Coughlin Chevrolet of Pataskala

Work on Next-generation EN-V Concept Begins

Chevrolet will explore pilot programs in selected megacities around the world

2011-10-12

DETROIT - Work on the next-generation EN-V concept vehicle, representing General Motors' vision to meet the growing demand for safe, connected, zero-emissions personal transportation could participate in pilot demonstration programs in megacities around the world to determine real-world practicality.

In addition, future EN-V concepts will carry a Chevrolet badge, Chris Perry, vice president, global Chevrolet marketing and strategy, told media on Wednesday in advance of Chevrolet's Nov. 3 Centennial celebration.

"For 100 years, the Chevrolet brand has been focused on making advanced technology that improves customers' lives accessible and affordable, and the Chevrolet EN-V will continue that tradition," said Perry. 

"By 2030, more than 60 percent of the world's 8 billion people will live in urban areas," said Perry. "The Chevrolet EN-V represents a possible solution for global customers living in markets where alternative transportation solutions are needed."

The award-winning Chevrolet EN-V, short for Electric Networked-Vehicle, is a two-seat, electric urban mobility concept that maintains the basic principle of personal mobility - freedom.

One of the stars of the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, EN-V was designed to address environmental issues and help alleviate traffic congestion, parking, safety concerns and energy consumption.

The next-generation Chevrolet EN-V concept will add new features that customers need, such as climate control, personal storage space and all-weather and road condition operation while preserving key elements of the original EN-V, such as the small footprint and maneuverability. It will also retain its battery electric propulsion, connectivity and autonomous driving capabilities.

"The Chevrolet EN-V has the potential to reinvent transportation in key markets by creating a new vehicle DNA through the convergence of electrification and connectivity," said Chris Borroni-Bird, GM's director of Advanced Technology Vehicle Concepts. "It provides an ideal solution for petroleum- and emission-free urban transportation that is free from congestion and crashes, and more fun and fashionable than ever before,"

In April, GM and the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City Investment and Development Co. Ltd. (SSTEC) signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on integrating the next-generation EN-V into the Tianjin Eco-City from a power, communications and physical infrastructure perspective.

Borroni-Bird said Chevrolet will explore other locations around the world - including the United States - for potential pilot programs.

The EN-V is a zero-emissions vehicle powered by lithium-ion batteries. Recharging from a conventional wall outlet using standard household power allows EN-V to travel at least 40 kilometers on a single charge, an acceptable range for most urban trips.

By combining GPS with vehicle-to-vehicle communications and distance-sensing technologies, the EN-V can be driven manually or autonomously. In autonomous mode, EN-V offers mobility to people who may not otherwise operate a vehicle. By leveraging wireless communications, it allows drivers and occupants to communicate hands-free with friends or business associates while on the go.

The ability to communicate with other vehicles and with the infrastructure could help EN-V significantly reduce the number of vehicle crashes and make it easier to find available parking spaces. It could also reduce traffic congestion by automatically selecting the fastest route based on real-time traffic information.

"This technology platform of electric propulsion, sensors, wireless communications and GPS-based navigation is likely to migrate from the EN-V concept to other automobiles and could lead the way to safer, cleaner vehicles in the future," said Borroni-Bird.

Founded in Detroit in 1911, Chevrolet celebrates its centennial as a global automotive brand with annual sales of about 4.25 million vehicles in more than 140 countries. Chevrolet provides consumers with fuel-efficient, safe and reliable vehicles that deliver high quality, expressive design, spirited performance and value. The Chevrolet portfolio includes iconic performance cars such as Corvette and Camaro; dependable, long-lasting pickups and SUVs such as Silverado and Suburban; and award-winning passenger cars and crossovers such as Sonic, Cruze, Malibu, Equinox and Traverse. Chevrolet also offers "gas-friendly solutions including Cruze Eco and Volt. Cruze Eco offers 42 mpg highway while Volt offers 35 miles of electric, gasoline-free driving and an additional 344 miles of extended gasoline range, according to EPA estimates. Most new Chevrolet models offer OnStar safety, security and convenience technologies including OnStar Hands-Free Calling, Automatic Crash Response and Stolen Vehicle Slowdown. More information regarding Chevrolet models, fuel solutions, and OnStar availability can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

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The new diesels are available in 2.8L and 2.5L displacements. The 2.8L turbo-diesel features a variable-geometry turbocharger for optimal power and efficiency across the rpm band and a balance shaft for greater smoothness. Each is designed to deliver durable performance, while a number of long-life engine components help reduce the frequency of maintenance. 

