For 2013 Chevy Malibu Aerodynamics Play Key Role

For the 2013 Chevy Malibu, aerodynamics played a key role.

As gas prices fluctuate, General Motors is determined to deliver more fuel-efficient vehicles to consumers. But achieving more MPG isn’t as simple asutilizing smaller engines. For the all-new 2013 Chevy Malibu, aerodynamics played a crucial role in its efficiency.

The latest Malibu has a drag coefficient comparable to a Corvette and nearly as efficient as the Volt electric car. Combining its sleek design with its fuel-saving eAssist technology, the Malibu ECO is able to achieve an estimated 26 mpg city and 38 mpg highway based on GM testing. Those are impressive figures for a full-size sedan.

“With the new Malibu, the design and aero teams collaborated to achieve maximum fuel efficiency for our customers without compromising the car’s visual appeal,” said John Cafaro, Chevrolet Malibu exterior design director. “The aero and aesthetic evolved simultaneously – working together, we sculpted the car in a way that makes it more slippery, applied innovative technologies like eAssist and active shutters, and we intentionally designed components such as the rear deck lid and outside rearview mirrors to help maximize fuel economy.”

When developing the new Malibu, engineers shaved 60 counts of fuel economy-robbing wind drag from the model it replaces, the equivalent of adding up to 2.5 mpg more highway driving range. Aero engineers and designers also conducted more than 400 hours of wind tunnel testing to ensure optimal fuel economy.

“Aerodynamics is driven by science.” said John Bednarchik, Chevrolet Malibu lead aerodynamic engineer. “While car designers favor wheel flares, sharp creases and other details that add style to a car, what catches the eye may disrupt the airflow, creating unwanted air turbulence and increasing drag. The new Malibu balances design needs with aerodynamic efficiency to truly benefit the customer.”

Vehicle aerodynamics remain a primary driver of overall fuel economy, especially at highway speeds. So, it’s good to know that so much attention has been placed on each and every curve of the all-new Chevy Malibu.

Read more: http://www.chevroletinthenews.com/2013-chevy-malibu-gets-high-marks-in-aerodynamic-testing/#more-1941

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GM’s Humanoid Robot At The International Space Station

Last week, GM’s humanoid robot, Robonaut 2 (R2), was brought to life aboard the International Space Station.

R2 was jointly developed by scientists and engineers from General Motors and NASA. GM was eager to see how this robot would make GM’s plants around the world safer. R2’s hands feature extraordinary dexterity and sensitivity, making it suitable for performing a number of manufacturing-related tasks.

NASA’s use of R2 has helpful GM test it in the real-world. Both teams will share what they’ve learned from R2 to make it even more useful in the future. So far, R2 is performing well in space, and should be a helpful addition to the crew of the International Space Station.

“Everything came alive,” said Nic Radford, Robonaut deputy project manager. “We started getting video out of Robonaut’s eyes. Everything worked exactly as we expected it to. It was a very, very exciting time.”

To read more and see the video visit: http://www.chevroletinthenews.com/gms-humanoid-robot-comes-to-life-in-outer-space/#more-1929

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Get Ready For The 2012 Transformers Special Edition Bumblebee Camaro Coupe!

Get ready for the 2012 Transformers Special Edition Bumblebee Camaro Coupe!

To celebrate the Camaro’s appearance in this year’s “Transformers: Dark of the Moon,” Chevrolet will release an eye-popping 2012 Transformers Special Edition Camaro Coupe that features Bumblee’s aggressive black-and-yellow design scheme.

