Latest news with #GeneralMotors
The Citizen
36 minutes ago
- Automotive
- The Citizen
General Motors unleashes 900kW Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X
American sports car claimed to go from 0 to 100km/h in under two seconds on its way to 375km/h. General Motors launched the eighth-generation Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 in 2024. And this proudly American-built machine had morphed into a mid-engine supercar producing 783kW of power and 1 120Nm of torque. This heady mix of power and torque came courtesy of a twin-turbocharged 5.5-litre V8 driving down to the rear wheels. Resulting in not only a wild ride but also laying claim to being America's most powerful production car. Enter Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X This week General Motors went a step further and unveiled the 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X. And you guessed it, the 'X' stands for all-wheel drive. What you might have also seen coming in this era of electrification, is that this new Corvette ZRX1 is a hybrid. A high-voltage battery pack and electric motor now drives the front axle with the V8 left to still drive the rear axle. Being a hybrid means that the 1.9kWh battery does not require a plug to charge. All the charging takes place through regen when braking or deaccelerating. Just like on your Toyota Corolla Cross HEV. What is not anything like your Toyota Corolla Cross is the power output. The new Corvette ZRX1 has climbed to a crazy 920kW and 1 350Nm. Blink and it's gone Other little high-performance titbits you might want to know is that General Motors predict a 0-100 km/h time of under two seconds for the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X thanks to launch control and the new all-wheel drive configuration. Quarter mile racing is huge in the US. This is where the motor manufacturers seek the biggest bragging rights over there. And here General Motors claim that the Corvette ZR1X will get across the line in under nine seconds at a speed of around 240km/h. Just in case you are looking to go to jail forever, the claimed top speed is 375km/h. That is true hyper car territory. As to be expected, with great power comes great responsibility, and the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X comes standard with huge 10-piston front and six-piston carbon ceramic brakes. Two magnetic ride control chassis configurations are available. ALSO READ: Mid-ship Chevrolet Corvette Z06 debuts with 500kW Hope for local fans The standard chassis comes with Michelin PS4S tyres and is more for everyday driving. The ZTK Performance Package offers higher spring rates and Michelin's Pilot Cup 2R tyres, for the more track-day orientated buyer. You can also add their high-downforce Carbon Aero package to a standard chassis of the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X. This adds the likes of dive planes, underbody strakes, a hood lip over the front heat extractor and a rear wing. This package is said to be capable of over 500kg of downforce at top speed and comes standard on ZTK-equipped cars. Before you roll your eyes and think this will be another model that will never make it to Mzansi in right-hand-drive (RHD), think again. A partnership between Durban-based Rospa International and Autogroup International means that rides like these are very possible to reach us in RHD.
Auto Express
an hour ago
- Automotive
- Auto Express
The Corvette ZR1X is so powerful that the Ferrari F80 is in its rear-view mirror
If ever there was a collection of random letters and numbers that undersell something, it's 'ZR1X'. These unremarkable four characters aren't attached to a small Japanese SUV or high-riding electric car – but the most powerful Chevrolet Corvette ever, with no less than 1,250bhp. On the new ZR1X, the American icon has been taken to a few orders of magnitude higher than ever before, meaning that on sheer numbers alone, it is brushing shoulders with hypercars. In order to reach this figure, Chevrolet has created a hybridised powertrain that capitalises on an incredibly high-performing twin-turbocharged V8 engine and an electrified front axle, much in the way Lamborghini does on its new Temerario. Advertisement - Article continues below The difference is that the Chevrolet's 5.5-litre V8 is considerably more powerful than the Lambo's, with peak power of 1,064bhp and an astonishing peak torque of 1,188Nm – and these figures, remember, are without the e-motor being factored in. It packs cutting-edge technology, too, such as a flat-plane crank and a pair of clever turbochargers that are integrated right into the exhaust manifold. This hand-built masterpiece of an engine really is a far cry from the pig-iron pushrod V8s generally associated with General Motors, and is instead directly related to the brand's GT3 motorsport program. