Archive for category Chevrolet
2013 Chevrolet Malibu – What’s New?
The first Chevrolet Malibu, named after the city in America, hit the market in 1964 and was then a sub series of Chevrolet Chevelle. Since then General Motors have produced a number of Malibu models, and in 2010 it was the automakers best seller in the US. Chevrolet plan to sell the Malibu in over 100 countries and hope to replicate the success it’s had in the US. But in the increasingly crowded mid-size sedan segment how does Chevrolet plan to stand out with their next generation Chevy Malibu?
Design
Malibu Exterior Design, Dan Gifford, has said the 2013 Malibu is ‘more athletic and more aggressive’. The sportier 2013 model takes design cues from the brands sportier models- the Camaro and Corvette- and will be nearly three inches wider and just slightly shorter.
“We wanted to bring a sport sensibility to the family sedan segment,” said Bryan Nesbitt, executive director of design for GM.
Not only will the model have a wider, more aggressive stance but it will also be more aerodynamic, thanks to the integrated rear spoiler and ‘active shutter system’. The shutters work by opening when airflow to the engine is needed for cooling and close when cooling is not required. Chevrolet suggests the Malibu will have a coefficient of drag (Cd) rating near that of the Chevy Volt, the brands extended-range electric car. The ‘dynamic surfacing’ is designed to ‘catch light and show reflection in an exciting way,’ which GM hopes sets the Malibu apart from others in its class. Read the rest of this entry »
Chevrolet Z71
The word “Z71″ may be the RPO code granted to some special off-road package offered by General Motors to buyers. This option was used the very first time on the GMT400 trucks which were manufactured between 1987 and 1998. Later, the same package was adopted on the Chevrolet Blazers and also the two-door Chevrolet Tahoe.
The Chevrolet Z71 package included a four wheel drive system, an automatically locking rear differential, color-coded bumpers, on and off-road tires, fog lamps, five spoke aluminum alloy wheels and “Z71″ badges. Being an optional feature was available the two wheel drive system.
The Chevrolet Tahoe Z71 was manufactured for that fist time in 1999 and was available in both on and off-road driving and terrain versions. This Tahoe Z71 is dependant on the redesigned Silverado pickup platform. The 2000 Z71 was designed with a four speed automatic transmission with overdrive and its original price was of $38,894. With regards to its size, this Chevrolet Z71 is 199.6 inches long, 76.8 inches wide and 72.4 inches high while the weight of the Tahoe is about 5,300 lbs. Getting the SUV look, this car uses a digital power-assist system which helps the motive force handle the car and a transmission electronic control. Read the rest of this entry »