2009 Chevy Colorado V8

The 2009 Chevy Colorado V8 just spent some time in the hands of PickupTrucks.com and they found the belated addition of three cylinders added some pep to the General's aging mid-size truck. [PickupTrucks.com]

Chevrolet Camaro Wallpaper

Corvette ZR1 vs. SL65 AMG Black Series, Murciélago LP640, Viper SRT10 - Comparison Test

Unnatural selection: With 600 horsepower (and then some), these supercars are at the pinnacle of the automotive food chain. Just like dinosaurs, they may be doomed.

It’s easy to diss old-fashioned people as dinosaurs, with their plodding resistance to change, but think about this: Those lumbering, small-brained behemoths ruled the earth for 165 million years, which is a lot longer than Homo sapiens have been in charge of messing up the planet.

Although Diplodocus had similar brain power to bankers who thought asset-backed securities were a sure thing, you’ve still got to be impressed with this 90-foot-long, 20-ton beast that perambulated the third planet from the sun all those years ago.

Like dinosaurs, the 600-horsepower beasts gathered here could soon become extinct, but they are also highly impressive. Machines that weigh as much as two tons and sport massive 12-cylinder engines aren’t exactly in tune with thezeitgeist, which is increasingly angst-ridden over global warming, dependence on foreign oil, and the greening of energy. Performance cars may soon become more fuel efficient—lighter and more compact, with smaller engines. No doubt they’ll be great to drive, but they won’t be as dramatic as a Dodge Viper or a Lamborghini Murciélago in full flight.

GM's Ed Peper promises Chevrolet will gain market share in 2009

2008 Chevy Malibu

Here we are, not yet through the first month of the new year, and Ed Peper, vice president at Chevrolet, is already predicting that the Bowtie brand will increase market share in 2009. What evidence does he submit to arrive at this early conclusion? Last year, Chevy managed to post an increase of six-tenths of a point in retail share in 2008, despite the horrible market conditions late in the year, with the Malibu leading the charge by increasing sales by nearly 40% over the previous generation.
The latest Malibu is certainly a good place to start, and Peper believes that the updated Equinox crossover will make similar inroads in the market. Peper also points to wins by the Malibu and Silverado in recent J.D. Power Initial Quality studies as proof that the brand's products are improving and are comparable to their import competition. These wins are a good place to start, and Peper says the brand will continue to heavily market its best products, but we maintain that it's a bit early to be tooting one's horn with only a half of one month's sales in the books.

2008 Chevy Malibu

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Chevy gets shutter happy with 2011 Volt

2011 Chevy Volt

Look! It's a Chevy Volt in someone's driveway. While this scene isn't likely to occur in reality until some time in late 2010, General Motors apparently wants you to start dreaming about it now. We're dreaming about buying the home in the background of the image above, but for the sake of this post let's focus on the high-profile series hybrid parked in the drive. GM just released a bunch of new high-res images that show the Volt interacting with the world that exists beyond the photo studio. The extended-range electric vehicle looks like a high-tech, futuristic and, most importantly, real sedan when seen staged against the backdrop of suburbia, in front of a coastal village and hanging out under some palm trees. Check out the Volt's new glamour shots in the gallery of high-res images below and let us know if one will be in your driveway come 2011.

2011 Chevy Volt

GM Europe Launches New Design Site

GM Europe has just launched a new design site for Chevrolet to discuss the relevancy of the bow-tied brand's global positioning and to remind everyone how decidedly corporate their design regime staff really is.

With the launch of the Chevrolet Cruze (and Chevy Spark?) rapidly approaching, GM Europe has launched a new design site to tell the story of the Chevrolet brand and its design philosophies. Narrated by an all-too creepy LeVar Burton wannabe, the site contains an in-depth look at the development and creation of many of Chevrolet's most recent concepts. Also included, is an interesting storyline with design illustrations and videos of all of the concepts.

It's a pretty neat way to get people involved in the thinking behind the recently globalized Chevrolet, but the method is just a little bit too corporate for our taste. Noted in one of the narrative pieces is that every Chevrolet designer has a model of the Chevrolet Camaro Concept on their desk, we're thinking that a box with their personal belongings is more representative of what they truly have sitting there. Regardless, go to www.chevroletdesign.com to check it out.

[via GM Europe]

Chevrolet 2009 Corvette Competition Sport Package Revealed

Corvette enthusiasts who aren't lucky enough to have a new ZR-1 in the garage have some good news for 2009 as well. Even as General Motors turns its attention to electric cars, the performance side of the market hasn't been forgotten, and a 2009 Competition Sport Package is now available for 1LT and Z06 ‘Vettes.

The Competition Sport Package adds just the right amount of flash to finish off the Corvette's track-ready looks. Included are a set of racing stripes in Competition Gray, unique wheel and headlamp treatments and a collection of Corvette Racing "Jake" and CSR decals for the interior and exterior. Racing numbers that correspond to the individual owner's build number are also available. Inside, the Competition Sport Package adds an ebony interior with titanium embroidery and Corvette Racing pedals. A new engine cover is also a part of the package.

When combined with the Z51 Performance Package that adds a horsepower-boosting exhaust and differential cooler, the result is a seriously track-ready Corvette, especially in Z06 form.