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We’re already familiar with the Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system that’s slowly making its way across the brand’s entire portfolio, but today, we were able to get our first look at the next big feature being added to General Motors‘ Bowtie tech. First available on the 2013 Chevrolet Spark and Sonic, GogoLink is a smartphone-based app that works with the car’s touch-screen display to provide a fully functional navigation feature to the MyLink system.

We spent some time with Sara LeBlanc, GM’s program manager for global infotainment systems, who showed us exactly how the GogoLink app works. When your smartphone is tethered to the car, the app can be launched from the MyLink interface and works just like any other high-quality navigation system. GogoLink includes things like points of interest, 3D mapping, emergency information (police, fire, etc.), local search via Google and live traffic details. Disconnect your phone from the car, and your maps and routes are available right on your phone. (Note: Even though that last part doesn’t show up in the video, trust us, it works.)

Pricing for the GogoLink app has not been announced as of this writing, and will be confirmed closer to the system’s on-sale date this fall. The 2013 Spark will go on sale before the GogoLink app is available, so the first round of Sparks will require a simple MyLink upgrade that can be installed for free at Chevy dealers.

Now, take a closer look at the MyLink head unit in the video below – there’s no CD player. LeBlanc provided this explanation for us:

We talked to our Sonic and Spark customers and we asked them about the features they were looking for. They wanted connectivity. They said, “We have all that music on our smartphone, can’t you just find a way to transfer it? We don’t want CDs. We don’t use that.”

Of course, LeBlanc assures us that this is only for the Sonic and Spark MyLink system right now. The rest of the Chevrolet products will continue to be offered with CD players.

The MyLink system with GogoLink arrives this fall, and pricing has yet to be announced as of this writing. Follow the jump for a tour of the new system, as well as the official release from GM.

Continue reading Chevy adding navigation to Sonic, Spark with GogoLink smartphone app

Chevy adding navigation to Sonic, Spark with GogoLink smartphone app

Not to be outdone today by Ford’s debut of a twin-turbo Explorer Sport model, Chevrolet has taken the wraps off its redesigned 2013 Traverse.

The big news is all up front, where the 2013 Traverse features what Chevy is calling the new face of its crossover utility vehicles. It includes a three-bar upper and two-bar lower grille design, as well as a “powerdome” hood, though no changes have been made to the direct-injected 3.6-liter V6 underneath. Though everything was redesigned ahead of the A-pillars, the rest of the body was left alone until you reach the D-pillars. Aft of those you’ll find a redesigned rear end with new taillights and liftgate and a relocated license plate pocket.

Chevy has tinkered with the interior too, but not much. The Traverse’s biggest selling point has always been its voluminous interior passenger and cargo space, and that hasn’t changed. The most noteworthy addition inside is that of MyLink, GM’s branded infotainment system that supports Bluetooth voice and audio, as well as apps like Pandora and Stitcher.

Minor suspension adjustments round out the rather short list of changes for this mid-cycle refresh. The segment’s current leader is the aforementioned Explorer, which sold around 135,000 units last year. The Traverse wasn’t too far behind with sales surpassing 107,000 units. Our guess is that these 2013 model year changes probably aren’t enough to unseat the Explorer, but should be enough to keep the Traverse selling well in this quickly growing segment.

Continue reading 2013 Chevy Traverse debuts with new face, minor tweaks

2013 Chevy Traverse debuts with new face, minor tweaks

Are you the parent of a teenager who hasn’t found enough reason to hate your ever-loving guts? Well then OnStar has a new product for you. Dubbed Family Link, the new service will tell you exactly where your OnStar-equipped vehicle is at any time. It will even send you emails or text messages at particular times of day with a location update. It’s OnStar’s first separately priced feature from its main suite of services, and at $3.99/month is an inexpensive way to invade the privacy of your loved ones while they’re driving the car you pay for.

At least, that’s how we imagine 16-year-old Tiffany will feel when she finds out her dad is paying the Eye of Sauron to keep its gaze fixed on her little Chevy Sonic.

