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Chevy still has 6,000 unsold last-gen Volt hybrids
The 2016 Chevy Volt promises to be a much better hybrid than its predecessor, with a lower price and better performance... and unfortunately for GM, that improvement might be hurting sales of the outgoing model. The Detroit Free Press reports that there were roughly 6,000 unsold 2015 Volts as of April, or more than twice the 2,779 that sold in the first four months of the year. Sales are down 46 percent versus the same period a year ago, and dealers appear willing to make some serious concessions to clinch a deal. While the 2015 Volt officially carries a $34,345 sticker price before tax credits, the TrueCar price guide shows that buyers are typically paying $30,607 -- quite the discount if you're looking for an extra-efficient ride.
Chevy's 2016 Volt costs just $25,000 if you live in California
Chevy's Volt hybrid was once considered pricey even after government tax credits, but the 2016 model may well be within your reach... if you live in the right state, at least. The automaker has revealed that its latest eco-friendly sedan will cost $33,995 at full price (down $1,200 from last year), but it'll drop to a more palpable $26,495 if you qualify for a full federal tax credit. And if you live in California, it'll sit just under the magic $25,000 mark -- not bad for a full-size car that can stay on electric power during a typical commute. You can certainly find cheaper hybrids if you look around, but this is a testament to how quickly Chevy's once-exotic technology has become accessible.
The Big Picture: Chevy's self-driving concept car is straight out of sci-fi
Thought that Mercedes' F 015 self-driving car was futuristic? It looks old hat next to GM's autonomous electric concept, the Chevrolet-FNR. The pod-like design appears ripped straight from a sci-fi flick, complete with crystal laser lights, "dragonfly" swinging doors and sensors (including radar) that aren't as conspicuous as they are on other robotic vehicles. And that's just the outside -- inside, it's touting magnetic hubless wheel electric motors, wireless charging, swiveling front seats and eye recognition to verify the owner. As with most out-there concepts, the chances of driving what you see here are slim to none. However, it won't be at all shocking if the technology in the FNR eventually trickles down to more practical (if far less adventurous) cars.
Tech inside the 2016 Chevy Malibu teaches safe driving habits (update)
It won't be properly revealed until next month's New York Auto Show, but Chevrolet is already revving up the features inside its 2016 Malibu. The mid-size sedan will pack a system called Teen Driver: a tool to help parents foster safe driving habits, even when their kids are out for a solo trip. For starters, Teen Driver will automatically mute music if any of the front-seat riders haven' fastened their seat belts. It also offers both audio and visual warnings when the car's speed goes above a preset limit. The system tallys driving stats for a Report Card, tracking distance, max speed, over-speed warnings and incidents that trigger stability control, antilock brakes, forward collision alerts and the forward collision braking feature.
Chevy is making its long-range Bolt EV concept car a reality
Chevrolet is moving forward with its plans to build the long-range, all-electric Bolt. The crossover-style EV was unveiled a month ago as a concept car at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, not far from the Orion Assembly plant, where the carmaker will begin manufacturing the electric vehicle. When it was unveiled, the company announced target specs including a 200-mile range and a price of around $30,000. Those numbers would put it in direct competition with Tesla's upcoming Model 3 EV. By comparison, Chevy's $27,000 Spark EV city car manages roughly 82 miles on a charge.
Chevy Bolt EV concept hints at the future of affordable electric cars
Those rumors of GM developing its own affordable electric car? Yep, they're true. Chevrolet has unveiled the Bolt EV concept, its vision of a vehicle that can deliver 200 miles of all-electric driving for about $30,000 after tax credits. It's not as slick as a Tesla Model S, but it promises an airy, spacious design (check out that full-length glass roof) with some technological smarts. It touts multiple driving modes that adjust the steering, acceleration and suspension, and the interior's center stack is dominated by a 10-inch capacitive touchscreen. Also, you wouldn't have to spring for a BMW or Tesla to get a vehicle that can park itself -- the Bolt's smartphone app would automatically fetch and drop off the car when you're in a hurry.
Chevy's 2016 Volt goes farther, faster than its predecessor
On the eve of the Detroit Auto Show, Chevrolet is finally ready to reveal details about the second generation of its groundbreaking plug-in hybrid vehicle. The 2016 Volt is new in pretty much every way, with a refined exterior and interior design, plus improvements under the hood that offer 50 miles of EV range and a total driving range of more than 400 miles. GM claims that means owners can average 1,000 miles between fill-ups with regular charging. The dual-motor drive unit isn't just more efficient; it's also 100 pounds lighter (the battery dropped 20 pounds too). Despite putting out 149 hp (same as the previous unit), it's also faster, with an 8.4-second 0-60 time that's 7 percent faster, and a 19 percent improvement in its zero to 30 time, now down to 2.6 seconds. As promised, it even adjusts charging patterns if you're at home or away based on GPS. The only question not answered yet is the price, which GM expects to reveal this summer (or any details about that rumored lower-price Bolt). Check after the break for some specs.
