2010 Chevrolet Equinox crossover Fuel Efficiency

Chevrolet unveiled the all-new 2010 Equinox, a compact crossover that blends distinctive design with outstanding efficiency. A new, 2.4L direct injection engine helps the Equinox deliver expected best-in-segment estimated highway fuel economy of 30 mpg (EPA certification pending) – a 25-percent improvement over the previous model. Chevrolet expects nearly two-thirds of customers will choose the efficient, 2.4L engine.

The new Equinox draws its exterior design inspiration from the Chevrolet Malibu sedan and Traverse crossover; and like those vehicles, the new Equinox complements its styling with attention to detail and unexpected features, according to Ed Peper, GM North America vice president, Chevrolet.

The Equinox makes its world debut at the North American Auto Show in Detroit next month.

“At a time when customers are so concerned about the fuel efficiency of their vehicle, the Equinox delivers,” said Peper. “It offers the roominess and capability of a crossover with great fuel economy. Equinox will provide customers a vehicle filled with refinement, comfort and great value.”

The 2010 Equinox goes on sale in mid-2009. It is available in LS, LT and LTZ trim, with available all-wheel-drive. Two new engines are offered, each with fuel-saving direct injection and variable valve timing technology. Vehicle highlights include:

* New 2.4L Ecotec direct injected I-4 engine estimated at 182 horsepower (135 kW), which delivers an estimated 30 mpg highway, 21 mpg city (EPA certification pending)
* New 3.0L DOHC direct injected V-6 engine estimated at 255 horsepower (190 kW), which delivers an estimated 25 mpg highway, 18 mpg city (EPA certification pending)
* Driving range of more than 500 miles (800 km) with both engines, for less-frequent fill-ups
* Six standard air bags: dual frontal air bags; head curtain side air bags and pelvic/thorax seat-mounted side air bags
* Standard four-wheel disc brakes with StabiliTrak electronic stability control and traction control
* Standard OnStar and XM Satellite Radio
* “Smart” remote starting system that also activates the HVAC system and optional heated seats depending on the outside temperature

“With the 2010 Equinox, we focused on appealing to the senses – from the overall design to the feel of the interior,” said Peper.

Design details

The design features Chevy’s signature global face – the two-tier grille and prominent gold Bowtie insignia. Strong fender shapes, a distinctive premium roofline, wraparound headlamps and dual round taillamps are additional elements that define Equinox as a true Chevrolet, Peper said.

“The new Equinox blends function and style into a very sporty, yet upscale compact crossover,” said Ed Welburn, vice president of GM Global Design. “Both the exterior and interior surprise and delight with careful attention to detail.”

Additional design features include:

* A multi-dimensional hood and wraparound rear side glass and a wheels-at-the-corners stance
* Improved aerodynamic performance through a number of carefully designed exterior features, including moving the base of the windshield forward approximately three inches (75 mm) for a sleeker profile

Equinox’s rocker panels are integrated into the doors to make it easier to get in and out of the vehicle. They narrow the area over which a passenger must step, offering protection for pant legs that could brush against dirty rockers. Also, the select use of chrome trim and flush-fitting “exposed-edge” windshield and rear glass reinforce Equinox’s build quality and reduce wind noise.

Dimensionally, the Equinox rides on the same 112.5-inch wheelbase (2,857 mm), but is about one inch (25 mm) shorter in length and an inch wider. It also has a wider front track that enhances the ride and handling.

Interior amenities, storage and flexibility

Inside, the Equinox features attention to detail – including a number of storage bins, such as an oversized glove box; a closed storage bin in the instrument panel above the center stack; and closed storage under the center armrest large enough for a laptop computer.

A “floating” center stack houses a multitude of ergonomic comfort and convenience controls. Contemporary, ice-blue ambient lighting – featured within and surrounding the center stack, encircling the center-console cupholders and within the door pull cups – accentuates the cabin. The front and rear seats, which include cloth and uplevel, perforated leather-trimmed offerings, were developed to help deliver best-in-class comfort.

