Car Blog

More Standard Comfort and Safety Features, Better Fuel Economy

When the first 2011 Chevrolet Cruze sedans arrive at U.S. dealerships in September, they will offer consumers more for their money, with class-leading standard safety features, expected class-leading fuel economy, and more standard equipment than competitive vehicles.

“We set out to redefine the compact segment by offering customers more of the features they want for less money than comparably equipped competitive models,” said Margaret Brooks, Chevrolet Small Car marketing director. “The Cruze offers significantly more value than the competition – and the vehicle it replaces — with standard equipment that is appreciated by today’s consumers.”

For example, the Cruze LS offers an estimated $1,700 more value than a 2010 Honda Civic DX. With a starting price of $16,995 including destination, the Cruze LS is $590 more than a base Civic. But when consumers look closer, they will find that Cruze has about $2,700 worth of additional equipment, including:

– Air conditioning
– Power locks with remote keyless entry
– OnStar with Turn-by-Turn Navigation
– XM Radio, with three-month trial subscription
– AM/FM Single-CD radio
– StabiliTrak and traction control
– 6-speaker stereo system
– Rear side impact and knee airbags
– Passenger seat height adjustment
– 60/40 split folding rear seat Read the rest of this entry »

The Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle with extended range will provide customers with an unprecedented, standard, eight-year/100,000-mile warranty on its advanced, lithium-ion battery. It is the automotive industry’s longest, most comprehensive battery warranty for an electric vehicle, and is transferable at no cost to other vehicle owners.

“The Chevrolet Volt’s batteries have exceeded our performance targets and are ready to hit the road,” said Micky Bly, GM executive director, global electrical systems. “Our customers are making a commitment to technology that will help reduce our dependence on petroleum. In turn, we are making a commitment to our customers to deliver the highest standards for value, safety, quality, performance and reliability for an unprecedented eight years/100,000 miles.”

The Volt’s comprehensive battery warranty covers all 161 battery components, 95 percent of which are designed and engineered by GM, in addition to the thermal management system, charging system and electric drive components.

The Volt is the only electric vehicle that can operate under a full range of climates and driving conditions without limitations or concern about being stranded by a depleted battery. It has a range of about 340 miles and is powered with electricity at all times. For up to the first 40 miles, the Volt is powered solely by electricity stored in its 16-kWh lithium-ion battery, using no fuel and producing no emissions. When the Volt’s lithium-ion battery runs low, an engine/generator seamlessly operates to extend the driving range another 300 miles on a full tank of fuel. Volt Freedom Drive

The Volt’s advanced, lithium-ion battery is designed to deliver the value, safety, quality, performance, durability and reliability Chevrolet customers expect. Key battery features include:

– Thermal management for durability and reliability: The Volt is the only mass-market electric vehicle with a battery that can be warmed or cooled. The battery is designed to provide reliable operation, when plugged in, at temperatures as low as -13 degrees Fahrenheit (-25 C) and as high as 122 degrees Fahrenheit (+50 C). In cold weather, the battery will be preheated during charging to provide full power capability. In hot weather – the most challenging environment for a battery – the Volt’s battery can be chilled during charging. The Volt’s liquid thermal management system can also be powered during driving by the battery or engine/generator.

– Diagnostics for safety and performance: The Volt’s battery management system continuously monitors the battery real-time for optimum operations. More than 500 diagnostics run at 10 times per second, keeping track of the Volt’s battery pack; 85 percent of the diagnostics ensure the battery pack is operating safely, while the remaining 15 percent keep track of battery performance and life.

– Cell design and chemistry for performance and efficiency: GM’s selection of a prismatic cell design and LG Chem’s manganese spinel lithium-ion chemistry is designed to provide long life and high power utput, with a properly maintained temperature. This enables better vehicle acceleration and increased regenerative braking capability for improved vehicle efficiency.

– Energy management for durability: Fully charging or fully depleting a battery shortens its life. The Volt’s energy management system never fully charges or depletes the battery. The Volt’s battery has top and bottom “buffer zones” to help ensure long life.

Testing for durability, reliability, safety and performance

GM engineers have completed more than 1 million miles and 4 million hours of validation testing of Volt battery packs since 2007, as well as each pack’s nine modules and 288 cells. The development, validation and test teams have met thousands of specifications and validated each of the Volt battery’s components.

Tests include short circuit, corrosion, dust, impact, water submersion, crush and penetration, and extreme temperature swings combined with aggressive drive cycles, also known as “Shake, Bake and Roll.”

Ready for production

GM’s Brownstown Township plant, which began building prototype batteries in January, soon will begin regular battery production. GM First Battery Build

“We’re moving fast to deliver for the customer and ensure the Volt launch stays on track,” said Nancy Laubenthal, plant manager of the Brownstown Battery Plant. “Last August we announced the investment in the Brownstown facility and in January built our first completed battery pack. Now we are finishing pre-production batteries and soon we will begin building production batteries for Chevrolet Volts that will be delivered to dealers before the end of the year.”

