Honda Cars : Carscoop!: 2014 Corvette C7 Shows its Nose on GM Service Manual | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

While Chevrolet was releasing the third and in our opinion, less interesting of the…rather tedious video trailers for its upcoming Corvette C7, GM allegedly sent scoop photographer Chris Doane this image from a service manual for the "Front brake cooling deflector kit installation", which he then posted on his Facebook page.
 
The drawings show the front end of the new 2014 Corvette, which features more prominent and larger headlamps than the current model along with a distinct hood scoop(s) and the front fender air outlet. 
 
The other image included in the manual outlines the C7's front suspension and braking system.
 
A quick look at the file's header shows some additional clickable (?) options such as "Corvette VIN Y Accessory Installation Manual", "Accessories" and "Performance Accessories", which may or may not have included more details on the C7.

Source;
http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/12/2014-corvette-c7-shows-its-nose-on-gm.html 

Honda Cars : Buick Grand National, GNX and T-Type Are Returning to Buick | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Just the Facts:

• Buick is planning to reintroduce the Grand National, T-Type and GNX nameplates.
• The new models will ride on GM's rear-wheel-drive Alpha platform introduced in the Cadillac ATS sedan.
• The Grand National and T-Type models will likely use turbocharged V6s, while the GNX will most likely get GM's new LT1 V8.

SANTA MONICA, California — Buick is bringing back the Grand National, the GNX and the T-Type, three legendary performance nameplates from the brand's high times of the 1980s. All three cars will be sedans and they'll use GM's new rear-wheel-drive Alpha platform first introduced in the Cadillac ATS sedan.

That's the plan anyway, according to a reliable source who spoke to Edmunds.

As in the 1980s, the T-Type and Grand National will share powertrains and suspension calibrations, but the T-Type will be offered in a full color palette, while the GN will come in black only. Details on the exact drivetrain that will be used are still hard to come by at this point.

Buick's current turbocharged 2.0-liter has the right vibe but lacks the muscle, and the normally aspirated V6 has the guts but just doesn't feel right for these nameplates. A more likely scenario is the use of GM's long-rumored, and recently spotted, twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter V6. It's expected to produce between 350 and 400 horsepower, which would be more than enough power in a bad black Buick with a Grand National badge.

So what's left for the legendary GNX nameplate? How about GM's new LT1 V8? We've already confirmed that a V8 will fit in the confines of the Alpha platform, so it's not an issue of "if" it can be done, but one of "how" it will be done.

With a V-Series version of the Cadillac ATS almost certainly in the pipeline, a Buick version with a slightly less powerful V8 could be the ticket for the GNX. A six-speed manual transmission and six-speed automatic could be available in all three sedans.

Buick will also make changes to the sedan's interior and exterior to bring it into the Buick family. The size of the sedan should remain unchanged, however, (the Cadillac ATS is exactly the same size as a BMW 3 Series) and all of its subsystems such as steering, brakes and suspension will be shared with the ATS.

For those born after the Reagan administration, the Buick Regal T-Type, Grand National and GNX were essentially the quickest cars you could buy in 1986 and '87. They were powered by turbocharged versions of Buick's 3.8-liter V6 and they instantly became legends on the street and on every drag strip in America. Today these Buicks are highly valued collector cars, with prices topping out at $100,000 for one of the 547 GNXs that GM built in 1987.

One of those GNXs used to belong to Mark Reuss, the current president of General Motors North America. In fact, his dad, Lloyd Reuss, approved the original GNX when he was executive vice president of General Motors North America in the '80s. Needless to say, there's plenty of enthusiasm at the very top of General Motors for a return of these storied nameplates.

That enthusiasm can't work miracles, however, so we'll have to wait at least another year before this crop of performance Buicks even gets a mention in public. Figure the 2014 Detroit Auto Show is a good bet.

Edmunds says: Just when we think GM has settled back into stupid mode Reuss and the gang get smart. We can't wait to drive these new Buicks. Make ours, and everyone else's, black.

Source;
 http://www.insideline.com/buick/grand-national-gnx-and-t-type-are-returning-to-buick.html

Honda Cars : Book: Hoffa is buried beneath the GM Building | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Detroit— Some say Jimmy Hoffa is buried somewhere under the west endzone at Giants Stadium in New Jersey. Others say he was cremated in a Hamtramck garbage incinerator or dumped in the Florida Everglades.

But a new book penned by a man who was Hoffa's driver and a Canadian journalist says the legendary Teamster boss is still in Detroit, buried beneath General Motors' headquarters at the Renaissance Center in Downtown Detroit.

The book — "The Weasel: A Double Life in the Mob" (Wiley; November 2011) — is the latest tome to expose what really happened to Hoffa. The book's authors are Marvin Elkind, a self-described "chauffeur and goon for mob bosses" who turned police informant, and Adrian Humphries, who has written two other books about the mafia.

Elkind claims he learned Hoffa was buried under the RenCen during a Teamsters conference in Detroit in 1985. Reputed mob boss Anthony Giacalone told him and a group of delegates, Elkind told the New York Post.

As the group left the hotel across the street from where the Renaissance Center was under construction, Giacalone nodded toward the new building's foundation and said, "Say good morning to Jimmy Hoffa, boys."

Source;
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20111227/METRO/112270331/-1/archive/Book-Hoffa-buried-beneath-RenCen

Honda Cars : 2013 Chevrolet Impala Imagined by Casey/Art and Colour | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

I've got to say, this looks really good....
"2013 Impala—The next large Chevy sedan will be based on the same architecture as the new Cadillac XTS. I've created a Chevy version of that car, and I'm guessing it's pretty close to the real deal. I've used classic Impala logos and wheels, as well as very 1961-like Chevy lettering on the hood. Compared with the XTS, I've simplified the bodysides and given it a late-model Impala greenhouse, as well as smoothing out the trunk shape."

