Thursday, December 29, 2011

Engineer’s keen ear and extreme testing gives compact luxury-like interior quietness.

DETROIT – As an avid sport fisherman, General Motors development engineer Frank Delekta enjoys the peace, quiet and tranquility of Michigan lakes and streams. His sense for silence – and the use of advanced technology – served him and his team well in their mission to bring luxury-like interior quietness to the Chevrolet Cruze.

The engineering team used a number of noise-reducing and noise-cancelling technologies on the Cruze body structure, including 30 distinct acoustical treatments. For example, the acoustic package on the Cruze is a Liquid Applied Sound Deadener applied strategically throughout the body structure and melted into place when the body passes through the paint oven.

The doors have triple seals and feature fiberglass “blankets” that serve as water, airflow and noise barriers. They close with a solid, precise sound and no resonance . Before devising these solutions and many more, engineers performed intensive testing throughout the vehicle’s development.

Delekta and his colleagues have significantly sharpened their hearing skills because of their years of experience working in GM’s Squeak and Rattle Lab at the Milford (Mich.) Proving Ground.

“I have a pretty acute sense of hearing,” said Delekta. “Outside of work, if I ask someone ‘Did you hear that?’ the answer is almost always ‘No.’ I hear noises that others don’t.”

Delekta’s team leveraged Chevrolet’s design and engineering talent in North America, Asia and Europe, all regions where the Cruze is sold. Engineers reported on noises they heard while driving across a variety of real-world roads at various speeds. The team replicated those conditions in the lab to find the source of the noise. Among the tools was a state-of-the art environmental four-post simulator that mimics the world’s most-challenging road surfaces.

This intense testing allowed engineers to adjust for interior compartment noise  early in the vehicle development process.

And the team didn’t just beat up the Cruze at room temperature. Test vehicles were put into a climatic anechoic chamber to evaluate the sounds that can emerge at extreme temperatures – from minus 20 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit in the same day.

“A component may squeak or rattle at 100 degrees but not below freezing or vice versa,” said Delekta. The brutal road and lab testing led to improvements in 74 components resulting in a quieter ride.

One of these was traced to the audio system itself.  A nasty rattle from the rear deck lid was traced to bigger speakers capable of pumping out more volume for decibel-hungry North Americans.  Engineers used an attachment clip to stabilize the panel that houses the rear deck lid speakers, eliminating the sound. The clip also allows for better audio fidelity through Cruze’s optional Pioneer premium speaker system.

Chevy

Courtesy of media.gm.com

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

New Chevrolet Impala Confirmed

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General Motors has recently confirmed that a new generation of the popular Chevrolet Impala will hit the market, and the vehicle will be made at the Oshawa Assembly Plant in Canada.

“With the investments for the Chevrolet Impala and Cadillac XTS, we are taking big stepts forward to ensure we maximize the flexible manufacturing facility and high-quality workforce that exist in Oshawa”, said the president and managing director of General Motors Canada, Kevin Williams. “We are building on the recent capacity increases, product launches and shift additions at our Canadian operations to affirm that Canada will play an important role in the new GM as we continue to transform our product lineup”, added the GM official.

Chevrolet didn’t announce anything official about when the new generation of the Impala will hit the market. As a reminder, the Chevy Impala is a full-size automobile first introduced in 1958 model year and through 1965, the model became the best-selling vehicle in the United States, competing against the Plymouth Fury and the Ford Galaxie 500. The ninth generation of the Impala has been in production since 2005 and the model is being assembled at Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, coming in a single body style, four-door sedan, and with a choice of four engines and three transmissions.

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Courtesy of inautonews.com

New Chevrolet Impala Confirmed

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General Motors has recently confirmed that a new generation of the popular Chevrolet Impala will hit the market, and the vehicle will be made at the Oshawa Assembly Plant in Canada.

“With the investments for the Chevrolet Impala and Cadillac XTS, we are taking big stepts forward to ensure we maximize the flexible manufacturing facility and high-quality workforce that exist in Oshawa”, said the president and managing director of General Motors Canada, Kevin Williams. “We are building on the recent capacity increases, product launches and shift additions at our Canadian operations to affirm that Canada will play an important role in the new GM as we continue to transform our product lineup”, added the GM official.

