The 2008 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible
This is probably my first featured Chevrolet car in weeks that’s why I would spend sometime getting into the tasty details. Basically, I was busy doing lots of things that have something to do with my Chevrolet business while at the same time looking for a place where I can spend a few days on vacation. Moving on, the featured Chevy car for this post is the 2008 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible. Basically it is a buxom and sporty ride that you wouldn’t miss if you see it on the road. This car was introduced by my good friend a couple of weeks ago in one car show and needless to say, I fell in love with it immediately.
So what’s with the 2008 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible? When it comes to the engine, it features a 6.2 liter LS3 small block V-8 while boasting a massive 430 hp. Let me put it this way, this car is not only fast it was also designed to be very powerful as well. Aside from that, this road devil is also capable of producing as much as 436 horses and 428 lb-ft torque force. Hence, it is no wonder that this super car can race up to 190 mph while accelerating from 0-60 mph in just 4.3 seconds. Needless to say, this car can get you off your seat in a jiffy. Honestly, I’ve never tried being behind its steering wheel but if given a chance, I’m more than willing to do it.
After the engine, the Chevrolet Corvette Convertible also has impressive driving dynamics that even the average driver and car owner can appreciate. It has a hydrofoamed steel rail backbone structure that provides excellent maneuverability and aerodynamic capacity. In short, if you’re in love with power and speed, this car has them both. As far as the aesthetics is concerned, this car has a power-operated soft-top that can be raised or lowered depending on the driver. Its fine contours and lines also make this car visually attractive to just about anyone.
Meanwhile, the interior of the car is anything but second-class. When I first saw this car’s interior in one car show, I knew for certain that this one was made with high-quality materials crafted by the best hands in the business. Moreover, the car has fender forms and exposed headlamps with a smooth grille creating a sophisticated look that every car owner would love for his or her car. Of course, the car manufacturers didn’t want to leave anything when it comes to creature comforts. It has a standard AM/FM radio and CD player although it can be customized to fit the car owner. Well, if that’s still not enough, the 2008 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible is only pegged around 53,510 USD which I think is a fairly decent amount considering how much you’re going to get from it.
2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Daytona 500 Pace Car
I was totally blown away when I first saw the 2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Daytona 500 Pace Car for the first time. Although the release of this car dates back from 2006, I only had glimpse of this online and through magazines. Last week, I had the chance to see this when I attended a friend’s party. The guy who brought this beauty totally knows a lot about cars and yes, he’s also a huge fan of Chevrolet autos.
The Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Daytona 500 Pace Car is the fastest auto that has ever been created by General Motors even until now, although I believe another concept car is underway that is faster. Meanwhile, it boasts a 505 hp from its 7.0 liter engine and as far as acceleration is concerned, it gets to 60 mph in only about 3.7 seconds while its top speed reaches a maximum of 198 mph. Stats wise, this one is good enough to be part of the super car category needless to say. If you have any heart ailments, being at the helm of its steering wheel may not be a very bright idea.
This car also uses very light materials while having fine contours and lines that are extremely attractive to the eyes. I asked the guy who brought this what he felt driving this one and he told me that since this is his first super car, the feeling is unexplainable. He didn’t tell me the price though even if I was asking him repeatedly. All I can say is that, the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Daytona 500 Pace Car is a good choice if you want supreme power and performance from your auto.
On the Verge
This is a follow to my post earlier this week about my probable appointment in Europe and before you guys start guessing which country, it’s high time that you guys should know about it already: Russia. Yes, that’s right admittedly I have never been there but staying there for 10 months sans my family, friends and Chevrolet cars? I guess that’s quite an ordeal isn’t it? To tell you honestly I have been having a very difficult time deciding ever since my boss told me that I got the job. Don’t get me wrong because I love the opportunity to travel but when I say travel that should only last for several days and not 10 freaking months!
After a not so mild conversation with my mom and dad, I’ve finally concluded that I will not be going anywhere much to the delight of my friends and to the disappointment of my boss. I’ve weighed my options very well, I know Russia is a foreign country and that being in a different culture is something that I’ve always wanted and most people would lose a limb just to be in my position. But after asking several senior members of my company about the offer, everyone told me not to accept it. Why? Because I will be there to work as an employee of my company and not as a tourist that is something that is farthest from my mind right now. There enough said, I can’t wait to get back to my daily routine and plan a trip to Cambodia a month from now. Ciao for now.
Decisions, errrrr Decisions
I will be leaving for Europe since I will be sent there by my company for a 10-month stay. Although things are not final yet, I am looking forward to my appointment there since this will be the first time in 5 years that I will be leaving mainland USA. That’s the reason why I wasn’t able to blog (again) for several days, I have been busy fixing some paperwork and thinking whether I should accept the offer or not.
Although I will be leaving behind my dog, mother and brother and my start-up Chevrolet car business, the whole fracas is somewhat unnerving. My car business is doing extremely well and I can even project that in three months time, I can afford to resign from my day job and do what I love the most for the rest of my life: being surrounded by Chevrolet cars everyday. Meanwhile, before I get too sentimental, here’s what I found over the internet when I was browsing for auto news.
