2014 Corvette Trailer: CRAFT

Maintenance Tip: How To Create Your Own Roadside Emergency Kit

Have you ever been in this scenario? It's 11:00 p.m.; you're driving on a lone country road that's dark and desolate. You know in an instant that something's wrong. Controlling the vehicle becomes increasingly difficult and you ease the car to the side of the road. Getting out, you see that the left rear tire is flat and you're already running on your spare.

If you're lucky to have an account with the Auto Club and your cellular phone works, or are driving a Caddy with OnStar, help is only a phone call away. If not, you're either faced with having to hail a passing motorist or spend a night in the boonies. That is, unless you have a well-stocked emergency roadside kit in the trunk of your car.

When it comes to commuting or traveling any lengthy distance, a roadside emergency kit can mean the difference between getting back on the road or being stuck for a long period of time. A roadside emergency kit is the one item that every vehicle should have; yet most of us never carry any of the basic items to help you get back on the road quickly and safely.

Some of the basic items include:

• 12-foot jumper cables
• Four 15-minute roadside flares
• Two quarts of oil
• Gallon of antifreeze
• First aid kit (including an assortment of bandages, gauze, adhesive tape, antiseptic cream, instant ice and heat compresses, scissors and aspirin)
• Blanket
• Extra fuses
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Flat head screwdrivers
• Phillips head screwdrivers
• Pliers
• Vise Grips
• Adjustable wrench
• Tire inflator (such as a Fix-A-Flat)
• Tire pressure gauge
• Rags
• Roll of paper towels
• Roll of duct tape
• Spray bottle with washer fluid
• Pocketknife
• Ice scraper
• Pen and paper
• Help sign
• Granola or energy bars
• Bottled water
• and heavy-duty nylon bag to carry it all in.

 

Granted, all these items practically necessitate a Ford Excursion to haul them down the road, but a basic version with two roadside flares, a quart of oil, small first aid kit, extra fuses, flashlight, Leatherman Tool (or any other multipurpose tool commonly containing pliers, wire cutters, knife, saw, bottle opener, screwdrivers, files and an awl), tire inflator, rags, pocket knife, pen and paper and a help sign will take up a minimal amount of trunk space.

A few companies offer pre-assembled emergency roadside kits, ranging from RightTrak's 58-piece Deluxe Auto Safety Kit ($24.00) to the 78-piece Auto First Aid Kit from Home First Aid ($39.95). While these kits contain the basics in a small convenient carrier, you might want to augment yours with a few of the items listed above to suit your needs.

Before you actually use your kit in an emergency situation, take some time to familiarize yourself with the items you've collected and how to use them properly. Also remember that the most important item is your own good judgment - stopping to change a tire in the high-speed lane is only an accident waiting to happen.

Unfortunately, there isn't "one tool for all roadside emergency needs." But with a little planning and a smidgen of trunk space, an emergency roadside kit can often save the day.

Courtesy of Edmunds.com

2014 Silverado: Stronger, Smarter and More Capable

DETROIT – Chevrolet today unveiled the all-new 2014 Silverado 1500 full-size pickup. New from hood to hitch, Silverado is engineered to be the strongest, smartest, and most capable Silverado ever.

The new Silverado builds on Chevrolet’s 95 years of truck heritage, while raising the bar for full-size pickups. Among the many updates for 2014 are a new trio of powerful, efficient EcoTec3 engines; a stronger, quieter, more comfortable cab; revised steering, suspension and brakes; ingenious solutions for managing cargo in the bed and true truck capability for towing and hauling.

“Our customers rely on their trucks to meet the day-to-day challenges of earning a living, running a business and taking care of their families,” said Mark Reuss, president, GM North America. “Chevrolet is committed to giving truck customers the most-refined, best-engineered pickups in the market.”

The 2014 Silverado will become part of Chevrolet’s three-truck portfolio, designed to let customers select the right truck for their needs. It joins the Silverado 2500 and 3500 HD pickups, the ultimate tools for towing and hauling, which were new for the 2011 model year. Chevrolet is also developing an all-new Colorado midsize pickup, which will offer proven truck capability in a space- and fuel-efficient package.

Every detail of the 2014 Silverado 1500 was designed and engineered to meet the exacting requirements of full-size truck customers and to strengthen Chevrolet’s reputation for building the most dependable, longest-lasting full-size trucks – trucks with the lowest overall cost of ownership.

“Don’t let the work boots fool you. Truck customers are among the most discerning and demanding in the business,” said Jeff Luke, executive chief engineer for full-size and midsize trucks.

“The designers and engineers who created the new Silverado share this passion for trucks. They have built this truck – and tested it to the extremes – to give customers the right tools for the tough jobs, and they have created dozens of solutions to the challenges truck customers encounter every day.”

2014 Silverado 1500 at a glance

For 2014, Silverado 1500 is designed and engineered to deliver the capability – without compromise – that customers have come to expect from Chevrolet pickups.

Silverado’s exterior design blends strong Chevy truck heritage with a refined, modern aesthetic. The new design is more muscular, more functional and more aerodynamic. A twin-port grille, full-width bumper and dual power dome hood create a strong presence, which is carried through in sculpted body sides and fender flares.

The new Silverado design is about much more than just looks, however. The new front end is engineered to improve sealing for more efficient cooling, while the roof and tailgate spoiler were shaped in the wind tunnel to smooth airflow over the truck for reduced drag. New inlaid doors, which fit into recesses in the bodyside, reduce wind noise for a quieter cab.

Under the hood, the 2014 Silverado 1500 features a family of three all-new EcoTec3 engines, a V-6 and two V-8s, engineered specifically for use in full-size trucks. All three engines incorporate direct fuel injection, cylinder deactivation and continuously variable valve timing, a combination of advanced technologies not found in other competitors’ trucks. All three switch seamlessly to four-cylinder operation to improve efficiency during light load driving and all three are engineered provide more power, more torque and better efficiency than the previous versions.

The engine family includes a new 4.3L V-6 that will have ample torque to power a crew cab pickup and tow a substantial trailer, as well as a new 5.3L V-8 designed for more power, more torque and better efficiency than the current version, which is currently the V-8 fuel economy leader. A new 6.2L V-8 is engineered to be the most capable engine in any light-duty pickup.

SAE certified horsepower and torque ratings and EPA fuel economy estimates for the new Silverado will be final and available beginning early next year.

The all-new interiors of the 2014 Silverado 1500 reflect the same focus on form and function. The upright instrument panel, six-gauge instrument cluster and multiple storage options are tailored specifically to the needs of truck customers. Controls are functional, logically placed and easy to operate with work gloves on. Rear doors on crew cabs are larger, for easier entry and exit, and rear doors on extended cab models are now hinged at the front for easier access, especially in tight spots.

The new Chevrolet MyLink provides easy-to-use connectivity for the job site or the family vacation, with natural voice recognition and enough ports and power outlets to support multiple devices.

The new truck cab is stronger, with nearly two-thirds of the structure made from high-strength steel for a confident feel and improved safety. Similarly, the main rails and key cross members of the updated frame are high-strength steel with major elements hydroformed for reduced mass and improved strength.

New shear-style body mounts tune out both up-and-down and side-to-side movement for a quieter, more comfortable ride. Extended- and crew-cab models have a third set of hydraulic body mounts to further isolate the cabs. Combined with numerous other acoustic and NVH (noise vibration and harshness) enhancements, the intended result is a solid, refined feel with no loss in traditional truck capability.

The pickup box also benefits from this focus on providing Silverado customers with the right tools for the job. The box is made from roll-formed steel for increased strength and reduced mass, compared with the stamped beds used by major competitors, and it features a range of smart solutions for everyday life.

Silverado’s CornerStep bumper, combined with handholds built into the new box rail protectors, makes it easier to access the box. The bed is also available with new upper tie-down hooks, under-rail light-emitting diode lighting, and an EZ Lift and Lower tailgate.

For the first time, Silverado 1500 crew cabs will be available with a longer 6’6” foot box, in addition to the previous 5’8” box, enabling customers to carry more cargo while still being able to park in many garages.

The chassis of the 2014 Silverado includes a number of customer-focused updates. A revised front and rear suspension and wider wheels provide a more comfortable ride and more confident handling. Electric power steering improves steering feel and reduces fuel consumption. New four-wheel-disc brakes with Duralife ™ rotors improve brake feel and extend rotor life.

Silverado will be available with segment-exclusive safety features such as Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning with an Active Safety Seat, and Front and Rear Park Assist. StabiliTrak with Trailer Sway Control and Hill Start Assist are standard on all Silverados.

