First Chevrolet Volt begin shipping to dealers

Five trucks carrying Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric cars left General Motors Detroit-Hamtramck plant Monday evening, marking the first shipment to dealers after nearly four years of expectation.

Volt marketing director Tony DiSalle says that the first batch of Volts represents a milestone for Chevrolet, adding that customers will soon, "experience gas-free commuting with the freedom to take an extended trip whenever or wherever they want."

The first ones are expected in Volt's first markets: California, New York and Washington, D.C. Fox says GM is building in time to make sure the cars don't have glitches when they leave the factory, which adds a few extra days or weeks.

Priced from $33,500, after tax credits, the Volt never came close to the initially claimed 230 mpg in city driving. Eventually, EPA released three mileage ratings, the best being 93 mpg in full electric mode and the worst 37 mpg when the 1.4-liter engine kicks in. Now that cars are actually reaching customers, we’re more than curious to hear their feedback on the matter.

Source:GM via carscoop




Press Release

Chevrolet Volt Charity Auction Closed at $225,000

DETROIT - The online auction for the Chevrolet Volt closed at 6 p.m. today at $225,000.

Chevrolet will announce the auction winner, and present the auction proceeds to the Detroit Public Schools Foundation, after verifying the final bid.

The vehicle offered in the charity auction was the first Chevrolet Volt available for sale, bearing the vehicle identification number ending inBU100002. It features a Viridian Joule exterior, Light Neutral interiorwith dark accents, Premium Trim Package, Rear Camera and Park AssistPackage, and polished wheels. The auction also includes a 240-volt charging station and home installation.

All proceeds from the auction will benefit the foundation's support of science, technology, engineering and math initiatives for Detroit Public Schools students.

Motor Trend Truck of the Year? The 2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD

Make that two wins for General Motors and Chevrolet this year. The 2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD joins the Motor Trend Car of the Year - 2011 Chevrolet Volt as this year's Motor Trend Truck of the Year. We just had the Silverado's sibling, the 2011 GMC Sierra Denali HD in for review... and we can understand Motor Trend's sentiment towards this brute of a hauler.

The first three trucks that MT tested are three-quarter-ton, single-rear-wheel HDs with gasoline engines, including the 2011 Chevy Silverado 2500 and GMC Sierra 2500 twins powered by GM's 6.0-liter V-8 and the 2011 Ford F-250 Super Duty with the all-new 6.2-liter V-8 under its hood. The second set of trucks are one-ton dual-rear-wheel rigs, including the 2011 Chevy Silverado 3500 and GMC Sierra 3500 with the updated 397 horsepower, 765 pounds-feet of torque 6.6-liter LML Duramax V-8 and the 2011 Ford F-350 Super Duty with the all-new "Job 2" 400/800 6.7-liter Power Stroke V-8.

“On the outside the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD appears to have been given a subtle makeover, but it’s what’s under the skin that makes this truck a winner,” said Motor Trend Editor-in-Chief Angus MacKenzie. “Chevy engineers focused on three key areas – powertrain, frame, and suspension – to deliver a truck with significantly improved capability and more refinement.”

The truck award was presented to GM CEO Dan Akerson before the 111th Army-Navy Game at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field. Chevrolet is the Official Vehicle of the Army-Navy Game.




Press Release

Silverado HD Named 2011 Motor Trend Truck of the Year

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 11, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The Chevrolet Silverado HD is the 2011 Motor Trend Truck of the Year, completing a rare same-year sweep of the prestigious car and truck awards. Chevrolet also earned the 2011 Motor Trend Car of the Year award.

The truck award was presented to GM CEO Dan Akerson before the 111th Army-Navy Game at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field. Chevrolet is the Official Vehicle of the Army-Navy Game.

"On the outside the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD appears to have been given a subtle makeover, but it's what's under the skin that makes this truck a winner," said Motor Trend Editor-in-Chief Angus MacKenzie. "Chevy engineers focused on three key areas – powertrain, frame, and suspension – to deliver a truck with significantly improved capability and more refinement."

