2013 GMC AND CHEVROLET BI-FUEL PICKUPS UNVEILED

By General Motors, Oshawa - Chevrolet and GMC announced details of General Motors' bi-fuel 2013 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 2500 HD extended cab pickup trucks. Fleet and retail consumers can place orders late this year.

The vehicles include a compressed natural gas (CNG) capable Vortec 6.0L V8 engine that seamlessly transitions between CNG and gasoline fuel systems. Combined, the trucks are expected to offer a range of more than 1000 kilometres. The Silverado and Sierra will be available in standard and long box, with either two- or four-wheel drive.

"The bi-fuel Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra provide customers with choices in advanced propulsion technology, and because CNG is a clean-burning, domestically produced fuel, it has wide appeal," said Ed Peper, general manager, GM Fleet and Commercial Operations. "The addition of a full-size bi-fuel pickup truck to GM's fleet portfolio is another milestone in putting the customer first in everything we do -- by offering great products, innovative solutions and a great customer experience."

GM is the only manufacturer to offer a single-source option for its gaseous fuel vehicles. The bi-fuel trucks are built with a specially designed engine, the fuel system is installed by GM's Tier One supplier and the completed vehicle is delivered directly to the customer. This process makes ordering the bi-fuel option as seamless and efficient as a standard vehicle.

"The bi-fuel truck provides businesses with added re-fueling flexibility and eases consumer range concerns that typically come with CNG, all while reducing emissions and controlling costs," said Joyce Mattman, director, GM Commercial Product and Specialty Vehicles. "This turnkey ordering process, combined with the best warranty in the industry for a commercial product, makes our bi-fuel truck an attractive option, especially for commercial customers."

The bi-fuel commercial trucks will be covered by GM's three-year, 60,000-kilometre new vehicle limited warranty and five-year, 160,000-kilometre limited powertrain warranty and vehicle emissions warranty, meeting all Environment Canada emission requirements. It is the most extensive warranty offered by any manufacturer on commercial products.

The trucks are built in Fort Wayne, Ind., and then sent to the Tier One supplier for installation of the CNG bi-fuel delivery and storage system. The entire gaseous fuel system meets GM's strict quality, durability, safety testing and is covered uner the extensive warranty.

GM TO AUCTION OFF FIRST 45TH ANNIVERSARY CAMARO CONVERTIBLE

By Autos.ca - The first 45th Anniversary Chevrolet Camaro Convertible, VIN 001, will be auctioned at the Barrett-Jackson 10th Annual Florida Auction on Friday, April 6. Chevrolet Motor Division donated the collectable car and all proceeds will benefit the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute -- one of only 40 National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the country.

The 45th Anniversary Special Edition Camaro Convertible is the first of the 2012 model year production and has a 6.2L V8 engine paired with a 6-speed manual transmission. It's finished with a carbon flash metallic exterior with a unique hood stripe, and a jet black leather interior with white accents on the instrument panel and door inserts. The Barrett-Jackson auction will take place in Palm Beach at the South Florida fairgrounds. Those unable to attend can bid on this exciting vehicle by visiting www.barrett-jackson.com.

The Barrett-Jackson auction is an example of General Motors commitment to the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute and its celebration of the organization's 30th Annual Dinner this year, a milestone in fundraising for cancer patients and cutting-edge research.

The Karmanos Cancer Institute's 30th Annual Dinner will be held Saturday, April 28, at the General Motors Vehicle Engineering Center in Warren, Mich. The GM Foundation has generously donated $400,000 to cancer research this year, bringing GM and the GM Foundation's total support of Karmanos to almost $6 million over the past 15 years.

"It's absolutely astounding the commitment that this one company has shown to Karmanos' patients and the brilliant work that our scientific researchers do each day to find a cure for this terrible disease," said Gerold Bepler, M.D., Ph.D., president and CEO of Karmanos. "Thanks to all of our supporters, we are developing the next standard of cancer care that will be used around the world.

GM, FORD AND VW EYE GROWING IRAQI CAR MARKET

A view of Kahramana square in Baghdad. Rising car
sales and interest in Iraq by major automakers are signs
of optimism amid continuing violence and political strains.

By Tamara Walid & Kadhim Ajrash, Bloomberg - Backed by the world's fifth-largest oil reserves and a population bigger than Saudi Arabia's, Iraq is attracting the attention of global automakers including General Motors Co., Ford Motor Co. and Volkswagen Group.

Western cars were shut out of the Iraqi market by sanctions during the Saddam Hussein era. The lack of modern vehicles is evident in the survival of many VW Passats that were shipped to Iraq from Brazil between 1983 and 1990 in exchange for oil.

Now rising incomes and declining violence are fueling demand for a middle-class lifestyle that includes autos after years of conflict following the U.S.-led invasion that ousted Hussein's regime.

One of the popular models is Chrysler Group's Dodge Charger, nicknamed "Obama" after the U.S. president by Iraqis.

Upwardly Mobile: Cars have always been powerful emblems of a society. A small rush of international automakers into Iraq and rising sales are signs of optimism amid continuing violence and political strains.