Chevrolet didn’t announce anything official about when the new generation of the Impala will hit the market. As a reminder, the Chevy Impala is a full-size automobile first introduced in 1958 model year and through 1965, the model became the best-selling vehicle in the United States, competing against the Plymouth Fury and the Ford Galaxie 500. The ninth generation of the Impala has been in production since 2005 and the model is being assembled at Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, coming in a single body style, four-door sedan, and with a choice of four engines and three transmissions.

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Sourced from: Inautonews

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Route 66 grand prize winner to be shown during Super Bowl XLVI

DETROIT – Independent film makers from 32 countries are offering their interpretations of Chevrolet’s “Everyday Hero” for a chance to have their 30-second ad aired during the telecast of Super Bowl XLVI. Now, fans can cash in by sharing with their friends their favorite spot among the top 35 entries featured on ChevroletRoute66.MSN.com.

Chevrolet and MOFILM, a global creative community, received 197 entries from film makers across the globe. The best spot as determined by Chevrolet will be shown during the big game on Feb. 5, 2012.

“With Chevrolet Route 66, we wanted to tap into the talents of creative people from every corner of the Earth to discover our next Super Bowl ad,” said Joel Ewanick, GM vice president and global chief marketing officer. “The submissions we received show that people from around the world share many of the same values and how Chevrolet plays a role in helping them along life’s road.”  

Beginning today Dec. 22 and running through 6:59 p.m. EST on Jan. 25, 2012, eligible fans from Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Mexico, the United Kingdom and United States can watch, rate and share their favorite Chevrolet Route 66 film. Those who share their personalized link to the videos most often and give the most creative answer to the question “if you could drive to any destination in your home country, where would you go?” could win up to $10,000.

To engage fans, Chevrolet turned to Microsoft Advertising to create a contest hub to house and share the videos that offers a personalized experience with the ability to localize and share the global films.

 “Because Chevrolet is sold in many countries, ‘crowd-sourcing’ content globally is a great way to find creative advertising that resonates with consumers,” said Ewanick. “Using that same concept, we hope to have fans identify their favorite ads for us by voting with their ‘clicks’ and sharing with friends.”

The Microsoft hub will identify registrants with unique user codes that will allow them to accumulate points every time they share with another fan. The top fans as measured by sharing will be tracked by the contest site leader board. To be sure the contest is won by a real person and not a web “bot,” the contest site will ask viewers to  “confirm” by entering a valid email address.

Fans can enter the contest and view complete program details by visiting the contest website. Winners will be announced the within two weeks following the conclusion of the contest.

Chevrolet_logo2

Courtesy of media.gm.com

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Turbocharged 2013 Chevrolet Sonic RS Pushes Performance

DETROIT – A hotter Chevrolet Sonic is about to sound off – the 2013 Sonic RS. It goes on sale in late 2012, after making its public debut at the North American International Auto Show Jan. 14-22.

The new RS amplifies the Sonic’s youthful style and driving experience with unique exterior and interior features matched with a 138-horsepower (103 kW) Ecotec 1.4L turbo engine. Sonic is the only vehicle in its segment to offer a turbocharged powertrain.

“The new Chevrolet Sonic RS pushes Chevrolet’s performance heritage in a new direction, for a new generation of drivers,” said Chris Perry, vice president of Global Chevrolet Marketing. “It takes the Sonic’s great design and latest connectivity features and combines them with a more performance-oriented look and feel.”

The Sonic RS is offered exclusively in the five-door body style. Chevrolet’s exclusive MyLink infotainment system is standard. It enables navigation directions downloaded through a smart phone to be shown on the radio’s large display, and offers the personalized connectivity of Pandora and Stitcher Internet radio.

Sonic RS exterior features

  • New front fascia with new fog lamp design
  • New RS-specific grille
  • New rear fascia
  • New rear spoiler
  • New rocker moldings
  • Unique mirror cap finish
  • Retuned sport exhaust with chrome outlet
  • Unique 17-inch five-spoke wheel design
  • Lowered and stiffened suspension with performance-tuned dampers
  • RS badging.

The more-aggressive look of the Sonic RS is inspired by the concept that debuted in Detroit in 2010. The Sonic RS will be available in Victory Red, Summit White, Cyber Gray Metallic and  Black Granite Metallic, which is a new exterior color for the 2013 Sonic.

