Editor's Note: Traverse may be the most significant new vehicle at the Chicago Auto Show. The highest volume of the four General Motors Lambda Large Crossover SUVs, Traverse pickups the positive styling cues of the Enclave's haunches and adds Chevrolet's front end styling. GM design definitely did not dumb down the styling of the Traverse. With the Buick so fully-featured and having loads of special enhancements to handle noise vibration and harshness, hopefully Traverse gets more than its fair share.

Chevrolet's 2008 Chicago auto show star, the Traverse, is the brand's answer to changing consumer demands, as buyers gravitate toward car-based SUVs and more and more prioritize fuel efficiency over SUV image. If you need the towing or off-road capability of a traditional truck-based SUV, Chevy will still offer Tahoe, Suburban, and Avalanche. If you need a comfortable, stylish, and relatively efficient non-minivan family car, Chevy will offer the Traverse late in 2008. The Traverse Vehicle Line Executive enlisted the help of her four kids and husband in introducing the vehicle, proving the people and stuff-hauling benefits of Traverse. Chevrolet will eventually give up on the mid-size, truck-based TrailBlazer, as buyers are already doing.

Based on the same platform as the Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia, and Saturn Outlook, the Traverse is quite large. It offers a longer wheelbase than the latest Tahoe and is wider and nearly as long. The size pays off in plenty of space, but it feels small on the road, offers more in terms of family comfort, and is cheaper to fuel than TrailBlazer or Tahoe. Though GM never quite got competitive with minivans, Traverse will be a satisfying family product. The Traverse and its siblings are the right products at the right time. Still, while giving up the TrailBlazer for the Traverse was a bold move when the decision was taken, by time the Traverse arrives on market, Chevy doesn't look so much brave as keeping up.

No matter how it got here, Chevrolet is adding a good-looking product. The Traverse sports a clearly Chevrolet face and a profile more like the Enclave than Acadia and Outlook, to Chevrolet's benefit. As a follow-up to the latest Malibu, Chevrolet is proving they are going to provide us with more stylish, as well as affordable and practical, family transportation going forward. With recent introductions of the Tahoe and Silverado hybrids, Corvette ZR1, and upcoming Camaro, there's also no doubt Chevrolet will remain a full-line make and more dedicated to getting products right than ever before.

Continue reading "Chevrolet Traverse: A Modern Large SUV For America's Family Brand" »

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 12:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Mild Trim Package Celebrates 50 Years of Impala
Though the nameplate has certainly seen its share of ups and downs, there’s no denying that the Impala has been a core staple of the Chevrolet lineup. And behold – now there’s a 50th anniversary special edition commemorating its place in mainstream America’s driveways. Actually, if you wanted to be really picky it should be the 41st Anniversary Impala, given that the nameplate went into retirement from 1985-1994, but we’ll let Chevy have this one.

There’s really not that much to it, to be honest. It’s more of a trim package than anything else, not even incorporating the available 5.3L V8 that transforms the innocuous rental darling into the hilariously tire-smoking front-drive SS. Based on the LT trim level, you get goodies like two-tone leather seats, accent threading on the floor mats, a rear spoiler, and lots of “50th Anniversary” emblems sprinkled in and out. Okay, there actually is a bit of substance – an FE3 sport suspension and 18-inch wheels should you be among the increasingly elite group of individuals who desires a traditional large(-ish) family sedan with fairly sporty handling.

Malibu Better Represents the “Revolution”
If you’re wondering why such a venerable nameplate doesn’t get a little more love from Chevrolet’s planners for its birthday given its long history (and given GM’s recent history of home runs), it might have something to do declining consumer interest in traditional larger sedans. The market for these traditional sedans has been declining even with some recent compelling entries from the Asian makes. Even mighty Toyota’s latest Avalon has seen its volumes decline 23% since its introduction for 2005MY, while very well-priced and engineered cars like Hyundai’s Azera struggle to sell more than 25K per year.

Chevrolet has instead directed its efforts into the far more contemporary Malibu (another venerable nameplate), which has received plenty of well-deserved accolades to date. With its great proportions and contemporary features, it makes a far better case for an American Revolution than its staid big brother.

