CHEVY SAYS CURRENT IMPALA TO LIVE ON THROUGH 2014

By Autoblog.com - We've had no lack of information regarding the new 2014 Chevrolet Impala so far; we know that it will sticker for about CAD$28,000 to start, that it will ofer I4, V6 and hybrid powerplants and that it will go on sale in Spring 2013.  We also now know that the Impala will have some very closely related competition, at least for a little while ...

Buried at the very end of a press release about the manufacturing of the Chevrolet Camaro returning to US soil yesterday, was this nugget about the current-generation of the Impala:  "The consolidated line at Oshawa Assembly will continue to produce the current generation Chevrolet Impala and Equinox until June 2014."

That's right, long after the better looking and fully modern 2014 Impala is on sale in dealerships, the old girl will still be getting churned out up in Canada -- most likely being sold as a fleet-only special for the remaining run.  If you'll recall, this situation wouldn't be unique for Chevy -- the sixth-generation Malibu stayed in the marketplace badged as a "Malibu Classic" for some time after the seventh-gen car went on sale.  The dual-Impala strategy should help preserve residual values of the all-new 2014 model, while at the same time allowing GM to further profit from the old Impala, whose tooling has long since been paid for.

Chevy's press release, with the all-important last sentence, follows below.

Next-Generation Chevy Camaro to be Built in the U.S.
GM announced today the next-generation Chevrolet Camaro will be assembled at the Lansing Grand River (LGR) Assembly Plant in Lansing, Michigan.  This decision is based on a comprehensive business case.

Lower capital investment and improved production efficiencies were key factors in the business case.  The Camaro is the only rear-wheel drive (RWD) vehicle built at Oshawa.  Assembling the next-generation Camaro at LGR consolidates the RWD assembly with the Cadillac CTS and ATS.  As a result, GM will continue to deliver top-quality vehicles as efficiently as possible.

GM will continue to meet the production targets agreed to with the Canadian and Ontario governments during the 2009 restructuring.

Production of the current generation Chevrolet Camaro will continue on the flexible manufacturing line at Oshawa Assembly until th4e end of the current product lifecycle.  The Buick Regal continues to be produced there, and GM recently invested $185 million to support the launch of two new products on the flex line as well:  the all-new Cadillac XTS and the next-generation Chevrolet Impala scheduled to launch in 2013.  In addition, GM recently announced it will add a third shift to support the launch of the new Impala there.  The consolidated line at Oshawa Assembly will continue to produce the current generation Chevrolet Impala and Equinox until June 2014.

2014 CHEVROLET CAMARO TO BE AVAILABLE WITH LS7 V8?

By Autoblog.com - Just when we thought that the horsepower battle between the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro had reached its zenith with the 662-horsepower Shelby GT500, it appears that Chevrolet won't go down without a fight.  Based on an official-looking Vehicle Identification Number decoder that Camaro5 managed to get its hands on, the 2014 Camaro might be getting ready to receive a few tweaks under the hood.

The biggest news is that an LS7 V8 engine looks to be joining the Camaro family for the 2014 model year.  The 7.0-litre LS7 is currently used in the Corvette Z06 with a power rating of 505 hp and 470 pound-feet of torque, which is much less power than the supercharged 6.2-litre LSA V8 used in the Camaro ZL1 putting out 580 hp and 556 lb.-ft.  Interestingly, though, there are no new trim levels listed on the detailed sheet, suggesting this engine could be destined to find its way into one of the Camaro's existing models, though a few months ago, it was reported that GM filed trademark papers for the Z/28 moniker, a storied designation in Camaro history.

On the opposite end of the performance spectrum, the decoder also appears to indicate that the Camaro's base 3.6-litre V6 will become E85 capable.  We'll wait until we hear official word from General Motors on either regard to get too excited, but both are promising leads for Camaro fans.  Combined with this week's news that next-generation Camaro production will be shifting from Oshawa, Ontario to Lansing, MI, this has been a surprising eventful week for Chevy's ponycar.

FIRST 2014 CHEVROLET CORVETTE TO BE AUCTIONED AT BARRETT-JACKSON FOR CHARITY?

By Steven J. Ewing, Autoblog.com - Something big is coming to the 2013 Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, Arizona.  You can already read the (mostly) complete roster of vehicles that will be up for grabs at the annual event, and each item on the docket offers complete information as to year, make, model and a full description of the item.

But then there's lot No. 3016:  Not a single bit of information is given, except that the vehicle is a Chevrolet, and that it's a "piece of Chevy history".  All proceeds from the "special Chevrolet model" will be donated to the Center for Creative Studies, and the auction takes place at 8:30 PM on Saturday, January 19.

This wouldn't be the first big model to be auctioned off at the Barrett-Jackson event.  Back in June, the first production 2013 SRT Viper was sold for US$300,000, and General Motors has historically used the event to auction off and even debut special edition Corvette models.  Given the fact that the Viper auction netted just over US$200,000 more than the car's list price, a similar auction with the highly anticipated C7 Corvette could bring in some seriously big bucks.

We'll be seeing the 2014 Corvette for the first time on January 13 -- the night before the first press day of the 2013 Detroit Auto Show, and the Barrett-Jackson auction takes place just six days later.

CHEVROLET TRAX LT AWD THE SMALL CAR CHEVY NEEDS

By John Leblanc, National Post - With a business based on selling trucks and SUVs, just three model years ago, the only small cars in Chevrolet's lineup were the decrepit Cobalt compact sedan and coupe and its retro-styled HHR tall-wagon sibling.  Today though -- with the introduction of the Cobalt-replacing Cruze sedan, Volt hybrid, Orlando mini-minivan, subcompact Sonic sedan and hatchback and Spark city car -- you can't walk across a Chevy dealer lot without bumping into a small, fuel-efficient car of some kind.

Joining Chevy's burgeoning small car brigade is the new-for-2013 Trax crossover.  As Post Driving previewed, the new Trax is essentially a longer/wider/taller version of the subcompact Sonic, using the same 138 horsepower, 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder and six-speed manual and automatic transmissions.  Smaller than more popular compact crossovers, like the Honda CR-V, the Trax has no domestic brand rivals, counting only the Nissan Juke, Hyundai Tuscon and Suzuki SX4 as true competition.

If not as agile or quick as the Juke, the Trax is remarkably composed and refined for non-enthusiast driving chores.  Whereas Chevrolet Sonic pricing runs between $13,665 and $23,560, the more capable Trax starts at $18,495 and tops out at $29,330.  While the Sonic is strictly a front-driver, for $25,155, the mid-level Trax LT can be had with part-time all-wheel-drive and mandatory autobox.

I had a few qualms with the Trax's interior design.  A tilt and telescopic steering wheel and supportive front seats deliver an excellent driving position.  The Chevy's cockpit design is simpler than its Buick Encore platform-mate, with driving instrumentation borrowed from the Sonic that is clear and concise.  Plus, the interior build quality is right there with the imports.

Despite most returning Chevy buyers still adding to their CD collections, the Trax offers the latest infotainment connectivity.  Steering wheel audio/phone controls, hands-free phone connection, USB and auxiliary jacks and General Motors' OnStar service is all standard fare.  And to make the most of the Trax's small footprint, its right-front backrest folds flat, the rear cargo shelf can be stowed vertically behind the rear seats and Chevrolet says the Trax has more rear cargo room than a BMW X1.

The Chevy crossover's just-under-10-second zero-100-km/h time won't put a scare into Corvette owners at a stoplight, but for its intended mission as an urban runabout, it's perfectly fine.  And when not abused by motoring journalists, the blown four is as smooth here as it is in other small Chevys.  Surprisingly, our day's test route involved little urban driving; mainly bombing around the back roads of Quebec's Gatineau Hills.  As such, my 9.8 L/100 km average was nowhere near Transport Canada's 5.7 city and 7.8 highway Trax estimates.

If not as agile or quick as the Juke, the Trax is remarkably composed and refined for non-enthusiast driving chores.  Over rough, rutted gravel roads, the Chevy delivers a composed ride without getting sloppy in its body motions.  Its electrically assisted power steering is surprisingly linear in turns and offers plenty of off-centre pushback.  My day's drive in Ottawa coincided with the first serious snowfall of the season.  And the Trax's AWD system -- which starts with all wheels engaged at takeoff, then switches to front-wheel power only at higher speeds, then back again as slippage occurs -- handled unplowed roads with aplomb.