“The Sonic RS remains true to the progressive spirit of the concept and brings an unmistakable attitude to the segment,” said John Mack, design director for the Sonic. “From every angle and every touch point, it is a car that is unabashed in its performance statement – and one that drives Chevrolet’s performance legacy into its second century.”

One of the most-dramatic cues from the concept carried into the production model is the Sonic RS’s front fascia, which has a deep air dam design that enhances the car’s road-hugging stance. Vertical intakes at the edges of the fascia reinforce the wide, low proportion and house the fog lamps.

Sonic RS interior features

  • New front sport seats
  • New sport steering wheel with thicker rim and racing-inspired flat-bottom design
  • New shifter knob (manual transmission)
  • New aluminum sport pedals
  • Specific instrument panel cluster graphics
  • RS-specific interior trim color for the instrument panel and door trim inserts.

“Like the exterior, the Sonic RS’s interior looks and feels the part of a true performance car,” said Mack. “The seats are firm and provide great lateral support during quick cornering and the feel of the thick, flat-bottom steering wheel is a feature driving enthusiasts will truly appreciate.”

The Sonic RS’s interior is a connected environment, with the Chevrolet MyLink infotainment seven-inch color touch screen radio. This system allows customers to bring customized music libraries into the vehicle and use their smart phones and Bluetooth connectivity to access Pandora and Stitcher Internet radio and navigation. Navigation directions downloaded through a smart phone can be displayed on the screen and, when the vehicle is stopped, users can project video and even personal photo albums onto the screen from their phone.

Sonic RS performance

The Sonic RS is powered by a standard Ecotec 1.4L turbo engine that is rated at 138 horsepower (103 kW) and 148 lb.-ft. of torque (200 Nm) – and provides an immediate feeling of power that is sustained across the rpm band, for a greater feeling of performance at lower rpm. It’s matched with a six-speed manual transmission or six-speed automatic.

Unique gear ratios for the six-speed manual transmission and unique final drive ratio for the automatic give the Sonic RS a sportier feel than non-RS models.

Complementing the segment-exclusive turbocharged powertrain is MacPherson strut front suspension with coil springs and stabilizer bar, and a semi-independent, torsion beam axle-mount compound link-type rear suspension – featuring a robust, tubular V-shape beam – with gas-charged shocks. The front and rear tracks are identical at 59.4 inches (1,509 mm), for well-planted stability and balance.

The new RS is the only Sonic model offered with four-wheel disc brakes, which are partnered with a four-channel anti-lock braking system. The four-sensor system – one at each wheel – incorporates electronic brake force distribution, which balances braking performance based on such factors as road conditions and the weight of passengers and/or cargo.

Electric power steering is standard and features a wear compensator that continually adjusts the system interaction with the steering gear to ensure precise steering action over the life of the system. 

Sonic lineup at a glance

The Chevrolet Sonic is offered in two body styles: a four-door sedan and a five-door, with a starting price of $14,495 (including destination charge). Each body style delivers class-leading, rear-seat roominess and cargo space. Vehicle highlights include:

  • Standard Ecotec 1.8L engine (non-RS models) paired with five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions
  • Standard electric power steering and StabiliTrak electronic stability control with rollover sensing
  • Sedan offers trunk capacity that is greater than most compact cars; hatchback and sedan offer better rear-seat roominess than Ford Fiesta. With a rear seat that folds nearly flat, the Sonic hatchback has greater cargo capacity than Fiesta
  • Connectivity includes OnStar with six months of Turn-by-Turn navigation. Available features include XM Satellite Radio, USB and Bluetooth functionality and MyChevrolet mobile application
  • Remote start, heated front seats and sunroof – all rarities in the segment 
  • Ten standard air bags, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist and OnStar with Automatic Crash Response.

Sonic is built at the General Motors’ Orion Assembly Center in Michigan, which received a $545-million investment in upgrades and retooling and helped restore approximately 1,000 jobs in the metropolitan Detroit area.

Sonic

Courtesy of Media.gm.com

Friday, December 16, 2011

Thank you so much for your great review!