OnStar, of course, paints a much more flattering picture of the service’s purpose. In their own words, it allows “subscribers to stay connected to their loved ones when driving an OnStar-equipped vehicle.” In fact, 4,500 subscribers have already tested the service in a pilot program ahead of its limited roll out next month. Family Link will be available to all OnStar subscribers in the U.S. by the end of the year.

Truth be told, we’re old enough now to look past Family Link’s inherent issues with privacy and see its value as a peace-of-mind bringer to parents and spouses alike. Knowing a loved one arrived safely or is where they’re supposed to be is worth having Tiffany hate your guts a little extra. She’ll understand one day, and until then: my house, my car, my rules. See the video and the press release below.

Continue reading OnStar to offer vehicle tracking service for extra $3.99/month [w/video]

OnStar to offer vehicle tracking service for extra $3.99/month [w/video]

BMW 3 Series fuel economy, Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 production delays, Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ

Episode #275 of the Autoblog Podcast is here, and this week, Chris, Zach, and Dan cover the BMW 3 Series EPA fuel economy numbers game, GM holding the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 to sort out an un-disclosed issue, and the recent pricing and road test information about the Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ. Your questions and comments power the end of the ‘cast, and for those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. We’ve embedded our Q&A module after the jump for you to scroll through and follow along, too. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #275:

• BMW forced to lower 3 Series fuel economy rating
• Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 production delays
• Scion FR-S / Subaru BRZ

In the Autoblog Garage
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Summit
2012 Fiat 500C
2012 Mini Cooper Countryman S

Hosts: Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Zach Bowman

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Autoblog Podcast #275

It looks as if General Motors may be considering a Chevrolet version of the Buick Encore. L’Automobile Magazine managed to source a few patent drawings depicting the vehicle with a Chevrolet face. If our Google translator and murky comprehension of the French language are to be trusted, the images originated in the European patent office. All told, the model is likely to be a little more than a foot shorter than the current Equinox but still offer buyers the option of all-wheel drive.

So, is this vehicle headed to the U.S.? It’s entirely possible. While GM already has a platform heavy with crossover vehicles, the truth is the company could use a smaller model to compete with the likes of the Toyota Rav4, Honda CR-V and Ford Escape.

Odds are the smaller Chevrolet CUV would be targeted at European and Asian markets, including China, though there’s a chance the vehicle could also show up as a Canadian-spec model. L’Automobile seems to also suggest the baby hatch could also play a role in the new partnership between Citroen and GM.

Is Chevy poised to get a version of the Buick Encore?

Most gearheads know the Opel Ampera is the European near-twin of the Chevy Volt. There are obvious exterior differences, such as the Ampera’s “boomerang” headlights and Opel badging, but inside, the only noticeable difference is another Opel badge on the steering wheel.

Bradley Hasemeyer and the Translogic crew traveled to Germany to find out if the trans-Atlantic differences were more than skin deep. Surprisingly, he found one rather interesting revision.

In the U.S., Volts get three driver-selectable operating modes. We get Normal, Sport and Mountain modes. But German Amperas get a fourth mode: Halten mode. When cruising the Autobahn, drivers can restrict the use of the Ampera’s battery and run only on the small, fuel-efficient engine. Once back on surface streets, they can turn loose the battery and bask in bank-account-boosting, ridiculously good, low-cost electric motor cruising.

Why don’t we get Halten mode in the U.S.? Well, the obvious reason is probably that most Americans don’t speak German. Beyond that, though, Hasemeyer can only guess that government regulations might hold back implementation here. The again, maybe General Motors just likes Germans more.

Watch the video after the jump.