The new 2011 Silverado HD built in Flint, Mich., and Fort Wayne, Ind., was introduced this summer, featuring new frame and suspension designs, and a more powerful Duramax diesel engine with 397 horsepower, 765 lb.-ft. of torque, and 11 percent better fuel-economy. As a result, the 2011 Silverado HD is capable of towing up to 21,700 pounds, or carrying 6,635 pounds of payload. The new Silverado HD also offers available confidence- and control-related features specifically for towing including electronic trailer sway control, hill start assist and smart exhaust brake system.

"With more capability and technology than ever before, we believe the Chevrolet Silverado HD sets the bar for heavy-duty trucks," said Akerson. "It's a great honor to have such a respected authority as Motor Trend agree."

The full report from Motor Trend appears in the February issue of the magazine (on newsstands in early January) and online at www.motortrend.com. Chevrolet also earned the 2011 Motor Trend Car of the Year award for the Volt, the industry's first electric car with extended-range capability.

It is the first time since 2006 that one brand has won both Motor Trend Car and Truck of the Year awards in the same year. Chevrolet and Buick won both awards in 1979.

South African tuning company LupiniPower has introduced its wild 535bhp Chevrolet SuperUte pick-up.

From the other land down under comes a tuning job for the South African edition of the Chevrolet SuperUte SS that would turn a 1974 Chevy El Camino an envious shade of green.

The Chevrolet Ute was sole up until not long ago as a Pontiac G8 in a North American marketplace as well as continues to go underneath a name of a Holden Ute SS in Australia.

Thanks to the added power, LupiniPower's SportUte completes the 0 to 60 mph (96km/h) sprint in 4.4 seconds instead of 6.0 seconds, while 0-100 mph (160km/h) goes by in 9.9 seconds, close to 4 seconds faster than the standard Ute.

The SuperUte rides on 20-inch wheels, with 8.5 x 20-inch rims at the front and 10 x 20-inch at the back, wrapped in Bridgestone Potenza RE050 ultra-high performance tires.

South African tuner LupiniPower has pumped up this Chevrolet SuperUte SS pickup to an outlay of 535 bhp (399 kW) as well as 590 lb-ft of torque (799 Nm) upon the supercharged 6.0 liter V8 energy plant similar to that that goes into a Corvette ZR1. 0 to 100 km/h takes only 4.5 seconds as well as top speed is 175 mph (282 km/h).

The LupiniPower Chevrolet SuperUte can be had as complete new vehicle in South Africa for R639,900, equal to around US$94,000 / €67,400 / GBP58200 at today's rates.




Press Release

Based on the already impressive Chevy Ute SS, (sold as the Pontiac G8 in the US and the Holden Ute SS in Australia) the 535bhp 590lb.ft 6-litre supercharged V8 SuperUte is a pick-up with supercar credentials offering 4.5-second 0-100km/h acceleration, dramatic overtaking ability and elasticity. SuperUte is also more economical and greener than standard while still remaining docile, gentle and easy to drive.

Powered by a supercharged V8 similar to that found in the Corvette ZR1, SuperUte clearly is a supercar – 0-60mph acceleration of an automatic version improves from the standard Ute’s already handy 6 seconds to 4.4 seconds, while 0-100mph flashes by in 9.9 seconds – almost four seconds faster than standard.

SuperUte reaches 125mph in 15.5 seconds – that’s over five seconds quicker than stock, boasts a quarter-mile time of 12.7 seconds at 113mph and runs the standing kilometre in 22.8 seconds at 150mph while top speed is up 25mph to 175 mph.

SuperUte is not just all speed and power – improvements extend to bigger race-specification front disc brakes and callipers, while subtle yet effective suspension tweaks will see the Ute’s already impressive handling, road holding and dynamic ability also improve without undue compromise to ride and comfort.

The TractionBar is unique SuperUte device that Lupini applies to enable the pick-up to dip well below the five-second 0-60mph-acceleration bracket.

Another vital LupiniPower aspect is the company’s standard Warranty & Service Plan in its home market to ensure customer peace of mind normally lost when factory plans are voided by such aftermarket modifications. SuperUte enjoys a 5 -year Unlimited LupiniPlan Performance Warranty in South Africa.

