The Chevy Enthusiast

The following is a Press Release from Corvette Racing………….

CORVETTE RACING CONFIRMS 2008 DRIVER LINEUP

Chevrolet’s Championship-Winning Team Returns for American Le Mans
Series and 24 Hours of Le Mans

DETROIT, Feb. 20, 2008 – Corvette Racing’s roster of
championship-winning drivers will return in 2008 to race the Chevrolet
factory team’s twin Compuware Corvette C6.R race cars in the 12-race
American Le Mans Series and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Johnny O’Connell
and Jan Magnussen will drive the No. 3 Corvette C6.R, joined by Ron
Fellows for three endurance races (Sebring, Le Mans and Petit Le Mans).
Oliver Gavin and Olivier Beretta will drive the No. 4 Compuware Corvette
C6.R, teamed with Max Papis in long-distance events.

“Continuity and consistency are two of the cornerstones of Corvette
Racing’s success, and that is reflected in our longstanding
relationships with these championship-winning drivers,” said Steve
Wesoloski, GM Racing Road Racing Group manager. “They thoroughly
understand the team’s overall objectives, and they are total
professionals both on and off the race track. We’re very proud to have
these six drivers as part of the Corvette Racing family.”

Corvette Racing’s six drivers have a combined total of 135 ALMS
victories, 13 ALMS championships, and 17 class victories in the 24 Hours
of Le Mans. They’ve been successful in series that span the spectrum of
motorsports from karts to Formula 1.

Ron Fellows, the charter member of the Corvette Racing fraternity, has
been part of the team since initial testing began in 1997. A four-time
winner of the ALMS Most Popular Driver award, the Canadian star will
attend selected ALMS races as a consultant and Corvette ambassador when
he is not racing. Fellows also intends to compete in selected NASCAR
Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series road races.

“It’s been very special to be a part of Corvette Racing since Day One,”
Fellows said. “People around the world now recognize and respect the
Corvette brand as a result of the success in top-level racing that the
team has achieved over the years. It’s also been very gratifying to see
how the race program has been integrated with the production Corvette,
first with the sixth-generation Corvette and the Z06, and now with the
Corvette ZR1.”

Like every member of the Corvette Racing team, Fellows has his eyes
firmly fixed on the GT1 prize at the 24 Hours of Le Mans: “Le Mans is
our Super Bowl,” he said. “It’s such an important race, and competing
there is something I’m not ready to give up yet.”

Oliver Gavin and Olivier Beretta are seeking their fourth consecutive
GT1 drivers championship in 2008, and the teammates are aiming to win
their fourth Le Mans title in five years.

“No one is complacent at Corvette Racing,” Gavin said. “We all know that
our jobs are highly sought after, and I begin each season with the
thought that we are starting with a clean sheet of paper and I have to
prove myself again. Our teammates in the No. 3 Corvette C6.R will be
racing the wheels off to beat us, and we’ll be doing the same to beat
them as well as the Aston Martin. There are very sharp people in the
team who are constantly analyzing every performance, making sure that
everyone is at the top of their game.

“Continuity in the lineup means that you know how your teammates think
and respond to situations,” Gavin explained. “This familiarity allows
each of us to get the job done in the most efficient way, and that’s
usually what produces the best result.”

Corvette Racing will make its season debut in the opening round of the
12-race ALMS series, the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, on March 15, 2008.

Corvette Racing Drivers
(Note: Detailed driver profiles are available online at
http://media.gm.com/division/gmracing/press_kits/08racing/index.html)

Olivier Beretta, Compuware Corvette No. 4
Birthdate: Nov. 23, 1969
Residence: Monte Carlo, Monaco
Notes: Five-time ALMS GTS/GT1 champion, five class wins in 24 Hours of
Le Mans, holds ALMS records for most career wins (37) and most career
poles (20), two FIA championships, overall victory in 2000 Rolex 24 at
Daytona

Ron Fellows, Compuware Corvette No. 3
Birthdate: Sept. 28, 1959
Residence: Mississauga, Ont., Canada
Notes: Four-time ALMS Most Popular Driver award (2004-07), three-time
ALMS champion, two 24 Hours of Le Mans class wins, 19 SCCA Trans-Am
wins, five NASCAR wins (two NCTS, three NNS)

Oliver Gavin, Compuware Corvette No. 4
Birthdate: Sept. 29, 1972
Residence: Yardley Hastings, England
Notes: Three-time ALMS GT1 champion, 28 career ALMS class victories,
four class wins in 24 Hours of Le Mans