The new Equinox retains its MultiFlex rear seat capability, which allows the seat to be moved fore or aft nearly eight inches (203 mm), for the best rear legroom in its class. With the 60/40-split-back rear seat moved all the way forward, the cargo area offers 31.4 cubic feet (889 liters) of storage.

The Equinox’s cabin is notable for its quietness. Noise-absorbing elements are built into the chassis, engine compartment and interior.

Convenience, infotainment and connectivity

A variety of technologies are integrated in the Equinox, such as an available seven-inch touch-screen navigation system. Additional features also include:

* Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity
* USB audio connectivity
* DVD-based rear-seat entertainment system with two independent screens to enable DVD viewing on one and gaming on the other
* Internal memory/hard drive on uplevel radios for storing audio selections
* Power, programmable rear liftgate
* Rear-vision camera system, with display in the rearview mirror or in the navigation screen
* Range of premium-feature audio systems with up to eight speakers and 250 watts of output

Chassis and suspension

The 2010 Equinox is built on a body-integral structure with single-piece body side stampings and targeted applications of high-strength steel. Those elements form the foundation of a solid, quiet driving experience, according to Peper. The strong structure enabled engineers to tune the four-wheel-independent suspension system for greater control and driver feedback.

Standard and available features include:

* Available all wheel drive
* Family of 17-, 18- and 19-inch alloy wheels
* Fuel-saving electric power steering system

The rack-mounted electric power steering system provides greater fuel efficiency of on 2.4L-equipped models that saves nearly 11 miles per tank of gas, or about 572 miles per year (assuming one fill-up per week). With the Equinox’s estimated 30 mpg on the highway, the electric power steering system saves the equivalent of approximately one tank of gas each year.

“With the outstanding interior execution and comfort, the stunning exterior design, numerous chassis improvements, and the connectivity to the outside world, the new Equinox is the favorite ride among our engineers,” said Tim Herrick, chief engineer. “I have to pull the keys out of their hands in order to take it for a spin myself.”

Chevrolet is one of America’s best-known and best-selling automotive brands. With the largest dealer network in the United States, Chevrolet delivers more-than-expected value in every vehicle category, offering cars and trucks priced from $12,120 to $103,300. Chevy delivers expressive design, spirited performance and great value with standard features usually found only on more expensive vehicles. More information on Chevrolet can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

2010 Chevrolet Equinox: First Drive

The Equinox is Chevrolet's entry in the car-based small-SUV class, but it's a bit larger than most competitors. Redesigned and much improved for 2010, its base engine is a 182-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder with better fuel economy but about the same power as the unimpressive 3.4-liter V6 it replaced. The uplevel engine is a 264-hp, 3.0-liter V6, and both are teamed with a six-speed automatic transmission.

We're testing two all-wheel-drive Equinoxes, a four-cylinder 1LT that listed at $26,350 and a V6 2LT with 18-inch wheels, leather, and other upgrades that brought the price to $31,780.

Initial impressions

Good ride and handling lead the list of notable improvements for 2010. In routine driving the steering is quick and responsive and the body doesn't lean too much when cornering. The ride is taut but compliant and the Equinox stays stable and well planted at speed. Some road noise from coarse surfaces filters into the cabin. The four-cylinder's engine hum isn't too loud and seems fairly refined, and the V6 sounds smoother yet.

At nearly two tons, the Equinox's curb weight takes its toll on power delivery. While power and responsiveness are adequate for most situations, hill-climbs and passing maneuvers require either engine to work hard. The six-speed transmission feels reluctant to downshift, clinging to the higher gears too long, evidently to save fuel. Even the V6 takes a heavy foot to pick up the pace, which would lead most of our drivers to choose the four-cylinder engine unless they needed the larger engine's towing capacity.

Don't be misled by Chevy ads that harp on a 32-mpg EPA highway fuel-economy rating. That's for the lightest front-wheel-drive four-cylinder version. So far our samples have been averaging 24 mpg overall for the four-cylinder and 21 mpg for the V6. That's pretty good but also a far cry from the 30-plus anyone thought they would actually average based on the advertising.

