Given the recent string of cataclysmic events across the globe, Chevy’s Super Bowl ad for the Silverado pickup was, at best, insensitive. Events like the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, Hurricane Katrina in the U.S. and last spring’s outbreak of tornadoes in Alabama make end-of-the-world videos not quite as funny as they used to be. Add in the ongoing situation in the Middle East, and the video hits a bit close to home for anyone following world events.

Taste aside, Ford has some big issues with Chevy’s ad. The automaker is disputing the claim that Chevy builds the most dependable, longest lasting trucks on the market. As Automotive News (subscription required) tells us, Ford’s lawyers sent a cease-and-desist letter to GM, requesting that the ad be pulled. When GM refused, Ford made the same request to NBC, with the same result.

GM is standing by its assertion, basing its claim on the number of 1981 – July 2011 full-size pickups registered. Ford, on the other hand, is claiming it has far more full-size trucks on the road today with more than 250,000 miles on the odometer. Who’s right? That’s probably up to the lawyers to fight out now.

This much is clear: GM spent a boatload of money on Super Bowl advertising, and made a serious effort to build up the hype via social media and its “Game Time” app. Ford, on the other hand, didn’t do much. Was that poor planning on Ford’s part or simply more prudent use of stockholder money? We’ll know for sure when the February sales numbers come out.

For years Chevrolet played the small car game, but their cards were often coming up short when vetted against the over-seas competition. This year, Chevrolet introduces the 2012 Sonic.  An all-new small car from the ground up that is poised to compete worldwide.

The all-new 2012 Chevrolet Sonic brings the subcompact segment back home for General Motors in a way that reaches across the pond. The 2012 Chevy Sonic is essentially a replacement for the ill-fated Daewoo-breed Chevy Aveo. Without even driving the Sonic, at first glace, I can say with a certainty that the Sonic will be a much needed improvement.

As a world market competitor, the new Chevy Sonic will have no problems keeping up with the competition. The new Chevy Sonic gets a choice of two fuel-efficient yet peppy 4-cylinder engines. My 2012 Sonic LTZ was equipped with a 1.8-liter 138 horsepower and 125 lb-ft of torque engine, same as found in the base Chevy Cruze. A 1.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine is available on two out of six specific trim levels (1LT, 1LZ) for the Sonic with a late availability. With the 1.8-liter 4-cylinder Ecotec engine mated to a 6-speed automatic, I was able to muster out a solid 33 mpg on the highway and 26 mpg in the city.

For a subcompact vehicle the Chevy Sonic has many trim levels, six total. Quite possibly Chevrolet’s explanation for this is giving consumers plenty of personalization options. Sure, a subcompact hatchback should have a wide array of trim levels and configuration options. The 2012 Chevy Sonic does not disappoint providing a long list of options including my (LTZ) 2LT trim level test vehicle’s heated ‘leatherette’ seats, Bluetooth connectivity w/ streaming audio, remote vehicle start, and front fog lights. This list is not abundant by any means. This is after-all, a subcompact vehicle.

When I think of a subcompact vehicle, I tend to think of something like the Fiat 500 I had a couple weeks ago. The Chevy Sonic is rather large for a subcompact, which is a good thing considering how well I can fit my 6-feet 3-inch frame into the driver’s seat. Interior volume on the Sonic rivals that of a compact vehicle. The rear seating area is also decent for a vehicle classified as “small”. The place where space may be considered somewhat compromised, is in the rear cargo hatch. Over-all, the interior of the Chevy Sonic is comfortable and refined, especially for its class.

At over 2,600 pounds, the new Chevy Sonic may be considered heavy for its class. Surprisingly, that does not upset its drivability. The new Sonic is still nimble enough to throw around corners and with the 1.8-liter engine mated to a competent 6-speed automatic transmission, the Sonic performs considerably well. Some of the Sonic’s performance attributes are due to its well-weighted steering along with its 17-inch wheels and tires.

The all-new Chevy Sonic is gaining momentum in the aftermarket world. Having driven the new Sonic, I can conclude that it has an excellent foundation to build off of. This may be a special note to the 1.4-liter turbocharged engine option for the Sonic. Not to mention, the aggressive design of the Sonic will make it easier for aftermarket aesthetics to be pleasing to the eye of a critical enthusiast.

Outside of the new Chevy Sonic is an original design. The front headlights bulging from the front fascia make it one of the better looking Chevy designs. Even the larger front fog lights add a sporty style to the Sonic’s over-all appeal. The sheet metal lines across the hood and down the side blend well making the Sonic look sleek and daring. The rear end is probably my only quarrel with the Sonic’s design. It is almost as if Chevy needed to make a compact car into a subcompact so they just cut off the rear hatch area.

