2015 SILVERADO 1500 WILL TOW UP TO 5,443 KILOGRAMS (12,000 POUNDS)

By General Motors - Chevrolet Silverado 1500 will maintain a 5,443 kilogram (12,000-pound) maximum available trailer weight rating as it transitions to new ratings for 2015 based on SAE J2807 Recommended Practices.

"We engineering the new Silverado 500 to be our most capable light-duty pickup ever," said Jeff Luke, executive chief engineer.  "For 2015, we will build on that strong foundation to implement SAE J2807 while maintaining robust towing capability across the lineup.

"For 2015, Silverado 1500 will continue to offer trailer weight ratings up to 5,443 kilograms (12,000 pounds)," said Luke.  "And, we will offer a number of configurations with trailer weight ratings of 4,082 kilograms (9,000 pounds) or more, enabling light-duty pickup customers to choose exactly the right truck for their towing requirements."

For 2014, Silverado, the North American Truck of the Year, led the light-duty pickup segment with a maximum available trailer weight rating of 5,443 kilograms (12,000 pounds).

The stronger choice for tough towing situations

 

The 2015 Silverado 1500 will be available with a number of features engineered for serious towing:

• The available 6.2L EcoTec3 V-8 is the most powerful engine offered in any light-duty pickup, with 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque.  Like other EcoTec3 engines, it combines proven performance with advanced fuel-saving technologies, seamlessly switching to four cylinders to improve efficiency in light-load driving.
• The available NHT max trailering package includes a 9.76-inch rear axle, heavy-duty rear springs, revised shock tuning for increased control, enhanced cooling, and an integrated trailer brake controller.  Also, included is an automatic locking rear differential, trailer hitch, and bumper-mounted 4- and 7-pin connectors.
• Combined, the 6.2L EcoTec3 V-8 and max-trailering package will give the 2015 Silverado 1500 2WD double-cab a 5,443 kilogram (12,000 pound) trailer weight rating.  The comparable 4x4 version will have a trailer weight rating of 5,398 kilograms (11,900 pounds).
• Silverado's standard 4.3L EcoTec3 V-6 and available 5.3L EcoTec3 V-8 also will offer significant towing capability for 2015, with maximum available trailer weight ratings of 5,080 kilograms (11,200 pounds) for the 5.3L V-8 and 3,447 kilograms (7,600 pounds) for the V-6 (SAE J2807)

Foundation for all 2015 Silverado 1500s is a fully boxed high-strength steel frame.  Extensive use of high-strength steels in the frame and body structure also contributes to a quieter interior and more solid feel, and helps Silverado earn a 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score for safety in the newest government crash tests.  Government 5-Star Safety Ratings are part of the U.S. Department of Transportations New Car Assessment Program.

Like all new Silverados, the 2015 Silverado 1500 will have the best pickup coverage in North America, including a 5-year/160,000 kilometre limited powertrain warranty, and is part of the family of the most-dependable, longest-lasting pickups on the road.  The 2014 Silverado has won more awards than any other pickup.

2015 Silverado 1500s will be available starting later this summer, with full availability in Q4 of this year.

 

Choosing the right truck for the towing

 

With the transition to SAE J2807, trailer weight ratings will be adjusted for many Silverado 1500s. 

As always, customers need to determine the appropriate vehicle and trailering capacity for their particular situation, including the curb weight of their specific vehicle, the number of passengers they will actually carry, the actual tongue weight for their combination, the amount of cargo in their vehicle, and the weight of the load they plan to tow.

Customers should follow the trailering guidelines in their owner's manual, ask their Chevrolet dealer for trailering advice, or contact Chevrolet Customer Assistance for more information.

Also, the Chevrolet Trailering Guide can be found under the Ownership tab of the Chevrolet.ca website.

 

Background:  SAE J2807 Recommended Practice

 

Performance standards for trailering vehicles:  To help ensure that vehicles can confidently tow the rated maximum trailer weight under a variety of real-world driving conditions, SAE J2807 establishes specific test protocols.  These include:

• Cooling capability on a long highway upgrade modeled on the Davis Dam grade on Arizona SR 68;
• Launch and acceleration performance on a level road and a 12 percent upgrade;
• Combined handling performance - understeer and trailer sway;
• Combined braking performance - stopping distance and parking brake-hold on grade; and
• Structural performance for the vehile and hitch or hitch receiver.

