Sport Sedan Shootout: Cadillac ATS 3.6, BMW 335i and Mercedes C350 Sport

By Jonathon RamseyRSS feed Posted Nov 24th 2012

Motor Trend's latest episode of "Head 2 Head" is a battle of the little luxury sixes, looking to see which of these US$50,000 sport sedans, all equipped with automatic transmissions, can lay the largest claim to your money: the 321-horsepower, six-speed Cadillac ATS 3.6, the 302-horsepower, seven-speed Mercedes-Benz C350 Sport or the 300-horsepower, eight-speed BMW 335i.

Host Jonny Lieberman doesn't just look at dynamics. He starts off with an assessment of each car's interior and its infotainment interface: CUE on the Cadillac, COMAND on the Mercedes and iDrive on the BMW. A bit of a spoiler, CUE doesn't fare any better here than it did with Consumer Reports, for essentially the same reasons. Thankfully, the ATS has tricks beyond its touchscreen.
The victor and the overall ranking might surprise you. One of the contestants "goes around corners better than it goes in a straight line," one of them would have won the comparo if it were held a year ago, and one earns more mention of the word "rubbery" than you'll hear outside of a Kumho factory. Enjoy the episode the video below.

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GM boss Dan Akerson selling his classic Chevrolet Corvette for charity

Published November 21, 2012

FoxNews.com

 

If you ever wanted to own the car of a CEO, now's your chance.

When Dan Akerson took the top job at General Motors in 2011 he also took on the trappings of his new home by treating himself to a mint 1958 Chevrolet Corvette Corvette hardtop convertible.

As he tells it, the Regal Turquoise and white sports car was the fulfillment of a childhood dream, as he had hoped to get a Schwinn Corvette bicycle for Christmas in 1958.

His car is among the rarest of the Corvettes, with only 419 made, and less than that in this color combination. It's powered by a 245 hp V8, has a four-speed manual transmission, and now it can be yours, for a good cause.

Akerson is selling the car for charity at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction in January, with the proceeds going to Habitat for Humanity to help rehabilitate the Morningside Commons neighborhood near GM's downtown Detroit headquarters.

According to the Hagerty Price Guide, a top notch Corvette like this usually goes for up to $118,000, but given the particular provenance of this one, the charity aspect and the premium prices often drummed up during the frenzy of an auction, there's a good chance the high bid will likely be much higher than that.

http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2012/11/21/gm-boss-dan-akerson-selling-his-classic-chevrolet-corvette-for-charity/#ixzz2Cst71Bn9

2013 Buick Enclave

Consumers shopping for a domestic full-size crossover have heard all about GM's triplets. The Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave are a very appealing and talented group of siblings. Entering their fifth year of production, albeit middle-age in the automotive industry, each is attractive, well-rounded and very capable on the paved dance floor. While all share nearly identical base DNA and the same basic running gear, subtle physical differences and unique personalities emerge between the trio when one digs a bit deeper.

The most polished of the threesome, without question, is the Enclave from Buick. Fresh off a mid-cycle update (as are its siblings), the flagship of the platform boasts a facelift, innovative new features and an upgraded demeanor for the new model year.

But are the improvements enough to make it the Lambda most worthy of a long-term relationship? And, if it is the best of its breed, is it good enough to secure the segment? We spent an afternoon with the enhanced 2013 Buick Enclave to find out.

Of the closely related crossovers, the Buick Enclave was first out of the womb. It debuted as a concept at the 2006 North American International Auto Show before going on sale as a 2008 model the following year. Its birth order was deliberate, as GM would make the Enclave its chosen child, loaded with all the bells, whistles and appointments necessary to be the company's family-hauler flagship. The sibling pecking order is unchanged today, especially when base pricing is factored into the recipe.

The Buick Enclave sits up front in the family portrait wearing the nicest duds.

GM's volume Lambda is the Chevrolet Traverse, with an entry fee of $36,035 securing a front-wheel-drive crossover riding on steel wheels in base trim. The GMC Acadia, better appointed and with standard alloy wheels, comes in with a base price of $38,590. The Buick Enclave, sitting clearly up front in the family portrait and wearing the nicest duds, has a base price of $43,315 for the 2013 model year.

Those who knew the Enclave last year will instantly recognize its new front fascia and bold new grille bookended by more aggressively contoured headlamps and a newly sculpted hood. More scrutiny reveals fresh black-chrome accents and LED daytime running lamps up front. Gone is the two-tone paint treatment, replaced with a tasteful accent of bright trim contrasting the standard monochromatic hue. The rear of the Buick has also gone under the knife, with updated styling including freshened LED taillamps and a new exhaust treatment. The Enclave, as a whole, has moved even further upscale while taking on a more strapping appearance.
 

The Enclave has moved even further upscale while taking on a more strapping appearance.

