- Filed under: Concept Cars, Economy, Hatchbacks, Chevrolet, GM
Click image for a high res gallery of the Beat
GM knows it needs an economical, mass-market, mass-appeal small car -- badly. Yes, it has the Aveo, but it's underwhelming in all respects, and sure, it's currently pimping the Cobalt XFE, but that car's about as exciting as an episode of Antiques Roadshow. Corsa? Not engineering the current one to be U.S.-compliant probably wasn't the greatest idea. The answer? MarketWatch says The General has summoned its inner Janet and cried, "Gimmie a Beat!" GM has yet to make a formal announcement, but it seems the Chevy Beat is indeed coming to the U.S. market. The broader public will get a really good look at it next Summer in the Transformers sequel, and as was the case with the Camaro, they'll be looking at a car they'll (apparently) be able to buy. If GM is smart, the screen-to-showroom transition won't take two years as it has with Camaro. It seemed a bit dumb that GM chose New York as the launching pad for the Beat and its fellow Triplet concepts, only to say that the car would be a "global" vehicle (read: everywhere but here). Now, it would seem that global really means global. Hey General, it probably wouldn't hurt to make Trax and get your Groove on, too. Thanks for the tip, Matt!
[Sources: MarketWatch, Bloomberg]
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- Filed under: Videos, Crossovers/CUVs, Chevrolet, Toyota
Click above for a gallery of high-res pics.
When the 2009 Chevy Traverse goes on sale in September, it will be the fourth, eight-passenger Lambda-based crossover to come from GM. The bow-tie CUV will carry the lowest starting MSRP of the quartet, and it will also carry the most power, with 288 hp and 270 lb.-ft. of torque, along with the highest towing capacity of 5,200 lbs.
Hit the jump to view several comparison videos that pit the Traverse against one of its main competitors, the Toyota Highlander. The first video is a walk-around of the Traverse to point out unique styling points, and from there it's all competition. We judge everything from the interior volume to the driving experience, and then take the two CUVs into uncharted territory -- the track. Enjoy!
Continue reading VIDEO: Chevy Traverse takes on Toyota Highlander inside and out
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- Filed under: Sports/GTs, Japan, Bentley, Chevrolet, GM, Special/Limited Editions
Click above image for a gallery of the Corvette S-Limited
In celebration of GM's 100th Anniversary, GM Asia-Pacific has unveiled the Corvette S-Limited, a 30-car special for the Japanese market. priced at ¥7,980,000. The allotment is split evenly by color -- 15 in Arctic White and 15 in Black. All the cars get the full leather-wrapped interior package; a rear spoiler, mesh grillework , and screened inserts for the side coves and the plate between the exhaust outlets. 'Vettes in Japan are probably scarce enough that they still draw plenty of attention. Hey, in the land where the best-selling car's engine displaces 660cc's, a thundering, 430-horsepower American pushrod that displaces 6.2 liters is always gonna make people look. Appropriately, the Corvette S-Limited officially goes on sale on the Fourth of July.
[Source: GMAP]
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- Filed under: Spy Photos, Trucks/Pickups, Chevrolet, GM
Look quickly, and you'll miss the changes, but GM's got some subtle exterior tweaks in store for its Heavy Duty trucks in 2010. Development doesn't stop even though the practice of using a pickup truck as a commuter car is no longer popular, so GM is plugging away at a new Silverado to avoid being passed up by its competitors.
Competition aside, there's also the issue of federal regulations to comply with, so changes were necessary no matter what. Most noticeably, the bumper changes, gaining a strip of trim that extends across the top, doing away with the overemphasized corner look of the current cow catcher. Looking more closely at the bumper, the air intake in the middle appears to have grown in size. That opening feeds the transmission cooler, so the speculation is that the Allison transmission has picked up extra ratios. Of course, it could just be bigger to gain an edge on thermal management underhood, but we're going to jump on the bandwagon of being excited for more cogs spun by the heavily revised 6.6-liter Duramax diesel with urea injection. That'd be just the thing to tow the Alero.