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below Additional power is then generated from an electrified front axle, which incorporates a 186bhp electric motor and a compact 1.9kWh battery pack to drive the front wheels completely independently of the rear. There's no facility to plug the ZR1X in; its power is produced via regenerative braking, and it decouples at speeds of over 160mph. Chevrolet has not finalised official performance figures, but suggests that 0-60mph will be possible in under two seconds and the 0-400m (or quarter mile) in under nine, blowing away even the (very) theoretical '10 second cars' from the Fast and Furious franchise. As with all hybrid-powered sports cars, there's a range of different modes that change the way a ZR1X can deliver its performance. The first Endurance Mode ensures that the battery capacity is never fully depleted, ensuring that a high level of performance is possible over a long period. Qualifying Mode shortens that peak operating window, expelling more battery charge more quickly and allowing it to run empty. Push-to-Pass delivers maximum available performance. Advertisement - Article continues below To balance out this astounding potential, Chevrolet has introduced a new brake set-up that combines huge 419mm Alcon carbon ceramic discs with ten-piston calipers at the front and six-piston ones at the rear. High-performance Corvettes have long been known for their impressive braking performance, but these take things to another level, with a quoted deceleration of 1.9G between 180mph and 120mph. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below In the US, the ZR1X will be offered with two chassis set-ups that both include magnetic dampers as standard. The base car is more road-biased and is paired with a standard sports tyre, but for ultimate track performance, the ZTK package ups the spring rates by 20 per cent, and swaps in some aggressive Michelin Cup 2R rubber. It also enhances the aero package with a high-mounted rear spoiler, plus some other tweaks. This aero pack can be fitted to models on standard suspension as an option. In addition, carbon fibre wheels are available which usefully reduce unsprung mass. The exterior design is closely related to the existing Corvette ZR1, which itself utilises a wider body that was first revealed for the naturally aspirated Z06. Inside, however, the ZR1X has adopted the Corvette's new interior design, with a new triple-screen layout and the removal of the controversial climate control buttons. Just about the only number that doesn't match up to a hypercar is the price, which is $178,195, or £132,243 at current conversion rates. That's equivalent to something like a well-optioned Porsche 911 GTS, while being more powerful and even quicker than the forthcoming Ferrari F80. Come and join our WhatsApp channel for the latest car news and reviews... Find a car with the experts New Volvo EM90 2025 review: the ultimate SUV killer New Volvo EM90 2025 review: the ultimate SUV killer Volvo has made an ultra-luxurious van. Intrigued? You should be, but sadly it's for China only Groundbreaking Nissan solid-state EV batteries due on sale by 2028 Groundbreaking Nissan solid-state EV batteries due on sale by 2028 The industry is in a race to bring solid-state to the market, and Nissan isn't too far behind the leaders New Audi Q3 reinvents the indicator stalk, but there's a whole lot more too New Audi Q3 reinvents the indicator stalk, but there's a whole lot more too Audi's not taking any risks with its all-new Q3; watch it sell like crazy
Telegraph
2 hours ago
- Automotive
- Telegraph