A new Impala is expected for 2011MY, hopefully retiring the model's ancient and relatively package-inefficient platform that can be traced all the way back to GM's 1988 GM10 coupes. Given GM's recent triumphs, we wouldn't be surprised if GM gave it a new lease on life. Will it be another traditional big sedan? Or will it address some new emerging white space? Only time will tell.

Posted by Ed Kim at 05:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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A Waiting Line for a Mid-Size Sedan?
As we dive into our coverage of the 2008 North American International Auto Show, we can take a quick look back at one of the most important 2007 introductions. Chevrolet's Malibu went on sale in November, after being launched in Detroit last January. And in an unusual turn of events for Chevrolet, they couldn't build enough Malibus in those early months to meet demand, and it will take a bit of time for the inventory to build up. Perhaps consumers agree that the Malibu is a car you can't ignore. We'll see where sales level out as the pipeline fills and the year wears on, but too few is not a problem GM sees often.

Now that we've driven it, we can say that Chevrolet has what it takes this time to bring mid-size sedan buyers back to the fold and prove that their quality is firmly on par with the competition.

The Drive
Late last fall, we had the chance to drive one of Chevy's high-volume sellers around Memphis, Tennessee, edging south and dipping into Mississippi. We had mostly smooth roads and sweeping curves. Malibu offers two engines, a 146HP 2.4L I4 and a 217HP 3.6L V6. The I4 is also used for the gasoline portion of the mild hybrid equation. Though the non-hybrid I4 launched with a four-speed automatic, it will be mated to a six-speed automatic in summer 2008.

Continue reading "2008 Chevrolet Malibu: Is It a Car You Can't Ignore?" »

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 03:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

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Chevy's Entry Hatch Grows Up
While Chevrolet's presence at the 2007 Frankfurt auto show was low-key, this year they showed off the five-door Aveo ahead of European sales in March 2008. No doubt this tough-looking little car will complement the U.S. Aveo sedan soon after, and Europe is also on track to get a three-door, too.

With the latest Aveo sedan, Chevrolet dropped the old Kalos name, a holdover from the pre-GM DAT Daewoo days. The hatchbacks had carried on in Europe with the Kalos badge, but with this change the little car will be badged Aveo in Europe, the United States, China, and most major markets. (Korean-market cars still carry the Daewoo badge and the Kalos name.)

Though unable to get inside the little car, its exterior is striking and takes the small-car segment up a notch. It wears Chevrolet's latest global design theme, with a deep split grille subtly reminiscent of the latest Audis, cat-eye headlights, and just enough chrome to set it apart. The fog lamps in front and rear spoiler contribute to the sporting feel, but are likely optional equipment. The side-view mirrors now include indicators, and the round taillights give the rear some personality. Like the sedan, which changed for 2007MY, the hatchback is now longer and slightly wider. Where this change in proportion makes the sedan looks a bit tippy, the hatchback doesn't look so oddly portioned. (Click here and here for images of the current Kalos.)

The photos show that the interior shares much with the sedan, including the center stack, HVAC vents and controls, and steering wheel, but the gauge cluster is unique with gauges set into sporty round binnacles and more chrome accents.

Motive power for the European Aveo will come from the known 98HP 1.4L engine, mated to an automatic transmission, and an all-new 84HP 1.2L DOHC I4. Both offer improved economy and emissions numbers, and the 1.2L gained 12HP. When this little looker gets to the States, it is more likely to take the same 1.6L the sedan currently sees.

GM DAT is one of the bright spots in GM's global network, further supported by our first look at this little Aveo. Though entry level and destined to feel cheap compared with cars costing more, there has been dramatic improvement over the years in these products, a clear combination of GM's money and technical expertise, GM's mid-decade corporate understanding that interiors are important, combined with Daewoo's understanding of small cars, and the access to low-cost production facilities certainly can't be hurting the process.