"Wonderful experience buying my certified used Traverse from Billy. Everyone at the dealership was friendly and easy to work with. I never felt pressured into purchasing. All my questions were answered quickly and financing was easy. I couldn't have asked for better service or buying experience." - Illiston

Chevy's Cruze, Sonic, Volt, Malibu, Equinox, and Traverse among the IIHS Top Safety Picks list.

IIHS announces 115 Top Safety Picks

The winners' circle includes 18 new vehicles for 2012, and 97 models that qualified for the 2011 award carry over to 2012.

"For the second year running, a record number of models qualify," IIHS President Adrian Lund said in a press release. "It's tough to win, and we commend auto manufacturers for making safety a top priority."

IIHS recognized a variety of vehicles this year. The list includes 69 cars, 38 SUVs, five minivans, and three full-size pickups. The vehicles on the list rate highest in front, side, rollover, and rear crashes based on IIHS criteria.

New for 2012, electronic stability control (to help drivers avoid loss of control), is no longer is a requirement to win as it was in prior years. New federal guidelines require all 2012 and later passenger vehicles to have ESC.

"When we launched Top Safety Pick in 2005, consumers had 11 models to pick from. Six years later, finding a winner that fits most budgets and lifestyles is easy," Lund said in the release. "It's a testament to the commitment automakers have made to going above and beyond minimum safety standards."

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Courtesy of reviews.cnet.com

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Chevrolet Malibu Eco Brings Flavor to Vanilla Segment

Eco
DETROIT – The all-new 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco adds a dose of flavor – and efficiency – to the midsize sedan segment. It has class-challenging ride and handling characteristics; a new, sporty design; new premium interior that’s roomy, comfortable and quiet; and it has better fuel economy than any non-hybrid midsize sedan – a GM-estimated 37 mpg on the highway.

The Malibu Eco is the first model of the all-new 2013 Malibu lineup to reach dealer showrooms in North America, starting in the first quarter of 2012. It has an MSRP of $25,995, including a $760 destination charge. The new Malibu is Chevrolet’s first global midsize sedan and will be sold in nearly 100 countries on six continents.

“The Malibu Eco is a smart choice for customers who want a great looking car inside and out with excellent fuel economy, but without the higher price of some hybrid sedans,” said Russ Clark, director of Chevrolet marketing. “In short, it’s an incredible value.”

The exterior of the Eco – and all Malibu models – has a coupe-like silhouette and carries design DNA from Camaro to bring a sporty sensibility to the family sedan segment.

A wide stance, broad shoulders, a powerdome hood and an integrated rear spoiler bring a new athleticism to Malibu and give it a more aggressive, planted and sporty appearance. The new Malibu has a 4.5-inch (114 mm) shorter wheelbase and 62-inch (1,574 mm) front and rear tracks that are more than 2 inches (51 mm) wider than the model it replaces.

Malibu Eco exterior design cues also include Chevrolet’s dual-port grille, large swept-back projector HID headlamps with three-dimensional execution, larger Chevrolet bowtie badges front and rear, taillamps inspired by the Camaro and a single hidden exhaust outlet. The look is complemented by standard 17-inch alloy wheels and low-rolling-resistance Goodyear tires.

An aerodynamically optimized design and smart use of fuel-saving technologies helps the Malibu Eco be Chevy’s most fuel-efficient midsize ever, as engineers removed about 60 counts of wind drag from the 2013 Malibu’s design, compared to its predecessor.

Malibu Eco is among the first vehicles in the midsize segment with a standard fuel-saving, active shutter system. Located in the lower grille, the Malibu Eco’s active shutter system automatically closes airflow through the lower intake opening when air intake is least needed. When closed, the shutter system enhances aero performance by redirecting airflow around the front of the vehicle and down the sides, rather than through it. The shutter is open or closed based on engine coolant temperature and speed. For example, the shutters open when the car is traveling up a hill, pulling a trailer, or in hot city driving; the shutters close at highway speeds when less engine cooling is required.

Other aerodynamic features on the Malibu Eco include:

  • Dual-port grille upper is closed to redirect air flow up and over the hood
  • Outside rearview mirrors designed to maximize efficiency
  • Taillamps shaped for aero performance without design penalty
  • Four underbody panels – more commonly found on premium-priced cars – cover approximately 50 percent of the lower portion of the vehicle and provide a cleaner airflow path beneath the vehicle.