UK's rarest cars: 1980 Vauxhall Cavalier Sports Hatch, one of only five left
The Sports Hatch was both Vauxhall's rival to the Ford Capri Mk3 and a car with a subtly different image. If the Ford was ideal for pretending to be Lewis Collins in The Professionals, including the smirk in the rear-view mirror, the Cavalier belonged outside a provincial bistro. Today, despite the difficulty of establishing precise numbers, this 1980 example is one of only a handful remaining on the road. Vauxhall launched the Cavalier, based on the German Opel Ascona B, in 1975 with the two-door Coupé as the original 'sporting' version. At that time Opel regarded cars with three doors as utility vehicles, while Vauxhall was keen on a fastback-bodied Cavalier from the outset. The British firm's designs impressed senior management at the parent company General Motors and the Sports Hatch debuted in September 1978. The timing of the Sports Hatch's launch could not have been better planned, with Ford introducing the Capri Mk3 six months earlier. The Vauxhall's engine choices were 1.6- and 2.0-litre units, the latter capable of 112mph and 0-60 in 10.2sec. Opel simultaneously announced its new Manta Berlinetta Hatchback, which used body panels shipped from Luton to Germany. The first of the Sports Hatch were available only in top-of-the-range GLS form. Owners could boast about the 'four-spoke sports steering wheel', 'wood veneer door inserts' and 'driver's map pocket'. Those of us of a certain age will recall that in the late Seventies expectations of automotive comfort could be limited. Vauxhall preferred the phrase 'luxury without a trace of ostentation'. The Sports Hatch was mechanically identical to the Cavalier saloon, but Vauxhall promised 'swashbuckling performance' in a car 'not to cross swords with'. It advised its dealers that 'undoubtedly the Sports Hatch will add to Vauxhall's 'get up and go' image' and 'attract more and more younger buyers to the marque'. Taking delivery, one hoped, might make the proud owner feel like the Roger Moore of outer Southampton. The 2000 GLS cost £4,384, compared with £4,192 for the Capri Mk3 2.0 S. When Car magazine evaluated the pair, its testers concluded that the Cavalier was 'just as much fun, slightly better mannered and agreeably more refined' – and could teach the Ford 'a thing or two in all the right places'. They added that the 2000 GLS 'fully justifies its 'Sports' title, unlike some others', and that 'the taut springing and transmission will delight the keen driver'. Dealers could point out that, aside from the Capri, the Sports Hatch had no real rival with a British connection. Chrysler UK did not build a comparable three-door coupé, while the venerable MGB GT was a 2+2 at best. For buyers considering a foreign marque, the Volkswagen Scirocco GLS and Renault 17 TS cost £4,720 and £4,682 respectively – but both were front-wheel-drive, when many British drivers still preferred the supposed benefits of rear-wheel-drive. The £5,999 Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV and £5,710 Lancia Beta 2000 HPE were aimed at more affluent motorists. The Toyota Celica 2000ST Liftback offered strong value at £4,223, but its persona was less overtly sporting than the Vauxhall's. Ironically, the Sports Hatch's closest rival was sister company Opel's Manta Berlinetta – just £32 more than the 2000 GLS. The Cavalier Mk2 replaced the Mk1 in September 1981, after 238,980 units – and there was to be no three-door version. The Sports Hatch may have been short-lived, but its appearance at the 1978 London Motor Show alongside the new Carlton and Royales emphasised Vauxhall's radical image change. The era of the quasi-American, tail-finned Crestas now seemed very remote. And the Sports Hatch appeared to make the Capri Mk3 look faintly dated by comparison. If the Ford still seemed to belong to a realm of flared trousers and Mungo Jerry sideburns, the Vauxhall anticipated a brave new world of grey loafers and owning a home video recorder. In 1980, Autocar referred to the Sports Hatch as 'just plain nice' – a quality many owners valued. Or, to quote one dealer, it was so handsome, 'they go out of the door as soon as they come in'.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Is Tesla a Millionaire-Maker Stock?