Continue reading Translogic identifies differences of Opel Ampera

Translogic identifies differences of Opel Ampera

For some, the horsepower wars being waged by auto manufacturers over the past few years are getting a bit out of hand. A 550-hp factory Camaro? A 650-hp factory Mustang? Ridiculous. But if you count massive amounts of gas-guzzling horsepower and torque a crime (we don’t), then the worst of all offenders is perhaps Shelby. Last year at the New York Auto Show, the company unveiled its most powerful creation to date: the 2012 GT500 Super Snake, with up to 800 horsepower. And while 800 hp is just bonkers, Shelby’s next trick is even more insane.

Today, Shelby American has revealed the 2012 Shelby 1000. The name of, course, is taken from the car’s horsepower figure, which is around 950 in street trim and around 1,100 in the S/C track version. To harness the extra power, Shelby has installed a beefier suspension, larger brakes, a single-piece driveshaft and a nine-inch rear end, but we’re guessing it will still be quite a handful on the street.

Only a limited number of 2012 Shelby 1000 models will be produced, with the post-title package (not including the base GT500 donor car) starting at $149,995. That means the total cost will ring in at right around $200,000. Shelby says that it will start taking orders once the car is officially unveiled at the New York Auto Show next week. Hit the jump for the official press release.

Continue reading Shelby previews 1000-HP Super-Stang ahead of New York debut

Shelby previews 1000-HP Super-Stang ahead of New York debut

General Motors struck back at the mighty Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 with the similarly brawny Camaro ZL1, and now it looks like GM has taken aim at the Mustang Boss 302 as well.

According to posts on the Camaro5.com forums, a dealer reference guide has revealed buyers will be able to opt for a new performance track package for the 2013 Camaro. The 1LE pack includes a number of aerodynamic tweaks, including an aggressive front splitter and unique rear spoiler, both painted in smoke gray. Red Brembo brake calipers, a hood wrapped in matte black vinyl and 20-inch wheels shod in Goodyear Eagle Supercar tires are all part of the party. Those big rollers are actually borrowed from the ZL1.

Larger sway bars front and rear as well as stronger axle half shafts help the vehicle withstand track abuse. A Tremec six-speed manual gearbox with a higher 3.91 final drive and a liquid cooling system is also standard. Finally, the report says the Camaro 1LE will feature an optional dual-mode exhaust similar to what’s found on the Chevrolet Corvette.

Will the hardware be enough to help the Camaro fend off the road-race ready Boss 302? Given the sublime driving experience the tweaked Mustang offers its buyers and the heady 444 horsepower on hand, it seems unlikely. That doesn’t mean we’d be averse to putting the two head to head on a track, however.

UPDATE: General Motors has now released official information on the 1LE. The model will land at under $40,000 and and be able to pull up to 1g on the skid pad. According to Al Oppenheiser, Camaro Chief Engineer, the vehicle was able to best the three-minute lap time at Virginia International Raceway, and GM is currently seeking approval from SCCA to allow the package to be used in the Touring Class competition.

In addition to borrowing the dual-mode exhaust from the ZL1, the 1LE will also feature the same variable-effort power steering. Other changes include a strut tower brace, ZL1 wheel bearings, toe links and shock mounts as well as a ZL1 high-capacity fuel pump and pickups for consistent fuel delivery during hard cornering. Even if the 1LE can’t keep pace with the Boss 302, it should make for an impressive on-track machine. Hit the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading Chevy Camaro to get Boss 302-rivaling 1LE trim for 2013 [UPDATE]

Chevy Camaro to get Boss 302-rivaling 1LE trim for 2013 [UPDATE]

Recalls have been issued for four 2012-model-year General Motors products over steering-gear issues. The Chevrolet Suburban and Express and GMC Savana and Yukon XL could suffer from pitman shafts that weren’t hardened properly, potentially leading to a fracture and a loss of steering. There are 6,159 vehicles involved in the recall.

GM will begin notifying owners early next month, at which time they can take their SUVs and vans to the dealer to repair the problem free of charge. Follow the jump for the full notification from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Continue reading GM to recall select full-size SUVs and vans over steering issue

GM to recall select full-size SUVs and vans over steering issue

We’re almost ready to record Episode #275 of the Autoblog Podcast, and you can check out the topics below, add your own to the Q&A and join us live via UStream, as well, and we’ve embedded our UStream player after the jump. Thanks for listening!

