Update: We finally made it to Washington D.C. We’re going to take a little break for now and will update you on our total fuel-economy, average speed and other things shortly. Stay tuned.

It’s July 4th and we have an all-American icon hanging out in our garage - that’s right - the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS that we’re going to be test-driving all week. We figured what better way to celebrate July 4th than to take a mini road-trip in the new 2010 Camaro to our nation’s Capital City - Washington, D.C.

We’ve filled up the tank, reseted our mpg reading and the distance until empty reads 254 miles. Washington, D.C. is about 3 hours and 32 minutes away from our home-base in New Jersey (a total of 200 miles or so). So what are we going to do for the next 3 hours and 32 minutes? We’re going to enjoy the great American highways and provide you live updates during our trip. My friend Mac (from PocketBerry.com) and I will be hitting the road very shortly.

You can follow all the updates via Twitter - but for those of you that hate the Twitter updates, I’ll be posting live updates here.

Join us here and ask us as many question as you want about the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS.

Happy Independence Day everyone.

Click through to view updates.

Update no.1:

2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS cup  holders:

Body-color interior trim panels make for an attractive touch inside:

Update no.2:

Oil Press, Battery Volts, Oil Temp, Trans Temp - 4 things you probably normally wouldn’t care about on your daily drive.

We absolutely love the limited visibility (sarcasm intended):

Update no 3:

Door handle is actually a little further than we would like:

Rear-view mirror is on the Camaro is pretty small - but understandable because of the small windshield:

Update no. 4:

Okay so we’ve travelled a total of 116.4 miles so far and we’ve been averaging a fuel-economy of 18.6 mpg and an average vehicle speed of 60.7 mph.

No navigation system? No problem. Thanks to Mac and PocketBerry.com we are using the BlackBerry Bold 9000 and the TeleNav application.

Side-profile of the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS:

- By: Omar Rana

Pagani has already produced 5 units of the Pagani Zonda Cinque, all of which have already sold out. Pagani now believes that its lineup will not be complete without a Pagani Zonda Cinque Roadster, and just like its name and coupe sibling, Pagani will only produce 5 units.

Power comes from the same 678-hp Mercedes AMG V12 engine that allows the Pagani Zonda Cinque Roadster to go from 0 to 62 mph in 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 214 mph.

Pricing starts at a whopping 1.3 million Euros ($1.8 million USD).

Make the jump for the full list of technical specs.

Pagani Zonda Cinque Roadster:

Technical Specifications:

- Mercedes Benz AMG engine
- Power: 678 hp
- Torque: 780 Nm
- Carbon-titanium monocoque
- ECU, Traction control, ABS by Bosch Engineering
- Inconel/titanium exhaust system coated with ceramic
- Suspensions in magnesium and titanium
- Cima sequential gearbox (6 speed), robotized by Automac enginnering
- APP monolitic wheels forged in aluminium and magnesium, front 9×19, rear 12,5×20
- Pirelli PZero tyres, front 255/35/19, rear 335/30/20
- Pagani leather/carbon fibre racing seats
- Brembo brakes in carbo-ceramic self ventilated with hydraulic servo brake, Size: front 380×34 mm, monolitic 6 piston -caliper; rear 380×34 mm, monolitic 4 piston caliper
- Dry weight 1.210 kg
- Weight distribution in driving condition: 47% front, 53% rear
- Acceleration
- 0-100 km/h: 3.4 s
- 0-200 km/h: 9.6 s
- Braking
- 100-0 km/h: 2.1 s
- 200-0 km/h: 4.3 s
- Maximum side acceleration: 1,45 G (with road tyres)
- Downforce at 300 kp/h: 750 kg

- By: Omar Rana

Sergio Marchionne plans on kicking off his Chrysler Group LLC. leadership by cutting out weaker models and tweaking gas prices, according to a report by Reuters. Yesterday, Marchionne said that he hopes to have “at least a roadmap from a product standpoint” in 14 days.

He said that he plans to have a final decision on what to do with Chrysler’s Dodge and Fiat’s Alfa Romeo brands by the end of this month. Marchionne said yesterday that he is considering selling all Dodge models as Alfa Romeos in Europe, and all Alfa Romeo models as Dodge models in the United States.

