NEXT GENERATION VOLT TO DEBUT AT 2015 NAIAS

By General Motors of Canada - The next generation Chevrolet Volt will debut at the 2015 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Global Chevrolet Chief Marketing Officer Tim Mahoney said today.

The 2016 Volt will build on the award-winning original's strong foundation of technology innovation.  Volt sales were up 13 per cent in July and more than 65,000 have been sold since it was introduced - making it the best-selling plug-in passenger car in the U.S. market.  In Canada, Volt sales were up 195 per cent through the end of July with retail sales up 61 per cent.

"Volt is the perfect example of the ingenuity that drives everything we do at Chevrolet," Mahoney said at the Center for Automotive Research Management Briefings.  "Volt fully delivers on the promises of Find New Roads and will continue to provide consumers with the transportation solutions they need and deserve in the future."

Volt owners are driving more than 63 per cent of their overall miles in electric vehicle mode, collectively logging more than 500 million gas-free miles since the Volt's retail debut in 2010.  That has saved more than 25 million gallons of gasoline.

While the driving range in EV mode can be affected by temperature, driving technique and terrain, the ease with which Volt drivers are avoiding gasoline use demonstrates the Volt's suitability for almost any lifestyle.

Volt owners who charge regularly typically drive more than 970 miles between fill-ups and visit the gas station less than once a month.

The Volt has received multiple customer satisfaction awards from leading third-parties.  According to a recent leading independent satisfaction survey, the Volt is the highest-rated compact car under $55,000.  Owners are showing their satisfaction as well.  For the past three years, a leading customer publication has reported survey results showing more than 90 per cent of Volt owners said they would definitely buy a Volt again.

The Volt continues to draw buyers from non-General Motors' products.  In the 2013 calendar year, nearly seven of 10 new Volt buyers traded in a non-GM vehicle, the majority of which were Toyota Priuses.

Among its accolades, the 2014 Volt has been recognized for its safety, most recently receiving the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety 2014 Top Safety Pick+ designation for vehicles equipped with an available Forward Collision Alert system.

GM CONFIRMS 2015 SILVERADO, SIERRA TO GET 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC

By Brandon Turkus, Autoblog.com - When viewed alongside the next Ford F-150 and the Ram 1500, there is one thing that seems to be missing from the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra.  Where the F-150 will rely on turbocharging and aluminum architecture and the Ram sports an eight-speed automatic and an air suspension, the General Motors twins lack a big, calling-card feature.  They're very good, very refined trucks, but one could argue that they're not terribly innovative.

And while it might not be as flashy a feature as air suspension or a lightweight skin, the Silverado and Sierra will get their own eight-speed automatic for 2015, a transmission that will be paired with the company's Ecotec3 6.2-litre V8.  The new cogswapper will also find its way into the GMC Yukon Denali, but for now, there's no indication why the Cadillac Escalade, Surburban, Tahoe and standard Yukon are being left out.

According to GM, the new gearbox is about the same size and weight as the currenty Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed.  By the time the new powertrain combination enters production late this year, the EPA will almost certainly have gotten around to certifying the vehicles' fuel efficiency.  Until then, feel free to speculate.  The current Silverado with the 6.2 and six-speed auto returns 14 miles per gallon (16.8L/100km) in the city and 20 (11.76L/100km) on the highway.  How much do you think the eight-speed will improve these figures?  

2015 CHEVY CORVETTE Z06 PRICE AND POWER COMPARED AGAINST RIVALS

 

By Autoblog.com - As was announced earlier last week, the 2015 Z06 has a starting price of US$78,995 for the coupe and US$83,995 for the convertible, including US$995 in destination charges.  That's not chump change, but it's well below the price ranges of several of its key competitors.

The Corvette has long been compared with the Porsche 911, but the Z06's 650 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque easily eclipses the most powerful 911, the Turbo S (560 hp, 516 lb-ft).  The Z06 also costs less than half as much, as the Turbo S has a starting MSRP of US$182,700, and then tacks on a US$995-shipping charge.