General Motors vice president for sales and marketing Jonathan Browning recently announced that Chevrolet has what it takes to rival Opel in Europe. The good thing is that Chevrolet’s growth is seen in the huge Eastern and European market where cheap and economical cars are very attractive.
Meanwhile, the Russians have now become the biggest fans of Chevrolet cars since Russia recently became its largest European market. So there, this was simply an excerpt from the whole article and I ever land a job in Europe, I will certainly ask for a Chevrolet car from my company.
I know it’s going to be a tough decision since I have no idea what’s in store for me when I get there but as my Dad always reminded me “you gotta do what you gotta do”. So there, I will keep you guys posted and even if I end up in Europe sometime next week, I will make sure that the blogs about Chevrolet will keep on coming
Chevy Sales Hit All-Time High
The Chevrolet main office announced that it reached new highs with regard to new Chevrolet models that were sold in 2007 reaching
The executives from the car manufacturing giant disclosed that the New Captiva SUV was largely responsible for the increased sales in
I know most of you wouldn’t care about this news but this just shows you the marketing strategy that was employed in order to attain this number. So there, I’ll keep you guys posted for another batch of everything that has something to do with Chevrolet.
Blogging Once Again For a New Chevy
After being in a state of hiatus for almost three months, I would like to say that I’m back with a vengeance, well I hope so. I had to make lots of Chevy deals from November of 2007 to January of this year that’s why I almost forgot that my online writing escapade has been taken for granted already. Needless to say I gorge on the latest Chevy news that’s available out there, so here I am sharing with something that I found particularly interesting while I was browsing the web.
There’s a new Chevy brand that will hit the road soon and if you’re as fanatic as I am then you might want to check out the “New Chevrolet Epica”. The epica saloon will be out in the market sometime in April 2008 but that does not prevent me from getting really excited from having my hands on its steering wheel. Aside from considering the Chevy as my second pet after my dog, like what I said earlier I earn money dealing these awesome automobiles.
Going back to what I was saying, the epica saloon would surprise you not because of how expensive it is but because of its relative affordability. With a price tag of not more than 14 thousand pounds, this vehicle is a great deal for those who plan to bring their family or just a bunch of friends with them. In terms of dimensions, it’s about 4,805 mm long with a 2.0 liter 150PS cylinder engine, not bad huh?
Moreover, this new Chevy car variety will be available in LS and LT types. Both the LS and LT are equipped with an air conditioning system, cruise control-enabled, automatic front/rear windows, a CD player with stereo that comes with a remote control, fog lamps, wheels made out of alloy, curtain bags and adjustable mirrors.
I have to admit that I was totally impressed with the features that the new epica has. I’m all about practicality and functionality that’s why when I saw this new car model it definitely passed the criteria that I was looking for. Meanwhile, the LS model type comes in at a much higher price at almost 15 grand.
There’s no denying that Chevrolet pulled off another stellar market launch that will serve as a precedent to its competitors with its New Chevrolet Epica. Once again, it only proves that it is one of leaders when it comes to economical and high performance automobiles.
Volt Blogger Gets Attention From GM Executives
A blogger named Lyle J. Dennis developed his won Chevrolet Volt website. This website has attracted so many followers that it definitely got the attention of even the top executives of General Motors.
The website, entitled GM-Volt.com was created by Dennis earlier this year. Due to his website’s growing popularity, Dennis was able to establish a direct line with the people behind the Volt. At the Lost Angeles auto show, top GM executives like Tony Posawatz, head of engineering for the Volt, and Denise Gray, director of advanced battery systems at GM sat down with Dennis for the latest news on the development of the Volt.
The website was launched after the Volt’s debut at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this year earlier this year. The volt is a vehicle powered only by batteries charged by a gasoline or an E85 engine. The system is what GM calls E-Flex and according to GM, the Volt will be developed to achieve 640 miles on a tank of gas. Just recently, Bob Lutz announced that the company is currently testing safe and reliable batteries that will power the Chevrolet Volt and that it will hopefully be ready by 2010.
Chevrolet Vehicles May Be Assembled in Malaysia
The Malaysian unit of General Motors which is the General Motors Asia Pacific LLC, which signed in August a memorandum of understanding with DRB-HICOM Bhd to form HICOM-Chevrolet Sdn Bhd, may finally assemble Chevrolet Models in Malaysia.
According to HICOM-Chevrolet managing director-designate Yukontorn Wisadkosin, the company is still considering this and that there is no final decision yet.
Wisadkosin says, “Chevrolet models will continue to be assembled in Thailand and GM will rely on the Asean Free Trade Area (Afta), which under the Common Effective Preferential Tariff will see import duties reduced to between zero and 5% from Jan 1 for vehicles assembled in Asean.” She also added that the turning around of the Chevrolet brand in the country is part of GM’s global strategy in identifying 11 emerging markets, of which three are in South-East Asia, including Malaysia, acknowledging the fact that Chevrolet has faced a series of problems in sales due to certain factors like a shortage in spare parts supply, quality perception and tough operating environment.