Elon Musk is turning into a liability for Tesla. But the company would struggle without his hype and energy. The stock's valuation looks high, even in the best-case scenario. These 10 stocks could mint the next wave of millionaires › Tesla's (NASDAQ: TSLA) stock has already created plenty of millionaires. After all, its CEO, Elon Musk, is the world's richest man, due in large part to his 13% stake in the company. But past performance doesn't guarantee future success. It's unclear if Tesla still has what it takes to continue its bull run, especially as political pressure and electric vehicle (EV) industry weakness bite. Let's dig deeper to decide if Tesla's pivot to new opportunities, like robotics and self-driving technology, could help it overcome its weaknesses in its legacy automotive operations and its uncomfortably high valuation. Cars have been around for over 100 years, which means the industry is incredibly mature, leading to low margins and stiff competition. For a time, Tesla had been able to buck these dynamics through high levels of vertical integration, economies of scale, and innovations like giga casting, which replaced complex assembled parts with large single-piece structures. But over time, the company's economic moat has eroded. The main challenge has been competition from low-cost Chinese EV rivals like BYD and legacy automakers like Ford and General Motors, which have leveraged their massive production infrastructure and dealership networks to scale rapidly. However, Musk certainly hasn't made things easier through his foray into U.S. politics, with his outspoken support for President Donald Trump. Taking a strong political position on one side or the other will inevitably rub a large portion of potenital buyers the wrong way. Tesla's first-quarter earnings demonstrate its deteriorating brand appeal. Revenue dropped 9% year over year to $21.3 billion, driven by a 20% collapse in the automotive segment, which represents 82% of sales. The collapse was worst in Europe. Sales on the continent slumped by a stunning 37.2%. The good news is that Tesla's U.S. operations have held up much better -- for now. So far, many American consumers appear to be keeping their politics separate from their car-buying decisions. U.S. first-quarter sales were down by a relatively modest 9%, according to data from Cox Automotive. However, it's unclear how much longer Tesla's honeymoon period will last. Musk has had public disagreements with Trump over his Big Beautiful Bill legislation, which is currently being debated in Congress. The bigger threat could come from Trump's legislation, which could strip away the $7,500 tax credit for EV purchases. The loss of government support could undermine Tesla's U.S. business, just as it is facing international weakness and higher costs from tariffs. CNN also reports that under the current language, support may remain for smaller EV companies like Rivian and Lucid, allowing them to maintain lower prices and eat away at Tesla's market share. With a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 186, Tesla stock is abnormally expensive for a business with declining sales and profitability. The valuation seems to price in the expectation of dramatic operational growth from its self-driving and robotics ambitions. There is some reason to be excited. Analysts at McKinsey & Company believe autonomous driving could generate $300 billion to $400 billion in revenue by 2035. Tesla seems to be an early leader in the opportunity, with plans to launch automated taxis in Austin, Texas this month. The company's focus on low-cost cameras and "computer vision" could give it an edge over rivals like Waymo (a subsidiary of Alphabet), which relies on pricey LiDAR and must source its vehicles from expensive third-party suppliers, adding cost and complexity to its operations. But while Tesla definitely has the potential to make more millionaires, success is already priced into its valuation. So, the downside risk seems to outweigh the upside right now -- especially considering the immense political uncertainty Musk has brought upon the company. Ever feel like you missed the boat in buying the most successful stocks? Then you'll want to hear this. On rare occasions, our expert team of analysts issues a 'Double Down' stock recommendation for companies that they think are about to pop. If you're worried you've already missed your chance to invest, now is the best time to buy before it's too late. And the numbers speak for themselves: Nvidia: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2009, you'd have $377,293!* Apple: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2008, you'd have $37,319!* Netflix: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2004, you'd have $659,171!* Right now, we're issuing 'Double Down' alerts for three incredible companies, available when you join , and there may not be another chance like this anytime soon.*Stock Advisor returns as of June 9, 2025 Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Will Ebiefung has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet and Tesla. The Motley Fool recommends BYD Company. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Is Tesla a Millionaire-Maker Stock? was originally published by The Motley Fool