"As Chevrolet's presence expands around the globe, these new diesel engines are designed to deliver on customer expectations of value and dependability," said Brent Hendrickson, chief engineer and global program manager. "They provide capability that is essential for trucks that are used in some very demanding ways - especially in emerging markets - and they do it economically and efficiently."

The 2.8L turbo-diesel is rated at 180 horsepower (132 kW) and 346 lb.-ft. of torque (470 Nm) with an available six-speed automatic transmission. The 2.5L is rated at 150 horsepower (110 kW) and 258 lb.-ft. of torque (350 Nm).

"Drivability and power delivery are excellent with the engines," said Hendrickson. "A broad torque band makes them very powerful at low rpm, while the turbocharged performance provides a confident feeling of immediate and smooth horsepower on demand."

Engineered for the wide range of global markets and their respective driving conditions and fuel specifications, the new diesels are designed to deliver economical performance. Features such as hydraulic valve lash adjusters reduce maintenance costs by eliminating the need for periodic adjustments, while quick-start glow plugs promote fast engine starting in cold climates.

Additional highlights include:

• Iron cylinder block and aluminum DOHC cylinder head
• Proven common rail fuel system
• Electronic throttle valve that helps reduce emissions
• Cooled exhaust gas recirculation for enhanced performance and lower emissions
• Laminated steel oil pan with upper aluminum section that balances engine rigidity and quietness.

The engines meet Brazil's stringent emissions requirements without the need for a particulate filter, which helps reduce the Colorado's production cost.

A modular design of the basic architecture enables easier transition between versions and reduces production costs. The 2.8L and 2.5L use the same cylinder block and cylinder head and share many other components.

Engine production started in September in Thailand.

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History with a Mystery: The Chevrolet Bowtie

2011-09-02

DETROIT - Globally recognized today, the Chevrolet bowtie logo was introduced by company co-founder William C. Durant in late 1913. But how it came to be synonymous with the brand is open to wide interpretation.

Durant's version of how the logo came into existence is well known. The long-accepted story, confirmed by Durant himself, was that it was inspired by the wallpaper design in a Parisian hotel. According to The Chevrolet Story of 1961, an official company publication issued in celebration of Chevrolet's 50^th anniversary,

"It originated in Durant's imagination when, as a world traveler in 1908, he saw the pattern marching off into infinity as a design on wallpaper in a French hotel. He tore off a piece of the wallpaper and kept it to show friends, with the thought that it would make a good nameplate for a car."

However, conflicting accounts have emerged, each of which is plausible enough to deepen the mystery and suggest it may never be solved. Two of the alternate origins come from within the Durant family itself.

In 1929, Durant's daughter, Margery, published a book entitled, My Father. In it, she told how Durant sometimes doodled nameplate designs on pieces of paper at the dinner table."I think it was between the soup and the fried chicken one night that he sketched out the design that is used on the Chevrolet car to this day," she wrote. 

More than half a century later, another Bowtie origin was recounted in a 1986 issue of Chevrolet Pro Management Magazine .based on a 13-year-old interview with Durant's widow, Catherine. She recalled how she and her husband were on holiday in Hot Springs, Va., in 1912. While reading a newspaper in their hotel room, Durant spotted a design and exclaimed "I think this would be a very good emblem for the Chevrolet." Unfortunately, at the time, Mrs. Durant didn't clarify what the motif was or how it was used.

That nugget of information inspired Ken Kaufmann, historian and editor of The Chevrolet Review, to search out its validity. In a Nov. 12, 1911 edition of The Constitution newspaper, published in Atlanta, an  advertisement appeared from by the Southern Compressed Coal Company for "Coalettes," a refined fuel product for fires. The Coalettes logo, as published in the ad, had a slanted bowtie form, very similar to the shape that would soon become the Chevrolet icon. Did Durant and his wife see the same ad? or one similar? the following year a few states to the north - The date of the paper was just nine days after the incorporation of the Chevrolet Motor Co.

