Pricing Announced for 2014 Impala

Here we go folks; it seems that Chevrolet has announced the pricing details for its all-new full-size flagship vehicle, the 2014 Impala. Chevrolet announced that the 2014 Impala will hit dealerships with a starting price of $26,725 (before an $810 destination charge).While the 2014 model is slightly more expensive than its predecessor; the price increase seems minute considering the improved features.  

Chevy announced that the new models of the Impala will feature sophisticated design features, more technology and safety equipment while ensuring that the Impala‘s current strengths like spaciousness and comfort are not compromised. The redesigned 2014 Impala will offer the following features:

•         Three available trim levels:  LS, LT and LTZ. Customers will also get to choose between three direct injection engines: 3.6-liter V6, the 2.5-liter four-cylinder and the 2.4-liter four-cylinder with the General Motors eAssist technology that delivers 35 mpg highway and an available 305-hp V6.
•         An excellent array of safety features such as:  adaptive cruise control, blind-spot and lane-departure warnings, and rear cross-traffic alert
•         Chevy’s next-generation MyLink entertainment system, which includes a customizable eight-inch screen, natural voice recognition, and Bluetooth audio streaming
•          Upscale illumination treatments such as LED daytime running lights and HID headlamps
•         Standard 18-inch wheels with the option to upgrade to 19- and 20-inch tires.
•          An interior featuring top of the line materials and active noise cancellation for a refined driving environment

“This all-new Impala delivers on our promise that every new car that wears the Chevrolet bowtie will embody the pioneering spirit that has defined the brand for more than a century.” said Chris Perry, vice president, global Chevrolet marketing. “With the striking new design and the right mix of comfort, technology and efficiency, we have recaptured the magic that attracted millions of consumers to the Impala nameplate for decades.”

The redesigned 2013 Chevrolet Impala is slated to go on sale in the spring of next year. Expect to see the V6-powered models arriving in dealerships first.

Make sure to keep an eye out. As more news come out on the 2014 Chevrolet Impala, we will make sure to keep you updated!

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Vehicle Profile: 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Lineup

Redesigned Malibu offers class-leading safety and fuel efficiency

The Chevy Malibu, one of America’s best-selling sedans, has always had a special place in our heart. For 2013 the Chevrolet Malibu is back, and shows off a fully redesign model that is focused on advanced technology, sophisticated looks, outstanding ride performance and class-leading safety and fuel efficiency. MSRP for the 2013 Malibu is $22,390.

Trims and Options

The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu will be available in three trims: LS, LT and LTZ trims.

On top of these trims, for 2013 Chevrolet will also introduce the Malibu Eco model, which features a wider track and a shorter wheelbase.

The Malibu Eco features eAssist™ light electrification technology , which equips the vehicle with an onboard air-cooled lithium-ion battery and 15-kilowatt motor-generator that optimizes engine efficiency and boosts fuel economy.

One great feature of the eAssist system is that it equips your 2013 Malibu Eco with regenerative braking (which charges the battery by using electricity generated by braking). The eAssist system also powers the Malibu to receive up to 15 hp of electric power assistance during heavy acceleration; fuel cut-off during certain types of deceleration; automatic engine start/stop technology, and the ability to use electricity instead of gasoline to maintain power when stopped at traffic lights and similar situations.

The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco sports one of the best fuel economies of all the non-hybrid midsize sedans, pushing an EPA estimated 25 mpg city and 37 mpg highway. The Malibu Eco powertrain also includes a direct-injected, 2.4-liter Ecotec inline four-cylinder engine with Variable Valve Timing (VVT) that is able to provide the vehicle with a total output of 182 hp and 172 lb/ft of torque.  All 2013 Malibu Eco models will come standard equipped with a next-generation six-speed automatic transmission specially designed and optimized for seamless operation with eAssist.

All other 2013 Malibu trims will come standard with a 2.5-liter direct-injected Ecotec inline four-cylinder with VVT, able to produce 197 hp and 191 lb/ft of torque though a next-generation six-speed automatic transmission. This powerful combination also delivers excellent fuel efficiency for the Malibu, pushing EPA-estimated figures of 22 mpg city and 34 mpg highway.

