Sunday, December 27, 2009

2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS

2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS Pace Car Picture

2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS Pace Car Picture



GM needed a little good news on Friday to take the edge off the demise of its Saab brand. It got just that with word that the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS will pace the 2010 Indianapolis 500. The car will debut on December 26 at the 2009 Indianapolis Auto Show.

This will be the sixth time that a Camaro has paced the race. The first Camaro to pace the Indianapolis 500 was in 1967, followed by 1969, 1982, 1993 and 2009, said GM.

This year's pace car is inspired by the 1969 Camaro pace car and features an Inferno Orange Metallic paint job with White Diamond rally stripes. "The design is a modern interpretation of the original rally stripe that debuted on the 1969 Indianapolis 500 pace car," GM said in a statement.

The 2010 Camaro pace car is equipped with a stock 400-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 engine, an RS appearance package and a leather interior with Inferno Orange touches. The pace car also features a new front grille insert that Chevrolet said it plans to offer as a future Camaro accessory.

Other details include amber lens taillights, special logo badging on the headrests and front fenders, and a safety strobe light system with custom interior light bar in the rear window.

Chevrolet Captiva Xtreme at 2010 New Delhi Auto Show

Chevrolet Captiva Picture

Chevrolet Captiva Picture

General Motors India will be putting its best foot forward at the 2010 New Delhi Auto Show, displaying the Chevrolet Captiva Xtreme with turbodiesel power alongside its Volt and Spark EVs.

Riding on the success of the Captiva here, Chevrolet's Captiva Xtreme will come with an automatic gearbox, new foglamps, chrome inserts on the mirrors and roof bars. The Captiva Xtreme will feature the 148-horsepower 2.0-liter turbodiesel engine that also powers the current model.

GM India has taken a firm step toward going green, and at the Delhi show the company will display the Chevrolet Spark Electric, the first product of a recently signed joint venture between Reva and GM India. A compressed natural gas variant of the Aveo will also find its way to GM's green stall, along with the eagerly awaited Volt hybrid.

2011 Chevrolet Cruze Chevy’s New Safe Word

2011 Chevrolet Cruze
2011 Chevrolet Cruze

Friday, December 25, 2009

2011 Chevrolet Cruze

2011 Chevrolet Cruze

Is it real? Already on sale in Europe and Asia, it is due in the United States in the third quarter of next year.

What they said: “Leveraging Chevrolet’s design and engineering talent in Asia, Europe and North America, the Cruze brings to market a progressive, globally influenced design complemented by exceptional levels of quietness, quality and attention to detail,” the press release promised.

What they didn’t say: Having the hipster Camaro and talk-of-the-watercooler Volt as its siblings means the Cruze may grow up with a “Marcia, Marcia, Marcia!” complex.

What makes it tick? The Cruze features two new small-displacement 4-cylinder engines, proving that General Motors is making fuel efficiency a top priority. Standard for the LT and LTZ models will be the Ecotec 1.4-liter turbo, and the LS will receive the Ecotec 1.8-liter. Six-speed automatic and manual transmissions will be available.

How much, how soon? With the Cruze elbowing its way into the compact segment alongside the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic, expect prices comparable to those competitors’ — starting below $16,000.

Chevy Volt gets cozy with iPhone and BlackBerry

Chevy Volt
The Chevy Volt
electro-carriage will roll out for drivers next year, and when it does it’ll be iPhone and BlackBerry friendly. The image above was shown off at the L.A. Auto Show, revealing a BlackBerry
displaying the Chevy Volt’s battery charge status.

The iPhone and Blackberry apps will start off with the ability to control when the Chevy Volt gets charged. The Volt will alert your cellphone when it’s fully charged. Chevy also hinted that other cellphone platforms will be compatible with the Volt eventually as well.

Chevy Volt to go on sale in California

Chevy Volt

Chevy Volt

General Motors says the Chevrolet Volt electric car will go on sale late next year in California.

GM said Wednesday at the Los Angeles Auto Show that it will announce other markets later.

The Volt, which is expected to cost around $40,000, can be charged in a conventional outlet and is designed to drive up to 40 miles on electricity. When its lithium-ion battery runs low, an engine kicks in to extend its driving range to more than 300 miles without refueling.