The Bumblebee bonus package is available on the 2LT and 2SS Camaro Coupe with Rally Yellow paint and offers:

• Black rally stripes stretching over the hood, roof, rear decklid and model-specific high-wing rear spoiler
• 20-inch black-painted wheels with Autobot “Shield” logos and high-performance summer tires
• Black leather interior accents with yellow stitching
• Autobot “Shield” badging on the front quarter panels, with similar embroidered designs stitched in yellow into the front headrests and center console lid
• Two dealer-installed options—bigger 21-inch black-painted wheels and a black ground-effects kit
• All content from the Camaro RS appearance package, including high-intensity discharge headlamps with integrated LED halo rings and unique taillamps

Also significant: To continue building Camaro’s popularity around the world, the new Transformers Special Edition will be sold in Canada, China, Japan, Europe, South America and the Middle East. Available for ordering in the U.S. right now, the Bumblebee Camaro will reach American dealerships in September.

Read more: http://www.chevroletinthenews.com/fans-already-buzzing-about-new-camaro-bumblebee-edition/#more-1920

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5 Millionth Chevrolet Camaro Sold!

The 5 millionth Chevrolet Camaro was sold to a customer in Kentucky.

The black-on-black 1LS coupe showcased a “dovetail” spoiler, a six-speed manual transmission and a potent 3.6-liter, 312-hp V6, and it was the 225,844th Camaro sold since the fifth generation launched in March 2009. Of course, Chevy is on track to keep the momentum going, thanks an expanding lineup that now includes the Camaro Convertible, which dropped its top in February of 2011, and the high-performance Camaro ZL1.

Designed to be the most technically advanced car in its class, the Camaro ZL1 will holster a supercharged 6.2-liter LSA V8 that makes some 550 hp and offer a six-speed manual transmission with a dual-disc clutch, Magnetic Ride Control, a vented carbon-fiber hood insert, and an advanced, track-ready brake system designed collaboratively with the experts at Brembo.

Drivers can expect the ZL1 to debut early next year as the fastest Camaro ever offered by Chevrolet—which will no doubt help the brand get a quick head start toward selling its next 5 million Camaros.

Read more: http://www.chevroletinthenews.com/the-comeback-continues-chevy-sells-5-millionth-camaro/#more-1902

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2013 Chevrolet Malibu Will Be Quieter Than A Mouse

The 2013 Chevy Malibu will be quieter than a mouse thanks to Chevrolet noise engineers. 

Thanks to unrelenting perfection when it came to sound, the all-new 2013 Chevrolet Malibu should be one of the quietest sedans on the market when it arrives in showrooms in early 2012.

“To tune the sound properties to appeal to the widest possible audience, we need to make sure everyone hears the same thing,” said Kara Gordon, Malibu’s lead acoustic engineer.

Gordon and her team used pre-production Malibus with a mannequin-like recording device called an Aachen HEAD, a digital recording tool that closely matches the way humans process sound with both their ears. As the test Malibus were driven on a variety of road surfaces, sound engineers were able to listen to and evaluate the Malibu’s interior noise recordings and find the “sweet spot.”

“The typical acoustic memory of the human ear to discern subtle yet important differences is about 10 seconds – or about the time it takes to go from one vehicle to another. The Aachen HEAD, our Jury Room and high-tech headphones make it possible for us to give our Malibu customers the quietest, most pleasing interior sound quality possible,” said Gordon.

Thanks to Gordon and her team, the next-generation Malibu will be able to prevent tire, wind and road noise from creeping into the cabin. In addition to precision testing, engineers employed features like noise-reducing outside rear view mirrors, laminated side glass and noise-absorption pads throughout the cabin to help reduce noise.

Read more: http://www.chevroletinthenews.com/sound-experts-help-make-2013-chevy-malibu-cabin-ultra-quiet/#more-1890

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The 2012 Chevy Cruze Will Get 39 MPG

The 2012 Chevy Cruze will get 39 MPG highway! Good news for anyone in the current economy.

 

Thanks to a revised axle ratio, the 2012 Cruze Eco with its standard 1.4-liter turbocharged Ecotec engine and available six-speed automatic transmission will be able to achieve up to 39 mpg highway, while the standard Cruze with the same powertrain will be able to reach 38 mpg highway.

Said Rick Scheidt, vice president of Chevrolet marketing: “Fuel economy is the top reason customers buy a compact and the Cruze’s greater efficiency for 2012 makes it all the more attractive.”

