Chevrolet announce Spark spec

American carmaker Chevrolet has announced specification levels of its vibrant small car the Spark, the car will hit the streets in Spring 2010.

At launch the car will be available with a choice of two petrol powerplants – a 1.0-litre unit which develops 68PS and a more powerful 81PS 1.2-litre engine.

The base model, simply titled Chevrolet Spark 1.0, still comes with six airbags as standard, and in recent Euro NCAP results scored a very impressive 5 star for child protection. Expect a five-speed manual gearbox.

If you’re after a few more mod cons then the Spark + trim level might be the one for you – this builds on the base model by including air conditioning, electric front windows, central locking, and a USB compatible four-speaker stereo.

The top of the range 1.0-litre engine, and base 1.2-litre engine trim is the ‘LS’ – which is expected to be the most popular trim level (thanks no doubt to it being available in both engine choices). On top of the + specification, you can expect remote central locking, trim detailing, 14-inch wheels, front fog lamps, and colour matched door handles, mirrors, and spoiler.

The larger engine is also available with a LS+ trim, which adds alloy wheels, rear electric windows, trip computer, and steering wheel audio controls.

Top of the tree comes the LT model, which is only available with the 1.2-litre engine, expect 15″ alloys, climate control, improved stereo, body kit, and a bit more polish in the cabin.

Options across the range include metallic paint, rear parking sensors and electronic stability control.

Chevrolet Spark Details

Chevrolet's new supermini, the Spark, will be available to order from December 11 and officially goes on sale in the UK next spring.

All Sparks come with a five-speed manual gearbox and six airbags as standard. The entry-level version, known simply as Spark, is by far the cheapest at £6945, and there's then quite a leap to the Spark +, which has air-conditioning, electric front windows, central locking and a four-speaker USB-compatible audio system.

The LS, which is expected to be the most popular model, gets remote central locking, silver trim detailing, 14" steel wheels (larger than those on the cheaper cars), a chrome-effect grille surround, a sunglasses holder and body-coloured doorhandles, exterior mirrors and rear spoiler. The LS+ costs £500 more and comes with alloy wheels, electric rear windows, a trip computer, heated electric door mirrors, roof bars and steering wheel-mounted audio controls.

At the top of the range comes the LT, which is the most expensive at £9845 and has 15" alloy wheels, climate control air-conditioning, interior detailing to match the body colour, a bodykit and a six-speaker stereo.

The LS is unusual in that it's the only one with a choice of two petrol engines - a 67bhp one-litre and a 1.2 developing 80bhp. Cheaper cars are available only with the one-litre engine, while the more expensive ones get the 1.2.

All versions have the same list of optional extras - metallic paint at £365, rear parking sensors at £150 and electronic stability control at £350. The fact that the latter item is not available as standard on any Spark is the only thing that prevented Euro NCAP from giving the car a five-star rating in its latest round of crash tests (see separate story), so it would seem reasonable for any customer who pays the extra money to assume that they are getting a five-star car.

2011 Chevrolet Volt Pedestrian Alert System Will Be Driver Controlled

Chevy Volt IVer

GM's announcement that engineers developing the 2011 Chevrolet Volt have partnered with the National Federation of the Blind to figure out "a safe level of sound" from the company's first extended-range electric vehicle.

Our subsequent interview with Tony Posawatz, vehicle line director for the 2011 Volt extended-range electric car, helped us understand some details of the Volt's Pedestrian-Friendly Alert System that we hadn't known.

Drivers to sound the alert

For one thing, the system will be driver actuated, rather than automatically producing sound at neighborhood speeds. Drivers will trigger it just like the "flash-to-pass" function now built into many turn-signal/light-switch combination levers.

The goal, Posawatz said, was to produce an "automotive quality sound" that pedestrians would instantly recognize, without confusing it for the horn. He described it as "a series of low horn audio signals or cues," but said the precise sound is "still being fine-tuned."

Lights as well as sound

At speeds under 35 miles per hour, the system not only emits that characteristic sound, but also flashes the Volt's lights. Though flashing lights may not be useful to vision-impaired pedestrians, they add an additional layer of warning for children, runners, cyclists, and others who may be unaware that a two-ton vehicle is driving silently toward them.

