I don’t know about you guys, but I love The Office. And as you know, I love Chevrolet. So naturally, I’m a big fan of Chevrolet’s latest advertising campaign ”Under the Blue Arch”. Since it’s directed by the same guy who directed The Office, Randall Einhorn, I had no doubt in my mind that I would love the commercials.
Back in February, GM issued a press release describing the ad campaign as a 30-second retail format featuring a consistent cast of characters – from the former radio host turned salesman to the top-selling single mom – set in a new Chevy dealership.
“The automotive retail advertising landscape is very crowded, so you have to find a way to break through,” said Joel Ewanick, GM vice president and Global Chief Marketing Officer. “Humor is a great educator and this campaign is designed to grab people’s attention, tweak their funny bone and get them to consider Chevrolet.”
“The dealership and each of its characters represents the Chevrolet brand, which are friendly people in a comfortable and inviting surrounding,” said Ralph Watson of Goodby, Silverstein & Partners. “Randall and the cast brought the store to life in a way only they can – by thorough preparation and thoughtful choices for improvisation. Over the course of rehearsing, they became their characters.”
So who is your favorite character, DFW? Let Classic Chevrolet know! In case you’ve missed any episodes, you can check them all out right now!
There’s no denying that this rain was much needed in the Dallas Ft Worth metroplex, but man oh man. When it rains in Texas, it pours. Driving in the rain can be stressful enough, but driving to work after it’s been raining non stop since the night before is just plain miserable. Especially when you’re carefully driving along in your new or used Chevy and the vehicle next to you happens to fly by, hitting a huge patch of water that engulfs your entire vehicle causing you to lose visibility for a few seconds. Anyone out there know what I’m talking about?
It’s been said that flash floods are the number one weather-related killer in the U.S. because people think they can drive through deep water or don’t pay enough attention. As I mentioned above, hitting a huge patch of water at any speed over 15mph will not only throw water onto the vehicle next to you, it’ll also jerk your Chevrolet and splash water onto your windshield skewing your visibility. If that’s ever happened to you, you know it’s beyond stomach-dropping. Especially if it happens on one our crowded DFW highways.
Since the weather man tells me that we are aren’t expecting any clear skies until at least tomorrow, I thought it might be a good idea to share some tips on how to drive in these conditions. Hopefully, this will make your drive home this evening and tomorrow morning a little less nerve-racking.
First and foremost, if you see a barricade, DO NOT drive through it. This may seem like a no-brainier, but watch the news tonight and see how many people thought they could make it through. Second, avoid driving through standing water on the road and in parking lots if at all possible. According to Progressive.com, the average automobile can be swept off the road in 12 inches of moving water, and roads covered by water are prone to collapse. Not to mention that driving through deep water can potentially stall your engine and even cause irreparable damage.
Last year, a friend and I were driving to Lubbock, Texas, during a horrible storm. The brunt of the storm hit in a small town name Seymour which only has one road out. Thinking that it would be better to get out before the flooding got worse, we decided to drive through. Horrible, horrible mistake. Before we knew it, water was up over her headlights and her engine began acting funny. After we finally pulled through, she had a difficult time accelerating. Three months later, she needed a new transmission. Moral of the story? Don’t guess at the depth of a flooded road or parking lot. Take another route if you can. Replacing the transmission on a Chevrolet or any other vehicle is not cheap.
In the event that an alternate route does not exist and you have no other reasonable alternative but to drive through standing water, Progressive.com suggests the following:
Do your best to estimate the depth of the water (if other cars are driving through, take note of how deep the water is).
Drive slowly and steadily through the water.
Avoid driving in water that downed electrical or power lines have fallen in — electric current passes through water easily.
Watch for items traveling downstream — they can trap or crush you if you’re in their path.
If you have driven through water up to the wheel rims or higher, test your brakes on a clear patch of road at low speed. If they are wet and not stopping the vehicle as they should, dry them by pressing gently on the brake pedal with your left foot while maintaining speed with your right foot.
Stay off the telephone unless you must report severe injuries.
If your vehicle stalls in the deep water, you may need to restart the engine to make it to safety. Keep in mind that restarting may cause irreparable damage to the engine.
If you can’t restart your vehicle and you become trapped in rising water, immediately abandon it for higher ground. Try to open the door or roll down the window to get out of the vehicle. If you are unable to get out safely, call 911 or get the attention of a passerby or someone standing on higher ground so that they may call for help.
Don’t become a victim of these dangerous flash floods, Dallas Ft Worth Chevroletowners. Following these precautions and save your beloved Chevrolet and your life from injury.
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.
The sky is no longer the limit for the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. If you’ve seen the two most recent ads in this campaign, you know exactly what I mean. Chevrolet’s new campaign called “Let’s Do This” features the Sonic performing a variety of extreme stunts including skydiving and bungee jumping showing everyone that the all-newChevy Sonic is up for adventure. It’s turbocharged, connected and fun to drive.
