2013 Chevy Equinox

Check out the 2013 Chevy Equinox! With an EPA-estimated 32 MPG highway, it's a great car for the road ahead.

Chevy Spark tops sales projections in first 12 months

 

For a company that profits heavily from fullsize trucks and SUVs, Chevrolet has a surprisingly big hit on its hands with its smallest offering, the Spark. Automotive News is reporting that in its first 12 months in the US, the microcar has amassed 26,869 sales, which is 35 percent higher than the automaker originally estimated for the hatchback. The Spark has been on sale in other global markets since 2009, and Chevy has sold more than 720,000 units worldwide since its introduction.
Through May, the Korean-built Spark has sold a little more than 14,000 units putting it closer to the success of the Fiat 500 (17,562) rather than the low numbers from the Smart Fortwo (3,678) and Scion iQ (1,919). More importantly, its transaction price is the lowest in its segment (and presumably, the industry) with cars going for $14,563 on average, helping to bring new, younger customers to the Chevy brand. As for its sophomore year here in the US, there are a couple notable changes in store. First, the all-electric Spark EV will be joining the lineup, while Techno Pink paint will be dropped in favor of a new purple hue called Grape Ice.

*Courtesy of AutoBlog

Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel Delivers Classic Muscle Car Torque

Imagine quick off-the-line acceleration reminiscent of a classic muscle car combined with the efficiency of a fuel-sipping compact sedan. Dream on? Believe it. The all-new 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel uses a turbocharging feature called “overboost,” but still gets the best highway fuel economy of any non-hybrid passenger car in America.

Cruze Diesel’s turbocharged 2.0L engine delivers a segment-leading SAE-certified 151 horsepower (113 kW) and 264 lb-ft of torque (358 Nm), but overboost can increase torque to 280 lb-ft (380 Nm) for about 10 seconds of stronger acceleration. That’s the equivalent torque delivered by the 1972 Camaro Z28’s heavier 5.7L V8.

Unlike the muscle car era, Cruze Diesel marries that quick burst to a segment-leading EPA-estimated 46 mpg highway, and demonstrated range of 717 miles on one tank of fuel.

“Overboost provides increased performance when the driver demands it, like when passing on the highway,” said Mike Siegrist, GM 2.0L diesel assistant chief engineer. “When the driver leans on the throttle, the turbocharger increases the air and fuel intake over and above what the engine needs for normal torque demand.”

So taking the “muscle” analogy one step further, overboost is to Cruze Diesel as oxidation is to athletes when their muscles use oxygen to break down carbohydrates, fat and protein to produce energy. The more oxygen they take in, the better their performance. Cruze Diesel can sprint from 0 to 60 in about 8.6 seconds – half a second faster than its chief competitor, the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta 2.0L TDI.

Cruze’s 2.0L turbo-diesel provides greater fuel economy than a comparably sized gasoline engine through greater thermal efficiency, a higher compression ratio and an unthrottled combustion process. It features an iron cylinder block and a forged steel crankshaft, each designed to stand up to the greater cylinder pressures that come with a turbo-diesel engine.

A lightweight aluminum cylinder head and aluminum intake manifold contribute to the engine’s ability to deliver balanced ride and handling.

Turbocharging is an increasingly popular choice with automakers and car buyers. According to LMC Automotive, a provider of automotive forecasts, turbo-charged passenger vehicle production in North America is expected to double by 2018, from 14 percent in 2013 to 29 percent, mainly due to increased diesel production, as well as four-cylinder turbo gas engines replacing V6 engines.

“Cruze’s turbo-diesel engine is powerful, efficient and clean,” Siegrist said. “It will change perceptions of what a diesel car can be while giving customers another fuel-efficient choice in the Chevrolet lineup.”

*Courtesy of Chevy News

Excellent Review on DealerRater!

"Very friendly and knowledgeable staff. One of the best car purchasing experiences I've had. Telephone calls were returned promptly with answers to my numerous questions." -Mike D.

See the full review here!

Introducing the 2014 Chevy Spark EV! Check out the Powertrain Animation from Autoblog!

Rapid Prototyping Speeds Updates on 2014 Chevrolet Malibu

When Chevrolet set out to refresh the Malibu’s interior and exterior for 2014, designers used one of the most cost-effective and time-saving methods in its high-tech tool box: rapid prototyping, also known as 3-D printing.

The processes literally grow prototype parts out of powder or liquid resin at a fraction of the cost associated with building tools to make test parts. Selective laser sintering and stereo lithography – the official names of the processes – helped accelerate Malibu’s development and evaluation. Both processes use specialized software, math data and digital lasers, which accomplish in days what would have taken weeks of clay sculpting in the past.