The Malibu Eco features an all-new interior that is roomier, more comfortable and premium, and quieter than the previous generation Malibu. It features an all-new dual cockpit design that is three inches wider than the previous Malibu.

The increased width of the new Malibu means a more spacious cabin. Compared to the previous model, it has nearly four cubic feet (113 L) of additional interior volume, along with more than 1.5 inches (38 mm) of shoulder room in front, 3.5 inches (89 mm) more rear shoulder room and nearly three inches (76 mm) more hip room, front and rear. The trunk has 14.3 cubic feet (405 liters) of capacity, or one more cubic feet than the previous-generation Malibu.

The Malibu Eco’s interior features metallic, chrome or wood accents located around the shifter, surrounding the center stack, around the instrument cluster and on doors and the steering wheel. Soft, ice blue ambient lighting reflects off of and complements chrome accents and ensures even, consistent illumination along the instrument panel. Ice blue lighting on the center stack dials, exposed ice blue French contrast stitching, soft-touch and textured surfaces, and strategic applications of noise-deadening materials add to Malibu’s interior refinement. Seats are sport-sculpted and bolstered with firmer foam and frames made of high-strength steel for long-distance comfort and durability.

The Malibu Eco also has a number of storage areas, including a radio face that swivels up to reveal a six-inch-deep (152 mm) hidden storage area behind a seven-inch (178 mm) touch-screen radio display. Malibu also offers a full range of the latest infotainment options, including new color radio systems and an available navigation system.

Chevrolet’s new MyLink infotainment package and OnStar are standard on the Malibu Eco. They build on the safety and security of OnStar and seamlessly integrate online services like Pandora® internet radio and Stitcher SmartRadio®. MyLink integrates wireless connectivity through Bluetooth to enable hands-free use of selected smart phone apps while the device remains safely stowed.

(Please see the separate Interior and MyLink releases for more details.)

eAssist technology

Malibu Eco’s eAssist system is mated to an Ecotec 2.4L direct-injection four-cylinder engine and next-generation six-speed automatic transmission. The 2.4L engine is efficient and lightweight, featuring dual-overhead cams, direct injection, continuously variable intake and exhaust timing and electronic throttle control, as well as a lightweight aluminum cylinder block and cylinder head. It is rated at an estimated 182 horsepower (134 kW) and is a variant of the same engine recognized as one of Ward's Ten Best Engines in 2010.

Along with the Ecotec 2.4L and six-speed transmission, the eAssist system uses power stored in the air-cooled, lithium-ion battery to provide needed electrical boost in various driving scenarios, optimizing engine and transmission operation. An advanced 115V lithium-ion battery and 15-kW motor-generator unit help increase fuel economy through:

  • Regenerative braking, which provides up to 15 kW of electricity to charge the battery
  • Enabling a more-efficient final drive ratio by providing up to 15 hp (11 kW) of electric power assistance during heavier acceleration
  • Using electricity instead of gasoline when stopped, with automatic and smooth engine start-stop functionality
  • Aggressive fuel cut-off during deceleration down to zero mph for added fuel savings
  • Intelligent charge/discharge of the high-voltage battery.

The eAssist system captures up to 15kW of power that would be normally lost during braking and uses it to recharge the lithium-ion battery. The system also shuts down fuel delivery in certain deceleration conditions, further improving fuel economy. While in fuel shut-off mode, the motor-generator unit continues spinning along with the engine to provide immediate and smooth take-off power when the driver presses on the accelerator. As the vehicle comes to a stop, the motor-generator unit brings the engine to a controlled stop to position it properly for a smooth restart when the brake is released.

Thanks to eAssist technology, the Malibu Eco can travel 580 highway miles (965 km) between fill-ups with a 15.8-gallon (59.9 liters) fuel tank.

(Please see the separate e Assist release for more details.)

Driving dynamics

Complementing Malibu Eco’s sporty appearance are its European-inspired driving characteristics.

