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2011 Chevy Cruze first drive

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

How Chevy's Volt keeps its cool

DETROIT--The long warranty--eight years or 100,000 miles--on the Chevrolet Volt battery got the headline last week. But the battery's liquid heating and cooling system helped make it possible.

Batteries last longer and perform better when they avoid extremes of hot and cold. And because liquid cooling systems are more compact than air-cooled systems, General Motors Co. engineers had room for more battery cells.

The Volt hybrid, which goes on sale late this year, can drive 40 miles on the battery. Then a gasoline engine kicks in to generate electricity for the motor.

Standard auto coolant circulates … Read more

Obama slips behind the wheel of the Chevy Volt

President Barack Obama on Thursday had a chance to check out the Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle during a visit to the Compact Power battery plant in Holland, Mich. LG Chem, the parent of Compact Power, is making the battery cells for the Volt.

The Volt has a reported range of about 340 miles and is powered with electricity at all times. For up to the first 40 miles, the Volt is powered solely by electricity stored in its 16-kWh lithium-ion battery, using no fuel and producing no emissions. When the Volt's lithium-ion battery runs low, an engine/generator seamlessly … Read more

Chevy Volt battery to have eight-year/100,000 mile warranty

General Motors today announced its Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle will come with an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty on its advanced lithium ion battery. According to GM, this is the automotive industry's longest, most comprehensive battery warranty for an electric vehicle, and it's transferable to other vehicle owners at no additional cost.

"The Chevrolet Volt's batteries have exceeded our performance targets and are ready to hit the road," said Micky Bly, GM executive director, global electrical systems. "Our customers are making a commitment to technology that will help reduce our dependence on petroleum. In turn, … Read more

What's more American than a muscle car? (concept car Friday)

More than trucks, more than minivans and SUVs, I believe that there's no better vehicular representation of America than the muscle car. However, with muscle cars come deep seeded loyalties to and rivalries among the three manufacturers and their respective vehicles. Specifically, we're talking about Ford's Mustang, Dodge's Challenger, and Chevrolet's Camaro. In a recent episode of Car Tech Live, we three hosts were asked which modern muscle car we'd each have and came up with three very different answers. Rather than spend our Independence Day weekend arguing over which is best, we've … Read more

Prizefight: Nissan Leaf vs. Chevy Volt

Two contenders are about to duke it out for our automotive future. Nissan brings out an all-electric car that promises emission-free driving along with low maintenance and per-mile costs. The Volt is also an electric car, but Chevy fits it with a range extending gasoline-powered generator, giving it about five times the range of Nissan's Leaf but adding to the complexity.

Brian Cooley takes an early look at both of these cars, weighing not only their drive-train technology, but also their connectivity and cabin tech systems. Watch as he gives a preview of which car might come out on … Read more

Chevrolet and Microsoft team up for Volt 'test drives' on the Xbox 360

Chevrolet and Microsoft have teamed up for the first-ever multiscreen advertising campaign that incorporates Kinect for Xbox 360 as a way to promote the Chevrolet Volt electric car launch later this year.

A demonstration this week at the 2010 Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival showed a number of innovative ways that brands can connect with consumers through touch and gesture on the PC, TV, and mobile device. The demonstration highlighted Kinect for Xbox 360, which offers controller-free games and entertainment.

For advertisers, this provides an innovative way to connect with consumers by enabling them to physically explore and engage with … Read more

Chevy Volt faces hot weather test in Yuma

The folks at General Motors this week continued with hot weather testing of the Chevrolet Volt. The Volt went through a series of Grade Load tests on the Circle Track with a towing dynamometer, which simulates endless hill and mountain climbing. The towing dyno can simulate climbing an incline with anywhere from a 2 to 10 percent grade when it is attached to the Volt, and today's tests were of the 5 and 7.2 percent variety.

A towing option will not be available for the Volt, nor is it recommended--in fact, the team at the GM Desert Proving … Read more

General Motors recalls 1.5 million vehicles

General Motors today announced its recalling 1.5 million 2007-2009 model cars, trucks, and crossovers to disable a heated washer fluid system module that could pose a fire risk. Because the feature will be disabled, GM will make a voluntary payment of $100 to the owner or lessee of each vehicle.

There are no known injuries or crashes related to the condition, according to a GM news release.

"While our analysis shows the number of incidents is very small compared with the number of vehicles on the road, we want our customers to have complete peace of mind," … Read more

Chevy Cruze has a cool low price

General Motors today announced the all-new midsize 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, which will begin arriving in U.S. dealerships this September, will be priced to compete with compact cars.

Starting at $16,995, including destination the Cruze offers more interior room, more miles per gallon in the Eco model, and more standard safety features than any of its competitors, GM said in a press release.

Earlier this year, CNET favorably reviewed the Cruze in Gruyere, Switzerland, after the Geneva auto show.

The 2011 Cruze will be offered in four models: The Cruze LS, which starts at $16,995 and has a … Read more