Discussion Topics for Autoblog Podcast Episode #275

• • BMW forced to lower 3 Series fuel economy rating
  • Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 production delays
  • Scion FR-S / Subaru BRZ

Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #275 goes LIVE at 10PM Eastern

Autoblog Podcast #275 goes LIVE at 10PM Eastern

We record Episode #275 of the Autoblog Podcast tonight, and Chris Shunk is returning to the host chair with a vengance. You can drop us your questions via our Q&A module below, check out our discussion topics or chime in to help determine what else the crew chats about this evening. Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes if you haven’t already done so, and if you want to take it all in live, tune in to our UStream (audio only) channel at 10:00 PM Eastern tonight.

Discussion Topics for Autoblog Podcast Episode #275

• BMW forced to lower 3 Series fuel economy rating
• Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 production delays
• Scion FR-S / Subaru BRZ

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Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #275 LIVE

Consumer Reports has just wrapped up an evaluation of subcompact sedans, and the Kia Rio EX has rolled out ahead of the class. The four-door beat out its corporate clone, the Hyundai Accent and the Chevrolet Sonic to take the top spot. Evaluators pointed to the sharp handling and well-optioned interior in the Rio as reasons for the vehicle’s win. The newly redesigned Nissan Versa and unloved Toyota Yaris filled out the top five sedans. And what of the baby hatchbacks? CR once again credited the Honda Fit as leader of the pack, followed closely by the Versa Hatchback and Rio Hatchback.

The organization found fault with the base Chevrolet Sonic’s fuel economy, and found the turbocharged LTZ model to be too expensive. Evaluators also felt the Sonic Turbo “didn’t live up to its sporty aspirations.”

We’ll politely agree to disagree on that one.

All of the vehicles in the evaluation are either too new or scored too low in CR evaluations to earn a coveted Recommended rating. Hit the jump for a look at the full press release and debate amongst yourselves in Comments.

Continue reading Kia Rio, Hyundai Accent and Chevy Sonic top Consumer Reports subcompact shootout

Kia Rio, Hyundai Accent and Chevy Sonic top Consumer Reports subcompact shootout

The Detroit News is reporting that General Motors will replace the 120-volt power cords on the majority of Chevrolet Volt models the company has sold since 2010. The new charge cords are said to be more durable than the old hardware and should provide “more consistency in charging,” according to the report. GM has sold around 10,000 Volt units since the plug-in hybrid went on sale two years ago, and while some of those vehicles have already shipped with the new charge cords, most still use the old design.

Volt owners may also contact their Chevrolet dealers to begin scheduling appointments to have additional crash structure added around the vehicle’s battery packs. The additional steel is designed to protect against severe side-impacts. Technicians are also expected to add a new sensor to monitor battery coolant levels. The changes are in response to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigation into unlikely vehicle fires. GM will reportedly continue to sell Volt models without the new structure and sensor, saying neither poses a safety issue.

GM replacing Chevrolet Volt power cords

Sure, we think of Chevrolet as an American automaker. One of the most American, at that. But its eponymous founder wasn’t born in these United States. He was born in Switzerland. La Chaux-de-Fonds, to be exact, and so to celebrate the brand’s 100th centenary, it has commissioned a local artist to erect a statue of Louis Chevrolet in his hometown’s Parc de l’Ouest.

The giant polished steel bust was created by budding artist Christian Gonzenbach, whose design was selected by an international jury from among four finalists. Measuring five meters (16.4 feet) tall, the oversize bust was commissioned by General Motors and will remain in the park as a permanent tribute to the man whose name has become an international fixture in the automotive industry and a veritable household name. Press release after the jump.