The interior has noticeably better fit and finish than the outgoing version, although some plastics have sharp edges and most are hard to the touch. The standard seats have a welcome power height adjustment, but since the seat moves forward as it rises, it can still be tough to dial in an optimal driving position. We'd opt for the full-power seat. Thick roof pillars partly impeded the outward view both fore and aft. The rear seat is among the most spacious in this class, a considerable plus. Higher trims such as the 2LT come with a rear-view camera that's handy when parking or just backing up. Most controls are easy to use but some are oddly placed, such as the power lock switch, located on the center dash console.

2010 Chevrolet Equinox Cute Car

(All photos: Clifford Atiyeh/Boston.com)

Even with a backup camera and bumper sensors, would we really want to park the Equinox in Beacon Hill? No, thanks.

One look is all it takes to explain the weak sales of the first-generation Chevrolet Equinox. It's essentially a scaled-down version of Chevy's other tired workhorse, the Trailblazer, a larger truck that was popular when Circuit City sold CRT monitors. Circuit City subsequently went bankrupt and closed all its stores, but not because sleeker, widescreen LCD monitors became the industry standard. General Motors, it's fair to say, went bankrupt in a huge part by hanging on to outdated products like the Trailblazer and Equinox.

Even in futuristic hydrogen-powered fuel cell trim, the old Equinox was a weak competitor in the compact SUV segment, which had long adopted fresher faces, greater fuel efficiency, and higher-quality interiors.

Buyers have instead gravitated toward the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Ford Escape. Last year's Equinox sales of 67,447 were about 130,000 below the CR-V. The Escape, an 8-year-old model kept afloat with steady upgrades and a sophisticated hybrid, outsold the Chevy by more than double. If you'd like to be positive, Chevy was only 4,000 cars short of Toyota's SUV in 2008, as long you ignore RAV4 sales for the last six months of the year.

The 2010 Equinox has finally caught up, and in some areas, passed its competitors.

Replacing the 3.4 liter V-6 is a direct-injection 2.4 liter four, which despite lower torque, boosts fuel economy to a best in-class EPA 22/32 on the front-wheel drive model, far above the previous model's 17/24 (the front-wheel drive CR-V and RAV4 four-cylinder return 20/27 and 22/28, respectively).

An optional 3.0 liter V-6 engine makes 79 more horsepower and gets slightly better mileage than the old engine. An "eco" mode on the four-cylinder trim we tested is supposed to soften throttle response and make the transmission shift earlier. If anything changed, we didn't notice.

Being stuck in the city for much of our 258-mile drive kept us from achieving high numbers, and we averaged 21 miles per gallon - unremarkable but competitive - especially given that curb weight increased 178 pounds to 3,838, putting it about 400 pounds above the Japanese 'utes. On a brief highway stretch, we easily saw 32 miles per gallon on the trip computer display.

But the Equinox, while not towering in width or height, is a longer vehicle, with a wheelbase stretched almost a foot beyond the CR-V. That translates into a roomy backseat with generous legroom, and the dual flip-out LCD monitors with RCA inputs integrated into the front seats would be icing on the upscale, two-tone leather atmosphere, were it not for missing rear air vents and center headrest.

Up front is a space-age V-shaped dash laid out like an MP3 player. There's a record button for storing music on the 40 GB hard drive, and even the air-conditioning (single-zone only) has a power button like those found on, well, computer monitors. The gauges are surrounded in silver plastic molds that nod to the Camaro, and the whole dash is filled with high-quality, attractive plastics and easy-to-read buttons.

Outside, the big-mouth split grille proudly shows off its gold bow tie emblem, and the body's high beltline and sloping crease along the side give less of a "truck" appearance and more of a sporty crossover look than before. Optional 18-inch wheels, unlike our tester's 17s, would better fill out those big fender flares.

