Author: Auto_Evolution Online News

2020 Dodge Challenger Super Stock Production Limited To “Around 200 Examples”

2020 Dodge Challenger Super Stock Production Limited To “Around 200 Examples”

30 Sep 2020, 16:27 UTC ·
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Mircea Panait

Home > News > Car Profile

As opposed to the Demon, the Super Stock won’t be limited to 3,300 units and one model year. Dodge doesn’t have the time to build too many of them for 2020, though, making the first model year of the Super Stock a rarefied breed.
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Speaking to Motor Trend, a spokesperson said that total output for the range-topping Challenger is estimated at “around 200 units” this year. The official didn’t mention if they’re already sold out, but thankfully, thousands of these bad boys will be manufactured for 2021 at the Brampton Assembly Plant in Ontario.
It’s too early to guesstimate if the 2020 Super Stock will be more valuable on the used market than the 2021 model, but one thing is certain. Dodge made it clear that gas-guzzling V8 engines can’t go forward without electrification, which means that the next-generation Challenger will be more efficient and more powerful.
Be it mild hybrid like the eTorque system in the Ram, a proper hybrid, or a plug-in hybrid, muscly offerings from Fiat Chrysler will be very different in the coming years as opposed to the Hellcat-engined cars, SUVs, and trucks we have today. These being said, what makes the Challenger SRT Super Stock so special?
For starters, it’s half Redeye and half Demon under the skin. The 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI develops 807 horsepower, one less than the Demon on pump gas. Torque is also impressive at 707 pound-feet, helping the Super Stock hit 60 in 3.25 seconds. The quarter-mile time is quoted at 10.5 seconds, made possible by the super-sticky Nitto NT05R drag radials that improve off-the-line launching.
In regard to pricing, expect to pay top dollar for the Super Stock. $3,000 more than the wide-bodied Hellcat Redeye, to be more precise. Including the gas-guzzler tax and destination charge, you’re looking at $83,190 before any optional extra.
As opposed to the Demon, the Super Stock comes with rear seats and the front passenger seat as standard.

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1,825 HP Bugatti Bolide Track Car Revealed, Limited Production Considered

1,825 HP Bugatti Bolide Track Car Revealed, Limited Production Considered

28 Oct 2020, 12:35 UTC ·
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Mircea Panait

Home > News > Concept Car

Based on the Chiron, the Divo is meant to handle really well and the Super Sport 300+ is one hellishly quick car in a straight line. As for the one-off Bolide, the concept revealed today is a track-focused concept with more suck-squeeze-bang-blow than any Bugatti before it.
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First things first, the French manufacturer hasn’t decided if the Bolide will go into production. Secondly, Bugatti claims that we’re looking at “the absolute pinnacle in terms of combustion engines used in automotive engineering.”
Like the Chiron and its siblings, an 8.0-liter W16 with four turbochargers is responsible for driving all four wheels with 1,850 PS and 1,850 Nm. In American money, those figures translate to 1,825 horsepower and 1,365 pound-feet of torque. “Impressive” is the word you’re looking for. The weight-to-power ratio of 0.67 KG per PS also boggles the mind, and the same can be said about on-track performance.
In theory, 3:07.1 is how much time the Bolide needs to lap Le Mans’ Circuit de la Sarthe. “Based on simulations,” the stripped-out hypercar is capable of lapping the Nurburgring Nordschleife in 5 minutes and 23 seconds. In other words, Bugatti may be within four clicks of the record-breaking lap time of the Porsche 919 Hybrid Evo.
“We asked ourselves how we could realize the mighty W16 quad-turbo engine as a technical symbol of the brand in its purest form – with solely four wheels, engine, gearbox, steering wheel and, as the only luxury, two seats,” declared Bugatti big kahuna Stephan Winkelmann. “Driving the Bolide is like riding on a cannonball,” he added.
Cannonball or not, this outlandish fellow here sure looks as if someone from the Star Wars universe designed it. The rear end features X-shaped lights and a huge wing while the front is holed up like Swiss cheese in the name of aerodynamic efficiency.
Sitting 995 millimeters (39.1 inches) tall, the Bolide is just as focused on the inside as it is outside. From the design of the steering wheel to the button and switches on the floating center console, Bugatti created a driver-focused cockpit with ultra-light bucket seats. Both the driver and passenger sit with their legs elevated above their hips, which can be considered the halfway point between a road-going super sports car and a Formula 1 racer.