Inside the cabin, the instrument panel has been redesigned with a basic layout, with instrumentation, vent and infotainment locations unsurprisingly matching its Lambda siblings. To deliver a more premium experience, the Enclave features very high quality materials with blackened-chrome accent rings around the vents and other switchgear clusters. The steering wheel is leather with real wood at the top and bottom, while faux wood is used to warm up the rest of the upper dash and door panels. At night, occupants will also note ambient lighting.

Other enhancements sure to please those riding within the seven- or eight-place cabin, includes a standard premium audio package with AM/FM/HD/Sirius XM Radio, Bluetooth, USB, CD player and AUX input configured through Buick's IntelliLink seven-inch color touchscreen infotainment interface. Also new is a rear vision camera system (with optional Side Blind Zone Alert and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert).
 

The Enclave can tow up to 4,500 pounds (2,041 kg), and that's 700 pounds (318 kg) less than the Traverse.

On the safety front, and again mirroring its siblings, the Enclave gains a center side airbag that is designed to inflate between the front seat passengers. The front seats are also fitted with new articulating head restraints, as found on the Acadia and Traverse.

For the most part, the powertain is unchanged. All Buick Enclave trims still arrive with a direct-injected 3.6-litre V6 with continuously variable valve timing rated at 288 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. A traditional Hydramatic six-speed automatic is again the sole transmission, but it has been upgraded with next-generation software to improve smoothness, response and shift feel. Front-wheel drive is standard, with all-wheel drive optional. As the system is designed primarily to improve traction in inclement weather, there is no low speed transfer case (when properly equipped, the Enclave can tow up to 4,500 pounds (2,041 kg) – 700 pounds (318 kg) less than the workmanlike Traverse). Burning regular unleaded fuel, the EPA-estimated fuel economy is a respectable 13.8L/100km (17 mpg) city and 9.8L/100km (24 mpg) highway on FWD models and 14.7L/100km (16 mpg) city and 10.7L/100km (22 mpg) highway on AWD models.

One other notable mechanical change, only offered on the Enclave (sorry, Traverse and Acadia), are new dual-flow dampers on the front suspension. Working hand-in-hand with the revised rear dampers, the revised suspension is designed to provide a smoother ride and improved handling.
 

Buick is targeting some heavy seven-passenger hitters including the MDX, Q7, JX, MKT and XC90.

Buick is targeting some heavy seven-passenger luxury hitters including the Acura MDX, Audi Q7, Infiniti JX, Lincoln MKT and Volvo XC90 – in that grouping, so it's not exactly sticker shock to see a fully loaded Enclave add up to over $50,000.

Strapped into the driver's seat, we found the Enclave's upgraded interior to be very nice. Material, fit, finish and overall execution are subjectively superior to its two siblings – the cabin of the Buick is uncommonly warm and inviting. We really liked the dashboard, even with its faux stitching, as it will have everyone convinced it is real leather. On the other hand, we didn't like the mismatch of the grain between the real wood on the steering wheel and the synthetic wood (plastic) used extensively on the rest of the dashboard and doors.
 

Passengers in the second and third rows (go with the captain's chairs unless you frequently tote around eight passengers) will find riding inside the full-size crossover comfortable, spacious and accommodating, too (Buick says its third row is larger than that of its competitors). But, like the other Lambda vehicles, the short relationship between floor and seat cushion may have tall occupants (like your author) sitting with their knees raised awkwardly.

It isn't tuned to be sporty, but the Buick will holds its own when pushed to moderate levels.

We were hard pressed to notice any difference with the new dual-flow dampers, especially without a back-to-back comparison on the identical drive route, but the Enclave rode impressively well on all but the harshest surfaces. It isn't tuned to be sporty, but the Buick will holds its own when pushed to moderate levels – passengers will scream long before the standard all-season tires do (they were 255/60R19 sized Michelins on our sample, with a treadwear rating of 600!). Noise levels within the cabin were low, and the ride was smooth and comfortable on the 19-inch wheels (expect a bit more harshness on the optional 20-inch alloys).

Acceleration was also pleasantly adequate, with the 288 horsepower V6 propelling the Enclave to 60 mph (96 km/h) in an estimated 8.5 seconds. We'd prefer more torque down low, as that is what today's latest turbocharged engines are delivering, but the six was smooth and relatively efficient at cruise. The remapped six-speed transmission shifted smoothly and smartly, without the unnecessary hunting for gears that is common on the seven- and eight-speed gearboxes that seem to be in vogue these days.
 

Overall, the Buick performed very well and left us with little reason to complain. Our drive also reinforced what we have felt for years – the Enclave is our favorite of the three Lambda siblings in terms of style, comfort and luxury equipment.
 

Even in the face of stiff competition, many have discovered that the Buick makes a good argument for itself.

However, we aren't the ones marching into showrooms with a fistful of hard-earned cash or comparing the Enclave to the MDX, Q7, XC90, MKT, and JX. Those upscale buyers are seeking the same things we like, but they also consider value, fuel economy and after-the-sale support. In that regard, the most serious threat to the Buick is probably the new Infiniti JX (and its slightly less luxurious sibling, the Nissan Pathfinder). The Infiniti may not have stirred our enthusiast souls during our first drive, but it does appear to deliver a family-perfect formula with its efficient CVT, more upscale standard equipment, a stronger warranty and aggressive pricing.

