Corvette’s Chassis Innovations Refined on the Race Track

DETROIT – It’s been said that racing improves the breed, and when it comes to the Chevrolet Corvette, nearly six decades of checkered flags are the proof. As Corvette marks its 60th anniversary in 2013, the design of the chassis, suspension and other drivetrain features are rooted in the rigors of competition.

“Candidly, Corvette was not a high-performance car until Zora Arkus-Duntov fitted it with a V-8, and began campaigning Corvettes in racing,” said Tadge Juechter, Corvette’s vehicle chief engineer. “Today, the Corvettes competing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans use many of the same components as Corvettes rolling off the assembly line at Bowling Green.”  

The Corvette C6.R is built on the same aluminum frame rails that underpin production Corvette Z06 and ZR1 models. Other production chassis structures in the race car include the windshield frame, the hoop around the rear of the passenger compartment, the door hinge pillars, the drivetrain tunnel, the firewall and the floor pan. Corvette C6.R also uses the production steering column out of the ZR1, with a fully adjustable steering wheel, as well as production rack-and-pinion steering.

For the production Corvette ZR1, the racing influence is also evident in the rear transaxle design that helps achieve a near-perfect 51/49 weight distribution, as well as the racing-developed carbon ceramic brake rotors and Michelin^® Pilot^® Sport Cup Zero Pressure tires (developed by the same Michelin engineers who developed tires for Corvette Racing in the American Le Mans Series). These features contribute to the ZR1 running Germany’s legendary Nürburgring in 7:19.63.

Here’s an overview of the chassis technologies that have shaped Corvette performance on and off the track:

C2: Independent suspension, disc brakes and aluminum wheels
First-generation (1953-62) Corvettes used a modified passenger car frame and live rear axle, which worked well with the cars’ comparatively modest performance output. Substantially greater power was on the horizon for the second-generation Corvette and racing-derived development spearheaded by the legendary Zora Arkus-Duntov – Corvette’s first chief engineer – highlighted the need for a dedicated chassis system.

When the “C2” (Corvette second generation) launched in 1963, it featured a sturdy, ladder-type frame design that was 90 percent stiffer than the sedan-based “X”-frame of the first-generation models. It also featured an independent rear suspension held in place by a unique transverse leaf-spring design. Besides offering greater handling capability, the independent rear axle was lighter than the previous solid axle design.

The C2 also introduced disc brakes and aluminum wheels, based on designs Duntov refined on Corvette race cars.

“Duntov pioneered the model of technology transfer by applying what was learned on the race track to improve the production cars,” said Juechter, “That philosophy continues to play an integral role in vehicle development at Chevrolet.”  

C4: Unitized structure, composite springs, antilock brakes and traction control
The C4 generation (1984-96) represented an even bigger leap in chassis technology than the C2. The ladder frame that had served the Corvette for about 20 years was replaced by a unitized “backbone” chassis that, again, was inspired by racing cars. It eliminated several cross members, allowing direct mounting of the rear differential and other components, which enabled greater interior room. It was also lighter than the previous ladder frame.

Integrated on the backbone chassis was a “cage” incorporating the windshield frame, door frames, rear wall of the “cockpit,” rocker panels and more. The Corvette’s body panels were attached to the chassis and cage, marking the first time in the car’s history that it didn’t use a conventional body-on-frame design.

When it came to the suspension, the C4 again used unequal-length upper and lower A-arms in the front suspended by a new, transverse spring design similar to the rear suspension. At the rear was another transverse composite spring, but used with a new five-link independent suspension design vs. the previous three-link setup. The reinforced fiberglass springs were exceptionally strong yet compliant, and they worked in two ways: They flattened as they flexed, but when the vehicle rolled in a turn, they effectively formed an S shape. That added roll stiffness, which minimized the size – and weight – of the stabilizer bars.