“We have made significant upgrades in the key areas of the new Silverado, and improved almost every detail of the truck,” said Luke. “We think both Chevrolet loyalists and competitive shoppers are going to find a lot to love about the new Silverado, beginning with the very first time they sit behind the wheel.”

Engineered and validated for demanding customers

Truck customers are among the most discerning and demanding in the business. They know trucks inside out – many have owned trucks for decades. They work their trucks hard, under conditions that would shock many car owners. They have tough tasks to do, and they expect their trucks to do them, without complaint. And they expect their trucks to endure – the average age of a full-size pickup is now more than 10.4 years.

The team that designed the new Silverado went to extremes to design a new truck that would exceed the demands of these customers.

For example, GM’s new full-size trucks will undergo more than 6 million miles of durability testing in the torture chambers at the Milford Proving Ground, over the deserts and mountains of Nevada and across the frozen flats of Kapuskasing, Ontario. That’s equivalent to 240 trips around the earth. In addition, the trucks will accumulate more than 7 million real-world miles during final testing, bringing total test miles to more than 13 million.

The increased power, torque and efficiency of the new EcoTec3 engine family resulted from an unprecedented level of computer analysis, including extensive computational flow dynamics, to optimize the burning of air and fuel in the cylinders. More than 10 million of hours of computational analysis went into the engine program. More than 6 million hours – about 685 years’ worth – of analysis went into the advanced combustion system alone.

Even the basics, like the new inlaid doors, were tested to the extreme, with the doors undergoing nearly 150 truck lives’ worth of testing.

The 2014 Silverado 1500 crew cab will start production in the second quarter of 2013, with other cab styles following later in the year.

Pricing will be announced closer to start of sale.

Additional Details – 2014 Silverado 1500

A modern interpretation of iconic Chevrolet design

For the 2014 Silverado, designers sought to strike the ideal balance between Chevrolet’s deep heritage in full-size pickups and a more modern, refined aesthetic. They also sought to give the new Silverado a more dramatic presence, with a heightened stance and more structural, muscular sheet metal, while also improving aerodynamics to make the new Silverado quieter and more efficient.

“Creating the new Silverado while maintaining its heritage was a challenge, but I am confident that we struck the right balance,” said Kevin O’Donnell, manager for the Silverado exterior design. “The 2104 Silverado will definitely stand out, in terms of both appearance and improved aerodynamic performance.”

The classic two-port Chevrolet truck grille, restyled headlamps and one-piece bumper wrap from fender to fender, giving the truck a wider, stronger stance. The grille of the new Silverado is designed to admit the just right amount of air, and the front is carefully sealed to provide efficient cooling with minimal aerodynamic drag.

A modern interpretation of Chevrolet vertically stacked headlamps includes projector beam lamps on LTZ models. A new hood with twin power domes not only enhances visual presence, but it guides air over the windshield wipers for reduced wind noise.

The more aggressive design continues down the body, with sculpted body sides and prominent fender flares. Available wheel well liners provide a more finished look. Wheels range from 17 to 20 inches in diameter and all are a half-inch wider than before, for reduced tire flex and enhanced cornering and steering. Twenty-two-inch wheels will be available as Chevrolet accessories.

Special attention was paid to airflow over the truck, to improve efficiency and reduce wind noise. Most notable are the inlaid doors, which fit into body sides rather than wrapping over the roof. When combined with new triple door seals, the inlaid doors reduce wind noise and turbulence, helping quiet the cab.

Other aerodynamic details include new cab-to-box seals, shields on the chassis to smooth under-vehicle air flow, and deflectors to guide air around the rear tires. Both the roof and the top of the tailgate were precisely shaped to help manage airflow over the back of the pickup.

Also for 2014, rear doors on crew cab models are larger. The B-pillars were moved forward, the rear seat redesigned and the front seatbacks made thinner, adding about two inches to rear legroom and increasing the ease of entry and exit without adding length to the vehicle. On extended cab Silverados, the rear doors now hinge at the front, from the B-pillar, for easier access in parking lot and other tight spots.

Three all-new EcoTec3 engines

The heart of any truck is under its hood and the 2014 Silverado 1500 offers three new EcoTec3 engines developed specifically for the demands of truck duty cycles. All feature a trio of state-of-the-art technologies – direct injection, cylinder deactivation and continuously variable valve timing – that optimize power, torque and efficiency across a broad range of operating conditions.

The new trio of engines is designed to match the needs of truck customers, and to provide more horsepower, more torque and better fuel economy than previous Silverado engines.

All three engines feature an advanced combustion system for more efficiently turning fuel into work and all three are designed to seamlessly switch to four-cylinder mode to improve efficiency during light-load driving.

“We believe these engines are the most technologically advanced engines ever offered in light-duty pickups, and they are specifically designed for the way customers use trucks in the real world,” said Jordan Lee, Small Block chief engineer and program manager.

“EcoTec3 engines offer technology no other truck maker can match, and we offer it in every one of our engines, for every one of our customers,” said Lee. “It is not an extra cost feature. You get our best and most advanced technology regardless of trim level.”

To provide the dependability and low cost of ownership that truck customers count on, all three engines feature a work-tested, race-proven overhead valve design that is light and compact, and has inherently low friction for improved fuel efficiency. All three feature aluminum blocks and heads for lower weight. (For more details, see the accompanying EcoTec3 Engines release.)

The new engine family includes:

• A new standard 4.3L V-6. Its large displacement delivers the torque to power a crew cab and pull a substantial trailer, yet it can seamlessly shift into four-cylinder mode under light loads for improved efficiency.
• A new 5.3L V-8. It is engineered to provide more horsepower, more torque and better fuel economy that the current 5.3L V-8, making it an excellent choice for mainstream customers.
• A new 6.2L V-8. It is engineered to be the most capable engine in any light-duty pickup. Like the other two engines in the family, it can seamlessly switch to four-cylinder mode under light load conditions for improved efficiency in daily driving.

The 2014 Silverado 1500 is engineered to further improve efficiency by enabling the engines to operate in four-cylinder mode more of the time. For example, transmission and exhaust mounts tune out vibration that can occur when the engines are in four-cylinder mode, and an active exhaust system fine tunes backpressure and the exhaust note for smoother, quieter operation. Models with the 6.2L V-8 feature active noise cancellation to further quiet the cabin during four-cylinder mode.

All three engines feature a six-speed automatic transmission with gear ratios and shift schedules optimized for performance and efficiency. The transmissions feature Auto Grade Braking, which downshifts on downgrades to help reduce brake wear. Due to the added torque of the new V-8 engines, new 9.5- or 9.76-inch rear axles are used.

“Not only did we work to improve the horsepower, torque and EPA fuel economy estimates of all three EcoTec3 engines, but we worked hard to improve real-world efficiency as well, especially when towing and hauling,” said Lee. “We look forward to journalists and other third parties having the opportunity to test our trucks head-to-head with the competition in real world conditions.”

More comfortable, more functional interior

With crew cabs now accounting for more than two-thirds of light-duty sales industry-wide, pickups are increasingly becoming multi-purpose tools, used to run a business or earn a living during the day and transporting friends and family during the time off. To accommodate those needs Silverado designers sought to craft an interior that was quieter, roomier, more comfortable and more functional, without making it look like the interior of a car or crossover.

The result: an all new interior that sets a benchmarks for full-size trucks.

“Changes to the exterior of the 2014 Silverado can be described as evolutionary, but the updates to the interior are dramatic,” said Helen Emsley, Silverado design director. “The meticulous attention to detail and the steps we took to ensure optimal driver and passenger comfort and convenience, are reflected in the fact that the new interiors rated off the charts in customer clinics.”

The upright instrument panel with its six-gauge instrument cluster is tailored specifically to the needs of truck customers, and most models also include a 4.2-inch color Driver Information Center displaying vehicle and infotainment data.

Controls were located with the use of reach curves, and important controls were place closest to the driver and grouped functionally. Knobs, buttons and interfaces are large, easy-to-read and easy to operate, even with gloves on.

For example, Silverado retained the traditional column shifter, with tap-up/tap-down and tow-haul functions integrated into the lever, because it clears space in the console and is easy to operate, even with heavy work gloves. Similarly, the available integrated trailer brake control is mounted high and to the left of the steering wheel, where the driver can more naturally reach for it.

The result is a simple, well designed instrument panel – one in keeping with the ways customers use their full-size trucks.

