Month: October 2017

Chevrolet’s Got the Ultimate California Cool Crossover – Meet the 2018 Traverse SUP Concept

Published on by carcentricLeave a comment
2017 Chevy Traverse SUP concept-SEMA-2
The Traverse SUP in its natural habitat.
by Michele Spencer

The rest of the world will have to wait just a few more days until SEMA (running from October 31 through November 3), but a small group was honored to be shown the concept on the beach in Malibu, California this week.  It’s almost sad to think that it has to be shipped off to the desert to do its official duties in Las Vegas.

The gorgeous blue hues complement the ocean perfectly and capture the essence of the California beach lifestyle.

A specially made Thule rack carries the matching stand up Riviera paddleboard that comes with the package.  The concept sports gloss black bodyside molding, gloss black headlamp bezels, 20-inch black aluminum wheels,  tinted windows, and dark gray wheel opening trim.

Inside are three rows with easy fold-down of the seats in the back. Seats are embroidered with the Traverse logo.  The cargo space has an integrated liner.

The Traverse SUP concept will join approximately 20 other Chevrolet models at SEMA this week.  If you can’t make it to Las Vegas, follow the action at ChevySema.com and/or use the following social media tags:

Instagram:  #CHEVYSEMA

Twitter:  @ChevroletPerformance

Facebook: Chevrolet Performance

 

 

Chevrolet Gives Us Two 2018 Hot Wheels Edition Camaros – Because You’re Never Too Old For Hot Wheels or Fun Behind the Wheel.

Published on by carcentricLeave a comment
18CHCA35040_V3.tif
Two Hot Wheels Camaros were revealed this week – One for the track, one for the road, in honor of 50 years of both toys.  Left: 2018 Camaro 2SS Convertible.  Right: 2018 Camaro 2LT.

October 25, 2017:  Under a clear blue sky with temperatures hovering in the high 90s, it was a hot day in El Segundo, California.  Heat records were in the process of being broken. The group gathered at Hot Wheels Garage clutched bottles of cold water as if their lives depended on it while waiting for the big reveal in the parking lot.  It was hot, but what rested under the black silk cloth was even hotter.

Chevrolet celebrated the 50th year since introduction of its iconic Camaro in 2016.  Hot Wheels is celebrating its own 50th anniversary this year.  It was only natural for the two to partner up for a special project hotter than Southern California during a Santa Ana condition.

The Hot Wheels 50th Anniversary Edition Camaros revealed this week are proof that we never outgrow our toys.  How wonderful that they grew with us.  The buyer can have a life size Camaro in Crush orange to drive around in, a 1/64 scale version to play with in a different way, and one to take out to the drag strip on Friday nights.

18CHCA35033_V2.tif
The 1/64 scale version of the 2018 Hot Wheels Camaro perches on the spoiler. 

The 2018 Hot Wheels commemorative package goes on sale in the first quarter of 2018, and the cost is $4,995.00.

The package includes Satin Graphite rally stripes, silver ice metallic accents, 20-inch forged aluminum wheels in Satin Graphite, 50th Anniversary Hot Wheels fender badges, a unique grill with Galvano Chrome inserts, orange brake calipers, smoked tail lamps, jet black leather interior with orange accent stitching, suede panels (only available on the Z06 Corvette, not on any other Chevrolets), embossed headrests, 50th Anniversary Hot Wheels badge on the steering wheel, illuminated doorsill plates with 50th Anniversary Hot Wheels badges, and premium floor mats with orange stitching and “ghost” stripes.

Of course, it has a 6-speed manual transmission.

For additional information on the Hot Wheels Camaro, go to  http://www.chevrolet.com/camaro-hot-wheels

ALSO REVEALED: 2018 DRAG RACE READY HOT WHEELS CAMARO
IMG_2866 2018 Camaro COPO
Chevrolet’s 2018 Hot Wheels COPO edition drag racer being revealed at Hot Wheels Garage in California.  