GM also said it's teaming up with three California utilities as part of a demonstration project. Using a $30 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, the project will distribute 100 Volts to various fleets and will install 500 charging stations for residential, commercial and public use.

Monday, December 21, 2009

2011 Chevrolet Spark

2011 Chevrolet SparkWell, how small is it? The hatchback Spark is tall for its 143-inch length, to permit four six-foot people to fit inside. You can assume the U.S. version will be 12 feet long, give or take an inch.

That's an inch shorter than the 2010 Mini Cooper, which has a back seat that's really not suitable for adult humans, but a full three feet longer than the two-seat 2010 Smart ForTwo.

Friday, December 18, 2009

Chevrolet Captiva Xtreme at 2010 New Delhi Auto Show

Chevrolet Captiva Picture

Chevrolet Captiva Picture

General Motors India will be putting its best foot forward at the 2010 New Delhi Auto Show, displaying the Chevrolet Captiva Xtreme with turbodiesel power alongside its Volt and Spark EVs.

Riding on the success of the Captiva here, Chevrolet's Captiva Xtreme will come with an automatic gearbox, new foglamps, chrome inserts on the mirrors and roof bars. The Captiva Xtreme will feature the 148-horsepower 2.0-liter turbodiesel engine that also powers the current model.

GM India has taken a firm step toward going green, and at the Delhi show the company will display the Chevrolet Spark Electric, the first product of a recently signed joint venture between Reva and GM India. A compressed natural gas variant of the Aveo will also find its way to GM's green stall, along with the eagerly awaited Volt hybrid.

In addition, GM India's latest entry to the Indian market, the Chevrolet Beat, will also be on display.

2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS

2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS Pace Car Picture

2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS Pace Car Picture

The 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS will be the pace car for the 2010 Indianapolis 500.
2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS Pace Car Picture

2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS Pace Car Picture

This will be the sixth Camaro to pace the Indy 500.
2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS Pace Car Picture

2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS Pace Car Picture

The 2010 Camaro pace car is inspired by the one from the 1969 Indy 500, GM said, right down to the rally stripe.

This will be the sixth time that a Camaro has paced the race. The first Camaro to pace the Indianapolis 500 was in 1967, followed by 1969, 1982, 1993 and 2009, said GM.

This year's pace car is inspired by the 1969 Camaro pace car and features an Inferno Orange Metallic paint job with White Diamond rally stripes. "The design is a modern interpretation of the original rally stripe that debuted on the 1969 Indianapolis 500 pace car," GM said in a statement.

The 2010 Camaro pace car is equipped with a stock 400-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 engine, an RS appearance package and a leather interior with Inferno Orange touches. The pace car also features a new front grille insert that Chevrolet said it plans to offer as a future Camaro accessory.

Other details include amber lens taillights, special logo badging on the headrests and front fenders, and a safety strobe light system with custom interior light bar in the rear window.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

What is new with the Chevy Volt

Earlier this year, I did a preview article on the first of the next generation of hybrid vehicles, the Chevy Volt. The Volt differs from a normal hybrid because the gasoline engine never directly drives the wheels of the car. Instead, the engine acts as an electric generator and charges a bank of batteries that power an electric motor. The batteries can be charged each night by plugging them into an outlet in your house and provides 40 gasoline-free miles each day. This method of drivetrains will soon be availability from other manufacturers as well.

We have learned some new things though. The Volt will go on sale towards the end of 2010, and it will cost about $40,000. It will qualify for a $7,500 tax credit which will help ease the sticker shock a little bit. GM has even recently announced iPhone and Blackberry applications that will notify you of the current charging status. A new higher-tech version of OnStar will empower the car to even choose the times to charge at night when the utility rate is the lowest. Talk about a smart car.

Although I haven’t gotten behind the wheel of a new Volt, several auto journalist have, and the impressions have been overall positive. Some said it’s a little unnerving when you are driving and the engine is charging the batteries because the RPM of the engine doesn’t change. You press the gas pedal further down, the car speeds up, but the engine will stay at the exact same RPM. I think this is something people would get over if they only had to pay $50/month to drive their car everyday.

