Cadillac Converj: Two Doors or Four?

Help GM Make a Business Case for its Detroit Show-Stopping, Voltec-Powered Caddy

The Cadillac Converj is still just a concept. Even though I'm far from the only motor journalist to have gushed over the star of the North American International Auto Show, General Motors' brass hasn't given a production version the green light. To refresh your memory, the Converj is a sexy 2+2 coupe riding on a version of the Chevrolet Volt's Voltec platform, powered by a 16 kW set of lithium-ion batteries with a 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine for recharging purposes only. We'll have more details in an upcoming issue of Motor Trend magazine and of course here at MT.com

The Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 Returns

The Ultimate Camaro is Ready to Go. But There's One Small Problem...

These are strange times at post-bailout GM. Having taken taxpayer money, the company is no longer master of its own destiny. It was bad enough when, late last year, new-model programs were halted to conserve dwindling cash reserves. Now, though, there's another thread running through GM's product planning process: not, should we build this vehicle, but is this a vehicle we should be seen to be building?

Chevrolet Malibu sales were up 51.5 percent in 2008

The Chevrolet Malibu is General Motors’ favorite child. While industrywide sales were down 18 percent in 2008, Chevy Malibu sales were up a whopping 51.5 percent from the year before.

J.D. Power and Associates gave the General high marks for its Malibu launch, making it the No.3 most significant launch in 2007. The No.1 went to the Buick Enclave, but sales volume of the Lambda SUV aren’t as high as the Malibu.

GM says that the Chevrolet Malibu didn’t hit its full stride until January 2008 which helped it sell a total of 177,088 units of the mid-sized sedan in all of 2008. GM’s overall U.S. sales fell 22.7 percent in 2008.

Source: Detroit Free Press

556-hp Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 is done, but on hold until financial condition improves

As General Motors continues to survive on taxpayer’s bailout money, it must be very careful on how and where it spends cash. That includes how the automaker spends money on future products already in the pipeline. According to Motor Trend, the Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 is already done; however, GM has put the Z/28 on hold since it ran out of money to launch the car.

The General has to be very careful where it spends its taxpayer bailout money since a car like the Camaro Z/28, which is expected to return a fuel economy of 13/19 mpg, will most probably be looked down upon during the company’s current financial situation (aka pissing off taxpayers around the nation).

Under the hood of the Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 will be the same 6.2L LSA V8 supercharged engine from the Cadillac CTS-V. It will produce a neck-snapping 556-hp with a peak torque of 551 lb-ft. The Z/28 will also share the 6-speed manual and automatic transmission with the Cadillac CTS-V. 0 to 60 mph is expected come in at 3.9 seconds with a top speed of 193 mph for the manual version.

While all that makes us muscle car fans drool, General Motors will have to stick to building fuel-sippers like the Chevrolet Cruze and the Chevrolet Volt for now. Let’s just hope by the time GM can make the Z/28, the market will still be willing to buy it.

Source: Motor Trend

The New Chevrolet Volt

New era in automotive transportation

The Chevrolet Volt heralds a new era in the electrification of the automobile by creating a new class of vehicle known as the Extended-Range Electric Vehicle, or E-REV.

The Volt uses electricity to move the wheels at all times and speeds. For trips up to 60 km, the Chevrolet Volt is powered only by electricity stored in its 16-kWh, lithium-ion battery. When the battery's energy is depleted, a gasoline/E85-powered engine generator seamlessly provides electricity to power the Volt's electric drive unit while simultaneously sustaining the charge of the battery. This mode of operation extends the range of the Volt for several hundred additional kilometers, until the vehicle's battery can be charged. Unlike a conventional battery-electric vehicle, the Volt eliminates "range anxiety," giving the confidence and peace of mind that the driver will not be stranded by a depleted battery.

The Chevrolet Volt can be plugged into a standard household 230v outlet for charging. The vehicle's intelligent charging technology enables the Volt's battery to be charged in less than three hours. Charge times are reduced if the battery has not been fully depleted. GM estimates that it will cost less than one euro at night for a full charge that will deliver up to 60 km of electric driving.

Charged up for performance

On the road, the Chevrolet Volt offers spirited driving performance in a remarkably quiet interior. More than 220 lithium-ion cells contained within the Volt's battery pack provide ample power. The Volt's electric drive unit delivers the equivalent of 150 hp/110 kW, 370 Nm of instant torque, and a top speed of 161 km/h. The lack of engine noise, combined with special sound-deadening materials, makes the Chevrolet Volt an extremely quiet vehicle to drive.

GM estimates that the Chevrolet Volt will cost about two euro cents per km to drive while under battery power, compared to 12 euro cents per km using gasoline priced at €1.50 per liter. For an average driver who drives 60 km per day (or 22,000 km per year), this amounts to cost savings of €2,200 annually. Using night-time electricity rates, GM estimates that an electrically driven kilometer in a Volt will be about one-sixth of the cost of a conventional gasoline-powered vehicle.

