Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf earn Top Safety Picks in first IIHS electric vehicle crash tests

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Safety, Hatchback, Chevrolet, GM, Nissan, Electric

chevy volt crash test

Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf Crash Tests – Click above for high-res image gallery

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has completed its first test of mainstream plug-in vehicles, and both the 2011 Chevrolet Volt and the 2011 Nissan Leaf have were named “Good” for their front, side, rear, and rollover crash protection. Testing procedures for these plug-in vehicles were exactly the same as for any other automobile the IIHS tests, as they should be.

The two plug-in pioneers join 80 other 2011 vehicles in earning the Top Safety Pick title, thanks to their fine performance in instrumented crash testing and their standard electronic stability control. For what it’s worth, other fuel sippers like the 2010 Toyota Prius and 2010 Honda Insight have also been named Top Safety Picks in the past. That said, the IIHS has taken issue with some plug-in electric vehicles in the past, specifically the not-quite-a-car NEVs like the Gem e2 or the Wheego Whip.

Of course, we all know how much fun it is to watch brand-new cars being smashed to bits in the name of safety, so we’ve gone ahead and embedded a video of the two plug-ins undergoing the crash testing process. Hit the jump to see for yourself and to check out the official press release.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Volt crash tests

2011 Chevrolet Volt crash tests2011 Chevrolet Volt crash tests2011 Chevrolet Volt crash tests2011 Chevrolet Volt crash tests2011 Chevrolet Volt crash tests

Gallery: 2011 Nissan Leaf crash tests

2011 Nissan Leaf crash tests2011 Nissan Leaf crash tests2011 Nissan Leaf crash tests2011 Nissan Leaf crash tests2011 Nissan Leaf crash tests

[Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety]

Continue reading Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf earn Top Safety Picks in first IIHS electric vehicle crash tests

Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf earn Top Safety Picks in first IIHS electric vehicle crash tests originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Apr 2011 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2,500 Chevy Cruze sedans recalled for “improperly fastened” steering wheels

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Recalls, Safety, Chevrolet

2011 Chevrolet Cruze

2011 Chevrolet Cruze – Click above for high-res image gallery

Chevrolet has reportedly issued a recall of 2,100 of its Cruze compact car in the U.S. and 400 units in Canada after one car was found to have an improperly attached steering wheel. While the defect sounds terrifying, Chevrolet says the mishap hasn’t caused an accident or any injuries.

According to The Detroit News, Chevy is confident that only one car had the issue, and the recall is a precautionary measure. According to the story, Chevy says it inspected more than 2,000 vehicles at the plant where the defective Cruze was built and several hundred more at dealerships and didn’t find any with a similar fault.

Those affected by the recall will be asked to take their Cruze in to the dealership to be inspected for the fault, which will be repaired for free if a problem is found.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze 1LT: Review

2011 Chevrolet Cruze 1LT2011 Chevrolet Cruze 1LT2011 Chevrolet Cruze 1LT2011 Chevrolet Cruze 1LT2011 Chevrolet Cruze 1LT

Photos copyright (C)2011 Steven J. Ewing / AOL

[Source: The Detroit News]

2,500 Chevy Cruze sedans recalled for “improperly fastened” steering wheels originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Is Chevy readying a mid-size SUV on its new Colorado pickup?

Filed under: Spy Photos, SUV, Videos, Chevrolet, GM

Mystery Chevrolet SUV spy shot

Mystery Chevy SUV prototypes – Click above to watch the video after the jump

Crossovers have gained the lion’s share of America’s utility attention over the past few years, but the SUV is anything but dead and gone. Until gas prices began to spike, those surviving body-on-frame (br)utes were actually selling fairly well. So is General Motors kicking itself for ending Trailblazer production instead of refreshing it? New spy video from Inside Line suggests that The General may have another off-road- and tow-ready utility vehicle on the way.

The post-jump video shows a pair of mid-size SUVs that appear to be based off the 2013 Chevrolet Colorado, a prototype of which also makes a cameo in the video. Judging by the chunky-looking running boards and solid rear axles, these prototypes are definitely SUVs and not tall cars. The heavily camouflaged vehicles appear to be tall and very square in appearance, and the shape of the Chevrolet grille appears pominently despite efforts to conceal its identity. Inside Line speculates that the finished product will likely hit the world stage in the next year, with production likely for 2013, though just because these prototypes were spotted around Detroit is no guarantee that the model will find its way into U.S. showrooms.

If such a vehicle were to arrive stateside, we expect GM to improve fuel economy with small engine options and perhaps a truck version of the company’s eAssist hybrid technology. Hit the jump to watch the spy video for yourself. Top tip, Ed!

