Chevrolet will introduce the Captiva Sport, a new entry to the U.S market, later this year to help satisfy growing demand for compact crossovers by fleet customers. The Captiva Sport is a variant of the globally successful Chevrolet Captiva compact crossover.
Variants of the compact crossover are sold in more than 50 markets across Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, the Middle East and South America. The U.S.-specific version will give fleet customers a contemporary five-seat crossover with a comprehensive range of features and amenities, and will also address their need for roominess, utility and fuel efficiency.
"It says a lot about our ability to draw on international programs and proven, quality crossovers that we were able to identify and federalize a strong new entrant such as Captiva Sport for the U.S. market," said Alan Batey, U.S. vice president, Chevrolet Sales and Service. "We turned to our global network for a solution to quickly meet the rising demand from local fleet customers and continue to meet strong retail demand for the Equinox."
The Captiva Sport will be available for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2011, as a 2012 model.
The Chevrolet Equinox continues to show strong retail sales growth, with retail sales up 98 percent in February compared with the same month last year. Chevrolet expects sales retail sales to remain strong, in part due to its 32 mpg highway fuel economy rating, higher than the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, or Ford Escape.
The Captiva Sport features either an Ecotec 2.4L direct-injected four-cylinder or 3.0L direct-injected V-6 engine - each matched with a fuel-saving six-speed automatic transmission. Because the crossover is based on a proven GM global architecture, only minor revisions are required to meet federal standards, allowing Chevrolet to fast-track the Captiva Sport for the United States.
The Captiva Sport will be offered in LS and LT models, with four trim packages, including an all-wheel-drive model (LTZ). All models feature 17-inch aluminum wheels, XM Satellite Radio, six-speaker sound system, four-wheel disc brakes with antilock, traction control, StabiliTrak electronic stability control, air conditioning, power locks and windows (with driver's express down) and remote keyless entry.
Uplevel LT and LTZ models include the V-6 engine (with dual exhaust), along with OnStar and Bluetooth phone connectivity. A rear-view camera and leather trim package - including leather-trimmed and heated front seats - are standard on LTZ and available on other trims. The LTZ trim also includes a 10-speaker sound system and a sunroof.
"The range of features offered by the Captiva Sport is as rich as any Chevrolet vehicle," said Batey. "Our fleet customers will find it to be a versatile vehicle that gives them the cargo capacity they need, in a fuel efficient package that will help keep their ownership costs in check."
Under the skin
At the core of the Captiva Sport is a European-inspired driving character, with a stiff, steel body-frame integral structure complemented by a MacPherson strut independent front suspension and independent multi-link rear suspension. An isolated engine cradle enhances quietness and contributes to a smooth ride.
Standard on all models are four-wheel antilock disc brakes, traction control and StabiliTrak electronic stability control - systems that work together to provide outstanding vehicle control
In addition to handling features such as StabiliTrak that help drivers avoid crashes, the Captiva Sport helps protect occupants with its high-strength steel structure and a long list of standard occupant-protection safety features. Dual-stage front-seat air bags, front-seat side thorax air bags and rollover capable head curtain air bags covering front and rear rows are standard on all models.
Other standard safety features include front-row safety belt pretensioners, Pedal Release System that decouples the brake pedal in a crash to avoid injuries, active head restraints, tire pressure monitoring system, automatic power door locks and side turn signal lamps.
Destination Next: 2012 Chevy Sonic
For Where You're Going, The All-New 2012 Sonic. Coming Fall 2011.
Drive in the moment and enjoy the endless possibilities along the road to what's next. The unplanned stops and impulsive scenic routes, they're waiting for you. Whatever's next in the adventure that is your life, you'll need the right compact car to get you there. The all-new 2012 Chevrolet Sonic, coming fall 2011.
It's pure energy enriched by motorcycle designed instruments with sleek lines and curves wrapping around you and with the available turbocharged 1.4L engine giving you added power for its bold handling. The Sonic experience is more than simply driving, it's a driving force.
Hold on tight! Sonic is a turbocharged force at your fingertips giving you ultimate control With its available 6-speed manual transmission. And that big tachometer In front of you is a reminder that revolutions-per-minute is more than an engineering term, it's a call to action to enjoy the ride of your life.
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It connects and protects. Sonic has you covered with extensive features like 10 standard air bags, traction and stability control and OnStar Directions & Connections Plan with Turn-by-Turn Navigation and automatic crash response standard for the first six months including the OnStar MyLink and the MyChevrolet Mobile Apps. There's also available Bluetooth wireless technology for select phones and XM Radio with three trial months offering 170 digital channels.
Chevrolet Sonic Gets Sporty With Z-Spec Accessories
- Exterior accessories include ground effects, exhaust tip, spoiler, mirror caps, grille surrounds, graphics and 16- or 17-inch painted alloy wheels
- Interior accessories include aluminum sport pedals and sill plates
- On sale by the end of 2011
Chevrolet today introduced the first production Z-Spec accessories for the 2012 Sonic, an all-new small car hitting the streets this fall. The Sonic Z-Spec portfolio - which will be showcased at the New York International Auto Show - includes "Color Out" accent packages with contrasting-color exterior parts and graphics that express the car's performance characteristics.
The Sonic combines a youthful, aggressive design with turbocharged performance and agile ride and handling. When equipped with an available, efficient 1.4L turbo, it is expected to achieve an estimated 40 mpg highway.