The Chevrolet Volt is expected to be built at GM's Detroit-Hamtramck manufacturing facility, subject to GM successfully negotiating satisfactory government incentives. Production is scheduled to begin late 2010 for models in the United States. Pricing has not been announced.

Chevrolet Volt: What is an E-REV?

The 2011 Chevrolet Volt is a front-wheel-drive, four-passenger Extended-Range Electric Vehicle (E-REV) that uses electricity as its primary power source and gasoline as its secondary power source to propel the vehicle.

An E-REV like the Chevrolet Volt represents a significant departure from conventional hybrids. In a E-REV, the wheels are turned by an electric drive unit, whereas in conventional hybrids the wheels are turned by an electric motor, a gasoline engine, or both. For short trips, E-REVs will run on battery power alone.

For longer trips, additional electricity can be supplied by an internal combustion engine or a fuel cell. The battery and propulsion systems are sized so that when sufficient energy is available from the battery, the engine (or fuel cell) is not required for operation. During this electric only phase of driving, the battery, motor, and power electronics are designed to deliver full performance, acceleration, top speed, hill climbing on electric power alone.

How Chevrolet Volt works

Energy is stored on board in a 16-kWh, "T"-shaped lithium-ion battery pack. The battery pack powers the electric drive unit, which is capable of meeting full vehicle speed and acceleration performance while driving the car electrically for up to 60 kilometers (based on MVEG city cycle) without using a drop of gas. For longer trips, the Chevrolet Volt's on-board range-extending engine is used to drive an electric generator when the battery's energy has been depleted. The range extender, which can be powered by gas/E85 Ethanol, is able to generate additional electricity to power the car for hundreds of miles.

Chevrolet Volt: Fast Facts

• The 2011 Chevrolet Volt is a front-wheel-drive, four-passenger Extended-Range Electric Vehicle (E-REV) that uses electricity as its primary energy source and gasoline as its secondary energy source to propel the vehicle. Energy is stored on board in a 16-kWh, "T"-shaped lithium-ion battery pack. The battery pack powers the electric drive unit, which is capable of meeting full vehicle speed and acceleration performance while driving the car electrically for up to 60 kilometers (based on MVEG city cycle) without a drop of gas. For longer trips, the Volt's on-board range-extending engine is used to drive an electric generator when the battery's energy has been depleted. The range extender, which can be powered by gas/E85 Ethanol, is able to generate additional electricity to power the car for hundreds of miles.
• The Chevy Volt will use no gasoline and produce no emissions for up to 60 kilometers of daily driving, helping to save approximately 1,900 liters of gasoline a year (compared to a similar sized vehicle that averages 7.8 l/100 km).
• GM estimates that drivers who travel 100 kilometers a day (more than 33,500 kilometers miles per year) could save about 2,100 liters of gasoline annually (compared to a similar size vehicle that averages 7.8 l/100 km).
• The Chevrolet Volt operates differently from all other propulsion systems. An electric drive unit (electric motor) drives the wheels at all times and at all speeds. The Volt's range-extending engine serves only to create electricity to power the vehicle beyond 60 kilometers.
• Depending on the drive cycle, an E-REV like the Chevrolet Volt will eliminate most initial engine starts and substantially reduce associated vehicle emissions.
• Thanks to instantaneous torque, the Chevy Volt will be a fun-to-drive car with quick acceleration.
• At current prices per kilowatt hour, GM estimates that an electrically driven kilometer in a Chevrolet Volt will cost about one-sixth compared to a conventional gasoline vehicle. It is estimated that it will cost about 0.02 euro per kilometer to drive electrically vs. 0.12 euro using gasoline at current prices.
• Most Chevy Volts are likely to be charged off-peak in the evening or overnight when consumption is lower, potentially further reducing the cost of recharging.
• Charging the Chevrolet Volt about once daily will consume less electric energy annually than the average home's refrigerator and freezer units.
• At a cost of about 1 euro a day for a full charge that will deliver up to 60 kilometers of electric driving, for most owners the Volt will be less expensive to recharge than purchasing a daily cup of your favorite branded coffee.
• The beautiful aerodynamic design of the Chevrolet Volt production car helps to improve both fuel economy and driving performance.

GM's Board of Directors approved the production of the Chevrolet Volt. The targeted launch date is late 2010 as a 2011 model.

Opel Ampera Concept - Auto Shows

At the 2009 Geneva auto show, GM will unveil its plans to go global with the highly-hyped Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric vehicle. Wearing Opel duds, the newest addition to the platform is the Ampera concept, which shares the same Voltec—formerly know as E-Flex—electric propulsion system as the Volt and Cadillac Converj concept that debuted at the 2009 North American International Auto Show.

