For the 2009 calendar year, the Chevrolet Camaro nearly surpassed sales of the Ford Mustang. However, the Chevy had not been on sale in the first couple months of the year. What people want to know is the effect that the release of the Camaro has had on the Corvette.

According to Ward’s Auto, the Camaro sold more than 60,000 units in its first calendar year in 2009. But then, you’d have to consider that this is the Corvette’s worst sales year since 1961. It’s safe to assume that very few who are interested in the 304hp V-6 Camaro would opt instead for the 430hp V-8 Corvette with a nearly $50,000 starting price. On the other hand, the Camaro SS is full of options but it is a lot cheaper than a Corvette, but it boasts of delivering 426hp from its 6.2-liter V-8, and it has four-piston Brembo brakes.

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Tags:2010 camaro, 2010 camaro mustang sales, camaro outsells mustang, car news, Chevrolet, chevrolet camaro
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Mitsubishi’s 2011 ASX is already making waves in Japan. Dealerships received the car only last Feb. 17 but to date, the company has received 5,169 orders.

The carmaker had initially hoped to sell about 1,500 units each month. The ASX, which is known as the Outlander Sport in the US, is compact and is fuel efficient. Owners may also opt to outfit the car with four-wheel drive or a CVT. What makes the ASX more appealing is that it is included in Japan’s list of small, gas-sipping cars that can take advantage of a tax break. Of the 5,169 orders, about 75% chose the highest “G” specification with wide-angle HID headlights and push button start. The “M” spec attracted 18% of buyers and the entry-level “E” spec got 7%. The US-grade Outlander Sport will offer the 2.0-liter MIVEC four-cylinder as standard. This car will debut at the New York Auto Show later this month and will arrive at dealerships this fall. Mitsubishi has yet to announce further specifications for this car though. This car is believed to be popular in China because many of its buyers have chosen to downsize from luxury SUVs and large sedans. Whether the 2011 Outlander Sport will achieve the same success in the US is the big question.

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Tags:2011 mitsubishi asx, car news, Mitsubishi
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According to the latest reports, it appears that the Nissan LEAF Electric Vehicle will be sold in Japan for between Y3.5 million-Y4 million, the Mainichi Shimbun reported Wednesday. This means $38,600 to $44,190. The Japanese manufacturer also plans to launch the car in Japan, Europe and the U.S. this autumn. The new Nissan Leaf will even cheaper than Mitsubishi’s i-MiEV electric model, priced at around $44,300.

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Tags:car news, Nissan, nissan leaf price
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About 412,000 of Honda Motor Co. vehicles in the US will be recalled over risks that brake pedals may feel soft and slip closer to the floor over time.

Customer complaints have led to this recall of about 344,000 Odyssey minivans and 68,000 Element SUVs for the 2007 and 2008 model years. In a statement, Honda said that there’s a possibility that air would enter the unit that controls braking and stability system. This may lead to the “soft brake pedal” or “low brake pedal” after several months or years. According to Honda spokesman Chris Martin, the US Transportation Highway Safety Administration has received reports of several crashes and three minor injuries related to this issue. Honda clarified that not all vehicles included in the recall have this issue but because it wants to assure customers about their cars’ performance, the carmaker chose to recall all positive units. Of course, everyone’s a bit jumpy when it comes to recalls. Toyota currently faces scrutiny over vehicle safety issue in light of safety problems affecting Toyota Motor Corp vehicles.

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Tags:car news, Honda, honda element recall, honda ofdyssey recall, honda us recall
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Ram wants to rival Ford’s F-150 SVT Raptor, which is acclaimed for being one mean purpose-built off-roader. Ram has tasked its Mopar performance division to design a high-speed off-roader of its own based on the new Ram 1500 half-ton pickup.

The debut of this car is expected at the annual Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah. PickupTrucks said that the truck hasn’t been confirmed to be going into production and that for now, this project vehicle only aims to do some real world research. According to sources, Mopar’s primary consultant is veteran Baja racer Kent Kroeker who has had much success at racing through the Mexican desert. Continued after the jump!

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Tags:car news, easter jeep safari moab, ram f-150 svt raptor rival
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Fiat’s 500C Pink continues the theme that was seen on the Barbie edition and the Pink special edition. The 500C Pink, which is based on the base 500C, is a mini-car that has had its roof removed.

More specifically, the 500C Pink is the base car’s “1.2 Pop” trim with a vibrant hue of pink. Standard equipment includes 16-inch wheels, chrome trim, body-colored door mirrors, leather steering wheel, leather gear knob, unique floor mats, pink-themed key cover, split folding rear seat, and Fiat’s Blue&Me infotainment system. Priced at about $20,500 in Europe, the 500C Pink costs $1,800 over the base car. Photo gallery after the jump!

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Tags:500c pink, car news, Fiat, fiat 500c pink
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The SSC entered an exclusive deal with supercar designer Jason Castriota to design two cars: the next-generation Ultimate Aero and a new model that slots below it.

The SSC Ultimate Aero is known for being one of the fastest road-legal cars in the world but many are saying that it needs to get updated. In an interview with the Tri-City Herald, SSC owner and founder Jerod Shelby said that what Castriota brings to the this car’s design is “monumental.” Shelby said that with Castriota’s involvement, SSC will achieve in one or two years what would have taken them 10 years to accomplish without the famed designer. Continued after the jump!

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Tags:car news, jason castriota, jason castriota ssc ultimate aero, next-generation ssc ultimate aero
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A new hydrogen fuel cell system intended for production is currently being tested by General Motors Co., according to Charles Freese, executive director of GM’s global fuel cell activities.

When compared to the system used in the Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell test vehicle, this new system (which is slated to start production in 2015) is half the size and about 220 pounds lighter. GM revealed that this new system also uses about one-third less platinum. In an interview, GM spokesman Alan Adler said that it can be packaged in several types of vehicles (such as a sedan, a crossover, or compact) due to its smaller size. Continued after the jump!

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Tags:car news, general motors, GM, gm hydrogen fuel cell system
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Topcar, the well-known Russian tuning company revealed today its latest tuning kit for the Porsche Panamera. As you can see from the photos, the new kit consists of a front bumper, piston skirt, thresholds, a new rear bumper with integrated air diffuser and additional antiwing and the bonnet. With this new aerodynamic kit, the tuner says that the coefficient of frontal resistance decreased by 0,24. And this is not all: the Panamera Stingray also features a new exhaust system and ECU which increased the total output to 550 hp (Panamera Turbo of course). The kit is completed by the 21-inch forged wheels. Inside, we find leather Nappa as well as carbon fiber accessories. The debut of the Porsche Panamera Stingray will be made at the Dream Car Show 2010 in Moscow on the 2nd of April. European debut will be made at the TOP MARQUES in Monaco on the 15th of April. Photo gallery after the jump!

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Tags:car news, panamera tuning, topcar, topcar panamera stingray, topcar porsche panamera stingray, Tuning
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According to the latest reports from AutoWeek, it appears that General Motors is mulling a radical re-engineering for the Chevrolet Corvette, focused on a more fuel-efficient, mid-engined V6 powertrain as well as on a lightweight alloy body and a more compact footprint.

Apparently GM plans a more modest revamp of today’s C6 into the C7 version, which got as far as engineering development but was then canceled due to the global credit crunch. Now the big surprise is that the C7 will be the last of the traditional, old-style Corvettes, according to inside sources. The C7 will give GM time to work on a revolutionary new concept for the C8 Corvette. Also, there are chances to see a V6 engine on the upcoming car, instead of the traditional V8.

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Tags:car news, chevrolet corvette, corvette c8
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