Trailblazer Ss 3ss Nice Powerful on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Chevy SS to get 1LE-like handling pack

Chevrolet engineers have more plans for the SS, but official approval stands between their wishes and our driving commands. After getting the no-cost option for a six-speed manual last year, Motor Trend reports that some company boffins want to throw the Camaro's track-focused 1LE package at it. On the Camaro that means the Performance Ride and Handling suspension, front and rear stabilizer bars, and 20-inch wheels all around concerning the road-focused bits. MT says that a 1LE on the SS would shed the staggered tires for one size all around, and get new dampers and a new suspension tune. It wouldn't turn the SS into a Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat, but the SS could do even more with its 415 horsepower and 415 pound-feet, hopefully without sacrificing too much of its plush road comfort in the process. It's said that a production example could be done in less than six months, but it sounds like the approval process will take longer. Featured Gallery 2014 Chevrolet SS: Review View 31 Photos News Source: Motor TrendImage Credit: Copyright 2015 AOL Chevrolet Luxury Performance Sedan chevy camaro 1le 1le

10 of 18 midsize SUVs earn 'good' IIHS side impact safety rating

It's not terribly surprising that midsize SUVs earned better safety ratings than small SUVs in the latest side-impact tests performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Just how much better they scored, on the other hand, certainly raises an eyebrow. Ten out of 18 midsize SUVs earned the highest rating of 'good' in the stringent new test, altered for vehicles starting with the 2020 model year with a heavier barrier (4,200 pounds) that moves at a higher speed (37 miles per hour) and is fitted with a hard honeycomb frontal structure. By way of contrast, just one out of of 20 small SUVs earned a 'good' score.  SUVs that receiving 'good' scores were the Ford Explorer, Infiniti QX60, Lincoln Aviator, Mazda CX-9, Nissan Pathfinder, Subaru Ascent, Toyota Highlander, Volkswagen Atlas, Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport and Volkswagen ID.4. For EV fans, it's worth noting the ID.4 was the only electric vehicle included in the test. The Buick Enclave and Chevrolet Traverse scraped away with 'acceptable' ratings while the Honda Passport, Honda Pilot, Hyundai Palisade, Jeep Wrangler 4-door, Kia Telluride and Nissan Murano were deemed merely 'marginal' in the tough new test. Only two models — the Mazda CX-9 and Volkswagen ID.4 — earned a "Good" rating in every test category.  Interestingly, the Jeep Wrangler would have scored a 'good' rating if it were equipped with side airbags for the rear seating positions. It would likely be an engineering challenge to equip its removable top and/or doors with airbags, but the lack of that safety feature allowed the head of the rear passenger dummy to hit the vertical support of the top. Otherwise, the Wrangler scored good ratings across the board. The new Ford Bronco, which makes more allowances for side-impact safety, has not yet been tested.  The popular Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride SUVs stand out in the test with 'poor' ratings for driver pelvis injuries. The Nissan Murano, a vehicle last redesigned for the 2015 model year, was the only vehicle tested that received a 'poor' rating for its structure and safety cage. Videos of the tests of 12 of these 18 SUVs can be found on the IIHS' YouTube page. Related video: Green Buick Chevrolet Ford Honda Hyundai Infiniti Jeep Kia Mazda Nissan Subaru Toyota Volkswagen Safety Crossover SUV IIHS Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

Recharge Wrap-up: Elio TV ads, Waivecar free EV carsharing

Waivecar is a new carsharing service that allows users two free hours of EV driving. The rentals are paid for with advertising, and each Chevrolet Spark EV in the fleet has an ad board affixed to its roof. So, while the driver enjoys free use of the car, the organizations buying the ads get exposure wherever the user goes. Drivers pay $5.99 per hour past the first two free hours of use. The company is undergoing a three-month trial in Venice Beach and Santa Monica before considering possible expansion. "We're giving to the lower-income people that need cars," says Waivecar CEO Isaac Deutsch. Read more at Green Car Reports. Volkswagen CEO Matthias Mueller is calling for a reworking of European emissions testing. He feels it is time to adapt the tests so that lab results more closely reflect those of real-world driving. "The industrywide discrepancies between official test results and actual usage is no longer tolerable," says Mueller. "We, the industry, need to take a new path." He also says he will make VW more environmentally friendly, and that the automaker plans to roll out 20 new electric vehicles by 2020. Additionally, Mueller is urging politicians to support the building of charging infrastructure. Read more at Bloomberg Business. Elio Motors has launched its first television ad campaign. The 30- and 60-second spots for the three-wheeled EV are titled "Own The Future," and will air on a variety of cable networks including ESPN, Fox News and National Geographic. "Our grassroots and digital efforts have helped create a strong – almost rabid – enthusiasm for our vehicle," says Elio Motors Founder and CEO Paul Elio. "As our funding situation continues to make progress, we are now in a position to share our message and create more fans through this national advertising campaign." Read more in the press release below. Elio Motors Continues Momentum with Launch of First National Television Advertising Campaign PHOENIX, Jan. 26, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Elio Motors (www.eliomotors.com) today announced it has launched its first national television advertising campaign to continue building consumer awareness for the company's three-wheeled vehicle that is expected to get up to 84 MPG and sell for a targeted base price of $6,800. The company, which anticipates production to launch in late 2016, has already gained an enthusiastic following through grass-roots events and digital marketing.