USA - The Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 is one of AUTOMOBILE’s All-Stars for 2015

The Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 is one of AUTOMOBILE’s All-Stars for 2015. The official announcement was made at the brand’s website on the eve of the Los Angeles Auto Show. The Z/28 and the rest of the All-Stars will be featured in the January 2015 issue of AUTOMOBILE Magazine.

“The Z/28 is flat-out amazing to haul butt in on the track, making it an easy choice as a 2015 All-Star,” saidAUTOMOBILE Editor-in-Chief Mike Floyd. “This car is a shining example of what a dedicated team of performance engineers can achieve when they put their minds to it. You won’t drive the Z/28 every day, but every day you do will be a great one.”

AUTOMOBILE’s All-Stars criteria is weighted more on subjective attributes than instrumented testing – although the editors found the Z/28 more than adept on the track, noting in their story: “Chevy didn’t build the Z/28 for the logical buyer. Chevy built the Z/28 for hardcore car geeks. All you have to do is drive this hyper-focused Camaro on a racing circuit to see, or rather feel, why this car exists and why it’s an All-Star.”

“From the outset, the mission of the Z/28 was clear: create the most track-focused, best-handling Camaro in the car’s history,” said Todd Christensen, Camaro marketing manager. “Being named an AUTOMOBILE All-Star is a welcome confirmation that the team of designers and engineers succeed at that goal.”

In addition to the AUTOMOBILE All-Star nod, the Z/28 was recently named Motor Trend’s 2014 Best Driver’s Car – the first American-brand car to win the seven-year-old award.

The Camaro Z/28 builds on the legacy of the original SCCA Trans Am-series contender introduced in 1967. Its unique exterior is designed like a race car to produce downforce that presses the car against the track for greater grip and faster lap times. 

Comprehensive chassis and suspension changes, including a lower center of gravity, specific stabilizer bars, higher-rate coil springs and other chassis and suspension features have been optimized for the track – enabling more than 1.08 g in lateral acceleration and 1.5 g in deceleration.

Racing-bred dampers, tires and Brembo carbon ceramic brakes play important roles in not only maximizing performance, but making it more predictable and consistent with every lap. 

Engineers also made sure the Z/28 was as light as possible to maximize its power-to-weight ratio. Everything from lightweight wheels to thinner rear-window glass is used to reduce curb weight and improve the overall weight balance. The carbon ceramic brake rotors, for example, collectively save more than 20 pounds of unsprung weight, compared to the Camaro SS.

In fact, 100 percent of the unsprung mass – suspension, wheels, tires and brake system – has been changed from the Camaro SS, dramatically enhancing the balance and overall driving feel of the Z/28.

A 7.0L LS7 V-8 rated at 505 horsepower (376 kW) and 481 lb-ft of torque (652 Nm) complements the lightweight vehicle components to give the car an enviable 7.6:1 power-to-weight ratio. It was bred on the racetrack, with features designed for high-rpm performance and durability, including a durable forged-steel crankshaft, lightweight titanium connecting rods and high-flow cylinder heads with lightweight titanium intake valves.

USA - Subaru WRX/STi makes the AUTOMOBILE All-Star List for 2015.

Subaru of America, Inc. announced today that AUTOMOBILE has named the all-new 2015 Subaru WRX and WRX STI to its prestigious All-Star list for 2015. Judged against every new car currently on sale in the U.S., the WRX/WRX STI was one of just 10 cars selected to the All-Star list. This award follows an All-Star award earned in 2013 for the model year 2014 Subaru BRZ.

“Subaru has continued to build positively on what has become an iconic lineup for the brand,” saidAUTOMOBILE Editor-in-Chief Mike Floyd. “Whipping the WRX STI around the track was one of the great pleasures of All-Star week, with its magnificently notchy six-speed and all-wheel drive allowing for effortless drifts into GingerMan Raceway’s sweepers. The WRX also just keeps getting better while maintaining its essential all-wheel DNA and remains one of the best performance-car bargains in the world. It’s a lineup most worthy of 2015 All-Star status.”