Additional C4 chassis/drivetrain innovations included rack-and-pinion steering (1984), aluminum driveshaft (1984), aluminum disc brake calipers (1984), antilock brakes (1986) and traction control (1992).

The C4 was an unqualified success on the track. In its first year of competition, the C4 Corvette went undefeated and captured the SCCA Showroom Stock GT-class championship. That launched a renewed effort on racing and the benefits of technology transfer.

C5: Hydroformed rails, rear transaxle, magnetic ride
The C5 generation (1997-2004) built on the success of the C4 with a new, unitized backbone chassis design, but it was lighter and stronger. Its construction employed a comparatively rare process called hydroforming, which used water pressure and heat to turn six-inch steel tubes into side rails for the Corvette chassis. Each tube replaced what formerly had comprised 36 separate, welded components in the C4 chassis.

The other big advancement with the fifth-generation Corvette was the use of a rear transaxle, which moved the transmission to the rear of the vehicle rather than the traditional position directly behind the engine. The tunnel between the engine and transaxle was enclosed with a panel that contributed to the chassis’ strength and rigidity.

“Weight distribution was a primary motivator,” said Juechter. “We were trying to get to 50/50, balancing the work load on the front and rear tires, which is extremely challenging to do with the front-engine, V-8 powered car. Moving to a rear transaxle dramatically improved the weight balance, as well as enabling a smoother ride and greater interior space.”

Additional C5 chassis/drivetrain innovations included run-flat tires (1997), Active Handling System (1998), magnesium wheels (2002) and Magnetic Selective Ride Control (2003).

The strength and performance capability delivered by the C5 chassis paid huge dividends on the race track. During six years of competition, Corvette Racing – the first factory-backed Corvette team in the car’s history – led the C5.R to an overall victory at the Daytona 24-hour race and three 1-2 finishes in the GTS class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. During the 2004 season, Corvette Racing won every race the team entered and captured every pole position in the American Le Mans Series.

C6: Aluminum and magnesium structure
The success of the C5.R racing program directly influenced the design of the C6 Corvette (2005 – 2013) as designers and engineers further strengthened but lightened the proven backbone design.

At a glance, the C6 chassis looks similar to the C5, but it was shortened slightly and strengthened in key areas to enable greater performance and to enhance crashworthiness. And while it retained the same basic suspension design as the C5 – short/long arm front suspension and multi-link rear suspension with transverse composite springs – all of the components were redesigned. No C5 suspension parts were carried over to the C6. 

For the first time, different chassis were available with different Corvette models. The higher-performance C6 Z06 and ZR1 models received a unique, aluminum-intensive backbone structure rather than the steel backbone used on other models. It was developed as a lighter foundation, featuring a magnesium roof structure and engine cradle, and weighed only 278 pounds – 49 percent less than the steel backbone’s 414 pounds. Like the steel frame, the aluminum chassis was created via hydroforming.

Corvette Racing immediately employed the C6 chassis with its C6.R race cars. Corvette Racing has won the 24 Hours of Le Mans seven times since 2001, most recently beating Ferrari to the checkered flag in 2011.

Courtesy of: media.gm.com

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GM Commits Next-Gen Chevrolet Cruze to Ohio Plants

DETROIT – General Motors will invest $220 million for tooling and equipment to build the next-generation Chevrolet Cruze in two northeast Ohio plants retaining more than 5,000 jobs at facilities in Lordstown and Parma.

The Lordstown Complex, with support from the metal center in the Cleveland suburb of Parma, has built more than 500,000 of Chevrolet’s top-selling compact passenger sedan since production began in September 2010. More than 1.6 million Cruzes have been built globally since 2009.

"Thanks to northeast Ohio's supportive business climate, we're able to build on a great foundation and steer the Chevrolet Cruze into the next generation."  GM Manufacturing Manager Arvin Jones said. "A special thanks goes to Governor John Kasich and his team at Jobs Ohio for their strong leadership and advocacy for GM and our employees."