All 2013 Malibu models have been engineered to deliver ride and handling capabilities that are best-in-class and on par with more expensive sports sedans. These include:

  • A solid body structure that’s 20-percent stiffer than previous GM models and built on the global midsize architecture. This allows for precise tuning and dynamic vehicle control
  • ZF Steering Systems premium electric steering gear that ensures smooth, precise responsiveness and on-center feel
  • Proven and continuously refined MacPherson strut front and mutli-link rear suspensions with aluminum components and hollow stabilizer bar to reduce unsrpung weight
  • Large, 11.7-inch (297 mm) ventilated front disc and 11.5-inch (292 mm) solid rear disc brakes (with aluminum rear calipers), which are expected to deliver best-in-class stopping distance
  • An isolated engine cradle for tuned, refined feedback, without noise or vibration
  • Fuel-saving electric power rack-and-pinion variable-effort power steering, resulting in effortless low-speed maneuvers and precise steering feel at higher speeds
  • Chassis control technologies include four-channel anti-lock brakes, full-function traction control, four-corner electronic stability control, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist system, corner brake control, panic brake assist and drag torque control.

(Please see the Dynamics press release for more details.)

Safety

The 2013 Malibu Eco is designed to be one of the safest cars in the segment. It delivers safety before, during and after a crash, with features including:

  • StabiliTrak stability control system with full-function traction control
  • Four-disc brakes with ABS
  • Forward collision alert (late availability)
  • Lane departure warning (late availability)
  • Eight standard air bags – including knee air bags and full-length side curtain air bags – and available rear thorax/pelvis air bags
  • Pedal release system.

Malibu Eco also comes standard with OnStar (with six-month Directions & Connections plan), with Automatic Crash Response – a feature that automatically triggers a response from an OnStar advisor in the event of a crash.

(Please see the Safety press release for more details.)

Quietness

The new Malibu is the quietest Chevrolet ever and is expected to be one of the quietest cars in the midsize segment. To achieve that, interior engineers used road testing, sound evaluation tools and vehicle components to reduce, block and absorb noise from entering the cabin. Some of the contributors to its quiet driving experience include:

  • Malibu’s stiff body structure and isolated engine cradle help reduce noise and vibration from being transmitted to the interior.
  • The wind tunnel-tuned exterior has a low coefficient of drag – a low drag count of .30 C d (Eco model) helps reduce wind noise to what is expected to be a segment-best 33 decibels.
  • Air leakage into the passenger compartment, a primary noise source for all vehicles, is expected to be the best in the segment, at about 20-25 cubic feet per minute.
  • A 5.4-mm acoustic-laminate windshield and 5-mm acoustic-laminated front door glass reduce wind noise by about 3 decibels when compared to conventional tempered glass.
  • Sixteen expanding-foam acoustic baffles are placed strategically in cavities throughout the body structure. The foam expands when the body passes through the drying oven in the paint shop, filling the cavities to restrict or eliminate sound paths.
  • Liquid-applied sound deadening and melt-on sound deadening materials are used on the floor pan.

 

courtesy of media.chevrolet.com

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Segment-exclusive Underbody Splash Shields Improve Durability and Fuel Economy.

C
DETROIT – When it comes to making sure the Chevrolet Cruze is as durable as it can be, Dave Schoener and his teammates are all wet.

As a General Motors splash test engineer, Schoener helped develop an innovative splash shield for the Chevrolet Cruze that protects the engine compartment from water and potentially harmful contaminants.

In addition, the splash shields, a segment exclusive in the Cruze, help prevent underbody corrosion by repelling water, dirt and mud. They also contribute to the Cruze’s fuel economy – an EPA-estimated 42 mpg highway for Cruze Eco – by reducing wind drag.

“With the Cruze, you have a very comprehensive splash protector on an entry sedan that you typically wouldn’t see except in high-end luxury vehicles,” said Schoener.

Schoener recommended adding underbody shields to the Cruze after observing repeated splash tests in GM’s new $1.4-million Flooded Road Lab at the company’s Milford, Mich. Proving Ground.

There, engineers drove the Cruze through a submerged roadway filled with two to 12 inches of standing water – at speeds ranging from five to 35 miles per hour – to ensure long-term quality and dependability. Schoener and his team used the lab learning to find solutions to keep water, grit, salt and other contaminants away from the Cruze’s engine and transmission.

Facilities such as the Flooded Road Lab demonstrate GM’s commitment to vehicle quality, where thousands of miles of simulated abuse provide opportunities to improve vehicles before they reach customers.  Underbody splash shields are among many improvements added to GM’s vigorous long-term durability testing.

A long-distance runner, Schoener compares long-term durability testing to preparing for a marathon.

