2011 CHEVY VOLT BUILDS ON EARLIER GM ELECTRIFICATION EFFORTS

Learning from Fuel Cells, Generators and Traction Motors All Contributed

By General Motors Corporation - The Chevrolet Volts now being delivered to enthusiastic retail customers would not have been possible without the lessons learned from previous General Motors electrification efforts.

Many of the technologies resulting from the development of the ground-breaking EV1 in the 1990s, the Two-Mode hybrid SUVs and pickup trucks and the fuel cell Chevrolet Equinox used for the Project Driveway program are part of the Volt.

"The band is back together -- only this time there are fans," said former EV1 chief engineer Jon Bereisa.

Regardless of whether a vehicle uses a hydrogen-powered fuel cell, a battery charged from the grid or just recovered kinetic energy from a hybrid drive system, the electric propulsion systems feature many common components and sub-systems. Traction motors and generators, power electronics and battery management systems work in much the same way for each. Improving one type can benefit all. Each alternative drive vehicle also relies on systems like electric power assisted steering, electronic brake control and electric climate control.

While earlier vehicles were not built in mass-productiobn numbers, many of the engineers that created them also contributed to the Volt development, including chief engineer Andrew Farah.

"By adapting sub-systems such as the EV1-descended motors developed for the front-wheel drive hybrid system and electronically controlled brakes from the fuel cell Equinox, the engineers were able to focus more resources on the new lithium ion battery and overall vehicle integration," said Farah. The hardware engineers weren't the only ones to benefit from the earlier programs. "A new drive system like this involves a lot of complex control software such as the regenerative brake blending which benefited from the Two-Mode hybrid development."

As the transportation ecosystem moves from a dependence on petroleum over the coming decades, electrification will allow vehicle engineers to separate the propulsion and energy storage systems.

"In the future, vehicles will likely combine different energy systems including batteries, ultra capacitors and hydrogen fuel cells with common and scalable electric drives systems depending on regional and application needs," said Daniel O'Connell, director of fuel cell commercialization.

And the advancements will pay off in future generations of the Volt and other electric and hybrid vehicles coming to market. Even traditional internal combustion vehicles like the new Chevrolet Cruze and the 2012 Buick LaCrosse with eAssist consume and pollute less thanks to the use of more energy efficient systems developed for electrified vehicles.

"Throughout GM's first centure, internal combustion engines were the heart of the company's products. GM engineers are now using the lessons learned over the past two decades to make electric propulsion and energy storage systems a core competency for the next century," said Jamie Hresko, vice president of Global Powertrain Engineering.

CAUGHT TESTING: 2012 CHEVROLET CAMARO Z28

Chevy's ultimate Camaro, caught playing in the snow.

By Nick Kurczewski, Road & Track - Our spy photographers have caught a 2012 Camaro Z28 playing in the snow just in time for the holiday season. We're not sure whether this 550-plus horsepower muscle car is the ideal choice for winter driving, but the flakes didn't stop one intrepid GM road-tester from putting this Santa-red Z28 through its paces.

Despite the car's modest amount of camouflage, we can catch a glimpse of the Z28's new grille and a lower fascia, which includes a mammoth chin spoiler. Perhaps Chevrolet's test team hasn't included speed bumps or steep driveways on their test circuit? A large bump on the hood of this test mule hints at some form of menacing scoop lurking underneath. New inlets on either side of the front bumper can also be spotted -- all the better to cool the car's heavy duty brakes.

Powering the Z28 -- and giving those 20-in. Goodyear-wrapped wheels a workout in the snow -- is the same 6.2-liter supercharged V-8 engine found in the Cadillac CTS-V. In the Caddy, this powerplant generates 556 bhp and 551 lb.-ft. of torque, so there's likely no reason the Camaro Z28 will arrive with anything less. According to our sources, the exhaust note of this prototype was "nothing short of unholy." The culprit appears to be a set of bazooka-sized rear pipes peeking out of the back bumper. No word yet on whether the Godzilla-gargling soundtrack will make the actual production car. Some form of rear spoiler will also be fitted on the production version, although this prototype does without one.

Look for the 2012 Camaro Z28 to make its debut at next month's Detroit Auto Show, followed by an on-sale date of no later than mid-2011. With the current top dog Camaro SS coupe starting at roughly $35,000, the new Z28 will likely be priced around $40,000.

AKERSON WANTS TO TRIPLE GM'S ELECTRIC-CAR SALES, REPORT SAYS

GM CEO Dan Akerson told the automaker's top executive
team in early December to find ways to sell three to four
times as many electric cars as planned for 2012 by mid-decade.

By General Motors - General Motors Co. Chief Executive Officer Dan Akerson is looking to at least triple the company's target for elecric-car sales by expanding the market for the Chevrolet Volt and adding models that would share similar technology, said three people familiar with his plan.

Akerson, who took over on September 1, told GM's executive team in early December to find ways to sell three to four times as many electric cars as planned for 2012 by mid-decade, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the plans are private. GM has said it expects to sell 10,000 Volts in 2011 and 45,000 the following year, when capacity may reach 60,000.

Increasing Volt sales and developing other models with electric drive will spread out the cost of developing the technology across more vehicles. It also carries risk because hybrid and electric cars have tended to sell in low volume and be unprofitable, said Jim Hall, principal of 2953 Analytics Inc., a consulting firm in Birmingham, Michigan.

"That makes sense in the long term, but they have to get costs down," Hall said. "Once the government sales incentives are gone, GM has to mature the cost of the technology to get prices down and make sure they're not losing money."

Akerson's plan for more cars with electric drive underscores his strategy to differentiate GM and make it a technology leader, following an initial public offering that raised more than $20 billion in November, 16 months after the automaker emerged from bankruptcy. Akerson, 62, has told top executives that he wants GM to seek new markets and prepare for higher fuel prices, according to the people.

Europe, China

The Volt went on sale this month in the U.S. at a price of $41,000. The car, which can travel as much as 50 miles using batteries, will be sold in China during the second half of 2011. GM last month began taking reservations for the electric-drive Opel Ampera, which will sell in Europe next year. The models include a gasoline engine that extends the driving range to more than 370 miles.

Dave Darovitz, a GM spokesman, said GM will look at other models for the Volt system. He declined comment on Akerson's volume goals for the technology.

The federal government is offering consumers a $7,500 tax credit to buy the Volt, plug-in hybrids and electric cars. The credit begins to phase out after a manufacturer produces 200,000 eligible plug-in electric vehicles, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's website.

Exploiting the Volt

Akerson, a former managing director of private equity firm Carlyle Group, succeedd Ed Whitacre as CEO in September and assumes the role of chairman at the end of the year. Akerson told his executive team to come back to him with a way to meet the higher sales numbers for the Volt and other electric-drive models, or with reasons why it can't be done, one of the people familiar with the plan said.

GM is considering adding electric-gasoline Volt technology to several models under multiple brands, most of them larger than the Volt, including SUVs, according to the three people familiar with the plan. In April at the Beijing Motor Show, Chevrolet showed a five-passenger SUV that could drive in all-electric mode for 32 miles using the Volt's powertrain system. That kind of vehicle is one possibility, the people said.

Larger cars

Making larger models using the same system is difficult and may be more expensive because adding features and passenger space will make the car heavier and less aerodynamic, according to two of the people. GM stopped work on a plan hatched by now-retired Vice Chairman Bob Lutz to make a two-door Cadillac sports car called the Converj that used the Volt's drive system, two executives with knowledge of the decision said in March.

The Volt runs using only electric drive for the first 25 miles to 50 miles. After that a four-cylinder gasoline engine turns on and recharges the lithium-ion battery.

The EPA rated the Volt's fuel economy at the equivalent of 93 miles per gallon in electric-only mode and 37 mpg if the car runs on gas after the battery is drained.