New calculation for trailer weight ratings:  In addition to the performance standards, SAE J2807 also uses a specific set of assumptions to calculate maximum trailer weight ratings:

• For light-duty full-size pickups (GVWR < 3,855 kg (8,500 lbs.)), SAE J2807 assumes that the tow vehicle includes any options with higher than 33 percent penetration;
• It assumes there is both a driver and passenger in the vehicle, each weighing 68 kilograms (150 pounds);
• It assumes that tow vehicles also include up to 31 kilograms (70 pounds) of aftermarket hitch equipment (where applicable); and
• For conventional trailer towing, SAE J2807 assumes that 10 percent of the trailer weight is on the tongue.

2015 CHEVROLET TAHOE TEST DRIVE

 

By Gary Gastelu, FoxNews.com - The redesigned 2015 Tahoe is the pride of Chevy's fleet of family cars, so it's no surprise its clean design and long, swept-back lines give it the presence of a luxury cabin cruiser.  There's no shying away from what it is: a supersize alternative to a minivan.

As always, it's based on the Silverado pickup, but for once the Tahoe gets its own interior style.  It's a more carlike look than ever, and it's the best in Chevy's showrooms.  The materials are upscale, with appointments verging on the luxurious.

It's high-tech, too.  You can order it with a Blu-ray player for back-seat passengers, plus an infotainment system that can link to 10 devices and can be equipped with Wi-Fi.  Safety features include an available lane departure alert, blind spot warning system and adaptive radar cruise control.

Eight-passenger seating is standard, but you can opt for a seven-passenger model with second-row captain's chairs or get a front bench seat for a nine-passenger layout -- a rare sight these days.

Its pop-open tailgate window is another increasingly novel feature that lets you use the cargo area more like a trunk.  But open the door and you can fold the seats down into a fully flat floor -- by the press of a couple of buttons on high-end models.

To level things out, Chevy had to raise that floor a bit and give up some cubic footage.  But as a trade-off, the second-row seats have more legroom than last year's model.  The tight third row is still strictly for kids and flexible folks.

Power comes from a 355 horsepower, 5.3-liter V8 that can tow 8,600 pounds in two-wheel-drive models, and 8,400 pounds in 4x4s.  At 22 miles per gallon highway, the latter delivers just 1 mpg less than the lighter and less powerful Chevy Traverse crossover, which is actually roomier inside but can't haul nearly as much.

What the Traverse, or any other Chevy, for that matter, is not ... is quieter.  The Tahoe has triple-sealed doors, laminated glass and tons of sound insulation.  Considering how big and boxy it is, road and wind noise are wonderfully absent, and it's only when you hit the gas hard that the burble of that big V8 comes through.  And that's not a sound you'll complain about.

The Tahoe also has an excellent ride, especially for a behemoth.  Shockingly so if you go for the top-of-the-line Tahoe LTZ, which comes with magnetically controlled dampers that adjust up to 1,000 times a second, smoothing things out and keeping the body in control.  The technology was developed for Cadillacs and Corvettes, is used by Ferrari and works miracles no matter the application.  Along with the tailfin and the original Pontiac GTO, it's one of GM's greatest contributions to society.  I can't wait until it trickles down to the Spark.

Less impressive, as always with GM's big pickups and SUVs, is the slightly off-center steering wheel.  It's an artifact from when they got larger a couple of generations back and evidence that these "new" trucks have a lot more hand-me-down engineering than GM would prefer that you know.  I plan to keep beating this horse until it is dead, which won't be until the trucks are redesigned again in a few years, at the earliest.

That said, after a few days in the Tahoe, the asymmetry fades into the background, and everything else about it is just so good.  It's clear that GM puts a lot of effort into these trucks, which is why it owns the full-size SUV segment.  That's something that isn't likely to change anytime soon.

GM PHASING OUT LIGHT-DUTY 1500-SERIES VANS

By Noah Joseph, Autoblog.com - In the market for a fullsize van but don't need a heavy-duty model?  You're in the minority, and you're also out of luck.  That's because there are barely any more fullsize vans on the market with gross vehicle weight rating of less than 8,500 pounds, the threshold that separates light- and heavy-duty vans.

According to PickupTrucks.com neither the Ford E-Series, Ram ProMaster, nor Mercedes-Benz Sprinter are available in light-duty versions.  Few of the Ford Transit configurations are, either, and now General Motors is discontinuing production of the 1500-series Chevy Express and GMC Savana.

Apparently light-duty versions accounted for just 23 percent of Express sales and only 7 percent of Savanas.  Add to that the fact that these 1500 versions were the only ones using the old generation of engines and suspension, and that the Wentzville plant near St. Louis, Missouri, is trying to make room for the next Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon pickups, and the fate of the light-duty GM van was sealed.

