Well Dallas Ft. Worth, the time has finally come. Classic Chevrolet has its first 2012 Camaro ZL1, and this is one beauty you are going to want to see in person. Trust me.
Seems like we’ve been talking about the new ZL1 for ages, doesn’t it? It all started back in October 2011 when GM told the world about the ZL1’s 7:41.27-minute lap time at the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife. For an in-depth look at the ZL1′s German trip, check out the video below.
The world really shouldn’t have been too surprised with that lap time given that the ZL1 is powered by a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 and puts out 580 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 556 pound-feet of torque at 4,200 rpm. In case you’ve forgotten or are unfamiliar with Nordschleife, all you need to know is that the Porsche 911 Turbo S, Lamborghini Murcielago LP640, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and the Ferrari 430 Scuderia have all been timed at around seven minutes and forty seconds at this German track.
To put it plainly, the ZL1 is fast. Not to mention it has more than 100 development hours in the wind tunnel under its belt. Whatever you had planned this weekend, make sure you pencil in some time to swing by the Classic Chevrolet dealership and see this beautifully engineered masterpiece for yourself. In the meantime, check out the fifth installment video from the engineers of the Camaro ZL1.
On March 22nd, General Motors announced some good news for those of you who live for speed but prefer an automatic transmission instead of the classic stick-shift. That’s right Dallas Ft Worth, the Chevrolet Sonic’sfuel-efficient Ecotec 1.4L turbo engine will now be available in either manual or automatic transmission. Excited yet?
“Providing the option of a turbocharged engine to our non-stick driving Chevy customers allows us to offer everyone the thrill and power of a fuel-efficient Ecotec 1.4L powerplant,” said Jim Danahy, vehicle line director and vehicle chief engineer for North American small cars. “Both in the Sonic and Cruze, the engine enables better fuel economy without sacrificing power or performance. It’s really a winning combination.”
According to AMCI Testing, the Sonic’s Ecotec 1.4L turbocharged engine and six-speed manual transmission hit zero to 60 in 7.8 seconds which is faster than both it’s competitors – the Honda Fit and the Hyundai Accent. With the six-speed automatic, you won’t lose too much time. The Sonic with the turbo-automatic combination hit zero to 60 in about eight seconds.
“Traditionally, turbocharging was used to enhance the performance of engines, but today it is as much about fuel economy as a 0-to-60 time,” said Bob Benedict, assistant chief engineer for the Ecotec 1.4L engine. “The turbocharger provides high-pressure airflow for high torque to boost the vehicle and give the driver a fun driving experience with improved fuel efficiency.”
As if that wasn’t enough, we’re looking at EPA-estimated 37 mpg highway and 27 mpg around the metroplex. I told you this was good news. Stay tuned and check in with Classic Chevroletto find out when you can get behind the wheel of one. In the meantime, check out this video from GM.
Well DFW, it’s March. You know what that means, don’t you? Truck Month! I’ve got to hand it to whoever decided that March would be the month of trucks. Seeing how spring is right around the corner, what better time than now to get that new Chevy Silveradofor all of your upcoming outdoor activities? For those of you who already own a truck, or have owned a truck in the past, I’m sure you can agree when I say that nothing compares to owning a pick-up. The possibilities seem endless.
If you’re contemplating joining the pick-up truck world, think about the following three things.
Towing. Trucks can tow just about anything from boats and SEA-DOOs to other vehicles.
Hauling. Quit relying on that friend of yours with a truck to pick up your supplies from Home Depot for that next home project or your supplies for this year’s garden. If you have your own truck, you can throw just about anything in the back of that bed. Need a way to get that new furniture home? Problem solved. Be the one whose friend’s call for help for a change. I promise, you’ll love it.
Safety. Worried about your safety on the road? Try driving a vehicle that was built to plow through just about anything instead of a passenger car that was built to deform to protect you in the case of an accident. We all remember Chevy’s end-of-the-world Super Bowl ad, don’t we? Chevy trucks are the longest-lasting, most dependable truck on the road. Hands down.
What more of a reason do you need for finally stepping up into a Chevrolet Truck or even trading up your current pick-up? Oh, wait. I know! It’s TRUCK MONTH! Check out a few of Classic Chevrolet’s deals below. Looking for more? Click here. Happy Truck Month!
View Classic Chevrolet 2012 Silverado Inventory
2012 Silverado
Get 0% financing for 72 months on all 2012 Silverado models.