We speculate the Opel will be powered by the same 16-kWh, T-shaped battery pack powering a 120-kW (161-hp) electric motor, as the Volt. Likewise, the Ampera is capable of running solely on lithium-ion battery power for up to about 40 miles and will continue to drive longer distances on electricity generated by a small four-cylinder gasoline engine. Charging will be handled through a standard 220-volt outlet and we could assume charging time will be about three hours based on Volt and Converj specs.

Keep Reading: Opel Ampera Concept - Auto Shows

Dealer-Installed Performance Option for Pontiac Solstice GXP, the Saturn Sky Red Line, and Chevy HHR SS - Car News

GM Performance is now offering a dealer-installed performance option for the 2.0-liter, direct-injection turbo four-cylinder found in the Pontiac Solstice GXP, the Saturn Sky Red Line, and the Chevy HHR SS. It increases horsepower from 260 to 290 and torque from 260 pound-feet to 340 for the manual-transmission Solstice and Sky (325 for automatic models and 315 for the HHR). The kit will cost $650 (not including installation) and consists of an ECU reflash to up the boost and a new manifold-air-pressure sensor. A version for the Cobalt SS with the same engine is expected in a few months.

Keep Reading: Dealer-Installed Performance Option for Pontiac Solstice GXP, the Saturn Sky Red Line, and Chevy HHR SS - Car News

2010 / 2012 Chevrolet Spark - Auto Shows

The new Chevrolet Spark is inching closer to reality. Despite an official launch that is some time off—we expect to drive it at an international press launch in November 2009—Chevrolet has now taken the cover off the production version. It will appear at March’s Geneva auto show.

European customers will get the Spark in early 2010, while the U.S. will have to wait until the fourth quarter of 2011, according to GM North America president Troy Clarke. It will be positioned below the Aveo, which—like the Spark—was developed by GM Daewoo in South Korea.

This next Spark will replace the current, second-generation model—also known as the Matiz and Joy—which is a favorite in European cities with its 137.6-inch length and 58.9-inch width. The new model will have almost the same dimensions, we are told by a Chevrolet spokesman in Europe.

Keep Reading: 2010 / 2012 Chevrolet Spark - Auto Shows

2008 Chevy Cobalt SS Sedan, Part Three

We've taken a look at the 2008 Chevy Cobalt SS sedan and had a rollicking good time doing it, but who should buy such a car-shaped rocket ship?

Why you should buy the 2008 Chevy Cobalt SS:
You like the idea of hitting the drag strip and taking down cars costing twice as much. You want to be Paul Walker but you've got a pair of kids and a job and a wife and need a car that doesn't get whispered about at PTA meetings. Despite being a grown up, you hear the siren song of cheap drag racing and can't afford a money pit racer. You're a sixteen-year-old speed freak and able to fool your parents into thinking its just a boring old Cobalt.

Why you shouldn't buy this car:
You think cars with 82-way power seats, pop-up navigation systems and hand-stitched leathery bits are the last word in high-performance. Greasy bits like a high-tech turbocharged 2.0-liter direct injection four-cylinder, Brembo brakes and limited-slip differential hold no interest for you if the outside looks like a vanilla ice cream sundae. You need people to notice the car you pull up to the tanning salon in. Resale value is important to you. You're Congressman Richard Shelby and think every car built under a domestic nameplate isn't worth the shadow it casts.

Suitability Parameters:
Speed Merchants: Yes
Fashion Victims: No
Treehuggers: No
Mack Daddies: No
Tuner Crowd: Yes
Hairdressers: No
Penny Pinchers: Yes
Euro Snobs: No
Working Stiffs: Yes
Technogeeks: No
Poseurs: No
Soccer Moms: No
Nascar Dads: No
Golfing Grandparents: Yes
Very Serious Businessmen: No
Sheiklets: No

Also Consider:
• Subaru WRX
• Volkswagen GLI
• Nissan Sentra SE-R
• Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart
• Mazdaspeed3
• Ritalin

Vitals:
• Manufacturer: Chevrolet
• Model year: 2008
• Base Price: $22,995.
• Price as Tested: $24,840
• Engine type: 2.0-liter Turbo I4
• Horsepower: 260 HP @ 5300 rpm
• Torque: 260 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm
• Transmission: 5 Speed Manual Transmission
• Curb Weight: 3,001 lbs
• LxWxH: 180.3" x 67.9" x 57.1"
• Wheelbase: 103.3"
• Tires: 225/40 R18
• 0 - 60 mph: 5.7 Seconds
• Top Speed: 160 MPH
• EPA Fuel economy city/highway: 22/30 MPG
• NHTSA crash test rating: 4*/5*

2008 Chevy Cobalt SS Sedan, Part Two

Yesterday, we told you the 2008 Chevy Cobalt SS was a walloping good time. But how does it stack up when you’re not going fast? Let's find out.

Exterior Design: ***
The 2008 Chevy Cobalt SS, even in four-door form, makes us smile for some reason. To know how easy it is to take a plain vanilla econobox and turn it into a car with a much more handsome proportion, providing just a hint of the performance that lies underneath, without resorting to a SEMAgasmic display of leftover go-faster-looking parts, is quite an achievement. Certainly it's still a small car with a tall cabin and dodgy-looking lighting elements, but when lipstick's applied, it kinda makes ya want to pucker up a bit for the little pig.