One other explanation attributes the design to a stylized version of the cross of the Swiss flag. Louis Chevrolet was born In Switzerland at La Chaux-de-Fonds, Canton of Neuchâtel, to French parents, on Christmas Day 1878.

Whichever origin is true, within a few years, the bowtie would emerge as the definitive Chevrolet logo. An October 2, 1913 edition of The Washington Post seems, so far, to be the earliest known example of the symbol being used to advertise the brand. "Look for this nameplate" the ad proclaims above the emblem. Customers the world over have been doing so ever since.

Many variations in coloring and detail of the Chevrolet bowtie have come and gone over the decades since its introduction in late 1913, but the essential shape has never changed. In 2004, Chevrolet began to phase in the gold bowtie that today serves as the brand identity for all of its cars and trucks marketed globally. The move reinforced the strength of what was already one of the most-recognized automotive emblems in the world. More than 4.25 million Chevrolets were sold in more than 120 countries and regions during 2010.

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Chevrolet Cruze Remains Best Selling Compact Car in U.S.

Contributed to 16 percent increase in total Chevrolet sales in August

2011-09-01

DETROIT - For the fourth month in a row, the Chevrolet Cruze is the best-selling compact car in the United States, recording a total of 21,807 sales in August. It is also the fifth-consecutive month of Cruze sales exceeding 20,000 units.

Calendar year to date, Chevrolet has sold a total of 169,427 Cruzes. Due to sustained customer demand, Chevrolet dealers have about a 30-day supply of Cruze sedans, roughly half the industry average.

"The Cruze has been a great success story for Chevrolet," said Alan Batey, U.S. vice president, Chevrolet Sales and Service. "In less than a year, the Cruze has become one of the most-popular cars on the market, and it is successfully bringing new customers to Chevrolet showrooms."

The Cruze contributed to Chevrolet's overall growth in August, when the brand sold a total of 152,779 vehicles, an increase of 16 percent over the same month a year ago. Much of that growth has been fueled by car sales, which increased 22 percent over last August.

The brand's car sales are expected to continue gaining momentum, as the all-new Sonic subcompact and 2012 Chevrolet Volt electric car with extended range start arriving at dealerships this month.

The Cruze Eco manual delivers an EPA-estimated 42 miles per gallon highway, making it the most fuel-efficient, gasoline-powered car in the United States, excluding hybrids and diesels. To achieve its segment-leading fuel economy, Cruze's engineers focused on aerodynamic performance, reducing weight and powertrain enhancements

For example, the Cruze Eco was the first in the compact-car segment to offer an active air shutter that closes at higher speeds to reduce aerodynamic drag and opens at lower speeds to optimize engine-cooling airflow. Engineers also made more than 42 changes to reduce weight on the Cruze Eco, such as light-weight 17-inch wheels and tires save 21.2 pounds (9.6 kg) per vehicle.

The Cruze Eco features a standard Ecotec 1.4L turbocharged engine that delivers the fuel efficiency of a smaller engine, as well as the power of a larger engine when needed. The Ecotec 1.4L turbo delivers 138 horsepower (103 kW) and 148 lb.-ft. of torque (200 Nm) between 1,850 rpm and 4,900 rpm.

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Ed Welburn on 100 years of Chevrolet Style and Innovation
Celebrates brand's design heritage in its newest market
2011-04-05

Over the past 100 years, Chevrolet has been responsible for some of the most significant and groundbreaking designs in automotive history. From its utilitarian yet stylish pick-up trucks through to the cutting edge looks of each generation of Corvette, via cars like the BelAir which helped define the era they appeared in. The bowtie logo has adorned some of the most iconic shapes of motoring. Even some of Chevrolet's designers, such as Harley Earl and Bill Mitchel, have gone on to become as legendary as some of the cars they penned.

The very first Chevrolet - the Classic Six of 1912 - was highly regarded for its elegance and sophistication and, a century later, the brand continues to turn heads, with cars like the Volt and Camaro, among others, celebrated for their innovation and appearance. As Chevrolet embarks on its second century, it remains a leader in coming up with advanced designs at affordable prices. Who knows which cars will become automotive icons in the next 100 years?

