Tuesday, January 15, 2013

2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Ready to Strike



The name is legendary. And the car doesn't look half bad, either.

Chevrolet has unveiled the 2014 Corvette Stingray, resurrecting a model designation last used in 1976.

The seventh generation of the front-engine coupe retains the Corvette's familiar two-door hatchback shape, but with an all-new aluminum chassis and and dramatically designed bodywork made of composites and carbon fiber reinforced plastic. Vents in the hood and fenders allow air to pass through the body to reduce aerodynamic lift, while a combination of polygonal taillights and rear quarter windows are a new look for the car. Although not yet available as a convertible, a removable roof panel is standard.

Under the hood is Chevy's latest 6.2-liter small block V8 featuring direct injection and variable valve timing that make it the most powerful base engine ever offered in a Corvette. With at least 450 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque, Chevrolet promises a zero to 60 time of under four seconds.

Cylinder deactivation technology that allows the engine to operate as a V4 under light loads, and a seven-speed manual transmission should also improve fuel economy beyond the current Corvette's 26 mpg highway. The gearbox is fitted with a clever rev-matching feature that automatically blips the throttle during during gear changes for smoother shifts, and a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters will be optional.

Special attention was paid to the interior, long the Corvette's major shortcoming. The new one is trimmed in upgraded materials, including Napa leather, aluminum, and carbon fiber, and is fitted with configurable 8-inch displays in both the instrument cluster and center console. Two different seat designs are on offer, one for comfort and one for the track, both heavily bolstered and constructed on lightweight magnesium frames.

In an effort to make the Corvette an all-purpose sports car, it has a selector with five settings for wet weather, eco, tour, sport, and track that modify throttle response, stability control, steering and a host of other systems to better fit conditions or the driver's needs.

The Corvette retains its unique transverse composite spring suspension design, and a special Z51 performance package is available with or without GM's renowned Magnetic Ride Control active damper system. The track-focused package also comes with modified aerodynamics, bigger brakes with improved cooling, differential and transmission coolers, an electronic limited slip differential and a dry sump oiling system engineered to keep up with the 1G cornering loads the car is said to be capable of.

Pricing for the new Corvette has not been announced, but it is set to go on sale in the third quarter of 2013.

Courtesy of Fox News

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

GM Encourages Developers To Create Apps For Chevy Cars


GM's Chevy cars will be able to function with your smartphone apps to help you stay connected while driving in 2013.

The car maker announced at International CES the launch of the Flexible App Framework. The framework will allow developers to access a new set of vehicle application programming interfaces, or APIs, and build on the infotainment systems in GM vehicles. Consumers will see the framework on GM cars later in 2013.

Scott Fosgard, infotainment communications manager for GM, told Mashable that customers these days have smartphones, so there isn't much use for "a lot of processor speed and a fancy head unit." 

"We showed, in a Chevy Spark and also a Chevy Sonic, a way that we can get connectivity at a very cheap price," he said adding that since most customers have smartphones, "why not take the smarts in the phone and amplify it into the head unit?"

Several Chevy-approved apps are already making their way into the most affordable Chevy car: the Spark. And unlike apps such as Spotify or Pandora, there is no paid model — the apps are free. 

With the API, GM is hoping to use that same idea with other car-related apps, Fosgard said.
In the future, those at Chevy hope the Flexible App Framework will allow drivers to add their own app selections for use in the car. 

"Going forward, you're going to be able to load the apps that you like, the apps you feel are relevant, into your car," he said. "And it won't be limited." 

One example of what we may see, Fosgard added, is an app that could tell you when to pull over to fill up your tank. An app connected to your car that knows your location could offer personalized advice; it could tell you when to pull over to get gas based on how much is in your tank, and how much further you have to drive to reach your destination.

"All of this would be enabled so you never touch the phone while you're driving," he said, adding that safety would be key in order for the company to move forward with this app.
What apps, if any, would you use in your car? Tell us in the comments below.

Courtesy of Mashable.com