If you trade in an eligible vehicle, get an additional $2,000 trade-in allowance
View Classic Chevrolet 2012 Silverado HD Inventory!
2012 Silverado HD
Get 0% financing for 72 months on all 2012 Silverado models.
If you trade in an eligible vehicle, get an additional $2,000 trade-in allowance
Hey Grapevine, Arlington, Dallas and Ft Worth Chevrolet fans, are you ready for the new 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco? General Motors recently loaned the Malibu to the folks over at Consumer Reports and their reviews are in. Their initial impression is good. But did we honestly expect anything less from Chevrolet? Consumer Reports’ summed up their review by saying that the Malibu’s redesign represents a major step forward in ride, handling, refinement, and interior quality. Here’s a snippet of what else they had to say.
The “Eco” designation indicates a mild hybrid with a small electric motor augmenting the gasoline-fueled engine. It works well, with smooth transmission shifts and decent acceleration. As in full hybrids, the engine shuts off when you stop and then instantly restarts when you let go of the brake pedal. The stop/start is so unobtrusive that most people won’t even notice it. Following the Malibu Eco, the base Malibu will debut with a new 190-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. A range-topping version will be introduced even later in the year, with a more powerful 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine instead of a traditional V6.
With its quiet, nicely appointed cabin and absorbent, steady ride, the new Malibu feels almost like a luxury car. Handling is fairly agile with precise and responsive steering. Such driving dynamics are not entirely surprising given the car’s European donor, the sophisticated Opel Insignia from Germany. The Malibu is not as Euro-centric as the Regal, though: It has a more relaxed demeanor that may have broader appeal.
I don’t know about you guys, but I can’t wait to jump in a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco and take it on my own test drive. Keep your eyes open for this beauty to hit your Dallas Ft Worth Chevrolet dealership this March. Until then, check out this video from Consumer Reports and get a first-hand look.
Pictured from left to right: Mike Zorn, Eric Hall, Ken Thompson, Dave Nottoli (Regional Director Chevrolet South Central Region, Tom Durant (owner Classic Chevrolet), Eric Bryant, Tim Hughes (Zone Manager Chevrolet), Johnny Broderick
The saying that “records are made to be broken” has never been more true than in the case of Classic Chevrolet in Grapevine, Texas. For the 6th consecutive year, Classic has led the nation in Chevrolet sales, an accomplishment never before achieved by any other Chevrolet dealer. In a ceremony at the dealership on Tuesday, Classic Chevrolet was presented with their 6th #1 Volume trophy from General Motor executives. “Now it’s about breaking our own record and keeping up the pace,” said Tom Durant, owner of Classic Chevrolet.
Dave Notolli, Regional Director Chevrolet South Central Region was on hand to officially present the award and personally address the employees. “Despite the challenges of the highway construction [DFW Connector], you guys have managed to come out on top yet again. It’s like winning six Super Bowls in a row!” said Nottoli. “All of us at General Motors are incredibly proud of you and the thing we are most proud of is how you act as a team.”
In an industry where there is typically a great deal of employee turnover, the Classic staff has stayed remarkably stable, with many employees enjoying 13+ years of tenure. “We know that it takes teamwork to achieve this kind of success,” said Durant, “and we rely on each other for support and continually challenge each other to do our very best.” The proof is in the numbers. In six years, Classic Chevrolet has sold 28,426 new Chevrolets and also leads the region in certified preowned sales. Tom Durant acknowledged the fact that the continued construction of the DFW Connector project will pose the biggest challenge ever for his team. “This will be the toughest year we’ve ever had, but everyone in this room knows that we can make it seven in a row with all of us working together.”
Hey Dallas Ft Worth Chevrolet enthusiasts, have you heard about Chevy’s latest in-car technology yet? At the Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show (CES) earlier this month, we learned that the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic RS and the higher-end model of the2013 Chevrolet Spark will host the MyLink infotainment system that allows your iPhone, Android and other smartphones’ capabilities into the vehicles.
So what exactly is the MyLink? A seven-inch, touch screen display (produced by LG Electronics) that incorporates your audio, phone, telephone and more. As you know, these type of systems are generally considered expensive. Autoblog summed it up pretty well by saying that buyers that spend that kind of money usually don’t care about deep smartphone integration, but young people do. This is exactly why the MyLink is coming to the Chevy Sonic and Chevy Spark.
In a GM press release, GM Global Infotainment Program Manager, Sara LeBlanc, said “The whole philosophy of MyLink is about letting our customers personalize how they bring information and music into their vehicles. Customers all over the world told us they’ve set up their smartphones exactly how they want them, and the ideal car radio should extend the capabilities of their smartphone rather than try to duplicate them.
