GM Rumored to Offer Chevy Cruze with a 50mpg Diesel

Citing two unnamed people that were briefed earlier this week on GM’s future product plans, the Detroit Free Press reported today that the company is mulling the addition of a diesel engine to the Chevrolet Cruze’s range.

According to the insiders, a diesel version of the Cruze would return a highway fuel economy of around 50mpg rivaling the efficiency of the Toyota Prius hybrid which is rated at 51 mpg (4.6 lt/100 km) in the city and 48mpg (4.9 lt/100 km) on the highway. A diesel Cruze would also help GM meet the more demanding government gas mileage rules.

Since GM has not made any plans official, the company’s spokesman, Tom Wilkinson, declined to make any comment on the issue. There is no word on pricing of course but if it were to be offered in the States, it would likely be more expensive than the $16,525 petrol-powered Cruze, since diesel engines are more expensive to manufacture.

GM has already many modern diesel engines in its portfolio, both from other markets where the Cruze is sold as well as other divisions like Opel.

Until now, GM and most US automakers weren’t convinced that the public would be willing to pay extra for a diesel version of their cars. However, the success of VW’s diesel-engined models like the Golf and Jetta in the US, as well as the higher gas prices, have has made them rethink that approach.

PHOTO GALLERY

Read more In Cars

Chevrolet Two-Door Cruze

The Cruze has been a big success fοr Chevrοlet. Although yοu could chalk up part οf its meteoric rise tο a lack of supply frοm Japan, the Cruze was the best-selling compact in America last mοnth. To build οn that success, General Motors is repοrtedly developing a two-dοοr coupe Cruze fοr future production.

Althοugh officials have yet tο confirm the Cruze coupe, repοrts indicate that development is already well under way, with prοduction earmarked fοr the Oriοn, Michigan, plant where the Sonic is being built. Why nοt the Lordstown, Ohiο plant where the Cruze sedan is built? That facility is already running at full capacity – even intο οvertime – just tο meet demand.

It would be interesting tο see the Cruze spawn a coupe variant, particularly since twο-door versions οf the Cοbalt and the Cavalier that preceded it, lamentable though they were, prοved popular amοng teenagers as first cars. We particularly miss the Cobalt SS, which was available in bοth coupe and sedan bοdystyles befοre the model was discοntinued, as it offered οne οf the best performance to price ratios οn the market.

Nissan Leaf Outsells Chevy Volt in Electric Car Battle

The battle for supremacy in the electric car category has begun –even though at present there are only two prime contestants. According to Bloomberg, the Nissan LEAF sold 3,875 cars the first half of the year, compared to 2,745 of GM’s Volt over the same period.

From January through May, the Volt was only 17 cars behind the Leaf, but in the following month, sales of the Volt plunged to just 561 cars, while those of the LEAF took off with a record 1,708 units, giving Nissan’s EV the lead. The LEAF costs $33,000 before a $7,500 federal tax credit, while the Volt costs $41,000 before government incentives.

Nissan’ CEO Carlos Ghosn predicted that Evs will account for 10% of global sales by 2020. He added that he expects his company to sell 12,000 LEAFs this year in the US, and predicted that this number may climb as high as 200,000 units –though he declined to specify a timetable.

Analysts, however, don’t share Ghosn’s optimism. George Peterson, president of consulting company AutoPacific in California, says that “we ‘re not going to see thousands of these on the roads soon. Rechargable vehicles may rise to about 3% of total US car sales in a few years”.

Nevertheless, GM plans to manufacture 16,000 Volts in 2011, with the production rising to 60,000 cars in 2012 after the Hamtrack plant upgraded is finished.

The two automakers had better hurry, because their competitors plan to enter the arena real soon. Next year Toyota will introduce a plug-in version of the very popular Prius and electric versions of the RAV4 SUV and the Scion iQ city car, and Honda plans to launch both a battery-only version of the Jazz/Fit supermini and another, yet unnamed, midsize plug-in vehicle.

PHOTO GALLERY

Read more In Cars

GM Warns Police, but not Civilians, on Defective Impalas

A class-action suit has been filed against General Motors in Detroit concerning a defect in the suspension rods of more than 400,000 2007-2008MY Chevrolet Impalas that causes premature wear to the rear tires.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of a woman from Pennsylvania named Donna Trusky, who wants GM to replace the defective suspension rods on 423,000 Impalas from the 2007-2008MY the company sold over a two-year period.

Trusky said that she bought an Impala in 2008 and the tires wore out in 6,000 miles. Even though the dealer replaced them, he didn’t inform her of the suspension problem. The problem appeared again last November, when Trusky’s Impala wouldn’t pass an annual inspection because of worn tires, even though the car had covered less than 25,000 miles.

The woman is basing her lawsuit on the fact that, in 2008, GM issued a service bulletin for the police version of the Impala concerning the replacement of rear suspension rods, rear-wheel alignment and, if necessary, rear-tires by the dealers. However, civilian owners didn’t get the same notice. If successful, the lawsuit will cost GM millions of dollars.

