We went to SEMA expecting to see off-the-wall vehicles. We prepared for months, but nothing could have prepared us for this: the Phantom Caprice, or a 1972 Chevrolet Caprice riding on 30-inch wheels and snouted with a Rolls-Royce Phantom front clip. It's a well-done DONK (typically an American sedan from the 60s, 70s, or 80s with oversized tires), which itself is a bit of an oxymoron; Donks are typically characterized by shoddy construction. This one, however, looks relatively sanitary on the outside.
Working on the theory that saving fuel is most important in the vehicles that consume the most, General Motors has introduced the GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado hybrid pickup trucks.
Already out in Yukon and Tahoe SUVs, the two-mode hybrid was developed in a joint venture with Chrysler and BMW. The idea came about as a scaled-down version of GM’s hybrid bus drive train and is especially well-suited to vehicles that need some towing and hauling capability.
The system is distinct from most other hybrid systems because it can automatically run on straight mechanical power as well as pure electric or a combination of the two.
Based on the reengineered Sierra and Silverado pickups that debuted in 2007, the hybrids look the same as the crew cab versions of the base trucks with the exception of some hybrid badges, optional hybrid graphics and a standard tonneau cover that helps out aerodynamics.
The battery pack is underneath the rear seat, and the hybrid drive unit is about the same size as the transmission it replaces. It contains two compact electric motors (one reverses field to generate power) and four mechanical gears. The two-mode hybrid system sees the most advantage in city driving, so GM planned an all-city driving route as the first demonstration for the press.
Starting off in a four-wheel-drive Sierra rated at 20 mpg n in both city and highway driving, I clocked an indicated average of 22.3 mpg over approximately 75 minutes of driving.
The small print in the EPA ratings do say 16 to 24 mpg is the “expected range for most drivers.” I was driving conservatively, but not to the extent of holding up traffic. My driving partner for the day nearly duplicated my efforts on the return trip with a 22 average mpg reading. Like other hybrids, the engine shuts off when the vehicle is stopped so as not to idle unnecessarily.
When you start moving again, the hybrid pickups are capable of driving up to a stated 30 mph on electric power alone. The gasoline engine starts up automatically and seamlessly when it is needed.
As I had experienced previously in a GMC Yukon hybrid, it was difficult to start moving at a normal rate without the engine kicking in.
However, once it was rolling with a steady throttle input, the engine would turn off and we were able to run up to around 28 mph on electric power for a quarter mile or so at a time. Above that, engine power would do the driving duties.
Ideally, at the 35 mph cruising speeds we were getting, the truck would run on hybrid power, a combination of gas engine and electric drive, but this seemed hard to maintain unless we were on a longer stretch at steady speed. When you back off the accelerator and coast, the batteries start recharging. The 6.0-liter V-8 engine will also automatically cruise in four-cylinder mode for extra fuel savings.
Next, two Sierra and Silverado hybrids were hooked to trailers and others were loaded with 800 pounds in their beds. We took a drive towing a 5,400-pound Sea Ray boat with inertia brakes on the trailer. The hybrid was able to pull the boat in electric mode up to 15 mph. When briskly accelerating from a stop, the hybrid felt especially potent.
I asked lead development engineer John Turzewski what was the hybrid drive’s equivalent to first gear.
“You have infinite gear ratios,” he said “The 6.0-liter will do zero-to-60 in 8.4 seconds, plus you get the additional assist of the electric motors, which is instantaneous.” In that regard, the hybrid might even be better for towing than a conventional truck, not to mention more fuel efficient. The short towing test loop resulted in a quite respectable indicated 15 mpg.
The Silverado and Sierra hybrids do deliver as promised, and the hybrid drive functions in a silent, seamless manner. However, their advantage can only be used to its full potential in a fairly narrow set of circumstances.
Extensive city driving, perhaps as a delivery truck or a longer stop-and-go commute are some areas where the hybrids would excel in efficiency.
On short trips, especially in cold weather, you won’t see any savings over a similar gas-only pickup with cylinder deactivation, as the engine must be fully warmed up before the hybrid drive starts functioning. Yukon and Tahoe hybrid SUVs hit the market last year only fully loaded at upper-end sticker prices; GM has made the price of admission for the pickups more affordable with a decently equipped package starting at $38,995, including destination.
Probably not low enough to save money in the long run at today’s gas prices, but it’s still a compelling product and an impressive engineering achievement.
Chevrolet Volt is scheduled to launch on 2011, this cool car is able to travel 40 miles on a single charge without using any gasoline or emissions. Chevrolet Volt also has an electric motor powered by a 1.4-liter four-cylinder flex-fuel engine as a backup, this motor will take over when the car goes beyond the 40 mile range.