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Ford, GM battery tech battle intensifies as Michigan plant faces political headwinds
The electric vehicle fight between rivals Ford Motor Co. and General Motors is turning bitter — and a politically fraught battery factory in Michigan is the latest battleground. Even as EV sales fall far short of expectations for now, Detroit automakers are racing for battery supremacy in hopes of locking up market share for electric vehicles, which are still widely believed to be the future of the industry. The latest leg of the battery supply chain race is all about affordability, and that's where Ford's BlueOval Battery Park in Marshall, Mich., comes into play. The $2.5 billion factory is being geared up to launch production next year of lower-cost lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, a pillar of the automaker's strategy to expand market share with more affordable EVs. But the plant is a lightning rod for controversy because Ford is licensing technology from Chinese battery behemoth CATL. The first-of-its-kind deal, announced in 2023, was structured in a way that would allow the factory to receive production tax credits under the Biden-led Inflation Reduction Act. That is, until lawmakers sought to change the rules. Future Product Find our what powertrains, redesigns and freshenings are planned for the next four years. View the list Brand future product timelines A proposed budget bill by the U.S. House would make the factory ineligible for the subsidy and 'imperils' the project and its 1,700 jobs, Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford said at the Mackinac Policy Conference in May. The plant — a key economic development project for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer — has been targeted by anti-China politicians and 'not in my backyard' local activists from the outset, but Bill Ford told reporters on the sidelines of the conference that industry competitors are now piling on. Sign up for the quarterly Automotive News U.S. Sales report to get data and news sent to your inbox as soon as it's compiled. 'We do know that others in our industry are trying to submarine it to hurt us,' Ford said. 'That's just sour grapes, frankly.' Ford stopped short of naming names, but four people familiar with the matter told Automotive News affiliate Crain's Detroit Business that GM is behind lobbying efforts for tighter rules around 'foreign entities of concern' and language in the budget bill that targets licensing agreements such as the Ford-CATL deal in Marshall. Ford views it as an attack by its longtime rival. To GM, it's nothing personal, just a bid to shore up its business strategies. The behind-the-scenes battery feud comes as automakers look to outdo each other through 'made in the USA' marketing campaigns amid Trump tariffs and pressure to increase U.S. production. While Ford boasts an industry-leading final assembly footprint in the U.S., its business with CATL in Marshall is a political vulnerability. A GM source familiar with its lobbying activity said the company's support of the tighter restrictions on business ties to China is about ensuring a level playing field. GM officials have touted battery investments in North America and the automaker's partnerships with battery manufacturers in allied countries, such as South Korea's LG Energy Solution. 'GM has been investing in a resilient critical minerals and battery supply chain to support American innovation, manufacturing and economic security,' GM spokeswoman Liz Winter said in an email to Crain's. The company declined to comment on specific lobbying efforts. Other automakers have not pushed for the tighter controls on EV production incentives like GM has, the sources told Crain's. Stellantis and Toyota Motor North America, which have been slower in their electrification approaches, declined to comment about their stance on the proposed rule changes. GM is, by far, the biggest spender among automotive companies on Capitol Hill this year, racking up a record $8.2 million in lobbying expenditures in the first quarter, according to Open Secrets, which compiles online government records. That's more than the company has spent on lobbying in a single quarter since recordkeeping started in 1998, and it's more than six times that of the next highest-spending automaker, Toyota. While GM has sought to build out a battery supply chain not dependent on China, the automaker has previously explored options to procure CATL battery technology in the U.S. GM had considered setting up a plant with CATL in Illinois mirroring the Ford-CATL licensing deal, according to two people who were involved in the talks, but it was scrapped in 2023 after the political backlash from the Ford-CATL plant in Marshall. GM declined to comment on the previously unreported project or about talks with CATL. The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, the trade group representing major auto companies including the Detroit 3, has been mum about the proposed legislation to tighten restrictions on EV incentives even though it has spoken regularly on other major issues including tariffs and emission rules. The group did not respond to requests for comment. The House bill must first be reconciled by the Senate before it is signed into law. The Senate is weighing even more dramatic rollbacks of EV tax credits, according to text from the Senate Finance Committee. U.S. Rep. John Moolenaar, R-Mich., who represents Michigan's 2nd District, said he is pleased to see his 'No Gotion' bill advance in the House budget, referring to the controversial Chinese battery manufacturer planning a factory near Big Rapids, Mich. Moolenaar said any project with ties to China is concerning, including the Ford battery plant in Marshall. 