This Week in Motoring: March 21, 2016

A new track-ready Camaro arrives, Aston Martin announces a new hypercar, the 2016 F1 season starts and more.

On the Radar

Reads and New Gear

Introducing the 2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

Chevrolet has just pulled the wraps off the refreshed Camaro ZL1. It’s packing the Corvette Z06’s LT4 supercharged V8 under the hood, churning out 640 horsepower and 640 pound-feet of torque that is sent to the rear wheels via either a six-speed manual or a ten-speed automatic gearbox. It’s also a good 200 pounds lighter than the old ZL1 and comes with an aerodynamically-friendly “flow-tie” front badge: a cut-out of the Chevrolet logo to allow more airflow into the engine bay.

Aston Martin Gets Hyper

Aston Martin and Red Bull have announced their intention to build a new hypercar that will be faster than any other hypercar currently on the market (allegedly faster than an F1 car, too). The car will be designed by Red Bull’s chief technical officer Adrian Newey who will work in collaboration with Aston’s chief creative officer Marek Reichman.

I Brake for Everyone (in 2022)

20 automakers that account for 99 percent of all auto sales in the US have all made a voluntary commitment to make autonomous emergency braking a standard feature in all their cars by September 1st, 2022.

Ford “Wins” the Mint 400

Those skeptical of the new Ford F150 Raptor’s aluminum body and 3.5 liter EcoBoost V6 can rest easy — the truck has proven itself by winning the “full-size truck factory stock class” at the Mint 400. Yes, the Ford ran unopposed, but it finished, and no other truck manufacturer has had the cojones to do the same.

Baby Got Sportback

Look out BMW: you won’t be the only one to have a compact executive four-door version of a two-door version of a four-door car! Audi of America President Scott Keogh says a new version of the A5 will be coming to the USA, and as Automotive News points out the only version of that car that isn’t currently sold here is the Sportback four-door coupe.

F1 Season Opens With a Bang

The attrition rate was high for the 2016 season opener, highlighted by Fernando Alonso coming together with the Haas of Gutierrez, going air born and flipping into the gravel pit; he walked away unscathed. The crash brought the race to a halt, ruining the titanic lead Vettel had formed over the rest of the grid. In the end Nico Rosberg won it, with Hamilton coming in second and Vettel third. It may seem like more of the same from last year, but it’s not. Ferrari have brought a real fight to Mercedes, making the Silver Arrows’ title defense an uphill battle.

Lorenzo Launches Title Defense in Qatar

Once Jorge Lorenzo got into his groove, there was no stopping his faultless ride. Though the Ducatis put up a fight at first, the real battle was over the other podium steps. Dovizioso, Marquez and Rossi swapped places in the final few laps, eventual finishing in that order with little drama to be mentioned.

Reviews and Buying Guides

Advice from the Crew

Review: The 2017 Audi A4 is the A4 We’ve Been Waiting For

Unlike its competitors, the Audi A4 uses subtle design and style to mask massive changes underneath and gives the driver a quiet confidence. Read the Story

5 Vintage Motorcycles Under $5,000

Timeless looks and analog charm for Sunday rides or daily commutes. Read the Story

The Find

What to Buy, Now

1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z28

When it goes on sale, the new Camaro ZL1 is expected to go for around $60,000. If you’re more into the classics, though, feel free to save an extra $100,000 or so for this original 1969 Camaro Z28.

Noteworthy Reads

Stories from Around the Web

Self-driving cars are coming, like it or not. According to Wired, to make that transition work we need to change our roadways and our openness to the new tech.

For the first time, Petrolicious turns its lens towards a kit car. Luckily, it’s a car that embodies the automotive mantra, “simplify and add lightness.”

Looking Ahead

What We’re Testing Now

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