GM Investing in Tire Tech to Improve Fuel Economy

General Motors is investing in the new National Tire Research Center with hopes to help produce new low-rolling resistance tires that will help the automaker’s fuel efficiency. 

The General contributed $5 million to the new tire research facility, that is located in Halifax County, Va. GM engineers and scientists will begin work on the new tires in January, 2013.

Tire design alone can add up to seven percent better fuel economy for a vehicle, based on tread pattern, construction, material quality and processing techniques. The facilities $11.2 million tire testing equipment, known as Flat-Trac LTRe, is capable of replicating real-world driving condition, and top speeds of 200 mph. It will also replicate handling, ride, torque, and braking capabilities on various surfaces.

“This facility’s test equipment is like going from a basic telescope to the Hubble – it opens up a whole new world of possibilities,” said Frank Della Pia, a former GM vehicle dynamics manager and the current executive director for the tire research center.

Hot Wheels Camaro Headed into Production

It’s no joke, either: Beginning early next year, Chevrolet will offer a very limited number of Chevy Camaros fully decked out as life-size Hot Wheels cars, complete with a wild metallic paint scheme and red-accented wheels. It’s the first time any automaker has ever sold production vehicles with the Hot Wheels seal of approval, and it makes perfect sense that Chevy is setting the pace. After all, the Chevrolet Camaro was one of the original 16 Hot Wheels toys introduced by Mattel back in 1968.





“Millions of us grew up playing with Hot Wheels,” said Chris Perry, vice president of Chevrolet Marketing. “Offering a special production model of the Camaro Hot Wheels is an opportunity to bring those memories to life, for kids of all ages.”

Needless to say, drivers will be able to make plenty of new memories, too, thanks to features like:

• A choice between coupe and convertible models, with either a potent 323-hp LFX V6 or a ferocious V8 that delivers 426 hp
• Six-speed manual or automatic transmissions
• A Kinetic Blue exterior with flame graphics, Hot Wheels logos, and a two-tone, matte-finished hood graphic
• Ground effects enhancements, including a front splitter and new rockers
• A Camaro ZL1 rear spoiler (coupe models only) and upper grille
• 21-inch black wheels with red accents
• Chevy’s MyLink infotainment system with a seven-inch touchscreen

“It’s been nearly 20 years since I started designing cars for Hot Wheels and I have yet to drive one home,” said Felix Holst, vice president of creative for the Mattel Wheels Division. “Personally, I can’t wait to open the doors and see the Hot Wheels Camaro sitting in the garage.”

2013 Malibu Turbo...The mid sized sedan thats fun to drive.

After already showing off two impressive new powertrains—a next-gen 2.5-liter Ecotec I4 and a proven 2.4-liter unit paired with eAssist technology—the 2013 Chevy Malibu is now on the verge of introducing its third: A turbocharged 2.0-liter I4 that can release 259 hp and 260 lb.-ft. of torque. The 2013 Malibu Turbo itself will be released in the near-term future, with an MSRP that starts at $27,710 (including a $995 dealer freight charge).

Based on the mid-range Malibu LT, the Turbo model includes a well-sorted range of standard gear, too. The car’s exterior is brightened up with bigger 18-inch aluminum wheels, while the cabin upgrades to a dual-zone automatic climate-control system, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat (with powered lumbar support), an enhanced steering wheel with integrated audio/cruise controls and tilt/telescoping column, ice-blue ambient lighting, and a Chevy MyLink media setup. The latter feature provides drivers with a seven-inch color touchscreen, Bluetooth technology and a USB port. The brand even adds in a remote start feature.

Drivers who want to pair the Turbo’s increased power with a more premium package can opt for the LTZ trim, which opens at $30,925 and welcomes LED taillamps and leather-appointed seats with a heated front row.

Getting down to the heart of the matter, the 2013 Malibu Turbo, with a standard six-speed automatic transmission, also delivers dynamic performance—both on the road and at the gas station. Not only will the car carry drivers from 0-60 in just 6.3 seconds, with a top speed of 155 mph, but it also achieves EPA marks of 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway. Here, credit goes to powertrain technologies like a twin-scroll turbocharger, air-to-air intercooler, an aluminum cylinder head and aluminum pistons, direct injection, and the proverbial much, much more.

“The all-new turbocharged engine showcases just how capable the new Malibu is, and the turbocharged Malibu is perfect for customers who want a midsize sedan that is fun to drive under a wide range of real-world conditions,” said Mark Meyers, GM global vehicle performance manager.

Chevy offers first V8 Rear Wheel Drive Performance Sedan since 1996

A V-8 powered, rear-wheel-drive performance sedan, the Chevrolet SS, returns to the US lineup. Even better? The SS will also be Chevrolet’s next NASCAR Sprint Cup racecar and will first debut in its race configuration at the 2013 Daytona 500.

Chevrolet has a long history of using the SS (Super Sport) designation on high-performance models of some of its most enduring nameplates, most recently on Camaro models. The limited production version of the Chevrolet SS will debut as part of the 2014 model year and will arrive in dealer showrooms late 2013.