GM has invested more than $7.3 billion in its U.S. facilities since 2009.  

Production timing of the next-generation Cruze will be announced later. But Jones said the new model will offer new exterior and interior styling, improved fuel economy and an improved interior compartment and more storage space. Preliminary work to clear space in the body shop at Lordstown has begun.

The 2012 Cruze is among the best-selling compacts in the United States and was named “America’s Best Compact Car for the Money” by U.S. News and World Report.

In a joint statement, UAW Local 1112 Shop Chairman Ben Strickland and UAW Local 1714 Shop Chairman Will Adams credited the Lordstown Team. “The men and women of Lordstown are working hard to keep the Cruze a top-quality small car choice. The next-generation of the Cruze is well earned and we are thrilled to be assigned work that will keep good-paying next generation UAW jobs in the state of Ohio for years to come.”

The Lordstown complex has built more than 14.6 million cars in the 46 years since it opened in April 1966.

In 2011, the Parma Metal Center shipped about 60 million parts and processed more than 1,000 tons of steel a day to serve the majority of GM vehicle lines produced in North America. Parma has more than 1,400 dies and can produce up to 100 million parts a year.

Courtesy of media.gm.com

Monday Maintenance Tip: Coolant Flush

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Coolant Flush – How Often is Needed?

Real coolant flush entails removing all the fluid that is in the cooling system and replacing it with fresh one. The best method of removing all the fluid is hooking the car to the machine that will remove it while at the same time, it puts in fresh fluid. The coolant flush machine puts in the right amount of fluid.

 

The machines circulate the fluid in the vehicle cooling system for a number of times. This removes any kind of debris that could have accumulated for a long time. This is the only way that one can consider to have received the service that has been done in the right way.

 

Refills and Drainage

 

Coolant flush is usually confusing to many people as many think that it involves just draining and then refilling cooling system. There are others who assume that it is done by hooking it up to the flush machine and back flushing the system.

 

The difference between refill or drain and engine coolant flush is big. Draining and refilling is straight forward and has no difficulties while a flush needs one to have a coolant flush kit, draining and refilling just includes the drainage of a radiator and the reservoir.

 

It is then refilled with the some new fluid.  Before draining and refilling it is important to make arrangements on how the fluid should be drained as the old fluid cannot be poured down a drain or on the street.

 

Coolant Flushes and Solvents

 

Clearing contamination in the engine coolant system might be necessary  but  using a flush solvent  or any element  that  is used to clean  the cooling  system  will do more damage than  good. Getting the cooling system flushed using the flushing machine might be the right way but it is important to first ask is coolant flush necessary?

 

This depends on the reasons that have prompted the car owner to consider it but at times it might not be necessary and the cost can be saved. However there could be reasons why someone feels that it is necessary to have a it done and not just because there is coolant flush coupon that would cater for part of the cost.

 

If the PH of the cooling fluid is not the right one, there is a need to for flushing. It is also important to do a flush if it is noted that the coolant has been discolored. When carrying out such service the BMW and Toyota coolant flush cost might be different depending on where it is done but it is necessary to use a flush machine.

 

The advantage of using the flush machine is that there is an assurance that almost all the old coolant will be flushed out. Draining and refilling just removes only 50 to 60 percent of old fluid.

 

Frequency of Coolant Flushes

 

When it comes to maintenance of the cooling system that involves coolant flush how often should it be done? This is something that does not need to carry out frequently. There are mechanics who advise their clients to do it every year but it is not necessary and will only increase servicing cost for nothing.

 

Most of the cars that were built after the early year of 1990s have coolant that can last for at least five years or even longer. For all this period, no maintenance is required. Although this is a good service when there is a necessity to have it done, coolant flushing can be imposed on the customers who do not understand about the time when it should be done by mechanics who want to make extra cash.