The new Chevy Sonic’s interior is familiar especially after having driven the Chevy Cruze just weeks ago. Where the Sonic changes things up is in the gauge cluster. The new cluster has a large rpm gauge with a digital LCD screen including the speedo and readouts for other pertinent vehicle information. The cluster is rather simplistic but works well to give the Sonic a performance perception.

Over-all the all-new Chevy Sonic manages to exile those preconceived notions that Chevrolet’s subcompact cars are cheap. The Aveo, on the other hand, was a vehicle that may have helped tarnish a growing brand. Now that General Motors has taken the crown for the #1 seller in the world, vehicles like the Chevy Sonic will do wonders to keep them on top when it comes to fun, economical and cute small cars.

The new 2012 Chevrolet Sonic 5-door hatchback has a starting price of only $14,635 for the base model while my Sonic LTZ test vehicle came with an as-tested price of $19,255.

Copyright: 2012 AutomotiveAddicts.com

SPECIFICATIONS

• Price: Base Sonic LS Hatchback  $14,635 As-Tested Sonic LTZ Hatchback $19,255
• Engine: 1.8-liter 4-cylinder Ecotec 16-valve 138 horsepower @ 6300 rpm / 125 ft-lbs. torque @ 3800 rpm
• Wheelbase: 99.4in.
• Total length: 159.0in.
• Total width: 68.3in.
• Total height: 59.7in.
• Fuel tank: 12.2 gallons
• Headroom: f/r-38.7/38.1in.
• Shoulder room: f/r-53.4/53.0in.
• Curb weight: 2,684 lbs. (6-speed automatic)
• 0-60mph: 9.0 seconds
• EPA mileage: 25mpg/city, 35mpg/highway (automatic transmission)

Chevrolet is getting into the Superbowl commercial action by continuing their “Chevy Runs Deep” campaign. The Superbowl XLVI commercial, officially released yesterday, is rather clever and came about from a Chevrolet Route 66 film submission by 26-year old Long Island resident Zach Borst. The Chevy Superbowl commercial will air gameday and is shown in its full glory below for your enjoyment. I must say, it is excellent! Enjoy.

The new 2012 Chevrolet Cruze Eco combines the best of both worlds in a time when economic conditions aren’t so great and gas prices continue to hover above $3 a gallon. The new 2012 Cruze Eco exemplifies a good-looking economical package and viable alternative to paying a premium for a hybrid vehicle.

Enthusiasts will give much due respect to the new 2012 Chevrolet Cruze Eco for a few reasons. For one, it is not a hybrid, it does not cost as much as a hybrid, and it does not look anything remotely like the stereotypical compact-sized hybrid. Lastly, the new 2012 Chevy Cruze Eco still manages to muster out upwards of 42 miles to the gallon while remaining spritely for a small compact car.

There are a few areas that the new Chevy Cruze Eco differentiates itself from other trim levels of the Cruze. The Cruze Eco 6-speed manual weighs about 100 less due to its smaller 12.6 gallon fuel tank, about 3 gallons smaller than other trim levels, and light-weight forged 17-inch wheels. Other attributes that make the Cruze Eco hit its 42 mpg mark are low rolling resistance tires and a unique front “active” air passage that closes up at cruising speeds to reduce drag.

Standard on Cruze Eco models is a 6-speed manual transmission helping the Cruze Eco achieve its astonishing fuel economy. Our 2012 Cruze was equipped with the optional 6-speed automatic found in other Cruze trim levels. Opting for the automatic transmission in the Eco model forces Chevrolet to equip it with the larger gas tank. This adds extra weight and brings fuel economy levels down to a respective 26 mpg city and 39 mpg highway. With the standard 6-speed manual, the Cruze Eco gets an estimated 28 mpg city and 42 mpg highway.  Even with the automatic transmission, the new Cruze Eco still manages get slightly better highway fuel consumption than the 37 mpg highway figure in other Cruze trim levels.

Trim levels for the new 2012 Chevrolet Cruze start with the LS featuring a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 138-horsepower and 123-ft lbs. of torque. All other Cruze trims, LT1, ECO, LT2, and LTZ, use a 1.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine producing 138-horsepower and 148 ft-lbs. of torque. The added torque in the turbocharged engine makes a difference especially when you are jumping out in traffic or attempting to overtake vehicles at highway speeds. The new turbocharged Cruze has a wide band of usable power for compact car. You may not win any drag races in the new Cruze, but you surely can keep up with fast-lane traffic. 0-60 mph times in the new 1.4-liter turbocharged Cruze average around 9.3 seconds.