GM's navigation and infotainment system, which can't match all of Ford's SYNC voice features (nothing else can), is nonetheless a great effort. Maps are rendered in smooth vector images, and the system kindly interrupts your drive to inform of traffic delays and weather advisories. A traffic alert icon on the map of I-93 South indicated a broken-down vehicle ahead, and soon enough, the tow truck with lights flashing came into view in the right lane.

It's all part of XM's satellite service, but no other manufacturer has integrated this data so well. BMW, for example, makes its owners wade through iDrive submenus to find it, and even then, the information isn't specific enough to be helpful. The dashboard's angle on the Equinox, however, made it tough to use the touch-screen without leaning far forward.

With 182 horsepower coming at 6,700 rpm and only 174 pound-feet of torque at a rather peaky 4,800, the engine sweats to push every pound when called upon. Most drivers will enjoy the engine's efficiency, but there's zero fun to be had here. The six-speed automatic is up to task, downshifting quickly when summoned and clicking off smooth upshifts when the smoke clears. At cruise or on city streets, the Equinox shows off its Cadillac side - a quiet cabin combined with a tied-down chassis that ate some large ruts and bumps without any kickback through the steering column. Body roll is relatively minor considering the plush ride.

Mushy brake feel with long pedal travel and loosey-goosey steering disappoint. Granted, it's not competing against the BMW X3, but those two dynamics make the Equinox feel larger and less stable than it really is. Can we get an SS package, pretty please?

All told, the $32,330 sticker on our loaded LTZ, with destination, includes the navigation/infotainment system, rear multimedia displays, heated seats, leather with red stitching, Bluetooth, USB port, hard drive, remote start, and power everything, including the liftgate. It's s a solid deal for something this stylish, roomy, and adorned with fine materials and attention to detail. The base model starts at $23,185 with destination, and all-wheel drive is optional with either four-cylinder or V-6 engines.

2010 Equinox a solid hit for Chevy

The 2010 Chevrolet Equinox is offered in LS, 1LT, 2LT and LTZ trim levels, each with front- or all-wheel drive. The base model starts at about $23,000 and a fully loaded LTZ can top out at more than $36,000. Standard LTZ features include leather upholstery, automatic climate control, a rearview camera, Bluetooth connectivity, heated front seats and a power, programmable rear lift gate. Buyers can also opt for a sunroof, 18- and 19-inch wheels, a dual-screen rear DVD entertainment system and a navigation system that comes paired with a 40-gigabyte hard drive to hold music files. That’s a lot of equipment, which you would expect in higher line models, and Chevrolet says pricing is $1,000 to $1,800 less than the last outgoing model.

The base 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine is upgraded this year with the addition of direct fuel injection, which improves horsepower from 164 to 182 and torque from 160 to 172 pound-feet. Fuel economy is also improved; GM says the four-cylinder delivers 22 mpg city and an impressive 32 mpg highway with front-wheel drive. The lone transmission is a six-speed automatic with an “eco” feature that alters the shift points to increase fuel economy by about 1 mpg.

The 2.4 engine provides usable power from a stop and on the highway, and it even offers decent passing punch. Chevrolet quotes a 0-60 mph time of 8.6 seconds with front-wheel drive. That’s pretty quick for a four-cylinder-powered vehicle of this size. Thanks to plenty of sound-deadening material and acoustic glass in the windshield and front windows, the 2.4 is also smoother and quieter than most fourcylinders.

Chevrolet opted to switch from a 3.6-liter V-6 to a 3.0-liter V-6 as the top engine for 2010. While it produces the same 264 horsepower, the 3.0 has 28 less pound-feet of torque than the 3.6. On the road it feels considerably less powerful. In fact, the V-6 doesn’t feel that much stronger than the 2.4. Chevy says a front-drive Equinox with the 3.0 can accelerate to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds.

That’s not much faster than the 2.4 and it costs $1,500 more while delivering worse fuel economy. The four-cylinder is clearly the better choice.