Jan Magnussen, Compuware Corvette No. 3
Birthdate: July 4, 1973
Residence: Roskilde, Denmark
Notes: Three class wins in 24 Hours of Le Mans, 14 career ALMS wins,
former Formula 1 driver, twice voted “Most Popular Driver” in ALMS, 2005
Danish Racing Driver of the Year

Johnny O’Connell, Compuware Corvette No. 3
Birthdate: July 24, 1962
Residence: Flowery Branch, Ga.
Notes: Two-time ALMS GT1 champion, 28 career ALMS wins, six Sebring
12-hour class victories, holds ALMS records for most starts (84), most
podium finishes (63), most top-five finishes (76) and most top-10
finishes (82)

Max Papis, Compuware Corvette No. 4
Birthdate: Oct. 3, 1969
Residence: Mooresville, N.C.
Notes: Daytona 24-hour winner, two Sebring 12-hour victories, three CART
wins, 2004 Grand-Am Daytona Prototype champion

 

General Motors has just released the following exciting News Bulletin.

Chevrolet’s Special ‘427 Limited Edition Z06′ Salutes Classic 427 Corvettes

DETROIT – Chevrolet announced the 2008 Corvette 427 Limited Edition Z06, a limited-production model that pays homage to the big-block Stingray models of the mid-1960s. The 427 designation refers to the cubic-inch displacement for the highest-performance engines offered between 1966 and ’69 – and is also the cubic-inch equivalent of the Z06’s 7.0L LS7 small-block V-8.

The 427 Limited Edition Z06 features a Crystal Red Tintcoat exterior, the first Z06 ever offered with a red metallic tintcoat paint. It also features graphics on the hood and fascia that evoke the style of the famed “stinger” hood design and graphics that were offered with 1967 models equipped with the 427 engine. Also unique to this model are “427” hood badges. Each example is numbered and signed by Wil Cooksey, the Corvette assembly plant manager who is retiring after 15 years on the job, and comes with a certificate of authenticity.

“The heritage of the 427 designation with the Corvette is legendary,” said Harlan Charles, Corvette product manager. “Recognizing the tie-in of the original 427 engine and the LS7’s 427-inch displacement has been on the Corvette team’s mind since the Z06 was introduced, and we’re thrilled to express it in this special model.”

Available under order code Z44, this special Z06 enters production this spring. Only 427 will be offered in the United States and Canada, with 78 more exported outside North America. That’s a total of 505 production vehicles – the same number of horsepower produced by the LS7 engine.

The special-edition Corvette includes the 3LZ premium equipment package with a custom, leather-wrapped interior. A navigation system is the only option.

A breakdown of the 427 Limited Edition Z06’s unique content includes:

• Crystal Red Tintcoat exterior paint with stinger-style graphics and 427 hood badges
• Exclusive, new chrome wheels
• Body-color rear spoiler and door handles
• Exclusive dark titanium custom leather-wrapped interior
• Special Crystal Red interior trim plate graphic pattern
• Console armrest signed and numbered by Wil Cooksey
• “427”-embroidered seats and floor mats
• “Z06” sill plates

The 427 Limited Edition Z06 joins the Indy 500 Pace Car replica – available in coupe and convertible configurations – as the second limited-production Corvette model introduced for 2008, giving enthusiasts and collectors a wealth of choices. In January, Chevrolet also announced the 2009 Corvette ZR1, which enters production later this summer.

“There’s never been a better time to be a Corvette enthusiast,” said Charles. “The performance and refinement are exemplary and special editions, like the 427 model, enrich the heritage of America’s sports car.”

Corvette Z06 details

The Corvette Z06 that is the foundation for the 427 Limited Edition offers carefully executed levels of capability and technology, making it one of the best performance values on the market.

The Z06’s LS7 7.0L engine reintroduced the 427-cubic-inch engine to the Corvette lineup. It uses racing-derived lightweight technology, including titanium connecting rods and intake valves, to help boost horsepower and rpm capability – it is rated at 505 horsepower (377 kW).* The only transmission offered with the Z06 is a six-speed manual.

In the car’s 3,162-pound (1,437 kg) package, the LS7 engine helps deliver 0-60 mph performance of 3.7 seconds in first gear, quarter-mile times of 11.7 seconds at 125 mph and a top speed of 198 mph (as recorded on Germany’s Autobahn) – the Z06 also circuited Germany’s famed N ü rburgring racetrack in a time of 7:43.