Did I forget to mention that the 1.4L turbo with the six-speed manual also achieves an EPA highway fuel economy of 40 mpg? To give you a real-life scenario, imagine taking a road trip to New Orleans from Dallas in your Chevrolet on one tank of gas. That’s right, the Sonic Turbo offers up to 488 highway miles in one tank, making it one of the most fuel-efficient small cars in the market.
Along with being one of the most fuel-efficient cars out there, the Sonic goes from 0-60 in 8.2 seconds and 0 – 60 mph in 0.4 seconds when dropped from a plane. If you don’t believe me, check out the video below.
Not only is this car adventurous, it’s also safe. So safe in fact, that the Sonic was named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) earlier this year and is equipped with two more air bags than its competitors. It also has a vehicle safety cage that is 60 percent high-strength steel, features a LATCH (Lower Anchors and Top Tethers for Children) system and six months of OnStar service including automatic crash response and panic brake assist technology. Should you be involved in an accident, there are sensors that will diagnose the severity of impact and control the deployment of its 10 airbags. Talk about a “Smart Car”.
So let’s recap: the Sonic is fast, fuel-efficient, safe and smart. What more could you ask for from your Classic Chevy Texas dealer? Are you ready to get adventurous, Dallas Ft Worth Chevrolet lovers? The 2012 Sonic sure is. Check out its latest bungee jumping adventure.
It’s not very often that we experience an earthquake or aftershocks in the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex, but many of you probably felt the 5.6 quake that shook central Oklahoma on Saturday night. I just read that Oklahomans experienced a 2.9 magnitude aftershock this morning, and I got to thinking that most of you DFW Chevrolet drivers probably aren’t aware of what to do in the event of an earthquake. Luckily, a large number of people were sleeping when the quake hit, but do you know what to do if you happen to be in driving your Chevrolet around town? Hopefully, none of you will ever have to experience this, but here’s a few pointers on how to act in the event.
First, you need to realize what is going on. When you’re driving, an earthquake will sometimes make you think something is wrong with your car. So use your senses and look around. You’ll feel the earth shaking and start to see things falling or cracks opening. Next you need to move to the side of the road as quickly as possible. You probably won’t be the only person on the roads, so be wary of other panicked drivers. Avoid pulling under bridges, overpasses, signs, power lines, trees or anything else that could potentially fall on top of you. You should also avoid parking next to large structures like buildings. You car doesn’t offer very much protection from falling objects so it’s best to park your Chevy somewhere that has the smallest chance of being hit by falling debris.
Turn off your engine and put on the emergency brake. Turn on the radio and listen for updates, advice and warnings and stay in your vehicle until the shaking stops. Once it has, go ahead and head home cautiously. Don’t drive through flood waters, over large cracks or under bridges with visible structural damage.
Lastly, be prepared for aftershocks. As I mentioned before, Oklahoma was still feeling aftershocks from the Saturday night quake this morning. Here’s a great video providing some more information on what to do during an earthquake.
Did anyone in the DFW metroplex feel this recent quake? I slept through it, but I’d love to hear from someone first hand. Hopefully, we will never experience something like the 5.9 quake, but if we do and you happen to be driving your Chevrolet down the road, remember the advice above. Stay safe out there!
Looks like it’s time to sound the fog horn in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex because visibility is low on this Monday morning. Any other Chevrolet drivers out there have a difficult time driving to work or school this morning? Extreme fog is not something we see too often in North Texas, but let’s just say that when it rains, it pours. Or in this case, fogs.
Fog forms when the temperature drops to the dew point and invisible water vapor in the air condenses to form suspended water droplets. To put it plainly, fog is basically a huge cloud at ground level that can reduce our visibility to a quarter mile or less. This makes driving a little stressful, especially living in a busy metroplex like DFW. So let’s briefly discuss how we should drive in these conditions.
First, do not turn on your brights. The high beams will reflect back off the fog and actually make visibility worse. Only use your low beams and fog lights. (Only if your car has them.) Second, reduce your speed. This may seem like a no-brainer, but there are a handful of people out there who continue to drive at high speeds in inclement weather conditions. This is very dangerous, especially in foggy conditions because you can’t really see what’s ahead of you. Don’t forget to keep looking at your speedometer, too. Fog can create an illusion of slow motion, and you may not realize that your speeding.
Be sure to use your windshield wipers and defrosters and crack or roll down your window to listen for traffic you cannot see. If you’re having a really hard time seeing the lanes in front of you, use the right edge of the road or painted road markings as a guide.
