VIDEO: Chevy Volt's Chief Engineer Takes First Pre-Production Model for a Spin

Even though General Motors is in the midst of bankruptcy protection, the firm's engineers and technicians have somehow managed to stay ahead in the development of the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid - or at least that's what they support. On Wednesday, the automaker completed the build of the first pre-production Volt more than a week ahead of schedule. Up until now, the development team was working with prototype mules utilizing the body of the Chevy Cruze and the hybrid drivetrain of the Volt.

The model's chief engineer, Andrew Farah, took the first pre-production Volt for a quick spin and while he was at it, GM also recorded the test drive on film. According to Farah, only a few Volts are being produced per week now but the company will soon ramp up production to create a fleet of around 80 pre-production vehicles by October.

"Most of these vehicles will be used for testing and validating the production intent design as well as developing the final vehicle software and controls - we'll also use them to tune the vehicle's overall driving experience," said Farah. "Some of these Volts will have very short lives as they'll be used in safety and structural integrity testing."

2010 Chevy Camaro KITTed with Knight Rider LEDs

Ever since the new Camaro hit the streets, we knew that someone was bound to make a link between GM's pony car and KITT. That someone happens to be member 'Spaceballone' of the Camaro5 forums and what he did is to modify and install an LED light scanner in that little mail-slot air intake on the hood above the Chevy bowtie badge.

The UK-based company that sells the KITT LED scanner for about $160 claims that the system comes with three settings that that mimic the light patterns on the original 1980's Knight Rider 2000 car and on the Shelby GT500KR in the shortly lived Knight Rider 2008 TV series.

We're not so sure if it's legal in most places to use the LEDs while driving, so if you're thinking about installing the system, better ask before you get into any trouble.

Source: Camaro5, Via: Insideline, Link: Knightlight LEDs

VIDEO: 2010 Corvette Grand Sport Walkaround and Talkaround

Last week, GM took the wraps off the new 2010 Corvette Grand Sport model in front of a crowd of 'Vette owners and devotees. The folks over from Corvetteblogger participated at the event and shot a couple of live videos of the Grand Sport that you can check out after the jump. Available in both Coupe and Convertible forms, the new Grand Sport model pays homage to the 1963 racing model. Among other features, it comes with wider fenders that house chunkier alloy wheels and a race-spec suspension with revised shock, stabilizer bar and spring specifications.

Via: Corvetteblogger

VIDEO: CNN takes Chevy Volt Prototype for a Spin

General Motors has began inviting selected media outlets such as CNN and Wall Street Journal to test drive Chevrolet Volt "test mules" at the automaker's proving grounds in Milford, Michigan. And by test mules we mean prototype models that combine the Volt's mechanical underpinnings with the body shell of the new Chevy Cruze. While there's not much one can comprehend from driving an early prototype, nevertheless, it's interesting to see the medias' first impressions on GM's gasoline-hybrid model that is slated to enter production in 2011.

Source: CNN , Via: Autoblog.com

First Recorded 2010 Chevy Camaro Crash?

With mainstream sportscars like the new 2010 Chevy Camaro, the first recorded mishap is usually the one that draws the most attention upon it. This relatively 'light' crash happened on March 20th, 2009 on Dundee Road in North Oakville, Ontario and from what we know, no one was injured. Hit the jump to see the shots through the Youtube video.

Via: Jalopnik , Source: Krisztina Neglia

Videos of Ferrari Enzo, Lamborghini Gallardo & Corvette Z06 going Top Speed on French Highway

There's something about speed and high-end supercars that is dangerously exhilarating for all us petrol heads. It goes without saying that you should never try this at 'home' aka on a public roads, as the following videos were shot on closed sections of French highways with professionals behind the steering wheel. From what we could tell by watching the videos and comparing dashboard close-ups, the Ferrari Enzo managed to reach a top speed of close to 370 km/h or 230mph, the Corvette Z06 HUD showed 334 km/h or 208mph while the Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera topped out just below 340km/h or 211mph.