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 06:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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The GMT900 Chevrolet Suburban and Ford Expedition tied as the Most Ideal Large Sport Utility Vehicle for 2007. The tie should take nothing away from Suburban’s victory. Each vehicle won top honors in very different ways. Suburban scores well in performance categories such as power and acceleration, and handling. Suburban also scores well in technology. Rear cargo space is hampered by a third row seat that does not fold into the floor but must be removed to have a completely open rear cargo area.

The third-generation Ford Expedition is the Most Ideal Large Sport Utility Vehicle for 2007. Expedition tied for top spot with the all-new GMT900 Chevrolet Suburban, but that should take nothing away from Expedition’s victory. Both vehicles won top honors in very different ways. Expedition scores well in package categories such as passenger room, cargo space, and interior storage. Wheel and tire size and appearance are also highly rated. The Expedition’s independent rear suspension is a clear advantage giving Expedition a fold flat third row seat to maximize rear cargo space that Suburban cannot match.

Posted by Keagan Patrick at 11:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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The Motorist Choice Award is in its second year and is a collaboration between AutoPacific and IntelliChoice.com. AutoPacific, widely known for its industry expertise and research, and IntelliChoice, known for its comprehensive cost of ownership information, designed the Motorist Choice Award to help consumers identify the most satisfying cars and trucks that are also the least expensive to own.

Using data from AutoPacific's national Vehicle Satisfaction research and the IntelliChoice Best Overall Value information, AutoPacific and IntelliChoice have developed a unique tool that can be used by consumers to help them sort through the myriad of choices in today's automotive marketplace.

Here are the 2007 Winners of the 25 individual segment awards:

SEGMENT - Winner

Aspirational Luxury Car - Lexus IS
Compact Car - Mazda3
Compact Crossover SUV - Chevrolet HHR
Compact Pickup - Toyota Tacoma
Compact Sport Utility/ORV - Toyota Tacoma
Economy Car - Honda Fit
Image Compact Car - Volkswagen GTi
Large Car - Toyota Avalon
Large Heavy Duty Pickup - Chevrolet Silverado HD
Large Light Duty Pickup - Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Large Luxury Car - Cadillac DTS
Large Sport Utility - GMC Yukon XL
Luxury Crossover SUV - Acura MDX
Luxury Mid-Size Car - Nissan Maxima
Luxury Sport Utility - Land Rover Range Rover Sport
Mid-Size Car - Volkswagen Jetta
Mid-Size Crossover SUV - Honda CR-V
Mid-Size Sport Utility - Toyota 4Runner
Minivan - Honda Odyssey
Premium Luxury Car - Lexus LS
Premium Mid-Size Car - Nissan Altima
Premium Mid-Size Crossover SUV - Nissan Murano
Premium Sports Car - Lexus SC
Sports Car - Porsche Boxster
Sporty Car - Scion tC

The press release can be found below the fold.

Continue reading "2007 Motorist Choice Awards Announced" »

Posted by George Peterson at 08:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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AutoPacific Take on Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Win – In a very competitive segment the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 charges ahead to win the 2007 Motorist Choice Award® for Large Light Duty Pickup. The close race was won with higher owner ratings for innovative technology, braking, handling and reliable/dependable.

IntelliChoice take on Silverado 1500 win - The Silverado performed very well in several areas of the IntelliChoice analysis. The Silverado has best in class fuel costs, low maintenance costs, and especially strong retained value. Combine this with the Silverado’s award winning performance within the AutoPacific survey and you can see why the Silverado was a 2007 Motorist Choice Award winner.

Posted by Keagan Patrick at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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AutoPacific Take on Chevrolet Silverado Heavy Duty Win – The all-new Heavy Duty Chevrolet Silverado strong satisfaction ratings for overall satisfaction, brand reputation and vehicle reputation help secure a 2007 Motorist Choice Award® in the Large HD Pickup class. Owners rate their cargo space/capacity, interior controls, braking, handling, power and acceleration as best in class. Factors like reliablility/dependability and feeling safe while driving also add to the strong win from the Chevrolet Silverado HD.

