Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays from everybody here! Wishing you a safe weekend!

2012 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS

"A stiff clutch pedal and a manual shifter that doesn't move through the gears with much fluidity make the Camaro SS a chore to drive around town. The tall cowl, small windows, huge A-pillars, and tall, broad hood are also bummers, because you can easily feel claustrophobic in this car. If you're a Camaro person, you might not much care, but I find the Ford Mustang to be easier to drive and to have a more livable cabin than the Camaro. I suppose I would have liked our test Camaro better had it been equipped with the Hurst short-throw shifter, which seems like it would be $380 well-spent.

 A 45th anniversary package is a stretch, in my opinion. 25, 40, 50, those are anniversaries worth noting, but 45? Not so much."  [Continue reading...]

2013 Chevrolet Sonic RS bows before Detroit Auto Show debut

"Chevrolet has pulled the wraps off of a hotter version of its Sonic. The 2013 Sonic RS is headed for an international debut at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show next month, and onlookers can expect to see the hatch curtsey with the same 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine found in uplevel Sonics, tuned to yield 138 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque. Speaking from experience, we can say that those figures are good enough to slather a grin over even the most hardened cynic's face. The RS also brings along a few exterior treatments, including a new front and rear fascia, rear spoiler, side sills and five-spoke alloy wheels."  [Continue reading...]

Chevrolet Aveo 1.3-litre diesel review

"The Chevrolet Aveo is a five-door supermini that's meant to steal sales from the likes of the Ford Fiesta and Vauxhall Corsa. We've driven the top-of-the-range diesel Aveo, which comes with a 94bhp 1.3-litre engine and costs £13,615.

What's it like to drive? Turn the key and you could be forgiven for thinking that the engine was firing on three cylinders instead of four; it's noisy at idle and only gets noisier when you set off. Despite the racket, though, the cabin remains relatively free of vibrations."  [Continue reading...]

Why the Chevrolet Cruze Beat the Ford Focus

"Philip Couts doesn't normally buy compact cars. The 53-year-old mechanical engineer downsized from his usual midsizer last August to Chevrolet's latest commuter car, the Cruze, to help save gas on his 22-mile commute between two Chicago suburbs. Except for a few small things — the seat bottoms could use more cushioning and he's not quite getting 30 mpg — Couts describes himself as "happy" with the car, a decked-out LTZ trim with leather seats and a turbo engine."  [Continue reading...]

Chevrolet Malibu Interior Delivers a Touch of Luxury

"The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu features an all-new interior that’s roomier, quieter, comfortable and connected, with luxury touches that push beyond expectations for the segment.

The new Malibu offers nearly four cubic feet (113 L) of additional interior volume, along with more shoulder and hip room than previous models and more usable trunk space than Toyota Camry or Honda Accord. It is the quietest Chevrolet ever and offers among the best seating comfort in the segment."  [Continue reading...]

Chevrolet To Donate Military Tribute Edition Camaro

"Not only is Chevrolet donating a one-of-a-kind Camaro to raise money for an organization that helps wounded veterans, it’s even using GM’s CEO Dan Akerson to help market the car during tomorrow’s 112th Army-Navy football game.

The unique Camaro, painted by artist Mickey Harris and honoring the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard, will be sold by Barrett-Jackson at its Scottsdale, Arizona auction next January. All proceeds from the sale will go to support the Achilles Freedom Team of Wounded Veterans."  [Continue reading...]

Tribute to iconic Chevrolet designs

"Chevrolet presented the Centennial Award for the Best Chevrolet on Show at the Emirates Classic Car Festival (ECCF) recently.

The Centennial Award went to the 1959 Chevrolet Corvette, owned by the Attar Family from Dubai.

The Centennial Award for the Best Chevrolet on Show formed part of Chevrolet’s sponsorship of the festival and was a tribute to a century of iconic Chevrolet designs. Chevrolet was founded by racing pioneer Louis Chevrolet 100 years ago and commemorated its centennial on Nov. 3."  [Continue reading...]

Chevrolet Volt Owners Most Satisfied, According to Consumer Reports

"According to a Consumer Reports owner-satisfaction survey, which drew responses from more than 314,000 subscribers on 2009 through 2012 model-year vehicles, Chevrolet Volt owners are the most satisfied.

Of course, as Consumer Reports points out, Chevrolet Volts said how satisfied they were before all the news broke about to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announcement that it would conduct a safety investigation into plug-in hybrid sedans following an incident with a Chevrolet Volt catching fire after being crash tested and GM offering to buy back Chevrolet Volts from owners."  [Continue reading...]