While V-6 performance isn’t improved, handling is. The new Equinox is much more carlike and better controlled than its predecessor. The copious body lean is gone and passengers can ride in comfort without their heads being tossed side to side with every flick of the steering wheel. The steering is light and somewhat numb, and the brakes are easy to modulate. The new Equinox is every bit as good as the Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4 in terms of handling.

Chevrolet Camaro reportedly already sold out in Nippon

2010 Chevrolet Camaro -

Sales of the born-again Chevrolet Camaro have been notably strong in its first few months on the market here in the United States, even beating its longtime crosstown rival from Ford in June and July.

Now, word comes from General Motors Asia Pacific that the Bowtie's latest muscle car is a hit (of sorts) in Japan as well. We must qualify the term "hit," as the car's total number of takers in Japan is very small, at "over 120 orders" – we could see at least that many within eyesight at any given time last weekend at the Woodward Dream Cruise. However, that's reportedly the American automaker's quota for Japan, although it isn't clear if the tiny allotment is part of General Motors' brand strategy or if the volume is limited by local government regulations. Either way, if you live in Japan and you want a new Camaro, you'd better put your name on Chevy's list for next year.

Chevrolet Camaro

Chevrolet Camaro
Most people judge their cars by how they drive, their level of comfort, practicality and how they stand up to years of use. Someday, it might be like that for owners of the new Chevrolet Camaro.

Now, however, the car is too rare, too anticipated and too flamboyant, especially when painted bright yellow. As a result, much of the driving experience is supplied by many enthusiastic onlookers.

For me, it started with the first fill up. I was just outside Boston when I stopped at a busy, bargain-priced filling station where everyone had to prepay. Everyone, that is, except me.

As BMW, Cadillac and Camry drivers rolled up to the window to pay, I was stopped by the attendant who announced over the loudspeaker, "Go ahead and pump. Pay me after. You have a beautiful car."

After I filled up and then paid, the attendant wanted all the details about my bright yellow Camaro: How much? Which engine? What is it like to drive? The questions came faster than the credit card receipt.

The car also impressed the young woman who took my money at the Mass Pike toll plaza in Sturbridge. "I saw you coming and hoped you would pick this lane," she said. "That's a really nice car."

2010 Chevrolet Camaro is Great

Jalopnik

As we are used by history when we have a Camaro we also have a SS version. And the 2010 model will be no exception. The Camaro SS will be launched just a few months after the standard version will hit the market. It will be a serious competition for the Ford Mustang Shelby and Dodge Charger SRT8.

Hope you're not tired of retro-styled cars just yet because one of the best just arrived in showrooms.

The 2010 Chevrolet Camaro is a visual rendition of the 1969 Camaro but with a sinister flair provided by bulging fenders and large wheels. A windshield and side windows give passengers the feel of being behind gun slits in a military vehicle.

The new Camaro is substantial, too. The base car, with V-6 and manual transmission, weighs nearly 3,800 pounds, which is akin to a Chevy Colorado Crew Cab pickup truck.

At 75.5 inches wide, the Camaro is wider than many sport utility vehicles. And with 304 horsepower in the base model, it offers much more power than base versions of the Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger.

Unfortunately, though, the new Camaro received only four out of five stars for driver and front passenger protection in federal government frontal crash testing and only four stars for driver protection in side crash testing.

Major competitors — the Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger — received five stars across the board.

In addition, starting prices for the Camaro — $23,040 starting manufacturer's suggested retail price, including destination charge, for a base model with 304-horsepower V-6 and manual transmission and $31,040 for one with 426-horsepower V-8 and manual — are higher than those of the major competition.

Specifically, the 2010 Ford Mustang coupe with 210-horsepower V-6 and manual transmission has a starting retail price of $21,845. The 2010 Mustang GT with 315-horsepower V-8 and manual starts at $28,845.

The Dodge Challenger, another American muscle car that returned in retro form to the market in recent years, has a starting retail price of $22,945 with 250-horsepower V-6 and $30,945 with 372-horsepower V-8. It comes with only an automatic transmission.

