2011 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra heavy trucks set a new standard HD

Usually when we go out for a press launch new car, we must sit through comprehensive technical presentations and marketing before taking a chance to get behind the wheel. But General Motors dropped us right into a dual rear wheel GMC Sierra 3500 diesel crew cab when we arrived in Baltimore. On the record? A 130-mile trip from the airport in Baltimore to the Rocky Gap Lodge in the Allegheny Mountains of western Maryland Vehicle Line Executive Rick Spina sitting shotgun. We really enjoyed this "backwards" approach because it allowed us to develop some impressions of these new trucks even before we got the sales pitch bound. For two hours, mostly highway trip, proved to be a journeyman SLT Dualla pleasant surprise, but it was just the first of seven different trucks, we ran in the days to come. Read on past the jump to know what's new heavy trucks is just that the samples in a series of real-world conditions.

GM 2011 Camaro Convertible

The 21 century renaissance of the Chevrolet Camaro will open a new chapter after 2011 Camaro Convertible, the first Los Angeles International Auto Show November 17, 2010. Camaro Convertible first appeared in Chevrolet showrooms in February 2011 with an MSRP (1) starts at $ 30,000. The convertible will be available in the same base model Camaro Coupe offers a standard 312 horsepower direct injection V6 model with an EPA estimated 29 highway MPG (6), and the legendary SS model with the 6.2-liter V8 engine produces 426 hp. A gearbox six-speed manual is standard, with an optional automatic transmission with six speeds.


Excellent performance and efficiency 

2011 Camaro has a powerful V6, 312 horsepower capable, but still offers an impressive 29 mpg on the highway (6) with a six-speed automatic transmission is available. For even more under the hood, go to the SS and its 6.2-liter V8 engine. Even with its standard 426 hp, offers 24 MPG highway (6). The automatic transmission version of the SS features Active Fuel Management and Highway, 25 MPG (6) while delivering 400 horsepower.

Exciting driving experience

Camaro was designed for precise driving dynamics. We start with 52/48 front and the back-to-weight ratio, a balance that you expect the best sports cars in the world. His platform is optimized to run and respond to situations of transition beautifully. These technical prowess combined with independent rear suspension and a variable ratio power steering, giving the Camaro its soft, sophisticated ride.

The 2011 BMW 3 Series coupe and convertible are update, 335i gets single turbo

The next generation of the BMW 3-series is not that far away, and the sedan is expected to debut sometime in 2011, 2012 model. Yet, the mark of Monaco of Bavaria is not sitting on its hands now - the current 3-series coupe and convertible are minor refresh and update the sources of power this spring for the 2011 model year. Most of the changes are immediately apparent headlamp clusters, which are slightly shaped to go ahead with a wider grille and custom lower front fascia. Behind the taillamps to keep the same shape, but the spotlight has restored some of the light tube design found in other recent Bimmers. 3-Series Convertible are now offered with xDrive all-wheel drive, when the 3 Series convertible gets new solar panels to reflect the leather seats that BMW claims will help keep the temperature down on the seat when the lid is open.

The updates are the most important under the hood, which replaced a leased line twin-turbo 3.0-liter six with a new single turbo version. The revised engine, called N55, was launched recently in the 740i and 535i Gran Turismo. The twin scroll turbo dual exhaust entries that allow engineers to better balance the pulse of the turbine to spin faster. This should reduce the turbo lag that some drivers have complained about the twin-turbo output configuration.

BMW also says it has reduced its emissions of cold start routing all exhaust gas through a single, larger catalyst that heats faster. On the inlet side is the throttle is removed through the addition of control BMW Valvetronic variable valve timing. The N55 also get direct fuel injection. The end result is the same 300 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque as before but with a larger torque curve that maintains its peak from 1200 to 5000 rpm.

The 2010 Chevy Malibu Hybrid

GM has started to notice the dealers first today in Malibu Hybrid plans to tell them that "can not order the 2010 Malibu hybrids because of an excess of 2009 models," according to the Detroit News, while the rest of the fleet still full of orders 

       Electric and hybrid car enthusiasts who were just beginning to warm to General Motors for its recent work on plug-in hybrid Chevrolet Volt, which year after the film "Who Killed the Electric Car?" Skewer manufacturer to pull the plug on its electric EV-1 model can now see another reason to turn a cold shoulder: The automaker has just hit the brakes on production of a hybrid version of its Chevy Malibu 2010 . But do you ready for the battle yet.