[Source: PickupTrucks.com, Photo: Priddy]
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- Filed under: Trucks/Pickups, Plants/Manufacturing, Crossovers/CUVs, Chevrolet, GMC, Rumormill
General Motor's "commercial grade" truck unit may be losing two of its planned products, leaving some to contemplate the future of the nameplate in general. It's too early to consider GMC dead, but with the apparent cancellation of the next-generation Acadia CUV as well as the planned unibody truck inspired by the Denali XT Concept, GMC dealers are likely left wondering what, beyond the new GMC Terrain, they are supposed to be selling in the next few years. We're not all that sad to see the Acadia go as the Chevy Traverse is a better looking overall package and it makes more sense to offer the CUV as a Chevrolet anyway. What's more, with most GMC dealers also offering Buick vehicles, they'll still have the Enclave to offer potential customers.
Current rumors also predict an end to the Saturn Outlook, the slowest seller of the original Lambda-based trio, which would leave the Enclave and the Traverse as the two remaining GM crossovers. There still seems to be a good chance that Chevrolet will get an SUT based off the platform as well, so nothing too important seems to have been lost with this decision.
[Source: GM Inside News]
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- Filed under: Crossovers/CUVs, Chevrolet, First Drive
Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 Chevy Traverse
At the Chicago Auto Show, Chevrolet rolled out the fourth and hopefully final member of its Lambda crossover family, the new Traverse. By the way, according to Chevrolet the proper pronunciation puts the emphasis on the second syllable. Like its Saturn, GMC and Buick siblings, the new Traverse is a full-size vehicle that is almost the same size as the Tahoe. That means it has seating for up to eight occupants, although three in the last row is a bit of a squeeze.
GM invited the media out to its Milford Proving Ground last week for a first drive of the Traverse, which of course we attended on your behalf. We had the chance to sample the big CUV in several different scenarios against what the marketing staff consider its main competitor, the Toyota Highlander. We ran the Chevy and Toyota back to back on the ride road, the skid pad, a lane change and slalom course and while towing a 4,200-lb boat. Check out how the Traverse fared after the jump.
Photos Copyright (C)2008 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.Continue reading First Drive: 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
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- Filed under: Supercars, Chevrolet
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Corvette ZR1.
var s_the_Nurburgring_in_7_26_4'; Tadge J. Juechter, Corvette's chief engineer, announced this morning that Jim Mero, GM's development engineer, drove the ZR1 around the Nurburgring in 7:26.4. According to the GMNext blog, the run took place earlier this morning and that conditions were good on the track, with the exception of a strong headwind down the main straight. Mero mentioned that he felt there were a few places where he could have gone faster, although no details were provided about why and where.
Juechter makes it clear that the ZR1 that lapped the 'Ring was instock trim, with the exception of safety and communications equipment. As such, the ZR1 was wearing the same Michelin Pilot Sport 2s found on the production model, the chassis alignment and vehicle height were set to factory specs and the unmodified engine was running on pump gas.
The lap began with a rolling start - which falls in line with current industry practices - and the time was confirmed both through an electronic timing system and two hand-held stopwatches. The ZR1 team will be posting a video of their run when they return from Germany and we'll be keeping our eye out for it when it's online the week of July 7th.
Top tip Mason!
[Source: GMNext]
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- Filed under: Car Buying, Crossovers/CUVs, Chevrolet, GM
Click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Chevy Traverse
The fourth addition to General Motors' lineup of Lambda CUVs, the 2009 Chevy Traverse, has officially been priced from $28,990, which includes a $735 destination charge. As with most Chevy models, the Traverse can be had in LS, LT and LTZ models. It will be the first and only Lambda CUV to be equipped with the direct-inject version of GM's 3.6L V6, which must irritate Buick Enclave owners who have paid a lot more for their Lambda sans DI, that will be mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The 3.6L DI V6 produces 288 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque in the Traverse, and can power the front wheels or all four in AWD models. The Traverse can also carry eight people if you opt for the second-row bench, though we imagine those several passengers stuffed in the way back will not be your friends anymore upon arrival. Unfortunately, Chevy has not released any more detailed pricing information, so we can't say just how expensive the 2009 Traverse can get if you load it up an LTZ model with all of the bells and whistles. Regardless, with the best engine among all the Lambda CUVs, it'd be our choice of the lot.