The alert sound is distinctive enough, Posawatz said, that it may become a way for Volt drivers to acknowledge each other, just as Corvette drivers and Harley-Davidson riders signal each other as they pass.

Hybrids hit pedestrians more

The imminent arrival of all-electric cars like the 2011 Chevrolet Volt and the 2012 Nissan Leaf has raised the level of concern among advocates for the blind about the lack of noise from hybrids running in electric mode.

Recent preliminary data from a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) study appears to show that hybrids hit pedestrians more often than non-hybrid vehicles. With statistical information now demonstrating that risk, carmakers are lining up to work with groups like the NFB.

Chevrolet Cruze is rated five stars in the latest NCAP results

Chevrolet Cruze

Previously recognised for a best-in-class, five-star crash safety rating in Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) testing in Australia and Chinese New Car Assessment Program (C-NCAP) testing in China, the Cruze has now achieved a five-star Euro NCAP rating, becoming the only car ever to achieve maximum points in frontal offset and side impact crash tests.

The Cruze received a maximum 16 points in the frontal offset collision and a maximum 8 points in the side impact test against a moving deformable barrier, making it the first passenger car to receive maximum scores in both tests since Euro NCAP began providing crash test ratings in 1997. Overall, it scored 79 points out of a possible 100 – a clear five-star rating.

The independent European testing organisation also awarded Chevrolet's new compact saloon a high score of 7.3 out of 8 points in the more severe side pole test, indicating that the Cruze's reinforced side shell helps protect passengers in the event of a side collision. The Cruze's headrests were well positioned to absorb crash energy against whiplash in a rear-end collision. The Cruze was also given high marks for child and pedestrian protection during testing.

"We are pleased with the Cruze's outstanding safety rating," said Wayne Brannon, President and Managing Director, Chevrolet Europe. "Today's results confirm that the Cruze offers benchmark safety. This complements its bold styling, excellent ride and handling, and outstanding value for money."

The Cruze's safety begins with its solid body structure. It features a new body-frame integral (BFI) system supplemented with finely tuned chassis components. With the BFI system, the upper body structure and frame are engineered as a single unit, offering a heightened sense of solidity and stability.

Sixty-four percent of the structure is constructed of high-strength steel, offering a high level of protection. Reinforcing the door and locker seal applications, the use of ultra-high-strength steel for the B-pillars and the efficient aluminium bumper application further ensure maximum safety.

The Cruze features as standard a full range of active and passive safety features usually found only on more expensive vehicles, including:

• Electronic Stability Control
• Traction control
• Anti-lock brakes
• Brake assist
• Electronic Brake-Force Distribution
• Six air bags, including driver, front passenger, front side and curtain air bags
• Seat-belt reminders, retractors and lap pretensioners with seat-belt load limiters

The Cruze is a member of Chevrolet's new range of small, compact and mid-size products being rolled out in markets around the world. It is or will be built in Korea, Russia and the United States, and sold in over 130 countries around the world.

2010 Chevrolet Spark

The Chevrolet Spark is set to light up the Geneva Motor Show when it debuts there in March this year. The first picture of Chevrolet’s new global entry into the lively mini car market was unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show.

The Spark will add great style, roominess and versatility to the segment of extremely fuel-efficient small cars. Equipped with five doors, the Spark features a fresh, youthful exterior and interior design that is reflected in the selection of materials and colours.

2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA

With powerful and efficient V8 engines, a comfortable cabin and a smooth ride, the 2009 Chevrolet Impala brings a lot to the family sedan table.

2009 Chevrolet Corvette Z06

The Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is the range-topping performance model in the Corvette lineup and is widely regarded as one of the best performance bargains on the planet.

At the heart of the Corvette Z06 is a 7.0L LS7 engine. Born out of Chevrolet’s racing program, each V8 engine is hand-built at the GM Performance Build Center in Wixom, Michigan and features a dry-sump lubrication system, titanium valves and connecting rods, forged-steel crankshaft with six-bolt main bearings and a high-profile cam.