Source (via www.woodyscarsite.com);
http://artandcolourcars.blogspot.com/2011/12/2013-chevrolet-impala-sedan.html

Honda Cars : GM Gets Pranked at Chevy Event | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

By SHARON TERLEP

DETROIT—General Motors Co. officials were red-faced on Wednesday after software on a network at its headquarters was programmed to insert a derogatory remark on computer browsers after any mention of Chrysler Group LLC and several other competitors.

The prank came to light at GM's unveiling of a battery-powered version of its Chevrolet Spark small car at a five-day event marking the 100th anniversary of GM's Chevrolet brand. The event drew more than 200 journalists from around the world.

Selim Bingol, a GM spokesman, said the auto maker had nothing to do with the prank. GM has since corrected the problem.

GM officials said computer technicians found an unauthorized software program had been installed on a wireless router, and the program was altering the way Web pages were displayed to insert the word "sucks" after any mention of certain rivals on computers linked to the network.

Later in the day, GM said it had identified the culprit—a subcontractor who had helped set up the wireless network. GM didn't identify the company but said the subcontractor had admitted its role and intended the prank to be humorous.

"These guys are learning the definition of sucks," Mr. Bingol said.

Computers accessing the Internet via other networks at the company's headquarters were unaffected.

The word "sucks" appeared after mentions of Chrysler, Ford Motor Co., Toyota Motor Corp., and Honda Motor Co. on any searches or references to those companies conducted on computers using the GM network. Web references were not permanently altered because the word was inserted only onto the displays of computers using that one network.

The word did not appear after mentions of Nissan Motor Co., Hyundai Motor Co., or Volkswagen AG.

Source;
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204002304576626982322048592.html

Honda Cars : GM to produce all-electric Chevy Spark | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

(Reuters) - General Motors Co confirmed it will make its first all-electric vehicle, a version of the Chevrolet Spark minicar that will debut in 2013 and take aim at Nissan Motor Co Ltd's Leaf.

"Chevrolet will produce an all-electric version of the Spark minicar for selected U.S. and global markets, including California," Jim Federico, Chevy's global vehicle chief engineer for electric vehicles, said at the company's Detroit headquarters on Wednesday.

Electric cars have been slow to catch on. In the U.S. market, demand has been held back by the lack of models to choose from, skimpy infrastructure for charging the vehicles, high sticker prices, and low gasoline prices compared with other industrialized nations.

News of the electric Spark continues GM's push to seize the mantle of "greenest automaker in the world" from Toyota Motor Corp, which makes the popular Prius hybrid car.

GM, like other major automakers, also needs more fuel-efficient cars as the industry pushes toward more stringent U.S. requirements that will be in place by 2025.

Further details about the electric Spark, including driving range and price, will be released closer to introduction.

The Volt has a 400-pound lithium-ion battery that provides an electric-only range of up to 50 miles. After the battery is depleted, a 1.4-liter gas engine provides power.

Nissan launched the five-passenger Leaf in Japan and the United States in December 2010. The vehicle has an EPA-certified driving range of 73 miles.

Marketing an all-electric vehicle will mark a break for GM. It has emphasized the Volt's ability to continue driving under gas power even after its electric charge has been used as a way to prey on consumer anxiety about being stranded while driving an all-electric car.

Leaf's U.S. sales through September were about 27,500, seven times higher than the larger Volt. The Leaf's U.S. price starts at $32,780 before a $7,500 federal tax credit.

"We welcome competitors into the market," Mark Perry, director of product planning for Nissan Americas, told Reuters. "We're glad that GM has decided to go pure electric. This brings further validity to the segment."

Ford Motor Co will introduce an electric Focus by the end of this year, and ramp up production in early 2012. The small car's driving range has not yet been certified by the EPA, but the company expects it can travel up to 100 miles on a full charge, depending on conditions.

Toyota will offer a plug-in version of the Prius that can drive up to 15 miles on a charge starting next year. Other automakers also are rolling out plug-in hybrid vehicles.

Federico said the electric Spark's global rollout will be similar to that of the plug-in electric hybrid Chevy Volt, which started in the U.S. market and has expanded from there.

The gasoline-powered Spark is now sold only in China, India and South Korea. A new version of the gas-powered Spark will debut next year and be introduced in the United States and other markets.

Federico declined to say where the electric Spark will be built, but the gas version is currently assembled in South Korea.

GM Chief Executive Daniel Akerson has driven the company more aggressively toward electric vehicles since taking the top job about a year ago.

The U.S. automaker's push under Akerson has centered on rolling out plug-in hybrid technology in a broader range of vehicles to recoup its investment in the money-losing Volt. By using its electric-vehicle technology in more cars, GM could reap more profits and drive down the technology's cost.

In August, GM said it would build a Cadillac ELR luxury coupe based on Volt's plug-in hybrid technology.

A123 Systems Inc will provide the lithium-ion battery for the electric Spark, Federico said.
In August, GM said it had awarded A123 a contract to build battery packs for future electric vehicles, but it did not say which vehicles would use the batteries.

Sources told Reuters that GM executives were studying plans for an all-electric small car for the Chevy brand that included an A123 battery.

Source;

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/12/us-gm-spark-idUSTRE79B4I220111012

Honda Cars : OnStar Discloses that it Will Track Customers Without a Plan | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Wow, you've got to be kidding me, GM = Big Brother now?!?

by Mark Hackman

OnStar has begun notifying customers that it may continue to collect and use information about the vehicle even if the customer terminates his or her subscription.

In a privacy notice that will take effect this December, OnStar said that it would collect data as long as a data connection was active, including such details as the location and speed of the vehicle, as well as such fine-grained details as the odometer readings and tire pressure.

