2011 Camaro pricing leaked, Z/28 possibly confirmed

It looks like customers opting for the upper trim levels on the Chevrolet Camaro will have to pay a little bit more when the 2011 models roll into showrooms this fall. According to a posting on the Camaro5 forum from a dealer employee, the 2LT and 2SS models will see a $350 price increase to $28,075 and $35,145, respectively. The LS, 1LT and 1SS models will carry over the 2010 prices so the 2011 Ford Mustang will retain a $535 for the V6 and $1,300 advantage for the V8 models.

The more interesting news is the apparent confirmation from General Motors’ new VP of Global Vehicle Engineering, Karl Stracke to Motor Trend that the Z/28 will become a reality. Chevrolet officials have declined to comment on the matter, but we’re guessing that it might appear sometime next year as a 2012 model. Motivation will likely be provided by a variant of the supercharged 6.2-liter LSA V8 found in the Cadillac CTS-V, with around 550 horsepower being channeled through a six-speed manual gearbox.

2011 Chevrolet Cruze priced at $16,995, LTZ at $22,695

General Motors has slapped a price tag on the all-new 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, and with a starting price of $16,995 (including destination), the new compact contender is well positioned to compete with the segment stalwarts.

The entry-level Cruse LS comes packing the 138-horsepower 1.8-liter Ecotec four-cylinder and a six-speed manual transmission, along with 10 air bags, traction ctonrol, OnStar and keyless entry. If you option up for the $18,895 LT, the standard four-pot is replaced with GM’s new Ecotec 1.4-liter turbo and a six-speed automatic box, and the Eco version rings up the same sticker with a six-speed manual, 17-inch wheels with low rolling resistance tires and an enhanced aero package.

The top of the line LTZ will set you back a suitably high $22,695 and comes with the aforementioned 1.4-liter turbo and automatic ‘box, along with cruise control, leather seats, Bluetooth, USB audio, redundant steering wheel controls, rear-parking assist and 18-inch wheels. Navigation, a nine-speaker Pioneer stereo, heated seats and RS Appearance package are all available as separate options. And you can start specing out your own cruise by checking out the press release after the break.

General Motors: Diaper provider?

The Chevrolet Cobalt is old and tired, and in a few months, it’ll be replaced by the vastly superior Chevy Cruze. While the Cobalt may (deservedly) have an inferiority complex, Chevy’s generic sedan has one feather in its cap that the Cruze may never earn: the Cobalt has officially served as a (very) mobile delivery room.

Amanda McBride, Minnesotan and Chevy Cobalt driver, was in labor and driving to the hospital when it became apparent that her baby had an entirely different timetable in mind. Amanda wasn’t going to make it to the hospital. So, did she pull over and give birth on the roadside? Well, no. Instead, McBride told the baby’s father, who can’t drive due to a medical condition, to grab the wheel. She quickly pulled down her pants andgave birth right there. In the driver’s seat. According to McBride, the baby “just slid out.” We’re pretty certain that this is distracted driving at its zenith.

Anyhow, Chevy’s pretty excited about all the free Cobalt publicity for McBride, and to extend the news cyclemake things a bit easier for the new mom, General Motors is springing for a year’s worth of diapers, a stroller, child seats and unspecified quantities of toys and clothing. See? Driving a Cobalt apparently does have its advantages

Next-gen Volt could use diesel, two-cylinder or rotary range extender

Back in 2006 when the Chevrolet Volt was first conceived, its extended-range electric (ER-EV) powertrain was originally dubbed E-Flex as its configuration was designed to be flexible. The only part of the system that was constant was the electric drive and the presence of a battery. The architecture was designed so any type of powerplant could be used as a range extender, and over the last three years concepts have been shown with flex-fuel three-cylinder turbos, inline-four diesels and hydrogen fuel cells.

Ultimately, powertrain chief engineer Larry Nitz and his team opted for a normally aspirated 1.4-liter inline-four for the first generation Volt because it offered the best combination of cost and efficiency. However, while working on the first generation Volt, work on the second-gen. model has been happening in parallel. Way back in May 2007 we talked to then-VP for R&D Larry Burns about using an HCCI engine for the Volt since it could be optimized to operate at steady state speeds and he agreed that was certainly one possible direction.