“As a passionate race fan and performance enthusiast, I am thrilled that Chevrolet will deliver a true rear-wheel-drive NASCAR racecar in the SS that is closely linked to the performance sedan that will be available for sale,” said Mark Reuss, president of GM North America. “The Chevrolet SS is a great example of how GM is able to leverage its global product portfolio to deliver a unique performance experience that extends beyond the track. I am personally looking forward to driving it.”

The first production vehicle offered with an SS option was the 1961 Impala – 453 were built with the performance upgrades which included a modified chassis and suspension, power brakes, a steering column mounted tachometer and unique wheels and tires.

The new SS will be the first rear-wheel-drive, V-8 performance sedan in the Chevrolet lineup since the Impala SS ended production in 1996. The storied history and strong emotion tied to past iterations of the SS are sure to fuel passion and intrigue as Chevy makes plans to release the vehicle in 2014.

Chevrolet was America’s best-selling performance car brand in 2011 with Camaro and Corvette accounting for one out of every three sports cars sold in the United States. The addition of the SS to the lineup will further strengthen Chevrolet’s position as a leading performance brand.

The Real Story Behind The Chevrolet Bow Tie

You may have heard the legend of how Chevrolet's co-founder Billy Durant came up with its famous bow-tie logo when he saw the design on wallpaper in a Paris hotel. Except the legend isn't true. Here's the real story.

William C. Durant, the co-founder of Chevrolet, loved to develop logos for his products.

And for years, the story of the Chevrolet bow tie emblem was consistent. The 50 Year Anniversary issue of The Chevrolet Story, printed in 1961, tells the story:

"This was also the year (1913) that the famous Chevrolet trademark was first used on the cars. The distinctive trademark has appeared billions of times on products, advertisings and sales literature as the mark of dependability, economy and quality in motor transportation. It originated in Durant's imagination when, as a world traveler in 1908, he saw the pattern marching off into infinity as a design on wallpaper in a French hotel. He tore off a piece of the wallpaper and kept it to show friends with the thought that it would make a good nameplate for a car."

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Billy Durant's widow, Catherine, however, claims that's not actually how he came up with the Chevy logo. According to Mrs. Durant — in an interview by Lawrence R. Gustin, who interviewed her for his book "Billy Durant," in 1973 — the bowtie emblem was first seen by her husband in an illustrated Virginia newspaper, while they vacationed in Hot Springs, Virginia around 1912.

 Mrs. Durant said:
 "We were in a suite reading the papers, and he saw this design and said, ‘I think this   would be a very good emblem for the Chevrolet' "

Given that there were two competing explanations for the bowtie, it seemed that finding proof of one over the other would be nigh impossible.

That is until Chevrolet historian Ken Kaufmann came across the key that unlocked the truth. Kaufmann, while reading old issues of the Atlanta, Georgia-based The Constitution from 1910 to 1917, came across an ad for Coalettes brand coal. The date of the ad? November 12th, 1911 — nine days after Durant incorporated the Chevrolet Motor Company.

We'll let Kaufmann take it from here:

Notice some of the similarities between the Coalettes and Durant designed Chevrolet Bowtie! Both started with a ‘C', had nine letters, had the suffix ‘let', and were hard to pronounce-in a French way. Both emblems had a dark background with white boarders and white letters. The main difference was the Coalettes letters were slanted and used a stylistic type face, while Durant used a more formal Roman type face and squared off the center bow, three letters wide.

It looks like the reason the Southern Compressed Coal Co. designed the bowtie logo in the first place was to highlight the large, middle ‘E', to help the public pro-nounce this coined word easier. Maybe, this is where Durant got the idea, "Pronounced Shev-Ro-Lay. " I looked up the suffix ‘—-let' or ‘-lette' in the dictionary and was surprised to find it means little or small. 

Therefore, the coined word Coalettes means "Little Coals." I would think the Southern Compressed Coal Co. had the Coalettes name and bowtie emblem registered as a trademark and will look through the trademark registrations at the Patent Office in the future.

 So, basically, General Motors might owe whoever owns the current rights to the Southern Compressed Coal Co. logo a decent pile of change. Good to know.

Distracted Driving is part of 80% of Crashes

We’ve all heard the statistics and seen the news reports about how dangerous distracted driving can be. Mobile devices and our incessant use of them while behind the wheel has made many people as dangerous if not more dangerous than those who are driving impaired.

This graphic examines the facts about distracted driving, showing us that a quick Tweet while on the road can be deadly.

Chevrolet Avalanche to End its Trendsetting Run

2013 Black Diamond Avalanche offers unique final-year model

Following Avalanche’s lead, crew-cab pickups now dominate light-duty segment

DETROIT – The Chevrolet Avalanche, which won buyers with trendsetting design and unique features – and helped launch the boom in crew cab pickups – celebrates its final year in production with the 2013 Black Diamond Avalanche.