The Lupini SuperUte comes with a striking staggered 20” wheel & tyre set-up with 8.5J front and 10J wide rear alloy wheels and Bridgestone Potenza RE050 ultra-high performance tyres, while option boxes available to be ticked include full Bilstein suspension and a limited-slip differential for the serious track day fan. Only a limited number of SuperUtes will be offered to guarantee exclusivity.

LupiniPower’s Chevrolet SuperUte sells for US $91 500 (Euro 63 000, GBP58000) for a complete new vehicle in South Africa. An identical LupiniPower SuperLumina option is available on the Chevrolet Lumina SS sedan.

LupiniPower Chevrolet SuperUte

Specifications

Specification	SuperUte	Standard
Engine	Supercharged 5967cc OHV V8	5967cc OHV V8
Power	535bhp @ 5600rpm	362bhp @ 5700rpm
Torque	590lb.ft @ 3400rpm	400lb.ft @ 4400rpm
Specific Power	90bhp/litre	60bhp/litre
Power to Weight	328bhp/tonne	222bhp/tonne
Transmission	6-speed automatic	6-speed automatic
Suspension Front:	Direct acting stabiliser bar,	Direct acting stabiliser bar,
	progressive rate coil springs	coil springs
Suspension Rear:	Independent link,	Independent link,
	progressive rate coil springs	coil springs
	(1” drop in ride height)
Brakes Front:	Alloy 4-piston callipers	4-piston callipers
	320mm ventilated & slotted discs	290mm ventilated discs
Wheels Front:	8.5J x 20 Alloy	8J x 18 Alloy
Wheels Rear:	10J x 20 Alloy	8J x 18 Alloy
Tyres Front:	Bridgestone Potenza 245/35R20	245/45R18
Tyres Rear	Bridgestone Potenza 285/30R20	245/45R18
Warranty	5-year Unlimited LupiniPlan	5-year 120 000km

LupiniPower Chevrolet SuperUte Automatic – Performance vs. Standard

Performance	SuperUte	Standard	Difference
Acceleration
0-40mph	2.5 seconds	3.0 seconds	- 0.5 sec
0-60mph	4.4 seconds	6.0 seconds	- 1.4 sec
0-150mph	22.9 seconds
Standing quarter-mile	12.7 seconds @ 113mph	14.6 seconds @ 102mph	- 1.9s; 17km/h
Standing 1000m	22.8 seconds @ 149mph	25.8 seconds @ 130mph	- 3.0s; 31km/h
Overtaking 50-75mph	3.1 seconds	6.5 seconds	- 3.4 sec
Overtaking 75-100mph	3.5 seconds	5.3 seconds	- 2.0 sec
Maximum Speed	175mph	150mph	+ 25mph
Fuel Efficiency
Open Road	26.3mpg	26.1mpg	+ 0.2mpg
Urban Cycle	18.8mpg	17.6mpg	+ 1.2mpg
Combined	23.7mpg	23.0mpg	+ 0.7mpg
CO2Emissions	227g/km	237g/km	- 10g/km

2011 Chevrolet Corvette Jake Edition

2011 Chevrolet Corvette Edition Jake present at SEMA 2010. The Jake Edition Chevrolet Corvette is a Grand Sport coupe designed around Corvette Racing’s skull mascot, known as Jake.

With its inmistakable matte Jake hood graphic known from the famous GT1 model, the custom Corvette makes an immediate visual statement, while its sleek set of Z06 wheels with Competition Gray finish and other exclusive accessories round out uniquely the supersports machine’s masculine visual impact.

At the interior the 2011 Chevrolet Corvette Jake Edition received automaker's Accessory kit, with racing pedals, logoed floor matts and console lid, plus ebony leather and titanium stitching.

Under the hood of the new 2011 Chevrolet Corvette Jake finds Edition 6.2-liter LS3 V8 engine connected to a transmission Tremec TR6060 6-speed manual.