A closer comparison - pricewise - would be the Porsche Cayman GTS, which comes in with an MSRP of US$75,200 - that's US$2,800 cheaper than the Vette.  Thing is, it has 310 fewer hp.

The Audi R8 is a slightly more formidable competitor to the Z06 based on pure power.  The V10 Plus has 550 hp, and its mid-engine configuration is a better layout for pure driving dynamics.  But, its pricing starts at US$173,500, not including a US$1,250-destination charge.  The base R8 with its 430-hp V8 begins at $115,000.

Then there's another long-running Corvette rival, the Dodge Viper SRT, and its 640-hp V10 engine.  For 2014, the Viper costs US$99,885, which is up US$2,000 from 2013.  Add in US$1,995 shipping (your Viper does come in an enclosed trailer), and the total comes to US$101,880.  The price listed on the SRT website is US$102,485, which includes the gas-guzzler tax, but not shipping.  Regardless, it's about US$22,000 more than the new Z06.

The all-wheel-drive Nissan GT-R, meanwhile, dials up 545 hp from a turbo V6 for US$101,770, which rises to US$103,365 with shipping.

The Z06 also grades out well in the world of exotics.  The Ferrari FF produces 651 hp from its V12, which edges out the Z06 (barely), though the Ferrari only makes 504 lb-ft -- all for a sticker of about US$300,000 -- though it does offer all-wheel drive.

Flipping the script on the Z06, the 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat pumps out 707 horses for a price tag of US$59,995 and a US$995 destination charge brings the sticker to US$60,990.  That's more power for less money than the Corvette, but the Challenger is also a much larger car, and it's more of a muscle car than a sports car.

In this age of gaudy horsepower figures and prices, the Hellcat vs Z06 is a fitting example of how modern sports cars are not all created equal.  While the Hellcat can blow the doors off of the Vette with its power specs, the Z06 is assuredly a better track car.  Porsche and Ferrari loyalists will naturally gravitate to and pay more for products from their brands, and no horsepower figure or "low-low" sticker price will change that.  Plus, the sports-car segment is small enough in terms of sales so as to seemingly play by its own rules.  No matter how much horsepower the Corvette has, it won't do much to erode GM's Corporate Average Fuel Economy standing.

Still, the Z06 creates a seriously compelling value case for enthusiasts in search of power for a competitive price.  Corvette spokesman Monte Doran reminded Autoblog that sharing parts and technology among Chevy's vehicles has allowed the brand to keep prices of its high-end sports cars relativelyt low.  The 2015 Chevy Corvette Z06 is the first Z06 to use a supercharged engine, the first to have a true convertible variant and the first to offer an eight-speed automatic transmission.

"Chevrolet has developed a successful model for sharing components with Corvette and other models in the portfolio," he said.  "For example, the eight-speed transmission was designed for Z06, and will also be used in full-size trucks with the 6.2L; the carbon-ceramic brakes are shared between the Camaro Z/28 and Corvette Z06.  This enables Chevrolet to offer stratospheric-levels of performance without stratospheric prices."

Dave Sullivan, manager of product analysis for AutoPacific, an automotive research firm, concurs:

"By sharing parts and components with higher-volume vehicles, GM can keep the price down on the Corvette," he said.  "The Z06 could prove to be one of the memorable bargains of the century."

Sullivan expects the horsepower wars to continue, which is only good for enthusiasts.

"Look at the Ford GT a decade ago," he said.  "It was about US$150,000 for 550 HP and 0-60 mph (0-96 km) in 3.7 seconds.  For a little more than half that, you can get more power, better performance, and a car that the manufacturer is committed to building for many years to come.  Inflation?  What inflation?"

CORVETTE VALET MODE: A BABY MONITOR FOR YOUR BABY

By General Motors, Detroit - Owners of 2015 Chevrolet Corvettes will feel better about handing over the keys to their car, thanks to the new Valet Mode with Performance Data Recorder.

The industry-exclusive system allows drivers to lock the interior storage, disable the infotainment system and record video, audio and vehicle data when the Valet Mode is active.

