Auto blog

Next Chevrolet Malibu to have 'groundbreaking,' 'passionate' design

In our First Drive of the Chevrolet Malibu after its redesign in 2013 we wrote, "Chevy has quickly worked up a host of changes for its ever-important midsize sedan, and will be launching this 'there, we fixed it' 2014 Malibu like it's an all-new product." Still, no one cared. The Malibu has been mentioned in eight posts this year, all but two of them dealt with recalls, and one of those two was about a 2011 Malibu university science project. It came up in precisely zero posts from November 2013 to March 2014. That's why, according to a report in Automotive News, Chevrolet honchos are "hustling" to have a new Malibu ready in a year. Mark Reuss, General Motors' head of global product development, said it will have "groundbreaking design" and "groundbreaking technology," and asked investors who were showed a picture of it, "When is the last time you saw a [midsize] car this distinctive and this dramatic from General Motors?" Doubling down on the bullishness, Reuss said, "We've got our act together here on the midsize-car segment." Then, throwing every last chip on the pile, global design head Ed Welburn said the next Malibu's design will "make a significant statement" with "a very passionate design." Based on the number of comments Malibu posts get, we figure a fair few number of you would love for this to be the case; yet this is a lot of braggadocio to slather on a car that probably hasn't made "a significant statement" since Elton John had a number one record with Honky Chateau. That was 1972, if you're trying to remember. No matter the looks, the AN report says the new 'Bu will make a profit statement, selling for more money while costing less to produce. Alongside the Cruze, GM figures the pair will bring in an extra $800 million in variable profit in 2016. Which, in case it ends up being another 'butterface,' isn't bad for a silver lining. Featured Gallery 2014 Chevrolet Malibu: First Drive View 36 Photos News Source: Automotive New - sub. req. Design/Style Chevrolet GM Sedan

2014 Chevy Silverado High Country spied wearing trappings of new luxury trim

Spy photographers have spotted the new Chevrolet Silverado High Country and GMC Sierra Denali out on public streets for a little testing. From the looks of things, the Silverado will receive a much-differentiated front fascia along with special badges and those honking 20-inch chrome wheels. Expect to find a more posh interior as well. Likewise, the Sierra Denali will wear a tweaked nose with the familiar Denali bling. The one of the GMC trucks spotted here rolls on 21-inch gunmetal wheels instead of the 20-inch chrome pieces of the High Country.
Word has it both trucks will go on sale after the Texas State Fair this summer. While General Motors hasn't said for certain what we can expect to find under the hood, we'd be surprised to see anything outside of the range of engines found in the standard Silverado and Sierra models. That means buyers should be able to get their hands on the efficient, 23-miles per gallon 5.3-liter V8.

Corvette Stingray gets optional Z06 components

If you've got a Corvette Stingray in the garage and have been tempted by some of the upgrades incorporated into the Z06, but can't quite bring yourself to trade up, Chevy has got some good news for you. The Bowtie brand has announced a series of performance parts derived from those in the Z06, but applicable to the base Stingray. The list of parts includes new cooling elements, prop shafts, brakes, suspension components, and underbody braces. They can all be fitted to Stingray models with or without the Z51 performance kit, and promise to raise the Corvette's game if not quite to Z06 levels, then closer to them. And for Z06 owners interested in gaining a bit more advantage, Chevy is offering a new Level 3 aero kit as well. The parts were demonstrated on upgraded 'Vettes at the Ron Fellows driving school at Spring Mountain. The school is also serving as technical partner and the track as the location for a new spec racing series built around the C7 Corvette. Dubbed the Michelin Corvette Challenge, the calendar is composed of fifteen half-hour races held in pairs over eight weekends, all on the six-mile circuit near Las Vegas. The cars to be used in the series will be close to showroom stock and feature many of the new Z06-derived upgrades, with Michelin racing slicks for dry weather and Pilot Super Sport tires in the wet. Perhaps most compelling of all will be the payment plan that will allow participating amateur racers to pay in installments across the season and take home their Corvette after the season's conclusion in December. New Z06 Parts Enhance Corvette Stingray Performance Broad range of chassis, suspension and aero components enhance capability 2015-11-02 PAHRUMP, Nev. – Chevrolet today and drivers from the Ron Fellows Corvette high-performance driving school at the Spring Mountain track demonstrated Stingray models enhanced with components from a new lineup of Z06-based performance parts. They're designed for 2014+ Stingray models, including Z51-equipped cars. "We've selected specific components from the Corvette Z06 and engineered them to fit the award-winning Stingray," said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet U.S. vice president of Performance Vehicles and Motorsports. "These Z06 parts enhance the handling, braking, cooling and downforce performance of the Stingray." Ron Fellows, champion Corvette Racing driver, collaborated with Chevrolet Performance engineers on the all-new portfolio.