2010 Chevrolet Silverado Heavy 2500 Duramax

Even though truck sales are way down and fuel prices are way up, GMs’ heavy-duty trucks have to continue to change with the federal regulations and competitors. The Silverado HD first went on sale about a year and a half ago, but GM is going to give the truck a mild facelift that hints at major revisions happening under the hood.

 

GM has softened the metal flares at the corners of the bumpers by topping off the upper part with plastic from end-to-end. Also, you should pay great attention to the inlet in the middle of the front bumper, which allows air into the truck’s transmission oil cooler. It will be about 1/3 larger than the current inlet. The Allison gearbox is mated to the 6.6-liter Duramax diesel engine, which will be changed to meet the new EPA rules for nitrogen oxide that will go into effect January 2010. GM and Allison are also planning to add extra gears to the current 6-speed Silverado to improved fuel economy and towing efficiency.

GM May Sell Mini-Cars to Fuel-Conscious U.S. Buyers

General Motors may begin selling a mini-car more than a foot shorter than anything else that is currently out in the U.S. to get back buyers that have been deterred by record fuel prices. GM may bring the production version of the Chevrolet Beat to the U.S. The car gets almost as much as 40 miles per gallon, which has only been topped in the U.S. by hybrids only. The introduction of the Beat would be one step in downsizing and shifting away from fossil fuel-based vehicles.

 

Besides the Beat, GM is weighing a list of options to refocus their lineup of autos to be more fuel-efficient rather than performance based. They include the introduction of a small pickup and also an expansion of the number of versions of the Volt plug-in in the U.S. GM is also trying to increase the production and availability of the Chevrolet Cobalt sedan.

 

GM unveiled the Beat as a prototype at the New York auto show in April 2007, along with two other 40 MPG Chevrolet small-car concepts. Aside from two hybrid models, the only car in the U.S. that even comes close to the Beat’s projected fuel efficiency is the Smart car with 36 MPG.

2009 Chevrolet Traverse Pricing Revealed

The 2009 Chevrolet Traverse base model starts at $28,990, including a $735 destination charge. It is prices $5 less than the 2008 Saturn Outlook XE which starts at $28,995, including shipping. The Traverse will be in showrooms this fall. The Traverse is the fourth of GM’s crossover lineup, which includes the Saturn Outlook, Buick Enclave, and the GMC Acadia. The 2009 Traverse being the least expensive of the four.

 

The Traverse will be offer in three trim levels and in both front-wheel and all-wheel drive. It has a 3.6-liter direct-injection V6 that delivers 288 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. The Traverse currently gets 17 miles per gallon city and 24 MPG on the highway.

 

If you’re pinching pennies and want a GM crossover, the Traverse is the one for you.

2009 Nissan GT-R Deliveries Set to Kick off July 7

The highly anticipated 2009 GT-R will start being delivered July 7^th. More than 1,700 of the super cars have been spoken for already and the Japanese automaker said that means, 70% of its first year for the U.S. is gone.

 

The base GT-R starts at $70,580, including a $1,000 destination fee. The premium level GT-R model starts at $72,900, which also includes shipping.

 

The GT-R has a 3.8-liter twin turbo V6 that puts out 480 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque.

Hybrid Vehicles Not Best Value Over Time, Edmunds.com Finds

High gas prices and general economic uncertainty are motivating consumers to look for the least expensive cars to own and operate. However, a new study by Edmunds.com shows that when you compare many compact and subcompact vehicles with hybrids the compact is a better choice. On the top of the list as number one is the Chevrolet Aveo. No hybrids even made the top ten list.

 

“When consumers think about cars that will save them money, hybrids are typically top of mind because of their fuel efficiency,” said Jesse Toprak, Edmunds.com executive director of Industry Analysis. “But when you take a look at the real-world costs of car ownership, you realize that many subcompact and compact cars are actually a much better value proposition.”

 

Unlike other analyses that only look at fuel economy and sticker price, including one released by Consumer Reports. Edmunds’ incorporates projected model-specific average vehicle ownership costs, consisting of depreciation, financing, taxes, fees, insurance premiums, fuel costs, maintenance, and repairs.

 

When all of these factors are considered, some popular vehicles look less appealing on a cost-per-mile basis than their fuel economy would suggest.  

’09 Saturn Vue 2 Mode Hybrid Will be the World’s Most Fuel Efficient V6 Sport-Utility

The 2009 Saturn Vue 2-mode Hybrid, is designed for customers who want outstanding fuel savings and full power and towing capacity of an SUV. Production of the 2009 2-mode hybrid will begin later this year and will be at dealerships by early 2009.

