Yes, it is true that the Chevrolet Volt is one of the most anticipated cars in years. I for one am very excited about getting them here at Classic Chevrolet. I know many others are as well because our phones do not stop ringing with orders and questions. It’s a very exciting time in the world of GM and Chevrolet. I was doing some light reading this morning and came across a story from USA Today about the women that are behind the Chevrolet Volt and it was inspiring. Every time I read about this car I get more and more excited. It’s the same feeling I got right before the newly designed Camaro was finally available for purchase and we all know how great that car was for Chevrolet and GM. I wanted to share this story with you and get your thoughts on it as well. Are you excited about the Chevrolet Volt? For those of you that are be rest assured that your Texas Chevy dealer will keep you posted on the latest news regarding the Chevrolet Volt and we will let you know when you can come check one out here at our store.
The most eagerly awaited car of the year is the Chevrolet Volt, the first next-generation extended-range electric car to hit the road. General Motors has a lot riding on the car, and it took a lot of workers to make it. Many of them were women in what has been traditionally the boy’s club that was yesterday’s auto industry. GM pulled together some biographies of some of the key women involved in the design of the Volt. Interestingly, each one is a mom. Here is what GM wrote about them:
Design – Nina Tortosa, pictured above, is the lead aerodynamicist on the Volt team. Her team has spent more than 500 hours of time in the wind tunnel with the Volt, often testing and tweaking changes in 1 millimeter increments. While their work is done in small measures, the cumulative impact is significant: Nina estimates that aerodynamic development on the Volt extended the electric-only range by almost seven miles at highway speeds. She has two children, ages four and five. Nina was born in Barcelona, Spain, and graduated from Mounds View High School, just outside Minneapolis.
Infrastructure - Britta Gross is director of Global Energy Systems and Infrastructure Commercialization. She is working to prepare utilities and to get communities across the country “plug-in ready,” not just for Volt but for the wave of electric vehicles predicted to be on the horizon (Global Insight estimates that plug-in electric vehicles and battery-electric vehicles could represent 20 to 60 percent of the market by 2030). This includes working with state and local governments on purchase incentives, with utilities to develop smart-grid and smart-charging technologies, and companies and municipalities to iron out home charging processes and to install charging stations at work places. Britta has two children, age 12 and 17; growing up, she lived in Kansas City, Chicago, and Baton Rouge.
Powertrain - Pamela Fletcher is the chief engineer for Volt and Plug-In Hybrid Propulsion Systems. She is responsible for the integration of the propulsion system components, including the lithium-ion battery pack, electric motors, and onboard engine generator, to ensure the cars meet customer expectations and business requirements. For the Volt this means creating an electric car with extended-range capability. Pamela has three children, ranging from 24 to 27 years of age; she grew up in Sarahsville, Ohio.
Marketing- Cristi Landy is the Volt product marketing manager. Cristi holds a degree in electrical engineering, and was part of the team that developed the Volt Concept in 2006. Currently, she acts as a liaison between Engineering and Marketing. As an example, Cristi helped identify the features and capabilities of the smart-phone application for Volt owners. This feature allows the driver to remotely heat/cool the cabin while the Volt is still plugged into the wall charger. This is much more efficient that using power from the battery for heat or air conditioning, extending the electric-only range of the Volt. Cristi has twin boys, age 10; growing up, she lived in Brookfield, Wis., and Jacksonville, Fla.
Manufacturing – Teri Quigley, pictured below, is the plant manager at Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly. Teri is responsible for preparing the plant and executing the launch of the Chevrolet Volt on the same assembly line as the Cadillac DTS and Buick Lucerne. This includes production changes to accommodate the installation of the Volt’s unique powertrain, including the training and safety protocols to install the Volt’s six-foot long, 400-pound lithium ion battery pack. Teri has four children, ranging in age from 14 to 26, and has two grandchildren; she grew up in Dexter, Mich.
I can appreciate all of the things that various manufacturers are doing to combat smog and emissions coming from our vehicles. It seems to me that at the moment it’s kind of at a stand still. I know it is getting better and is better than in years passed but we aren’t quite there yet. I watch the news I see the air quality alerts that we have daily in the DFW area. There has to be more than one way to combat this. Right?
I found this article over on Autoblog.com and I thought it was so interesting that I had to share it with you. This could be a major break through in the world of pollution and emissions.