[Source: GM]Continue reading 2009 Chevy Traverse priced from $28,990
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- Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupes, Chevrolet, GM
Click above for gallery of the 2010 Camaro hauling
The high price of petrol is causing people to do some pretty crazy things, but after seeing these photos of a Camaro pulling a U-Haul on public roads, we're hoping pickup trucks don't become that bad on gas that one would consider using a muscle car as a mule. An astute photographer nabbed a couple shots of the long-awaited 2010 Camaro as it was helping someone move or delivering the AllSpark to Optimus Prime. While performance coupes probably aren't the best choice for pulling cargo, at least the Camaro's 6.0L V8 has been quite the hauler for GM, albeit under the hood of trucks and SUVs. Thanks for the tip, Matt Bateman.
Gallery: 2010 Camaro U-Haul
[Source: Picasa]
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- Filed under: Trucks/Pickups, Plants/Manufacturing, Chevrolet
GM's Oshawa Truck plant has been slated for closure in 2009, but GM has announced that the embattled plant will still build the Silverado Two-Mode hybrid beginning later this year. The move was well received by the CAW, which hasn't exactly been playing nice with the General since it got word of the plant's closure. The CAW threw up a blockade of GM's Canadian headquarters from June 4-15 in response to the General's announcement that it would close the facility. There has been some talk about perhaps switching the plant to car production, but GM has made no announcements and CEO Rick Wagoner didn't sound too optimistic about the plant's future when he announced the closing. At least the hybrid Silverado will help ensure that the plant has steady production for the near-term, but it'll likely have to be a lot more popular than the Tahoe hybrid if it's going to help Oshawa Truck stay open. Thanks for the tip, LIP!
[Source: CBC]
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- Filed under: Car Buying, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GM, GMC, Pontiac, Saturn
During a dealer teleconference today, General Motors announced it would be launching a zero-percent financing sale beginning tomorrow, while simultaneously raising the prices of its 2009 vehicles.
The "72-hour sale" will run from June 24th through the 30th, and will offer customers 0-percent interest rates for 72 months on most Chevys, Buicks, Pontiacs and GMC vehicles. So far, there's no word on whether the offer will extend to Cadillac and Saturn. GM will also offer $500 in "bonus cash" to buyers who opt to purchase GM products outright rather than leasing them.
At the same time, the General is going to be raising the prices of 2009 models by an average of 3.5-percent "across the board," something that was bound to happen, according to Mark LaNeve, GM's vice president of vehicles sales, service and marketing.
On the production front, GM will be adding a third shift to its Lordstown, Ohio plant to increase production of the Pontiac G5 and Chevy Cobalt, while at the same time boosting production of the Pontiac G6, Chevy Malibu and Saturn Aura through the use of maximum overtime. Also of note: GM has hired Citibank to investigate the future of the HUMMER brand, which comes in the wake of GM's CEO, Rick Wagoner's announcement that "all options" are on the table regarding GM's faltering off-road brand.
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]
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- Filed under: Car Buying, Sports/GTs, Supercars, Chevrolet
Click above for high-res gallery of the Corvette ZR1
If you were planning on heading down to your local Chevy dealership and placing an order for a new Corvette ZR1, think again. The new super-Vette is the fastest ever made, yet despite its $105k price tag, there'll be a lot of eager customers lining up. But General Motors will only allow certain Chevrolet dealerships to sell the supercar.