The country's economy, boosted by oil revenues and foreign investment, will probably grow faster than 10 percent this year, outpacing all other countries in the Middle East and North Africa, said Philippe Dauba-Pantanacce, a Dubai-based economist at Standard Chartered Bank.

Higher incomes are generally accompanied by greater spending on durable goods such as automobiles, he said.

The growth is underpinned by safer streets. Around 1,500 Iraqi civilians were killed by bombs, sniper ambushes and other attacks last year, according to the Brookings Institute's Iraq index. While that's a high loss of life, it's the lowest figure since the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003, when deaths totaled 7,300. Civilian fatalities peaked at 34,500 in 2006.

The economic benefits of Iraq's revival are palpable for people like Sarmad Khalid. Buoyed by the access to new vehicles and a minimum wage that's risen to around $400 a month from the equivalent of $2.60 in Hussein's era, the 54-year-old got a chance at a new start.

The former government worker bought a Samand, a sedan manufactured by Iran Khodro Co. that's popular among Iraqis. He now works as a taxi driver after scraping together an existence with work at a relative's grocery store and as a teller in a currency exchange since 2003. "I can now make a living and feed my family of three kids and a wife, after losing my job following the invasion," said Khalid.

VW, Ford, GM Optimism: With a population of more than 30 million people and a growing economy, Iraq's auto market has "huge potential," said Stefan Mecha, VW's managing director for the Middle East, projecting industrywide sales to rise by a third this year to 120,000 vehicles. Demand could get much bigger.

In neighboring Saudi Arabia, which has a population slightly smaller than Iraq's, there are about 6.5 million registered cars, according to IHS Automotive. That's about five times the 1.35 million vehicles in Iraq, according to Hamid Algharbawi, owner of a high-end car dealership in Baghdad. Official data aren't available.

Iraq holds "a lot of promise", said Larry Prein, Ford's managing director for the Middle East. Ford expects sales to double this year after tripling to 2,000 in 2011.

Niva Car Ltd., Ford's dealer in Iraq, plans to invest $200 million over the next three years to open new outlets to tap the rising demand, said Mohammad Fuad Alanaswah, the dealer's chief. "It's a tough market to be in, but it is growing," said Alanaswah. "We believe in our market. That's why we are expanding."

GM plans to invest in new showrooms and service centers in Iraq after initially entering the market in 2003 by selling to the government, U.S. forces and aid organizations, said John Satdwick, head of GM's Middle East operations.

Last year, GM's sales surged 68 percent to 32,000 cars, making Iraq its second- largest market in the region after Saudi Arabia.

Still, poverty and security remain hurdles to further expansion. Iraq's economy will probably grow to the equivalent of $3,528 per person this year, according to the International Monetary Fund. That compares with $20,214 in Saudi Arabia. Joblessness is also probably close to 40 percent, according to the World Bank, more than three times the official unemployment rate of 11 percent.

GM REACTS TO STATE OF WASHINGTON'S PROPOSED EV SURTAX

By Suzanne Ashe, Automotive News - The Washington State Senate last month passed a bill that would charge electric car owners $100 per year to compensate for not paying gas taxes.

In response, GM Director of Government Affairs Hal Lenox sent a letter to Washington Gov. Chris Gregorie asking the surtax be removed, calling the bill "unfair".

If signed into law, the tax would only apply to owners of the all-electric vehicles. The bill excludes vehicles like the Chevrolet Volt, which can run part of the time on gas. Still, GM spoke out against it.

GM officials say that because of the high cost of electric vehicles, it is not in a state's advantage to set a higher barrier of entry for first-time electric vehicle buyers. Plus, the proposed law seemed to single out EV owners for an unfair tax.

The letter states that higher prices of electric vehicles already present a barrier to consumers. By placing an additional surtax on these vehicles, it creates a disincentive to consumers.

The letter also states that because there are so few electric vehicles in the state of Washington, money generated by the tax would be negligible.

KIA RIO, HYUNDAI ACCENT AND CHEVY SONIC TOP CONSUMER REPORTS SUBCOMPACT SHOOTOUT

By Zach Bowman, Autoblog.com - Consumer Reports has just wrapped up an evaluation of subcompact sedans, and the Kia Rio EX has rolled out ahead of the class. The four-door beat out its corporate clone, the Hyundai Accent and the Chevrolet Sonic to take the top spot. Evaluators pointed to the sharp handling and well-optioned interior in the Rio ad reasons for the vehicle's win. The newly redesigned Nissan Versa and unloved Toyota Yaris filled out the top five sedans. And what of the baby hatchbacks? CR once again credited the Honda Fit as leader of the pack, followed closely by the Versa Hatchback and Rio Hatchback.

The organization found fault with the base Chevrolet Sonic's fuel economy, and found the turbocharged LTZ model to be too expensive. Evaluators also felt the Sonic Turbo "didn't live up to its sporty aspirations."

We'll politely agree to disagree on that one.

All of the vehicles in the evaluation are either too new or scored too low in CR evaluations to earn a coveted Recommended rating.

LOUIS CHEVROLET HONORED WITH GIANT CHROME BUST IN SWISS HOME TOWN

By Noah Joseph, Autoblog.com - Sure, we think of Chevrolet as an American automaker. One of the most American, at that. But most are shocked to learn its eponymous founder wasn't born in the United States. He was born in Switzerland. La Chaux-de-Fonds, to be exact, and so to celebrate the brand's 100th centenary, it has commissioned a local artist to erect a statue of Louis Chevrolet in his hometown's Parc de l'Ouest.