Silverado’s available MyLink infotainment system is designed to be easy-to-use, highly customizable and capable of linking up to 10 devices. It features natural language voice recognition that allows customers to place calls, enter destinations, browse media, play music and control other functions simply by telling the vehicle what to do. There are no key phrases to remember and no need to look at a screen.

MyLink also can be operated via large, clearly labeled knobs, through integrated steering wheel controls, or through the touch screen on models with the eight-inch screen.

The system also can store up to 60 favorites including radio stations (AM/FM/XM), contacts, destinations, music and other media – a convenient feature for small businesses or owners who travel frequently.

All models also have extensive interior storage, tailored to the way customers use their trucks. Multiple USB ports, along with 12-volt and110-volt power outlets, help connect multiple devices.

A new high-wear seat cloth that is more durable and easier to clean is available and the front seats have more durable dual-density foam for improved comfort and longer life.

The goal, in each case, was to create a level of comfort and convenience usually associated with upscale cars, but tailored to the way customers use actually use their trucks.

Strengthened cabs and frames

Truck customers have the highest expectations when it comes to durability and capability – they need to know that one of the most important tools in their toolbox is going to withstand the daily punishment of their work and their active lifestyles. And they expect their trucks to last – the average truck on the road is now more than 10.4 years old.

o ensure that the new Silverado is up to the challenge, key elements of the updated frame, including the main rails and major cross members, are made from high-strength steel and hydroforming is used to improve strength and reduce mass of the front of the frame.

The cab structures are all new, and incorporate high strength steel in the A-pillars, B-pillars, roof rails and rocker panels. Ultra-high-strength steel is used in areas of the rocker panels and underbody in anticipation of new shallow-offset crash tests. In all, about two-thirds of the cab structure is made from high-strength steels, for a quieter ride, a more confident feel and enhanced performance on new, tougher government and industry crash tests.

The mounts that isolate the cab from frame have a major impact on both noise and vibration in the passenger compartment. All Silverado models now have shear-style mounts, which isolate both up-and-down and side-to-side movements, and extended- and crew-cab models have additional hydraulic mounts to provide further isolation. The result is a truck that feels much quieter, more refined and more solid than previous models.

The 2014 Silverado 1500 also features a roll-formed steel pickup box, which is lighter, stronger and more durable than traditional stamped steel boxes used by major competitors.

The use of high-strength steels and other lighter materials such as aluminum hoods, engine blocks and suspension helped offset the mass of new features such as stronger cabs, wider wheels, a larger battery and larger rear axles for V-8 Silverados. The 2014 Silverado continues to be lighter than comparable models from a key competitor.

More confident ride, handling and braking

The suspension, steering and brakes of the 2014 Silverado 1500 have been extensively updated to for a quieter, more refined ride and confident handling and braking.

The coil-over-shock front suspension features aluminum upper and lower control arms on many models that are both lighter and stiffer than previous components, along with front springs are up to 30 percent stiffer than those on current models, for more confident handling.

The rear suspension continues to use two-stage multi-leaf springs, for an optimal balance between a smooth ride and load carrying capability. The spring bushings have been revised for an improved ride, and both front and rear shocks feature a twin-tube design with new valving to improve damping at low speeds, for a smoother, more controlled ride. Z71 models use monotube Rancho shocks for enhanced off-road capability.

The 2014 Silverado 1500 features new all-electric variable-assist power steering, which improves overall vehicle handling and reduces steering effort at low speeds. Because there is no engine-driven pump, electric power steering also reduces fuel consumption and eliminates the maintenance associated with hydraulic power steering.

Four-wheel disc brakes with Duralife ™ rotors are standard. The rotors feature a hardened and strengthened surface that resists rusting, potentially doubling the life of the rotors and improving vehicle appearance. The brake pedal feel has been improved as well.

Silverado also features Auto Grade Braking, which uses the engine and transmission controls to slow the vehicle on a long downgrade, helping maintain vehicle speed and reducing the need for the driver to use the brakes.

Smarter pickup box

For 2014, Silverado even makes the pickup box smarter. A CornerStep bumper and built-in hand grip pockets in the new bed rail protectors make it easier to step up into the bed and access items.

The tailgate features an internal torsion bar that reduces the effort to raise and lower the tailgate, while a rotary damper allows for a controlled and more gradual lowering motion when opening the tailgate. A locking feature, two-tier loading and a box lamp are standard. Available features include upper tie-down hooks that make it easier to secure cargo, and LED lamps under the bed rails that make it easier to see items in the bed.

The pickup box is available in three lengths – 5’8”, 6’6”and 8’. Crew cab models add the 6’6” box as a new option in addition to the 5’8” box. Extended cab models come with 6’6” boxes and regular cab models are available with 6’6” or 8’ boxes. Customers who tow will appreciate the four- and seven-pin trailer connector located in the rear bumper.

Z71 for off-road capability

For owners whose work or recreation takes them off road, Z71 returns as a unique model, available in LT and LTZ trim. For 2014, Z71 includes monotube Rancho shocks, front tow hooks, a transfer case skid plate and unique 18- or 20-inch all-terrain tires. The Z71 package also includes Hill Descent Control. Engaged by the driver using a button on the instrument panel, it uses the anti-lock braking system to enable a smooth and controlled descent in rough terrain.

Z71 also includes unique 18-inch wheels (optional on LT, standard on LTZ) and unique interior trim, including brushed metal sill plates, a technical finish on interior trim pieces and Z71 graphics on the instrument cluster.

Standard on Z71, and available on other Silverados, is a GM-exclusive automatic locking rear differential, which reacts in milliseconds in low-traction situations to improve safety and confidence on wet, snowy or muddy surfaces.

Advanced safety features

As mentioned above, the 2014 Silverado 1500 has an all-new cab, with approximately two-thirds of the structure built from high strength steels. It helps protect occupants in the event of a crash and enhances performance on new, tougher government and industry crash tests.

Silverado continues to offer a comprehensive suite of standard safety technologies, including StabiliTrak electronic stability control with Trailer Sway Control and Hill Start Assist, head curtain side airbags with rollover protection and OnStar.

New for 2014, Silverado will offer several segment-leading features. Lane Departure Warning alerts the driver if the vehicle starts to drift into another lane, via an audible warning or the available Safety Alert Seat. Also available is Forward Collision Alert, which monitors the space in front of the vehicle via a camera, and warns the drive if he or she is getting too close to the vehicle ahead.

Other available safety features include front and rear park assist, a rear vision camera mounted in the tailgate and spotter mirrors that make it easier for drivers to see objects in the blinds spots.

Courtesy of media.gm.com

2013 Chevrolet Malibu – 2.9% APR for qualified buyers PLUS $1,000 bonus cash!

2013 CHEVROLET Malibu

2.9% APR for 60 months for qualified buyers. Monthly payment is $17.92 for every $1000 you finance. Example down payment: 0%. Some customers will not qualify. Take delivery by 01-02-2013. Residency restrictions apply. See Dealer for details.

Take a look at the Toys for Tots donations Bob Brown Chevrolet has collected so far! It's not too late to help out if you're still interested!

The 2014 Silverado: Let’s #RaiseTheBar

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Chevrolet Volt Owners Surpass 100 Million Electric Miles

DETROIT – Chevrolet Volt owners collectively have driven more than 100 million all-electric miles since the vehicle went on sale two years ago this month. The average Volt owner travels more than 65 percent of the time in pure electric mode as the car was designed – only using the gasoline-powered generator for longer trips.

By charging regularly, Volt owners drive approximately 900 miles, or a month and a half, between fill-ups.  However, many Volt owners quickly exceed that average, based on an EPA-estimated 98 MPGe that puts electric-only range at 35 mpg city and 40 mpg on the highway. Andrew Byrne from Los Angeles is one of these drivers.

“Since my daily driving is all electric, I only really need to buy gas for long road trips,” Byrne said. “I drove over 1,900 miles on my last tank of gas.”

With each avoided trip to the gas station, Volt drivers continue to increase their return on investment. Based on EPA estimates and compared to the average new vehicle sold in the United States, Volt owners are saving about $1,370 a year in fuel costs.

“The best sign of a great product is when your customers are the most satisfied in the industry,” said Cristi Landy, Chevrolet Volt marketing director. “Volt owners have found the Volt is not only fun to drive, but provides technology and performance where consumers need it most.”

This is the second year in a row the Volt has topped the satisfaction survey of one of the leading consumer testing organizations in the United States.

