2011 Chevrolet Caprice Police Car Revealed: Based on Australian Holden Caprice, LWB Version of Pontiac G8

Looks like Bob Lutz was right after all when back in July he said that the Pontiac G8 would live on as the Chevrolet Caprice - even though shortly after he hastily took his words back. Apparently, what Lutz meant to say was that the G8 would live on as a law enforcement car as GM revealed the all-new Chevrolet Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle (PPV) at the annual International Association of Chiefs of Police convention, in Denver, Colorado.

Set to join the ranks of law enforcement departments across North America in 2011, the new Caprice is essentially a remasked version of the Australian Holden Caprice and Statesman models which in turn are more luxurious, long wheelbase versions of the Holden Commodore and its American counterpart, the Pontiac G8 that will soon be discontinued.

And just to confuse you a bit more, the Holden Caprice and its Statesman twin are already sold in the Middle East as the Chevrolet Caprice.

As with the Commodore and the G8, the Chevrolet Caprice PPV is based on GM's Zeta RWD platform that also underpins the new Chevy Camaro. It uses the longest wheelbase of the architecture that measures 118.5 inches (3,010 mm) in length along with a four-wheel independent suspension

At launch, the Chevy Caprice PPV will be offered exclusively with a GM 6.0-liter V8 with fuel-saving Active Fuel Management technology and E85 capability but GM said that in the 2012 model year, a smaller displacement V6 engine will also be offered.

The Caprice PPV's V8 churns out an estimated 355 horsepower (265 kW) and 384 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission that is specially calibrated for police duty. The Detroit automaker said that the Caprice V8 can sprint from zero to 60mph (96km/h) in under 6.0 seconds.

Additional police car-specific powertrain and vehicle system features include: a high-output alternator, engine oil, transmission and power steering coolers, 18-inch steel wheels with bolt-on center caps, larger four-wheel disc brakes with heavy-duty brake pads, heavy-duty suspension components, police-calibrated stability control system and driver information center in the instrument cluster with selectable speed tracking feature.

According to GM, the Caprice PPV can also be equipped with special equipment packages such as spotlights; lockouts for the power windows and locks; and an "undercover" street-appearance package (9C3).

"The new Chevrolet Caprice police car is the right tool at the right time for law enforcement," said Jim Campbell, general manager for GM Fleet and Commercial Operations. "We asked for a lot of feedback from our police customers, which helped us develop a vehicle that is superior to the Crown Victoria in key areas."

General Motors pointed out that the new Caprice PPV will not replace the Chevy Impala that will continue to offered in police outfit along with the Tahoe.

GM Says Holden is Safe from Bankruptcy Proceedings, will be an Important Part of 'New GM'

It appears that -at least for the time being- Holden has escaped unscathed from the bankruptcy of its parent company, General Motors. As stated by the American automaker, Holden will continue normal operations in Australia and New Zealand as the company is not directly affected by GM's bankruptcy process in the US. "We don't anticipate this decision will have any direct impact on Holden's workforce, dealers, or suppliers," said Holden Chairman and Managing Director, Mark Reuss.

"Holden is a subsidiary of GM but we are a corporate entity in our own right – an independent company under Australian law. Beyond that, GM has indicated that Holden will be an important part of the New GM," Reuss said.

According to Holden's chief, the automaker will continue to maintain its focus on the planned product programs and activities. "That means technology improvements to our best selling Commodore range, launching the all-new Holden Cruze this month, and the introduction of our locally-built fuel efficient, four cylinder small car next year," he added.

New Wallpaper Photos of 2010 Opel Astra

Opel may have just released initial details on its sixth-generation Astra only a couple of days ago, but General Motors' European division is trying to keep the momentum going by publishing a new set of desktop wallpapers of its Ford Focus challenging hatchback. We'll be hearing more about the Astra shortly as according to julino billym sources, Opel is planning to introduce the car to the members of the press in mid-June., ahead of the scheduled world debut at this September's Frankfurt Motor Show.

