vLane Blog

Articles Matching “Chevrolet”

• vLane reviews: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro

  Banovsky on November 2, 2009

  Here at vLane, we've got the opportunity to sample some pretty amazing machinery. But none have been more polarizing in the last year than the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro. We've all driven both the V6 and V8-powered models…and our opinions couldn't be more split. Take a look at what I'm talking about…

  

  vLane's take on the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro:

  Herman says: "Starting with the cashier at the airport Park-N-Fly where I was picking up the vehicle, everybody had something to say or ask about the Camaro. She had been looking at the car sitting on the lot all day, and had come up with a dozen questions to ask me. I hadn't driven nor even seen the Camaro yet, so I didn't have much to say about the car at that point. As the valet pulled the car up and handed me the keys, he immediately started asking about the car's performance, though he had driven the car more than I had (all the way across the parking lot). It had been a long time since I saw so much interest and curiosity about a new vehicle…I was excited." link

  Michael says: "And trunk space? Those sexy, sculpted, naughtier-than-Sasha Grey rear fenders come at a price: there isn’t much trunk space. The opening is too small, the trunk itself is too shallow, and — though the rear seats fold down — the pass-through isn’t American Tourister (let alone Parisian Tourister) worthy." link

  Stergios says: "Personally, I prefer the looks of the 1LT base model: understated, mild mannered, and polite, for the every day driving experience. The SS2 Bumble Bee paint schema was a bit much for me to handle on a day-to-day basis, but something that would have much more appeal if this were my weekend ride." link

  Fred says: "All-American car companies are looking for the way out of this mess they are in, and we think that developing modern, efficient cars with great performance, handling, and looks are the way to go." link

  Derek says: "The Camaro is a synecdoche, a symbol of the new, vastly improved GM. But like the GM of old, the Camaro engineers forgot to put in that last little bit of effort that would make the car great." link

  Want to read more? Click on the links above to read each review.

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Review, Discussion, Chevrolet, Camaro, 2010, vLane, community, Community review

• Upcoming: #carchat 33; October 21 @ 8PM EST

  Banovsky on October 21, 2009

  This week: revelations on the auto bailout, buying a car that won't be stolen, strangest vehicle options, and advice for a new website — on how to make a good automotive website.

  If you'd like to participate, check out the #carchat How-To. Anyone can join us at 8 PM EST September 30, but you'll need a Twitter account to ask questions.

  However, if you'd like to follow things live, go here at 8 PM EST.

  And if you'd like to suggest topics and questions for the discussion, please leave a comment below, tag articles on Delicious.com with "carchat," or email me at michael [at] banovsky.com.

  Topics:

  • Discussion: More bailout revelations, from Steven Rattner!
  • Discussion: What car is least likely to be stolen or "burgled" at an airport?
  • Discussion: Strangest car/truck/van options, past and present
  • Discussion: What makes a good automotive website?
  • Discussion: Would you buy a Chevrolet Cruze wagon? (With fake spy photo!)

  So click through and read a few links, and see some photos related to the discussion.

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under WTF, Nissan, Social Media, carchat, Chevrolet, Twitter, vLane, Cruze, Jalopnik, Original

• The secret world of cars and tents

  Banovsky on October 16, 2009

  It started with the photo you see below. A Sunday morning browse of Chrysler's press photo archive turned up a photo of the "Magic Camper" package, available on the 1985 Plymouth Voyager. "Hmm…" I wondered, "How many car companies offer tents for their vehicles?" The results may surprise you.

  

  1985 Plymouth Voyager "Magic Camper" package

  If I'm honest, I gave up searching for OEM tent packages. There are simply too many. From laughing at the Chervrolet Nova 6 "Hutch" package (that turns an open hatchback into a three-sided cheese slice tent), to marvelling at the ingenuity of the Honda Element's available "curtains" — it seems outdoorsy people work at nearly every car company.

  So without further adieu, click through for a gallery of my favourites.

  Read full article | Comments (6) | Filed under Classic, Feature, WTF, Saab, Misc, Toyota, Ford, Ford, Nissan, Volkswagen, Chevrolet, Dodge, LOL, GMC, From the web, Original, Camping, outdoors, Weird

• Upcoming: #carchat 31; October 7 @ 8PM EST

  Banovsky on October 7, 2009

  Yup, another #carchat. This week, Chevrolet is bringing back the Caprice…but only if you're wearing a badge, Toyota will be making sports cars again in a joint effort with Subaru, we discuss how to improve sales at General Motors, and we'll be helping out a shopper!

  If you'd like to participate, check out the #carchat How-To. Anyone can join us at 8 PM EST September 30, but you'll need a Twitter account to ask questions.

  However, if you'd like to follow things live, go here at 8 PM EST.

  And if you'd like to suggest topics and questions for the discussion, please leave a comment below, tag articles on Delicious.com with "carchat," or email me at michael [at] banovsky.com.

  Topics:

  • Discussion: Chevrolet's return to police cars
  • Discussion: Toyota is going to make sports cars again…
  • Discussion: Mark LaNeve to leave GM…How would you turn sales around?
  • Help-a-shopper: Phil Herlihy

  So click through and read a few links, and see some photos related to the discussion.

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under General Motors, Sports car, Toyota, This week, Social Media, carchat, Chevrolet, Twitter, vLane, Caprice

• Chevrolet Caprice police car to criminals: don't run

  Banovsky on October 5, 2009

  Usually, police cars are slow and ponderous. Sure, there's the old adage, "You can't outrun the radio," but let's face it: if the officer doesn't get a look at your Lamborghini, there's no way the wheezy 240-horsepower Crown Vic he's driving will catch you. That may soon change with this, the Holden Statesman Chevrolet Caprice police car.