The giant polished steel bust was created by budding artist Christian Gonzenbach, whose design was selected by an international jury from among four finalists. Measuring five meters (16.4 feet) tall, the oversize bust was commissioned by General Motors and will remain in the park as a permanent tribute to the man whose name has become an international fixture in the automotive industry and a veritable household name.

2012 CHEVROLET SONIC TURBO NOW AVAILABLE WITH SIX-SPEED AUTOMATIC

By Steven Ewing, Autoblog.com - In an effort to appeal to a much wider range of shoppers, Chevrolet has announced that its turbocharged Sonic models will now be available with a six-speed automatic transmission. Up until now, manual-averse customers were stuck with the 1.8-liter naturally aspirated inline-four -- by our opinion, the worse of the two engines offered in the Sonic.

Under the hood of the Sonic, Chevrolet's 1.4-liter turbo-four is good for 138 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque. That's seriously good power for the 2,700-pound subcompact, especially when you consider that when paired with the manual box, the Sonic carries EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings of 8.1L/100km (29 MPG) city and 5.8L/100km (40 MPG) highway. Of course, adding the automatic transmission reduces that economy, though the slushbox Sonic is still rated at a respectable 27/37 mpg.

The automatic Sonic Turbo is on sale now. LT models start at US$16,635 for the sedan and US$17,635 for the five-door, with the high-zoot LTZ trims commanding US$18,625 and US$19,325, respectively (not including US$795 for destination).

WALLHAULERS LET YOU HANG NASCAR DOOR ART ON YOUR WALL

By Autoblog.com - It's a well-known fact NASCAR fans will buy anything with their favourite driver's number on it. NASCAR nuts can buy driver-themed replica car hoods, used tires guaranteed to have been around a track somewhere, and even a Carl Edwards slow cooker. So hearing that Wallhaulers is now selling replica NASCAR racecar doors shouldn't be that big of a shock.

Despite what you might think of the rampant marketing around America's favourite racing series, these tribute doors are at least done well. Wallhaulers starts with .040" gauge aluminum and uses the very same process actual NASCAR teams use to apply the vinyl graphics.

And at US$250, the replica doors are not only cheaper, but probably prettier, too. An actual door from Jeff Gordon's Martinsville race will run you US$600.

Even better, a portion of each Wallhaulers purchase goes to the driver's favourite charity.

GENERAL MOTORS WANTS TO EXPAND ALLIANCE WITH PEUGEOT

By The Wall Street Journal - General Motors Co. and France's PSA Peugeot Citroen SA aim to begin joint development of at least two passenger cars by this fall, GM Chief Executive Dan Akerson said, describing the new alliance between the companies as a changed way of doing business for the Detroit auto maker.

The cars are likely to go on sale by 2016 in global markets, Mr. Akerson said. The first vehicle to be launched would be a superminicar for the South American market, where GM and Peugeot are looking to turn around their operations, people familiar with the plans said.

Mr. Akerson said he wants the partnership, criticized by U.S. and European investors as being too limited in scope to significantly improve the standing of either company, to go well beyond joint purchasing and parts-sharing. GM, he said, is shifting some executives to Europe to work on expanding the alliance.

"This isn't just capacity reduction," Mr. Akerson said in an interview, responding to critics who say the deal doesn't address GM's overcapacity problems in Europe. "This is a whole new way of looking at the business. There will be other specific initiatives that will underpin the master agreement; this deal could see significant gains on a number of levels."

The alliance comes as GM separately negotiates a deal with unions to cut costs and reduce capacity throughout Europe, where strong labor unions and government intervention have prevented companies from closing plants despite chronic overcapacity. GM, which has incurred more than $14 billion in losses in Europe since 1999, has concluded that plant closings are necessary for returning its European operations to profitability.

GM agreed to pay about $420 million for a 7% stake in Peugeot under the deal. Peugeot also is raising money through a rights offering. The auto makers said the deal will save them $1 billion each annually starting in 2017.

A spokesman for Peugeot declined to comment on details of future plans. "We are looking at a number of different development projects and are in the process of evaluating them," Peugeot spokesman Jonathan Goodman said.

Peugeot's top global managers are set to meet on Thursday, but don't plan to discuss specific joint projects with GM in Latin America or Europe, a person familiar with the situation said.

Developing vehicles jointly -- if executed properly and across a number of vehicle platforms -- could amount to billions in savings beyond the purchasing and development figure. A typical product program starts at roughly $1 billion and can cost several billion dollars. While developing two separate vehicles off the same platform would cost slightly more, splitting the cost between two companies could cut that tab by 25% or more for each project.

That said, industry experts expect GM and Peugeot to have difficulty achieving those savings. With few exceptions, alliances that focus on joint product and materials savings have been disappointing in the past.

CHEVY AIMS TINY SPARK AT CITY DWELLERS

By Rick Kranz, Automotive News - The Korea-built Spark that debuts in the United States in July will be the smallest Chevrolet ever sold here. It's so small that Chevy executives say they are having a hard time forecasting sales volume for the car.