The privacy statement lists it as being effective as of Dec. 2011, although the statement also notes that the changes were made to the January 2011 privacy statement.

In the privacy notification, OnStar said that it will share the information it collects with credit card processors and data management companies, as well as roadside assistance providers, emergency services providers, law enforcement, and wireless and satellite service providers.

The data collection can be halted, however; OnStar must deactivate the data connection. "Unless the Data Connection to your Vehicle is deactivated, data about your Vehicle will continue to be collected even if you do not have a Plan," the privacy policy states. "It is important that you convey this to other drivers, occupants, or subsequent owners of your Vehicle. You may deactivate the Data Connection to your Vehicle at any time by contacting an OnStar Advisor."

What data does OnStar collect? The company provides a detailed list:
OnStar collects basic contact information, billing information with credit-card information, and details of the car, such as the make, model, and vehicle identification number (VIN);
vehicle information, including diagnostic trouble codes, oil life, tire pressure, and fuel economy, as well as when your fuel was last refilled;

crash information, including the direction of the crash, whether air bags were deployed, and whether the driver and passenger were wearing their seat belts;

anonymized location information, such as the location and speed of the car, via the installed GPS.
In the latter case, OnStar begins by saying that it only collects the GPS location of the vehicle in case of a crash, or lost vehicle. But it also adds that it may collect the information "when needed by us or our Service Providers for our quality, research or troubleshooting purposes" or simply "for any purpose, at any time, provided that following collection of such location and speed information identifiable to your Vehicle, it is shared only on an anonymized basis."

OnStar also collects information on the details of calls made by the associated Hands-Free Calling service.

In July, OnStar launched the OnStar FMV, an aftermarket rear-view mirror with the OnStar service built in. In July, OnStar also added the capability to track their own cars with a beta service. Ford, which competes against OnStar with its Sync service, also recently announced the capability to allow users to call its customer service centers from within the vehicle to inquire about business addresses and phone numbers.

Whether or not OnStar really anonymizes the data is irrelevant, according to Jonathan Zdziarski, a senior forensic scientist at Via Forensics who wrote about the change in the policy.

"This is too shady, especially for a company that you're supposed to trust your family to," he wrote. "My vehicle's location is my life, it's where I go on a daily basis. It's private. It's mine. I shouldn't have to have a company like OnStar steal my personal and private life just to purchase an emergency response service. Taking my private life and selling it to third party advertisers, law enforcement, and God knows who else is morally inept. Shame on you, OnStar. You disgust me."

OnStar also noted that customers with concerns can email its privacy manager at privacymanager@onstar.com, or call the company at (877) 299-1372.

OnStar representatives could not be reached for comment after hours.

Source;
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2393378,00.asp#fbid=8G2XIIvcyWG

Honda Cars : Carscoop/Jalopnik: Pontiac GTO Judge Rendering | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

I gotta say that is one hot front end....
The makers of the fire-breathing Phoenix T/A that we saw at the 2009 SEMA show in Las Vegas are back with yet another proposal for a Pontiac model based on the latest iteration of Chevy’s Camaro pony car. This time the people over at Trans Am Depot will give birth to a modern day interpretation of Pontiac’s famed 1969 GTO Judge. The tuner named its creation “The GT9 Goat”.

The teaser renderings and photos of the faux-Pontiac reveal a bespoke front end with a split grille and a revised hood with air scoops, while at the back we find new tail lamp and bumper designs as well as a restyled trunk sporting a prominent wing. The characteristic profile side stripes, quad tail pipes and the newly styled alloy wheel options round off the exterior changes. There’s no word yet if there will be any kind of upgrades to the interior and the mechanical hardware of the Camaro.

Trans Am Depot said that the GT9 Goat will be available for order this fall. “The 6T9 Goat concept was created by designer Kevin Morgan to capture the look and feel of the classic '69 GTO Judge,” the company said in a statement. “The 1969 GTO is considered by many to be one of the top ten muscle cars of all time. Available this fall, this modern day version incorporates the look of yesteryear with the modern convenience and technology of today.”

Source;
http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2011/05/pontiac-gto-judge-resurrectedsort-of.html

Honda Cars : 2013 Chevrolet Malibu pic leaked | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Below is the outgoing model for comparison sake.... I gotta say, it's a nice looking car....
Source;
http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/14/2013-chevrolet-malibu/

Honda Cars : 2011 Consumer Reports Reliability Chart | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

This is just to piggyback an earlier post....
According to Consumer Reports Annual Automakers Report Card for 2011, Honda and Subaru still make the best vehicles overall, however, Ford posted the largest gain.

Consumer Reports said that Ford outpaced its Detroit rivals in reliability in recent years and that this year its average test score for all tested models increased from 60 to 70. The publication currently recommends 71 percent of the Ford vehicles it has tested.

Honda, Subaru and Toyota are at the top three for the third consecutive year with vehicles doing very well in Consumer Reports tests, remaining relatively trouble-free. Honda, including its luxury Acura brand, has had the best reliability record of any car maker and has made mostly good to outstanding vehicles. In fact, no Honda vehicle scored less than average in reliability.

Subaru, which has the highest average road-test score of 81, makes only half-a-dozen models but all do well in Consumer Reports road tests. Toyota, Lexus and Scion remain solid choices as well with reliability remaining better than average with an average test score of 74 for all tested models. Consumer Reports currently recommends 74 percent of the Toyota vehicles it has tested.

GM also improved its average road-test and reliability scores. Chrysler had the lowest average test score by far of 50.

Volvo is the only European make with an above-average reliability score. Volkswagen’s reliability has improved of late, but Audi’s reliability brings the combined automaker’s score down.

Luxury automakers Mercedes-Benz and BMW are near the bottom of Consumer Reports Automakers Report Card Ranking with both getting below-average reliability.