2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE EARNS IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK

New model gets highest possible ratings

in all Insurance Institute safety tests

By General Motors - The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze received the highest possible ratings of "Good" in front, side, rear and rollover crash protection tests by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which recognized Cruze as a 2011 Top Safety Pick.

"The new Cruze was clearly engineered from the ground up to meet the highest standards in safety performance," said IIHS President Adrian Lund. "The Top Safety Pick award means that buyers of the Cruze will know they're getting state-of-the-art protection in the most common kinds of crashes."

The 2011 Cruze offers more standard safety features than any vehicle in its class and represents Chevrolet's commitment to continuous safety -- before, during and after a crash. Standard features include StabiliTrak Electronic Stability Control with Traction Control, anti-lock brakes, Panic Brake Assist and Enhanced Smart Pedal/Brake Override.

The Cruze is the first car in its class with 10 standard air bags, including dual-stage frontal air bags, seat-mounted side-impact air bags and head curtain side air bags in the front and outboard rear seating positions and front knee air bags -- a first for the segment. OnStar's standard safety and security package is included.

"The IIHS Top Safety Pick Award builds on the already strong global safety reputation of the Cruze," said Chris Perry, vice president of Chevrolet Marketing. "Cruze delivers the level of comfort, quality and safety that customers expect in larger, more upscale vehicles with the fuel economy of a compact."

Cruze continues to be a strong contributor to Chevrolet's sales momentum. The new Cruze Eco arrives in Canadian showrooms in January with best-in-class fuel efficiency, beating its non-hybrid competitors. Cruze Eco delivers an impressive 4.6L/100km on the highway, and 7.2L/100km city fuel consumption.

SUN SHINES ON CAMARO CONVERTIBLE COMING SOON

The 2011 Chevrolet Camaro convertible

comes with a V6 or V8

By Joe Duarte, QMI Agency - The 2011 Chevrolet Camaro goes into production in January and drives into showrooms in February with an enhanced body structure (for reduced cowl and steering wheel shake), well-tailored soft top (with acoustic foam for a coupe-like cabin ambience) and trim designations similar to its full-bodied sibling.

The new Camaro was originally designed to accommodate a convertible model. As such, four strategic reinforcements -- tower-to-tower brace under the hood; transmission support reinforcement brace; underbody tunnel brace; front and rear underbody "V" braces -- make for a stiff body structure to eliminate common convertible maladies. A telling example of the Camaro convertible's body stiffness is evidenced in suspension tuning -- specifically, the lack of changes from the coupe model -- resulting in performance capabilities nearly identical between the two models.

"To compensate for the reduced structure of an open car, engineers often will make the suspension softer, making the convertible a boulevard cruiser," says Al Oppenheiser, chief engineer for the Camaro convertible project.

As for the top, designers and engineers wanted to eliminate the typical support-rib appearance of a convertible top.

By revising the structural components, extending the top material below the belt line and revising the stitch lines, they were able to create a smooth, taut, tailored appearance.

In just 20 secondes, the heavy canvas structure folds in a "Z" manner at the push of a button and features a single windshield centre header latch. It also holds a glass rear window with defogger.

A folding one-piece tonneau cover finishes off the open-air profile, and a windscreen is available as an accessory.

Standard power will come from the 312-horsepower direct injection V6 engine (in the LT, which starts at $33,995), with more performance-minded types perhaps opting for the SS models (starting at $43,255), with its 6.2-litre V8 that produces 400 or 426 hp, depending on whether it's linked to a six-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission, respectively (the manual is standard with either trim).

CHEVROLET VOLT COMPONENTS CREATED FROM GULF OF MEXICO OIL-SOAKED BOOMS

100,000 Pounds of Waste Saved from Nation's Landfills

By General Motors - Oil-soaked plastic boom material used to soak up oil in the Gulf of Mexico is finding new life as auto parts in the Chevrolet Volt.

General Motors has developed a method to convert an estimated 100 miles of the material off the Alabama and Louisiana coasts and keep it out of the nation's landfills. The ongoing project is expected to create enough plastic under hood parts to supply the first year production of the extended-range electric vehicle.

"Creative recycling is one extension of GM's overall strategy to reduce its environmental impact," said Mike Robinson, GM vice president of Environment, Energy and Safety policy. "We reuse and recycle material by-products at our 76 landfill-free facilities every day. This is a good example of using this expertise and applying it to a greater magnitude."

Recycling the booms will result in the production of more than 100,000 pounds of plastic resin for the vehicle components, eliminating an equal amount of waste that would otherwise have been incinerated or sent to landfills.

The parts, which deflect air around the vehicle's radiator, are comprised of 25 percent boom material and 25 percent recycled tires from GM's Milford Proving Ground vehicle test facility. The remaining is a mixture of post-consumer recycled plastics and other polymers.

GM worked with several partners throughout the recovery and development processes. Heritage Environmental managed the collection of boom material along the Louisiana coast. Mobile Fluid Recovery stepped in next, using a massive high-speed drum that spun the booms until dry and eliminated all the absorbed oil and wastewater. Lucent Polymers used its process to then manipulate the material into the physical state necessary for plastic die-mold production. Tier-one supplier, GDC Inc., used its patented EndurapreneTM material process to combine the resin with other plastic compounds to produce the components.

The work in the Gulf is expected to last at least two more months and GM will continue to assist suppliers in collecting booms until the need no longer exists. The automaker anticipates enough material will be gathered that it can be used as components in other Chevrolet models.

"This was purely a matter of helping out," said John Bradburn, manager of GM's waste-reduction efforts. "If sent to a landfill, these materials would have taken hundreds of years to begin to break down, and we didn't want to see the spill further impact the environment. We knew we could identify a beneficial reuse of this material given our experience."

The world's first electric vehicle with extended range, the Chevy Volt was recently awarded Green Car of the Year by Green Car Journal.

GM is dedicated to reducing its waste and pollutants, and recycles materials at every state of the product lifecycle. It uses recycled and renewable materials in its cars and trucks, which are at least 85 percent recyclable. Used tires, old plastic bottles, denim and nylon carpet are all redirected from landfills and resused in select GM vehicles.

GM facilities worldwide recycle 90 percent of the waste they generate. The automaker recently announced more than half of its worldwide facilities are now landfill-free -- all manufacturing waste is recycled or used to create energy.

NAVY TAKES DELIVERY OF GM FUEL CELL VEHICLE

By General Motors - The U.S. Navy is among the first customers to take delivery of a GM fuel cell vehicle as part of the Hawaii Hydrogen Initiative, which aims to integrate hydrogen as an essential building block for a sustainable energy ecosystem in the Aloha State.

General Motors and 11 partner companies, agencies and universities announced a commitment Dec. 8 to make hydrogen-powered vehicles and a fueling infrastructure a reality in Hawaii by 2015. The H21 goal is to install up to 25 hydrogen stations in strategic locations around Oahu, putting the fuel within reach of all 11 million residents.

A NEW BEGINNING FOR CHEVROLET IN THE SMALL CAR SEGMENT: INTRODUCING THE ALL-NEW CHEVROLET SONIC

By General Motors of Canada - Chevrolet announced today that its all-new small car will be called the Chevrolet Sonic in North America.

"Following the successful formula of the award-winning Chevrolet Cruze, which has changed the way people look at compact cars, the new Sonic takes aim at energizing Canada's small car segment," said Marc Comeau, vice president, Chevrolet Canada. "The new car is roomy, stylish and fun to drive, and we felt that the Sonic name conveys the youth and energy that this vehicle is all about."

The Sonic small car is the next important step forward reflecting Chevrolet's commitment to deliver a range of smaller, fuel-efficient and fun to drive cars that are ideally suited to the Canadian market and particularly at home within urban environments.

The vehicle will continuted to be called Aveo in other parts of the world, where it will be sold in more than 50 countries.