“My commute is 55 miles round trip, but with the Volt I use 80 percent less gas and save over $150 each month,” said Farris Khan from southeastern Michigan. “Plus the Volt is really fun to drive because of its instant torque; driving anything else feels like yester-tech!”

For the typical driver, the average Volt savings equates to:

• Nine weeks of groceries at $151 per week
• 228 car washes at $6 per car wash
• 137 movie tickets at $10 per ticket

The 5 million gallons of gas saved is equivalent to $21 million in gasoline costs averted overall based on $4 per gallon of premium, or more than two supertankers of gas.

For the first 38 miles, the Volt can drive gas and tailpipe-emissions free using a full charge of electricity stored in its 16.50-kWh lithium-ion battery. When the Volt’s battery runs low, a gas-powered engine/generator seamlessly operates to extend the driving range another 344 miles on a full tank.

Hop into this attractive 2013 Silverado, right in time for the holidays!

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First Drive of Seventh Generation Corvette Prototype

DETROIT – When fans fire up their PlayStation®3 (PS3™) systems today they’ll have a chance to become part of Corvette history. Chevrolet and Sony Computer Entertainment America, LLC (SCEA) are giving gamers a first-of-its-kind driving experience by offering a camouflaged Corvette C7 Test Prototype as a vehicle download in the critically acclaimed PS3™ racing game Gran Turismo®5.

Chevrolet and Polyphony Digital Inc., the developers of the award-winning Gran Turismo® franchise, collaborated to provide an authentic driving experience in a seventh-generation Corvette prototype currently available to only a handful of people in the world.

During the creation of the virtual Corvette prototype, careful attention was paid to the tiniest details from the creases and wrinkles in the soft camouflage used to disguise the new design to specific driving characteristics that are currently being tuned and refined ahead of the vehicle’s official debut in January.

“Until now, only the most skilled drivers on the Corvette team have been authorized to push the test prototypes to the limits on some of the most challenging track surfaces in the world,” said Chris Perry, vice president of Chevrolet Global Marketing.  “Through this unique collaboration with Gran Turismo, Chevrolet is able, for the first time, to give performance car enthusiasts access to such an exclusive driving experience.”

All six previous generations of the Corvette have been available to players of the Gran Turismo series since the game’s inception and the Chevrolet nameplate remains one of the most popular vehicles to race.  The camouflaged Corvette C7 Test Prototype is immediately available for download through the PlayStation® Store from the PlayStation®3 at no additional cost. It can be driven on some of the world’s renowned race tracks, including Daytona International Speedway and the infamous Nurburgring – one of the track surfaces used in testing to evaluate the new Corvette’s driving dynamics.

“Gran Turismo has had many firsts and we’re excited to partner with Chevrolet for yet another – bringing the first-ever Chevrolet prototype vehicle into a racing game,” said Kazunori Yamauchi, president of Polyphony Digital, Inc. “As car enthusiasts, we’re thrilled to give fans this extraordinary level of access to the seventh generation Corvette that otherwise would not be possible.”

The Gran Turismo series has sold more than 67 million games since its inception and remains the highest-selling PlayStation-exclusive franchise of all time.

Chevrolet will introduce the 2014 Corvette on Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013. More information and video content is available at www.one13thirteen.com. Enthusiasts can join the conversation about the next-generation Corvette and keep track of new announcements on Facebook (facebook.com/corvette) and Twitter @Chevrolet(#Corvette). Fans that follow the #one13thirteen hashtag on Twitter can look forward to exclusive updates.

Next-Gen MyLink System Debuts in 2014 Chevrolet Impala

LOS ANGELES – When the 2014 Chevrolet Impala goes on sale next spring, it will do much more than reinvent the brand’s flagship sedan. It will be the first with Chevrolet’s next-generation MyLink infotainment system, designed to be easy to use, highly customizable and capable of linking up to 10 devices.

The system represents Chevrolet’s first use of natural language voice recognition that allows customers to safely place calls, enter destinations, browse media, play music and control other functions simply by telling the vehicle what to do. There are no key phrases to remember and no need to look at a screen. In addition to the touch screen, MyLink also can be operated via large, clearly labeled knobs or through integrated steering wheel controls.

Another first for Chevrolet is that the system can store up to 60 favorites including radio stations (AM/FM/XM), contacts, destinations, music and other media – a convenient feature, for example, for those who travel to the same destination regularly and want to save locations such as hotels and restaurants.

Even the graphic treatment of the instrument cluster and integrated stack can be customized to one of four distinct personalities, depending on who’s behind the wheel – Contemporary, Edge, Velocity and Main Street.

“MyLink in the new Impala provides our customers with a total driver experience,” said Nina Mital, next-generation MyLink program manager. “With the natural voice recognition, it’s like having a conversation with your vehicle.”

The system is designed to accommodate new features and enhancements, Mital said. The next-generation MyLink system also will be used in other 2014 model year Chevrolets including upcoming full-size trucks and SUVs and the Corvette.

Unlike previous systems, both the instrument cluster and the integrated center stack are configurable, giving the customer the ability to display infotainment controls in direct view if desired, without ever having to view the center screen. A microphone above the driver helps ensure voice commands are heard.

On the Impala’s standard 4.2-inch high-resolution LCD screen or available eight-inch screen, customers will immediately notice the layout resembles a smartphone or tablet, with intuitive, easy-to-read icons. On the eight-inch screen, customers can fling through lists, swipe and click and drag just as they would on a tablet.

Those with compatible smartphones can pair them with MyLink using Bluetooth or a USB connection. This gives customers the ability to play passengers’ music or other media through the vehicle’s speakers.

Another new feature allows customers whose Impalas are equipped with available embedded navigation to enter destinations in a single step, without having to enter the state, city, street number and street name in successive efforts. City-by-city weather reports are also provided.

Customer preferences were studied globally during the next-gen MyLink development process. “We received a lot of good customer feedback and we used it to make enhancements to the system,” said Mital.

Even OnStar accessibility expands. Besides the venerable Blue button, customers can access OnStar via the screen display.

The 2014 Chevrolet Impala includes six months of OnStar’s premium Directions and Connections service. OnStar brings added safety, security and connectivity to these vehicles, including services such as Automatic Crash Response, Stolen Vehicle Assistance, Vehicle Diagnostics and Roadside Assistance.

Most smartphone owners can also download the RemoteLink Mobile App, which allows OnStar subscribers to control and manage certain vehicle functions from their phone. For more information on OnStar’s services, visit onstar.com.

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Chevrolet Spark and Sonic Drive with Siri

LOS ANGELES – Early next year, the Chevrolet Spark (1LT, 2LT) and Sonic LTZ and RS will integrate Siri, the intelligent assistant that helps get things done just by asking. Chevrolet made the announcement today at the Los Angeles International Auto Show.

Through the cars’ standard Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system, customers with a compatible iPhone* running iOS 6 can direct Siri to perform a number of tasks while they safely keep their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel. To further minimize distraction, Siri takes hands-free functionality even further with an Eyes Free mode that enables users to interact with their iPhone using nothing more than their voice while keeping the device’s screen from lighting up.

Owners simply connect their iPhone with the MyLink radio via Bluetooth, pair with the system, and use the steering wheel voice activation button to begin and end sessions with Siri in Eyes Free mode.

In the Spark and Sonic RS, owners can use Siri in Eyes Free mode to:

• Make voice-activated, hands-free calls to Contacts on their iPhone
• Play songs in the iTunes library, and even switch music sources automatically from AM/FM/XM radio to iPod mode
• Listen to, and compose and send an iMessage or text message to a phone number or anyone in saved Contacts
• Access Calendar and add appointments
• Minimize distraction even more by keeping the screen of the iPhone from lighting up, even when Siri answers simple questions such as game scores or the dates of national holidays
• While in Eyes Free mode, Siri will not provide answers to complex questions that require displaying a web page.

“It says a lot about our commitment to small-car customers that Chevrolet has announced that Siri Eyes Free capability will be available in the Spark and Sonic well before the luxury brands,” said Cristi Landy, Chevrolet marketing director for small cars. “Safe, easy, reliable and portable connectivity is a top priority for our customers, and Siri complements MyLink’s existing capabilities to help deliver an incredible driving experience.”

Both the Spark and the Sonic also come with six months of OnStar’s premium Directions and Connections service. OnStar brings added safety, security and connectivity to these vehicles, including services such as Automatic Crash Response, Stolen Vehicle Assistance, Vehicle Diagnostics and Roadside Assistance.

Most smartphone owners can also download the RemoteLink Mobile App, which allows OnStar subscribers to control and manage certain vehicle functions from their phone. For more information on OnStar’s services, visit onstar.com.