But that’s not all that’s new for the new model year. In addition to increasing the Cruze’s fuel economy, Chevy also is increasing its value by incorporating one of 2011’s most popular option packages into the car’s already long list of standard features. The new content includes:

• Bluetooth phone connectivity
• A USB port
• Steering-wheel-mounted audio controls
• Cruise control
• A leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob

And remember, this is on top of standard equipment like air conditioning, remote keyless entry, an AM/FM/CD/MP3 sound system with a three-month complimentary subscription to SiriusXM satellite radio, power windows, a fuel-saving rack-mounted electric power steering system and a segment-best 10 air bags.

“Chevrolet is committed to responding to what customers want and making it easier for them,” said Scheidt. “Adding these previously optional features streamlines the ordering process and answers the call of what our customers told us should be standard.”

The 2012 Chevrolet Cruze will go on sale later this year.

Read more: http://www.chevroletinthenews.com/chevy-boosts-cruze-fuel-economy-for-2012/#more-1865

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Solar-Powered Charging Stations Coming to 24 U.S. Chevrolet Dealerships

 

Solar-Powered Charging Stations Coming to 24 U.S. Chevrolet Dealerships

Chevrolet is taking sustainability to a whole new level with the installation of solar-powered charging stations at Chevrolet dealerships. These new chargers are to be installed at two dozen U.S. dealerships to generate electricity equivalent to 12 full vehicle charges per day. Excess energy will be used to supplement the dealerships’ daily power needs.

American Chevrolet in Modesto, California, and Al Serra Auto Plaza in Grand Blanc, Michigan, are the first U.S. dealerships to complete their solar charging capability. Each solar canopy generates enough electricity for up to 4,500 charges per vehicle annually.

“The question isn’t whether to install a solar canopy, it’s where and how many,” said Joe Serra, president of Serra Automotive. “It’s a win for us because the electricity generated will help reduce operating costs, and it’s a win for the environment since solar power helps reduce our carbon footprint.”

The installation of solar chargers has been dubbed the Green Zone initiative. The initiative is part of GM Ventures’ recent announcement to invest $7.5 million in Sunlogics, a solar panel manufacturing and development company that will supply the panels and install the dealer charging stations.

“The beauty of this program is that there is no capital cost required from the dealership,” said Dave Halvorson, president of American Chevrolet in Modesto. “Not only do we generate the solar energy to increase our reliance on renewable electricity, but the Green Zone is a billboard of our commitment to the environment.”

Read more: http://www.chevroletinthenews.com/chevrolet-harnesses-sun-to-power-dealerships/#more-1859

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2012 Corvette ZR1 Breaks Record At Nürburgring

The 2012 Corvette ZR1 Breaks Record At Nürburgring. 

After an absence of four years, the Chevrolet Corvette once again returned to Germany’s famed Nürburgring racetrack for performance testing, and once again it came home with a record. Corvette engineer Jim Mero drove a stock 2012 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 through the 12.9 miles and 154 turns of the ’Ring’s Nordschliefe course in a time of just 7:19.63—the fastest confirmed time ever recorded by a stock production vehicle.

But that was just a bonus for the Corvette team, which was at Nürburgring to validate some key performance upgrades on the ZR1 for 2012, including its available Michelin Pilot Sport Cup Zero Pressure tires. An important factor in helping the Corvette set its new Nürburgring benchmark, these competition-oriented tires are optimized for warm, dry conditions to provide enhanced cornering and handling capabilities. In fact, working in concert with the Corvette’s exclusive torque-management system, the net result for the 2012 model year is an 8 percent gain in maximum lateral acceleration—now increased to more than 1.1g—as well as decreased braking distances.

It’s no wonder the 2012 model year also will bring one more significant addition to the Corvette roster—a seventh trophy for winning its class at the grueling 2011 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race.

Read more: http://www.chevroletinthenews.com/2012-corvette-zr1-makes-record-setting-nurburgring-debut/

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