That leaves some potential buyers of Express and Savana 1500 vans moving up to 2500 models and others moving down to smaller vehicles like the new Chevy City Express.  While PickupTrucks.com reports that the 1500 series could return in the future, it would likely move up above the 8,500-lb threshold -- below which automakers are bound by many of the same domestic-content and fuel-economy regulations that govern passenger vehicles.

GM PROACTIVELY ANNOUNCES FOUR NEW RECALLS

By General Motors, Oshawa - General Motors will recall all current generation Chevrolet Camaros because a driver's knee can bump the key FOB and cause the key to inadvertently move out of the "run" position, with a corresponding reduction or loss of power.

The issue, which may primarily affect drivers sitting close to the steering column, was discovered by GM during internal testing following the ignition switch recall earlier this year.

"Discovering and acting on this issue quickly is an example of the new norm for product safety at GM," said Jeff Boyer, vide president of GM Global Safety.

The Camaro ignition system meets all GM engineering specifications and is unrelated to the ignition system used in Chevrolet Cobalts and other small cars included in the ignition switch recall.

GM is aware of three crashes that resulted in four minor injuries that it believes may be attributed to this condition.

The company will change the Camaro key to a standard design from one in which the key is concealed in the FOB and is opened by pushing a button.  The change will make the ignition key and FOB independent of each other, so that inadvertent contact with the FOB won't move the key from the "run" position.  There are 464,712 Camaros from the 2010-2014 model years in the US included in the recall.  Including Canada (17,736), Mexico and exports, the total recall population is 511,528.

Separately, GM also announced two safety recalls and one non-compliance recall involving a total of 65,121 cars in the US all three of which were reported to Transport Canada and the NHTSA on Wednesday, June 11, 2014.  Including Canada (4,650), Mexico and exports, the total recall population is 69,839.

In all cases, customers will receive letters from GM letting them know when they can bring their vehicles into a dealership, where the recall repairs will be performed free of charge and courtesy transportation could be provided as needed.

The recalls:

28,789 (961 in Canada) Saab 9-3 convertibles from the 2004-2011 model years for an automatic tensioning system cable in the driver's side front seat belt retractor that could break.  If the cable were to break, seat belt webbing spooled out by the driver would not retract.  The convertibles and sedans were investigated at the same time, but the convertible parts were not identical to the sedan parts.  GM has since learned of customer complaints to the NHTSA for the convertibles.  Dealers will replace the driver's side retractor in the recalled vehicles.  In addition, GM has issued a special coverage, so that if the same repair is required to the passenger side retractor it will be covered for the life of the vehicle.  In addition, GM has issued a special coverage, so that if the same repair is required to the passenger side retractor it will be covered for the life of the vehicle.  GM also extended the special coverage for passenger side belt retractors on the 2004 Saab 9-3 sedan from the original 10-year coverage to the life of the vehicle, like the convertibles.  GM is unaware of any crashes, injuries or fatalities due to this condition.

21,567 (3,337 in Canada) Chevrolet Sonic 2012 model year compacts equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission and a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine for a condition in which the transmission turbine shaft may fracture as a result of a supplier quality issue.  If this were to occur in first or second gear, the vehicle could not upshift into third through sixth gears.  If the turbine shift fractured while in one of the higher gears, the vehicle would coast until it was moving slow enough to downshift into first or second gear.  In both instances, a malfunction indicator lamp may illuminate.  If driven in this condition for a long period of time, all forward gears may become inoperable.  The engine would continue to run and all power accessories would function.  Dealers will replace the transmission turbine shaft.  GM is unaware of any crashes, injuries or fatalities related to this condition.

14,765 (352 in Canada) model year 2014 Buick LaCrosse sedans because a wiring splice in the driver's door may corrode and break.  That may communicate incorrect information to circuits that control the door chime and allow passenger windows, rear windows and the sunroof to function when the vehicle is turned off and the driver is not in the vehicle.  In addition, a chime will not sound when the driver's door is opened if the key is in the ignition.

Dealers will inspect the driver door window motor harness and, if necessary, replace an electrical splice.  GM is unaware of any thefts, crashes, injuries or fatalities related to this condition.

2015 CORVETTE Z06 RATES AT 650 HORSEPOWER

By General Motors, Detroit - The all-new 2015 Corvette Z06 is the most powerful production car ever from General Motors and one of a few production cars available in the United States that delivers more than 600 horsepower.

The Z06's LT4 supercharged 6.2L V-8 engine is SAE-certified at 650 horsepower (485 kW) at 6,400 rpm and 650 lb-ft of torque (881 Nm) at 3,6700 rpm.

