2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Lt Extended Cab 4x4 4-door 5.3l on 2040-cars

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Recharge Wrap-up: Chevy Spark EV in Canada, Audi to use Valeo electric supercharger

The Chevrolet Spark EV will become available to retail customers in Canada. "We're expanding our electric vehicle offerings to our customers by offering the 2016 Spark EV for retail sales in the growing EV markets here in Quebec as well as in Ontario and BC," says Chevrolet's Chris Hay. Chevrolet has not yet released pricing for the Spark EV in Canada. In the US, the Spark EV is available in California, Oregon and Maryland. Read more at Hybrid Cars. Four recreational vehicle companies in Texas have settled with the EPA over illegal import and sale of off-road vehicles. The 4,000-plus Hammerhead brand vehicles in question were imported without the proper certification, a violation of the Clean Air Act. Some vehicles lacked proper emission control equipment or were manufactured by a company not listed on the certificate application. The settlement totals $560,000 in civil penalties for the companies involved. Read more from the EPA. The Iowa Supreme Court has upheld the state's natural gas tax, which was challenged by the ethanol industry. Ethanol producers, which use natural gas to make ethanol, argued the complicated tax was unconstitutional, as it forced certain plants to pay more than their competitors. Taxes vary by location, and some plants have to tap into interstate pipelines at much higher tax rates rather than get it from a local utility. Now, ethanol producers will work to change the law. "My hope is that people understand that, something may be constitutional but that doesn't make it good public policy," says Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw. Read more at Manufacturing.Net. Audi will use Valeo's electric superchargers to improve fuel economy and acceleration. Valeo says Audi will launch a vehicle using its electric supercharger next year, with other reports suggesting that car will be the Audi Q7. The company says other unspecified automakers will also use the technology in their vehicles. While the electric supercharger adds to the vehicle's cost and electric energy use, it can improve fuel economy by as much as 20 percent. Read more at Automotive News Europe. Featured Gallery Chevrolet Spark EV View 13 Photos Related Gallery 2016 Audi Q7: Detroit 2015 View 15 Photos News Source: Hybrid Cars, EPA, Manufacturing.Net, Automotive News EuropeImage Credit: Chevrolet Government/Legal Green Audi Chevrolet Alternative Fuels Emissions Ethanol Fuel Efficiency Electric Off-Road Vehicles recharge wrapup

What we know, and think we know, about the 2016 Chevy Volt

With the next-gen Chevy Volt due to make an appearance at the Detroit Auto Show early next year, bits and pieces about the new car are making their way into the press. Perhaps most importantly, the new Volt is going to have better "fuel economy and efficiency," according to GM executive vice president Mark Reuss. The current Volt gets 98 MPGe and 37 miles per gallon on premium fuel. It also has a 38-mile electric-only range. We don't know how GM will improve the efficiency or to what degree, but the logical options include making the car lighter, giving it better aerodynamics and/or improving the powertrain. To that end, one of the big things we don't know for sure includes information on the new gas-powered engine. Forbes says it will be a downsized 1.0-liter, three-cylinder mill instead of the 1.4-liter, four-cylinder used in the current model, which could certainly help the car be more efficient. The new Volt is also going to have more technology, which shouldn't surprise anyone. GM is now openly talking about how it will change the way it markets the Volt, shifting away from the mass-market mentality to focus on the regions where the car is already popular. "There's a Northeast and West Coast market for Volt, and there's nothing wrong with that," Chevy chief marketing officer Tim Mahoney told Forbes. There are rumors that the new Volt will have seating for five by adding a seat in the back. This is something a lot of current Volt owners would love, but we've heard nothing official hinting that this would be the case. We expect the battery to be the new 17.1-kWh version, or maybe even have a capacity increase, so GM would have to seriously repackage the pack to eliminate the ridge that runs from between the front seats and then back to the rear two seats. If you've heard anything official, do let us know.

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.