"We haven't set a specific target," said Cristi Landy, Spark marketing director. "A minicar is new" to the United States. "There are a lot of unknowns here."

Chevrolet is aiming the car primarily at people residing in large cities where a very small vehicle can make the difference in finding a parking space. The Spark is 144.7 inches long, or 5.1 inches longer than the Fiat 500. It is 14.3 inches shorter than Chevy's five-door Sonic hatchback.

The Spark is currently sold in Europe, Asia, Australia, South America and Mexico. The Spark and Sonic were engineered by GM Korea. The U.S. version of the Spark will be assembled in Korea and marketed as Chevrolet's lowest-priced car. Today, the Sonic carries Chevrolet's lowest sticker -- $14,660 US for the five-speed manual, including transportation.

It's the powertrain that will distinguish the North American Spark. General Motors' new 85.2-hp, 1.2-liter four-cylinder engine will be under the hood. Other markets offer a 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine.

"In a lot of regions it is exclusively a city car; they never leave a congested environment,: said Bob Casparian, Spark product manager. "On our roads, you can quickly find yourself on the interstate. What we were looking for is a powertrain that provides the best balance of power and fuel economy for our road system."

Fuel economy numbers have not yet been released.

The Spark will compete here with the Fiat 500, Scion iQ and Smart ForTwo. It's a small segment. Last year Smart sold 5,208 ForTwo units, although sales were up 50 percent in the first two months of this year.

Fiat sold 19,769 units of the 500 in 2011, a partial year of sales. The iQ went on sale in December, and 1,486 units were sold in the past three months.

"That segment is a tough sell, not just a tough sell for Chevy," said Tracy Handler, an analyst at IHS Automotive. "That segment has a very limited audience that wants that small of a car."

The North American Spark will be distinguished by a restyled grille and fascia, new headlamps and rear taillights, plus a redesigned instrument panel that incorporates a seven-inch touch screen. The screen is capable of displaying smartphone-based navigation, media and contacts for hands-free driving, and it will be standard with 1LT and 2LT trims.

Those changes will be incorporated later into models sold outside North America.

Chevrolet will offer a paint palette that features dazzling colors, including bright green, light yellow and pink. The last color is the most popular Spark choice in Korea, but initially those colors were turned down for the U.S. market by the Spark team.

"This car is all about fun; it is all about expressiveness," Landy said. "It just made sense to bring in some of these very expressive colors into the palette," including what she described as silvery pink.

"It is called Techno Pink," Landy said. "It is nothing like Mary Kay" cosmetics pink.

CHEVROLET CORVETTE CELEBRATES 60TH ANNIVERSARY AT GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED

By Autoguide.com - The Goodwood Festival of Speed is Britain's premier motoring event celebrating racing heritage. Last year, the venue celebrated the centenary of the iconic Chevrolet brand. For 2012, Chevrolet returns once more to celebrate the 60th birthday of the Chevrolet Corvette.

First conceptualized as the 1952 EX-122 concept, designer Harley Earl wanted to create an American sports car to challenge Britain's Jaguar and MG. The EX-122 made its first public debut in January 1953 at the GM Motorama, at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York.

GM also intended for its sports car to be made more affordable, utilizing existing mechanical components. However, this isn't to say that the Corvette was made on the cheap. GM developed an ultra-modern, aerodynamic body and the Corvette became the first mass-produced vehicle to extensively use fiberglass, an innovative material that saved weight, prevented corrosion, and is capable of being molded into more complex shapes.

As for its engine, the first Corvettes came with GM's 'Blue Flame' inline-six engine and an optional 265 cubic inch Small Block V8 before GM took it to new heights with a larger 283-hp 283 cubic inch Small Block V8 for 1957. The 283 became one of the first mass produced engines to achieve 1-hp per cubic inch.

Today, the Corvette remains one of America's highly popular and iconic high performance sports cars. Over the span of six generations, more than 1.3 million Corvettes have been produced.

Chevrolet UK Managing Director Mark Terry said, "The Corvette is a true icon of the Chevrolet brand -- it provides the performance DNA that runs through the whole Chevrolet model rage. Styling influences such as its trademark dual cockpit, there since the original, can be found in all of our cars today, and it still delivers the same performance, the same jaw-dropping styling and the same wow factor as it always has -- it's the greatest ambassador possible for the Chevrolet brand."

Celebrate Corvette's 60th with fellow automotive enthusiasts at the Goodwood Festival of Speed from June 28th to July 1, 2012.

FLEXIBLE ORLANDO

GM's seven-seater is fuel efficient,
versatile, affordable, fun to drive

By Todd Gillis, The Chronicle Herald - With a force similar to a jet being launched off an aircraft carrier. The Incredible Hulk accelerated my son and I from zero to 65 km/hr in two seconds flat. The coaster then blasted us 160 feet in the air and soon after plummeted on into an upside down weightless 'zero-g' roll. That was just part of a two-minute, 16-second thrill ride which included speeds up to 108 km/hr through seven inversions and two subterranean trenches.

Ryan and I braved The Hulk six times back to back at Universal Studios and, oddly enough, I haven't had lower back pain since. Go figure.

