Chevy Launches MyLink Infotainment System in Response to Ford's SYNC

The 2012 Chevrolet Volt and Equinox models will be the first to offer Chevy MyLink, an in-car infotainment equipment that integrates internet radio, hands-free, voice and touch-screen controls, all of which can be accessed via Bluetooth connectivity.

Three years ago, Ford introduced a similar system, called SYNC, whose aim was to reunite in a friendly and efficient way the various in-car controls that a driver can access while driving. Now Chevy is ready with its own technology, developed together with GM's subsidiary OnStar.

MyLink provides drivers with stereo audio streaming, wireless control of smartphones, voice-activated commands and a full-color 7-inch touch screen display that centralizes media sources. For example, the driver can initiate phone calls, select radio stations or stored media only by using his voice.

Other features are Pandora internet radio, which allows users to personalize their radio experience, or Gracenote, which identifies the user's music collection and presents information such as artist name, genres and album cover art on the MyLink screen.

Basically, MyLink does everything that SYNC does, plus the future integration of the Powermat wireless cell-phone charging system that eliminates cords. The MyLink infotainment system will expand to other Chevrolet models in the next 18 months.

VIDEO: Ford Model T’s Assembly Process Still Looks Amazing Even Today

Few cars have revolutionized the automotive industry like the Ford Model T did. Besides being the first affordable vehicle, the “Tin Lizzie” is also known for its devilishly efficient mass assembly process, enabling Ford to build 15 million units in 19 years. Granted, it had a fairly simple design, but the rate at which workers were able to build one is amazing even today. The video we found shows how the front axle is built and attached to the frame. Hit the jump to watch the clip.

BMW Releases Performance Exhaust System for Latest M3 Models [with Video]

Do you happen to own a fourth generation BMW M3 Coupe, Sedan or Convertible model, and if so, do you crave for a throatier sound from its exhaust? If you answered yes to both questions and can justify spending $4,374 plus labor for installation for a performance exhaust system, then you may want to take a look the Bavarian firm's new M Performance offering.

BMW said the new exhaust system is crafted from an extremely heat-resistant and lightweight chrome-nickel alloy called Inconel, which allowed the firm's engineers to reduce the thickness of the tubing from 1.5mm to 0.8mm. This resulted in a weight reduction of approximately 40%, or about 20 pounds when compared to the M3's stock exhaust system. So basically, you're getting a much lighter exhaust system with a more powerful sound

The M Performance Exhaust also comes with perforated inner pipes and polished titanium tips, which are laser engraved with the M logo.

The company said the new exhaust may be installed at any Authorized BMW Center at a price of $4,374 plus installation.

First Photos of New SAAB 9-3 Convertible Independence Edition

On Wednesday, February 23, SAAB will host a special party at its Trollhättan plant in Sweden to celebrate what it describes as "the first anniversary of Saab’s rebirth as an independent carmaker".

I'd argue if Saab is really independent given that the company heavily relies on GM for its current portfolio (one example is the new 9-4X which is based on the Cadillac SRX and is built at the Detroit automaker's Ramos Arizpe factory in Mexico) and is actively seeking help to develop its future models having already sealed a deal with BMW for the supply of 4-cylinder engines, but that's another story for another time.

Case in point is that at the birthday party, the Swedes plan to debut a commemorative edition model based on the 9-3 Convertible, the first pictures of which were spilled on the internet today. According to Saabsunited, the 9-3 Convertible Independence Edition will be built in a limited run of 366 units, apparently one for each day that passed since Spyker Cars took over the company from GM.

The special edition model gets a 220HP 2.0T Biopower engine and will boast several unique features such as the bespoke Sunset Red color, new 18-inch alloy wheels, gray leather seats with a center strip and piping in orange, numerous Hirsch interior appointments and an orange-colored turbo instrument needle.

MINI to Debut...Mini Concept at Geneva Motor Show

Carscoop has learned that Mini will lift the covers off a brand new concept model at the Geneva Motor Show in the beginning of March. The three-door design study is said to hark back to the classic Mini in terms of its exterior dimensions while keeping up with the times in terms of safety requirements and occupant space.

The concept will measure a little over 3.4 meters in length, essentially splitting the difference between the current three-door hatchback (3,723 mm) and the original 1959 Mini (3,050 mm).

We also learned that Mini's study will sport a 3+1 seat configuration similar to that of the Toyota iQ and that its design and tech features, including a variety of weight saving tricks and components, will be applied to the next generation of Mini models.

It remains to be seen if the BMW Group bosses give the green light for a production version of the small city car concept from Mini.