Last year, the U.S. Department of Energy selected 45 companies, universities and organizations in 28 states – including GM’s Brownstown plant – to share more than $2 billion in awards for electric drive and battery manufacturing, and transportation electrification. Nearly half of the awards are designated for cell, battery and materials manufacturing facilities in Michigan.

World’s Only Hybrid Pickup Provides Unique Environmental Solution for Fleet Customers

As part of the greening of its fleet, Verizon has purchased 576 Chevrolet Silverado Two-Mode Hybrid full-size pickups that deliver the city fuel economy of a four-cylinder sedan.

The unique two-mode Silverado blends an internal combustion engine with battery-powered electric motors to offer customers the advanced technology needed to reduce fuel consumption by up to 40 percent over a conventional full-size pickup — an EPA estimated 21 MPG city and 22 MPG highway, best of any full-size pickup.

“When Verizon first approached us about environmentally friendly and fuel-efficient vehicles for their urban drivers, we knew the Silverado Hybrid was the perfect fit because of its outstanding city and highway MPG ratings,” said Brian Small, GM Fleet and Commercial Operation general manager. “Immediately the team went to work to meet Verizon’s ambitious July delivery deadline.”

GM’s two-mode system enables the Silverado to launch and drive up to 30 mph on electricity alone, and allows the Vortec 6.0L V-8 engine to operate in its more economical V-4 mode for longer periods. This technology is the only hybrid system capable of being used in full-size trucks, which further emphasizes Chevrolet’s full-size truck leadership.

“A major part of our sustainability strategy is to make smart use of lower-carbon alternatives to power our fleet and the operation of our high-IQ broadband networks,” said James Gowen, chief sustainability officer for Verizon. “By adding 1,600 alternative energy vehicles to our fleet this year we’re conserving fuel, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality in communities across the country.”

Committed to finding practical and innovative ways to reduce the carbon footprint of its global operations, Verizon launched a comprehensive sustainability program earlier this year. The program expanded the number of alternative energy vehicles in their fleet – one part of a multi-pronged approach. Additionally, in their commitment to doing business with diverse suppliers, the company placed the order for the 576 hybrid pickups, with Fairway Motors, a woman-owned Chevrolet dealership in Hazelton, Penn.

The pickups, to be deployed in urban areas in various Verizon’s markets, is powered by the standard Vortec 6.0L V8 engine delivering 332 horsepower and 367 lb.-ft of torque, it has a payload of 6,100 lbs. (2WD) or 5,900 lbs. (4×4). The vehicle also comes with an eight-year/100,000 mile limited warranty on hybrid components and a five-year/100,000 transferable powertrain limited warranty.

To further capitalize on the Silverado Hybrid’s fuel efficiency and reduced emissions, Verizon collaborated with BrandFX Body Company and GM to develop the light-weight fiberglass insert to be installed in the truck’s bed. The composite insert, the lightest weatherproof container on the market, will house Verizon’s service equipment, such as ladders, wiring, connectors and television set boxes.

“We have a long history with Verizon and it’s always our pleasure to work with OEMs to provide the most fuel-efficient composite products for automotive applications,” said Lee Finley, BrandFX Body Company co-owner.

For more information on the Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid, and to see the full lineup of GM Fleet and Commercial vehicles, visit gmfleet.com.

Chevrolet has joined with OnStar and leading national first-responder organizations to announce the first automotive manufacturer-sponsored training program to educate first responders nationwide on electric vehicle technology.

The announcement was jointly made today at the San Francisco Fire Department with leaders of Chevrolet, OnStar, the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and the National Emergency Number Association (NENA).

“Technological changes in the automotive industry require changes in fire and emergency service operations as well,” said Chief Jack Parow, first vice president of the International Association of Fire Chiefs. “The IAFC is proud to work with Chevrolet and OnStar to ensure that fire responders are adequately trained in how to work with the new technology, both for their own safety and the safety of those they serve.”

The training sessions will feature the Chevrolet Volt and will begin at the IAFC’s Fire-Rescue International Conference, Aug. 23-27 in Chicago. Together with OnStar, Chevrolet will also display the Volt at the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials conference Aug. 1-4 in Houston, and at the NENA conference, June 5-10 in Indianapolis. Chevrolet and OnStar will host first-responder sessions in Volt retail markets later this year including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Detroit and Washington, D.C.

“We believe a first-responder education program is very important to raise the awareness and understanding of electric vehicle technology,” said Carmen Benavides, director, Chevrolet Safety. “This is a natural extension of the collaborative efforts we’ve had in the past when introducing new safety and other leading technologies.”

During the past several months, Chevrolet has collaborated with first-responder representatives from national safety organizations to develop educational materials for firefighters, law enforcement, emergency medical technicians and emergency dispatchers nationwide. This will help ensure the training meets the needs and answers the questions their colleagues are likely to have about electric vehicles.

