Chevrolet
SEMA 2012: Chevrolet Pulls Out All The Stops
At the 2012 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, which takes place from October 30 to November 2, Chevrolet will be unveiling a sizeable collection of concepts, led by several versions of its diminutive Spark and Sonic compacts.
Winding Road Video: 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT – Winding Road POV Test Drive
We take the new 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT around the block in our latest POV Test Drive.
Winding Road Video: 2013 Chevrolet Equinox LTZ 3.6 AWD — Quick Drive
We recently had some seat time in the Chevrolet Equinox. While it’s not the newest of the CUV pack, Chevrolet has fit it with a 3.6-liter V-6 for 2013, giving it more than enough gusto to compete with the Hyundai Santa Fes and Ford Escapes of the world.
Driven: 2013 Chevrolet Spark 2LT
All 83 pound-feet of torque are available at 4200 rpm, meaning this is a car with zero low-end grunt. Patience is rewarded though, as the climbing revs gave us more and more to work with, until we were zipping about at a surprisingly brisk pace. All along the way, we were accompanied by a burly, rorty exhaust note that had no business coming from a 1.2-liter engine. It’s like this thing runs on minced bulldog; it just has a growl that is so pure and enjoyable. We’d recommend it for this quality alone.
Quick Drive: 2012 Toyota Tacoma Access Cab V-6 4X4
There’s enough power for everyday driving. Even with the backend loaded, we had no issues with freeway merging or around-town acceleration. It’s not the sweetest-sounding powerplant, but it’s not overly harsh in its acoustic note. The five-speed autobox manages the power well, offering up reasonably fast upshifts. Downshifts don’t require much hunting through the gears, with the overall result being a powertrain that feels eager to get up and go when asked to.
Comparison: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Coupe vs. 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Coupe
What then of these newest, most powerful, and most promising brace of ponies: the Shelby GT500 and the Camaro ZL1? Where do they fit in the pantheon of great Detroiters, of muscle cars, and of driver’s machines?
Quick Drive: 2012 Chevrolet Cruze Eco
The Cruze has always been blessed with a better-than-average balance of ride and handling, and the Eco is no exception. Vertical damping could stand to be a bit stronger, but side-to-side motions are well managed. Overall, the chassis balance leans decidedly towards the front of the vehicle (not surprising considering it’s a front-engined/front-drive small car). Actual grip levels aren’t very high, on account of the aforementioned eco-friendly tires.
Rumors: Auto Shows – Chevrolet Trax SUV Debuting In Paris
In an effort to expand its European profile, Chevrolet will be debuting the Trax SUV at the 2013 Paris Motor Show in September. The Trax…
Driven: 2013 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Convertible
This particular Corvette proved to be a fascinating piece for review, not because we have any lack of experience with the current generation of the near-supercar, but because of the configuration. The Grand Sport is in the middle of the Corvette range (some might say “sweet spot”), with a 430-horsepower, 6.2-liter V-8, the really great magnetically adjustable shocks, and a cool body kit. In the case of our specific vehicle, the fun factor was upped with the convertible top, 60th Anniversary package (which makes the Vette a dead-ringer for the 2013 Corvette 427), and (sigh) an automatic transmission.
Driven: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Coupe
Not surprisingly, this was a truly quick vehicle, capable of alarming speed. Like the CTS-V, there was more than enough power at idle to send the rear tires the way of the dodo. This was an entirely optional activity, though, as the power delivery and throttle response were quite smooth. In fact, we might argue that a sharper (or adjustable) throttle response could be fitted to make the ZL1 feel just a hair quicker off the line.
Chevrolet Announces New SS Sports Sedan, Based Off Holden Commodore
Those that have been in mourning for the Holden Commodore-based Pontiac G8 have some good news today. Chevrolet has announced that we’ll see a Commodore-based Chevy SS at the end of 2013, as a 2014 model. Even better news is that the new SS will be based not off the current VE Commodore, but the as-yet-unreleased VF Commodore.
Driven: 2013 Ford Flex Limited EcoBoost AWD
Now, there’s nothing wrong with minivans or other family friendly vehicles, per se. We like the versatility afforded by minivans just fine. We can’t deny that with the exception of a few, though, six- and seven-passenger vehicles aren’t exactly fun to drive. Unless you buy a Ford Flex with the mighty EcoBoost (biturbocharged) engine. After a week with this sports tank, we’ve decided that having more than two youngsters running about might not be so bad for a gear-headed parent.
Comfort/Involvement Index: 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco
The Malibu Eco has a smooth, unfussy ride, but it hardly communicates with its driver at all. The hybrid system neither intrudes, nor adds to the driving experience. Steering feel is slightly more talkative, but is outclassed by other vehicles at this price point. Seating position is surprisingly conducive to aggressive driving.
Rumors: Spy Shots—Are You The New Impala SS?
The spy photographers over at Autoblog recently snapped this intriguing photo of what appears to be the next Chevrolet Impala SS.
New York 2012: Auto Show Wrap Up
The 2012 New York International Auto Show press days are in the history books. This year’s show had a great mix of everyman automobiles like the Chevrolet Impala, Lexus ES, and Ford Explorer Sport, along with supercars and concepts, like the all-new SRT Viper, Shelby 1000, and BMW i8 Concept Spyder.
First Look: 2014 Chevrolet Impala
Chevrolet has debuted a heavily revised Impala at the New York Auto Show. The rental car staple has gone from bland to beautiful with a heavy interior makeover that should really separate it from the field.
Secondhand Gems: $20,000 Family-Sized Fun
In our search for responsible, affordable family machines that aren’t completely mind numbing to drive we’ve rounded up a pair of crossovers and the aforementioned minivan. They all rank well in terms of safety equipment and crash worthiness. They all offer three-row seating. They all achieve at least an EPA-highway rating of 24 miles per gallon. And at approximately $20,000, they’re affordable by the masses.
Base Versus Loaded: 2013 Dodge Dart
It’s still a little bit early, but a pre-production configurator has showed up for Dodge’s newest small car. The Alfa Romeo-based Dart is set to arrive in dealers near the beginning of summer (we’ll actually be driving it in April), and should deliver some stiff competition for cars like the Ford Focus and Chevrolet Cruze.
Rumors: Industry Report—Detroit Scrambling To Keep Up
It wasn’t so long ago that the American car industry was on the edge of the abyss—tanking sales, government bailouts and quality issues had The Big Three in a tailspin.
Geneva Preview: 2012 Chevrolet Cruze Station Wagon
Chevrolet has announced a long-roof variant of the Cruze to be shown at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. The Cruze Station Wagon, like its hatchback brother, will be a Euro-only affair. The Europeans will also get their hands on the 1.4-liter turbo four we get stateside, as well as a new 1.7-liter diesel.
Car Audio Test: 2012 Chevrolet Sonic 2LT
This is a surprisingly good system in terms of balance and clarity and spaciousness. It is also the rare system that doesn’t seem aimed first and foremost at producing boomy bass (the bass here going deep enough but at a reduced level). That said, we think some users will find the dynamics and bass power to be a little reticent, with the result that it doesn’t make rock or hip hop particularly exciting. But for acoustic music, classical and news radio, the Premium Sound here competes with many higher priced offerings (note that the whole Sonic, car and audio system, is $17k).
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