By David Colman

Hypes: Faster Than a Speeding Train, Able to Leap Tall Investment Hurdles
Gripes: Automatic Tranny Tends to Hunt For Upper Gears at Steady Speed

To give you some idea of how rare this car will someday be, my test Camaro, finished in Silver Ice Metallic, and built in June of 2012, carried a VIN number whose last 5 digits read 00081. A VIN Number that low borders on prototype/pre-production status. It’s hard to top that for rarity! And better yet, at $65,800, this Camaro is also a stunning bargain. If you’re young enough to park it in a garage and wait 30 years to sell it at the Barrett-Jackson Auction in 2043, you can plan on harvesting more than a quarter million bucks for this super Chevy. Why? Because history dictates that ZL1 Camaros from the late 60s are worth at least that much today, and there’s no reason to expect future financial performance will differ from the accepted norm.

The 580hp supercharged ZL1 is a stellar performance car, one that will gradually disappear from the scene as government-imposed 54MPG dictates sound the death knell of 14MPG ground pounders like the ZL1. But it’s not too late to enjoy the ultimate in musclecar status if you act now. The ZL1 is available as a coupe or a convertible. The coupe is lighter and stiffer than the convertible, but the convertible will be the more valuable investment in the long run because GM will build fewer of them since its base price is $5,450 more expensive than the coupe. Personally, I would elect to buy the coupe for its better handling, but I have to admit that the convertible I drove made a stout case for a drop top.

For one thing, it’s so much easier to see out the back when the top is down. The stylistic limitations to visibility of the latest 5th generation Camaro mean it’s difficult to see anything in back of you in the coupe, or in the convertible when the top is up. Luckily, the week I spent with the ZL1 was clear and warm enough to leave the top down most of the time. Once you’ve swiveled a header latch handle open, the rest of the job is automatic. Although you don’t need to use it, Chevy fits a nicely fabricated folding tonneau cover which gives the car a finished look and takes only 3 minutes to fit.

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By Alex Kramer

Introduction by Francis Cebedo:

For the longest time, it seemed like GM and other US makes looked at small cars as poor man’s cars.  They saw them as cars for the entry-level buyer, the fresh college grad, the lower income bracket, the people who had no appreciation for automobiles.  The great minds and the engineers always went into the Cadillacs, Corvettes and the Silverados.

That thinking was wrong then and it is even more wrong now. Small cars have always been appreciated by the drivers with an eye for fashion, performance, ergonomics and agility.  And it was simply the choice of some folks who could afford most any car but they just wanted a smaller car like a Mazda Miata or a Mini Cooper.

But now, the world has turned. Small cars have become essential, eco-friendly and significant social statements. Some folks have given up their cars altogether and many now want smaller cars to reduce their footprint and use of resources in this world.

GM, was caught with their pants down in this paradigm shift so they have rallied to build smaller cars. One of the first cars they’re delivering is the Chevy Cruze. It is an attractive looking automobile starting at $16,720, urged on by 138 hp. It is a strong statement that announces that Chevy is here to play and compete in the very important and timely small car market.

Video Review by Autotoob:

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Pros:

• Little turbo engine is surprisingly gutsy with some nice torque
• Smooth, balanced, and quiet ride
• Roomy, upscale interior
• Stylish, eye-catching exterior
• Potentially excellent fuel efficiency
• many, many available configurations
• the home team has come to play

Cons:

• Acceleration isn’t terribly quick
• Real world mileage might not be so great
• Houndstooth cloth pattern in base model LT is hard on the eyes

The small car bandwagon must be really picking up steam. Even General Motors, who has long neglected small cars, seems to have noticed that this is one of the hottest segments of the market. Rather than simply issue an updated version of its decent but uncompetitive Cobalt small sedan, we will soon be getting the Chevrolet Cruze, a car that GM claims will actually compete with the likes of Civic, Corolla, and Focus.

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Below is a comprehensive list of all the Expert Car Reviews and feature articles published on CarReview.com [updated 10/11/2011]:

By Megan Green

This past April, I was given the opportunity to go on a June road trip in a 2011 Chevy Volt and photograph it with the newly launched Olympus E-P3 camera.

When I told friends that I was going to Alaska to drive a Chevrolet Volt around, their first reactions were, “Ice Road Truckers!” Then came a barrage of questions; “Good luck with that, can you even drive that far in it? What’s the range, like 50 miles? How are you going to charge it in the middle of the wilderness? Are small towns even equipped to recharge electric vehicles? How long does it take to charge it?”