Yet even in the face of stiff competition, many have discovered that the Buick makes a good argument for itself. The automaker points out that its full-size CUV is doing very well, with its sales growing each year (Buick sold a record 57,783 Enclaves in 2011, making it more popular than the three-row crossovers from Acura, Audi and Lincoln). Plus, conquest sales are strong, as nearly half of all Enclave buyers switched from non-General Motors brands into the flagship Lambda. Those are the types of statistics that keep challengers up at night.

Our conclusion is that the refreshed 2013 Buick Enclave is good – very good. We'll stop short of calling it a segment leader, but we do suggest you put it near the top of your test drive list.


Image Credit: Copyright 2012 Michael Harley / AOL

http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/10/29/2013-buick-enclave-first-drive-review/
  

Motor Trend declares victor in epic BMW 3 Series versus Cadillac ATS battle

By AutoblogRSS feed

Posted Sep 27th 2012 9:00AM

http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/09/27/motor-trend-declares-victor-in-epic-bmw-3-series-versus/#continued

 
Although many cars have tried, few have come even close to the capabilities exhibited by the BMW 3 Series. But the Cadillac ATS is a promising small sedan that could very well play spoiler to the most successful sports sedan on the globe. We've sampled both the ATS and the newest 3 Series, but Motor Trend had the chance to get both sport sedans together to test them out in its latest "Head 2 Head" video.

Right off the bat, M/T points out just how close these cars are in just about every category from size to weight to performance when comparing the 328i and ATS 2.0T variants. All of the dimensions are within just inches of each other and Cadillac's weight-conscious construction of the ATS makes it just 10.9 kilograms (24 pounds) heavier than the 328i. Both cars use turbocharged 2.0-litre I4 engine, and while on paper the ATS delivers more horsepower and torque, M/T points out that BMW is known for underrating its engines and estimates true output to be somewhere in the neighborhood of 270+ horsepower.

On the track, the BMW barely edges out the Cadillac in 0-96 kilometre per hour (0-60) and 1/4-mile times, but for a true comparison of how the ATS stacks up, M/T's Jonny Lieberman puts both cars through their paces along some of California's best back roads. Surprisingly, with "sharper and crisper" steering and Magnetic Ride Control, the ATS seemed to be more impressive along the twisty roads than the BMW, but both cars' biggest downfall was their manual transmissions. The shifter of the ATS exhibited a couple of issues that could seriously hamper performance, including a "ghost detent" when shifting into second gear and the need to double shift into gears, and Jonny really had nothing nice to say about the BMW's shifter or throttle response, either.

We're not going to play spoiler here, because regardless of which car is victorious in this head-to-head comparison, it's clear that driving enthusiasts are the true winners. No spoiler here, folks. Check out the video below to see if BMW retains its dominance in this segment or if Cadillac has managed to dethrone the king.

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Next-gen Escalade to keep the bling, brawn in Caddy lineup

MIKE COLIAS-August 28 2012

Expect modestly better fuel economy on the next-gen Escalade,
but don't expect GM to water down the glitz or girth to chase a few mpg. Pictured is the 2013 model.

DETROIT -- Cadillac is rolling out its lightest car ever, the ATS compact. Next year it will launch a sporty plug-in hybrid coupe, the ELR.

But before you begin thinking that the brand historically known for floaty boats and tailfins had lost its go-big roots, there's this: We'll see the next-generation Escalade within the next 12 months.

That's per Caddy marketing chief Don Butler, implying that the redesigned big SUV will debut at an auto show within the next year. It's not expected in showrooms until late 2013.

Given Cadillac's methodical march toward nimble performance, a la the German makes, the Escalade's big bling and body-on-frame brawn might seem incongruous. It's not.

Cadillac drivers love to make a statement -- whether in a chrome-laden gas guzzler or a sleek extended-range electric. With the brand's fast-expanding lineup, there soon will be more room under the Cadillac tent for divergent tastes.

"If someone wants to make a technological statement and associate with a company that's environmentally responsible, then the ELR will be perfect for them," Butler says. "But if somebody wants a no-compromises, biggest, most comfortable, baddest looking vehicle on the road, then we'll have that for them as well."

Expect modestly better fuel economy on the next-gen Escalade -- it's likely to get an eight-speed transmission, for example. But don't expect GM to water down the glitz or girth to chase a few mpg.

Industry sources expect it to remain on GM's truck and SUV platform, which would run counter to the trend of most automakers ditching body-on-frame SUVs for unibody platforms. Remaining on a rugged truck platform should only add to the Escalade's halo status.

You can bet on this, too: The Escalade will remain one of GM's most profitable vehicles.

"That's a market we created," Butler says of the big SUV segment. "I can't wait till the next one comes out. We'll reclaim our rightful place."