“Just as I train to build endurance before each race, achieving long-term vehicle durability comes from putting the Cruze through its paces here at the Proving Ground,” he said. “We do intense durability testing to ensure our customers get top-quality vehicles they will enjoy for many years.”

 

Courtesy of Media.gm.com

Thursday, December 8, 2011

New 2013 Malibu Racks Up 1 Million Test Miles Across Globe

DETROIT – On the cusp of its global introductions, engineers for the all-new 2013 Chevrolet Malibu have rolled past 1 million miles of on-road development testing – accumulated in about 22 months on six continents.

The extensive road development and validation process helps ensure the new Malibu’s overall ride and handling, comfort, quality and durability are exemplary when production begins, and meets the needs of customers around the world. The new Malibu will be sold in nearly 100 countries on six continents, making it Chevrolet’s first global midsize sedan.

“You learn a lot about a car when you spend so much time in it – and that’s exactly the point,” said Mark Moussa, global chief engineer. “In the last year and a half, during every minute of the day, a 2013 Malibu has been driving somewhere around the world – all to make it the best car it can be.”

The million test miles were accumulated since the first quarter of 2010 on a fleet of about 170 pre-production vehicles, driven for a cumulative average of more than 45,450 miles every month. That’s the equivalent of:

While the testing regiment for the Malibu mirrored GM’s standards for new-vehicle validation, the global scope of the Malibu project magnified it. More drivable prototypes – known as integration vehicles to GM engineers – were built compared with a single-market vehicle, and they represented 13 powertrain combinations and numerous equipment packages the Malibu will offer around the world.

The greater number of market conditions helped spin the program’s collective odometer quickly to the seven-digit range.

The early prototypes were hand-built by General Motors in the United States and shipped around the globe. They were driven at GM’s proving grounds around North America, as well as on the freeways, highways and back roads of the United States, Canada, Australia, South Korea, China, England, Dubai and Germany.

The development stage the Malibu pre-production cars represented meant the powertrains, suspensions and other core elements of the cars were already green-lighted for production. The round-the-clock driving helped fine-tune their overall dynamics in performance, interior quietness, seat comfort, drivability and more.

During their testing, the Malibus were driven through Death Valley in the hottest summer days to validate the air conditioning performance, and driven to the top of the Rocky Mountains for high-altitude tests. The cars were subjected to hundreds of miles of stop-and-go rush hour drives in Chicago and Seoul; and through the winding hills of North Carolina to evaluate seat comfort and other long-drive factors.

Even the coin holders were evaluated.

“Along more significant differences among markets, such as powertrains, there is a myriad of small details that vary in markets around the globe and they must all be validated in real-world driving tests,” said Moussa. “Even small things such as holders for toll change or tickets varies for different markets.

“In Korea, for example, the hazard lights are often used as a ‘thank you’ to other motorists, so the long-term durability of the switch must be ensured,” Moussa said. “So, we’ve got to test not only the big things, but the seemingly small ones, to make sure we are building a quality product that meets the needs of all these different markets and uses.”

Monsoon grooves

Speaking of Korea, it and other Asian markets that are prone to heavy rains during monsoon season, have deeply grooved concrete road surfaces to channel water off the highway. They’re effective during the rain season, but driving on them when dry can generate a considerable noise challenge for engineers.

“It’s a very tough noise to isolate and happens to be at a frequency that is very annoying to the human ear,” said Kara Gordon, acoustics engineer. “But that is the reality for drivers in those markets and because the acoustic performance of a vehicle helps form one’s perception of quality, making sure the Malibu soaked up those grooved roads quietly was an essential component of development.”

The tires were the lynchpin of the Malibu’s monsoon-groove performance and Gordon and other engineers went to great lengths to find the right tire for the market. That included:

“In the end, we found the right tire for the Korean market,” said Gordon. “It was challenging, but so is the overall process of developing a car for nearly 100 markets around the globe.”

And while most of those development cars were running around the clock, others didn’t see many miles at all. Development cars in England and the United States were run through salt water troughs and placed in a chamber to simulate years of corrosion and winter road driving, while others were parked in the Arizona sun to see how the interior materials held up to extreme heat.

