Friday, December 20, 2013

Chevrolet Powers Way to Pair of Engine Honors

The all-new, high-tech Small Block 6.2L V8 powering the 2014 Corvette Stingray and the 2.0L turbo diesel for the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze are among Ward’s 10 Best Engines.

WardsAuto reviewed 44 engines from 16 automakers in this year’s competition, which looked at power, fuel efficiency, new technology, refinement and compared it with data for similar engines.

“At GM – our goal is to design, build and sell the world’s best powertrains – this recognition from the experts at WardsAuto provides two additional proof points that we are on the right track,” said Steve Kiefer, vice president, Global Powertrain.

“The fifth generation Small Block V-8 in the new Stingray, is an iconic brand in itself, and our new 2.0L Turbo Diesel engine in the Chevy Cruze is redefining the market with outstanding performance, strong low end torque, low emissions and segment-leading highway fuel economy – a real winner.”

LT1 6.2L V8 Small Block technology, power, efficiency
“The arrival of a completely re-engineered Small Block engine family is truly momentous,” says Tom Murphy, executive editor of WardsAuto World magazine. “The critics can say what they want about the relevance of pushrod engines, but how can more than a hundred million buyers of small-block engines since 1955 be wrong? The new Corvette couldn’t exist without this magnificent V-8.”

The all-new LT1 Small Block technologies contribute to making the new Corvette the quickest, most powerful and most fuel-efficient standard Corvette ever. The engine delivers an SAE-certified 460 horsepower helping propel the car to a 0-60 time in 3.8 seconds while offering 29 EPA estimated mpg highway.

The all-new engine is the most significant redesign in the Small Block’s nearly 60-year history. The LT1, part of the new Gen 5 family of Small Block engines, combines several advanced technologies – direct injection, Active Fuel Management, or cylinder deactivation, and continuously variable valve timing – to support an advanced combustion system.

Direct injection is new to the engine architecture and is a primary contributor to greater combustion efficiency by ensuring a more complete burn of the fuel in the air-fuel mixture. This is achieved by precisely controlling the mixture motion and fuel injection spray pattern. Direct injection also keeps the combustion chamber cooler, which allows for a higher compression ratio.

Increased power and efficiency result from more than 10 million hours of computational analysis including computational fluid dynamics, to make the most of the combustion system, the direct injection fuel system, active fuel management and variable valve timing systems that support it. The combustion system itself benefited from 6 million hours of dedicated CPU analysis time.

Other variants of the Gen 5 Small Block include the 4.3L V6, 5.3L and 6.2L V8 truck engines offered in the all-new Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups. The LT1 is manufactured in Tonawanda, N.Y., which is also home to last year’s WardsAuto 10 Best engine winner – the 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine used in the Cadillac ATS.

2.0L Turbo Diesel winning design, global expertise
“The Chevy Cruze diesel is everything you want it to be: astonishingly efficient, whisper-quiet on the highway and shockingly fun to drive,” says Drew Winter, editor-in-chief of WardsAuto World magazine.

The 2.0L turbo-diesel delivers an SAE-certified 151 horsepower (113 kW) and 264 lb-ft of torque (358 Nm). Notable is the engine’s high torque level of 250 lb-ft (339Nm) from 1750 - 3000 rpm. The rich torque provides for a sustained feeling of power on demand at almost all speeds – particularly when passing or entering a freeway onramp.

The 2014 Cruze Turbo Diesel engine delivers a segment leading EPA-estimated 46 MPG on the highway and range of 717 highway miles on one tank of fuel, based on fuel tank capacity and EPA estimates – your range may be less. That is  better than any non-hybrid passenger car in America. The engine has an overboost feature capable of increasing torque to an estimated 280 lb-ft (380 Nm), for stronger acceleration periods of about 10 seconds.

Cruze’s 2.0L turbo-diesel is based on a proven architecture used in European models. Collaborating with Italian and German engineering groups, GM’s diesel experts in the United States adapted the engine to accommodate more stringent diesel emission standards, diagnostics and a wider range of driving conditions – including colder and hotter climates and higher altitudes – for the United States and Canada. The engine is manufactured in Kaiserslautern, Germany and also used in the Opel Astra, Cascada, Insignia and Zafira Tourer.

Come test drive a Corvette or a Cruze at Tom Bell Chevrolet and be sure to check us out on Facebook and Twitter for further news and updates.