IntelliChoice take on Silverado HD win - The Silverado HD was a 2007 Motorist Choice Award winner, because it performed well in both the AutoPacific and IntelliChoice analysis. The Silverado HD has an above average retained value, low fuel costs, and best in class maintenance costs.

Posted by Keagan Patrick at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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AutoPacific Take on Chevrolet HHR Win – Exterior styling and image strongly contribute to the Chevrolet HHR’s class leading performance in the 2007 Motorist Choice Awards® Compact Crossover SUV category. While the HHRs image helped secure a class win, owners rate fuel economy as another strong contributing factor.

IntelliChoice take on Chevrolet HHR win - The Compact Crossover class is a very competitive class. The Chevrolet HHR stands out with low maintenance costs, and a retained value near the top of the segment.

Posted by Keagan Patrick at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Wins AutoPacific 2007 Vehicle Satisfaction Award for Large Light-Duty Pickup Trucks:

“One of the most important launches for the 2007 model year was the Chevrolet Silverado Full-Size pickup. The all-new Silverado wins among Large Light Duty Pickups. When you analyze Silverado’s win, it seems like Silverado product planners set out to beat competition by a nose across the board," says AutoPacific president George Peterson. "Silverado won in its segment, over stiff competition, by a small margin on each of a large number of attributes, specifically including Warranty - confirmation that GM's new 100,000 mile warranty is paying off.”.

Posted by Keagan Patrick at 09:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Chevrolet Silverado HD Wins AutoPacific 2007 Vehicle Satisfaction Award for Large Heavy-Duty Pickup Trucks:

“The hardcore portion of the Full-Size Pickup market is the heavy duties. It takes a very capable truck to win in the heavy-duty category," says AutoPacific president George Peterson. "Silverado HD owners rated their pickup highly on such important attributes as Power/Acceleration, Fuel Economy, Quietness, and Warranty. It was above the segment average in all of the 46 attributes rated”.

Posted by Keagan Patrick at 09:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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VehicleVoice being invited to Willow Springs International Motorsports Park by GM’s Performance Parts Division is almost like Cold War Soviets being invited to Area 51 by Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect… but I made sure I brought my camera!

Willow Springs is a historic track with the first race being held 54 years ago and now recognized by the State of California as an official Point of Historical Interest. The main track is a challenging 2.5-mile long road course with other adjacent facilities like the one rented for our GM event: The Horse Thief Mile.

The Horse Thief Mile is a tight, bare-knuckle course tucked up against the side of a mountain. Most of the track is either burning up the side of the mountain at a steep incline or snapping back on the descent. It offers hairpin turns, a short front straight away and a chance for GM to show us what they’re made of.

Continue reading "GM Performance Parts - General Motors at Willow Springs Raceway" »

Posted by Keagan Patrick at 04:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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More Power Always Appreciated for Chevy's Star Sports Car
Though Chevrolet is not yet releasing information on the long-rumored 700HP Corvette SS, the 2008MY Corvette does get a notable dose of horsepower. The 6.0L LS2 V8 is set to be replaced by a 430HP 6.2L LS3 V8 in August 2007. At the same time, buyers will also be able to add an optional two-mode exhaust (based on that of the Z06) and get another 6HP. The Z06 carries on with its 505HP 7.0L V8, but does benefit from updates to the Corvette interior. The extra power in the standard car will help stave off competition, as the horsepower wars will never be ended by something so mundane as global warming or increasing fuel costs.

The new engine has a larger-bore cylinder block, high-flow LS7-style cylinder heads, larger-diameter pistons, revised camshaft and timing, revised valvetrain, a high-flow intake manifold, and Z06 high-flow fuel injectors. The transmissions are still six-speed units (manual or paddle-shift automatic), but revised for improved shift effort.

From the outside, the only indication of the basic Corvette's new engine are some new colors and a new wheel based on that of the 2007 Indianapolis 500 Pace Car, but the Corvette gets some updates behind the wheel as well as under the hood.

Though we haven't yet had a chance to see the new interior in person, we have seen the improvements in Cadillac interiors of late, and expect that the Corvette update will give the sports car a significantly more luxurious feel, something Corvettes are not typically accused of.