Their feedback is being incorporated into training materials that will be available on the tour and posted on a targeted Web site for departments unable to attend the training sessions.

The training will include animation and illustrations of the Chevrolet Volt, highlighting locations of high-strength steel, cut points for extrication, first-responder labeling, automatic and manual electrical shut-off and more.

The Chevrolet Volt’s safety features include safeguards before, during and – thanks to OnStar — after a crash. Before a crash, the Volt’s safety technology includes standard anti-lock brakes with traction control, StabiliTrak electronic stability control and daytime running lamps. In the event of a crash, the Volt uses occupant protection features such as high-strength steel, crash sensors, eight standard air bags and safety belts with dual pretensioners to reduce the risk of injury. After a crash, the Chevrolet Volt has the added protection of OnStar, which uses built-in vehicle sensors to automatically alert an OnStar advisor in certain types of collisions. The advisor is immediately connected to the vehicle and can request that emergency help be sent to its location.

Chevrolet expects the Volt to achieve high safety ratings in government tests. More than 50 crash tests at various speeds and angles have been conducted in the development of the Chevrolet Volt to date, including front, side and rear impacts as well as rollovers. The Volt’s body structure is made up of nearly 80 percent high-strength steel and includes optimized restraint systems.

Chevrolet has been working to get the country ready for electric vehicles such as the Volt for the past several years. In the time since the Volt was announced as a production program in 2007, Chevrolet has joined with the Electric Power Research Institute and 10 major electric utilities across the country, collaborated with several local and state governments in key states, and met with city stakeholders in important markets to help ensure widespread consumer adoption of electric vehicles. The Chevrolet Volt will launch in select markets late this year.

BorgWarner Technologies Featured in 2010 World Car of the Year, World Performance Car, World Green Car and World Car Design of the Year Winners

Drivetrain and engine technology from leading global powertrain supplier BorgWarner powers the 2010 World Car of the Year winners, including the:

World Car of the Year: the Volkswagen Polo. For diesel models, BorgWarner produces variable turbine geometry (VTG) turbochargers, three-way valves, glow plugs and control modules. For gasoline models, BorgWarner supplies timing systems and high pressure transmission solenoids for the optional automated manual transmission.

World Performance Car of the Year: the Audi R8. BorgWarner produces high pressure transmission solenoids for the optional R-tronic automated manual transmission.

World Green Car of the Year: the Volkswagen BlueMotion (Golf, Passat, Polo). BorgWarner supplies variable turbine geometry (VTG) turbochargers and three-way valves for the 1.6-liter diesel Polo as well as glow plugs and control modules for the Golf, Passat and Polo.

World Car Design of the Year: the Chevrolet Camaro. BorgWarner produces transmission components, including friction plates and sprag one-way clutch assemblies, for the optional six-speed automatic transmission.

“BorgWarner’s leading technologies help these notable vehicles give consumers what they crave: better fuel economy, lower emissions and improved performance,” said Tim Manganello, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, BorgWarner. “Congratulations to Volkswagen Polo, Audi R8, Volkswagen BlueMotion (Golf, Passat, Polo) and Chevrolet Camaro for these prestigious honors.”

The seventh annual World Car awards recognize and reward automotive excellence on a global scale. Winners are chosen by an international panel of 59 automotive journalists from 25 countries. The awards were announced at the New York International Auto Show.

Chevrolet announced pricing for the 2011 Silverado HD, highlighted by carryover pricing on the improved Duramax diesel engine and Allison transmission. This means best-in-class horsepower and torque at 397 HP and 765 lb-ft of torque, respectively, for the same option price as 2010 models.

“Heavy duty pickup customers are some of the most knowledgeable out there, and we heard them loud and clear. They want maximum power and capability at the best value possible,” said Product Director Maria Rohrer. “We delivered huge increases in power and capability while actually improving our fuel economy with the Duramax diesel engine – all while maintaining current pricing.”

Silverado HD base pricing starts at $27,965, which excludes a $995 destination charge. An upgrade to the proven Duramax diesel engine and Allison transmission combination runs $8,395 – the same amount as in 2010, despite the significant improvements in fuel economy – including a highway cruising range of up to 680 miles; aforementioned increases in performance; and new B20 biodiesel capability.

The 2011 Silverado HD also offers the latest technology in driver confidence and control features such as trailer sway control, smart exhaust braking, hill start assist and more. An all-new chassis, featuring a fully-boxed, high-strength steel frame combines with the aforementioned engine improvements to increase trailering capacity to 20,000 pounds (9,072 kg), and payload capacity to 6,335 pounds (2,873 kg).

The Silverado HD will be offered in work truck, LT and LTZ trim levels, and will begin production in May. Delivery to dealers is expected in early June. All models come with a segment-best five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.