Models that could be ditched in the short-term include the Chrysler Sebring and PT Cruiser, the Jeep Compass and Patriot, while the Dodge Caliber could be either cut or re-engineered.

Chrysler had planned on a new Jeep Grand Cherokee and a new Chrysler 300 for 2010.

- By: Stephen Calogera

Source: Reuters

I must say, it is very difficult to sit here and blog while I stare at the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS parked outside. Nonetheless, the show must go on and we must update you on all the automotive news out there. As we do everyday, it is time for some Miscellaneous findings from around the web along with some updates on our 2010 Camaro SS drive.

2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS test-drive updates: I decided to take a bunch of pictures with a digital SLR to give you guys some high-res photos of our Camaro SS test-vehicle. As you can see, we’ve gotten really comfortable with the car and have added our ESCORT radar-detector and my nephew’s Recaro car-seat. Make sure you guys ask me all the questions you want - I’ll be answering as many questions as I can.  GMfan87 - we will definitely get you pictures of some tires getting lit up on the final review.

Wife crashes into husband’s new Corvette Z06 with her Hyundai Genesis: A member of GenesisOwners, who owns a Hyundai Genesis sedan, picked up a brand new Corvette Z06 with her husband. Unfortunately the couple ended up getting into an accident with each other causing over $26,000 worth of damage ($16,000 worth of damages to the Genesis and $10,000 to the Corvette Z06). - GenesisOwners (via Jalopnik)

- By: Omar Rana

The next-generation Chevrolet Camaro Z28 won’t arrive until 2011 - some time after the convertible Camaro makes its debut. That will give the 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 some time to eat up some of the high-performance muscle car segment. However, if you can’t wait until ’some time after 2011,’ Hennessey is offering its HPE550 performance package for the Camaro that takes output up to 562-hp (the Camaro Z28 is rumored to get the 556-hp 6.2L LSA V8 supercharged engine from the Cadillac CTS-V).

The folks at Inside Line happened to have the new 2010 Shelby GT500 and Hennessey’s HPE550 on hand at the same time and decided to put the two high-performance muscle cars head-to-head.

You can check out a video of their test after the jump.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Inside Line

At first there was doubt whether or not BMW will build a 3-Series Gran Turismo, following in the footsteps of the BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo. However, it is now been confirmed that a 3-Series GT model will be moving forward and will sit between the 3-Series lineup and the X1.

“We haven’t cancelled the crossover of the 3-Series, as it is considered a volume builder with which we can earn good money,” BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer said.

The BMW 3-Series Gran Turismo will be heavily inspired by the 5-Series Gran Turismo and will feature the same split tailgate, roomy interior and raised driving position.

Engine choices are likely to be taken from the rest of the BMW 3-Series lineup.

2010 BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo:

- By: The Daily Auto Editor

Source: AutoCar

Bentley has been very secretive about its upcoming model, known only as the ‘New Grand Bentley.’ The company has released only one teaser along with a bunch of useless videos that show us the landscape around Bentley’s Crewe headquarters.

Thanks to UK’s CAR Magazine, we now have the first official scoop on the Bentley Arnage replacement. The spy shot you’re seeing above was reportedly smuggled out of the company’s Crewe headquarters weeks ahead of the car’s unveiling at the Pebble Beach Concours in August.

It is still a mystery as to what Bentley will call the model, but sources say that the ‘Grand’ name is the leading candidate.

We’ll have more for you eventually.

The all-new Grand Bentley:

- By: Stephen Calogera

Source: CAR

Chinese automaker Beijing Automotive (BAIC) has reportedly submitted a bid to buy a stake in General Motors’ Opel brand. The move challenges Canadian auto parts supplier Magna’s bid, which has reportedly been on the rocks as of recent. Sources familiar with the matter told Reuters, that BAIC submitted an indicative, non-binding offer for Opel and would make a binding offer by mid-July.

Magna International, the frontrunner to buy Opel, hopes to have an approved business plan for Opel on July 7, sources said.

Fiat and Chrysler Group LLC CEO Sergio Marchionne recently said that he heard talks with Magna were “not going very well. “We have confirmed our interest,” he added.