CHEVROLET DELIVERS FIRST VOLT TO RETIRED N.J. PILOT

Jeffrey Kaffee, of Parsipanny, N.J. beamed behind the wheel of his Volt on the

showrrom floor while surrounded by journalists and TV cameras

By Mike Collas, Automotive News - A retired airline pilot today became the first customer to take delivery of a pre-ordered Chevrolet Volt.

Jeffrey Kaffee returned early from a vacation to pick up the keys for the plug-in hybrid at Gearhart Chevrolet in Denville, N.J. He traded in a Toyota Prius according to a statement from GM.

Kaffee, of Parsipanny, N.J., beamed behind the wheel of his Volt on the showroom floor while surrounded by journalists and TV cameras.

It's the first of 360 Volts being shipped this week from GM's Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant. They're also being delivered to dealers in California; Austin, Texas; New York and the Washington, D.C. area.

GM first unveiled the Volt concept nearly four years ago at the Detroit auto show. The automaker plans to sell 10,000 Volts next year and 45,000 in 2012.

The Volt can travel 35 miles on battery power alone. The four-passenger car also has a 1.4-liter gasoline engine that, when combined with electricity, gives it a range of 379 miles.

The car will compete against the Nissan's all-electric Leaf, which is being delivered to dealers starting this month.

CHEVROLET MALIBU NAMED "BEST BUY" & "TOP SAFETY PICK"

Brand's Top-Seller Has Won More Than 40 Industry Honors Since 2008

By General Motors Corporation - The 2011 Chevrolet Malibu sedan was recently named a 2011 Consumers Digest Automotive "Best Buy" and a Top Safety Pick for 2010 by the insurance institute for Highway Safety. The two awards add to Malibu's growing list of more than 40 industry honors since it was launched all-new in 2007 as a 2008 model.

"It's been a consistent winner for us," said Ron Chaudoin, general manager of Lou LaRiche Chevrolet in Plymouth, Mich. "Whether it's safety, availability, price point or lease offers, the Malibu just satisfies a majority of customers."

The Malibu is the only mid-sized car in the industry to win the Consumers Digest award for the third consecutive year. Consumers Digest "Best Buys" are based on behind-the-wheel assessment, safety ratings, ownership costs, warranty, price, comfort, ergonomics, styling and amenities. They reflect Consumer Digest's view of which vehicles offer the most value for the money. The Malibu won the award for 2009, 2010 and 2011 model year vehicles.

To determine how well a vehicle protects its occupants in a crash, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rates vehicles good, acceptable, marginal, or poor based on performance in high-speed front and side crash tests, a rollover test, plus evaluations of seat/head restraints for protection against neck injuries in rear impacts. In addition, the winning vehicles must offer electronic stability control. The Malibu received a "good" rating in all four Institute tests.

"The Chevrolet Malibu offers consumers a tremendous value, impressive fuel economy, class-leading safety features, and an unexpected amount of standard features that separate it from the competition," said Jon Hahn, Chevrolet Malibu marketing manager.

The Malibu is Chevrolet's and General Motors best-selling car in the U.S., representing nearly 10 percent of GM total vehicle sales and about 13 percent of Chevrolet total sales this year. Over the last two years Malibu has grown in total sales from 161,568 in 2009 to 187,250 through November this year. Malibu also has increased market share within the mid-car segment over the last two years from 8 percent to 11 percent currently.

The 2011 Malibu is offered in LS, LT and LTZ models. All models have a standard, fuel-efficient, four-cylinder 2.4L Ecotec engine mated to a fuel-saving six-speed transmission that deliver 33 mpg highway. A 252-horsepower 3.6L V-6 is available on 2LT and LTZ models. All Malibu powertrains are backed by GM's five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, the best and most comprehensive in the industry.

The Chevrolet Malibu is the only midsize sedan with standard OnStar Turn-by-Turn navigation. Also standard on all models are four-wheel anti-lock brakes; StabiliTrak electronic stability control; AM/FM stereo with CD player and MP3 playback; XM Satellite Radio; OnStar 9.0 with six months of Directions and Connections service; power height driver seat adjuster with power lumbar; Remote Keyless Entry and cruise control.

SILVERADO HD NAMED 2011 MOTOR TREND TRUCK OF THE YEAR

By General Motors Corporation - 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 newstands in early January) and online at www.motortrend.com. Chevrolet also earched 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.

WARD'S NAMES 10 BEST ENGINES WINNERS

By Tom Murphy, WardsAuto.com - The auto industry is embracing the age of elecrification, and so too is the Ward's 10 Best Engines list.

Both the Nissan Leaf electric vehicle and Chevrolet Volt extended-range EV earn their way onto the 2011 list, as selected by Ward's editors after evaluating 38 vehicles with new or significantly improved engines for the '11 model year.

But fuel efficiency and environmental friendliness are not the most important criteria for eligibility this year, as seen by recognition of the new 5.0L V-8 in the Ford Mustang GT, 5.0L V-8 in the Hyundai Genesis and the 3.0L supercharged V-6 in the Audi S4.

"We have something for everybody on this year's Ward's 10 Best Engines list," says Drew Winter, editor-in-chief of Ward's AutoWorld magazine. "It's the most diverse mix we've ever had, as well as the most technologically advanced."

This year's winners and the applications tested:

• 3.0L TFSI Supercharged DOHC V-6 (Audi S4)
• 3.0L N55 Turbocharged DOHC I-6 (BMW 335i)
• 1.6L Turbocharged DOHC I-4 (Mini Cooper S)
• 3.6L Pentastar DOHC V-6 (Dodge Avenger)
• 5.0L DOHC V-8 (Ford Mustang GT)
• 1.4L DOHC I-4/111kW Drive Motor (Chevrolet Volt)
• 5.0L Tau DOHC V-8 (Hyundai Genesis)
• 80kW AC Synchronous Electric Motor (Nissan Leaf)
• 2.0L DOHC I-4 Turbodiesel (Volkswagen Jetta TDI)
• 3.0L Turbocharged DOHC I-6 (Volvo S60)

Now in its 17th year, the Ward's 10 Best Engines competition is designed to reconize powertrains that set new benchmarks in their respective vehicle segments.

"The one thing they have in common is they all are stand-out performers in their own way and sell the value proposition of the vehicles they power," Winter says.

Ward's editors spent October and November driving the vehicles in their routine daily commutes around metro Detroit and scored each engine based on power, technology, observed fuel economy and noise, vibration harshness. There was no instrumented testing.

This year's list represents the biggest turnover in the history of the comptition, with six completely new engines or propulsion systems, two heavily modified engines (from BMW AG and Hyundai Motor Co. Ltd.) and only two direct carryover engines (from Volkswagen AG and Audi AG) from the 2010 list.

The Audi S4 supercharged V-6 muscles its way onto the list for a second straight year with a stealthy 333 hp and 325 lb.-ft. (440 Nm) of torque that peaks at 2,900 rpm and holds steady until 5,300 rpm. The effect is all-consuming, washing over the driver like waves on a beach.

Through it all, the TFSI V-6 manages better than 25 mpg (9.4 L/100 km) on the highway during Ward's evaluation. Having replaced a gas-guzzling 4.2L V-8, the forced-induction V-6 demonstrates how engine downsizing need not come with a performance penalty.

BMW's well-regarded 3.0L N54 twin-turbocharged inline-6 Ward's 10 Best Engines honors in 2007, 2008 and 2009. For 2011, the N55 I-6 in the 335i replaces the two compressors with a single twin-scroll turbocharger that saves weight, improves throttle response, boosts fuel efficiency (15% over the N54) and reduces friction, while decimating the notion of turbo lag.

Integrating the third-generation Valvetronic intake and Double-VANOS stepless variable valve timing, the 300-hp "Twin Power" N55 reaches its torque apex of 300 lb.-ft. (407 Nm) at a mere 1,200 rpm, propelling the 335i sedan with shocking ease. For drivability and smoothness, the N55 is unparalleled.