The new Camaro, which started production in March with 14,000 orders on file, is built on a modified rear-wheel drive platform borrowed from the Australian affiliate of Chevy's parent company General Motors Corp.

But it's clear in driving and riding in it that detailed work was done to the suspension. Struts with coil springs handle things up front. In the rear, a well-designed, independent, 4.5-link configuration works great to even out road bumps and maintain control during spirited driving.

In city traffic, the ride can feel compliant without being soft and mushy. In twisty mountain roads, the car can feel taut and well-managed without being hard on passengers.

Brakes in the test Camaro, the mid-level LT, worked well, too. I just wish the steering felt more precise.

Engines and transmissions are engineered for fuel economy and strong power.

The 3.6-liter, double overhead cam V-6 with direct injection and variable valve timing that's in the base LS model as well as LT has enough "oomph" to move the sizable Camaro forward easily. Torque peaks at 273 foot-pounds at 5,200 rpm, which is more than what's in the V-6s of the Mustang and Challenger.

In the tester, an optional Hydra-Matic 6L50 six-speed automatic transmission delivered the power smoothly, and the car always felt responsive.

Chevrolet Cruze

THE new Cheverolet Cruze proves that an economical car doesn't always mean cutting back on the quality.

Anyone who's visited a high street recently will have witnessed the proliferation of pound shops where what the Americans call 'mom and pop' stores used to stand.

My local shopping bunker - a charmless concrete temple to convenience - boasts B & M bargain stores stuffed cheek by jowl with a Poundland outfit and a gargantuan Quality Save.

It's not all terrible. In fact, it can be heaven for the browser with time to kill and at least a quid in their pocket.

There are copious things you hadn't previously realised that you couldn't live without and some of them are quite useful.

Gazebos for a penny less than a tenner, cut-price cat food, sweets, trinkets, all manner of exciting things extruded from plastic and rendered un-pass-by-able by those nice people in China.

Exspense

If there is a rub then it's the fact that value comes at the expense of choice. Poundland is a place where the shelves are filled not necessarily with what people really, really want, but what the stores' buyer can get his hands on really cheaply.

If cars were cheap enough to be sold in Poundland, then you'd most likely find a Chevrolet Cruze blocking the gardening aisle.

Come to think of it, maybe there is a market for an On-The-Road for £11,995 outlet.

It's not necessarily a car that you'd go out shopping for (the list would say things like VW Jetta and Ford Focus) but if you stumbled upon it, closed your eyes and tried it, you'd discover that it's actually good enough for your requirements.

To put that another way, the new Chevrolet Cruze is a little like the can of Shmeinz beans and sausage you buy only to discover that they're only slightly less beans and sausagey than the ones made by Heinz... and much cheaper too!

It's a saloon which marks something of a turning point in motoring - the moment at which something sold for small bucks does a job so reasonable that you really don't need to spend any more.

Chevrolet Cruze

2011 Volt by GM Could Get 230 MPG in City Driving

When the Chevrolet Volt hits showrooms late next year, it could blow away the competition. The hybrid engine runs on electricity and gas and can get up to 230 miles to the gallon during city driving. That figure has yet to be tested by federal regulators, but anywhere close to that number would be a record for an American car. The price tag of the automobile is in the neighborhood of $40,000, however the mileage is four times better than the popular Toyota Prius. Many city dwellers might just make the jump to the Volt after considering the long term savings in such an investment.

The four door four-seater will be the most efficient car on the roadways by next year, and works a little differently than the Prius. The joint electric-gas engine comes with a battery pack that has a 40 mile range, after which a combustion engine will kick in that can drive the car for another estimated 300 miles. The Prius, which costs about half as much gets a seemingly paltry – in comparison – 51 miles per gallon in the city and 48 miles per gallon on the highway.