       Under pressure from the Obama administration to demonstrate innovation and commitment to cleaner cars, and meet tight deadlines to increase the average fuel consumption of its queue, GM did not taken lightly the decision to adopt a model that can strengthen those powers. After all, GM had enough faith in the power and enhancing the Malibu hybrid, which then-CEO Rick Wagoner is mounted in the model as the way to Capitol Hill last year as part of a quest for funds rescue. So why drag GM Malibu Hybrid 2010-programming?

       In short, the Malibu hybrid does not "pay rent" (ie, to obtain a significant profit) - a new requirement for all vehicles in the lineup GM CEO Fritz Henderson said in his first day at work, when The administration has asked Wagoner to resign. Society can no longer afford to rely on higher-margin SUVs and trucks with a profit - even smaller, more fuel efficient and low-margin vehicles historically have got to maintain healthy margins. According to the report in the Wall Street Journal today, GM says the 2009 Malibu Hybrid is basically a dead weight, poor sales and a significant delay is a lot of concessions.

        The problem is that the so-called "mild hybrid& system of the 2009 Malibu Hybrid will cost extra (about € 4,000), making a lot of fuel. four-cylinder model, which operates the gas is estimated at 22 mpg for city driving and 33 mpg on the highway and driving, but the hybrid model may be only 26 mpg city and 34 mpg highway ratings. Comparison, the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid is rated at 41 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and the third generation Toyota Prius can be up to 50 mpg city and 49 mpg on the highway. The range is $ 20,000 to $ 30,000 price in which GM competes in both regular Malibu and the hybrid version, that extra $ 4,000 just did not think enough efficiency so that it's worth it. Since the blog Car Connection said this morning, "a mild character, a mild hybrid system was his downfall.

        At that time, said spokeswoman Kristin Rogers, GM is working on a next-generation hybrid system GM will be more profitable, powerful and has a wider application of the vehicle, to start new models, from 2011 North America. As we enter the next-generation technologies," said Henderson at the end of March, taking note of the Volt from GM and programming flex-fuel and hybrid cars as examples, which requires the money. It requires investment. "When we wrote that suggested an awareness that GM would have to address and increase profits through the complete program to finance the further development of the Volt.

        With the suspension of the Malibu Hybrid during 2010 and the reform of the hybrid system, what we see is perhaps buckling and investment in next-generation technology in action. Time will tell if GM can reinvent themselves fast enough to actually compete for significant market share - and no more trips to the Capitol.

The 2010 BMW 7 Series ActiveHybrid sedan

BMW lightweight size hybrid luxury sedan comments now the second car. 
The 2010 BMW 7 Series ActiveHybrid sedan, start filtering. This is one of a growing number of luxury hybrid vehicles BMW, Cadillac and Mercedes-Benz join Lexus (which created the category), Fisker happen next year. This is a mild hybrid, which means that the electric motor restarts the engine after it stops at the stations and also adds a pair to help the gasoline engine. But unlike the full hybrid X6 ActiveHybrid can travel on electric power alone.


Hybrid Sedan fastest The world of Car and Driver was among the first to test the hybrid 7-Series, saying it "does seem to make sense [sic] compared to some other vehicles in the dam Bavarian weird, including the BMW X6 and the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo. Similar to the title most powerful hybrid in the world for its X6 ActiveHybrid, BMW dubs the 7 hybrid to be" the fastest sedan in the hybrid world. Autobahn rocket faster than BMW 750i, which uses the same V-8 engine, but the 7 hybrid is slower and less expensive than small quantities of BMW 760Li V-12. short of breath up the highway, says Car and Driver confirms that the 7 hybrid rockets for its Governor 150-km / h without the lethargy often associated with hybrids. And the magazine he was 20 miles per gallon as indicated using more typical American motorists.


