America Loses out on the New Chevrolet Orlando (but Canada doesn't)

Sadly, Chevrolet will not be selling the production version of the chunky Orlando compact-crossover to the States. Instead, the Bowtie will focus on its current lineup of much-improved vehicles.

Here's how Margaret Brooks, head of small cars/crossover marketing explains it like this: "The best thing to do for Chevrolet is to focus on the brands we've already brought to market: the Traverse, Equinox, Malibu and, soon to come, the Cruze. We feel that with those vehicles, Chevrolet has plenty of options for the modern family."

Bloomberg does a great job of pointing out that, while the decision to not sell such a cool little people mover is unfortunate, it's s sign of a General Motors that makes smarter, more economically-focused decisions.

Speaking of being smart, the lack of a US Orlando comes with a bonus: more capacity for the Equinox, Traverse, and Malibu (three very important vehicles for Chevrolet).

Oh, and just to get you interested in some gray market action: Canada will be getting the Orlando, so ownership of one is just a little bit of paperwork away. Or a fast burn across the border.

By Phil Alex

Via: Bloomberg

New Porsche 911 GT2 RS with 620HP: First Official Photo and Details

This is the new 911 GT2 RS, successor to the 997-based GT2. All you really need to know is this: 620 horsepower from 3.6 twin-turbocharged liters, a 'Ring time of 7:18, and "improved fuel economy" (by 5%). For less important information, read on.

It's lost 154 lbs or 70kg, gained 90 horsepower, and it doesn't like you. This fiend comes with a standard 6-Speed manual gearbox, Porsche's fancy ceramic brakes, "unique anti-roll bars", new tires measuring 245/35 ZR 19 at the front and 325/30 ZR 19 at the rear that were specifically developed for this car,and a whole lot of other fancy suspension doo-dads.

You'll also notice an abundance of carbon fiber and matte black paint.

Inside, carbon fiber 2-piece buckets are standard, as are those nylon straps replacing the door handles.

The official speed numbers are 0 to 60 (96km/h) in 3.4 (no doubt due to traction issues) and a 205 mph or 330km/h top-end barrier.

The GT2 RS is being limited to a scant 500 units coming in at $245,000 a pop (cheaper than most estimates), and will be debuting at the Moscow Auto Show on August 25th 2010.

By Phil Alex

Via: Teamspeed

G-Power Celebrates BMW Nürburgring Win With M3 Clubsport Models

Timed perfectly to coincide with BMW's 24Hours of Nürburgring win, G-Power has announced two special edition M3 Clubsport models.

Both the Tornado CS and GT2 S - the Tornado is the more subdued of the two - get G-Power's SK II CS supercharger system, lightened wheels, and a "Clubsport" coilover system.

Both cars crank out 600 horsepower and 580 Nm of torque, resulting in a theoretical top speed of over 320 km/h with a six-speed (330 km/h with the 7-speed DCT).

The GT2 S, G-Power Motorsport's first official vehicle, is a turn-key racer costing a princely €139,495 before taxes. It's aimed at consumers looking for a BMW version of Porsche's GT3 RS (and who decided the M3 GTS is a bit bland).

You may notice that the GT2 S looks a little different than the usual M3. It's wearing a GT2-inspired carbon fiber body kit. After that, swap front passenger seats with carbon buckets, kill the rear seat altogether, and factor in all the other little bits: it ends up cutting vehicle weight down by a huge 150 kg.

On the cheaper side of the pair, to transform an M3 into a Tornado CS all that's needed is €10,800. That includes the supercharger setup, new intakes, titanium exhaust, installation and tuning. Extra-cost dress-up bits include a trunk lip spoiler and rear diffuser with integrated running light; inside are bucket seats inherited from the GT2 S.

Scroll down for a look at of some of the key stats.

G-POWER M3 TORNADO CS / G-POWER M3 GT2 S

• 600 hp / 441 kW at 7,800 r/min (+ 180 hp / 132 kW)
• 580 Nm at 5,300 r/min (+ 180 Nm)
• Top speed: > 320 km/h with 6-speed manual
• Top speed: > 330 km/h with 7-speed DCT
• 0-100 km/h: TORNADO CS < 4.3s / GT2 S < 4.1s
• 0-200 km/h: TORNADO CS < 11.8s

By Phil Alex

Skoda Launches Race-Package for Facelifted Fabia Hatch

Shortly after the announcement on the release of the Seat Ibiza SC Sport-Limited edition (see here), Skoda's German arm went ahead and announced the launch of a similar sport kit named "Race Package" for its recently facelifted Fabia hatchback.

The Race-Package is available on the 68HP 1.2-liter and 85HP 1.2-liter TSI petrol models and it includes a front spoiler, a new apron for the rear bumper with an integrated diffuser, chrome exhaust tail pipe cover, white-colored roof and special graphics that run across the top and sides of the car.

Completing the upgrades are the exclusive to this package 17-inch alloy wheels in a white finish and a sports suspension that lowers the hatchback's ride height.

Prices in Germany start from €15,560 (about US$19,000) for the 68HP model and from €16,810 (approx. US$20,500) for the more powerful but far more sporty 85HP version.

New Volkswagen Polo Sedan: Jetta's Little Brother Revealed

You're looking at the all-new four-door sedan version of the latest Volkswagen Polo that was officially revealed today in a world premiere in Moscow. The new Polo Saloon extends the German firm's range of sedans into the small car segment and will be built on a completely new assembly line at Volkswagen AG's plant in Kaluga, Russia.

VW says that the Polo Saloon is the first car in the history of the brand to have been developed specially for the Russian market, bearing in mind its specific climate and street conditions.

Among other things, this translates to the use of more robust paints and chrome parts that are highly resistant to aggressive agents, and a suspension geared to bad roads.

In Russia, the Polo sedan will be offered with a new 1.6-litre Otto engine producing 105-horsepower. It can be combined with either a 5-gear manual gearbox or a 6-gear automatic gearbox with sequential shift function (Tiptronic).

It will be available in three trim levels - Trendline, Comfortline and the range-topping Highline that comes with standard side air-bags and ESP.

The company did not release any more details on the car nor did it say if and when it will be available in other markets outside Russia.