Motor Trend Truck of the Year? The 2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD

Make that two wins for General Motors and Chevrolet this year. The 2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD joins the Motor Trend Car of the Year - 2011 Chevrolet Volt as this year's Motor Trend Truck of the Year. We just had the Silverado's sibling, the 2011 GMC Sierra Denali HD in for review... and we can understand Motor Trend's sentiment towards this brute of a hauler.

The first three trucks that MT tested are three-quarter-ton, single-rear-wheel HDs with gasoline engines, including the 2011 Chevy Silverado 2500 and GMC Sierra 2500 twins powered by GM's 6.0-liter V-8 and the 2011 Ford F-250 Super Duty with the all-new 6.2-liter V-8 under its hood. The second set of trucks are one-ton dual-rear-wheel rigs, including the 2011 Chevy Silverado 3500 and GMC Sierra 3500 with the updated 397 horsepower, 765 pounds-feet of torque 6.6-liter LML Duramax V-8 and the 2011 Ford F-350 Super Duty with the all-new "Job 2" 400/800 6.7-liter Power Stroke V-8.

“On the outside the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD appears to have been given a subtle makeover, but it’s what’s under the skin that makes this truck a winner,” said Motor Trend Editor-in-Chief Angus MacKenzie. “Chevy engineers focused on three key areas – powertrain, frame, and suspension – to deliver a truck with significantly improved capability and more refinement.”

The truck award was presented to GM CEO Dan Akerson before the 111th Army-Navy Game at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field. Chevrolet is the Official Vehicle of the Army-Navy Game.




Press Release

Silverado HD Named 2011 Motor Trend Truck of the Year

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 11, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The Chevrolet Silverado HD is the 2011 Motor Trend Truck of the Year, completing a rare same-year sweep of the prestigious car and truck awards. Chevrolet also earned the 2011 Motor Trend Car of the Year award.

The truck award was presented to GM CEO Dan Akerson before the 111th Army-Navy Game at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field. Chevrolet is the Official Vehicle of the Army-Navy Game.

"On the outside the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD appears to have been given a subtle makeover, but it's what's under the skin that makes this truck a winner," said Motor Trend Editor-in-Chief Angus MacKenzie. "Chevy engineers focused on three key areas – powertrain, frame, and suspension – to deliver a truck with significantly improved capability and more refinement."

The new 2011 Silverado HD built in Flint, Mich., and Fort Wayne, Ind., was introduced this summer, featuring new frame and suspension designs, and a more powerful Duramax diesel engine with 397 horsepower, 765 lb.-ft. of torque, and 11 percent better fuel-economy. As a result, the 2011 Silverado HD is capable of towing up to 21,700 pounds, or carrying 6,635 pounds of payload. The new Silverado HD also offers available confidence- and control-related features specifically for towing including electronic trailer sway control, hill start assist and smart exhaust brake system.

"With more capability and technology than ever before, we believe the Chevrolet Silverado HD sets the bar for heavy-duty trucks," said Akerson. "It's a great honor to have such a respected authority as Motor Trend agree."

The full report from Motor Trend appears in the February issue of the magazine (on newsstands in early January) and online at www.motortrend.com. Chevrolet also earned the 2011 Motor Trend Car of the Year award for the Volt, the industry's first electric car with extended-range capability.

It is the first time since 2006 that one brand has won both Motor Trend Car and Truck of the Year awards in the same year. Chevrolet and Buick won both awards in 1979.

2011 Opel Antara

The new Opel Antara some sports, off-road capability, and looks stylish integrated high functionality and security. With the improvement in style powertrain line-up outside and comfort inside, the Opel Antara now considered a new competitor in the growing SUV segment .

The new Antara also benefits from a new center console with extra storage solutions, new materials and added interior and exterior colors, as well as an optimized instrument graphic and effective interior lighting. In terms of features, the only things worth mentioning are standard electric parking brake and the Hill Assist System.

The engine line-up includes a newly-developed 2.2 CDTI Turbo diesel offered in two versions: 163 HP and 184 HP and a 2.4 liter, four-cylinder engine with 170 HP. All engines are offered in in front-wheel or all-wheel drive and comes as manual or automatic six-gear transmission. The model also gets re-worked chassis that offer dynamic handling and excellent traveling comfort.




Press Release

The new Opel Antara pairs sporty, off-road capabilities and urban-chic looks with high functionality and safety. With improvements to its powertrain line-up, exterior styling and interior comfort, the Antara can now be seen as a new competitor in the growing SUV segment.