Interior Design: ***
The two-tone, Alcantara sport buckets in the front and rear are magnificent. Grippy, firm, supportive – fantastic. It’d take something badged “Recaro” to be better. General space is good all around for the segment, even for the back seat passengers. The patented Jalopnik Knock Test revealed a bit of rattle in the dash here and there, mainly from the painted trim; in normal driving situations though, the car is solid as a rock. We would have appreciated a center console or armrest, but such is not the case. The dash layout is simple to the point, the three-spoke steering wheel is thick and feels good in hand. The cabin is mercifully pretense-free, without superfluous gaudy lighting and silly gadgetry. Get in, be comfy, go fast.

Acceleration: ****
Select Sport Mode, come to a complete stop, drop it into first, peg the throttle and the revs stick to 5,100 RPM. Dump the clutch smartly and your take offs look like stage starts at the WRC. Keep the accelerator stuck to the floor and, without lifting, stab the clutch, grab the next gear and lift off the clutch. Aside from inciting a manic grin you'll pull down 0-to-60 MPH runs in 5.7 seconds. That's not just remarkable; it's down right silly. Make sure you do this on a straight line, otherwise, woe and torque steer be upon thee.

Braking: ****
One word: Magnificent. No, wait, two words: heart-stopping

Ride: **
On the freeway the car is smooth and composed, abrupt lane transfers are as confident as the heaviest German luxo-barge. If you slow down and hit the surface streets, the suspension is so tightly sprung you can feel the road grain. If you hit any of the rough stuff you'll probably be in need of a new set of kidneys. This isn't a car for Grandma.

Handling: ***
Surprisingly competent considering the beam axle in the back. If you drive like a sane person, even at the limit of adhesion, the Cobalt will reward with flat cornering and predictable understeer. However, if you hit a corner at speed, stab the monstrously powerful brakes, yank the tiller and goose the gas you're going to be pushing way into the grass.

Gearbox: ***
A notchy five-speed manual transmission with evenly spaced gears and strong synchros. Combined with no-lift-shift the gearbox makes you feel like a superhero. That being said, it is still a cable-shifted box, and no matter how hard any company tries to improve it, there will always be certain sense of remoteness.

Audio: ****
This Cobalt SS convinced us that we want a USB port in our next car. Plug a USB stick, an iPod, or an MP3 player loaded with your favorite goodies into the dash mounted slot and immediately the system detects its presence, then goes about playing whatever you've got stashed on there, no fussing, no struggle. We got particular enjoyment from a remastered copy of War of the Worlds played during some nighttime mayhem.

Toys: *
Does the boost gauge count? Other than that there aren't a whole lot of toys on the Cobalt SS.

Value: ***
If you're after a hugely entertaining compact, front-drive four-door with the tendency towards mischief and malice, this is the car for you. The problem is, at $24,095, the Cobalt SS is only $900 cheaper than a 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX; a car that’s faster, has much better handling and is eminently more practical.

Overall: ***
As you drive it, you know at some point you're going to slip up and give the car a chance to throw a tantrum. The Cobalt SS is akin to a Tasmanian Devil in a cat carrier; destructively dangerous energy pent up in a container barely able to restrain its manic intensity, you know you're going to get mauled eventually, but you can't help but poke your finger through the cage.

New Corvette Z06-Based Anteros Heading To LA Auto Show

Although we first saw n2a Motors' Anteros back at SEMA two years ago along with the 789 retro-rod. Well, the custom coachbuilder's got a brand new bag of C6-modified tricks up its sleeve. The custom carmaker's bringing the latest version of the Anteros to the LA Auto Show later this month. This new Anteros hotness is built on the 2009 Chevy Corvette, and as usual, it's got a carbon-composite body that again looks more at home in Cambiano, Italy than Bowling Green, Kentucky.

The new design looks to feature a ZR1-style side scoop design, but unfortunately, due to a lack of rear shots, we've no idea whether the rear gets the same googly-eyed taillights as the last model. n2a's bringing both a coupe and a convertible version of the Anteros, with the black convertible built using a stock 2009 Corvette donor car. The drop-top features the 430 HP, 424 lb-ft of torque LS3 V8 under the hood. The silver coupe, pictured above and below, goes a bit farther up the performance stream, thanks to the donor body — a 2009 Corvette Z06, modified with Lingenfelter’s 630 HP performance package. All base models include a carbon composite body, hand-stitched leather interior, three-piece aluminum wheels, and a custom cat-back exhaust system. The best part? Chevrolet’s 100,000 mile powertrain warranty remains completely intact and the Anteros can be serviced at any GM dealership. Pricing for the turnkey Anteros coupe starts at $149,500 and the Anteros convertible starts at $154,500. Want to go for the high-powered version? Anteros coupes built on the Z06 platform start at $176,500. Performance packages ranging from 525-1000+ horsepower are available for an additional cost. Full press release below.

