Chevy Captiva for the US

Chevrolet’s Captiva is set to become a truly global vehicle. The compact crossover, which is already available in more than fifty territories worldwide, will soon add the United States to its tally of markets when sales begin there towards the end of this year.

To be known as the Captiva Sport in the US, Chevrolet is aiming its new addition primarily at fleet customers. Arguably it’s a direct replacement for the defunct Saturn Vue, which was itself based on the Captiva’s very close relation, the Vauxhall / Opel Antara.



Buyers will be able to choose from either a 182 bhp (136 kW / 184PS) 2.4 litre I4 or a 264 bhp (197 kW / 267 PS) 3.0 litre V6 petrol engine, both mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox - no diesels or manual transmissions here, predictably. Front- and all-wheel drive versions will be available, but no performance or economy figures have been released.



Proposed equipment levels are generous. Base LS spec models will come with air conditioning, anti-lock brakes, traction control, StabiliTrak electronic stability control, XM satellite radio, 17” alloy wheels and remote keyless entry.



The LT trim level adds OnStar and Bluetooth telephone connectivity, while the range-topping LTZ additionally gets leather trim, heated front seats, sunroof, ten-speaker sound system and a rear-view camera.



Whereas the Captiva currently available in Europe is produced in South Korea, the Captiva Sport is going to be built in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico. Chevrolet has yet to reveal prices, but they’ll need to be sufficiently less than those of the existing Equinox crossover, which is only slightly larger.



Image © GM Corp.



Related post:

Antara gets updated

Chevrolet Teases New Colorado Mid-Size Truck

Less than a week after the 2011 Geneva Motor Show press days and automakers are already getting ready for the next round of auto shows. Today, GM’s Chevrolet division issued a teaser sketch of its next-generation Colorado mid-size pickup truck that will be unwrapped in pre-production form at the 32nd Bangkok International Motor Show, which begins March 25. 

General Motors said that Thailand was chosen as the site of the global debut of the Colorado because of the “popularity of pickup trucks and the growing importance of the Thai market to Chevrolet”. The company noted that in 2010, the truck segment accounted for a whopping 43 percent of all vehicles sold in Thailand.
“Trucks play a key role in most Southeast Asian markets,” said Susan Docherty, vice president, GMIO Sales, Marketing and Aftersales. “Nowhere is this more evident than in Thailand, where trucks like the Colorado are ingrained in the local lifestyle. Thailand was a natural place to give the public a first glimpse of our all-new Colorado.”
Those of you with a sharp memory may recall the patent drawings of a Chevrolet pickup truck that we showed in the summer of 2010. If you compare Chevy’s official rendering with the sketches, it is obvious that we are talking about the same vehicle.
GM noted the new Chevrolet Colorado will make its market debut in Thailand later this year, but did not say when (or if) the mid-size pickup will come to the States and other markets across the globe.

Chevrolet will Sell Volt in Europe

Chevrolet announced at the Geneva Motor Show that it will sell the Volt in Europe, with prices in Germany starting from €41,950 (US$58,560). It will be similarly priced in other European markets, where it will arrive in November 2011.

The Volt's sister car, the Opel Ampera, will also go on sale this year in Europe, at a slightly higher starting price. Unveiled in final production form at the Geneva Show, the Ampera will cost €42,900 ($59,885), but prices can vary in different countries depending on the standard equipment.
Chevrolet said the Volt would be fully equipped with all the usual safety and convenience features, plus leather seats. As in the US, European buyers will have an 8-year/160,000 km warranty (100,000 miles) on the powertrain and the lithium-ion battery.
"Our price in Europe is based on the U.S. Volt price adjusted for transportation cost, import duties, exchange rates and homologation," said Wayne Brannon, CEO of Chevrolet Europe.
The Volt and the Ampera are basically the same car, both being built at GM’s Detroit Hamtramck plant in Michigan, US. There are only minor differences between the two cars, mainly concerning the front and the rear styling. In battery-only mode, the EVs have a maximum range of 40-80 kilometers (25-49 miles) that can be extended to 600 km (373 miles) when the gasoline engine / generator kicks in to charge the battery.
The 111 kW (150 hp) electric motor delivers 370 Nm of torque (273 lb-ft), accelerating the car from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in around nine seconds while top speed is 161 km/h (100 mph). The battery can be fully recharged at any household 230-volt power outlet in three to four hours.
 

photos

Read more In Cars

World Car Awards top three

Following the announcement of the World Car Awards finalists at the beginning of February, the jurors have voted once again to decide the top three candidates in each category.



There’s now a short wait until the New York International Auto Show, which begins on 22 April, to find out the winners.



The three models up for each award - in alphabetical order - are:



2011 World Car of the Year



· Audi A8

· BMW 5 Series

· Nissan Leaf

BMW 5 Series Saloon

The outsider here is probably the Audi, but whether enough jurors have been swayed by the Leaf remains to be seen. Many might have been reluctant to give their votes to the Nissan because, despite its green credentials, it nevertheless represents first generation electric car technology which comes with associated issues of purchase price, recharging time and range.



2011 World Performance Car



· Ferrari 458 Italia

· Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

· Porsche 911 Turbo

Ferrari 458 Italia

It’s difficult to foresee the Ferrari not winning this category.