FERRARI ENZO - 370KM/H or 230MPH




LAMBORGHINI GALLARDO SUPERLEGGERA - 340KM/H or 211MPH





CORVETTE Z06 334KM/H or 208MPH

Video: 2009 Corvette Competition Sport Lapping the Sebring Racetrack

GM took advantage of last weekend's 12 Hours of Sebring endurance race in Florida to show off its 2009 Corvette Competition Sport models. Among those that attended the event was Keith Cornett of Corvette Blogger that had the opportunity to enjoy a fast lap of the Sebring racetrack in the special edition Vette from the passenger's seat. The Competition Sport package includes several upgrades including the Z51 performance packgage, NPP perfomance exhaust system, a differential cooler and the "necessary" racing stripes. Hit the jump to watch the video.

Via: Corvetteblogger

Muscle Car V8 Sound Comparo: New Camaro SS vs Challenger R/T vs Mustang GT

Masculine looks aside, one of the main traits of any authentic pony car is the sound of its V8 engine. With this in mind, Edmund's Insideline created a short video with the audio tracks of the new 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS, 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T and 2010 Ford Mustang GT. For the record, it seems that the Mustang was filmed on a different location than the other two cars, something that could have affected the sound quality. Either way, judging by this video, we'd give first place to the Stang because its V8 churns out a more consistent and less chainsaw-like sound with our second vote going to the Chevy. Check out the video after the jump cast your vote.

Via: Insideline

GM Releases "How Great the new Camaro is" Videos

Just as the 2010 Camaro begins to arrive at U.S. showrooms, the General released four new videos of its resurrected pony car that include media reactions from the presentation and a chat with the firm's Global Vehicle Line Executive, Gene Stephanyshyn, and President of Global Design, Ed Wleburn. For the record, all films were produced/edited by/for GM so don't be surprised that even the video with the automotive journalists' reactions, is about how stunningly good and flawless the new Camaro is...

Exclusive footage from Transformers 2 with all Chevy Autobots, Including Corvette and Volt

Since General Motors is investing heavily on the upcoming Transformers 2 movie, 'Revenge of the Fallen' with five Chevrolet-based characters taking roles as Autobots, it doesn't surprise us at all that the automaker managed to secure exclusive footage of the film edited by director Michael Bay. The video that follows contains scenes with all five Chevy-bots, including SIDESWIPE (Corvette Stingray concept), SKIDS and MUDFLAP (based on Chevy's Beat and Trax concepts), JOLT (Volt) and of course, BUMBLEBEE (Camaro SS).

Video and Live Photos of Transformers 2 Film Corvette Stingray Concept

Earlier today at the grand opening of the Chicago Auto Show, General Motors lifted the veil on its latest concept car, the Corvette Stingray that will play the role of 'SIDESWIPE' in the second iteration of the Transformer saga, called "Revenge of the Fallen". Unfortunately for Corvette fans, GM has no intention of building a production version of the concept, which is a pity as with the exception of the 'Batmobile-ish' rear-end, we found the Stingray's design quite sexy. Click through to see live photos of the Vette from the show as well as a video of the concept with GM Design Vice President, 'soft-talking' Ed-Welburn.

Video: 2010 Chevrolet Spark Walk Around

Dave Lyon, director of GM Design, walks us around the all-new Chevrolet Spark minicar that makes its world premiere at the Geneva Auto show in March 2009. When the Spark hits European showrooms later this year replacing the Matiz in Chevy's range, it will be offered with 1.0-liter and 1.2-liter petrol engines. Sales in the U.S. and other major markets will follow in 2011. Click here for more photos and details or hit the jump to watch the video.