Press Release

2011 CHEVROLET CORVETTE JAKE EDITION CONCEPT

He started off as a discreet logo in 2005 that symbolized a tenacious attitude of the Corvette Racing team and ever since, the skull mascot known as Jake has grown to embody the determination and triumphs of the team. Now, Chevrolet designers have created the Corvette Jake Edition Concept, a special Grand Sport convertible concept vehicle that celebrates Corvette’s racing spirit.

The Corvette Jake Edition is a Grand Sport Coupe, with Z06 wheels featuring the Competition Gray finish. The matte Jake hood graphic from the GT1

commemorative model adds a subtle visual statement, while a host of other accessories round out the car’s unique appearance. Most of the parts added to this special Grand Sport are available today as Genuine Corvette Accessories or through any Chevrolet dealer’s parts department.

“Jake is more than the mascot for Corvette Racing, he personifies the Corvette spirit,” said Dave Ross, design manager. “We designed this concept to demonstrate how any enthusiast could create his own Jake special model with parts available from any Chevrolet dealership.”

Some of the accessories used to create the Corvette Jake concept are not currently available, but are planned for future release, including Jake-logo floor mats, console lid, wheel center caps and more. Other parts, including the hood graphic and Z06 wheels, are offered as Genuine Corvette Accessories.

“The Corvette has long inspired car enthusiasts to personalize it. The Jake concept shows one very unique way to do it,” said Ross. “With the great variety of accessories and other parts available, there’s virtually no limit to how you can make your Corvette stand apart from all others.”

VEHICLE HIGHLIGHTS

Exterior:

Black color
Corvette Z06 wheels in Competition Gray
“Corvette”-logo windshield header graphic (concept)
GT1 Championship Edition Jake-logo hood graphic
Jake-logo wheel center caps (future)
Jake-logo fender badge (concept)
Jake-logo underhood blanket and lighting package (future)
Chevrolet Accessory full-width rear spoiler in Cyber Gray

Interior:

Ebony leather with titanium stitching and red accents on the seats
Chevrolet Accessory interior trim kit
Chevrolet Accessory racing pedal kit
Chevrolet Accessory “Jake” floor mats (future)
Chevrolet Accessory “Jake” console lid (future)

Performance:

LS3 6.2L V-8 with Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual transmission
Chevrolet Accessory Tech-pattern engine cover

Corvette Z06 By Romeo Ferraris

The Italian tuner Romeo Ferraris released a mod pack for Chevrolet Corvette Z06 which aims to place it above the ZR1 model.

Chevrolet Corvette Z06 received by Romeo Ferrari’s compressor and the power of the powerful 677PS and 823Nm LS7 jumped 7.0 torque. The Vortech kit features – a centrifugal compressor, an air-to-air intercooler and aluminum high-flow injectors. In addition, the car got a new sports exhaust system.

The Romeo Ferraris Z06 needs 3.3 seconds to cover the 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) sprint and hits 124 mph (200 km/h) in under 10 seconds. If the driver keeps on playing, the game reaches 211 mph (340 km/h).

They’ve also fitted the car with 19-inch wheels at front and 20-inch at the back, with bigger brakes inside them, 6-piston caliper and 380mm discs at front – 4-piston and 340mm discs a the back.

Romeo Ferraris also provides a new interior finish to add a European touch to this American muscle car. That includes an in-house "Commando" sport steering wheel by Romeo Ferraris, Recaro Sportster seats and leather touches to replace outgoing plastic moldings.

2011 Hennessey HPE700 Camaro Convertible

The 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible is getting ready to make its world debut at the 2010 L.A. Auto Show. The car features a CarbonAero body kit like the previous HPE700 coupe, which includes a front splitter, a rear diffuser and revised side skirts, ), a painted hockey stick side strip, and 20″ alloy wheels fitted with Pirelli P-Zero tires...

