24hcar: Chevrolet

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Chevrolet Camaro Outsells Ford Mustang by Almost 20,000 Units at Year One, But Loses in May '10

Posted by Mr Dung Thursday, June 3, 2010

Yesterday we learned that the refreshed and more powerful 2011 Ford Mustang sold 10,225 units in May 2010 beating GM's Chevrolet Camaro by almost 1,300 units (8,931 sales monthly total).
The General's reaction? Early this morning, the Detroit automaker came out with a press release stating that from May 2009 (the 2010 Camaro's first full month of sales) to May 2010, Chevy's pony car posted 99,872 total sales, outselling the Ford Mustang by nearly 20,000 vehicles (80,340 units total).
The company added that the Camaro has led the pony car sales race for 11 of the last 12 months/
Of course, now that the Mustang has been upgraded with a pair of more powerful and frugal V6 and V8 engines, the Camaro won't have it so easy as May sales proved. That is until GM introduces a revised version of the Camaro and the cycle begins again...
For the record, Detroit's third pony car, the un-updated Dodge Challenger, sold a total of 3,828 copies in May 2010 recording a 42 percent increase over the same month last year (2,695 units), setting a monthly sales record for the second month in a row.

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New Range-Topping Chevrolet Captiva LTZ for UK Market

Posted by Mr Dung Monday, May 17, 2010

[Carscoop]

Borrowing a trim-level name frequently used here in the U.S. by Chevrolet, the Captiva LTZ is the new range-topper in the SUV's UK range. Powered by a 150-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine matted to either a five-speed manual or automatic transmission, the Captiva LTZ is available for both private and fleet users.

Priced from £27,305 and £28,630 on-the-road for the manual and automatic version respectively, the seven-seater Captiva LTZ features 18-inch alloys and unique rear light clusters.

Standard equipment includes full leather trim with heated front seats, electronic climate control, parking sensors, cruise control, electrically-adjustable driver's seat, automatic headlamp control, rain sensor wipers, and electrically-folding mirrors.

In addition to audible distance sensors to assist parking, the LTZ also gets a reversing camera as standard. The camera operates through the 7-inch satellite navigation unit display screen.

Safety features including ABS, ESC and traction control, front and side airbags for the driver and front passenger, plus roof curtain airbags.

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Chevrolet Volt MPV5 electric concept unveiled at Auto China 2010

Posted by Mr Dung Friday, April 23, 2010

Following a patent leak, Chevrolet has unveiled the Volt MPV5 concept at Auto China 2010.Chevy’s new MPV will boast a lithium-ion T-battery and a 1.4-litre petrol engine used as a generator. The battery provides for 51.5km of driving, while the petrol unit extends this to 482km.
GM has said that the MPV5 boasts a set of 19-inch wheels, 5-seats and an aerodynamic body. There is a closed grille, lower optimized air dam and underbody covers. New tail lamps enhance the rear end of the MPV5.
Loading space amounts to 1,764-litres when the seats are down, or 863-litres when the rear seats are in the upright position.

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Chevrolet Cruze Irmscher Edition with 186HP

Posted by Mr Dung Sunday, April 11, 2010

The Cruze Irmscher Edition is available for order at Chevrolet's German dealerships.According to the tuner, the diesel version accelerates from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 0 seconds.Dubbed the Cruze Irmscher Edition, the car gets an optional boot lid spoiler along with 18-inch alloy wheels shod in beefier 225 sport tires and aluminum door sills.

Irmscher's performance modifications include a 25mm suspension drop and exhaust silencers with elliptical twin exits along with a 36HP and 146Nm boost for the 0-liter turbo diesel engine increasing total output to 186HP and 466Nm at 2,300 rpm.Chevrolet and its European tuning partner Irmscher presented a humbly beefed up version of the Cruze compact sedan with cosmetic and performance upgrades at this week's AMI motorshow in Leipzig, Germany.

