The Chevy Enthusiast

The following is a Press Release from the National Corvette Museum: 

http://www.corvettemuseum.com/

ZR1 Wins Detroit News Readers “Best of Show”

The Corvette ZR1 took top honors as “Best of Show” in the annual Detroit News Readers’ Choice Awards, the results of which were announced at the Detroit Economic Club’s North American International Auto Show 2008 luncheon at Cobo Center earlier in the week.While most of the awards handed out at the auto show are voted on by journalists or industry professionals, the Readers’ Choice Awards are intended to gauge the sentiments of consumers. “We recruited a panel of 100 readers to inspect the power trains, kick the tires and check the many shades of green in a contest to identify the best of show,” said Jon Wolman, editor and publisher of The Detroit News. “They were dazzled by much of what they saw and we’re glad to present these awards in honor of the vehicles that stood out for their excellence.

The CAA Honours GM’s Environmental Initiatives for the Third Consecutive Year Montréal Auto Show,

Thursday, January 17, 2008 — Today, the Canadian Automobile Association recognized GM Canada’s commitment to the environment for the third consecutive year with two 2008 Pyramid Awards for environmental initiatives.    This year’s CAA green awards went to GM’s new two-mode hybrid versions of the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon.  This next generation hybrid system is designed to optimize fuel efficiency in both city and highway driving and is expected to deliver up to a 25% overall improvement in fuel consumption.  In fact, the two-wheel drive models deliver comparable fuel economy in the city to a mid-size sedan.  A second award went to the all new Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid, GM’s latest addition to our family of affordable hybrids, which also includes the Saturn Aura and Vue Green Lines, giving GM the broadest line-up of hybrids in the industry.   “GM remains focused on energy diversity, offering consumers a range of affordable green options from fuel efficient small cars and small utilities to options like cylinder de-activation technology and E85 flex fuels, more hybrids than any other manufacturer, and in the future, electric and hydrogen powered vehicles,” said Marc Comeau, vice president sales, service and marketing for GM Canada.  “We would like to thank CAA for their leadership role in creating this environmental award program and for recognizing the importance of offering consumers more green choices to reduce the environmental impact of vehicles.” “General Motors has won CAA’s Environmental Pyramid Award before due to its multi- pronged approach to finding environmental solutions designed to help Canadians make environmentally-friendly choices whether commuting around town or crossing the country,” said Tim Shearman, President of CAA. “The fact that our judging panel chose two very different and unique green GM technologies demonstrates just how important eco-mobility is to GM.”
Previous CAA Awards for Environmental initiatives include:

·       GM and Clean Air Foundation were awarded a joint CAA Environmental Pyramid
of Recognition in 2007 for the Car Heaven program.  The goal of the Car Heaven Program is to accelerate the retirement of older, higher polluting vehicles and switching consumers to more fuel efficient vehicles which will reduce GHG emissions.  GM Canada partnered with the Clean Air Foundation to offer eligible Car Heaven donors $1,000 towards the purchase of a new GM vehicle.

• General Motors of Canada Ltd. was awarded a 2006 CAA Pyramid Award for Environmental Initiatives for the launch of their new Ethanol Powered E-85 Chevrolet Impala.  According to Natural Resources Canada’s GHGenius model, E85 ethanol fuels can reduce net vehicle greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) by 47%-55% compared to gasoline.

 General Motors of Canada (GMCL) is engineering and manufacturing advanced environmental technologies ranging from Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation) and hybrid systems to E85 biofuel and fuel cell vehicles – more than any other auto company right here in Canada.  Headquartered in Oshawa Ontario, GMCL employs more than 19,000 people nationwide.  GM of Canada manufactures vehicles, vehicle powertrains, and markets the full range of General Motors vehicles and related services through 743 dealerships and retailers across Canada.  Vehicles sold through this network include Chevrolet, Buick, Pontiac, GMC, Saturn, Hummer, Saab and Cadillac.

Chevrolet Malibu Named 2008 North American Car of the Year

DETROIT – For the second consecutive year, a car from General Motors Corporation has taken top honors in the North American Car and Truck of the Year (NACTOY) awards, as announced today at the opening of the North American International Auto Show.