 

“The Saturn Vue 2 Mode Hybrid defies the notion that a compact SUV can’t be both powerful and efficient,” said Jill Lajdzlak, Saturn general manager. “Not only will Saturn deliver the world’s most fuel efficient V6 SUV, but Saturn is the only brand to offer two different hybrid options on the same model.”

 

The direct injection engine uses regular unleaded fuel and represents one of the most sophisticated applications of its kind on a hybrid SUV. Direct injection delivers fuel directly to the combustion chambers and permits a higher compression ratio, improving fuel efficiency.

 

Unlike its competitors, with single mode hybrid technology, the two mode system maximizes city and highway fuel economy. The first mode, which is used at lower speeds, operated on all electric power, internal combustion engine power, or a combination of the two. The second mode is used to optimize fuel economy at highway speeds. It provides electric assist in addition to the 6 cylinder engine power.

 

No engine speed changes are necessary for the mode shift to occur. The result is exceptionally smooth, seamless acceleration and responsiveness.

 

The 2009 model will still feature the same European-inspired exterior design as the non-hybrid Vue. The exterior differences include “2mode” and “hybrid” badging, lightweight aluminum alloy wheels, a lower ride height, and low rolling-resistance tires that enhance economy.

 

The instrument panel lets drivers know that they are behind the wheel of a sophisticated hybrid, yet has gauges that are easy to understand. An efficiency gauge replaces the tachometer, informing drivers when they are achieving maximum fuel economy, and because of the silent start as the key is turned, a telltale indicated the vehicle is on and ready to drive. In addition the new Vue has a number of standard safety features including four-wheel anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, rollover detection system, electronic trailer sway control, pedestrian impact protection, tire pressure monitoring system, pedal release system, and six air bags.

 

The Vue 2 Mode Hybrid in the third hybrid to join the 2009 lineup. Other members include the four-cylinder Vue Hybrid and the Aura Hybrid sedan.

Saturn of Toms River and Saturn of Bordentown’s 72 Hour Sales Event!

 

15 MPG Extreme Hybrid SUV, Future Hybrid Technology?

How did we jump from Hybrid SUV’s that get 30miles per gallon to hearing about one that gets 100 to 150? For the past month, a company near Seattle, Washington has been getting a lot of press about an extreme hybrid sport utility vehicle that can be driven 150 miles on just one gallon of gas.

 

Ed Furia is the founder and current CEO of AFS Trinity Power Corporation, a company that equipped a Saturn Vue Green Line with their fast energy battery. This vehicle can be driven 40 miles on battery power alone, and with an overnight charge using your standard 110 volt power plug this vehicle is ready for another 40 miles.

 

So how does AFS apply this technology to come up with 150 MPG? Furia starts by explaining that most Americans drive less than 40 miles per day, which was released by the U.S. Department of Transportation in 2003. Furia uses the 40 miles per day number for six days per week and increases that to 100 miles per day one day each week. This totals to 340 miles per week. Using these numbers, his modified hybrid drives 280 of those miles without any gas. The remaining 60 miles are driven on about 2 gallons of gas, based on the average of 30 miles per gallon. And, while 340 miles on 2 gallons of gas would be 170 mpg, Furia believes 150 mpg is more reasonable.

 

The only bad news is that we cannot currently buy and vehicle with this type of technology. Furia hopes to license this system to an automaker that will mass produce it and have it available to the public in 2 or 3 years.

Chevrolet Camaro Engine Details

This stunning vehicle has been announced for awhile and we probably all know what it looks like as well. However, what we didn’t know was what power this muscle car would have under it’s hood. Today we can tell you that, if interested in buying one, there will be the choice of three engines. Starting with the LS, with a 3.5 or 4L V6 engine, next is the LT, with the 3.6 V6 engine, then there is the SS, with a 6.2L V8 getting you to 405 bhp.

GM’s Lutz Confident Chevy Volt Will Arrive for 2010

The Chevrolet Volt is probably one of GM’s most highly anticipated vehicle launches. The Volt promises to revolutionize the way people commute. Development of the vehicle is progressing nicely and GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz stated that he is confident that the Volt will show up on schedule.

 

The vehicle uses a powerful lithium-ion battery back to power the vehicle for 40 miles. Once the battery pack exhaust its stored energy, a 1.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine cranks up to recharge the battery pack and keeps the volt moving along. The Volt can also be recharged from a standard household outlet.

One thing that Lutz said needs to be worked on before arriving on dealer lots in the tiny internal combustion engine (ICE). In its current form, its not quite refined enough for the public.

 

“it all works real well, it’s just that the transition from battery power to the internal combustion,” stated Lutz. “They said it’s still noisy and it’s a little rough. But heck, we’ve got a little more than a year a half to work on that.”