The Volt simply plugs into a household-type electrical outlet for charging and, if the owner’s daily commute is less than 40 miles roundtrip, the car operates as a pure electric vehicle. In this regard, the vehicle could go weeks or longer without using any gasoline from the internal combustion engine.
Another thing the Volt has going for it is good looks. It’s a sporty, aggressively styled sedan that wears distinctly Chevrolet design cues. And while it is still just a concept, GM is reportedly working with suppliers to perfect the battery technology to make a production version a reality, perhaps as early as the end of the decade.
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Malibu
No longer an also-ran in the shadow of the Impala, the all-new 2008 Malibu grows literally and figuratively to become Chevy’s prominent sedan offering. Although it is still based on the same basic platform as the outgoing model, the ’08 Malibu’s wheelbase is stretched six inches. This creates dramatic, new proportions that incorporate the car’s new look.
The ’08 Malibu has a contemporary, more refined appearance that looks at home among popular European and Asian imports. We particularly like the bold front-end styling, which incorporates chrome trim in the grille borders and jewel-look headlamps. It’s a decidedly more upscale look that the outgoing model. The interior, too, is equally refined; with rich looking two-tone trim combinations, including a unique dark red (Chevy calls the color “brick”) over block combo.
The powertrain options include four- and six-cylinder engines, with six-speed automatics. In fact, up level four-cylinder models also receive a six-speed, which is a first for the segment.
We’re told the new Malibu goes on sale later this year. It looks to have the goods to challenge the best of the imports, too.
Equinox Sport
A high-performance version of Chevy’s popular SUV, the Equinox Sport has an aggressive look that is backed up by a stout powertrain: a 3.6-liter DOHC V-6 with variable valve timing that delivers 263 horsepower and is teamed with a six-speed automatic transmission. The trans also offers manual “tap up/tap down” control.
On the outside, the Equinox Sport has body-color fascias, bright exhaust outlets and large, 18-inch wheels. It also has a lowered suspension that helps this SUV corner more like a car and less like, well, an SUV.
Chevy says the Equinox Sport goes on sale in the third quarter of this year.
HHR Premiere Edition
The latest in series of new models and limited-production editions, such as the new HHR Panel production models and last fall’s limited-run special edition, the HHR Premiere Edition is offered in a unique Cappuccino Frost Metallic exterior color with black chrome accents. The production run will be only 4,000 units.
The HHR Premiere Edition is based on the 2LT production model, which features the larger 2.4-liter engine and sport suspension package. In addition to the unique paint and black chrome trim, the Premiere Edition also has smoked headlamp lenses, a rear spoiler, color-keyed running boards and a black/gray two-tone interior color combination.
Production of this limited-run HHR begins in the first quarter of this year. All in all, the Bow-Tie Brigade is definitely picking up the level of performance, and all us Chevy fans will be loving it.