corvette

Car Tech Live 218: Nissan Leaf sticks it to Chevy Volt (podcast)

Nissan slams the Volt as being a cousin to the leaf blower, a new app keeps an eye out for accidents ahead, and we drive the Mini Cooper S Countryman.

Subscribe with iTunes (audio) Subscribe with iTunes (video) Subscribe with RSS (audio) Subscribe with RSS (video) EPISODE 218 SHOW NOTES

• CNET drives the Mini Cooper S Countryman

• App keeps an eye on accidents about to happen

• New Corvette coming in 2013?

• Nissan Leaf sticks it to Chevy Volt, oh so subtly.

• Tanner Foust pulls off a huge Hot Wheels jump

• CNET's LOLcars gallery!

GM announces $2 billion investment and addition of 4,000 jobs at 17 U.S. plants

Since emerging from bankruptcy reorganization in mid-2009, General Motors has invested $3.4 billion and has added or saved more than 9,000 jobs. The U.S. automaker today announced an additional investment of $2 billion; an additional 4,000 jobs have been saved or created.

The announcement was made by GM Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson during an event at the 54-year-old Toledo Transmission Plant in Toledo, Ohio.

"We are doing this because we are confident about demand for our vehicles and the economy," Akerson said. The company also released an animated clip (after the jump) about … Read more

Chevy celebrates birthday with 2012 Corvette Centennial Edition

To celebrate its 100th birthday, Chevrolet created a racing inspired Centennial Edition appearance and suspension package for the entire line of 2012 Corvettes.

The special edition package gives the 'Vette a dark and sinister makeover inside and out. The first thing you'll notice is the all-black color scheme. Your only paint choice is Carbon Flash Metallic with Centennial Satin Black wheels and red brake calipers. The lightweight cast-spun aluminum wheels are specific to each model: 18-inch/19-inch wheels for the Coupe, Convertible and Grand Sport; and 19-inch/20-inch for Z06 and ZR1. On Z06 models, a thin red line … Read more

Car Tech Live 191: We unleash the 2011 Corvette Z06 (podcast)

Subscribe with iTunes (audio) Subscribe with iTunes (video) Subscribe with RSS (audio) Subscribe with RSS (video) EPISODE 191 SHOW NOTES

• What is the least reliable car?

• Which car will most likely get you a ticket?

• CNET tours the new Tesla factory

• Does Ford think the Chevy Volt doesn't exist?

• FerrariWorld--Woohoo!

• CNET LOL Cars

GM engineers develop sunscreen for the Corvette

Exposed-weave carbon fiber now has a fighting chance against UV rays. The lightweight material, used to give the Corvette better speed and handling, can be protected by a new clear coat that is sprayed on like paint.

This industry-first technology acts as a sunscreen for the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1. "Everyone said it couldn't be done, and we were crazy for trying," Mark Voss, senior design engineer for the ZR1 said today in a press announcement. He and his team worked for three years on their own time to develop the clear coat.

Carbon fiber is one-fifth the … Read more

Car Tech Live 182: Will most Corvettes be hybrids? (podcast)

GM talks about a hybrid future for Corvettes, 3D TV coming to cars in January, using the iPhone 4 in your BMW, wireless key headaches, and we drive the new 2011 Audi A8.

Subscribe with iTunes (audio) Subscribe with iTunes (video) Subscribe with RSS (audio) Subscribe with RSS (video) EPISODE 182 SHOW NOTES

• Corvette going hybrid?

• Hacking Mercedes COMAND system

• 3D TV coming to cars

• CNET drives the Lotus Evora

• Ford revives the Boss 302 for 2012

A midengine Vette? GM says no

A midengine Corvette? Not gonna happen.

But a hybrid ? Maybe.

A hybrid Corvette "is an interesting idea," Karl-Friedrich Stracke, General Motors' vice president of global engineering, told Automotive News. "Porsche has announced a full hybridization for their complete lineup. What can they do? They need it" to meet increasing emissions standards.

He speculated that a two-tier power-train strategy could evolve for sporty cars that could satisfy both power junkies and those interested in fuel economy: "You could keep a normal power-train configuration for a small amount of very excited car enthusiasts and turn 80 to … Read more

GM offers Corvette owners chance to help make engines

Anyone who orders a new Corvette Z06 or a Corvette ZR1 has the option to help a master technician build the engine from the block up. The one-day experience will cost an additional $5,800 to hand-assemble at GM's Performance Build Center in Wixom, Mich. All engines built will be covered by Chevrolet's five-year/100,000-mile power-train warranty. However, customers cannot add additional parts to up the horsepower and have it covered under the warranty.

For an additional $490, customers can take delivery of their Corvettes at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Ky. Museum schedulers notify … Read more

New Chevys offer fuel-saving, six-speed automatic transmissions

In an effort to increase fuel economy, General Motors announced that the Chevrolet Cruze will be available with either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. With either choice, the Cruze will deliver impressive fuel economy and performance, the company said in a press release.

The Cruze Eco model is expected to accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in less than 10 seconds and deliver a class-leading 40 miles per gallon on the highway when equipped with the manual transmission (estimates for the Cruze Eco with an automatic transmission will be available closer to launch).

"Our advanced six-speed … Read more