Thursday, August 30, 2012
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Who wouldn’t look great in this 2013 Chevrolet Silverado?
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Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Fit to be Dyed: Chevrolet Spark Suits Up for The Color Run
The all-new 2013 Chevrolet Spark, a city car offered in bold hues such as Jalapeno, Salsa Red, Lemonade, Denim Blue and Techno Pink, will pace nearly 10,000 runners in The Color Run™ this Saturday and Sunday at the Aviator Sports Center in Brooklyn, the first of numerous Spark-paced races across the country.
Chevrolet and The Color Run today announced a sponsorship deal that makes the Spark – Chevrolet’s first mini car for the U.S. and Canadian markets – the official vehicle and pace car for The Color Run through 2013.
The Color Run is a popular, nationwide series of urban 5K races in which thousands of participants are doused from head to toe in different colors for each kilometer. Participation in and buzz for The Color Run have exploded since its debut last year, with nearly a half-million “likes” on Facebook.
“The Spark and The Color Run are perfect running mates because both appeal to style-conscious, high-energy urbanites who don’t live life in neutral,” said Cristi Landy, marketing director, Chevrolet Spark. “We hope Color Runners will like what they see when they meet the Spark.”
Pacing The Color Run events in New York is a specially designed Chevrolet Spark with a multicolor paint scheme over a white base that replicates the look of a color-saturated runner at the finish line. The theme continues inside with splashes of bright color throughout an already-color-coordinated interior.
“Our team wanted The Color Run Spark to look like an authentic race participant, and we believe this pace car will energize and inspire the crowd to take a closer look,” said Kathy Sirvio, the General Motors senior design manager who worked on the production version of the Spark.
Race organizers also partner with a charity in each city; this weekend, The Color Run will team up with the Police Unity Tour and Tuesday’s Children. Tuesday’s Children has made a long-term commitment to meet the needs of individuals impacted by the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.
“We created the tag line ‘The happiest 5K on the planet’ when we saw how happy The Color Run made people; now the Chevrolet Spark’s involvement is going to help us bring more happiness to runners and charity partners in more cities,” said Travis Snyder, executive director for The Color Run. “We also love the fact that our events lead people to have a more healthy and active lifestyle.”
Remaining Spark stops on The Color Run schedule include Washington, D.C. (Sept. 9); Portland, Ore. (Sept. 29); Miami (Oct. 21); Houston (Nov. 11); Orlando (Dec. 2); and St. Petersburg, Fla. (Dec. 15), in addition to regional appearances.
The 2013 schedule will be announced later.
Spark went on sale in mid-July, combining five-door versatility with the sporty look of a three-door. Its athletic appearance is further enhanced by a rear spoiler and 15-inch alloy wheels.
Uplevel versions feature Chevrolet’s MyLink color touch-screen radio. Standard on LT models, MyLink lets Spark owners bring their customized music libraries into the vehicle and use their compatible smartphones and Bluetooth connectivity to make hands-free calls and access embedded apps for Pandora and Stitcher Internet radio.
When the vehicle is in park, video and personal photos can be projected onto MyLink’s seven-inch touch-screen. Later in the year, BringGo, an app that provides full-function GPS navigation and live traffic updates, will be available.
In addition to MyLink, Spark is the only car in its segment to provide a five-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty – including roadside assistance and courtesy transportation – and six months of OnStar Directions & Connections service.
The Spark is offered in three trim packages: LS at $12,995, 1LT at $14,495 and 2LT at $15,795. It also offers more passenger and cargo room than other mini cars such as the Fiat 500, Smartfortwo and the Scion iQ.
Spark is equipped with an Ecotec 1.2L four-cylinder engine and standard five-speed manual transmission (a four-speed automatic is available). The Spark has the lowest average annual fuel cost of any Chevy small car except the Volt extended-range electric vehicle. It also uses regular unleaded fuel, while the Fiat 500 uses more expensive premium fuel.
Spark is also equipped with standard safety features typical of larger, more expensive cars, including 10 air bags, anti-lock brakes, panic brake assist, electronic brake force distribution, StabiliTrak electronic stability control, Hill Start Assist and a “safety cage” structure of high-strength steel.