- By: Omar Rana

Source;
http://www.egmcartech.com/2011/02/28/consumer-reports-report-card-2011-honda-subaru-make-best-vehicles-ford-improves/#more-75591

Honda Cars : Canadian Driver: First Drive: 2011 Chevrolet Volt | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

I am very curious to see how the Volt will perform in a winter, this is a great read....
Review and photos by Grant Yoxon

Detroit, Michigan – While driving silently through Detroit on a cold day in January, I am reminded of a comic book quote from my childhood, “It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s Superman!”
In this case, the Chevrolet Volt is neither a bird nor a plane. It is not a hybrid, although it does have both an electric drive unit and a gasoline engine. But it is not a battery electric vehicle either because it does have that gasoline engine on board.

The Chevrolet Volt is an electric vehicle with extended range, meaning it is propelled by an all-electric drive unit, but with the assistance of a gasoline engine that generates electricity for the electric drive system, can be driven without a recharge or fill up for up to 610 kilometres. Amongst electric vehicles, it truly is Superman.

The Chevrolet Volt is powered by GM’s unique Voltec propulsion system which, in simple terms (for a more detailed explanation, see the accompanying feature, “Deeper into the technology: the Voltec electric drive system”) consists of a 16-kWh lithium-ion battery pack and 149-hp electric drive unit that propels the car exclusively on electricity for up to 80 kilometres, depending on terrain, driving style and climate. When the car’s battery reaches a minimum charge, a 1.4-litre gasoline engine starts up to maintain the minimum charge of the battery enabling the Volt to continue on its way for an additional 530 kilometres, give or take.

On this blustery winter day, we drove approximately 40 kilometres before the driving mode graphic in the driver’s display indicated we had switched from pure electric to extended driving range mode. Not until we came to a stop light, however, did we hear the engine.

Once tuned into the sound of the engine, you realize that it seems to operate with a life of its own. Unlike a gasoline powered car or a hybrid, the rise and fall of the engine speed is not related to the action of your right foot. RPMs increase or decrease according to the needs of the battery pack. It is an unusual feeling to be sitting at the same stop light and hear the engine accelerate while the car is sitting still!

While driving exclusively in electric mode, the driver’s display indicates that we are achieving 250+ miles per gallon (the display can be easily switched to metric) or infinity in other words, but once the car switches to extended driving mode, the fuel consumption figure begins to drop. Over a full 610 kilometre drive, it is expected that the Volt will achieve, according to the US EPA, 37 mpg (6.3 L/100 km) in extended range mode and 60 mpg (3.9 L/100 km) in combined electric and extended range modes. However, if used locally and charged regularly, the Volt will use little to no fuel at all.

The Volt can be charged using either a household 120-volt plug in or a dedicated 240-volt charging station. The Volt comes equipped for the former with a 20-foot charging cord stowed in the back. Charging time takes 10-12 hours on 120V, but only four hours on 240V. Owners can schedule immediate charging or coordinate the charging for their departure time or to take advantage of lower-cost off-peak electric rates. If the vehicle is plugged in, recharging can be controlled remotely using an OnStar mobile app for iPhones and Android smart phones or by accessing an application at MyVolt.com.

While the Volt may not be range limited, our time in the Volt was, with about an hour and a half inside the car, so naturally our driving impressions are somewhat limited. Our drive took us on Detroit’s freeways and suburban streets on our way to GM’s Hamtramck Assembly Plant where the Volt is built along side the Cadillac STS and the Buick Lucerne (although it shares nothing in common with these two).

The Volt has three drive modes – ‘normal’, ‘sport’ and ‘mountain’. The latter, which limits electric range and maximum drive output – the Volt has a maximum speed of about 160 km/h – ensures the Volt has the power to drive up sustained grades. ‘Sport’ mode reconfigures the accelerator settings to provide quicker accelerator response, with zero to 60 mph (96.5 km/h) estimated to be less than nine seconds. Although maximum output is unaffected, the Volt feels more powerful and accelerates quicker. Call this the ‘fun’ mode.

The transmission has a ‘low’ setting, which is not low in the conventional sense of selecting a lower gear for descending steep grades. It is no different than the normal ‘drive’ setting with one exception – regenerative braking, where electrical power is captured and stored in the battery, is dramatically increased. The car decelerates rapidly when the accelerator is released. When combined with ‘sport’ mode, it is the perfect combination for stop-and-go driving.

On the freeways and streets we drove on, the Volt performed no differently, although much more quietly, than any other mid-sized sedan. Power is excellent, although, the more rapidly you accelerate, the more quickly the battery will deplete. Driving style is one factor that affects electric range. (kinda figured that)

The driver is presented with a full range of information and functionality displayed on two seven-inch screens, one behind the steering wheel, the other mounted on the centre stack. A full-colour, high resolution display replaces the speedometer and other gauges found in conventional vehicles and provides information on the battery state of charge and electric range, speedometer, fuel level and extended mode range, driving efficiency, trip information, tire pressure, oil life, and vehicle system messages. The second screen is the primary interface for infotainment, climate controls and efficiency. This latter function is multi-faceted including information on energy usage and energy efficiency, power flow and charging routines. Through this screen the owner can select a charging mode – immediate, delayed departure time and delayed rate and departure time mode, in which the Volt calculates the charging start time based on utility rates, rate preference and the programmed departure time. In this mode, the Volt will charge during the least expensive rate periods.

Surrounding the centre stack screen is a variety of touch-sensitive redundant controls for infotainment and climate, selecting drive modes, programmable charge modes, power door lock and unlock and the electric parking brake actuation and release.