SANTA ANA, California, November 10, 2008 – n2a Motors, Inc. announced today that it will debut its latest model, the Anteros, at the Los Angeles Auto Show on November 21st.

Continuing a tradition of unique styling and impressive performance, the Anteros is built on the new 2009 Corvette platform and features a body reminiscent of iconic Italian designs. Built from modern lightweight carbon fiber, the Anteros is available with a variety of performance and appearance options. n2a Motors is taking orders for January 2009 deliveries.

n2a Motors will be displaying the first production convertible and coupe versions of the Anteros in their exhibit. The black convertible is built using a stock 2009 Corvette donor car, featuring the 430 hp/424 lb.-ft. torque LS3 V8 engine that gets 16 MPG city and 26 MPG highway. The silver coupe is based on a 2009 Corvette Z06 and is modified with Lingenfelter’s 630 horsepower performance package. All base models include a carbon composite body, hand-stitched leather interior, three-piece aluminum wheels, and a custom cat back exhaust. Chevrolet’s 100,000 mile powertrain warranty remains completely intact and the Anteros can be serviced at any GM dealership.

Each Anteros takes approximately 12 weeks to build from the time of order. n2a Motors starts by removing the donor Corvette’s body panels and installing the new carbon-composite Anteros body, a process that takes nearly 800 hours for n2a’s coachbuilding craftsmen to complete. The interior is entirely new with re-contoured leather seats, leather dash, Italian carpeting, and leather-wrapped interior panels, while the wheels and exhaust are removed and replaced with n2a’s custom-made components. The turnkey Anteros Coupe starts at $149,500 and the Anteros Convertible starts at $154,500. Anteros Coupes built on the Z06 platform start at $176,500. Performance packages ranging from 525-1000+ horsepower are available for an additional cost.

The Anteros is the follow-up to n2a Motors’ 789 model that debuted to critical acclaim at the New York International Auto Show in March 2008. Inspired by the designs of the 1957, 58, and 59 Chevrolets, the 789 was hailed as “merely the coolest car…on the planet” by the New York Times. The 789 is also built on the C6 Corvette platform and utilizes a carbon composite body. Coupe 789 models start at $139,500 and the convertible base model is $144,500. A convertible 789 will also be on display at the LA Auto Show.

The LA Auto Show is held at the Los Angeles Convention Center from November 21-30, 2008. n2a Motors can be found at the LA Auto Show in booth number K-620 in the Kentia Hall.

2009 Chevrolet Traverse LT

After months of reviewing only family-oriented transportation, this particular blogger began a streak of judging high-horsepower sports coupes. It's damn near impossible to complain about something with more power than anyone should ever need, but after a while my family got tired of trying to shoehorn five-year-old twins into the cramped back seat of a coupe. That's why we were most relieved to see that the 2009 Chevy Traverse was ready for a run in the Autoblog Garage.
The Traverse is the latest though maybe not last Lambda crossover, and since it dons General Motors' high volume Bow Tie badging, it's likely the most significant, as well. It is GM's least expensive eight-passenger crossover while also carrying the distinction of being the most efficient and most powerful Lambda. Does that make the Traverse the best of GM's Lambda litter? We took on the massive people hauler for a week to find out for ourselves.

Gallery: In the Autoblog Garage: 2009 Chevy Traverse LT

Engine Of The Day: The Very First Chevrolet V8

We haven't had an Engine Of The Day for a while, but the Chevrolet Series D V8 engine deserves some attention. 288 cubic inches, overhead valves, crossflow heads… and it was manufactured 38 years before the small-block Chevrolet engine. That's right, Chevrolet had an OHV V8, generating an excellent-for-its-time 55 horsepower, back in 1917! Chevrolet was absorbed by General Motors that year, and the Series D was dropped when The General's marketers decided to make Chevrolet its low-priced marque… but imagine what might have been, had early hot-rodders become accustomed to cheap V8s in the decades before the Ford Flathead V8.

Chevrolet Rules: Double Lacetti Victory Paves Way For Cruze in 2009

Alain Menu and Rob Huff successfully closed the four-season Lacetti-chapter for Chevrolet in the World Touring Car Championship by scoring two wins in the streets of Macau, the jewel in the crown of the WTCC. While Menu dominated race 1 from start to finish, Huff was lucky to steer clear of the last-lap mayhem in race 2 and move up from fourth to first in the matter of a few …

Hey 2010 Chevy Camaro RS, What Are You Doing Here?