As capable, usable and competitive as the new 2013 Trax is, its biggest flaw may be the yellow bow-tie badge on its front grille.

Chevrolet's marketing wizards say the vehicle's target customer is 25 to 38-year-old, female, single, no kids and living in the city.  The reality is, that demographic either doesn't want a car, can't afford a new one or are goose-stepping to an import car dealer.

As witnessed by the new Trax, Chevrolet finally has the small cars its needed for decades.  The heavy lifting now is getting the small car buyers.

2013 CHEVROLET CORVETTE ZR1 SETS LAP RECORD AT LAGUNA SECA, BEATS NEW SRT VIPER

By Zach Bowman, Autoblog.com - As you may have heard, Motor Trend recently threw the 2013 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 and the 2013 SRT Viper GTS at each other.  And while it was somewhat shocking to hear that the aging ZR1 actually managed to narrowly walk away as the winner of this particular scrap, something else interesting happened during the dust up.  Motor Trend called on pro driver Randy Pobst to thrash the two bruisers around Laguna Seca, and thrash he did.  Pobst managed to bolt out a time of 1:33.70 in the ZR1, besting the old record of 1:33.99 set by Chris Winkler some three years ago.  Winkler managed the task in a 2010 Dodge Viper ACR.

Pobst managed to pull down a 1:35.77 in the SRT Viper GTS, making it the sixth-fastest car M/T has ever put through its paces at Laguna Seca.  Don't shed a tear for the terror from SRT, though -- the 2013 Viper is still quicker than hardware like the Ferrari 458 Italia, Lexus LFA and Nissan GT-R.

Unsurprisingly, the record-breaking story has triggered defensive posturing from the SRT camp, with none other than brand boss Ralph Gilles leaving comments on his Twitter feed like "There is a lot more left in the car, Randy has always struggled with the Viper" and "We've tested both cars at several tracks and never seen a gap like that.  Many drivers needlessly fear the Viper.

The ZR1 may have drawn first blood on its way out the door, but one thing is for sure -- this is only the first skirmish in what looks to be a long and highly entertaining battle.

CHEVY SAYS EL CAMINO AND NOMAD TRADEMARK FILINGS WERE JUST ROUTINE PAPERWORK

By Autoblog.com - A slew of recent trademark filings by General Motors had us daydreaming about the return of Chevrolet models like the El Camino and Nomad, but alas, Automotive News is reporting that the automaker is just keeping up on its paperwork.  In order to prevent losing the names to other companies, automakers have to routinely renew the trademark filings for previously used names.

To realize the importance of name trademarks, we only have to look to the Ford Fusion.  As the story goes, Ford originally wanted to call this new sedan the Futura, but Pep Boys had assumed control of the name for a line of tires forcing Ford to choose4 another name.  With the Holden Commodore heading back to North America as the Chevrolet SS, we'd still like to believe there's a Holden Ute pickup heading our way with a bowtie on the grille.

While the article all but shoots down our hopes of a new El Camino or Nomad, it makes no mention of the ZR2 name, which also recently came up in similar trademark paperwork and was an off-road-ready trim level on the S10 and Blazer.

GM PICKUPS RAISE THE "WOW" BAR

By James B. Treece, Automotive News - General Motors' new pickups have plenty of cool extra features.

I'm not talking about the big stuff.  I give the Chevrolet and GMC pikcup truck specialists the benefit of the doubt on the big stuff.

At the launch of the redesigned Silverado and Sierra, GM executives insisted that the horsepower, torque, towing capacity and fuel economy of the new pickups would be exactly what pickup buyers need to get their jobs done.

I believe them.  Not because I know what those customers' needs are, but because those pickups are so absolutely critical to GM's financial survival that I can't imagine those engineers doing less than their absolute best.  GM -- and Ford and Chrysler -- made some lousy cars at times, say in the 1970s.  They never made truck lemons.

So let's assume these trucks make the grade on all the important specs, such as towing capacity, which can make or break a pickup sale.

How do the trucks stack up on the little points?  You know, the added features that will make an owner say to his neighbor, "You know what else is cool about my new truck?"

Pretty well.  Here's some of what's cool on these trucks.

Power sources.  The Silverado, for example, has 3 auxiliary power outlets, those old-fashioned cigarette-lighter plugs, three USB outlets to charge your phones or other electronic gadgets, and a 110-volt outlet.

Said Chris Hilts, the Silverado interior design manager:  "You could basically power the house from inside the truck."

Lighting.  LED lights under the truck bed's rails illuminate the inside of the bed.  Anybody who's ever loaded or unloaded a truck late at night or in the wee hours of the morning, or had to search around for stuff underneath a tonneau cover, is going to appreciate those lights.

CornerStep.  A little step built into the bumper's rear corners, plus a handhold at just the right spot on the box rail protectors, makes it a lot easier to climb into the bed without lowering the tailgate.  And this practical feature fits nicely with the exterior design, without looking like it was tacked on as an afterthought.

No phantom buttons.  This is one of my favorites.  I've had cars with absentee buttons: those spots on the instrument panel where there's clearly supposed to be a switch for something, but I didn't buy that option.  Every day, I'd look at that spot and wonder what was supposed to go there.

Not so with these pickups.  Chevy showed a slide of four very different iterations of the control panel to the left of the steering wheel, and none of them had a spot where a button might have been, but wasn't.

Again, Hilts:  "When you don't have an option, there's nothing missing."

Storage.  There are bins and boxes everywhere inside the cabin.  There are two bottle holders on the insides of the front doors -- and two cupholders for the folks in the front, too.  All of the storage bins had rubber liners, so you won't hear your stuff moving around.

In addition to a lockable glove box, the pickup has a lockable compartment underneath the main storage bin in the center console.  Hilts, showing its location and size, said "A lot of our Texas owners carry pistols."

SIGHTED: CHEVROLET IMPALA FROM THE (NOT SO) GOOD OLD DAYS

By Jonathan Welsh, The Wall Street Journal - Manhattan sometimes seems like the automotive equivalent of a rare-bird sanctuary.  While contemporary yellow taxis, box trucks and luxury SUVs dominate the pavement, surprising old models show up every so often.

This 1973 Chevrolet Impala Custom two-door parked down the block from my office today and I couldn't resist snapping a shot of the giant earth-tone machine.  It represents not only how much car design has changed in 40 years, but also how different car culture and consumer preferences are today.

Chevy sold more than 700,000 of the Impala and its Caprice and Bel Air siblings in 1973, but this car would never fly today.  Would anyone still buy such a big car with only two doors?  People don't make kids climb, crawl and contort to get into the back seats of coupes these days.

Even roomier sedan versions of the Impala seem barely accommodating by today's standards.  For the most part, modern passenger vehicles with similarly large footprints tend to be SUVs or crossovers with room for up to seven passengers.

Still, I recall long family road trips in my father's 1972 Dodge Charger, also a low-cut two-door, with my two older sisters, a dog and lots of luggage.  It was normal and even fun at the time.

Today, though, I have trouble scraping up nostalgia for such cars because even when new they seemed clunky and poorly built.

When a passerby pointed to the Impala and wistfully said they don't make them like that anymore, all I could say was, "Thank goodness."

2014 SILVERADO: STRONGER, SMARTER AND MORE CAPABLE

• From hood to hitch, the most refined, best engineered Silverado ever
• Three new EcoTec3 engines designed for more power, improved efficiency
• Engineered for tough truck duties and legendary Chevy truck dependability

By General Motors, Detroit - Chevrolet today unveiled the all-new 2014 Silverado 1500 full-size pickup.  New from hood to hitch, Silverado is engineered to be the strongest, smartest, and most capable Silverado ever.

The new Silverado builds on Chevrolet's 95 years of truck heritage, while raising the bar for full-size pickups.  Among the many updates for 2014 are a new trio of powerful, efficient EcoTec3 engines; a stronger, quieter, more comfortable cab; revised steering, suspension and brakes; ingenious solutions for managing cargo in the bed and true truck capability for towing and hauling.

"Our customers rely on their trucks to meet the day-to-day challenges of earning a living, running a business and taking care of their families," said Mark Reuss, president, GM North America.  "Chevrolet is committed to giving truck customers the most-refined, best-engineered pickups in the market."

The 2014 Silverado will become part of Chevrolet's three-truck portfolio, designed to let customers select the right truck for their needs.  It joins the Silverado 2500 and 3500 HD pickups, the ultimate tools for towing and hauling, which were new for the 2011 model year.  Chevrolet is also developing an all-new Colorado midsize pickup, which will offer proven truck capability in a space- and fuel-efficient package.