Read more In Cars

Chevrolet Prices for the Camaro UK, Starts from £34,995 (US$56,040)

The Camaro is the centerpiece of Chevrolet’s display at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, which begun today. And the company thought it was the perfect opportunity to announce the pricing of its UK-bound muscle car that will be available in early 2012.
The Camaro with the V8 engine starts from £34,995 (US$56,040) in coupe trim and from £39,995 (US$64,060) for the convertible, both with a manual transmission. If you want an automatic gearbox, you’ll have to add another £1,500 (US$2,400). In the U.S., the V8 model starts from US$31,070, which is equal to £19,400.
Available only in left-hand drive, the Camaro is powered by a 6.2-litre V8 which is rated in Europe at 432-horses, while Chevrolet claims that the suspension has been specifically tuned for European roads.
The UK-specification Camaro boasts a comprehensive standard equipment list that includes Brembo brakes, 20-inch alloy wheels, rear parking sensors, full leather upholstery, a Boston Acoustics 9-speaker audio system and Bluetooth connectivity.
And then there’s, of course, the options list with things like a choice of premium bodywork colors, bonnet stripes, interior trim, a sunroof and polished alloy wheels.

PHOTO GALLERY

Read more In Cars

GM’s Holden Readies Rebadged Chevys For The Melbourne Auto Show 2011

It’s a global economy we live in and as such, it doesn’t come to much of a surprise when we see the same vehicles launched under different brands and names in various parts of the world.
Of course, it would be somewhat unfair to Holden if we didn’t mention that it has played a key role in the development and design of several GM products including the 5-door Cruze that will be show in pre-production trim at the 2011 Australian International Motor Show (AIMS), which takes place in Melbourne from July to 10.
The hatchback body style of the Cruze will be joined by the new Barina (a.k.a the Chevrolet Sonic) and the Colorado 4x4 concept pickup truck, which we’ve already seen with Chevrolet's bowtie.
“The Colorado show car is the biggest and brightest star on the Holden stage this year,” said Holden Chairman and Managing Director Mike Devereux. “The next generation Colorado will be an important player in light commercial/pickup 4x4 segment which is up 11 per cent this year,” he added.
The new Colorado pickup will be introduced into the Australian market in production form next year.
Holden is also updating its bread-and-butter Commodore series with the presentation of an E85 capable V6 engine option.
“We’ll be adding to the Ecoline model range, extending E85 flex-fuel capability to the popular 3.6 litre SIDI V6 engine and launching a new dedicated LPG Commodore range to take advantage of the CO2 benefits of the locally-abundant fuel,” said Devereux.

PHOTO GALLERY

Read more In Cars

New Transformers Movie Spawns Chevrolet Camaro 2012 Special Edition

General Motors is trying to squeeze every ounce of publicity out its association with the makers of the third Transformers movie, called Dark of the Moon, which opens exclusively in 3D Tuesday and worldwide Wednesday.
Aside from having an army of cars featured in the film, the Detroit automaker is also launching yet another limited edition Camaromodel based on theAutobot “Bumblebee” character.
The 2012 Camaro Transformers Special Edition will be offered as a $3,000 package on 2LT and 2SS Camaro Coupes with Rally Yellow paint. Along with the content provided in the RS package, the Transformers edition adds bespoke black rally stripes that cover the hood, roof, decklid and the unique rear spoiler.
A set of 20-inch alloy wheels finished in black and wrapped in high-performance summer tires along with some cheesy Autobot Shield logos on the center caps and front quarter panels, complete the exterior changes.
As an option, GM will offer 21-inch, black-painted wheels and a black ground-effects package.
Inside, the Transformers edition Camaro’s interior is trimmed in black leather with yellow stitching on the instrument panel, center console, armrests and seats, while Autobot Shield logos are embroidered on the front headrests, as well as the center console lid.
GM believes the linkage with Transformers has helped boost sales and build the Camaro brand, especially with young buyers.
“The Transformers franchise has helped introduce Camaro – and Chevrolet – to a whole new generation of fans,” said Rick Scheidt, vice president of Chevrolet marketing. “Its role in the films helped make the Camaro the best-selling sports car in America, and one of the best-known cars of any kind around the world.”
GM will open the order books on the 2012 Transformers Special Edition Camaro in July, with vehicles arriving at U.S. and Canadian showrooms in September.

PHOTO GALLERY

Read more In Cars

A Chevy Aveo of the Third Kind: Extra-Terrestrial Vehicle

The Extra-Terrestrial Vehicle or ETV -we're not even kidding, that's the car's official name- is a futuristic-looking custom build created by Mike Vetter and his Florida-based company, 'The Car Factory'. It's hard to believe it just by looking at the ETV, but underneath that sci-fi outfit you'll find a Chevrolet Aveo stripped out of its body but not its heart.

Mike, who also works on Carrera GT replica bodies for the Porsche Boxster, claims on his website that buyers can opt either for an Aveo or a Boxster donor car. Somehow though, we find it hard to believe that anyone would give up a Porsche, no matter how many thousands of time they've seen Captain Kirk and Spock fighting off intruders from other planets.

But even in the case that the Chevy Aveo is the donor car, the ETV will most likely alienate you with its 'out of this world' price. We discovered that the Florida-based company has listed a completed ETV on eBay with a 'Buy it Now' price of just... $86,000. Cool but not $86k cool.

PHOTO GALLERY

Read more In Cars