Courtesy of media.gm.com

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Trailer Sway Control Standard on all Chevrolet Silverados

DETROIT– The 2013 Chevrolet Silverado is now better equipped to help prevent drivers and their trailers from uncontrolled trailer swinging with the advanced StabiliTrak® electronic stability control system with integrated trailer sway control.

Trailer sway control employs an angle sensor within the steering wheel assembly to measure the drivers intended yaw, or rotational movement around the axis of a vehicle, which determines the direction. During a sway incident, the sensor detects the driver’s intended yaw, while another sensor measures the actual yaw. The Electronic Brake Control Module compares both inputs and sends a signal to the Integrated Trailer Brake Control for action. The resulting action is to apply the trailer brakes and reduce the velocity. In more extreme conditions, the Integrated Trailer Brake Control will also signal the vehicle to apply its brakes until the oscillation stops.

“Silverado owners can rest assured that their trucks were built with their safety in mind and can tow with extra confidence thanks to trailer sway control which is always at the ready,” said Maria Rohrer, director of Marketing and Strategy, Chevrolet Trucks. “Trailer sway control is just one more way Silverado helps you stay prepared for whatever life throws at you.”

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Chevrolet to Debut Spark EV at LA Auto Show

DETROIT – Chevrolet will unveil the plug-in electric version of the brand’s popular new Spark mini car at the Los Angeles Auto Show later this month. The Spark EV is one of 13 new or significantly redesigned products that Chevrolet will be launching in 2013. 

Chevrolet will also showcase the expanded functionality of an advanced version of MyLink, which will be available first in the all-new 2014 Impala full-size sedan.

“Chevrolet continues to build on the momentum of eight consecutive quarters of record global sales with the introduction of more new products, features and technologies that are designed to offer consumers exceptional functionality, comfort and convenience,” said, Chris Perry, vice president of Global Chevrolet Marketing.

“The Spark EV and next-generation of MyLink demonstrate Chevrolet’s commitment to delivering the advanced technologies that today’s consumers will be eager to adopt and truly value,” Perry said.

The Spark has won over U.S. consumers with its expressive design, roomy interior and MyLink connectivity. In its first three months on sale, the Spark has delivered strong results, particularly in the Los Angeles market.  Building on that success, the plug-in electric version of the Spark EV will offer consumers the same package that has made the gasoline-powered model so popular while delivering the technology and performance of pure electric power. 

MyLink currently offers consumers easy-to-use in-vehicle connectivity. With the launch of the 2014 Impala, MyLink adds new levels of personalization and more seamless smartphone integration.

In addition to the Spark EV, other Chevrolet vehicles on display at the LA Auto Show include the all-new Impala, Malibu Turbo mid-size sedan, Sonic RS small car, Traverse full-size crossover and Camaro Hot Wheels® Edition.

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2013 CHEVROLET Impala w/1FL/LS
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From Concept to Reality: Chevrolet Announces Sonic Dusk

LAS VEGAS – Chevrolet today announced production of the Sonic Dusk sedan, designed to bring a higher degree of sophistication and refinement to the subcompact segment. The production intent Sonic Dusk will be displayed at the SEMA Show, opening Oct. 30 in Las Vegas and leads a diverse range of stylized Chevy small cars.

“Just like we’ve done with Corvettes and Camaros, we’re taking another one of our core products and adapting it to our customers’ lifestyles,” said Chris Perry, vice president of Chevrolet marketing. “The reaction to the Sonic Dusk concept last year was overwhelmingly positive and proved customers are interested in a more-refined subcompact. We’re moving quickly to bring Sonic Dusk to Chevrolet showrooms.”

The SEMA show vehicle features a production-intent package with ground effects, a rear spoiler and large, 18-inch aluminum wheels with a Pearl Nickel finish. Sophisticated touches lend the Ashen Grey Sonic Dusk a refined, contemporary aesthetic. The upper and lower grilles, door handle inserts and rear license plate trim are finished with a matte appearance, while stainless steel lower window moldings add an upscale accent to the body.

Inside, Sonic Dusk features Jet Black leather-trimmed seats with suede accents and Mojave tan inserts. Mojave accent stitching and tan-color door panel and instrument panel accents were designed to enhance the cabin’s ambience. It is also equipped with Chevrolet’s MyLink infotainment system, which integrates a smartphone and stored media – via Bluetooth, plug-in outlet or USB – with the radio.

“With a year under our belt, we’ve learned our Sonic sedan buyers are looking at exterior styling as a key purchase driver,” said Cristi Landy, marketing director of Chevrolet small cars. “While the RS hatchback is our sporty interpretation of Sonic, Dusk is a sophisticated, well contented option – both unique to this segment. It’s all about choices and personalization.”

Sonic Dusk is powered by the Ecotec 1.4L turbocharged engine, rated at 138 horsepower (103 kW) and 148 lb.-ft. of torque (200 Nm) between 1,850 rpm and 4,900 rpm. The wide rpm range for the maximum torque – a specific trait of turbocharged engines – helps the engine deliver a better driving experience and performance.  The engine is mated with a six-speed transmission – and production models offer a six-speed manual or automatic.

The 2013 Chevrolet Sonic is positioned between the all-new Spark and the Cruze in Chevy’s small car portfolio. As the only subcompact built in America, Sonic comes with a segment-leading 10 standard air bags and leads in interior roominess. The performance-inspired Sonic RS hits dealerships in late 2012 and features Chevrolet’s exclusive infotainment system MyLink , with a seven-inch color touch screen radio capable of displaying smartphone-based music, videos, photos and contacts for hands-free calling. To learn more about Sonic, visit the Chevy Sonic Facebook page, follow on Twitter at @ChevyLife or check out letsdothis.com.

Monday Maintenance Tip: How to Protect Your Car’s Interior

Try to add up the hours you spend in your car. It’s a lot, isn’t it? Commutes, errand runs and road trips can have you sitting in those bucket seats for hours on end, and during that time, you and your passengers are actually living in the interior. That means smudges on the windows, scratches on the dash and food in the seat crevices accumulate and leave you wondering what happened to the spotless interior you swear it had when you first bought the car

A Quick Clean

 Luckily, it’s not that difficult to keep a car’s cabin from looking a little too, well, lived in. First things first, get something to stuff your trash into. Just use a plastic bag or a container you don’t use around the house and throw it in the backseat. You can even affix a temporary hook to the door or seat to keep things even neater. Every once and awhile, take it out and relish in the fact that you haven’t spent an hour cleaning up. Keeping trash off the floor also preserves your carpets, which can get stained from any number of items.

The idea of taking a rag to your dash and leather seats is made easier if you have them on-hand. The key here is to just use a little bit of soapy water to wipe the surfaces of your car – some cleaning products contain alcohols that prematurely dry and age the materials by reducing the flexibility in the vinyl. Store a small spray bottle of your homemade cleaning fluid and a rag under your seat or in a storage bin for access when you’re waiting for your kids to get out of school or sitting in that crazy-long drive-through line. This will also come in handy when an emergency spill happens. Lastly, keep your car smelling like roses (or at least a laundromat) by adding dryer sheets under the seats.

Weather Resistant 
You can’t discount the impact weather has on your vehicle either. In summer, sandy feet can quickly make a mess of an interior, and dare we mention the destruction caused by mud and snow? If you spend a lot of time ducking in and out of the elements, you might want to grab some all-weather floor mats. They’re easy to clean and do a great job of keeping the muck in one place.

The sun’s rays can also wreak havoc on your car’s surfaces, causing vinyl to crack over time and materials to fade. A simple solution is to regularly put a sunshade on the windshield. They’re inexpensive and help to keep your interior looking new.

Saving money on repair work and cleaning comes more easily when you take the time to make preventative care a priority. Not only will these tricks make your car a nicer place to be, keeping grime out of your ride will cut down on large maintenance costs in the future and will help to retain its value over time.

Full-Scale Driving Fun: Camaro Hot Wheels® Edition

LAS VEGAS – The dream of millions of Hot Wheels^® fans of all ages will come when the Camaro Hot Wheels^® Edition arrives at Chevrolet dealerships early next year. It’s the first time a full-size, production Hot Wheels^® car has been offered for sale by any manufacturer.

Blister packaging and orange race track not included.

“Millions of us grew up playing with Hot Wheels,” said Chris Perry, vice president of Chevrolet Marketing. “Offering a special production model of the Camaro Hot Wheels is an opportunity to bring those memories to life, for kids of all ages.”