Until recently, any mention of Orlando or Florida would ignite a flood of memories from a family trip there in 2010. Mention 'Orlando' to me today, however, and my thoughts would drift directly to GM's quasi-micro-van-wagon-crossover, the 2012 Chevrolet Orlando, which carted us through the Holiday Season.

While the seven-seater didn't really have much in common with The Hulk, I figured it could leave some 'green' in a wallet when it came to fuel efficiency and overall value for the dollar.

Based on the multi-award-winning Chevy Cruze's platform, the Orlando proved to be a versatile, fun-to-drive hauler through an extended 14-day test drive.

Those two weeks included many mall excursions, some family gift-delivery visits in the city, and one cold, windy, snowy trek to Cape Breton.

Inside the Orlando, I'll comment first on its nifty centre-stack audio head which flipped open with the press upward of a button to reveal a hidden storage compartment. It took only four days for me, okay, Davide (my nine year old) to find it, but we were rewarded upon discovery with USB and auxiliary inputs inside for media devices.

That stack bin was deep enough to store my iPhone and its cable, while one could also fit maybe a half dozen of those CD thingies in there if you chose to kick it old school.

Seated atop my firm and supportive driver's seat, visibility was okay and the front and sides once my eyes made their way around the thick, airbag-stuffed pillars.

The view out the rear was limited with the rear seatbacks in use; and with humans in those seats, well, I'll just say that the big side-view mirrors helped, a lot.

Those premium cloth front seats in our 1LT tester (it came in base LS, 1LT, 2LT and top-spec LTZ trim levels) had manual movement and each included height adjustment. Heated seats would've been a nice inclusion but they weren't available till the 2LT trim as an option and were standard on the LTZ.

I did like that my driver seat had a right armrest for when I drove incorrectly with one hand on the wheel.

I also appreciated the convex mirror on the ceiling which allowed me to spy on the kids seated in the second and/or third rows.

And I took a liking to the small button by the power window controls because, when pressed, it not only locked out the rear windows, it also activated the childproof door locks.

The Orlando's second-row seating offered great head and leg room for three kids or two large adults and maybe a marathon runner (aka skinny person) in the middle in a pinch. The seatbacks reclined back for extra room and comfort while feet found fathoms of wiggle space under the front seats.

I liked that there were deep bottle holders in the rear doors and pouches on the front seatbacks for the kids' books and garbage. The fold-down armrest supplied two more cup holders (small and medium sized).

The third row came in handy over the Holidays as it provided plenty of room for our kids while their grandparents found easy entry into and comfort aboard those second-row seats.

Access to the third row was an easy task for me and was even easier for my kids.

When I flipped one or both sections of the 60/40 second-row seats, they would automatically unlock from the bottom so I could effortlessly tumble them forward and open up a wide passageway to the third row.

That fold process was kid-friendly and was easily accomplished by Davide who folded the seat himself and effortlessly climbed aboard, as did Olivia. Head room was surprisingly abundant in the third row for me, but leg room was limited, as expected.

Both the second and third rows had stadium-style seating, so visibility for passengers towards the front and out the sides was excellent.

Cargo room behind the third-row seatback was pretty much non existent -- it was just a vertical load area with minimal depth. The floor back there was open to expose a handy storage compartment along with the vehicle tools and jack which were encased in a removable Styrofoam casing. The spare tire was caged up under the vehicle.

With the second- and third-row seatbacks folded perfectly flat, there was roughly six-feet of length up to the front seatbacks, and about 41.5 inches of width between the suspension wells.

The seats folded easily, while the headrests automatically flipped down when I pulled the handles to drop the seatbacks. The seatblets could be secured by anchors on the walls so they'd be out of the way when you had to load bigger cargo.

The rear liftgate opening was noticeably wide at about 40 inches and high at 29 inches. The Orlando's low load floor plus that opening made the cargo-area load process a simple task.

The Orlando's fuel-efficient 2.4-litre Ecotec engine provided ample oomph on and off the highway in a variety of driving conditions we experienced. The cold, windy highway trek to Cape Breton showed off its surprising ride and handling prowess. Loaded down as we were, the Orlando felt planted and didn't exhibit any of the body roll one would expect in a ride that seated seven.

Its steering delivered good feedback while the four-wheel disc brakes brought a passenger-heavy Orlando down from speed with ease. Crosswinds weren't much of an issue, but some road and wind noise did creep into the cabin.

Rides over rough surfaces, like the one snow-covered mountain road I took a short drive on while on the island, were nicely softened by its suspension. Its front-wheel-drive and winter tires handled the snow and ice without concern from this driver.

Off the line, the Orlando was rated at 100 km/hr in 10.4 seconds. We experienced, and appreciated, the rated 80-to-120-km/h pass move in seven seconds on our highway drives.

Its six-speed automatic transmission (with manual mode) felt smooth and refined.

On the whole, we had a minivan for eight years and praised it for its ability to do the things my young family of five needed it to do -- namely, haul all of us, our big dog, and a lot of stuff wherever we needed to go with lots of V6 power at the ready.

The Orlando was not a minivan.

But it did a lot of things that I liked, one of which was its ability to carry seven people without me (the driver) having felt like I was at the wheel of a, well, big, petro-guzzling minivan.