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By contributing editor David Colman

Hits:

• Fold down back seat and trunk pass through
• Stellar combo of wheels, tires spring rates and sway bars
• Highly informative 4 gauge pack on center console

Misses:

• Poor rear and lateral vision
• Impeded rear seat access
• Long reach for front seat belts

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By Alex Kramer

Here we go again. Gas prices are climbing ever higher, but unlike a few years ago, they will probably stay sky high this time around. Luckily, the American car buyer now has an impressive array of choices when it comes to maximizing every gallon. From pint-sized sub-compacts to high-tech hybrids, there are plenty of ways to achieve 40 mpg, and some of them are even quite fun to drive.

We recently had the opportunity to test three of the newest entries into the gas saving game at the WAJ Media Days event held last month: the new Ford Focus SFE, Chevy Cruze Eco, and Lexus CT 200h. After an afternoon of test driving, we can honestly report that these three are the real deal, providing both excellent fuel efficiency and a surprising amount of driving excitement.

Click the image or navigation link below to read more details about each car.

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Chevrolet has revamped their mid-sized Malibu sedan while keeping handling, comfort and fuel economy in mind. Taking exterior design cues from the Camaro and efficient aerodynamics from the Volt, the 2.5L four-cylinder engine six-speed automatic powers it along for a quieter, smoother ride. Beefier than previous versions, this Malibu sports a tightly designed exterior that competes with the sharpness of the Hyundai Sonata. The most impressive aspect of the Malibu, especially in light of current escalating gas prices, is the fuel efficiency; the design is not just about aesthetics as it significantly reduces wind drag – nearly 60 points – compared to the previous model.
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Chevrolet Volt Consumer Reviews	Chevrolet Volt More Expert Reviews	2011 Chevrolet Volt Photo Gallery	2011 Chevrolet Volt Specs

By Dan Tsuchiya

Positrons

• Great Design and better looking than any Prius made to date
• Electricity first; leading to 250-500 mpg if you have access an outlet
• Feels safer and more substantial than it’s competitors
• 0-60 acceleration faster than a Honda Civic

Electrons

• Electric Vehicle (EV) range limited to 35 miles before gas motor has to recharge batteries
• Interior has too many hard plastic surfaces
• Soft-touch buttons are too sensitive
• Navigation and radio are integrated such that you can’t have one on without the other

Living with the Chevrolet Volt is about making a green statement, but without the usual green sacrifices. It’s not a hybrid as defined by the Toyota and Honda camp, it’s an extended range electric vehicle (EV) that combines the gas saving benefits of pure electric cars with the range and convenience of conventional gas powered cars. While the Toyota and Honda camps utilize gas and electricity in parallel, the Volt takes a series approach, EV first then gas. The EV range fully charged is about 35 miles and once that power depletes, the Volt fires up its 1.4L engine to charge the batteries and provide juice to the electric motor, allowing for another 250-300 miles of driving under normal conditions.

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Chevrolet Creates Waves With The All-New 2012 Sonic

DETROIT – Chevrolet displayed the all-new 2012 Sonic at the North American International Auto Show. Its youthful, aggressive design is backed by turbocharged performance and agile ride and handling, combining to deliver an efficient, fun-to-drive small car.

The Sonic is offered in two body styles: a stylish four-door sedan and a sporty five-door. Each delivers class-leading rear-seat roominess and cargo space. A variety of connectivity features enhance the driving experience.

“The all-new Chevrolet Sonic blends the practicality of a small car with the passion for driving that Chevrolet vehicles like the Corvette are known for,” said Chris Perry, vice president of Chevrolet marketing. “Its combination of great design, fun driving experience and the latest connectivity features create a serious competitor with a fun spirit.”

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With fuel prices continually rising, 40+ mpg cars are looking like a great option for consumers who can’t afford or don’t want hybrid technology. Without breaking the bank, these affordable fuel efficient cars range from $15,000 to about $20,000 and all provide 40 mpg or more highway mpg driving. Companies that have joined the 40-mpg club are Ford, Honda, Kia, Mazda, Hyundai, Chevrolet, and Smart.

Automakers are achieving the 40 mpg mark by using lighter-weight materials, modern gasoline powered engines with direct injection and six-speed automatic transmissions along with additional fuel-saving technologies such as low-rolling-resistance tires.

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