You can be sure that Cadillac's 950 dealers feel the same way.

Read more: http://www.autonews.com/article/20120828/BLOG06/120829907#ixzz26BYNvNSX
 

Canada will be first to get new SUV

General Motors has announced the addition of the Trax compact sport utility vehicle to the Chevrolet lineup later this year.

The global model will be available in over 140 markets around the world, but Canada and Mexico will have the distinction of being the countries to launch the vehicle, in the fourth quarter of 2012.

The Trax is a variant of the Buick Encore that will be coming to the North American market this year. Like the recently released Chevrolet Orlando, which is sold in Canada but not the United States, there are currently no plans to bring the Trax to the U.S. market.

The Trax is a five-seater that GM describes as having a "a muscular exterior design and wide athletic stance" that help exhibit its "SUV toughness and capability."

GM notes the exterior design of the Trax will "(evolve) the global Chevrolet design aesthetic", while the vehicle's interior and details will be "executed to standards usually found in more expensive vehicles."

"Trax is an important addition to the Chevrolet portfolio in Canada," said Marc Comeau, vice-president of sales, service and marketing for Chevrolet in Canada. "We believe Trax will be a popular choice with Canadians looking for the convenience and utility offered by a small SUV, which will be ideal to drive in urban centres and cities across Canada."

The Trax will presumably compete with smaller offerings from competitors, such as the Jeep Compass, Mitsubishi RVR, and Volkswagen Tiguan. GM claims class-leading cargo space in its new vehicle.

France will host the official global debut of the Trax at the 2012 Paris Motor Show in September. The small SUV joins several other brand new or redesigned Chevrolet products being released in 2012, including the Spark mini-car, Malibu sedan, and Traverse wagon.

Bow-tie brand pivots from cars to trucks

Mike Colias
Automotive News July 23, 2012

The redesigned Chevrolet Colorado mid-sized pickup is already on sale in Asia. It is expected to arrive in U.S. showrooms in the second half of 2013.

Based on Chevrolet's vehicle launches over the past few years, a casual observer might not know that General Motors' bow-tie brand still makes trucks.

Well-received entries such as the Cruze compact and Sonic subcompact have helped transcend Chevy's image as a trucks-and-sports-cars brand. In coming months, the transformation of Chevy's car lineup will continue with the launches of the Spark minicar, two new engines in the redesigned Malibu and the long-awaited next-generation Impala, due early next year.

After that, though, get ready for the trucks. The next-generation Silverado should hit showrooms by late spring, to be followed by the redesigned Suburban SUV and Colorado mid-sized pickup.

Here are highlights for Chevrolet's 2013-15 models.

Spark: The minicar, imported from Korea, will be launched by September to rival the Scion iQ and Smart ForTwo. It will feature a 1.2-liter, four-cylinder engine. Chevy is counting on more interior space and features such as the MyLink infotainment system to set the Spark apart from competitors.

A Spark electric vehicle should arrive in the second half of 2013 as a 2014 model.

Sonic: Chevy will follow the 2011 debut of the new subcompact with a performance version, the RS, which will arrive in showrooms in late 2012. The hatch-only model will feature a 1.4-liter turbo engine and a sportier front fascia and grille.

Cruze: Significant changes for Chevy's top-selling nameplate globally won't happen until 2014, when the compact is due for a restyling that could give it the new corporate face that is seen on the upcoming 2014 Chevy Impala. GM also has confirmed a diesel engine for the 2014 model year, which likely will be released in the second half of 2013.

Also for the 2014 model year, Chevy is considering a hatchback for the United States. It currently is sold in Europe and other markets. A plug-in hybrid or the eAssist mild hybrid system also are possibilities.

Volt: For the 2013 model year, GM improved the battery to get an extra three miles of electric range from the plug-in hybrid, allowing drivers to go up to 38 miles on a single charge before a small gasoline-powered generator kicks in to run the electric engine.

An expected restyling for the 2014 model year could see the Volt take on some of the styling cues of its European sibling, the Opel Ampera.

Malibu: The rollout of the redesigned 2013 Malibu begins in earnest in August with the introduction of GM's all-new 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine. An Eco model of the redesigned sedan with a 2.4-liter engine mated to GM's eAssist mild hybrid went on sale in the spring.

A 2.0-liter turbo engine will be available in the fall.

Impala: The redesigned 2014 Impala will go on sale in early 2013, marking a major improvement in styling from the current car. The engine lineup includes a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with eAssist, the new 2.5-liter and a 3.6-liter V-6.

Chevrolet SS: GM has confirmed that an Australia-built, rear-wheel-drive performance sedan will arrive in U.S. showrooms by late 2013 as a 2014 model. It will feature a V-8 engine. A V-6 turbo also is likely.

The SS will be derived from GM's rwd Zeta platform, which is used for the current Camaro and the upcoming VF Commodore for Australia. Expect production to move to North America by 2016, when GM is likely to move the car to its new Alpha rwd platform, which underpins the upcoming Cadillac ATS.