"The LT4 Small Block sets a new benchmark for power and torque at GM," said Steve Kiefer, vice president, GM Powertrain Engineering.  "The engine also puts the new Corvette Z06 on par with the most powerful supercars offered in America, while delivering performance with impeccable manners that make it suitable for daily driving."

Compared with other supercar engines, the LT4 is a veritable fountain of lowe-end torque, producing 457 lb-ft (619 Nm) just off idle and 625 lb-ft (847 Nm) by only 2,800 rpm.  The V-12 powered Ferrari F12 Berlinetta, for example, produces about 28 percent less torque than the Z06, despite offering about 12 percent more horsepower -- and its peak torque isn't achieved until 6,000 rpm.  The LT4 maintains 90 percent of its peak torque, or 592 lb-ft (802 Nm), from 2,500 to 5,400 rpm.

The new LT4 engine eclipses the Porsche 911 Turbo S engine's peak power levels by 90 horsepower (67 kW) and 134 lb-ft of torque (182 Nm).

"Torque is the pulling power of an engine and the LT4's abundance of it at every rpm in the engine's speed range helps the 2015 Corvette Z06 accelerate quicker and respond nearly instantaneously," said Jordan Lee, chief engineer for Small Block engines.  "It's the very definition of power on demand."

The new Z06 engine produces 40 percent more peak torque (180 lb-ft / 244 Nm) than the previous-generation's 7.0L LS7 engine -- and 7.5 percent more than the supercharged 2013 Corvette ZR1's 604 lb-ft (819 Nm).  At 3,200 rpm, the new LT4 surpasses the LS7 by 208 lb-ft of torque (252 Nm).  On the horsepower side of the graph, the LT4's 650-hp rating is 29 percent greater than the LS7's 505 horsepower (376 kW), and 12 horses more than the ZR1's LS9 engine.

"The new LT4 engine builds on the design strengths of our previous supercharged engine and leverages the technologies introduced on the Corvette Stingray -- direct injection, cylinder deactivation and continuously variable valve timing -- to take Corvette performance to an all-new plateau," said Lee.  "Our new, very compact supercharger also helps the engine make power more quickly, and perhaps more importantly, it helps produce more torque earlier in the rpm band."

"It's also worth mentioning that the LT4's supercar performance numbers are achieved with an engine that is nearly the same size as the very compact LT1 engine introduced in the 2014 Corvette Stingray," Lee said.  "The power density of the LT4 makes it one of the smallest and lightest 650-hp engines in the industry."

 

LT4 Details

 

The new LT4 engine is based on the same Gen 5 small block foundation as the Corvette Stingray's LT1 6.2L naturally aspirated engine, incorporating several unique features designed to support its higher output and the greater cylinder pressures created by forced induction, including:

• Rotocast A356T6 aluminum cylinder heads that are stronger and handle heat better than conventional aluminum heads
• Lightweight titanium intake valves
• Machined, forged powder metal steel connecting rods for reduced reciprocating mass
• High 10.0:1 compression ratio -- for a forced-induction engine -- enhances performance and efficiency and is enabled by direct injection
• Forged aluminum pistons with unique, stronger structure to ensure strength under high cylinder pressures
• Stainless steel exhaust manifolds and an aluminum balancer that are lighter than their LT1 counterparts
• Standard dry-sump oiling system with a dual-pressure-control oil pump

 

A new 1.7L supercharger spins at up to 20,000 rpm -- 5,000 rpm more than the supercharger on the Corvette ZR1's engine.  The rotors are smaller in diameter, which contributes to their higher-rpm capability -- and enables them to produce power-enhancing boost earlier in the rpm band.  That boost is achieved more efficiently via a more direct discharge port that creates less turbulence, reducing heat and speeding airflow into the engine.

"The Small Block's cam-in-block design heritage has always enabled very high performance and responsiveness in a small, compact package -- an attribute amplified by the performance of our new supercharger's design," said Lee.

The LT4 is assembled at the new Performance Build Center at GM's Bowling Green Assembly Plant and at GM's Tonawanda engine plant in New York.  It is matched with a standard seven-speed manual transmission or an all-new, paddle-shift eight-speed automatic transmission built in Toledo, Ohio.

Designed to deliver shift responses on par with the world's best dual-clutch transmissions, it is the first automatic offered in a Z06.  It also makes the Z06 one of the few cars this powerful to offer the choice of a conventional manual transmission or an eight-speed automatic.

The 2015 Corvette Z06 goes on sale in the fourth quarter of 2014.

CHEVROLET CAMARO OUTSELLS FORD MUSTANG - FOR NOW

By Christ Woodyard, USA Today - When it comes to sales rivalries, few compare to Ford Mustang vs Chevrolet Camaro.  And for the moment, even though a new Mustang is on the way, Camaro is winning.