In a nod to the development work leading up to the Malibu’s million miles of testing, engineers found a few areas of the vehicle that required major attention as a result of it – one of them being a change in the application of liquid sealer to steel parts of the body structure, which helped produce a quieter ride.

“You never know about those fine details until you get the vehicle on the road,” said Moussa. “Our million miles in testing should inspire confidence for anyone who considers buying a 2013 Malibu.”

The all-new 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco midsize sedan will start at $25,995 (including destination charge) when it arrives in dealerships in the first quarter next year. It is a new and the first trim level of an all-new Malibu lineup to launch in the United States. Other Malibu trim levels, including LS, LT and LTZ, are scheduled to begin production next summer in Fairfax, Kan. and Detroit-Hamtramck.

The 2013 Malibu will serve as a flagship Chevrolet midsize in many parts of the world. It is built in multiple locations including the United States, China and Korea.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Chevrolet Announces Supercharged Super Stock Engine for COPO Camaro Concept

ORLANDO, Fla. – Chevrolet announced a new supercharged engine possibility for the COPO Camaro concept that is designed for NHRA Super Stock competition. The 5.3L engine uses a 4.0-liter twin-screw supercharger atop a Chevrolet Performance LSX racing engine block to produce the power necessary for competitive performance in the hotly contested class – where elapsed times are in the 9-second range or quicker.

The new Super Stock engine is the third developed by Chevrolet Performance for the COPO Camaro concept, which is the centerpiece of Chevrolet Performance’s display at the PRI motorsports trade show in Orlando, Fla., Dec. 1-3. And while only a concept, Chevrolet Performance is evaluating the prospect of homologating the COPO Camaro – and its prototype engines – for Stock Eliminator and Super Stock racing.

“As we continue to refine our COPO Camaro concept, we are exploring all avenues to make it competitive and Super Stock is the logical next step,” said Jim Campbell, GM U.S. vice president of Performance Vehicles and Motorsports. “The three-engine strategy would allow us to offer competition-ready powertrains across the board for Stock Eliminator and Super Stock.”

While the Super Stock engine is not on display at the PRI show, Chevrolet has finalized the specifications for it. The other engines developed for the program include a naturally aspirated 427 engine (7.0L) – the same displacement as the original COPO Camaros from 1969 – and another supercharged 327 (5.3L) engine, but with a smaller-displacement 2.9L twin-screw supercharger. The chart below outlines the core specifications of each engine and their intended classes.

 

 

427

327/2.9

327/4.0

Suggested class

A Stock

AA Stock

A Super Stock

Cubic inches

427 (7.0L)

327 (5.3L)

327 (5.3L)

Block

LS7

LS9

LSX

Block material

Aluminum

Aluminum

Cast iron

Bore x Stroke (in.)

4.125 x 4.100

4.065 x 3.150

4.065 x 3.150

Crank

Forged steel

Forged steel

Forged steel

Rods

H-beam

H-beam

H-beam

Pistons

Forged dome

Forged dome

Forged dome

Compression ratio

13.5:1

10.2:1

10.2:1

Heads

LS7

LS7

LS7

Induction

natural

boosted

boosted

Intake

Holley 2.9L

Whipple 4.0L

Whipple

Camshaft type

Hydraulic roller

Hydraulic roller

Hydraulic roller

Cam duration (deg.)

233/276 @ 50

244/255 @ 50

244/255 @ 50

Cam lift (in.)

.595

.650

.650

 

The COPO Camaro concept on display at the PRI show is powered by a prototype version of the supercharged 327 engine, featuring an LSX cylinder block.

And along with the three-engine strategy, the COPO Camaro concept is engineered with provisions for a two-speed Powerglide automatic transmission, a three-speed automatic or a five-speed manual.

Inside the COPO Camaro Concept

Among the many racing-specific features and equipment found throughout the COPO Camaro concept is a conversion from the Camaro’s standard independent rear axle to a solid axle, as well as a full chrome moly roll cage.

Additional content includes:

The interior is all business, with most sound deadening and power accessories deleted. Instead, there is pair of racing bucket seats (and no rear seat), a safety harness for the driver, a competition floor shifter and Chevrolet Performance gauges by Auto Meter.

Racing enthusiasts who are interested in more information can go to www.gmperformanceparts.com to sign up for COPO Camaro concept updates.

 

Courtesy of Chevrolet Motors