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2011 Chevrolet Camaro V6 Gets 312 hp

Posted by Mr Dung Friday, April 9, 2010

Chevrolet has announced the availability of 8 extra horses for the 2011 MY Camaro modern muscle car.The 2010 model year has been a banner year for us, and we plan to build on this momentum.The horsepower rating in the 6-litre V6 engine has now been re-certified for 312hp (233kW/ 316PS) at 6,500rpm and 278 lb-ft (377Nm) of torque at 5,100rpm, both independently verified by a third party.

The 304 horsepower in the 2010 Camaro was actually a conservative rating on our end," said Tom Sutter, GM V-6 chief engineer.We are pleased with Camaro's success in the market during its first year of production," said Jim Campbell, US Vice President, Chevrolet Marketing.In addition, the 2011 Camaro will offer Head-Up Display, becoming only the second Chevrolet after the Corvette to get it.

But we knew already that this award-winning engine produced at least the amount of power we stated, but now we've gone the extra step in certifying the engine for this application and have verified an additional 8 horsepower.The HUD can display information such as the car's speed, outside air temperature, phone information, the tachometer and a gear shift indicator if specified.

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Chevy to Offer 500 Examples of 2010 Camaro Indy 500 Pace Car Replica

Posted by Mr Dung Tuesday, April 6, 2010

[Scoop]

For the fourth time in the history of the Camaro, GM will sell a replica of a Camaro Indianapolis 500 Pace Car. The last time Chevy offered a replica of the pace car was in 1993. Fittingly, Chevrolet plans to build a total of 500 units with up to 200 of those to be made available through 187 of the top-selling Camaro dealers based on 2009 retail sales.

"We set out to build a collectible vehicle that will appeal to the die-hard Camaro and Indianapolis 500 fan," said Jim Campbell, U.S. Vice President, Chevrolet Marketing. "We believe we've done just that with the 2010 Chevy Camaro Indianapolis 500 Pace Car Limited Edition."

The limited production replica is based on the Camaro 2SS model with the RS appearance package and a 400HP V8 paired to a six-speed automatic transmission, but adds some extra features unique to the actual pace car to be driven by Robin Roberts, anchor of "Good Morning America," during the this year's Indianapolis 500.

Available exclusively in 'Inferno Orange' with full body white pearl decal rally stripes, the replica comes with 20-inch polished aluminum wheels, an Inferno Orange heritage front grille and engine cover, special floor mats with accent colors and 2010 Indianapolis 500 event logos on the front fenders, the door panels and embroidered on driver and passenger headrests.

According to GM, the manufacturer suggested retail price of the Camaro pace car replica is $41,950 (includes $850 Destination Freight Charge).

Check out the gallery below for the list of dealers that will have allocation for the replica.

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GM Builds First Pre-Production Chevy Volt EV

Posted by Mr Dung Sunday, April 4, 2010

[Autoscoop]

In an important milestone for GM's much-hyped Chevy Volt project, on Wednesday, March 3, the first pre-production Volt rolled off the assembly line at the firm's Detroit Hamtramck Assembly Plant. The previous examples of the Volt had been built by hand.

These pre-production models will not be sold at GM's dealerships, but will be used to assess and fix any problems in the production system as well as to train the workers in order meet the quality targets set by the engineering team.

"We have a very experienced workforce at this plant and through all of their preparation and training workers here have been given the privilege to take GM into the future with this car," said Detroit-Hamtramck plant manager Teri Quigley.

Expected to go on sale by the end of fall, the Chevy Volt offers up to 40 miles of pure electric
driving before a small-displacement gasoline engine/generator kicks in to charge the car's lithium-ion batteries extending the range to about 300 additional miles.

GM's happy-moment with the first pre-production Volt coincides with Nissan's announcement on the pricing for the all-electric Leaf that will sell for $25,280 ($32,780 minus a $7,500 tax credit).

The General has not released official pricing for the Volt, but unofficially, word has it that the car will be priced somewhere in the mid-$30,000 range with the federal tax credit.