Marchionne said that Fiat’s current bid for Opel is the best it could offer.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Reuters

The creators of the Lightning GT electric-sports cars are planning three additional models, reports AuotCar. The Lightning GT is scheduled to go into production early next year with a starting price-tag of around £120,000 ($196,014 USD).

The 700 horsepower Lightning GT EV is capable of traveling 250 miles with only 10 minutes of charging. 0 to 60 mph comes in just 4 seconds with a top speed of 130 mph.

In an interview with AutoCar, Chairman of the Lightning Car Company Ian Sanderson said that: “We have deposits, and we’re pushing ahead with our plans. “It’s our intention that it is the first of a number of models. A limo-sized model is planned, as we think a high-end chauffer-driven car with electric power would work well for executives travelling around cities.”

Sanderson said that LCC is also looking at a smaller sports car and an SUV model.

Lightning GT EV:

- By: Omar Rana

Source: AutoCar

Yesterday, we saw the official unveiling of the 2011 BMW X1, which will be coming here to the United States in early 2011. The U.S. is expected to get only the gasoline variant, known as the X1 xDrive28i. Power comes from a 3.0 straight-six gasoline engine making 258-hp and 228 lb-ft of torque. 0 to 62 mph comes in 6.8 seconds with a top speed of 127 mph. Fuel-economy is estimated at 25 mpg.

BMW has just released two videos - one showing the 2011 X1 in action and one showing the interior of the compact SUV.

Click here for more info on the 2011 BMW X1.

Follow the jump to see the videos.

2011 BMW X1:

2011 BMW X1 in Action:

2011 BMW X1 Interior:

- By: Omar Rana

Last month, we heard reports that Nissan is working on a special-edition yellow Nurburgring edition 370Z. Turns out that Nissan 370Z Yellow has nothing to do with the Nurburgring and everything to do with the European GT4 series.

Along with an Ultimate Yellow paint job, the 370Z gets design cues inspired by the European GT4 series (we don’t see them either), 19-inch RAYS forged alloys and along the flanks - special 370Z graphics. There have been no power upgrades to the 330-hp V6 engine allowing the 370Z to get from 0 to 62 in 5.3 seconds.

Sales begin in September with prices ranging from £31,650 ($51,724 USD) for the manual model and £33,050 ($54,012 USD) for the automatic.

Make the jump for the press release and the high-res image gallery.

2010 Nissan 370Z Yellow Edition:

Press Release:

LATEST 370Z PUTS OTHER COUPES IN THE SHADE

* Stunning new paint job for special version of Nissan’s affordable supercar, the 370Z
* Exclusivity guaranteed: strictly limited volume to be available in the UK
* Forged alloys, race car cues, black leather and suede interior
* It’s Yellow

It’s already the one bright spot in the affordable sports car market, but now Nissan is going for gold with a special version of the storming 370Z coupe. Not for shrinking violets, the new 370Z Yellow lives up to its name in spectacular fashion.

Ultimate Yellow is the paint job and it signals a 370Z with everything that people expect of the 331PS sportster along with a rare exclusivity - there will be a limited number of Yellows available - and a potent visual impact that takes the 370Z’s muscular looks to new heights. Some cars were just born to be yellow.

The 370Z Yellow gets design cues that nod at the racing 370Zs from the European GT4 series. The wheels are 19-inch RAYS forged alloys and along the flanks are special 370Z graphics, both items setting off the gleaming yellow body to perfection.

Inside the contrast could not be greater: the theme here is black leather and suede. There’s an integrated satellite navigation system, illuminated entry plates, special mats and a BOSE audio with eight speakers and a six-CD autochanger. The sophistication continues with heated seats, cruise control, speed limiter and all the other features from the 370Z GT Pack on which the special Yellow model is based.

The 370Z Yellow is, like all the new-generation versions of this world famous sports car dynasty, powered by an enthusiast’s delight of a V6 engine. It pumps out 331PS at 7000rpm backed up by a meaty 270lb ft of pulling power.

With a six-speed manual box (a seven-speed automatic is optional), the Yellow sprints from rest to 62mph in 5.3sec and goes on to a restricted top speed of 155mph. A synchronised rev control during downchanges reminds you just how good the engine sounds - even when just trundling to the shops.