Since 1990, AUTOMOBILE has chosen its All-Stars from the complete array of vehicles on sale in the U.S., including passenger cars, sports cars, sport-utilities, minivans, and trucks. The brand’s collective editorial staff and contributors cast their private ballots after three days of driving a variety of 2015 model year contenders at GingerMan Raceway in South Haven, Michigan, as well as on public roads.

“We are proud to have the WRX and WRX STI selected as an All-Star for 2015 by the editors ofAUTOMOBILE,” said Thomas J. Doll, president and chief operating officer, Subaru of America, Inc. “This endorsement is a testament to the WRX and WRX STI’s all-wheel-drive performance both on a racetrack and on everyday roads.”

The Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive Subaru WRX comes standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder 268 horsepower engine, mated to a six-speed manual transmission, and is priced at $26,295. The higher-performance WRX STI model is priced at $34,495 and features a turbocharged, 2.5-liter boxer four-cylinder engine that produces 305 horsepower.

For more information about the 2015 AUTOMOBILE All-Stars Awards, visit automobilemag.com, or pick up a copy of the January 2015 issue of AUTOMOBILE magazine.

USA - Alfa Romeo celebrates with a win in the coveted AUTOMOBILE 2015 All-Star award.

With its groundbreaking Italian design and Formula 1 derived innovations, the all-new 2015 Alfa Romeo 4C supercar won over the editorial staff at AUTOMOBILE, earning the turbocharged mid-engine coupe a coveted “2015 All-Star” award – an accolade that represents what the publication’s enthusiasts most want to drive.

 

“When you’re out on your favorite stretch of winding road or at the local track blazing away, turbo-four wailing behind your ears, the Alfa Romeo 4C reminds you what it means to drive with joy, with purpose,” said Mike Floyd, editor-in-chief, AUTOMOBILE. “The 4C is an unapologetic sports car and a spectacular-looking one at that—that’s why it’s a 2015 AUTOMOBILE All-Star.”

 

Beginning with the 2015 All-Star award, AUTOMOBILE chooses its vehicle contender list from only all-new, heavily revised, or newly significant variants on sale in the U.S. for the upcoming model year. Then the brand’s editorial staff spends three days driving the assembled array of All-Star contenders and cast their votes for the winners by private ballot.

 

“We are very honored for the all-new Alfa Romeo 4C to receive such a prestigious award as theAUTOMOBILE ‘All-Star’,” said Reid Bigland, Head of Alfa Romeo for North America. “Each 4C represents more than 100-years of Alfa Romeo racing knowhow, including groundbreaking mid-engine Italian design and Formula 1 inspired technologies – a combination we’re excited to offer North American enthusiasts and at a fraction of the price of other carbon fiber chassis supercars.”

 

The all-new 4C marks the return of “the great Alfa Romeos” and represents the purest formation of the brand’s DNA with its supercar-levels of performance and innovation, all while focusing on making the driver an integral part and completion of the machine.

Alfa Romeo 4C

Marking the Italian brand’s highly anticipated return to North America, the all-new 2015 Alfa Romeo 4C offers driving enthusiasts a technical, mid-engine design inspired by the brand’s legendary racing history and represents the essential sportiness embedded in the brand’s DNA: hand-crafted in Modena, Italy; ground breaking and distinctly Italian style; an innovative 1750 all-aluminum, direct-injection, turbocharged and intercooled engine, delivering 237 horsepower and 258 lb. ft. of torque; a class-exclusive power-to-weight ratio thanks to its state-of-the-art carbon fiber monocoque influenced by Formula 1 and advanced technological solutions all for supercar-level performance at an attainable price.

 

Spearheading the Alfa Romeo brand’s return to North America is the well-equipped 4C Launch Edition with unique design appointments, Track Package and serialized “1 of 500” plaque. This limited-edition model is available now with a starting MSRP of $68,400 (excluding $1,295 destination). An initial group of 82 Alfa Romeo dealers are the first to sell the limited-edition 4C Launch Edition coupe.

USA - Honda Fit takes top spot in the 2015 AUTOMOBILE All-Star list.