An editor over at Cars.com, driving between Chicago and Detroit, noticed a bright blue 2010 Chevy Camaro RS just hanging out at a gas station outside of the Motor City. We're assuming the manufacturer-plated car is probably either an early pre-production model or from GM's captive test fleet. Either that or a cash-strapped GM decided to save money by not advertising the car's release and there are a bunch of them sitting at Chevy dealerships where they'll likely never be discovered. Probably not. [Kicking Tires]

Top Gear Builds Corvette Engine-Powered Blender

In last night's episode of Top Gear, Jeremy Clarkson put the show's engineering talents to work on building an answer to a question we never knew we had; Can you build a blender out of a 6.2-liter LS3 V8 Corvette engine? The answer, as you can see in the video below the jump, is yes. It's simply astonishing to watch a 436 HP, 424 lb-ft of torque metal monster rip up some meat. We all know Clarkson's got a thing for power, but who knew it extended from the track into the kitchen?

Chevrolet Announces Pricing For 2009 Silverado Hybrid

Chevrolet today announced pricing for the 2009 Silverado Hybrid - the only full-size hybrid pickup on the market. It starts at $38,995, including a $975 destination charge, for 2WD models with the 1HY package. The MSRP does not reflect a $2,200 federal tax credit that applies to many customers who purchase the Silverado Hybrid. The Silverado Hybrid delivers fuel economy comparable to many midsize sedans, but with the cargo and towing …

Chevy Tahoe Messes With Texas Mini Cooper, Pays Price

Some SUV buyers tend to feel that they're captaining the dreadnoughts of the road, impervious to all harm and thus free to futz with cupholders and electronic gadgetry rather than pay attention to traffic signals. In this incident in Texas- which, fortunately, did not result in any major injuries- a Chevy Tahoe was T-boned by a Mini Cooper and flipped right over. LeMons Neon racer and Enzo rejuvenator Matt Groner sends us these photos and a description of the wreck written by his friend, who was behind the wheel of the Mini:

These pictures were taken by one of the firemen who were called to the scene, with his camera phone. The officials who responded to the accident could not believe that the Mini (and I) sustained so little damage. The other vehicle involved is a Chevy Tahoe. I was driving south on a one-way street and the other driver was driving west, also on a one-way street. The other driver ran a red light (that had been red for a long time) and appeared in the intersection just in front of me as I came through. I didn't even see them. I hit the passenger's side of Tahoe head-on, and the Tahoe rolled. In one of the pictures, you can see the Mini-shaped dent in the vehicle that is on its side. The driver of the Tahoe was unhurt and did get a ticket. She was also insured.

Chevy Cruze WTCC Racer Fully Revealed [Racing News]

Not happy with just taunting us with the new 2010 Chevy Cruze going on sale a year earlier in Europe than in the US, GM has now fully unveiled the World Touring Car Championship Chevy Cruze, all dolled up for serious action. The racing Cruze replaces the Chevrolet Lacetti as GM's WTCC corporate racer and will be driven by a 2.0 liter four cylinder and piloted by Brit racer Rob Huff, Swizerlander Alain Menu and Italian Nicola Larini. The rough part of this whole story is the pun-tastic headline GM uses in their press release. An audible groaner below.

CRUZE-ING TO VICTORY?

* Chevrolet unveils new WTCC contender
* 2009 car based on new Cruze global car
* British driver Rob Huff continues Chevrolet involvement

With a new global car on the way for 2009, the World Touring Car Championship is the perfect platform for Chevrolet to put its latest model in the public eye.

This is the new Cruze WTCC car, which replaces the successful Lacetti as Chevrolet’s contender in the 2009 series.

Powered by a 2.0-litre petrol engine, the WTCC Cruze has a hard act to follow, as the Lacetti won its final two outings for Chevrolet in Macau.

But Chevrolet’s drivers are confident that the new car will be a top performer in the series, which has gained global recognition as one of the most exciting tin-top series since its inception in 2005.

British driver Rob Huff (28) from Newmarket, Suffolk, who has been with Chevrolet since it debuted in World Touring Cars said: “The Cruze is a great car and feels fast straight out of the box. We are obviously still at the very early stages of development but already I can feel how much better it handles and what an advantage the car’s wider track will be in a race environment.’

Rob will be joined in 2009 by Swiss racer Alain Menu and Italian Nicola Larini. All three drivers also drove for Chevrolet in 2008.

The cars will be prepared for Chevrolet once again by RML Motorsport. The Wellingborough, Northants, based company has a history of motorsport involvement with Chevrolet’s parent company, General Motors, and has looked after Chevrolet’s WTCC involvement since 2005.

The Chevrolet Cruze, on which the 2009 WTCC car is based, will go on sale in the UK during the first half of next year, and will be sold in over 130 countries worldwide. It is one of Chevrolet’s most important new models ever, as it clearly illustrates a new level of styling and quality for the brand, both in Europe and in the USA. The car made its public debut to much acclaim at the Paris Motor Show in October.

[Source: GM]

1963 Chevrolet C10 Pickup Truck

Welcome to Down On The Street, where we admire old vehicles found parked on the streets of the Island That Rust Forgot: Alameda, California. We're starting off the new month on a Truck Monday, and we might as well get right back to pickup basics here, with a good ol' Chevy half-ton that lives in the heart of Alameda's downtown.