The Yellows for the UK are available from all participating Nissan dealers but definitely from all High Performance Centres where its big brother the GT-R is exclusively sold. The first cars will be available from September with prices from £31,650 (manual gears) or £33,050 (automatic).

- By: The Daily Auto Editor

Chrysler Group LLC and Fiat SpA’s CEO Sergio Marchionne recently said that the new partnership between the two companies will bring back the Alfa Romeo brand to North America to compete against luxury European cars. The new CEO is hard at work at his Chrysler Group LLC office, sharing details on his vision to use Fiat models as the basis of future vehicles branded as Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep.

According to AutoCar, Dodge models could be rebadged in Europe as Alfa Romeo cars. Marchionne says he sees the two brands sharing the same core identity and he aims to have a strategy in place on what to do with the two brands by the end of the month.

Sources say that one proposal Marchionne has in mind is selling all Dodge models as Alfa Romeos in Europe, and all Alfa Romeo models as Dodge models in the United States.

“Dodge is the American muscle car, while Alfa Romeo is the European muscle car. How we dovetail these two brands is very important,” Marchionne said. “The level of competition between these two brands is tremendous because they are both going after the same customer.”

Could I interest you in a Alfa Romeo Challenger or a Dodge MiTo?

By: Stephen Calogera

Source: AutoCar

McLaren Chairman Ron Dennis recently announced plans for a new facility that will build a “range of high-performance, high-technology sports cars.” The McLaren Production Center (MPC), will be capable of building 20 McLaren sports cars per day while creating 800 new jobs.

McLaren said that the MPC will release its first “high performance and highly efficient sports car” in early 2011. That schedule points to the release of the much talked about 500-hp P11 (codename) that is currently being tested in Woking.

UK publication AutoCar has now found the biggest hint that McLaren may incorporate hybrid technology on future supercar models, although it is to early to speculate that the P11 may carry any sort of hybrid system.

The supercar company is advertising a position for a senior engineer in powertrain hybrid technology on its website. The role requires the candidate to ”lead the technical assessment, integration and application of appropriate hybrid powertrain technology.”

A McLaren spokesman said: “It (hybrid technology) is something we want as a forward-thinking, technology-driven company. We have been considering it for future projects. All the advert means is that we are looking for a senior engineer in powertrain hybrid technology. Read into it what you will.”

Guess we’ll have to wait and find out.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: AutoCar

As you already know by now, we took delivery of the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS yesterday. We’ve been out test-driving and having fun in it and it is now time to provide you with some updates along with some random findings we’ve come across on the Internet.

2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS: Unfortunately, the 2010 Camaro SS we took delivery of yesterday is an automatic. As enthusiasts, we prefer a manual transmission; nonetheless, we’re getting pretty used to the paddle-shifting that is offered with the automatic transmission. To answer some questions we’ve received from you guys so far:

Pat: Can you tell us the number of people that have come up to you to check it out?

As far as we can remember, we’ve had at least 12 people ask us questions. One man even asked us to pull over and take a look on the inside.

Ivan Gutierrez: No love for the Mustang GT?

As of right now we’re at an all time 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS high. Our review for the 2010 Ford Mustang GT is coming up on Monday - stay tuned (maybe even tomorrow).

RT: really want to know how it makes u feel driving it? I don’t care much about handling since its not meant to be driven that way, but is it a rewarding car when u put ur foot down, is it memorable, special?

You almost feel like Sam Witwicky driving the 2010 Camaro. It feels totally amazing driving the car; not to mention handling is very much on par with European performance cars. Putting your foot down and feeling the 426-hp push you back is one of the best feelings about this car.

On a side note: We noticed today that the hood vent on the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro is totally cosmetic and serves no purpose on cooling the engine.

11 Cars you’ll see on the roads by 2014: Forbes has just put together a list of 11 cars you’ll be driving in 2014. The list includes the Alfa Romeo MiTo, BMW X1, Fiat 500, Cadillac Converj (don’t bet on that one), Ford C-Max, Honda CR-Z, MINI E and Mini Crossman and the Volkswagen BlueSport. - CNNMoney

- By: Omar Rana

Hyundai announced today that it is “leading the way” on the government’s Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS), otherwise known as ‘Cash for Clunkers.’ It said that a Virginia dealership was the first to trade-in an eligible clunker for a new Hyundai, where a customer replaced her 15 mile-per-gallon 1995 Ford Explorer with a 26 mile-per-gallon Hyundai Elantra Touring.