WSJ: GM to release the $30,000 Chevy Bolt electric vehicle in 2017
Looks like General Motors is about to go head to head against Tesla with a new electric vehicle called Chevy Bolt (yes, Bolt with a B) -- at least according to The Wall Street Journal. The publication's sources say the Bolt can travel 200 miles on a single charge (the 2013/2014 Volt can only last 38 miles on a charge) and will be available in 2017 for $30,000. That makes it a direct competitor to Tesla's Model 3, which has very, very similar specs and pricing. The WSJ also reveals that the car will "be designed to look more like a so-called crossover vehicle" and use battery manufactured by LG Chem Ltd. in South Korea.
A closer look at the crazy car tech of CES 2015
Over the past few years, the world of connected automobiles has exploded. Self-driving cars, heads-up displays and in-car infotainment systems have become mainstays of CES and this year was no exception. Join us as we take a visual tour of Mercedes' futuristic F 015 road-ready lounge, Audi's indestructible rear-seat Android tablets and everything in between. This is the wild world of automotive tech at CES 2015. For more automotive technology and beyond, check out our 2015 CES Field Guide.
Take a look at the new Chevy Volt
GM won't officially introduce the new Chevy Volt until next week at the Detroit Auto Show, but tonight at CES we (briefly) got an uncovered peek at the new hybrid EV. It's still a sharp-edged sedan, but the black Volt on stage at tonight's event looked like a welcome redesign compared to the outgoing version. Unfortunately we didn't get any new details on the specs or rumored lower price, so for now you can just do what we did and see it, however briefly.
Chevy previews next-gen Volt with location-based charging system
We'll be seeing the next-generation Chevy Volt in less than two months when GM launches it at the North American International Auto Show in January. But, for the sake of those who can't wait, the company has shown off a bit more of the 2016 hybrid model at an event in Los Angeles. While the first photo that came out in August only displayed the vehicle's logo, this series of images (there are more after the break) shows almost the whole front end with its redesigned silver grille and angular headlights. We still don't know if it's going to be significantly cheaper than its predecessor, but General Motors has at least revealed that the car will boast GPS location-based charging.
Chevrolet unveils futuristic 'Gran Turismo 6' concept car
Nissan isn't the only automaker with a real-life version of a vehicle from Gran Turismo 6. At the LA International Auto Show, Chevrolet rolled out its own: the Chaparral 2X Vision Gran Turismo (VGT). The concept car was developed as part of the Vision Gran Turismo project that includes offerings from Subaru, Toyota, Aston Martin and more. As the name suggests, Chevy's take got a hand from Chaparral Racing and includes futuristic options like driver-adjustable aerodynamics and a laser-based propulsion system. The battery-powered 671-kW laser helps churn out 900 horsepower in thrust, which helps the car top out at 240 MPH while going from 0-60 MPH in 1.5 seconds -- inside the confines of GT6, of course. "In many ways, the Chaparral 2X VGT is like racing wing suit, with a protective fuselage for 'flying' very low to the ground," says design team lead Frank Saucedo. You'll be able to pilot the vehicle via an in-game download on PlayStation 3 consoles this holiday season.
Corvette's 'valet mode' is illegal depending on where you live
When we took the Corvette Performance Data Recorder for a spin at CES this year we'd never have guessed that the system could cause a run-in with Johnny Law. As it turns out, the system's audio recording feature that activates when the car's put into valet mode doesn't jive with privacy statutes in a handful of states. In fact, using it could be a felony depending where you live. Chevrolet, for its part, is apparently attempting to skirt any legal issues that may arise by notifying dealerships and giving them letters to pass out to customers. The correspondence alerts owners about the possible privacy issue, as noticed by Jalopnik when a sample was posted to Corvette Forum.
The 2015 Corvette has a video recording of everything the valet did in your car
The human body undergoes some weird physical changes when it hands the keys to a shiny new car to someone else; the pulse quickens, the throat dries out and the palms get unnaturally clammy. If that shiny new car happens to be a Corvette, though, the human body may be able to worry a little less - Chevy kitted the 2015 model out with a Valet Mode to help you lock down your ride when you're not the one driving it. Once you key in your code and fire up Valet Mode (introduced in 2014), the system springs into action: the glovebox and the storage bin in the center console automatically lock themselves and the infotainment system gets disabled completely. There's something new this year though: using the Performance Data Recorder tech, a built-in camera films where the car goes (complete with vehicle data like speed and engine RPM) while a microphone records what's going on inside the cabin. Sure, using the feature may speak to an intense distrust of your fellow man (if you've seen Ferris Bueller's Day Off), but really now -- what have those randoms done to earn your trust in the first place?
Chevy is unveiling its next-generation Volt hybrid in January
Wondering when you'll get to see that fabled (and arguably overdue) Chevy Volt redesign? Five months from now, according to GM. The automaker has confirmed that it will unveil the next version of its extended-range EV (aka serial hybrid) at the North American International Auto Show, which kicks off on January 12th. The company isn't giving curious motorists more than a teaser picture of the car's backside at this stage, but leaks and spy photos suggest that the new Volt will be cheaper and sleeker than its predecessors -- likely necessary given that the Chevy hasn't been as popular as some of its rivals. The revamp will be part of the 2016 model year, so it's safe to say that you'll get to take the wheel within months of the unveiling.