The other new news is that the Volt will be built at a GM plant in Hamtramck, Michigan which is just outside of Detroit. GM will be spending $336 million to upgrade the plant.

These next generation hybrid vehicles are what’s next in the auto world and it will only help us to further reduce the dependency on foreign oil. They may not be for everybody at first, but expect one of your cars in the next 10 years to feature this new and exciting system.

2012 Chevy Spark First Drive

2012 Chevrolet Spark Picture

2012 Chevrolet Spark Picture

The Chevy Spark is the latest trendy minicar.
It was one of GM's most enlightened moves maybe ever when it decided back in the still relatively happy days of 2007 to introduce three bold minicar concepts at the 2007 New York Auto Show. The Trax, Groove and Beat appeared (perfect for New York, since urban citizens generally speak only in monosyllables), and a little contest ensued to pick a favorite.

And now we've just driven around Athens, Greece, in the production version of the Beat, apparently the winning entry. Eventually to be known to us as the 2012 Chevrolet Spark, the new mini-size car will go on sale in Europe this coming March.

We really love these proper European minicars in the context of stressed-out city streets. The 2012 Chevy Spark is not a revelation, but it is what one should expect for this market segment in European terms, and that's saying a lot for a car that must fit into a genre that has become a sort of art form.

But when it comes our way as currently planned in 2011, can the 2012 Chevy Spark excite Americans for more than one selling season? The appeal of the Smart Fortwo in America suggests that so far we see a tiny tot like this as a bauble, not a necessity.

Pressure To Be Hip
While we could sort of tell back in 2007 that GM really wanted Internet voters to choose the Beat from the selection at the New York show (the spotlights glowed a little brighter on its electric green paint), we recall actually pulling for either of the other two. The Trax had a really interesting face, while the Groove had a great body. But the prevailing "bold-fresh-edgy" thingy in green got picked as low-hanging fruit by the vast majority.

So now the Beat has morphed into the 2012 Chevy Spark. That face is just too big. And those eyes straight from an aggressive re-stretch at the plastic surgeon. Dunno, really. It's not bad, yet it still seems like something of a fashion victim. Both the new Ford Fiesta in its definitive North American form and the Ford Ka (sadly, plans have changed and it won't be coming to us after all) also use the disco-headlights trick to make a tiny car look bigger, and these headlights strike us in the same way. These are all designs that lose their freshness after two years.

All of these cars could learn a lesson from the Volkswagen Golf, a car with a look that never grows old. Chevy itself has done a much better job with this company facial expression on the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze.

Chevrolet makes trucks WiFi hot spots

Chevy-WiFi

Chevrolet and Autonet Mobile have announced they’re turning Chevy trucks and SUVs into mobile WiFi hot spots.

Available now as a dealer-installed option, the service enables Internet access for laptop commuters and other Web-enabled mobile devices in seven Chevrolet trucks, including the Avalanche, Equinox, Express, Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe, and Traverse. Cost for the option is $200 for the remainder of the year--about half the normal price. Add to that a $29 per month Internet access charge, along with an unspecified installation cost.

Chevy and Autonet Mobile say the service will create an Internet hotspot within the cabin and provide coverage for a 150-ft radius around the vehicle.

WiFi can give road tripping, camping, and tailgating a 21st-century twist, and it may be a real aid to commercial users working in the field.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

2010 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS Review

2010-chevrolet-camaro-ss-9.jpg

The new Chevrolet Camaro, Take Two.

2010-chevrolet-camaro-ss-8.jpg

When I was in possession of my first 2010 Camaro 2LT RS back in June, I was one of the first people to be behind the wheel of General Motors’ new muscle car for the entire Midwest. Equipped with the excellent 3.6-liter six-cylinder engine donated by the Cadillac CTS, camera phones and kids fresh from Transformers 2 followed me everywhere.

Fast forward six months, and I get a shot at the bigger brother, the Camaro SS. The SS’ 6.2-liter LS3 V8 sends a pavement-shredding 426 horsepower through a six-speed Tremec manual transmission and out the rear wheels. (A 400 horsepower L98 V8 swaps places if ordered with the six-speed automatic.) After a week of burbling around town, leaving long black streaks on country roads, and continuing to cause whiplash from observers, I can confirm Chevrolet has truly made an amazing car.