There is some bad news on the horizon for the Volt, however, as the auto maker GM is having some capital problems and may not be able to make enough vehicles to satiate demand. When the campaign to release the vehicle began they were shooting for a 60,000 car release, but have recently stated that they will more likely only release a few hundred at the tail end of 2010 which about 10,000 coming the following year. If the price tag doesn’t scare you away, you may want to make arrangements to lock up your Chevy Volt in the very near future.

2010 Chevrolet Camaro not just a throwback

The 2010 Chevrolet Camaro is a visual rendition of the 1969 Camaro but with a sinister flair provided by bulging fenders and large wheels. A windshield and side windows give passengers the feel of being behind gun slits in a military vehicle.

The new Camaro is substantial, too. The base car, with V-6 and manual transmission, weighs nearly 3,800 pounds, which is akin to a Chevy Colorado Crew Cab pickup truck.

At 75.5 inches wide, the Camaro is wider than many sport utility vehicles. And with 304 horsepower in the base model, it offers much more power than base versions of the Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger.

Unfortunately, though, the new Camaro received only four out of five stars for driver and front passenger protection in federal government frontal crash testing and only four stars for driver protection in side crash testing.

Major competitors — the Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger — received five stars across the board.

In addition, starting prices for the Camaro — $23,040 starting manufacturer's suggested retail price, including destination charge, for a base model with 304-horsepower V-6 and manual transmission and $31,040 for one with 426-horsepower V-8 and manual — are higher than those of the major competition.

Specifically, the 2010 Ford Mustang coupe with 210-horsepower V-6 and manual transmission has a starting retail price of $21,845. The 2010 Mustang GT with 315-horsepower V-8 and manual starts at $28,845.

The Dodge Challenger, another American muscle car that returned in retro form to the market in recent years, has a starting retail price of $22,945 with 250-horsepower V-6 and $30,945 with 372-horsepower V-8. It comes with only an automatic transmission.

The new Camaro, which started production in March with 14,000 orders on file, is built on a modified rear-wheel drive platform borrowed from the Australian affiliate of Chevy's parent company General Motors Corp.

New Camaro Convertible Coming in 2011

Although we didn’t get to see a production Camaro convertible at this morning’s GM live webcast as we had hoped, GM has in the follow-up session officially confirmed that the production of the 2011 Camaro convertible will begin in the second quarter of 2011! This is slightly later than the previously estimated Q1 production date, but we’ll take it!

New Chevrolet Volt could get 230 mpg

The Chevrolet Volt will get around 230 mpg and be available in showrooms in 2010.General Motors said today its Chevrolet Volt could get 230 mpg in city driving. If confirmed by federal regulators, the Volt would be the first American vehicle to reach triple-digit fuel economy.

The Chevy Volt is a four-door, four passenger auto powered by an electric motor and a battery pack with a 40-mile range. When the battery is exhausted, a small internal combustion engine begins generating electricity for a total range of around 300 miles. The battery pack can also be recharged from a standard home outlet.

Traditional hybrids use a small internal combustion engine combined with a high-powered battery to boost fuel efficiency. The Toyota Prius gets 51 mpg in the city and around 48 mpg on the highway.

According to USA Today, “It was not immediately clear how GM reached the 230 mpg in city driving, but industry officials estimated the automaker’s calculation took into consideration the Volt traveling 40 miles on the electric battery and then achieving about 50 mpg when the engine kicked in.”

Highway mileage calculations have not yet been determined for the Volt, but GM CEO Fritz Henderson said, “We are confident the highway (mileage) will be a triple-digit.”

All-electric vehicles are limited to U.S. consumers. The Tesla Roadster, a high-end sports car with a range of 224 miles, is probably the most popular. The Tesla is also a stand out in performance; achieving 0-60 mph in just 3.9 seconds. However, the $109,000 base price has only sold 500 units in the United State and Europe.

2011 Chevrolet Volt Production Show Car

Chevrolet Aveo Sedan Pictures

2007 Chevrolet Aveo Sedan


2007 Chevrolet Aveo Sedan


2007 Chevrolet Aveo Sedan


2007 Chevrolet Aveo Sedan