by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) on Jun 17th 2011 at 4:46PM

Chevrolet Cobalt Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery
The Cobalt lives. Well, not here in the United States, where the Chevrolet Cruze has thankfully banished all memories of GM’s last uncompetitive compact, but at least in Argentina. Alongside the Colorado Rally Concept, Chevrolet is displaying the Cobalt Concept you see here at the Buenos Aires International Motor Show.

We’re pretty sure this new Cobalt is a Cobalt in name only, as it doesn’t appear to share anything with the previous model that is no longer in production and, though no dimensional details are provided, seems smaller than the Delta platform used by its erstwhile namesake. Perhaps it uses the Gamma architecture used by the new Sonic and global Aveo?

In any case, this Cobalt, though officially a concept, seems destined for production in South America and possibly other emerging markets around the world. The automaker says it will offer a range of engines from 1.3 to 1.8 liters that will run on either ethanol, gasoline or diesel.

As far as the styling goes, we can see the current Chevrolet design language front and center, with a two-tier grille up front flanked by sweeping headlamps. The flanks are highlighted by downward-pointing swage lines front and rear. Out back, LED lights punctuate some questionably large, chrome-surrounded lamps.

Inside, this Cobalt Concept is impressively finished with leather seating surfaces and door panels. A unique woodgrain accent highlights the steering wheel. LED lighting in a soft blue is a welcome touch, as is the in-dash navigation system and twin seven-inch LCD screens in the headrests, which we doubt would make it into production.

Check out our high-res image gallery for all the pics.

@Autoblog

Familiar with high-quality B-segment vehicles in Europe and Asia, the drivers of the North American continent is now entering the advent of motoring where we can expect more from less. As Scion, Nissan, and Honda applied themselves to a category that was unexplored through the early 2000s, the B-segment subcompact class became to take on greater importance as the automotive climate adjusted in the United States. Facing increasingly stricter fleet-wide fuel economy requirements from the government, American-based automakers have realized these smaller cars were a necessity as well as a demand. Welcoming the United States to the ‘World Car’ philosophy, Ford brought their widely-raved Fiesta subcompact to the marketplace this past summer while Chrysler’s new partner is supplying the Italian-styled Fiat 500.

Sold in the United States since 2004, the Chevrolet Aveo (companioned with the Pontiac Wave in Canada) was General Motors attempt to match B-Segment wits with the Nissan Versa and Honda Fit. For the past 6 years this vehicle (sourced from General Motor’s South Korean partner Daewoo) has made few friends within the media who easily spotted the just passable build quality and performance. For the 2012 model year, a renewed commitment by Chevrolet introduces a new subcompact car officially unveiled to Americans at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show.

With new, edgier exterior and interior styling, the 2012 Chevrolet enters with a name change from Aveo to Sonic. Shown first at the 2010 Paris Motor Show still named an Aveo, that vehicle gave us a reliable representation to how the Sonic would arrive. However, the 2011 North American International Auto Show was the first time that Chevrolet’s new B-Segment Sedan version was officially brought to life. Dimensionally, the 2012 Chevrolet is more than 2 inches longer in wheelbase than the current Aveo and is a subtle single inch wider in stance. To be offered as a 4-door sedan and 5-door hatchback in North America, the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic is given a curvier overall profile that accents the larger front grille and headlights. Optional alloy wheels spanning up to 17 inches joins a range of exterior enhancements owners of the 2012 Sonic can look forward to breaking the economy car appearance.

Changing drastically inside to compliment the new, sportier outer skin, the Chevy Sonic interior is also given a remarkably more spirited look. Driving the new subcompact, the motorist glances through the steering wheel at a stunningly-simple instrument cluster inspired by motorcycle design. The Sonic 5-door hatchback is set to feature class-leading rear seat room as well as cargo space. Standard inside all 2012 Chevrolet Sonic models will be 10 airbags and GM’s OnStar system.

For the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic, power comes from four-cylinder engines near identical to that found on the larger Cruze. Standard equipped 2012 Sonic models come with a 1.8 liter engine with a 1.4 liter turbocharged inline-four available. While both engines are exceptionally more powerful than the current Aveo, engines are separated by only 3 horsepower. Matched with a 6-speed manual gearbox, 1.4 liter turbo engine provides significantly more torque (148 pounds-feet in total). The Sonic’s 1.8 liter engine be paired with either a 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy figures for the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic is yet to be released but expect results to exceed the results of the 2011 Aveo.

An exciting new small vehicle, 2012 Chevrolet Sonic buyers will find their pleasures for jiffy performance catered additionally with some optional equipment. Heated front seats, XM Satellite Radio, remote start and sunroof is all available to be included on the 2012 Sonic. There is also a MyChevrolet mobile smartphone App which can be utilized on the 2012 Sonic providing features such as a parking spot indicator and could even alert when metered parking spaces are running out of time.

Bringing a new attitude to the American B-Segment category, the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze will be built in the United States unlike other subcompacts in the same segment. Rolling out the General Motors Orion Assembly Center in the state of Michigan, the Sonic will be joined by the 2012 Buick Venaro (another vehicle that debuted at the 2011 North American International Auto Show in Detroit).