2010-chevrolet-camaro-ss-7.jpg

The difference between each version of the Camaro is only noticeable from behind the wheel. Sure, the front bumper has a subtle chin spoiler incorporated into the front bumper as well as a small vent built into the top of the front-end. Behind the optional RS-packaged 20-inch chrome wheels are large four-piston brake calipers stamped Brembo and there are two tiny SS badges placed on the nose and trunk lid.

The inside has the same cool, but ergonomically-challenged, retro-modern interior, with the retro dual analog gauges, optional secondary gauges down low in the center console, and two large rotary controls with HVAC controls located in the center. The only change really are the SS-embroidered seats, which come with additional side bolstering and are wrapped in leather fit enough for a Bentley. Of course, you still cannot see out of the damn thing, the backseat is worthless, and good luck getting anything larger than grocery bags through the tiny opening.

2010-chevrolet-camaro-ss-4.jpg

So little change inside and out. What is the big deal with this car then? Go ahead and fire up the big V8 under the long, sloping hood. Then smile.

2010-chevrolet-camaro-ss-2.jpg

Bringing 420 pound-feet of torque to life creates a quiet, but baritone burble. A huge change from the raspy, higher-pitched note created by the V6. Light raps on the skinny pedal turns this good-looking red guy into The Hulk, with a deep, barrel-chested roar from the dual exhaust outlets. I can’t wait any longer: Grab the leather-wrapped gear selector and put the transmission into first. Disable the traction and Stabilitrak, rev to about four grand, and drop the clutch.

The LS3 roars with a noise that would scare Zeus and the twenty-inch Pirelli P-Zeros fight for traction as Chevrolet’s ultimate muscle car warps the pavement underneath. With the independent rear-end, there is little wheelhop, which helps the Camaro pull off a sub-five second 0-60. The car just never stops pulling and is able to chirp all the way through third.

But wait, what is that ahead? A corner? A slight gasp escapes my lips, but I shouldn’t worry as the SS receives a much more aggressive suspension set up than the six-cylinder has.

2010-chevrolet-camaro-ss-6.jpg

Enter the corner fast and put those Brembos to use. The multiple pistons bite hard on the large rotors, causing a bit of front-end dive, but no wiggle or loss of composure. Saw the steering wheel into the corner and there is a much more noticable sense of immediacy and purpose. It has a greater presence and feel than there is in the 304-horsepower car.

The front-end communicates a great deal better than before and is much more planted in the corner, whereas the V6 felt a bit soft and floppy. The suspension loads the g-forces with a surprising firmness and balance not expected in this type of vehicle. Even giving the throttle some power, the rear end never feels loose, never feels disconnected from the rest of the car. The only real negatives is there is still too much understeer built into the suspension, the clutch is far too rubberband-like in everyday usage, and the Camaro still feels a bit bloated when pushed hard.

While I had the Camaro SS, I let my test driver from before, Ryan Love, take a spin in it. After an hour behind the wheel, he loved the power and the more control he felt compared to the V6 version. However, he felt too isolated from it all.

2010-chevrolet-camaro-ss-7.jpg

“I love the power. It’s so smooth,” he said. “The handling is also better, with less roll and understeer. However, it’s hard to tell how fast you’re going, and the engine doesn’t feel like it produces a lot of torque compared to the older generation, mostly because this Camaro is so quiet and smooth.”

While it may be fast, the Camaro does it with an amazing amount of polish. Sure, you can hear the primal noise of the V8, but there are no buzzes, rattles or vibrations permeating inside of the vehicle. The only vibration felt is through the gearbox, which acts as kind of a reminder there is something brewing at the other end of that transmission.. The plastics are very good inside, the leather is supple. The ride is polished, with firmness when you need it and comfort when you want it. The engine underneath the hood was put together in a clean, uncluttered design. The paint had very little orange peel, and the cherry red was beautiful on a sunny day.