The Z06 has a unique aluminum body structure for optimum stiffness and light weight for the fixed-roof body style. Perimeter rails are one-piece hydroformed aluminum members featuring cast suspension nodes, which replace many welded steel components on other Corvette models. Advanced structural composites featuring carbon fiber are bonded to the aluminum structure. Wider front wheelhouses, for example, are carbon composites and the passenger compartment floors combine carbon-fiber skins with an ultra-lightweight balsa wood core.

A firm, race-proven suspension works harmoniously with large 18 x 9.5-inch cast-spun aluminum wheels and 275/35ZR18 tires in the front, and 19 x 12-inch cast-spun aluminum wheels with 325/30ZR19 tires in the rear to achieve lateral acceleration of more than 1 g. Complementing the suspension system and large rolling stock is an equally capable four-wheel disc brake system, consisting of 14-inch (355 mm) vented and cross-drilled front rotors and 13.4-inch (340 mm) vented and cross-drilled rear rotors.

The front rotors are acted upon by large, red-painted six-piston calipers that use six individual brake pads. Individual brake pads are used because they deliver more equalized wear compared to what would otherwise be a pair of very long single-piece pads. For the rear brakes, four-piston calipers with four individual brake pads are used. A Delphi four-channel ABS system is standard, as is a very competent active handling system – complete with a Competitive Driving mode.

History of the Corvette and the 427 engine

The Chevrolet Mark IV V-8 debuted in the Corvette in 1965 and was dubbed the big-block, because it was physically larger in all respects than Chevy’s other V-8 engine, which became known as the small-block. In ’65, the big-block was offered in a 396-cubic-inch displacement, with a maximum rating of 425 gross horsepower (317 kW). In 1966, the big-block received larger cylinder bores and grew to its legendary 427-cubic-inch form. It came in two power levels: 390 hp (291 kW) and 425 hp.

By 1967, the Corvette’s 427 engine was a legend in its own time and was offered with a unique induction system that featured an inline trio of two-barrel carburetors. Known as the “L71” (its order code), it was characterized by a large, chrome triangular air cleaner assembly. It was rated at 435 gross horsepower (324 kW). The ’67 big-block Corvettes were easily distinguished from their small-block brethren by a raised “stinger” hood.

A handful of Corvettes with the “L88”-code 427 engine slipped out of the factory in 1967, each rated at 430 horsepower (321 kW), but the L88 would be more closely associated with the redesigned 1968 and ’69 models. The L88 breathed through a single four-barrel carburetor rather than the L71’s three two-barrels. The triple-carburetor induction system was still available, however, as the Corvette was offered with both the L88 and L71 versions of the 427.

No less than six versions of the engine were offered in 1969, the final year for the 427. They included the L88, the L71 and a very rare ZL1 427 that was built with a lightweight aluminum cylinder block. Only two regular-production Corvettes were built with the ZL1 engine, putting them on the short list of the most collectible Corvettes in history.

The big-block increased in size to 454 cubic inches in 1970, and the original big-block engine family exited the Corvette lineup after the 1974 model year. The 2008 Corvette Z06’s LS7 engine offers big-block displacement and horsepower, but in a more efficient small-block architecture.

This will be one of those “gotta have one” Corvettes!

How many of these fantastic Tributes to the era of the Big Block will be available in Canada?  Stay tuned and we will let you know.

The Chevy Enthusiast

The all new 2009 Chevrolet Traverse has been unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show.  Below is a transcript of the General Motors Press Release.  But first, here is a video that show the Traverse out for a drive.

 

Enjoy it!  This is one more Chevy that is worth waiting for……

The Chevy Enthusiast

Chevrolet Announces the All-New 2009 Traverse

New Crossover Features Bold Styling, Sophisticated Details and
Best-in-Class Fuel Economy from a Direct-Injected 3.6L V-6

CHICAGO – Introduced at the Chicago Auto Show, the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse is an expressively styled, well-equipped crossover that gives customers people-hauling and cargo-carrying capability typically found in larger SUVs.

With styling cues inspired by the acclaimed ’08 Chevy Malibu, the Traverse delivers refined details with strong proportions and the bold front-end appearance found on all new Chevrolets. Traverse will start production in the third quarter of 2008 at GM’s Spring Hill, Tenn. manufacturing facility.

“We think the Traverse is the right vehicle at the right time,” said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. “It has great looks, utility and safety, with a driving experience typically found in smaller vehicles. But it delivers this with three rows of seating – including a third row that fits adults – and class-leading cargo space. The Traverse is following the formula that is bringing Chevy back to a new generation of consumers – great styling, loads of class-leading features and tremendous value.”

