2011 Chrysler 200

2011 Citroen DS4

Citroen brought back its famous DS nameplate last year with the introduction of the C3-based DS3. The DS3 will soon be joined by the 2011 DS4, which the French marque just revealed ahead of the Paris Motor Show.
Based on Citroën's C4, the DS4 represents a step up in luxury from the standard car. Like the DS3, it is aimed at premium compact five-door hatchbacks, such as the Audi A3. The styling is more refined than that of the standard C4, with taut, flowing lines. It also does away with much of the busy appearance we bemoaned on the DS3.
2011 Citroen Ds4 Instrument Panel
Like the DS3, the DS4 features LED daytime running lights. Unlike the DS3, which features them in a recessed vertical strip, the DS4's LEDs are integrated elegantly around the fog lights. The DS4 also sports a blacked-out B-pillar, a styling cue similar to the DS3's floating B-pillar. Hidden rear door handles help to enhance the smooth look of the DS4 and chrome trim completes the exterior.
The interior of the DS4 is just as elegant as the exterior, with high-quality, textured leather seats available in five colors, including several two-tone options. Citroen also gives buyers the option of having the dashboard and door panels wrapped in cowhide. Chrome accents around the gauges and air vents give the interior an even more upscale feel without being overwrought.
2011 Citroen Ds4 Seats
Unlike the DS3, which uses the same powertrains as the standard C3, Citroen will offer more powertrain options in the DS4. The C4 is available with four engines -- two diesel, one diesel with start-stop, and a gasoline engine -- based on region. The DS4 will be offered with a total of six engines: two diesels, one diesel with start-stop, and three gasoline engines. The range-topping gasoline engine is turbocharged 1.6-liter I-4 that puts out 200 horsepower, eclipsing the most powerful C4 engine by 80 horsepower. Another change from the C4 is that all DS4s are equipped with either six-speed manual or automatic transmissions, whereas the C4 can be had with a five-speed manual.
Citroen's DS lineup will likely be joined, and completed, with a DS5 in the near future.

1.  2011 Chrysler 200

 2011 Chrysler 200

2011 Chrysler 200

2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD

2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD

2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD Our all-new chassis features a high-strength, fully boxed steel frame that’s five times torsionally stiffer than before and lets Silverado 3500HD shoulder up to 6,635 lbs. of payload

2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD

2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD

2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD

2011 Chevrolet Orlando

2011 Chevrolet Orlando

Talk about déjà vu. Two years after rolling out Chevy's Orlando concept en Paris, General Motors will unveil the production-ready 2011 Chevrolet Orlando crossover this September at the 2010 Paris Motor Show.
Overall, the Orlando concept morphed into the production 2011 Orlando with few changes. The largest departure from the original show car lies at the nose, where the angular, chiseled lines of the original design were replaced with a softened snout. The angular, trapezoidal headlamps are gone, replaced with large, rounded assemblies that help flow into the front bumper's sweeping upper edge. In back, the narrow tail lamps grow to incorporate white turn signal lenses, while a lamp combining the fog tail lamp and back-up light is placed in the middle of the rear bumper fascia.
GM has yet to release photos of the production-spec interior, but we're not expecting a big break from the concept, which sported a rounded, dual-cockpit dashboard that gently flowed into the center stack, along with seating for seven spread across three rows. Interestingly, one conceptual cue -- a cubby and USB audio input hidden behind the front fascia of the audio system -- is reportedly making its way into production, and we wouldn't be surprised if the fold-flat nature of both the second- and third-row benches also becomes reality.
2011 Chevrolet Orlando Rear View
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The 2011 Orlando rides upon a stretched version of GM's front-wheel-drive global small car architecture, which also underpins the likes of the 2011 Cruze and the 2011 Volt plug-in hybrid. Buyers will have their choice of three different engines, including a 141-horsepower, 1.8-liter gasoline I-4, or a 2.0-liter turbo-diesel I-4 offered in both 131- and 163-horsepower forms. Transmissions choices will likely include six-speed automatic and manual options.
What's all this? Diesels and a manual? Yes, and if that doesn't tell you what markets the Orlando is targeting (hint: they're all in Europe), we don't know what will. GM had once pledged to sell (and build) the Orlando here in the United States, but apparently reversed course and proclaimed it to be a "global" offering that won't make it to North America. Still, we've heard some executives are pondering adding a small van to Chevrolet's U.S. portfolio.