We made do with the lack of cargo space when loaded down with humans, and we also made do with the limited trips to the gas station.

No, it wasn't anything that in any way resembled The Incredible Hulk coaster on the road, nor was it intended to be, but it should help GM maintain its re-acquired world's #1 manufacturer status.

More standards - Other standard features on our tester included: two big console cup holders; a small bin with sliding cover; illuminated glove box and vanity mirrors; one-touch auto up/down driver and passenger windows (one-touch auto down rear windows); flip-down cubby on lower dash to left of steering column; tilt/telescope steering column, and a driver information centre (showed the compass, two trip odometers, instantaneous and average fuel economy, fuel range, average speed, and a digital speedometer), engine block heater, and heated mirrors.

There were options - Our tester had $2,780 in options which included its six-speed automatic transmission ($1,450); 16-inch aluminum wheels ($510); and the Vehicle Interface Package ($820) which added Bluetooth, USB port, XM satellite radio, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls.

EX-GM HONCHO BOB LUTZ DEFENDS EMBATTLED CHEVROLET VOLT

By USA Today - Give a retired GM executive, especially the ever-glib Bob Lutz, a microphone and he waxes eloquent. But give him a blog on Forbes.com, and you see what a political bind his erstwhile conservative running mates have created for him. When will Bill O'Reilly, Lou Dobbs, and others stop lying about the Chevy Volt? Lutz wants to know.

Lutz isn't shy about taking credit for the Volt and defending it and his conservative pedigree to the hilt. How he makes his three points:

1. The Volt was largely my idea, and I was its undeniable champion. Work on it was started in 2006. Obama was elected in 2008.


2. No Volt in service has ever shown as much as a wisp of smoke. Not in normal service, and not in crashes. The three Volt battery fires all occurred under extremely destructive experimental conditions. Two of the fires were induced in batteries not mounted in cars.


3. Those who know me will vouch for my credentials as a conservative and vocal global warming skeptic. I spent 11 years as a Marine attack aviator trained and ready to take out Communists during the Cold War.
   

2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE WAGON BLENDS STYLE WITH UTILITY

By Damon Lavrinc, Autoblog.com - In the fine tradition of the Celebrity Wagon, the Bow Tie brand brings you this: The 2012 Chevrolet Cruze Wagon.

We kid, but in all honesty, the Cruze Wagon isn't just a more utilitarian take on one of our favorite C-segmenters -- it's an attractive one to boot.

And speaking of boots, the Cruze wagon uses its extra inches to good effect, expanding the cargo capacity of the standard sedan and hatchback models to 17.6 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and blowing out to 52.9 inches with the rear thrones folded flat.

Chevrolet MyLink comes along for the ride, and in Europe, buyers get a choice of three gasoline engines and two diesels. But here in the U.S. we get nothing. Chevy has no plans to bring the Cruze Wagon to the States.

2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU 2.0-LITER TURBO I-4: 259 HP, 260 LB-FT OF TORQUE

By Christian Seabaugh, Motor Trend - When we first drove the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco, we felt safe proclaiming it "the flavor of the week," as it was good, just not exactly class-leading material. We had higher hopes for the Malibu's two other powerplants but didn't yet know how potent they'd be -- until now. Chevrolet has announced the power outputs of the 2013 Malibu's 2.5-liter naturally aspirated I-4, and more importantly, its turbocharged 2.0-liter I-4.

The 2013 Malibu's new 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4 will likely be the engine to get enthusiasts (if there are any in the midsize family sedan segment) hot and bothered. The Ecotec turbo four produces 259-hp and a stout 260 lb-ft of torque between 1700 and 5500 rpm. Chevy says the engine produces more horsepower than any V-6 previously offered under the hood of the malibu. Chevy expects 2013 Malibu's equipped with the turbocharged engine to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 6.3 seconds, though we'll wait and see how fast it really is once we get our hands on it on the test track.

The Malibu's volume engine will likely be the new naturally aspirated 2.5-liter I-4. The four-banger produces 197-hp and 191 lb-ft of torque, which Chevrolet proudly proclaims is "the most torque of any naturally aspirated four-cylinder in the segment." A quick glance at the segment favorites like the 2012 Toyota Camry and the 2013 Ford Fusion reveal that that is in fact, true. The Camry produces 178-hp and 173 lb-ft of torque, while the 2013 Fusion's base four-banger will likely make around 170-hp and 170 lb-ft of torque -- though that figure could change as it nears production.

When the 2013 Chevy Malibu hits dealers it'll initially be available only with the 2.5-liter I-4 and the Malibu Eco's 2.4-liter I-4 and electric motor combo. The 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4 is set to join the rest of the lineup this fall.

CHEVY WILL BUILD 69 COPO CAMARO DRAG RACERS

By Jonathon Ramsey, Autoblog.com - If ever a car made us think of mullets, Cragars, racing suits and Natty Light, this is it. And we don't mean that in a bad way. The COPO Camaro concept that Chevrolet showed off at SEMA last year is officially becoming a production reality for everyone; however, only 69 people will be able to own it. In celebration of the 69 COPO Camaro ZL1s built in 1969, Chevrolet is building just that many of its modern drag-strip-only racer.