“Hyundai buyers will receive the full rebate allocated under the CARS program (also known as “cash for clunkers”) when an eligible trade-in is exchanged for a qualifying Hyundai model,” the Korean automaker said in a statement. “Hyundai is the first automaker to extend the government incentive to consumers, accelerating its implementation by several weeks by backing dealerships with short-term cash advances as the government organizes the rollout of the program industry-wide.”

A research done by Hyundai in May showed that 11 percent of car buyers delayed their purchases until the CARS legislation was resolved.

Click through for more details and to see the thirteen Hyundai Models that qualify for the CARS program.

Press Release:

Under the CARS program, consumers qualify for a $4,500 rebate on the purchase or lease of new vehicles that achieve 10 miles per gallon more than a trade-in car or five miles per gallon or more than a trade-in light truck. New vehicles that achieve between 4 to 9 mpg more than a trade-in car, or 2 to 4 mpg more than a trade-in light truck qualify for a $3,500 incentive.

Thirteen Hyundai models and engine combinations qualify for the CARS incentive program, which requires passenger cars achieve 22 mpg or more combined fuel economy, and light trucks achieve 18 mpg or better combined fuel economy.

* Accent
* Elantra
* Elantra Touring
* Entourage
* Sonata 2.4L
* Sonata 3.3L
* 2010 Genesis Coupe 2.0L
* Tiburon 2.0L
* Tucson 2.0L
* Tucson 2.7L
* Santa Fe 2.7L
* Santa Fe 3.3L
* Veracruz

Five Hyundai models achieve 30 miles per gallon or more on the highway -Accent, Elantra, Elantra Touring, Genesis Coupe 2.0L and Sonata 2.4L. Hyundai ranks third in corporate average fuel economy according the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, so consumers will realize further cost savings by stepping into a more fuel-efficient model than they currently drive.

The CARS incentive program complements all existing special incentives and financing options from the manufacturer, including Hyundai Assurance, which allows consumers to return their vehicle if they unexpectedly lose their income, and Hyundai Assurance Gas Lock, which offers a year’s worth of gas at a guaranteed price of $1.49 per gallon.

- By: Stephen Calogera

GM’s partnership with Segway to create the Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility (PUMA) came in at number 1 on Fortune’s list of the ‘Dumbest Moments in Business 2009.’

“It became clear this spring that General Motors was going to have to get smaller to survive, but this was ridiculous,” says Fortune. “A week after President Obama gave the company a 60 day deadline to avoid bankruptcy, GM took time out from its turnaround efforts to unveil the PUMA, a two-seat vehicle being developed with Segway that looked more like a rickshaw than a car.”

With its lithium-ion battery pack, two-wheel balancing and dual electric-motors, the P.U.M.A. can travel 35 miles between charged with a top speed of 35 mph.

GM and Segway P.U.M.A:

- By: Omar Rana

Source: CNNMoney

Currently, in accordance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, a vehicle’s rear-turn signal can be either amber or red. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is wondering what the public thinks about a new proposed regulation that would mandate a vehicle’s rear turn signal to an amber-only standard.

NHTSA says that amber turn signals have proven to be 5.3 percent more effective than red turn signals in preventing accidents. While 5.3 sounds like a fairly small percentage, NHTSA says that it’s statistically a significant difference.

European countries already require that their turn signals be amber.

- By: The Daily Auto Editor

Source: KickingTires

A company source told Reuters that Porsche is considering cutting production around the Christmas holidays at its main Zuffenhausen plant where it builds the 911 Carrera is built.

“We have to think about this if car sales continue to develop like this and do not recover again,” the source said.

The source mentioned that during the ramp-up of the 2010 Panamera production in the second half, Porsche’s Leipzig plant, which also builds the Cayenne SUV, should remain unaffected.

Porsche previously said that it will cut costs this year by more than $140.7 million and will halt production at its Zuffenhausen plant for 19 days before summer break in a move to counteract a severe decline in demand.

During the first 5 months of the year, Porsche’s sales fell 28 percent to 53,635 vehicles.

- By: Stephen Calogera

Source: Reuters