By Csaba Daradics
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Revealed for the first time here in North America at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic will replace the Aveo as GM"s new subcompact model, while retaining the Aveo nameplate in Europe and other international markets. In this latest video, the firm"s designers discuss the styling features of the Sonic, highlighting the motorcycle elements featured in both the sedan and hatchback. According to Design Director John Mack, the aim was to create "a youthful, spirited car, one that stands out in the market". For the complete walk-around check out the video after the break.
By Csaba Daradics
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Even though General Motors is in the midst of bankruptcy protection, the firm"s engineers and technicians have somehow managed to stay ahead in the development of the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid - or at least that"s what they support. On Wednesday, the automaker completed the build of the first pre-production Volt more than a week ahead of schedule. Up until now, the development team was working with prototype mules utilizing the body of the Chevy Cruze and the hybrid drivetrain of the Volt.
The model"s chief engineer, Andrew Farah, took the first pre-production Volt for a quick spin and while he was at it, GM also recorded the test drive on film. According to Farah, only a few Volts are being produced per week now but the company will soon ramp up production to create a fleet of around 80 pre-production vehicles by October.
"Most of these vehicles will be used for testing and validating the production intent design as well as developing the final vehicle software and controls - we"ll also use them to tune the vehicle"s overall driving experience," said Farah. "Some of these Volts will have very short lives as they"ll be used in safety and structural integrity testing."
Nowadays, the appearance of all-electric and extended range hybrid electric cars in showrooms has forced [ahem...] the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to embrace a new method to measure the energy consumption of alternative fuel vehicles called MPGe (Miles Per Gallon Equivalent).
The idea is to allow consumers to compare the energy consumption of EVs or Electric-Hybrid models such as the Leaf and the Volt to those of gasoline or diesel powered vehicles in terms of miles per gallon.
Knowing that many consumers are still baffled by the concept, General Motors released a short video where it tries to explain the new EPA ratings on the Chevrolet Volt. Scroll down to watch the clip.
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The answer lies, in part, with the Aerovette: a mostly forgotten concept that made just two auto show appearances before being relegated to the GM Heritage Museum.
In the late ‘60s, GM engineer Zora Arkus Duntov and his team were toying with the XP-882, a mid-engined design and engineering exercise built on Oldsmobile Tornado underpinnings. Though fascinating from a design and engineering standpoint, Chevy General Manager John DeLorean saw no future for the XP-882 and canceled the project in 1969. It was simply too expensive and too impractical for the impending 1970s America.
When Ford announced it would be selling the Italian designed / American engined De Tomaso Pantera at its Lincoln / Mercury dealerships in 1970, DeLorean hit the roof. He immediately ordered Duntov and GM designer Charles Jordan to dust off the XP-882 and ready it for the New York Auto Show.
Renamed the Aerovette, the XP-882 was a revolution. After being re-engined for the 1973 Paris Auto Salon, the Aerovette now featured four transversely mounted Wankel rotaries, a full five years before they would be popularized in the United States by Mazda’s RX-7. Beneath that sleek glass fibre skin was a steel and aluminium birdcage that was both lightweight and strong.
Innovative features abound such as the bi-fold gullwing doors, V-shaped front windscreen and deformable plastic bumpers. Pop up headlamps, a fully independent coil spring suspension and four wheel disc brakes were also incorporated into the design.
Inside, a digital instrument panel displayed speed and engine rpm, while a switchable screen could show fuel, water temperature, oil pressure or voltage. A second digital display in the centre console could display the date, time and radio station as well as the elapsed time in minute or seconds for time trials.
Though the Aerovette / XP-882 never progressed beyond the concept stage, its design was highly influential in the third generation (C3) Corvette. Many of its ingenious design features would find their way into production cars; though in some cases this process took as long as then years(!).
So there you have it. The Aerovette: a car that was ten years ahead of its time but doomed by the ‘70s oil crisis. Gone, but hopefully, never forgotten.
