Chevrolet Tamers: Chevrolet’s Driving Program
The “Chevrolet Tamers” program was first introduced in 2006. Because of its huge success that the company is bringing it back this year. Over 2,800 participants aged 18 to 24 will experience these unique driving courses.
Among the lessons that will be learned in the program includes Theory and practice, Emergency braking module, Avoidance module and Precision driving module.
Theory and practice
During the 4-hour course, each participant first learns a few theoretical lessons and then takes part in three technical challenge modules. The goal is to educate young drivers on the appropriate driving techniques in order to help them master the various skills required to better control their vehicle and to prevent the unexpected.
The first module is a classroom session on vehicle tuning and its impact on driving. Participants learn about safe environments where they can legally put their machines — and their guts — to the test. After all, the public road network is not a giant racetrack.
Emergency braking module
Behind the wheel of brand new Chevy cars, drivers are taught how to brake on a wet surface and what exactly is “threshold braking”. None of the cars is equipped with ABS — the automotive reality for young drivers. They realize how hard it is to control a car during emergency braking maneuvers, especially when trying to avoid an obstacle.
Avoidance module
Here, the goal is to sharpen your vision and your reflexes in order to avoid and drive around various obstacles. On a wet track, participants must enter a square at 60 km/h and watch for the stoplights that indicate which way to turn — left or right. At the same time, they must stop their car completely. This goes to show them how much time and distance are required when trying to change lanes in order to avoid another car, a cyclist or an errand basketball.
Precision driving module
On a narrow track, you must remain 100 percent alert and focused not to hit a single orange cone. In order to succeed, developing “long-term vision” is crucial. Indeed, you have to trust your eyes more than your feet while getting used to looking farther ahead than usual.
Chevrolet also picked renowned and season drivers to teach these lessons. Moreover, all the cars on hand were equipped with radio transmitters, enabling her and others to hear the instructors’ comments on each participant.
More on this story on http://www.auto123.com/en/info/news
Customized 2005 Chevy Silverado
John Melvin first shared his work a few months back when his ‘03 Silverado SS was on the cover of Sport Truck. At that time, the truck had a black interior and a new paintjob although interior details were missing.
Recently, John Melvin went the extra mile and airbrushed all of the plastic pieces under the hood silver with a rusted rivet look to match the iron cross on the hood. Everywhere from the valve covers on up was painted by John at his shop, JM Custom Concepts in Laveen, Arizona. Then, the whole kit, painted up and pretty, was expertly installed by Kevin and Scott at Bartling Motorsports in Queen Creek, Arizona.
More of this story on http://www.sporttruck.com
Chevy Equinox: Affordable SUV
The Chevy Equinox is one affordable SUV that offers all the comforts and performance that one would expect from an SUV. Moreover, its price is far less expensive compared to its other popular SUV competitors. It has also all the necessary capabilities for gear and light off-roading.
The Chevy Equinox is an attractive, roomy and comfortable vehicle. It basically has everything one needs in an SUV.
It has the Chevrolet standard 3.4L V6 engine and a smooth 4-speed autobox like all of GM’s transmission.
A Big Move For The Chevy Volt
General Motors recently made a big move toward getting the fuel-cell-powered Chevrolet Volt in the hands of consumers by announcing its plan of reshuffling more than 500 fuel cell experts from advanced development labs to “core engineering functions.”
GM said in a statement that the “transition is aimed at expediting the company’s efforts to produce vehicles that displace petroleum through energy diversity.” The company also added that the staff reassignments are an “important milestone as we move fuel cell vehicles closer to future production.”
More than 400 fuel cell engineers will move from labs to GM’s Powertrain Group to begin production engineering of fuel cell systems, a critical step on the way toward making such vehicles a reality. Another 100 will report to GM’s Global Product Development organization to “start integrating fuel cells into future company vehicles.” More than 150 fuel cell scientists and program support will stay in place at GM’s Research and Development center “to continue advanced research in hydrogen storage, fuel cells and program commercialization,” the company said.
The New Chevrolet Lacetti
The next generation Chevrolet Lacetti will first appear at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Th Ultra WTCC concept,which was used in the development of the new Lacetti, marked the start of Chevrolet’s new design era, with the aim of establishing the brand as a mainstream marque.
Although the spy shots show a four-door, the new Chevrolet Lacetti will be available in three and five-door versions when it hits the UK market later in 2007. Due to limited demand, the saloon won’t feature in the British line-up.
The new Chevrolet Lacetti will use GM engines, including a powerful 2.0-litre diesel. Another exciting feature will be its cutting-edge platform which it will share with Vauxhall’s next-generation Astra.
More of this at http://www.autoexpress.co.uk.