 2011 Chevrolet Orlando

 2011 Chevrolet Orlando

2011 Chevrolet Orlando

2011 Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback

2011 Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback

In typical GM fashion, the Cruze hatchback shown in Paris is technically a show car, but is really little more than a gussied-up version of the upcoming production model. It's a safe bet that styling will remain unchanged, with the only likely styling changes applied to the blue headlights, LED fog lamps, and blue-painted brake calipers.
2011 Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback Rear Three Quarters View
Chevrolet designed the Cruze hatchback to retain the same stance as its sedan sibling. To make that task simpler, it looks as though each body panel forward of the B-pillar is identical to the sedan -- and that's not a bad thing.
Aft of the B-pillar, the roofline mimics that of the sedan, but it subtly transforms into a rakish hatch. From the side, the Cruze hatchback looks extremely similar to its cousin, the Opel Astra four-door hatchback, also based on GM's Delta platform. The Cruze hatchback even carries over the roof spoiler-mounted, high-center brake light of the four-door Astra hatchback.
2011 Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback Side View
GM doesn't give any indication of what lies under the hood of the Cruze hatchback, but the sedan's European powertrains will likely carry over. This means buyers will have a selection of fuel-efficient gasoline and diesel engines mated to a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.
Although it's not the production car, the Cruze hatchback show car is an extremely good indication of what we can expect to see launch in Europe early in 2011. GM hopes to capitalize on the Cruze sedan's success across the continent with the hatch -- a safe bet, seeing as roughly 65 percent of all compacts sold in the market are hatchbacks.

 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback

 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback

2011 Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback

2011 Chevrolet Corvette Z06X and Camaro SS X

2011 Chevrolet Corvette Z06X and Camaro SS X

Dodge may be having all the fun crafting race-ready versions of its Viper, but the designers and enthusiasts employed at General Motors want to remind you they're not incapable of building some serious race machinery themselves. Witness the Chevrolet Corvette Z06X and Camaro SS X concepts: built in partnership with Pratt & Miller for the 2010 SEMA show, these two show stoppers are GM's vision of the ultimate track machines.
Chevrolet Corvette Z06X Concept Rear View
 2011 Corvette Z06X Concept
It's hard to find fault with the basic premise of a Corvette Z06, but designers simply took the best of the production car while adding features to help it 'round a road course. The Z06X concept is built upon a production 2011 Z06 fitted with both the vaulted Z07 performance package and the CFZ Carbon Fiber option group.
From there, GM added a low-restriction air intake, along with a heavy-duty radiator and an improved cooling system. Engineers also tinkered with the suspension setup, adding mono-ball control arm bushings, adjustable stabilizer bars, and coil-over struts with adjustable camber plates. Brembo carbon-ceramic brake rotors are part of the stock Z07 package, but lightweight racing wheels, finished in a dark hue and capped with Michelin racing rubber -- sized 285/30R19 up front and 335/25R20 at rear -- are unique to the Z06X.
Chevrolet Corvette Z06X Concept Front View
That black finish ties well with the Z06X's exterior design. Although all body parts are essentially stock, GM painted the car in a Icy White Metallic color, adding a black racing stripe and rear fascia, along with red accents. Inside, the Z06X's interior is gutted of interior trim and insulation, allowing the installation of an SCCA-approved roll cage, fire suppression system, a racing seat for the driver, and a five-point harness. To help further strip the car of weight, the rear hatch glass has been replaced with a custom polycarbonate window.
2011 Camaro SS X Concept
Chevrolet's Camaro SS X concept abides by the same formula applied to the Z06X, although a few extra modifications were required to help turn the bulky muscle machine into a satisfying road racer.
Chevrolet Camaro SS X Concept Front View
Outside, the SS X shares the Z06X's design theme, sporting the same black-on-white paint scheme as its fiberglass-bodied relative. In a move to strip weight, GM replaced the hood, fenders, doors, and deck lid with panels fabricated from carbon fiber. For aerodynamic purposes, a carbon fiber front splitter, rocker panels, and adjustable rear wing were also added to the package.
Underhood, the SS X retains the Camaro's stock 6.2-liter LS3 V-8, although it's been massaged with a new camshaft, revised cylinder heads, and a dry-sump oil system. The six-speed transmission is stock Getrag fare, although it is fitted with a twin-disc clutch raided from the Corvette ZR1 parts bin. 20-inch wheels and racing tires are added, and are stopped courtesy of an upgraded four-wheel-brake system, which includes six-piston front calipers, four-piston rear calipers, and slotted rotors at each corner.
Chevrolet Camaro SS X Concept Rear View
As is the case with the Z06X, the Camaro SS X's interior isn't exactly conducive for commuting. Carpeting, insulation, interior trim, and other parts -- including the rear seat -- have been gutted to shave weight and make room for some serious racing hardware. An SCCA-spec roll cage, window net, race seat, and five-point harness are added, along with racing pedals, a fire suppression system, and fuel cell.
Although we'd love to see the SS X enter a revived Trans-Am series, these two cars have little, if any, chance of entering production. Which bowtie show car comes closest to serving as your dream track machine?