The 2018 COPO Camaro Hot Wheels drag race car will be a limited edition of only 69 produced, as per tradition.  It will be a three speed automatic ready for the track.  It comes equipped with a roll cage, a parachute, and racing seats.

Badging and race wheels and tires on the COPO
COPO’s engine, one of several available.
Debut at Hot Wheels Garage.

For information on the drag race version of the 2018 Hot Wheels Camaro go to http://www.chevrolet.com/performance/copo-registration.

Don’t delay, though: Chevrolet is closing the registration for the 2018 Hot Wheels COPO Camaro on November 30, 2017.

Both 2018 Hot Wheels 50th Anniversary Edition vehicles will be on display at SEMA (October 31 – November 3) in Las Vegas.

 

TEST DRIVE REVIEW: You Owe it To Your Family and Yourself to Check out the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox Crossover – It’s The Most Fun You’ll Have Being Practical

Published on by carcentricLeave a comment
By Michele Spencer

The Equinox earns the top spot on the list of family sport utility vehicles because it has everything that a busy family needs in a transporter/grocery getter/road tripper, and has a strong and powerful engine with nice handling to keep the driver very happy, at a very competitive price.

One of the features that sets the Equinox apart from other SUVs is one simple tech feature:  If you opened a back passenger door during the outing, you will be reminded by a message on the driver’s display screen to check the back seat once the car is turned off.  This feature needs to be standard on all vehicles, considering the stories in the news about kids and animals being left behind.

The Equinox is a two row compact SUV which seats five.  The size of the Equinox is about the same as a Honda CR-V, a Ford Escape and a Mazda CX-5.  There’s 30 cubic feet of rear cargo space.  The cabin is quiet, comfortable and roomy, with standard heated, leather-trimmed seats, 10-way driver’s seat adjustments, and a telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel.  There are lots of places to stow items in the console.  The panoramic sunroof (fully retractable) and glass roof let in as much light as desired with one-touch switch controls.

There are excellent cameras and displays for safe backing up, moving forward toward an object, and for those crucial side views.  When the (as tested) Equinox senses that it is too close to an object in front, the driver’s seat will vibrate lightly to alert them of the situation.

In order to increase MPG, the engine shuts off at common stops.  Once the foot is lifted off the brake, the engine restarts automatically.

Volume and temperature controls are by knob and button, instead of by screen touch, which is exactly how they should be so that the driver isn’t distracted performing common correction tasks on the road.

The Equinox was very close to the 25 MPG combined fuel economy rating (22 city and 29 highway) with a lot of stop and go Los Angeles traffic and a bit of open highway.  The engine is responsive and there are no issues with getting quick speed when necessary.  The turning radius is acceptable for the crossover segment.

As a tow vehicle, the tester could haul up to 3505 pounds.  The 1.5 liter gasoline and 1.6 liter diesel versions could haul 1500 pounds.

Chevy has improved the Equinox with this model year.  The tech and safety features on the 2018 Equinox combined with its handling and good MPG make it a no-contest champion over the top-selling compact crossover in the US, the Honda CR-V.  Its closest competition would be the Mazda CX-3 and CX-5.   The Equinox has gone from so-so to highly recommended.

The Equinox base price is $33,585.00, plus the destination charge of $895 for shipping from Canada, making it competitive in its segment as a sensible family vehicle with enough zip to make the driver a happy camper.

http://www.chevrolet.com/suvs/equinox-compact-suv

2018 Chevrolet Equinox FWD Premier 2.0 Liter Turbo

Engine:  2.0 liter turbocharged gasoline engine (as tested);  Also available in 1.6 liter turbo diesel engine and 1.5 liter gasoline engine, either AWD or FWD.

Transmission:  5 speed automatic

Wheels:  19 inch

Lights:  LED headlamps and tail lamps, daytime running lights

Trailering equipment:  standard, all models

Remote vehicle start, at press of button on remote key

Heated seats:  Driver and front passenger

Rear split-folding seats

Audio:  6 speaker system

Connectivity: MyLink audio, 8 inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, OnStar, 4G LTE wi-fi hotspot.