Continue reading Louis Chevrolet honored with giant chrome bust in Swiss home town

Louis Chevrolet honored with giant chrome bust in Swiss home town

Our spy photographers managed to spot something curious (and decidedly hilarious) recently. General Motors has been busy testing what would appear to be Chevrolet Volt models with massive 20-inch wheels and tires in place of the low-rolling resistance pieces on the stock plug-in.

Why? Guesses are slim at the moment, but one hypothesis is that this is actually our first glimpse at a Cadillac Converj test mule. That vehicle will make use of an altered version of the Voltec drivetrain found in the Chevrolet, albeit bolted to flashier wheels. The luxury hybrid has been an on-again-off-again affair for General Motors since the concept first rolled across the stage at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show.

Last we heard, the Converj is on track for launch in either 2013 or 2014. If true, now would be the time to begin working out any engineering bugs on the rumored Voltec 1.5 system. With luxury buyers more willing to hand over stacks of cash for new technology, the Converj could make quite a bit more sense to buyers than the Volt. Or bolting chrome dubs to a hybrid, for that matter.

Is this dub-rockin’ Chevrolet Volt actually a Cadillac Converj in disguise?

In an effort to appeal to a much wider range of shoppers, Chevrolet has announced that its turbocharged Sonic models will now be available with a six-speed automatic transmission. Up until now, manual-averse customers were stuck with the 1.8-liter naturally aspirated inline-four – by our opinion, the worse of the two engines offered in the Sonic.

Under the hood of the Sonic, Chevrolet’s 1.4-liter turbo-four is good for 138 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque. That’s seriously good power for the 2,700-pound subcompact, especially when you consider that when paired with the manual ‘box, the Sonic carries EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings of 29/40 miles per gallon (city/highway). Of course, adding the automatic transmission reduces that economy, though the slushbox Sonic is still rated at a respectable 27/37 mpg.

The automatic Sonic Turbo is on sale now. LT models start at $16,835 for the sedan and $17,635 for the five-door, with the high-zoot LTZ trims commanding $18,625 and $19,325, respectively (not including $795 for destination). Hit the jump for the official press blast.

Continue reading 2012 Chevrolet Sonic Turbo now available with six-speed automatic

2012 Chevrolet Sonic Turbo now available with six-speed automatic

Found in translation?

Demand for the Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug-in hybrid vehicle in the U.S. has been up and down over the car’s first 16-odd months, but executives at General Motors’ Opel division in Europe are saying that the Ampera, the Volt’s European twin, is getting some good attention.

The Ampera has received more than 7,000 orders, leading Opel executives to believe that the Ampera will hit its 2012 sales target of 10,000 units, website Plug In Cars is reporting, citing Enno Fuchs, Opel’s e-mobility launch director.

Opel started shipping Amperas to customers last month, saying that most of those owners previously owning high-end cars from automakers like BMW and Mercedes-Benz. General Motors is hoping the Ampera will be better received in Europe than the Volt has been here in the States, where it has become a political lightning rod. Earlier this month, GM said it would shut down Volt production for five weeks – starting this week – in order to thin-out dealer inventory of the car. And last year, GM missed its sales goal of 10,000 units, selling just 7,671 units. GM makes both the Volt and the Ampera at the same plant in Hamtramck, MI.

Still, the Volt showed signs of more life last month when the model moved 1,023 units, up from 603 vehicles in January. The Volt and Ampera were also recently named the 2012 European Car of the Year. Last October, Opel bumped the Ampera’s 2012 sales target to at least 10,000 from 8,000 after Opel had received more than 6,000 paid reservations.

Chevy Volt sister car Opel Ampera gets 7,000 pre-orders, may hit 2012 sales target

If there’s one thing nerds love more than obscure factoids, it’s the thrill of a good argument. MSN has set out to settle one of comic bookdom’s quintessential questions by attempting to discern whether the 1989 Batmobile is quicker than its 1966 predecessor. While we’d love nothing better to see the atomic-powered sire do battle with its jet-powered offspring, we’ll just have to make due with a couple of replicas. In this case, the ‘89 gets its power from a carbureted Chevrolet small block with an aluminum intake manifold and not much else.

