Monday, May 18, 2015

2016 Camaro teased...when muscle cars compete we all win

© 2015 Jeffrey Sauger and General Motors 

This weekend the 2016 Camaro in base and SS forms was unveiled at Belle Isle in Detroit MI.  Why not Los Angeles where we buy a disproportionate share of their annual production? Your guess is as good as mine.  What I do know is when the muscle cars duke it out for dominance, we all win.  2008 I predicted the new Camaro would kick the Mustang into the dirt, they did. Briefly.  Ford thoroughly updated the Mustang 2010 and again 2011 giving us more refinement, more power and a solid competitor to the Camaro.  2015 we saw the new Mustang arrive and wow, it stomped the aging Camaro into the dirt.  Now its time for Camaro's redux and it appears it will be uber competitive with the new 'stang.

From the Press Release:

The 2016 Chevrolet Camaro is unveiled Saturday, May 16, 2015 at its world debut on Belle Isle in Detroit, Michigan. The sixth-generation Camaro is faster, lighter and more nimble. Engine options include a 2.0L Turbo, an all-new 3.6L V-6 and the LT1 6.2L V-8, which is SAE-certified at 455 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque – for the most powerful Camaro SS ever. Each engine is available with a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission. (Photo by Jeffrey Sauger for Chevrolet) General Motors Executive Vice President Global Product Development Mark Reuss introduces the 2016 Chevrolet Camaro at its world debut Saturday, May 16, 2015 on Belle Isle in Detroit, Michigan. The sixth-generation Camaro is faster, lighter and more nimble. Engine options include a 2.0L Turbo, an all-new 3.6L V-6 and the LT1 6.2L V-8, which is SAE-certified at 455 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque – for the most powerful Camaro SS ever. Each engine is available with a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission. (Photo by John F. Martin for Chevrolet)
With  this new Camaro they have 3 distinct power plants just like the Mustang.

  • Ford 2.3l ecoboost with 310+ horsepower vs Chevy 2.0L Turbo with 275 horsepower
  • Ford 3.7 L V6 with 300 horsepower vs Chevy 3.6;V6 so new horsepower figures haven't been released
  • Chevy 6.2L V8 with 455 horsepower vs Ford 5.0l V8 with 435 horsepower


All those numbers are good.  We know the Mustang put on about 100 lbs with the 2015 edition, a lot of it to meet newer crash standards and some to meet customer creature comfort expectations.  Currently the Mustang ranges in weight from 3532-3750 depending on power train,  Current Camaro starts 3702 in base trim and climbs quickly.  Close in weight now V8 advantage appears to go to Camaro in horsepower:weight, with Mustang taking it on the entry models.  What we don't know is how much pork the Camaro gains in this new generation or if Chevy has seen the light and will trim some of the extra off and hold and advantage across the board on Ford.

Regardless the outcome.  We. All. Win.

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Advantage Ford Lincoln signs on as Chalk Festival 1st Prize Sponsor

Monrovia Association of Fine Arts, a fine group that I also happen to be a Board Member of as well as past, President decided to crank up the activities at this years 52nd Annual Celebrate the Arts.  How?  With a Chalk Festival layered into the already busy and well attended event.  This isn't a one many show and to pull it off the entire board has been working hard on getting this going.

First challenge was to find sponsors for prizes.  Our big prize of $500 is being sponsored by a local dealer, Advantage Ford Lincoln in Duarte.  This sponsorship was crucial to our making the Chalk Festival a success and we are extremely grateful that Advantage Ford Lincoln stepped up.

Rounding out the final assortment of prizes $250 Second Place by Monrovia Area Merchants (to be enumerated later), and 3rd Place by Brian Huffman Photography.  These sponsors deserve our support and thanks...with your shopping dollar.

Advantage Ford Lincoln also has the option of taking up a display space to promote their dealership and products at the Celebrate the Arts on September 26 and 27,2015,  They also have available to them parking spaces on well travelled Myrtle Avenue next to Library Park to displace a select few vehicles.