Researchers at the Eindhoven University of Technology (EUT) may be on the brink of discovering a breakthrough that will lead to reduced pollution and cleaner air for all. According to the EUT, a roadway made of concrete blended with titanium dioxide can effectively remove up to 45 percent of the nitrogen oxides that it comes in contact with. The titanium dioxide, a photocatalytic material, captures airborne nitrogen oxides and, with the aid of the sun, converts it to nitrates that are harmlessly washed away by the rain.
The EUT conducted real-world studies on a 1,000-square-meter section of repaved road in the Netherlands. Such testing showed that the laced pavement could reduce nitrogen oxides by 25 to 45 percent more than traditional concrete. As Jos Brouwers, professor of building materials at the EUT remarked, “The air-purifying properties of the new paving stones had already been shown in the laboratory, but these results now show that they also work outdoors.”
Additional testing is still underway and although the pavement laced with titanium dioxide does cost some 50 percent more than regular cement, overall road-building costs only increase by a marginal 10 percent. Costs aside, the advantages of the titanium dioxide are readily apparent, but the implementation of such a product requires repaving our roadways – a time intensive and costly endeavor.
What are your thoughts on this latest information? Do you think it’s good?
I thought you guys might like to meet the new electric car from GM. Introducing the all new 2011 Chevrolet Volt. Personally I am very excited about this new car and can’t wait to see what other people think about it. This is a different direction for GM and this much anticipated car is on a lot of peoples minds right now. Check out these figures courtesy of Consumer Reports.
The Chevrolet Volt is one of the most-hyped cars expected to debut this year, with all-new drivetrain technology that General Motors has termed EREV, translated as “extended-range electric vehicle.”
Yesterday, the company brought two examples up to our test track, along with several engineers to explain the car, point out its new features, and allow the staff to get behind the wheel. GM drove the two cars to our Connecticut Auto Test Center from Milford, Michigan—a trip of about 750 miles.
The Volt’s electric drive motor is rated at 110 kW, equivalent to about 150 hp. It uses another motor/generator—GM engineers call this an “electric machine”—connected to the gas engine rated at 50 kW. This is used to start the engine and also provides electrical power to drive the vehicle when the battery is depleted. The gas engine is a 1.4-liter four cylinder similar to the Chevrolet Cruze base engine, though configured for this unique application.
The Volt uses about half the capacity of its 16 kWh lithium-ion battery. This ensures good durability of the battery pack and provides extra boost than can be delivered from the engine-driven generator so the driver sees/feels no difference between EV mode and gas engine. To maximize the battery’s life expectancy, the battery is never allowed to run completely down, nor is it ever allowed to take a maximum charge.
On long up hills, such as what you might experience climbing the Rocky Mountains, if that battery reserve is used up, the car’s power may be reduced to what’s available from the generator. GM engineers say there are only seven or eight such grades in the United States, and they have designed the car to be able to maintain the speed limit on these roads. The car has a “mountain mode,” which will increase the size of the battery reserve to assure there is enough power to maintain speed even on the longest, steepest hills. The trade off is reduced range.
GM has said before that the car will have a 300-mile overall range (including 40 miles on pure electric), but they have never before disclosed the capacity of the gasoline fuel tank. It will likely hold about nine gallons, in which case the range based on these figures would be well above 300 miles. The tank will be pressurized, so it will take a few seconds for the fuel door to pop open.
The Volt comes with a 20-foot, 110-volt charge cord. When plugged in, the car’s on-board charger tests the circuit to ensure that the house system is safe to connect to. A yellow light shows on top of the dashboard while the circuit is being tested. Once it passes, the car-horn chirps briefly, and the light turns green. If it fails the test, the light stays yellow, and the charger unit indicator lights show a fault.
Volt owners will receive OnStar for free for an extended period. Dedicated OnStar agents will be able to answer a wide range of questions about using an electric car. In addition, OnStar will automatically work with any Volt buyer to help arrange installation of an appropriate 240-volt electrical outlet for home charging.
GM is also building an app for iPhone and Android smartphones that will interface with the Volt to control and set up charging. It will also be able to interact with OnStar. Perhaps most significantly, Volt customers will be able to download their electric utility rates, and the software in the car will automatically set the car to charge when energy rates are lowest. The car can then notify a phone when the charge is complete.
GM says it will take four hours to fully charge a Volt from a 220-volt designated charger, which will need to be professionally installed at your house (at an extra cost), or about 10 hours on a standard 20-amp, 110-volt outlet.