Every detail of the 2014 Silverado 1500 was designed and engineered to meet the exacting requirements for full-size truck customers and to strengthen Chevrolet's reputation for building the most dependable, longest-lasting full-size trucks -- trucks with the lowest overall cost of ownership.

"Don't let the work boots fool you.  Truck customers are among the most discerning and demanding in the business," said Jeff Luke, executive chief engineer for full-size and midsize trucks.

"The designers and engineers who created the new Silverado share this passion for trucks.  They have built this truck -- and tested it to the extremes -- to give customers the right tools for the tough jobs, and they have created dozens of solutions to the challenges truck customers encounter every day."

2014 Silverado 1500 at a glance
For 2014, Silverado 1500 is designed and engineered to deliver the capability -- without compromise -- that customers have come to expect from Chevrolet pickups.

Silverado's exterior design blends strong Chevy truck heritage with a refined, modern aesthetic.  The new design is more muscular, more functional and more aerodynamic.  A twin-port grille, full-width bumper and dual power dome hood create a strong presence, which is carried through is sculpted body sides and fender flares.

The new Silverado design is about much more than just looks, however.  The new front end is engineered to improve sealing for more efficient cooling, while the roof and tailgate spoiler were shaped in the wind tunnel to smooth airflow over the truck for reduced drag.  New inlaid doors, which fit into recesses in the bodyside, reduce wind noise for a quieter cab.

Under the hood, the 2014 Silverado 1500 features a family of three all-new EcoTec3 engines, a V-6 and two V-8s, engineered specifically for use in full-size trucks.  All three engines incorporate direct fuel injection, cylinder deactivation and continuously variable valve timing, a combination of advanced technologies not found in other competitors' trucks.  All three switch seamlessly to four-cylinder operation to improve efficiency during light load driving and all three are engineered to provide more power, more torque and better effiency than the previous versions.

The engine family includes a new 4.3L V-6 that will have ample torque to power a crew cab pickup and tow a substantial trailer, as well as a new 5.3L V-8 designed for more power, more torque and better efficiency than the current version, which is currently the V-8 fuel economy leader.  A new 6.2L V-8 is engineered to be the most capable engine in any light-duty pickup.

SAE certified horsepower and torque ratings and EPA fuel economy estimates for the new Silverado will be final and available beginning early next year.

The all-new interiors of the 2014 Silverado 1500 reflect the same focus on form and function.  The upright instrument panel, six-gauge instrument cluster and multiple storage options are tailored specifically to the needs of truck customers.  Controls are functional, logically placed and easy to operate with work gloves on.  Rear doors on crew cabs are larger, for easier entry and exit, and rear doors on extended cab models are now hinged at the front for easier access, especially in tight spots.

The new Chevrolet MyLink provides easy-to-use connectivity for the job site or the family vacation, with natural voice recognition and enough ports and power outlets to support multiple devices.

The new truck cab is stronger, with nearly two-thirds of the structure made from high-strength steel for a confident feel and improved safety.  Similarly, the main rails and key cross members of the updated frame are high-strength steel with major elements hydroformed for reduced mass and improved strength.

New shear-style body mounts tune out both up-and-down and side-to-side movement for a quieter, more comfortable ride.  Extended- and crew-cab models have a third set of hydraulic body mounts to further isolate the cabs.  Combined with numerous other acoustic and NVH (noise vibration and harshness) enhancements, the intended result is a solid, refined feel with no loss in traditional truck capability.

The pickup box also benefits from this focus on providing Silverado customers with the right tools for the job.  The box is made from roll-formed steel for increased strength and reduced mass, compared with the stamped beds used by major competitors, and it features a range of smart solutions for everyday life.

Silverado's CornerStep bumper, combined with handholds built into the new box rail protectors, makes it easier to access the box.  The bed is also available with new upper tie-down hooks, under-rail light-emitting diode lighting, and an EZ Lift and Lower tailgate.

For the first time, Silverado 1500 crew cabs will be available with a longer 6'6" foot box, in addition to the previous 5'8" box, enabling customers to carry more cargo while still being able to park in many garages.

The chassis of the 2014 Silverado includes a number of customer-focused updates.  A revised front and rear suspension and wider wheels provide a more comfortable ride and more confident handling.  Electric power steering improves steering feel and reduces fuel consumption.  New four-wheel-disc brakes with Duralife rotors improve brake feel and extend rotor life.

Silverado will be available with segment-exclusive safety features such as Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning with an Active Safety Seat, and Front and Rear Park Assist.  StabiliTrak with Trailer Sway Control and Hill Start Assist are standard on all Silverados.

"We have made significant upgrades in the key areas of the new Silverado, and improved almost every detail of the truck" said Luke.  "We think both Chevrolet loyalists and competitive shoppers are going to find a lot to love about the new Silverado, beginning with the very first time they sit behind the wheel."

Engineered and validated for demanding customersTruck customers are among the most discerning and demanding in the business.  They know trucks inside out -- many have owned trucks for decades.  They work their trucks hard, under conditions that would shock many car owners.  They have tough tasks to do, and they expect their trucks to do them, without complaint.  And they expect their trucks to endure -- the average age of a full-size pickup is now more than 10.4 years.

The team that designed the new Silverado went to extremes to design a new truck that would exceed the demands of these customers.  For example, GM's new full-size trucks will undergo more than 6 million miles of durability testing in the torture chambers at the Milford Proving Ground, over the deserts and mountains of Nevada and across the frozen flats of Kapuskasing, Ontario.  That's equivalent to 240 trips around the earth.  In addition, the trucks will accumulate more than 7 million real-world miles during final testing, bringing total test miles to more than 13 million.

The increased power, torque and efficiency of the new EcoTec3 engine family resulted from an unprecedented level of computer analysis, including extensive computational flow dynamics to optimize the burning of air and fuel in the cylinders.  More than 10 million hours of computational analysis went into the engine program.  More than 6 million hours -- about 685 years' worth -- of analysis went into the advanced combustion system alone.

Even the basics, like the new inlaid doors, were tested to the extreme, with the doors undergoing nearly 150 truck lives' worth of testing.

The 2014 Silverado 1500 crew cab will start production in the second quarter of 2013, with other cab styles following later in the year.

Pricing will be announced closer to start of sale.

Additional Details -- 2014 Silverado 1500

A modern interpretation of iconic Chevrolet design
For the 2014 Silverado, designers sought to strike the ideal balance between Chevrolet's deep heritage in full-size pickups and a more modern, refined aesthetic.  They also sought to give the new Silverado a more dramatic presence, with a heightened stance and more structural, muscular sheet metal, while also improving aerodynamics to make the new Silverado exterior design.  "The 2014 Silverado will definitely stand out, in terms of both appearance and improved aerodynamic performance."

The classic two-port Chevrolet truck grille, restyled headlamps and one-piece bumper wrap from fender to fender, giving the truck a wider, stronger stance.  The grille of the new Silverado is designed to admit just the right amount of air, and the front is carefully sealed to provide efficient cooling with minimal aerodynamic drag.

A modern interpretation of Chevrolet vertically stacked headlamps includes projector beam lamps on LTZ models.  A new hood with twin power domes not only enhances visual presence, but it guides air over the windshield wipers for reduced wind noise.

The more aggressive design continues down the body, with sculpted body sides and prominent fender flares.  Available wheel well liners provide a more finished look.  Wheels range from 17 to 20 inches in diameter and all are a half-inch wider than before, for reduced tire flex and enhanced cornering and steering.  Twenty-two-inch wheels will be available as Chevrolet accessories.

Special attention was paid to airflow over the truck, to improve efficiency and reduce wind noise.  Most notable are the inlaid doors, which fit into body sides rather than wrapping over the roof.  When combined with new triple door seals, the inlaid doors reduce wind noise and turbulence, helping quiet the cab.

Other aerodynamic details include new cab-to-box seals, shields on the chassis to smooth under-vehicle air flow, and deflectors to guide air around the rear tires.  Both the roof and the top of the tailgate were precisely shaped to help manage airflow over the back of the pickup.

Also for 2014, rear doors on crew cab models are larger.  The B-pillars were moved forward, the rear seat redesigned and the front seatbacks made thinner, adding about two inches to rear legroom and increasing the ease of entry and exit without adding length to the vehicle.  On extended cab Silverados, the rear doors now hinge at the front, from the B-pillar, for easier access in parking lot and other tight spots.

