General Motors
Shanghai 2013: Buick Riviera Concept (UPDATED)
We’ll spare you all the clichés about how important China is to the auto industry and just say this: auto shows are a big deal in the Orient. Case in point is the number of concepts debuting at this year’s Shanghai auto show. There will be near-production concepts, like the BMW X4, but there should also be no shortage of pie-in-the-sky deals, like the new Riviera Concept.
Review: Volkswagen XL1
This is the Master Landing Page for the Volkswagen XL1. From now on, as we further review this car, we will be updating this page with whatever fresh content we create. Future drive reviews, updated specifications, videos, and other relevant information will all be found right here, in one convenient spot.
Update: 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Diesel Unveiled
Our problem with the Cruze is this; It is not cheap. Unoptioned, it starts at $25,695, or only slightly more than a mid-range Jetta TDI (a basic, entry level TDI can be had for $23,055, though). But the Cruze is going to be parked in the showroom next to a car that looks identical, returns the same 42-mpg highway number, and has a starting price of just $20,490 (that’d be the Cruze Eco, for people still guessing). Importantly, the cost of diesel is generally higher in the US than gas. Pair that with the extra $5000 that the Diesel demands and the fact that it’s no more efficient than the Cruze Eco, and we’re starting to wonder how Chevy dealers are going to move this oil-burning sedan.
Celebrating Engine Types: V-8
We could do a whole series on this one. Probably the great engine type in the “if you could only have one” sense. Shown here is what we think is the iconic V-8, the small block Chevy.
Driven: 2013 Buick Encore
The 2013 Buick Encore is unlike anything the GM subsidiary has produced before. It’s tiny. Really tiny. It’s so tiny that you need to see it in person to appreciate the size of its footprint. Since it won’t be on sale for some time, this is the best we can say: its 100.6-inch wheelbase is shorter than a Mini Countryman (102.2 inches).
First Look: 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV
With each successive year, the electric vehicle is looking more and more like a realistic alternative to gas. Just take a look at how the segment has expanded, with offerings from Toyota, Honda, Ford, and Nissan. Now, GM is getting back in the EV game, offering an electrified version of the Chevrolet Spark.
Rumors: Spy Shots—2014 Cadillac Escalade Scooped
At first glance, these new spy photos—courtesy of Automobile—seem to be of a new Ford, what with the conspicuous oval shaped badge in the center of the grille. However, we have been assured that this is actually the 2014 Cadillac Escalade in heavy camouflage.
GM Unveils New LT1 V-8 For 2014 Corvette
We’ve seen the new badge, and now we’ve gotten our first peak at the new engine for America’s sports car, the Chevrolet Corvette. The flagship engine of the so-called Generation 5 family of small-block V-8s, this LT1 retains its overhead-valve layout, but adds in plenty of new tech. But of course, we know you’d all rather just see the numbers rather than a bunch of technical jargon. Preliminary output is 450 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque, with a sub-three-second run to 60 miles per hour, all while besting the 2013 Corvette’s 26-mile-per-gallon highway rating.
Rumors: Spy Shots—2014 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible
The interwebs have been awash this morning in exciting news about the upcoming C7 Chevrolet Corvette. And now we have even more good news to share—the steady handed spy shooters over at Autoblog recently posted photos of the droptop version of the next Corvette.
Chevrolet Announces Detroit Debut For C7 Corvette, New Logo
Mark January 13, 2013 on your calendar, because that’s when we’ll be getting our first official look at the all-new, seventh-generation Chevrolet Corvette. It’ll be debuting at the 2013 North American International Auto Show.
Rumors: Model News—Chevrolet Camaro Z28 All But A Sure Thing
Fans of the Chevrolet Camaro have been treated to some serious TLC by General Motors as of late. The Camaro ZL1 has been more than holding its own against the Ford Shelby Mustang GT500 in a battery of magazine comparison tests. In fact, it’s beaten the mighty Mustang in our very own comparo. And now, the Camaro faithful may have even more reason to celebrate—fan site GMAuthority came across a freshly filed GM patent for the name “Z28”.
Driven: 2012 Ford Focus Electric
What Ford has done with the interior and exterior design of the Focus Electric is to strip away the intimidation factor and make this the first truly approachable electric vehicle. It doesn’t look like the bleeding-edge piece of technology that the Leaf is or the EV1 was. It’s just a Focus that happens to have a seriously advanced drivetrain.
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.
Rumors: Industry Report—Big Plans For Cadillac
The past several years have been good to Cadillac—exciting new cars, a marked increase in quality, and a drastically improved public image.
Quick Drive: 2012 GMC Terrain SLT AWD V-6
Two things about this vehicle set me off. For one, I really am not a fan of this 3.0-liter V-6/six-speed-automatic powertrain. Sure, this vehicle is faster than the last four-cylinder Terrain I drove, but only marginally. Off-the-line and high-end power are lacking, although mid-range punch isn’t bad. I will say that it doesn’t sound particularly inspiring. This V-6 just didn’t feel fast enough to warrant ordering it over the four-cylinder, especially when that model is $1500 cheaper and nets considerably better mileage.
Rumors: Industry Report—Volkswagen Disputes GM’s Sales Crown
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Volkswagen AG is disputing GM’s announcement of being the global sales champion.
Detroit 2012: Chevrolet Code 130R Concept Coupe
Chevrolet’s Code 130R concept is a rear-wheel-drive sports coupe powered by a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine. Chevrolet calls the coupe “pure functional muscle,” but says “there’s nothing retro about this.”
Detroit 2012: Chevrolet Tru 140S Concept Coupe
Today at the Detroit auto show, Chevrolet introduces the Tru 140S concept. The small coupe, powered by a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine, is meant to have the look of an “affordable exotic.”
Secondhand Gems: Big Horsepower
When the 2013 Shelby GT500 goes on sale next year it will pack 650 horsepower, making it the most powerful V-8 production car in the world. It handily slams the door on the General’s new 580-horsepower Camaro ZL1 in terms of power, and even manages to nip Chevrolet’s other horsepower hero, the supercharged ZR1. The Dodge boys have nothing remotely close to the Shelby’s new power in V-8 trim, and even the forthcoming 2013 Viper (of which details are still shrouded in mystery) may not pack an equally powerful punch. The 2013 GT500 will have more than double the power of not one, but two Mustang GTs made just two years ago, and it would take five and a half of Ford’s popular Fiesta subcompact to equal the guts of just one 2013 Shelby. And don’t forget, it’ll still be a street-friendly car with a full factory warranty. If we’re on the brink of a major energy crisis spurred by diminishing oil reserves, at least we’re going out with a bang.
Driven: 2012 Buick LaCrosse and Regal eAssist
eAssist is what’s called a mild hybrid system. In a traditional hybrid, like the Toyota Prius, both the electric motor and gas engine drive the wheels, drawing power/fuel from an onboard battery pack and a tank of gas, respectively. In a mild hybrid like the LaCrosse or Regal eAssist, the electric motor is simply there to supplement the gas engine under hard acceleration or at high speeds.
First Look: 2013 Cadillac XTS
Cadillac’s 2013 XTS marks the latest evolution of the Arts and Science design language. The XTS pulls it off well, smoothing out the right areas, while maintaining the trademark creases along the hood and doors.
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