Motor Trend Truck of the Year is the 2015 Colorado

Over the past few years full-size trucks got bigger and bigger and midsize trucks began to vanish.  The Chevrolet Colorado went out of production for three years, until recently when it made its triumphant return, completely redone and better than ever.

The Chevrolet Colorado was definitely not the largest truck in competition for the 2015 Motor Trend Truck of the Year, but it turned out to be the best in more of the Motor Trend judging categories than anything else.

For many, midsize pickups appeal to a more modest sense of size, and when the Colorado reappeared it trounced the Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier in a comparison test, clearly marking itself as a segment leader.  No other vehicle tested stands out as much as the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado.

Motor Trend editors praised the Colorado test models for not only out-performing the other Truck of the Year contenders, but for doing so while being the least expensive truck tested.  In fact, the Colorado was three times less than the Ford F-450 tested.  The lower price never left the editors wanting for more, proving good things do come in small packages.

For more information about the 2015 Motor Trend Truck of the Year, visit Moritz Chevrolet at 9101 Camp Bowie West in Ft. Worth or give them a call at 817-696-2000 today!

Next-Gen Chevy Volt

Chevrolet has made the charging system in the next-generation Volt even easier for customers to recharge the battery – and to check the charge status. The next-generation Volt debuts in January at the North American International Auto Show. Owners will now be able to set their charging preferences exclusively for their “home” charging location and the vehicle will automatically adjust to that setting when it is at that location. (read more) http://qoo.ly/4bfx9

Chevrolet Chaparral Vision Gran Turismo Concept Coming Soonmo

When Chevrolet teased a new Vision Gran Turismo concept on its Chevrolet Corvette Facebook page, we assumed the topless concept car was Corvette-based. Now, the automaker has revealed that its entry in the Vision GT series will be the Chevrolet Chaparral Vision Gran Turismo Concept.

“Jim Hall and Chaparral blended the art of racing with science in an unprecedented way, changing the sport forever and inspiring a new generation to experiment with aerodynamics and unconventional materials,” said Mark Reuss, GM executive vice president, Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain, in a release. “His race cars were four-wheeled physics projects that proved innovation -- and a strong Chevy race engine -- could drive you to the winner’s circle.”  Jim Hall and Hap Sharp founded Chaparral Cars in 1962 and turned the racing world upside down with a combination of wild aerodynamics and Chevrolet engines. 

Chaparral Cars and Chevrolet Research and Development worked to develop composite monocoque chassis, lightweight alloy powertrain pieces, racing automatic transmissions, and active aerodynamics. The 1966 Chaparral 2E featured a large wing that produced as much as 240 pounds of downforce at 100 mph. The Chaparral 2E and 2F were successful in the 1966 and 1967 race seasons, respectively. By 1970, the big-block V-8-powered Chaparral 2J had reached a high point of aerodynamic downforce. A pair of fans sucked air from underneath the car, creating suction and more downforce. 

To see more of what Chevy has up its’ sleeve, come by today Moritz Chevrolet 9101 Camp Bowie West Ft. Worth, TX or give us a call at 817-696-2000 today!

Camaro Z/28 is Motor Trend’s Best Driver’s Car

2014-09-25

DETROIT –Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 is Motor Trend’s 2014 Best Driver’s Car. It’s the first American-brand car to win the 7-year-old award.

The Best Driver’s Car contenders are selected from all new or significantly revised performance cars launched in the 12 months prior to the test. To pick the winner, the editors of Motor Trend conduct objective and subjective testing – including digitally instrumented laps at the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, and high-speed driving up and down a 4.3-mile hill climb on a closed rural highway – to determine which car delivers the most engaging experience behind the wheel.

After completing that battery of tests, the editors of Motor Trend wrote:

“The transformation of the fifth-generation Camaro from ‘muscle car that handles pretty well’ to Best Driver’s Car winner is astounding. You feel the superior engineering in how the car responds to inputs both internal and external. From within, the car reacts immediately and precisely to your commands but doesn’t punish your mistakes. From the outside, the Z/28’s suspension attacks bumps and dips with an unbridled passion for keeping the tires on the pavement.”

