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2016 Chevrolet Camaro starts at $26,695

Parking the new 2016 Chevrolet Camaro in your driveway will cost $26,695, including the $995 destination charge. That's a cut from $27,000 for the same trim on a 2015 Camaro. If you prefer a V8 under the hood, then the base 1SS goes for $37,295, compared to $34,500 for that model currently. The 2016 Camaro is offered as a coupe and convertible in four trim levels: 1LT, 2LT, 1SS, and 2SS. The LT is available with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 275 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque or a 3.6-liter V6 with 335 hp and 284 lb-ft. The SS gets a 6.2-liter V8 with 455 hp and 455 lb-ft. The first examples arrive before the end of the year, but droptops and the turbo engine don't materialize until the first quarter of 2016. Base models come with tech like Chevy's MyLink infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, a rearview camera, automatic climate control, and multiple driving modes. The RS Package adds to the style with 20-inch wheels, HID headlights, LED taillights, a different grille insert, and rear spoiler. Opting for the SS brings a more aggressive exterior look, plus performance upgrades like Brembo brakes, differential and transmission coolers, and a limited slip differential on those with a manual gearbox. Upgrading to the 2SS adds amenities like heated and ventilated front seats, wireless phone charging, a Bose stereo, rear cross-traffic alert, and Side Blind Zone Alert with Lane Change Alert. Options like a Magnetic Ride Control suspension and dual-mode exhaust offer additional sportiness. Reading about the 2016 Camaro is nice, but Chevy now has a visualizer for the pony car. It's not quite a full configurator but lets you check out different colors, wheels, and stripes to imagine your future purchase. Enjoy finding just the right combo. Related Video: CHEVY REVEALS PRICE, ONLINE VISUALIZER FOR 2016 CAMARO 21/08/15 Gen Six Camaro offers more performance, technology and customization choices DETROIT – As production of the lighter, more powerful, more advanced 2016 Camaro grows near, Chevrolet revealed more details to help customers tailor their Gen Six exactly how they want it, including pricing information and an online visualizer. The 2016 Camaro offers higher levels of performance, technology and refinement, starting at a suggested retail price of $26,695 for the Camaro 1LT, while the most powerful Camaro SS ever starts at $37,295 for the 1SS.

GM is training more first responders for EV emergencies in the U.S. and Canada

GM is training more first responders to be able to handle emergencies involving electric vehicles. The automaker is "significantly expanding" its EV First Responder Training program in the United States and Canada as electric vehicle sales continue to grow. Its initiative will primarily focus on training firefighters and equipping them with the necessary knowledge about full electric vehicle technologies. GM says it's hoping to dispel misconceptions when it comes to handling EVs in emergency situations. One of those misconceptions is that water is dangerous around EV batteries — turns out the recommended way to put out lithium-ion battery fires is by using copious amounts of water.  Andrew Klock, a senior manager of education and development at the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), said: "The best way for the public and private vehicle fleet owners to rapidly adopt EVs is to train firefighters and emergency responders on how to handle incidents involving battery powered vehicles. The fire service has had more than 100 years to gain the knowledge needed to respond to internal combustion engine fires, and it is critical that they are now educated on EV safety." The NFPA held trainings of its own that had benefited 300,000 first responders, but it believes more than 800,000 members of the community still need further training.   GM previously piloted the program in southeast Michigan, but now it's conducting training events across Michigan and in Fort Worth, Texas, as well. Later this summer, it's bringing the program to metro New York City and Southern California. Participants will have to attend four-hour sessions, with up to two per day, held in various venues, such as fire houses and dealerships. Interested first and second responders can register through the program's dedicated website and earn a certificate from the Illinois Fire Service Institute if they score higher than 70 percent on the learning assessment by the end of their training.  The automaker already has a few EV models on the market, including the Chevy Bolts, the GMC Hummer EV and the Cadillac Lyriq. It has huge electrification plans for the future, though, and training responders could help make potential customers more receptive to the idea of switching to electric vehicles. GM aims to launch 30 EV models by 2025 and to exclusively sell EVs ten years after that. Related video: Green Cadillac Chevrolet GM GMC Safety Electric

The real costs of keeping a Chevy Volt on the road

The release of the new, 2016 Chevy Volt is sure to bring a surge of used electric vehicles to the market as early adopters trade their older models in. Many of these cars are selling for a fraction of their original price, thanks in part to federal and state incentives that lowered the initial cost to the first owner, which opens these cars up to a whole new class of consumers. While the prices are getting attractive, potential buyers are still hesitant to buy a used EV due to uncertainty about service and repair costs, but there may be some good news on the horizon. The Chevy Volt comes with a battery warranty that is good for at least 8 years and 100,000 miles, but many of the Volts popping up on the market have passed that 100,000-mile mark. The threat of needing a new battery can be a deterrent, especially with some dealers quoting prices as high as $34,000 for a full "drive motor battery replacement." That sum is more than the MSRP of a 2016 model. Some of the fear of EV maintenance and repair comes from the mystery of the individual pieces that make up the drivetrain and charging system. If we take a look at the Volt in terms of analogs to a traditional internal-combustion vehicle, the outlook becomes a little more friendly. The Volt battery pack consists of three lithium-ion modules in a T-shaped arrangement, each of which can be serviced individually. Module 1 is made up of 90 cells and corresponds to GM part number 22954462, which retails for $3,258.33; module 2 is made up of 72 cells and corresponds to GM part number 22954463, which retails for $2,930.00; lastly, module 3 is made up of 125 cells and corresponds to GM part number 22954464, and retails for $4,933.33. These part numbers have been added to the dealer order systems but have not shown up in the distribution centers at this time. Although all three of the modules add up to a fairly large $11,121.66 total and are still on hold for dealer ordering, the good news is that in most cases these battery cell modules do not need to be replaced. There are many other individual pieces mounted on the battery pack that are serviceable, such as the Battery Energy Control Modules (BECM) and the Battery Interface Control Modules (BICM). These modules control and monitor the battery packs and charging system and have been known to fail while the lithium-ion battery cells are not at fault. Some have been replaced under warranty, but if you are stuck buying one they run about $255 a piece for the part.