Power comes from a Corvette ZR1-sourced LS9 engine which has been outfitted with cold air induction system, upgraded pulleys, and high-flow fuel injectors. Thanks to these modifications, the 6.2-liter V8 produces 755 hp (563 kW / 765 PS) and 763 lb-ft (1,033 Nm) of torque - an increase of 117 hp (87 kW / 119 PS) and 159 lb-ft (215 Nm). This enables the coupe (convertible figures are still pending) to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 3.3 seconds and run the quarter mile in 10.9 seconds at 130 mph.

The cars are fitted with a KW adjustable coil-over suspension, larger stabilizer bars, HPE rims, Pirelli P Zero performance tires, Brembo brakes with six-piston front calipers, stainless-steel tube headers, a blue-painted hockey stripe, Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel and a carbon-fiber aero body kit.

The 2011 HPE700 LS9 Camaro will be limited to just 24 units, with no set allocation between coupe and convertible. Pricing for the complete HPE700 upgrade, including the base vehicle, is $ 132,500 and can be ordered directly through HPE or one of Hennessey’s authorized Chevrolet dealers in the US.




Press Release

The 755HP 2011 HPE700 LS9 Camaro

Limited Edition: Only 24 to be Built for 2011 Model Year
Now Available in Hardtop and Convertible

Power:
755 bhp @ 6,400 rpm
763 lb-ft Torque @ 3,200 rpm

Performance (Hardtop):

• 0 - 60 mph: 3.3 sec*
• 1/4 mile: 10.9 @ 130 mph*
• Skidpad: 1.01 g
• 60 - 0 mph braking: 104 ft.

* with optional Nitto Drag Radial tires

Camaro HPE700 Package Includes:

• Base 2011 Camaro SS with 6-speed Manual Transmission (convertible or hardtop)
• LS9 6.2L Supercharged Engine with Intercooler
• HPE Cold Air Induction
• Supercharger Pulley Upgrade
• High-Flow Fuel Injectors
• Fuel System Upgrade
• Intercooler System Upgrade
• CarbonAeroTM Bodywork: Front Splitter, Rear Bumper Diffuser & Side Rocker Panels
• Long Tube Stainless Steel Headers
• HPE Extreme Duty Clutch & Flywheel Upgrade
• HPE Race Shift Knob and Short Throw Shifter Upgrade
• HPE Light Weight Alloy Wheels
• 20 x 11 inch (rear); 20 x 9.5 inch (front)
• Pirelli P-Zero Tires, 275/35-YR20 (front); 305/35-YR20 (rear)
• Brembo Front Brake Upgrade: 6-Piston Calipers with Light Weight 15 inch Cross-Drilled Rotors
• Brembo Rear Brake Upgrade: 4-Piston Calipers with 15 inch Light Weight Rotors
• KW / HPE Variant 3 Adjustable Coil-Over Suspension Upgrade
• KW / HPE Front & Rear Sway Bar Upgrades
• Painted Hockey Stick Side Stripe with LS9 logo
• Hennessey Embroidered Head Rests & Floor Mats
• Limited Edition HPE700 Dash Plaque & Hood Plaque
• HPE700 & Hennessey Logos Painted on Rear Deck Lid
• Hennessey Letter of Authenticity
• HPE700 buyers will also receive a 1-day performance driving course at Lonestar Motorsports Park - a 1/4 mile dragstrip facility located adjacent to Hennessey's 30,000 square foot production facility

and showroom.

Production version of Chevrolet Aveo RS Revealed

Chevrolet has unveiled the first images and details for the 2012 Aveo.

The new Chevrolet Aveo include the aggressive looking front with its exposed twin-headlamps and dual port grille, compact taut body panels with a rising shoulder line and short rear overhangs, the ‘hidden’ rear door handles which now feature in the c-pillar and a ‘body in, wheels out’ profile which is now very much part of the new Chevrolet design language.

The Chevrolet Aveo will be powered by from a variety of engines, which ranged from a 1.2-liter four-cylinder engine (70 horsepower production) to a 1.6-liter gasoline four-cylinder engine (115 horsepower). And lastly, the 138-hp, 1.4-liter turbocharged Ecotec four-cylinder engine, which will appear in the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze as well.