Camaro maintains a slim but steady edge.  For the first five months of the year, Chevrolet sold 38,951 Camaros, according to Autodata.  Ford sold 36,600 Mustangs.  That's a difference of only 2,351 cars.

Camaro has won the monthly sales tally lately by almost the same margin.  In May, some 10,340 Camaros were sold, compared to 9,761 Mustangs.  That's a difference of only 579 cars.

The two sporty cars have been bitter rivals for decades.  In recent years, Camaro has led some years, Mustang the others.  But a new 2015 Mustang is in the wings, which should give Ford a huge edge.  It's yet to be seen how much of a sales impact it will have.

The third car in the fight is the Dodge Challenger.  It is, as usual, way behind.  Dodge sold 5,748 Challengers, 21,904 for the first five months.

FIRST DRIVE: 2015 GM HD TRUCKS (GMC SIERRA AND CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500/3500)



By James Bergeron, Autos.ca - Somewhere, Southern Alberta -- The truck market in Canada is surprisingly large for a population that is fairly small compared to the rest of the world.  Especially if you compare our market to that of our neighbours to the south, the United States.  Although I know our truck market is large -- especially in the half-ton segment -- I was surprised to learn that the Heavy Duty (HD) truck segment is over a four-billion dollar business in our small country alone, and that more than 20 percent of all full-size trucks sold in Canada are HD trucks.  The HD truck segment includes the GMC Sierra 2500/3500, Chevrolet Silverado 2500/3500, Ford F-250F-350 and Ram 2500/3500.

Big trucks are big business and GM has significantly improved, updated and re-engineered their 2015 model HD trucks to grab as much of that market as they possibly can.  GM invited Autos.ca to southern Alberta to prove to us that their new 2015 models are a step above the competition.  And they chose the location for a reason, as it became obvious in the two days we spent testing these trucks that HD trucks are an essential part of life around these parts.

The 2015 GM HD trucks are redesigned both outside and in with new sheet metal and cabins that offer a strong brand identity and a more upscale design.  The all-new exterior for 205 offers enhanced aerodynamics and more efficient cooling -- both very important features when towing or hauling large loads.  Large grilles with chrome surrounds, unique one-piece chrome bumpers for both Sierra and Silverado and unique HD hoods and headlamps help reduce drag and wind noise.

New inlaid doors, which fit into recesses in the body side, help reduce wind noise for a quieter cabin.  The smallest details of the body, such as the roof and tailgate spoiler, were tuned in a wind tunnel to smooth airflow over the truck for reduced noise and improved aerodynamic efficiency and when you drive the new HD trucks these new features prove their worth.

HD trucks are the workhorse of industry and owners spend a lot of time in their vehicles getting to the job and getting that work done.  The new interior layouts and designs have been crafted to provide more comfort and convenience while still offering a rugged interior that can take the abuse of the day-to-day operations.  With many HD truck buyers opting for fully loaded trucks to travel in comfort and style, there is no lack of technology and luxury in the twin GM HD trucks either -- from the newly introduced Silverado High Country to the well known and respected GMC Denali edition.

Standard on all Sierra and Silverado HD Trucks are Stabilitrak with Trailer Sway Control and for the first time this feature is available on dually models.  A driver alert package is also available, including: Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning and Safety Alert Seat.  Also available are a rear vision camera, available front and rear park assist and intuitive MyLink media and connectivity.

Both the Silverado and Sierra are available with the choice of three engines.  For the first time a natural gas engine is available across the board and is fully supported by GM with full factory warranty.  The standard fit engine is a 6.0L Vortec V8 powerplant with proven performance of 360 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, and of course a 6.6L Duramax diesel mated to a six-speed Allison that produces 397 hp and 765 lb-ft of torque rounds out the choices.  The diesel engine accounts for 60 percent of HD truck sales and, with over 1.5 million of these units out in the market today, has already proven that it is a hard-working and reliable powerplant.

The frame and chassis of this truck has not been updated or changed from the 2015 model but still boasts some of the best specs in the industry.  A fully boxed steel frame is the core of the beast with extensive use of high-strength steel in the frame and cab structures.  Independent front suspension for improved ride, easier trim height adjustments and asymmetrical rear leaf springs for enhanced traction and long-term durability are just some of the features.  The 2015 Silverado and Sierra offer increased payload and towing including: best-in-class payload -- 3,344 kg (7,374 lb); best-in-class conventional towing -- 8,890 kg (19,600 lb) (with factory hitch); and a fifth-wheel towing capacity of 10,523 kg (23,200 lb).