2011 World Car Design of the Year



· Alfa Romeo Giulietta

· Aston Martin Rapide

· Ferrari 458 Italia

Aston Martin Rapide

Perhaps the surprise here is that the Citroën DS3, which was in the top ten shortlist, hasn’t make it through to the top three. Naturally this is a very subjective category but, from an aesthetic perspective, surely the Aston Martin just about beats the other contenders?



2011 World Green Car



· BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics Edition

· Chevrolet Volt

· Nissan Leaf

Chevrolet Volt

This award is hard to predict, because the three finalists represent three very different technologies: internal combustion, range extender and pure electric. However, because the Volt combines the benefits of battery power with a total absence of range anxiety, it deserves to clinch the title.



Related post:

World Car Awards finalists

Chevrolet Expands Cruze Range with Hatchback Model

The final production version of the new Cruze hatchback is the highlight of Chevrolet's 2011 Geneva Motor Show booth. With the addition of the five-door version, Chevrolet hopes to boost sales of the Cruze as hatchbacks represent approximately 65% of all compact segment sales in Europe.
The five door model features a more attractive design than its four-door sibling thanks to the sweeping roofline and short overhangs at both the front and rear. Of course buyers will have to live with a smaller cargo capacity which has been reduced by 50 liters compared to the sedan for a total of 400 liters. The Cruze 5d will be offered with the same engine range as the sedan including 1.6L and 1.8L gasoline units and a 163HP 2.0-liter turbo diesel. Sales are to start this summer.
 photos

Read more In Cars

Cruze Hatchback first view

Following the unveiling of the Cruze Hatchback ‘show car’ in Paris last September, Chevrolet has released the first images of the production version that’ll be at Geneva next week.

Apart from some elements that gave the concept a bit more pizzazz - such as the lights and large wheels - not a lot has changed.



Adding a hatch to the existing saloon is bound to extend the Cruze’s appeal, especially in Europe. However, one potential snag for GM could be that the Chevrolet cannibalises sales from its slightly more upmarket cousin, the very, very similar Vauxhall / Opel Astra.



Sales of the Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback are set to start this summer. Prices and specifications have yet to be confirmed, but a fresh line-up of engines is promised, including a 160 bhp (120 kW / 163 PS) diesel.



The new model is also going to be built in Australia, where it’ll be marketed as the Holden Cruze.



Images © GM Corp.



Related post:

Cruze hatch show car

GM will Drop Daewoo Name and Replace it with Chevrolet in South Korea

What started a few years back with the re-branding of Daewoo's portfolio to Chevrolets in select markets including Europe, is now being rolled out globally with the replacement of the nameplate in South Korea. From now on, all of the company’s new product introductions will be under the Chevrolet badge, while GM Daewoo Auto & Technology will change its company name to GM Korea Co. The Detroit automaker said the name change is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter this year.
"This important new brand strategy is designed to strengthen our commitment to the Korean market, recognizing it as one of the strongest-performing countries within GM’s global operations," said Mike Arcamone, President and CEO of GM Daewoo. “We cannot afford to sit still, and instead, choose to make a bold move with the launch of Chevrolet in Korea."

GM noted that three Daewoo models including the Alpheon (a re-badged Buick LaCrosse) sedan and the Labo and Damas mini cars, will not carry the Chevrolet nameplate and will be marketed under independent brands.
Outside the U.S., Chevrolet is planning an aggressive vehicle launch plan this year with the introduction of eight new models including the Camaro, Orlando MPV, Aveo sub-compact, plus an unnamed new SUV model and a new premium midsize sedan.

The Detroit automaker said that GM Daewoo has "played a lead role" in the design, engineering and manufacturing of the Chevrolet Cruze global compact sedan, the new Chevrolet Spark global mini-car, and the new Chevrolet Aveo global small car, adding that currently one out of every four Chevrolet vehicles is manufactured in Korea.
“Chevrolet has enjoyed success in mature markets in North America and Europe, as well as in emerging markets in Asia Pacific, CIS countries, and Latin America,” said Arcamone. “We are confident our customers in Korea will embrace Chevrolet as well.”



Read more In Cars

Chevy Launches MyLink Infotainment System

The 2012 Chevrolet Volt and Equinox models will be the first to offer Chevy MyLink, an in-car infotainment equipment that integrates internet radio, hands-free, voice and touch-screen controls, all of which can be accessed via Bluetooth connectivity.
Three years ago, Ford introduced a similar system, called SYNC, whose aim was to reunite in a friendly and efficient way the various in-car controls that a driver can access while driving. Now Chevy is ready with its own technology, developed together with GM's subsidiary OnStar.
MyLink provides drivers with stereo audio streaming, wireless control of smartphones, voice-activated commands and a full-color 7-inch touch screen display that centralizes media sources. For example, the driver can initiate phone calls, select radio stations or stored media only by using his voice.
Other features are Pandora internet radio, which allows users to personalize their radio experience, or Gracenote, which identifies the user's music collection and presents information such as artist name, genres and album cover art on the MyLink screen.
Basically, MyLink does everything that SYNC does, plus the future integration of the Powermat wireless cell-phone charging system that eliminates cords. The MyLink infotainment system will expand to other Chevrolet models in the next 18 months.

 photos

Read more In Cars