World of Wheels

SEMA 2009: WD-40 to unveil custom Camaro

Sin City just got a little bit badder. Next week at the annual SEMA show in Vegas, WD-40 will unveil a customized, 600-plus horsepower version of the new Chevrolet Camaro to be auctioned off for charity.

The lubricant company, which has been around more than 50 years now, teamed up with SEMA Cares to create the one-off car.

The coupe started as a stock 2010 Camaro SS with a 6.2-litre V8 engine. From there, the car was finished in blue and yellow – emulates WD-40’s signature can - and added components like engine mods, a body kit, a custom interior and an entertainment system.

Automakers get App-titude

Always on the hunt for clever ways to promote their wears, the world’s automakers are increasingly wading into the world of Apps for Apple’s popular iPhone and iPod Touch. Two that peaked our interest of late come from VW and Land Rover.

For folks out of the loop, the ‘Apps’ are small programs downloaded from the Interwebs to Apple devices. They can be anything from games or cooking advice, to how to tune a guitar or read Shakespeare.

Last week, Volkswagen of America said it became the first auto manufacturer to launch a car exclusively on a mobile device. Its all-new 2010 GTI hot-hatch debuted via a free version of the Firemint Real Racing game App for the iPhone and iPod touch.

Good genes: C63 gets a shot of SLS testosterone

It not even on the street yet, but already the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG super car is having an affect on it family members.

The German automaker has announced that its already stout C63 AMG sedan will offers a new Performance Package Plus option, adding go-faster parts from the gull-winged flagship sports machine.

Check the box for the new package and the C63’s 6.2-litre naturally aspirated V8 gets forged pistons from the new SLS. It also bolts in new connecting rods, a lightweight crankshaft and a new engine management system.

Chevy wants John Q. Public to name Volt colour

Chevrolet is turning to the public for help in naming an exclusive new colour for its coming Volt extended-range electric vehicle (E-REV). The winner will head to LA for the upcoming auto show and drive a pre-production version of automaker’s eco-car.

Chevy needs a moniker for a new silver exterior colour with an emerald hue. “We’re looking for a name that captures the innovation and spirit of the Volt,” said Maria Rohrer, director, global Volt and global marketing operations at Chevrolet.

Ideas can be submitted via www.chevroletvoltage.com until November 4. Consumers will vote online for the best of that lot, with three finalists announced December 1. The overall winner will be declared at the LA show.

AJAC's TestFest 2010 on this week to decide Canadian Car/Utility Vehicle of the Year

Members of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) will again converge on Southern Ontario this week to test out 50-plus vehicles competing in the 2010 Canadian Car of the Year Awards (CCOTY).

Scribes from across the country will meet in Niagara-on-the-Lake for ‘TestFest,’ held annually at the local airport and on the surrounding public roads.

Over the week, new 2010 vehicles in 12 categories will be tested back-to-back by a team of judges in "real-world" conditions and on-track or off-road if that’s their forte. AJAC says this gives results, “relevant to potential car and truck buyers,” because the vehicles are wrung out, “on the same roads, under the same conditions to ensure objective evaluation.”

Volkswagen sets record for Transeurasia drive

A Volkswagen outfitted with the automaker’s 4Motion all-wheel drive system, has set a Guinness World Record for a non-stop, 15,497 km drive from the Atlantic coast of Portugal to the Pacific coast of Russia.

The Transeurasia is the world’s longest west-east route on one continent, passing through Portugal, Spain, France, Germany, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania and more than 4,800 kms of poor roads in Russia.

The Caddy Maxi, a small Volkswagen van sold in Europe, completed the drive in eight days, 13 hours and 30 minutes.

Honda CR-Z hybrid coupe is Canada-bound

It’s almost like the rebirth of the original two-door Insight – minus the fender skirts: Honda announced this week that the production version of its CR-Z hybrid coupe concept, shown at the Tokyo Motor Show, will reach Canada in the second half of 2010.

While the vehicle on display at the show currently is a global concept with a rear seat, the production version bound for Canada and the U.S. will be packaged as a sporty, two-seat hybrid.

“The new Honda CR-Z will expand our lineup of hybrid vehicles and reinforce the fun-to-drive values associated with the Honda brand,” said Jerry Chenkin, executive vice president of Honda Canada Inc. “Beyond dynamic styling and features, the CR-Z will bring new levels of engagement and fun to Canadians who are interested in a small car or a hybrid vehicle.” 

Tokyo 2009: Lexus LFA super car finally revealed

Look out Mercedes SLS et al, Lexus has finally tossed its hat into the super car ring with its ambitious new LFA. In development since 2000, the rear-wheel drive V10-powered coupe is a “clean-sheet” design, capable of 0-100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 325 km/h.

Created by a small team of engineers, only 500 examples will be hand-built at the Motomachi plant in Toyota City, Japan.

The LFA’s naturally aspirated V10, developed with Yamaha, will also be hand-assembled and signed-off by a single technician. It’s Lexus’ first 10-cylinder engine. Capable of a heady 9,000 rpm redline, it makes 552 horsepower at 8,700 rpm and 354 lb-ft of torque at 6,800 rpm.

The Force is strong with this one: Lotus embraces its inner Vader with new limited edition Exige Scura

Lotus Cars knows the power of the Dark Side. The British automaker has unveiled the special edition Exige Scura coupe, wearing a matte black and carbon fibre theme.

Only 35 examples will be offered globally (the car will be known as the Exige Stealth in Japan). It debuts tomorrow at the Tokyo International Motorshow.

The name ‘Scura,” means ‘dark’ in Italian. The low-production Exige wears high-gloss ‘Phantom Black’ triple stripes to contrast with its matte black paint job and lightweight forged alloy wheels. Carbon fibre is used for the front splitter, oil cooler inlet vanes, side airscoops and the rear spoiler to save weight.

Kia Cadenza comes alive

Kia has taken the wraps off of its new luxury sedan, the Cadenza.

The Korean automaker has only sent out a brief outline on the new vehicle thus far, but we do know that it will replace the ho-hum Amanti in Canada and that the styling of the sedan is based heavily on the KND-5 concept car shown earlier this year at the Seoul Motor Show.

We’re suitably impressed with Kia design chief, Peter Schreyer’s, take on the car. With the Soul, Forte, and now the Cadenza, the automaker’s dialed-up its styling efforts considerably in recent years.