The Chevrolet Malibu was chosen by this year’s media jury from a field of 15 cars and 13trucks. GM vehicles captured four of the final six candidate spots for the awards; last year the Saturn Aura and Chevrolet Silverado were winners. 

“This award is the result of our intensive efforts to put a renewed emphasis on design, execution and craftsmanship into our cars and trucks,” said Bob Lutz, GM vice chairman.  “We’re honored that both automotive journalists and consumers are recognizing our efforts.  The fact we had four of the six finalist vehicles is more than we could have hoped for.” 

The NACTOY awards are given annually by prominent automotive journalists who evaluate the vehicles on factors including value for the dollar, innovation, handling, performance, safety and driver satisfaction. This year’s jury consisted of 45 automotive journalists from throughout the United States and Canada.

The 2008 Chevrolet Malibu delivers strong performance, fuel economy and refinement, wrapped in Chevrolet’s global signature design. A broad range of detailed, well-appointed and efficient models is offered, including a fuel-saving Malibu Hybrid model.  Sales of the new Malibu began last November.

“Our goal with the 2008 Malibu was to give customers a stylish, uncompromising package that can challenge even the most formidable competitors in the midsize segment,” said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. “Customers are getting that message, because the new Malibus are selling faster than we can put them on dealers’ lots.”

Starting at $19,995 in the U.S., the Malibu had a 99-percent increase in retail sales this past December.  The 2008 Malibu was designed and engineered for sale not only in the U.S., but also in Canada, Mexico, Israel and the Caymen Islands.

Other 2008 Model Awards for Malibu:

In early December, Car and Driver magazine published its “10 Best Cars” for 2008, and the Malibu, along with the Cadillac CTS and Chevrolet Corvette, all made the list.  The Malibu was also chosen by Kelley Blue Bookas “Best Redesigned Vehicle for 2008.”

AboutChevrolet

Chevrolet is one of America’s best-known and best-selling automotive brands. With the largest dealer network in the United States, Chevy is the leader in full-size trucks and the leader in sales of vehicles priced $35,000 and above. Chevy delivers expressive design, spirited performance and great value with standard features usually found only on more expensive vehicles.

In the first nine months of 2007, sales of Chevrolet models around the world were up 3.2 percent. The Chevrolet brand grew by 17.3 percent in Asia-Pacific, 31.6 percent in Europe and 24 percent n Latin America, Africa and the Middle East.  Chevrolet vehicles are sold in 133 countries. More information on Chevrolet can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

NACTOY Juror Quotes about the Chevrolet Malibu:

Matt DeLorenzo,Road & Track:  “Fresh new styling, high quality materials and a silky smooth drivetrain give this family car the feel of an entry level luxurycar.  The 6-speed automatic and  V-6 power are standouts.”

Michelle Krebs,Freelance:  “The Chevrolet Malibu sets a new standard for the mid-size class.”

Gary Witzenburg,Freelance:  “This fine, affordable beauty brings Chevrolet – and General Motors – back big time into the volume mid-size sedan game.  It’s easily asgood as anything near its price, and better than most.”

This is a Press Release from Corvette Racing:

CORVETTE RACING GOES GREEN WITH E85 ETHANOL FUEL IN 2008 AMERICAN LEMANS SERIES

Chevrolet Factory Team to Demonstrate Performance and Environmental
Benefits of E85 Ethanol in 12-Race Series

DETROIT, Jan. 15, 2008 – Corvette Racing will be powered by E85 ethanol,
a high-octane, renewable alternative fuel, in the 2008 American Le Mans
Series. As part of the series’ “green racing” initiative, the most
successful team in ALMS history will use a blend of 85 percent ethanol
and 15 percent gasoline in the demanding arena of endurance road racing.

After winning its seventh consecutive GT1 manufacturers and team
championships in 2007 using E10 (10 percent ethanol), Corvette Racing’s
twin Compuware C6.R race cars will make the transition to E85 for the
2008 season.

“Since its inception, Corvette has always been a platform for Chevrolet
and GM to introduce and develop new technology,” Chevrolet general
manager Ed Peper said during today’s announcement at the North American
International Auto Show. “Like the Corvette Z06 E85 concept car that
will pace the 2008 Indianapolis 500, the use of E85 ethanol fuel by
America’s premier production sports car racing team in a high-profile,
high-tech racing series like the ALMS shows that Chevy is continuing to
lead by example.