Corvette: For the 2013 model year, Chevy is marking the Corvette's 60th year -- and the final year of the nameplate's sixth generation -- with the 427 convertible, which features a 505-hp, 7.0-liter V-8 engine.

But all eyes are on the second half of 2013, when GM will introduce its next-generation Corvette, the C7. Recent spy shots reveal evolutionary styling changes and a longer wheelbase. The engine is a source of intense speculation among enthusiasts: The best bets are the fifth generation of GM's small block V-8 engine or a twin-turbo 5.5-liter V-8.

Camaro: For the 2013 model year, GM is adding Chevy's MyLink infotainment system to most trim levels. It's also rolling out a 1LE performance model for Camaro SS coupes.

A Camaro redesign is expected by late 2015 for the 2016 model year. GM plans to take substantial weight out of the car by moving it to the Alpha rwd platform.

Equinox: For the 2013 model year, GM is replacing the Equinox's 3.0-liter, 264-hp V-6 with a 3.6-liter that will produce 301 hp with the same fuel economy as the smaller engine. The popular crossover also gets MyLink, an optional rear-seat entertainment system, and an optional safety package that includes forward collision alert.

Expect the addition of eAssist for the 2014 model year. The crossover is due for a redesign in 2014 as a 2015 model.

Traverse: The large crossover has been restyled for the 2013 model year. It features a new domed hood and restyled front end with a wider grille that supplants the previous split-mesh grille. The interior is improved, with more soft-touch surfaces and a new center stack that features MyLink.

A redesigned Traverse is expected by the 2016 model year.

Tahoe/Suburban: The next-generation versions of Chevy's large SUVs are expected to arrive in showrooms in late 2013 as 2014 models. Expect greater use of high-strength steel and other weight-reducing techniques. The SUVs will remain on a body-on-frame platform.

They should get GM's fifth-generation small-block V-8 engine, which will have direct injection, variable-valve timing and cylinder deactivation. An eight-speed transmission is likely.

Avalanche: GM says the 2013 model year will be the last for the Avalanche. GM is offering a Black Diamond edition to commemorate the final production year.

Colorado: The current generation ends after the 2012 model year as GM winds down the Shreveport, La., plant that assembles the mid-sized pickup.

A next-generation Colorado is expected to arrive in the second half of 2013 as a 2014 model. GM launched the truck in Asia last year and has confirmed that it will sell it in the United States, but it hasn't confirmed timing.

The body-on-frame, four-wheel-drive pickup will be built in Wentzville, Mo., and sport brawnier styling than the current Colorado. The engine lineup is likely to include a 3.6-liter V-6 and a 2.0-liter turbo. A Duramax diesel engine is sold in Asia and could be used here.

Silverado 1500: Chevy's full-sized pickup gets its first redesign in more than six years when it is launched by late spring as a 2014 model. It's expected to drop several hundred pounds from the current version through greater use of aluminum and high-strength steel.

It will get GM's next-generation small-block V-8 engine, which will feature direct injection, variable-valve timing and cylinder deactivation. An eight-speed transmission is likely.

Silverado 2500, 3500: Restyled versions of Chevy's heavy-duty pickups, which were re-engineered for the 2011 model year, are expected by late 2014 as 2015 models.

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120723/OEM04/307239992/1321/bow-tie-brand-pivots-from-cars-to-trucks
 

Midnight Madness downtown Oakville

 July 20, 2012

Midnight Madness downtown Oakville. Clockwise from left, Empire Communities Social Media Co-ordinator Nikki Bettinelli, Budd's GMC General Manager Wayne Carter, Downtown BIA Membership Co-ordinator Jasper Moester, Scotia Bank General Manager Patrick McNeely, iCare Vice President Tom Ahlin and Downtown BIA Manager Suzy Godefroy invite you to midnight madness downtown this Friday (July 20). NIKKI WESLEY / OAKVILLE BEAVER / @halton_photog

Oakville's largest retail event of the year is back this Friday with food, live music and lots of community spirit.

Drawing more than 50,000 people every year to downtown Oakville, Midnight Madness begins at 6 p.m., closing the downtown stretch of Lakeshore Road for the event.

Those who head down can expect live music featuring everything from classic rock, blues, and pop, to the Beatles cover-band The Britles in Towne Square — The Kings will also be returning to perform, along with new local talents The Frank Rio Band, Mike Branton, Tiny Little Doses and Patrick Lehman.

Performances begin at 7 p.m. on stages at Lakeshore Road West and Navy Street, Towne Square, Dunn Street North, Dunn Street South, Reynolds Street North, Reynolds Street South, and Lakeshore Road East and Allan Street.

More than 25 community groups will also be participating at Midnight Madness to meet residents, such as Autism Ontario – Halton, Halton Environmental Network and the Oakville Fire Department.

There will once again be a free shuttle bus every 15 minutes from the Oakville GO station to the downtown from 5:30 p.m.-12:15 a.m. — there is also free parking downtown after 6 p.m.

