Chevrolet offered a hybrid version of its Silverado full-size pickup for the 2005-2007 model years, but the hybrid system did little to impress. It did not aid propulsion and only conserved fuel by turning off the engine at stops.
For the 2009 model year, Chevrolet is offering a real hybrid Silverado. GM’s new two-mode hybrid powertrain aids propulsion, turns off the engine at stops, and can even power the truck on the electric motors alone.
The project has not exactly been a mystery. Chevrolet has been working on a high-end Corvette to slot above the Z06 as GM’s hottest sports car for some time. The car has been known as the Blue Devil and the Corvette SS, but when it arrives in dealers this summer it will be the next Incarnation of the ZR1.
Power will be phenomenal. GM is targeting at least 620 horsepower and 595 pound-feet of torque. The ZR1 will be capable of reaching 200 mph and Cornering at better than 1 g of lateral grip.
Chevrolet added the Aveo subcompact in 2004 as its lowest-priced car. Offered as a four-door sedan or four-door hatchback, the Aveo was based on a design by the defunct Korean automaker Daewoo. The sedan’s styling inside and out was Freshener for the 2007 model year, while the hatchback carried on with the same styling and a name change to Aveo5. At the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show, Chevrolet announced the 2009 Aveo5 would get fresh styling to bring it in line with the sedan.
Sporting a new two-mode hybrid powertrain, the 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid promises to offer a 50-percent increase in fuel economy around town and at least a 25-percent increase overall. The Escalade Hybrid goes on sale this summer.
The Escalade Hybrid will be available with rear-or four-wheel drive. The hybrid powertrain will be available only on the standard-length Escalade, it will not be offered on the long-wheelbase Escalade ESV or the Escalade EXT sport utility truck.
Cadillac is introducing a new high-performance version of the CTS this fall.
The Cadillac CTS-V pictured here comes with a simple but substantial promise. Cadillac executives say that when it goes on sale in the fourth quarter of 2008, the 2009 CTS-V will be the fastest four-door car in the world.
The soon-to-be-released 2009 BMW Z4 will look familiar to sports car enthusiasts, but fresh and striking as well. The next-generation Z4 will also be better by several key measurements.
With its next two-seat sports car, expected in showrooms by late March 2009, BMW has combined effect in two models: the previous Z4 roadster, with its folding soft top, and the fixed-roof Z4 coupe.
Long anticipated by fans of Audi’s S-Line performance cars and by driving enthusiasts in general, the 2009 Audi TTS will finally reach U.S. showrooms by the end of the year.
This will be the first S model for Audi’s sports car since the TT was launched in 1998, and at first blush the raw horsepower numbers might disappoint some.
An all-new 2009 Audi A4 goes on sale this spring. Revealed at the Frankfurt Auto Show, Audi’s volume model looks similar to the successful 2005-2008 models it will replace. However, it is a totally new structure packed with new engineering.
The styling of the upcoming model reminds us of skin pulled tighter over the muscles and bones, and it Favors the beautiful new A5 coupe.
At the 2008 Chicago Auto Show, Acura announced a mid-cycle enhancement to the Acura RL.
On sale in July, the 2009 Acura RL will feature a new 3.7-liter engine, a new five-speed automatic transmission, improved steering, better handling, a reworked interior, revised styling, and a host of new technology and entertainment features.
43Here in the United States, the Mini Cooper comes with a 1.6-liter gasoline engine or the turbocharged 1.6-liter engine in the Cooper S and John Cooper Works versions. In markets outside the U.S., offers a mini version with a tiny 1.4-liter gasoline engine as well as a version with a diesel engine.
