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Chevy Volt Electric Concept Car, 2008 Chevrolet Malibu at Washington Auto Show Review

January 2007
Filed under: CHEVROLET Car News | CHEVROLET Headlines

General Motors Also Showcases Dana Buchman Cadillac, Performance Pontiacs, Camaro, New Pickups, Roomy New Crossovers and Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle



Chevy Volt electric concept car

WASHINGTON, D.C., 2007-01-17 -- From a sleek, electrically powered concept vehicle that makes trips to the gas station a rarity to one of America’s favorite muscle cars, design and technology dominate the General Motors exhibit at the 2007 Washington Auto Show, which opens to the public January 24.

Two Chevrolets make their East Coast debut: the Chevy Volt concept and 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. Cadillac features a concept SRX by fashion designer Dana Buchman, and Chevrolet highlights the Camaro coupe concept that foreshadows a production model. Also on the Chevy stand is the hydrogen fuel-cell Equinox SUV that soon will become part of a test fleet in Washington D.C., New York and California.
Also featured on the GM stand are new crossover 8-passenger wagons from Buick, GMC and Saturn; flexible-fuel E85 vehicles, upcoming hybrid versions of the brand-new full-size pickup trucks from GMC and Chevrolet and Pontiac’s new line of performance models.

GM’s most electrifying advanced technology vehicle introduction, literally, is the Chevrolet Volt concept, a battery-powered, extended-range electric passenger vehicle that uses a gas engine to create additional electricity, making pit stops practically passé. The technology behind the Volt concept, GM’s E-flex System, allows electricity to be produced from gasoline, ethanol, bio-diesel or hydrogen, helping to provide a global solution to diversifying transportation energy sources.

The all-new 2008 Chevrolet Malibu delivers great performance, fuel economy and refinement, wrapped in a clean, tailored design that carries the new face of Chevrolet. The new Malibu arrives at Chevrolet dealerships later this year, where it will take on the strong competition in the midsize-car segment.

Combining dramatic design and exciting performance, the Chevrolet Camaro Concept recaptures the spirit of one of the most popular sport coupes of all time and redefines the Camaro for new generations of fans. The all-new Camaro will begin with early production versions at the end of 2008 and will go on sale in the first quarter of 2009. The new Camaro will be almost identical to the concept, a thoroughly modern interpretation of the 1969 model, considered by many to be the best design of the car’s first generation. The front-engine, rear-wheel-drive sport coupe will feature an independent rear suspension, and will be offered in a variety of models with the choice of manual and automatic transmissions and V-6 and V-8 engines.

General Motors will also display the Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell crossover vehicle. It will comprise the world’s largest fuel cell vehicle test fleet: more than 100 will be placed with customers in Washington D.C., New York and California beginning this fall. The comprehensive deployment plan, dubbed “Project Driveway," constitutes the first meaningful market test of fuel cell vehicles anywhere. Enabled by GM’s fourth-generation fuel cell propulsion system, the Equinox Fuel Cell is a fully-functional crossover vehicle, engineered for 50,000 miles of life. Importantly, the Equinox Fuel Cell is able to start and operate in sub-freezing temperatures during its 50,000-mile life. It is expected to meet all applicable 2007 U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, and is equipped with a long list of standard safety.

Chevrolet will also showcase six of its eight vehicles that can be fueled by any combination of gasoline and renewable ethanol up to a 15/85 percent blend, called E85. On the show floor will be the Monte Carlo and Impala automobiles, Avalanche and Suburban SUVs, Uplander minivan and the all-new Silverado pickup truck. Both Silverado – winner of Motor Trend’s Truck of the Year and the North American Truck of the Year -- and the GMC Sierra pickup will also be shown with the acclaimed 2-Mode Hybrid technology that will go into production in 2008 and improve fuel economy approximately 25 percent.

The new 2008 Chevrolet Equinox Sport, a performance-oriented variant of the popular compact SUV, has an aggressive stance and a sporting nature. Features include a lowered suspension, bold 18-inch wheels, a powerful, 263-horsepower DOHC engine – backed up with a six-speed automatic transmission with manual tap up/tap down control – a tuned exhaust and unique exterior appointments. Details such as body color fascias and the elimination of the roof rack contribute to the sleek design.

The Cadillac SRX Sport by Dana Buchman is the work of the vaunted New York fashion designer. Personally supervised by Buchman, this special vehicle adds many stylish, fun and functional details to the luxury crossover SRX, extending the colors and details found in her collection. The SRX interior uses rich aniline Brownstone leather with quilted inserts. Light cashmere leather and faux suede cover the console, doors and headliner. The carpets are Hokanson woven silk that is beautiful both to the eye and to the touch. A striking snakeskin print fabric is used inside storage compartments. The cabin is wi-fi enabled via a KVH wireless broadband system. Car customization is not a boy’s club anymore.

All three of the stylish new midsize crossover vehicles will be displayed: the GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook, which are just arriving at dealerships, and the Buick Enclave, which will go on sale later this year. They seat up to eight adults and combine the capability of an SUV with a smooth, responsive and car-like driving experience. The all-new vehicles feature a body-frame integral design that enables a lower step-in height, the generous interior space of larger SUVs, significant towing capability and fuel economy that is superior to same-size SUVs. Each of the beautifully designed new crossovers are uniquely styled to fit the character of its brand.

For the first time on the East Coast, Pontiac will reveal the 2008 Torrent GXP and 2008 G6 GXP coupe. These high-performance variants join the popular Grand Prix GXP and Solstice GXP, affirming Pontiac 's commitment to progressive design and balanced performance.

The G6 GXP broadens the G6 lineup with performance and style not typically found in the midsize segment. G6 GXP models receive a sophisticated, 3.6L DOHC V-6 with variable valve timing that produces approximately 252 horsepower. The engine is backed by a six-speed automatic transmission, performance-tuned suspension, 18-inch wheels and specific exterior and interior appointments.

The Torrent GXP delivers an exciting, sporting competitor to the SUV market, with a lowered suspension, 18-inch wheels, unique exterior appointments, a potent 263-horsepower 3.6L DOHC V-6 engine with variable valve timing and a six-speed automatic powertrain. The combination propels the vehicle from 0-60 mph in less than seven seconds.

The all-new 2007 Saturn Aura midsize sedan recently won the North American Car of the Year honors. The Aura blends Saturn’s new design language and high levels of refinement with the brand’s customer-focused purchase and ownership experience.

The Aura’s driving character matches its refined design, with a host of technologically sophisticated powertrains and a premium sport-sedan setup. Uplevel models feature GM’s first application of a new six-speed automatic transmission mated with the 3.6L DOHC V-6, creating a powerful yet fuel-efficient package. Later in the 2007 model year, Saturn will offer the Aura Green Line, a 2.4L Ecotec-based hybrid that will use a powertrain system similar to the Vue Green Line. It will be GM’s first hybrid passenger car.

GMC also displays its midsize pickup truck, the GMC Canyon, upgraded for 2007. Canyon is offered with larger-displacement engines that deliver more power. A new 2.9L DOHC four-cylinder with variable valve timing (VVT) delivers 185 horsepower and 190 lb.-ft. of torque. A new, 3.7L DOHC five-cylinder with VVT is rated at 242 horsepower and 242 lb.-ft. of torque. Among the many exterior and interior updates is GM’s tire pressure monitoring system, which is standard on all models.

General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world’s largest automaker, has been the global industry sales leader for 76 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 284,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in Detroit, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 33 countries. In 2006, 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 and Vauxhall. 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 .

Source: General Motors

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