Another new engine on this year's list is the 1.6L turbocharged direct-injection I-4 that packs a mighty punch in the Mini Cooper S. With a specific output of 113 hp/L, this package quickly rose to the top of a crowded field of new small-displacement 4-cyl. engines in this year's competition.

The latest "Prince" engine in the Cooper S is assembled for BMW by PSA Peugeot Citroen in Douvrin, France, and integrates BMW's excellent Valvetronic fully variable valve timing system, which enhances power and fuel efficiency. Driven hard, this prince of an engine still musters better than 34 mpg (6.9 L/100 km) during our test drive.

Freshly launched from Chrysler Group LLC's Trenton, MI, and Saltillo, Mexico, engine plants, the all-new 3.6L Pentastar V-6 arrives with extremely high expectations, powering 10 model-year '11 applications ranging from sedans to SUVs.

Ward's editors drove the Dodge Avenger and Jeep Grand Cherokee for 10 Best Engines and found the Pentastar up for any challenge. Even without direct injection and turbocharging, the V-6 does not seem to lack sophistication. At idle, it is as quiet as a whisper. After driving the Avenger, one editor said it's difficult to believe an engine this good is in such an affordable car.

The Forst Mustang has a long history with V-8s, but pony-car afficionados formed a special bond with the 5.0L V-8 that launched in 1979. For '11, the all-aluminum "Five-Oh" returns, dazzling potential buyers with 412 hp and advanced twin independent variable camshaft timing, which boosts low-end torque, peak power and fuel economy.

Of course, few 5.0L buyers are shopping MPG. For those who are, one Ward's editor exceeded 19 mpg (12.3 L/100 km) in mostly highway driving. This engine might be politically incorrect by today's standards, but there is a place for it in the market. Embrace your innter muscle car and enjoy this burly V-8 as long as the Environmental Protection Agency deems it street legal.

Like Chrysler, General Motors Co. was pulling itself out of bankruptcy little more than a year ago. Meanwhile, it was developing a car that revolutionizes mobility: the Chevrolet Volt. Some consider it a glorified hybrid while others just don't understand it.

Here are the facts: It plugs into a 120V wall socket and charges in 10 hours, or four hours on a dedicated 240V charger. Depending on several factors, the range will last anywhere from 25 to 40 miles (40 to 64 km), at which point an 84-hp 1.4L 4-cyl. engine imperceptibly kicks on to spin a generator that continues turning the wheels.

The EPA rates the Volt's overall combined fuel efficiency at 60 mpg (3.9 L/100 km); in electric mode, the rating is 93 mpg equivalent (2.5 L/100 km). Drive the Volt almost exclusively in electric mode and gas stations will become less a part of daily life. The "Voltec" propulsion system is brilliant -- a technological masterpiece.

Returning to the Ward's 10 Best Engines list is Hyundai's excellent Tau V-8. In 2009, when Hyundai's first-ever V-8 won a Ward's 10 Best Engines award, it displaced 4.6L, employed conventional port injection and produced 375 hp. In 2010, it was tweaked to generate 385 hp.

For '11, the Tau returns practically as a clean-sheet design, with more displacement (5.0L0, direct injection and staggering output (429 hp and 376 lb.-ft. (510 Nm) of torque) for the Genesis and Equus flagship sedan.

Meanwhile, fuel efficiency is rated higher with the new Tau than the current 4.6L. During our drives of the 5.0L, Ward's editors achieved 19 mpg (12.3 L/100 km). It's enough savvy thrust for this scrappy South Korean upstart to command respect among the world's best luxury brands.

Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. manages the first-ever Ward's 10 Best Engines award for an all-electric vehicle, the Leaf. True, the Leaf has no engine -- just a battery-powered electric motor that turns the wheels through a single speed reducer.

What's remarkable about the Leaf is how much it feels like a conventional car, with four doors, five seats and accelerator and brake pedals that could have been borrowed from a Nissan Versa, or any other gas-driven subcompact. The Leaf is affordable -- about $25,000 with a federal tax credit -- and a thrill to drive.

Range anxiety is a hurdle, just like in 1908, when the first Ford Model T buyers worried about finding gas stations. But an electrical socket -- ubiquitous in the developed world -- is all that is needed for people who want to own and drive a Leaf, while consuming no gasoline and creating zero emissions. As a propulsion system, it truly deserves recognition.

The Volkswagen Jetta TDI, with its 2.0L 140-hp turbodiesel, becomes the dean of the Ward's 10 Best Engines list, the only returning winner with three consecutive wins at the same output levels with the same technologies onboard.

This quiet, pleasurable, torque-rich 4-cyl. demonstrates the finest attributes of the new generation of clean diesels, using regenerating particulate filters and oxidation catalysts to meet federal emissions standards.

The 2.0L engine's small footprint lets it function without expensive urea-injection aftertreatment. There is no better vehicle for a roadtrip than the Jetta TDI, capable of 42 mpg (5.6 L/100 km).

Last but not least, Volvo Car Corp. lands its first Ward's 10 Best Engines honor, for the 3.0L turbocharged I-6 in the S60 sedan. Volvo clearly benchmarked BMW in developing the supremely smooth "T6" engine, based on its delicious mid-range power band and paucity of turbo lag.

This engine is perfectly suited for the all-new S60 and powers it into contention against bigger, better-established luxury entries. The T6 creates a new performance-oriented dimension for a brand seeking to expand under new Chinese ownership.

To be eligible for the competition, each engine must be available in a regular-production U.S.-specification model on sale no later than first-quarter 2011, in a vehicle priced no more than $55,000, a price cap indexed to the average cost of a new vehicle.

Winners from the 2010 competition automatically were eligible and evaluated against the new engines.

The awards will be presented at a Jan. 12 ceremony in Detroit during the North American International Auto Show.

EVERYTHING YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT THE CHEVY VOLT

By Mark Phelan, Chrissie Thompson & Brent Snavely, Free Press Business Writers - The Chevrolet Volt starts arriving in buyers' driveways in limited markets outside of Michigan this month, but some confusion remains about everything from how the Volt works to why General Motors is building it.

That's not good for a vehicle that must prove it's not a gimmick to fulfill its mission: be an icon and transform the image of GM.

Today, the free Press answers your Volt questions:

Q: Can people come and take a tour of the plant and watch the Volt being built? Is there an education center about the Volt?

A: The Detroit-Hamtramck plant where workers assemble the Volt will have interactive, educational displays in its lobby next year. GM is also planning a reservation-based tour program for the public that will start next year.

Q: Why is the Volt considered an electric vehicle when actually it is a hybrid?

A: The Volt is very different from hybrids like the Escape, Insight and Prius. The Volt's wheels are turned by electricity only -- not by the gasoline engine. The gas engines in hybrids turn the wheels most of the time. A Volt owner driving 40 miles or so between charges may hardly use gasoline.

Q: How does it work?

A: An electric motor drives the wheels. When fully charged, the Volt's battery has enough energy to cover about 35 miles, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Once the battery is drained, the onboard generator, a 1.4-liter gasoline engine, switches on and makes more electricity. You can keep driving while the generator runs and then recharge the battery when you stop using a regular electrical outlet or a charging station designed for any electric vehicle.

Q: How long does it take to recharge the battery from no to full charge? At what voltage and amperage?

A: A regular 120-volt, 15-amp outlet -- the outlets throughout most of your home -- will fully charge a drained Volt battery in 10 to 12 hours. If you want to charge it faster, you need to buy a charging station to be connected to a 240-volt, 20-amp hookup like the one that powers your dryer.

Q: Do you have to fully charge the battery before you use it, like you have to with other battery-powered devices?

A: No. You can start off with no charge in the battery, as long as you have gas in the tank. The gasoline-powered generator will make enough electricity to power the car, but it won't recharge the battery. So before you can drive on battery-only power again, you'll need to plug in. The Volt saves the most fuel and emissions when used primarily on battery power.

Q: Is it true that it can only go 40 miles at a time?