Gallery: Chevrolet Colorado Show Truck

Chevrolet Colorado Show TruckChevrolet Colorado Show TruckChevrolet Colorado Show TruckChevrolet Colorado Show TruckChevrolet Colorado Show Truck

[Source: Inside Line]

Continue reading Video: Is Chevy readying a mid-size SUV on its new Colorado pickup?

Video: Is Chevy readying a mid-size SUV on its new Colorado pickup? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: There will be no Chevy Cruze SS… or will there?

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Chevrolet, GM, Australia, Rumormill

2011 chevrolet cruze, not a Cruze SS

2011 Chevrolet Cruze LT – Click above for high-res image gallery

Anyone who was holding their breath waiting for General Motors to announce an SS version of the Cruze can officially breathe. However, what you can’t do is get excited; the Cruze will not be wearing the double-S badge. What GM is reportedly considering instead is to offer a more luxurious Cruze. That version would feature a more powerful optional engine, but it’s certainly not the version SS fans were hoping for.

However, rumor has it that our Aussie friends could still get a sporty Cruze. Motor Trend has heard rumblings of a sportier Cruze powered by either the 177-horsepower turbocharged 1.6-liter inline-four or 268-horsepower twin-turbo four-cylinder found on the Opel Astra OPC.

This just proves… well, nothing really. We’ll just have to wait and see what GM actually has in store.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze 1LT: Review

2011 Chevrolet Cruze 1LT2011 Chevrolet Cruze 1LT2011 Chevrolet Cruze 1LT2011 Chevrolet Cruze 1LT2011 Chevrolet Cruze 1LT

Photos copyright (C)2011 Steven J. Ewing / AOL

[Source: Car and Driver, Motor Trend]

Report: There will be no Chevy Cruze SS… or will there? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #222: Chevy Colorado, Porsche 918, Tata Nano for U.S. and J.D. Power Reliability

Filed under: Podcasts, Etc., Chevrolet, Porsche, Tata

Autoblog podcast logo

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

Autoblog Podcast #222 is ready to go, and the crew this week is Chris Shunk, Zach Bowman and Dan Roth. Joining this trio is Dave Sullivan of AutoPacific, and topics range from the next-generation Chevrolet Colorado, to the Porsche 918 Spyder, the possibility of the Tata Nano in the States and J.D. Power Reliability results. Your feedback in our Q&A module winds us up, and we’ve embedded that in the post below, as well. Thanks for listening, we’ll see you next week!

Autoblog Podcast #222: Chevrolet Colorado concept, Porsche 918 Spyder, Tata Nano in the U.S. and JD Power Reliability

  • Next-generation Chevrolet Colorado unveiled
  • Porsche 918 Spyder
  • Tata Nano to be offered in the U.S.?
  • JD Power Dependability study
  • Detroit News’ Scott Burgess resigns

In the Autoblog Garage:

  • 2011 Jeep Patriot
  • 2011 Audi A8
  • 2011 Hyundai Equus


Hosts: Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Zach Bowman
  • Guest: Dave Sullivan

Runtime: 01:28:10


Get the podcast:
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Feedback:
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Review the show in iTunes and take our survey

Autoblog Podcast #222: Chevy Colorado, Porsche 918, Tata Nano for U.S. and J.D. Power Reliability originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: How the Chevy Corvette ALMS engines are built

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Videos, Chevrolet, Racing

2011 ALMS Corvette

2011 ALMS Corvette racing engine – Click above to watch video after the jump

The Chevrolet Corvettes that do battle in the American LeMans Series are, at first glance, acres removed from their street-dwelling cousins. Beneath the skin, though, the two cars are more similar than you might think, given their differing purposes.

For starters, Chevrolet uses similar engine architecture for both cars. The ALMS Vettes use the exact same block that goes into the Corvette Z06. That’s where the similarities end. The racing engine is limited to two 28-mm air intakes in a bid to level the GT Class playing field. The ALMS engines are also limited to 5.5 liters of displacement, versus the production car’s 7.0 liters.

Though the means may be different, the end is the same: maximized power and efficiency. Chevrolet develops and builds its racing engines in-house, to try and insure that some of the technology that goes into its endurance racers makes it into its street cars. To hear Chevrolet tell it, check out the video after the jump.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: How the Chevy Corvette ALMS engines are built

Video: How the Chevy Corvette ALMS engines are built originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 20 Mar 2011 12:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Ford now has more dealers than Chevy for first time in many years

Filed under: Car Buying, Chevrolet, Ford, GM

Ford dealership

2010 was a good year for Ford. The Blue Oval outsold long-time rival Chevrolet by 160,000 units, but that’s not the only area where Ford managed a lead over the Bowtie. Ward’s Automotive reports that the Dearborn automaker ended the year with 47 more U.S. dealerships than its cross-town nemesis. The General lost 372 dealers during 2010, compared to just 61 for Ford.