Three all-new EcoTec3 engines
The heart of any truck is under its hood and the 2014 Silverado 1500 offers three new EcoTec3 engines developed specifically for the demands of truck duty cycles.  All feature a trio of state-of-the-art technologies -- direct injection, cylinder deactivation and continuously variable valve timing - that optimize power, torque and efficiency across a broad range of operating conditions.

The new trio of engines is designed to match the needs of truck customers, and to provide more horsepower, more torque and better fuel economy than previous Silverado engines.

All three engines feature an advanced combustion system for more efficiently turning fuel into work and all three are designed to seamlessly switch to four-cylinder mode to improve efficiency during light-load driving.

"We believe these engines are the most technologically advanced engines ever offered in light-duty pickups, and they are specifically designed for the way customers use trucks in the real world," said Jordan Lee, Small Block chief engineer and program manager.

"EcoTec3 engines offer technology no other truck maker can match, and we offer it in every one of our engines, for every one of our customers," said Lee. "It is not an extra cost feature.  You get our best and most advanced technology regardless of trim level."

To provide the dependability and low cost of ownership that truck customers count on, all three engines feature a work-tested, race-proven overhead valve design that is light and compact, and has inherently low friction for improved fuel efficiency.  All three feature aluminum blocks and heads for lower weight.

The new engine family includes:

• A new standard 4.3L V-6.  Its large displacement delivers the torque to power a crew cab and pull a substantial trailer, yet it can seamlessly shift into four-cylinder mode under light loads for improved efficiency.
• A new 5.3L V-8.  It is engineered to provide more horsepower, more torque and better fuel economy that the current 5.3L V-8, making it an excellent choice for mainstream customers.
• A new 6.2L V-8.  It is engineered to be the most capable engine in any light-duty pickup.  Like the other two engines in the family, it can seamlessly switch to four-cylinder mode under light load conditions for improved efficiency in daily driving.

The 2014 Silverado 1500 is engineered to further improve efficiency by enabling the engines to operate in four-cylinder mode more of the time.  For example, transmission and exhaust mounts tune out vibration that can occur when the engines are in four-cylinder mode, and an active exhaust system fine tunes backpressure and the exhaust note for smoother, quieter operation.  Models with the 6.2L V-8 feature active noise cancellation to further quiet the cabin during four-cylinder mode.

All three engines feature a six-speed automatic transmission with gear ratios and shift schedules optimized for performance and efficiency.  The transmissions feature Auto Grade Braking, which downshifts on downgrades to help reduce brake wear.  Due to the added torque of the new V-8 engines, new 9.5- or 9.76- inch rear axles are used.

"Not only did we work to improve the horsepower, torque and EPA fuel economy estimates of all three EcoTec3 engines, but we worked hard to improve real-world efficiency as well, especially when towing and hauling," said Lee.  "We look forward to journalists and other third parties having the opportunity to test our trucks head-to-head with the competition in real world conditions."

More comfortable, more functional interior
With crew cabs now accounting for more than two-thirds of light-duty sales industry-wide, pickups are increasingly becoming multi-purpose tools, used to run a business or earn a living during the day and transporting friends and family during the time off.  To accommodate those needs Silverado designers sought to craft an interior that was quieter, roomier, more comfortable and more functional, without making it look like the interior of a car or crossover.  The result:  an all new interior that sets a benchmark for full-size trucks.

"Changes to the exterior of the 2014 Silverado can be described as evolutionary, but the updates to the interior are dramatic," said Helen Emsley, Silverado design director.  "The meticulous attention to detail and the steps we took to ensure optimal driver and passenger comfort and convenience, are reflected in the fact that the new interiors rated off the charts in customer clinics."

The upright instrument panel with its six-gauge instrument cluster is tailored specifically to the needs of truck customers, and most models also include a 4.2-inch colour Driver Information Centre displaying vehicle and infotainment data.  Controls were located with the use of reach curves, and important controls were placed closest to the driver and grouped functionally.  Knobs, buttons and interfaces are large, easy-to-read and easy to operate, even with gloves on.

For example, Silverado retained the traditional column shifter, with tap-up/tap-down and tow-haul functions integrated into the lever, because it clears space in the console and is easy to operate, even with heavy work gloves.  Similarly, the available integrated trailer brake control is mounted high and to the left of the steering wheel, where the driver can more naturally reach for it.

The result is a simple, well designed instrument panel -- one in keeping with the ways customers use their full-size trucks.

Silverado's available MyLink infortainment system is designed to be easy-to-use, highly customizable and capable of linking up to 10 devices.  It features natural language voice recognition that allows customers to place calls, enter destinations, browse media, play music and control other functions simply by telling the vehicle what to do.  There are no key phrases to remember and no need to look at a screen.

MyLink also can be operated via large, clearly labeled knobs, through integrated steering wheel controls, or through the touch screen on models with the eight-inch screen.  The system also can store up to 60 favorites including radio stations (AM/FM/XM), contacts, destinations, music and other media -- a convenient feature for small businesses or owners who travel frequently.

All models also have extensive interior storage, tailored to the way customers use their trucks.  Multiple USB ports, along with 12-volt and 110-volt power outlets, help connect multiple devices.

A new high-wear seat clothdurable and easier to clean is available and the front seats have more durable dual-density foam for improved comfort and longer life.  The goal, in each case, was to create a level of comfort and convenience usually associated with upscale cars, but tailored to the way customers actually use their trucks.

Strengthened cabs and frames

Truck customers have the highest expectations when it comes to durability and capability -- they need to know that one of the most important tools in their toolbox is going to withstand the daily punishment of their work and their active lifestyles.  And they expect their trucks to last -- the average truck on the road is now more than 10.4 years old.

To ensure that the new Silverado is up to the challenge, key elements of the updated frame, including the main rails and major cross members, are made from high-strength steel and hydroforming is used to improve strength and reduce mass of the front of the frame.

The cab structures are all new, and incorporate high strength steel in the A-pillars, B-pillars, roof rails and rocker panels.  Ultra-high-strength steel is used in areas of the rocker panels and underbody in anticipation of new shallow-offset crash tests.  In all, about two-thirds of the cab structure is made from high-strength steels, for a quieter ride, a more confident feel and enhanced performance on new, toughter government and industry crash tests.

The mounts that isolate the cab from frame have a major impact on both noise and vibration in the passenger compartment.  All Silverado models now have shear-style mounts, which isolate both up-and-down and side-to-side movements, and extended- and crew-cab models have additional hydraulic mounts to provide further isolation.  The result is a truck that feels much quieter, more refined and more solid than previous models.

The 2014 Silverado 1500 also features a roll-formed steel pickup box, which is lighter, stronger and more durable than traditional stamped steel boxes used by major competitors.

The use of high-strength steels and other lighter materials such as aluminum hods, engine blocks and suspension helped offset the mass of new features such as stronger cabs, wider wheels, a larger battery and larger rear axles for V-8 Silverados.  The 2014 Silverado continues to be lighter than comparable models from a key competitor.

More confident ride, handling and braking
The suspension, steering and brakes of the 2014 Silverado 1500 have been extensively updated for a quieter, more refined ride and confident handling and braking.

The coil-over-shock front suspension features aluminum upper and lower control arms on many models that are both lighter and stiffer than previous components, along with front springs are up to 30 percent stiffer than those on current models, for more confident handling.

The rear suspension continues to use two-stage multi-leaf springs, for an optimal balance between a smooth ride and load carrying capability.  The spring bushings have been revised for an improved ride, and both front and rear shocks feature a twin-tube design with new valving to improve damping at low speeds, for a smoother, more controlled ride.  Z71 models use monotube Rancho shocks for enhanced off-road capability.

The 2014 Silverado 1500 features new all-electric variable-assist power steering, which improves overall vehicle handling and reduces steering effort at low speeds.  Because there is no engine-driven pump, electric power steering also reduces fuel consumption and eliminates the maintenance associated with hydraulic power steering.

Four-wheel disc brakes with Duralife rotors are standard.  The rotors feature a hardened and strengthened surface that resists rusting, potentially doubling the life of the rotors and improving vehicle appearance.  The brake pedal feel has been improved as well.

Silverado also features Auto Grade Braking, which uses the engine and transmission controls to slow the vehicle on a long downgrade, helping maintain vehicle speed and reducing the need for the driver to use the brakes.