Organizers encourage residents to cycle to Midnight Madness with free valet bicycle parking at Trafalgar and Lakeshore roads, just south of Lakeshore Road East.

Midnight Madness is hosted by Downtown Oakville BIA businesses and merchants and sponsored in part by Scotiabank-Oakville, Budds' Chevrolet, iCare Home Health Services Inc., and the Toronto Star, among others

 http://www.insidehalton.com/community/oakvillebeaver/article/1404902

'Diamond Rings' Shine on Chevrolet Sonic, Cruze

Extra-hard, low-friction carbon coating prolongs life of piston rings, aids fuel efficiency

Oshawa, Ontario (Wednesday, July 11, 2012) – The diamond-hard technology that enables razor blades to shave closer and last longer also allows the piston rings of the Ecotec 1.4L turbo engine, available on the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic and Cruze, to operate with less friction for better fuel efficiency and durability.

This use of diamond-like carbon coating, or DLC, on a General Motors powertrain component marks a first for Chevrolet. Although the advanced synthetic surface treatment is relatively new to automobiles, it can be found on a variety of high-end products, such as computer hard drives, orthopedic implants and semi-conductors. GM also is testing its use on machining tools.

In general, piston rings seal an engine's combustion chamber, support heat transfer from the pistons to the cylinder wall and regulate engine oil consumption. In the Ecotec 1.4L turbo engine, the slick, synthetically hardened steel rings do these things with minimal wear and tear.

"Thanks to diamond-like carbon coating, we can use lower tension on the Ecotec's piston rings to reduce friction, which improves fuel economy," said Rich Ricchi, GM Powertrain technical specialist. "DLC also reduces oil consumption in high-mileage driving, due to the favorable wear properties associated with the DLC coating."

With the Ecotec 1.4L turbo engine and six-speed transmission, Sonic delivers fuel consumption rating of 7.3L/100km city and 5.1L/100km highway. When similarly equipped, Cruze is rated at 7.8 L/100km city and 5.2 L/100km highway.

Depending on its intended use, diamond-like carbon coating can be chemically engineered to resist wear, control friction or avoid adhesion. In industrial applications, such as those being tested at a GM powertrain facility, a specially formulated DLC coating on metal hole-drilling tools helps avoid aluminum adhesion that can "gum up" machinery and cause production delays.

Having "cracked the code" of diamond-like carbon coating chemistry on Ecotec's piston rings, GM is looking to use DLC on other powertrain components, such as rocker arms, as early as 2014.

"Through years of lab research, we've acquired an understanding of how to work with DLC at the atomic level," said Michael Lukitsch, GM senior researcher. "It holds great promise for future applications, both in advanced manufacturing processes and improved production parts that save our customers money."

http://media.gm.com/content/media/ca/en/gm/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/ca/en/2012/Jul/0711_Sonic-Cruze.html 

2013 Cadillac ATS Priced from $35,195

New luxury sport sedan launches this summer

2012-07-05

"The ATS enters a vehicle segment this year that's one of the most competitive in the market, from both a price and performance standpoint," said Don Butler, vice president of Cadillac Marketing. "ATS will bring a distinctive presence and compelling value while offering quick, nimble, fun-to-drive dynamics that will appeal to the lifestyles of modern luxury buyers and challenge the segment's status quo."

A mid-level model, with a lightweight and powerful 2.0L turbocharged engine, starts from $36,985 plus destination and will offer automatic and manual transmissions, as well as rear- or all-wheel drive.

Topping the engine range is a 3.6L V-6 rated at 321 horsepower (239 kW), starting from $43,935 plus destination. The 3.6L model comes equipped with an automatic transmission and standard content that includes CUE (Cadillac User Experience infotainment system), leather eight-way power seats with memory, adaptive start and more. All-wheel drive is available.

A full breakdown of pricing and availability of packages and options will be provided later this summer.

ATS goes on sale this summer, but already the new sport sedan is positively impacting Lansing, Mich., where more than 440 new employees have been hired at Cadillac's Lansing Grand River plant, where the ATS is assembled. A total of 600 new employees are expected to be part of Cadillac's $190 million investment in the facility.

A dedicated engineering team has traveled the globe refining and advancing the ATS to meet customer demands. The addition of advanced materials has reduced curb weight on the 2.5L model to 1,503 kilograms (3,315 lbs.), making it one of the lightest vehicles in the Canadian compact luxury segment that includes BMW 3-Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Audi A4.

Time spent at premier race tracks around the globe, including Road America, Road Atlanta, Phoenix International Raceway and the Nürburgring in Germany has enhanced the ATS's sporty ride and handling and engine tuning.

Cadillac's new CUE user interface, standard on most ATS models, offers the first automotive use of capacitive touch to create an intuitive, modern way for drivers to interact with the car. This technology, used for most smartphones and tablet computers, uses electrodes to sense the conductive properties of objects, such as a finger.

http://media.gm.ca/content/media/ca/en/gm/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/ca/en/2012/Jul/0705_ATS.html 

Awesome.