The new HD models are also designed to bring new levels of confidence to tough towing through further refinement of the available Cruise Control, Auto Grade Braking, and Diesel Exhaust Brake.  The integration of these features helps the 2015 Silverado and Sierra HD maintain a set speed up and down grades, even when towing a heavy trailer in mountainous terrain.  Other trailer tow-assist packages include an integrated brake controller and hill-start assist that maintains brake pressure on grades to prevent rollback.

The Heavy Duty trucks are definitely big trucks and the large new grilles really stand out, delivering a powerful brand and design statement.  My choice would be the Silverado headlamps and the GMC grille, but unfortunately that combination is not available.  Nonetheless, both trucks are good looking machines.  Features brought over from the light duty models such as the integrated corner step rear bumper for easy bed access, upper tie-down points and easy lift and lower tailgate with damping make working with these trucks easier than before.

Despite their size these trucks are incredibly easy to drive and the long wheelbase and improvements to aerodynamics are immediately evident.  GM engineers designed the new HD trucks with the goal of all-day comfort and after being behind the wheel of these trucks for close to eight hours I have to give them the credit they deserve for a job well done.  A large work truck that is ultra quiet and ultra comfortable even on rough roads both laden and unladen -- I was mightily impressed.

The interior is extremely roomy and the Denali versions that we drove provided heated and cooled leather seating, power seats, navigation and more could easily compete on comfort, smoothness and refinement when compared to the luxury vehicle segment.

Unfortunately I did not get the opportunity to drive the gas-powered V8 HD trucks on this occasion so I'll focus on the volume seller: the Duramax Diesel. I spent a large amount of time and covered long stretches of highway with no load, loaded with over 1,360 kg (3,000 lb) and towing large and light loads.  As with any HD truck, a load in the bed smooths out the ride, but the power band of the Duramax Diesel is so wide that an extra 1,360 kg in the bed of the truck is barely noticeable in routine driving.  Even more impressive to me was the capability of the braking system in this truck; with a large load the Silverado and Sierra did not flinch.

Hooking up nearly 9,000 kg (20,000 lb) to the truck certainly was noticeable as we towed a large horse trailer up and downhill in the mountainous terrain at the foot of the Rockies.  The HD trucks were working hard with the large load but the confidence they inspired while towing the extreme loads was impressive.  Heavy Duty trucks do not have to publish their fuel economy figures and if you are in the market you may not care, but the Duramax Diesel came away with some impressive figures: empty we averaged just over 13 L/100 km and with a heavy load in a mountainous area under 20 L/100 km -- I was impressed.

GM also brought out the competition for us to try back-to-back-to-back.  The Ford F-250 and RAM 2500, laden with equivalent loads of approximately 4,535 kg (10,000 lbs).  GM attempted to demonstrate to us that their trucks -- despite numbers on paper -- outaccelerated the competition while heavily loaded up a mountain pass.

They were successful, but the test actually highlighted their comfort and smoothness the most.  When compared back-to-back with the Ford it was obvious that the Silverado and Sierra were more refined but testing the Ram 2500 demonstrated the stability of the GM twins.  While the GM offerings were poised and comfortable with the 4,535 kg load, the Ram was crude and bounced around like a fish out of water, which made for a very nervous and uncomfortable journey.

It is part of my job to be skeptical when a manufacturer lines up the competition and a set of tests for us to evaluate their new product offerings.  But as skeptical as I tried to be, it became obvious with the back-to-back testing that GM has a winner on its hands in the Heavy Duty segment and the work they put into this vehicle will pay dividends for them.  The product is not only good, but great -- perhaps the competition may have some better numbers in some areas but the usable power and capabilities along with the refinement of a truck that is meant to be a workhorse is undeniable with the GM HD twins.

FOUR GM MODELS EARN TOP SPOT FOR FRONT END SAFETY

By General Motors, Oshawa - General Motors earned half of the superior ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's rating program on front crash prevention.  The Buick Regal, Cadillac CTS, Cadillac XTS and Chevrolet Impala are all considered industry leaders when purchased with GM's available Front Automatic Braking system.

"We applaud GM's commitment to making this important safety technology available not only on their luxury Cadillac products, but also on their more mainstream Chevrolet and Buick vehicles," said IIHS Chief Research Officer David Zuby.

Read the full press release below.

The IIHS previously recognized GM for front end safety, bestowing its highest safety rating -- the 2014 Top Safety Pick + -- on the 2014 Chevrolet Equinox, GMC Terrain, and Chevrolet Malibu with available forward collision alert.  The Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain are the only midsize SUVs out of the nine evaluated to earn "Good" ratings in the IIHS's small overlap front crash test.