By Tristan Hankins
Photos: GM / Wikipedia
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Source: Youtube , Via: Autoblog
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By Csaba Daradics
*PS: If you liked this story, you may also want to check out the Subaru Impreza WRX STi-powered ATV
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GM says the conversion from coupe to convertible comprised of four strategic reinforcements to enhance the body structure including, the addition of a tower-to-tower brace under the hood, a transmission support reinforcement brace, underbody tunnel brace and, front and rear underbody "V" braces. The company's goal was to match the coupe as closely as possible in ride quality, handling and overall performance.
Additional safety structural reinforcements include a hydrofromed tube in the A-pillars, an inner reinforcement bracket in the windshield header, a reinforced front hinge pillar and reinforcements inside the rockers.
"To compensate for the reduced structure of an open car, engineers often will make the suspension softer, making the convertible a boulevard cruiser," said Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief engineer. "Instead, we took the more difficult, but better path of bolstering structure rather than softening the suspension. We didn't change a strut, bushing or spring rate from the Camaro coupe."
According to GM, the result of the structural changes to the convertible body give it better torsional stiffness than the BMW 3-Series convertible.
The Camaro Convertible comes equipped with a standard power-folding top that retracts in about 20 seconds. Furthermore, a folding, one-piece tonneau cover is standard on 2LT and 2SS models and optional on 1LT/1SS.
Other changes over the coupe model include the relocation of the radio antenna to the boot and the trunk lock cylinder from between the taillamps to an area between the rear seat back cushion and driver's side interior panel.
The soft-top four-seater will be offered in similar model configurations as the Camaro coupe, meaning buyers will have a choice of two engines, a 312HP 3.6-liter V6 delivering 29 mpg highway and an 6.2L V8 with 426 horsepower. A six-speed manual transmission will be standard, with an optional six-speed automatic.
Finally, nine production exterior colors will be available available, with tops offered in black or tan. All models will be equipped with rear parking assist as standard.
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The Texas-based tuner claims that the HPE600 is capable of completing the 0-60mph (96km/h) sprint in the mid 3-second range and run the quarter mile (~400 meters) in 11 seconds.
Check out the video after the jump to hear that specific, spine-chilling Hennessey grunt.
This über-Camaro features other high-performance parts, like cold air induction system and upgraded injectors, and on the official website Hennessey states that many more additional appearance and performance options are also available.
By Csaba Daradics
The HPE600 Supercharged Upgrade Includes:
• TVS2300 Supercharger System (Black or Chrome)
• HPE Cold Air Induction System
• 1 7/8 inch Long Tube Stainless Steel Headers
• High Flow Catalytic Converters
• Fuel Injector Upgrade
• HPE Engine Management Calibration
• Hennessey & HPE600 Exterior Badging
• Limited Edition Numbered Dash & Engine Plaques
• Hennessey Premium Floor Mats
• Professional Installation
• Dyno Tuning & Road Testing
• 3 Year / 36,000 Mile Limited Warranty ?
Additional Appearance and Performance Options ?for the HPE600 also Available:
• Stainless Steel Cat-Back Exhaust
• Exterior Stripes
• Lightweight Wheels
• Torque Converter or Clutch Upgrade
• Full Coliover Suspension Kit
• Hennessey CarbonAero Body Kit
• Custom Leather Interior
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Underpinned by a 2007 C6 Z06, the most important aspect of the SixtySix concept is its appearance, which takes its fair share of styling inspiration ("the best of everything") from vintage Vettes.
The car was designed by David R, who hopes to be selling turn-key models for $120,000-$130,000 via his Rossi Motor Company in the near future. Other than retro exterior cues, the SixtySix also has a modified suspension/wheel/brake setup, power rear hatch, and a revised interior with rear-view camera.
Wearing a split rear window, sharky front end, and historical Corvette cues, the car looks pretty good. Not Perana Z-One good, but its market isn"t the Euro-chic crowd, either. Check out the video clip from Jay Leno"s Garage below and watch the anti-Conan talk a little shop with the car"s creator.
By Phil Alex
Link: Jay Leno"s Garage , Photos: Rossi
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