The Volt’s advanced technology is not simply under the hood, but evident throughout the vehicle. Touch-sensitive controls, full-colour graphic displays, Bluetooth connectivity, navigation radio with 60-GB hard drive (30 GB for music storage), AM/FM/DVD-ROM/MP3 playback capability, voice recognition, XM satellite radio with XM NavTraffic/Weather, premium energy saving Bose sound system with six speakers and sub-woofer is the kind of technology one would expect in a premium, near luxury sedan.

The Volt is equipped with standard Jet Black premium cloth seats with Ceramic White accents, but can be ordered with leather seating and heated front seats. Only two option packages are available – a rear camera and park assist package and a premium trim package consisting of leather seating, premium door trim, leather-wrapped steering wheel and heated front seats.

In the US, the Volt starts at $41,695, not unexpected for a premium sedan. The rear camera option is priced at $695 while the premium trim package can be added for $1,395. While the Volt is available now in select U.S. markets, it will not be released in Canada until mid-summer 2011. Canadian pricing will be announced closer to its release, but expect a base MSRP in the mid-forties.

Some may balk at that kind of pricing, but the Volt is not a compact battery electric commuter or just a well-equipped hybrid. It is an extended range electric vehicle that is also a premium sedan, one that you will use 365 days of the year, a vehicle that you will drive to work or to a city 400 miles away, that is equipped with luxury appointments and the latest information and entertainment technology as well as the only range extending electric powertrain available on the planet.

If the battery electric vehicle is the bird and the hybrid is the plane, the Volt really is Superman.

Source;
http://www.canadiandriver.com/2011/01/17/first-drive-2011-chevrolet-volt.htm?page=all

Honda Cars : Car and Driver: 2011 Chevrolet Volt Full Test - Road Test | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

I gotta say, this new Volt is a great looking car, I really hope it takes off....
BY DAVE VANDERWERP, PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROY RITCHIE
October 2010

Mass-produced electric cars are finally here. And, this time around, it appears they’re here to stay.

It’s irrelevant that, depending on how their electricity is produced, electric vehicles don’t come very close to living up to the zero-emission label they often receive. Also irrelevant is the point that battery packs with enough capacity to power a vehicle for any significant range are prohibitively expensive today. That’s because the trump card already has been played: It’s called government intervention. The Obama administration has started to unleash part of a planned $69 billion to thousands of clean-energy companies—through tax credits, loans, and grants—as well as to consumers, with a $7500 federal tax break for buying a car that has at least 16 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy stored in a battery pack. Do you think it’s a coincidence that the Chevrolet Volt’s lithium-ion pack contains exactly that amount?

But beyond the commonality of large battery packs, the Volt sets itself apart from the Nissan Leaf and the forthcoming EV crowd: It also has a gas engine that can step in to extend the Volt’s range when the battery’s energy is depleted.

This is why GM calls the Volt an “extended-range electric vehicle,” and the dual-power-source arrangement makes a lot of sense at a time when there’s precious little charging infrastructure.

Currently, 48 of 50 states have fewer than 10 charging stations, and even California’s relative abundance of 422 pales in comparison to its roughly 10,400 gas stations. In other words, it’s going to be some time before charging while at work or out on the town becomes the norm; for now, EVs’ batteries will be replenished largely at home. And with maximum ranges in the 100-mile neighborhood, good luck with any long- or even moderate-distance travel. And forget about having a pure electric as your only vehicle.

What if your family in California needs you to visit? While a pure EV—needing long recharging sessions every 70 miles or so—will transport you back to the era of the monthlong road trip, the Volt could easily drive across the country on gas when there’s no time or electricity available for recharging. Closer to home, if this writer had been driving a Leaf instead of a Volt, I would have had to deal a blow of rejection to a five-year-old nephew  whose birthday party was 60 miles distant, due to the lack of a place to charge while there. Do you think he would have understood?

And although the Volt has both a gas engine and two electric motors—one primarily to power the wheels and a second to generate electricity from the gas engine—it is unlike any gas-electric hybrid on the road today: If charged sufficiently, it can operate continuously, at any speed, as an EV, without ever needing to switch on the gas engine. Of course, this raises a whole new set of questions, ranging from: “Won’t the fuel go bad at some point?” and “Isn’t it beneficial for longevity’s sake to start the engine once in a while?” to “Hey, boss, when can we start expensing our home electricity bills?”

This is but a glimpse into the Volt’s complexity and why, after six weeks of electric-only operation, the Volt will start to ask the driver via the instrument panel if it’s okay to switch on the gas engine for a bit to keep it fresh. And the Volt makes sure to burn through a tank of fuel each year to ensure it never gets stale. Plus, in order to extend the life of the very expensive battery—sources say it costs as much as $10,000; GM won’t comment—it uses only about 9 of its 16 kWh for propulsion and requires its own coolant circuit in order to heat or cool the 288 cells to keep them in the optimal temperature range (32° to 90°F). There’s yet another circuit to cool the electric motors. Things get even more complex in the powertrain, more so than we were initially led to believe [see download].

Behind the wheel, however, it all operates seamlessly. Hit the glowing blue start button, and the seven-inch LCD-screen instrument panel, like the one used for the standard navigation, comes to life. It presents an estimated electric-only range, a gas range, and a total of the two. To the right is a graphic that provides driving feedback; the Volt is operating most efficiently when the spinning, green ball of leaves stays in the middle. Hit the gas too hard, and the ball elevates, shrinks, and turns yellow. Go for too much brake, and the ball does the opposite, slinging downward because energy that could have otherwise been recaptured regeneratively is being wasted. It’s a very straightforward and easy-to-follow setup. The center screen above the array of touch-sensitive controls on the dash keeps track of electrically and gas-driven miles separately, displays fuel economy (more on that later), and rates the efficiency of your driving.

