2013 Chevrolet Malibu is No Drag in Aerodynamics

 

As gas prices fluctuate and consumers demand roomier, fuel-efficient passenger cars, aerodynamic design is an important contributor to saving money at the pump. Preproduction models of the all-new 2013 Malibu are achieving a drag coefficient comparable to a Corvette and nearly as efficient as the Volt electric car.

In fact, aerodynamics help the new Malibu Eco achieve the best-ever fuel economy of a Chevy midsize car. The Malibu ECO with fuel-saving eAssist technology is expected to achieve an estimated 26 mpg city and 38 mpg highway based on GM testing, while an all-new 2.5L Ecotec engine debuting on the Malibu next summer is expected to achieve more than 30 mpg on the highway, based on GM testing.

Aerodynamic design efficiencies and a new body style helped engineers shave 60 counts of fuel economy-robbing wind drag from the model it replaces, the equivalent of adding up to 2.5 mpg more highway driving range.

The new Malibu’s C_d rating of .29 – the number used to indicate the aerodynamic drag force on a vehicle – is down from the current model’s .35 C_d. The higher the number, the greater the drag force a vehicle’s engine must overcome at any road speed. The Volt has a .28 C_{d. [Continue reading...]}

A Look Into the History of Chevrolet

GM And LG Expand Electric Vehicle Partnership

 

"General Motors and consumer electronics giant LG have teamed up to design and engineer future electric vehicles. LG has already served as a battery cell supplier for the Chevrolet Volt, but their new partnership will pave the way for new EV components and systems.

LG ultimately wants to increase its presence in the automotive industry. And by partnering with GM, the electronics company can help expedite the electrification of the automobile.

“Many solutions for tomorrow’s transportation needs may be available more quickly by building on our partnership strategy,” said GM Vice Chairman Steve Girsky. ”Consumers benefit by getting the latest fuel-saving technology faster if we work with the best suppliers and we save time and money in the development process.”

Already, LG’s involvement with the extended-range propulsion system in the Chevy Volt has made the car one of the most advanced vehicles on the road today. Collaboration between the two companies is expected to be accelerated as GM aims to meet more stringent emission and fuel consumption regulations around the world.

Juno Cho, president and chief operating officer of LG Corp., added, “This is a strategic development for LG and we fully support GM’s goal to lead the industry in the electrification of the automobile.” "

Source:[Chevrolet in the News]

Fans Already Buzzing About New Camaro Bumblebee Edition

 

Even before becoming the star of today’s new wave of modern-day muscle cars, the fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro had achieved that status on the big screen by playing “Bumblebee” in the 2007 box-office smash “The Transformers.” Two years later, the Camaro reprised its role in “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen,” and the coupe leveraged that Hollywood helping hand into sales leadership in the U.S. sports car market for the first time in 24 years. Now it looks like the third time will be the charm—and then some: To celebrate the Camaro’s appearance in this year’s “Transformers: Dark of the Moon,” Chevrolet will release an eye-popping 2012 Transformers Special Edition Camaro Coupe that features Bumblee’s aggressive black-and-yellow design scheme.[Continue Reading Article]

Fuel Cutoff System Adds On Efficiency In New Chevy Cruze

 

"How far did Chevy engineers go to maximize efficiency in the all-new Chevy Cruze? Not only did they optimize vehicle systems to reduce fuel consumption during daily driving, they also introduced one that eliminates fuel use entirely—at least in some scenarios.

The Cruze’s deceleration fuel cutoff (DFCO) technology automatically shuts off fuel to the car’s advanced Ecotec I4 engine when the vehicle is slowing down, then seamlessly restores fuel flow when the driver needs to accelerate. The result is an improvement of up to 2 percent in fuel economy, translating into more than 17 miles of additional driving range in the Cruze Eco and more than 11 miles in other models. And significantly, DFCO is on all Cruze models, regardless of whether they’re configured with an automatic or manual transmission."

The system is part of a Chevrolet commitment to raising mpg benchmarks that is both extensive and ongoing. In fact, after less than one full year on the market, the Cruze already will see a notable jump in fuel efficiency for the 2012 model year. The 2012 Cruze Eco, with its 1.4-liter turbocharged I4 engine and six-speed automatic transmission, achieves a full 2 mpg boost to highway fuel efficiency, which is now up to 39 mpg; the non-Eco model with the same powertrain gets the same size bump to reach 37 mpg highway. And while the numbers for the Cruze Eco with its standard six-speed manual transmission don’t change, the car remains the most fuel-efficient gas-only vehicle in America, with an EPA-rated 42 mpg on the highway."

Read the full article here