Very Nice 2007 Model Cargo Package Chevrolet Uplander! on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Chevy Volt 'acceptable,' Nissan Leaf 'poor' in new IIHS safety tests

Ford C-Max Hybrid also scored "acceptable" rating. With US Nissan Leaf sales up almost 30 percent during the first half of the year, the only thing that might be able to stop the battery-electric vehicle is a good, stiff barrier. Unfortunately, thing's aren't always pretty when that happens in the real world, according to new tests from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Things with the Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug-in are a little bit rosier, though. The two plug-in vehicles were part of a batch of a dozen vehicles that just went through the IIHS's "small overlap" test, in which the driver's side front corner of the vehicle is crashed into a rigid barrier at 40 miles per hour. Out of the dozen, only the Mini Cooper Countryman was given a "good" rating. Five vehicles, including the Volt and the Ford C-Max Hybrid, were rated "acceptable," two were "marginal" and two, including the Leaf, were "poor." Plug-in vehicles are unique in the crash-test context because of their relatively large battery sizes. In the Volt's case, the driver had a "low risk" of injury, said the IIHS. But the Leaf's crash substantially pushed back the instrument panel and steering column, creating a scenario where the driver was "likely" to sustain leg injuries. The batteries in both the Leaf and the Volt passed safety tests specifically targeted at things like thermo and electrical properties and overall integrity. "Nissan is proud of the Leaf's 'Good' rating in all other IIHS tests, a 4-star NCAP rating from NHTSA and its IIHS Top Safety Pick rating in all previous years since the car's release," the company said in an e-mail sent to AutoblogGreen. "As for the performance of the 2014 Leaf in the 'small overlap frontal test,' Nissan will continue to review these and other results from the IIHS 'small overlap frontal test' as we seek opportunities for improvement." Check out the IIHS's press release and small car crash-test video footage below. Range of ratings: Small car ratings run the gamut in challenging small overlap front test The Mini Cooper Countryman is the only small car to earn a good rating among the latest group of 12 cars subjected to the Institute's small overlap front crash test. Two electric models and a hybrid also are in the mix, with varied results. The electric-powered Chevrolet Volt (with a gasoline engine "range extender") earns an acceptable rating, while its battery-electric rival, the Nissan Leaf, earns a poor rating.

Chevy murders out Trax crossover with new Midnight Edition

Leaning towards a new Chevy Trax, but think it needs a little bit more attitude? Chevy has you covered with the release of the new Midnight Edition. It's based on the Bowtie brand's smallest crossover, but injects some extra style with its murdered-out treatment. The new Chevy Trax Midnight Edition is based on the top LTZ trim, and upgrades with black wheels, bezels, molding, door handles, and more. Inside, the cabin is adorned with gray-accented seats and gray-piped floor mats. It isn't a huge transformation, but may be just the dose of attitude that Chevy's little crossover needs. Otherwise it's the same Trax introduced a year ago, and comes equipped with a 1.4-liter turbo four good for 138 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque. It's available in either front- or all-wheel drive, and will return a claimed 34 miles per gallon on the highway in the former setup. The Midnight package adds an extra $500 to the $26,125 base MSRP on a new Trax LTZ. Related Video: Chevrolet Trax Crosses to the Dark Side New Midnight Edition adds distinction to small SUV 2015-12-27 DETROIT – Chevrolet today announced the 2016 Trax Midnight Edition – a blacked-out styling statement for the small SUV, offering customers a bold choice and adding to the momentum of the brand's record 2015 crossover sales. Based on the LTZ trim, the Midnight Edition features black wheels, bezels, beltline molding and door handles, along with a black rear license plate applique. Inside, the seats are trimmed with gray accents and the floor mats feature gray piping. "Introduced just a year ago, the Trax has quickly become an important vehicle for Chevrolet, bringing in new, younger and more female buyers to the brand," said Betsy Flegg, senior marketing manager, Chevrolet Crossovers. "The small SUV segment is the fastest growing in the industry and models such as the new Trax Midnight Edition provides customers an expressive option." Trax sales were 57,707 for the first 11 months of 2015, placing it second in the segment, with almost 20-percent market share. Chevrolet crossover sales were up 35 percent for the same period. Fusing small-car agility and utility convenience of an SUV, Trax offers up to 48.4 cubic feet of cargo space. A 1.4L turbocharged engine offers the efficiency of a small displacement engine – an EPA-estimated 34 mpg highway (FWD models) – with the power of a larger engine on-demand. Connectivity features include an available 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot.

Chevy dials up the razzle dazzle for Special Ops concept

Inspired by naval camouflage schemes used during the First World War, Chevy created the 2016 Silverado Special Ops concept, which is on display this week at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Based on the 1500 Z71, this Silverado wears a three-tone paint job that mixes different shades of blue, which Chevy says gives the concept visual depth. The appearance is a riff on early 20th Century color configurations used by the US and British navies. Called razzle dazzle, the look is meant to disguise ships' size, speed, and direction. On the Silverado, it simply adds character and gives the truck a more military bearing. The concept also gets flared wheel arches, a sport bar in the bed with LED lights, and a utility storage system. The grille is fitted with black accents and has a thin LED strip running across the top. Inside, orange is used for the door pulls and glove box handle, and the instrument panel and arm rests have more dazzle coloring. The truck also gets an upgraded exhaust kit, six-piston brakes, and a performance air intake. Chevrolet Introduces Silverado Special Ops Concept Military-inspired truck reinforces capability with go-anywhere style LAS VEGAS – Chevrolet's 2016 Silverado Special Ops concept imagines a unique rescue vehicle for special-operations forces. It is based on the Silverado 1500 Z71, which features a new front-end design and new technologies built into its strong, high-strength steel body structure and fully boxed frame, and draws its design inspiration from naval design aesthetics. "This Silverado concept is a multipurpose truck that reflects the go-anywhere, do-anything commitment of special-forces teams," said Jim Campbell, GM U.S. vice president of Performance Vehicles and Motorsports. The naval-inspired camo appearance, called Razzle Dazzle, was developed more than 100 years ago to disguise a ship's speed, direction and profile to the enemy's eye. It is based on a three-tone blue exterior color, marked by a distinctive array of varying colored lines and shapes intended to mask the ship. "We created light, medium and darker shaded areas within camouflage bands flowing down the hood, body sides and tailgate," said Todd Parker, director of design, Chevrolet Accessories.