"The new Z-Spec accessories reinforce Sonic's fun, youthful spirit," said Rick Scheidt, vice president, Chevrolet marketing. "Customization is particularly important with the customers we believe will gravitate toward the Sonic, and we want to help them make their vehicle look exactly the way they want as easily as possible."
The Z-Spec accessories will initially include body-color ground effects (with a silver exhaust tip), contrasting mirror caps and roof spoiler, contrasting upper and lower grille surrounds and a body graphics package, along with 16- and 17-inch painted alloy wheels. The ground effects kit features a front fascia extension, rocker panel extensions, rear fascia extension and silver exhaust tip.
Interior upgrades include aluminum sport pedals and sill plates.
Z-Spec also includes color accent packages in "Black Out" or "White Out." These "Color Out" packages, displayed on vehicles at the New York Auto Show, feature black accents on a Summit White Sonic and Summit White accents on an Inferno Orange Sonic.
"Sonic is a great canvas for customization, and Z-Spec offers a cohesive design with a family of factory-engineered accessories and graphics," said Scheidt.
Z-Spec parts can be purchased individually, to suit customer tastes and budgets, or can be purchased as a complete package. When the parts are purchased with the Sonic and installed by the dealer, customers can roll the cost into their monthly payments.
Additional accessories will be available for the Sonic, ranging from the fashionable to the functional, such as chrome mirror caps and door handles to cargo nets and trunk trays. Additional graphics packages also will be available in the future.
The accessorized Sonics on display in New York share traits with the Z-Spec concept versions of the Cruze, Spark and Volt shown at the 2010 SEMA show. For example, each wore ground effects kits, rear spoilers and Z-Spec-specific grilles, as well as Z-Spec graphics.
Chevrolet goofs, posts 2013 Malibu photo too soon
Chevrolet planned to lift the veil on its important new Malibu sedan at the Shanghai Auto Show (Monday, 8:30 p.m. EDT) and live on Facebook - then mistakenly posted a photo of the car early Thursday on its own U.S. website.
So much for mystery.
The redesigned Malibu mid-size is due on
sale in the U.S. in the first quarter of 2012 as a 2013 model. That's
about three months ahead of schedule, per prompting from General Motors'
"do it yesterday" CEO Dan Akerson who is trying to fill the gap in the
product pipeline left by GM's bankruptcy.China is a key market for the Chevy brand and parent GM - it's already the biggest Buick market in the world - and the company hopes Malibu will be a wild success there, too. That's why the focus on Shanghai.
The car won't be displayed in the U.S. - the real car, not just photos - until Wednesday during press days for the New York Auto Show, the last big car show of the U.S. season.
It'll be interesting to see how Chevy tries to keep the buzz going between now and early next year when Malibu finally hits showrooms. A sluggish start in the market is considered close to the kiss of death for a new model.
Malibu is a key model for the brand. It goes up against the big dogs of the mid-size sedan segment: Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Hyundai Sonata, Ford Fusion, Nissan Altima. Chevy sold about 199,000 Malibus in the U.S. last year, according to Autodata, while Toyota sold about 328,000 Camrys and Honda, about 283,000 Accords.
And despite all the talk about small cars, these mid-size models - garden-variety family sedans - still are the biggest sales segment of the U.S. car market.
When Chevy pulls off the covers in Shanghai - a bit less dramatically now - the rest of the world can watch via live high-definition streaming at at this site . Chevy's all-in online presentation of the intro also will be streamed live in standard def on Chevy's Facebook page and via custom video optimized for iPhone and iPad. The Webcast will include live Q&A with Chevy designer Bryan Nesbitt and marketing head Jon Hahn answering viewer questions posted on Twitter, (hashtag #MalibuReveal) and on Chevrolet's Facebook page (Malibu tab).
We can tell you more Monday.
2012 Chevy Impala
Courtesy Chevrolet has learned that Chevrolet is preparing for the new redesigned Chevrolet Impala to be released as a 2012 model. The of 2012 Chevrolet Impala is believed to be based on the combination of sports utility vehicle and luxury sedan.
Chevrolet says that the engineer's brain brings up this design based on the expectations and requirements of the upcoming target customers.
Aiming to satisfy the hunger of current needs, Chevrolet is soon presenting 2012 Chevrolet Impala with classic improvements and refreshed architecture to reproduce exceptional car performance. The 2012 Impala is designed with its roof somewhat taller and bit lowered wheelbase in comparison to its predecessors whereas the seats are positioned bit high. All these redesigned attributes facilitates easy passage into the vehicle which can prove to be more advantageous for elderly passengers. It has the capacity to accommodate 5 passengers with ease. With the redesigned structure, the 2012 Impala will provide spacious legroom and comfortable headroom. The rear seats can be flipped and folded to offer more cargo space if desired.
The 2012 Impala will be powered by highly efficient, latest OHV technology, also termed as overhead valve to monitor synchronize the flow of fuel through the engine. The sedan is expected to arrive in various trim versions. The basic LS model is believed to be powered with 3.8 liter and V6 engine with 12 valves to generate 200 horsepower and a torque of 225 lb.ft. at 4000 RPM, the LT and LTZ versions will probably be powered by 3.9 liter and V6 engine. The 3.5 V6 engine as well as 3.9 liter V6 engine has the capacity to efficiently function on E85 fuel which is the combination of 85% of ethanol and 15% of regular gasoline. Both the versions are expected to come paired with 4 speed gearbox with automatic transmission. All the 2012 Impalas will have standard front wheel drive. It will also offer an option to choose all wheel drive.