Two engine choices have been mentioned previously: a 427-cubic-inch V8 for AA Stock racing and a 327-cubic-inch V8 with a 4.0-liter supercharger for A Stock racing. Now, a third engine choice has been added: another 327-cubic-inch engine but with a 2.9-liter supercharger for B Stock. If you want all three engines Chevy will install one and provide the other two, all with matching numbers. Shifting is handled with a Powerglide automatic, and color schemes include Metallic White, Semi-Gloss Black, Inferno Orange Metallic and Chevy Racing Blue.

The price of entry is $89,000. How can you be one of the lucky? Chevrolet isn't saying. An "independent third party" chose the initial buyers, but it isn't clear how many slots are left or how they'll be distributed.

2014 CHEVROLET IMPALA TAKES SHAPE

By Steven Ewing, Autoblog.com - There isn't a whole lot to get excited about in the world of near-luxury, full-size, front-wheel-drive sedans. Stalwarts like the Ford Taurus and Toyota Avalon continue to make their way into the driveways of gray-haired shoppers, and new entries like the redesigned Hyundai Azera are attempting to add a little bit of spice to an otherwise bland segment. In recent years, the Chevrolet Impala has nearly fallen off the map in this class simply because it hasn't been seriously updated since its launch in 2005 as a 2006 model. (The big four-door did get a new engine for 2012, finally). But that's all about to change.

The 2014 Impala will be based on the same front-wheel-drive Epsilon-II architecture that underpins the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu and Cadillac XTS. But instead of sharing many of its components with the 'Bu, reports indicate that the Impala will use a lot of the features of the XTS in an effort to give it a much more premium feel than the current model. And while the majority of the new car's styling details are still covered up by the heavy camouflage, we can see premium features like large alloy wheels and what appear to be LED running lights up front. We just hope General Motors hasn't just taken the easy way out and created a Malibu on steroids.

Mum's the word on powertrain offerings, but earlier reports have suggested that GM's direct-injected 3.6-liter V6 will be on board, as well as the new 2.0-liter turbo four that's slated for use in the Cadillac ATS. An eAssist version is also rumored to be in the cards.

Look for the 2014 Impala to launch sometime during the 2013 calendar year. Production is slated to be split between GM's Oshawa, Ontario plant, as well as the Detroit-Hamtramck facility where the Malibu and Volt are built

GM OFFERS $1,000 OFF V6 CHEVY EQUINOX, GMC TERRAIN AS 4-CYLINDER SUPPLY DWINDLES

By Danny Choy, Autoguide.com - A direct reflection of the current market, GM has been struggling to keep up with demand for the 4-cylinder Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain crossovers for the past two months.

Facing a shortage in supply, GM has restricted dealer orders to better ration its bestsellers. Unfortunately, this has caused many dealers to fill their inventory with the 3.0-liter V6 models, which are less desirable to consumers in the face of rising costs at the pump. Currently, four-cylinder models account for 80 percent of Equinox and Terrain sales.

GM spokesman Jim Cain explained that "temporary order limits" had to be placed on the Equinox and Terrain. "It's a function of a strong industry, a hot vehicle, and a very robust demand for the four-cylinder model. We're working with our suppliers to increase deliveries of key components."

According to GM, the supply constraints will only be temporary until the supplier adjustment has been resolved. From the dealer's perspectives, it has been difficult to shift the V6 models as the national average has risen to $3.79/gallon of gas. For Herb Chambers Chevrolet-Cadillac of Danvers, MA, general sales manager Eduart Lela said, "I cringe when I have to order a six."

In an effort to work with the dealers, GM offers a $1,000 discount for each V6 Equinox or Terrain moved in order to lift sales.

GM PONDERS HOW TO REPLICATE SUCCESS OF CAMARO REDESIGN

By Rick Kranz, Automotive News - General Motors is wrestling with development of the next-generation Chevrolet Camaro.

GM views the current car as a big success, and the automaker is cautiously taking steps to avoid -- well, let's call is screwing up the redesigned Camaro. The car is due in the fall of 2015.

What's the issue? Well, there are several, says Al Oppenheiser, Camaro's cheif engineer. Weight reduction is one.

"We always get hammered for mass, and that's not going to be getting easier going forward" with the upcoming CAFE regulations, Oppenheiser said.

"Displacement, number of cylinders, all of these things you need to think about."

Then there's styling. "This is a very successful car," he said during an interview this month at a Chevrolet press event. "In some ways it is actually going to be tougher" to create the redesigned car, which will be the Camaro's sixth generation.

"Do you make it look like a second-gen?" he said, referring to the 1970-1981 Camaro. Or "do you make it look like the first gen?" -- a reference to the 1967-1969 model.

Oppenheiser won't say which direction the team is leaning, but you can understand the concern.

Camaro held 42 percent of the rear-dirve performance coupe market in 2011, composed of the Ford Mustang, Dodge Challenger and a recent newcomer, the Hyundai Genesis coupe.

Chevrolet sold 88,249 Camaros last year, followed by Mustang, 70,438, and the Challenger, 39,534. Hyundai sold 32,998 Genesis vehicles last year, but that includes the coupe and the sedan. Hyundai does not release separate numbers; the Automotive News Data Center estimates coupe sales at around 40 percent of all Genesis sales, which would be 13,199 coupes.