Whether or not the gas engine is running, the Volt always has an EV-like demeanor. Which is to say there’s almost no waiting—and no downshifting—as it responds swiftly to throttle inputs. Acceleration is one continuous ooze of thrust—sort-of CVT-like, only without the engine drone. In fact, although the Volt isn’t slow compared with its peers—its 9.2-second 0-to-60-mph time beats both the Leaf and the Toyota Prius by 0.8 second—it feels quicker than the numbers suggest because, off the line, no matter what the driver does, the electric motor’s 273 pound-feet of torque rolls out modestly and averts wheelspin. The immediacy you feel shows up better in the 3.7-second 30-to-50-mph time, which is just a couple of ticks slower than a V-6 Mazda 6.

There’s not much noise, either. In EV mode, the cabin is as quiet as a Lexus RX350’s at 70 mph, and even with the engine running, it matches the Prius at 72 dBA. The point at which the engine fires is barely discernible—the reconfiguring of the digital dash when it transitions is far more obvious. When the driver hammers the Volt in range-extending mode, the engine revs more assertively but is never harsh or intrusive.

Beyond its impressive powertrain, the Volt drives surprisingly well, with a reassuringly steady suspension. The electric power steering is light but direct on-center, adding weight in proportion to angle. It’s neither totally natural nor terribly off-putting. Ditto the regenerative brakes, which work well at moderate levels, though they’ll never match the feel of a good ol’ vacuum booster. At low speeds and during near-limit applications, the brakes can feel disconnected and very nonlinear.

Naturally, the Volt sports various mileage-extending features, including the anticipated wind-swept shape and a front apron to help aerodynamic efficiency. That said, its coefficient of drag is 0.29, worse than the far-more slippery Prius’s 0.25. The forged aluminum wheels wear low-rolling-resistance Goodyear Fuel Max tires, which squeal loudly as they approach the limit but are surprisingly capable, delivering a solid 0.83 g on the skidpad—same as the frisky Honda Accord. The stability control can’t be disabled, but it operates deftly so as not to intrude on smooth excursions to the limit, where the Volt is actually reasonably balanced.

Another interesting tidbit is an automatic seat-heater function. Warming the car’s cabin can be a significant energy draw—at times even more than powering the wheels—so the Volt will sometimes heat the seats instead of cranking the HVAC system to save power. And the Volt is the first vehicle to feature Bose’s new Energy Efficient Series sound system. The seven-speaker stereo uses amplifiers that rapidly switch on and off to conserve power rather than always-on linear amplifiers, and—combined with higher-grade neodymium magnets—the Bose system is both lighter and uses 50 percent less energy than before. But, most important, its clean and punchy sound quality is competitive even with that of cars costing far more.

For the rest of the article, see the link below, with a lot of extra photo's too!;

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/10q4/2011_chevrolet_volt_full_test-road_test

Honda Cars : SEMA: HPP Comes up with its own Trans-Am Camaro kit | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Nice!
The last time we heard from Heide Performance Products (HPP), the Michigan-based tuner showcased a Daytona conversion for Dodge's Challenger. Keeping with the vintage theme, HPP is now ready to show its next pony car conversion - a Camaro-based Trans-Am kit - at this year's SEMA show in Vegas.

As with all the other Firebird body kits out there (Lingenfelter's, ASC's, etc), HPP's version does its best to bring back the good-ol' days of the screaming chicken. The results, as with any "we're selling you memories" conversion, vary.

Regarding the proposition of selling this conversion (for anything other than the collectability factor), I don't see a point. Pontiac is D-E-A-D, it's not coming back, and that means anyone's "new" Trans-Am will forever be a Chevy wearing a costume. It's similar to having a Plymouth nameplate on a modern Chrysler or Dodge; the vintage naming works for the Daytona, but not for the Superbird.

Alongside HPP's Trans-Am will be a body kit for the Camaro that helps give Chevy's kinda-sorta-dated sports coupe some extra flair. Also, HPP will have a Camaro wearing an HPP T-Top kit, too. Expect more info, including pics, pricing, and power, as it becomes available.
By Phil Alex

Source (with more pic's!);
http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2010/10/sema-hpp-comes-up-with-its-own-trans-am.html

Honda Cars : General Motors to Sell a Diesel Powered Car in North America | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

I hope that if this car actually comes about that it is a success, then maybe companies like Honda can bring their diesel products over here to North America....
General Motors has confirmed that it will sell a diesel-powered car on U.S. soil in the future. According to Ward’s Auto, the source of the news is none-other than GM Vice Chairman Tom Stephens. The use of a diesel would mark the first time in almost three decades that a diesel car was sold in the U.S., with the last diesels being sold in Cadillac, Buick and Oldsmobile vehicles in the late ’70s and early ’80s.

There’s no additional info on what vehicle could get the new diesel powerplant or even if the diesel engine being considered is new. GM has been offering a diesel version of its Ecotec 4-cylinder in Europe and other markets since 1996. That being said, it would seem easiest to offer a diesel engine in a car like the Buick Regal, which is based off the European Opel Insignia and is already offered with a choice of several diesel powerplants overseas including an upcoming twin-turbo 2.0-liter CDTi Ecotec motor making 190-hp and 300 ft-lbs of torque.

Source;
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2010/09/general-motors-to-sell-a-diesel-powered-car-in-north-america.html

Honda Cars : GM pays back government loans in full | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Here's a bit of good news....
Kansas City, Kansas – General Motors has made its final payment of US$5.8 billion to the U.S. Treasury and Export Development Canada, paying back its government loans in full and ahead of schedule. The payment includes $4.7 billion to the U.S. Treasury, and $1.1 billion to Export Development Canada.