Friday, December 13, 2013

Three GM Vehicles Nominated as 2014 NACTOY Finalists

Three General Motors vehicles – the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, Silverado full-size pickup and Cadillac CTS sedan – were named finalists today for the prestigious North American Car and Truck of the Year awards, jurors announced at an Automotive Press Association luncheon.

The jury of 48 automotive journalists selected the car finalists from among 28 foreign and domestic contenders.

The Silverado was one of three finalists from 18 nominees in the Truck/Utilities category.  

“Today’s announcement is proof we're on the right track,” said Mark Reuss, president, General Motors North America. “It's gratifying to see the experts agree that we're offering customers one of the strongest lineups of cars and trucks available on the market.”

The winners of the Car and Truck categories will be announced on Jan. 13, 2014 before the opening of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Come test drive a finalist today at Tom Bell Chevrolet and be sure to check us out on Facebook and Twitter for further news and updates.

Friday, December 6, 2013

Top 10 Ways to Give the Gift of Corvette


From a scale model to the real car, there are many ways to give America’s iconic sports car, the Corvette, this holiday season. This Top 10 list, with prices from $12 to $77,450, should make it easier to find the perfect gift for any Corvette enthusiast.

Topping the list is the all-new Corvette Stingray Premiere Edition Convertible. Production will be limited to 550 all top-of-the-line 3LT models, all in Lime Rock Green exterior and Brownstone suede interior. The vehicle also includes suede-wrapped interior trim, carbon fiber accents, variable tuned performance exhaust system, Z51 Performance Package and Magnetic Selective Ride Control.

The Premiere Edition also features unique wheels with “Stingray”-logo center caps, “Stingray”-logo interior sill plates and a five-piece set of Corvette-branded luggage from Thule – all from the Corvette Accessories catalog.

These collectible cars will have a unique VIN sequence and unique dash plaques commemorating their limited-edition status. The Premiere Edition Convertible will cost $77,450, including destination and delivery fees, and will arrive in dealerships in early 2014.

If that doesn’t fit into your Black Friday budget, here are nine other ways to give the gift of Corvette:

  1. Corvette Stingray Rollerball Pen ($12) – With the look and feel of luxury, be inspired to author handwritten notes. The Corvette Stingray Rollerball Pen has a sleek design with a solid brass cap and barrel, and rubber accents.
  2. Monopoly Empire Game ($20) – A shortened version of the classic board game, players can purchase brands instead of properties and choose the 2014 Corvette Stingray game piece to travel around the board.
  3. 1:18 2014 Corvette Stingray ($38.50) – Sleek and sculpted, this die cast rendition of the 2014 Corvette Stingray will make a great addition to any collection. 
  4. Corvette Stingray: The Seventh Generation of America's Sports Car, by Larry Edsall ($40) – A must-own for any Corvette fan, this book is the complete inside story of the all-new Stingray, including more than 300 historical and behind-the-scenes photographs.
  5. Fisher Price® Power Wheels® ($275) – Modeled after the 2014 Corvette Stingray, the Fisher Price® Power Wheels® Corvette features the all-new design with the same sporty “chrome” wheels. It is also the fastest Power Wheels in the product line.
  6. The Seventh Generation Corvette Watch ($775) – Designed exclusively for the Corvette Collection, this limited-edition chronograph watch features the next-generation Corvette crossed flags and Corvette logo against a real carbon fiber dial face.
  7. Corvette Stingray Luggage ($910) - Travel in style with a specially designed Corvette five-piece luggage set, including two roller suitcases, a backpack, duffel bag and messenger bag.
  8. Corvette Heritage Neon Sign ($5,000) - Developed in collaboration with retired GM Vice President of Design, Chuck Jordan, this sign was designed to reflect the first-generation Corvette - clean, simple and straightforward.
Finally, for those looking to enjoy the exceptional driving experience of the Stingray first hand:

Performance Drive Schools – Learn to drive with the speed, confidence and finesse of a professional road racing driver at one of two performance drive schools – Ron Fellows Performance Driving School (prices begin at $2,995 for a two-day school) or the Bob Bondurant School of Performance Driving (prices starting at $1,225 for a 1-3 day course).

Come on in and test drive a Stingray today at Tom Bell Chevrolet and don't forget to check us out on Facebook and Twitter.