This year the Camaro has nearly 40 percent of the market. Mustang sales are up, giving it about 35 percent share.

On the horizon is the redesigned Mustang, expected for the 2015 model, the car's 50th anniversary. Though Oppenheiser didn't mention it, the new Mustang has the potential to become the No. 1 player, surpassing Camaro.

Oppenheiser stays in close communication with Tom Peters, design director for GM's performance cars. Peters' group is designing the next Camaro.

"We talk with our teams about what would you do to top (the current Camaro) or not top it, at least make sure you don't lose what you have today."

Said Oppenheiser: "We always have to stay fresh and ahead. But we do not want to lose the fact that we have nearly 40 percent of the market."

GM PREPS NEW CHEVY MODEL FOR SHOWROOMS, NASCAR RACE CIRCUIT

By Mike Colias, Automotive News - General Motors said today that it will replace its Impala NASCAR entry with a new model that it also will sell to consumers.

GM said the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race car and the showroom model will closely resemble each other and will debut in 2013 as a new Chevy nameplate. It will unveil the cars later this year, GM said.

In a statement, GM said it's taking advantage of new NASCAR rules that allow automakers to feature more of their brands' identities in their race cars.

"We are keeping the wraps on the new car for now and will continue to prepare for next season by testing camouflaged vehicles," said Jim Campbell, vice president of performance vehicles and motorsports for Chevrolet. "We know that Chevrolet fans are eager to see the new race car and we hope that the prospect of being able to own one just like it will make the wait a little more bearable."

Chevrolet currently races the Impala in NASCAR's top stock car racing circuit, and the aging sedan will be redesigned on a platform shared with the Cadillac XTS.

It is scheduled to go on sale in early 2013 as a 2014 model.

The Impala has raced in NASCAR's Sprint Cup series since 2007, when it replaced the Chevrolet Monte Carlo, a full-sized coupe.

ORLANDO DESTINED FOR FAMILY

By Glen Woodcock, Autonet - Long before the first brush strokes for the 2012 Chevrolet Orlando were committed to paper, I wonder if General Motors already had chosen a name. Did they pick Orlando because that's the Florida home of Walt Disney World and, possibly, a word that triggers happy family memories?

Kids love Disney, especially iconic cartoon characters such as Mickey, Minnie and Roger Rabbit. And although the term is often used to indicate something small time, amateurish or of poor quality, there's nothing "Mickey Mouse" about Orlando.

Like the theme park, this is something that might contribute to happy family memories for a long time to come.

But where does Orlando fit in the general automotive scheme of things? It's not a hatchback or a minivan, nor is it a CUV or an SUV. GM calls it "a new approach to the multi-purpose vehicle" and stress that it's "a seven-seater".

So what is Orlando? I'm going to use those two dreaded words: station wagon. Even if GM avoids using the term, it can't deny what it is. And for families wanting to avoid the equally dreaded minivan label, a wagon -- especially one that seats seven -- is a perfect alternative.

Everything old is new again.

The big bowtie on the massive front grille certainly announces that this is a Chevrolet -- albeit one built by GM Korea. Originally, it was to be made in America, but Detroit reversed that decision in 2010 and now Orlando isn't even sold in the U.S.

So although available elsewhere in the world, on this continent it is unique to Canada.

Orlando scores high marks for a lot of reasons, but even though the drivetrain is smooth, especially with our tester's optional automatic, the 2.4-litre Ecotec "four" is a little underpowered in a vehicle weighing 1,596 kg.

In testing by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada for the 2012 Canadian Car of the Year competition, Orlando's average acceleration numbers were just average. Zero to 100 km/h was reached in 10.4 seconds, slowest of six entries in the category Best New Family Car Under $30,000. In the 80-120 km/h passing test, Orlando took 7.0 seconds -- again, about middle of the pack.

I can't help but wonder what the acceleration numbers would be when there are bums in all seven seats.

For its overall length of 4,665 mm, Orlando has a relatively long wheelbase -- 2,760 mm, or about equal to that of the much longer Toyota Camry -- which helps contribute to a solid, yet comfortable ride.

Base MSRP is 19,995 for Orlando LS with five-speed manual transmission, but as tested, our more upscale 2LT is $27,725. The extra money gets you items such as air conditioning, automatic, cruise, tilt/telescopic steering, 16-inch aluminum wheels, sound system display and Bluetooth connectivity to go with standard features such as power doors/windows/mirrors, six-speaker sound system and remote keyless entry.

In addition, all Orlandos are designed to keep your family safe with anti-lock vented disc brakes, six airbags, traction control, stability control and OnStar with turn-by-turn navigation.

The third row of seating is standard, but when upright, it keeps available luggage space to just 101 litres -- barely enough for a few bags of groceries. Fold those seats forward, however, and cargo space expands to 739 litres. Flip down the centre row seats as well and you get 1,594 litres, about 20% less than the much longer Dodge Journey.

Right now, other than Mazda5, there's not a lot to compete with Orlando when it comes to seating this many people in a compact package. It's both useful and different, two things that always have appealed to me in any automobile -- however you want to label it.