Smarter pickup box
For 2014, Silverado even makes the pickup box smarter.  A CornerStep bumper and built-in hand grip pockets in the new bed rail protectors make it easier to step up into the bed and access items.

The tailgate features an internal torsion bar that reduces the effort to raise and lower the tailgate, while a rotary damper allows for a controlled and more gradual lowering motion when opening the tailgate.  A locking feature, two-tier loading and a box lamp are standard.  Available features include upper tie-down hooks that make it easier to secure cargo, and LED lamps under the bed rails that make it easier to see items in the bed.

The pickup box is available in three lengths -- 5'8", 6'6" and 8'.  Crew cab models add the 6'6" box as a new option in addition to the 5'8" box.  Extended cab models come with 6'6" boxes and regular cab models are available with 6'6" or 8' boxes.  Customers who tow will appreciate the four- and seven-pin trailer connector located in the rear bumper.

Z71 for off-road capability
For owners whose work or recreation takes them off road, Z71 returns as a unique model, available in LT and LTZ trim.  For 2014, Z71 includes monotube Rancho shocks, front tow hooks, a transfer case skid plate and unique 18- or 20- inch all-terrain tires.  The Z71 package also includes Hill Descent Control.  Engaged by the driver using a button on the instrument panel, it uses the anti-lock braking system to enable a smooth and controlled descent in rough terrain.

Z71 also includes unique 18-inch wheels (optional on LT, standard on LTZ) and unique interior trim, including brushed metal sill plates, a technical finish on interior trim pieces and Z71 graphics on the instrument cluster.

Standard on Z71, and available on other Silverados, is a GM-exclusive automatic locking rear differential, which reacts in milliseconds in low-traction situations to improve safety and confidence on wet, snowy or muddy surfaces.

Advanced safety features
As mentioned above, the 2014 Silverado 1500 has an all-new cab, with approximately two-thirds of the structure built from high strength steels.  It helps protect occupants in the event of a crash and enhances performance on new, tougher government and industry crash tests.

Silverado continues to offer a comprehensive suite of standard safety technologies, including StabiliTrak electronic stability control with Trailer Sway Control and Hill Start Assist, head curtain side airbags with rollover protection and OnStar.

New for 2014, Silverado will offer several segment-leading features.  Lane Departure Warning alerts the driver if the vehicle starts to drift into another lane, via an audible warning or the available Safety Alert Seat.  Also available is Forward Collision Alert, which monitors the space in front of the ehicle via a camera, and warns the driver if he or she is getting too close to the vehicle ahead.

Other available safety features include front and rear park assist, a rear vision camera mounted in the tailgate and spotter mirrors that make it easier for drivers to see objects in the blind spots.

GM SAYS CHEVY VOLT OWNERS HAVE LOGGED OVER 160-MILLION ELECTRIC KILOMETRES

By Autoblog.com - It's only been two years since the Chevrolet Volt first went on sale, but Chevrolet is saying that owners of the car have driven a collective 160 million all-electric kilometres in this short period of time.  Like any other alternatively powered car, owners are finding ways to maximize efficiency, and Chevrolet states that Volt owners are traveling under electric power more than 65 per cent of the time leading to a savings in gasoline expenses to the tune of US$1,370 per year.

In terms of gasoline, Volt owners are spending US$1,370 less per year, but on the bigger scale, this represents a total savings of five million gallons of gas (18.9 million litres).  With regular charges, Chevy says that the Volt can drive almost 900 miles (1,448 kilometres) on average before needing more gasoline, and one driver, Andrew Byrne of Los Angeles, said that he was able to drive 1,900 miles (3,058 kilometres) between fill-ups.

Below is Chevy's press release.

Chevrolet Volt Owners Surpass 100 Million Electric Miles
5 million gallons of fuel saved; $1,300 a year in fuel costs avoided
DETROIT - Chevrolet Volt owners collectively have driven more than 100 million all-electric miles since the vehicle went on sale two years ago this month.  The average Volt owner travels more than 65 percent of the time in pure electric mode as the car was designed -- only using the gasoline-powered generator for longer trips.

By charging regularly, Volt owners drive approximately 900 miles, or a month and a half, between fill-ups.  However, many Volt owners quickly exceed that average, based on an EPA-estimated 98 MPGe that puts electric-only range at 35 mpg city and 40 mpg on the highway.  Andrew Byrne from Los Angeles is one of these drivers.

"Since my daily driving is all electric, I only really need to buy gas for long road trips," Byrne said.  "I drove over 1,900 miles on my last tank of gas."

With each avoided trip to the gas station, Volt drivers continue to increase their return on investment.  Based on EPA estimates and compared to the average new vehicle sold in the United States, Volt owners are saving about $1,370 a year in fuel costs.

"The best sign of a great product is when your customers are the most satisfied in the industry," said Cristi Landy, Chevrolet Volt marketing director.  "Volt owners have found the Volt is not only fun to drive, but provides technology and performance where consumers need it most."

This is the second year in a row the Volt has topped the satisfaction survey of one of the leading consumer testing organizations in the United States.

"My commute is 55 miles round trip, but with the Volt I use 80 percent less gas and save over $150 each month," said Farris Khan from southeastern Michigan.  "Plus the Volt is really fun to drive because of its instant torque; driving anything else feels like yester-tech!"

For the typical driver, the average Volt savings equates to:

Nine week of groceries at $151 per week
228 car washes at $6 per car wash
137 movie tickets at $10 per ticket

The 5 million gallons of gas saved is equivalent to $21 million in gasoline costs averted overall based on $4 per gallon of premium, or more than two supertankers of gas.

For the first 38 miles, the Volt can drive gas and tailpipe-emissions free using a full charge of electricity stored in its 16.50-kWh lithium-ion battery.  When the Volt's battery runs low, a gas-powered engine/generator seamlessly operates to extend the driving range another 344 miles on a full tank.

CHEVY MALIBU TO GET EARLY REFRESH TO COMBAT SLOW SALES, POOR REVIEWS

By Autoblog.com - We don't have to look much further than the 2013 Ford Fusion as proof that family cars should no longer be boring to look at, and after apparently taking some heat for the redesign of the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, Chevrolet is reportedly preparing an emergency redesign of its midsize sedan in a similar fashion that we just saw happen to the 2013 Honda Civic.  Automotive News is reporting that Chevy is working on refreshing the Malibu by the end of 2013, which is about 18 months after the new car went on sale earlier this year.

General Motors CEO Dan Akerson was quoted as saying that an enhanced, but "not dramatic," design update is being planned for the Malibu by this time next year, and it will at least include a new front fascia.  Based on the styling direction at Chevrolet as seen on the new Impala and Traverse, we expect the updated "Bu to get more of an angular look especially in regards to the grille and headlights.

The sooner-than-expected design change is apparently a result of criticisms from dealers and the media as well as unimpressive sales figures.  AN says that Malibu sales were up four per cent earlier in the year due to increased incentives to move the 2012 models, but once the full model year changeover took place (in September and October), sales dropped by three per cent.

FACEBOOK WANTS GM BACK AS A PARTNER

By George Kennedy, Autoblog.com - The story of GM and Facebook has been a strange one.  First GM backs out of a US$10 million advertising strategy with Facebook at a crucial time, just before the social media platform's IPO in May.  Then, the man behind the move, Joel Ewanick was fired from GM for apparent details surrounding GM's sponsorship of Manchester United.  That ousting caused a shuffling of faces in GM's marketing division, and it is something that Facebook sees as an opportunity.

Business Insider recently spoke with the social media giant's VP of global marketing Carolyn Everson, who said her team is in the position of having to re-introduce themselves to GM's new advertising personnel.  Everson explained that GM's withdrawal from its involvement in Facebook was not because ads were not working, rather, "it was about whether or not their strategy on Facebook was the right strategy.  And we are working very hard to get that in a better place."

Everson has been meeting with top GM brass over the last couple of months, and has been in touch with the new chief marketing officer for GM Canada, who apparently is in favour of Facebook.  According to Everson, GM has not written any cheques yet, but talks are moving along and dealings between the two companies will, in her words, be in a "better place" soon.

1962 CORVETTE C1RS FROM SEMA AIMS TO FETCH TOP DOLLAR AT BARRETT-JACKSON AUCTION

By Mark Pereira, Autoblog.com - We couldn't believe our eyes when we found this incredible '62 Corvette at the Barrett-Jackson display at the 2012 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, NV.  The story behind this build isn't so much of a restoration project, its more like a revolutionary concept car built within the silhouette of the legendary C1 'Vette that needed a closer look.

