by D.A.

Pros:

• Great driving feel
• Extremely fast, yet handles beautifully
• Unique, well-executed features like “Head-Up Display”

Cons:

• Cheap interior quality; low-grade plastic feel
• Poor layout and functionality for interior buttons (radio, AC, etc.)

Introduction

I must admit, I have never been a big fan of Corvettes. Yes, I know it’s supposed to be a great American supercar – all car magazines rave about it, admiring its powerful engine, great handling, and so on. But still. I always thought it never really stood a chance against British, German or Italian supercars. Plus, for some reason over the years the Corvette owner didn’t evoke a very positive image. Somehow that was the image of a guy like the ladies’ man character Larry in the old TV series “Three’s Company”. Shirt open halfway down, gold chain, big fluffy hair…
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DETROIT – Chevrolet announced the 2008 Corvette 427 Limited Edition Z06, a limited-production model that pays homage to the big-block Stingray models of the mid-1960s. The 427 designation refers to the cubic-inch displacement for the highest-performance engines offered between 1966 and ’69 – and is also the cubic-inch equivalent of the Z06’s 7.0L LS7 small-block V-8.

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Overview Chevy Malibu Specs Consumer Reviews of Malibu LTZ Chevy Malibu Photo Gallery

By Kurt Gensheimer

Blings:

• More soundproof than Abbey Road Studios
• Tire-scorching 252 HP V-6
• Hectares of interior space
• Attractive interior and exterior

Dings:

• Steering wheel controls aren’t the most ergonomic
• Artificially heavy steering feel
• Thick A-pillars and steep windshield make for poor front visibility

Ruling: If the Malibu a sign of things to come, GM will put the good ol’ US of A back in the auto industry driver’s seat.

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By Kurt Gensheimer

Genius in theory. In reality? We might know by 2010.

For decades, American automakers, Washington politicos, oil companies and consumers alike have been caught up in the lure of cheap gasoline. It’s led to fuel inefficient vehicles, lax legislation, and even more lax energy innovation. But in the end, the root of all these behaviors comes back to the American consumer. The American consumer has always wanted and purchased gasoline-powered products, so that’s what the market delivers. But like repeatedly putting one’s hand on a burning stove, at what point do American consumers conclude the financial pain at the pump has gotten too great? And when do their automobile choices start changing the behavior of automakers, politicians and oil companies? Read the rest of this entry »

On a wet and windy winter morning in California we get a close up view of the Chevrolet Volt. Kurt interviews Clay O. of GM and picks up a few details of the upcoming Chevy Volt and the new E-Flex system.

 

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More details and photos of the Chevrolet Volt can be found in our full article: First Look - Chevrolet Volt Concept Car GM-VOLT: Chevy Volt Concept Site - Real-time news, information, and discussion about the Chevrolet Volt.

Chevrolet further champions its green initiative today by offering its first full-sized pickup with the Two Mode hybrid powertrain.

The Silverado Hybrid, which will be available only in crew cab configuration, gets a claimed 40 percent increase in city fuel economy, and 25 percent increase in overall fuel mileage, compared with comparable trucks with conventional powertrains. In the Two Mode, an electrically variable transmission with two electric motors channels power to the wheels.

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October 11, 2007 - 4:33 pm ET

DETROIT - General Motors is out to bust skeptics who believe Detroit can’t build a competitive car.

And it’s using the redone 2008 Chevrolet Malibu as a “catalyst to disrupt” that belief, Mark LaNeve, GM vice president of sales, service and marketing for North America, said today.

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