Jalopnik: rumor

Rumor Busted: Corvette ZR1 Production NOT Canceled

Ray Wert — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 21:25:52 EDT

UPDATE: Rumor busted! Chevy PR tells us ZR1 production has NOT been canceled. DigitalCorvettes was, as we'd claimed most likely the case, wrong on this story.

DigitalCorvettes is reporting a rumor that production on the Corvette ZR1, Chevy's new super car we just drove a month or so ago, has been halted at the Bowling Green Corvette plant. We knew the Corvette plant was on shutdown this week, but we fully expected the plant to resume production next week. Digital Corvettes is now reporting that's now not the case. We've got no evidence to substantiate this rumor other than what the Corvette-lovers over at DigitalCorvettes are reporting. To be fair, we can't believe this is true, and we've put in a call to Chevy PR to confirm or deny the rumor. We expect to hear back from them by the morning at the latest. Full rumor report below the jump:

FACTS

1. ZR1 production has been halted at Bowling Green despite orders to fill.
2. There is nothing wrong with the ZR1 itself. No production line issues that warrant it being stopped.
3. There is no official word from GM yet. Key word, 'official'. But, there is 'word' and we are hearing it.

INFO COMING IN

1. The ZR1 model itself may be on the chopping block, or has already been cancelled.
2. GM is losing their butts on each one.
3. This is a management decision and for financial reasons only.
4. Major changes coming for Corvette production.

[via DigitalCorvettes.com]

VW, KTM Motorcycle Partnership Rumors Swirling, Could Result In 1-Liter Car

Wes Siler — Wed, 14 May 2008 16:00:00 EDT

Rumor has it that Volkswagen is in talks with KTM about partnering up to produce VW brand motorcycles. For you car folks, KTM is an Austrian firm known for its race-ready dirt and street bikes - think Ducati but with less of the pretense and more of the color orange. As the rumor has it, this could even result in production of the crazy GX3 trike.

The rumors follow an interview with VW Chairman Ferdinand Piech in German magazine Stern in which he expressed regret for failing to buy Ducati during the '80s when it was troubled financially. He then went on to say, "I would still like a small, valuable motorcycle manufacturer, I myself drive a Ducati. 180 horses and more power per kilogram weight than a 1,001hp Bugatti."

KTM would be a good fit for VW. Not only are they based just across the border, but the two already collaborated on the X-Bow track car. It's this, combined with Piech's statement, which is most likely fueling these rumors.

In our opinion, it's unlikely that VW would consider its own range of bikes. Not only is it litigation adverse, but there's a limited market for motorcycles that pales in comparison to that for cars. Neither does KTM need the partnership, after a fresh injection of capital from Indian motorcycle maker Bajaj, they're on course to become Europe's largest bike manufacturer by 2020, when they aim to produce over 200,000 bikes annually.

It's also extremely unlikely that VW would revive the GX3, an expensive program that caused much controversy within the company before being killed off.

It's much more likely that if VW and KTM are talking it's about producing a lightweight, high-tech, ultra-high-mileage car, something like the 1-Liter Car concept. KTM would be able to offer expertise in both carbon fiber and small production runs, VW could offer money.
[via Auto Express]

Jalopnik Unscientific Poll Results: Chevrolet's "Blue Devil" Corvette Most Credible Car-Related Rumor

Mike Spinelli — Mon, 18 Jul 2005 13:49:54 EDT

Listen to the people, people. Poll results are in, and Chevrolet's $100,000 "Blue Devil" Corvette took the championship as the Most Credible Car-Related Rumor(TM). The Viper-class Corvette beat out such subjects of automotive conjecture as Subaru's rumored STi hatchback, BMW's relaunch of the M Coupe and Nissan's US launch of its Japanese Cube. We're not sure what it is about the story that gives it that extra degree of believeability, or if it's purely wishful thinking. If anyone would like to explain their answer, write us at tips@jalopnik.com, and we'll post the verbatims.