The painstaking attention to detail and elaborate craftsmanship involved easily make this one of the most amazing resto-mod examples we've ever seen in person.  This custom car is far from ordinary, as the project quickly took on a very modern life of its own with the team at the Roadster Shop in Mundelein, IL.

With virtually every panel from front to back being re-worked in carbon fibre and custom aluminum panels, the aptly named C1RS (RS stands for Roadster Shop) formed its stunning new shape.  This C1 Corvette also proves there's more than meets the eye, armed with a tire-shredding 618 horsepower LS7 crate motor and all the proper running gear to handle that power lurking under its classic hood.

While it's hard to put a price on the passion and dedication behind this award-winning 'Vette, it looks like the upcoming Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, AZ plans to do just that.  We'll soon see what this iconic 1962 Corvette C1RS all adds up to during the week of January 13-20, 2013.  One thing we do know, is that something this special won't come cheap.  Gentlemen, start your bidding!

BE AN EXCELLENT DRIVE AND BUY THE 1949 BUICK ROADMASTER FROM RAIN MAN

By Zach Bowman, Autoblog.com - Heritage Auctions has gotten its hands on an interesting piece of automotive cinema history.  Bidders can now vie for the 1949 Buick Roadmaster Convertible from the 1988 film Rain Man featuring Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman.  The straight-eight powered convertible is one of two used in filming and features an upgraded rear suspension to cope with the weight of a camerman and camera equipment.  The seller has included several bits of documentation showing where the big Buick was rented by MGM for filming, including insurance receipts and loan agreements.

As it sits, the Roadmaster has an opening bid of US$40,000 and is located in Sacramento, California, though we suspect the seller may have a much higher reserve.  The auction won't reveal that figure until December 7.

2014 CHEVROLET SPARK EV MAKES FIRST APPEARANCE IN LA

By Michael Harley, Autoblog.com - While we still haven't learned how far it goes on a charge, Chevrolet offered the media a very close look at its upcoming 2014 Spark EV at an event the evening before the LA Auto Show rang its opening bell.  Not only did we have a chance to look at the US$32,500 (GM Canada has not released pricing yet but sources say it will be close to the US pricing) (US$25,000 after tax incentives) five-door urban mini car in its production-ready state, but the automaker brought a second Spark EV opened up like a sardine can so we could view its technical innards.

As we mentioned yesterday when the Spark EV was unveiled, the five-passenger pure-electric is fitted with a 20-plus kilowatt-hour battery pack driving the front wheels.  Thanks to its 110 kW (130 horsepower) electric motor generating a whopping 400 pound-feet of torque, it scoots to 96 kilometres per hour (60 mph) in less than eight seconds.  Even better, Chevy is promising it will offer "among the best EV battery range in its segment" and the capability to accept SAE Combo DC Fast Charging (this means it is able to reach 80-per cent battery charge in just 20 minutes).

Chevrolet Spark EV is Pure, Electric Fun
Competitively priced under US$25,000 with tax incentives

• Expected range among best in EV segment
• Advanced, U.S.-built motor and drive unit deliver best-in-class acceleration
• Two seven-inch, high-resolution LCD screens display key vehicle functions and infotainment
• Initial markets include California, Oregon, Canada, South Korea and other global markets
• Optional SAE Combo DC Fast Charging capability enables Spark EV to charge to 80 percent in 20 minutes

LOS ANGELES - The 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV, introduced today ahead of the Los Angeles International Auto Show, packs smart performance and connectivity technologies into an affordable five-door urban mini car designed to make the trip as electrifying as the destination.  It will be priced under US$25,000 with tax incentives.

With the Chevrolet Volt, Chevrolet accounts for more than 50 percent of all plug-in electric vehicle sales in the United States and Spark EV builds on Chevrolet's proven electric motor and battery development programs.  When it goes on sale next summer, the Spark EV is expected to have among the best EV battery range in its segment and be the first electric vehicle to offer SAE Combo DC Fast Charging capability, enabling the Spark EV to reach 80-percent battery charge in just 20 minutes.

"When you engineer a technology-filled, all-electric mini car that goes from zero-to-60 mph in less than eight seconds, customers won't miss the gas," said Mark Reuss, president, General Motors North America.  "The Volt and now the Spark EV show that Chevrolet not only knows EVs better than anyone else, we also know how to help customers get the most out of their EV experience."

Inside the Spark EV, critical vehicle functions are clearly and intuitively displayed on one of the vehicle's two reconfigurable, high-resolution, seven-inch color LCD screens, including a confidence gauge that shows the expected driving range based on driving habits and other conditions.

Spark EV also will keep urban drivers musically connected with Chevrolet's exclusive MyLink radio that comes standard and safely brings smartphone-based infotainment -- including aps for BringGo full-function navigation, TuneIn global internet radio, Pandora and Stitcher -- into the vehicle.  Apple's Siri will ride shotgun, for customers with compatible (4S and newer) iPhones.

In addition to previously announced markets including California and South Korea, Spark EV will also go on sale in participating dealerships throughout Oregon, Canada and other global markets.  Spark EV will be eligible for coveted high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes in California.

The soul of Spark EV
Spark EV is powered by an advanced electric motor and battery system.  It consists of a GM-designed, coaxial drive unit and electric motor that together deliver 130 hp (110 kW) and 400 lb.-ft. (542 Nm) of torque for instant acceleration; and a more than 20-kWh lithium ion battery is expected to provide among the best EV range performance in its segment.

The drive unit and motor will be assembled of U.S. and globally sourced parts at GM's White Marsh, Md., manufacturing facility, and the first time a U.S. automaker has built both a complete electric motor and drive unit for a modern electric vehicle in the United States.

Spark EV's long-life battery is designed to be safe, durable and reliable, and is warranted for eight years or 100,000 miles.  It consists of a 560-pound (254 kg) square lithium-ion battery pack with a volume of 133 liters, comprising 336 prismatic cells.

"The Spark EV battery has undergone more than 200,000 hours of testing in our global battery systems lab," said Pamela Fletcher, Chevrolet executive chief engineer of electrified vehicles.  "It is extremely durable and has undergone the same abuse tolerance testing as the Volt battery."

Leading the charge
Spark EV is the first all-electric vehicle in North America to offer optional SAE Combo DC Fast Charge capability, which can charge the battery to 80 percent capacity in about 20 minutes.  A common on-board charging receptable accommodates all three charging platforms -- DC Fast Charge, AC 240V and AC 120V.

Using a dedicated 240V outlet, Spark EV recharges in less than seven hours.  Owners can coordinate charging according to departure time or during off-peak electricity rates.  They also can manage and monitor the vehicle remotely via computer at OnStar.com or with a special Chevrolet Mobile App powered by OnStar Remote Link.  The Spark EV comes with three years of standard OnStar service.

Energy-saving exterior; tech-filled interior
In developing the Spark EV, Chevrolet set out to help customers conserve as much total energy as possible to maximize battery range.  One important way to achieve that is by improving the vehicle's aerodynamics.  By evaluating evry detail of the gasoline-powered Spark, designers and aerodynamic engineers added the equivalent of about 2.5 miles of real-world range.

Spark EV colors include Electric Blue, Black Granite, Summit White, Silver Ice and Titanium.  Inside, designers sought to create a comfortable and spacious cockpit with noise-reduction features and a combination of bright accents in Electric Blue and chrome.

CORVETTE C7 PROTOTYPE NOW AVAILABLE AS FREE DLC FOR GRAN TURISMO 5

By Jonathon Ramsey, Autoblog.com - Two weeks ago, a camouflaged C7 Corvette was spotted as a screen saver during demo mode in Gran Turismo 5.  Today, the Corvette C7 Test Prototype can now be downloaded for free from the Playstation Store.

Chevrolet worked with GT5 developer Polyphony Digital to create an authentic version of the test car prototype that is still in the oven as it prepares for a reveal at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show, from the wrinkles in the soft cladding to the "specific driving characteristics that are currently being tuned and refined."

It's the closest you'll get to being a genuine test driver, and you'll hear no complaints from us about gaining that experience in one of the most anticipated sports cars ever.  There's a press release below that you can read as you fire up the old PlayStation3.