Despite a few foibles, the new Camaro is a terrific car. It is not for everyone. For what it is and what it can do, there is little compromise. For just under 37 grand for a car packed with power everything, heated leather seating, an epic Boston Acoustics stereo, OnStar, and Bluetooth as some of the standard features along with the driving prowess and power this Chevy offers, it really is hard to beat.

Before You Buy

Let dealers compete for your business and have the upper hand in negotiations before going into the dealership by getting a free, no obligation quote at Yahoo! Autos.

2010-chevrolet-camaro-ss-3.jpg
2010-chevrolet-camaro-ss-5.jpg

Bringing 420 pound-feet of torque to life creates a quiet, but baritone burble. A huge change from the raspy, higher-pitched note created by the V6. Light raps on the skinny pedal turns this good-looking red guy into The Hulk, with a deep, barrel-chested roar from the dual exhaust outlets. I can’t wait any longer: Grab the leather-wrapped gear selector and put the transmission into first. Disable the traction and Stabilitrak, rev to about four grand, and drop the clutch.

The LS3 roars with a noise that would scare Zeus and the twenty-inch Pirelli P-Zeros fight for traction as Chevrolet’s ultimate muscle car warps the pavement underneath. With the independent rear-end, there is little wheelhop, which helps the Camaro pull off a sub-five second 0-60. The car just never stops pulling and is able to chirp all the way through third.

But wait, what is that ahead? A corner? A slight gasp escapes my lips, but I shouldn’t worry as the SS receives a much more aggressive suspension set up than the six-cylinder has.

2010-chevrolet-camaro-ss-6.jpg

Enter the corner fast and put those Brembos to use. The multiple pistons bite hard on the large rotors, causing a bit of front-end dive, but no wiggle or loss of composure. Saw the steering wheel into the corner and there is a much more noticable sense of immediacy and purpose. It has a greater presence and feel than there is in the 304-horsepower car.

The front-end communicates a great deal better than before and is much more planted in the corner, whereas the V6 felt a bit soft and floppy. The suspension loads the g-forces with a surprising firmness and balance not expected in this type of vehicle. Even giving the throttle some power, the rear end never feels loose, never feels disconnected from the rest of the car. The only real negatives is there is still too much understeer built into the suspension, the clutch is far too rubberband-like in everyday usage, and the Camaro still feels a bit bloated when pushed hard.

While I had the Camaro SS, I let my test driver from before, Ryan Love, take a spin in it. After an hour behind the wheel, he loved the power and the more control he felt compared to the V6 version. However, he felt too isolated from it all.

2010-chevrolet-camaro-ss-7.jpg

“I love the power. It’s so smooth,” he said. “The handling is also better, with less roll and understeer. However, it’s hard to tell how fast you’re going, and the engine doesn’t feel like it produces a lot of torque compared to the older generation, mostly because this Camaro is so quiet and smooth.”

While it may be fast, the Camaro does it with an amazing amount of polish. Sure, you can hear the primal noise of the V8, but there are no buzzes, rattles or vibrations permeating inside of the vehicle. The only vibration felt is through the gearbox, which acts as kind of a reminder there is something brewing at the other end of that transmission.. The plastics are very good inside, the leather is supple. The ride is polished, with firmness when you need it and comfort when you want it. The engine underneath the hood was put together in a clean, uncluttered design. The paint had very little orange peel, and the cherry red was beautiful on a sunny day.

Despite a few foibles, the new Camaro is a terrific car. It is not for everyone. For what it is and what it can do, there is little compromise. For just under 37 grand for a car packed with power everything, heated leather seating, an epic Boston Acoustics stereo, OnStar, and Bluetooth as some of the standard features along with the driving prowess and power this Chevy offers, it really is hard to beat.

Before You Buy

Let dealers compete for your business and have the upper hand in negotiations before going into the dealership by getting a free, no obligation quote at Yahoo! Autos.

2010-chevrolet-camaro-ss-3.jpg
2010-chevrolet-camaro-ss-5.jpg

Chevrolet Camaro at Delhi Auto Expo

http://images.cartradeindia.com/img/chevrolet_camaro_04.jpg-news-800.jpg

General Motors is planning to unveil its pony car or muscle car Camaro at the upcoming Delhi Auto Expo in January. The model was initially designed by General Motors to compete with Ford Mustang but in India it is coming as a part of brand building exercise for the company. General Motors has not confirmed any plans so far to launch the car in the Indian market.