  

  2011 Chevrolet Caprice police package

  Imported from Australia, the Caprice will be sold only as a police car. Equipped with a 6.0-litre V8 engine, it'll hit 60 in under six seconds — far faster than most other dedicated police vehicles.

  Some features:

  • Powerful 6.0L V-8 with fuel-saving Active Fuel Management technology and E85 capability delivers expected best-in-class 0-60 acceleration (sub six seconds) and top speed; a V-6 engine will also be offered, beginning in the 2012 model year
  • Optional front-seat-only side curtain air bags allows a full-width rear-seat barrier for greater officer safety
  • Two trunk-mounted batteries, with one of them dedicated to powering various police equipment
  • Designed for five-passenger seating, meaning the upper-center section of the dashboard can be used for equipment mounting without the concern of air bag deployment interference
  • Compatibility with in-dash touch-screen computer technology
  • Special front seats designed for the long-term comfort of officers whose car is their effective office, including space that accommodates the bulk of a typical equipment belt

  Click for more photos and the release!

  [via Jalopnik]

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Grey Import, Government, Future, News, Sedan, Chevrolet, police, Australia, Holden, 2012

• Silly old ad: The Toyota Cavalier

  Banovsky on September 28, 2009

  Yes, Toyota sold a rebadged Chevrolet Cavalier in Japan. But was it a "new form of luxury" as the ads claim?

  

  A strong candidate for an "LOL WTF" award…

  Thanks to Flickr member for uploading this ad. Click through to see it…and two commercials!

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under WTF, Sedan, Japan, Toyota, Advertising, Coupe, Chevrolet, LOL, Commercial, Silly old commercial, Cavalier, Original

• Recap: #carchat 29; September 22 @ 3PM EST

  Banovsky on September 25, 2009

  Social media is such a cool thing that we're constantly evolving how we communicate. Take #carchat: the first few originated out of a spirited conversation.

  

  We had a special guest this week: Bob Lutz, General Motors Vice Chairman and marketing chief was our featured guest on #carchat, at a special 3 PM EST to 5 PM EST time slot. Our topics fell under a General Motors theme for obvious reasons… Anyone can join us each week at 8PM EST on Twitter. And if you'd like to suggest topics, please tag articles on Delicious.com with "carchat."

  
  
  
  
  

  We had:

  • Discussion: Buick's new tagline, why?
  • Discussion: The importance of marketing
  • Discussion: Is good design really "free"?
  • Discussion: How to change people's perceptions about GM

  So? What are you waiting for? Click through to the recap.

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under GM, General Motors, This week, Social Media, carchat, Chevrolet, Cadillac, Twitter, vLane, Buick, Bob Lutz, GMC

• Upcoming: #carchat 29; September 23 @ 3PM EST with Bob Lutz

  Banovsky on September 18, 2009

  Big news! Bob Lutz, General Motors Vice Chairman and marketing chief will be our featured guest on #carchat next week, at a special 3 PM EST to 5 PM EST time slot. Our topics will fall under a General Motors theme for obvious reasons…

  

  Bob Lutz

  If you'd like to participate, check out the #carchat How-To. Anyone can join us at 3 PM EST September 23, but you'll need a Twitter account to ask questions.

  However, if you'd like to follow things live, go here at 3 PM EST.

  And if you'd like to suggest topics and questions for Lutz, please do so in the comments below or email me at michael [at] banovsky.com.

  Note: Lutz will be tweeting from the @gmblogs Twitter account. Make sure you follow them on Twitter. Also, use the hashtag "#lutz" when asking questions, this will make the discussion easier to manage!

  Topics from 3 PM EST — 3:30 PM EST:

  • Discussion: Your best General Motors product experience
  • Discussion: Your worst General Motors product experience

  Topics from 3:30 PM EST onward:

  • Discussion: Buick's new tagline, why?
  • Discussion: The importance of marketing
  • Discussion: Is good design really "free"?
  • Discussion: How to change people's perceptions about GM

  So click through and read a few links, and see some photos related to the discussion.

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under GM, General Motors, Government, Future, Advertising, Advice , Discussion, carchat, Chevrolet, Cadillac, Twitter, vLane, Buick, Bob Lutz, GMC

• Crash test hell: 1959 Chevrolet Bel-Air versus 2009 Chevrolet Malibu

  Banovsky on September 15, 2009

  We won't ruin the ending, but as they say: "They don't build 'em like they used to…"

  

  Time to click through!

  Read full article | Comments (7) | Filed under WTF, Advice , Chevrolet, LOL, Crash test, Malibu, Bel-Air, IIHS

• vLane reviews: Subaru Forester, Honda CR-V, and Chevrolet Equinox

  Banovsky on September 1, 2009

  OK, so you're in the market for a compact crossover? But which to choose? We've assembled reviews of our favourites, and want you to vote on which one you'd have in your driveway.

  The cars

  

  The Forester: "The fact that the Subaru Forester is Motor Trend’s 2009 Sport Utility Vehicle of the Year is no fluke; Subaru’s back-to-basics approach on what drivers actually need in a vehicle means that you get a lot of performance and safety for your dollar."

  

  The CR-V: "Driving the CR-V is, well, largely unexciting. Its 4-cylinder engine is punchy and moves the vehicle well, and is about all you’d ever need. Around town, you can tell that Honda put a premium on ease-of-use, driver comfort, convenience, and fuel economy."

  

  The Equinox: "…it's proof that the company is committed to producing products that are relevant to the average consumer. It's not puffed up on navel gazing market research (Malibu Maxx, anyone?) but fits the needs of a large portion of the population."

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  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Honda, SUV, Crossover, Advice , Subaru, Chevrolet, SUV, 2010, 2009, vLane, Equinox, Forester, CR-V