Crossroads Chevy

2010 CORVETTE ZR1: PERFORMANCE TRACTION MANAGEMENT ENHANCES AN ALREADY WORLD-BEATING DRIVING EXPERIENCE

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 23:02:00 +0000

After taking on the world’s best supercars and proving a better value and performer by the global automotive press, the Corvette ZR1 returns for 2010 with new Performance Traction Management (PTM) technology. It is an advanced system that is part of a new Launch Control feature, which optimizes traction for greater and more consistent on-track performance.The PTM system holds a predetermined engine speed while the driver pushes the throttle to the floor. That allows the driver to quickly release the clutch and the system modulates engine torque 100 times per second to maximize the available traction. The system is capable of approaching a skilled driver’s best effort and repeats it consistently.PTM also integrates the ZR1’s traction control, active handling and selective ride control systems to enhance race track driving consistency and overall performance. When full throttle is applied upon exiting a corner, it automatically manages acceleration dynamics.The new PTM technology is the newest element that affirms the Corvette ZR1 is an American supercar with the technology and engineering refinement to take on the world’s best – but at a much lower price.

The ZR1’s highlights include:LS9 supercharged 6.2L V-8 rated at 638 horsepower (476 kW), and 604 lb.-ft. of torque (819 Nm) Six-speed, close-ratio, race-proven manual transmission High-capacity dual-disc clutch Higher-capacity and specific-diameter axle half-shafts; enhanced torque tube Specific suspension tuning provides more than 1g cornering grip Twenty-spoke 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires – P285/30ZR19 in front and P335/25ZR20 in the rear – developed specifically for the ZR1 Standard Brembo carbon-ceramic, drilled disc brake rotors – 15.5-inch-diameter (394-mm) in the front and 15-inch-diameter (380-mm) in the rear Blue-painted brake calipers Standard Magnetic Selective Ride Control with track-level suspension Wider, carbon-fiber front fenders with ZR1-specific dual ports Carbon-fiber hood with a raised, polycarbonate window – offering a view of the intercooler below it Carbon-fiber roof panel, roof bow, front fascia splitter and rocker moldings with clear-coated, visible carbon-fiber weave ZR1-specific full-width rear spoiler with raised outboard sections Specific gauge cluster with boost gauge (also displayed on the head-up display) and 220-mph (370 km/h) speedometer readout Curb weight of 3,333 pounds (1,512 kg). The specialized components of the new ZR1 work harmoniously to deliver the most powerful and fastest automobile ever produced by General Motors. It has a top speed of 205 mph (330 km/h).In addition to PTM, the following features are also new for 2010:Standard launch control Available Torch Red exterior color Available Cashmere interior color Available Competition Gray wheels. Supercharged LS9 engine The supercharged LS9 6.2L small-block engine is the power behind the ZR1’s performance. A sixth-generation Eaton supercharger helps the LS9 make big power and torque at lower rpm and carries it in a wide arc to 6,600 rpm, as it pushes enough air to help the engine maintain power through the upper levels of the rpm band – the area where supercharged performance tends to diminish. Heavy-duty and lightweight reciprocating components enable the engine’s confident high-rpm performance.The Roots-type supercharger uses a unique, four-lobe rotor design. It is augmented with an integrated charge cooling system that reduces inlet air temperature for maximum performance.The LS9 is hand-assembled at GM’s Performance Build Center in Wixom, Mich., and incorporates special processes typically seen in racing engines to produce a highly refined and precise product. For example, cast iron cylinder liners are inserted in the aluminum block and are finish-bored and honed with a deck plate installed. The deck plate simulates the pressure and minute dimensional variances applied to the block when the cylinder heads are installed. This ensures a higher degree of accuracy that promotes maximum cylinder head sealing, piston ring fit and overall engine performance.Transmission and axle The LS9 engine is backed by an upgraded, stronger six-speed manual transmission and a twin-disc clutch that provide exceptional clamping power, while maintaining an easy clutch pedal effort. ZR1-specific gearing in the transmission provides a steep first-gear ratio that helps launch the car, and top speed is achieved in sixth gear.As the term implies, the twin-disc clutch system employs a pair of discs, which spreads out the engine’s torque load over a wider area. This enables tremendous clamping power when the clutch is engaged, while also helping to dissipate heat better and extend the life of the clutch.The twin-disc clutch system also contributes to the ZR1’s exceptional driving quality, with smooth and easy shifting. The twin-disc system’s design allows higher torque capacity with inertia and pedal effort similar to the Corvette Z06. It enables a 25-percent reduction in inertia, thanks to smaller, 260-mm plates; the Corvette Z06’s uses a 290-mm single-disc system.The rear axle also is stronger in the ZR1 and features asymmetrical axle-shaft diameters – 33 mm on the right side and 40 mm on the left – that were developed