 

The best thing to do after being informed by mechanic that there is a need for coolant flushing is to find out the exact reason why it should be done. Check your car manual; it is about 50,000 miles interval before it is needed for such thorough cleaning service.

 

Coolant Test Strips

 

It is possible to establish if there is a need for coolant flush even without the help of a mechanic. This is done by using by using testing strips that can be bought from most of the stores that sell auto spares. These strips make it possible to determine whether the coolant has the right PH.

 

By using the test strips one can establish the level of freeze protection and if there is a need for more additives. If it is necessary for such service the coolant flush kit instructions should be followed. Ensure that everything is needed and ready before starting the exercise.

 

Courtesy of CoolantFlush.net

Fit to be Dyed: Chevrolet Spark Suits Up for The Color Run™

NEW YORK – The all-new 2013 Chevrolet Spark, a city car offered in bold hues such as Jalapeno, Salsa Red, Lemonade, Denim Blue and Techno Pink, will pace nearly 10,000 runners in The Color Run™ this Saturday and Sunday at the Aviator Sports Center in Brooklyn, the first of numerous Spark-paced races across the country.

Chevrolet and The Color Run today announced a sponsorship deal that makes the Spark – Chevrolet’s first mini car for the U.S. and Canadian markets – the official vehicle and pace car for The Color Run through 2013.

The Color Run is 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. Participation in and buzz for The Color Run have exploded since its debut last year, with nearly a half-million “likes” on Facebook.

“The Spark and The Color Run are perfect running mates because both appeal to style-conscious, high-energy urbanites who don’t live life in neutral,” said Cristi Landy, marketing director, Chevrolet Spark. “We hope Color Runners will like what they see when they meet the Spark.”

Pacing The Color Run events in New York is a specially designed Chevrolet Spark with a multicolor paint scheme over a white base that replicates the look of a color-saturated runner at the finish line. The theme continues inside with splashes of bright color throughout an already-color-coordinated interior.

“Our team wanted The Color Run Spark to look like an authentic race participant, and we believe this pace car will energize and inspire the crowd to take a closer look,” said Kathy Sirvio, the General Motors senior design manager who worked on the production version of the Spark.

Race organizers also partner with a charity in each city; this weekend, The Color Run will team up with the Police Unity Tour and Tuesday’s Children. Tuesday’s Children has made a long-term commitment to meet the needs of individuals impacted by the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.  

“We created the tag line ‘The happiest 5K on the planet’ when we saw how happy The Color Run made people; now the Chevrolet Spark’s involvement is going to help us bring more happiness to runners and charity partners in more cities,” said Travis Snyder, executive director for The Color Run. “We also love the fact that our events lead people to have a more healthy and active lifestyle.” 

Remaining Spark stops on The Color Run schedule include Washington, D.C. (Sept. 9); Portland, Ore. (Sept. 29); Miami (Oct. 21); Houston (Nov. 11); Orlando (Dec. 2); and St. Petersburg, Fla. (Dec. 15), in addition to regional appearances.

The 2013 schedule will be announced later.

Spark went on sale in mid-July, combining five-door versatility with the sporty look of a three-door. Its athletic appearance is further enhanced by a rear spoiler and 15-inch alloy wheels.   

Uplevel versions feature Chevrolet’s MyLink color touch-screen radio. Standard on LT models, MyLink lets Spark owners bring their customized music libraries into the vehicle and use their compatible smartphones and Bluetooth connectivity to make hands-free calls and access embedded apps for Pandora and Stitcher Internet radio.

When the vehicle is in park, video and personal photos can be projected onto MyLink’s seven-inch touch-screen. Later in the year, BringGo, an app that provides full-function GPS navigation and live traffic updates, will be available.

In addition to MyLink, Spark is the only car in its segment to provide a five-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty – including roadside assistance and courtesy transportation – and six months of OnStar Directions & Connections service.