Right now the top priority for the second-generation Volt is driving down the cost of the powertrain, including the battery. Although automakers are always reluctant to talk about parts pricing, GM’s project management VP, Jon Laukner, has hinted on more than one occasion that the Volt pack costs somewhere in the $600 per kilowatt-hour range or under $10,000 for the 16 kWh unit. The goal is to get that cost down below $400 per kWh in the next few years and a combination of increased volumes and LG Chem launching cell production in western Michigan will certainly help to achieve that.

Reducing the cost of the range extender will also play a part. GM’s VP of global vehicle engineering, Karl Stracke told Inside Line that smaller range extenders in the 15-18 kilowatt range are part of the strategy and either a two-cylinder piston engine or a single rotor Wankel are possibilities to replace the current inline-four. Volt communications manager Rob Peterson confirmed to Autoblog that a number of different variants are being evaluated, but he wouldn’t say if any particular direction has been selected yet.

Powertrain engineering consultant FEV has recently been showing off an ER-EV Fiat 500 with a Wankel range extender. While Wankels are not known for fuel efficiency (quite the opposite actually), a modern direct injected unit for this type of application could be highly optimized to provide acceptable performance and consumption. A Wankel also has the advantage of being both very compact for its output and vibration-free, making it well suited for this type of application. With the first generation Volt only expected to have about a three-year life-span, a final decision will likely be made very soon.

GM pickups to adopt active grille louvers for fuel economy?

General Motors’ full-size pickup trucks may be next in line to get thermostatically controlled louvers behind the grille to improve aerodynamics. SRG Global, which produces a variety of components for numerous manufacturers, is developing just such a system for GM’s trucks. Similar systems will debut later this year on the Chevrolet Cruze and later on the new Ford Focus.

One of the biggest sources of aerodynamic drag and turbulence comes from the air flowing through a vehicle’s engine compartment. Closing off the grille to limit this airflow can drastically reduce this issue, however, the engine still needs air for cooling – especially at lower speeds. At higher speeds, the increased air velocity means less open area is required for adequate cooling.

Thermostatically controlled slats monitor coolant temperatures and then open or close as needed, giving the best of both worlds at the expense of a bit of added cost and complexity. That said, SRG’s new designs will integrate the slats into the grille structure reducing the cost of the system and making assembly simpler. Theoretically, such technology could also be used to improve cold-weather warm-ups by keeping the grille’s slats closed.

Chevrolet Camaro Sunergy: Limited Production Version Inspired by SEMA Show Concept

As promised at the SEMA show last November, General Motors announced the launch of a special edition version of the 2010 Camaro that’s distinguished by a never-before available, unique green hue. The Synergy Green exterior color was first previewed at the 2009 SEMA show with a concept model.

The limited edition production car is based on 2010 Chevrolet Camaro 1LT powered by a 304HP 3.6-liter V6 coupled with either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. It will be produced in limited quantities from February to May with pricing starting at $26,790.

In production form, the special edition Camaro’s unique Synergy Green finish is accented by Cyber Grey Rally Stripes running the length of the hood and rear deck while other exterior features include a rear spoiler and standard 19 inch, Sterling Silver painted wheels wrapped with P245/50R19 tires.

The same color scheme is found on the interior, with Synergy Green instrument panel and door inserts. Furthermore, Synergy Green stitching accents the Jet Black cloth seats, steering wheel, shift knob and center console.

The Special Edition model also gets the Camaro Convenience and Connectivity Package, with Bluetooth phone connectivity, USB port for MP3 players, and remote vehicle start for models equipped with an automatic transmission, fitted as standard.

Those that found the concept model alluring, can further modify the production Camaro Sunergy with a ground effects kit, 21 inch alloy wheels with a black center finish and polished rim and a performance air intake, all of which are offered through Chevy dealers.

The only parts from the concept car that are not offered by Chevy are the Pedders coil-over lowering kit, larger Brembo brakes and high wing rear spoiler.

One more 2010 Camaro-Based Pontiac Trans Am Conversion

Not surprisingly, Pontiac’s demise has spurred an interest in the creation of Trans Am replicas based on the new Chevrolet Camaro. We remind you that we’ve already seen a conceptual proposal for a modern-day Pontiac Trans Am from ASC Creative Services and real-life examples from Lingenfelter and Trans Am Depot.