First Drive of Seventh Generation Corvette Prototype
Camouflaged 2014 Corvette offered as free download in Gran Turismo5
Detroit -- When fans fire up their PlayStation3 (PS3) systems today they'll have a chance to become part of Corvette history.  Chevrolet and Sony Computer Entertainment America, LLC (SCEA) are giving gamers a first-of-its-kind driving experience by offering a camouflaged Corvette C7 Test Prototype as a vehicle download in the critically acclaimed PS3 racing game Gran Turismo5.

Chevrolet and Polyphony Digital Inc., the developers of the award-winning Gran Turismo franchise, collaborated to provide an authentic driving experience in a seventh-generation Corvette prototype currently available to only a handful of people in the world.

During the creation of the virtual Corvette prototype, careful attention was paid to the tiniest details from the creases and wrinkles in the soft camouflage used to disguise the new design to specific driving characteristics that are currently being tuned and refined ahead of the vehicle's official debut in January.

"Until now, only the most skilled drivers on the Corvette team have been authorized to push the test prototypes to the limits on some of the most challenging track surfaces in the world," said Chris Perry, vice president of Chevrolet Global Marketing.  "Through this unique collaboration with Gran Turismo, Chevrolet is able, for the first time, to give performance car enthusiasts access to such an exclusive driving experience."

All six previous generations of the Corvette have been available to players of the Gran Turismo series since the game's inception and the Chevrolet nameplate remains one of the most popular vehicles to race.  The camouflaged Corvette C7 Test Prototype is immediately available for download through the PlayStation Store from the PlayStation3 at no additional cost.  It can be driven on some of the world's renowned race tracks, including Daytona International Speedway and the infamous Nurburgring -- one of the track surfaces used in testing to evaluate the new Corvette's driving dynamics.

"Gran Turismo has had many firsts and we're excited to partner with Chevrolet for yet another -- bringing the first-ever Chevrolet prototype vehicle into a racing game," said Kazunori Yamauchi, president of Polyphony Digital, Inc.  "As car enthusiasts, we're thrilled to give fans this extraordinary level of access to the seventh generation Corvette that otherwise would not be possible."

The Gran Turismo series has sold more than 67 million games since its inception and remains the highest-selling PlayStation-exclusive franchise of all time.

Chevrolet will introduce the 2014 Corvette on Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013.  More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

EX-GM EXEC, RICK WAGONER WANTS TO MAKE YOUR NEXT TEST DRIVE MORE FUN

By Dan Roth, Autoblog.com - Actually, it's not Rick Wagoner all by himself, but the ex-GM chairman is working with a team of tech entrepreneurs who make up Tred, a new test drive concierge service.  Tred is still in beta, but the idea is that you pick the cars you'd like to test drive, schedule delivery by concierges who are working to get positive feedback from folks like you and then try out the vehicles you're considering on the roads you know.

There's been good in-roads for Tred in the Seattle area for both dealers and shoppers.  How Tred manages to convert a delivery service that's asking for feedback into actual profit will be something to watch.  Ask our auto-test fleet people, delivering cars is a time-intensive undertaking that requires people and insurance above and beyond the lot attendants at most car dealerships.  Also, dealerships themselves can offer this kind of service, especially a multi-line dealer group, and they've got a book full of relationships from which to start.

In other words, Tred may have a long road to ... tread.  We'll be watching

CHEVY VOLT AGAIN TOPS CONSUMER REPORTS OWNER-SATISFACTION SURVEY

By Jonathon Ramsey, Autoblog.com - The Chevrolet Volt has done the double, nearly replicating its triumph from last year:  For its annual Owner Satisfaction Survey, the Consumer Reports National Research Center asked Consumer Reports readers, "Considering all factors (price, performance, reliability, comfort, enjoyment, etc.), would you get this car if you had to do it all over again?"  Ninety-two per cent of Volt owners answered "Definitely yes," topping nearly 250 other models for which responses were received.  The only difference between this year and last is that in 2011, the Volt won the title thanks to 93 per cent of its owners.

Other fuel sippers earning garlands were the Toyota Camry Hybrid, Toyota Prius and Prius C, and the Nissan Leaf.  The sports category also had some repeat play in the top spots, last year's twosome of the Porsche 911 and V8 Dodge Challenger were second and third, joined by the Chevrolet Corvette and Ford Mustang.  The luxury segment was led by the Audi A7, Lexus GS and Audi A6.

Conversely, those stuck in the dog shed out back were fronted by the Nissan Versa, the only car to register a score lower than 50 per cent.  It didn't lack for company, sharing its plot of dirt with the V6-powered twins the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups, the Nissan Armada, Suzuki SX4 and Mitsubishi Outlander SUVs.

There's a press release below with more information.  Condensed results are available to anyone on the Consumer Reports site, the complete results viewable online for subscribers and in the January issue.

CHEVROLET VOLT TOPS CONSUMER REPORTS' OWNER-SATISFACTION SURVEY FOR SECOND STRAIGHT YEAR

Top-ranked cars feature great fuel economy, a fun driving experience and luxurious surroundings

YONKERS, NY, November 29, 2012 -- Would you get the same vehicle if you had to do it all over again?  That's the single, revealing question the Consumer Reports National Research Center asked subscribers in its annual Owner-Satisfaction survey-and the answer for Chevrolet Volt owners was a resounding "yes".

Ninety-two percent of respondents who own the Volt said they would definitely buy it again, earning the car the distinction of being the top-scoring model in the Consumer Reports survey for the second year in a row.

"The Volt's two-year reign at the top of our satisfaction survey points to the continuing trend of owners' enthusiasm for cars that are fuel-efficient cars, especially as we see more and more hybrid and electric models hitting the market," said Consumer Reports' Auto Editor Rik Paul.  "The combination of sporty handling and strong engine performance also goes a long way in building loyalty and generating excitement among owners."

The full report on Consumer Reports' owner satisfaction survey findings is available at ConsumerReports.org and in the January issue of Consumer Reports.

In addition to the Volt, other fuel-efficient models that scored among the best were the Toyota Camry Hybrid, Prius, and Prius C, and Nissan Leaf.

The Chevrolet Corvette, Porsche 911, the V8 Dodge Challenger and Ford Mustang topped the sporty car category while the Audi A7, Lexus GS and Audi A6 were the leading luxury cars.

On the other end of the spectrum, the redesigned subcompact Nissan Versa Sedan came in with the lowest score in the survey, with fewer than half of its owners saying they would definitely buy it again.  Other low scores include the V6 versions of the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups, and the Nissan Armada, Suzuki SX4, and Mitsubishi Outlander SUVs.

One of the features that didn't seem to have a strong effect on owner satisfaction was brand nationality.  The 44 top-rated models include 16 American, 14 Asian and 14 European vehicles.

While owner satisfaction can be a helpful indicator when choosing a vehicle, Consumer Reports also advises consulting its road-test results and reliability-survey data before buying.  One car that meets all three criteria is the 38-mpg Toyota Camry Hybrid, which CR suggests is the best pick for those who want an all-around sedan with excellent fuel economy.

Consumer Reports received responses on almost 350,000 vehicles and more than 240 models, spanning the 2010 through 2013 model years.  The survey is based on the results from Consumer Reports Annual Auto Survey, conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center.

Scores are based on the percentage of respondents who answered "definitely yes" to the following question:  "Considering all factors (price, performance, reliability, comfort, enjoyment, etc.), would you get this car if you had it to do all over again?

Consumer Reports is the world's largest independent product-testing organization.  Using its more than 50 labs, auto test center, and survey research center, the nonprofit rates thousands of products and services annually.  Founded in 1936, Consumer Reports has over 8 million subscribers to its magazine, website and other publications.  Its advocacy division, Consumers Union, works for health reform, product safety, financial reform, and other consumer issues in Washington, D.C., the states, and in the marketplace.

News Source:  Consumer Reports

FORMER GM ENGINEER FOUND GUILTY OF TRYING TO SELL TRADE SECRETS TO CHINA

By Chris Tutor, Autoblog.com - After an almost month-long trial, former General Motors engineer Shanshan Du and her husband, Yu Qin, were convicted Sunday of stealing hybrid vehicle trade secrets from the automaker.  Qin was convicted on seven counts, while Du was convicted of three trade-secret counts but acquitted of wire fraud charges.

Prosecutors said Qin used the data in attempts to either get employment with or form partnerships with GM's Chinese competitors, including Chery Automobile Co.  GM claimed in the trial that the secrets were worth more than $40 million.  Defence laywers said the data wasn't secret, wasn't stolen and was "useless for other companies."

