First Publicly Available 2011 Camaro Convertible Fetches $205,000

The promise of being the owner of the first available production version of the yet-to-be-released was more than enough to make an unnamed collector drop $205,000 for the car at last weekend's Barrett-Jackson Auction. But at least the sale was for a good cause as 100 per cent of proceeds from the winning bid will go to the YMCA of Southern Nevada.

The car shown at the auction was the Camaro Convertible Concept. The actual production model seen in the teaser shots we added in the gallery below is scheduled to make its world premiere later this fall -most likely at the LA Auto Show- and go on sale across the States early next year.

General Motors said that for historical purposes, it will keep the first production example of the 2011 Camaro Convertible.

2011 GMC Sierra 3500HD SLE

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2010 has been a banner year for heavy-duty pickup truck fans, with revamped entries from all three U.S. automakers making their debut this year. Of those, the HD pickups from both and received the most subtle exterior updates, but virtually everything under their skins is new, including a heavily revamped version of the company's 6.6-liter Duramax diesel V8.

When it comes to full-size pickup trucks, the old Burger King tag-line of "Have It Your Way" still rings true. Regardless of where your brand loyalty lies, these types of trucks are available with either gas or diesel engines; as regular, extended or crew-cab and with regular or long beds. All you have to do is figure out what you need the truck for and then check the appropriate boxes on the dealer's order sheet. Somewhere in the middle of this cacophony of choice lies the

Holden Specialty Vehicles Releases new Caprice-Based Grange flagship with 436-hp V8

Holden just announced that its high-performance Special Vehicles division, otherwise known as HSV, is about to release an updated version of its Grange flagship. The car is based on the long-wheelbase platform, which can be found under the Statesman/Caprice. Being an HSV vehicle, the Grange is tasked with being something like Holden's version of the S-Class AMG (in theory); it's a large, fast tanker on four wheels.

When it goes on sale later this month, the new Holden Caprice-based WM3 Grange will do its part to meet the standards set back when the nameplate first debuted in 1997: be big, luxurious, fast, and Australian.

HSV's managing director Phil Harding says, "The Grange buyer traditionally wants the most luxurious, and technologically advanced Australian-made performance car there is. Grange has always fitted that description well, but the new styling, increased power and extra technology makes WM3 a compelling proposition for a luxury car buyer that is passionate about driving."

Power is sourced from HSV's 325 kW / 436 hp 6.2-liter LS3 V8, which also does motivational duties in the HSV GTS. Like some push? The Grange pounds ground with 550 Nm / 406 lb-ft of torque. Other than that, we might as well mention that a "'hi-flow' intermediate exhaust with bi-modal rear mufflers" is plugged into the engine, too. Guess that's just fancy Holden-speak for an active exhaust system.

Outside, unlike, the new model will get refreshed front and rear fascias, bumper-mounted daytime running lights, and "shockwave" exhaust outlets all in the name of showing that it means business.

Inside, we (we being my Australian brethren) get the option of premium leather in Onyx Black or Light Urban. Unfortunately, the bland dash is still there; within that bland dash, though, is some neat new technology.

For the crazy touchscreen tech talk, I'll let Tim Jackson (HSV marketing general manager) take it away: "EDI [Enhanced Driver Interface] is for the driving enthusiast. For the first time our customers will have real-time information including G force, power, torque, accelerator and brake position, and stability control data – all at the driver's fingertips. For the real enthusiast they can even download their data to a USB memory stick and analyse it on their laptop."

Other news is that the engine will be able to run on liquid propane or gasoline, giving future Holden consumers even more fuel options (after the new Commodore's growing FlexFuel capability). HSV has yet to release fuel economy stats for the bigger car, but you can expect them to be similar to the GTS if running on good ol' gasoline.

From Concept to Reality: Chevrolet Orlando MPV

The upcoming is another one of Chevrolet's upcoming attempts to rectify its sub-par image as a brand. How has the MPV developed since it debuted two years ago to woo European car buyers? Well, it still seats seven and will get both gasoline and diesel four-cylinder engines as promised, but unfortunately, it's put on some flab over the concept's original well-toned lines. While GM has yet to release photos of the interior, expect a modern Chevrolet cabin very similar to the concept.

Debut (Concept): 2008 Paris Mondial de l'Automobile

Debut (Production): 2010 Paris Mondial de l'Automobile

Lost in translation: the aggressive, rising belt line in favor for a wider daylight opening; the retractable side skirts; the swept-back headlights and squat stance, plus the concept's shapely taillights, which have been replaced by a pair of rather mundane, peaked units that flow with the backlight's corner kinks.

But we got to keep: the chunky wheel arches (but not as well-executed as the concept's), and very likely, the interior design and 7-seat setup.

And gained: From what I can see, not much. The production Orlando is looking to meet Chevrolet's goal of providing a compact, 7-seat MPV, but has lost some of the traits that made it appealing visually as a concept.

Engine range: A 1.8-liter petrol unit producing 141-horsepower, and a 2.0-liter turbo diesel available in two flavors, with 131HP and 163HP.

Where is it now?: Getting prepped for its first public outing at next month's Paris motor show before it goes on sale in Europe in early 2011. There are no plans to market the Orlando in the States.

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