 2011 Chevrolet Corvette Z06X and Camaro SS X

2011 Chevrolet Corvette Z06X and Camaro SS X

2011 Chevrolet Camaros

2011 Chevrolet Camaros

Chevrolet is matching the 2011 Camaro's natural flash with three eye-catching nearly production-ready variants for the SEMA show, which starts this week.
his year's SEMA show will serve as the launch of Chevrolet's new 2011 Synergy Series Camaro. Remember the bright-green V-6 2010 Camaro Synergy edition? Every year, Chevy will release a new Synergy special-edition Camaro.
The difference for the 2011 car is that you can now choose the V-8 as well as the V-6. Four exterior colors will be offered: Cyber Gray, Victory Red, Summit White, and Black.
What sets the Synergy Camaro apart from an ordinary 2011 Camaro is the exclusive gray interior with red accent stitching. The 2011 Camaro Synergy Series, Chevy says, will provide a mix of exterior and interior accessories not available on other models.
2011 Chevrolet Camaro Synergy Series Rear View
 The Synergy show car will sport 21-inch silver-painted wheels -- optional on the production cars -- and a ground effects package you'll find on the showroom Synergy Camaros. The Pedders lowering kit is a licensed Camaro accessory, but it isn't included in the real Synergy edition. Get your own 2011 Synergy Camaro in the first half of 2011.
With the Red Flash Camaro show car, Chevy's mission was clear: make the Camaro as visually arresting as possible. Gray strips are placed atop the Red Jewel color and, of course, 21-inch wheels fill the wheel wells. A Chevrolet Accessory air intake kit and exhaust kit make clear this Camaro has show and go.
Inside, there's a flat-bottom steering wheel and red LED lighting in the door trim. Power comes from a 6.2-liter V-8 mated to a six-speed manual transmission.
The most affordable of the street-ready Camaros is the unimaginatively named XM/Accessory appearance package.
"Our intent was to create a special, customized model -- including 21-inch wheels -- that could be had for around $30,000," said Russ Clark, director of Chevrolet product marketing.
2011 Chevrolet Camaro Synergy Series Interior
With that in mind, it shouldn't be a surprise that this Camaro is a V-6 model with black cloth seats. A rear spoiler, unique grille, and 21-inch wheels are included in the package, which will be available in production form in the spring of 2011.
One year of XM satellite radio is also part of the deal whereas other Camaros only have a three-month trial period. The XM/Accessory appearance package Camaro you see here also has concept car details you won't see on the production model. That includes a cold air intake system and a Chevrolet Accessory interior trim kit in Silver Ice.
Which, if any, of these three Camaros would you be willing to claim as your own?

 2011 Chevrolet Camaros

 2011 Chevrolet Camaros

2011 Chevrolet Camaros