The latest company to join the list of tuners interested in creating a Trans Am replica is a company called Gearhead Performance Group.

Along with the cosmetic upgrades that include new front and rear fascias complete with unique lights, 21- or 22-inch snowflake wheels, a large rear spoiler and gold interior accents (…), the tuner claims that it will offer an optional twin-turbo LS9 V8 with some 900 horsepower.

Source: Gearhead Performance , Via: Autoblog.com

Pushing Back: GM expanding Chevrolet into Korea, Daewoo out

General Motors decided several years ago to begin heavily promoting Chevrolet as its global mainstream brand even in markets where its existing brands like Opel and Daewoo were a dominant force. Today, at the Busan Motor Show in South Korea, GM Daewoo president Mike Arcamone announced that the Camarowould lead the way in GM’s efforts to market Chevrolet in South Korea.

For now at least Chevrolet and Daewoo-branded vehicles will coexist in the Korean market. However, while we were in China last week GM officials told us that the Daewoo brand, which has been somewhat tainted by past quality issues, would eventually be phased out in favor of Chevrolet. When the new Aveo launches next year it will likely be badged as a Chevrolet even though GM Daewoo is in charge of engineering the car.

[Source: General Motors]

Google may be GM’s mystery technology partner

The interwebs are rife with rumor that the mysterious General Motors technology partner is none other than Google itself. Motor Trend is reporting that GM is currently courting the search guru in order to use the Big G’s Android operating system in its vehicles. If successful, the company should have a telematics system that’s more than capable of taking it to Sync – the excellent Ford/Microsoft mashup currently available in most Blue Oval products.

While MT claims that GM wants to out and out buy Android, we doubt that’s the case. Google hasn’t exactly made a habit of selling anything it produces – opting instead for an advertising-based revenue stream. What’s more, Google is making major inroads into the consumer electronics marketplace with Android. Still, that doesn’t mean the open-source Android couldn’t find its way into the next generation of smart-phone capable vehicles from Detroit.

If the rumors prove true, we should first expect to see some iteration of the system on the upcomingChevrolet Volt. GM has already said that owners will be able to monitor things like battery life and charging from their smart phones. They’ll also be able to start and unlock the vehicle via a Volt app. Similar usability will likely trickle down into the rest of the GM ranks.

VIDEO: Chevy Volt Fast Laps the Parking Lot in Dodger Stadium

In this latest promotional video from GM, Andrew Farah, vehicle chief engineer for the Volt, took the EV for a quick lap around the parking lot in Dodger Stadium. And by ‘quick lap’ we don’t mean any tire smoking (or at least not the kind you may get excited about), opposite steering antics – don’t forget, this is the Chevrolet Volt electric-vehicle we’re talking about… Hit the jump to watch the video. 

Chevrolet Aveo RS Concept Previews GM's New Ford Fiesta Rival

The 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit next week will host the world premiere of the Chevrolet Aveo RS Concept car handing us our first look at the next-generation Aveo that will be sold on both sides of the pond competing with superminis like the Ford Fiesta and Toyota Yaris.

Longer, wider and more spacious than the current production Aveo, the five-door concept adopts several styling cues including the dual element grille, round tail lamps and fender flares from other Chevrolet models such as the Spark and Cruze.

Being an RS version, the concept model sports several unique features like the 19-inch, five-spoke alloy wheels that cover the large Boracay Blue brake calipers, a roof spoiler, a specific front bumper with large air vents, exposed motorcycle-inspired rear taillamps that feature tinted aluminum housings and a rear diffuser with a center-mounted exhaust and chrome exhaust tips.

Though virtually production ready, the concept model’s interior has been adorned in leather with contrasting blue stitching, special decorative trim and a pair of sport front seats.

Under the hood, the Aveo RS houses the same 138-horsepower 1.4-liter turbocharged inline-four Ecotec engine that will be available in the upcoming Chevrolet Cruze. Power is transfered to the front wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox.

Needless to say, the series production model will be far less aggressive in the details inside and out, though there is a chance that we might see a similarly styled and powered sporty RS model added in the Aveo’s range.

GM said that the production Aveo will be manufactured at its Orion Assembly in Orion Township, Michigan starting from 2011.