Black Diamond Avalanches will feature body-colored bed surrounds, a unique badge on the sail panel, additional features on LS and LT models, and lower prices across the lineup.

“More than 580,000 Avalanches have been sold since its introduction in 2001, and Avalanche has won major awards and recognitions throughout its run,” said Mark Clawson, Avalanche marketing manager. “So it is only fitting that Avalanche retires on a high note.”

“The Chevrolet Avalanche was one of the earliest forays into re-inventing the traditional pickup truck, said Michelle Krebs, senior analyst, Edmunds.com. “It was a vehicle that maintained the traditional truck image and capability but was more versatile for the person buying it for personal use more than work – a lifestyle truck more than a work truck. Other variations on the theme from competitors followed the Avalanche's debut.”

For 2013, a rear camera, rear park assist, power adjustable pedals, fog lamps and remote start will be added as standard equipment on LS models, while LT models have added a standard rear camera. Base prices have been reduced $2,500 (after equipment adjustments) with the 2WD Avalanche LS now starting at $ 35,980, plus $995 dealer freight charge.

“Although Avalanche sales have tapered off in recent years, as crew cabs have grown to dominate Silverado sales, we know there are many Avalanche enthusiasts among Chevy customers,” said Clawson. “The Black Diamond Avalanche is our way of saying ‘Thank you’ and making it just a little more attractive to own one more Avalanche.”

Avalanche reshaped the pickup market
When introduced for the 2002 model year, Avalanche offered unique styling and innovative features like a midgate that extended the bed into the cab. Perhaps more important, its overall design proved to be one of those rare ideas that change a segment – a light-duty pickup with comfortable accommodations for five people.

This concept of a well-equipped light-duty pickup that could tow, haul, and carry the family attracted enough interest to generate 93,482 sales in 2003, its third full year of production. Recognizing the appeal of the Avalanche, Chevrolet and other truck makers began developing light-duty crew cab pickups. By 2011, crew cabs accounted for more than 65 percent of light-duty pickup sales, and helped transform the pickup from a workhorse into a true multipurpose family vehicle.

Through it all, Avalanche retained a core of passionate fans who loved its style, comfort, and versatility. Avalanche was named 2002 Motor Trend Truck of the Year upon its introduction, and 2007 Truck of the Year by the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada. Avalanche also has been top choice in a number of consumer publications.

Avalanche at a glance
The Chevrolet Avalanche is one of the industry’s more-flexible utility vehicles, combining the passenger-comfort attributes of a SUV with the cargo capability of a truck, thanks to the exclusive Midgate. It opens to extend the cargo-area from 5-foot-3-inch-long (1.6 m) length to 8 feet 2 inches (2.5 m). It is available in LS, LT and LTZ models, with 2WD and 4WD.

Storage compartments alongside the cargo box provide ample and lockable storage with pluggable drains that can be filled with ice and used as coolers.

The Avalanche is based on GM’s full-size SUV platform, offering a maximum towing capacity of 8,100 pounds (3,674 kg). It is powered by an efficient combination that includes the Vortec 5.3L V-8 with cylinder-deactivating Active Fuel Management technology and a fuel-saving Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic.

Avalanche also delivers useful technology and comprehensive safety features, including Bluetooth wireless phone connectivity with specific steering wheel controls, standard rear camera system, head curtain side-impact air bags and StabiliTrak electronic stability control. Avalanche offers an integrated brake controller that works with the ABS system to provide immediate and measured brake force signaling to electric-controlled trailer brake systems; there is no requirement for external and/or aftermarket brake control systems.
Avalanche milestones

• The Avalanche was introduced at the 2000 North American International Auto Show in Detroit as a concept and was described as a no- compromise Chevy Truck with a unique combination of configurable passenger and cargo space. The production Avalanche was positioned as an Ultimate Utility Vehicle (UUV) when it went on sale in 2001 as a 2002 model
• A special Avalanche was equipped to protect and transport the Olympic Flame during the Torch Relay prior to the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City; the relay covered more than 13,500 miles and passed through 46 states on its way to the Olympic Stadium for the Opening Ceremony on Feb. 8, 2002
• In addition to receiving Motor Trend’s Truck of the Year for 2002, the Avalanche received the Design and Engineering award from Popular Mechanics. Both recognized the vehicle’s revolutionary innovation
• Chevrolet teamed up with outdoor outfitter North Face and offered a special edition Avalanche in 2002 that was used to transport a team of kayakers through the rugged terrain of the Himalayas to the Tsangpo Gorge in Tibet, where they successfully accomplished first descent of the most-feared whitewater on the planet
• In 2006, Chevrolet introduced an all-new Avalanche with a fully boxed frame and redesigned suspension to deliver more refined ride and handling; a new Z71 off-road package was introduced and front featured special off-road tires, unique grille and fascia, an integrated front bumper winch and oversize tow hooks
• A 2007 Avalanche was presented to the 2006 Major League Baseball All-Star Game MVP Michael Young of the Texas Rangers

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design and high quality.