Both companies shed a lot more dealers when counting all the brands that fall under their respective umbrellas, and both moves have helped helped remaining retail stores increase profits. In fact, Wards claims that sales are up between 38 and 129 percent per store. But given the atrocious 2009 automakers endured, 2010 looked like a dream year despite the fact that sales were still among the lowest in three decades. In all, there are about 17,660 car dealerships in the U.S. spanning all automakers.

[Source: Ward’s Automotive | Image: Paul Sakuma/AP]

Report: Ford now has more dealers than Chevy for first time in many years originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #218: 2012 Honda Civic, BMW “i”, Chevy MyLink, and GMC Granite

Filed under: Podcasts, Audi, BMW, Chevrolet, Dodge, GMC, Honda, Rumormill

Autoblog podcast logo

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

Autoblog Podcast #218 is here, and Chris, Dan, Chris Paukert and Zach return to talk about Chevrolet MyLink, the GMC Granite’s rumored re-greenlighting, the 2012 Honda Civic and BMW’s new “i” sub-brand. Questions and feedback wrap it up, and it’s an hour and thirty-three minutes of fun this week. Thanks for listening, we’ll see you next week!

Autoblog Podcast #218: 2012 Honda Civic, BMW “i”, Chevy MyLink, and GMC Granite

  • Chevrolet MyLink
  • 2012 Civic
  • GMC Granite Confirmed again
  • BMW’s new “i” sub-brand

In the Autoblog Garage:


2011 Ram 1500
2011 Chevrolet Cruze LTZ RS
2011 Dodge Durango Crew AWD
2011 Audi A6

  • Hosts: Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Chris Paukert

Runtime: 01:33:00


Get the podcast:
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
[RSS] Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator
[MP3] Download the MP3 directly

Feedback:
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com
Voicemail: 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763)

Review the show in iTunes and take our survey

Autoblog Podcast #218: 2012 Honda Civic, BMW “i”, Chevy MyLink, and GMC Granite originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 17:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Chevy Celebrity latest unlikely rap video star

Filed under: Wagon, Etc., Videos, Chevrolet, Celebrities, Humor

Chevrolet Celebrity music video

Chevrolet Celebrity music video – Click above to watch video after the jump

We’ve got to wonder what it is about crappy cars that inspire acts of musical tribute. It seems like every time we turn around, the internets are serving up another heaping helping of clever lyrics and catchy beats to commemorate some heap that most people would just as soon forget. It wasn’t until just recently that we were able to pry the snappy licks of the V-O-L-V-O music video from our gray matter. Now it seems that the mechanical muse has struck in the form of a faux-wood paneled Chevrolet Celebrity wagon.

While the video after the jump lacks the wit of the Volvo 240 wagon ode, it makes up for its shortcomings with some of the staples of the music video arsenal – a bit of exposed female anatomy and ranting about “The Man.” Hit the jump to watch the clip for yourself, just be warned, the images might possibly be NSFW depending on how strict your cubicle overlords are. Thanks for the tip, Matthew!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Chevy Celebrity latest unlikely rap video star

Video: Chevy Celebrity latest unlikely rap video star originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Wince-inducing Chevy Silverado jump attempt

Filed under: Truck, Safety, Videos, Chevrolet

Chevy Silverado jump fail
Chevy Silverado takes a leap of faith – Click above to watch the video after the jump

We’d bet that most Dukes of Hazzard fans figured out by age 10 that no 1969 Dodge Charger could take the abuse dished out by the Duke boys. And even if you thought the General Lee could really nail all those jumps, you probably didn’t feel so confident about “Crazy” Cooter Davenport’s ability to do the same in his 1968 Chevrolet pickup.

If only everyone had this much common sense. Beyond the jump is video proof that all would-be stunt drivers should befriend a mathematician and a physicist before attempting any stupid jumps. The beginning of the video looks promising enough, as the beat-up old Silverado approaches the dirt ramp, but it doesn’t take long for the epic fail to unfold. Good thing the driver was wearing a helmet, because this does not look like a minor collision. Hit the jump to watch and cringe for yourself.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Wince-inducing Chevy Silverado jump attempt

Video: Wince-inducing Chevy Silverado jump attempt originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Feb 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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