General Motors launches the much-anticipated 2014 Silverado and 2014 Sierra

The truck wars are heating up again as Chevrolet announced initial pricing, performance data, and EPA fuel efficiency estimates for the 2014 Silverado 1500, raising the bar in the fiercely competitive light-duty pickup segment.

Manufacturer’s suggested retail prices for the new 2014 Silverado regular cab will start at $24,585, including a $995 destination freight charge, the same base price as the 2013 model. For that price, the 2014 Silverado regular cab, which starts production this summer, will include a number of major improvements:

– A more powerful, more efficient EcoTec3 engine
– A six-speed automatic transmission
– A stronger, quieter cab with an all-new interior
– Four-wheel disc brakes with Duralife rotors
– A new bed with standard box rail protectors and CornerStep bumper

The base starting prices for the Silverado crew cab, the first model to launch later this spring, and for the new double cab Silverado, which replaces the extended cab, also will be the same as for the corresponding 2013 models.

Buyers of all 2014 Silverados also will receive a standard scheduled maintenance program for two years or 24,000 miles, whichever comes first. Up to four maintenance visits are included in the price of the vehicle, each one of which includes a regularly scheduled oil change, oil filter replacement, tire rotation and multi-point vehicle inspection, based on the schedule in the vehicle owner’s manual.

Proven V-8 power with better efficiency than a turbo V-6

The 2014 Silverado launches later this spring with crew cab models equipped with the all-new 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V-8, which is expected to power three out of four Silverado 1500s.

Chevrolet today announced EPA estimates of 23 mpg highway for 2wd models, and 22 mpg highway for 4×4 models. That is better than any V-8 competitor and beats the EPA estimates for the 2013 Ford EcoBoost turbocharged V-6 for both 2wd and 4×4 models.

Silverado’s 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V-8 is SAE certified at 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque, with more than 300 lb-ft of torque available from 2,000 to 5,600 rpm for responsive performance under a broad range of real-world conditions.

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Turbocharged 2013 Chevy Sonic RS takes center stage

GM unveiled the 2013 Sonic RS with a lower and stiffer suspension, 4-wheel disc brakes and chrome tips. Also included are 17 inch wheels and a new front facia for a tough-looking interior. Additionally, the Sonic RS features a 138-horsepower (103 kW) Ecotec 1.4L turbo engine — the only vehicle in its segment to offer a turbocharged powertrain.

The Sonic RS has a great look and should add more sales to the Chevy brand. We’re very impressed in the way Chevy is targeting a younger audience with cutting edge designs at competitive prices. It will be released to the public in summer-fall 2012.

  

2013 Cadillac ATS Revealed in Detroit

Bullz-Eye.com was invited to the 2013 Cadillac ATS presentation last night at the College for Creative Studies and we have to say that we walked away very impressed. The ATS is Cadillac’s answer to foreign automakers’ compact luxury sedans that have dominated this segment for many years. The ATS will launch this summer and Cadillac obviously has high hopes for the ATS as it will be competing in the largest segment of the luxury market, so the potential here is enormous. Along with a sleek and modern look, the ATS promises the desired performance from buyers in the compact luxury universe and that is partially because Cadillac looked at every material that went into the ATS and came away with a curb weight under 3400 lbs.

Depending on each individual buyer’s preference of the top fuel economy or all out power, you have a choice of three powertrains starting with a 200-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder that should produce over 30 mpg on the highway, a confident 270-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, or for those who want the power, there is a 318-hp 3.5-liter V6. Cadillac also went one step further by offering a manual transmission and optional all-wheel drive to the rear wheel drive platform. Pricing hasn’t been announced and believe me when I tell you we tried to find out, but we do know this segment’s current leaders start in the low 30k range and we expect something close for the 2013 Cadillac ATS.

I have to say that the 2013 Cadillac ATS made a strong first impression with us, and if the performance of this new luxury compact from Cadillac hits the mark, we look for thousands of new buyers coming into dealerships to give the ATS a drive. This segment is about much more than looks, and after hearing from GM North American President Mark Reuss and the other GM executives that presented the all-new ATS, they totally understand their potential customers and designed the ATS to “win” rather than just compete!

  

Photos of 2012 Chevy Volt

Check out our review of the 2012 Chevrolet Volt, the plug-in hybrid that is garnering a ton of attention. As you can see from the slideshow above, the styling is excellent on this vehicle.

It’s going to be fascinating to see how the Volt and other plug-in hybrids do in the marketplace. Cost is obviously a factor, but as more manufacturers put out electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, we should see the costs coming down.