A: The Volt's battery will carry it 40 miles or so. (GM has started saying 25 to 50, to account for extreme circumstances, and the EPA estimate is 35.) Beyond that, the car keeps going because a gasoline-powered generator makes more electricity. That makes the Volt the only electric vehicle that can go as far as a conventional car -- an estimated 379 miles, according to the EPA -- before refuelling. And if you need to drive farther than that before recharging, just put more gas in the tank.

Q: If some drivers get less than 40 miles from a battery charge, does that mean the Volt is a fraud?

A: Just as with gasoline cars, driving style, weather and other variables affect fuel efficiency. Auto Critic Mark Phelan has driven fully charged Volts three times. The battery took him 40, 46 and 35 miles. After that, the generator turned on and the car kept going.

Q: Is the Chevy Volt that different from hybrids, such as the Ford Fusion? Both have gasoline engines and can run on battery. The Volt needs a plug ... it just seems that the Fusion will be less hassle.

A: The most advanced hybrids can go short distances at moderate speeds -- let's say a couple of miles at 20-40 mph -- on electric power alone. But for the rest of their road time, they use at lease som gasoline. The Volt can be driven much farther and faster on battery power alone. And remember, you can drive it without plugging it in. You just won't get the benefits of emissions-free driving. Drivers will have to decide whether factors such as their commuting distance and budget make the Volt a worthwhile purchase.

Q: Will performance be compromised in really hot or cold weather?

A: Extreme temperatures may affect how far the batteries take the car before the generator starts, but neither heat nor cold will stop the Volt.

Q: How is the extended-range Volt different from the all-electric Nissan Leaf?

A: The Leaf won't move when its battery is out of charge. The Volt will. The Volt can cover about 380 miles on its battery and a tank of gas for its generator. The Leaf's range is about 70 miles, according to the EPA, or up to 100, according to Nissan. After that, you have to plug the Leaf into a 240-volt outlet for at least eight hours to recharge daily.

Q: How much am I likely to spend on electricity instead of gas for a Volt?

A: You'll spend about 4 cents per mile on battery-only driving, according to the EPA. Gas-only driving -- that's if you never recharge the battery -- will cost upward of 9 cents per mile, the government says. (That assumes gas costs $3.20 a gallon.) If you use the full battery charge and keep driving on generator power, you'll spend something between those two amounts.

Q: What gas mileage will I get when the car is running on generator power?

A: The EPA estimates you'll get 35 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway, for 37 mpg combined.

Q: I've heard the battery will die after eight years. Is that true?

A: The Volt's warranty covers the battery for eight years or 100,000 miles, but it should last much longer. Companies make sure parts -- especially expensive parts like batteries -- last well beyond the warranty, because it's expensive when they miscalculate and must eat repair and replacement costs. The batteries in the original Honda Insight hybrid still work after more than 10 years. And GM designed the Volt battery to have at least a 10-year, 150,000-mile life, GM spokesman Rob Peterson said. Some state-specific regulations may require GM to raise the warranty later.

Q: How many batteries does the Volt have? What would be the cost to replace them?

A: The Volt has one battery pack, assembled in Brownstown Township. It's 5.5 feet long, shaped like a T, and weighs 435 pounds. That battery contains 288 cells. The flat, laminated, 5-by-7 inch cells each weighs a little less than a pound, according to Prabhakar Patil, CEO of Troy-based Compact Power. The cells currently come from LG Chem in South Korea, but Compact Power, an LG Chem subsidiary, will start making them in Holland, Mich., in 2012.

Peterson declined to provide the current cost of the battery. For now, all you need to know is that GM will foot the cost of repairing or replacing the battery during the time covered by the transferable warranty. Once drivers start nearing the end of the warranty, GM expects the battery to cost less than it does today, Peterson said, as the technology becomes more common.

Q: What are utility companies doing to prepare for the launch of cars like the Volt and Leaf?

A: Utility companies, municipalities and manufacturers such as General Electric that build charging stations are working with the automotive industry to install thousands of public and private charging stations over the next several years.

For instance, Consumers Energy and DTE Energy have pledged to cover up to $2,500 for the charger and installation costs for 2,500 Michigan families. The Lansing Board of Water and Light will provide another 25 charging stations to its customers.

Q: About how much will it cost to get a 240-volt outlet installed in my garage to plug in an electric car?

A: GM is selling a charger for $490 plus installation, performed by Warren-based SPX for an estimated $1,475. But Volt drivers can use other chargers, including those provided free in federal programs that work with California-based Coulomb Technologies and ECOtality. Together, the two companies will provide nearly 20,000 free charging stations for the plug-in vehicles.

Q: Is GM looking at expanding its Volt technology to other vehicles?

A: Yes. GM calls this its Voltec technology. While it hasn't announced any definite plans, Micky Bly, who heads engineering for batteries and electric vehicles, in September told the Free Press that GM could use Voltec to power any vehicles except large trucks. GM plans a plug-in hybrid and other Voltec-powered vehicles for brands including Cadillac, he said.

Q: Why can't GM just make more Volts to meet demand?

A: GM plans to build 10,000 Volts by the end of 2011 and at least 45,000 in 2012. While the company has declined to release the number of Volt orders, North American President Mark Reuss has said more than 240,000 people have already indicated their interest in the car by registering to receive product information on the Web.

CEO Dan Akerson has said GM is studying ways to increase production by two or three times, perhaps as soon as 2012. The Detroit-Hamtramck plant where the Volt is built runs only one shift, when many GM plants are running three. But the first year's production is low for a reason, spokesman Peterson said.

"Quality is extremely important for us," he said. "We're introducing an all-new vehicle to our dealers, to our customers, and to our technicians. We need to make sure that they're ready -- and that the 3,000 utility companies that will provide the energy to power these vehicles are also ready."

Q: How does the Volt work?

A: An electric motor drives the wheels. When fully charged, the Volt's battery has enough energy to cover about 35 miles, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Once the battery is drained, the onboard generator, a 1.4-liter gasoline engine, switches on and makes more electricity. You can keep driving while the generator runs and then recharge the battery when you stop using a regular electrical outlet or a charging station designed for any electric vehicle.

Q: How long does it take to recharge the battery from no to full charge? At what voltage and amperage?

A: A regular 120-volt, 15-amp outlet -- the outlets throughout most of your home -- will fully charge a drained Volt battery in 10 to 12 hours. If you want to charge it faster, you need to buy a charging station to be connected to a 240-volt, 20-amp hookup like the one that powers your dryer.

Q: Do you have to fully charge the battery before you use it, like you have to with other battery-powered devices?

A: No. You can start off with no charge in the battery, as long as you have gas in the tank. The gasoline-powered generator will make enough electricity to power the car, but it won't recharge the battery. So before you can drive on battery-only power again, you'll need to plug in. The Volt saves the most fuel and emissions when used primarily on battery power.

BC HYDRO AND CHEVROLET CHARGE INTO CLEAN MOBILITY FUTURE

By General Motors of Canada - Vehicle fleets in B.C. are going green thanks to a new partnership between BC Hydro and Chevrolet Canada. BC Hydro will work with Chevrolet to help place fifteen Chevrolet Volts into the fleets of B.C.-based organizations late next summer, with at least two of those vehicles being added to BC Hydro's own fleet.

The partnership is aimed at promoting consumer adoption of plug-in electric vehicles and building awareness of the environmental benefits of the cars.

"Electric vehicles will play an important role in B.C.'s clean energy future. When powered by B.C.'s hydroelectricity, electric vehicles can greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation," said Energy Minister Steve Thomson. "British Columbia is playing a lead role in creating a culture of acceptance for environmentally-friendly transportation solutions and we are pleased to be able to work with automotive industry leaders, like Chevrolet, to accelerate the arrival of plug-in vehicles to our province."