The four-passenger Volt has individual seats in the rear that fold down, as the large “T” shaped battery takes up the space between the back seats.
The white, iPod-like center stack will also be available in gray and nearly all the switches are touch sensitive like an iPod and have a click sound associated with them.
The most common reaction to driving the Volt is that it is quiet and the linear power delivery provides good acceleration, but the sedan feels heavy in the corners. It weighs about 3,800 pounds, making it porky for a car of this size.
The Volt will initially be sold in Los Angeles; Washington, DC; and Michigan in November. Within about a year, GM plans to have them available at select dealers nationwide. Chevrolet is expected to announce the price this summer. Overall, it’s an impressive piece of technology, but the proof will be how it performs in the real world. We look forward to buying our own Volt and putting it through our full test regimen once it goes on sale. —Eric Evarts
Want to see it in action? Check out the video.
I am not sure what dealerships in Texas are going to get this car when it goes live but you can guarantee that your Fort Worth Chevy dealer will keep you posted.
Do you remember what your first car was? Did your parents buy you that sports car you were dreaming of or did they give you a “Grandma” mobile? As high school is coming to an end and your teens are getting ready for college you may be wondering what kind of car to get them. Well The Wall Street Journal ‘s Joe White thinks it should be practical, safe, boring, used, and cheap.
We all know that teenagers think they are invincible and we all know that 9 out of 10 teenagers are a menace on the roads. So why spend the money on a sports car or pick up truck that they may wreck? One of his recommendations is the 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu. His reasons? It’s safe, reliable, has good crash test ratings, and of course boring…. But is the Chevy Malibu really boring? I certainly don’t think so. See the review of the Chevy Malibu here from Kelley Blue Book.
KBB.com says that you will like the Chevy Malibu if:
The 2009 Chevrolet Malibu’s bold, attractive sheetmetal and stylish interior touches are backed by confident handling, a quiet ride and an overall level of refinement competitive with the category’s best. Unlike some competitors, the fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine is available on all Malibu trims, not just the entry-level model.
So head on over to your Texas Chevy dealer and let your teenager test drive the very NOT boring 2008-2009 Chevy Malibu. I don’t think you will be disappointed.
A lot of people love SUVs. They are spacious, comfortable, stylish, and now they are more fuel efficient than in years past. Did you know that the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox is on of the top 10 most fuel efficient SUVs? Edmunds.com put together their list of the 10 most fuel efficient SUVs/Crossovers of 2010 and the 2010 Equinox tied for 3rd place. Getting the most fuel out of your vehicle is very important these days. With the price of gas up and down daily, people are focusing more on vehicles that have better fuel economy. Have you test driven the new 2010 Chevy Equinox yet? See the review of the 2010 Equinox here. When you head over to your Texas Chevy dealer to test drive the new Equinox notice all the new features, style and comfort. I bet you will love it.
Here are the vehicles that tied for 3rd place:
The following vehicles are some of the most fuel-efficient SUVs and crossovers on the market. Our rankings were generated using the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) miles-per-gallon ratings for city and highway travel. Specifically, we used the EPA’s combined fuel-economy formula: 55 percent of city mpg rating plus 45 percent of highway mpg rating. All ratings apply to base models equipped with a CVT or automatic transmission, except where indicated otherwise with an asterisk.
With fuel up and down and up and down every day Hybrids are becoming increasingly more popular. I came across an article by Auto Blog about the 210 cities that love Hybrids the most. Of course I was not shocked that San Francisco came in at #1 but I was very happy Dallas/Fort Worth came in at #90. Not bad at all. With GM and your Texas Chevy Dealer offering more Hybrids every year maybe it’s time for you to go test drive one and see what it’s all about.
Want to know more? Here’s how the Hybrid works:
Hybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs) combine the benefits of gasoline engines and electric motors and can be configured to obtain different objectives, such as improved fuel economy, increased power, or additional auxiliary power for electronic devices and power tools.
Advanced technologies include:
Regenerative Braking. The electric motor applies resistance to the drivetrain causing the wheels to slow down. In return, the energy from the wheels turns the motor, which functions as a generator, converting energy normally wasted during coasting and braking into electricity, which is stored in a battery until needed by the electric motor.