"Think of it as a baby monitor for your car," said Harlan Charles, Corvette product manager.  "Anyone who has felt apprehension about handing over their keys will appreciate the peace of mind of knowing exactly what happened while their baby was out of sight."

Introduced in 2014, the Corvette Valet Mode is turned on through the settings menu and activated by entering a unique four-digit code.  A confirmation entry of the code simultaneously locks the storage bin behind the center stack display, the glove box and disables the radio and infotainment system.

With the introduction of the industry-first Performance Data Recorder for 2015, Corvette drivers can also record HD video, in-car audio, and vehicle data - including speed, engine RPM, gear position and g-force - when Valet Mode is active.

The video can be viewed instantly on the Corvette's eight-inch color touchscreen when the car is parked, or downloaded to a computer.

"Performance Data Recorder was initially designed as a tool for track days, allowing drivers to record their laps and improve their driving skills," said Charles.  "We soon realized the system could have many more applications, such as recording a scenic drive up Highway 101, or recording when the Valet Mode is activated."

The Performance Data Recorder - or PDR - system was developed with Cosworth, the British motorsports-engineering company that supplies the Corvette Racing team's data acquisition and telemetry electronics systems.

The system includes three major components.  First is a 720p, high-definition camera mounted within the windshield header trim, which records the driver's point-of-view through the window.  Audio is recorded via a dedicated microphone in the cabin.

The system includes three major components.  First is a 720p, high-definition camera mounted within the windshield header trim, which records the driver's point-of-view through the window.  Audio is recorded via a dedicated microphone in the cabin.

Second is a self-contained telemetry recorder.  The system utilizes a dedicated GPS received and is hardwired into the Stingray's Controller Area Network to access vehicle information.

Finally, the system features a dedicated SD-card slot in the glove box for recording and transferring video and vehicle data.  An 8-gigabyte card can record approximately 200 minutes of driving time.

The PDR system can record video with three data overlay options including Track Mode, Sport Mode, Touring Mode and Performance Mode.  Also included with the system is the "Cosworth Toolbox" software, which combines Cosworth's professional-level motorsport data analysis with an easy-to-use graphic interface for users who want a more in-depth understanding of their performance.

Valet Mode with the Performance Data Recorder will be availabile on all 2015 Corvette models.

2015 GMC SIERRA 3500 HD WINS HEAVY DUTY CHALLENGE

By GMC News, Chicago -  The 2015 GMC Sierra 3500 HD won the overall title in the 2014 Ultimate Heavy Duty Challenge 1-ton diesel category following testing by truck experts from Cars.com, PickupTrucks.com and Mrtruck.com, Cars.com said today.

Comprehensive testing pitted the Sierra HD against its two competitors, the Ford F350, equipped with its updated-for-2015-model-year Powerstroke diesel engine, and the RAm 3500, equipped with its Cummins diesel powertrain.

Pickup Trucks.com Editor Mark Williams said he enjoyed the comfort of the Sierra HD and its comprehensive strengths.

"Our judges hugely appreciated the all-new interior and infotainment interface and 8-inch navigation screen," Williams said.  "In the end, the GMC was the best all-around player of our competitors."

Evaluators said the Sierra HD excelled in vehicle control while towing.  The integration of the diesel exhaust brake, standard with every Sierra HD equipped with the 6.6L Duramax Diesel engine, with the truck's grade braking and cruise control, was engineered to provide a stress-free experience for drivers hauling heavy loads over long distances.

In testing for the Ultimate Heavy Duty Challenge, the Sierra HD required zero brake pedal depressions during a 7.2-mile descent from the Eisenhower Pass in Colorado, which included up to 7 percent grades.  Neither competitor matched that performance.

Additionally, the Sierra HD won several other measured tests, including 0-60 mph time on the Milan, (Mich.) drag strip, 60-0 braking distance at Milford, (Mich.) Proving Ground, and fuel economy while trailering in Michigan.

The entire set of results and methodology can be found at the PickupTrucks.com.