Melbourne Show: GM's Holden Debuts Cruze Sedan in Australia

Unless Holden is readying another small car, the Cruze is the compact model that GM's Australian subsidiary announced at the end of 2008. If that's the case, then the Cruze has nothing in common with the teaser sketch released at the time of the announcement. Instead, the only differences between the Chevy and Holden Cruze concern the badges and the front grille.

When it goes on sale in Australia in the second quarter of 2009, the right-hand drive Cruze will be offered with a 1.8-litre 4-cylinder ECOTEC petrol engine and a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged common rail diesel engine. Power will be transferred to the front-wheels through a five speed manual transmission or optionally, a six speed automatic transmission with Active Select.

Melbourne Show: Chevy Volt Rebadged as a Holden

Following the announcement on the Opel Ampera, GM has released details on the third variant of its Chevrolet Volt extended range electric vehicle, this time adorned with the Holden badge. Unlike the subtly restyled Ampera, the Holden Volt that was revealed in right-hand drive form at the Melbourne Auto Show today, does not differ in any way from its Chevy counterpart. The Volt, which can travel up to 64 kilometres on electricity before using petrol or producing exhaust pipe emissions, will be launched in Australia in 2012.

"We think Volt has the potential to change the game in Australian motoring," said GM Holden Chairman and Managing Director Mark Reuss. "Since we announced our plans to introduce Volt to Australia, we have been overwhelmed by public interest in the car and the technology that makes it work. At Holden, we believe Volt will play an incredibly important role in our efforts to make motoring better for the environment," he said.

According to GM's estimates, when compared to similar sized petrol-powered vehicles, the Volt will save motorists up to 1892 litres of fuel a year. This calculation is based on US research that identifies 75 percent of commuters travel an average daily distance of less than 40 miles or 64 kilometres.

Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst S with 560HP Supercharged V8

In the land Down-Under, there's a saying that goes "there's nothing like a V8". Well, let's say that for the sake of conversation, we agree with our fellow Australians. What's even better than a 'normal' V8? The answer comes all the way from Great Britain and Vauxhall which introduced a new supercharged version of the Holden Commodore based (Pontiac G8 in the States), HSV Clubsport R8. Thanks to the addition of a Walkinshaw 122 Supercharger, the Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst S' 6.0-liter V8 dispenses a mighty 560-horsepower, compared with the standard car's 431HP.

Furthermore, Walkinshaw's 122 Supercharger also boosts torque from 550Nm to an impressive 715Nm (529-lbs /ft). No performance figures have been announced, but let's just tell you that the standard 431HP VRX8 with an automatic gearbox accelerates from 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in just 4.9 seconds...

For the record, Vauxhall did not only bolt-on a blower to the LS3 V8. The engineered package also includes a large capacity intercooler, high-flow fuel injectors, a separate cold air intake and Walkinshaw-developed ECU map, while the standard manual gearbox is upgraded with a high-torque capacity clutch.

Buyers also have the option of adding a new Bi-Modal Exhaust that raises power by up to 10-horsepower and allows drivers to select one of two noise settings: 'Street', with an upper limit of 92dbA, or 'Optimum', which releases the LS3 V8's full 102dbA. The two-and-a-half inch diameter system is manufactured from stainless steel with unique chrome tail-pipe finishers and costs £1600.

Other modifications concern the new six-pot front and four-pot rear brake calipers stiffer, height-adjustable springs and Walkinshaw-developed coil-over dampers that have 15 separate valve settings with independent corner adjustment for the owner's preferred setup.

On the outside, the Bathurst S is identifiable by a distinctive graphic pack, front fog light covers and 'Bathurst' badges while inside a console-mounted badge showing the car's build number complements the 'Walkinshaw Performance' tread plates found inside each door opening.

The Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst S will be produced in a limited number of units with prices in the U.K. set at £44,995 which comes to $66,520 U.S, $99,520 AUS and €51,300 with today's exchange rates.