2016 Chevrolet Volt

SPECIFICATIONS:

year:

2016

make:

Chevrolet

Model:

Volt

price:

$ 33995 (Est.)

Engine:

inline-4

Horsepower @ RPM:

149

Torque @ RPM:

294

Displacement:

1.5 L

0-60 time:

8.4 sec. (Est.)

Top Speed:

98 mph (Est.)

Launched for the 2011 model year, the Chevrolet Volt is GM’s first volume plug-in hybrid vehicle. Also sold as the Holden Volt, Vauxhall Ampera and Opel Ampera around the world, the five-door compact has already won numerous awards, including the 2011 North American Car of the Year. The most advanced version of the Volt used a 17-kWh battery that enabled it to return a range of 38 miles in all-electric mode. For 2016, the current Volt is being replaced by a redesigned, second-generation vehicle that delivers enhanced fuel economy from its revised gasoline generator, better performance and a greater electric-only range.

The new Volt has been revamped inside and out, with emphasis on a sportier exterior design and a brand-new drivetrain that’s significantly lighter than its predecessor. The five-door compact is also slightly bigger in its second generation, allowing Chevy to not only increase legroom front and rear, but enable the Volt — previously a four-seater — to offer seating for five. Read on for the full run-down.

Updated 09/09/2015: Automotive News reports that the 2016 Volt will be offered in a limited run. Only a few units will be built for markets like California, Oregon and parts of the Northeast. Everyone else will have to wait for the 2017 model year set to arrive in the spring of 2016 with a series of updates.

SOURCE:TOPSPEED

Chevrolet Built Its 10 Millionth Malibu

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As Chevrolet prepares to launch the all-new 2016 Chevrolet Malibu , the muscle-car -turned-midsize-sedanjust eclipsed a major milestone. After 51 years on the market, Chevrolet has just built its 10 millionth Malibu , and it marked the occasion by taking a short drive down memory lane.

First introduced in 1964 as a trim level on the Chevelle , the Malibu racked up 300,000 sales in its first five years on the market, accounting for the majority of all Chevelle sales. GM says the Malibu was “one of the best-selling cars of the decade,” but it wasn’t until 1978 that the Malibu became a standalone model.

This Malibu was killed off in 1983, and 14 years later, the name was revived for a front-wheel-drive, mid-size sedan. Since then, the Malibu has been one of most popular sedans in the segment, averaging around 200,000 sales per year over the last several years (not including sales outside of the U.S.). That trend should continue when the bigger, lighter and more efficient 2016 Malibu goes on sale later this year.

Chevrolet didn’t say where the 10 millionth Malibu was produced, but the sedan is built at two plants in the U.S. (in Kansas and Detroit) as well as in China , South Korea andRussia , making it a truly global sedan. And to properly celebrate the sales milestone, Chevrolet made sure to include a full gallery of images showing the progression of the Malibu from 1964 through 2016.

SOURCE:TOPSPEED

1963 Chevrolet Impala SS "Mystery Motor"

If we were to say the name “Robert Glenn Johnson Jr” not many people, besides hardcore NASCAR fans, would know who we are talking about. However, mention the name Junior Johnson and “Mystery Motor” and nearly every NASCAR fan knows what we’re talking about. If you haven’t figured it out, Robert Glen Johnson Jr and Junior Johnson are the same person.

The Mystery Motor refers to Junior Johnson’s most famous car, which was a 1963 ChevyImpala SS with an extremely rare Mk II engine. This engine was a very limited production model that was wedged between the Mk I 438/409 engine and Mk IV 427 engine. This engine only saw roughly 50 total units produced, though some claim there were only 18 ever produced, making it one of the rarest GM engines ever built.

Shortly after these engines went out to various Chevrolet drivers, Chevy pulled the plug on its race sponsorship and the owners of the cars were stuck with modifying and fitting the engines themselves. Junior Johnson’s Mk II 427 wound up being the most powerful built at the time and resulted in a total of seven wins, nine pole positions, 13 top-5 finishes, and 14 top-10 finishes in just 33 races in the 1963 season. Its overall power and rarity earned it the name “Mystery Motor.”

Following the 1963 season, Chevy had began production of the Mk IV 427, rendering the Mystery Motor ineligible for NASCAR competition and reducing Johnson’s win total to less than half the following year.