The Camaro Hot Wheels^® Edition debuted today at the SEMA Show, in Las Vegas. A special run of the Camaro Hot Wheels^® Edition will be produced in the first quarter of 2013 – and like the collectable toys on which it is based – when they’re gone, they’re gone.

“It’s been nearly 20 years since I started designing cars for Hot Wheels and I have yet to drive one home,” said Felix Holst, vice president of creative for the Mattel Wheels Division. “Personally, I can’t wait to open the doors and see the Hot Wheels Camaro sitting in the garage.”

The appearance of the Camaro Hot Wheels^® Edition echoes the cues that Hot Wheels enthusiasts recognize, including a vibrant, graphics-accented metallic paint scheme and even the red-lined wheels. The result is instantly recognizable as a Hot Wheels.

The Camaro Hot Wheels^® Edition is available in coupe and convertible models – in 2LT (V-6) and 2SS (V-8) trims, blending exterior cues of the high-performance Camaro ZL1 with a Kinetic Blue exterior color and unique graphics. Exterior highlights include:

• ZL1 rear spoiler (coupe models)
• ZL1 front upper grille
• Ground effects package, including front splitter and rocker treatment
• Black 21-inch wheels with red outline stripe
• Two-tone matte hood graphic and rear taillight panel “blackout” graphic
• Fender “flame” graphics
• Hot Wheels grille and decklid logos.

On the inside, a black leather-trimmed interior is accented with red and black seat stitching with the Hot Wheels logo embroidered on the front seats. The instrument panel and door inserts are black, with the Hot Wheels-style flame decal on each door. Hot Wheels^® Edition sill plates also distinguish the car, along with Camaro-logo premium floor mats with red edging.

SS models feature a 6.2L V-8, which is offered in two iterations: the “L99” on automatic-equipped vehicles and the “LS3” on manual-equipped models. Horsepower for the L99 is 400 (298 kW) and torque is 410 lb.-ft. (556 Nm) – and it features fuel-saving Active Fuel Management. The LS3 develops 426 horsepower (318 kW) and 420 lb.-ft. (569 Nm) of torque.

LT-based models feature the “LFX” 3.6L V-6 engine, with dual-overhead camshafts, variable valve timing and direct injection. It’s rated at 323 horsepower at 6,800 rpm.  

A dual-mode exhaust system is available on SS models with the six-speed manual transmission, as well as LT models with either the manual or automatic transmission. Similar to the systems found on the Camaro ZL1, the vacuum-actuated system provides a quieter driving experience at low engine speeds and a more aggressive sound during hard acceleration.

Chevrolet’s MyLink infotainment system is standard on the Camaro Hot Wheels^® Edition. Its color touch radio, with a seven-inch touch screen, also can be paired with an available in-dash GPS navigation system. The color touch radio with MyLink enables a higher level of in-vehicle wireless connectivity and customized infotainment options, while building on the safety and security of OnStar. It seamlessly integrates online services such as Pandora^® internet radio and Stitcher SmartRadio^® using hands-free voice and touch-screen controls via Bluetooth-enabled phones.

FAST FACT: The original Custom Camaro 1:64-scale toy from 1968 was one of the original16 Hot Wheels issued and remains one of the most valuable Hot Wheels toys among collectors.

Hot Wheels is a registered trademark of Mattel, Inc. All rights reserved.

Courtesy of media.gm.com

Chevrolet Donates 50 Trucks to Red Cross for Storm Relief

DETROIT – Chevrolet today donated 50 Silverado full-size pickup trucks and Express cargo vans to the American Red Cross for use in relief and recovery efforts following Hurricane Sandy and other storms buffeting the Eastern seaboard and nearby states.

“It is during disasters like this that we all need to pull together as a country and Chevrolet has a role in that,” said General Motors Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson. “Making these vehicles available quickly where they can do the most good is something we can do right now.”

GM’s OnStar subsidiary is also supporting the initiative by providing each of the donated vehicles with 300 OnStar Hands-Free Calling minutes of hands-free cellular and three months of its Directions and Connections plan which includes turn-by-turn navigation services. Service available via Advisor or by download. The trucks are being pulled from existing inventory at dealerships closest to where they are needed.

In addition to the vehicle donation, the GM Foundation earlier donated $250,000 to the Red Cross Disaster Responder Program, which enables the agency to be ready to provide immediate disaster relief anywhere in the country.  The money is used to shelter, feed and meet emotional needs of disaster victims. The money also helps feed emergency workers, handle inquiries from concerned family members outside the disaster area, provide blood and blood products and help disaster victims access other available resources.

“The impact of Hurricane Sandy is being assessed up and down the East Coast and even further west, and the road to recovery will be long for many families,” said Neal Litvack, Chief Development Officer of the American Red Cross. “GM’s generous donation of vehicles and the GM Foundation’s donation of finances will help the American Red Cross to respond with shelter, food and care, aiding affected residents now and after the storm, as they move toward recovery,”

Anyone interested in providing support to hurricane victims are encouraged to visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make a donation.

About Chevrolet

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4 million cars and trucks a year.  Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design, and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

About the GM Foundation

Since its inception in 1976, the GM Foundation has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to American charities, educational organizations and to disaster relief efforts worldwide. The GM Foundation focuses on supporting Education, Health and Human Services, Environment and Energy and Community Development initiatives, mainly in the communities where GM operates. Funding of the GM Foundation comes solely from GM. The last contribution to the GM Foundation was made in 2001. For more information, visit www.gm.com/gmfoundation.

Our thoughts are with all those with friends and family in the path of Hurricane Sandy. Bunker up and be safe!

Next-generation Corvette to Debut 1.13.13 in Detroit

BRASELTON, Ga. – Chevrolet today confirmed the seventh-generation Corvette will debut on Sunday evening, Jan. 13, 2013, in Detroit. To start the countdown to 1.13.13, Chevrolet is showing the new Crossed Flags logo for the new 2014 Corvette.

“The all-new, seventh-generation Corvette deserved an all-new emblem,” said Ed Welburn, GM vice president of global design. “The new Crossed Flags design reflects the character of the next Corvette. The flags are much more modern, more technical, and more detailed than before – underscoring the comprehensive redesign of the entire car.”

The new Crossed Flags logo was unveiled at Road Atlanta, where Corvette Racing celebrated a sweep of the 2012 production-based American Le Mans Series GT championships.

Chevrolet secured the manufacturer’s championship; Corvette Racing secured the team championship, and Oliver Gavin and Tommy Milner captured the drivers’ championship with four wins in the nine races preceding Petit Le Mans, the 2012 ALMS season finale.

These championships make Corvette Racing the most successful team in ALMS history, with a total of 77 class wins, eight drivers’ championships, and nine manufacturer and team championships since 2001. The team has also taken seven class victories in the 24 Hours of Le Mans since 2001. Corvette Racing will campaign the C6.R for the 2013 ALMS season. The C7.R is expected to make its racing debut in 2014.

“Winning the ALMS championships with the Corvette C6.R, against prestigious competitors from Ferrari, Porsche, and BMW is the perfect send-off for the sixth-generation Corvette,” said Tadge Juechter, Corvette chief engineer. 

“The seventh-generation Corvette will build on that success,” Juechter continued. “With the new Corvette, we set out to build a world-challenging sports car with design, refinement, efficiency and driver engagement that is second to none. The result is a truly all-new Corvette. There are only two carryover parts from the C6 used in the C7 – the cabin air filter and the rear latch for the removable roof panel.”

The Crossed Flags logo has been a hallmark of the Corvette since its 1953 introduction. It has always incorporated a pair of flags, one a racing checkered flag and other featuring the Chevrolet “bowtie” emblem and a French fleur-de-lis. The design has evolved over the years, and has been featured on more than 1.5 million Corvettes built between 1953 and today.

For the seventh-generation Corvette, the Crossed Flags design is a more technical, more angular and more swept appearance – in proportion that symbolizes the new car. It is also a more detailed representation, showing greater depth, color and attention to detail.

More than 100 variations were considered before the final design was selected.

The new Crossed Flags design will be featured on the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette, which will debut for credential media on Sunday, Jan 13, 2013 in Detroit. Chevrolet will offer a limited number of tickets for Corvette enthusiasts, with proceeds benefiting the National Corvette Museum, in Bowling Green, Ky. Interested parties can contact Roc Linkov (roc@corvettemuseum.com) for more details.  