Courtesy of Chevrolet
Monday, August 27, 2012
2013 Chevrolet Spark: Small and Sensible Wins the Race
NEW YORK — It was a tough day in the city. The George Washington Bridge was a congestive horror show thanks to a noontime construction project and a motorcycle accident.
The city’s streets were equally bollixed in response to a presidential motorcade winding through town.
I was grateful for the car I was driving, the 2013 Chevrolet Spark 2LT mini-hatchback, finally brought to the United States by General Motors.
The front-wheel-drive Spark has been a mainstay of urban motorists worldwide for five years now. Previously sold as the Matiz, it is a product of GM-Daewoo in South Korea.
At this writing, some 600,000 Spark/Matiz models have been sold globally — the Philippines, Europe, South America.
The car is being brought to the United States in the wake of the demise of another GM-Daewoo automobile, the largely unheralded Chevrolet Aveo.
But here’s betting that the Spark will be a success. Here’s why:
“Downsizing” is no longer a dirty word in America. For many of us, it is a matter of necessity, especially among young people still struggling to find a safe place in a wobbly national economy.
The Spark is affordable, starting at $12,245 for the base model and rising to $13,745 for the Spark 1LT with Bluetooth connectivity or $15,045 for the top-of-the-line Spark 2LT.
Affordable, in this case, does not mean cheaply assembled, poorly designed or unsafe.
The Spark — 14 inches shorter than the subcompact Chevrolet Sonic and nearly four inches shorter than the Fiat 500 — is a well-constructed piece, tiny on the outside but big enough to accommodate four adults who can enter the car through its four side doors.
There are 10 air bags, including front-passenger knee bolsters, to enhance the chances of escaping a crash with minor injuries. In the event that a crash occurs, the Spark comes with a standard six-month subscription to GM’s OnStar emergency communications system to help get rescue officials to you quickly.
You’ll have to buy, or have access to, an iPhone with this car. At least, after driving it for a while, you’ll probably want an iPhone. The Spark’s infotainment and operational systems, including door locks, music and navigation, are all designed to be integrated with and operated through your iPhone.
Here’s hoping that GM will see the common sense of that design, especially for navigation, and start putting it in all the company’s cars and trucks. There is nothing more disconcerting than climbing behind the wheel of an expensive automobile that has a fixed onboard navigation system that is already obsolete. That won’t happen with iPhone navigation systems, which are constantly being updated.
I have left driving impressions for last this week for the simple reason that you don’t buy a Spark to drive fast. You get it to maneuver through crowded city streets — and stay away from gasoline pumps.
Let’s be real. The Spark, as presented here in 2LT format, has a 1.2-liter in-line four-cylinder engine that produces 85 horsepower and 82 foot-pounds of torque. It is not the least bit speedy. It is agile.
The Spark is a narrow, lightweight car (2,269 pounds). It can scoot through the most congested traffic, quickly occupying spaces ignored by or unusable for larger vehicles. It is fast enough to get out of its own way and avoid other calamities in an urban setting.
On a highway, such as the Palisades Parkway heading north toward my oldest daughter’s home in Cornwall, N.Y., the Spark is a right-lane car. Keep it out of the left lane, which is meant for faster and passing vehicles. Before revving it up to highway speeds, select some nice music played at reasonably high volume. You’ll need it. The little car is a virtual noise box at 70 mph.
Bottom line: The Spark is a genuine entry in the small but growing market for mini-cars. It is one of the best of the genre in terms of overall quality, safety, seating accommodation and infotainment advances. It gets an enthusiastic “buy” here for small-car shoppers.
Ride, acceleration and handling: Steering is easy. Steering response is instant and accurate. The ride is choppy on poorly maintained streets, as is the case with most small cars. Acceleration is good enough to get you out of tough spots, and to help you avoid them in the first place.
Head-turning quotient: Totally cute on the outside. The interior is plain, simple and ergonomically sensible. I love this car in what GM calls “techno pink.”
Body style/layout: The 2013 Chevrolet Spark is a front-engine, front-wheel-drive mini-car with four side doors and a rear hatch.
Engine transmission: The car comes standard with a 16-valve, 1.2-liter in-line four-cylinder engine with variable valve timing (85 horsepower, 82 foot-pounds of torque). The engine is linked to a standard five-speed manual transmission. A five-speed automatic is optional. Get the manual transmission for best performance.