Want more power? No problem,  for 2013, Chevrolet will offer its first-ever turbocharged engine on a Malibu in the form of an all-new 2.0-liter Ecotec four-cylinder capable of generating an insane 259 hp and 260 lb/ft of torque. The turbo engine will be available for LT and LTZ trims.

Features

To match its strong drivetrain options, the 2013 Malibu was engineered to have best-in-class handling performance on par with pricier European sport sedans. With a stiff body structure, independent front and rear suspension, precise electric rack-and-pinion steering, four-channel antilock brakes with ventilated front disc rotors and dual piston front brakes, Traction Control and Electronic Stability Control, the 2013 Malibu is an absolute thrill on winding country roads.

The all-new 2013 Chevrolet Malibu will also offer Chevrolet’s MyLink infotainment system. This system will equipt your Malibu with voice recognition and online services like Pandora Internet Radio and Stitcher SmartRadio, along with Bluetooth streaming audio and Gracenote playlists and album art. Standard hands-free phone via Bluetooth works with compatible smartphones. Chevrolet’ s MyLink infotainment system also offers high-resolution display, and it controls your Malibu’s stereo, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, CD and MP3 functions.

Exterior

Take one look at the 2013 Chevy Malibu and you will notice some semblance to Chevy’s  Camaro and Corvette. The 2013 Malibu was redesigned to feature a new sleeker and more muscular appearance/ It features a bold dual-port grille, Camaro-inspired dual-element tail lamps (LED standard on LTZ), chrome-tipped dual exhaust, 18-inch alloy wheels, broader shoulders, a wider stance and an integrated rear spoiler.

Not only is the Malibu exterior sporty, it’s also very aerodynamic. The redesigned exterior is able to cut through the wind at 0.29 coefficient of drag (Cd), one of the most aerodynamically efficient profiles in its segment. The Malibu Eco also features electronically controlled aero shutters through the lower grille opening that close to improve aerodynamics and fuel efficiency. All of these aerodynamic enhancements also help provide a much quieter cabin as it reduces interior wind noise, especially at freeway speeds.

Interior

The all-new 2013 Malibu offers all occupants more interior space, high-quality materials, advanced technologies and European-influenced ride and handling traits. It features a spacious 16.3 cubic foot trunk and adds nearly four additional cubic feet of interior volume from its predecessors. The 2013 Malibu dual-cockpit design opens up shoulder and hip room to make even the longest road trips more comfortable.

Tasteful chrome accents and wood trim, available leather upholstery, heated front seats and French contrast stitching and ice blue illumination at night give the Malibu a refined and sophisticated feel usually reserved for much more expensive luxury sedans. Clever interior innovations abound in the 2013 Malibu, including a seven-inch touch-screen radio display face that articulates up and down to uncover a six-inch deep storage space (Eco, LT and LTZ models).

Safety

On top of all the incredible features mentioned above, the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu is also an extremely safe vehicle. In fact, the 2013 Malibu Eco is the first all-new 2013 midsize car to receive dual honors for safety with a “5-Star Overall Vehicle Score” from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the prestigious 2012 “Top Safety Pick” from the Insurance institute for Highway Safety.

Conclusion

The 2013 redesigned Chevrolet Malibu completely blows previous Malibu models out of the water. It offers a fantastic combination of a powerful look, an upscale interior and it is loaded with technology and safety features. With a redesign as good as this we can bet on one thing: the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu is sure to find its way into many American garages.

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Chevrolet Test Track to open at Walt Disney World Dec. 6

Redesigned ride replaces GM Test Track attraction

Boy I absolutely love theme parks!

I have to say that after years of being a theme park geek, I can finally admit that I am, and have always been, “that guy” at the adventure park.

So who exactly is “that guy”? You know the one: It is the first person into the park and the last person out, the guy who needs to get a million souvenirs and try all the food places available. The guy who must ride every single ride in the park (yes, even the kiddie ones) just because he doesn’t want to waste any possibility of fun available to him, and the guy who will not hesitate to jump in the water park, despite several hygiene warnings from family and friends alike. That’s right ladies and gentlemen, as much as I hate to admit it, I am “that guy”.

