Official: 2012 Chevrolet Corvette gets upgraded interior, new tires and options [w/video]

The Chevrolet Corvette C6 platform soldiers for the year 2012, although buyers are looking forward to some subtle changes compared to the 2011 model. The entire 2012 Chevrolet Corvette line now benefits from a slightly massaged interior includes a new steering wheel and new seats. The Throne pack more supportive on the sides and strengthen micro-inserts are also available for the first time. The revised features crab-spokes wrapped hide and what General Motors calls to trim the "streamlined"switch. Who has time recently in a Corvette will know that this internal tweaks much needed improvements.

Otherwise, the base 2012 Chevrolet Corvette will remain remarkably unaffected. Those who choose to Z06 and ZR1 trims a few new changes, however. Michelin Pilot Sport Cup Zero Pressure tires are now optional on both the big boys, and tell the engineers that the new rubber should set an eight-percent gain in the transverse acceleration and the private tests at Virginia International Raceway was good improvement of three Seconds per lap on the standard tires.

The Z06 also gets optional equipment such as power traction control, a full-width rear spoiler and a carbon fiber hood treatment. The mighty ZR1, meanwhile, will use larger gear in the fifth and sixth wheels to maximize fuel economy. Something tells us that they may help only on the top-end as well. Hit the jump for the full press explosion and an introductory video.

2012 Mazda3 to get Skyactiv engine and gearbox

Mazda has announced that the company employ its new technologies SkyActiv in the 2012 Mazda3. The vehicle is expected at upcoming Toronto Canadian International Auto Show debut and it will boast the Japanese automaker's much-gabbed on SkyActiv-G gasoline four-cylinder engine and SkyActive-Drive transmission.

Mazda says that should the two new pieces of hardware contribute to the Mazda3 deliver more torque at mid-range speeds, and that the trick should be good enough to increase fuel economy on the road. As you may recall, the G-SkyActiv engine direct injection design with a friction block is to minimize mechanical drag.

This is the first time that either the new engine and transmission ever offered in a production vehicle, and the company's designers have thrown in a few exterior tweaks to the occasion. Buyers can be easily modified to front and rear bumpers and new 16 - and 17-inch wheels. The more efficient Mazda3 is expected to arrive in dealerships by the end of this year. Hit the jump for the full press release.

2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe set for Geneva Motor Show debut

Still a mystery why Mercedes-Benz CLK killed a few years? Puzzle no more, my friend, here for your answer. You see, the CLK was slit extends between the C-Class and E-Class sedan and station wagon designed, and was both preceded and succeeded by the E-class coupe. When Mercedes went back to the old formula, it made room for the car you see here: the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class coupe.
The theme of many spy shots and leaked photos, has the new C-Class Coupe officially unveiled at last from the factory before its official premiere at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. It will be the new Benz coupe come with two engine variants: the Mercedes-Benz C250 coupe gets the 1.8-liter direct-injection turbo four with 201 hp, while the C350 coupe with the 304-hp, 3.5-liter V6 at right. Both are only 7-speed automatic transmission from Mercedes, which drives the rear wheels covered. 4Matic all-wheel drive is not offered on the C-Class coupe. (Tilted The AMG version of the coupe to come along in another month at the New York Auto Show.)
So what else separates the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class coupe from the sedan on which it is based? Two less doors and a slightly lower roofline. That's it. The C-Class coupes wheelbase is the same, the front end thereof, the luxury touches and the ultra-modern electronic wizardry ... it is all the C-Class, we know only croupier. Will this be enough to steal sales away from the likes of the BMW 3 Series coupe and Audi A5, both of which differed significantly more from its four-door people? We'll find out once the two-door hit showrooms, but now you can on the official framework details in the press release after the jump, along with a gallery of high-resolution images below.

Chicago 2011: 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8

Dodge Street and Racing Technology, the motherlode fell on the eve of the Chicago Auto Show and the first out of the gate is the 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 - what Eminem should have rolled in during the Super Bowl.
As with all birthed from our own tuning Chrysler division, the Charger SRT8 is all about the engine, so the transformation begins with the new 6.4-liter HEMI V8 Shutting 465 hp and 465 pound-feet of torque - an increase of 80 lb-ft over the old 6.1-liter mill. The torque comes on strong wave min at 2.900 rpm and Dodge claims that the installation of the fuel saver technology, allowing the engine to run on four cylinders when you are not under load, improving fuel consumption, although not say Dodge, how much.
Chrysler W5A580 five-speed automatic transmission ensures the HEMI, and can be mounted either by hitting your own gear or choose the auto thumb stick, the steering wheel paddle shifters.
Anything that carries you to an estimated top speed of 175 mph, a 0-60 mph time in the high fours and a quarter-mile deep into the 12s.
In addition to the five-spoke, 20-inch aluminum, forged and polished wheels, saw the SRT team ready for the SRT8 with an adaptive damping suspension with Auto and Sport settings equip the process speed, angle, brake pressure, throttle application and lateral control acceleration. Brakes are sized, 14.2-inch front and 13.8-inch rear, with a new front, LED round tail lamps and four-inch dual exhaust pipes, for the exterior mods. And of course the interior is not left out in the rain, with a flat bottom steering wheel, seats and greatly amplified a 900-watt, 19-speaker audio system courtesy of Harman Kardon.
We will be on the floor tomorrow to grab live images of all SRT-dressed goodies, but in the meantime, peep the gallery below and all details in the press release after the jump.