If you have ever wanted to own a piece of automotive and NASCAR history, this is your chance, as RK Motors Charlotte has put Johnson’s 1963 Impala SS up for sale, Mystery Motor and all.

Exterior

After the 1963 racing season, Johnson’s `63 Impala SS was disqualified from NASCAR and simply disappeared into obscurity. The Impala SS Mystery Motor was eventually uncovered in a barn and found to be in impeccable condition for its age. Instead of restoring it into pristine condition, its owner wisely chose to keep it in its as-raced condition, something that few think to do.

This 1963 Impala is draped in a coat of all-white paint with all of its original decals, including Johnson’s main sponsors Holly Farms Poultry and Chevrolet, though they pulled funding prior to the `63 season. As we said, this is not a pristine vehicle, as it is listed in “as-raced” condition, which means it also comes with all of the bumps, bruises, and imperfections that are gained during a racing season.

The great thing about NASCAR in the early years was the fact that the cars truly were stock cars. They are not like modern day stock cars where a metal body is crafted to somewhat resemble its factory counterpart. This is the real deal that actually rolled off of Chevy’s production line. It features the Impala’s signature grille and hood emblem, as well as the front bumper.

On the grille, you can actually see where the quad headlights originally were, but were removed and metal inserts put in their place, per NASCAR regulations. The front turn signals and factory chrome front bumper still remain on the car.

The backside of the Impala received the same NASCAR treatment as the front, with the Impala’s signature six taillights removed and covered with metal. Besides the deleted taillights, the chrome rear bumper and Impala emblem still remain intact.

From the looks of things, the body is relatively straight for being an ex-racecar and there is no visible rust. This is the type of car that you buy and store without doing anything else to it. Restoring it would likely lower its worth,so our hats go off to the owners for not doing so.

Interior

The inside of this Impala is very much a racecar from the `60s. You get a single bucket seat from the factory, not a racing seat. You get the standard massive all-black steering wheel and a series of racing gauges, including: tachometer, water temperature, oil pressure, oil temperature, amps, and fuel pressure.

Keeping things safe in a rollover crash is a multi-point roll cage. The rest of the interior is lined in what appears to be stainless steel, with the exception of the factory dashboard. However, where the gauges, climate control, and other dashboard-mounted controls would be are sheets of stainless steel.

Just like the exterior, the interior is 100 percent un-restored and in its original racing condition.

Engine and Drivetrain

Owning any car driven by the legendary Junior Johnson is awesome, but the rest all pale in comparison to this Impala SS. And the reason they do not compare is because of what is under that hood, the “Mystery Motor.” As we stated the Mystery Motor isn’t so much a mystery, as we know it is a limited production Mk II 427 cubic-inch V-8.

This truly is a `tweener engine, as it features the same bore spacing – the distance between the centermost point of on cylinder to the next – as the Mk I 348/409, but has the same 4.31-inch bore and 3.65-inch stroke as the Z11 427 cubic-inch engine found in production 1963 Impalas. On top of all of that, the Mystery Motor features the same two-plane cylinder heads found on the “Porcupine” engines, the Mk IV engine. It really appears as if the MkII was Chevy’s own guinea pig engine.

All of this and a little bit of tuning pumped the 427 cubic-inch V-8 engine to a massive 600 to 650 horsepower, a full 173 to 223 horsepower more than the 427 was rated. This is what many people attributed Johnson’s 1963 success to, but they later found that his was a pretty good driver too. Back in `63 many racers often assumed Junior Johnson would either take 1st place or retire before the end, due to engine failure, as there were very few cars, if any, that could hang with the Impala’s 165 mph top speed.

The engine is about as original as possible, even the shiny valve cover paint is in its original racing condition. There are only two components that were replaced in this engine’s life; those are the alternator due to failure and the carburetor due to theft.

Backing up the Mystery Motor is a four-speed manual transmission. There is little mention of what transmission it is, but we venture to say it is the same transmission that came with the 1963 Impala SS.

Overall, the engine is a thing of beauty. The most impressive feat is 600 to 650 horsepower in a 1963 V-8 without modern day modifications. That is simply amazing and a tribute to what NASCAR once was.

Suspension and Braking

Unfortunately, there is no information given on the suspension and braking systems, but we would assume it to have the standard Impala SS suspension and brakes with some slight modifications.