Rapid prototyping enables designers and engineers to quickly see, touch and test versions of individual components and systems in precise one-third scale and full-size models without having to make changes to production tooling, which can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

“When you need to get intricate, fully functional prototype parts quickly, nothing beats rapid prototyping,” said Todd Pawlik, chief engineer, Chevrolet mid- and full-size cars. “Our ability to rapidly fabricate inexpensive prototype parts throughout a vehicle enables key components to get confirmed earlier so that we can go from computer models to production-caliber parts.”

Rapid prototyping proved particularly useful for updates to the new Malibu’s floor console, which now features a pair of integrated smartphone holders for driver and passenger. The new console also weighs less, which helps contribute to the Malibu’s improved fuel economy.
In addition, the Malibu development team used rapid prototyping to:

• Update the center stack trim and evaluate various surface treatments for the console and center stack
• Create a prototype of Malibu’s redesigned front fascia, enabling aerodynamic and climatic wind tunnel testing without expensive production parts.
• Re-sculpt the front seat back panels – located between seat frame and upholstery – for improved rear seat access and passenger comfort. The 2014 model has 1.25 inches more knee room compared to its predecessor.

Here’s how rapid prototyping works:
Selective laser sintering fuses plastic, metal, ceramic or glass powders in cross sections. A laser scans a pattern on the surface of the powder, fusing the particles together into a layer four-thousandths of an inch thick. As each new layer of powder is added, scanned and fused to the previous one, the part gradually takes shape within the 28-inch-cubed reservoir.

Stereo lithography combines photochemistry and laser technology to build parts from liquid photopolymer resins. The parts are also built up in layers as a UV laser traces the section onto the surface of the resin, curing the liquid into a solid as it scans. Because the resin won’t support the parts being formed, a fine lattice-like structure is generated below each part during the manufacturing process.

*Courtesy of GM News

Personalize your dad's Chevy!

Not sure what to get your Dad for Father's Day? How about personalizing his Chevy with some accessories? Check out our accessories tab! Click here! 

Rapid Prototyping Speeds Updates on 2014 Chevrolet Malibu

DETROIT – When Chevrolet set out to refresh the Malibu’s interior and exterior for 2014, designers used one of the most cost-effective and time-saving methods in its high-tech tool box: rapid prototyping, also known as 3-D printing.

Source: http://media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/chevrolet/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2013/Jun/0607-malibu-prototyping.html

$24.99 Air Conditioning Performance and Leak Test Inspection

Are you ready for summer? Check out this coupon for Air Conditioning Performance and Leak Test Inspection for $24.99! http://on.fb.me/YTtJe4

 

Wallpaper Wednesday- 2014 Chevrolet Silverado

It's Wallpaper Wednesday! In honor of the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado's arrival, we thought this would be perfect for your desktop!

2014 Chevrolet SS Priced at $44,470

DETROIT – The suggested retail price for the 2014 Chevrolet SS sports sedan is $44,470, including a $995 destination charge, Chevrolet announced today. Title and license fees are extra. The SS goes on sale in the fourth quarter of 2013.

Source: http://media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/chevrolet/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2013/Jun/0604-ss-pricing1.html

Chevy at the Hangout Music Festival

Chevy has kick started some fun adventures this summer! Check them out at the Hangout Music Festival! Where will you take your Chevy this summer?

Keep your eyes on the road!

No matter where you are, keep in mind that your children are seeing their first and most frequent example of how to become a good driver. Put down the phone and focus! By showing a good example it is an easy way to create aware drivers and reinforce the practice in yourself.

2014 Chevrolet Malibu gets more torque, more room and inspiration from the Impala

The 2014 Chevrolet Malibu, having stared at the Impala across the showroom floor for a year, gets nips and tucks all over inspired by its larger brother. The 2.5-liter four-cylinder in the base car will get a stop-start system and 23 city miles per gallon, 35 highway, each number representing a one-mpg improvement over the 2013 car. Output is 196 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque.

Opt for the 2.0-liter turbo and, while power holds steady at 259 hp, torque goes up by 14 percent to a striking 295 lb-ft (a figure Chevy calls best in the class). The final details include newly programmed transmission shift points and faster shifts, for better engaging and enjoying the added power.

Looks-wise, the grille's been reshaped to be more in line with the new Chevrolet look, a narrower upper grille hovering over a larger lower grille. You can get a look for yourself in our gallery of images, which should also grow substantially over the course of the day, as Chevy releases more pictures.

Inside we find more room for rear seat passengers: an extra 1.25 inches of knee room coming courtesy of shorter bolsters, redesigned front seat backs and new cushioning that puts passengers deeper in the seat. Those up front get a new center console with longer armrests, two cupholders and cell phone receptacles.

Changes to the struts and damping are aimed at an improved ride, the addition of blind spot monitoring and Rear Cross Traffic Alert aimed at improving safety. You can read more about the 2014 version of the Chevy Malibu, in the press release below, before it goes on sale this fall.

Source: autoblog.com