Capacities: Seats four adults. Cargo capacity with rear seats up is 11.4 cubic feet. With rear seats down, cargo capacity expands to 31.2 cubic feet. The fuel tank holds 9.2 gallons of gasoline. Regular grade is recommended.
Real-world mileage: I averaged 22 miles per gallon in the city, wasting gallons of gasoline going nowhere fast. I averaged 38 miles per gallon on the highway.
Safety: The 2013 Chevrolet Spark gets excellent safety ratings from federal and private insurance safety agencies. Standard equipment includes ventilated front disc and rear drum brakes; four-wheel anti-lock brake protection; 10 air bags, including side and head bags and knee bolsters; and electronic stability and traction control.
Price: The trim lines range from $12,245 to $15,045. Compare with Fiat 500, Ford Fiesta and Honda Fit.
Courtesy of bangordailynews.com
Friday, August 24, 2012
Customer rates Thompson Chevrolet 5-stars for "genuine we care about you service!"
"Shopped in the Bay Area: typical "average or poor service." Drove out to Thompson Chevrolet and was helped by manager Jimmie. Great Service and a great price. Well worth the drive. If you like small town "GENUINE WE CARE ABOUT YOU" service with great price... this is it. Absolutely no pressure to buy. They just give you their best offer. This is my first review of any business. Why? Because this place was just so great"
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Buick Enclave and Lacrosse named Official Vehicles of Bon Appetit Presents Chicago Gourmet!
The Illinois Restaurant Association is pleased to announce the 2013 Buick Enclave and 2013 Buick LaCrosse as the official vehicles of Bon Appétit presents Chicago Gourmet, a premier culinary experience to be held in Millennium Park September 29-30, 2012. The new models of the luxury 2013 Buick Enclave and 2013 Buick LaCrosse will be available for attendees to preview on the Great Lawn and on the South Promenade of Millennium Park. Guests can meet with Buick representatives and explore the luxury features of the vehicles.
The new 2013 Buick Enclave advances the award-winning design, craftsmanship and technology that ushered in Buick's renaissance and reintroduced the brand to a new generation of customers. The industry's best-selling three-row luxury crossover features fresh styling, new safety technologies, in-vehicle connectivity and a more refined driving experience. The full-size Buick LaCrosse luxury sedan features the fuel-saving eAssist™ system standard. Using a variety of advanced technologies, it delivers an estimated 36 miles per gallon on the highway and 25 miles per gallon in the city, which rivals -- or exceeds -- that of small cars, but in a full-size luxury package that comfortably seats five adults.
We are thrilled to partner with Buick," said Sam Toia, President of the Illinois Restaurant Association. "The Enclave and LaCrosse's style and sophistication are a perfect match for the discerning tastes of Chicago Gourmet attendees."
"Our customers are extremely interested in culinary arts, which is why we're proud to make Buick a major ingredient in this year's Chicago Gourmet," said Craig Bierley, Buick advertising and promotions director. "We hope attendees will take the opportunity to discover the distinctive attributes of both vehicles throughout the weekend."