November car, truck sales soar 14%

"U.S. consumers snapped up nearly 1 million cars and trucks in November -- the strongest selling pace since August 2009 when a federal incentive program artificially inflated sales.

November's 14% increase from a year earlier was driven by improved consumer confidence, major marketing campaigns and a better selection of cars and trucks -- especially at Asian automakers.

The industry sold cars and trucks at an annual pace of 13.6 million, marking the third consecutive month that the rate exceeded 13 million."  [Continue reading...]

Chevrolet Builds 100 Millionth Small-Block V-8, Says Future V-8 Engines Will be Direct-Injected

"General Motors today celebrated the assembly of the 100 millionth small-block V-8. The milestone engine was an LS9, the 638-hp supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 found under the hood of the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1.

Chevrolet officials admit this was a symbolic milestone, as it’s hard to establish exactly which V-8 was the 100 millionth. The celebrated LS9 built today, however, won’t ever be started, and is destined for display at the GM Heritage Center museum. The engine also will likely be shown at events like the Woodward Dream Cruise. Chevrolet has even inquired about displaying the LS9 at the Henry Ford Museum in Detroit — it is, after all, an important piece of automotive history — but the museum has yet to respond."  [Continue reading...]

’Ave a look at Chevrolet Aveo

"Engines – The all-petrol Aveo fleet consists of a choice between 1.2 and 1.4-litre engines – late 2011 saw the introduction of a diesel option. For what is effectively an urban runabout, the petrol motors work well. Neither of them is particularly quick but they are willing and reasonable refined engines.

Exterior – Like many cars in its class the Aveo’s classic hatchback shape is a familiar one. The doors open wide for easy access and at the tailgate is a good size and easy to operate. Overall, the styling is conservative, which should ensure broad appeal."  [Continue reading...]

Chevrolet Truck History: From the 490 Half-Ton to the Silverado and Beyond

"While Chevrolet was founded in 1911 as a collaboration between racer Louis Chevrolet and entrepreneur William Durant, it wasn’t until January 1918 that it started producing trucks. Chevy’s been producing trucks ever since. Here are several Chevy trucks that represent the brand and its history.

1918 Chevrolet 490 Half-Ton Light Delivery 'Cowl Chassis'
The 490 Half-Ton was Chevy’s first truck. Based on the 490 car platform, but with stronger rear springs, the 490 was sold for $595 as a chassis only. It was up to the buyer to install a cab and bed or a panel van body, depending on what it would be used for. A one-ton Model T (for truck) was also available for $1,125. Again, it came bodiless, but unlike the 490 was built on a truck frame. Both vehicles were powered by four-cylinder engines. The 1918 Chevrolet Model T engine could produce 37 horsepower. Its speed was governor-limited to 25 mph. It wasn’t until 1929 that Chevy started using six-cylinder engines. By 1930, light-duty trucks came with factory-built cabs and bodies."  [Continue reading...]

Cooking a Perfect Turkey

"Preparing and serving a centerpiece turkey can create anxiety for even the most seasoned cook. Each year, turkey hotlines receive thousands of calls from desperate cooks looking for answers on everything from cooking to carving. We’ve put together the following cooking tips and recipes to help guide your once-a-year turkey preparations and assure success.

Choosing the Turkey

Working with the highest quality ingredients makes it easier for any cook to produce a great meal. When ordering your whole turkey, allow at least 1 pound per person, plus 1/2 pound per person for leftovers. (Remember to take into account the size of your fridge and oven!) For turkey breast, plan on 3/4 pound per person. If it is a boneless breast, allow 1/2 pound per person."  [Continue reading...]

2013 Chevrolet Spark Debuts: 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show

"LOS ANGELES — Making its North American debut this week at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show, the 2013 Chevrolet Spark minicompact will begin reaching U.S. and Canadian dealers in mid-2012 — years after its debut in most other global markets.

Engineered and built in Korea by GM Daewoo, the four-passenger, five-door hatchback was first shown in concept form as the Chevrolet Beat nearly three years ago at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. The Spark went on sale in Europe in early 2010. Versions are sold by GM around the world, in such far-flung locations as India, Australia, Mexico and Uzbekistan.

For the U.S., Spark will be powered by a 1.2-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 85 horsepower and 82 pound-feet of torque. It comes with a standard five-speed manual gearbox; a four-speed automatic is optional."  [Continue reading]