Holden to test Brazilian market with limited edition Chevrolet Omega Fittipaldi

Oh, would you look at that? GM will indeed be making some of its left-hand drive Holden conversion money back after all! Unfortunately, it's not doing anything other than cop cars in the States, just yet. Brazil, on the other hand, will be getting its own Holden Commodore Series II wearing the Omega nameplate. This move marks the return of Holden exports to Brazil, which ran between 1998 with the VT-based Chevrolet Omega and 2008.

GM says the Brazilian-market Commodore will be offered with the 3.6-liter SIDI V6 that can run on fuels with up to 25% ethanol.

Initially, Holden will re-test those zesty South American waters by exporting a scant 600 units under the guise of an "Omega Fittipaldi" limited edition, in honor of Brazilian racing champion Emerson Fittipaldi. As an extra bonus, this year marks the 40th anniversary of Fittipaldi's first Formula One win.

Mike Devereux, Holden chairman and managing director, seems to be very happy with the proposition of exporting to and learning from the South America auto market:

"We're really pleased to work with Chevrolet Brazil and to rebuild targeted export programs which add value to Holden's domestic business...Holden's Chevrolet Omega program for Brazil shows that niche export opportunities are beginning to emerge as we recover from the challenges of the global financial crisis."

"Our work with Chevrolet Brazil over the past decade has taught us a great deal about the potential of bio-ethanol and the flex-fuel technology needed to make our locally-produced engines E85 compatible. Those lessons have allowed us to develop cars for local and domestic markets capable of running on varying ethanol blends ranging from E10 all the way to E85 as well as how to work with fuel retailers to make bio-ethanol available commercially."

Expect more official details on the Omega Fittipaldi and Holden's specialty export program when the car makes its first public appearance at the International São Paulo Auto Show in October.

By Phil Alex

Holden to test Brazilian market with limited edition Chevrolet Omega Fittipaldi

Oh, would you look at that? GM will indeed be making some of its left-hand drive Holden conversion money back after all! Unfortunately, it's not doing anything other than cop cars in the States, just yet. Brazil, on the other hand, will be getting its own Holden Commodore Series II wearing the Omega nameplate. This move marks the return of Holden exports to Brazil, which ran between 1998 with the VT-based Chevrolet Omega and 2008.

GM says the Brazilian-market Commodore will be offered with the 3.6-liter SIDI V6 that can run on fuels with up to 25% ethanol.

Initially, Holden will re-test those zesty South American waters by exporting a scant 600 units under the guise of an "Omega Fittipaldi" limited edition, in honor of Brazilian racing champion Emerson Fittipaldi. As an extra bonus, this year marks the 40th anniversary of Fittipaldi's first Formula One win.

Mike Devereux, Holden chairman and managing director, seems to be very happy with the proposition of exporting to and learning from the South America auto market:

"We're really pleased to work with Chevrolet Brazil and to rebuild targeted export programs which add value to Holden's domestic business...Holden's Chevrolet Omega program for Brazil shows that niche export opportunities are beginning to emerge as we recover from the challenges of the global financial crisis."

"Our work with Chevrolet Brazil over the past decade has taught us a great deal about the potential of bio-ethanol and the flex-fuel technology needed to make our locally-produced engines E85 compatible. Those lessons have allowed us to develop cars for local and domestic markets capable of running on varying ethanol blends ranging from E10 all the way to E85 as well as how to work with fuel retailers to make bio-ethanol available commercially."

Expect more official details on the Omega Fittipaldi and Holden's specialty export program when the car makes its first public appearance at the International São Paulo Auto Show in October.

By Phil Alex

AG's BMW Shark spotted in the wild, makes the Maybach look like a chump

This is the AG Shark, not the Mercedes CL-based AG Excalibur (although both are big, red, and kind of freaky-deaky), and it was snagged in Latvia by a reader of the Autogespot forums. The Shark is based on a BMW 6-Series and features a carbon/Kevlar/fiberglass body over a steel and aluminum frame. The AG website says that the Shark wears 24s out front (like the Excalibur) and 26s out back, while its CL-based buddy has super-sized 30s at the rear; all rims can be chromed, powder coated, or gold plated.

Behind those rims is a set of 380-mm discs (probably up front), although the big brakes are probably due to the added rotational mass than the extreme power of the car: it's running with a 333-horsepower 4.4-liter V8. This car is clearly meant more for show than go, anyway. Speaking of "show": Swarovsky crystals roam freely throughout the Alcantara-bathed interior.

The exaggerated Shark looks like a 6-Series with details from a Z4 Coupe and a Fisker Latigo's headlights, all as seen through a fun house mirror. Barring how awkward the ride and handling must be (with or without an adjustable suspension), this thing looks pretty neat. I mean, who wouldn't want a life-size Hot Wheels car?

By Phil Alex

Via: Autogespot

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AG's BMW Shark spotted in the wild, makes the Maybach look like a chump

This is the AG Shark, not the Mercedes CL-based AG Excalibur (although both are big, red, and kind of freaky-deaky), and it was snagged in Latvia by a reader of the Autogespot forums. The Shark is based on a BMW 6-Series and features a carbon/Kevlar/fiberglass body over a steel and aluminum frame. The AG website says that the Shark wears 24s out front (like the Excalibur) and 26s out back, while its CL-based buddy has super-sized 30s at the rear; all rims can be chromed, powder coated, or gold plated.

Behind those rims is a set of 380-mm discs (probably up front), although the big brakes are probably due to the added rotational mass than the extreme power of the car: it's running with a 333-horsepower 4.4-liter V8. This car is clearly meant more for show than go, anyway. Speaking of "show": Swarovsky crystals roam freely throughout the Alcantara-bathed interior.

The exaggerated Shark looks like a 6-Series with details from a Z4 Coupe and a Fisker Latigo's headlights, all as seen through a fun house mirror. Barring how awkward the ride and handling must be (with or without an adjustable suspension), this thing looks pretty neat. I mean, who wouldn't want a life-size Hot Wheels car?

By Phil Alex

Via: Autogespot

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