General Motors Garners Nearly $9 Million in Ads with MLB Corvette Giveaway

Earlier this week, we posted how General Motors offered a brand-new 2011 Chevrolet Corvette convertible to Detroit Tiger pitcher Armando Galarraga for his near perfect game against the Cleveland Indians. That generosity may have been a near $9 million win for GM as well.


According to Joyce Julius & Associates Inc., which measures and analyzes the impact of sponsorship on all forms of media from print to television to the Internet, General Motors’ giveaway to Galarraga generated nearly $1 million in exposure in over 700 television programs and nearly $8 million in over 150,000 publications, Internet articles and posts. Note that the automaker never requested or commissioned the study.

“We were not contracted to do the study,” Eric Wright, Joyce Julius' vice president of research and product development, said in an e-mail to Crain's Detroit Business, an affiliate of Automotive News. “We often look at national level happenings in sponsorship and provide that information to all of our clients and the media.”

Source: Automotive News (Subscription required)

Continue Reading »

Mercedes-Benz Dresses 2011 S63 AMG Like Classic 300SEL 6.8 AMG

Mercedes-Benz will be releasing its new 2011 S63 AMG this fall and has chosen to dress it up like the famed 300SEL 6.8 AMG endurance racer that once competed in the 24 Hours of Spa.

In 1971, the 300SEL 6.8 AMG took to the track of Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium to prove its mettle in that year's 24 Hours of Spa, and it performed admirably. Facing heavily favored racers including the Ford Capri RS, BMW 2800 CS, Chevrolet Camaro, Opel Commodore, and Alfa Romeo GTA, the 300SEL 6.8 AMG placed second after completing 308 laps around the scenic track, behind a Capri and ahead of a Camaro. The Mercedes recorded few mechanical issues but had to refuel often. Following its second-place finish, the red 300SEL gained international acclaim, especially in its home country of Germany. Mercedes even built 300 replicas in 2006.


To celebrate its 1971 success, Mercedes wrapped its new 2011 S63 AMG with matching sponsor decals, looking to channel the spirit of the old AMG-prepped 300SEL. Debuting in the S-Class is AMG's new twin-turbocharged V-8, a hand-built marvel that is more powerful and less fuel-thirsty than the outgoing 6.2-liter V-8.

After adapting the exterior, the two speedy sedans were sent around Spa for a classic photo shoot, and Hans Heyer (co-driver in 1971) was on hand with his trademark Tyrolean hat. As you can tell from the photos, the sticker placements are impeccable.

Mercedes sedan comparison

300SEL 6.8 AMG

Engine -- 6.8-liter V-8 (6.3-liter for the standard 300SEL 6.3)
Power -- 422 horsepower, 448 pound-feet of torque (247 horsepower, 369 pound-feet of torque for the non-AMG version)
Weight -- 3600 pounds
Top speed -- 165 mph
1971 24 Hours of Spa drivers -- Hans Heyer and Clemens Schickentanz

2011 S63 AMG

Engine -- 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged V-8
Power -- 536 horsepower, 590 pound-feet of torque (563 horsepower, 664 pound-feet of torque with performance package)
Weight -- 4700 pounds (estimate)
Top speed -- 155 mph (186 mph with performance package)

The 2010 24 Hours of Spa will be held July 29 to August 1.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

Continue Reading »

2011 WRX STI sedan runs 'Ring in 7:55, quickest ever for Subaru

Quick: What's the fastest production sedan in the world? Does it wear a Mercedes-Benz, Audi or BMW badge? What about the Porsche Panamera Turbo or the Cadillac CTS-V? There's no doubt that each of these vehicular behemoths is capable of ripping off some fast times on a race track near you, but Subaru is out to prove that its new 2011 WRX STI sedan has the chops to keep pace with the best from the rest of the world.


To prove its point, Subaru recently sent test driver and four-time World Rally Champion Tommi Mäkinen out to the famed Nürburgring Nordschleife course in Germany with a 2011 STI test car. According to reports, the vehicle used in this testing was equipped with a few significant upgrades including a larger turbocharger that normally sees duty in the Japanese R205 model and some lightweight aluminum bits, but one thing is for certain: the 7:55 lap time is a mighty impressive result.

For those keeping track of such things, the previous best lap set by a Subaru WRX STI was in 2004 at 7:59.41 and the new mark set by Subaru – albeit with a
prototype, not a production car – is quicker than any of the aforementioned competition. Best of all, there's a video of one entire lap around the 'Ring and you can find the in-car footage after the break.