The announcement was made by GM chairman and CEO Ed Whitacre at a ceremony in Fairfax, Kansas to announce an investment of $257 million in Fairfax and Detroit Hamtramck assembly centres. The investment will prepare Fairfax to build the next-generation Chevrolet Malibu and make Detroit Hamtramck a second source for the model. Fairfax currently builds the current Malibu and the Buick LaCrosse.

As part of the launch of the new GM, the U.S., Canadian and Ontario governments provided loans of $8.4 billion and took equity stakes in the new company. The latest payment completes the payback of the loans.

“GM’s ability to pay back the loans ahead of schedule is a sign that our plan is working, and that we are on the right track,” Whitacre said. “It is also an important first step toward allowing our stockholders to reduce their equity investments in GM. We still have much hard work ahead of us, but we are making progress toward our vision of designing, building and selling the world’s best vehicles. We appreciate the support the taxpayers have given GM, and our new great products are tangible results of that support.”

Source;
http://www.canadiandriver.com/2010/04/21/gm-pays-back-government-loans-in-full.htm

Honda Cars : GM will wind down Hummer as the sale could not be completed | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

I guess the good news is that gas prices should go down with Hummer out of the game, it's that whole supply and demand thing.... alright, it's not that funny....
As expected, GM announced today that the deal to sell Hummer to Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machines Co., Ltd. (Tengzhong) was unable to be completed and as a result the American branf will be wound down.

After Pontiac and Saturn, another one bites the dust! But don’t worry… GM will still continue to honor Hummer warranties and provide service support and spare parts to Hummer owners.

“One year ago, General Motors announced that we were going to divest HUMMER, as part of focusing our efforts on Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac going forward. We have since considered a number of possibilities for HUMMER along the way, and we are disappointed that the deal with Tengzhong could not be completed,” said John Smith GM vice president of corporate planning and alliances. “GM will now work closely with HUMMER employees, dealers and suppliers to wind down the business in an orderly and responsible manner.”

Source;
http://www.4wheelsnews.com/gm-will-wind-down-hummer-as-the-sale-could-not-be-completed/

Honda Cars : GearHead Performance introduces 2010 Trans AM | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

To me, this adds a nice touch to the already nice Camaro.
East bound and down, loaded up and truckin. Let your inner bandit out and check out our new custom Trans Am mod. This 6spd bird has an optional 900hp 6.2 liter twin turbo LS9 under its wings and will smoke any smoky from Colorado to Georgia. It even comes with the optional snowflake wheels in a modern 22”.

Standard: LS3 426 HP
Optional: Twin Turbo 6.2 ltr LS9 900 HP +


Custom suspensions available
Lowered 1" in the front and 2" in the rear
6 speed transmission with hardened gears and drive axle
22" custom wheels (snowflake available)
Functional fender vents for brake heat reduction
Gold interior accents

Source (via autoblog);
http://gearhead-pg.com/showroom.php

Honda Cars : GM lets Saab die | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

First Saturn, then Pontiac, now SAAB....
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- General Motors is shutting down its Swedish car brand, Saab, after attempts to close a deal with a buyer failed.

GM had announced earlier this year that it was close to reaching a deal with Swedish super-carmaker Koenigsegg. That deal fell, though.

"In the end, Koenigsegg discovered some issues they didn't think could be overcome in a timely fashion," said John Smith, GM vice president of corporate planning and alliances.

Dutch exotic carmaker Spyker then emerged as a bidder for Saab, but that deal couldn't be concluded in time, GM said.

In both cases, according to GM, issues arose during negotiations that prevented a final sale. GM executives would not say what the specific problems were, however.

"Like everybody, we would have preferred a different outcome," Smith said.

GM said it still intends to sell some Saab 9-3 and 9-5 technologies to the Chinese automaker Beijing Automotive Industry Holdings Co. Ltd. That deal was announced last week.

With GM's announcement that it's winding down Saab, BAIC or other companies may be able to buy more of Saab's assets, possibly even the brand name itself, Smith said. But no buyers have expressed interest, yet.

Brands we loved ... and lost in 2009

"Despite the best efforts of all involved, it has become very clear that the due diligence required to complete this complex transaction could not be executed in a reasonable time. In order to maintain operations, Saab needed a quick resolution," said GM Europe President Nick Reilly.

"We regret that we were not able to complete this transaction with Spyker Cars."

GM has owned the Swedish automaker since 1989; Saab has been making cars since 1949. GM will now begin winding down Saab production, but warranties will continue to be honored, and spare parts will still be available, the company said.

In the past two decades, GM has made every effort to turn Saab into a profitable car brand, Smith said. But recent global economic problems were simply too much for the still-weak automaker to survive.

"It's a business that has struggled more years than not during its existence," Smith said.
A total of 3,400 employees will be directly affected by Saab's closure, GM spokesman Chris Pruess said.

Saab has never been a big-selling car brand, but the recent global recession and news of the brand's possible demise have driven sales down to crisis levels. Saab's U.S. sales have been down by more than half so far this year.Sweden's other major automaker, Volvo, is currently owned by Ford, which is in the process of selling it to the Chinese automaker Geely.

As part of its bankruptcy restructuring, GM planned to sell of or wind down four of the eight brands it recently operated. Pontiac is being wound down; a deal to sell the Saturn brand to Penske Automotive fell through in September; and a deal to sell the Hummer SUV brand to Chinese heavy equipment maker Sichuan Tengzhong is awaiting government approvals.

GM's remaining brands are Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac.

Source;
http://money.cnn.com/2009/12/18/autos/saab_closed/

Honda Cars : BusinessWeek: The Battle Raging Inside GM | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Henderson's ouster leaves Whitacre and the board of mostly Detroit outsiders calling the shots. And that's making GM's executives jittery

By David Welch
The Dec.1 ouster of Frederick A. "Fritz" Henderson as General Motors' CEO was a surprise, but only in how fast it happened. Since GM emerged from bankruptcy in September, Chairman Edward Whitacre Jr. had become the de facto chief executive, and his board had reversed one of Henderson's biggest decisions. Now, as Whitacre looks for a new CEO (assuming he doesn't take the job himself), he and the directors are in the driver's seat. Whitacre and much of the board are industry outsiders. Now GM veterans are asking: Do they know what they're doing?