Price

This car is classified as a “Private Collection” in RK Motors Charlotte’s inventory system, so they do not list a price for it. A high end Impala SS with the 409 and a four-speed fetches about $62,725, but with the rarity and story behind this car, you can expect at least three times that value. We would venture to say that RK Motors Charlotte would part ways with this Impala for roughly $200,000.

Competition

This car was driven by a Hall of Fame NASCAR driver and one of its all-time legends, and it features the storied Mystery Motor. There is no such car that could compete with this one-of-a-kind car.

Conclusion

We absolutely love classic racecars and classic NASCAR stockcars really hold a special spot in our hearts. This was a time when NASCAR was a natural sport without its corporate mumbo jumbo, restrictor plates, and level playing field. It was a sport of who can build the biggest and baddest car within our limitations. This made it a sport of both science and skill, making it extremely intriguing.

This is a legend of that era, despite running only one season, and it is in its original racing condition. What is there not to like about it? Oh yeah, the undisclosed pricing. We assume that RK Motors is leaving off the pricing to see what exactly people are willing to give for it.

If you have an extra $200K lying around, we suggest offering it to the folks over at RK Motors. We bet they will hand over the keys and title to this legendary machine.

2011 Chevrolet Camaro Intimidator

year:	2011
Torque @ RPM:	695
Engine:	V8
Horse Power @ RPM:	704

Sometimes even dealerships get in on the tuning action, putting together packages to pull in some extra revenue and make up for lackluster sales. Currently, the most powerful Camaro offered by Chevrolet is the 550 HP ZL1, but Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet has perked up our ears with their Camaro Intimidator developing 704 HP.

The name chosen for this special edition could not be more appropriate considering it houses a supercharged V8 engine that produces an intimidating 704hp and 695 lbs-ft of torque at 11psi boost. Bumps and bruises will be absorbed with a highly modified suspension and chassis, while the new exhaust system, brakes, and fuel system will take care of everything else.

The added power is also illustrated on the exterior of the muscle car with a racing inspired, aluminum blade spoiler with support braces and a more modern racing splitter with support braces for improved downforce. The newly appointed front induction hood will let air flow freely through the hardworking engine and the 6LE Designs white faced gauges will inform the driver of the progress made by that same engine. Other features of the Camaro Intimidator are the classic looking heritage grille, afterburner tail lamps, chrome plated Intimidator badges, and the chrome wheels with the word Intimidator engraved on a spoke.

All in all, these are great additions to the Camaro. We can only think of one other tuning project for this car that we would prefer and that is the Camaro by Baldwin Motion. Their top level package cranks out a blissful 800 HP. Of course, that package empties your bank account by $150,000, while the Camaro Intimidator only costs $79,993.

Chevrolet Camaro Intimidator Specifications

704 hp
695 lbs-ft of Torque
11 psi of Boost

Supercharger

• Eaton Gen VI 2300 TVS Supercharger Rotating Assembly
• Dual High Capacity Bar and Plate Coolers
• High Capacity Front Mounted Water to Air Heat Exhanger
• High Flow Cold Air Box
• Aluminum Engine Cover with Intimidator Engraved on Top Plate
• Each Car was Custom Dyno Tuned for Peak Efficiency

Suspension

• 1" Drop Progressive Rate Spring for Maximum Handling
• Adjustable Front and Rear Sway Bars with Polyureathane Bushings
• Sub Frame Connectors to Sure Up Body Integrity
• Performance Tuned on Seven Post Machine at Dale Earnhardt Inc.

Exhaust

• Custom Stainless Steel Exhaust with Ceramic Coated Long Tube Headers
• Intimidator Badges on Headers and Tips
• Headers are Large 2" Primary Tubes, 3" Collectors and Full 3" Exhaust Tubes
• High Flow Catalytic Convertors

Fuel System

• Upgraded High Flow Injectors
• Electronic Controlled Returnless Dual Fuel Pump System - Utilizes All GM Parts

Brakes

• Performance Cross Drilled Brake Rotors
• Shifter
• Custom Racing One Piece Intimidator Shifter Anodized Black with Dale Earnhardt 3 on Top and Intimidator Logo on Shaft
• Made by Earnhardt Technology Group