According to Sara, Chevrolet listened to their customers and created a safe, simple and connected system. This is exactly why I love the Chevrolet brand.
Those who attended CES were able to test drive the MyLink system for Sonic RS and Spark at a special display. One of these days I’m actually going to make it to this show, I swear. But for now, I’ll just have to rely on the videos and coverage from those fortunate enough to attend. And of course, I’ll continue to share these videos with all of you in Dallas and Ft Worth! Up first, is Chevy’s official video that played during the show followed by a more detailed video showing the functionality of the MyLink. Enjoy Chevy lovers and stay tuned to Classic Chevroletfor updates on the MyLink and all things Chevrolet.
Over the past decade, road trips have become much less painful for backseat passengers due to all of the handheld technology (Gameboys, iPhones, DVD players, etc.) we now have, but according to GM, psychological studies have indicated that car passengers often feel disconnected from their environment.
In response to these studies, the GM Research and Development department challenged researchers and students from the FUTURE LAB at Bezalel Academy of Art and Design in Israel to conceptualize new ways to help rear seat passengers, particularly children, have a richer experience on the road. Thus, the Windows of Opportunity (WOO) Project was born. And believe me, Texas Chevrolet owners, you’re going to be blown away with what they came up with… interactive car window displays.
In a GM press release, Tom Seder, GM R&D lab group manager for human-machine interface said, “Traditionally, the use of interactive displays in cars has been limited to the driver and front passenger, but we see an opportunity to provide a technology interface designed specifically for rear seat passengers. Advanced windows that are capable of responding to vehicle speed and location could augment real world views with interactive enhancements to provide entertainment and educational value.”
Before you get too excited, I must tell you that GM currently doesn’t have any plans to put this into production. The Bezalel students were given free reign to create applications for this interactive window without having to worry about whether it could be mass produced or not. So it’s uncertain whether this idea will ever come to light. Still, the design and idea is pretty incredible.
The apps the Bezalel students developed include:
Otto, an animated character projected over passing scenery that responds to real-time car performance, weather and landscape. With Otto, passengers can learn about their environment in fun, playful ways.
Foofu, an app that allows passengers to create, explore and discover through finger drawing on window steam.
Spindow, an app that provides its users a peek into other users’ windows around the globe in real time.
Pond, an app that allows passengers to stream and share music with other cars on the road, download favorite tracks, and share messages with other passengers on the road.
GM released this awesome video detailing the project and showing us how the students simulated a vehicle environment. Check it out, Dallas Ft Worth Chevy lovers.
For more than 100 years, the North American International Auto Show (known by most as the Detroit Auto Show) has taken place every year in the beginning of January. For many automobile makers and car enthusiasts alike, the Detroit Auto Show is the premiere car show in the world. Why, you might ask? Because as many as 50 new production and concept cars make their debut at this show.
This show is also a good way to generate publicity and inform people of what’s to come. All types of popular and creditworthy magazines write articles and reviews about the cars on display. Some even shoot videos to give their audience a first hand look. And that’s exactly what Consumer Reports has done with the innovative, best-in-its-class 2013 Chevrolet Spark.
The Chevy Spark falls into the “mini car” class. Most popular over seas, mini cars are desperately trying to make their way into the hearts of us Americans who haven’t been known for typically liking “small” vehicles. Especially in Texas… where we like everything bigger including our Chevys. With that being said, it’s not surprising that other mini cars, like the Fiat 500 and SmartCar, have not had a whole lot of success in the states. I strongly believe that that is all about to change, though, because the Chevy Spark is not your typical mini car. Apparently, I’m not the only one who thinks so. Check out what Consumer Reports had to say about the Spark at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this month and get a great, up-close look at the Spark.
The Spark is aimed at those of you Dallas Ft Worth Chevrolet city dwellers and young buyers on a budget. Thoughts? In my personal opinion, the Spark has a bright future ahead of it. Pun intended.
The Corvette has been around for what seems like decades… six to be precise, and this year, GM has something special planned to mark the Corvette’s 60th anniversary – a special edition 2013 Corvette 427 Convertible. A lot of times, “special editions” usually just mean a different trim, paint job, wheels or little logo. But that’s hardly the case here.