With extended-range capability, the Volt has a total driving range of about 580 kilometres. For the first 40 to 80 kilometres, the vehicle drives gas-free and produces zero tailpipe-emissions by using electricity stored in the battery. When the battery runs low, an engine-generator seamlessly engages to provide electricity, extending the Volt's driving range by about 500 kilometres.

"We are please to work with BC Hydro as a leading partner to prepare to launch the Chevrolet Volt, an award-winning product that delivers an electric vehicle solution without compromise," said Kevin Williams, president and managing director of GM of Canada. "Unlike any other electric vehicle, the Chevrolet Volt eliminates range-anxiety with its extended range capability, and gives customers the freedom to drive green without the feat of being stranded with a depleted battery."

With B.C.'s hybrid adoption rate being 2.5 times higher than other provinces, BC Hydro anticipates that our province will have one of the highest electric vehicle adoption rates in North America.

"There is significant interest in electric vehicles in B.C., and as the primary fuel supplier for these cars of the future, BC Hydro has been involved in numerous initiatives to learn more about how electric vehicles will interact with our electrical system," said Bev Van Ruyven, deputy CEO and executive vice-president, BC Hydro. "As we work towards key clean energy goals, we will continue to advance sustainability and conservation and encourage British Columbians to use energy and all other resources wisely."

To prepare for the arrival of electric vehicles, BC Hydro has taken the lead in the development of codes and standards, worked with Natural Resources Canada to develop guidelines for charging infrastructure guidelines and participated in a North America-wide research and development collaboration regarding plug-in vehicles with General Motors, the Electric Power Research Institute and 34 top North American utilities to facilitate integration of plug-in hybrid vehicles into the grid.

Recently, the Chevrolet Volt has been recognized with a number of awards in advance of its retail launch in the U.S. this month, including:

• Car and Driver's 10 Best
• Green Car Journal's 2011 Green Car of the Year
• AUTOMOBILE Magazine 2011 Automobile of the Year
• Motor Trend 2011 Car of the Year
• 10 Best Engines for 2011 by Ward's AutoWorld magazine
  
  

CHEVROLET CANADA PREPARES TO INTRODUCE THE CHEVROLET VOLT TO THE QUEBEC MARKET

Hydro-Québec, first company in Canada to acquire

20 electric vehicles with extended range

General Motors of Canada - Hydro-Québec and Chevrolet Canada today announced a new partnership by which Hydro-Québec will integrate 20 Chevrolet Volts into its fleet, starting in 2011.

"We are very pleased with this acquisition as it will enable us to include extended range technology in our portfolio of electric vehicle road tests," said Thierry Vandal, president and CEO of Hydro-Québec. "Over the coming years, the addition of vehicles propelled by clean, renewable energy will have a major impact on Québec's environmental balance sheet."

Indeed, by integrating the Volt into its fleet, Hydro-Québec intends to assess its environmental benefits, specifically in terms of greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions.

Quebeckers will likely spot many of Hydro-Québec's Chevrolet Volts during the second half of next year as they will mostly be used by customer service representatives and by regional community relations staff.

"We are happy to work with Hydro-Québec to promote vehicle electrification and prepare the market for the launch of the Chevrolet Volt," said Marc Comeau, vice president of sales, service, and marketing at Chevrolet Canada. "With its extended range capability, the Chevrolet Volt eliminates range-anxiety and gives customers the freedom to drive green without the fear of being stranded with a depleted battery."

As the world's first electric vehicle with extended range capability, the Volt has a total driving range of about 580 km. As per Chevrolet, the Volt is the only electric vehicle that can operate under a full range of climates and driving conditions without the limitations of a trditional battery electric vehicle. For the first 40 to 80 km, the Volt drives gas-free and produces zero tailpipe-emissions by using electricity stored in its 16-kWh lithium-ion battery. When the Volt's battery runs low, a 1.4-litre gas-powered engine/generator seamlessly engages to extend the driving range about 500 km on a full tank.

Volt can be charged via a standard 120 volt plug. However, those who would like to experience faster charging times could choose to install level 2 charging stations that are fed by 240 volts of electricity. Most homes that are heated via electricity, as is the case in Québec, can support the addition of a level 2 charging station without having any major electrical work done. Hydro-Québec will act as a liaison between Chevrolet Canada, master electricians and the Corporation des maitres électriciens (CMEQ) to ensure that future Volt drivers who wish to install such home charging stations can do so simply and efficiently.

Earlier today, Chevrolet named Montreal, Québec City and Gatineau as launch markets for the Chevrolet Volt in the second half of next year, along with Oshawa, Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver, and Victoria. Canadian pricing for the Volt has not yet been announced.

CHEVROLET VOLT CANADIAN LAUNCH MARKETS REVEALED

By General Motors of Canada - Chevrolet announced today that Montreal, Quebec City, Toronto, Oshawa, Ottawa-Gatineau, Vancouver and Victoria will be the initial launch markets for the Chevrolet Volt in Canada. Arriving at Canadian dealerships in the second half of 2011, the Volt is an award-winning electric vehicle with extended range that offers Canadians the ability to dramatically reduce their vehicle greenhouse gas emissions.

"The Chevrolet Volt is a game-changer, offering consumers an electric vehicle without compromise," said Kevin Williams, president and managing director of GM of Canada. "These seven cities represent some of our largest automotive markets in Canada, where customers and major fleet operators are known to be leaders in adopting groundbreaking environmental technologies."

The initial Volt launch markets will play a key role in validating market readiness for electric vehicles in Canada, where relatively low-carbon electricity generation provides dramatic greenhouse gas benefits compared to conventionally-powered vehicles.

GM is also working with key utilities across the country to prepare each regional market in advance of the retail market deployment. It is anticipated that before the end of the 2012 model year, the Volt will be more broadly available for sale at dealerships nation-wide, although Volt-authorized service points will be available across Canada during the initial launch.

The Chevrolet Volt is the only electric vehicle that can operate under a full range of climates and driving conditions without limitations or driver concern of being stranded by a depleted battery. As the world's first electric vehicle with extended range capability, the Volt has a total driving range of about 580 km. For the first 40 to 80 km, the Volt drives gas - and tailpipe-emissions-free using electricity stored in its 16-kWh lithium-ion battery. When the Volt's battery runs low, a 1.4-litre gas-powered engine/generator seamlessly engages to extend the driving range about 500 km on a full tank.

The Volt has already garnered numerous awards in advance of its year-end launch in the U.S. Some of those awards include, but are not limited to:

• AUTOMOBILE Magazine 2011 Automobile of the Year
• Car and Driver 10Best
• Green Car Journal's 2011 Green Car of the Year
• Motor Trend 2011 Car of the Year

The Volt was first shown as a concept in January, 2007 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. In June of that year, GM's Board of Directors approved the start of product development for the Volt and the Voltec electric propulsion system.

In September, 2008, the production version of the Volt debuted during GM's Centennial celebration. Today, the Volt is being produced at Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly, with the first US retail customer deliveries in December.

Canadian pricing will be announced closer to launch.

GENERAL MOTORS IS LOOKING AT WAYS TO DOUBLE OR TRIPLE VOLT PRODUCTION

By David Barkholz, Automotive News - General Motors Co. CEO Dan Akerson says the carmaker is studying how it could double or triple production of the new Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid should sales demand accelerate.

About 240,000 potential buyers have expressed an interest in the vehicle, but production in 2011 will be just 10,000 units. GM plans to build 45,000 Volts in calendar year 2012.

Speaking on the sidelines of the official Volt launch ceremony on Tuesday at GM's Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant, GM North America President Mark Reuss said that Volt production is constrained largely by vendor production of battery cells needed for the battery packs that GM assembles in suburban Detroit for the Volt.

He said GM could begin exporting Volts to Europe and elsewhere by late 2011. The European version would be the Opel Ampera.

GM global product chief Tom Stephens said GM also is considering a flex-fuel version of the Volt. He said that GM could have the version available in the 2012 model year if the carmaker pursues the program.