Typical buff-book contempt regenerative brakes have been well integrated, according to instead buff longitude, if the pilot showed that seven hybrid shock if it comes to speed, the engine was shut down in Judgement. The engine shutdown can be disabled by putting the transmission in Sport mode, however. Ultimately, given their typical mockery of anything but a hard electric Tesla Roadster is probably not a shock that Car and Driver rejects the BMW 2010 7 ActiveHybrid as ridiculous.

Chevrolet VOLT Debut 2011

Body styles, levels and optional equipment for the 2011 

         Chevrolet Volt is a midsize sedan with five seats Berlin gates to four. Standard features include alloy-17, automatic headlights, heated mirrors, keyless entry, remote start, automatic climate control, cruise control, auto-dimming rearview mirror, six manually adjustable front seats, tilt and telescoping steering wheel, cloth upholstery, Bluetooth, OnStar, a navigation system with touch screen, voice commands and real-time traffic, and six-speaker Bose stereo with CD / DVD, audio auxiliary input, iPod / USB 30 GB storage digital music. The Premium Package adds leather trim, leather-wrapped steering wheel and heated front seats. The rear view camera and parking package adds a rearview camera and front and rear parking sensors.

The performance of transmission and front-wheel-drive 

       Volt in 2011 is powered by an electric motor has an output of 149 hp (111 kW) and 273 pound-feet of torque. This engine used for charging the lithium ion battery until the battery is 70 percent depleted. At that time, V 1.4-liter four-cylinder internal combustion, which works on both gasoline and E85, a live power to replace an electric motor. The battery can be fully charged from a 120 volt or 240 volt, but the regenerative braking and engine generator that can integrate a bit '. no transfer in the traditional sense, but V uses a single gear reduction for sending an electric motor powers the front wheels. GM plans sprint from 8.5 to 9 seconds to 60 mph with full battery.

safety signs Safety 2011 

Chevy Volt are ABS, stability control, front side airbags, front knee airbags and curtain airbags, full length.

Interior Design and features special center console 2011 

        Chevrolet Volt appears to have been modeled on various personal electronic devices with touch buttons. It is less like a car that control an iPod oversized, which we welcome because people will spend so much money on a vehicle can expect inside something special.

         There are a lot of technology used, too, including a standard color screen with a built in hard drive. In terms of functionality, the main controls are fairly intuitive Volt, and the reading of futuristic weapons is quite easy to read at a glance. There is also a nice little ball - a bit like the bubble of water - that lets you keep in the range of fuel efficient driving. He's big and green when you save fuel or battery power and small yellow-orange and anger when you're not. Unfortunately, there are standard features you expect in a car with a price of $ 41,000 missing from the Volt, a power driver's seat and leather steering wheel.

         Rear space is adequate for two adults, but some families may miss the main square. Volt sedan design is convenient for loading cargo, but the maximum capacity (10.6 cubic feet) is limited by the swooping roofline and rear 396 lbs T-shaped battery in the trunk and between the rear seats. A Prius is actually much more functional. We have yet to see a final production Volt interior, quality materials and construction must be reviewed at a later date.

impressions driving 

          the 2011 Chevrolet Volt is a good acceleration of rest, and is highly sensitive to moderate speed so that kind of performance that is typical of electric vehicles. Its 273 pounds-feet of torque is available at any time of the former factory throttle you. - It's a competitive electric vehicle while driving in all electric mode, it is so quiet and smooth as an EV we did - and it seems a competent vehicle when the engine generator kicks in. The transition from battery to power the generator can be difficult to notice even though pre-production Volt, we no longer have a disturbing noise generator engine revolutions, regardless of engine speed. But GM promises production models will be less noticeable in this regard.