I spent a summer driving one of these when I was in high school, and I liked it quite a bit (once I got used to the three-on-the-tree gearshift). Bouncy, squeaky, and rattly, but not much to go wrong and plenty of style.

Back in '63, the base C10 Stepside cost $2,009. That got you the indestructo-grade 230-cubic-inch I6, which would get the truck up to highway speed even with several old refrigerators in the bed… eventually. The '63 Ford F100 Flareside was priced at a near-identical $2,002, but the real truck steal of 1963 was the Dodge D100 Sweptline, which could be had for just $1,823.

Here's another multiple-DOTS block; the '69 Skylark Custom is just down the block. The '84 Porsche 928 and '64 Dodge Dart wagon are just around the corner, too.

2009 Chevrolet ZR1: Jay Leno - “Greatest Corvette Ever”

Jay Leno says “This is the Greatest Corvette Ever” when he referrers to the new 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1. It is the ultimate Corvette, the most powerful Corvette and the most powerful car GM has ever made. While people may dog out GM because they need a bailout to “survive” during our economic downturn, they really deserve some credit and jay Leno gives them plenty as he takes us for a ride in the new Corvette ZR1. Below is the video from Jay Leno’s Garage website.

The ZR1 = 638 hp, 605 lb.-ft. of torque, and 205 mph! Massive 15.5 inch carbon-ceramic Brembro brakes should last the life of the vehicle, and the 20 spoke alloy rims are fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires, developed specifically for the ZR1.

1974 Chevrolet Impala

Welcome to Down On The Street, where we admire old vehicles found parked on the streets of the Island That Rust Forgot: Alameda, California. Today's car is a great big moldering slab-o-Malaise iron, which I found parked- strangely enough- on Bay Farm Island, a part of the city built up with new, garage-equipped tract homes and thus not a great hunting ground for vintage street-parked iron (though BFI does have some pretty good vintage BMWs).

What is a great gas-swilling old survivor like this doing serving regular street duty in a neighborhood like this? Is the original owner a visiting relative? Or maybe the rebellious teenage son of the family feels more comfortable driving in the kind of car appropriate to a Bayonne water-heater salesman in 1976 than he would in the usual 10-year-old Corolla. There's just no telling.

It's pretty beat, with the usual rear-window-area rot you get on GM cars after a few decades of rainy Bay Area winters, but it's still doing its job. With no engine-displacement emblems, we must assume it shipped from the factory (probably the Southgate plant in Southern California, if it's a California native) with a plain ol' 350 or 400 under the hood. By now, though, it could have anything from a 262 to a 454, depending on what was available in the junkyard when the previous engine gave up.

Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid Review - The Pros And Cons

By Craig F Stevens

The Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid touts itself due to ‘ America ‘ s primogenial full - size two - mode SUV hybrid. ‘ This amazingly fuel efficient hybrid car reduces gas prices for quantum driver. In truth, this hybrid SUV is since popular that the Green Car Magazine has named it the ‘ Green Car of the Bit.

The Tahoe is available in two circle drive or four turn drive and uses a ‘ hybrid propulsion system. ‘ This system operates in three distinctive ways. Pristine, there is electric bent which serves to maximize fuel economy. Second, there is tool function which can equal utilized when more gift is needed. Investigation, a combination of the two types of ability can exhibit used. This is courtesy of the Vortec V8 which kicks in when needed or shuts electrocute to conserve at other times.

Combat gas prices with Tahoe which uses around 21 miles per gallon ( MPG ) in the berth or 22 MPG on the highway on the two rotate drive models. There is a less than a expressive drop for the four turn drive models: 20 MPG in the spot and 20 MPG for highway driving.

The Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid offers first fuel economy cut you to save coinage with the upraised gas prices. This hybrid car ( SUV ) offers up to 50 % better fuel economy when in the vicinity over the Tahoe that is a non - hybrid. This hybrid SUV in toto combines efficiency with the top gouge performance that you would think from molecule SUV. Get-up-and-go green today with the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid. Who knew that an SUV could perform this environmentally convivial AND no bother on your purse?

You can acquisition out more tip-off about Hybrid Cars at ProHybrid. com along with disc message, reviews, and utensils double in that price quotes and an automotive loan calculator.

ProHybrid. com

NSFW: Chevy Trailblazer Turns Deer Into Soup At 75 MPH

A deer strike is no joke, especially when you're speeding along at night in your Chevy Trailblazer well above the speed limit. Abandon all clickthroughs, ye of weak stomach.