GM wants voice-controlled cars that learn what you really mean
Voice control is easy to find in cars, but it's not always intuitive. You often have to use specific syntax, which might be hard to remember when you're barreling down the highway. GM may have a smarter approach in store, though. The Wall Street Journal understands that the automaker is working with machine learning firm VocalIQ on an "advanced voice-control system" that would let you control navigation, wipers and other car components in a more intuitive way.
CES 2014: Auto roundup
While some categories at this year's International CES were a little quiet, the same cannot be said for autos. 2014's show floor was filled with car stuff, not simply from the major vendors at the show, but also from the acres of companies selling every accessory imaginable. Our takeaway from this outing is that autonomous control and re-inventing our car's oft-overlooked analog interiors are what most -- if not all -- vendors will be up to at least in part for 2014. Follow on for a few of the highlights from this year's show.
Chevrolet and OnStar announce in-car 4G LTE connectivity and curated AppShop
Chevrolet, AT&T and OnStar banded together yesterday at CES 2014 to offer us a glimpse of the heart of the Connected by OnStar 4G LTE infotainment offering: AppShop. The new service will feature a curated collection of HTML5 apps -- read: So if you're driving in the sticks and are out of cell range, your apps mostly won't work -- focused on music, weather, news and vehicle telematics all connected via AT&T's LTE network. All cars that include the OnStar 4G LTE service will also feature a WiFi access point built into the car with support for up to seven devices -- taking advantage of the same AT&T LTE link, though, still no word on the data service's pricing. We had a peek at an AppShop-equipped Impala and were most impressed with its Vehicle Health app, which shows any issues with your car from "oil health" to tire pressures. Think of it as a usable replacement for the "Check Engine" light seen on most car's dashboards, but rather than simply blinking orange it translates the error into something a tad more user friendly. Aside from car health and warnings the app enables the driver to schedule an appointment for service without having to pick up the phone. For example, by simply selecting your preferred dealership and then clicking on a date in the calendar-like display you're then presented with AM or PM time slots, and available time in either. Chevrolet's AppShop will initially be offered in its Canadian and US MyLink-equipped 2015 model-year Corvette, Impala, Equinox, Volt, Malibu, Silverado and Silverado HD. Follow our tour in the short video below.
Chevrolet debuts Corvette Performance Data Recorder: records audio, video and overlays telemetry (hands-on)
Chevrolet spent some time before CES showing us how it plans to offer Corvette owners a new instrument to hone their track skills: the Performance Data Recorder (PDR). The system, which was designed with British auto engineering company Cosworth, will begin shipping in 2015 Corvette Stingrays as a factory add-on. In its simplest form, the PDR captures video with user-selectable levels of vehicle telemetry overlaid on the 720p output. In its most complex, the session data can be dissected by the included Cosworth Toolbox software on your PC. The PDR consists of three main bits: audio and video recording, telemetry capture and an SD card slot in the glove compartment where the data is sorted. The driver then selects one of four modes: Track, Sport, Touring or Performance and with the click of a button on the car's 8-inch display, sets the start/finish line and begins recording the lapping session. Once started, the system starts grabbing info from a dedicated GPS receiver that captures data points five times more often than a normal GPS, a 720p camera mounted at the top of the windscreen begins recording and then hooks into the car's Controller Area Network (CAN) for access to all the vehicle's performance data. During our time in the driver's seat, we used Track mode as it records the most metrics including speed, throttle position, brake force, rpm, g-force, lap time and even a location-based map. Once you come to a stop, you can quickly replay the video in-car or take it offline and examine every nuance of the drive on your desktop.
Join us at Engadget Live in San Francisco this Thursday!
While December brings no shortage of events to attend in the City by the Bay, we're hosting one of our own, minus the mistletoe. This Thursday, we're bringing Engadget Live to Temple Nightclub in the heart of San Francisco. Engadget Live is a casual gathering that brings gadget lovers and tech brands together under one roof. We'll have some of the biggest names in technology on hand for you to interact with, including Nokia, Slingbox, TiVo, Gogo and many more. Western Digital is even bringing its Creative Masters, Mikel Paris, to perform throughout the night. Since we'll be at a nightclub, we're setting up a few themed lounges for you to explore. In one, our friends from the CEA (who put on that little shindig in Vegas called CES) will show off the latest in UHD TVs. In another, Chevrolet will help you #FindNewRoads. And in yet another, Sony will be on hand and letting you go hands-on with the PS4. The best part about Engadget Live is the cover charge: $0. Temple is close to BART and Caltrain, so getting there from any part of the Bay Area should be simple. Grab your ticket here and we'll see you there on Thursday night beginning at 7:00 PM.