The 2015 Honda Fit has claimed a spot on the prestigious 2015AUTOMOBILE All-Star list (automobilemag.com/2015AllStars). The brand's editors, who judge each vehicle on its performance, features, and overall value, applauded the Fit (automobiles.honda.com/fits) for its refined powertrain, excellent ergonomics, and fun-to-drive dynamics.

"The Fit remains the benchmark for packaging, versatility and value in its segment," said Jeff Conrad, senior vice president and general manager of the Honda automobile division for American Honda. "AUTOMOBILE's recognition of the Honda Fit validates our ongoing efforts to deliver best-in-class vehicles for our customers, and our continued investment in North American manufacturing."

"We'd argue there isn't a better car on the road today starting under $20,000 than the Honda Fit," saidAUTOMOBILE editor-in-chief Mike Floyd. "It's fun to hustle around, especially when its updated engine is mated to its new six-speed manual. It's pulled off adding more rear seat and cargo area—all whiledecreasing its overall footprint. And it's available with more options and safety features than ever before. The Fit is still very much go, and it's a 2015 AUTOMOBILE All-Star as a result."

This win for the 2015 Fit marks the 20th time a Honda has been named an AUTOMOBILE  All-Star since the award's inception in 1990. Past Honda All-Stars, in addition to the Fit, include the Civic, Element, Prelude, Odyssey, Accord and Ridgeline.

To read AUTOMOBILE's complete 2015 All-Star coverage, visit 

www.automobilemag.com/2015allstars/ 

or pick up a copy of the January 2015 issue of AUTOMOBILE Magazine.

Volkswagen's Golf GTi joins Automobile’s list of the 10 outstanding model year 2015 vehicles.

Lauded for its exceptional handling and power, the Golf GTI joins Automobile’s list of the 10 outstanding model year 2015 vehicles

The 2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI, commended for its exceptional handling and performance, was today named to Automobile’s “2015 All-Star” list. Automobile, a leading automotive lifestyle print and online brand, each year selects 10 exceptional vehicles to its prestigious list based on performance, features, and overall value. This is the seventh time that the Golf GTI has been named an Automobile “All-Star”.

“The 2015 Golf GTI has met great critical and sales success since its arrival in U.S. dealerships this past summer, and we are honored that it has earned a coveted spot on Automobile’s ‘2015 All-Star’ list,” said Michael Horn, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. “This accolade reaffirms the Golf GTI as a vehicle that seamlessly intersects performance with efficiency and value.” 

“After seven generations, you expect a performance car like the GTI to be fabulous, and it most certainly is. Volkswagen has done a masterful job turning its seminal hot hatch into an outstanding all-around vehicle that more than handles its own at the track and out on the back roads,” said Mike Floyd, Editor-in-Chief,Automobile.” There is plenty of power for the application, torque steer is minimized, and the DSG®-equipped car we had shifted as you’d expect— flawlessly. All that made it an easy choice as a 2015 Automobile ‘All-Star.’”

All current model year vehicles that are on sale in the U.S. during Automobile’s fall testing are eligible for the annual “All-Star” award. Editorial staff and contributors cast private ballots for their favorite vehicles, including passenger cars, sports cars, sport-utilities, minivans and trucks. Winners are determined solely by staff preferences.

The 2015 Golf GTI is bigger, lighter, faster, and more fuel-efficient than the previous generation. It redefines the hatchback category with enough space for five adults and more trunk space than any mid-size sedan. It also features Volkswagen’s EA888 2.0-liter turbocharged and direct-injection TSI® engine, providing 210 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, which is 10 hp and 51 lb-ft higher than in the previous generation. The optional Performance Package, available later in the model year, adds another 10 hp for a total of 220 hp, larger brakes, and an electronically-controlled torque-sensing limited-slip differential.

The Golf GTI provides a combination of both passive and active safety systems, and has been engineered to meet or exceed all current crash regulations. All Golf GTI models are available with the Driver Assistance Package, which adds a Forward Collision Warning system and front and rear Park Distance Control systems.

Standard equipment on the all-new Golf GTI also includes a new Driving Mode Selection feature, VW Car-Net® connected services, a touchscreen infotainment system, a leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel, ambient and footwell lighting with LED reading lights, and LED foglights. Pricing for the all-new Golf GTI starts at $24,395.