General Motors Begins Shipping 2011 Chevrolet Volt to Dealers

On Monday, the first shipments of the highly anticipated 2011 Chevrolet Volt left GM’s Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Plant and are on their way to select dealerships. According to the company, customers in California, Texas, Washington D.C. and New York could receive their vehicles in the next few days.

“Today is a historic milestone for Chevrolet”, said Tony DiSalle, Volt marketing director. “We have redefined automotive transportation with the Volt, and soon the first customers will be able to experience gas-free commuting with the freedom to take an extended trip whenever or wherever they want”.

According to the automaker, the first batch of vehicles should be delivered in the next few days, with a planned total of 350 units this week. Earlier this year, 15 pre-production EVs were handed over to a select few, during a special 90-day vehicle and charging evaluation program.

Priced from $33,500, after tax credits, the Volt never came close to the initially claimed 230 mpg in city driving. Eventually, EPA released three mileage ratings, the best being 93 mpg in full electric mode and the worst 37 mpg when the 1.4-liter engine kicks in. Now that cars are actually reaching customers, we’re more than curious to hear their feedback on the matter.

By Csaba Daradics

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VIDEO: Chrysler Promo Compares New 200 with Chevy Malibu and Ford Fusion

In what may be a sign of the times, the Chrysler Group is using bloggers, and members of social media sites and forums to promote its newest models on film. Here we see the company's latest promotional clip showing off the restyled and upgraded Sebring sedan, which as most of you know, has been renamed to 200.

The video hosts a number of people from various websites as well as one of its own marketers, and compares the mid-size sedan with Chevrolet's soon-to-be-replaced Malibu (see the official drawings here) and the Ford Fusion. Being a Chrysler made / edited promotional video, we'd take everything said with plenty grains of salt. Follow the break to watch the short clip.

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Irmscher Unleashes Camaro i42 with 509HP Supercharged 6.2-liter V8

With the European launch of the Chevrolet Camaro just around the corner, General Motor's semi-official tuning partner across the pond, Irmscher, is gearing up for the presentation with the release of a limited production version of its i42 Camaro study, which was showcased at this year's Essen Motor Show.

For the creation of the i42 Camaro, Irmscher joined forces with Auto Magnus und Velocity Performance Parts. Based on the Camaro SS with the 6.2-liter V8, the i42 benefits from a bevy of upgrades, the most important being the addition of a supercharger and a new custom exhaust system, which boost output to 509-horsepower. The tune allows the Camaro i42 to complete the 0-100km/h (62 mph) sprint in about 4.0 seconds and reach a top speed of 275 km/h or 171 mph.

Irmscher also fitted the American muscle car with a sports brake system comprising of 380 mm front discs with 6 piston calipers and 355 mm rear discs with 4 piston calipers, plus an adjustable sports suspension. The car now rides on new 22-inch alloy wheels with a funky black and silver design. The package is rounded off with black racing stripes and matching "Since 68" logos.

Depending on the configuration, the Irmscher i42 Camaro can be had in Germany from €49,000, or about US$64,900.

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2012 Chevrolet Sonic: First Photos of the North American Version of the Aveo

[Updated] It appears that the wait for Chevrolet's Aveo replacement is almost over as we have the first official photos of the North American-spec model. Confirming previous rumors, General Motors ditched the Aveo moniker in favor of a new name as the small car will be called the Chevrolet Sonic on this side of the Atlantic. The company noted that the model for markets outside the U.S., Canada and Mexico, which was first seen at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, will retain the Aveo name.

"The Sonic represents a new beginning for Chevrolet in the small car segment and so we felt it was time to give it a new name,” said Chris Perry, vice president, Chevrolet U.S. Marketing. “The new car is roomy, stylish and fun to drive, and Sonic is a youthful, energetic name that helps convey what this vehicle is about."

The five door hatchback version pictured here doesn't appear to be any different than the Aveo seen in Paris. We're still short on intel, but we gather it won't be long before General Motors releases full details on the N.A. Sonic, which will be manufactured at the firm's Orion Assembly in Michigan starting from 2011.

GM has not yet shown the sedan version of the Aveo / Sonic, but you can get a sneak peek of the car in these official patent drawings in our previous post.

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NAHC Picks Chevrolet Camaro as 2010's "Collectible Car of the Future"

From all the new cars and trucks launched in America this year, the vehicle to turn most heads in 2035 will most likely be the Chevrolet Camaro. Or at least that is the prediction of the Friends of the National Automotive History Collection (NAHC), which decided that GM's muscle car is the 2010's "Collectible Car of the Future".

Charles K. Hyde, chairman of the NAHC Board of Trustees, said: "This selection is unique among all the 'Vehicle of the Year' awards, because it is selected by 'car buffs' who know what future collectors will value. We asked our members to predict which of this year's new vehicles will turn heads in the Woodward Cruise of 2035."

The members of the organization selected the Camaro from a total of 13 all-new vehicles launched in 2010.

Tom Peters, Camaro chief designer commented: "Our mission with the 21st century Chevy Camaro was to draw on the passion and heritage, expressing it in a new and modern car with design, technology and quality to carry the legacy forward. It's simple; the new Camaro puts smiles on the faces of car enthusiasts of all ages."

Last year's vote went to the Ford Flex making it the first crossover to win since the creation of the awards in 1995. Over the years, NAHC has picked a variety of vehicles including the Chrysler Sebring Convertible as 1996's "Collectible Car of the Future". No, seriously; from all the vehicles launched that year, NAHC's members found that Chrysler's rent-a-cabriolet would rate the highest among future collectors in 2020. What can you say... Below is the full list of NHAC's previous winners.

NAHC Previous winners are:

2008 - Dodge Challenger

2007 - Dodge Viper SRT10

2006 - Pontiac Solstice

2005 - Ford Mustang

2004 - Chrysler 300

2003 - Dodge Viper

2002 - Ford Thunderbird

1996 - Chrysler Sebring Convertible

1995 - Buick Riviera and Oldsmobile Aurora

*None selected from 1997 to 2001

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Chevrolet Prices New Orlando MPV from £16,395 in the UK [Plus New Photo Gallery]

The new Chevrolet Orlando compact minivan won't arrive in UK dealerships before Spring of 2011, but the company has already released detailed pricing and specifications. Available in three trim levels and with three engines including two diesel options, the 7-seater MPV will carry a base price of £16,395 (about US$25,400).

The range kicks off with the entry level Orlando LS, which comes equipped with ESC, air conditioning, follow-me-home headlights, electric windows and mirrors, remote central locking, six airbags, three 12v power sockets, tinted windows and an adjustable steering wheel as standard.

The LS is offered with the choice of two engines, the 141PS 1.8-liter petrol engine, or a new 130PS 2.0-litre diesel unit, the latter of which also comes with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard.

The better equipped LT models add several features including rear parking distance sensors, a USB port, 16-inch alloy wheels, climate control, a chrome-effect tailgate handle, driver’s armrest, leather-covered steering wheel, front fog lights, electric rear windows and an upgraded sound system with steering wheel audio controls.

Furthermore, the LT can be specified with the most powerful Orlando engine, a 163PS 2.0-litre diesel with six-speed manual gearbox, or a six-speed auto as an option.

At the top of the range we meet the LTZ models, which are offered with all three engine options and add unique 17-inch alloys, automatic cruise control, an electro-chromatic rear view mirror, automatic headlights and windscreen wipers, blue ambient panel lighting, a glossy black centre console, power-folding door mirrors, a rear cargo net and chrome-effect body detailing.

For detailed pricing and performance / fuel economy figures, check out the list below.

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