The most notable changes in the Antara’s mid-cycle enhancements, which will be introduced at the end of this year, are in the powertrain. The fully re-worked engine line-up, all Euro-5 compliant, now offers improved driving performance as well as significantly reduced consumption and emissions. Even the two available transmissions – a six-gear manual and automatic – have undergone completely new developments to improve efficiency and dynamics.

The latest entry to the engine range is a newly-developed 2.2 CDTI Turbo diesel, which comes with two outputs. The 120 kW/163 hp offers 36 hp more than its predecessor model. The 135 kW/184 hp version offers 34 hp more power.

The 163 hp variant is available in front-wheel or all-wheel drive as well as with manual or automatic six-gear transmissions. The 184 hp also offers a choice of manual or automatic transmissions, and comes with all-wheel drive as standard.

The gasoline line-up, too, offers more power. The 2.4 liter, four-cylinder version now comes with 125 kW/170 hp, or, 30 hp more power. Like the diesel variants, this engine is available in front-wheel or all-wheel drive and comes as manual or automatic six-gear transmission.

The engine variants come with variable camshaft phasing for the inlet and exhaust, which optimizes the torque and performance characteristics as well as lowers fuel consumption and emissions. Naturally an active, re-worked chassis fits nicely to the new Antara, offering dynamic handling and excellent traveling comfort.
Strong presence through accentuated front design

On the street, the Antara turns heads with its chic, upscale look. Its new, front grill with bold logo makes it immediately recognizable as a member of the new Opel design family. The fog lights together with chrome bezels and a well-blended pedestrian protection lends the vehicle a harmonious look with a strong presence. Modified rear lights and optional 19-inch light-metal wheels
round out the robust look.

The chic, sporty SUV look comes about from a new center console with extra storage solutions, new materials and added interior and exterior colors. An optimized instrument graphic and effective interior lighting underscore the prestigious ambiance.

Opel has improved safety and comfort features in the Antara as well. This includes a standard electric parking brake and the Hill Assist System. With these changes, the market segment of the compact SUV has a new competitor in the ring.

Cadillac Aera Concept wins LA Auto Show Design Challenge

The Cadillac Aera concept vehicle won the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show Design Challenge, tying with Smart and besting entries from seven other automakers including Mercedes-Benz, Honda, Nissan, Toyota and Maybach. GM Advanced Design has now won the honor more times than any other design team; this is its third victory since 2005.

Like other concepts of this year’s challenge, the Aera focus on weight. The concept is a an efficient four-passenger vehicle that maintained comfort, safety, driving performance and style while not exceeding the “1,000 lb. car” weight limit.

Aera's body utilizes a 3D lattice, mono-formed frame that was designed to be similar to configurations found consistently in nature. The structure is formed from unique, alloy-utilizing, semi-solid freeform manufacturing, creating a naturally strong, extremely lightweight frame. All major body parts, including interior components, are essentially "grown" into a single part lattice structure.

The interior is crafted with an ultra-light recyclable polymer that allows for HVAC channels, fully adjustable seating, storage and comfort features all in one mono-form structure. Generous storage space accommodates luggage for two people.

The concept was conceived in GM's North Hollywood Advanced Design Studio by Frank Saucedo, director; Phil Tanioka, vehicle designer; Brent Wickham, concept strategist; Shawn Moghadam, layout designer, and Timonen, the project manager. Earlier this week, GM commemorated 10 years of advanced design at the L.A. area studio.




Press Release

LOS ANGELES : November 20, 2010 – The Cadillac Aera concept vehicle won the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show Design Challenge, tying with Smart and besting entries from seven other automakers including Mercedes-Benz, Honda, Nissan, Toyota and Maybach. GM Advanced Design has now won the honor more times than any other design team; this is its third victory since 2005.

This is the seventh year for the contest, and this year designers were asked to envision the “1,000 lb. car” and tasked to imagine an efficient four-passenger vehicle that maintained comfort, safety, driving performance and style while not exceeding the weight requirement.

"The Cadillac Aera concept was designed to continue the forward-thinking imagination of Cadillac’s ‘art and science’ philosophy,” explains Jussi Timonen, lead designer for the project. “It's designed as a small city urban vehicle, but we approached this 2+2 touring coupe very much from the brand's luxury perspective. Every detail of the Aera was conceived to minimize the vehicle’s environmental impact without sacrificing the style, comfort and attention to detail that are hallmarks of the Cadillac brand.”

The Aera is powered by compressed air via a highly efficient Pneumatic Drive System that has a 10,000-psi composite air storage tank with capacity for a 1,000-mile range. Flexible, pressurized air cells in the exterior skin, similar to material developed for the NASA Mars Rover airbags, enhance passive safety and interior comfort. The flexible polymer skin optimizes aerodynamics and functions as an ultra-lightweight alternative to conventional body panels and glass.