Using E85 fuel, the Volt would use extremely little gasoline, Stephens said. For one thing, most commuters can run on pure electric power to get to and from work. When the internal combustion engine is needed for longer trips, though, with E85, only 15 percent of the fuel is petroleum. The other 85 percent is ethanol, he said.

Beginning in December, GM plans to roll out the Volt in seven states over 12 months with limited supplies available for sale and demonstration at Chevrolet dealers. After that time, the Volt would be available nationally.

Akerson conceded today that GM stands to make little or no initial profit on the Volt. He said the carmaker can sell them "for close to cost".

The Volt has a base price of $41,000, including shipping, before a $7,500 federal tax credit.

Frank Moultrie, shop chairman of UAW Local 22 representing 960 hourly workers at Detroit-Hamtramck, said there are no immediate plans to add a second shift at the plant. The plant builds the Volt and the Cadillac DTS and Buick Lucerne sedans. The DTS and Lucerne end in 2010.

On electricity alone, the Volt achieves the equivalent of 93 mpg. When powered solely by a 1.4-liter gasoline engine, the Volt gets 37 mpg.

CHEVY EQUINOX REMAINS FASTEST SELLING COMPACT CROSSOVER

By General Motors Corporation - For the seventh month in a row, consumers made the fuel-efficient Chevrolet Equinox the fastest-selling compact crossover, based on the average time spent on dealer lots. In November, Equinox averaged just 15 days to turn, half the time of other vehicles in the segment.

As Chevrolet increased supply to meet that sustained demand, Equinox retail sales increased 51 percent in November, compared to the same month a year ago. Total Equinox sales jumped 61 percent in November, surpassing both the Ford Escape and the Toyota RAV-4.

Equinox sales also significantly outpaced the overall segment, which increased 30 percent in November. For the 2010 calendar year, Equinox share of the segment has increased almost 3 percentage points, to 10.6 percent.

"We don't expect sales to slow any time soon," said Kerry Whelan, owner and president of Buff Whelan Chevrolet in Sterling Heights, Mich. "Almost everyone who test drives an Equinox leaves with an Equinox because of how well it drives, its interior design, and its fuel economy."

Equipped with the standard 2.4L Ecotec engine and six-speed automatic, the front-wheel-drive Equinox delivers a segment-best 32 mpg highway, according to EPA estimates - better than even the Ford Escape Hybrid. The Equinox also offers the best rear legroom in its class, thanks to the MultiFlex rear seat that slides fore and aft nearly eight inches (203 mm). With the 60/40-split-back rear seat moved all the way forward, the cargo area offers 31.4 cubic feet (889 liters) of storage.

Equinox also features an array of standard safety equipment, including six air bags, anti-lock brakes, StabiliTrak electronic stability control and traction control. Innovative features available on the Equinox include active noise cancellation technology for increased interior refinement, and a rear-view backup camera with the seven integrated into the center rearview mirror.

These features helped earn the Equinox a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. In addition, Consumer's Digest named the Equinox a 2010 Best Buy, and Auto Pacific named the Equinox the Best in Class for the 2010 Ideal Vehicle Awards.

To meet continued consumer demand for the Equinox, Chevrolet has increased production capacity three times since 2009. With the CAMI facility at Ingersoll running at full capacity, Equinox regular production began at the Oshawa Assembly Plant in late September.

The plan utilizes excess capacity from the new CAMI body shop to transport additional Equinox bodies from Ingersoll to Oshawa for paint and final assembly. This adds capacity to build 60,000 to 80,000 more Equinox and GMC Terrain (also built at CAMI) for the Canadian and U.S. markets.

"The Chevrolet Equinox continues to be the fastest selling vehicle in one of the fastest growing vehicle segments," said Alan Batey vice president, Chevrolet Sales and Service. "This proved to be a creative way to quickly build more vehicles to meet customer demand. As the November sales show, the added production is already helping Chevrolet attract consumer sales we might not have otherwise."

EPA RATES CHEVY VOLT 'ALL-ELECTRIC' MPG AT 93, RANGE AT 35 MILES

By Automotive News - The 2011 Chevrolet Volt, an innovative plug-in hybrid, received not one but three different mileage ratings from the U.S. EPA today.

On electricity alone, the Volt achieves the equivalent of 93 mpg. Powered solely by the gasoline engine, the Volt gets 37 mpg. Running on a combination of electricity and gasoline, the Volt generates the equivalent of 60 mpg, the EPA determined.

General Motors Co. has been touting the Volt for four years now and often refers to it as a technological showcase. The four-passenger car can travel on battery power alone and offers additional driving range when assisted by a 1.4-liter gasoline engine. The car has already received numerous awards, including Green Car Journal's Green Car of the Year. The EPA said the Volt has a 35-mile range on electricity alone and a range of 379 miles with gasoline and electricity. GM had been saying that the Volt had a range of 35-50 miles on one full battery charge.

"We have said that the range is variable on how you drive," Doug Parks, GM's vehicle line executive in charge of the Volt, said during a conference call today with the press.

The Volt falls into the EPA compact vehicle segment, which includes such vehicles as the Ford Focus, Chevrolet Cruze and Toyota Corolla. The Volt's mpg rating was rated as best in the compact class by the EPA.

Since the Volt is using technology that no other automaker currently offers, a new mileage label was created by the EPA with input from GM.

"The label helps customers understand the uniqueness of the Volt and how it applies to their routine," said Scott Miller, vehicle performance manager for the Volt.

Label unique to Volt

The Volt is the only 2011 vehicle that will use this label. However, although it has not been determined by the EPA, the label is expected to be used by other automakers that offer similar powertrains, Parks said. The label is not expected to be used for just one model year, discarded and replaced with something different for 2012.

"We are quite pleased with the numbers and the label," Parks said. "If there was a simpler way, we would have done it."

The label lists what it calls "charging routines," essentially estimates for the cost of electricity and gasoline based on the number of miles driven between charges. For example, a Volt owner living in an urban area who travels 30 miles between charges, would use no gasoline, the EPA estimates. The vehicle would consume 10.9 killowatts of electricity for an estimated cost of four cents per mile.

That contrasts with a Volt owner who travels 75 miles between a charge and uses gasoline. The EPA estimates 12.9 kilowatts of electricity would be used, in addition to gasoline, for a combined estimated cost of 7 cents per mile. The EPA estimates fuel economy at 69 miles per gallon.

Earlier this month, Tom Stephens, GM's global product chief, said Chevrolet would begin shipping the Volt to dealers as soon as the EPA issued a mileage lable for the vehicle. Parks declined to say when shipments would begin, however.

GM's Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant has built Volts for shipment since early November.

The car will go on sale initially in Michigan, California; metropolitan New York; Austin, Texas; and Washington, D.C. before it is available in the rest of the country by 2012. It has a base price of $41,000, including shipping, before a $7,500 federal tax credit.

The Volt is the most aerodynamic vehicle GM has produced, Stephens said. GM has said the Volt can travel 25 to 50 miles on battery power alone and offer additional driving range of 310 miles when assisted by a 1.4-liter engine with a full tank of gasoline.

Limited production

"The Volt does everything we said it was going to do the very first day we announced it - and more," Stephens said earlier this month. "If you recall back then how many people were saying that they don't even have a battery, they don't have motors or any of this, can this be real?

"The fact is it is real and you can drive it now."

Stephens said GM is maintaining its plan to produce 10,000 Volts through 2011 and 45,000 in 2012. However, that number could change depending on customer demand and the ability of suppliers to provide parts for the vehicle, he said. But there are early signs the car will see widespread demand. General Electric Co., for example, has committed to purchase the Volt for fleet use.

Earlier this month, the EPA announced the fuel economy rating for the Nissan Leaf, an electric-powered four-seat vehicle.

The EPA label on the Leaf will display a fuel economy rating for the Nissan Leaf, and electric-powered four-seat vehicle.