Cauley Chevrolet, for example, sells 150 Corvettes a year, and claims it has 60-70 eager customers waiting for the ZR1, but GM will only be allocating four vehicles for the West Bloomfield, Michigan, dealership to sell. Fitchner Chevrolet in Laurel, Montana, sells 35-40 Corvettes a year, but won't be allocated any of the new ZR1s. Out of nearly 4,000 Chevy dealerships in the United States, only 338 will have the chance to sell the ZR1. GM has not released final production numbers for the uber-Vette, but if you want to get your hands on one, you might have to do some hunting.
[Source: Automotive News - subs. req'd]
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- Filed under: Spy Photos, Economy, Chevrolet, GM
GM made big promises when the Cavalier was finally supplanted by the Cobalt. It was to be a departure, a break from the not-so-fondly-regarded J-Body to an all-new vehicle capable of competing head-on with the Civic. Yeah. Then it debuted and reality was "not so much." It's worlds better than the Cav, but for a car that was supposed to be a clean break, it certainly looks like a continuation of the J, no matter how much pent up lust we harbor for the Cobalt SS in any form. Pardon us if we're going with Dubya quoting The Who, but fool us once.....won't get fooled again.
Leave it to spy photographers to at least assuage our fears about the styling of the Cobalt's replacement. The Malibu's grille and the Equinoxes lamps get scaled down and applied to a body that's wholly removed from the neo-Cavalier we've got now. This time around, Chevy seems far more serious about being a leader, and they're focusing on more than just dissecting Jetta suspension bushings. The Cobalt moniker might not make the transition to the Delta platform; Rick Wagoner avoided any mention of the name while comparing how much better than the incumbent the incoming model will be. Wagoner did go on to promise more of everything; from quality and equipment, to safety and fuel economy. We'll see. Thanks for the tip, Noe!
[Source: Motor Trend]
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- Filed under: Concept Cars, Spy Photos, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Chevrolet, Celebrities
So a couple of weeks ago we asked you to help us identify a mystery car on the set of Transformers 2. Quite a few of you guessed it was some sort of Corvette concept, or the C7 Corvette due in 2010. For those of you who guessed Corvette concept, you were right. The picture above is that concept, and according to speculation it is getting some paint work done in the house of Chip Foose. We don't know if these pics were taken before or after the car's closeup, but we hope it was afterward and that GM is getting ready to actually show us the car. Jalopnik's also got pics of Bumblebee getting paint work done in the same shop. It's a much yellower Bumblebee than the orange one seen on the TF2 set, and word is it could be a Z/28... or it could be a package you'd order from... Saleen? Click the link for the photos and gossip.
[Source: Jalopnik]
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- Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Chevrolet
Ladies and gentlemen, you are looking at your 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS. It wasn't found on the set of Transformers2, but on location for a Christian Slater television show that'll debut this Fall on NBC. It's a very tastefully done brawn job. The SS badge takes its place in the lower right corner of the grille, with another small badge on the rear bumper. The front spoiler that a number of commenters took issue with on the Bumblebee mod looks to be, if anything, an aftermarket piece. But there's still a nice lip at the bottom -- though we did like the black version -- and another body-colored spoiler out back. There is also an LED-looking third brake light, which we hope makes it to production. Click the link to see the rest of the photos, and anyone want to start guessing what the Z/28 is going to look like? Thanks to all who tipped in!
[Source: Camaro5]
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Archive for the 'CHEVROLET' Category
Thursday, August 2nd, 2007
-Filed under: Trends, Crossovers/CUVs, Buick, Chevrolet, GM, GMC, Pontiac
Stricter mileage standards being voted on by the government is already taking its toll on automakers like GM, which now have to shift focus onto smaller and more fuel efficient vehicles. Traditional bread winners such as big heavy SUVs are being phased out by a new generation of smaller and more car-like crossover models.
To ensure that it can retain buyers downsizing from large SUVs to more fuel-efficient models, GM will be introducing a new compact crossover to essentially replace the Pontiac Torrent (pictured). However, under its new brand strategy, Pontiac will be strictly for cars while GMC will be responsible for truck sales, which means the new model will be branded as a Buick or Chevrolet.