That's a great word for the first annual free Oakville Family Ribfest, happening right here in Oakville June 22 to 24.

The fun takes place at the Oakville campus of Sheridan College on Trafalgar Road. No muddy shoes, lots of room for ribbers, craft vendors and for all Oakville's rib enthusiasts.

On Saturday, June 23 the Ribfest will have two special events. Platinum sponsor Mini Oakville by Budds' is pulling out all the stops, hosting an all-day 'Experience Mini'. The host for the weekend, Sheridan College, is also opening its doors and providing campus tours, including the world famous Sheridan Centre for Animation and Emerging Technologies.

The professional ribbers, the artisans and the free Kid's PlayZone will not disappoint. The Ribfest stage line-up brings blues, rock, jazz and more to the festival and every talented act has an Oakville connection.

The Ribfest has hundreds of on-site parking spaces. A free Ribfest shuttle bus service will run back and forth from the west end of the Oakville GO Station (Lyons Lane entrance) to the Ribfest, with stops at Town Hall for those parking there.

At the Oakville Family Ribfest they're going 100 per cent green. No garbage cans and no mess. Impossible? The ribfest is going to do it with the help of 300 community volunteers.

All proceeds (100 per cent) from the Ribfest will support community charities, student bursaries and Oakville's new hospital through the Rotary Club. Internationally the club finances such things as wells to provide clean water, funds polio vaccinations and provides mosquito nets to prevent the spread of malaria.

Watch for the pink Ribfest piggy banks to make a donation. Receive Rotary's thanks and a special Collector's Edition 2012 Ribfest Button.

The Ribfest Chair, Rotarian Trish Peden, wants everyone to feel they've received a personal invitation to attend, saying "The members of the Rotary Club of Oakville Trafalgar invite everyone to come and have an Awesome time at the Oakville Family Ribfest, June 22 to 24."

For more information, visit www.oakvillefamilyribfest.com.

Posted June 21, 2012 http://www.insidehalton.com/what's%20on/article/1378967--bring-your-bib-and-get-some-ribs

Cadillac choreographs light show for approaching its 2013 XTS

Cadillac has already been releasing a steady drip of information about what's going into its 2013 XTS like its autonomous-vehicle tech, and now it's focusing on lighting choreography. Cadillac reminds us that its lighting signature is vertical bands of illumination, tying it back to 1948, when the tailfins for which the brand is still known were first used on cars like the Fleetwood Sixty Special and Series 61 Coupe.

The illumination system goes by the intriguing names of either "Lead Me to the Vehicle" or the Phil-Collins-esque "Take Me Home" and is charged with adding drama and security. Twenty light sources are used in total, starting outside with the LEDS in the headlights, mirror housings, door handles and around the perimeter. Inside, LEDs are used everywhere from overhead to controls to door handles to the footwells, and they are timed in their illumination and dimming, "similar to a production crew lighting a theater stage."
 

By Jonathon Ramsey

Posted Feb 29th 2012

http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/02/29/cadillac-choreographs-light-show-for-approaching-its-2013-xts/#continued

http://www.insidehalton.com/community/article/1282074--foose-cruze-in-support-of-sickkids

DETROIT -- Cadillac introduced the new ATS sports sedan Sunday as a worthy rival to the best European small luxury cars and a step toward transforming the 110-year-old U.S. brand into a global powerhouse.

The ATS is Cadillac's first small car since the Cimarron in the 1980s. While the Cimarron flopped, General Motors Co. executives see the ATS as a formidable rival for the BMW 3 series -- the best-selling luxury sedan in the United States and the world -- as well as the Audi A4 and Mercedes C class.

The car debuts at the auto show here this week after an unveiling by GM's top executives Sunday evening at the College for Creative Studies, one of the nation's top automotive design schools. It goes on sale in late summer.

GM North America President Mark Reuss said the ATS was developed "to meet or beat the absolute best compact luxury cars in every measure" and said it represents "the new soul of Cadillac."

Reuss said that's why GM built the sedan on an all-new vehicle platform.

He said GM could have developed it on the same platform as the existing CTS, which is also rear-drive, or from another vehicle architecture in GM's stable.

"But such a vehicle would never become the car to finally challenge the German cars at their own game and win," Reuss said. "This one, however, is that vehicle."

That Cadillac's most critical launch in years is a small car might seem ironic for a brand best known historically for hulking sedans.

But GM believes compacts have emerged as the most important segment in the global luxury market, in part because of their role as an entry point for younger consumers.

Mike Colias
Automotive News -- January 8, 2012

Read more: http://www.autonews.com/article/20120108/OEM04/120109919#ixzz1jA9AoaeY

Michael Howie - North Oakville Today Dec 01, 2011

General Motors introduces a Chevy Sonic to a wall

Allow us a moment to revisit a video game classic... Sonic, boom! Our Guile moment is inspired by General Motors, which has released video of the compact Chevrolet Sonic undergoing crash testing. The diminutive hatchback is loaded up with a healthy heaping of safety technology that ranges from a plethora of sensors to high-strength steel.