Electric Motor Drive/Assist. The electric motor provides additional power to assist the engine in accelerating, passing, or hill climbing. This allows a smaller, more efficient engine to be used. In some vehicles, the motor alone provides power for low-speed driving conditions where internal combustion engines are least efficient.
Automatic Start/Shutoff. Automatically shuts off the engine when the vehicle comes to a stop and restarts it when the accelerator is pressed. This prevents wasted energy from idling. – FuelEconomy.gov
If you want to see where your city landed on the list check out the article from AutoBlog.com
Do you drive a Hybrid? What do you like the most about it?
Gas Prices aren’t as bad as they used to be but you can see it fluctuate on a daily basis. I once saw it jump 10 cents in a matter of an hour. There are a lot of sites out there that help with determining ways of saving on gas but there are a few out there that are incorrect as well. Let’s hash it out and figure out what’s truth and what’s myth.
(1) Manual Transmissions will get better gas mileage over the automatic – It used to be that buying a car with a manual transmission received better gas mileage. That is not necessarily true anymore. A modern car with a modern overdrive automatic will typically get the same gas mileage as the manual version.
(2) Buying a Crossover or Minivan over the SUV will save gas – Not really. Traditional minivans like the Chevy Uplander have an excellent EPA. SUV’s have much larger engines than minivans or crossovers but they weigh just about the same. They usually burn the same amount of fuel. You can save money on the Minivan or Crossovers simply because they are typically less expensive than most similar sized SUVs.
(3) Just because it’s the cheapest gas doesn’t mean it’s better for your car. Typically cheaper gas has more ethanol and even though ethanol is “green” and “renewable” it really doesn’t contain more energy then straight gasoline does. So what that means is that as the ethanol goes up your gas mileage goes down. So keep an eye out for that. Also if you have an older vehicle say older than 1990 you may want to stick with gas as your vehicle was designed to burn gas.
(4) Turning your engine off at the light with save gas – No I don’t think so. In fact cutting the engine off every time you stop at a light will not only annoy fellow motorists but there is really no way to tell if the amount of money you may be saving is worth the few seconds you turned your car off. In my opinion it’s best to just continue on to your destination before you turn your car off. Yes sometimes I turn my car off when I’m in line at the bank but at every light? No way.
(5) Clean cars vs. dirty cars – This is strictly a aerodynamic thing. Ha ha. If you’re car is clean then you will soar down the highway. Well maybe not. But think about it, mud and dirt can weigh your car down just like junk in the trunk of your car. The more your car weighs the more gas it consumes. You should clean out your car and give it a bath.
Regularly changing your car’s engine oil and filter is one of the most important things you can do to keep your car running well. Over time your oil breaks down and your filter becomes clogged with contaminants. Regularly changing your oil can prolong the life of your engine by reducing friction and heat. It can aid in keeping your engine cool and keep your car running well. Depending upon your driving habits and type of vehicle, the actual miles and or months can vary to when your oil needs changed. Consult your service technician or your owners manual for the exact miles etc. The video below will show you all the things NOT to do if you want to keep your car healthy and running. This made me laugh so hard so I thought you guys just had to see it.
In today’s world the cost of gas fluctuates from what is considered affordable and what is down right crazy. In doing research on my own to figure out how I could conserve on gas I found some very interesting tips that could help everyone. Whether you’re driving a new car or a used car saving gas is saving money.
Drive Sensibly – This was an odd one for me but it makes total sense now. Rapid acceleration, quick excessive braking, speeding, and aggressive driving wastes gas. Think about it. It can even lower your gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and by 5 percent when driving in town. So if you want to conserve gas in your new or used car slow down….
Observe The Speed Limit – Each vehicle new or old reaches their optimal fuel economy at different speeds. It is said that gas mileage can decrease rapidly at speeds over 60 mph. At that pace you can assume that for each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph its like paying .24 cents more per gallon. That can add up really quickly if you’re blazing the roads all over town.
Avoid Excessive Idling – When you’re idling you are getting 0 miles per gallon. Cars waste gas when they idle, cars with larger engines typically will waste even more gas than cars with smaller engines. Why take the risk? When you’re not driving you should just turn your engine off. Not only will it save on gas but its good for the environment too and we should all be thinking about the environment.
Use Cruise Control – Now this is something you obviously can’t do when sitting in traffic however using cruise control on the highway can help reduce your gas waste by maintaining a steady speed and not overworking your engine.
