chevrolet

AMP Electric Vehicles has announced that it's developing a mainstream SUV prototype for an automaker, but it didn't say which one. The obvious guess is GM since the Cincinnati-based start-up has developed conversion processes for a handful of GM vehicles, including the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox, the 2007-2009 Saturn Solstice, and Pontiac Sky. However, a GM spokesperson indicated that the company does not have any agreement with AMP.

AMP purchases cars from dealerships for customers (or customers can bring their own) and converts the vehicle to operate with an electric drivetrain. Using a custom lithium ion battery pack and … Read more

What will happen when millions of electric vehicles plug into the grid at at the same time? If ZigBee Alliance's blueprints for the SmartGrid go according to plan, not much.

The ugly specter of mass blackouts caused by hoards of EVs rolling into garages and plugging in at the same time is just one of the many arguments EV detractors use against electric vehicles and plug-ins. But EV adoption is inevitable, and the smart grid should make sure that energy loads will be balanced and shifted as needed to recharge them without causing widespread power failure. And eventually, ZigBee predicts, electric cars and plug-ins will become part of the energy solution supplying power to the grid.

But let's back up.

If you haven't heard of the ZigBee Alliance, you're not alone. Before I started this article, I'd never heard of it until I was forwarded one of its press releases. Named after a little-known Nordic elf that has nothing to do with wireless networks or energy, the ZigBee is a standard for wireless sensor networks on which the Smart Grid operates. "And the domain name was available," says Bob Heile, who is chairman of the curiously named group and one of the founders of 802.11.

More than 300 metering, computer, chip processing, electronics, and automotive companies are members the ZigBee Alliance. By incorporating ZigBee's technology in their products, many of these companies are laying the infrastructure that will enable utility companies, networked homes and buildings, and appliances to communicate wirelessly and automate metering as part of the smart grid. That includes electric vehicles.

Electric and plug-in vehicles will undoubtedly be a significant drain on the smart grid--each plugged-in EV has the equivalent drain of another house for hours at a time. But they're also uniquely designed to be able to give back.

"They are essentially batteries with wheels," says Heile. "Ultimately, long after the EV infrastructure is in place and consumers adopt them, there will be opportunities to load shift."

This means that at peak hours people can sell the energy stored in EV batteries back to utility companies. But don't think you can offset the cost of a new Nissan Leaf or Chevrolet Volt by becoming a homespun energy trader of sorts--that technology is still years away.

The typical EV and smart meter rhetoric goes something like, "You can charge your car overnight when electricity rates are cheaper." But the technology isn't entirely there to support that rational. Right now if you don't own a smart meter (you would know if you do) and you plug an EV into an outlet, it doesn't know what the device is or who it belongs to, or when to charge it other than right now. But in the future, it will know who you are by the car you drive so that when you charge at a friend's house, you'll get the bill. Or so the theory goes. … Read more

General Motors today announced it will unveil a five-door 2011 Chevy Cruze hatchback at the 2010 Paris Motor Show.

Wayne Brannon, president and managing director of Chevrolet Europe, said the total compact segment in Europe represents about 4.8 million units, which is more than a quarter of the total market and hatchbacks represent about 65 percent of that volume.

"Hatchbacks play a critical role in many markets," said Brannon. "We therefore expect to see increased business in a number of regions, while sending out a signal that Chevrolet is now a serious mainstream player in Europe.&… Read more

Last week, we took a look at Hertz Rent-A-Car's NeverLost navigation system, but in order to do so we had to first rent a car, which is how we found ourselves behind the wheel of this 2011 Chevrolet Traverse. Now, we spend a good deal of time reviewing cars that are packed to the gills with cabin tech, but we've never turned down a chance to check out even a low-tech ride. With that in mind, we decided to check out what this seven-passenger SUV had to offer.

Fleet vehicles--which is what rental cars are--are often of low … Read more

It's not even in showrooms yet and GM is already looking for ways to improve the Volt.