Front Automatic Braking can apply brakes when the system detects that a crash may be imminent and the driver has not taken action.  It can apply hard braking to help reduce the severity of the crash, or it may assist the driver to avoid the crash.

Forward Collision Alert features crash-avoidance technologies that use a camera and sensors to help determine when the driver is getting too close to a vehicle ahead.  This system alerts the driver with visual cues on the dashboard as well as audible signals.  Drivers of the Cadillac XTS and CTS have the added benefit of the Safety Alert Seat which provides a pulsing on both sides of the seat when a frontal threat is detected.

 

Quick work: Better autobrake helps more models earn top ratings fro front crash prevention

 

Less than a year into a new IIHS ratings program for front crash prevention, auto manufacturers are making strides in adopting the most beneficial systems with automatic braking capabilities and are offering the features on a wider variety of models.  Twenty-one of 24 cars and SUVs, all 2014 models unless noted, earn an advanced or higher rating in the latest round of IIHS evaluations.

"We are already seeing improvements from automakers since the initial launch of our ratings last September," says David Zuby, IIHS executive vice president and chief research officer.  "BMW and Lexus, for example, have added more braking capability to their systems, which has paid off in higher ratings."

Large family cars and luxury cars make up the bulk of the test group.  IIHS also tested four midsize luxury/near luxury cars, three midsize luxury SUVs and a midsize SUV.

Four vehicles earn perfect scores when equipped with certain options.  They are the BMW 5 series large luxury car, BMW X5 midsize luxury SUV, 2015 Hyundai Genesis large luxury car and Mercedes-Benz E-Class large luxury car.  In all, eight models earn the highest rating of superior, 13 earn advanced, and three earn a basic rating.

In addition to familiar luxury brands, consumers will find mainstream nameplates among the newest rated vehicles, including Buick, Chevrolet, Dodge and Toyota.

The Institute rates vehicles as basic, advanced or superior for front crash prevention depending on whether they offer autobrake and, if so, how effective it is in tests at 12 and 25 mph.

Forward collision warning systems that meet performance criteria set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and autobrake systems that provide only minimal speed reduction in IIHS tests earn a basic rating.  Vehicles that combine the warning with moderate speed reductions earn an advanced rating.  It is possible to qualify for an advanced rating with an autobrake system that doesn't first warn the driver before taking action.  Models that offer a warning and provide major speed reduction in IIHS tests earn a superior rating.  Some models have multiple ratings because they are available with different versions of front crash prevention systems and their test performance varies.  In the current group, this is the case with the BMW 3 series, 5 series and X5.

The rating system is based on HLDI research indicating that forward collision warning and automatic braking systems help drivers avoid front-to-rear crashes.

"We know that this technology is helping drivers avoid crashes," Zuby says.  "The advantage of autobrake is that even in cases where a crash can't be avoided entirely, the system will reduce speed.  Reducing the speed reduces the amount of damage that occurs to both the striking and struck cars and reduces injuries to people in those cars."

Front crash prevention systems use various types of sensors, such as cameras, radar or laser, to detect when the vehicle is getting too close to one in front of it.  Most systems issue a warning and precharge the brakes to maximize their effect if the driver responds by braking.  Many systems brake the vehicle autonomously if the driver doesn't respond.  In some cases, automatic braking is activated without a warning.

BMW offers an improved front crash prevention system on 2014 models that secures high marks for the X5, 5 series and 3 series.  The X5 and 5 series earn superior ratings when equipped with a system that uses both a camera and radar.  When the X5, 5 series and 3 series are equipped with an optional camera-only collision mitigation system, they are rated advanced for front crash prevention.  The 2 series luxury coupe also earns an advanced rating.

In comparison, the 2013 model 3 series was rated basic.  The earlier model's system braked for a stopped car ahead only if sensors first detected the car moving before it stopped.  The same system is still available on certain 2014 models, and these cars continue to earn a basic rating.

Lexus enhanced its radar-based systems to provide more braking capability, garnering an advanced rating for the GS large luxury car and IS midsize luxury/near-luxury car.  Likewise, Toyota made changes to systems on the Highlander midsize SUV and Prius small car to earn advanced ratings in results published earlier.  The Toyota Avalon is rated basic because the large family car's autobrake system provided minimal braking in IIHS tests.

The Buick Regal, Cadillac CTS, Cadillac XTS and Chevrolet Impala earn the highest rating of superior when equipped with GM's forward collision warning and autobrake system.  The 2014 Buick LaCrosse earns an advanced rating when it has the same system.  All of these cars also are available with a warning system only, which earns a basic rating.  The cars join the superior-rated Cadillac ATS and SRX, which were included in the first round of tests in 2013.