Using some of the processes already applied to the Cadillac XLR, based on the Corvette and built at the same facility, Chevrolet was able to give the Vette's interior a refreshing update. All three flavors of Corvette (Z06, coupe, and convertible) can be orderd with a Custom Leather-Wrapped interior package. When that box is checked, Chevrolet applies the hand-sewn leather process from Cadillac to the Corvette. The two-tone package includes leather-wrapped upper and lower instrument panel, door pads, and seats; padded door panel armrests; embroidered logo on headrests; and Bias patter for the center trim plate. All 2008 models get a wrapped instrument panel center trim plate, bright surrounds for shifter and cupholder, and new metal-finish door-sill plates. The equipment list is slightly revised, with OnStar (with available turn-by-turn navigation), XM, auto-dimming rearview mirror, and an audio input jack (all radios except navigation-equipped units) all move from optional to standard.

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 10:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Will One of These Concepts Be Part of Chevy's U.S. Future?

The flux of fuel prices and concerns about the environment are keeping fuel-efficient vehicles in the news. With General Motors' access to global small-car platforms; the use of the Chevrolet brand worldwide for affordable, reliable mainstream cars; and GM's efforts to more effectively use their global resources, the potential exists for Chevrolet to add a small car for the States that would slot below the Aveo, though traditionally small cars are not profitable. Chevrolet would like to know if U.S. buyers are ready for the idea, and if they are, what type of vehicle might make the most impact. Check out more pictures and news and vote for your favorite at www.vote4chevrolet.com.

In studying this future, Chevrolet showed three dramatically different small-car concepts at the 2007 New York International Auto Show. The idea, as a side benefit, also creates buzz around the Chevrolet brand and can help position them as forward thinkers amongst the youngest demographics. These concepts, Beat, Groove, and Trax, are designed to appeal to younger buyers and each fills a different theme and lifestyle. Each was designed by different designers at GM's South Korean design studio on the same global mini architecture; the Beat was built in India, but the Groove and Trax built at GM's Warren, Michigan, Tech Center.

Continue reading "Vote for Your Future Chevrolet: 2007 New York Auto Show" »

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 10:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

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When VehicleVoice correspondent David Barrett and AutoPacific's Dan Hall take a walk through a major auto show, don't expect to see them anytime soon. They can talk each other hoarse about cars, and they never get tired of looking at the latest the industry has to offer.

At the North American International Auto Show in Detroit earlier this winter, Dan and David spent some time in the Lincoln booth trying to make sense of all the MK-ness everywhere. They checked out Lincoln's version of the Ford Edge, called the MKX, a crossover with some nice Lincoln styling and a hot concept on the show floor called the MKR. The MKR is a big, powerful American sedan, and David and Dan were in a crowd of admirers. Was it the 415 horsepower, twin-turbocharged V6 or the over-the-top styling?

In the Chevy booth, David and Dan reminisced about their high school days when they stepped in front of the new Camaro Convertible Concept. Seems both of them are surprised they're alive today after their exposure to the original Camaro. The new version promises to be the stuff of legends as well.

New Vehicles and Concepts -
2007 Lincoln MKX
Lincoln MKR Concept
Chevy Camaro Convertible Concept

Show Runtime - 11:48

Posted by Cameron at 04:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Today's top of the Corvette lineup is the ZO6. Five-hundred-five horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque from its 7.0L V8 engine. Brembo brakes with red painted calipers showing conspicuously through its spoked 18-inch and 19-inch alloy wheels. This car is the ultimate of the boy racer set. Put on your gold chains and let's go!

After months of waiting, the fine folks at Chevrolet finally got us a ZO6 for three days of evaluation. We had been on the list four times before, but apparently Southern California journalists don't know how to drive a car with 505HP and kept pranging the thing. Finally, out of the repair shop (or is it an all new car?), we got our chance at the ZO6.

Continue reading "2007 Chevrolet Corvette ZO6" »

Posted by George Peterson at 11:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

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