The Spark is offered in three trim packages: LS at $12,995, 1LT at $14,495 and 2LT at $15,795. It also offers more passenger and cargo room than other mini cars such as the Fiat 500, Smartfortwo and the Scion iQ.

Spark is equipped with an Ecotec 1.2L four-cylinder engine and standard five-speed manual transmission (a four-speed automatic is available). The Spark has the lowest average annual fuel cost of any Chevy small car except the Volt extended-range electric vehicle. It also uses regular unleaded fuel, while the Fiat 500 uses more expensive premium fuel.

Spark is also equipped with standard safety features typical of larger, more expensive cars, including 10 air bags, anti-lock brakes, panic brake assist, electronic brake force distribution, StabiliTrak electronic stability control, Hill Start Assist and a “safety cage” structure of high-strength steel.

Courtesy of media.gm.com

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Cylinder Switch Off Delivers Advantages to Chevy Silverado

DETROIT – Full-size pickups are unique, both in the jobs their owners ask of them and how long customers expect them to last.  So for the Chevrolet Silverado and other full-size trucks, General Motors improves the fuel efficiency of its mainstream 5.3-liter V-8 engine by switching off four of the cylinders when they aren’t needed.

More than 85 percent of Silverado customers use their pickups to tow or haul. Some truly put their trucks to the test, moving large trailers over long distances, such as in the blistering heat of west Texas and the biting cold of Alaska’s Prudhoe Bay. These customers expect their trucks to be economical and they expect them to last.  

Fact: More than half of all full-size Chevy pickups sold 20 years ago are still on the road.

The Silverado has a well-earned reputation as the most-dependable, longest-lasting full-size pickup. The V-8 engines under the hood have a track record no competitor can touch – developed, tested and refined over 57 years and more than 100 million engines. 

Engineers developing the current Silverado sought the most intelligent solution for improving the fuel economy while preserving performance and durability. 

“Rather than adding turbochargers or multi-valve cylinder heads to increase the power of smaller engines, we chose to keep the proven capability of our larger V-8 truck engines, and save fuel by switching off half of the cylinders when they aren’t needed,” said Jordan Lee, global chief engineer for small block engines.

A combination of simple hydraulic valves and sophisticated software switch off the cylinders when the driver doesn’t need full power. When more power is needed, the system, called Active Fuel Management, seamlessly reengages the additional cylinders.

“With recent increases in computing power, we can combine sophisticated digital design, powerful control strategies, and simple, robust mechanical systems to bring real benefits with no added cost to our customers,” said Lee.  “Think of the difference between a cassette recorder and an iPod MP3 player – more moving parts are not always better.”

By giving customers V-8 power and capability when they need it, with enhanced fuel efficiency when they don’t, Silverado offers the best EPA fuel economy estimates of any V-8 pickup, said Lee. “In fact, our 5.3-liter V-8 delivers EPA fuel economy estimates comparable to some competitors’ V6 engines.”

The mainstream 2013 Silverado 1500 4WD with the available 5.3-liter V-8 has an EPA highway estimate of 21 mpg, matching the estimates for a leading competitor’s 4WD model with a more complex, less-proven boosted V-6.

For customers looking for even better fuel economy, the 2013 Silverado XFE model with the 5.3-liter V-8 has an EPA highway estimate of 22 mpg, retaining all the capability and dependability of other Chevy V-8s.

“For each vehicle program, our task is to choose the best technology for each vehicle and its customers,” said Lee. “For millions of people who depend on their trucks and expect them to last, we believe our V-8 engines with Active Fuel Management are an excellent solution.

Since 2004, approximately 4.6 million of these V-8 engines have employed Active Fuel Management.

“As GM develops future vehicles – including our next-generation full-size trucks and our new midsize Chevy pickup -- we will continue to draw on our company’s unsurpassed global powertrain portfolio, which includes direct injection, clean diesels, vehicle electrification, turbocharging, supercharging, and other technologies,” said Lee.