Packages on vehicle as tested:  “Confidence and Convenience II”  Package :  Power adjustments on front passenger seat, ventilated driver and passenger seats, heated steering wheel, low speed forward automatic braking, forward collision alert, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, following distance indicator, safety alert seat, surround vision, intellibeam auto high beam control, and roof rack cross rails. ($1895.00)  “Sun, Sound and Navigation” Package: Power sunroof, Chevrolet MyLink navigation, 7 speaker Bose sound system, HD radio.  ($2620.00)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TEST DRIVE REVIEW: There’s a queen of the road, and her name is Cascada.

Published on by carcentric2 Comments

Buick Cascada 2017 Rear

Review of the 2017 Buick Cascada 
By Michele Spencer

Take Cascada in as you approach.  Her resplendent red body and clean lines are easy on the eyes.  You wish her top was down. Fifteen seconds later it is, and instantly her true beauty is revealed.  Open her door.  It swings out towards you, wider than expected, inviting you in.  Glide in to the cockpit, and you’re comfortable right away.  Turn her key and listen to her turbo enhanced 1.6 liter 4-cylinder engine come to life with a healthy purr.  Taking you down the road, her shift points are seamless, never jerky or sudden.  Surely, there must be a fault, but there isn’t one…she hugs the road on the turns, and she gives you power right when you demand it.  She’s a genteel lady, not a woman in a hurry.  Before you know it, you’re in love.  That’s the Cascada effect.

Buick introduced the Cascada in 2016 with very little fanfare, so little that most people don’t even know that this model exists.  Queen Cascada turns heads everywhere, even driving around town in car-jaded Southern California.   20-inch black gloss finished wheels look stunning against the Sport Red paint and black ragtop.

Just like a woman you should fall in love with and take home to mother, the exterior is just part of the Cascada charm.  Interior appointments are refined, with plenty of leather.   The tester had red leather stitching on the steering wheel, dash, doors, and seats, taking it to luxury level, as part of the no-charge option package.   Cascada in the Sport Touring model comes standard with heated and heat-reflective front and rear leather seats and heated steering wheel.   The infotainment system is run through a 7-inch touchscreen, with 7 speakers for optimum listening to XM radio, CD, or MP3.  Wind noise is minimal with the top up, which is yet another pleasant surprise.

She’s practical, too.

At night, Cascada’s articulating headlamps turn with you, showing you the road.  OnStar is standard and costs nothing for the first five years.  It comes with a built in 4G LTE wi-fi.  If there’s a disaster, or traveling with work is life, then Cascada’s got you covered – your computer and devices are seamlessly powered and connected.   The overall safety rating by NHTSA:  five stars, of course.

Fuel economy according to the sticker is 20 city and 27 highway.  In my week of combined city and highway driving, I averaged 23.1 mpg.

The Cascada has an “I’ve arrived” attitude, but in an understated way.  There’s no ridiculous makeup or big hairdo on this lady, but she is getting noticed by every guy in the place for her simple beauty and charm.  With an MSRP of $37,065.00 (plus destination fee of $925.00), you may find yourself free-falling hard.

Buick Cascada 2017 side

http://www.buick.com/previous-year/cascada-luxury-convertible.html

Specifications – 2017 Buick Cascada Sport Touring

Vehicle Type:  Two door, 4 passenger convertible (mid-size sedan)

Engine:  1.6 liter turbo 4-cylinder internal combustion

Drivetrain:  6 speed automatic

Suspension:  Sport Tuned

HP/Torque:  200 hp / 207 lb-ft

Wheels (Sport Touring, Dark Effects Package): 20” black gloss finish

Convertible top:  Folding, acoustically and thermally insulated

MPG:  20/27/23 (city/highway/combined)

‘Dark Effects’ Option Package (no charge) includes front grille with black gloss finish, body color fog lamp accents, 20” black gloss finish wheels, mirror caps with black gloss finish, sport red exterior paint, body color rear accent molding, and red accent stitching on interior panels and seats