"These defendants stole trade secrets, which General Motors spent many years and millions of dollars to develop, to give an unfair advantage to a foreign competitor," US Attorney Barbara McQuade said.  "We hope that this prosecution will send a message that stealing proprietary information from an employer or competitor is a serious crime."

Du worked for GM from 2000 until her resignation in 2005.  Prosecutors argued that Du and her husband had formed Millennium Technology International through which they had hoped to sell the stolen information.  Lawyers said 16,262 stolen files were found on Du's computer.

Sentencing is scheduled for February.  The couple face maximum sentences of 10 years on each trade secret count and fines of as much as US$250,000.

AKERSON ZEROS IN ON '13 LAUNCHES

By Mike Colias and Jason Stein, Automotive News - General Motors is assembling a team of 100 engineers to work hand-in-hand with suppliers ahead of a spate of key vehicle launches.  They'll crawl deep into GM's supply chain, even down to tiers 3 and 4, to inspect parts for quality and ensure that those suppliers can deliver adequate volumes.

The move underscores the stakes during one of the busiest launch schedules in GM's history.  Over the next 12 to 18 months, GM will introduce redesigns of its biggest money makers, including the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups and its four big SUVs.

"We're very aware of how important this launch is," CEO Dan Akerson told Automotive News last week at GM headquarters, citing the pickups' rollout.  "How well we execute is critically important."

The pickups' launch has been a regular topic at the monthly meetings of GM's executive committee, a team of a dozen top executives.  Akerson said GM is reviewing past launches that went flawlessly -- and ones that didn't.

"We do lessons learned here," he said.  Akerson says GM is in "pretty good shape" on its quality metrics for the rollouts.  "We're locked and loaded with our supply base," he said.

The product offensive is a chance for GM to answer critics who point to the company's slipping U.S. market share, which through October was 18 percent, vs. 19.8 percent a year earlier, when Japanese brands were hurt by the earthquake and tsunami, and 19 percent in the same period of 2010.

Other key launches in 2013 include the next Chevrolet Corvette, the redesigned Chevrolet Impala, the new Buick Encore and the next generation of GM's mid-sized pickups, the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon.

By the end of 2013, 70 percent of GM's U.S. nameplates will be new or redesigned.  Chevrolet alone is readying 13 new or redesigned models for launch next year.

Compelling new vehicles could help GM jump-start its sales and potentially outpace the market in coming years.  But that also will require smooth launches to avoid recalls and inventory bottlenecks that can sap sales momentum.

Mark Reuss, president of GM North America, said the 100 supplier quality engineers will focus on handoffs in the supply chain -- from, say, Tier 3 to Tier 2 suppliers -- to ensure quality and volumes.  He said GM knows that suppliers have less room for error after curring capacity during the downturn.

"When you run lean and run hard, you see the weak spots," he told Automotive News last week at the Los Angeles Auto Show.  The closer collaboration with suppliers is aimed at ensuring that "we are in lock stop on our quality plans."

Akerson said GM's market share erosion this year has been amplified because 2011 sales for GM and most other non-Japanese automakers were inflated by the March 2011 earthquake in Japan that interrupted the supply chain.  And while he didn't dismiss market share as a measure of the company's performance, he said there are other indicators.

Akerson said he prefers a "broad perspective" on sales:  "What are we doing on incentives?  How are we doing on residuals?"  He refuses to predict GM's sales or whether its market share will grow.

In other remarks, Akerson acknowledged that GM's strategy for pickup powertrains divergus from those of its domestic competitors.

While Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler Group tout the fuel efficiency of their V-6 pickups, GM seems ready to trumpet V-8 power and ruggedness.  Sources say that at least initially, GM will not offer V-6s in its next-generation pickups.  For fuel-conscious buyers, GM will offer the smaller Colorado and Canyon pickups.  Their rivals have nothing in that size class.

Said Akerson:  "If we're competitive, and our powertrains have better torque and horsepower, we're likely to do just fine."

THE FIRST SHIFT: CHEVROLET CONFIRMS NEW 2014 SS SPORTS SEDAN

Chevy's new SS NASCAR racer will spawn 2014 production car

By John LeBlanc, National Post - It wasn't just in Los Angeles this week that new vehicles were being introduced.  General Motors' Chevrolet brand launched its 2013 NASCAR season SS racer in Las Vegas, Nevada yesterday (seen above), and confirmed a four-door, rear-wheel-drive production version will go on-sale late next year as a 2014 model.  Unlike the new 2014 Impala sedan, the SS will be rear-wheel-drive.  It's based on the same GM Australia-designed platform as the current Camaro and canceled 2009 Pontiac G8.  Like its Corvette (which an all-new version we'll see at January's Detroit auto show) Chevrolet will sell the SS as a low-volume, high-performance image car.

GM PARTNERING WITH TIRE RESEARCHERS FOR BETTER FUEL ECONOMY

By Zach Bowman, Autoblog.com - Starting next year, General Motors engineers will work with researchers at the National Tire Research Center in an effort to create safer and more efficient tires.  The automaker has invested US$5 million in the facility in Halifax, Virginia, which uses cutting-edge tire performance machinery to recreate real-world driving events.

The US$11.2 million test equipment can spin a tire to the equivalent of 200 mph (321 kilometres per hour) while monitoring data on handling, ride, torque and braking forces and replicating various road conditions.  GM says tire efficiency can theoretically be increased up to seven per cent by varying attributes like tread design, construction and manufacturing techniques.

GM hopes its work at the National Tire Research Center will help the company advance the arrival of next-generation tire technology, thereby increasing vehicle efficiency and reducing fuel consumption at the same time.  You can take a closer look at the full press release below for more information.

News Source:  General Motors

GM and Partners Burn Rubber to Improve Fuel Economy
National Tire Research Center to speed testing, development of fuel-efficient tires
DETROIT - General Motors' drive to improve vehicle fuel economy is expected to gain traction in January when GM engineers and scientists begin work with research partners to accelerate the development of tire technology at the new National Tire Research Center in Halifax County, Va.

The world-class facility, to which GM contributed $5 million, uses state-of-the-art tire performance machinery that will enable automakers and tire manufacturers to replicate real-world emergency events and improve vehicle highway safety.

By some estimates, tire design can help improve fuel efficiency by up to 7 percent.  A tire's rolling resistance is determined by variations in tread pattern, construction, material quality and processing techniques.  Ultimately, the lower the rolling resistance, the less fuel is needed to move the vehicle forward.

Low rolling resistance tires are expected to help customers save money at the gas pump, as will more efficient conventional engines and electric powertrains.

"The work we'll undertake at the National Tire Research Center will have a big impact on how quickly next-generation tire technologies will be developed and the accuracy of their design and engineering," said Ken Morris, GM's executive director of Global Vehicle Performance and Safety, and proving grounds and test labs.  Morris attended the center's ribbon-cutting ceremony in October.

The center's $11.2 million tire performance test equipment, known as Flat-Trac LTRe, is unique in its use of electric motor technology and can run a tire up to 200 mph.  It provides data on handling, ride, torque, and braking capabilities on various surfaces, including wet road conditions.  GM was instrumental in developing the machine's test specifications.

The Flat-Trac LTRe is capable of replicating all driving maneuvers of a passenger car or light truck on the road.  GM and other automotive engineers will be able to use the data collected by the equipment to predict vehicle performance and modify tire characteristics to improve performance for low rolling resistance, better road-holding capability and other criteria.

"This facility's test equipment is like going from a basic telescope to the Hubble -- it opens up a whole new world of possibilities," said Frank Della Pia, a former GM vehicle dynamics manager who is executive director for the tire research center.  "It can test tires in the full range of the performance spectrum.  This facility has no peer in the world.  It's going to enable a transformational leap in tire technology."

The center's facilities also include the Southern Virginia Vehicle Motion (SoVa Motion) Laboratory, strategically located in the heart of the Virginia Motorsports Alley at the Virginia International Raceway.  SoVa Motion offers shock and suspension testing, virtual prototyping of vehicle components, and a range of on-vehicle sensing such as wheel force transducers.  SovaMotion will take advantage of the Tire Center's test data to conduct drive and handling simulations that could help reduce time and cost of vehicle program development.

"The work GM will do with SovaMotion and the National Tire Research Center will further improve laboratory test methods and improve laboratory test methods and improve our overall vehicle development process," Morris said.  "Ultimately, that means better vehicles for our customers."