Courtesy of: Marketwire
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Car Maintenance Myths Busted
Hear say, old wives' tales or common practices. Call them what you want but there are many myths that surround car maintenance. So your magazine, AUTO BILD INDIA, reveals how true these blindly followed practices are. First thing we have to keep in mind is when in doubt never hesitate to ask. Even if you may think it may sound silly. End of the day it is your car and if there are any damages you have to pay for it. Even the best of intentions may make you spend money or, worse, compromise the safety of your car. After all when it comes to in-car maintenance, misconceptions are something that take place more often than not. Everyone believes he is an expert in car maintenance, so we checked out the following myths. This is false. Scratches can only be necessary removed from paint finish when the thickness of the paint is reduced down. Scratch removers do this by buffering hairline scratches as it acts as a non-abrasive paint cleaner. The wax solution only manages to cover the scratches for a short time and if it rains then the solution wears out. This is also false as dish cleaning solutions and washing clothes detergents do clean the car but they also strip waxes and other protective coatings off the paint finish. Initially the car may appear all shiny and clean but in the long run it will speed up the oxidation process and shorten the life of your car’s paint. Wrong again! Modern engines do not need more than a few seconds of idling time before they can be driven safely. That too only in extreme cold temperatures. Therefore, the best way to warm up a car is to drive it, since that warms up the catalytic converter and other mechanical parts of the car, in addition to the engine. Also, if you are idling longer than 10 seconds, you are better off switching the engine off as the only thing you are achieving is wasting fuel and burning a hole in your wallet. False. It could take hours of driving to restore a battery’s full charge. The reason for this could be power accessories such as the air conditioner, which draws a lot of electricity. The best solution is to switch off the AC and drive to a service station where the experts can determine whether the battery can still hold its charge. Don't take it for granted that the battery is okay after a jump-start as the next morning you may again face starting problems. There is absolutely no data to back this claim. This is more of the false sense of security we have in our minds that the dealer from whom you have bought the car will automatically give it the best servicing possible. Just keep one thing in mind that your warranty will remain valid as long as car has gone to an official recognised service centre. We suggest try two-three different service centres so that you will know exactly which one gives your car the best service. Always refer to the owner's manual to know when what specific service is required. Also keep accurate records and receipts so that you can back up claims in case your warranty comes under dispute. False. The level in the brake-fluid reservoir reduces a bit when the brake pads wear out. So don't just blindly top up the brake fluid and think all is fine. Of course if the fluid level drops to or below the Low mark on the reservoir, then you should top up the fluid. But also be aware that spongy brakes can be induced by wearing of brake pads. In either case get the braking system checked immediately. Absolutely false. The figure molded into the sidewall is the tire’s maximum inflation pressure. Instead, follow the inflation pressure recommendations outlined in your car owner’s manual or placard, typically located on the door post or fuel-filler flap. The pounds-per-square-inch (psi) figure on the side of the tyre provides the best balance of braking, handling, fuel mileage, and ride comfort. Perform a monthly pressure check when tyres are cold or after the car has been parked for a couple of weeks. Totally senseless. A capital NO. There is absolutely no need to apply more than one coat of wax to a car. Too much wax can leave the finish with a dull look instead of a clean and shiny one. Not to mention your vehicle will have a greasy, old worn out car look. When you wax a car you have to buff it off with a clean soft cloth. So if you are already taking off the excess wax so please explain to us the logic of adding extra wax coat only to wipe it off the car's body. Replacing or flushing out the coolant has no relation with engine oil change as they both have different life cycles. So don't fall for it if your mechanic tells you that we might as well change the coolant as we are changing the engine oil. Unless it is extremely hot or there is a leak in the tank the coolant should not be flushed out before three years or the recommended time cycle. You can top it up during the coolant's life cycle. However if colour changes to brown replace at once. Not true. Most vehicles run perfectly alright on regular-grade (87 octane) fuel. Using premium in these cars won't hurt, but it won't improve performance, either. A higher-octane number simply means that the fuel is less prone to pre-ignition problems, so it's often specified for hotter running, highcompression engines. So if your car is designed for 87-octane fuel, don't waste money on premium. Courtesy of: carwale.com1. Wax can remove scratches
2. Wash car with detergents
3. Car idling is necessary
4. Jump-start equivalent to full charge battery
5. Dealer's service station is the best
6. Brake fluid solves it all
7. Inflate tire according to side wall
8. Use extra coat of wax
9. Flush out the coolant
10.Higher octane better fuel
Monday, August 20, 2012
It's back to school time! These safety tips for kids and drivers keep the road safe for everyone.
Here are some simple reminders for drivers:
- Slow down and be especially alert in the residential neighborhoods and school zones
- Take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs
- Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully
- Watch for children on and near the road in the morning and after school hours
- Reduce any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings. Put down your phone and don’t talk or text while driving
Reminder for your kids:
- They should cross the street with an adult until they are at least 10 years old
- Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks
- Never run out into the streets or cross in between parked cars
- Make sure they always walk in front of the bus where the driver can see them
Courtesy of: Safe Kids USA
Friday, August 17, 2012
Need to pass time on the open road? Check out these 5 games to make the drive a little easier!!
#1 – I Spy
You’ve probably all played I Spy a long time ago, but I recommend dredging it back up from your long term memory. If you can’t, it starts off like this: “I spy, with my little eye, something beginning with A”, and the other players have to guess what object you can see. I’ve played this in hostels (especially those hostel living rooms that have trinkets from all over the world gathering dust there), on train rides and in planes, but it didn’t work too well in the desert. “I spy … sand.”