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Chevrolet Cruze to Enter the British Touring Car Championship

Posted by Mr Dung Monday, March 22, 2010

[GM]

Chevrolet's European arm announced today that it will enter the 2010 season of the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) with two manufacturer-backed Cruze sedans. The Silverline Chevrolet team cars will be prepared by the Wellingborough-based RML team, which also looks after Chevy's WTCC Cruzes.
The first car will be driven by former BTCC champion and 2009 runner-up, Jason Plato, and the second by 19-year old Alex MacDowall.
"The Cruze has already shown itself to be a superb racing car in the World Touring Car Championship," said Chevrolet Managing Director, Mark Terry.
"So the decision to enter it in the most high profile series in the UK was made much easier. We're looking forward to an exciting season, and one that will raise the profile of both the Chevrolet brand, and the style and dynamic appeal of the Cruze – a car that has already proven to be a success both on and off the track," Terry concluded.
Chevrolet's debut as an official manufacturer-backed team will take place on the first race of the 2010 BTCC season on Easter Sunday, April 4, at Thruxton, Hants.

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2011 Corvette Z06 Carbon Limited Edition with Bits and Pieces from ZR1

Posted by Mr Dung Monday, March 15, 2010

[CS]

GM continues its tradition of special edition Vettes with the introduction of the 2011 Corvette Z06 Carbon Limited Edition that borrows several goodies from the range-topping ZR1 such as the Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes and magnetic select ride control system.
Other features include a set of black 20-spoke 19-inch front and 20-inch rear alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin PS2 tires, enhanced cooling, black headlamps and mirrors, a ZR1-style body color spoiler, body color door handles, carbon fiber raised hood, and black carbon fiber rockers and splitter.
The Corvette Z06 Carbon will be available in two colors, Inferno Orange and the all-new Supersonic Blue featured here.
Inside, the Z06 Carbon gets an ebony leather and suede interior complemented by blue or orange seat stitching to match the exterior color chosen, while other features include a unique steering wheel emblem, sill plate and logoed headrest.
And for those of you that won't be able to get your hands on the Z06 Carbon, Chevrolet offers two separate packages with the same cosmetic and performance upgrades for the standard 2011 Z06.
The Z07 performance package adds the mechanical upgrades including the Competition Gray 20-spoke wheels and all the chassis and cooling mods, while the CFZ Z06 carbon fiber package adds the aero mods like the black carbon fiber rockers, splitter and roof panel with the full-width body color spoiler.
The 2011 Corvette Z06 Carbon Limited Edition, as well as the new Z07 and CFZ Z06 option packages will be available in dealerships late summer.

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GM Wants to Lure More Non-Old, Non-Americans with New Corvette C7

Posted by Mr Dung Tuesday, March 9, 2010

[Autoweek]

GM is about to try something new: making Chevrolet's Corvette appeal to international markets. The General is soliciting designs from all ten of its styling studios, meaning that more than just American-market brains are weighing in.

The goal is to bring in younger buyers from the States, while also help gain sales in the all-important European market, among others.

"We have challenges in the States with the Corvette," Welburn told journalists in an interview at the Geneva Salon. "The average age of the customer is really rising." According to J.D. Power and Associates, the current average age of a Corvette buyer is 54.

"It is a key time in the development of the Corvette," Welburn said. "There is a lot of debate and a lot of study on the bandwidth of Corvette."

However, Welburn added that the sports car "can't mutate into something that gets so far away from Corvette that it is no longer a Corvette."

One major problem, according to GM, is the Corvette's styling, which makes the car appear larger than it really is.

When the redesign hits the market within the next two to three years, GM hopes to have "trimmer, meaner [design] to go along with the incredible performance that the car has."

All together now: Stingray (although that split rear window would kind of block the rear view).

As for getting younger people looking at the Vette, apparently GM wants stereotypes to walk in off the street and make purchases. The fact that GM still thinks "young U.S. buyers...favor imports" is proof positive that the old white men running GM have yet to wrap their minds around who their customers are.

Case in point: Buick, a brand that turned itself around in a hurry and is getting more and more attractive.

Young consumers don't all want "Fast&Furious" Hondas and Guido'd-out Bimmers. It doesn't have to do with "imports", it has to do with good design and quality.

Lastly, the detail that everyone seems to agree on is the Corvette's interior: sub-par for the price bracket. GM Vice President of global design says, "The execution, materials selection--it's got to be a much better interior. Our customers desire that." Doesn't everyone?