          The Chevrolet Volt feels a little nose-heavy when turning a corner, but he fired shots with little body roll. The brake pedal works perfectly, as it modulates brake regeneration and conventional, that is a real achievement. Indeed, the performance of its ride quality and weight control response, which determines Chevy Volt feels more natural and more important than hybrids like the Honda Insight and Toyota Prius

Mercedes-Benz ML450 Hybrid

Luxury brands have actually caught the virus hybrid Mercedes-Benz announced this week its second environmentally friendly car, the ML450 Hybrid is brand new. First seen at the Auto Show in New York in April 2010, Mercedes-Benz ML450 Hybrid is officially on sale November 16. With V8 engine type four-cylinder fuel economy ML450 Hybrid packs of two electric motors and a 3.5 - liter gasoline engine V-6, working together to deliver impressive performance and fuel economy. According to Mercedes-Benz, fuel economy of large SUVs returns 21 mpg city and 24 mpg on the highway. For comparison, the yield of the same size, but V-8 powered 2010 BMW X6 ActiveHybrid an EPA-rated 17 mpg city and 19 mpg on the highway.

The combined peak power of the two electric motors and V-6 engine located at 340 horsepower and 381 lb.-ft. of torque. efficiencies of fuel made through a combination of technologies, including stop-start function, which helps reduce fuel consumption to stop at traffic lights or jams. Similar to GM Two-Mode hybrid system, both electric motors in the ML450 Hybrid is built in a modified automatic transmission. An engine is dedicated to the towing power and the other is specifically designed to improve acceleration. In this combination, the ML450 Hybrid can run solely on electricity up to a maximum speed of 34 km / h. On hard acceleration, the gasoline engine starts up automatically.

During braking and coasting, the electric motors function generators, slow down the SUV and back to kinetic energy. During braking the brakes of heavy vehicles for the conventional image. energy waste paper is stored in liquid-cooled, 288-volt nickel-metal hydride battery, which is the rear cargo floor, so as not to encroach on the storage area. Joining the S400 BlueTec Hybrid and diesel models of the Mercedes-Benz ML450 Hybrid is offered as part of a special lease only option (no purchase) and the monthly lease price of $ 659 per month, 36 months and $ 549 months to 60 months.

The Lexus LS 600h L 2010

The Lexus LS 600h L sedan was the first vehicle to bring fuel-efficient gasoline-electric hybrid technology to the prestige luxury segment when it went on sale for the 2008 model year.  After receiving revised styling and telematics systems for 2010, Lexus’ flagship hybrid sedan carries over virtually unchanged for 2011 with the exception of the discontinuation of the optional Active Stabilizer Suspension System and Truffle Mica exterior.

The LS 600h L - "L" represents a long-wheelbase LS platform - gives you the best possible performance, luxury and technology in line LS. LS 600h L will be powered by an ultra-quiet Lexus Hybrid Drive system, which was the first V8 petrol engine in combination with all-wheel drive (AWD) hybrid power train. The engine / transmission / transmission / Performance The LS 600h L hybrid powertrain combines a unique 5.0-liter V8 gasoline engine and two powerful electric motors and high-capacity battery. hybrid powerplant produces a maximum power of 438 horsepower combined and effortlessly accelerate the LS 600h L from zero to 60 mph in just 5.5 seconds. Mid-range acceleration is even more impressive. System electric motor is capable of producing the application of torque and is the least expensive during the maneuvers of way. LS 600h L can speed 50-70 km / h in just 3.5 seconds.

The innovative V8 features an electric motor with variable valve timing with intelligence (VVT-i) and electric cam controlled intake (VVT-iE). The combination of VVT-iE and oil pressure controlled VVT-i cam exhaust provides a superior performance engine starting and high efficiency performance. A specially developed oil absorber and catalyst system is linked to the two escape routes to prevent hydrocarbons contained in exhaust gases are released into the atmosphere during cold start, when the catalysts are not temperature.

LS 600h L also satisfies the certification of the Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle II (Sulev II). Super-low noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels in the LS 600h L make it one of the quietest automobiles ever built. The LS 600h L is a full hybrid, capable of operating in electric-only mode, or a combination of gasoline engine and electric motor. The Lexus hybrid technology allows electric-mode-only operation, if certain conditions are met at low speeds or in stop-and-go driving conditions, which reduces fuel consumption and noise. Compact 288-volt DC nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH) battery pack installed behind the rear seats. The battery is directed through a converter to contribute effectively to bring the voltage up to 650V DC. The push to change the power supply, which provides high power of 165 kW electric motor, running at 10 240 rpm. The structure also includes an additional power a 12 volt audio, navigation and other systems.