Aera’s body utilizes a 3D lattice, mono-formed frame that was designed to be similar to configurations found consistently in nature. The structure is formed from unique, alloy-utilizing, semi-solid freeform manufacturing, creating a naturally strong, extremely lightweight frame. All major body parts, including interior components, are essentially “grown” into a single part lattice structure.

The interior is crafted with an ultra-light recyclable polymer that allows for HVAC channels, fully adjustable seating, storage and comfort features all in one mono-form structure. Generous storage space accommodates luggage for two people.

Additional technologies include an all-in-one wheel system that combines rotary actuator propulsion, steering and suspension functions. A drive-by-wire system decreases the mass of electrical components, while vehicle-to-vehicle communication promotes active safety.

The concept was conceived in GM’s North Hollywood Advanced Design Studio by Frank Saucedo, director; Phil Tanioka, vehicle designer; Brent Wickham, concept strategist; Shawn Moghadam, layout designer and Timonen, the project manager. Earlier this week, GM commemorated 10 years of advanced design at the L.A. area studio.

“This year’s design challenge was extremely difficult to judge because of the quality of all of the entries, but I believe that the executions that won exemplified everything that we were trying to achieve with this competition,” said Stewart Reed, chair, Transportation Design, Art Center College of Design. “The concepts that won were really spot on for their brands, which was one of many reasons for the victory.”

The Design Challenge is part of the Design Los Angeles automobile designers’ conference and has evolved into an integral element of the Los Angeles Auto Show. Design Los Angeles connects those working in the design industry with well-known automotive design industry leaders. Los Angeles is home to the world’s largest concentration of manufacturer design studios, representing automakers from North America, Europe and Asia. It is also the home of Art Center College of Design, one of the world’s foremost transportation design institutions where many of today’s leading automotive designers began their careers.

2011 Chevrolet Corvette Jake Edition

2011 Chevrolet Corvette Edition Jake present at SEMA 2010. The Jake Edition Chevrolet Corvette is a Grand Sport coupe designed around Corvette Racing’s skull mascot, known as Jake.

With its inmistakable matte Jake hood graphic known from the famous GT1 model, the custom Corvette makes an immediate visual statement, while its sleek set of Z06 wheels with Competition Gray finish and other exclusive accessories round out uniquely the supersports machine’s masculine visual impact.

At the interior the 2011 Chevrolet Corvette Jake Edition received automaker's Accessory kit, with racing pedals, logoed floor matts and console lid, plus ebony leather and titanium stitching.

Under the hood of the new 2011 Chevrolet Corvette Jake finds Edition 6.2-liter LS3 V8 engine connected to a transmission Tremec TR6060 6-speed manual.




Press Release

2011 CHEVROLET CORVETTE JAKE EDITION CONCEPT

He started off as a discreet logo in 2005 that symbolized a tenacious attitude of the Corvette Racing team and ever since, the skull mascot known as Jake has grown to embody the determination and triumphs of the team. Now, Chevrolet designers have created the Corvette Jake Edition Concept, a special Grand Sport convertible concept vehicle that celebrates Corvette’s racing spirit.

The Corvette Jake Edition is a Grand Sport Coupe, with Z06 wheels featuring the Competition Gray finish. The matte Jake hood graphic from the GT1

commemorative model adds a subtle visual statement, while a host of other accessories round out the car’s unique appearance. Most of the parts added to this special Grand Sport are available today as Genuine Corvette Accessories or through any Chevrolet dealer’s parts department.

“Jake is more than the mascot for Corvette Racing, he personifies the Corvette spirit,” said Dave Ross, design manager. “We designed this concept to demonstrate how any enthusiast could create his own Jake special model with parts available from any Chevrolet dealership.”

Some of the accessories used to create the Corvette Jake concept are not currently available, but are planned for future release, including Jake-logo floor mats, console lid, wheel center caps and more. Other parts, including the hood graphic and Z06 wheels, are offered as Genuine Corvette Accessories.

“The Corvette has long inspired car enthusiasts to personalize it. The Jake concept shows one very unique way to do it,” said Ross. “With the great variety of accessories and other parts available, there’s virtually no limit to how you can make your Corvette stand apart from all others.”