Previous winners of Motor Trend’s Best Driver Car award were:

•     2007 Porsche 911 GT3
•     2008 Audi R8
•     2009 Porsche Cayman S
•     2011 Ferrari 458 Italia
•     2012 Porsche 911 Carrera 2S
•     Porsche 911 Carrera 4S

“The mission for the new Z/28 was to create the most capable, best-handling Camaro in our history,” said Mark Reuss, General Motors’ executive vice president, Global Product Development. “As such, I can’t think of a better validation of that mission than for the Z/28 to be named Motor Trend’s Best Driver’s Car.”

The Camaro Z/28 builds on the legacy of the original SCCA Trans Am-series contender introduced in 1967. Its unique exterior is designed like a race car to produce downforce that presses the car against the track for greater grip and faster lap times. Comprehensive chassis and suspension changes, including a lower center of gravity, specific stabilizer bars, higher-rate coil springs and other chassis and suspension features have been optimized for the track – enabling more than 1.08 g in lateral acceleration and 1.5 g in deceleration.

Racing-bred dampers, tires and Brembo carbon ceramic brakes play important roles in not only maximizing performance, but making it more predictable and consistent with every lap. Engineers also made sure the Z/28 was as light as possible to maximize its power-to-weight ratio. Everything from lightweight wheels to thinner rear-window glass is used to reduce curb weight and improve the overall weight balance. The carbon ceramic brake rotors, for example, collectively save more than 20 pounds of unsprung weight, compared to the Camaro SS.

In fact, 100 percent of the unsprung mass – suspension, wheels, tires and brake system – has been changed from the Camaro SS, dramatically enhancing the balance and overall driving feel of the Z/28.

A 7.0L LS7 V-8 rated at 505 horsepower (376 kW) and 481 lb-ft of torque (652 Nm) complements the lightweight vehicle components to give the car an enviable 7.6:1 power-to-weight ratio. It was bred on the racetrack, with features designed for high-rpm performance and durability, including a durable forged-steel crankshaft, lightweight titanium connecting rods and high-flow cylinder heads with lightweight titanium intake valves.


About Chevrolet
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4.9 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design, and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

About Motor Trend:
Motor Trend®, a media brand of TEN: The Enthusiast Network was founded in 1949 and is internationally recognized as one of the leading brands in the automotive category.  The Motor Trend brand is comprised of  Motor Trend magazine; the award-winning website MotorTrend.com; Motor Trend Auto Shows; Motor Trend Audio; Motor Trend en Espanol; Motor Trend India; and the renowned Motor Trend Car of the Year, SUV of the Year, Truck of the Year, and Best Driver’s Car awards programs.

About TEN: The Enthusiast Network:
TEN: The Enthusiast Network is the world’s premier network of enthusiast brands, such as Motor Trend, Automobile, Hot Rod, Surfer, Transworld and GrindTV. With more than 60 publications, 100 websites, the world’s largest automotive VOD channel, 800 branded products, 50-plus events, and a wide array of TV and radio programs, TEN inspires enthusiasts to pursue their passions. For more information, visit www.enthusiastnetwork.com.

2015 Chevy Cruz Remains Leader

The 2015 Chevrolet Cruz is celebrating its 5th year in existence and it is doing so as the undisputed leader in the compact four door sedan segment.  It is still considered a compact even though the sheer size would convince you otherwise.  The 181 inch overall length along with its huge trunk, wide range of adjustability and excellent seats would make you think you are in a mid-size sedan.

Although the exterior is very conservative and not very flashy, it is sporty enough.  The interior is what causes it to lead the category.  The materials give it an upscale feel, the twin cockpit dash design are rich and luxurious.  You have a couple of engine and transmission options out there and the right combination could earn you an astounding 42 mpg on the highway.  It offers superior ride quality and great steering and handling.  In this ever demanding world needing options they also give you a diesel option if it suits your liking.

If safety is your concern, don’t worry.  It has won more than its share of awards as well as the top five star from the government in every subcategory.  It even won the IIHS Top Safety Pick status which makes it one of the safest vehicles for its size and weight on the global spectrum.  The safety features are staggering with rear side airbags and front knee airbags in addition to all the usual features you would expect to see in this class.

For the ultimate in comfort, safety and sheer joy, come get more information today at Moritz Chevrolet 9101 Camp Bowie West Ft. Worth, TX or give us a call at 817-696-2000 today!