The fifth generation Camaro went into production in March earlier this year. General Motors is expected to showcase the same model at the Expo. In the international market Chevrolet Camaro is available in 10 exciting colour snapped in two flavors, the V6-equipped LS trim and the V8-powered SS model. Other available features include a wireless cell-phone link, USB port, satellite radio, and remote engine start. Its 2-door convertible model is due to arrive in the overseas market by mid-2011.

Chevrolet launches Wi-Fi for 7 new models

General Motors is keeping up with the latest technology by adding dealer installed Chevrolet Wi-Fi by Autonet Mobile to seven new Chevy models. The Equinox, Traverse, Silverado, Tahoe, Suburban, Avalanche and Express models will be the first available with this option.
General Motors is keeping up with the latest technology by adding dealer installed Chevrolet Wi-Fi by Autonet Mobile to seven new Chevy models. The Equinox, Traverse, Silverado, Tahoe, Suburban, Avalanche and Express models will be the first available with this option.

2010-chevrolet-equinox-1

A 3G network is used to connect to the Web creating an in vehicle hotspot that extends up to 45 meters around the car. Able to handle multiple devices with speeds up to 1.5 mbps, enough for streaming video.
This will be handy on the family holiday but Chevrolet expect the Wi-Fi technology to be used mainly for business purposes.

“Chevrolet Wi-Fi by Autonet Mobile enhances commuting, family vacations and work,” says Chris Rauser, Chevrolet Accessories Manager. “It benefits active families on the go, as well as professionals who need immediate information at remote job sites. Its uses are almost endless.”

chevrolet-traverse-112

It usually costs $399 ($443 AUD) but until December 31 it is $199 ($220AUD) with a two year contract. It also has a $29 ($32AUD) monthly service fee as well as the cost of installation.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Chevrolet Cruzes to 40 mpg with Cobalt Replacement

The Chevrolet Cruze will offer 40 mpg fuel economy courtesy of a 1.4-liter turbocharged four cylinder engine.

Not lucky enough to live in Southern California and hop on the Chevy Volt when it debuts next year? Chevrolet will offer customers a more practical and immediate solution for their gas woes in the form of the Cruze, the compact replacement for the existing Cobalt.

cruze_01

Although Chevy will offer several engine options, the 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder will deliver the best fuel economy – 40 mpg highway – along with a respectable 138 horsepower. Designers claim the Cruze is as “slippery” in wind tunnels as the EV1, the most aerodynamic car GM has ever engineered.

The Cruze will also offer 10 airbags, a dual-cockpit design inspired by the Corvette, and the same front fascia design that Chevy debuted with the Malibu.

2011 Chevrolet Cruze Chevy’s New Safe Word

“Leveraging Chevrolet’s design and engineering talent in Asia, Europe and North America, the Cruze brings to market a progressive, globally influenced design complemented by exceptional levels of quietness, quality and attention to detail,” the press release promised.

Monday, November 30, 2009

Chevrolet Cruze will get 40 mpg and offer 10 air bags

General Motors is unveiling the U.S. production version of the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze compact sedan at the Los Angeles Auto Show this week, and it made clear that it hopes a few premium touches will help it make an impact in the small-car segment.

The Cruze will have a new, small-displacement four-cylinder engine, a 1.4-liter I-4 turbo with variable valve timing that is expected to deliver 40 miles per gallon on the highway.

Premium? Check out some of the features and options:

There will be 10 standard air bags -- frontal, side-impact, roof rail head curtain, rear seat side air bags and new knee air bags. Cruze will have electronic stability control with rollover sensing and a lot of electronics, like Bluetooth, USB connectivity, a navigation system, XM Satellite Radio and OnStar.

"Cruze is already a hit across Europe and Asia; and now, it's coming to America to challenge the status quo," said Brent Dewar, a GM Vice President, Chevrolet Global brand. "Along with the Volt electric vehicle, Cruze is the latest tangible example of how Chevrolet is working on exciting products that range from gas-friendly to gas-free."

