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.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Association decided to spice things up last year and revised its New Car Assessment Program. The Overall Vehicle Score is the combination of frontal and side crash tests and rollover resistance testing. With the 2012 Sonic earning itself a five-star rating, Chevroletnow has a total of ten 2012 models that have earned the highest ratings possible.
The Sonic was tested under NHTSA’s revised New Car Assessment Program implemented starting with the 2011 model year the number of General Motors 2012 models with 5-star overall vehicle scores for safety. Pretty impressive, given that these new rigorous test procedures are by no means easy. For example, the NHTSA has added a new side pole test simulating 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.
“We developed Sonic to exceed customer expectations of subcompacts in terms of segment-leading safety features,” said Gay Kent, GM executive director of vehicle safety. “From the largest vehicles in our lineup to the smallest, we are putting overall crash-worthiness and state-of-the-art safety technologies at the top of the list of must-haves.”
So why exactly did the Sonic ace the test? I’m willing to bet that the exceptionally strong body structure through the incorporation of a single welded side ring unit and the vehicle safety being made of more than 60 percent high-strength steel had a little something to do with it.
The 2012 Chevy Sonic was designed to help drivers avoid crashes, while protecting occupants in a crash. In addition to the tougher-than-nails structure, other standard safety features include:
Driver and front passenger dual-stage frontal air bags, seat-mounted side pelvic/thorax air bags, knee air bags and head curtain side air bags with rollover protection that cover front and outboard rear seating rows. The Sonic also has side impact air bags in the outboard rear seating positions for a total of ten standard air bags.
Rollover sensors, which can activate the head-curtain side air bags if sensors determine an imminent rollover. In a rollover, the air bags stay inflated longer to provide increased occupant protection.
StabiliTrak electronic stability control helps the driver maintain control by comparing the path being steered by the driver with the actual response and, when necessary, applying the brakes or adjusting the throttle or a combination of both.
Power-assisted front disc and rear drum brakes with ABS, full-function traction control and panic brake assist that activates when an emergency braking maneuver is detected. The system automatically develops additional brake pressure to more quickly engage ABS
Front safety belt pretensioners to reduce forward occupant movement and load-limiting retractors to help manage forces during a collision
OnStar, which features the Automatic Crash Response System that uses GPS and cellular phone technology to automatically call for help in the event that a crash is detected.
What more could we ask from the Chevy Sonic? In case you’ve missed the daredevilish stunts the Sonic’s been performing, you can check them out here. Crazy to think that this daring little car is one of the safest out there.
When it comes to picking out a new car, color ranks high on the list for a lot of people. I’ve driven three cars in my life, and they have all been black by choice. I never really thought there was more to it beside the fact that I just love the color, but believe it or not, the color of your car actually says a lot about you. Have you ever wondered why you were dead set on your next Chevroletbeing blue? Or perhaps you’ve only bought cars in one color your whole life like I have.
After doing a little research, I found that a lot of psychologists said the same thing about what the different colors mean. Here’s what I found.
Black Equals Empowerment
According to research, black cars are preferred by empowered people who are drawn to elegance and can’t be easily manipulated. It also indicates a mysterious and two-sided personality. Drivers of black cars tend to be more aggressive on the road (guess that explains my road rage). Some researchers even claim that black cars have the highest accident rates.
2012 Chevrolet Camaro
Dark Blue Equals Loyalty
Owners of dark blue cars are typically considered loyal, calm and practical. They are seen as dependable people with credibility. Research also shows that owners of dark blue cars drive more carefully and are much more cautious than owners of black cars.
2012 Chevrolet Tahoe
Red Equals Energetic
This should be a no-brainer for car enthusiasts out there. Red has always been the go to color for sports cars and that’s probably because owners of red cars are energetic, drive fast and are considered showy people who want to get people’s attention. Drivers of these cars are also seen as outgoing, aggressive, sexy and dynamic and typically take more risks on the road.
2012 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
White Equals Innocence
Drivers of white cars tend to be fastidious, refined and safe. White symbolizes innocence and purity, and also says a lot about the drivers’ need for perfection. Let’s face it, dirt has no where to hide on a white, and a clean white car shows that you pay attention to minute details and care a lot about upkeep.
2012 Chevrolet Cruze
Silver Equals Elegance
These drivers are generally calm, cool, elegant and love futuristic looks. It’s said that silver cars represent prestige, wealth and luxury and speak of a sophisticated driver who likes to show off the vehicle’s design.
2012 Chevrolet Impala
Grey Equals Pragmatic
Owners of silver or gray cars have calm and cool personalities. Some research says that they are practical and often corporate and they tend to be pragmatic and intelligent, but most likely boring. On the upside, they are very less likely to engage in car accidents.
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.
Even if you aren’t an automobile guru, you’ve probably heard the terms “torque” and “horsepower” before. You may even have some sort of idea of which numbers are considered to be high and low for each. The question is… do you understand what they are? If not, don’t worry. You’re not alone. The next time you hear someone talking about how much horsepower the 2012 Chevy Camaro ZL1has, ask them to explain exactly what that means and you’ll probably have a 50/50 chance that they won’t know. And after reading this, you’ll even be able to call them out on it!
Horsepower is the amount of work done over a period of time, and torque on the other hand is a measure of force, rotational force, or how “hard” something twists. Think of it this way: horsepower is the actual speed potential of a vehicle and torque is how hard the car pushes you back into your seat when accelerating. Torque is also what allows a Chevrolet truck or car to tow.