The Institute's initial batch of front crash prevention ratings covered 74 midsize cars and SUVs.  Results for a dozen more models followed last winter, with four earning superior ratings, six earning advanced and two earning basic.  Besides the Institute, the European New Car Assessment Programm also rates front crash prevention systems and has so far published ratings for nine models sold in Europe.

Most front crash prevention systems have to be purchased as part of an optional package, but consumers will find that availability is growing, especially for autobrake.  More than 20 percent of 2014 models in HLDI's vehicle features database offer a front crash prevention system with autobrake capabilities, twice as many as in 2012.  Forward collision warning is offered as an option on nearly 40 percent of 2014 models.

"Sorting through the various trade names and features can be confusing, even if you're looking at models from the same manufacturer.  Before buying, consumers should consult the IIHS ratings to find out if the specific model they are considering comes with a top-rated front crash prevention system," Zuby advises.

In addition to ratings for front crash prevention, consumers can consult the HLDI database showing the availability of various crash avoidance features.

Acura, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo sell the systems as standard equipment on certain models.  An advanced-rated autobrake system is standard on the Volvo S60, S80 and XC60.  Basic-rated forward collision warning is standard on the Acura RLX and ZDX, plus the Mercedes-Benz CLA, E-Class and M-Class.

The Institute will require an advanced or better rating for front crash prevention as one of the criteria needed to win a 2015 TOP SAFETY PICK+ award.  For the current 2014 award cycle, models can qualify with a basic rating.  Vehicles also must earn good ratings in the moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests, plus a good or acceptable rating in the small overlap front crash test.

IN THE RECALL AFTERMATH, IS IT SMART TO BUY A GM CAR?

By Jeff Bartlett, ConsumerReports.Org - With General Motors announcing recall after recall, it is natural that you'd question whether it makes sense to buy a new or used Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, or GMC vehicle.  After all, recalls by their definition involve safety -- a primary buying factor for shoppers.

With a recall, at least a problem has been identified and a solution made available, free to the customer.  Having recalls isn't an indication of an unreliable automaker.  In fact, all automakers have recalls and most models are subject to at least one some time in their service life.  (Check for yourself using the Consumer Reports recall search tool).

The key for an automaker is to recall quickly when a problem has been identified, communicate clearly to customers, and provide essential dealership support for making corrections.

Because GM did not act in this manner regarding ignition switches in some small cars, the automaker has been brought before congress, charged a $35 million civil penalty, sullied its reputation, and even become a recurring late-night talk show punchline.  As a consequence, the "new GM" says that it has been redoubling its safety efforts, and consequently, that it is being increasingly proactive in the wake of "ignition-gate".  Hence, recall after recall is making news, more for the quantity than the quality.  And there is a difference.

For instance, GM was aggressive with its recent recall for the redesigned Cadillac Escalade and Chevrolet Silverado HD.  With the Escalade, GM issued a "stop sale" calling on dealers to hold on to inventory until the SUVs could be corrected before most SUVs were delivered to customers.  A stop sale is the best reaction to a problem with a new model.  In this case, automaker is holding off on revenue to solve the problem.

The bigger issue is when a problem is known and not swiftly addressed, such as with the ignition issues.

 

Should you buy a used GM car?

 

Cars from the Old GM were not as good as competition and clearly built to price, as was often reflected in our road tests and even annual reliability surveys.  In fact, GM was notorious for squeezing cost out of suppliers, pressuring them to further reduce costs over time.  Arguably, some cars, therefore, became worse during their model span, rather than improving.

In many cases, we didn't recommend older GM cars when they were new and still don't today.  The key is to research the desired model, as there are some cars that are more appealing than others, and have the specific car inspected.  How a car was cared for can make all the difference in the next owner's experience.  Once you buy a used car, have your local dealer or repair shop confirm that all relevant recall work has been conducted.

 

Should you buy a new GM car?

 

Yes. There is a clear difference in the quality and performance of the latest models to emerge from post-bankruptcy GM compared to those sold even just five years ago.  The latest vehicles generally score well in our testing, with impressive fit and finish, competitive feature sets, and strong performance.  The Buick Regal, Cadillac ATS, and Chevrolet Corvette, Impala and Silverado are among the recent shining examples.  But, across the brands, reliability remains inconsistent.  As with buying from any automaker, it pays to check the latest road test scores, prediced reliability ratings, owner satisfaction ratings, and owner costs to make a truly informed decision.