Cruze goes on sale in the U.S. in the third quarter of 2010, but it has already logged more than four million miles around the world where it's being sold now. The U.S. version will be built in Lordstown Ohio.

Chevrolet delivers a modern muscle car in Camaro

chevrolet camaroIts macho styling, aggressive stance and eye-catching interior and exterior details have helped make the new Camaro a hit for Chevrolet and General Motors.

Maybe it was the Rally Yellow paint. Maybe it was the aggressive styling and lines.

But auto reviewer Scott Wasser found folks stopped and took notice as he tooled around in a 2010 Chevrolet Camaro.

Chevy pays homage to its Camaro heritage while highlighting state-of-the-art freshness in its 2010 model, according to Wasser.

The Camaro comes in three trim levels with starting prices ranging from $22,680 for an LS to $33,450 for a 2SS. Wasser's test car was a mid-level 2LT with a starting price of $26,580 that climbed to $37,345 with options and delivery fees.

"Part of its optional ($1,450) RS detail package is a circular 'halo' light that surrounds the Camaro's high-intensity discharge headlamps," Wasser writes. "BMW may have pioneered this feature and certainly is best known for it, but it works incredibly well with Camaro. It gives the stunning sporty coupe more than merely eye-catching styling; it helps give it personality."

The Camaro's ride, handling and mileage (17 city/29 highway) are unexpectedly good, but its great retro styling and feel trump all, Wasser says.

He wasn't a fan of what he describes as seriously restricted sight lines from the pilot's seat. But Wasser says the car is a home run nonetheless.

"It's thoroughly modern engineering and sleek styling should be a hit with anyone seeking a sporty coupe, but the Camaro's greatest appeal will be with those who want to own a piece of rolling nostalgia."

Chevrolet Volt: A sneak peek

Chevrolet Volt

Dan Neil drives a Volt prototype at Dodger Stadium, in one of the first chances for anyone outside of GM engineering to test the extended-range plug-in hybrid.

It accelerates with a big husky twist of its electric motor. Actually, you can even chirp the front tires if you push the go-button hard enough -- very unlike a golf cart. It corners confidently and brakes crisply and, if it's no Ferrari, it certainly won't embarrass itself on the 110 Freeway, otherwise known as the Pasadena Grand Prix.

It's comfortable, practical and -- graded on the curve of five-seat family hatchbacks -- reasonably attractive. Think German-made-dishwasher pretty.

But the question remains: Will the Chevrolet Volt -- General Motors' radical electric vehicle with a range-extending gas generator on board, due in November 2010 -- really work? Will it help GM leapfrog Toyota -- currently experiencing its own woes -- as a grandmaster of green-car technology? Will it help win back legions of disaffected customers? Will it wow EV enthusiasts in Southern California, who still haven't forgiven GM for building the Hummer H2 or forgotten the murder of its charismatic little electric car of the 1990s, the EV1?

The high-tech, Earth-friendly Volt could provide a bridgehead for GM in California, where the company's sales have plummeted about 50% from September 2008.

And by the way, while the Volt is saving GM, will it save gasoline?

"Absolutely," says Andrew Farah, the Volt's chief engineer. "It's going to work and work better than people realize. . . . I'm proud as hell of this thing."

The Volt is a series hybrid EV that is propelled by a 120-kilowatt (160-horsepower) electric motor. Drawing on energy stored in its 16-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery, the Volt has an all-electric range of about 40 miles. If the battery is depleted, a 1.4-liter four-cylinder generator kicks in to supply electricity to the traction motor.

The advantage of this design is that if drivers don't exceed 40 miles of driving daily (and most don't), and if they plug in at night, they won't use any gas at all. If they need to go farther, they can, burning gasoline.

The Volt splits the difference between the greenness of an EV and the freedom of a gas-powered car. It will be the first such car to come to market.

GM hasn't announced pricing, but it's widely speculated the car will sell for under $40,000. Buyers will get a $7,500 tax credit on the car, for a net cost of $32,500 or less. That would still make the Volt thousands more expensive than a Toyota Prius or Honda Insight hybrid.

It would be hard to overstate the importance of the Volt to the image of GM -- not least because GM, battered by bankruptcy and a lingering reputation as the Darth Vader of fuel economy, has been trumpeting the car in advertising for well over a year. That strategy carries its own risks.

