2010 Chevrolet Equinox AWD 2LT

The Chevrolet Equinox is the car that ushered in the era of the utilitarian Crossover at General Motors, so it is only appropriate that the new model come equipped with certain features that make for a very functional automobile with standard features like a 6 speed automatic transmission, direct injected gasoline engines, XM satellite radio, an iPod input jack, power everything and OnStar roadside assistance. However there is more to the crossover segment than reliability, these are the cars that will take families down the street to soccer practice and across the country to Disney World, so they need to be comfortable, attractive and engaging; especially for the back seat passengers.

Our well equipped 2010 Chevrolet Equinox AWD 2LT also came with some of the more desirable features being offered by GM, like the back up camera with park assist, power tailgate, Vehicle Interface Package that includes Bluetooth, the Chrome Exterior Appearance Package to dress up the outside, the Cargo Management Package that makes storage a snap in the back of the truck and the Rear Seat Entertainment System that includes some of the best designed backrest monitors on any new car today. However our personal favorite was the 18 inch machined aluminum wheels, Chevrolet offers rims as big as 19 inches in diameter, but we didn’t want to be too flashy. Of course, because we are Top Speed, Chevy made sure we tested the 3.0 Liter direct injected V6 that makes 264 HP and 222 lb-ft of torque version that is still able to get 17 MPG in the city and 24 MPG on the highway.

First Drive: 2010 Chevrolet Equinox

Corvette C7 put on hold

The new 35-mpg CAFE laws due to come into effect in 2020 has lots of effects all over the auto industry. And how automakers do not know what they would do to put this laws into reality, they start putting future project on hold. GM, for example, announced that the future C7, and also the RWD Impala are on hold.

GM had big plans for the C7. First they said it will be an evolution of the current V-8-powered, rear-drive layout; then an all-new mid-engine design; and finally a car based around the smaller, lighter Kappa component set. But at the Detroit Auto Show, the company said that "a regular LS2-powered Corvette with a 300-pound weight reduction would deliver the same performance as a 505-horsepower Z06. "

This means that GM will focus on reducing weight in its future Corvette and not on increasing the power.

Chevrolet Volt might not come in 2010

Everyone hopes that the Volt will be launched in 2010. Including GM. But there are big possibilities for this not to happen. Reason? Battery! GM is still making big efforst to develop the technology required to produce a battery-powered car for the masses. "We continue to put massive resources into production as soon as possible."

"2010 would be great, but (we) can’t guarantee that at this time. We’ll keep you posted regularly on our progress."

Whether the Volt becomes reality hinges on GM’s ability to develop a lithium-ion battery capable of powering a mass-market car. A battery would drive the Volt’s powertrain, and an onboard fueling system would recharge the battery while on the road. GM is working on a fueling system, which would be called E-Flex, that could run on gasoline, diesel fuel and hydrogen fuel cells.

Chevrolet will get rear-drive BMW-fighter, not Pontiac

Previous rumors said that the GM’s small rear-drive Alpha platform will be used by Pontiac to build a BMW fighter, but according to Motor Trend, the ones who will benefit from the rear-drive BMW-fighter will be Chevrolet.

The Alpha platform is used for models like sub-CTS-size Cadillac, crucial to the brand’s European offensive, but GM needs to build a volume car off the platform to make it pay off, and the car will be a Chevy sedan.

Also, starting 2013, the Solstice and the Saturn Sky will be moved from Kappa to Alpha. Motor Trend also says that GM might shorten the Alpha platform to serve a two-seat sports car.

2008 Chevrolet CR8

GM Holden has teamed up with Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) to expand its range of exported vehicles to the Middle East. The new export program, launched overnight in the Middle East, will see a version of HSV’s popular E Series ClubSport R8 model exported in LHD form and badged under the Chevrolet Special Vehicles logo.

The new high performance model will be known as CR8. It features the LS2 6.0-litre engine Generation IV V8 engine delivering 307kw of peak performance with 550 Nm* of torque. With over 200,000 Holden-sourced short and long wheel based vehicles sold into the region since 1998, the Middle East has been Holden’s biggest and most enduring volume export market.