Remove Excess Weight – If you’re like me you’ve got junk in your trunk. I’ve got lawn chairs, blankets and the like just sitting back there. Partly because I’m too lazy to take them out and partly because you never know when you might need to use them. Once I found out I could save gas by taking that stuff out, I quickly moved them back to the garage. According to an independent study by the US government, “An extra 100 pounds in the trunk reduces a typical car’s fuel economy by 1-2%.” As you can see it’s time to dump that junk in your trunk and start saving gas.
As gas prices keep rising, and the money in your wallet keeps dwindling. There are ways you can save on gas and reduce your overall fuel consumption. I hope these tips will help you in your quest to saving gas and if nothing else gets you thinking about other ways we can help the environment.
Saving gas in this economy is really important to people. The price of gas seems to be constantly shifting. There is no steady cost it’s always fluctuating. So how easy is it to budget when you never know what the price of gas will be tomorrow? There is an application on the iPhone called GasBag which based on your current location will give you the gas stations with in close proximity to you that have the cheapest gas.
GasBag is updated by the users. So for instance you are at a gas station in Grapevine and you notice the gas is fairly priced. You pull up GasBag and see if the gas station has been added. If it’s been added you can update the price with a few quick taps on your phone. If it has not been added you can quickly add it for other users to be able to find it.
When GasBag is launched from your phone it will ask you if it can use your current location, it will then show a user friendly map that will show not only the name and location of that gas station but the price of regular unleaded gas as well. See the picture below. You can then click on the station and get all of the station details including address and other fuel type prices.
There’s a bonus feature in GasBag as well—a built-in mileage tracking application. Just tap the Buy Gas Here button on the Station Details screen, and enter the details of your purchase. The program will then track your mileage and spending over time.
There are of course other iPhone apps out there that offer these same services like Gas Wars and iGas. I have found that GasBag is the easiest app to use and its constantly getting updated by users. Plus it’s FREE!! Can’t beat free.
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, husband, 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
Yes, it is true that the Chevrolet Volt is one of the most anticipated cars in years. I for one am very excited about getting them here at Classic Chevrolet. I know many others are as well because our phones do not stop ringing with orders and questions. It’s a very exciting time in the world of GM and Chevrolet. I was doing some light reading this morning and came across a story from USA Today about the women that are behind the Chevrolet Volt and it was inspiring. Every time I read about this car I get more and more excited. It’s the same feeling I got right before the newly designed Camaro was finally available for purchase and we all know how great that car was for Chevrolet and GM. I wanted to share this story with you and get your thoughts on it as well. Are you excited about the Chevrolet Volt? For those of you that are be rest assured that your Texas Chevy dealer will keep you posted on the latest news regarding the Chevrolet Volt and we will let you know when you can come check one out here at our store.Infrastructure - Britta Gross is director of Global Energy Systems and Infrastructure Commercialization. She is working to prepare utilities and to get communities across the country “plug-in ready,” not just for Volt but for the wave of electric vehicles predicted to be on the horizon (Global Insight estimates that plug-in electric vehicles and battery-electric vehicles could represent 20 to 60 percent of the market by 2030). This includes working with state and local governments on purchase incentives, with utilities to develop smart-grid and smart-charging technologies, and companies and municipalities to iron out home charging processes and to install charging stations at work places. Britta has two children, age 12 and 17; growing up, she lived in Kansas City, Chicago, and Baton Rouge.
Powertrain - Pamela Fletcher is the chief engineer for Volt and Plug-In Hybrid Propulsion Systems. She is responsible for the integration of the propulsion system components, including the lithium-ion battery pack, electric motors, and onboard engine generator, to ensure the cars meet customer expectations and business requirements. For the Volt this means creating an electric car with extended-range capability. Pamela has three children, ranging from 24 to 27 years of age; she grew up in Sarahsville, Ohio.
Marketing - Cristi Landy is the Volt product marketing manager. Cristi holds a degree in electrical engineering, and was part of the team that developed the Volt Concept in 2006. Currently, she acts as a liaison between Engineering and Marketing. As an example, Cristi helped identify the features and capabilities of the smart-phone application for Volt owners. This feature allows the driver to remotely heat/cool the cabin while the Volt is still plugged into the wall charger. This is much more efficient that using power from the battery for heat or air conditioning, extending the electric-only range of the Volt. Cristi has twin boys, age 10; growing up, she lived in Brookfield, Wis., and Jacksonville, Fla.
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