Information and photo source: General Motors @Automoblog

The New Year has begun and its the time for resolutions, reflecting and – in the automotive world – year-end sales tallies. After a horrific 2009, the numbers for 2010 are looking a whole lot more promising, particularly for the American manufacturers.

While a lot of attention has been given to Ford and its reclamation of the second-best selling manufacturer title from Toyota, within the sales figures is news that the Camaro has outsold the Mustang.

Historically, the Mustang has outsold the Camaro right from the beginning. The Mustang has a wide enthusiast base and Ford has catered to it well, particularly since 2005.

The new Camaro went on sale a few months into 2009, with a lot of pent up demand fueling sales. Even so, its late start gave the Mustang the edge for the year. This year, with initial demand for the Camaro dissipating, it seemed likely the Mustang would maintain its lead. The Ford brand has continued momentum in the marketplace and the company offered impressive updates to the 2011 Mustang’s engine lineup.

Continued dominance didn’t prove to be the case however, as the Camaro has overtaken the Mustang for the first time since 1985.

The Camaro sold 81,371 units for 2010, up 7,655 units over the Mustang’s 73,716 tally. It isn’t as the Mustang is a big loser though. Both figures are growing, up by healthy percentages over 2009′s figures. The increases stand at 31.9 percent and 10.6 percent for the Camaro and Mustang, respectively.

It’ll be interesting to see if the Camaro continues its momentum in 2011. The Camaro looks to have the edge again, with a new convertible variant debuting to provide a boost in sales. The Mustang’s figures include its convertible variant. @Automoblog

It’s been a quarter-century since the last time it happened, but Chevrolet’s reborn Camaro appears set to steal away the yearly pony car sales crown from the Ford Mustang.

According to AutoWeek, the Bowtie Brigade has cleared 75,685 Camaro sales through the end of November, while the Blue Oval has shifted 68,264 units. Extrapolating the monthly sales totals to the end of December, AW estimates that Chevrolet will finish 2010 with around 82,500 sales, besting the Ford’s estimate of 74,500. Trailing the muscle car pack in sales is Dodge’s Challenger lineup, trending at around 36,000 units.

There has certainly been pent-up demand for the Camaro among consumers after its prolonged absence, but what’s even more impressive about its yearly sales total is that if the lead holds, the Chevy will have outsold the Ford and the Dodge with far fewer special editions and no convertible bodystyle like the Mustang. (A droptop Camaro is slated to go on sale next year, and a high-performance Z28 variant is also expected). @Autoblog

So you have a Holden Commodore SS Ute and, for some vexing reason, you want it to look more like the American-market Chevrolet Camaro. Well, we’ve got good news for you. An enterprising young soul from Victoria, Australia has worked up just such a kit. With new sheetmetal from the A-pillar forward and a custom Camaro nose cap, the end result is as close to a Camaro-meets-El-Camino mutation as you’re likely to find. This particular example was spotted outside of a Nashville, Tennessee tuner.

We have to say that while the Commodore SS Ute is as handsome as can be right from the factory, the Camaro nose doesn’t exactly do the car an injustice. There’s no word on exactly how much the conversion kit will set you back, though with all of the appropriate pieces and sheetmetal, we’d be surprised if the final price tag were less than $5,000 – before paint. Worth it? That’s a conversation you’ll have to have with your wallet.

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Chevrolet, Holden, Australia, Rumormill

A fountain of tears was shed when the Pontiac G8 sedans bit the dust along with their parent brand. The Poncho-fied Holden Commodore was one of our favorite rides – particularly in its delicious, LS3-powered GXP guise with a six-speed stick. As you know, Holden is once again ready to export Zeta-based sedans to the U.S. in the form of the new long-wheelbase Chevy Caprice police cruisers, but civilian variants are not part of the program. This brings us to the latest scuttlebutt published by Drive.com.au, which reports that a new export agreement to send standard-wheelbase Holden VE Commodores back stateside as Chevrolets may be on the horizon.

Drive quotes General Motors engineer Al Oppenheiser as confirming that negotiations are indeed underway, while a second unnamed GM source told the website that it’s a done deal. A Holden spokesman told Drive that in terms of exports, the focus is presently on the Caprice PPV, but added that other deals are being pursued. There’s good reason to be hopeful. GM North America President Mark Reuss was the boss at Holden in 2008 and 2009, and clearly knows just how good the product is.

The G8 won widespread praise during its brief tenure, and the lack of a legit sport sedan is a glaring hole in Chevy’s otherwise comprehensive lineup. It’s also important to remember that thanks to the Pontiac G8, most of the development to federalize the Aussie four-door has already been done. It would likely not take much to get the current VE Series II sedan ready for a U.S. encore. Hell, if it actually happens, maybe this time GM could even go through with the ute introduction, too. Naming the Chevy version would be a snap, after all.

Fingers crossed, everybody. Thanks to TriShield for the heads-up!