The ’09 Traverse is offered in LS, LT and LTZ models, in both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations. Product highlights include:

• Distinctive design that highlights the new face of Chevrolet
• Optimized aerodynamics that enhance fuel economy and reduce wind noise
• Four-wheel independent suspension system
• StabiliTrak electronic stability control system
• Family of 17-, 18- and 20-inch wheels
• Second-row Smart Slide seat feature, for easy access to the third-row seats
• Rear-seat entertainment system with second-row controls
• Six standard air bags, including side curtain air bags that deploy over all three seating rows
• OnStar with Turn by Turn Navigation and Direction Download (with navigation system)
• XM Satellite Radio with XM NavTraffic, a real-time traffic feature (with navigation system)
• Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity
• Cruising range of more than 500 miles (800 km)
• Exceptional attention to detail and strong build quality

Sleek, sophisticated design

The Traverse casts a unique profile with a sleek, smooth and flowing design that characterizes the new, global face of Chevrolet. Elements such as chrome-ringed grille inserts, available projector-beam headlamps and large wheel-and-tire combinations highlight the vehicle’s finely honed attention to detail.

Taut body lines and minimal overhangs convey the image of a smaller vehicle, reinforcing the Traverse’s feeling of a large vehicle that drives smaller, while tight tolerances between body components – enhanced by the vehicle’s unitized body structure, which enables wraparound, single-piece fascias – emphasize a highly precise build quality.

“The Traverse delivers a design that is unexpected from Chevrolet,” said Michael Burton, director of design for the exterior. “Many of the details are typical on higher-priced vehicles, but the Traverse brings them to a level that is accessible to more customers.”

Some of the upscale design details include:

• Deep-set grille inserts with chrome-ringed trim
• Turn signals integrated in the outside mirrors
• Expressive taillamps
• Rear spoiler integrated over the tailgate window
• Roof rails designed to enhance the sleek appearance when a roof rack is not in place
• 20-inch Ultra-Bright aluminum wheels (standard on LTZ models)
• Dual, bright exhaust outlets
• Panoramic, power-operated sunroof

“The headlamps, for example, are more than merely projector beam units; they are integrated in stylized housings that are rich and detailed, reinforcing the high-tech features found throughout the Traverse,” said Burton.

Like the exterior, the Traverse’s interior is a confluence of refined styling, technology and attention to detail. The instrument panel has a dual-cockpit design that is a hallmark of Chevrolet’s heritage; it flows into the door panels, creating a sleek, highly detailed appearance. The instrument panel is mounted in a “low and away” position that enhances outward visibility.

The instrument panel houses a pair of large gauge binnacles that are accented with bright trim rings; and for so-equipped vehicles, the available navigation system screen is integrated prominently at the upper-center of the instrument panel.

The Traverse’s interior can be configured for seven or eight adults, including two front bucket seats, a 60/40-split second-row bench (three passengers) or two second-row captain’s chairs (two passengers) and a 60/40-split third-row bench seat. Perforated leather seats and second-row captain’s chairs are available. The third-row seat is capable of comfortably seating adults while simultaneously providing best-in-class storage space behind it.

Great amenities

Complementing the Traverse’s exterior and interior designs is a comprehensive roster of standard and available amenities that enhances the driving experience for the driver and passengers alike. They include:

• Rear ultrasonic parking assist
• Rear-view camera
• Outside mirrors with spotter mirrors
• Power liftgate
• Extended-range remote vehicle start
• Heated windshield fluid
• DVD entertainment system
• DVD navigation system (with OnStar Destination Download and XM traffic routing)
• Heated and cooled front seats
• XM Satellite Radio with XM NavTrafic, a real-time traffic feature
• Heated, power-adjustable outside mirrors with blind-spot mirrors
• Power folding outside mirrors with integrated turn signals
• OnStar (with one year of Directions & Connections service) with Turn by Turn Navigation and, with the navigation system, Direction Download.

GM’s Five-Year/100,000 Mile Powertrain Limited Warranty continues to make GM a better choice for customers. GM’s coverage focuses on the complete ownership experience and includes other provisions that competitors do not offer, including transferability to the next owner, more complete coverage of parts, and coverage for new and certified used vehicles. In addition, GM offers complementary programs such as courtesy transportation and roadside assistance.

