Thursday, August 16, 2012
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Amazing car specials this month only at Tom Bell Chevrolet
Click the link to view these amazing specials, or come on in for a test drive! http://bit.ly/N17ekj
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Cylinder Switch Off Delivers Advantages to Chevy Silverado
Full-size pickups are unique, both in the jobs their owners ask of them and how long customers expect them to last. So for the Chevrolet Silverado and other full-size trucks, General Motors improves the fuel efficiency of its mainstream 5.3-liter V-8 engine by switching off four of the cylinders when they aren’t needed.
More than 85 percent of Silverado customers use their pickups to tow or haul. Some truly put their trucks to the test, moving large trailers over long distances, such as in the blistering heat of west Texas and the biting cold of Alaska’s Prudhoe Bay. These customers expect their trucks to be economical and they expect them to last.
Fact: More than half of all full-size Chevy pickups sold 20 years ago are still on the road.
The Silverado has a well-earned reputation as the most-dependable, longest-lasting full-size pickup. The V-8 engines under the hood have a track record no competitor can touch – developed, tested and refined over 57 years and more than 100 million engines.
Engineers developing the current Silverado sought the most intelligent solution for improving the fuel economy while preserving performance and durability.
“Rather than adding turbochargers or multi-valve cylinder heads to increase the power of smaller engines, we chose to keep the proven capability of our larger V-8 truck engines, and save fuel by switching off half of the cylinders when they aren’t needed,” said Jordan Lee, global chief engineer for small block engines.
A combination of simple hydraulic valves and sophisticated software switch off the cylinders when the driver doesn’t need full power. When more power is needed, the system, called Active Fuel Management, seamlessly reengages the additional cylinders.
“With recent increases in computing power, we can combine sophisticated digital design, powerful control strategies, and simple, robust mechanical systems to bring real benefits with no added cost to our customers,” said Lee. “Think of the difference between a cassette recorder and an iPod MP3 player – more moving parts are not always better.”
By giving customers V-8 power and capability when they need it, with enhanced fuel efficiency when they don’t, Silverado offers the best EPA fuel economy estimates of any V-8 pickup, said Lee. “In fact, our 5.3-liter V-8 delivers EPA fuel economy estimates comparable to some competitors’ V6 engines.”
The mainstream 2013 Silverado 1500 4WD with the available 5.3-liter V-8 has an EPA highway estimate of 21 mpg, matching the estimates for a leading competitor’s 4WD model with a more complex, less-proven boosted V-6.
For customers looking for even better fuel economy, the 2013 Silverado XFE model with the 5.3-liter V-8 has an EPA highway estimate of 22 mpg, retaining all the capability and dependability of other Chevy V-8s.
“For each vehicle program, our task is to choose the best technology for each vehicle and its customers,” said Lee. “For millions of people who depend on their trucks and expect them to last, we believe our V-8 engines with Active Fuel Management are an excellent solution.
Since 2004, approximately 4.6 million of these V-8 engines have employed Active Fuel Management.
“As GM develops future vehicles – including our next-generation full-size trucks and our new midsize Chevy pickup -- we will continue to draw on our company’s unsurpassed global powertrain portfolio, which includes direct injection, clean diesels, vehicle electrification, turbocharging, supercharging, and other technologies,” said Lee.
“But as with our current V-8 engines with Active Fuel Management, the starting point is always what’s the right solution for the customer and the way they use the vehicle.”
Chevrolet backs Silverado with a 100,000 mile/five- year limited powertrain warranty with roadside assistance and courtesy transportation, the best coverage of any full-size pickup. Silverado also has the lowest cost of ownership of any full-size pickup, based on Vincentric 2012 model level analysis.
*Courtesy of Chevrolet New United States
Monday, August 13, 2012
Chevrolet Activities at the Woodward Dream Cruise
On August 18, more than a million fans are expected to crowd Detroit’s legendary Woodward Avenue for the world’s largest one-day automotive event. Chevrolet is once again the presenting sponsor of the Dream Cruise, and Chevy activities at the Cruise will showcase the 60th anniversary of Corvette, one of the most recognizable cars on Woodward.
“The Woodward Dream Cruise is a true celebration of America’s love affair with the automobile and the open road, and for Chevrolet it is an opportunity for us to connect with some of our most passionate consumers and their families,” said Chris Perry, Chevrolet global vice president of marketing.
Following are highlights of Chevy-related events at this year’s Dream Cruise:
Tuesday, August 14
Chevrolet Volt Owner Ice Cream Social
Chevrolet will host an ice cream social for 50 Volt owners from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel in Bloomfield Hills, followed by informal cruising on Woodward. (Contact: Michelle Malcho)
Wednesday, August 15
GM Design Car Show
The GM Design team will host a car show on Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Northwood Plaza on the southwest corner of Woodward and 13 Mile Road. The show will feature personal vehicles owned by members of the Design team, along with live musical performances. (Contact: Kari Nattrass)
Thursday, August 16 through Saturday, August 18
Chevrolet Performance at Memorial Park
The Chevrolet Performance display will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Aug. 16 and 17 and from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Aug. 18 at Memorial Park on the northeast corner of Woodward and 13 Mile Road. The display will include a collection of performance show vehicles and production vehicles, a motorsports display, and a variety of Chevrolet performance parts. (Contact: Pam Flores)
Friday August 17
WWJ Newsradio 950 Breakfast – Motor City Muscle, Yesterday and Today
Dave Leone, GM executive chief engineer for performance luxury cars, will participate in the WWJ breakfast and panel discussion from 8:15 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at Duggan’s Irish Pub in Royal Oak. Jeff Gilbert and John McElroy will host the panel, which includes representatives from Ford and Chrysler. The public can register online. (Contact: Debbie Spatafora)
Saturday, August 18
Chevrolet Activities, Birmingham Triangle
Chevrolet displays and activities start at 8 a.m. Saturday and run through the conclusion of the Cruise at 9 p.m. They include:
- A life-size Corvette timeline, including milestone Corvettes and engines from the marque’s 60-year history
- Noted Detroit Graffiti artist Shades will paint a large Corvette-inspired graffiti mural throughout the day
- Chevrolet Military display
- Chevrolet Modern Family display, showcasing Chevrolet vehicles and accessories
- Heritage and specialty vehicles from Chevrolet’s history
- OnStar Command Center trailer
(Contacts: Monte Doran and Tom Wilkinson)
Chevrolet Certified Service Rescue Squad
The Chevy Certified Service Rescue Squad will provide assistance to vehicle owners of any brand who need assistance with flat tires, dead batteries or other light repairs. Technicians provided by Matthew Hargreaves Chevrolet and Les Stanford Chevrolet will travel up and down Woodward during the cruise in black Chevrolet Silverado Rescue Squad Pickup trucks.
*Courtesy of Chevrolet Newsroom United States
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