2011 Toyota Matrix Freshens up for Chicago Auto Show

Toyota has chosen this week's Chicago Auto Show to stage the reveal of the 2011 model year Matrix. If you're having a hard time finding the styling differences between the 2010- and 2011-MY versions of the Matrix, that's because the revisions are barely noticeable.
On the outside, the subtle refresh is limited to all-new front and rear bumpers with integrated front and rear underbody spoilers and a large mesh front fog lamp bezel. The newly designed 16-inch steel wheels and 17-inch, five-spoke alloy rims plus the introduction of a new Spruce Mica color round off the changes.

Inside, the instrument-panel gauges feature new silver ornamentation, while there are also new metal-plated rings around the air conditioning vents, and the audio unit has a new flush surface. The updated model also gains a fresh choice of seat fabrics, while there's also a newly designed leather-trimmed steering wheel with spoke-mounted audio controls and hands-free Bluetooth capability for the Matrix S.
For 2011, the Matrix is available in two grades, the base model powered by a 132HP 1.8-liter engine paired with a five-speed manual gearbox or a four-speed automatic, and the S version which gets a 158HP 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine linked to a five-speed manual or automatic transmission. The S model is also offered with all-wheel-drive (AWD), in which case the 2.4-liter engine is matched to a 4-speed automatic transmission.
According to Toyota, the base Matrix 1.8L has an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 25 mpg city and 32 mpg highway with the manual gearbox, and 26 mpg city and 32 mpg highway for automatic model, while the 2.4L S version, 21 mpg city and 28 mpg highway with the stick shift, 21 mpg city and 29 mpg with the automatic transmission, and 20 mpg city and 26 mpg highway for the AWD model.
Pricing for the 2011 Matrix is expected to be announced at the Chicago Auto Show.

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Chevrolet Plans to Introduce a Limited Edition Camaro Every Six Months

Camaro fans will be happy to know that the bow-tie brand plans to introduce a limited edition version every six months, in an effort to create more hype around its pony car and of course, further increase sales. According to an Automotive News report, Chevrolet will not only revive various nameplates from the past, but will also introduce some brand new ones to the market.

“Our plan is to keep evolving the Camaro,” said Al Oppenheiser, chief engineer for the Camaro. “That is the beauty of the Camaro. It has so much of a rich heritage that we can put together the right combination of content. We have a lot of rich names to choose from.”
According to Oppenheiser, the upcoming models will follow a similar formula to the 2012 Camaro ZL1 that borrows its moniker from the 1969 Camaro ZL1, which at the time was the fastest car Chevrolet ever produced.
The 2012 ZL1 is currently touted as the highest-performing Camaro in the model’s 45-year history, thanks to its 550HP 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine, upgraded suspension with Magnetic Ride Control and advanced Brembo brakes.
For the moment, Chevrolet has confirmed that it will be offering 500 replicas of the 2011 Camaro SS convertible pace car and the Camaro Synergy V6 variant, the latter aimed at the enthusiasts on a budget. Both are due this spring.
It’s also rumored that the Detroit automaker is working on a 2012MY Transformers edition as it’s trying to further capitalize on its involvement in the movie franchise, but there’s no official confirmation on the matter.

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VIDEO: Best Footage Yet of the New Ferrari FF

With the recently unveiled all-wheel drive FF (as in Ferrari Four), Ferrari has opened a new chapter in its history. And to prove that they’re confident in the modern “breadvan’s” 4x4 capabilities, the Italians have released a series of photos with the FF being driven on snowy roads. Now, a new video has surfaced on Youtube showing the exotic GT as it’s put through its paces on snow once again. While there’s no impressive sideways action involved, this is the clearest footage of the FF yet. Hit the jump to see the video.

We’ll remind you that the FF is replacing the 612 Scaglietti and it’s the first ever all-wheel drive model to be manufactured by Ferrari. Boasting a 6.3-liter V12 engine producing 660HP, the FF is said to complete the 0-to-100 km/h dash in just 3.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 335 km/h (208 mph). The FF will make its first official public appearance at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

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