"GM likely feels the massive pre-intro hype for the Volt is probably more valuable than any post-intro disappointment it may yield," said Karl Brauer, editor of Edmunds.com, the consumer auto research website. "The company is well into its second year of cashing in on the car's promise of near-zero emissions and 200-plus mpg. Will there be a year plus of scolding by the press if the car ultimately bombs? No, a few weeks at most."

2009 Chevrolet Spark Review



Chevrolet is putting a brave face on it. After facing an uncertain future under new management, the American firm can now relax under the protection of a government-backed GM. So what better way to rise from the ashes than launching an all-new model?

The Chevrolet Spark, which replaces the crude and slow Matiz, is an all-new city car designed by the man who penned the chic Fiat 500. It's been created to capture the hearts of a youthful audience and aims to go head-to-head with the Kia Picanto and Hyundai i10.

Inside, the cabin proves that Chevy has turned a creative corner, finely balancing a low-cost approach with a sense of fun.

Prices start from £6,945 and stretch to £9,845, while the options of a low polluting 67bhp 1.0-litre and an 80bhp 1.2-litre should make it among the best in class for running costs.

Chevrolet is confident its tiny city car will be a huge hit this side of the Atlantic. Read on to find out why.


Chevrolet Spark

Saturday, November 28, 2009

New Chevrolet Spark

Chevrolet Spark (2009-chevrolet-spark-hatch-1.jpg)


It's a mini-MPV that is shaped with a 'wheels-out, body-in' stance, its single-arc roofline accentuated by strong, clean body sides free of cladding. The focal point of the cabin is the motorcycle-style instrument 'pod', which sits on top of the steering column and delivers all of the essential information in a compact yet easy-to-read manner. The analogue speedometer is backed up by a digital tachometer, just like on a motorbike. All the controls are backlit by ice-blue lighting when the headlights are turned on. In-car entertainment is a matter of choice and Spark customers can enjoy their favorites on radio, CD, MP3 or by plugging in their portable systems via USB or Aux-in sockets.

The car's size, handling and manoeuvrability are in tune with urban life. Chevrolet's new mini comes in a compact package: at only 3640 mm long and 1597 mm wide, it should easily squeeze into tight city spaces.

The Spark is available with Electronic Stability Control, with electronic brake and traction control capabilities to provide precise anti-lock braking capabilities, as well as exceptional yaw stability. Almost 60 percent of the car's structure consists of advanced steels, with varying levels of stiffness and built-in crush zones to absorb crash impacts. The front engine bay rails and subframe are designed to absorb energy while maintaining the highest loads possible as they collapse, while a transition zone around the base of the A-pillars and front bulkhead effectively distributes crash energy around rather than into the passenger compartment.

A similar crush zone exists at the rear, with the fuel tank and its connections designed in a way to minimize the chance of ruptures. Additional rear impact loads are absorbed by a strong rear cross member.

High levels of occupant protection are further enhanced by twin front airbags, side curtain airbags and additional seat mounted thorax and abdomen airbags, seatbelt pretensioners and a pedal retraction system, which pulls the pedal box away from the car's occupants in the event of a frontal collision, reducing the risk of lower leg injury.

Two engines are on offer at launch - both petrol units with displacements of 1.0 and 1.2 litres. They are closely related and use a cast-iron block and alloy head, with a double overhead camshaft and four valves per cylinder. They feature multi-port fuel injection and are both Euro V emissions compliant. Both engines come with a five-speed manual gearbox.

The two engines use advanced features such as port deactivation technology to improve exhaust gas recirculation, leading to optimal fuel efficiency and idle stability, along with a timing chain to ensure a lifetime of low maintenance and running costs. The Chevy Spark consumes only 5.1 litres of fuel per 100 km and produces CO2 emissions of 119 g/km.

Much of the interior space is down to the car's clever packaging. The cabin was designed to accommodate as much supplementary storage space as possible. The centre console, for example, incorporates a bin for carrying smaller items such as a mobile phone, MP3 player or packet of chewing gum, while there's also a double cup holder next to the gear shifter.
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