Continue Reading »

$20 Price Bump For 2011 Corvette Line; ZR1 Jumps By $2920

Chevrolet hasn't revealed how much the Z06 Carbon will cost, but, thanks to leaked 2011 Corvette pricing, you should be able to spec a Z06 just like one for under $90,000. The Z07 performance package, which outfits a standard Z06 with the Carbon's Brembo brakes, Michelin tires, and fancy magnetic dampers, costs $9495. The CFZ package, which adds carbon-fiber bodywork, adds $3995. And the 2011 Z06's price? Like the base model and Grand Sport, it increases by $20, now costing $74,895.


This pricing information comes from Corvette Blogger, who claims to have received it Kerbeck Corvette, a dealer in New Jersey.

A base Corvette coupe is still under the $50,000 mark after destination, at $49,540. A Grand Sport coupe isn't far off, at $55,380. And the herculean ZR1, for 2011, now totals $110,390 after its $2920 price bump.

That Z06 Carbon replica? Take the Z06, add Z07 and CFZ packages, and you're at $88,385. That's assuming, of course, Chevy won't require you to pick items like the $7170 3LZ premium equipment group, and so on.

The options list follows:
C2L Roof Package - Includes Painted and Glass Tops $1,400
CC3 Glass Roof instead of Painted Roof $750
CCR Special order option $0
CFZ Z06 Carbon Fiber Package $3,995
D30 Color Combination Override $590
F55 Magnetic Selective Ride Control - Grand Sports $1,695
F55 Magnetic Selective Ride Control - Coupe/Conv $1,995
H33 Cyber Gray Metallic Headlamp Override $590
H34 Blade Silver Metallic Headlamp Override $590
H35 Black Headlamp Override $590
J55 Cross Drilled Brake Rotors $500
MN6 6-Speed Manual Transmission $0
MXO 6-Speed Paddle Shift Automatic Transmission $1,250
NPP Dual Mode Exhaust $1,195
PYD Grand Sport Competition Gray Wheels $395
PYE Grand Sport Chrome Wheels $1,995
Q44 Z06 Competition Gray Wheels $395
Q6B ZR1 Chrome Wheels $2,000
Q6J ZR1 Competition Gray Wheels $395
Q76 Z06 Original Chrome 10 spoke Wheels $1,495
Q8A Z06 Spider Chrome Wheels $1,995
Q9V Chrome 5 Spoke Wheels - Coupe and Conv Only $1,850
QX1 Split Spoke Competition Gray Wheels $395
R8C Museum Delivery $490
U3U Navigation 6.5" Screen $1,795
US9 6 Disc CD Changer $395
Z07 Z06 Ultimate Performance Package $9,495
Z15 Grand Sport Heritage Package $1,195
**6 Two-Tone Seating $695
36S Custom Leather Stitching - Yellow $395
37S Custom Leather Stitching - Blue $395
38S Custom Leather Stitching - Red $395
0B1 Cross Flag Embroidery on Headrests $300
28U Inferno Orange Metiallic $300
45U Velocity Yellow Premium Tintcoat $850
85U Jetstream Blue Premium Tintcoat $850
89U Crystal Red Premium Tintcoat $850
GLB Supersonic Blue Metallic $300

All vehicle pricing includes a $590 destination charge.

Source: Corvette Blogger

Continue Reading »

Revealed: Subaru Cosworth Impreza WRX STI CS400 Road-Going Rally Car

Subaru and Cosworth teased us earlier this year with a monster WRX STI, but now the full details on the finished product -- the Cosworth WRX STI CS400 -- have been revealed.

As Cosworth’s forte lies with engines, it’s not too surprising to read that the majority of CS400’s changes rest within the engine compartment. The CS400 retains the STI’s turbocharged 2.5-liter boxer-four-cylinder engine, but it’s received some serious surgery. Cosworth installs new high-performance pistons, high-strength steel connecting rods, and Cosworth-designed engine bearings. A new Cosworth-designed head gasket is also added, along with a high-pressure oil pump, and a revised turbocharger compressor and wastegate.


Cosworth hasn’t disclosed the boost pressures used, but the revisions -- along with a new exhaust system and revised ECU -- are enough to get the turbocharged engine pumping out 395 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque. That’s roughly 90 ponies and 103 pound-feet more than a U.S.-spec 2011 WRX STI.