Video: Chevrolet Cruze Sedan live from Paris

GM gave Europe its first look of the all-new Chevy Cruze at the Paris motorshow and from what we hear the reaction has been positive. The compact sedan which is roughly the same size as the facelifted Skoda Octavia will arrive in European showrooms next spring with a range of three powerplants, two gasoline engines (1.6 and 1.8-liter) and a 2.0-liter diesel unit. U.S. buyers won't see the Cruze before mid-2010. If you'd like to check out our high-res gallery of Chevy's new global compact sedan click here or else follow the jump to watch the video. -Continued

Chevrolet Volt: Live Photos and Video Footage from the Detroit Presentation

It has been approximately 7 hours and 21 minutes since we last posted something about the production version of GM’s all-electric hybrid Chevrolet Volt and we’re already starting to feel all anxious and giddy… But seriously now, we not so sure if all this attention is in the advantage of the Volt as Chevy’s all-electric hybrid won’t hit the market before the end of 2010, and that’s in more than two years time from now.

There’s no point of repeating ourselves so unless you missed out on our previous posts that included a high-resolution image gallery, the initial specs and the first official videos with static and driving shots, just hit the jump to see a set of live photos and video footage from the Volt's official presentation at the GM Centennial event that took place at the company’s Detroit headquarters. -Continued

2011 Chevrolet Volt: First Video Footage in Real World, Includes Driving Scenes

As promised, we’re constantly updating our story on the freshly revealed Chevrolet Volt. Following our previous post that included initial details and specs as well as a high-resolution image gallery, we now bring exclusive video footage of the all-electric Volt in the real world. And just so you can get an idea of what the Volt is all about, according to GM’s preliminary specs, the 177-in / 4.404 mm long sedan is equipped with an electric drive unit that delivers the equivalent of 150HP and 273 lb-ft. (370 Nm) of instant torque, offering a top speed of 100mph or 160km/h. –Videos after the jump

The Volt uses electricity to move at all times and speeds. For trips up to 40 miles or 64 km, it is powered only by electricity stored in its 16-kWh, lithium-ion battery pack. When you’re on the move and the battery's energy is depleted, a gasoline/E85-powered engine (GM hasn’t given out any specific details yet) kicks in providing electricity to power the electric drive unit and to simultaneously charge the battery.

The driver can also charge the Volt’s batteries by plugging it into a standard household 120v (8 hours) outlet or use 240v (3 hours). GM estimates that the cost for charging the batteries is about 80 cents (10 cents per kWh) for a full charge that will allow the driver to use the car for up to 40 miles.

Video I: Chevrolet Volt Driving and Exterior Shots



Video II: Chevrolet Volt Interior Shots

Live Video Stream from GM’s Detroit Headquarters - Volt Presentation and More

In celebration of its 100th anniversary today (September 16th, 2008), GM is hosting a live broadcast from its global headquarters at the Renaissance Center in Detroit and four additional locations. It is expected that among other things, General Motors will take the wraps off the production version of the all-electric Chevrolet Volt so bookmark this page and stay tuned to enjoy the live video stream that starts on 8:30 a.m. EDT. -Continued

Video: 2010 Camaro SS Fooling Around with Corvette ZR1!

So we’ve seen a whole bunch of official images of the 2010 Camaro SS. But how about a video of the range-topping Camaro that gets a 422 HP 6.2-liter V8 engine? Well the good news is that someone leaked (with or without GM’s consent - you can never be sure about these things), raw footage from what appears to be an official promotional film of the Camaro SS playing around with the Corvette ZR1 on the race track. The bad news is that the film is unpolished so some parts are missing sound while others have been abruptly cut. -Video after the jump

Via: Autofiends

Video: 2010 Chevy Volt & Corvette Concept at Transformers 2 Movie Set

We finally managed to find the amateur video from the ‘Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen’ movie set that we told you about in our previous post. The video shows what appears to be the production version (or pretty damn close to production) of the 2010 Chevrolet Volt along with shots of the Bumblebee Chevrolet Camaro, the Chevrolet Beat, the Chevrolet Corvette Centennial Design Concept and some other Chevys during the filming of a scene for the new TransChevys, err we mean Transformers 2 movie. Watch the video after the jump. -Continued