We've seen foxes and deer and all manner of animal meet (meat) their maker at the grille of a speeding automobile, but this example of a deer being hit by a Chevy Trailblazer and turning into liquid is very impressive. According to the always reliable assertive internet blog headline, the driver struck the deer at 120 MPH km/h (edit: crafty Canadians and their darned metric system). Is that a liver in the rear foot well? Yeesh. We hope everyone in the car was okay. [KensingtonVictoria]

2010 Hennessey HPE700 Camaro

Hennessey Performance Engineering, the fine folks behind the Venom GT Supercar and other insanely fast autos, have unveiled their latest creation - the HPE700 Camaro. Based on the 2010 Chevy Camaro, the HPE700 will boast a borderline-insane 705 horsepower and 717 lb-ft of Torque. This power will propel the Camaro from 0 to 60 in only 3.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 201 mph.

Starting with a base 2010 Camaro SS with 6-speed transmission, Hennessey will drop in a tweaked version of GM’s new LS9 supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine, then fit it with Hennessey’s Cam-Aero body kit, which includes a carbon fiber rear lip spoiler, carbon fiber front splitter, carbon fiber side rocker panels, front fascia with hideaway-look headlights and front billet grille, as well as a Corvette ZR1-inspired clear hood cover showing off the tuned LS9 engine. Hennessey then fits the Camaro with a complete suspension upgrade and lightweight 19-inch wheels, completing the HPE700 package. But that’s not all…

As an HPE700 buyer, you can also fit the already insanely powerful Camaro with a twin-turbo upgrade package, boosting the power anywhere from 850 to 1000 horsepower, for that “HOLY CRAP!” acceleration you’ve been looking for. Other options include fitting the HPE700 with the same $19,500 15-inch carbon brakes from the Corvette ZR1, adding a custom leather interior, and swapping the 6-speed for a 5-speed automatic transmission for those sub-10 second quarter mile runs. Buyers also get an included 1-day performance driving course at Lonestar Motorsports Park, which will be needed considering the performance ability of their new car.

The base HPE700 will start at $109,500, and if you choose to add the twin-turbo upgrade package for 1000 horsepower, you need to cough out an extra $30,000. If you order now, expect to pick it up around late Summer 2009. Only 24 HPE700s will be produced.

2009 Chevrolet Corvette Competition Sport Package Priced

About a week ago we told you about the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette Competition Sport Package. According to Jalopnik sources, pricing for the new package starts at $55,655 for the Z51.

For the 1LT, the Z51 performance package adds upgraded brakes, a stiffer suspension, differential cooler and a limited slip differential along with a performance exhaust system. Engine output is increased to 436-hp.

On the Z06 output is unchanged at 505-hp and incorporates everything from the Z51 package. Pricing for that package starts $77,500.

The 2009 Chevrolet Competition Sport Package ‘Vettes will be available later this spring.

2009 Chevrolet Corvette Competition Sport Package:

Source: Jalopnik

Spy Shots: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible spotted in Australia

Although the Chevrolet Camaro Convertible won’t be dropping its top anytime soon in the U.S., the convertible American muscle car was spotted in Australia just last week. Seeing the Chevrolet Camaro isn’t exactly a rare thing in Melbourne since GM’s Holden is doing all the majority of development work on the U.S. muscle car. Test mules are usually spotted all over town.

However, it was this Camaro Convertible which attracted a huge a crowd while it was undergoing testing last week - and that’s probably because GM has delayed any development on the right-hand-drive Camaros.

A U.S. bound Camaro Convertible is expected in 2011.

Spy Shots: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible spotted in Australia:

Source: Drive

Opel Ampera: Chevy Volt for the Euro market coming to Geneva

GM’s European Opel division has announced that it will unveil a new electric-car at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show called the Opel Ampera. The Ampera is basically Opel’s version of the Chevrolet Volt. The electric-car is a five-door four-seater like the Volt and will feature GM’s new Voltec technology recently introduced in the Cadillac Converj Concept at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show.

The Voltec system will allow the Opel Ampera to travel up to 37 miles on battery power alone. The battery is a lithium-ion pack that can be charged via a standard 230v outlet. After the battery is depleted a small combustion engine will provide additional miles.

Opel says that the Ampera will cater to the daily driving schedule of most European customers. It said that 80 percent of German drivers travel less than 31 miles daily. Find out more in March.

Chevrolet Traverse spots cause much ado about Howie

Howie Long has set blogger keyboards ablaze with invective. The former footballer's starring role in Campbell-Ewald's latest spots for General Motors has some in a froth. We think the spots are funny - calling out the Ford F-150's "Man-Step," picking on a heated steering wheel, and pointing out that Chevrolet's new Traverse crossover holds a demonstration load that the Honda Pilot can't accommodate. BrandFreak's Kenneth Hein took particular exception with the Pilot spot, spouting off with a post about how his Pilot has tons of storage space. Yes, it does, Ken, but the Traverse has more (there's something about an extra 14 inches in length that leads to that sort of thing). The best part is when one of the actors shows up in BrandFreak's comments, telling it like it is. We expect this kind of fervor from Scion xB owners; but is it really necessary to call Howie Long an arrogant ass? Decide for yourself, spots posted after the jump.
[Source: BrandFreak]