Autoblog UK

Take 50% Camaro and 50% Corvette and you get a Ghepardo. Of course, this combination can only be found at the SEMA Tuning Show. Tuning experts at Caccia Custom Cars took a 2002 Chevy Camaro and a Chevy Corvette and created the Ghepardo. Chassis is courtesy of the Camaro, whilst engine and suspension are Corvette. The front end is a bit like the new Lexus and the rear is quite muscular. This 'Chevy on Chevy' is a real looker...

From 3rd to 6th November, the US Tuning Elite are convening at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Jay Leno is a popular TV star (Jay Leno Show) in America and an avid car collector. His specially tuned Camaro can be seen at the SEMA Show. This racer is powered by a twin-turbocharged version of the 3.6L direct injected V6, pumping out around 425bhp. Of course, the Leno Camaro has also had a visual makeover in the guise of a new front spoiler with integrated air intakes for brakes and a bonnet lid sporting huge air vents.

The much heralded electrically powered Volt is intended to bring about an upturn in the fortunes of the insolvent General Motors corporation. With this low-emission family car, GM hope to set a fashion that will catch on both inside and outside the USA and also, of course, make pots of money. The sister model of the Opel Ampera is due to go on sale next year. It covers the first 40 miles (64km) of any trip purely on power supplied by a lithium ion battery. At this point, a 1.4-litre petrol engine kicks in to recharge the battery as the car drives along. General Motors have based the fuel consumption figures for the Volt on a method agreed with the American EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), according to which the Chevy Volt does 230 miles to the US gallon (3.785 litres) on the urban cycle.

The Transformers movie was the inspiration for car tuner Irmscher to style a new version of the Chevrolet Cruze, modelled on the main 'character' in the film, Bumblebee. The key visuals are orange rally stripes, an orange diffuser and a double exhaust pipe silencer. 18-inch wheels add that final film star touch. The jazzed up Cruze is so far just a one-off. But Irmscher are happy to perform further conversions – price available on request for anyone who fancies driving round in a box-office hit.

The Corvette was first unveiled at the New York Motorama of 1953. The 'Vette is still America's top sports car. The sound of the V8 engine is a feast for the ears, while its 512 horsepower make for pure driving pleasure.

TOP 10 roadsters: Cadillac XLR, Opel GT, Mercedes SL, Porsche Boxster, Tesla Roadster, Lotus Elise

Despite the recent slump in business, General Motors have continued to bring out some highly attractive products. For example, the Chevrolet Camaro has overtaken all its rivals to become market segment leader in the USA. The newly released Chevrolet Equinox, Cadillac SRX and Buick LaCrosse all received favourable reviews. And before the year is out, we are due to see the launch of the Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon and the GMC Terrain, with the Chevrolet Volt, Chevrolet Cruze and Cadillac CTS Coupe making their debuts some time next year. There is also abundant evidence of this focus on attractive new products in the Chevrolet Agile which is currently appearing in showrooms throughout Latin America.

It is exactly 40 years since man first landed on the moon, an anniversary which is currently being celebrated everywhere. To mark the anniversary of the first moon landing on 20th July 1969, fahrmitgas.de, the supplier of LPG fuel systems, has unveiled the Moonlander, a special model based on the Chevrolet Captiva. Since 2004, fahrmitgas.de has been Chevrolet's official supplier of LPG autogas systems. As flights to the moon are still beyond the purse of ordinary mortals, we can make the journey in this special model instead, at a starting price of 25,590 euros.

US tuners Superior Glass Works have brought a long-forgotten American classic back to the road: the Chevrolet Nomad. As you would expect, the new version uses masses of chrome to stay true to the look of the period. The bodywork is very reminiscent of a classic Corvette. The new edition is based on the Chevrolet Nomad, which was only built between 1955 and 1957.

You can now buy a glass fibre replica body for 125,000 US dollars. But only 25 are planned for production. Strictly speaking, this is really a glass replica of the classic 1954 Waldorf Nomad, the forerunner of the Nomad production model. This was essentially little more than a hardtop Corvette with a stretched roof.

Le Mans is nearly upon us and 2009 is shaping up to be a potential classic with British fans in for a real treat.

Thousands of Brits cross the Channel into France every year for the classic 24 Hours race in the hope of celebrating home success on French soil. In 2008, they were doubly rewarded when Scot Allan McNish finally got a monkey off his back when he won for a second time, ending a 10-year wait since his maiden success. How a nation rejoiced!

At the same time, Aston Martin took the GT1 class honours for the second year in succession, taming their arch rivals from across the Pond, Corvette. The Americans are back for the final time in the class this year but they'll more than likely be looking at the back end of the two Astons as the Prodrive-run team have bigger fish to fry in the leading prototype class (LMP1) as they bid to win outright 50 years on from its one and only Le Mans victory. The team has already tasted success this year in the opening Le Mans Series race in Spain.

General Motors subsidiary Chevrolet will be launching their Corvette C6 Grand Sport special model onto the US market some time during 2010. In combination with a sports exhaust system, the 6.2-litre V8 engine brings a guaranteed 436 horsepower onto the road and it is claimed the C6 will reach a top speed of 190mph. Purchasers have a choice between six-gear transmissions – the manual version or the automatic with a shift paddle on the steering wheel. The Corvette will be available either as a coupé or as an open-top with removable roof. Prices for the US have not yet been fixed and no decision has been taken on whether the vehicle will go on sale in Europe.