Download attachment: Bugatti Bolide specifications (PDF)

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Ford Bronco Production Start Date Allegedly Pushed Back to May 3, 2021

Ford Bronco Production Start Date Allegedly Pushed Back to May 3, 2021

30 Dec 2020, 12:26 UTC ·
by

Aurel Niculescu

Home > News > Car Profile

The Blue Oval has started building up hype for the reinvented 2021 Bronco years in advance of its official arrival in July this year. Sadly, for both the company and above all the model’s fans, trouble with a crucial supplier moved the expected first deliveries to the summer of 2021.
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That means reservation holders might have to wait for the first units of the 2-Door and 4-Door Broncos (probably of the First Edition variety) an entire year or more. Clearly not the greatest news, but according to the latest report on the matter, here’s hoping there will be no more changes to the scheduling.
According to a tip from the bronco6g.com forum, Ford has allegedly updated the order acceptance, scheduling the start of production dates. When we first reported on the matter, the “initial order acceptance” was booked for December 7th, 2020; the “scheduling” should have begun on January 14th, 2021; and first series-produced units would have been taken off the factory lines starting March 22nd of next year.
Now, the readout stands a bit different. The initial order acceptance – which is when Ford gives dealers the green light to place orders – has been rescheduled for January 19th, 2021. Moving on, scheduling (which is when the company starts laying in all previously received orders) has been bumped to March 18th.
Most importantly, the actual production has been relegated to May 3rd, next year. Now, it’s a bit of a déjà vu, but we have to rewrite our initial call to faith from the previous report too; Ford would better not screw this one up as well because we now know exactly how Bronco fans will react to the company not keeping its promise.
For example, some will shed the last bit of patience and go out spending their cash either on a previous-generation Bronco or (even worse for Ford) give the competition the edge.

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Chevrolet Camaro Gen 6 May Be Produced Until 2026

Chevrolet Camaro Gen 6 May Be Produced Until 2026

25 Dec 2020, 18:39 UTC ·
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Mircea Panait

Home > News > Rumors

Although unconfirmed, General Motors is expected to keep the sixth generation of the Camaro in production until 2026. This information comes courtesy of WhichCar, which doesn’t mention the source for this hearsay or why GM would push the pony car so far into the future.
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If the hearsay proves to be true, then you can expect a serious update of the ‘Maro from a visual standpoint. Refreshed in 2019 and redesigned in 2020 over lots of criticism regarding the front fascia, the pony car from Michigan has slim to no chances at all of getting hybrid or all-electric powertrains.
There are two reasons General Motors isn’t going to work its magic on the hardware, starting with sales. The Camaro moved 8,366 units in the third quarter of 2020 in the U.S., which is very disappointing compared to the 13,851 Mustangs and 16,332 Challengers sold in the same period. But more importantly, Chevrolet still uses the first generation of the Alpha platform.
Joined at the hip to the Omega vehicle architecture of the Cadillac CT6, the Alpha is rocking four-, six-, and eight-cylinder powertrains without any sort of electrified assistance. Chevrolet isn’t inclined to further develop the Camaro because of the aforementioned sales figures, and the Alpha 2 platform utilized by Cadillac is an internal combustion engine-only affair as well.
The biggest problem, however, is how irrelevant the ‘Maro is. There are high-performance alternatives with more doors and ground clearance out there, and lest we forget, Ford has the Shelby GT500 and Dodge uses the Hellcat engine in the Challenger with more than 800 horsepower on deck.
Last, but certainly not least, the WhichCar report doesn’t match up with an older report from Muscle Cars & Trucks. To make a long story short, the biggest of the Big Three in Detroit has reportedly pulled the plug on the seventh-generation model according to “multiple sources.” Considering that the chief engineer of the Camaro heads the EV program since January 2019, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the pony car shelved.
MC&T has updated its report since it was first published, adding that “ a Camaro EV could be in the cards” even though “the seventh-generation program is no longer happening.” Reading between the lines, I can definitely see General Motors taking inspiration from the Ford Motor Company with the Mustang Mach-E to keep the nameplate relevant.

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Rimac to Produce Up to Four C_Two Electric Hypercars Each Month From 2021

