to begin at 10:15 am CST in the Chevrolet exhibit at McCormick Place.