Proving that fuel solutions can be wrapped in bold, fun packages, Chevrolet unveiled the 2009 Chevrolet Aveo5 at the Los Angeles Auto Show.The redesigned challenger to the economy segment delivers exceptional, EPA-estimated fuel economy of 26 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway (with the standard five-speed manual transmission) – and is expected to be the lowest-priced car in America when it goes on sale in 2008.
DETROIT (June 24, 2008)– Besides its bowtie insignia, the all-new Traverse crossover shares something important with Chevy’s midsize cars: an exceptional aerodynamic drag coefficient (cd) that enables great fuel economy.Its cd is only 0.33- making it the sleekest crossover in the segment.
When it hits showrooms this fall, the Traverse is expected to have the segment’s best highway fuel economy (EPA certification is pending).This is because of its new, efficient 3.6L V-6 with direct injection technology, a fuel-saving six-speed automatic transmission and an exterior designed to cheat the wind and slip through the air with minimal resistance.
As environmental issues come to the forefront of our social conscious, the automotive industry (as a whole) revises its goals in preparation of the inevitable.If the consumer market is becoming consumed with the health of the planet, so too must the automotive engineers.Perhaps the most impressive adaptation has occurred here, in our own backyard, with General Motors.
It is common public opinion that Japanese automakers are leading the “Green” race.The (surprising) truth is that GM has, and continues to, surpass Toyota (the assumed frontrunner).Take for instance the current, most impressive and innovative alternative to internal combustion engines: the plug-in.While it is true that GM’s previous method of addressing environmental issues was manifested in their efforts to modify existing vehicles to run on ethanol (FlexFuel vehicles) and developing their 2-mode hybrid system, the plug-in has now become the focus of GM’s Green-Team.
Let’s get something out of the way right now. Not every vehicle we write about here is going to be as efficient as a Prius or have a plug or require pedal power. There is a huge market place of vehicles out there. None of those vehicles are for everyone. Not everyone needs or wants a Prius or a Mitsubishi iMiEV or a Chevrolet Silverado. However, in spite of rapidly falling sales of big trucks there is still a very significant need out there for such vehicles. I am in no way advocating (nor have I ever done so, in fact for many years I have done the opposite) that people should buy a Silverado or other truck for personal transportation or commuting. Having said all that, these vehicles and others all need to become more fuel efficient, for economic and environmental reasons. In a market segment that will still amount to about 1.5 million vehicles in the U.S. this year, GM is scaling back production but they are still trying to make the vehicles they sell more efficient. To that end they are introducing the both XFE and two-mode hybrid variants of the GMC Sierra and Chevy Silverado for the 2009 model year. We had a chance to sample both versions on a brief drive this week and you can read about it after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »
An advanced, efficient 3.6L direct-injected V-6 with variable valve timing is standard on LS and LT models which are expected to comprise at least 70% of Camaro sales in Canada. Direct injection technology helps the engine deliver more power through increased efficiency, while maintaining fuel economy and lowering emissions. That means less fuel is consumed and lower emissions generated- including a 25% drop in cold-start hydrocarbon emissions.
Chevrolet introduced the production of the 2010 Camaro which was built at GM’s Oshawa Car Assembly Plant. It is a heritage-inspired sports car for the 21st century, combining great looks and performance; advanced technology and surprising efficiency- including 9.0L/100km estimated highway fuel consumption. Sales begin in the first quarter of 2009.
“The new Chevrolet Camaro delivers the best of both worlds- great heritage and a thoroughly modern, advanced package of sporty driving, comfort and technology,” said Marc Comeau, vice president of sales, service and marketing for GM of Canada. “And it does so with styling, fuel economy and value our competitors simply can’t match.”
As some wag once put it: “The true sign of your intelligence is measured by how much you agree with me.”
So you can see why a committee of fellow automotive journalists seemed pretty smart to me when they selected the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu as North American Car of the Year at this year’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit. It’s been a year of honours for the Malibu since then, including an appearance on Car and Driver’s “10 Best Cars” list and selection by Kelley Blue Book as “Best Redesigned Vehicle for 2008.”
ABC news has just posted another video discussing the Chevy Volt. As expected, it’s basically a puff piece with nothing particularly earth shattering being revealed as far as technical details. Car and Driver editor Csaba Csere expresses his skepticism that GM can make the Volt happen on target. However GM exterior design executive director Michael Simcoe does peal back the cover off the latest production styling buck and reveals some new details.
Unless you’ve been living in a remote cave in Kandahar, you have most likely read, watched, and/or listened to news about a faltering global economy. The automotive industry in particular has felt the impact of this current credit crunch. General Motors is shifting focus away from leasing due to factors in the financial markets which are beyond our control.
