2004 Chevrolet Express 3500 Base Cutaway Van 2-door 6.0l on 2040-cars

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Europeans ask Chevy to bring Volt back to Europe

A group of French fans is asking for a jolt of support from General Motors to get the 2016 Chevrolet Volt across the pond. The Association Amperistes et Amis des Vehicules Rechargeables is running a Change.org petition that currently has 383 signatures out of a goal of 500. While the attempt is admirable, it's probably going to take a lot more than several hundred people for the model to make a return to the continent after the poor showing of the Opel Ampera – first-gen Volt's European cousin. The group's major argument for bringing a version of the second-gen Volt to Europe is that consumers need "an intermediate choice between expensive or range-limited pure electric cars and plug-in hybrids with a miserable electric range." Furthermore, such a vehicle would prod the competition to produce similarly efficient electrified models. They also lavish praise on the abilities of the Ampera for its long EV driving range. The supporters aren't entirely kind to GM in the petition, though, and claim the company excluded the original car from marketing efforts there. The Ampera actually enjoyed a strong European launch with more orders than initially expected and briefly topped the best-sellers list among EVs there. It was even named 2012 European Car of the Year. Those halcyon days didn't last long, and by 2014 sales fell off to a trickle. The waning reception caused GM's decision not to introduce a version of the new 2016 Volt there or in Australia. Related Video:

2016 Chevy Corvette Z06 C7.R Edition brings track style to the road

The Chevrolet Corvette has a long history of excelling at endurance racing, and continues to dominate today. To celebrate that legacy, Chevy is bringing some of the look of its track machine to the road with the 2016 Corvette Z06 C7.R Edition. These machines might be gone faster than the racecar's lap time around Le Mans, because the company is building just 500 of them. All of these track-inspired, special editions are based on the 650-horsepower, supercharged Z06 in the top 3LZ trim, and they also come equipped with the Z07 Performance Package that includes carbon-ceramic brakes, adjustable aero elements, and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. Offered as a coupe or convertible, these 'Vettes use some tricks to match the style of the C7.R. They're available in the racer's traditional bright yellow livery, but black is optional. Unpainted carbon fiber trim (including material for the hood) and grilles that are painted Spectra Gray Metallic also add to the motorsport look. The car rides on a set of black wheels with Corvette Racing logos on the center caps. Inside, buyers of this limited edition are nestled in Competition Sport Seats that are upholstered in Jet Black leather. Suede microfiber accents with yellow stitching cover the steering wheel, gearshift, instrument panel and doors. Plus, there's some additional carbon fiber trim for good measure. Each car also comes with a cover with C7.R graphics. Chevy isn't disclosing the price for the Z06 C7.R Edition yet, but the limited edition model is slated to hit the market later this year. Related Video: CHEVROLET INTRODUCES 2016 CORVETTE Z06 C7.R EDITION 24/04/15 Track-to-street connection honored with limited production model BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Chevrolet today introduced the 2016 Corvette Z06 C7.R Edition – a road-going, track-capable homage to the Corvette Racing C7.R racecars. It's offered in Corvette Racing's signature yellow livery – or black – with coordinated exterior and interior accents. Only 500 examples of the C7.R Edition will be built and all will include the Z07 Performance Package with carbon ceramic brakes, as well as a specially serialized vehicle identification number. They go on sale later this year. "Corvette Racing's legacy and technology were significant influences on the development of the Corvette Z06 and the new C7.R Edition honors the direct link between the racecar and the production model," said Harlan Charles, Corvette product and marketing manager.

GM announces 3 new recalls affecting 1.7M vehicles in North America [w/video]

Still embroiled in the ongoing ignition switch recall, General Motors announced today three more discrete recalls, affecting a grand total of 1,546,900 vehicles in the US. The Detroit News reports that some 1.7 million vehicles are affected overall in North America. The first and largest of the trio of new recalls concerns some 1.18-million Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia crossovers from the 2008-2013 model years, Chevrolet Traverse from 2009-2013 (pictured above) and Saturn Outlook vehicles from 2008-2010. All of the crossover utilities may have an issue with the wiring harness for their seat-mounted side airbags. Apparently, the vehicles are equipped with a Service Air Bag warning light that, if ignored, "will eventually result in the non-deployment of the side impact restraints." Those restraints include the side airbags, a front-center airbag if the vehicle is so equipped and seatbelt pretensioners. Dealers of affected vehicles will be instructed to remove driver and passenger side airbag wiring harness connectors, and then "splice and solder the wires together." The second recall affects 303,000 Chevrolet Express (pictured right) and GMC Savana vans from model years 2009-2014, and with gross vehicle weights under 10,000 pounds. Said vehicles do not comply with a head impact requirement for unrestrained occupants, and will need a reworking of the instrument panel material to be sent back on the road. It doesn't sound as though there's a quick fix for this one, as the GM press release states: "Unsold vehicles have been placed on a stop delivery until development of the solution has been completed and parts are available." Finally, the third recall affects 63,900 Cadillac XTS luxury sedans from model years 2013 and 2014. A brake booster pump may be susceptible to corrosion by way of the relay, potentially causing and electrical short, overheating, melting of plastic components and even engine fires. GM says it is aware of two engine fires in unsold XTS models and two cases of melted parts. Repairs for the issues affecting the XTS have not not mentioned by GM in the release. The Detroit News is also reporting that along with news of the triple-recall, GM is taking a $300-million credit to help pay for the repair costs, and to deal with the ongoing costs associated with the ignition switch recall. In an attempt to explain just what GM has been doing in the face of these very serious issues, newly minted CEO Mary Barra has addressed the issues in a new video.