My 2012 Chevrolet Cruze Eco model was equipped with the optional 6-speed automatic transmission. This transmission tries its best to get every bit of usable power out of the small turbocharged 1.4-liter engine. Although, demanding extra power requires an extra effort of nearly flooring the gas pedal. The transmission tends not to respond to light or medium inputs for up-shifts. Luckily, the transmission does allow you to manually shift the gears. On the downside, manual mode fails to hold a gear if you apply too much gas, it will automatically up-shift as if you are in a normal automatic mode.

Ride quality from the new Cruze Eco among the best in the compact vehicle segment. The suspension is tuned just right for a vehicle of this class. The Eco model actually rides about .4-inches lower than other Cruze trims aside from the sport-tuned suspension-equipped Cruse LTZ model. The lower ride hight, in conjunction with the “active” front fascia, helps reduce drag and lets the Cruze Eco virtually slice through the air for better fuel consumption.

Drivability of the new Cruze Eco is just as good as any other compact on the market if not better than some. Steering feel is very light from the electric steering rack giving me a false sense of road feedback. Cornering and handling abilities of the new Cruze Eco are surprisingly well. The 215/55 17-inch low-rolling resistance tires tend to howl at the least bit of lateral g-forces. Cornering abilities are surely compromised by Chevrolet’s choice of low-rolling resistance tires on the Cruze Eco. Although you initially get a sense of good handling abilities from the Cruze’s suspension setup, you would not want to put the Cruze Eco into any sharp turns at speed without ensuring your life insurance premiums are paid up. Fortunately, there is an excellent stability and traction control system to help put things back in line after driving like a hoon.

The cabin of the new 2012 Chevrolet Cruze Eco somewhat surpasses the initial quality perception of other compact cars on the current market. The Cruze Eco opts for a cloth interior instead of offering leather seating surfaces to possibly save weight. Moreover, the dashboard is covered in a tightly knitted fabric. The interior of the new Cruze is one sign of its Opel platform roots. The front seats have a lot of adjustability but are somewhat on the firm side. Rear seating is just enough for two small to averaged sized adults considering they are under 6-feet tall. Legroom is a bit cramped in the rear unless the front seats are adjust fully forward. The 60/40 split folding bench in the rear allows additional cargo space and pass-through to the trunk.

The list of optional equipment on the new Chevrolet Cruze rivals some midsized cars. For the 2012 Cruze Eco model, things are kept somewhat simple but allow you to equip GM’s latest iteration of their touch-LCD-screen GPS navigation system integrating the audio system and some vehicle settings. An icon-based high-resolution color LCD touch-screen proves to be very user-friendly. The only qualm with the system is how cumbersome it is to input information. Dashboard controls are clearly marked but the positioning of the air conditioner temp and fan speed control dials are in the way of front occupants’ leg closest to the center stack. I found my right leg nudging the temperature control to the cold position consistently every time I drove the new Cruze. Quite possibly by positioning these controls a few inches higher it would resolve this issue.

There is no doubt that the new 2012 Chevrolet Cruze Eco has its fair share of competition. Where the new Chevy Cruze Eco model shines is its ability to get near hybrid mpg figures costing thousands less than the price tag of a new hybrid. The way to go would be a new Cruze Eco with the 6-speed manual giving the driver up to 42 mpg and decent performance out of a low-priced stylish compact car. The new 2012 Chevrolet Cruze Eco starts at $19,245 while my Cruze Eco test vehicle with automatic transmission and navigation system is nicely priced at $22,530.

Copyright: 2012 AutomotiveAddicts.com

SPECIFICATIONS

• Price: Base Cruze $16,525 As-Tested Cruze Eco $22,530
• Wheelbase: 105.7in.
• Total length: 181in.
• Total width: 70.7in.
• Total height: 58.1in.
• Fuel tank: 15.6 gallons
• Headroom: f/r-39.3/37.9in.
• Shoulder room: f/r-54.8/53.9in.
• Curb weight: 3,009lbs. (6-speed manual)
• 0-60mph: 9.3 seconds
• EPA mileage: 26mpg/city, 39mpg/highway (automatic transmission) 28mpg/city, 42mpg/highway (6-speed manual transmission)

It’s hard to imagine that a car company, let alone series of brands, has lasted upwards of 100 years. With hard times hitting the industries in the 1920’s, to the most recent hardship that America has faced, it is good to know that General Motors’ Chevrolet brand has been one to stick it out for a full 100 years. To celebrate their recent paramount, Chevrolet has released a series of videos titled “The Road We’re On”. These videos bring life stories of Chevrolet owners, communities and dealers to the forefront of reality in America. Truly, these videos are a testament to how deep American history runs and Chevrolet was there to be a part through the ups and downs. Enjoy the 8-part series of videos below!