Meanwhile, the 1966 uses a C4 Chevrolet Corvette for its underpinnings, complete with a fuel-injected small block of its own. The ‘66 boasts an estimated 300-325 horsepower while the ‘89 serves up a more modest 285 ponies. Bets are made, flags are dropped an one vehicle stands above the other. We won’t spoil it for you.

We will say there seems to be some on-screen trickery afoot, however. Watch closely, and it’s clear the ‘89 holds onto left lane at the beginning of the race, only to swap places in the slow-motion replay. Something tells us this game was rigged from the start. Hit the jump to see the full episode for yourself, but be warned. Fair warning: the finale sequence may be Not Safe For Work for some of you. Maybe there’s something else nerds love more than arguing and flexing their trivia muscle.

Continue reading Which Batmobile wins this drag race, 1966 or 1989?

Which Batmobile wins this drag race, 1966 or 1989?

News of an impending automotive debut, especially one as big as the next Chevrolet Impala, generally come straight from the mouths of the automakers. Interesting, then, that the New York Auto Show’s Facebook page is the first bit of confirmation we’ve seen that the 2014 Impala will be making its worldwide debut in The Big Apple.

All we have to go along with that confirmation is the teaser image you see above (click on the pic to enlarge), so we can’t glean too many details just yet. We can see a Hofmeister-esque kink in the C-pillar, strongly accented in chrome trim, along with the well-known leaping impala emblem.

Past that, recent spy photos have revealed that the front-wheel-drive Impala will boast plenty of passenger room from its Epsilon-II architecture, the same guts that underpin the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu and Cadillac XTS. We’re also expecting GM’s well-regarded 3.6-liter V6 underhood, along with a possible turbocharged four and e-Assist hybrid setup.

This news comes on the heels of last week’s announcement by General Motors that it plans to replace the Impala in its NASCAR Sprint Cup Series effort with a new nameplate that will also see a production model offshoot, leading to renewed speculation that the automaker will not only sell a new full-size Impala, but potentially a large rear-wheel drive sedan to offer as well, possibly based on the company’s Zeta platform that underpins the Holden Commodore and recently introduced Chevrolet Caprice PPV law enforcement special.

The 2012 New York Auto Show is slated to kick off on April 4, but in the meantime, feel free to go over the teaser above with a fine-toothed comb, and stay tuned for any more details we find ahead of its debut.

UPDATE: GM has confirmed the Impala with the issuance of a press release and official image. In addition, it has confirmed that a revamped 2013 Traverse crossover will also bow in New York. The Traverse will be available with GM’s new front, center-mount airbag first revealed in the updated Buick Enclave, the Traverse’s twin. See the official release after the jump and note the addition of a Traverse interior image above.

Continue reading New York Auto Show confirms 2014 Chevy Impala debut via Facebook [UPDATE]

New York Auto Show confirms 2014 Chevy Impala debut via Facebook [UPDATE]

So a new Sonata isn’t as exciting as a new Chevrolet Corvette, but given the enthusiasm the current Hyundai midsize sedan has generated around these parts, musing about what might be coming down the pipeline is worth at least a few minutes. Hyundai’s Korean CEO Kim Choon-ho has told Reuters that a “revamped” Sonata is due in just two years, following closely on the heels of a new Genesis in late 2013.

In case you haven’t been paying attention, we have loved the new Sonata and its Optima cousin from Kia ever since they first hit our shores back in 2010. This pair is the class of the midsize class, and we can only wonder what Hyundai has planned to keep them on top, given the fierce competition.

We’d suspect the new Sonata will be launched here as a 2015 model, which would make some sense. Though we haven’t driven it yet, the new-for-2013 Ford Fusion looks poised to bring the goods, and the next generation of the hot-selling Nissan Altima will soon be unveiled at the New York Auto Show.

Revamped Hyundai Sonata due in 2014