WILL THE GENERAL SURGE IN 2009?
This article is from our archives and has not been updated and integrated with our "new" site yet... Even so, it's still awesome - so keep reading!
Published on Wed, Nov 5, 2008
By: The LACar Editorial Staff
WILL THE GENERAL SURGE IN
2009?
The location of the event is the Bob Bondurant School of High-Performance
Driving. A legendary racecar driver, Bob opened his school in California in 1968
and moved the operation to Phoenix in 1990. At the age of 75, Bob continues to
teach on a regular basis as well as racing in various events across the country.
Bob is moving at a more conservative speed today, observing the event and
supervising school operations from a Segway.
Rather than taking the cars on the track, we have been given two pre-planned
routes to pick from that take us off the property and on to the streets and
freeways around Phoenix. While neither route is particularly lengthy, each is
designed to give participants a good idea of how the various vehicles perform
under everyday driving conditions.
Clearly, GM's current focus is to offer consumers a wide variety of fuel
efficient vehicles. For 2009, GM offers eight hybrid models and a total of 18
models with 30 mpg or better highway which, according to GM, is more than any
other automaker. There are even a number of flex-fuel models that run on less
expensive E85 ethanol.
All eyes seem to be on a car we can't even drive today - a preliminary
production model of the 2011 Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle. Plug it in to the
wall using a common household electrical plug and charge the battery to give you
up to 40 miles of gas-free and emissions-free driving. Beyond 40 miles, onboard
power sources using gas (or E85 ethanol) will charge the battery as you drive.
Another new vehicle featured at today's event is the Chevrolet Traverse, a
spacious eight-passenger crossover with the ability to tow up to 5,200 pounds.
The interior is attractive and comfortable and, needless to say, it offers the
practicality of a crossover. Even more impressive is that the two-wheel drive
model has an EPA-estimated highway mileage of 24 mpg.
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are on the horizon and, while we may not see one in
our driveway for a few years, some lucky drivers already have them as part of a
program called Project Driveway. More than 100 hydrogen-powered electric
vehicles have been placed in key markets in the U.S. and around the world.
Virgin Atlantic Airways is using Chevrolet Equinox fuel cell vehicles as
complimentary ground transfer service for Upper Class passengers landing at LAX.
But fuel efficiency isn't Chevrolet's only priority. New models, even at the
lower end of the price range, will have features and options that represent
quality to and value to car buyers. Eight new GM vehicles are available with USB
connectivity, allowing drivers and their passengers to enjoy their favorite
music from iPods, memory sticks, and other portable media drives. Just plug in
and listen through the vehicle's sound system.
Among my favorite cars at today's event are the Saturn Sky, a sporty little
two-seater that may make you forget you're driving a Saturn. Combine sporty and
classy, and you have the 2009 Cadillac XLR Platinum, a two-seat luxury roadster
with a power-retractable hardtop and a 320-hp V8 engine. A sweet ride that you
may want to consider if you're budgeting $90,000 for your next car.
For more information on GM products: www.gm.comÂ