2013 Chevrolet Camaro Hot Wheels Edition

“It’s been nearly 20 years since I started designing cars for Hot Wheels and I have yet to drive one home,” said Felix Holst, vice president of creative for the Mattel Wheels Division. “Personally, I can’t wait to open the doors and see the Hot Wheels Camaro sitting in the garage.”

The Custom Camaro 1:64-scale toy car from 1968 was one of the original 16 Hot Wheels issued by Mattel and is considered today as one of the most valuable of the series among collectors. This is the first time that a full-size, production Hot Wheels car has been offered for sale by any manufacturer.

With the exception of the oversized logos on seats, the 2013 Camaro Hot Wheels Edition looks tastefully done as it echoes the styling cues of the toy series without going overboard.

Available in coupe and convertible body-styles in both 2LT V6 and 2SS V8 trims, the special edition model comes in a Kinetic Blue exterior color with two-tone matte hood and rear taillight panel “blackout” graphics, red accent stripes on the front ZL1-sourced front grille, and flame decals on the rear fenders.

Other exterior features include the unique black 21-inch wheels with red outline stripe, Hot Wheels grille, decklid and front fender logos, a ground effects package, including front splitter and rocker treatment, a ZL1 rear spoiler (for coupe models).

On the inside, the Camaro gets a black leather-trimmed interior accented with red and black seat stitching with the Hot Wheels logo embroidered on the front seats, Hot Wheels-style flame decals on the door panels, and Hot Wheels Edition sill plates.

The Hot Wheels Edition will be offered as a $6,995 optional package on the 2013 Camaro.

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2013 Chevrolet Traverse

The first thing that catches your eyes is of course the brand new fascia as Chevrolet has abandoned its signature two-tier grille spilt by a horizontal bar for a less complicated five-point upper grille with thee chromed horizontal slats and a separate two-bar lower grille.

GM says that the 2013 Traverse's "more expressive front end introduces a new face for Chevrolet crossover utilities", which means we will probably be seeing more of the new grille, unless of course, consumer reaction is negative to the change.

The front of the crossover model also features a new powerdome hood, reshaped headlamps, chrome accents around the grille and fog lamps, and sculpted front corners that are similar similar to the 2013 Malibu Sedan.

At the rear end, Chevrolet has redesigned the bumper and the tailgate, which now houses the license plate pocket, while the tail lamps are also new and are inspired by the 'sunglasses' shaped LED units of the Erupean market 2012 Camaro.

Inside, the Traverse continues to offer space for seven passengers in three rows of seats, but Chevrolet says it gains upgraded materials, including soft-touch surfaces on the instrument panel and front door uppers, and improved fit and finish for all interior panels.

In addition, the front seats now feature articulating head restraints, while the new center stack houses a 6.5-inch color touch radio with the available Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system.

The Traverse also debuts the industry’s first front center air bag, which is designed to offer additional restraint to drivers and front passengers in far-side impact crashes.

For 2013, the Traverse continues with GM's 3.6-liter V6 engine that produces 288HP and 270 lb.-ft. of torque (366 Nm) with a dual exhaust, and 281HP and 266 lb.-ft./361 Nm with a single exhaust. However, GM has made some changes to the transmission as well as the suspension to improve ride and handling.

More details are to be announced next week at the New York auto show.

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Video: 2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 vs 2013 Nissan GT-R

You see, Camaro ZL1 with its 580HP 6.2L supercharged V8 will retail for $54,995 (€41,800) when it arrives in dealerships this spring, whereas the 2013 edition of the 545HP Nissan  GT-R starts from $96,820 (€73,500) not including destination and handling fees. This means there's more $40,000 difference between the two cars.

Having said that, it shouldn't surprise anyone that the all-wheel drive GT-R comes out as the more advanced sports car of the two being faster and more potent on the track in R&T's test.

However, the magazine does note that the rear-wheel drive ZL1 has more character and allows for more driver involvement, even though this comes at a cost on the track.

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