The 427 Convertible borrows hardware from the Z06 and has the same rear axle as the Z06 along with magnetic ride control. Under the hood, the 427 sports a 427-cubic-inch LS7 V8 under its hood producing 505 horsepower and 470lb-ft of torque. You know what that means, don’t youDallas Ft Worth Chevrolet lovers? If you guessed that this is the most powerful Corvette Convertible ever produced, you are correct. The 427 Convertible blends elements of the Z06 and ZR1 models to create the fastest and most-capable convertible in Corvette’s history. Excited yet?
The 2013 model is more than just a “special edition” for Corvette’s 60th anniversary. It also marks the final year for the current ‘C6′ generation. In a press release last week, Vice President of Global Marketing and Strategy for Chevrolet, Chris Perry, said “We couldn’t think of a more fitting way to celebrate these milestones than bringing back one of the most-coveted combinations in the brand’s history – the Corvette convertible and a 427 cubic-inch engine.”
Like the Z06, the 427 Convertible is only available in a six-speed manual transmission (as it should be in my opinion) and also features several carbon-fiber components that help reduce weight, including a carbon fiber raised hood, carbon fiber Z06-style fenders and carbon fiber floor panels.
Now lets talk power-to-weight ratios. This is a calculation that measures actual performance of an engine. It’s also used as a way to compare overall performance between vehicles. The ratio is the engine’s power out divided by the weight of the vehicle. Here’s a few ratios from some of the well-known speedsters out there:
Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet – 6.90
Audi R8 5.2 RSI Spyder – 7.58
Aston Martin DBS Volante Convertible – 7.82
Ferrari California Convertible – 8.31
With the weight reduction, the 427 Convertible’s curb weight comes to 3,355 pounds (1,522 kg). Combined with its 505-horsepower LS7 engine, it gives the 427 Convertible a power-to-weight ratio of 6.64. In case you didn’t notice, that’s better than all the mentioned above.
According to Chevrolet, the combination of low mass and high output will make the 427 Convertible one of the fastest convertibles in the world, delivering estimated 0-60 performance of 3.8 seconds, quarter-mile performance of 11.8 seconds, lateral acceleration of 1.04 g and a top speed of more than 190 mph.
The 427 Convertible will makes it’s first public appearance on Jan. 21 at the Barrett Jackson collector car auction in Arizona, and is scheduled to arrive at Chevrolet dealerships early this summer. I’ll be sure to post more updates as they come, DFW Chevy fanatics.
I’m sure most of you avid Chevrolet lovers in Dallas and Ft. Worth already know that this year marked Chevy‘s 100th anniversary. Hard to believe that Chevrolet has been winning the hearts of Americans for a century, isn’t it? Known as the top-selling auto brand of all time, Chevy was always a step ahead of the game when it came to bringing all-steel bodies, electric headlamps, automatic shifting and power steering to the working class at a reasonable price.
An article from Business Week noted that Chevy even embedded itself in American culture, sometimes changing it by knowing what people wanted to drive before they did. Not to mention their spectacular advertising and marketing efforts. Their slogans and jingles have dominated radio and TV. Here’s a fun fact for you Dallas Ft. Worth: Bands reference Chevys in more than 700 songs. Can you name a few?
In a press release, Vice President of Chevrolet of Global Marketing and Strategy, Chris Perry said, “We understand Chevrolet is more than a brand – it belongs to everyone who owns, designs, builds, sells or loves Chevrolets. The past 100 years wouldn’t have been possible without millions of people who have each made Chevrolet a part of their life’s journey.”
Boy was he spot on. As a Chevy driver, I’m sure you know exactly what he’s talking about. No other auto brand has come close to adoration Chevydrivers feel for their vehicles especially during the 1950s and `60s.
“The American car from the mid-1930s to the end of the `60s was a Chevrolet,” said John Heitmann, an automotive history professor at the University of Dayton and author of The Automobile and the American Life. “It was the car of the aspiring American lower and middle classes for a long period.”
So how do you feel about your Chevy DFW? Are you driving a new Chevrolet car or truck for the first time or have you been a lifer? Share your stories with us, we’d love to hear them! In the meantime, check out these great videos about Chevrolet history. The second one is a bit longer than the first and is for all of you history buffs out there. Enjoy!
Hi, I'm Hagen Durant, General Manager of Classic Chevrolet in Grapevine, TX - I am a huge car and truck enthusiast and love talking cars. I'm a cyclist, health nut, father, geek, and drummer. I look forward to giving you great information about cars and trucks, driving tips, maintenance and so much more.
If you have any questions or would like to make suggestions feel free to email them to me at hagen@classicchevytexas.com
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