As enthusiasts, we love to complain about the cars that manufacturers offer in foreign markets but withhold from us in the United States. One body style that has a tendency to be offered in Europe and Asia but seldom here is the hatchback. Chevrolet has humored us and decided to offer its fully redesigned Cruze as a sedan and hatchback in the land of the free. The Cruze hatchback promises the added versatility and utility that is normally restricted on a conventional sedan. Indeed, the Cruze hatch offers 47.2 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded down. Like the 2016 sedan, the hatch offers a standard 1.4L turbo 4-cylinder as well as support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. We anticipate powertrains and options to largely mirror those of the sedan. We expect to see the Cruze hatchback on sale next to its sedan sibling in the fall. Now, if we could just convince Chevy to offer a Cruze wagon…
Chevrolet followed up the new second-generation Volt with a good look at what kind of full electric vehicle it intends to offer in just a few years. The Bolt Concept is targeting a $30k price (after government subsidies) and a 200-mile range from an all-new GM developed battery pack. The Bolt certainly looks ready to transport a young family around with good space for four and an easy to access hatch for cargo. We’re glad to see the styling isn’t nearly as off-putting as the BMW i cars and we’re glad to see GM hasn’t let soft sales of the first gen Volt slow down its plans for electric development.
Loyal Chevrolet Volt owners have proven a valuable resource to GM Team members tasked with following up the ambitious plug-in hybrid with an all-new 2016 model. From faster acceleration to better charging cord storage, Volt owners led GM toward a more conventional looking sedan inside and out that now features much improved usability. Engineers redesigned every powertrain component for reduced weight and improved efficiency. A larger capacity battery now supplies 50 miles of electric range before firing up the 1.5-liter I4 to keep the juice flowing. With a 200 pound weight loss, Chevy expects 41 mpg when the gas engine is running. Cheap gasoline won’t be around forever, and when it’s gone you might find yourself liking what the new Volt offers.
We’ve already reported that the General struck close to the bulls-eye with its first two big crossovers out of the gate, (GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook) and we’re willing to go on record saying the Buick Enclave is currently the best looking crossover in production. Since the Chevrolet brand is far and away the volume leader it should have surprised nobody when the Traverse debuted with design cues from the successful Malibu and displayed a window sticker with an impressive spec list and a very reasonable number at the bottom. The good news for GM: that’s a recipe for success. Read more…
We last drove an Aveo in 2005 when we called it the rolling definition of dirt cheap. Sure it sounds critical, but after plenty of jabs below the beltline we admitted that for people on the strictest budget the Aveo offered basic transportation with a factory warranty and only asked for $12,690 in return. Read more…
Ever wonder what a 1949 Chevrolet Suburban would look like had it been designed in 2006. Well someone at GM did and the proof sits my driveway. Well, a cute bite-sized, economical representation anyways (I think in candy bar speak the term is “fun” size). Read more…
The Sunburst Orange Chevy Cobalt in our fleet was wearing the two most revered letters in GM performance history, but we weren’t fooled. You see, Chevrolet actually offers two Cobalt SSs and one of them is worthy of the legendary designation and the other is little more than an appearance package. The subject of this review is the poseur. It may have SS badges glued to an attractive coupe body, but this was no Super Sport. Read more…
So you want to go fast? You want something that will rule the left lane with an iron fist and fear no competition. If its 0-60 mph time doesn’t start with a 3 then your grandma might be interested but you’re not. You want the latest racing technology and materials so exotic NASA doesn’t even use them. The exhaust note must strike fear into the heart of pedestrians and send enthusiasts’ pulse rates racing. If you expect climate control, a navigation system, change from a $75,000 bill and if you absolutely must blow through the quarter mile in less time than it takes to read this sentence, then there’s really only one choice. You need a Z06. Read more…
Not to sound ungrateful or anything, but really Santa, an automatic? Actually, the more perplexing thing is why would anyone in the GM media relations department decide to loan out a Corvette in Michigan in December? Our only conclusion was that the coordinator was on vacation in sunny California, and well, it’s dry there. Fortunately for you, your faithful AT staff is reluctant to pass up horsepower of large proportions and thus, brought to you its 400 gift-wrapped stallions. Read more…
If you’re the shy type, don’t ever ride in this Chevy.
From the moment you step inside this wild truck — a power-top convertible, no less — you become the center of attention wherever you drive.
People roll down their windows at stoplights to ask what it is; you can’t fill the gas tank without being interrupted at least twice; little kids stare at it with open-mouthed amazement; and cops pull you over for no apparent reason. Read more…