Episode 1:  Welcome to Bridgeville
Bridgeville is a small town in Pennsylvania steeped in Americana

Episode 2:  The Colussys
Dating back to 1918, the Colussy family owns and operates the oldest Chevy dealership in the United States

Episode 3:  Half Mile of Dirt
24 year old driver Jared Miley carries on the traditions and breaks new ground with his family-run race team

Episode 4:  Steel Roots
Lisa Baer, a 4th generation steel contractor, tells the story of taking over a family business and the importance of keeping businesses local

Episode 5:  History of Bridgeville
The story of how Bridgeville, PA came to be what it is today and what it will be tomorrow

Episode 6:  The Road Ahead
What does the future of mobility hold for a small town in America?

Episode 7:  Sarasnick’s
The story of the Sarasnick’s and how they helped build their family-run business helped build their community. 

Episode 8:  Me & My Chevy
A look at local car clubs and profiles of vintage auto enthusiasts.

Why yes, that is a big-block Corvette... Image: RNickeymouse

Southern California is the center of the collector / exotic car universe, and nowhere is that more evident than the canyons of Mulholland Highway, near Malibu, California. YouTube poster RNickeymouse makes a living by filming motorcycle riders in some of the better corners, then selling them the footage and stills. Occasionally, he captures a few cars worth noting, too, like the ones in the video below.

If you’ve got a keen eye, you’ll spot Jay Leno (twice, in fact), and the list of cars captured is pretty impressive. There’s a Ferrari 599 GTO, a McLaren MP4-12C, a prototype Audi eTron Spyder, a few Ariel Atoms, a Caterham 7, a Bugatti Type 57 SC and even what looks to be an original Shelby Cobra. If idiots crossing double-yellow lines mid-corner raise your blood pressure, there’s some sweet justice in the middle of the video, too.

The Corvette ZR1 is the fastest car that GM has ever produced, and it’s the closest thing to a supercar that’s still being built by a major American manufacturer. Stuffed full of 6.2-liter, supercharged LS9 V-8, the uber Corvette makes some 638 horsepower and 604 pound-feet of torque. Given enough room (and the right conditions), Chevy says the car is capable of a 205 mile per hour top speed.

The ZR1’s top speed is exactly what Matt Farah and The Smoking Tire set out to test at the Mojave Mile in the high California desert. Using a press fleet ZR1 Corvette (which we’ll never see here in the Southeast), Matt set a goal of 180 miles per hour in the standing mile, but failed to take a few things into consideration. The track’s altitude of 2,700 feet, for example, reduced the ZR1’s output from 638 horsepower to roughly 577 horsepower.

Did he make it? You’ll have to watch the video to find out, but let’s be clear about one thing: Matt either has huevos mas grande or a clear lack of sanity for pushing the double-ton in a press fleet car. Those of us who drive them (occasionally on the race track) know they aren’t exactly maintained the same way we’d look after a top-speed-run-car. Having a tire plug let go at 150 miles per hour, for example, would be an, um, unpleasant experience.

Turn on the news these days, and it seems like every media outlet is alerting you to the dangers of the Chevy Volt extended range EV. If you believe the far right, the Volt is a ticking time bomb, waiting to spontaneously combust in the garages of unsuspecting owners. It’s also part of a secret coverup, since GM (allegedly) conspired with the NHTSA to delay notification of the Volt’s fire danger.

We’re well versed with the Chevrolet Volt, and Harvey, Malcolm and myself all have extensive seat time behind the wheel of the series hybrid. To put it bluntly, the risk of fire under normal circumstances is so small that we’d consider it insignificant, and all of us have parked Volts in our driveway or garage without undue concern. If you think there’s a fire risk, remember this: you’re probably driving a car that’s filled with highly flammable gasoline, which you park in your garage each and every night. Are you worried about this fire risk?

As Left Lane News and Fox News point out, the likely source of the fires in post-crash-tested Volts is battery coolant. In liquid form the coolant isn’t flammable in any way; dried, however, a component of the battery coolant (likely a salt) will conduct electricity and can potentially cause a short in circuit boards.

Part of the NHTSA crash test procedure involves rotating a car 90 degrees following the side impact testing. In gas-powered cars, this is done to check for fuel system leaks; as it happens, the side impact test caused a battery coolant leak in the Volt. While no short-circuits were caused by the liquid coolant, the dried coolant is thought to be the cause behind the fires in crash-tested Volts, which occurred weeks after testing.

GM is in the process of designing a solution, which may involve changing the coolant, reinforcing the battery pack, encapsulating the affected circuit boards or a combination of all three. In the mean time, our advice is this: don’t buy into the hysteria.