Be Captivated by the Chevrolet Captiva
Chevrolet is about to launch its first soft-roader ever, called the Captiva. This is just the first of the range of smaller models that Chevrolet is going to launch in the next five years.
It has an impressive 2.0-litre diesel engine, which has been developed at Chevrolet’s plant in South Korea with power and torque outputs of 148bhp and 320Nm. The transmission is a five-speed auto with manual override.
The Chevrolet Captiva has also a very flexible and spacious interior which makes it perfect for families that are always on the go.
The Chevrolet Captiva’s standard equipments include Hill descent control, stability control, front foglamps, leather steering wheel and gearknob, cooled glovebox and CD stereo with MP3 input.
It is expected to hit the market on June 24, 2007.
Make Way For The New Chevy Silverado
GM just recently announced two of its most important new vehicles for the next few years.The Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra are the best-selling full-size trucks in the country and more of these vehicles are still coming.
The 2007 Chevy Silverado comes in three cab styles — regular, extended and Crew Cab — and three box lengths — short (5 feet 8 inches), standard (6 feet 6 inches) and long (8 feet).
There are seven different powerplants available for the Silverado, ranging from a 195-hp V-6 to a 367-hp V-8. Five of the six V-8s offered have cylinder deactivation for improved mileage. The top towing capacity will be 10,500 pounds.
Even more impressive than the advanced and economical engines is the much-improved interior. The Silverado LTZ features the same sophisticated dashboard and plush seats as the all-new Chevy Tahoe full-size SUV. That interior is one of the best GM has ever delivered.
Chevrolet Camaro: Transformers’ Movie Car
Every movie fan out there like myself might have heard about the upcoming movie, “Transformers.” And just like you all, I’m so excited!!
Here’s the latest news. Last June 3, the cars that were used in the movie namelely the Chevrolet Camaro and Pontiac Solstice were on diplay at the 2007 MTV Movie Awards in Los Angeles, California.
Many celebrities like Fergie enjoy posing with the Chevrolet Camaro and they surely looked “HAWT!”
GM Awards Advanced Development Battery Contracts For Chevrolet Volt E-Flex System
According to GM’s Press Release:
General Motors has awarded two contracts for advanced development of lithium-ion batteries for its electric drive “E-Flex System.”
GM selected two companies out of the 13 technical proposals it considered to provide advanced lithium batteries for both range-extender electric and fuel cell variants of the E-Flex architecture. The E-Flex electric vehicle architecture underpins the Chevy Volt concept car shown earlier this year and is being developed as part of GM’s strategy to diversify transportation away from petroleum.
One contract will go to lithium-ion battery supplier Compact Power, Inc., based in Troy, Mich. CPI is a subsidiary of Korean battery manufacturer LG Chem. A second contract has been awarded to Frankfurt, Germany-based Continental Automotive Systems, a division of Continental A.G., a tier one automotive supplier that will develop lithium-ion battery packs. GM continues to assess other solutions to quickly bring lithium-ion batteries to production.
“The signing of these battery development contracts is an important next step on the path to bring the Volt closer to reality,” said GM Chairman and CEO, Rick Wagoner. “Given the huge potential that the Volt and its E-Flex system offers to lower oil consumption, lower oil imports, and reduce carbon emissions, this is a top priority program for GM.”
“This technology is developing rapidly,” said Denise Gray, GM director of hybrid energy storage devices. “These contracts are an opportunity to deeply understand the differing battery technologies before making a production decision.”
Read the full version of this at http://jalopnik.com.
Chevy Volt – Coming But Just Not Yet
Despite recent announcements that the new Chevrolet Volt will be released in 2020, Volt Vehicle Chief Engineer Nick Zielinski just announced over the weekend that “we don’t have to rush” when it comes to the Volt production.
According to Zielinski, GM is considering installing a solar panel in the Volt to power fans or provide a small charge to the battery. “We can’t use it to power the motor,” he said. “The amount of energy for a solar cell is 75 watts, not enough to power the vehicle at 20-50 mph.”
He further added that “a lot of people” have contacted GM to sign up for a test-drive of the Volt, but “we’re not at a stage where we can do that.” He also said the automaker is not ready to take deposits on a production version of the vehicle. Zielinski also was coy about when and where production of the Volt will take place, saying, “We do not assign assembly plants this early in a program.” He assured viewers that “we will be building it,” although he refused to “share timing targets.” He did not reveal pricing information about the Volt, but said it may have a “slight premium” over unspecified competitive vehicles.
Zielinski said the Volt’s system is “tailored more to compact and intermediate-size vehicles” and assured viewers that “we’ll have other vehicles out there.” But “you may not see a pickup truck with E-flex,” he said. GM describes E-flex as a “family of propulsion systems.”
For Chevrolet fans out there, there’s no need to worry. Looks like the plan for the Volt is still very well alive, we’ll just have to wait.