“But as with our current V-8 engines with Active Fuel Management, the starting point is always what’s the right solution for the customer and the way they use the vehicle.”

Chevrolet backs Silverado with a 100,000 mile/five- year limited powertrain warranty with roadside assistance and courtesy transportation, the best coverage of any full-size pickup.  Silverado also has the lowest cost of ownership of any full-size pickup, based on Vincentric 2012 model level analysis.

Courtesy of media.gm.com

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Chevrolet Activities at the Woodward Dream Cruise

DETROIT – On August 18, more than a million fans are expected to crowd Detroit’s legendary Woodward Avenue for the world’s largest one-day automotive event.  Chevrolet is once again the presenting sponsor of the Dream Cruise, and Chevy activities at the Cruise will showcase the 60^th anniversary of Corvette, one of the most recognizable cars on Woodward.

“The Woodward Dream Cruise is a true celebration of America’s love affair with the automobile and the open road, and for Chevrolet it is an opportunity for us to connect with some of our most passionate consumers and their families,” said Chris Perry, Chevrolet global vice president of marketing.  

Following are highlights of Chevy-related events at this year’s Dream Cruise:

Tuesday, August 14
Chevrolet Volt Owner Ice Cream Social
Chevrolet will host an ice cream social for 50 Volt owners from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel in Bloomfield Hills, followed by informal cruising on Woodward.  (Contact: Michelle Malcho)

Wednesday, August 15
GM Design Car Show
The GM Design team will host a car show on Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Northwood Plaza on the southwest corner of Woodward and 13 Mile Road.  The show will feature personal vehicles owned by members of the Design team, along with live musical performances. (Contact: Kari Nattrass)

Thursday, August 16 through Saturday, August 18
Chevrolet Performance at Memorial Park
The Chevrolet Performance display will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Aug. 16 and 17 and from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Aug. 18 at Memorial Park on the northeast corner of Woodward and 13 Mile Road.  The display will include a collection of performance show vehicles and production vehicles, a motorsports display, and a variety of Chevrolet performance parts. (Contact: Pam Flores)

Friday August 17
WWJ Newsradio 950 Breakfast – Motor City Muscle, Yesterday and Today
Dave Leone, GM executive chief engineer for performance luxury cars, will participate in the WWJ breakfast and panel discussion from 8:15 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at Duggan’s Irish Pub in Royal Oak.  Jeff Gilbert and John McElroy will host the panel, which includes representatives from Ford and Chrysler.  The public can register online. (Contact: Debbie Spatafora)

Saturday, August 18
Chevrolet Activities, Birmingham Triangle
Chevrolet displays and activities start at 8 a.m. Saturday and run through the conclusion of the Cruise at 9 p.m. They include:

• A life-size Corvette timeline, including milestone Corvettes and engines from the marque’s 60-year history
• Noted Detroit Graffiti artist Shades will paint a large Corvette-inspired graffiti mural throughout the day
• Chevrolet Military display
• Chevrolet Modern Family display, showcasing Chevrolet vehicles and accessories
• Heritage and specialty vehicles from Chevrolet’s history
• OnStar Command Center trailer
  (Contacts:  Monte Doran and Tom Wilkinson)

Chevrolet Certified Service Rescue Squad

The Chevy Certified Service Rescue Squad will provide assistance to vehicle owners of any brand who need assistance with flat tires, dead batteries or other light repairs. Technicians provided by Matthew Hargreaves Chevrolet and Les Stanford Chevrolet will travel up and down Woodward during the cruise in black Chevrolet Silverado Rescue Squad Pickup trucks. (Contact: Pam Flores)

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.

Courtesy of Media.gm.com

Monday Maintenance Tip: Drive in the City Like a Pro

Driving in the city is a very important skill that many need to have, especially if you happen to live there. Most city dwellers do take public transportation when available, but when you need to drive, we have the tips to help you become an expert. After this little crash course on city driving, you will learn to love the flow and bustle of city life and merge seamlessly with it, rather than going mad and pulling out your hair every time traffic gets heavy.