2009 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE SPECIFICATIONS Overview

Models:	Chevrolet Traverse
Body style / driveline:	crossover SUV / front-engine; front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive
Construction:	body-frame integral
EPA vehicle class:	sport utility vehicle
Manufacturing location:	Spring Hill , Tenn.
Key competitors:	Toyota Highlander; Honda Pilot; Ford Explorer

Engine

Type:	3.6L V-6
Displacement (cu in / cc):	217 / 3564
Bore & Stroke (in / mm):	3.70 x 3.37 / 94 x 85.6
Block material:	aluminum
Cylinder head material:	aluminum
Valvetrain:	DOHC; 4 valves per cylinder; variable valve timing
Fuel delivery:	direct, high-pressure fuel injection
Compression ratio:	11.4:1
Horsepower (hp / kW):	281 / 210 @ 6400 (single exhaust)* 286 / 213 @ 6400 (dual exhaust)*
Torque (lb-ft / Nm):	253 / 343 @ 5500 (single exhaust)* 255 / 345 @ 5500 (dual exhaust)*
Recommended fuel:	regular unleaded
Max. engine rpm (fuel cutoff):	7000 rpm
Emissions controls:	dual close-coupled converters; 2 pre- and 2-post oxygen sensors
Estimated fuel economy:	TBD

Transmission & Power Take Off Unit (PTU)

Manufacturer:	GM Powertrain
Type:	Hydra-Matic 6T75 6-speed FWD/AWD automatic transmission
Gear Ratio (:1)
First:	4.48
Second:	2.87
Third:	1.80
Fourth:	1.47
Fifth:	1.0
Sixth:	0.742
Reverse:	2.88
Final drive ratio:	3.16 (FWD / AWD) 2.73 (FWD)

Chassis/Suspension

Front:	coil-over strut; direct acting stabilizer bar; full perimeter isolated cradle
Rear:	linked H-arm independent suspension; coil springs with twin-tube shock absorbers mounted on isolated sub-frame
Steering type:	hydraulic rack-and-pinion; straight ratio and variable effort
Steering ratio:	16.1
Steer wheel turns, lock-to-lock:	2.89
Turning circle, curb-to-curb (ft / m):	40.4 / 12.3

Brakes

Type:	4-wheel disc
Rotor diameter (in / mm):	front: 12.8 x 1.1 / 325 x 29, ventilated rear: 13 x 0.8 / 331 x 20, ventilated
Anti-lock braking system (ABS):	Bosch 8.0 Chassis Controls: ABS / ETC / ESC w/rollover mitigation

Wheels/Tires

Wheel size and type:	17 x 7-in; steel 18 x 7.5-in; cast aluminum 20 x 8-in; Ultra-Bright cast aluminum
Tire size and type:	P245/70R17 ALS blackwall P255/65R18 ALS blackwall P255/55R20 AL3 blackwall

Dimensions
Exterior

Wheelbase (in / mm):	118.9 / 3019
Overall length (in / mm):	205 / 5206
Overall width (in / mm):	78.4 / 1991
Overall height (in / mm):	72.8 / 1846 (w/roof rails); 69.7 / 1770 (w/o roof rails)
Track
Front (in / mm):	67.8 / 1721
Rear (in / mm):	67.4 / 1711
Curb weight (lb / kg):	4720 / 2141 (FWD) 4925 / 2234 (AWD)
Min. ground clearance (in / mm):	7.2 / 183 (FWD and AWD)

Interior

Seating capacity:	7 or 8
Headroom
First row (in /mm):	40.4 / 10264 (w/o sunroof); 38.6 / 979 (w/ sunroof)
Second row (in / mm):	39.4 / 1000 (w/o sunroof); 38.73 / 983 (w/ sunroof)
Third row (in / mm):	37.8 / 960 (w/o sunroof); 38.1 / 968 (w/ sunroof)
Legroom
First row (in / mm):	41.3 / 1049
Second row (in / mm):	36.8 / 937
Third row (in / mm):	37.8 / 690
Shoulder room
First row (in / mm):	62 / 1575
Second row (in / mm):	61.3 / 1558
Third row (in / mm):	57.6 / 1463
Hip room
First row (in / mm):	59.1 / 1502
Second row (in / mm):	57.8 / 1467
Third row (in / mm):	48.3 / 1227
Cargo volume
Second and third row folded (cu ft / L):	117.9 / 3340
Second row up, third row folded (cu ft / L):	68.3 / 1934
Behind third row (cu ft / L):	26.1 / 739

Capacities

Fuel tank (gal / L):	22.0 / 83.3
Engine oil (qt / L):	5.5 / 5.2
Transmission fluid (qt / L):	9.5 / 9.0 (Dexron VI only)
Cooling system (qt / L):	11.8 / 11.18
Max towing capacity (lb / kg):	4500 / 2041
GCWR (lb / kg):	9500 / 4309 (FWD) 9700 / 4400 (AWD)
GVWR (lb / kg):	6459 / 2930

* Preliminary, pending SAE certification.

Note: Information shown is current at time of publication