Different cars will have different balances of horsepower and torque. I found a great example from MindOverMotor.com comparing a 2012 BMW M3 and a VW Diesel Touareg . The Touareg makes 240 horsepower and 406 ft/lbs of torque. This means that you’ll feel a really good push into your seat when you hit the gas, but when you look down you will be going 40mph instead of the 60mph you thought it’d be. On the other hand, the M3 has 414 horsepower and 295ft/lbs of torque. It won’t seem to pull that hard when you gas it, but when you look at the speedometer it will read 120mph when you thought you were at 90mph.
Now let’s look at the 2012 Camaro ZL1. This muscle machine makes 580 horsepower and 556lb-ft of torque. So when you gas it, you’ll definitely going to feel the “get up and go” and when you look down at your speedometer, you’ll probably be significantly speeding.
In conclusion, it’s torque that makes a car feel fun when you hit the gas, but it’s the horsepower that makes a car fast. So what type of balance are you looking for, DFW? I’m betting the 2012 Camaro ZL1 (available in Spring 2012) is ranking pretty high right now in your list of fun and fast cars to drive.
Four-wheel drive (4WD) used to only be considered for those who frequented off-road driving. The most famous manufacturer known for four-wheel drive is Jeep. But now days, 4WD and all-wheel drive (AWD) is becoming more and more popular in SUVs and cars. There are actually four categories of drive trains: part-time 4WD, full-time 4WD, AWD, and active AWD. Generally speaking, all Chevrolet trucks and SUVs have the option for 4WD and AWD drive trains. So when it’s time to buy that new Chevrolet Silverado or Chevrolet Tahoe, it’s important that you understand the difference between your options.
Let’s start off with part-time 4WD. The most basic system gives you a of choice settings that can be changed depending on the driving situation. However, the 4WD setting cannot be left engaged on dry pavement. This wears the transfer case and eventually results in mechanical damage. There are three settings: 2WD, 4WD High and 4WD Low. You would use 4WD High on snow and for easy to moderate off-roading. With 4WD Low, you’ll be using lower gears with much more torque but a much slower top speed. 4WD Low should only be engaged in extreme off-road situations.
In newer models, the driver can shift from 2WD to 4WD High while driving, but must come to a complete stop to shift into the 4WD Low setting. One drawback of part-time 4WD is that it must be continually engaged and then disengaged in conditions of light rain or snow. This type of system is best for people who really don’t need 4WD, but occasionally go off-roading and want a little extra security when it snows.
Now let’s talk about AWD. All-wheel drive is similar to full-time 4WD in that the system is always sending power to the wheels, but AWD has no 2WD switch. It is always operating in 4WD mode. AWD systems work well in cars and crossover vehicles like the Chevy Traverse and Chevy Equinox because they don’t add much weight and make them true all-weather vehicles. Today, most All Wheel Drive vehicles are being marketed as being “active” or “intelligent” in that they system only engages whenever sensors detect that a wheel is about to slip. This allows modern cars to enjoy the same efficiency as a two wheel drive model, without sacrificing the safety of being able to engage all four wheels in dangerous conditions.
When it comes to selecting your drive train, you’ll need to consider the type of driving you plan to be doing. There is not one system that is better than the other, and as with most car options, it all depends on your personal driving habits. If you have anymore questions, don’t hesitate to ask the experts over at Classic Chevrolet.
There’s nothing like the smell of a new Chevy, and there’s really no better way to describe the smell other than “new”. It’s no wonder they sell “new car” scented air fresheners and sprays. I remember the day when my new Chevy stopped smelling new. In fact, it smelt funky. I immediately knew I had either left food or something else in the car causing that smell, and I was determined to get rid of it and have my Chevy back to smelling new.
Because the cabins of our Chevys are enclosed and small compared to our houses, the smallest odor can stink up the entire car and make it miserable to drive in. So how can we get rid of these odors and prevent them from coming back? First, be sure you lock your windows and doors to prevent rain and bugs from getting inside the vehicle. If you’ve never done this before, good for you. Let me be the first to tell you that it doesn’t smell like a rain-scented Glade candles. In fact, it smells like mildew.
Second, if you’re a smoker, be sure to roll down your window when you smoke. Cigarette smoke clings to cotton fabrics like crazy. It’s also a good idea to crack all four windows half an inch for at least five minutes after you finish your cigarette. This will help air out the vehicle.
Next up, don’t leave any food in your car! A few hours is okay, but overnight or longer and you’ll be smelling your left-over, Olive Garden that’s now room temperature for a week.
When it comes to odor prevention, the best and most obvious thing to do is keep your car clean. If you are experiencing one though, you can try using baking soda or charcoal to get rid of the smell. For the baking soda route, simply buy a small to medium box and leave it in the car overnight. For a more effective result, spread the baking soda around a bit, but remember you’ll have to vacuum it up later. If you want to give the charcoal method a try, grab several different sizes from nearly powdered to rock-like. Put them in a basin and leave it overnight.
Both baking powder and charcoal will absorb the odors in your car. But if neither of them work, you can also give your car a deep clean or take it in and have it detailed. After all, they don’t make new car scents for nothing. And if you have a brand new Chevy truck or car, I can guarantee you’ll want to keep that new smell for as long as possible.
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!
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
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.
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