Exterior

• Racing Inspired Aluminum Blade Spoiler and Splitter with Support Braces
• Made by Earnhardt Technology Group
• Raised Cowl Front Induction Hood for Greatly Increased Air Flow with Gray Painted Accents and Dale Earnhardt Signatures on Sides
• Heritage Grille with Chrome Plated Intimidator Badge
• Chrome Plated Intimidator Badges on Sides
• Chrome Plated Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet Badge on Rear
• Chrome Plated Intimidator Badge on Rear with Matte Black Rear Face
• Afterburner Tail Lamps
• Chromed Wheels with Intimidator Logo Engraved and Painted

Interior

• Suede Inserts in Seats to Reduce Slide During Cornering
• 6LE Designs White Faced Gauges with Dale Earnhardt Insignia
• Painted Interior Trim with Race Flag Design on Door Panels
• Intimidator Logo Embroidered on Headrests and Floor Mats

Historic Editions - $85,993
Standard Editions - $79,993

2011 Chevrolet Camaro SS Honor and Valor

May 2011 has been a very big month for Americans. Not only is it "National Military Appreciation Month," but our military even succeeded in killing one of the most hated men in America - Osama Bin Laden - as a bonus. Now, in honor of all of the soldiers that have protected us for all of these years, General Motors is expanding their $500-$4,000 discounts off of selected Chevrolet, Buick, and GMC vehicles to include military spouses and retirees. Vehicles purchased by these families will get an “Honor” badge and donations of $100 will be made to Cell Phones for Soldiers for each eligible vehicle sold with a military discount.

In addition to the added discounts and donations, Chevrolet will also be debuting a special edition Camaro SS called Honor and Valor. This special edition will be limited to only 99 units and will make its world debut during the Indianapolis 500 military personnel parade on May 28, 2011. The Camaro SS Honor and Valor is currently available for order through www.gmmilitarydiscount.com.

"We are committed to offering military professionals and their family members the best value in the industry," said Dan Akerson, General Motors Chairman and CEO. "As a former Navy man, I hold the highest regard for the men and women of our Armed Forces – past and present – who help keep our country safe and preserve our precious liberties."

2011 Chevrolet Camaro SS by Tintek

Chrome finishes may not be as stylish as its matte counterpart, but for the most part, the former has a way of catching our attention - for better or worse. Some cars dressed in this outlandish and shiny garb are nothing more than puke-inducing examples of how too much of something can really go awry. But on the rare occasion that a chrome finish works on a car, it’s really a sight to behold.

Tintek.cz, a Czech company that specializes in wrapping sports cars have come out with their latest project: a chrome vinyl-wrapped Chevrolet Camaro SS. If we had a dollar for every time we said that the body finish on this car looks amazing, we’d be rich folks by the end of the day. This specific application is priced at $10,000 and is a brand new technology that is only available from a small number of companies at this time. Tintek says they have been developing ways to make the application process easier, but state that it is still a very difficult process even with their experienced technicians. The full application takes 4-5 days (with four technicians on the project) and they are currently working on expanding their color chrome options. As of right now, there are eight chrome colors available: silver, gold, blue, black, orange, green, red, and violet.

The work done on the Camaro SS was limited to just the chrome finish, which means that the powertrain - a 6.2-liter V8 engine with 400 horsepower and 395 lb/ft of torque - remains the same. But even if there’s very little done on the car apart from the chrome vinyl wrapping, we’d still gladly take this attention-grabbing Camaro SS home with us.

Can you say ’Silver Bullet’?

2013 Chevrolet Corvette

Many of us have been waiting for the arrival of the next-generation Corvette C7 for quite some time. It’s not so much because we are hardcore Corvette lovers or even because the next generation is getting any dramatic changes to pique our interest, but with so many changes in regulations and the growing awareness of the environment - and the effects that has on our wallets - we were just curious to see if Chevrolet would be biting the bullet and straying away from their trademark V8 engine. A few months ago we shared a video of Chevrolet chief engineer, Tadge Juechter, getting very defensive over the company’s beloved Corvette and it became clear that the next generation would still carry the V8 engine that has gotten them this far, but it would be getting some changes to move with the times.

The 2013 Chevrolet Corvette - and not 2011 as originally planned - will be utilizing a 5.5L small block V8 engine in its front engine, rear wheel drive platform and will actually get more horsepower than the typical 6.2L and 7.0L engines used in the past. The Corvette will now sport 440HP, about 5 HP up from the previous generation, and will also feature better fuel economy to boot. The engine will come with a revised combustion system and an aluminum block and heads.