VEHICLE HIGHLIGHTS

Exterior:

Black color
Corvette Z06 wheels in Competition Gray
“Corvette”-logo windshield header graphic (concept)
GT1 Championship Edition Jake-logo hood graphic
Jake-logo wheel center caps (future)
Jake-logo fender badge (concept)
Jake-logo underhood blanket and lighting package (future)
Chevrolet Accessory full-width rear spoiler in Cyber Gray

Interior:

Ebony leather with titanium stitching and red accents on the seats
Chevrolet Accessory interior trim kit
Chevrolet Accessory racing pedal kit
Chevrolet Accessory “Jake” floor mats (future)
Chevrolet Accessory “Jake” console lid (future)

Performance:

LS3 6.2L V-8 with Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual transmission
Chevrolet Accessory Tech-pattern engine cover

Holden Commodore

Australian tuner Walkinshaw Performance has unveiled a project with a supercharged engine as part of the opening of the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney. The showcar is based on a Holden Commodore Series II SS, fitted with the all-new WP 230 supercharger sourced from supplier, Edelbrock.

This 2010 Holden Commodore Series II SS by Walkinshaw Performance package has again Walkinshaw 6.0 liters V8 engine found in the original vehicle and concluded that the Edelbrock 230 compressor exit, take challenging 617hp and 780 Nm of torque.

The car also features uprated brakes, in the form of 378mm disc rotors up front and 365mm disc rotors on the rear. These are clamped by six-piston calipers front and rear. Other hardware changes include specially tuned Bilstein suspension, bespoke WP interior and embroidered seats, a Rockford Foscate audio system, and a body kit package including a carbon fibre rear lip spoiler.

The WP Series II comes with a six-piston brake package, a suspension package developed with Bilstein, a specially commissioned Rockford Fosgate audio system and a 1987-style body kit.

Packages, including the cost of a Holden Series II Commodore SS will begin at $ 99,990 Australian Dollars.




Press Release

Walkinshaw Performance (WP) today unveiled a totally new and integrated product – with a unique supercharged engine – to be known as the WP Series II Supercar, as part of the opening of the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney.

The showcar is based on a Holden Commodore Series II SS, fitted with the all-new WP 230 supercharger sourced from leading US auto supplier, Edelbrock.

When combined with the existing Holden V8 engine this car develops 460 kW of power and 780 Nm of torque.

“We’re celebrating the release of the WP Series II Supercar by producing just 23 examples, finished in Panorama Silver, the same colour which adorned the original ‘Walky’ when it debuted at the Sydney Motor show 23 years ago”.

The WP Series II Supercar features;

• Edelbrock E Force supercharger.
• An all new front and rear brake package; six piston 378mm rotors at front and six piston 365mm rotors at the rear.
• Upgraded and recalibrated suspension package developed with Bilstein.
• A specially commissioned audio upgrade package from Rockford Fosgate,

finished in Panorama Silver.

Packages, including the cost of a Holden Series II Commodore SS will begin at $99,990

Walkinshaw Holden Commodore Specs

SERIES 2 SUPERCAR - SPECIFICATIONS
Engine Specifications 6.0L 90-degree OHV V8. Cross flow cylinder heads. Twin knock control sensors.

On-board diagnostics. Central plenum with individual symmetrical runners
Walkinshaw Performance WP230 Supercharger
Capacity (cc) 5967
Compression ratio (:1) 10.4
Power 460kW @6000rpm (ECE, kW)
Torque 780Nm @ 3450rpm (ECE, Nm)
Figure quoted using 98 RON (PULP)
Transmission 6-speed manual transmission
Gear Ratio 1st 3.01
Gear Ratio 2nd 2.07
Gear Ratio 3rd 1.43
Gear Ratio 4th 1
Gear Ratio 5th 0.71
Gear Ratio 6th 0.57
Final Drive Ratio 3.45
Recommended petrol octane rating 98 RON PULP. Note that using 95RON (PULP) or lower will not cause any problems, but will result in
slightly less engine performance and economy.