after careful testing to provide optimal torque management. The axles are mounted on a more horizontal plane that correlates with the wider width of the rear wheels and tires.Ride and handling The ZR1 is built on the same aluminum-intensive chassis as the Corvette Z06 and features similar independent SLA front and rear suspensions, with aluminum upper and lower control arms. Where the ZR1 differs is the suspension tuning, which was optimized for the car’s steamroller-wide front and rear tires.Magnetic Selective Ride Control is standard and tuned specifically for the ZR1. The system’s ability to deliver a compliant ride with nearly instantaneous damping adjustments enabled engineers to develop a surprisingly supple ride quality in a supercar that still delivers cornering grip of more than 1g.From a high-performance perspective, Magnetic Selective Ride Control helps the rear axle remain planted during launch for smooth, hop-free acceleration. It also helps suppress axle movement when cornering on broken or uneven pavement.Brakes, wheels and tires Commensurate with the ZR1’s engine output is the braking system, which is headlined by Brembo carbon-ceramic brake rotors. Found on only a few exotics and more expensive supercars, carbon-ceramic brake rotors are made of a carbon-fiber-reinforced ceramic silicon carbide material . The advantages of these rotors are low mass and resistance to wear and heat. In fact, the rotors should never show corrosion or require replacement for the life of the vehicle, when used in normal driving.
The vented and cross-drilled rotors on the ZR1 measure 15.5 inches (394 mm) in diameter in the front and 15 inches (380 mm) in diameter in the rear – making them among the largest carbon-ceramic rotors available on any production vehicle.
Clamping down on the high-tech rotors are six-piston front calipers and four-piston rear calipers, each painted a ZR1-exclusive blue. The brakes are visible through the ZR1’s exclusive wheels: 20-spoke alloy rims that measure 19 x 10 inches in diameter in the front and 20 x 12 inches in the rear. A Sterling Silver paint finish is standard; chrome and Competition Gray versions are optional. The wheels are wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires developed specifically for the ZR1, measuring P285/30ZR19 in front and P335/25ZR20 in the rear.
Exclusive exterior The ZR1 is instantly recognizable, with perhaps the most identifiable feature a raised, all-carbon-fiber hood that incorporates a clear, polycarbonate window. The window provides a view of the top of the engine’s intercooler, with the legend “LS9 SUPERCHARGED” embossed on the left and right sides, and an engine cover with the Corvette crossed flags logo debossed at the front.
The underside of the hood has a visible carbon-fiber-weave. Visible carbon-fiber is used on the roof, roof bow, rocker molding and front splitter. These exterior components are protected by a specially developed glossy, UV-resistant clear coat that resists yellowing and wear.Widened, carbon-fiber front fenders with specific, dual lower ports; and a full-width, body-color rear spoiler incorporating the center high-mounted stop lamp are also unique to the ZR1. All of the exterior features were developed to enhance high-speed stability and driver control.Interior details The ZR1 interior builds on the brand’s dual-cockpit heritage, with high-quality materials, craftsmanship and functionality that support the premium-quality performance. The ZR1 cabin differs from the Corvette and Corvette Z06 with the following:
ZR1-logo sill plates ZR1-logo headrest embroidery
Specific gauge cluster with “ZR1” logo on the tachometer and a 220-mph (370 km/h) readout on the speedometer
Boost gauge added to the instrument cluster and head-up display.
The standard ZR1 (RPO 1ZR) comes with accoutrements based on the Z06, including lightweight seats and lightweight content. The uplevel interior package (RPO 3ZR) includes power-adjustable, heated and leather-trimmed sport seats (embroidered with the ZR1 logo); Bose premium audio system; navigation system; Bluetooth connectivity; power telescoping steering column; custom leather-wrapped interior available in four colors; and more.
By the numbers In addition to the exterior cues and powertrain, ZR1 models are distinguished from other Corvette models by their vehicle identification number, or VIN. Each carries a unique, identifying VIN digit, as well as a sequential build number. This makes it easy to determine the build number of a specific car – information treasured by enthusiasts and collectors. For example, a ZR1 with a VIN ending in “0150” would indicate it is the 150th ZR1 built for the model year.

First Test - 2010 Chevy Camaro

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 02:41:00 +0000

Chevrolet Camaro SS New Video

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 17:02:00 +0000

It's Camaro Time!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 16:19:00 +0000

This is a day that literally hundreds of thousands of people have been waiting for - especially me: the first all-new 2010 Chevy Camaro is rolling off the line at GM’s award-winning assembly plant in Oshawa, Ontario.

If you love cars, it doesn’t get much better than this. Chevy has reinvented a classic American sports car for 21st century drivers. Besides Corvette, there is probably no car in Chevy history that carries a prouder legacy than Camaro.