The man with the enviable job of setting Chevrolet on this path is Ed Welburn, global vice president of design at General Motors. He stepped into the shoes of his "absolute heroes", GM designers Harley Earl and Bill Mitchell, back in September 2003, but despite the awe-inspiring responsibility of following those who have become legends, he admits that "I'm having more fun now than at any other time during my career at GM."

Born in Philadelphia in 1950, Ed's father co-owned a body shop. "In those early days, I was surrounded by cars," he remembers. His intense interest in all things automotive meant that, at the age of 11, he even wrote to GM to ask about a future job as a car designer. A helpful letter back suggested what he should study at school, and gave details of the internship program. Ed paid attention to those details, and won a place; after graduating from Howard University in Washington D.C., he was hired full-time by GM. From the early 1970s onward, he worked at several GM design divisions.

One of his most important creations was the streamlined Aerotech, an out-and-out speed machine that achieved a top speed of 417 km/h in 1987. It got him noticed both inside and outside of GM. "For me, it was one of my most significant projects. I worked on the marketing and communications for it, not just with the engineers, in a way I had never done before. I've had a passion for aerodynamics ever since."

Following the Aerotech, Ed's rise through the GM ranks was rapid and impressive, culminating in his appointment as the corporation's chief designer a few years into the 21st century.

Here he looks back at what he regards as the ten most noteworthy and iconic designs from Chevrolet's history...

1912 Chevrolet Classic Six

The Classic Six was the first car to bear the Chevrolet name after William Durant and Louis Chevrolet came  together to found a company building cars using the famous Swiss race driver's last name. It was a large, luxurious and powerful machine, boasting the biggest capacity engine of any Chevrolet up until the 'big-block' V8 era of 1958. The imposing vehicle carried a price tag of $2150, which made it much more expensive than most of its contemporaries. Very much Louis Chevrolet's dream car, it was designed in collaboration with his friend, the French engineer Etienne Planche. Unveiled in 1911, it was launched in 1912, but lasted only until 1914 after the company's focus shifted towards more affordable machines, something that prompted Louis Chevrolet to resign as he disagreed with Durant's policy. A total of 5,987 were constructed. "This was the first Chevrolet, so it's very significant," says Ed of the Classic Six. "Louis Chevrolet used all his experience and background to create it and make history."

1932 Chevrolet Deluxe Sport Coupe

Adversity sometimes results in greatness, and that was truly the case with the 1932 Deluxe Sport Coupe. Launched amid the Depression, in a year when Chevrolet sales had dropped 50 percent compared to the previous year, the Sport was one of Chevrolet's prettiest pre-WWII cars, an attractive yet compact vehicle with a curvaceous rear that lived up to its title with sporting looks and performance. The car was a strict two-seater... well, inside at least. If you wanted to carry more passengers, they had to make do with the rear rumble seat in the trunk. Lots of fun in the sun, rather less so in the rain. "It was a cool design," believes Ed. "It says so much about Chevrolet: a lot of the words you can use to describe it also relate to current cars. It had spirit, was affordable and contemporary. Customers felt they were getting a lot of car for their money, something that still holds true today."

1936 Chevrolet Suburban

The Suburban wasn't just a significant model for Chevrolet, it was an important vehicle for the car industry as a whole. Arguably it was the first Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV), a tough, no-nonsense load carrier featuring a station wagon body on the chassis of a small truck. Actually christened the Suburban Carryall - for it could pretty much carry anything - its origins could be traced back to 1933 and a wooden eight-seater body on half ton truck frame, intended for National Guard and Civilian Conservation Corps units. When made available to the public, it gained an all-metal body fitted with either rear panel doors or a tailgate. "They were doing a crossover between a car and a truck," says Ed of the vehicle that gave birth to what is now the longest continuous name to be used on a car. "And it's got a cool interior, too, a real neat one. One might consider it the first crossover, and it's very much related to the Captiva."

