Chevrolet Aveo : Hazardous to Passengers’ Health?

HealthyStuff.Org is an information portal for the Ann Arbor, a Michigan based Ecology Centre. It recently conducted a research in which it used an X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) device to test the toxicity levels in the interiors of various vehicles.

The team found traces of life-damaging substances like lead, cadmium etc in the passenger compartments of the cars, measured in ppm (parts per million) and then the products were assigned low, medium or high risk level ratings dependent on quantity of such substances present. The findings were then rated on a scale of 0-5 (0-best, 5-worst)

The results were quite astonishing.

On one hand, the Chevrolet Cobalt scored a no threat rating of 0.7 and on the other hand, the Chevrolet Aveo scored an alarming rating of 4.7 (Click on the image above to understand the whole story)

While there are safety and emission norms for vehicles, we’re not aware of norms which prescribe the permissible levels of toxicity in interior of the cars. We generally assume that once we roll up the windows and switch on the air-conditioner, we’re completely insulated from the pollution or harmful substances in the atmosphere around us. Well, think again!

PS - The findings pertain only to the US-built 2009 year spec Chevrolet Aveo. Tests have not yet been performed on vehicles manufactured in India or other countries.

Source - IndianAutosBlog

Spied: Chevrolet Cruze at Pune, India ; HQ Pics

 

A partly camouflaged Chevrolet Cruze was spotted at Pune. Chevrolet is expected to launch the Cruze in India soon and is being seen as the company’s attempt to make a comeback in the premium C-Segment Market.

Specifications & Details

• Two Engine Variants – 2.0 Litre Diesel, 1.8 Litre Petrol
• Diesel Engine’s Max Power - 150 ps@ 4000 rpm
• Diesel Engine’s Max Torque - 330 NM@ 2600 rpm
• Manual Transmission Now, Six Speed Auto Transmission for Petrol version to Follow
• Hallmark C-Segment Features – Sunroof, Electrical OVRMs, ABS

Safety Features

• Top Priority has been given to Passenger Safety
• Dual air bags
• Side impact beams for all doors in case of any collision
• ABS,EBD
• Brake assists provided on the board

Price in India

The Cruze will be offered in India at an anticipated price bracket of Rs 11-14 Lakhs, nothing has been made official, though.

via Wheelosphere

GM planning midsize SUV with plug-in hybrid system

General Motors Co.'s product development chief,Tom Stephens says the company will introduce a plug-in rechargeable midsize sport vehicle sometime in late 2010 or in 2011

Acc to Stephens, the new vehicle will be about the size of a Chevrolet Equinox SUV and get double the city gas mileage of a similar-sized conventional vehicle.

The 2010 Chevy Equinox

The SUV will have a version of GM's two-mode hybrid powertrain now used in larger SUVs and pickup trucks.

The current Equinox with a four-cylinder engine and front-wheel-drive gets 22 miles per gallon (9 kilometers per liter) in city driving.

New Isuzu Engine for Chevrolet Tavera

The Chevrolet Tavera

GM India is thinking about planting an all-new Isuzu engine in the Chevrolet Tavera. The new engine could be from the Isuzu D-Max pick-up in Thailand, and this engine will meet the new BS IV emission norms which come into effect on April 2010.

The Isuzu D-Max Pickup Truck

However, it’s unlikely that the BS IV Tavera will be launched before the end of 2010. This means that the car will only sell in non-metro towns after April next year, until the Tavera with the new engine is launched.

Mahindra is developing an MM540 with the Scorpio engine and gearbox. It will be a 4x4 only and uses suspension bits from the Scorpio and Bolero as well. This model called the ‘Thar’ is mainly intended for export markets. However, there is a possibility that it could be introduced in the domestic market as well.

In accordance with the upcoming BS IV emission standards, diesel car manufacturers are relying on Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF) to meet these norms. However, the worry is that our driving cycle and fuel quality in non-BS IV markets could damage the DPF. There is a mad scramble, especially within the VW Group, to find a solution by either making the DPF work in India or meet BS IV norms without the DPF.

Maruti is developing more models to further strengthen its position. An all-new, India-specific model (code: YE3) is expected to slot in below the Alto and fill the space the Maruti 800, with its dwindling numbers, has vacated. The new Wagon R (code: YR9) is also being developed for a 2010 launch.

All these models will use the new KB-series engine which has proved to be incredibly fuel efficient.

GM rolls out Special Edition of Aveo at the same Price

Car maker General Motors India on Friday launched special edition of its entry-level sedan Chevrolet Aveo, which will be offered at the same price as the existing version.

The Chevrolet Aveo is available in the Indian market with a starting price of Rs 5.97 lakh.

The new edition include features like

• illuminated key cylinder
• c chrome door handles
• rear arm-rest with cup holders
• height adjustable driver's seat
  

GM India is a wholly-owned subsidiary of US-based car maker General Motors, which emerged out of bankruptcy last week.