SLP Performance Receives GM's "Blessings" for Tuned 2011 Camaro ZL1

With its 550HP 6.2-liter supercharged V8, the upcoming 2012 Camaro ZL1 is Chevrolet’s wildest pony car yet. However, it won't be available for sale for another year, and here's where SLP Performance steps in. The U.S.-based company is running a ZL1 tuning program for the current 2011 Camaro SS.In regards of the copyright issues for the Z1 nameplate, SLP has shared a press release from GM stating that the Detroit automaker has no objections with the use of the name until production of the tuning project runs out this year.

Here the statement from GM: "Chevrolet is aware that SLP, a past upfitter of Chevrolet's 4th generation (1996-2002) Camaro vehicle, has been marketing its own limited edition (69) ZL1 upfit package for the 2011 Camaro model year only. Chevrolet and SLP have discussed SLP's ZL1 upfit package, an offering honoring the heritage and legacy of Chevrolet's original 1969 Camaro ZL1. Chevrolet has no objection to SLP continuing its marketing and build-out efforts to complete the run of its 2011 ZL1 upfit package."

SLP Performance’s ZL1 take on the Camaro will be available in a limited run of 69 units for 2011.

Using a 2011 Camaro SS as a base, the tuning firm takes the factory recipe and simply throws it out the window, starting with the engine. The massive 7.0-liter V8 is a custom built unit, fitted among other things, with a high capacity radiator, SLP TVS 2300 Supercharger with 10 PSI boost, cold-air induction system and carbon fiber finish engine covers.

Thanks to these modifications, the poweplant churns out 750-horsepower and is capable to catapult the 2011 Camaro ZL1 to an electronically limited top speed of 205 mph (330 km/h).

Power is sent to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission and, to better cope with the extra oomph, the tuned ZL1 also comes with an SLP adjustable coil-over suspension, complete with new sway bars, and larger Brembo GT brakes.

The exterior upgrades include a carbon fiber hood and trunk lid, new front fascia, grille and splitter, rear spoiler and diffuser with integrated polished aluminum exhaust tips. The car rides on 20-inch SLP alloys, shod in 255/40 front and 295/35 rear Michelin XL Sport PS2 tires.

Inside, a numbered dash plaque announces the limited status of the model, accompanied by carbon fiber finish trim pieces, ZL1 floor mats, Katzkin leather upholstery available in 7 colors, and a number of ZL1 and Chevrolet embroidered logos.

SLP Performance Camaro ZL1 [press release]

Includes:

*Redesigned SLP front fascia with heritage-style grille/bowtie emblem and carbon fiber-finish splitter
*ZL1® fender and rear decklid badges
*SLP forged light-weight wheels, Michelin Sport PS2 tires, and Brembo GT front and rear brakes
*Rear 1/4 panel gill insert graphics
*SLP TVS 2300 Supercharger in Red with 10 PSI boost
*SLP all carbon fiber hood with functional scoop
*Carbon fiber-finish dashboard trim, steering wheel trim, and center console accents
*Katzkin® leather interior trim package (w/cloth Hounds Tooth shown) and ZL1 embroidered headrests
*SLP short-throw shifter with leather-wrapped ZL® shift knob
*High-lip rear spoiler with carbon fiber-finish
*SLP carbon fiber-finish rear diffuser with integrated exhaust outlets and polished aluminum tips
2011 ZL1® CONTENT MSRP $80,000 plus cost of a new 1SS or 2SS with manual transmission
Performance Upgrades
ENGINE
* SLP custom built 427 CID engine w/aluminum block and heads, 10.3:1 Compression ratio
* SLP High Capacity Dual Core Aluminum Radiator
* SLP 1.85:1 high-ratio rocker arms
* SLP TVS 2300 Supercharger with 10 PSI boost (E.O.#D-488-15)
* SLP Blackwing® cold-air induction system
* SLP non-adjustable PCM custom tune w/speed limiter increased to 205+ MPH (est. top speed)
* SLP injection molded engine covers with Carbon Fiber finish, 750HP graphics
EXHAUST SYSTEM
* SLP PowerFlo® exhaust system
* SLP long-tube headers w/stock cats
TRANSMISSION/CLUTCH
* GM 6-speed manual
* SLP short throw shifter w/ZL shift knob
* ZR-1 clutch assembly w/SLP flywheel
DRIVELINE
* SLP heavy-duty half shafts
WHEELS
* SLP forged light-weight 9″x20″ front wheels 10.5″ x 20″ rear wheels w/ZL1® center caps.
TIRES
* Michelin 255/40ZR20 XL Sport PS2 front and 295/35ZR20 XL Sport PS2 rear tires
BRAKES
* Brembo GT front and GT rear brakes with 2 piece 16″ front rotors and 6 piston calipers and 15″ rear rotors and 4 piston calipers
SUSPENSION
* SLP adjustable coil-over springs-shocks and sway bars
Exterior Upgrades
* SLP ZL® all carbon fiber hood
* SLP ZL® high lip rear spoiler w/carbon fiber finish that matches the hood
* Trunk lid carbon fiber finish that matches the hood
* SLP front fascia with unique grille assembly
* SLP front splitter with carbon fiber finish
* SLP gill insert graphics
* SLP rear diffuser with carbon fiber finish and unique exhaust tips with polished aluminum tips
* ZL1® fender and rear deck lid badging (heritage styling)
* Factory bowtie badges front and rear with blue inserts (heritage styling)
* Painted Rear Tail Light Black-Out Panel
INTERIOR UPGRADES
* ZL1® sequentially numbered dash plaque and key fobs (1-69)
* ZL1® floor mats
* Katzkin® leather interior trim package for front and rear seats, center console, and arm rests, available in 7 colors that
compliment all available body colors, plus hounds tooth cloth seat
inserts (heritage), with ZL1 embroidered logo in head rests, and bowtie
on seat backs.
Available Katzin Interior Accent Colors
ASH – MEDIUM RED – ORANGE – PACIFIC – VANILLA – SUNRISE RED – HOUNDS TOOTH (CLOTH)
ACCESSORIES
* Faux Leather Bound Portfolio, Owner’s Manual, Window Sticker, Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin
* ZL1® Car Cover
WARRANTY
* One Year/12,000 Mile (19,000 Kilometer) Limited Warranty
* Not legal for sale or use in California