1948 Chevrolet Pick-Up

Trucks (in the small commercial vehicle sense) and vans are as big a part of the Chevrolet story as its cars. And the 1948 range was one of the most significant series the company produced. Arriving in summer 1947, they were the first GM automobile products to have a completely post-war design, making them among the most up-to-date vehicles anywhere. Not a bad claim to fame for something meant to be utilitarian and hard-working! The mainstay of the range was the versatile and practical half-ton pick-up, which saw service all around the world. "You just have to smile when you look at one," is Ed's opinion of the friendly looking load-lugger. "It's a real workhorse of a truck. The shape was just beautiful, but it still did its job well. It was clean, basic and affordable."

1953 Chevrolet Corvette

"It was the first Corvette," says Ed of the Chevrolet that grew into an automotive legend. Created by the similarly legendary GM styling chief Harley Earl, 1953's Corvette two-seater sports car was intended to shake up Chevrolet's image, as well as battle the wave of sporty European imports flooding into the U.S.A. One of its more novel features was its fiberglass construction. Initially though, the car wasn't a big hit, and it was only with the styling tweaks of a few years later that it became a true success. "It was a design for years that I didn't care for that much," admits Ed. "But now I absolutely love it. I'll never forget the first one I saw. I must have been about seven, and walking down a tree-lined street. One came around the corner, rumbled along through the fallen leaves and then was gone. And I was, like, 'Wow, that was cool!'"

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

Chevrolet completely revamped its cars for 1955, with what it dubbed the 'Motoramic' look for the top-of-the-range Bel Air plus the introduction of the fabled 'small-block' V8 engine. Exhilarating performance and a flamboyant, confident and colorful style were what made the 1955 Bel Airs - coupes, convertibles and station wagons - stand out from the crowd. Such was the distinctiveness of General Motors cars from the period 1955 to 1957 that they received their own nickname, 'Tri5'. "In my opinion, the '55 Bel Air is the best of the Tri5s," asserts Ed. "It was such a departure from 1955, so fresh, so contemporary. This was a car that looked more expensive than it actually was, something that could also be said about the Cruze today."

1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray

"What an amazing car," says Ed of the 1963 Corvette Sting Ray, the model that took the Corvette range to new heights. Based on a show car penned by GM design chief Bill Mitchell, the angular and svelte Sting Ray was more sophisticated and civilized  than previous Corvettes, yet in maturing, it didn't forget that its main purpose in life was to be exhilarating, both in how it looked and how it drove. Distinctive features of the car - which continued to be built out of fiberglass - were the electrically-operated pop-up headlamps and, on the coupe, a split rear window that would go on to become its main motif. "I've lectured on this car many times," says Ed. "Everything was new; in fact it was so new, they had to give it a new name, Sting Ray. Every Corvette since then has been influenced by it, even the current models. The dual cockpit interior is still part of the Corvette and the Chevrolet interior design today."

1967 Chevrolet Pick-Up

Big, brusque and purposeful, Chevrolet's new generation of pick-up trucks for 1967 were tough machines designed to get the job done. Powerful and practical, with no-nonsense styling, they were marketed as general transportation as well as work vehicles, something that extended their appeal and profile into the mass market. "It's a very iconic American design," believes Ed. "You see that pick-up, and you also see a guy with blue jeans and a toolbox in the back! Many of the words I've used to describe the earlier pick-up also relate here."

1989 Chevrolet Pick-Up

The importance of pick-up trucks within the Chevrolet portfolio was still high at the end of the 20th century, and the fourth generation of the C/K series -  with stacked headlamps and square-cut, rugged appearance - were almost a celebration of this significance. Naturally, their main reason for being was to work and be useful, carrying loads. However, a growing use as pure 'lifestyle' machines meant that Chevrolet also offered a Sports package, something which contributed to impressive sales for these vehicles. Perfect for express deliveries, even better for just looking great on the roads. "It's a very clean design and still looks contemporary today," says Ed. "It sold in incredible numbers. We're working on future Chevrolet pick-ups and the guys have photos of this one on the wall for inspiration."