Fuel tank capacity (L) 71
Exhaust Hi-Flow 3” CatBack exhaust with 3” Bi-Modal Mufflers
Unique WP Stepped design Steel Cat Header
Walkinshaw Quad Billet Alloy Tips Exhaust Outlets
Brakes Front - 378mm ‘S’ groove – deep annulus ventilated discs with WP 6-piston caliper
Rear - 365mm ventilated disc with WP 6-piston caliper
WP Braided Brake Line package
Suspension - Front Bilstein mono tube inverted technology. 40mm outer tube. 36mm diameter digressive rate piston. Unique valve
code. 10 independent deflection discs for bump and rebound. Separate bleed shims, check valves and support
shims. Floating dividing piston providing physical separation between gas and oil. Damping forces generated
within 1mm of deflection. Fully serviceable. Front suspension: Direct acting stabiliser bar. Coil spring.
Suspension - Rear Bilstein mono tube technology. 50mm outer tube. 46mm diameter digressive rate piston. Unique valve code.
11 independent deflection discs for bump and rebound. Separate bleed shims, check valves and support shims.
Floating dividing piston providing physical separation between gas and oil. Damping forces generated within
1mm of deflection. Fully serviceable. Rear suspension: Multi-Link Independent Rear Suspension (IRS). Coil spring.
Stabiliser bar.
Steering Variable ratio rack and pinion
Wheels 20” x 8.5” Walkinshaw Performance limited edition front alloy wheel with 245/35 R20 95Y tyre
20” x 10.0” Walkinshaw Performance limited edition rear alloy wheel with 275/30 R20 97Y tyre
Exterior Colour Panorama Silver
WP Power Scoop
Colour Coded Grille Insert
Carbon Fibre Mirror Caps
Carbon Fibre Lip Spoiler
Interior Leather wrap premium multifunction steering wheel
Touch-screen Holden-iQ System
Walkinshaw Performance Embossed Front Headrest Covers
WP 4piece floor mat set
WP Embossed centre armrest
WP door sills
Limited Edition Build Badge Numbered 1-23
Entertainment Walkinshaw Performance Rockford Fosgate Limited Edition Premium Audio Upgrade
Limited Edition WP Multi Channel Amplifier
Limited Edition WP Remote Subwoofer Control
Limited Edition WP Grille and 500 Watt Dual Voice Coil 12” Subwoofer
Limited Edition WP Custom Tuned Subwoofer Enclosure
Limited Edition WP High Performance 6” Full Range Speakers in all doors
VL SS GROUP A SV - SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINE Configuration: V8
Displacment (cc): 4987 \
Bore x Stroke (mm): 101.6 x 76.8
Compression Ratio: 8.5:1
Power (kw): 180kw (Flywheel) @5200 rpm
Torque (Nm): 380Nm (Flywheel) @ 4000 rpm
ENGINE BLOCK Reinforced cylinder block
4 bolt main bearing caps
CYLINDER HEADS High flow intake ports
Large intake & exhaust valves
Sequenced intake / exhaust valve
VALVE TRAIN Roller rocker arms
Large diameter push rods
Cast aluminium rocker covers
Large diameter valve lifters
CAMSHAFT New profile camshaft, driven by a double row timing chain
AIR INTAKE Bonnet-top air intake
Dual, progressively-linked throttle bodies
High rise intake manifold with tuned length ram tubes, as designed for Group A racing
FUEL SYSTEM Port fuel injection, Bosch injectors
High pressure electric fuel pump
IGNITION Electronic, controlled by a Delco engine management system
Anti-knock sensor
EXHAUST Extractor system, with tubular stainless steel manifold
TRANSMISSION Borg Warner BT5G 5 speed manual gearbox
Heavy duty clutch
DIFFERENTIAL Final drive ratio: 3.08:1
Limited slip diff with shot peened gears
STEERING Variable ratio rack & pinion
Variable assist power steering system
SUSPENSION Sports suspension, including Bilstein ear gas pressure shock absorbers
Bilstein front suspension strut inserts
WHEELS & TYRES 16 x 7” alloy wheels, designed by Holden
205x55 VR 16” Bridgestone RE71 tyres
BRAKES Heavy duty four wheel disc brakes, using ventilated front disc with finned alloy caliper
FUEL TANK Capacity: 83 litres
Stone shield
BODY Front air dam
Bonnet - heat extractor vent & cold air intake
Raised bonnet centre to accomodate higher engine profile
Slotted side skirts to help remove air lift pressure from below body
Revised rear deck lid, fenced by wrap around spoiler
Front & rear fender flanges have been reworked for tyre clearence
One colour Panorama silver body paint, including body colour bumper facias, door handles & side mouldings
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION SS Group A decals
SV badging
Limited edition vehicle number on ID plate
Decal with Build number on dash (Passenger side)
LUXURY FEATURES Air conditioning
Central locking
Power windows
Cobra anti theft alarm with remote radio key
AM / FM stereo system with electronic tune radio / cassette
Four speakers
Power Antenna
Momo leather bound steering wheel
Full instrumentation
Digital clock
New sports seats designed in Australia
Tweed cloth & velour upholstery
Drivers seat height adjuster
Rear seat centre arm rest
Rear seat reading lamps
Cut pile carpet
Tinted windows
Centre console with 3 compartments & armrest
Remote electric boot release
Manual remote control exterior mirrors
Driver’s left foot rest