The extended range plug-in vehicle will make its market debut equipped with GM's fuel-sipping 1.4-liter engine that has been optimized to work with the Volt's battery and electric motor. GM didn't have time to develop a new powerplant specifically for the Volt, so it tuned its existing 1.4-liter engine to operate within a narrow band, typically around 1,800 rpm, to deliver adequate power to car's battery while keeping fuel consumption low.

It got the job … Read more

A midengine Corvette? Not gonna happen.

But a hybrid ? Maybe.

A hybrid Corvette "is an interesting idea," Karl-Friedrich Stracke, General Motors' vice president of global engineering, told Automotive News. "Porsche has announced a full hybridization for their complete lineup. What can they do? They need it" to meet increasing emissions standards.

He speculated that a two-tier power-train strategy could evolve for sporty cars that could satisfy both power junkies and those interested in fuel economy: "You could keep a normal power-train configuration for a small amount of very excited car enthusiasts and turn 80 to … Read more

Chevrolet's quest for more vehicles that match the styling appeal of the Equinox crossover and Camaro muscle car will continue in the next several years.

For instance, a more upscale Impala is in the works, with a low production volume and limited rental fleet sales, one source says. That would follow the example set by the 2010 Ford Taurus. But the new Impala is not coming until the 2014 model year.

In the nearer term, Chevrolet will prepare for rising federal fuel economy standards by decreasing the displacement of its V-6 engines, adding more four-cylinder engines, and introducing redesigned small cars.

Here are Chevrolet's 2011-13 model year highlights:

Spark: This minicar will enter the United States as a 2013 model with three- and four-cylinder engines. General Motors Co. is expected to build the first Sparks for this market in South Korea, home of the Spark's sibling, the five-door Daewoo Matiz hatchback. Spark production may move to Mexico later.

The Spark already is on sale in Europe, South Africa, and other markets. Expect midcycle updates in time for the U.S. model's debut.

Aveo: GM will start producing the redesigned subcompact in mid-2011 at Orion Township, Mich. The car will be longer and wider than the current Aveo and have a five-door hatchback and four-door sedan. Production is expected to reach 60,000 to 70,000 annually. … Read more

What do the Canadian Alpine Ski Team, the America's Cup-winning Stars & Stripes yacht, and the 2011 Chevy Cruze Eco have in common? They've all been tested in the GM Aerodynamics Laboratory.

For 30 years, engineers have used the GM Aerodynamics Laboratory to improve the capability of vehicles and athletes to slip through the air more efficiency.

The GM wind tunnel, the largest of its type dedicated to automotive work, began operating in August 1980. During the past three decades, engineers have used it to cut the coefficient of drag of GM vehicles by about 25 percent, according … Read more

One of the biggest hurdles the folks at General Motors face in marketing the Cruze is getting consumers to set aside negative thoughts about Chevrolet and embrace a new product.

The Chevy Cruze, which replaces the "thank-goodness-it's-gone Cobalt," is a great place to start. And with an expected 40 mpg on the highway with the Cruze Eco model, consumers might quickly change their minds about Chevrolet.

The all-new 2011 Chevy Cruze pushes the limits of the compact segment. It offers a quiet, comfortable ride and a stylish and sturdy body, all at an affordable price.

The Cruze is already available across Europe and Asia, in a total of 60 countries, and will make its U.S. debut in September.

Chevy is offering five models of the Cruze to the U.S. market: Cruze LS, Cruze LT, Cruze 2LT, Eco Cruze, and Cruze LTZ. An RS package is available for the LT and LTZ models for $695 extra.

Handling

Pulling into traffic on I-66 heading east away from Dulles International Airport, the LTZ held its own against the elements and other vehicles. The ride was smooth and quiet, even in the pounding rain that had felled trees and knocked out power lines.

The LTZ's electrically assisted power steering was a plus when switching lanes quickly or hugging turns on the narrow roads of the Washington area.… Read more