Rimac to Produce Up to Four C_Two Electric Hypercars Each Month From 2021

22 Dec 2020, 10:05 UTC ·
by

Aurel Niculescu

Home > News > Industry

There are quite a few all-electric supercars that mesmerized us in recent years, from the record-setting NIO EP9 to Tesla’s promised second-generation Roadster. Not to mention the Pininfarina Battista, the Lotus Evija, and countless little startups that promise the entire (electrified) world and almost never deliver.
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There’s one company from Croatia who already proved itself, though. It’s Rimac Automobili, which initially appeared to be just one of those automakers that needed to be taken with a (heavy) does of salt. That was until they succeeded in producing and delivering the Concept_One.
With that success in the pocket, they set out for the ambitious goal of demonstrating they’re not one of those one hit wonders. That’s where the C_Two comes into play, another fully electric hypercar that was revealed to the world since 2018.
2021 is now being labeled by the company as the year of the production-series model’s introduction. Before that happens, there are still some intermediate steps to be taken, though. Rimac has now announced that its new production line created at its Veliko Trgoviše, Croatia-based facility has started the build process for a pre-series of six C_Two units.
Unlike the previous 12 experimental and validation prototypes – which were mainly used for testing, validation, and crash tests – these new examples “are basically production-spec C_Twos, with a fit and finish, drivability, and reliability that is nearly production-ready.”
These units are another step closer to the final series-production model and will be used to incorporate modifications as needed or according to issues found during the “homologation tests, durability tests, trim experimentation, NVH tweaking, and global product evaluation.”
Interestingly, Rimac also details a bit its new production line, which has cut down the production time needed for assembly in half to around eight weeks. Of those, five weeks include actual work on the car and another three of preparation, during which time components are created in-house and delivered to the final assembly line.
More so, the company says that everything has been custom designed to make sure that all components can be fitted quickly (including the 120-kWh battery pack and powertrain, both designed and built by Rimac) and to high standards. The plans are to churn out up to four C_Two units per month once series-production is in full swing.

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2020 Chevrolet Corvette Production Stopped Again Over Supply Chain Issues

2020 Chevrolet Corvette Production Stopped Again Over Supply Chain Issues

12 Nov 2020, 2:05 UTC ·
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Mircea Panait

Home > News > U-turn

Before the Bowling Green assembly plant in Kentucky started churning out the mid-engine Corvette, the C8 already had production issues. More to the point, thousands of United Automobile Workers picketed General Motors factories for more than a month.
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This is why GM had to delay the start of production to February, and since then, the U.S. automaker had plenty more hiccups. After a short halt in October, GM will stop the assembly line for a second time in less than a month on November 12th and 13th over “a temporary parts issue.”
A spokesperson assured expecting customers that normal operations should resume on Monday. “Our supply chain, manufacturing, and engineering teams are working closely with our supply base to mitigate any further impact on production,” he told The Detroit News. Due to stricter restrictions attributed to the health crisis, some suppliers just couldn’t keep up with demand.
It remains to be seen what this stoppage means for the 2020 model, which was expected to end production by December 7th. The worst-case scenario would be for some customers of the mid-engine Corvette to be switched by their dealerships to the 2021 model year, due to roll out on December 8th.
This temporary halt will also aggravate dealer markups. Speaking of which, have you heard about that guy who listed his C8 on Facebook Marketplace for $2 million? Yeah, 2020 definitely isn’t the best year to buy an all-new 'Vette.
Those interested in the 2021 Corvette can expect to pony up $59,995 including destination charge for the coupe in 1LT specification. There are, however, a few downsides to the second model year of the C8 in terms of optional extras. The ever-popular Z51 Performance Package costs $995 more than before and the front lift is $1,995 instead of $1,495.
As for the peeps who look forward to the Z06, you’ll have to wait until the 2022 model year for the sportier version to arrive in showrooms. As opposed to the small-block V8 in the Stingray, the Zee-Oh-Six will be treated to a flat-plane crankshaft V8 derived from the C8.R endurance racer.

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2023 Ford Ranger for Latin America Will Be Made in Argentina

2023 Ford Ranger for Latin America Will Be Made in Argentina

2 Dec 2020, 15:44 UTC ·
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Mircea Panait

Home > News > Car Profile

Mostly developed in Australia, the global Ford Ranger we have today is pretty old even by truck standards. 2011 is when the first unit rolled off the assembly line, and since then, the Ford Motor Company made changes to the T6 platform in order to add the mid-size pickup to the U.S. lineup.
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2022 is when the all-new Ranger is expected to show up, and the Raptor off-roader may arrive one year later if hearsay is to be taken for granted. Be that as it may, Ford has spilled the beans on the launch date of the next-generation pickup truck for Latin American markets.
The Pacheco Assembly Plant in Argentina has received $580 million to support Ranger production, and dealerships are gearing up for the newcomer in 2023. This investment includes retooling and expansion, but the Blue Oval is also committed to collaborate with local suppliers for better control over the supply chain and to keep production costs low.
According to a dealer document from July 2020, the all-new Bronco “features a variant of the second-generation global mid-size truck architecture.” Reading between the lines, the ladder-frame chassis has been developed from day one for payload and towing.
The Ranger’s relation to the Bronco also gives us a few clues about engine and transmission options for the next-generation U.S. model. 2.3 liters, four cylinders, and a 10-speed automatic for the entry-level EcoBoost are more than enough for a working man’s truck. Higher up the spectrum, the 2.7-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 should do the trick.
Based on previous reports about the all-new Ranger, other parts of the world may be treated to very different options. There’s talk of a plug-in hybrid, which is understandable given that the Bronco PHEV is right around the corner. In addition to the 2.0-liter EcoBlue diesel, Australia and Europe are supposed to get the 3.0-liter Power Stroke V6 to the detriment of the Duratorq inline-five that displaces 3.2 liters.
Over in the U.S., the Michigan Truck Plant in Wayne is where Ford produces the current Ranger and Bronco. Knowing the Blue Oval, this is where the next-generation Ranger will also be manufactured.