The engine won’t be the only defining change, that we can be sure of. Rumors suggest that Chevrolet will finally be bumping up the quality of the materials used in the sports car - ending what seems to be generations of poor quality complaints - and will be putting in higher end seats similar to buckets seats. If they expect to keep up with the times, then we would suggest putting in a few technological advances. If the Ford Focus can get all teched out, then the Corvette should be able to dazzle us with something.

UPDATE 05/26/2011: New details on the next generation Chevrolet Corvette suggest that the car will adopt a European-style, small-block, turbocharged V8 engine. According to TheDetroitBureau.com, the new engine will only be slightly larger than 3 liters in displacement and will be of an overhead-cam, rather than traditional overhead-valve design, using a dry sump oil system that’s particularly well-suited to high-performance road courses rather than straight-line acceleration. Expect to see an output of about 400 HP, or about 125 HP per liter, making it a strong competitor for models like the Porsche 911 and the Lamborghini Gallardo.

2012 Chevrolet Corvette

Most automakers wait for a huge auto show to reveal updates for one of their more popular models, but Chevrolet is changing it up by presenting the 2012 updates for their beloved Corvette at the C5/C6 Bash at the National Corvette Museum. Luckily, the anticipation for a New York Auto Show reveal wasn’t a total bust as somehow or another the first details for the 2012 Corvette were revealed ahead of schedule. Now, Chevrolet is releasing the full spectrum of details just a few days before the vehicle’s grand reveal at the Museum extravaganza.

Most of the changes made to the Corvette show up in the Z06 and ZR1 models, with a new High Performance Package and a new Ultimate Performance Package. The only changes made across the Corvette board will be a host of interior modifications.

UPDATE 04/28/2011: Chevrolet has revealed the full details on the 2012 Corvette before the car’s official debut this weekend at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Ky.

2013 Chevrolet Malibu ECO

Next to the 2013 Malibu, Chevrolet also brought at the New York Auto Show the Eco version, a model that comes equipped with new fuel-saving eAssist technology. The new Eco version will be sold next to the Malibu LS, LT and LTZ version starting the summer of 2012.

"The Malibu ECO is a smart choice for customers who want excellent fuel economy without the price premium of popular hybrid sedans," said Rick Scheidt, vice president of Chevrolet marketing. "The Malibu ECO’s 38-mpg highway estimate is comparable with those hybrids. Malibu ECO exemplifies Chevrolet’s drive to use technology that delivers high-value, gas-friendly performance. In fact, the Malibu ECO delivers the fuel economy of a compact car in a midsize sedan."

The eAssist system uses a state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery and an electric motor-generator to enable regenerative braking electric assist and start-stop functionality. With this system the new Malibu Eco will deliver an impressive 26 mpg on city driving and 38 mpg on the highway.

2010 Chevrolet Camaro Synergy Series

Chevrolet, along with various other manufacturers, are now wholly catering for the most die hard fans of the brand – the aftermarket enthusiasts. The Synergy Series of limited edition Camaros will feature a new, differently themed customized model each year. The first Camaro Synergy model was the 2010 Synergy Green special-edition car. As you would expect, the Camaro Synergy Series 2011 model contains a mix of exterior and interior accessories that sets it apart from the normal Camaro. These include an exclusive gray interior with red accent stitching throughout, which is based on the Camaro Chroma, a show car first exhibited at SEMA in 2009.

Some of what you can look forward to includes Cyber Gray paint, a Chevrolet accessory grille and ground effects package, 21-inch painted wheels, and a body colored antenna. Inside, it’s all as special as a Camaro gets, with a bit more of an individualistic feel. The gray theme is carried through from the exterior with matching gray leather and red stitching on the seats, steering wheel, door panels, console lid, shifter boot, shift knob, and headrest. A red instrument cluster and accent lighting gets the nod over the boring stock items. The Silver Ice interior accessory trim kit and floor mats with red border and silver Camaro lettering look right at home in the Synergy model. Functional and cool additions are the footwell and cupholder lighting.

Performance mods also appear on the special addition – the 6.2 liter LS3 V8 is mated to a six-speed manual tranny along with sports a Hurst shifter and red cam covers to identify the power hike. Stopping is courtesy of Brembo brakes, complete with matching red calipers that sit lower to the ground thanks to the Pedders suspension lowering kit.