Currently Holden currently exports variants of the VE and WM sedan ranges which are sold in the region as Chevrolet Lumina and Chevrolet Caprice respectively. The Chevrolet Lumina ranges from the LS model (based on the VE Omega) up to the sports-based SS (based on the equivalent Commodore SS model).

Alan Batey, GM Holden Executive Director – Sales and Marketing comments, “This extension of our product range in the region illustrates the growing maturity of the Middle East market. “Holden has been able to partner its expertise in tailoring vehicles for the Middle East with the high performance expertise of HSV to deliver a vehicle that will deliver a great driving experience.

“Local buyers appreciate the luxury brands but also seek great performance and handling from their vehicles. Both the Lumina and Caprice deliver that combination and with the introduction of the CR8, consumers will be offered another exciting option.”

Scott Grant, Managing Director of HSV, said “This announcement adds another important export market to the HSV portfolio, on top of our successful program with Vauxhall in the UK and long standing presence in New Zealand. “HSV is already well known brand among car enthusiasts in the Middle East, many of whom are fans of the Aussie high performance cars and our racing activities.

“We have also been involved in the region through supply and preparation of 20 Clubsport R VZ models for the Lumina CSV Championship which is run by the Bahrain International Race Circuit and sponsored by Chevrolet.

“The initial response from dealers has been exceptional with the CR8 being praised for its aggressive stance, excellent acceleration and handling.”

Exports represent an increasingly important part of GM Holden’s current business model with total export sales for 2006 reaching 46,074. Of those, over 31,000 were for the Middle East in what was a record export year to the region for GM Holden. Earlier this year, Chevrolet Caprice received its second major award in the Middle East as it was named Best Executive Sedan by Middle East Car magazine. In late 2006, it was announced as Luxury Car of the Year by Middle East Autocar magazine.

The launch of the new export program is timed to coincide with the Desert 400 V8 Supercar round in Bahrain this weekend where the CSV logo will feature prominently on Todd Kelly’s Chevrolet branded Holden Racing Team car.

The new CR8 will also be on display at a CSV stand at the forthcoming Dubai Motor Show from 14-18 November. Source: Internal

Chevrolet Silverado HD Crew Z71

Taking cues from Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s “Big Red” Silverado that debuted at SEMA in 2006, the ’08 Silverado HD Crew Z71 Big Red demonstrates how that expressive concept’s unique features would look with production-type components. It combines numerous GM Accessories inspired by Earnhardt’s Big Red and features additional custom touches.

It also supposes the popular Z71 off-road package on the Silverado 2500HD – a model not offered by the factory. It’s powered by the 6.6L Duramax turbo-diesel V-8 and a six-speed Allison transmission.

Vehicle highlights:

• Silverado 2500HD Crew Cab 4x4
• Z71 grille and bumper; underbody protection
• Z71 badging on floor mats, sill plates and instrument cluster
• 6.6L Duramax diesel with Allison six-speed automatic transmission
• “Earnhardt Red” exterior color
• Lifted ride height
• Rancho shocks
• Ballistic nylon seat material

GM Accessories features (production and concept):

• 20 x 35-inch wheel-and-tire package (concept)
• Box storage management system
• Portable DVD player system
• Integrated loading ramp running boards
• Chrome door and tow hooks
• Light bar integrated in GMA box rail
• Fuel door (concept)
• Bed rug
• Two-way remote start
• HD billet grille
• Hood louvers
• Rear wheelhouse liners

Corvette: not just America’s sports car

Chevrolet has long called the Corvette “America’s Sports Car,” but that doesn’t satisfy State Represntative C. B. Embry of Kentucky. He wants the Corvette named the state’s “official sports car.” After all, they build them in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Rep. Embry has introduced legislation before the General Assembly in Kentucky to make that proposal a reality.
Of course, it’s a touchy topic. Not only does GM make the Corvette in Kentucky, but Ford also makes Explorers and Super Duty pick up trucks in the state.
And Toyota build Camry’s there, too. Embry responds that he’s not trying to make Corvette the state car, merely the state sports car.

Embry is enjoying himself with his proposal, and he has a point that other legislator should perhaps follow: “Everything we do is not a big earthshaking thing like healthcare or pensions. It is nice to slide in a fun thing from time to time.”

Embry, for the record, is a Republican serving his third term in the Assembly.