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C8 Corvette DCT Will Be Manufactured in Canada Thanks to $109 Million Investment

C8 Corvette DCT Will Be Manufactured in Canada Thanks to $109 Million Investment

12 Nov 2020, 21:53 UTC ·
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Mircea Panait

Home > News > Industry

In addition to the mid-engine layout, the C8 Corvette also breaks the mold from previous generations with the dual-clutch transmission. In other words, you can bid farewell to the stick shift because the Z06 and subsequent versions will also rely on the Tremec-designed box.
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The Michigan-based company currently manufactures the quick-shifting transmission, but not long now, General Motors will build it under license at the automaker’s St. Catharines plant in Canada. According to Unifor, an investment of $109 million will prepare the factory for the TR-9080 DCT and V8 engine production.
General Motors has also pledged $1.3 billion in the Oshawa assembly plant where the light- and heavy-duty GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado are manufactured. The small-block V8s produced at St. Catharines are going into those pickup trucks while the dry-sump V8 of the Stingray comes courtesy of Tonawanda in New York.
An evolution of the LT1 developed specifically for mid-engine applications, the LT2 doesn’t require any routine engine-out services. Even the accessory belts are accessible with the powerplant in place, but replacing the oil pump requires the engine to be dropped. Speaking of the LT2, the only serious problem identified so far are the valve springs. Cars built from June 1st to September 15th may exhibit broken valve springs, and this condition translates to misfiring.
Turning our attention back to the dual-clutch transmission, the eight-speed box can handle up to 590 pound-feet (800 Nm) of torque from the factory. The C8 Corvette pairs the TR-9080 DCT with either a mechanical limited-slip differential or an eLSD with active selection of the locking ratio. The latter is exclusive to the Z51 package.
The eLSD is electronically integrated into the StabiliTrak and Performance Traction Management systems, and the driver has three modes to choose from. The default setting is for normal driving, Mode 2 promises more nimble turn-in and traction while accelerating out of the corner, and Mode 3 is automatically selected when Performance Traction Management is on.

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GM Said to Start 2021 Chevrolet Corvette Production on December 8th

GM Said to Start 2021 Chevrolet Corvette Production on December 8th

6 Nov 2020, 8:58 UTC ·
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Aurel Niculescu

Home > News > Rumors

General Motors knows very well that its C8 generation of the legendary Chevrolet Corvette has turned into a big winner in the sports car segment. Seemingly, its decision to switch the iconic model to a mid-engine configuration was incredibly popular with both regular fans and people that otherwise would have considered a different alternative. As such, no wonder it’s looking to keep up the momentum, despite a deeply troubled 2020.
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All eyes have been on the 2021 model year update of the C8 for months already, as the company navigated the production issues stemming from the early-year lockdown and a recent parts supply shortage.
On the other hand, Chevrolet went about its business, first presenting the update and late last month introducing the online configurator.
Now, according to a report from GM Authority, citing “sources familiar with the situation,” the company is just about ready to wrap up with the 2020 model year’s production and start building the 2021 Corvette beginning with December 8th.
Of course, the GM Bowling Green Assembly plant was previously scheduled to start assembly of the new model year C8 a little earlier – this very month – but with all the troubles it had to push back the date in order to first complete the backlog orders it had on the 2020 coupes and Convertibles. And that supplier issues it experienced in October certainly didn’t help, either.
For the 2021 model year, the C8 Corvette isn’t coming with major changes – but the company did update a little something here and there just to make sure it keeps things fresh for the customers. The same body styles apply – coupe and convertible – along with the same three grades: 1LT, 2LT, and 3LT.
Naturally, the popular Z51 performance package is available on all of them. There are two new exterior shades – Red Mist Metallic Tintcoat and Silver Flare Metallic in lieu of a couple of outgoing ones (Long Beach Red Metallic Tintcoat and Blade Silver Metallic). The cockpit is greeted by a new Sky Cool Gray/Yellow Strike combination for the top trim.

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