However, just like there are people like myself who can’t get enough of what a theme park has to offer, there are people who absolutely loathe them, and if you were at least a car fan in Disney World, GM had you covered.

Since 1999, car nuts stranded at Walt Disney World knew they could find relief from the Small Worlds and Magic Kingdoms at Epcot's GM Test Track. Sadly for those people however, the sanctuary protecting them from magical happy people disappeared when the ride was shut down this past April.

Fortunately, GM and Disney have revealed that the attraction is making a grand comeback, and that a team of GM designers and Disney Imagineers (Imagination + Engineer, you get the idea) have been laboring to redesign and rebuild the ride as the new Chevrolet Test Track. The new and improved Chevrolet Test Track is set to open on December 6^th.

As you could have guessed by the name change, the new Test Track will focus exclusively on Chevrolet vehicles.

Under the new concept, ride goers will be able to create their own virtual concept car that will then come along for the ride. Users can customize and tweak their concept car as they wish by choosing between 4 different performance attributes to give specific strengths to the vehicle: capability, efficiency, responsiveness and speed.

After designing a rough version your own vehicle, the use of special software and a little “Disney magic” fills in the gaps and turn your design into a brand new Chevrolet concept car.

Fans of the original GM Test Track will be happy to find out that the ride remains mostly unchanged, taking guests up to speeds of 65 mph. The scenery, however, has received a substantial makeover, upgrading their old ‘Crash Dummy’ style carts to vehicles decorated with fluorescent paint and a prominent Chevy logo. The ride will also feature glowing panels around the track, giving it a futuristic, virtual-reality feel.

Once the track portion ends, guests will see how their virtual car performed in a series of equally virtual tests that occurred during the ride. Attendees can pit their concepts against each other on video game-like simulation tables and create digital advertisements for their fantasy rides.

Those curious about the revamped attraction or eager to try their hand as a car designer will have to wait until the Chevrolet Test Track grand reopening on Dec. 6. Details can be found at the Walt Disney World Web site (http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/epcot/attractions/test-track/)

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Production Chevrolet Spark EV to debut in LA

It's been a little over a year since General Motors announce that an all-electric version of the Chevrolet Spark would be heading to the United States. Fast forward to present time and GM has given confirmation that EV version of the Chevy Spark will debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show later this month.

When speaking of the EV Spark, Chevrolet officials said the car "will offer consumers the same package that has made the gasoline-powered model so popular while delivering the technology and performance of pure electric power."

Chevrolet says the Spark EV has an oil-cooled electric motor that is able to produce 130 horsepower, an astonishing increase from the 84 horsepower produced by the gas-powered version. The Spark EV will also see its torque skyrocket to 400 pound-feet, which is more than a Porsche 911, and which according to Chevrolet, will help the car go from zero to 60 in less than eight seconds.

The Spark EV’s increase in power comes from a 20-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery, which will be covered by an eight-year, 100,000-mile warranty, and is produced by A123 Systems.

Although Chevy didn’t say much about the Spark EVs range, it did say it would be among the best in its class, rivaling competitors such as the Fiat 500 EV, Mitsubishi i, and Scion iQ EV.

Spark EV owners can expect to charge their battery up to 80% capacity in about 20 minutes by using DC fast charging. The Spark EV can be fully charged in less than seven hours by using a 240-volt outlet, and it uses a standard 120-volt charge cord as standard equipment.

One awesome feature for Spark Ev owners is that you Spark owners will be able to track the car's charging via a smartphone app that works in conjunction with OnStar.

Chevy announced that the new Spark EV will be available for sale or lease in California next summer (summer 2013), with Chevrolet to announce other U.S. markets in the near future.

Also at the Los Angeles Auto Show GM will be showing off an updated version of the Chevrolet MyLink system that will offer higher levels of personalization and improved smartphone integration. The refreshed MyLink system will debut in the 2014 Impala.

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