Over coming weeks, more information and video content about the seventh-generation Corvette will be unlocked on www.one13thirteen.com. Enthusiasts can join the conversation about the next-generation Corvette, as well as keep track of new announcements on Facebook (facebook.com/corvette) and Twitter @Chevrolet(#Corvette). Fans that follow the #one13thirteen hashtag on Twitter can look forward to exclusive updates.

FAST FACT: The first Corvette debuted as a concept car on Jan. 17, 1953 at the GM Motorama in New York City. That car originally featured an emblem with a checkered flag crossed with an American flag.  Because use of the American flag was prohibited as part of a commercial property, the logo was changed to the fleur-de-lis/bowtie design when the Corvette went into production in June 1953.

Courtesy of media.gm.com

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Chevrolet’s Small Car Momentum Drives SEMA Concepts

DETROIT – Chevrolet’s small cars are racking up big sales in 2012 and the bowtie brand will explore their wilder sides at the SEMA Show this year with a stable of stylized Spark, Sonic and Cruze concepts. The cars demonstrate the possibilities for customers who want a more personalized driving experience.

Chevrolet previewed the concept vehicles ahead of the Oct. 30 opening of the SEMA Show, the annual automotive aftermarket extravaganza of styling and performance, along with the multihued “The Color Run” Spark and “Pink Out” Spark – a car for a cause.

“With Chevy’s new small cars attracting young buyers with a taste for customization, Spark, Sonic and Cruze are the perfect canvasses to express their personalities,” said Chris Perry, vice president of Chevrolet marketing. “The content, colors and performance of each concept is being evaluated for possible production as Chevrolet continues to seek new ways to give customers more choices.”

Chevy small car sales were up 97 percent in September. Sonic recorded 7,525 sales for the month, with sales of nearly 65,000 year to date through September. Spark, which went on sale earlier this year in 18 U.S. markets, recorded 2,223 sales in September. The Cruze compact sedan is one of the country’s best-selling cars, with more than 180,000 sales  through nine months of 2012. That includes 25,787 sales in September.

“The momentum with these small cars continues to build, as more customers discover their fun-to-drive spirits and high-value content, including great infotainment options – such as Sonic and Spark’s MyLink features,” said Perry.

The small-car concept vehicles demonstrate a range of performance-based styling expressions, including the first application of Chevrolet’s Z-Spec treatment for Spark with family traits, such as the mesh grille inserts and graphic accents. The Z-Spec concept demonstrates a cohesive design with a family of factory-engineered accessories and the best of the aftermarket under a single theme.

Z-Spec parts could be purchased individually to suit customer tastes and budgets. They’re designed for purchase and installation through Chevrolet dealerships with the option of installation at purchase and cost being rolled into the customer’s monthly payments. Z-Spec concepts could spawn limited-edition production models from Chevrolet.

This year’s Chevy small car SEMA vehicles include:

Cruze Upscale concept

The Cruze Upscale concept moves the compact sedan up a few rungs on the luxury ladder with a Burnished Brandy Metallic exterior and unique exterior appointments. Inside is a brown leather-trimmed interior. Features include:

• Unique ground effects package with rocker and fascia extensions
• Black Ice bright-accented exterior trim
• Tinted headlamp and fog lamp lenses
• Dark-tinted windows
• Custom 19x8.5-inch aluminum wheels finished in Black Ice
• 225/40ZR19 Bridgestone Potenza S-04 tires
• Seats trimmed in Loft Brown leather
• Loft Brown and DK Atmosphere leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Yellow accent stitching on the seats and steering wheel
• Dark Liquid Palladium high-gloss interior trim plates
• Door panels and instrument panel with Loft Brown and DK Atmosphere leather wraps and DK Atmosphere paint
• Adjustable coil-over suspension kit
• Four-piston front brake calipers with two-piece vented and drilled rotors
• Two-piston rear brake calipers with vented and drilled rotors.

Sonic Z-Spec 1 concept

This performance-oriented vision of the Sonic sedan blends the Z-Spec aesthetic with a more capable driving experience, including a power-enhancing exhaust system and upgraded brakes. The capability is matched with a custom Synergy Green exterior. Details include:

• Chevrolet licensed accessories Borla exhaust system
• Lowered ride height, with Chevrolet Performance concept suspension kit, including lowering sprints and performance dampers
• Chevrolet Performance concept brake kit, featuring four-piston front disc brake calipers with 16-inch rotors
• Eighteen-inch split-spoke wheel design with Synergy Green insert
• Sonic RS rear spoiler in Ashen Grey
• Ashen Grey Metallic Z-Spec stripe and logos
• Chevrolet Accessories ground effects kit
• Mesh-style upper and lower grilles in Piano Black with Ashen Grey surrounds
• Chevrolet Accessories stainless steel pedals
• Chevrolet Accessories stainless steel sill plates
• Jet Black and Titanium interior with Chevrolet Accessories stainless steel pedal covers and sill plates
• Chevrolet MyLink color touch screen
• Chevrolet licensed accessories Sub and Amp Kit, with KICKER 200-watt DSP amp and 200-watt powered subwoofer.

Sonic Z-Spec 2.5 concept

A tuner-inspired concept with the performance to back up its aggressive stance, the Sonic Z-Spec 2.5 sedan shows what’s attainable with Chevrolet Performance and GM Accessories parts, along with select aftermarket components and a dash of color. Highlights include:

• Abalone White Tricoat exterior color with Z-Spec graphics
• Unique ground effects package and lower fascia extensions
• Chevrolet Accessories rear spoiler
• Galvano Silver accents on the grille surround, fog lamp bezels door trim and wheels
• Tinted headlamps and fog lamps
• Concept 18x7.5-inch wheels in Galvano Silver with Signal Red edges
• Jet Black leather-trimmed interior with Orange Crust leather inserts and orange accent stitching
• Orange anodized and Piano Black interior trim plates
• Jet Black Leather-, Jet Black Suede- and Orange Suede-wrapped door panels and instrument panel with Orange accent stitching
• Jet Black perforated leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Chevrolet Accessories stainless steel pedal covers
• Chevrolet MyLInk color touch screen
• Chevrolet licensed accessories Sub and Amp Kit, with KICKER 200-watt DSP amp and 200-watt powered subwoofer
• Lowered ride height, with Chevrolet Performance concept suspension kit, including lowering sprints and performance dampers
• Chevrolet Performance concept brake kit, featuring four-piston front disc brake calipers with 16-inch rotors
• Chevrolet Performance concept single-piston rear brake calipers with Sonic RS rotors
• Chevrolet Performance concept cold-air intake kit
• Chevrolet licensed accessories Borla exhaust system.

Spark Z-Spec concept

The Spark Z-Spec demonstrates a cohesive and branded package of enhancements drawn from accessories already available through Chevrolet dealers – giving the cheeky Spark a definite attitude. The Salsa Red concept is distinguished from production models with:

• Chevrolet Accessories ground effects kit (body color)
• Chevrolet Accessories Z-spec grille with Carbon Flash-painted surround
• Grille surrounds, headlamp housings, fog lamp bezels, belt moldings and rear diffuser painted Dark Argent
• Z-Spec body graphics in matte black
• Chevrolet Performance licensed front lowering coil-over springs and rear adjustable springs
• Concept 15x6-inch split-spoke wheels in Dark Argent with Salsa Red inserts and tire stripes
• Lowered ride height
• Seats trimmed with Salsa Red inserts
• Front door and instrument panel inserts in Salsa Red
• Chevrolet Accessories stainless steel pedal covers and sill plates
• Chevrolet MyLInk color touch screen.

Spark Sinister concept

The aggressive-looking Spark Sinister concept blends rally-inspired exterior cues with a black appearance for a night-racing aesthetic that looks at home in the shadows of a city’s industrial district. Its content includes:

• Dramatic body work with bold rocker fairings, a rear diffuser with dual exhaust outlets, rear wing spoiler and a front fascia with large air intakes
• Prominent fender flares to cover large, 18x6-inch split-spoke wheels – in Bahia Red –  and low-profile performance tires: 205/40ZR18 (front) and 225/40ZR18 (rear)
• Lowered ride height
• Carbon Flash Metallic exterior with Bahia Red accents and matte-black graphics.

‘The Color Run’ Spark

Chevrolet Spark is the official pace car of The Color Run – a popular, nationwide series of urban 5K races in which thousands of participants are doused from head to toe in different colors for each kilometer – and it leads the pack in a colorful display of its own. A custom, multihued graphics package gives the Spark a post-race appearance while a Chevrolet Accessories ground effects kit and Z-Spec grille give it a sportier profile. The production 15-inch split spoke wheels are painted white, but don’t stay that way once color-dousing participants shower this one-of-a-kind pace car with colored corn starch along the route. Inside, custom seat with The Color Run graphics are featured, along with Chevrolet Accessories stainless steel pedal covers and sill plates.