The body of the Sonic utilizes the heavy-duty steel in the frame rails, around the door openings and roof supports. In fact, high-strength steel is used throughout 60 per cent of the body structure. Couple that with ten airbags, and the interior of the Sonic is a relatively safe place to be in the event of an accident. All of those airbags are controlled by a system of sensors that also monitor the angle of travel, speed and points of impact.

Watch the videos below to see how the Sonic handles an offset frontal impact at over 60 km/h. Note that the videos look small, but there's an option to view them in full screen. Enjoy!

 by Jeff Glucker, Autoblog  on Aug 29th 2011  http://ca.autoblog.com/2011/08/29/general-motors-introduces-a-chevy-sonic-to-a-wall/#continued

Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Supercharged vs Koenigseg CCXR

Chevy To Invite Customers To Camaro Homecoming In Canada

This year will mark the 45th anniversary of the Camaro and the centennial anniversary for Chevrolet. To celebrate the event, Chevrolet and the Ontario Camaro Club are inviting customers to Oshawa, Ontario, Canada from June 10-12.

Planned events include a plant tour, a product announcement regarding the Camaro, and autograph sessions with GM employees who work on the Camaro, which is built at the Oshawa plant.

The highlight is what appears to be a car show on June 11th involving Camaros and Firebirds.

Below, we have video of Oshawa plant manager Dan Hermer issuing the invite for Camaro owners and enthusiasts to make the trip north of the border to the Camaro's home turf.

Enjoy.

Source:http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1060414_chevy-to-invite-customers-to-camaro-homecoming-in-canada-video

Author: Tim Healey

Fight Breast Cancer. Save Lives.

May 10th is National Denim Day, a day to acknowledge the efforts to find a cure for breast cancer.

The CURE foundation is the leader in raising awareness and money. Budds' is supporting the cause and so for one day, May 10th (next Tuesday) we encourage our employees to wear jeans and to contribute a donation.

Thanks for your support.
 

Chevrolet Camaro will pace 100th Indianapolis 500
   

A special-edition Chevrolet Camaro convertible will serve as the official pace car of the 2011 Indianapolis 500, both the famous race's and the famous Chevy brand's 100th anniversaries.
Chevrolet and Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials made the announcement at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, Ariz., last night where the first of 50 Indy "festival committee cars" will go on the block.

The Camaro is the 22nd Chevrolet pace car, and it's the seventh time a Camaro has been chosen.

The pace car, along with the matching festival cars, features a summit White exterior accented with orange stripes and door graphics. And the interior?:

The interior is trimmed in orange leather, including front seat headrests embossed with the Indy 500 logo, along with white door panels and instrument panel trim. The instrument panel trim features extensions of the orange exterior stripes.

The color combination is similar to the design used on the 1969 Camaro Indy pace car, which has spawned many imitations. – replicas of which have become among the most popular Camaros in the collector world.

Chevrolet will donate full proceeds of the auction to the David Foster Foundation, a charity devoted to supporting families with children in need of life-saving organ transplants.

Jay Leno takes delivery of his Chevrolet Volt
(by Jeff Glucker - Auto Blog - http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/21/video-jay-leno-takes-delivery-of-his-chevrolet-volt)

Jay Leno picks up a Chevrolet Volt - Click image to watch the video

Jay Leno is adding a new car to his extensive stable and the newest member of the Big Dog Garage is the 2011 Chevrolet Volt. Leno stopped by his local dealer to pick one up and meeting him there was Shad Balch, General Motors Environment and Energy Communications Specialist, along with a salesman who clearly finds Leno very funny.

The Chevy Cruze is now here!
A bold new entry into the compact segment, Cruze draws sleek, confident lines that mark the launch of a distinctive new design phase for Chevrolet.
Come in and see why the world loves the Cruze.

Click for more info ...

Budd's Chevrolet is proud to announce 2 new local partnerships.

Budds' has donated a 2011 Chevy Cruze to Oakville's minor hockey association, the MOHA.  We support youth  sports and what better way to do it than help the 50 year old association raise money.  Buy your tickets from many sources, including right here at Budds'.  The $10 ticket gives you a chance to win a $24000 2011 Cruze, and support minor hockey at the same time!

Our support doesn't stop at Minor hockey however.   The Oakville Blades have moved in to the Budds' Chevrolet rink at the all new Sixteen Mile Sports complex, and with the support of Budds' are vying for back to back championships! Go Blades Go!

New Ownership!

The Budd family of Oakville is proud to announce the addition of Chevrolet to our fine group of local dealerships, all owned and operated by the Budd Brothers. Please drop by and say hello, and see the Budds' difference. Chevrolet is a dynamic and evolving brand and the Budds are excited to be a part of the future and growth of this iconic brand.

GM-brand Dealers Tops for Service

Wheels.ca article ranks GM brands top end for service, click here to read the full article (PDF).