Smaller cars are the key to everyday travel through the city. Not only do you get the ease of parking in tiny spots, but you will also save a big of gas because of the stop and go traffic. Major cities are built to accommodate as many people in a small amount of space. Thus the city the streets and parking spaces are much narrower and smaller than others your use to.

Automatic transmissions are recommended for everyday travel to and within the city. The stress and fatigue will increase as you shift aimlessly with a manual transmission. Trust me on this one! During one of my trips to NYC, I shifted a manual transmission over 1000 times in an hour through heavy traffic. As many people swear by manual shifting, this is OK ( so do i) , it has its advantages, but it's just not well suited to city driving.

As parking spaces become harder to find, having that small car can get you in those tight spots. If you have the money, you can also invest in technology like back up cameras. These cameras will allow you to see how close you are to the car behind you through a pin hole camera on your trunk. Parking sensors work just as well, as you don't even need a visual, but only listen to a few beeps to know how close you are to the car behind you. Some luxury cars will have sensors in the front as well as the back.

Always drive inside your lane. Signal ten seconds before you lane change. Be cautious in hard driving conditions like snow and rain. Be careful of those huge pot holes ahead. So look give yourself some space between the car in front of your so that you have a better visual of the road ahead.

Avoid driving in the far right lane unless your turning. Metros, trucks, buses and other turning vehicles all enter the right lane. So to avoid any unnecessary backup time, drive in the middle lane if you are traveling straight for a while.

Now that you have a few tips. Try them out and you'll be on your way to being a pro at city driving.

Courtesy of EzineArticles

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2013 Chevy Camaro ZL1 Convertible and SS 1LE edition: Motoramic Drives

Last Sunday in the pleasant downtown of Grand Rapids, Mich., a woman accosted me across two lanes of traffic, shouting through her open minivan window "That's what I'm talking about!" What she was talking about was this, the 2013 Chevy Camaro ZL1 convertible, a combination of 580-hp raging road machine, boulevard cruiser and conversation starter that only a handful of buyers will ever put their hands on.

 

Convertible pony cars have an appeal that transcends their hardtop brethren, offering a way to experience summer that no other vehicle quite matches. Yet for much of the Camaro's history, General Motors either didn't sell a convertible or avoided putting its most brutal engines in the drop-top editions, because cutting a hole in a car can turn its chassis into a Bop It game. In the previous generation Camaro, the convertible combined with the LS1 offered good straight-line speed and cowl shake -- that sense going over bumps that the steering wheel and your seat are connected to different cars.

With the new generation, Chevy's engineers have vowed to match the Ford Mustang punch-for-punch, which means building a convertible version of its most powerful factory edition. Since it was in the plans when the engineers began designing the new models, the ZL1 convertible comes with more positive reinforcement than Donald Trump in a hall of mirrors. There's extra braces between the engine mounts, around the transmissions, in the windshield pillars and several other places, all meant to make the ZL1 convertible lose little in handing to the ZL1 coupe.

The resulting car glides like a well-trained monster. Around town and on freeways, the ZL1 convertible is perfectly civilized, it's supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 burbling along at one-tenth power. Decide to throw the hammer, and within a split second the ZL1 has thrown you forward as high as the law and your right foot allow. The convertible offers the best way to hear the engine in full melodious roar, and the combination of magnetic-ride shocks, Goodyear Supercar tires and the heap o'bracing keep the ZL1 properly tight around corners and over Michigan's imperfect roads. Even the new electric power steering, typically a fun-killer, works to make the ZL1 seem less hefty than its curb weight -- unspecified, but likely well north of 4,000 lbs. -- would suggest.