It isn’t the end of the road yet for GM’s full-sized SUV models. Vehicles like the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon SUV will be equipped with hybrid options to ensure they continue beyond the current generations. The Acadia large CUV is also planned to receive a V8 in a couple of years, while the Envoy SUV from GMC will likely suffer the same fate as the Trailblazer.
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req’d]
Posted in World Cars, Passenger Cars, Automotive News, BUICK, CHEVROLET, GMC, PONTIAC | No Comments »
Monday, April 30th, 2007
New York 2007: Chevrolet Trax - urban crossover
Active buyers who want to get in touch with their sportier side – or who just want to navigate the urban jungle in a sportier ride – will make tracks to the Chevrolet Trax, an urban front-wheel-drive crossover concept with a twist: This micro SUV has an electric limited-slip differential that features an independent battery pack and an electric motor to drive the rear wheels, providing a low-cost all-wheel-drive system.
The four-door Trax is bathed in a Blaze Orange exterior finish, with rugged Burnt Orange accents on the front and rear corners that reinforce the notion this Chevrolet is all business despite its small size. Simple door lines make getting in and out easier; and fold-flat rear seats add functionality.
Other features that suit its dynamic and off-road character include a voluminous, single-unit bumper and fender in front and rear, a pronounced front wheel arch shape, dynamic side character lines, a rear-mounted spare tire and roof rack. Brake calipers in Flame Yellow infuse additional attitude. The package rides on 16-inch wheels and Kumho tires for precise ride and handling.
The Trax is powered by a 1-liter gasoline engine.
“The Trax is a vehicle that you can show off anywhere, be it off-road or on the road,” said Sangyeon Cho, manager of the min icar exterior design team at the GM Design Center in Inchon , South Korea . “It brings a rational combination of SUV design, function, performance and value to the consumer.”
Posted in World Cars, Passenger Cars, Tuning Cars, Automotive News, CHEVROLET | No Comments »
Wednesday, April 25th, 2007
Inspired by a “half-soldier, half-modern” military helmet, the Chevrolet Groove concept is contemporary and funky, but evokes classic Chevrolet heritage design cues like an upright windshield and prominent fender flares that give the Groove a strong, sturdy stance reminiscent of a retro hot rod.
Groove lead exterior designer Jawook Koo, of the GM Design Center in Inchon , South Korea , was seeking a mini design that was big on presence.
“I wanted to get out of the mini vehicles stereotype that is characterized by a weak, insecure and ‘cute’ appearance, so that consumers can feel safe just by looking at the vehicle,” said Koo.
The Groove’s design conveys anything but weakness. The striking matte Lunar Quartz exterior finish contrasts with the strategic use of satin silver exterior chrome details. Big, five-spoke 17-inch wheels pushed all the way to the rear give the impression of a vehicle that’s much longer than it is, thanks to the short-but-pronounced hood and long, flat cabin, a design that provides for a roomy interior. Contrasting Vertigo brake calipers bring additional attention to the big wheels.
The front overhang includes open-air vents that are integrated into the front LED fog lamps, and the elongated front headlamps further “lengthen” the vehicle.
Getting this front-wheel-drive concept in the Groove is a highly efficient, 1-liter diesel engine.
Posted in World Cars, Passenger Cars, Tuning Cars, Automotive News, CHEVROLET | No Comments »
Friday, February 9th, 2007
2007 Chevrolet Volt Concept, General Motors
Posted in World Cars, Passenger Cars, Tuning Cars, Automotive News, CHEVROLET | No Comments »
Monday, January 15th, 2007
Troy Clarke, president of GM North America, shows the new 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Tuesday at the North American International Auto Show at Detroit’s Cobo Center.
Posted in World Cars, Passenger Cars, Automotive News, CHEVROLET | No Comments »