The EPA label on the Leaf will display a fuel economy equivalent of 99 mpg when it goes on sale next month. The battery-powered Leaf uses no gasoline or oil, and has no combustion engine or fuel tank. The Leaf received a "best in class" ranking for mid-sized vehicles.

Nissan has said that the Leaf would get up to 100 miles of driving on a full charge. However, the EPA put the range at 73 miles. The Leaf goes on sale next month in five states.

NEW CAMARO CONVERTIBLE BLENDS TOP-DOWN DRIVING FUN WITH PRECISE ENGINEERING

• On sales in February 2011
• Canadian pricing begins at $33,995 and is proudly built in Canada
• Well-tailored fabric top
• Acoustical headliner for quietness and easy-to-use single latch
• Robust, reinforced structure supports a sports coupe-like driving experience
• Better torsional stiffness than BMW 3-Series convertible

By General Motors of Canada - The popular Chevrolet Camaro opens a new chapter as the 2011 Camaro convertible recently premiered at the Los Angeles International Auto Show. The new convertible begins production in January in Oshawa, ON, and goes on sale in February. It includes an enhanced body structure and well-tailored top mechanism - a combination designed to deliver sports coupe-like driving fun and precise quality.

"The launch of the new convertible opens Camaro design and performance to a new set of potential customers," said Marc Comeau, vice president of Chevrolet marketing in Canada. "The 21st century revival of Camaro has been tremendously popular, and that is testament to the top-quality work being done at our Oshawa Assembly Plant."

The convertible will be offered in similar model configurations as the Camaro coupe. The standard model will have a 312-horsepower direct injection V-6 engine delivering 6.9 L/100km highway fuel consumption. The SS model will feature the 6.2L v-8engine producing 426-horsepower. A six-speed manual transmission will be standard, with an optional six-speed automatic.

The right to purchase one of the first convertibles was recently sold at the Barrett-Jackson auction for $205,000, with all proceeds donated to charity. The 2011 Neiman Marcus Edition (US only) Camaro convertibles, a group of 100 exclusive cars with custom-designed elements and priced at $75,000 each, sold out in only three minutes.

The Camaro convertible delivers great refinement, along with uncompromising, coupe-like driving dynamics. Its enhanced body structure helps prevent cowl or steering wheel shake, for a strong, confident feel in all driving conditions. The top has a smooth, tailored fit, with acoustical foam in the headliner that helps deliver a quiet ride with the top up.

Camaro convertible is offered in 1LT/2LT (V-6) and 1SS/2SS (V-8) trim packages and priced from $33,995 MSRP. Nine production exterior colors are available, with tops offered in black or tan. Rear parking assist is standard on all convertible models.

Strong structure

The Camaro's architecture was designed to accommodate a convertible mode which means customers enjoy the fun of top-down cruising with coupe-like driving dynamics. Four strategic reinforcements enhance the already-stiff body structure to eliminate common convertible maladies of cowl and steering wheel shake. They include:

• A tower-to-tower brace under the hood
• A transmission support reinforcement brace
• Underbody tunnel brace
• Front and rear underbody "V" braces

"Our goal in development was to make the convertible match the coupe as closely as possible in ride quality, handling and overall performance," said Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief engineer.

A telling example of the Camaro convertible's strength is evidenced in its suspension tuning - specifically, the lack of changes between the convertible and coupe models.

"To compensate for the reduced structure of an open car, engineers often will make the suspension softer, making the convertible a boulevard cruiser," said Oppenheiser. "Instead, we took the more difficult, but better path of bolstering structure rather than softening the suspension. We didn't change a strut, bushing or spring rate from the Camaro coupe."

The result is a convertible that preserves nearly all the acceleration, road-holding and performance capabilities of the Camaro coupe.

Additional safety structural reinforcements are designed to improve noise and vibration characteristics, while also contributing to the elimination of cowl/steering wheel shake. They include a hydrofromed tube in the A-pillars, an inner reinforcement bracket in the windshield header, a reinforced front hinge pillar and reinforcements inside the rockers.

The structural changes to the Camaro convertible body give it superior bending and torsional stiffness than its closest competitor, and better torsional stiffness than the BMW 3-Series convertible.

Exceptional top refinement

At the outset, designers and engineers sought to eliminate the common appearance of convertible top support ribs and they succeeded, using composite knuckles rather than aluminum ones, as well as extending the top material below the belt line and revising the top's stitch lines. The result is a top that has a smooth, taut and carefully tailored appearance that also retains the sleek roofline of the coupe.

The power-folding top retracts in about 20 seconds. It is built in partnership with the same manufacturer as the Corvette convertible top, and operates in a similar manner. That means it folds in a simple "Z" pattern and latches with a single, convenient handle located at the center of the windshield header. Other convertible models in this segment still offer convertible tops with dual latches, forcing drivers into two-hand operations reaching across the car.

Once the latch is turned to the open position, the push of a single button lowers the windows and activates the top. The car doesn't have to be parked for the top to be activated, allowing for spur-of-the-moment lowering while stopped at a stoplight.

The top is made of thick, durable canvas and it features acoustical headliner material that provides a quiet, coupe-like ride when the top is up. It also incorporates a glass rear window and rear window defogger.

A folding, one-piece tonneau cover is standard on 2LT and 2SS models and optional on 1LT/1SS. It covers the folded top for a finished appearance. An accessory windscreen is available from Chevrolet dealers. It installs behind the front seats to limit wind buffeting when driving with the top down.

Additional Details

A myriad of fine details distinguish Camaro convertible models including:

• The OnStar/XM/AM-FM radio antenna moves to the deck lid on LT models without the RS package
• The radio antenna is embedded in the rear spoiler on RS-equipped LT and SS models
• The trunk lock cylinder is moved to the rear seat area for a cleaner exterior appearance
• A new subwoofer design is located in the trunk between the rear seats

Because the combined OnStar/SM/AM-FM radio antenna is mounted on the roof of coupe models, it had to be relocated on the convertible. On RS-equipped LT models and SS models, which include a rear spoiler, a small "shark fin" ONStar/XM antenna is mounted on the deck lid, while the AM/FM radio antenna is hidden inside the rear spoiler. This patent-pending design creates a sleeker appearance. For LT models without a rear spoiler (without the RS package), the combined antenna is located in the center of the deck lid.

The relocation of the trunk lock cylinder also cleans up the Camaro convertible's appearance, moving from the panel between the taillamps to a discreet area between the rear seat back cushion and driver's side interior panel. The change retains full, lockable access to the trunk, with the keyless remote fob also offering easy trunk access.

Finally, the subwoofer-either an eight-inch unit with the base sound system or a 10-inch subwoofer with the available Boston Acoustics system - is relocated from the trunk to an area between the rear seat cushions.

Performance

Camaro LT convertible models are offered with a 3.6L direct injection (DI) V-6 that delivers more power through increased efficiency, while maintaining fuel economy and lowering emissions - including a 25-percent drop in cold-start hydrocarbon emissions. It is rated at 312 horsepower (232 kW) and 278 lb.-ft. of torque (370 Nm).

Two 6.2L V-8 engines are offered in Camaro SS models, including the L99 on automatic-equipped vehicles and the LS3 on manual-equipped models. Both engines are derived from the LS3 that debuted on the 2008 Corvette, with an aluminum block (with cast iron cylinder liners) and aluminum cylinder heads. Horsepower for the L99 is 400 (298 kW) and torque is 410 lb.-ft. (556 Nm). The LS3 develops 426 horsepower (318 kW) and 420 lb.-ft. (569 Nm).

The L99 features the fuel saving Active Fuel Management System, which saves fuel by shutting down half of the engine's cylinders during certain light-load driving conditions, such as highway cruising.

All Camaro models can be equipped with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. The Aisin AY6 six-speed manual is standard with the 3.6L engine, and a Hydra-Matic 6L50 six-speed automatic is optional. A Tremec TR 6060 six-speed manual is standard on the SS, and the Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic is optional.