'I've been very clear. I am a strong supporter of Ford,' Moolenaar said. 'I do think the relationship with CATL is problematic because CATL has been proven to work with Chinese military companies and their supply chain is also connected to the CCP's (Chinese Communist Party) genocide of Uyghurs.' That Ford would stick by its partnership with CATL despite years of political blowback — and that a crosstown competitor would also take aim at the project — underscores just how much of a competitive advantage it could be. Nickel-manganese-cobalt, or NMC, is the predominant chemistry powering EVs on the road today. However, the batteries are costly and connected to a troublesome supply chain, with materials sourced and refined in countries such as China and the Congo. LFP batteries do not contain nickel or cobalt and thus are 20 to 30 percent less costly to produce than NMC batteries. Coupled with an up to $45 per kilowatt-hour subsidy as allowed for in the Inflation Reduction Act, Ford's plant in Marshall is set to produce batteries that are hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars cheaper than those of competitors. LFP is largely seen as an interim solution on the way to superior technology, such as lithium manganese rich (LMR) batteries. Ford and GM each announced last month LMR breakthroughs and plans to go to market with the technology by the end of the decade. Until then, it's a race for market share with current technologies. LFP had long been ignored by many in the industry because of its power capacity and range constraints, but tech advancements have vastly improved energy density in recent years. GM is reportedly working with South Korean battery makers LG and Samsung SDI to produce LFP batteries in the U.S. as well. But CATL is leagues above the competition. 'Where CATL is much more superior is the fact that they can eke out more efficiency from that same size battery versus anyone else in the market,' said Tu Le, founder of consultant Sino Auto Insights. 'They have much more scale, and they are the leaders in this particular chemistry.' That's why outside of the U.S., CATL's client roll is a who's who of the automotive industry. Almost all the major automakers doing business in China, including GM, partner with CATL on EVs in the Far East. 'So why wouldn't it make sense for Ford to partner with them in Marshall, outside of politics?' Le said. 'They're the only game in town at that price, at that quality level, at that level of innovation. The Koreans and the Japanese are good at using batteries that need a lot of cobalt, need a lot of nickel, and really drive the price of the vehicles much higher.' At the root of the Ford-GM divergence in battery strategy appears to be a difference in ideology. Ford CEO Jim Farley, who has called China the industry's greatest threat, has leaned into the competition by seeking to learn from the Chinese. To gain access to the lucrative China market in the early 1980s, Detroit automakers were forced to partner with Chinese companies, which eventually hoovered up the manufacturing know-how of the West to set the foundation for their EV dominance today. As Ford sees it, a CATL partnership is about more than cheap batteries; it's also about soaking up the Chinese expertise to become EV industry leaders. GM is striving for that same outcome, but through different means. CEO Mary Barra has downplayed China's supposed tech prowess and indicated that lower costs, driven by government subsidies, are the biggest advantage of Chinese EV companies. 'We're scaling U.S. production, securing a resilient North American supply chain, and advancing technology to drive down costs and compete globally,' Kurt Kelty, vice president of battery, propulsion and sustainability for GM, said in a recent blog post. At the Mackinac Policy Conference, Bill Ford said it is 'unfair' for politicians to change the rules after the investment has been committed. Construction on the Marshall plant, which was scaled back last year, is about 60 percent complete, and manufacturing equipment is set to arrive and be installed this summer, according to the company. Whether production lines will be powered with CATL technology and receive government subsidies remains to be decided by lawmakers. Said Moolenaar: 'As a business strategy, relying on China creates tremendous vulnerabilities.' Have an opinion about this story? Tell us about it and we may publish it in print. Click here to submit a letter to the editor. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