Chevrolet Volt concept has a sophisticated design, the design and engineering is a result from collaboration between GM designer and GE Plastics. Their technology make the exterior appearance of the Volt become more bold and futuristic. The Interior of this concept car is ergonomic and futuristic.
This cool automotive is a limited series of 250 Victory Edition Corvette Coupes. This sportcar is based on the Corvette C6 Coupe. This Victory Edition has the LS2 6.0L V-8 engine which can produce 297kW (404 hp) and 546 Nm of torque. This limited car only available in two colours, black or yellow. The interior has two tone leather seats, grey door spill plates and numbered Victory Edition badge.
General Specifications :
Limited : only 250 built Produced in : 2007
Engine :
Configuration : LS2 90ยบ V 8 Engine Location :Front, longitudinally mounted Construction :cast-aluminum block and head Displacement :5.970 liter / 364.3 cu in Bore / Stroke : 101.6 mm (4 in) / 92.0 mm (3.6 in) Compression : 10.9:1 Valvetrain : 2 valves / cylinder, OHV Fuel Feed : Sequential Fuel injection Aspiration : Naturally Aspirated Drive train : composite body panels, hydroformed steel frame with aluminum & magnesium structural and chassis components Chassis / Body : composite body panels, hydroformed steel frame with aluminum & magnesium structural and chassis components Suspension (fr/r) : short/long arm double wishbone, cast aluminum upper & lower control arms, transverse-mounted composite leaf spring, monotube shock absorber Steering : rack-and-pinion, power assisted, speed sensitive Brakes : vented discs, all round. ABS Gearbox : Tremec T56 6 speed Manual Drive : Rear wheel drive
Dimension :
Weight : 1470 kilo / 3240.8 lbs Lenght :4435 mm (174.6 in) Width :1844 mm (72.6 in) Height :1246 mm (49.1 in) Wheelbase / Track (fr/r) :2686 mm (105.7 in) / 1577 mm (62.1 in) / 1542 mm (60.7 in)
Performance :
Power : 400 bhp / 298 KW @ 6000 rpm Torque : 542 Nm / 400 ft lbs @ 4400 rpm BHP / Liter : 67 bhp / liter Power to weight : 0.27 bhp / kg Top Speed :290 km/h / 180 mph 0-60 mph : 4.5 s
American sport car has the sexiest design. This legendary Chevrolet Corvette is a hot and wild sportcar and it’s loaded with 5,967 cc V8 front engine. This car has a base models that have 400 hp and a 6-speed manual transmission, it also has 505 hp.
Chevrolet Corvette 2007 General Specifications :
Retail Value :$32,100.00 Body Type :Coupe
Performance & Efficiency Specifications :
5,967 cc 6 liters V 8 front engine with 101.6 mm bore, 92 mm stroke, 10.9 compression ratio, overhead valve and two valves per cylinder LS2 Premium unleaded fuel 91 Fuel economy EPA highway (mpg): 28 and EPA city (mpg): 18 Multi-point injection fuel system 18 gallon main premium unleaded fuel tank Power: 298 kW , 400 HP SAE @ 6,000 rpm; 400 ft lb , 542 Nm @ 4,400 rpm
Handling, Ride & Braking :
Four-wheel ABS Cornering brake control Four disc brakes including four ventilated discs Electronic traction control via ABS & engine management Immobilizer Rear limited slip differential Stability control Wishbone front and rear suspension independent with stabilizer bar and leaf springs
Exterior & Aerodynamics :
External dimensions : overall length (inches): 174.6, overall width (inches): 72.6, Overall height (inches): 49, wheelbase (inches): 105.7, front track (inches): 62.1, Weights: curb weight (lbs) 3,179 rear track (inches): 60.7 and curb to curb turning circle (feet): 39
Interior :
Internal dimensions: front headroom (inches): 37.9, front hip room (inches): 53.6, front leg room (inches): 43.1, front shoulder room (inches): 55.2 and interior volume (cu ft): 52 Air conditioning with climate control RDS audio system with AM/FM and CD player CD player reads MP3 Full dashboard console , full floor console with covered storage box Driver front airbag with multi-stage deployment , passenger front airbag with occupant sensors and multi-stage deployment Bucket electrically adjustable driver seat with height adjustment, three adjustments and tilt adjustment , bucket passenger seat Remote fuel filler door release Remote control remote trunk/hatch release Leather seat upholstery with additional vinyl Seating : two seats
car caprice phantom donk design