"We've always believed we've had the best heavy duty truck on the market," said Sierra Marketing Manager Stuart Pierce.  "This validation from PickupTrucks.com, a leader in covering the pickup industry, is gratifying for the entire team that designed, engineered, and now sells this capable and refined truck.  We look forward to building on this accomplishment as we move forward."

Every 2015 Sierra HD comes with Pro Grade Protection, which, in addition to a five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, includes two years or 24,000 miles - whichever comes first - of standard scheduled maintenance.  This includes any needed replenishment of diesel exhaust fluid.

GMC has manufactured trucks since 1902, with innovation and engineering excellence built into all GMC vehicles.  The brand is evolving to offer more fuel-efficient trucks and crossovers, including the Terrain small SUV and Acadia crossover.  GMC's highest-volume vehicle, the Sierra pickup, is the most powerful light duty pickup on the market, and the first full-size pickup to receive the highest possible five-star Overall Vehicle Score for safety since the National Highway Safety Administration changed its New Car Assessment Program for the 2011 model year.

GM ALSO SHEDS PARTS FROM ITS PICKUPS TO BOOST PAYLOAD RATINGS

By Brandon Turkus, Autoblog.com -  The row between Ford and Ram over who boasts the best-in-class tow rating for heavy duty pickups has revealed a number of things.  Chief among them is a report that Ford removes items like the spare tire, jack, radio and center console from its trucks in a bid to lower its base curb weight, and therefore its gross vehicle weight.

For those that need a refresher, GVW is the combination of a truck's curb weight plus its payload.  Gross vehicle weight rating, meanwhile, is the maximum amount of weight a vehicle can handle, and it's also used to classify pickups.  In Ford's case, tweaking GVW by removing parts allows it to station the F-450 among the so-called Class III pickups.  This is despite the fact that it's hewn from stiffer stuff than the average Class III and has the elevated towing capacity to prove it.

Ford explains away these deletions, saying a customer could order their vehicle in such a manner.  It has also come to light that Ford is not the only automaker to engage in such practices.

General Motors started deleting the rear bumper and swapping in alloy wheels for heavier steel wheels for its 2014 pickups (both light-duty and heavy duty models).  This is despite originally claiming that it did no such thing, a statement GM spokesman Tom Wilkinson told Automotive News was a mistake.

Wilkinson, like Ford, justifies the practice, explaining to AN, "You can delete the rear bumper, which some business customers do so they can install a custom bumper or other equipment on the back of the truck."

CELEBRATING 90 YEARS OF GM'S MILFORD PROVING GROUND

 

By General Motors - When the General Motors Milford Proving Ground opened in 1924 - 90 years ago this October - engineers lacked advanced tools and technology for safety testing.  Some might say that the only crash test dummies back then were human.

Engineers today keep their distance during crash tests.  No more riding the running boards until seconds before impact.  Inside the vehicles being tested are heavily instrumented anthropomorphic test devices - dummies - who capture the data for which engineers once risked their lives.

"The technology used today to research vehicles is far superior to the past, but the intention stays the same, put vehicles to the test in the name of safety," said Jack Jensen, the GM engineering group manager for the dummy lab and a GM Technical Fellow.  "We have more sophisticated dummies, computers to monitor crashes and new facilities to observe different types of potential hazards.

"All those things together give our engineers the ability to design a broad range of vehicles that safely get our customers where they need to go."

GM has provided customers with many industry-firsts using the Milford Proving Ground to test the developments:

• Patent-pending child restraint seat cushion extension feature: A segment safety first, the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon jump seat headrest can be removed from the back of the seat once inserted into the base to give the child seat more area to sit on
• Belt assurance system: The industry-first keeps drivers from shifting from "park" if not buckled up, will be launching in Q4 of 2014 on a limited group of fleet vehicles
• Front center air bag: GM was the first manufacturer to introduce the feature in 2013 on all full size crossovers, it will also be on the all-new 2015 full size utilities
• Rollover test facility: GM was the first North American auto manufacturer to build a rollover test facility, which opened in 2006
• Test dummies: In the early 1980s, GM's safety team developed several dummies, including the Hybrid III, which became the universal standard for frontal crash testing and remains so today across the globe