If for some reason you have problems in fog, such as your car stalling, do not stop on the highway or a heavily traveled road. I know that sometimes this cannot be helped, but do your best to move as far away from other vehicles as possible. Once you’ve stopped, turn your headlights off and your hazard lights on. Also be sure to also take your foot off the brake pedal. Other drivers will subconsciously follow tail lights in fog, and they may not realize you are stopped.
Overall, the best advice I can give you for driving in foggy conditions, is to be patient. Take your time and constantly survey your surroundings. Fog only tends to appear in the early morning and late afternoon, so you won’t have to suffer through it for too long. Anyone else have any tips they’d like to share on driving in the fog?We’d love to hear them!
Hey DFW Camaro lovers, I have some exciting news. Earlier today, Chevrolet announced that its most-powerful convertible ever, the 2013 Camaro ZL1, will debut at the LA Auto show next month. According to a press release issued by General Motors, this Camaro will deliver more performance and technology than many exotic cars and ultra-luxury convertibles. I told you I had exciting news!
The ZL1 will be powered by a 580-horsepower LSA 6.2-liter supercharged V-8 engine, so I’m sure Camaro Chief Engineer, Al Oppenheiser, wasn’t kidding when he said, “This is a car that is guaranteed to put a smile on your face every time you drop the top – or hit the gas.”
The convertible will share all its characteristics and engine parts with the 2012 ZL1 coupe model which recently lapped the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife course in 7:41.27 minutes. The only changes we’ll see are a tower brace under the hood, a transmission reinforcement brace, an underbody tunnel brace and a set of X and V braces under the body. All of these are aimed at stiffening the chassis to better handle and apply all the power the LSA generates. Check out this video of the 2012 Camaro ZL1 at Nordschleife.
Are you getting excited yet? The ZL1 convertible will most likely be available for purchase in the late months of 2012. Until then, I’ll be sure to keep you posted on the latest updates!
We’ve all heard of the dangers of texting while driving time and time again, but there are still those who continue to do it. Hopefully, my fellow Chevy DFW drivers out there have taken this matter seriously. If not, time to listen up. A new study coming to us from the Aggies shows these dangers are far worse than most experts believe.
Earlier this week, the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI), an agency of the Texas A&M University System, released a report revealing that reading or sending a text message while driving doubles a driver’s reaction time. The study consisted of 42 drivers between the ages of 16 and 54.
First, participants were asked to drive a course with and without texting, and their reaction times to a periodic flashing light were recorded. Without texting, reaction times fell between one and two seconds. With texting, the reaction times doubled to three and four seconds. Furthermore, drivers were more than 11 times likely to miss the light all together when texting.
As the drivers’ reaction times were being recorded, their ability to maintain proper lane position and speed was also being measured. The results showed that drivers were less able to:
safely maintain their position in the driving lane when they were texting. Plus, their swerving was worse in the open sections of the course.
maintain a constant speed while texting, tending to slow down in an effort to reduce the demand of the multiple tasks. By slowing down, a driver gains more time to correct for driving errors (such as the tendency to swerve while texting). Speed variance was also greater for texting drivers than for non-texting drivers.
[tti.tamu.edu]
Christine Yager, an associate transportation researcher in TTI’s Center for Transportation Safety who managed the study said, “Most research on texting and driving has been limited to driving simulators. This study involved participants driving an actual vehicle. So one of the more important things we know now that we didn’t know before is that response times are even slower than we previously thought.”
Research doesn’t lie, friends. It’s a fact that texting while driving slows reaction time. So why risk you an accident in your new Chevyto send or read a measly little text message? Surely your life is worth than that.
Even if you’re not a fan of The Fast and The Furious movie franchise, you’ve got to at least check out the fifth movie, Fast Five, for the cars alone. The list is long and ranges from 1960s classics to 2011 models. I’m sure you won’t be surprised to know that my favorite on the list is the 1965 Chevy Corvette Grand Sport. You could probably say I’m a little biased, but even Dennis McCarthy, one of the most well-known picture car coordinators in the business, calls it the “Hero Car”. And with good reason.
Built by Mongoose Motorsports, this replica of a Grand Sport features the Chevrolet 502 big block backed by a Borg Warner Super T-10 four-speed transmission and rides on CS Corvette suspension. Here’s a breakdown of the car’s role in the movie from Dennis McCarthy himself.
According to McCarthy, all of the Fast Five vehicles had a pretty rough life on set. The only ones still drivable were the Hero and two stunt cars. If you haven’t seen the movie yet and you’re a car lover like me, I definitely recommend you check it out. Here’s a scene from the movie featuring the Corvette. 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
I don’t know about you guys, but I love The Office. And as you know, I love Chevrolet. So naturally, I’m a big fan of Chevrolet’s latest advertising campaign ”Under the Blue Arch”. Since it’s directed by the same guy who directed The Office, Randall Einhorn, I had no doubt in my mind that I would love the commercials.
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