We’d celebrate the car simply for the extra power, but Cosworth didn’t stop there. Engineers at the tuning firm partnered with Bilstein and Eibach to revamp the WRX’s chassis tuning to incorporate new coil springs that drop the ride height by a half-inch. Fourteen-inch AP Racing brake discs were added all around, a significant improvement over the 13- and 12.6-inch front and rear discs used on the 2011 STI.

Cosmetic tweaks are subtle, but they do help differentiate the CS400 from a standard WRX STI. Cossie-tuned Imprezas receive a new front fascia with foglamps, a mesh grille insert, and a unique rear spoiler. Larger 18-inch wheels not only help dress up the car’s appearance, but also increase the STI’s track by a half-inch. Buyers have little say in the exterior décor, but can choose between three paint colors (red, silver, and dark grey). Inside, all cars receive Recaro racing seats in lieu of the stock front buckets.

Only 75 of these incredible machines will be produced, and as we suspected, none will (legally) make their way to North America. The entire production run will consist of right-hand-drive models and will be sold in the United Kingdom. The CS400 will cost a whopping £22,505 more than the base WRX STI, bringing the total to £49,995.

Source: Autocar

Continue Reading »

Panned: Mansory's 690-HP Take on the Porsche Panamera Turbo

We're pretty sure both subtle and tasteful aren't words found in Swiss tuner Mansory's vocabulary. After displaying an unusually trimmed Rolls Royce at the 2010 Geneva motor show, the company recently unveiled its latest creation: a rather powerful -- if not gaudy -- take on the Porsche Panamera Turbo.

As it rolls off Porsche's assembly line, the Panamera Turbo is certainly no slouch. A stock Turbo develops nearly 500 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque from a twin-turbocharged 4.8-liter V-8. By bolting on some larger turbochargers, adding a new stainless steel exhaust system, and tweaking the engine management software, Mansory manages to coax nearly 690 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. Top speed is reportedly in the realm of 204 mph, an improvement over the stock Turbo's top end of 188 mph.


Certainly, the wild yellow-on-blue paint scheme shown on this particular Panamera lends the project no favors, but the four-piece body kit -- which includes a gaping front fascia and an enormous rear diffuser out back -- doesn't exactly enhance the sedan's shape. Mansory replaces the stock hood with one crafted from carbon fiber, while a rear spoiler is crafted from the same material. Fender flares have also been added largely to fit the new set of 22-inch forged wheels.

Inside, the Panamera's cabin is largely stock, although Mansory bathes it in leather hides. Interior trim can be crafted from either carbon fiber or a variety of woods, while aluminum is used to dress up the pedals. Although this car sports a retina-scalding décor pattern, customers can order a car to their precise tastes.

For whatever reason, Mansory places a badge on the rear bumper proclaiming its custom Panamera to be a limited edition. We can't help but be thankful for that fact -- we're not sure we're ready for Mansory-tuned Porsches to become a common sighting on our local streets.

Source: Mansory

Continue Reading »

Build Your Own: Dealers Design Last Batch of Special-Edition 2010 Dodge Viper

Dodge has had no trouble crafting its own special-edition models to celebrate the end of the 2010 Viper's production run, but it's now opening the fun to select dealerships as well.

Dealers who managed to sell high volumes of Dodge's two-seat sports car have been awarded the chance to design their own special-edition cars. For the most part, the custom Vipers are relegated to special paint schemes for the SRT10 roadster, the SRT10 coupe, and the SRT10 ACR coupe.


Thus far, Chrysler's revealed three examples of the dealer-custom program. The snake crafted by Woodhouse Dodge in Blair, Nebraska, is perhaps most unique -- the yellow Viper breaks from tradition and applies many of the unique touches found on the Viper ACR coupe to a drop-top roadster. Tromball Dodge created the "Reverse SRT10 ACR," which inverts the color combination used earlier this year on the Snakeskin Green Special Edition. Roanoke Dodge in Roanoke, Illinois, chose to apply dual Plum Crazy racing stripes on a black SRT10 coupe.

As is the case with the umpteen other special-edition Vipers we've seen this year, production of the Dealer Exclusive Program cars will be limited to 50 in total -- roughly ten percent of the entire 2010 Viper production run.

Source: Dodge

Continue Reading »