How to play: I like to limit each person to three or four guesses. Otherwise they’ll exhaust every item in the room that starts with “B” and you’ll soon run out of objects to use. I also like the jet lag variation – play it in a dark room at night when you can’t sleep because your body’s on some other clock, and see if you can actually remember what’s in the room around you.
#2 – Donna’s Alphabet Game
This is not the official name, but it’s the way I like to remember it after my old school friend Donna got a car load of us playing this on a stop-start motorway in south-west England. It’s simple, as long as you’re traveling on a road with signs (and even better, advertising) and these signs use our alphabet. Don’t try it in the western provinces of China, for example.
How to play: Logically, Donna’s Alphabet Game starts with A. Be the first person to spot the letter “A” in a sign and yell out the word: “A is in motorwAy!” Continue with B and get right through to Z. It sounds easy, but there will be a few tricky letters, and if you’re playing in a non-English speaking country then pronouncing the words will be a lot of fun, too. The way we play, there’s no winner – anybody can scream out the next letter when they see it – but natural competitiveness spurs everybody on anyway.
#3 – Stadt, Land, Fluss: City, Country, River
This game has a German name because my German friends taught it to me – which is also perhaps why it always strikes me as being a bit intellectual, but still a lot of fun. It’s also a highly appropriate game for travelers to play because their geographical knowledge should be a bit better than average.
How to play: Choose three or four categories like the names of a city, country, river or lake. To be honest, I’m terrible with rivers so I always change the river category to something completely different – often food, because I like to talk about food. Take it in turns to challenge another player to think of a city, country and river all starting with a particular letter. If your friend challenges you with “D”, for example, you can win by getting out Dubai, Denmark and Danube in under sixty seconds – or whatever time limit you and your bored mates decide on.
#4 – Twenty Questions
An oldie but a goodie, and you can make it topical by restricting the choice of “What am I?” to be something related to the region in which you’re traveling. I did have a friend, though, who would choose objects like “pyramid” while traveling through Egypt or “chocolate” in Switzerland, and then we could have made it just two questions rather than twenty.
How to play: Someone chooses an object, and everyone else asks them questions about it, but the only permitted answers are “Yes” or “No”. (Or in my rules, “irrelevant”, if I think saying yes or no will send the guessers along a completely wrong path … I like to play fair!). If you’re playing with a group, whoever guesses the item correctly can choose the next word.
#5 – For RTW Trippers: Kalgoorlie, Balladonia …
I think it was my father who started this game when our family took a driving holiday across Australia. We were gone about two months and my sister and I, being about ten and twelve years old, needed a lot of entertaining.
How to play: This game only works with your traveling companions, and only on long trips. It’s more of a challenge than a game, but it always works for me. Simply start with the name of the town you stayed in first. On our trans-Australia trip it was the goldmining town of Kalgoorlie. You then try to name every other town you’ve stayed in, in chronological order. My sister and I were experts at this all those years ago, but today I can only remember the first and second stops.
Courtesy of: Vagabondish
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Issac Mizarahi inspired by the Chevrolet Malibu!
DETROIT – Renowned women’s fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi is creating a limited edition “Malibu Collection” inspired by the all-new 2013 Chevrolet Malibu midsize sedan. The new fashion collection will be revealed later this fall and sold in limited quantities exclusively on LivingSocial’s Shop, LivingSocial’s first foray into physical products featuring themed collections of unique, curated merchandise.
“The new Chevy Malibu has great style and smart design,” said Mizrahi. “With its clean lines, crisp shape, and beautiful ice-blue ambient lighting, the Malibu grabs your attention without being over the top.”
And the Malibu isn’t Mizrahi’s only inspiration. Mizrahi also was influenced by four women who embody the essence of the new Malibu owner – stylish and accomplished – from cities across the country.
“The Malibu says ‘I’m smart and stylish, said Mizrahi. “I love nice things and will indulge for the right thing, but it’s important that I’m deliberate about my purchases.’ I think a lot of women are like that. They want that expensive handbag, but will hold off from eating out every night to save for it. They want to be fashionable, but also savvy about what they buy.”
Courtesy of: Chevrolet News
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