[Source: Drive.com.au]

G8 redux? Chevy comeback rumored for Holden Commodore originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 20 Nov 2010 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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G8 redux? Chevy comeback rumored for Holden Commodore

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Government/Legal

There are plenty of important rules when it comes to attending a track day, but one of the most easily overlooked and simultaneously important is, “Thou shalt not speed to or from the facility.” Aside from all of that moralistic stuff about putting the public in danger, exceeding the posted limit also does a number on the reputation of whatever track you’re headed to. After all, it’s a rare community that actually the embraces the sound of engines revving and tires squealing at 7:00 a.m. on the weekend; most tracks don’t need any “help” in the bad PR department.

Apparently the members of ExoticsRally.com missed the memo. A slew of drivers from that site recently participated in a charity event where they could pay $100 for a lead-follow lap at the famous (and exclusive) Monticello Motor Club. An extra Benji would allow for a quicker lap, and those who’d been on track before could buy additional track time.

Unfortunately, around 100 of the participants were busted doing well over 100 mph on their way to the track. Local law enforcement was not amused, handing out tickets by the fistful for everything from speeding to improper equipment in a bid to get drivers piloting everything from Dodge Vipers and Chevrolet Corvettes to Nissan GT-Rs to cool their heels.

Do us all a favor. If you like your local track, keep it legal on the surrounding streets, or the place might not be open for business next year. Thanks for the tip, Monroe!

[Source: The Times-Herald Record]

Report: Cops pull over 100 cars en route to Monticello originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 20 Nov 2010 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Cops pull over 100 cars en route to Monticello

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Truck, GMC, Diesel

General Motors’ heavy-duty truck twins – the GMC Sierra HD and Chevrolet Silverado HD – were reworked for 2011 with the addition of an all-new chassis and an upgraded 6.6-liter Duramax diesel engine. But while the capable trucks’ guts were given a transplant, the vehicle’s blue-collar exterior and aging interior were left unchanged. With Ford and Ram updating the look and feel of their heavy duty pickups over the past year, we’re thinking GM won’t stand idly by forever, and we may have a peak at the next Sierra sooner than you think.

Our friends over at PickupTrucks.com are reporting that sources within GM have said that we can expect a Sierra HD concept at the North American International Auto Show in January. The super-sized concept will likely show one possible design direction for the haul-happy pickup, giving it new sheetmetal to accompany its already very capable hardware. Will the concept look production-ready, or will it be a pie in the sky rendering on wheels? We’ll have to wait until January to find out.

Photos copyright (C)2010 Sam Abuelsamid / AOL

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

Report: GMC Sierra HD concept coming to Detroit originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Nov 2010 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: GMC Sierra HD concept coming to Detroit

Filed under: Sedan, Chevrolet, GM, Electric

The Chevrolet Volt is only a short time away from having a home at dealerships across the country, but like many media outlets, Motor Trend has been thoroughly testing GM’s halo car for some time. In fact, MT has been so impressed with the Volt that it just recently name the extended range EV its Car of the Year. That’s a big deal for General Motors and its newest darling, but not everyone is happy with the magazine’s choice. In fact, outspoken radio show host Rush Limbaugh recently weighed in with not only a bit of criticism for this decision.

This isn’t the first time Limbaugh has been less than favorable in his opinion of the Volt. As you may recall, he first lashed out on the electrified sedan back in July. This time, however, Limbaugh questioned Motor Trend‘s credibility, and in order to make sure both sides of the argument are well-represented, MT‘s Todd Lassa has issued a rebuttal. Here, Lassa’s main point was to reinforce why the Volt won this award, though a few shots are Limbaugh were made, as well. Lassa called the Volt “the biggest automotive technological breakthrough since… I don’t know, maybe the self-starter,” and then went on to hammer Limbaugh and fellow political pundit George Will for not understanding what makes the Volt so significant. The sleeves are rolled and the claws are out, folks. Head over to MT to read the response for yourself.

[Source: Motor Trend]

Motor Trend defends its selection of Chevy Volt as COTY originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Nov 2010 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Ford

General Motors may be raking in the awards with its Chevrolet Volt right now, but Ford isn’t exactly going unnoticed for its efforts on the green front. The Green Blue Oval has won Nielsen’s first Automotive Green Marketer of the Year award. The honor is given to brands that help shape consumer awareness of environmental themes, and Ford beat out Chevrolet, Honda, Mercedes-Benz and Toyota for this year’s pick in the automotive category. According to Nielsen, the campaigns for both the Fiesta and Fusion Hybrid helped tip the scales in the Ford direction. Additionally, Nielsen says that FoMoCo’s decision to sponsor this year’s hybrid-oriented American Idol helped out quite a bit as well.

This isn’t just some popularity contest, though. Nielsen dug through three research studies to determine each manufacturer’s effectiveness in green advertising. All told, over 7,000 participants were involved in the research. Hit the jump for the press release.

[Source: Nielsen]

Continue reading Ford wins first-ever Nielsen automotive ‘Green Marketer of the Year’ award

Ford wins first-ever Nielsen automotive ‘Green Marketer of the Year’ award originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Nov 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford wins first-ever Nielsen automotive ‘Green Marketer of the Year’ award