2010 Chevrolet Camaro

Ed is a big enthusiast of all Camaros and even owns a classic 1969 example himself. "But I decided to put the 2010 Camaro on this list before the '69. It connected with people worldwide. When we introduced the car as a concept, there were grown men and women with tears in their eyes. It's valued all round the world." When Ed and his team were working on the new Camaro, "I brought my one into the studio to inspire them. I told them, I want you to beat this!" Although there are echoes of the first 1967-1969 Camaros in the current car's muscular styling - such as the kick-up in the flanks beneath the rear side windows - Ed is keen to stress that the 2010 incarnation is "not a throw-back design, but very forward-looking. I'm always thinking of the future, but you have a great heritage with Chevrolet. You need to build on that; I wouldn't want to build a retro Camaro." He cites the confident and optimistic thrusting design of the new Camaro as "a positive sign to GM employees and customers. It lit a fire within the company."

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All-New Chevrolet Malibu Set for Global Premiere
Next-Generation midsize car to be sold in nearly 100 Countries on Six Continents

DETROIT/SHANGHAI - The all-new Malibu will transcend time zones and embrace the diversity of cultures around the world when Chevrolet simultaneously unveils it live at the Shanghai Auto Show and on Chevrolet's Facebook page.

Chevrolet provided a sneak peak glimpse  today of its Malibu show car. Chevrolet will unveil the new Malibu live starting at 8:30 p.m. EDT on April 18 at http://www.facebook.com/chevrolet. The Web reveal will also be streamed live on iPad and iPhone mobile devices.

Consumers are encouraged to post questions during the reveal on Twitter using #MalibuReveal or on Chevrolet's Facebook page in the Malibu tab. Members of the Chevrolet team will be on hand to answer questions during a live moderated question-and-answer session following the web reveal.

The timing of the Web reveal coincides with the April 19 auto show debut of the new Malibu in Shanghai. The Malibu show car will also be shown at the New York International Auto Show, which is open to the public April 23 through May 1.

"This Malibu takes Chevrolet's established and award-winning nameplate to new places and introduces it to new audiences around the world," said Rick Scheidt, vice president of Chevrolet. "Whether the Malibu is sold in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, or Australia, it has been engineered from the ground up to meet the needs of customers around the world."

The Malibu will feature a global family of fuel-efficient and powerful four-cylinder engines, along with six-speed transmissions that also contribute to efficient performance. The Malibu was designed to stand out in all markets around the globe, while its European-inspired driving characteristics were engineered to challenge the best in its class. The new Malibu is Chevrolet's first midsize car to be sold globally. It will be sold in nearly 100 countries on six continents and built in multiple locations, including China and two facilities in the United States.

"We look forward to offering the new Malibu to our customers across China," said Kevin Wale, president and managing director of the GM China Group. "The Malibu fully embodies Chevrolet's tradition of dynamic styling, superior handling and outstanding fuel efficiency. It will address growing domestic demand in the upper-medium segment, especially among younger car buyers."

The Malibu was Chevrolet's - and GM's - best-selling car in the United States in 2010, with sales of nearly 200,000 vehicles. It is among Chevrolet's most-decorated vehicles in the United States, earning more than 40 industry awards since 2008. The Malibu was the only midsize car in the industry to win the Consumers Digest Automotive "Best Buy" award the last three years - 2011, 2010 and 2009. The Malibu has also been named a "Top Safety Pick" by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety the last two years.

With the new Malibu, Chevrolet continues to position itself for worldwide growth. GM's largest brand is in the midst of introducing a global family of fuel-efficient cars including the Cruze, Volt, Sonic/Aveo, Spark and Malibu. These new cars compete in the four largest vehicle segments in the world, which accounted for 54 percent of all non-luxury sales in 2010. The global segment that Malibu will compete in represented 9 percent - more than 5.7 million vehicles - of global sales in 2010.

Last year, Chevrolet sold 4.26 million vehicles globally, or an average of one vehicle every 7.4 seconds. Eight of the top 10-selling markets for Chevrolet in 2010 were emerging markets - Brazil, China, Uzbekistan, Mexico, Russia, India, Argentina and Colombia. Emerging Markets are expected to account for more than 50 percent of Chevrolet global sales by 2012.

More than 600,000 Malibu cars have been sold globally since 2008, when it was named the North American Car of the Year. The 2013 Malibu represents the eighth generation of the nameplate, which was introduced in 1964. 

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