Dumping Henderson made tactical sense. He was a GM lifer and restructuring expert running a company that now needs a strategic visionary with expertise in reaching consumers. But firing and replacing him with Whitacre, at least on an interim basis, is risky. He will have to make big calls: how to fix the European business, burnish GM's brands, choose new vehicles, and build a management team. None of it will be easy for a former telecom guy who told employees on Dec.2 that he doesn't even know where his office is. "Now Whitacre is on the hot seat," says James N. Hall, principal of 2953 Analytics, a Detroit-area consulting firm. "He has to listen, trust the leadership team, and filter out GM's autoimmune system." (GM declined to comment.)

Nervous Executives
One of Whitacre's big challenges will be motivating a jittery staff. Right after Henderson's firing, Whitacre held a conference call with GM's top executives. Some asked if he wanted their resignations, too. Whitacre tried to assuage their concerns. "He was clear that we have good people," says an executive who was on the call. "He said: 'I can't do this without you.' "

But Whitacre's soothing words are cold comfort. He told Bloomberg News in mid-November that Henderson had the board's confidence. Two weeks later Henderson was gone. Several GM executives say the uncertainty is hurting morale. "It's almost like experience is a liability these days," one says.

Already, some top executives are getting antsy. Sources close to Vice-Chairman Robert A. Lutz say he is dismayed at Henderson's firing. The 77-year-old executive doesn't like how it was handled and has told people close to him he is not even sure what his role will be. If Lutz were to leave, GM would lose the one guy who has managed to bypass GM's sclerotic culture and build cars people will actually pay decent money for. "Is this the time to blow the whole thing up again?" wonders Joseph Phillippi, a veteran GM watcher and principal of Auto Trends, a New Jersey consulting firm.

While Whitacre looks for Henderson's replacement, GM's new hyper-independent board will be calling the shots. It's far from clear that the directors have made the right decisions so far. Particularly worrisome to GM veterans are the actions of private equity executives Steve Girsky, David Bonderman, and Daniel Akerson. All three were tough on Henderson in board meetings, say executives briefed on the discussions. They pushed Henderson to keep GM's German unit Opel rather than sell it. GM has long needed an independent board, but GM insiders fear that too much second-guessing could prevent the company from sticking to a clear strategy. (The three directors couldn't be reached for comment.)

The Opel Reversal
The decision to keep Opel was divisive. The board thought it too risky to cede control of GM's European engineering works, where the company designs its small and midsize cars. Plus, GM would lose up to 1.5million cars a year in sales. But holding on to the subsidiary is risky, too. Opel hasn't made money in a decade and is in the throes of restructuring. Finishing the job will cost GM some $3billion and divert executive focus from the troubled North American business and expanding operations in Asia and Latin America.

As Whitacre steers GM in the interim, he may learn a few lessons. He wants GM to push market share above 20% next year from 19.7% today. But as GM phases out Hummer, Pontiac, Saab, and Saturn, the carmaker will lose more buyers. What's more, Whitacre wants GM to expand market share with lower discounts. That's a prudent goal, but people don't rush to buy damaged brands for no reason. While GM's November sales fell just 1.5%, the company outspent its rivals on incentives by at least $1,000 a car, blowing $4,300 per vehicle, says Edmunds.com. If Whitacre pulls back too much on the discounts, sales could plummet.

As for Henderson's replacement, Whitacre and the board want a non-GM person or an industry outsider such as Alan Mulally, who left Boeing (BA) and has since managed to bring Ford Motor (F) back from the brink. But potential candidates will have to consider two facts of life: an activist chairman and board and a salary that GM's government minders have capped at $1million. "It's a sick company with a bad ownership structure and pay constraints," says Charles Elson, director of the John L. Weinberg Center for Corporate Governance at the University of Delaware. "I don't know who they will get." The only person willing to report to Ed Whitacre may wind up being—that's right—Ed Whitacre.

Welch is BusinessWeek's Detroit bureau chief.

Source;
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/09_50/b4159000314215.htm?chan=autos_autos+--+lifestyle+subindex+page_top+stories

Honda Cars : CarScoop: The Return of the Bandit: '70s Pontiac Trans Am Conversion of the 2010 Camaro comes to SEMA | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Gotta say, I like this better than the 'regular Camaro'....
The team over at Trans Am Depot showed off a revised version of their Pontiac conversion of the 2010 Chevy Camaro at this week's SEMA Show. Compared to the original Phoenix T/A that was revealed earlier this year (see photos after the jump), the new model features some stylistic upgrades such as the reworked graphics, a new front fascia with quad headlights, revised lower air inlets and a ground effects package with chunky side skirts and a front apron, all of which bring closer in looks to the 1977-1978 Pontiac Trans Am.

The Phoenix T/A kit also includes other body parts such as the new hood with a shaker scoop, specific front fenders and rear fascia complete with taillights and a boot spoiler. The 20-inch gold or silver machined face snowflake wheels wrapped in Pirelli P-Zero 305/35ZR20 tires and the unique tail pipes plus the interior trim and badge appointments complete the cosmetic package.
Trans Am Depot will also offer a range of performance upgrades including a suspension and engine kit for Camaro SS' V8 powerhouse.

The company plans to sell the Phoenix T/A as a completed model (based on the Camaro SS) or as a conversion kit starting early next year.

Source;
http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2009/11/return-of-bandit-pontiac-trans-am.html