She also further emphasized that the groundwork for the turnaround is already being prepared. This groundwork includes strengthening the dealers’ network, ensuring the smooth supply of spare parts and reinforcing after-sales service through a sales, service and spare parts center. With this turnaround, the company will hopefully schedule the launch of the Chevrolet Captiva before the year ends.
“Apart from fuel economy, the Captiva is functional and stylish, its seven-seat capacity will allow us to play up against our competitors, which in Malaysia would be the Honda CRV, and the pricing range would be competitive against it. Aside from the Captiva, three or four other models would be launched in the next six months in the compact-car range. What we’ll be offering will be something in the range of the Honda City or Toyota Vios,” said Wisadkosin.
Meanwhile, General Motors Asia Pacific president Stephen K. Carlisle stated the even though there have been problems of GM in Malaysia, all the economic fundamentals are present in this country. “If you want to have a presence in South-East Asia, you have to be here. And while there is a unique set of difficulties operating here, we’ve reinforced some areas that we know are important.”
Carlisle also said that GM is hopeful that it will reach sales of at least 5, 500 units in the long run.
Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid – 2008 Green Car of the Year
General Motor’s Chevrolet Tahoe has achieved one of the highest honors in the automotive industry today when it comes to environmentally friendly cars. It has been named as the Green Car Journal’s 2008 Green Car of the Year(R). The award was given at a press conference at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
Ron Cogan, Green Car Journal editor and publisher says, “This is a milestone in many respects. People don’t think ‘green’ when SUVs are concerned, and for generally good reason since SUVs often get poor fuel economy compared to most other vehicles. Chevrolet’s Tahoe Hybrid changes this dynamic with a fuel efficiency improvement of up to 30 percent compared to similar vehicles equipped with a standard V-8.”
EPA’s 2008 estimated fuel economy ratings showed that Chevrolet has excelled far better when it comes to city driving. In city driving,, the 6.0-liter two-mode hybrid Tahoe is able to achieve 50 percent improvement in fuel economy compared to a Tahoe powered by a standard 5.3-liter V-8. Moreover, the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid has the same mpg city fuel efficiency rating as the city EPA rating for the four-cylinder Toyota Camry sedan.
Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager says, “We’re thrilled to receive this recognition from Green Car Journal for our Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid. We’ve felt that the Tahoe Hybrid represents the best of both worlds — the great utility you’d expect from a Tahoe with fuel economy on par with today’s mid-size cars. It’s satisfying to receive this validation from such an authority on environmentally-friendly vehicles.”
Carl Pope, executive director of the Sierra Clubs said that GM promised they would use hybrid technology, and use it where it would make the most difference on their biggest vehicles. Pope said that GM has delivered with the Chevy Tahoe.
The Tahoe Hybrid is the industry’s first application of hybrid technology in a full-size SUV since most of the hybrid V6 and 8 engines are only offered in mid-size or smaller vehicles. Developing the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid with a smaller engine posed a different challenge since it was difficult to achieve an increase in fuel economy with such a large vehicle that has also other heavy duty purposes like towing and hauling.
Cogan also says, “The importance of GM’s accomplishment can’t be overstated. For years, consumers have been buying SUVs in increasing numbers because of their functionality, making them the number one class of vehicle on the market. The problem has been obvious: With larger vehicles generally comes poorer fuel economy because of greater size and curb weight. An ‘equalizer’ has been needed … and the two-mode hybrid system in the Tahoe is clearly that equalizer.”
The Chevrolet Tahoe emerged as the winner after garnering the majority of the votes of a high profile jury composed of environmental and industry leaders and four Green Car Journal editors. The jurors were Carroll Shelby, Jay Leno, Carl Pope (Sierra Club), Christopher Flavin (Worldwatch Institute), Jonathan Lash (World Resources Institute), and Jean-Michel Cousteau (Ocean Futures Society).
The other final nominees included the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid, Mazda Tribute Hybrid, Nissan Altima Hybrid, and the Saturn Aura Hybrid. Among the requirement for the finalists to make it to the cut include being on sale and widely available to the public by Jan. 1, 2008, newness, production volume and the likelihood a vehicle’s environmentally-focused technologies to further be implemented in other vehicles in the near future.
Chevrolet Captiva To Enter The Indian Market
According to recent reports, it looks like General Motors has a huge possibility of launching its SUV, the Chevrolet Captiva in the Indian market by January of 2008.
The Chevrolet Captiva would be available in a seven-seat layout variant. It is also likely o be imported in the Indian market in cooperated with GM’s collaboration in Korea. In Korea, the Chevrolet Captiva is sold under the name Daewoo Winstrom.
The Chevrolet Captiva will be major rival of the Honda CR-V and the upcoming Hyundai Santa Fe model in the Indian market.
“The homologation requirements for the Captiva have been completed, but we are yet to finalize the price,” says Karl Slym, President and Managing Director of GM India spoke on their plans to bring Captiva in India.
The launch for the Chevrolet Captiva in India will probably at the Auto Expo 2008.
