Mankato Motors

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet

Consider this a sign of the times: Even though Chevrolet is readying its highest-performance Camaro ever, General Motors executives are reportedly already hedging their bets that over 50 percent of all 2012 ZL1 orders will be for automatic transmission models.

The high expected order rate for automatics paired with the 6.2-liter, 580-horsepower ZL1 not only follows a growing market preference for two-pedal vehicles, it also suggests that even sporty car buyers are noting that advancements in design have all but eliminated the performance deficit long associated with this type of transmission.

Low take rates also means that fewer models are even available with manual transmissions, and it's a problem that's only getting more acute. With fewer new cars being fitted with manual transmissions, opportunities for learning how to drive a three-pedal car (along with people who can teach how to drive them) are fewer and further between. The result? Even fewer manual transmissions.

According to the Ward's Auto report, fully 89 percent of 2010 model-year passenger cars were fitted with automatic gearboxes. In the case of Chevrolet's Camaro, even the existing SS model is trending at 70 percent automatic, and that's higher than the 65 percent take rate among base Corvette purchasers.

The Oshawa, Ontario-built Camaro ZL1 is expected in dealers in the first quarter of 2012.

Chevy expects over half of all Camaro ZL1 models to be automatic originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Sep 2011 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Safety, Videos, Hatchback, Chevrolet, GM

General Motors was proud to show off a bit of recent crash testing done with its 2012 Chevrolet Sonic, and for good reason, too. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has officially highlighted the subcompact cruiser as a Top Safety Pick. To qualify, the Sonic needed to earn 'Good' scores in Frontal Offset, Side Impact and Roof Strength tests. Non-spoiler alert: it earned A-plus marks across the board.

Besides being a small cocoon of safety, Chevrolet is happy to report that the Environmental Protection Agency is listing the Sonic with a 40 mile per gallon highway fuel economy rating. The 2012 Sonic utilizes its turbocharged 138-horsepower 1.4-liter engine and six-speed manual transmission to hit the estimated 40 mpg on the highway and it will return 29 mpg around town. Click past the jump and you can watch the Sonic get smashed up. You know... for science.

Continue reading Chevy Sonic officially rated 40 mpg, earns Top Safety Pick [w/video]

Chevy Sonic officially rated 40 mpg, earns Top Safety Pick [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Sep 2011 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Classics, Chevrolet, GM

There have been a lot of great Chevrolet models over the years. The 1957 Chevy Bel Air, the 1963 Corvette Sting Ray, the 1970 Chevelle SS... lots of fantastic sheet metal on the Bowtie's all-time all-star team.

But while filling out a "best of" team is easy for any Chevy fanboy, choosing one model that rises above all others can be a chore. That didn't stop 124,000 online participants from voting for their all-time number one Chevrolet in honor of the brand's centennial celebration, and the winner clobbered the competition. The 1969 Camaro, which boasted a choice of five V8 engines including the 6.5-liter 396, bested all comers with 25,058 total votes, followed by the 1970 Chevelle SS. With all those classics in Chevy's catalog, modern models like the 2009 Corvette ZR1 and the 2011 Volt never had a chance.

Chevy design boss Tom Peters tends to agree with that vote, calling the 1969 pony car one of the best cars of all-time. Peters has owned a '69 Camaro for 20 years, so his opinion is probably less than objective.

Continue reading Chevy fans vote 1969 Camaro best Bowtie of all time

Chevy fans vote 1969 Camaro best Bowtie of all time originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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