‘Pink Out’ Spark Cancer Awareness Concept

Chevrolet takes a stand against breast cancer and supports the American Cancer Society with a Techno Pink Spark that’s adorned with pink ribbon graphics. It also wears Chevrolet Accessories ground effects and a Z-spec grille. Inside, pink accent colors – including a pink suede headliner, pillar trim, instrument panel trim and accent piping – round out the cause-inspired theme. More information about American Cancer Society’s breast cancer-fighting programs is available at www.cancer.org.

Chevrolet Malibu Collection | Malibu Style

Climatic Wind Tunnel Puts All-New Malibu Turbo to the Test

DETROIT – Neither snow nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night kept product development engineers from swift completion of the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Turbo, arriving this month. The location for all of this torture testing? General Motors’ Climatic Wind Tunnel in Warren, Mich., where all Chevrolet vehicles take on the elements.

On the hottest days of summer, Malibu Turbo, which starts at $27,710, withstood blizzard and hurricane conditions inside the wind tunnel, where the temperature can replicate 40 below zero and the wind can blow 150 mph. Even on the coldest nights of winter, the tunnel’s temperature can easily climb to 140 degrees under 1,155 watts per square meter of simulated sunshine.

At this state-of-the-art facility, engineers take vehicle development and validation testing to the extremes, subjecting powertrain cooling, cabin heating, ventilation and air conditioning   systems to the harshest weather conditions found from Death Valley, Calif., and Denali, Alaska.

The wind tunnel also simulates driving actual roads with real-world weight burdens, such as hauling a fully loaded trailer up a steep incline by applying resistance through the wheels of the tunnel’s dynamometer, a tool that also allows simulated driving speeds of up to 155 mph.

“Testing in the Climatic Wind Tunnel reduces the need to travel to remote locations, which helps save time and money,” said Ben Cruz, GM engineering group manager for thermal testing at the Climatic Wind Tunnel. “Tunnel testing also minimizes the safety risks and traffic interactions associated with testing on public roads, and because the conditions are repeatable, we’re not limited by the whims of Mother Nature.”

Engineers used the tunnel’s blizzard-making capability to test Malibu Turbo’s air induction system, which is designed to prevent snow from clogging the vehicle’s air cleaning system. The system’s torturous path of multiple barriers blocks water molecules while allowing air to flow freely for engine combustion.

Malibu Turbo’s powertrain cooling system was developed in the tunnel and attuned to the car’s specific powertrain heat outputs and airflow characteristics to provide optimal performance even in extreme heat and cold. The system is designed to allow wide open throttle acceleration at egg-frying Death Valley temperatures, and has been validated in that desert location.

Malibu Turbo’s occupant comfort is just as important when the going gets hot. The car’s air conditioning system was tested against tunnel simulations of the high heat and humidity found along the Gulf Coast. This torture test helps ensure that Malibu Turbo’s all-new 2.0L engine delivers the rapid cool-down performance expected of a turbocharged power plant.

Climatic torture testing helps Chevrolet deliver improved quality and durability. Malibu topped the midsize sedan category in a recent third-party quality study, due in part to development work done at the Climatic Wind Tunnel.

“The new Malibu turbo was designed with the things that matter to our customers in mind, like starting on cold mornings and not overheating on hot summer days,” said Jeremy Loveday, Malibu turbo’s program engineering manager. “The Climatic Wind Tunnel helped us place the Malibu turbo in extreme conditions – if the car survives there, then it’ll perform extremely well when customers have them.”

Courtesy of media.gm.con

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Isaac Mizrahi Reveals Chevrolet Malibu-inspired Collection

DETROIT – Iconic fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi today revealed the result of his latest project: the six-piece Malibu Collection, inspired by the all-new 2013 Chevrolet Malibu midsize sedan.

Beginning Oct. 16 at noon EDT, the new fashion collection will be sold exclusively on LivingSocial’s Shop in limited quantities. This is the company’s first venture into physical products featuring themed collections of unique, curated merchandise.

“The 2013 Malibu is a beautifully designed car,” said Mizrahi. “Each piece of my capsule collection was inspired by the features of the car, from the leather seats that feel like they are hugging you, to the ice-blue interior lighting.”

The collection highlights some of the car’s most striking features and colors, including clean lines, crisp shapes, and soft-touch materials and textures. The ice-blue ambient lighting that illuminates the cabin’s interior inspired the some of the collection and each item incorporates elements of color. The specific pieces are:

• Malibu Driving Moccasin ($110): Made in Napa leather, with a quilted, cushioned insole. The color was inspired by the Malibu’s Crystal Red Tintcoat color.
• Malibu Blouse ($140): Blouse with robin’s egg blue silk crepe. Hidden buttons and pocket complete this piece.
• Malibu Leather Jacket ($298): Buttery-soft black leather jacket with quilted detailing, interior blue contrast piping and a slightly fitted structure that resembles the contrast stitching on the seats.
• Malibu Double-Handle Tote Bag ($260): Rich saturated cobalt blue bag in pebble leather with black interior and blue piping along the zipper.
• Malibu Colored Skinny Jean ($73): Coated, poppy red color with a touch of stretch to conform to any body type. 
• Malibu Oversized Boyfriend Watch ($110): The watch’s blue face is inspired by the Malibu’s interior light, and it’s complemented by silvertone detailing.

Mizrahi also drew style inspiration from women across the country that embody the persona of the new car.

“The collection captures the personality of the new Malibu owner: that smart, stylish woman who likes nice things, but is savvy about her purchases,” said Mizrahi. “Each piece is its own little reward for a woman that lives a smart and stylish life; together, as a collection, they make one great look.”

Style enthusiasts can find out more information about the Malibu Collection at www.chevymalibustyle.com and facebook.com/IsaacMizrahi. The web special features an exclusive look at the creation of the Malibu Collection, including each of the women Mizrahi met with to help inspire the collection. Visitors to the site can view a series of videos, use the Polyvore mini-editor tool to create their own Malibu-inspired fashion collages and share them with their friends. Fans can stay up to date and join the conversation by following on Twitter @Chevrolet and #MalibuStyle.

“Collaborating with Isaac Mizrahi on this collection has helped us speak to women who embrace style, but still want a smart product to make their lives easier,” said Chevrolet Malibu Advertising Manager Mary Kubitskey.

The new Malibu is built at multiple locations around the world including General Motors’ Fairfax, Kan. and Detroit-Hamtramck manufacturing facilities. The Malibu has a suggested retail price starting at $23,150, including a $760 destination charge.

2012 Malibu - 0% APR for 60 months for qualified buyers

2012 CHEVROLET Malibu
0% APR for 60 months for qualified buyers. Monthly payment is $16.67 for every $1000 you finance. Example down payment: 18%. Some customers will not qualify. Take delivery by 10-31-2012. Residency restrictions apply. See Dealer for details.

Front Bench Takes a Back Seat

DETROIT – When the 2014 Chevrolet Impala arrives next year it will put to rest a fixture of automobiles since the days of the horseless carriage – the front bench seat. The outgoing Impala is the last passenger car in production in North America to offer three-across front seating, an option that that ends with the introduction of Chevy’s redesigned flagship sedan.

The passing of the front bench seat into automotive history is expected to transpire without notice from many car buyers. Only one in 10 Impala buyers chose the $195 option last year on the LS and LT models. For many of today’s car buyers, front bucket seats are the norm – a trend that General Motors designers expect will continue.

“A lot of people prefer bucket seats because they’re sporty, even in models that aren’t sports cars,” said Clay Dean, GM director of design. “Our customers also appreciate having the center console as a convenient place to store their phone and other personal items.”

The first Chevrolet ever manufactured, the Series C Classic Six of 1911, featured a front bench seat. Chevrolet will continue to offer bench seats on pickup trucks and sport utilities.

The need for six-passenger sedans is largely being met today by SUVs or crossovers, such as the Chevrolet Suburban and Traverse, which offer seating for up to eight.

“There is certain nostalgia for bench seats, like being able to snuggle up with your date at a drive-in movie, and some customers still like them,” Dean said. “You never know, we might see bench seats re-emerge someday, possibly in very small cars like the EN-V urban mobility concept vehicle, in which the feeling of open space may be very desirable.”

Courtesy of media.gm.com