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2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06

"Corvette" has stood for American muscle, American sports car, and American supercar. In many cases, it still stands for America: liberty on the go, LS-powered freedom. There was also a time when it meant really impressive numbers that didn't equate to really impressive handling, and a not-so-nice cabin. The handling issue really turned the road-legal corner when the C5 Z06 was introduced in 2001, and by the time the super-duper ZR1 ended its run in 2010, Corvette had exorcised practically all of its dynamic demons. But when I took a seat in the 2015 Corvette Z06 on the first day of my week-long loan, I espied a few demons still squatting in the interior. When colleague Seyth Miersma drove the Z06, he wrote, "Listen, I'm not going to be the guy that dogs the Corvette for having a cheap-feeling interior, this generation has put those once-legitimate claims to rest." Well, I am going to be that guy, because I don't think those claims have been put to rest. One day Chevy will give us leather that looks and feels like leather, instead of the astonishingly thin hide that is laid directly on top of the instrument panel structure. This material was set off by white stitching, but there were no seams, just a trail of white stitches. In some places it was hard to tell where the leather ended and the plastic began; or it might all have been the same upholstery, I don't know. Five dollars of foam padding would add five thousand dollars of luxury to the cockpit. One day Corvette will have plastics that don't look so plasticky. I know General Motors can do it. And after years of thinking Corvette seats were too wide and flat, this latest Z06 is almost there. The seatbacks were nice, but the exaggerated side bolstering on the seat bottoms was too narrow and sharp. That's a personal preference, though; other drivers with thinner thighs will think differently. My complaint isn't that the interior isn't luxurious, it's that it's not luxurious enough. If Chevrolet was worried about pricing, it could add some kind of profligate package to the options list. Have some ex-Porsche people design it, call it the Teutonic Splendor Package, slap a massive price on it, and count the money. People will buy it, and no one will ever have to say again, "But the interior..." That said, this test car's cabin had every feature I wanted. The gauge cluster was bright, crisp, and readable in every shade of daylight.

'Tomorrowland' movie will advertise Chevy Volt, E-NVs

Before the 2016 Chevrolet Volt arrives at dealerships, it's going to come to a cineplex near you. The next-generation hybrid and the EN-V electric networked vehicle concept will play bit parts in the background of the upcoming Disney movie Tomorrowland starring George Clooney and Britt Robertson. Chevrolet will run digital and television ads around the movie's opening, which is May 22 in the US. The Bowtie and Disney tie-up is another in their years-long collaboration, going back to the revamped Test Track that opened at Epcot Center in 2012, and Chevolet is also the official vehicle of Shanghai Disney. The press release below has more on the movie and the Volt, the movie trailer is above – there's no Volt in it, but there is a late-model Buick. Chevrolet and Disney See Possibilities in 'Tomorrowland' Film to help kick off marketing efforts for next-generation Chevrolet Volt DETROIT, 2015-03-26 – At their core, Disney and Chevrolet are entities of optimism, believing that with a little ingenuity, anything is possible. They will come together in the new Disney film "Tomorrowland" to imagine the possibilities. The all-new 2016 Chevrolet Volt and EN-V concepts appear in the backdrops of the present day and Tomorrowland. The film's U.S. debut is May 22. In Disney's riveting mystery adventure "Tomorrowland," a jaded scientist and an optimistic teen embark on a danger-filled mission to unearth the secrets of an enigmatic place somewhere in time and space. "Tomorrowland is a place where nothing is impossible, which is something that Chevrolet believes can exist in the here and now," said Tim Mahoney, vice president, Global Chevrolet. "The Chevrolet spirit reflects the hopes and possibilities of tomorrow in real instruments of change for today like the next-generation Chevrolet Volt." The first marketing efforts for the 2016 Chevrolet Volt will be tied to Tomorrowland. A television spot and digital advertising will debut in early May. The all-new Volt is an electric car with extended range, showcasing a sleeker, sportier design that offers 50 miles of EV range, greater efficiency and stronger acceleration. The Volt's new, efficient propulsion system will offer an estimated total driving range of more than 400 miles. With regular charging, owners can expect to average more than 1,000 miles between gas fill-ups. Chevrolet and Disney have a long history of collaboration around the globe.

Camo'd Chevy Camaro ZL1 is one bad boy

Thanks to a fresh gallery of spy shots, we're getting a much better look at the next Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 during its development, and this machine is looking seriously mean. Unlike the last photos, the heavy cladding is gone from the body this time and is replaced by a camouflage wrap. That switch makes checking out the details a whole lot easier. The first thing you'll notice at the front is the massive grille that looks ready to devour anything that gets in the way. To add a little more menace, the lower air dam appears to jut out a bit more, as well. While harder to see in these latest shots, our spies say the hood still boasts an extractor similar to what's found on the Cadillac CTS-V. The big, double spoke wheels look great in black and really dominate the styling in profile. Look past them, and you notice some tweaked side sills, as well. At the very back, you can also spot some styling adjustments to the rear bumper. There's an unmissable wing back there, too. The powerplant for the ZL1 is still a mystery, but it's rumored to use the LT4 6.2-liter supercharged V8. The similar hood design as the CTS-V is one piece of evidence to support that. Even with the same engine, Chevy's engineers could tweak the output higher or lower than the Caddy. The wait to find out isn't too long because the ZL1 is anticipated to launch for the 2017 model year. Related Video: