I ordered my 2010 Camaro SS/RS back in October 2008, expecting it to be at the dealership sometime in March 2009. Then at the beginning of the year I got news that production was to be postponed until March 16, 2009. I, along with many others, was disappointed, but that wasn’t going to affect me in any way. I kept myself busy by going to the forums and looking at pictures that other people posted showing rows upon rows of Camaros sitting in lots just waiting to be driven. A few times I thought to myself, is it worth it? Maybe I should save my money and not get the new Camaro. Do I really need it? These aren’t easy questions to answer in times like these with the economy the way it is, and the amount of jobs being lost in this country everyday. But if you go to the forums and look, specifically 5thGen.org, you will see the camaraderie and passion from all the members. We are all enthusiasts. We have unconditional love for a car that is much more than just steel and aluminum. It evokes emotion, passion, and controversy. I know everyone would agree when I say I will wait as long as it takes to be able to sit behind the wheel of my own brand new 2010 Camaro SS.

Let me give you a little peek into why the new Camaro makes us feel the way we do. In 1967 the Camaro was born out of pure competition with Chevy’s biggest and longest rival, Ford. Ford made the first Mustang in 1964, and since 1967 the Mustang and Camaro have been battling on the streets and tracks ever since. My first car was a 1994 Camaro Z28. I loved that thing. I didn’t know what I was getting into at the time, but I was about to find out. I would go to the local car meets, and the Camaros were always parked together across from the Mustang’s. We would talk trash on them, and they would do the same back to us. That rivalry is what it was all about. People would always say that the Camaro was built with low quality parts, too much plastic, and wasn’t comfortable to drive. Well, they’re right. They squeak, rattle, and make all sorts of strange noises. They weren’t very comfortable to drive for long periods of time. You know what? I absolutely love them! It wasn’t about being comfortable, or quiet. It was a pure sports car. It was made to do one thing, go fast, and that is what it did best. I went on to buy a 1999 Camaro Z28, then a 2000 Camaro SS. In 2002 Chevy stopped production on the Camaro due to low sales volumes. Needless to say there was an uproar from countless Camaro and car enthusiasts alike. After a 4 year hiatus, Chevy announced it would bring back the Camaro as a 2010 model. We got our first peek of the concept car in 2006 and I know I instantly fell in love. I swore that I would do whatever I had to in order to buy that car if they ever did make it. Then in 2008 Chevy officially announced that it WOULD build the 2010 Camaro and that it would be available in Spring of 2009. After a couple more bumps in the road we end up here, March 16, 2009, the official start of the new 2010 Camaro production! This new Camaro is completely new and different from the last generation. New frame construction, new body, new interior, new suspension, new engine, new everything. It now has up to 426 horsepower, and 420 lb.-ft. of torque with the available LS3 V-8. Even the V-6 powered Camaro is impressive with 304 horsepower and 273 lb.-ft. of torque. If there was that much passion about the previous generation Camaro, you can imagine what this one has inspired!

I say to all my fellow enthusiasts, we waited long enough! But it will all be worth it when we can all look out into the driveway and see our Camaro sitting there, staring menacingly back at us! I’ll see you guys on the road!

Post from: News from Motor City

The Fusion Hybrid is actually a 2010 model, but will appear in showrooms in 2009. As with most Ford vehicles the Fusion Hybrid will have a sibling in the Mercury lineup – the Mercury Milan Hybrid. Ford is directly competing with the Toyota Camry Hybrid for share of the hybrid sedan market. Ford claims the Fusion Hybrid will be more fuel efficient by 6 mpg than the Camry Hybrid which gets 33/34 mpg. What’s more is that Ford says the Fusion Hybrid can reach a cruising speed of 47 miles per hour on electric power alone. Now that is impressive!

Ford is definitely trying hard this time to make a hybrid for the average person, as they did with the Escape Hybrid. They have taken many steps to make it easy for someone with no real automotive knowledge to be able to understand all of the information that is displayed on the onboard info screens. The technology is very intuitive and tells the driver everything that’s going on without distracting from normal driving activities. Ford had this to say about its new Fusion Hybrid: “innovative new SmartGauge™ with EcoGuide coaches hybrid drivers to maximize fuel efficiency”. It seems as though Ford has hit the nail on the head with this one, at least in my opinion. Did I mention the car looks good as well!? Ford refreshed the design of the Fusion for the new model year, and the Hybrid benefits from this. The refresh includes a new front and rear fascia, new headlights, and a bolder 3 bar grille up front. All in all I think the Fusion Hybrid will do well and help boost slow sales. I can’t wait to see it on the road.

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Ford has taken this idea to heart and the new Ford Flex is a perfect example. The designers of the Flex scrutinized every part of the vehicle to make sure that if the consumer is going to use or interact with something, then it should be easy to use. They looked over everything from radio controls, headlight switches, air conditioning and heating controls, to the Navigation system and fold down seats. At the same time they do not want to take away from the aesthetic form the designers are trying to accomplish. In the case of the Flex that is “sophistication and elegance”. So not only do the controls have to function but they have to look good while doing it.

The designers of the Ford Flex wanted to make sure that the entire vehicle conveyed a feeling of elegance to the driver and passengers. This vehicle comes loaded with many features considered luxury items. At the same time they are all in place to make life easier and less complicated. Take the new SYNC technology. This voice activated system allows the driver to answer or make calls from his or her cell phone without having to pick it up or use a Bluetooth headset. It also allows you to access music files and other entertainment capabilities. The autofold and tumble second row seats are operated by the simple push of a button, and the fold-flat third row seats feature a simple 1-2-3 strap mechanism. All of this increases usability and ease of operation.

To sum everything up, Ford seems to be taking no shortcuts in making sure every vehicle they produce is to the utmost standards of the people who will be purchasing it. If one person on the design team doesn’t like a particular part, they all sit down and figure out how to improve on it. I’m looking forward to seeing what the future holds as new technologies are presented in the marketplace and I know it’s going to be a great ride.

Want to share your thoughts on domestic makes? Email me, Michael, at mbetts@ocregister.com

Post from: News from Motor City