Inside, the cabin features a motorcycle-inspired instrument cluster (likely from the Spark), blue accent lighting, a wrap-around dashboard, and audio systems with USB / Bluetooth connectivity. Thanks to a longer and wider chassis, interior room is now among the best in its class.

Full details and pricing will be released closer to the launch date, which will be sometime next year. There will also be an Aveo sedan, as there is now, though for the Paris show, Chevy is showing only the five-door hatchback model.

Source: Chevrolet




Press Release

• Full production Aveo world debuts at Paris Motor Show
• Dynamic design stays true to show car concept
• New Aveo to be launched in summer 2011
• Comprehensive engine line-up includes 1.3 liter diesel engine and 6-speed transmissions
• Aveo is one of four Chevrolet world premieres at the Paris Motor Show

There is no shortage of world firsts for Chevrolet at the forthcoming Paris Motor Show, and joining the Orlando MPV and Cruze hatchback show car will be the eagerly awaited Chevrolet Aveo 5-door, which like the Orlando makes its world production debut.

The Aveo RS show car was displayed at the Detroit and Geneva motor shows earlier in 2010, and with the final production-ready model, Chevrolet has a car that looks every bit as good as the earlier concept.

Entering the highly competitive global small car segment, striking design elements of the new Chevrolet Aveo include the aggressive looking front with its exposed twin-headlamps and dual port grille, compact taut body panels with a rising shoulder line and short rear overhangs, the 'hidden' rear door handles which now feature in the c-pillar and a 'body in, wheels out' profile which is now very much part of the new Chevrolet design language.

Reminiscent of the recently introduced Spark, the new Aveo is unquestionably a car that will appeal to younger customers with its sporty hot-hatch look. A four-door sedan variant will launch alongside the hatch next summer. Both hatch and sedan are practical small cars with good interior space and Chevrolet expects the new Aveo also to appeal to families, for whom the current model has been a popular purchase.

The new Chevrolet Aveo has benefited from an extensive development program, resulting in a small car that will meet European drivers’ tastes both in terms of design and dynamics. Final specifications of the new Aveo will be carefully tailored to each European market.

Wayne Brannon, president and managing director of Chevrolet Europe says: "It's just such an exciting time to be at Chevrolet; not only do we have new entries into the MPV and compact classes, in Aveo we have a car which is ready to compete against the best in the small car segment, which is also Europe's largest segment."

The new Aveo is longer and wider than the current model, giving it a spacious interior and cargo volume that is among best in class. The interior design perhaps holds even more surprises than the outside, in particular the motorcycle-inspired instrument binnacle which features an analogue tachometer combined with a digital speedo and warning lights.

Up-market blue backlighting features on the center console while the whole of the front cabin is enveloped in a wrap-round fascia. This can be color-coded and flows from the dash into both the driver's and front passenger’s doors. Aveo customers will appreciate the quality materials used in the interior as well as multiple storage spaces in the center stack and the modern audio system with USB, aux-in and Bluetooth functionality.

Reflecting the little Chevrolet’s sporty personality, Aveo has been engineered to provide involving handling, a characteristic which stems partly from its tight body frame integral (BFI) structure where high torsional rigidity has been achieved - among the stiffest in the small car segment.

The new Aveo's chassis has been fine tuned to satisfy European tastes with a ride and handling ratio that combines comfort with responsiveness. Electronic power steering (EPS), Electronic stability control (ESC) and ABS brakes will be standard.

A comprehensive range of four cylinder petrol and diesel engines will be available in the new Chevrolet Aveo, incorporating the latest technologies such as variable valve timing, double continuous variable cam phasing and common rail fuel injection for the diesels.

The petrol engine range includes two 1.2 liter versions (at 70 hp and at 86hp), a 1.4 liter unit (100 hp) and a 1.6 liter (115hp). For the first time, Aveo will be offered with two versions of a 1.3 liter diesel engine (at 75 hp and at 95 hp) featuring Start/Stop technology.

Chevrolet's first 6-speed automatic transmission on a small car will feature on the Aveo 1.4 and 1.6 as an option in most markets; manual transmissions are of 5 or 6 speed depending on engine choice.