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.
Back in 2009, General Motors announced at the SEMA show that the famed LS9 engine – which was designed to live in the tight confines of theCorvette ZR1 engine bay – would be offered as a crate motor. Crate engines are ones you can purchase and place in any vehicle. However, they can be pretty pricey… which is why we haven’t heard of too many concoctions like the one I’m about to share with you.
If you’ve ever wondered what you’d get when you crossed a Chevy Silverado and an LS9 engine… wonder no more. A Houston-based tuner shop called Fastlane, managed to stuff this supercharged engine under the hood of a four-wheel drive Chevy Silverado. Though no one’s quite sure why, critics of all sorts agree that it doesn’t matter.
With at least 205 more horsepower and 169 lb-ft more torque that any factory engine you’ll be able to buy with the Silverado, this is bound to be one for the records. Fastlane recently revealed a video of exactly what this pickup can do. Enjoy Dallas Ft Worth Chevroletenthusiasts. I sure did.
If you enjoy extreme – and sometimes ridiculous – “sports”, then I’m sure you’ve heard the name Rob Dyrdek before. If you haven’t, he’s a professional skateboarder, actor, entrepreneur, producer, philanthropist, and reality TV star. He is best known for his TV series “Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory” where he constantly does crazy and sometimes dangerous tricks involving all sorts of motor vehicles. And now, he’s decided to jump on board the Chevy Sonic’s adventure and become the first man on Earth to successfully kickflip a 2012 Chevrolet Sonic.
I’m sure you may be wondering two things. First, what the heck is a kickflip? Well, think of a barrel roll performed by a skateboard. Second, how in the world do you perform a kickflip in a Chevy Sonic? The answer lies in this video.
Pretty impressive if I do say so myself! The Chevy sonic has had quite the year of adventures thanks to the “Let’s Do This” campaign including skydiving and bungee jumping. So it’s not surprising that the Chevrolet stunt team would want to try out it’s own set of skateboard antics after Dyrdek’s kickflip. One of the team members who actually worked on Dyrdek’s stunt decided he was going to take his Sonic skiing. No, not the type of skiing you do in the Rockies… but the skateboarding definition of putting it on two wheels. Check it out below. Also be sure and swing by Classic Chevrolet and check out the Chevy Sonic for yourself.
As I’m sure we all know, street racing is illegal. Tempting if your cruising around in a Chevrolet Corvette, but still illegal. On top of that, it’s dangerous and can be costly. Don’t believe me? Well let me tell you a little story about these two Corvetteowners down in Houston.
On Thanksgiving day, a Houston man was driving home and happened to catch a sliver Corvette C5 and a silver Corvette C6 side by side at a light. Sounds like it’d be quite the scene to witness as both drivers revved their engines waiting for the light to turn green. However, this type of racing is better left off the suburban streets of The Woodlands. Being a former owner of fast sports cars, this guy knew exactly what was coming. And thanks to the wonderful world of technology we live in, he was able to record a video from his phone. Check it out.
Did you see that one coming, Dallas Ft Worth Chevy lovers? Luckily, only the Corvettes (and the drivers’ egos) were hurt. This is the perfect example of why racing is better left on the race track. A local news station down in Houston covered the story, here’s the clip:
Remember DFW, though it may be tempting to really drive that C5 or C6, don’t do it in the suburbs or on the streets. I’m not sure if you’re aware, but we do have a fairly large speedway out off highway 35 where you can really let her fly.
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!
It’s not too often that we associate sports cars, like the Chevrolet Camaro, with safety. As of last week, this is no longer the case. The 2012 Chevrolet Camaro Coupe became the first car to score the highest possible five-star rating in every individual test of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) New Car Assessment Program since the introduction of the new standards in 2011.
Last year, the NHTSA introduced new, more rigorous federal testing procedures including a new side barrier test and a new side pole test. The side pole test simulates a 20-mph side-impact crash into a 10-inch-diameter pole or tree at a 75-degree angle just behind the A-pillar on the driver’s side.
Camaro Chief Engineer, Al Oppenheiser, said that the Camaro has always been about performance including safety performance. He continued to say, “We always strive for five-star ratings, and the fact that we achieved them under more rigorous requirements is a great accomplishment.”
After watching the videos of the 2012 Camaro Coupe’s NHTSA testing, I’m inclined to agree with Oppenheiser. The 2012 Camaro’s safety specification includes six airbags, the StabiliTrak electronic stability control system and seat belt pretensioners as standard. Now one of the most popular, best-looking sports car out there is also one of the safest. Hats off to General Motors.
If you’ve been holding off on getting a Camaro for awhile due to safety issues, you no longer have an excuse. Head down to Classic Chevrolet and hop into one. I promise, you won’t be disappointed. In the meantime, check out the official NHTSA videos below and see just how safe this beast is for yourself.
I have a Friday treat for all my Camaro lovers in the Dallas Ft Worth area – an inside look at the engineering behind the 2012 Camaro ZL1 from none other than the Chevrolet engineers themselves! With more than 100 development hours spent in the wind tunnel, the ZL1 is the first vehicle in General Motors history to boast neutral or negative lift. Excited yet?
In October, we saw just how fast this little beauty is as it lapped the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife course in 7:41.27 minutes. For those of you 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. In case you missed the video of the ZL1′s 7:41 time, you can watch it here.
The 2012 Camaro ZL1 is expected to hit the dealerships this spring and will have two wheel options: a five-spoke and a 10-spoke design and will be available in nine different colors. Both the manual and automatic versions will host a six-speed manual gearbox and will also come with the same four-pack console gauges as the SS model with a boost gauge now thrown into the mix. Stay tuned for more updates from your Classic Chevrolet dealership, Dallas Ft Worth Chevy lovers. In the meantime, enjoy a video from the Chevrolet engineers. Happy Friday!
There is a very obvious way to tell when it’s time to get new brake pads on your Chevrolet car or truck: a high-pitched screeching sound when you apply your brakes. What you’re hearing is a small metal shim, called an indicator, which is giving you an audible warning that you need to replace your brake pads. It’s loud enough to be heard when your windows are up, but for those of you who like to jam out loudly in your Chevy, you may miss this audible warning.
Another way to tell that your brake pads are worn is by looking through the spaces between the wheel’s spokes. The outside pad is pressed against a metal rotor and there should be at least 1/4 inch of pad. If it’s less than that, then it’s time to take your car into a Texas Chevy Dealer. In the image below, the brake pad on the left is new, while the one on the right is completely worn.
So what happens if you don’t notice the sound or ever examine your brake pads? Eventually, you will hear a grinding or growling sound. This is bad! This means that you have worn the pads down completely and the disc and caliper are rubbing together. Let me be the first to tell you, from personal experience, that you do not want this to happen. Not only is the sound and vibration an unsettling feeling to experience, but you’ve probably now scratched your rotors creating an uneven surface. Most likely, you’ll need new rotors, which are much more expensive than brake pads.
If you are experience any issues with your brakes at all, please don’t hesitate to bring your Chevy truck or car in to see the experts at Classic Chevrolet Texas. Your car and your safety depend on your brakes, so make sure to have your brakes checked regularly!
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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