2012 Honda Civic: No Really, it's the All-New 9th Generation Civic Sedan and Coupe Models

We know many of you will find it hard to believe at a first look, but this here is the completely new, North American market, 2012 Honda Civic. Even though it may seem otherwise, the 9th generation Civic has been designed from the ground up and shares very few parts -if any- with its predecessor, well that is, aside from its styling personality which has gone from bland to blander...

Not surprisingly, Honda managed to remove all the styling elements that made the Detroit Motor Show Civic concepts somewhat worth a second look from the production models.

The design similarities with the 8th generation Civic are not only visible on the outside but continue inside as wells with the dashboard styling and the near identical layout.

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The 2012 Civic lineup includes a sedan and a coupe with a conventional 1.8-liter gasoline engine, a new "HF" high fuel economy version with the same 1.8-liter unit, two sporty "Si" performance versions, along with one hybrid and a natural gas alternative-fuel variant.

Starting with the all-new Civic HF, it is powered by a 1.8-liter i-VTEC engine delivering 140HP and an estimated fuel economy of 41 mpg on the highway.

The most fuel efficient model of the range is of course the Hybrid, which will be outfitted for the first time with a lithium-ion battery and a larger 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine producing a combined 110HP. Honda said the Civic Hybrid is expected to achieve an EPA-estimated city/highway combined fuel economy of 45 mpg, an improvement of 4 mpg compared to the 2011MY Civic hybrid.

Both the Civic HF and Civic Hybrid models are equipped with aerodynamic components for improved efficiency as well as with the Honda ECO Assist system.

The regular Civic Sedan and Coupe models get the 140HP 1.8-liter i-VTEC (but not the aero improvements) and are expected to return an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 39 mpg on the highway, an improvement of 3 mpg over the current model. The Civic Natural Gas model is anticipated to earn a 7 percent improvement in fuel economy compared to the current version.

Finally, the sportiest model of the lot is the Si which get a larger and more powerful 2.4-liter engine as well as a new 6-speed manual transmission. Honda said it the new engine will deliver 200 horsepower with 170 ft-lb of torque. According to the company, the Si models are anticipated to achieve an EPA-estimated highway fuel economy of 31 mpg; an increase of 2 mpg when compared to the current model.

"The Civic is the only model in the industry that can deliver on all fronts – fuel economy, sporty performance, smart packaging, alternative fuel and long-term value," said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales for American Honda Motor Co.,Inc. "For the ninth-generation Civic, we are emphasizing improved fuel economy across the board, from the hybrid sedan to the sporty Si model."

Honda will release more information on the new 2012 Civic closer to the on-sale date, which is expected this Spring.

2012 HONDA CIVIC SPECS

Civic HF, Sedan, Coupe and Natural Gas Specifications

• 140 horsepower, 1.8-liter i-VTEC™ 4-cylinder engine
• 5-speed automatic transmission
• ECO Assist technology
• EPA-estimated Civic HF highway fuel economy: 41 mpg
• EPA-estimated Civic Sedan and Civic Coupe highway fuel economy: 39 mpg

Civic Hybrid Specifications

• 110 horsepower, 1.5-liter i-VTEC™ 4-cylinder engine (combined gasoline + electric)
• Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
• Lithium-ion battery
• ECO Assist technology
• EPA-estimated Civic Hybrid city/highway combined fuel economy: 45 mpg

Civic Si Specifications

• 200 horsepower and 170 lb-ft, 2.4-liter i-VTEC™ 4-cylinder engine
• 6-speed manual transmission
• EPA-estimated Civic Si highway fuel economy: 31 mpg