When we announced that Camaro was returning to the Chevy lineup a little over two years ago, it became one of the most highly anticipated vehicle launches of this decade. We’ve heard from more than 800,000 people asking for information about the 2010 Camaro, and 14,000 of them have already placed an order to buy one when they arrive at Chevy dealer showrooms next month.
I know a lot of people think it’s taken too long to bring the all-new Camaro to market, but when you get behind the wheel I guarantee you’ll agree this 21st-century sports car was worth the wait.

The 2010 Camaro is stylish and incredibly fun to drive. The design is very faithful to the original Camaro concept that inspired Hollywood director Michael Bay to make it the hero of “Transformers,” and it also acknowledges the Camaro’s heritage, but the sleek lines and aggressive stance really set the 2010 Camaro apart from its competitors.

Speaking of competitors, the 2010 Camaro has some significant advantages over more traditional rivals like the Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger. It also competes well against some rather unexpected competitors, like the Nissan 370 Z, Hyundai Genesis Coupe, and BMW 3-Series.

Let’s look specifically at how Camaro stacks up against the venerable Mustang. For starters, the Camaro V6 generates 304 horsepower, while Mustang’s V8 tops out at 315. In terms of fuel efficiency, Camaro wins hands-down - the V6 will achieve 29 miles per gallon on the highway, according to the EPA, five mpg’s or better than Mustang. Camaro also has standard 4-wheel independent suspension that Mustang doesn’t offer. Camaro has 6-speed transmissions across the entire lineup, while you can still get a Mustang with a 5-speed.

The 2010 Camaro features all of the modern amenities that 21st century drivers expect: Bluetooth phone and USB connectivity; a Boston Acoustics audio system; OnStar; and XM satellite radio. And all of these features come wrapped in a very affordable package - the 2010 Camaro’s MSRP starts at $22,995.

Now a 21st century sports car should have 21st century marketing behind it. We know that Camaro buyers are very internet-savvy and they go online to get their information. There are more than 600 Camaro blogs already online, but there’s only one “official” Camaro site and it went live today.

All in, the 2010 Camaro is a budget-friendly sports car that offers great fuel economy without sacrificing performance. It’s already a movie star and it’s also the newest showroom star at Chevrolet, which is GM’s foundational brand.

The 2010 Camaro is the latest example of how we are reinventing the Chevy brand and the automobile for today’s consumers. It joins the Silverado Hybrid - the most fuel-efficient full-size pickup you can buy - and later this summer, the all-new 2010 Equinox crossover, which will achieve best-in-class 30-mile-per-gallon fuel economy.

Okay, I’ll take my foot off the gas pedal - for now.

It’s Camaro time!

By Ed Peper
GM North America Vice President, Chevrolet

Source: GMC NA

Finally, I’ve got my own keys!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 20:40:00 +0000

Over the many months of developing the new 2010 Chevy Equinox, I almost had to wrench the keys to our early development vehicles from the hands of the other engineers on the team so I could drive it myself.

Why? Because the new Equinox is one great, comfortable ride.

The Equinox has lots of features that drivers will appreciate — a USB port and the ability to control your iPod through the steering wheel controls and the rear-vision camera system, to name just a few. But I want to talk a little about the Equinox’s seats, which are the most comfortable in the compact crossover segment thanks to a process we call “pressure mapping.”

Pressure mapping enables our engineers to assess the contact and pressure points of various people’s backs - and backsides - to figure out the contour of the seat padding needed to optimize comfort. Although everyone is at least a little different, we were able to draw some conclusions by looking at the data from people of all shapes and sizes. Working with the seat designers for the new Equinox, we have developed very comfortable seats for the driver, front passenger and even rear seat occupants, which we believe are the best in the segment.

But it’s not just about comfort in the seats. We set out to make the 2010 Equinox a great driving vehicle, too.

We started with two, new direct injection engines-a 4-cylinder and a 6-cylinder-which provide an excellent balance of fuel economy and performance, with the 4-cylinder delivering 182 horsepower and 30 mpg on the highway. The new Equinox also has a lot of structural enhancements, including a front, under-cradle brace that provides very good lateral stiffness. The Equinox is outfitted with hydraulic ride bushings and the right shock tuning. Larger brakes, premium steering gears, wider tracks and stability control also add to exceptional ride and handling. And the fact that the Equinox has a longer wheelbase than our competitors’ products means that it will ride more smoothly than other vehicles in the segment.

Now that we’re getting closer to production, I finally have the keys to a new Equinox for internal evaluation before it goes into regular production and I’m loving it!

That’s the engineer’s perspective. I’d like to hear about your perspectives - particularly those of you who are driving another compact crossover.

Crossroads Chevy

2010 CORVETTE ZR1: PERFORMANCE TRACTION MANAGEMENT ENHANCES AN ALREADY WORLD-BEATING DRIVING EXPERIENCE

First Test - 2010 Chevy Camaro

Chevrolet Camaro SS New Video

It's Camaro Time!

Finally, I’ve got my own keys!

By Tim Herrick

Chevy Equinox Chief Engineer

Source: GM Fast Lane Blog