Welcome to the Hooniverse News – for real this time! As it always is when Jeff isn’t around, this is a weekly recap of some of the biggest stories in the automotive industry without the fluff or bull. I just throw in a little opinion of mine because I can. This week:

• Scion sort-of updates the FR-S

• Aston Martin announces product expansion, just not for what we want

• 2016 Cadillac CTS-V is still priced less than the Germans

• Ford to limit production of 2015 GT350 models

• Chevrolet teases new Camaro again

• What’s your automotive news?

2016 Scion FR-S

The lovable Scion FR-S is “getting its style on” for the 2016 model year, as Scion would call it. The 2016 FR-S features a few interior enhancements, two new paint colors, a new standard audio system, a backup camera to keep it legal, and of course a new price… If that’s what Scion calls “getting its style on”, they must really have a thing for changing some colors on an unchanged car and then shoving cameras up its ass.

Horrible visuals aside, the 2016 Scion FR-S gets a slight price bump with MSRP being quoted at $25,305 for the six-speed manual sports coupe and $26,405 for the one with the six-speed paddle-shift automatic. As for the “style” enhancements, they’ve added bright silver interior accents on the steering wheel bezel, shift bezel, door grip, and along the sides of the center console. Inside said center console is a new seven-inch touch-screen display which controls the new standard audio system and displays the new backup camera. There’s also a new red paint color called Ablaze and a blue called Oceanic.
The 2016 Scion FR-S will be available in dealerships this June.
[Source: Scion]

Aston Martin’s product expansion

Aston Martin Lagonda announced yesterday that they’ve approved a £200 million increase in funding for the purpose of expanding their product line into new, profitable areas. The 102-year-old Gaydon-based marque confirmed that their major stakeholders approved the funding and that it will be used to drive the future of the company under its strategic business plan.
That probably means they’re releasing a few new models, which by their choice of words they’ve pretty much confirmed. They did explicitly name one new model that would come, which may be considered good or bad news… it’s going to be a crossover. There’s no word on when it’ll come, but they did confirm it will be based on the DBX concept which was recently shown at the Geneva Motor Show.
Of all the things I want Aston Martin to build, a crossover is lower on that long list than… well, now that I remember the Cygnet was a thing, this might not be so bad after all.
[Source: Aston Martin]

2016 Cadillac CTS-V priced

Cadillac’s all-new 2016 CTS-V super sedan has a not-so super sedan price, despite the many advancements in equipment, technology, comfort, and of course in speed. The 640 horsepower Caddy will start at $83,995 before it gets marked up at dealerships later this summer.
At that price, it’s a decent chunk of pocket change less than its closest rivals from Germany and none of them have 640 horsepower (yet). 640 horsepower comes courtesy of a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 and is sent to the rear wheels exclusively through an eight-speed automatic transmission  (sorry). 0-60 mph takes 3.7 seconds and the top speed is 200 mph.
Magnetic Ride Control, sticky Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires, Brembo brakes, and various driver aids help tame that power for easy every day use; just know that at any time you can bury the throttle for a couple of seconds and you’re going to jail. No pressure.
[Source: Cadillac]

Shelby GT350 production numbers

Ford knows they have a huge hit on their hands with the GT350 and GT350R Mustangs, the most advanced and track-worthy Mustangs to leave the factory. But when they start leaving the factory later this year, they will be leaving in very limited numbers – for now.
Only 100 GT350 Mustangs will be built for the 2015 model year, because cash grab special launch series, or something. 50 of those cars will be equipped with the optional Track Pack and the others will come with the Technology Package.
The GT350R, on the other hand, will be limited to just 37 units for MY 2015. The story behind that magic 37 number is, what else, a tribute to the late great Carroll Shelby. In 1965, Carroll Shelby developed and sold an FIA-homologated Mustang called the GT350 competition model. The cars raced all over the world, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Shelby authorized 35 production models and two prototypes to be built, but records indicate that only 34 production models received serial numbers from the Shelby production facility. By producing 37 GT350Rs in total, Ford will help Carroll meet his production target 50 years later.
Normal, mostly unrestricted production runs will start with the 2016 model year GT350 and GT350R, which should be leaving the factories later this year. In the meantime, any hopes that were had about an affordable super Mustang will soon be crushed until 2016 rolls around.
[Source: Ford]

Chevrolet teases new Camaro again

Can confirm, the Gen 6 Chevrolet Camaro has a business end with a fancy new taillight structure and a deck lid spoiler. The all-new 2016 Camaro is still a few weeks away from its global debut at Detroit’s Belle Isle Park but Chevy still hasn’t finished teasing us over how cool it’s going to be and how dramatically different it will look. From what we can tell by this teaser shot and another showing a very sculpted hood, it’s going to be a leaner, sharper, more aggressive looking muscle car. Or as Ed Welburn, vice president, GM Global Design said, it “went to the gym and came out with a lithe, more athletic physique for the sixth generation”. Chevy also noted that the new Camaro will look lower and wider than previously, even though its footprint is actually slightly smaller.
When the 2016 Chevrolet Camaro debuts at Belle Isle Park on May 16th at a public event, it’s sure to be a stunner. More when we have it.
[Source: Chevrolet]

What’s your automotive news?

I went to a historic sports car race and saw a turbocharged Porsche 911 cup car spit fire. It was cool. More on that event a bit later…
That’s what I’ve got, so now it’s your turn. If you did anything newsworthy this week that you want to share with your fellow hoons, sound off in the comments.
[Image © 2015 Hooniverse/Greg Kachadurian]