“By showcasing the capabilities of E85 ethanol before an audience of
knowledgeable and technically astute race fans, we can demonstrate the
benefits of a renewable fuel that helps to reduce dependence on
petroleum, helps to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, and helps to
create greater diversity in energy supplies,” Peper said. “Of course,
performance is what counts in racing, so E85 ethanol’s higher octane
rating than gasoline wasn’t overlooked by the Corvette Racing engineers.”

Corvette Racing has formed a technical partnership with the Ethanol
Promotion and Information Council (EPIC) to spotlight E85 in the ALMS.
EPIC worked with ALMS officials to make E85 the fuel of choice for the
series. E85 today is primarily made with grain-based ethanol that
reduces carbon dioxide emissions by as much as 29 percent compared with
pure gasoline.

E85 ethanol already is an option for millions of everyday drivers – and
GM leads the automotive industry with more than 2.5 million E85-capable
cars, trucks and SUVs on the road in the United States. GM produces
about 400,000 E85-capable vehicles a year and will double that to
800,000 a year by 2010. Chevrolet offers seven E85-capable models in 2008.

“This is the first time a racing series has made a commitment to E85;
the highest performing fuel available to consumers with flex-fuel
vehicles,” said Reece Nanfito, senior director of marketing for EPIC.
“Our partnership with GM and Corvette Racing demonstrates ethanol’s
growing relevance in the consumer market.”

Corvette Racing’s transition from E10 to E85 ethanol will be seamless,
according to Steve Wesoloski, GM Road Racing Group manager. “The race
cars’ fuel systems were already 100 percent compatible with ethanol,” he
said, “so our preparation for the change to E85 in 2008 basically comes
down to recalibrating the engines.

“GM Racing has had an interest in ‘green racing’ initiatives worldwide
for some time,” Wesoloski said. “In 2007, Corvette Racing won the
Michelin Energy Endurance Challenge in the GT1 class at the 24 Hours of
Le Mans for the most efficient use of fuel during the race. We’ve
participated in discussions with SAE International, the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Department of Energy on
programs to increase environmental awareness through racing. When it
became apparent that the ALMS was going in this direction as well, the
decision to use Chevrolet’s factory Corvette Racing team to demonstrate
both the alternative fuel technology that’s available within GM and the
capabilities of E85 ethanol was a logical step.”

Corvette Racing is targeting the season-opening round of the 12-race
series, the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, on March 15, 2008, for the
debut of its E85-powered race cars.

General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world’s largest automaker, has been
the annual global industry sales leader for 76 years. Founded in 1908,
GM today employs about 274,000 people around the world. With global
headquarters in Detroit, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 35
countries. In 2006, nearly 9.1 million GM cars and trucks were sold
globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM
Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn, Vauxhall and
Wuling. GM’s OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety,
security and information services. More information on GM can be found
at www.gm.com.

The Ethanol Promotion and Information Council is a nonprofit
organization of ethanol producers and industry leaders who have come
together to spread the word about the benefits of ethanol through
information and promotional programs. To learn more about ethanol, visit
www.drivingethanol.org.

To beat the spy photographers at their own game, and to increase excitement for the much anticipated 2009 Camaro, Bob Lutz has instructed that all the camouflage coverings be removed from the vehicles during road testing.  While this is just a small shot of the car, it still gives a good indication that the production Camaro will be very close to the Camaro Concept that was originally unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show.

There is a lot of excitement within the Camaro hobby for this 2009 Camaro.  I am no different from everyone else, having had a ‘67  SS RS, a ‘67  ex-racer and a ‘69 Z-28, I have the fever too!  It will be great to see a Camaro that pays homage to the heritage of the marque without being just a “retro car”.  This is a totally new, from the drawing board dreams to reality production!

Bring it on….Camaro enthusiasts everywhere are more than ready.  In fact, if you are listening Bob Lutz, let us see some pics under the hood to whet our appetites even more.  Camaro has always been about performance and nothing says performance like a small block Chevy V8…..especially one from the all aluminum LS engine family.

The Chevy Enthusiast