It's impossible to not feel more alive when driving a ZL1 convertible, which helps combat its biggest problem: the sticker shock of a $62,000 price tag. The Camaro has always been about affordable performance, about letting its owners outperform more expensive cars, but with the ZL1 convertible, the Camaro's knocking on the country club's door with its ponytail hidden under a new ballcap. GM engineers know what they've done, and set production estimates accordingly; there will be only a couple thousand ZL1 drop-tops sold at best every year.

But those same engineers make another argument: Compared to other top-flight convertibles -- the BMW M6, the Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG, even the Porsche 911 -- the Camaro offers more power and comparable handling for up to $40,000 less. There will be no mistaking which cars cost less; in top-dollar form, the Camaro's interior offers at least 10 kinds of plastic and fabric that look like a nervous kid overdressing for his prom date.

Yet GM has a better answer for where those savings could go: the Camaro SS with the 1LE track package, a new combination of parts aimed at the Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca and all those who want a track car they can still drive to work. Starting with the regular SS, Chevy has grafted the ZL1's Goodyears, lighter wheels, tighter final drive ratio and tougher suspension settings into a 426-hp car that can generate more than 1g of acceleration side-to-side. (The black vinyl-wrapped hood is just for kicks.) At the GingerMan track in Michigan, my attempts at unsticking the 1LE failed time and again; you can run to more than 100 mph quickly, haul it down with fade-free brakes and then throw it around corners with a general lack of body roll or understeer.

There's not been a head-to-head test yet of the 1LE versus the Boss 302, but at $37,000 and change, the 1LE undercuts the more expensive 'Stang by a few thousand, and For the price of a traditional European convertible, you can get both the ZL1 convertible and a 1LE as a track toy. A few years ago, suggesting you could buy two Camaros with your MegaMillions winnings would have seemed off-kilter. It's a credit to Chevy engineers that the same idea in 2012 comes off as almost reasonable.

Courtesy of autos.yahoo.com

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Chevrolet Camaro Will Debut in 2013 NASCAR Nationwide Series

DETROIT – Chevrolet will have a new entry in the NASCAR Nationwide Series in 2013: Camaro, the top-selling sports car in America, will make its series debut next February at Daytona International Speedway.

“Chevrolet is proud to bring the Camaro to the NASCAR Nationwide Series in 2013,” said Jim Campbell, vice president, Chevrolet Performance Vehicles and Motorsports. “The Camaro Nationwide race car incorporates many of the distinctive styling elements of the production Camaro, including the unique power-bulge hood and deep recessed grille. In addition, the design incorporates the distinctive halo light rings and dual-port grille appearances, and the gold bowtie.”

Camaro, which led its segment in sales in 2010 and 2011 and currently leads in 2012, will continue the proud heritage of Chevrolet performance vehicles in one of America’s most prestigious racing series.   Chevrolet has more wins, more manufacturers’ championships and more driver’s championships than any other manufacturer competing in the Nationwide Series.

“Our team of Chevrolet designers and aerodynamic engineers did a fantastic job capturing the great looks and styling cues of the production Camaro, while providing our NASCAR Nationwide teams with a highly competitive aero platform,” said Pat Suhy, manager, Chevrolet Racing Oval Track Group. “For the remainder of 2012, our engineers will be busy working with our Chevy teams on wind tunnel and on-track testing to fine-tune the car in preparation for next year.  It will be great to see Camaro compete on the track against its showroom competition starting with the 2013 season opener at Daytona.”

Chevrolet currently leads the NASCAR Nationwide Series in wins, manufacturer standings, and in the driver point standings.

“We have been working on this new Camaro for over a year and I am excited to have it approved by NASCAR for 2013 competition in the Nationwide Series,” said Shane Martin, program manager, Chevrolet NASCAR Nationwide Series. “This car has a bold look that will be reinforced by its performance on the race track.”

Fans can follow Team Chevy on Team Chevy Facebook, @TeamChevy on Twitter and on Google+.

Courtesy of media.gm.com

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