Los Angeles debut 2012 Volvo C70 Inscription

Volvo has releases the C70 Inscription,which will debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The C70 Inscription is to be limited to just 2,000 cars worldwide, and you can grab one of those coming to the UK from £33,855 for the D3 SE Inscription.

The Volvo C70 Inscription will be available in three colors, Black Stone, Black Sapphire and Ice White, along with new 18 inch alloy wheels, high-gloss paint on the grille and LED Daytime Running Lights.

Power comes from a turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine which has been outfitted with a Polestar ECU. Thanks to this change, the engine develops 250 hp (186 kW / 253 PS) and 273 lb-ft (370 Nm) of torque - an increase of 23 hp (17 kW / 23 PS) and 37 lb-ft (50 Nm).

Bespoke interior features like Sovereign Hide leather, aluminum pieces and a dash also wrapped in leather are included.Only 2,000 units of the 2012 Volvo C70 Inscription will be produced each year until the roadster ends production in 2013.

Press Release

Volvo C70 Inscription debuts at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show

C70 Inscription is the ultimate expression of Volvos hardtop convertible
Increased horsepower and torque
Unique interior and exterior details
Limited production
On sale early next year


Los Angeles, Calif. (Nov. 8, 2011) - In Los Angeles its all about being seen in the right car. Cruising Sunset Boulevard or Rodeo Drive in anything less than a gorgeous convertible is considered by locals as very un-cool.

With this in mind, Volvo Car Corporation is using the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show as the backdrop for introducing the 2012 C70 Inscription. Perhaps the ultimate expression of Volvos iconic hardtop convertible, the Inscription package will be offered in limited quantities and is set to arrive in Volvo retailers early next year. Pricing for the Inscription package has not yet been announced The base MSRP for the 2012 C70 hardtop convertible is $39,950*.

"The C70 has always been a stunningly designed Volvo," said John Maloney, Vice President of Marketing, Volvo Cars of North America. "The C70 Inscription takes that beautiful design to the next level." Setting the C70 Inscription apart from the standard C70 is increased horsepower and torque and a number of unique exterior and interior features.

Unique to the U.S. market, the C70 Inscription gets its mettle through performance tuning to the Engine Control Module (ECM). Provided by Polestar, a Swedish racing and performance products company partnered with Volvo Cars, the tuning optimizes engine output in a variety of ways. More air and fuel are funneled into the combustion chambers and spark timing is advanced, creating notable performance gains. The turbocharged inline 5-cylinder engine generates 250 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 273 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,000 rpm. Seamless power is routed to the front wheels through a 5-speed Geartronic automatic transmission.

Outside, the C70 Inscription includes a number of head-turning design features. A unique gloss-black grille slots beautifully between active dual Xenon headlights and LED Daytime Running Lights. Chrome surrounds the headlights and grille, giving the car a truly distinctive face. Stunning 18-inch black "Midir" wheels incorporate polished rims and spokes. A rear spoiler completes the exterior enhancements. The C70 Inscription is available in just two colors: Ice White and Black Sapphire Metallic.

Beautiful Scandinavian design has been a hallmark of the C70s interior since it was launched in 2006. The C70 Inscription follows this tradition while adding a host of luxurious appointments. Driver and passengers will immediately notice the gorgeous Sovereign Hide upholstery. Volvos legendary seats are now more comfortable than ever. The dashboard is covered in leather and features contrasting stitching. Unique Inscription floor mats, handbrake lever and front headrests further distinguish the C70 Inscription from the C70.

Befitting a car of this stature, the C70 Inscription is a limited-production vehicle. Production volume globally is just 2,000 units annually. The U.S. will see just 500 examples of this exemplary automobile. The C70 Inscription package goes on sale in the U.S. during the first quarter of 2012.

Chevrolet Colorado concept debut at the Bangkok

Chevrolet has releases first details and photos for Colorado concept, which will debut at the Bangkok International Motor Show.

The redesigned Colorado will be larger than the current version, which is a compact. Combined, mid-sized and compact pickups accounted for 16.5 percent of the total U.S. pickup market last year, according to the Automotive News Data Center.

The concept Colorado features a 2.8-liter turbodiesel engine, 20-inch wheels and all-wheel drive. Dont expect the diesel here in the U.S.--a range of gasoline engines is far more likely.

The interior gets a Chevy-heritage dual-cockpit design. The instrument panel includes a seven-inch LCD screen for controlling audio, navigation and hands-free phone functions.

The new Chevy Colorado goes on sale in Thailand later this year, so the concept is right-hand drive. But the development program is for a global vehicle, so were likely to see many elements from the Thailand truck show up on the U.S. version of the Colorado and its GMC counterpart, the Canyon.




Press Release

Chevrolet Unveils Colorado Show Truck

Boldly styled show truck previews next-generation midsize pickup

BANGKOK, Thailand - Chevrolet today revealed the Colorado Show Truck in advance of the Bangkok International Auto Show, where it is making its global public debut. The concept previews the next-generation Colorado midsize pickup truck, which will build on Chevrolets strong truck DNA and award-winning heritage. The Colorado goes on sale in Thailand later this year.

"Thailand is the worlds-largest market for midsize pickups, so this was the perfect location in which to unveil our new Colorado," said Susan Docherty, vice president, GMIO Sales, Marketing and Aftersales. "Trucks have been part of Chevrolets core for nearly all of its 100-year history. The Colorado reinforces that heritage with expressive design, refinement and uncompromising capability."

The show truck features an extended-cab body atop a high-stance AWD chassis and rides on large, 20-inch wheels and off-road tires. Power comes from an efficient 2.8L turbo-diesel engine, which produces a broad torque band for excellent cargo and towing capability.

"Although this is a show vehicle, the basic proportions and form convey the vision for the next-generation Colorado that we will bring to market," said Brad Merkel, GMs global vehicle line executive. "It reflects a stylized version of the new truck, one that takes into account rugged dependable truck capabilities for commercial use as well as sophisticated refinement for personal-use needs."

While the new Colorado was developed within GMs global product development organization, engineers took careful steps to ensure it would meet local market needs. Roberto Rempel, GMs global vehicle chief engineer, lived in Thailand for several months during the trucks development, immersing himself in the market and observing how the Thai people use their trucks and the road conditions they experience.

"Pickups are instrumental in the vibrant Thai economy and owners take great pride in their trucks, which are used for both work and personal driving," he said. "These customers ask a lot of their trucks, so the powertrains and chassis must be very robust to earn their trust - and thats exactly what weve delivered."

Design details

The Colorado show trucks purposeful design conveys strength through bodywork that appears tightly wrapped over the chassis and a wide, confident stance. In the front, Chevrolets internationally recognized gold bowtie and dual-port grille are framed by large headlamps that flow into the front fenders, and an extractor vent on the hood.

"Around the globe, pickup trucks are associated with strength, capability and function - and thats exactly what the Colorado show truck embodies," said Ed Welburn, GM vice president of Global Design. "Its broad-shouldered proportions are derived from nearly a century of Chevrolet truck heritage."

Pepperdust Metallic exterior paint is accented with polished aluminum details in the fascias, as well as integrated side steps and black-masked projector-style headlamps with LED lighting elements. At the rear is a full-width LED-lit taillamp, which creates a striking appearance when illuminated.

Additional exterior details include:

A streamlined "cab collar" design with a body-color hard tonneau cover on the bed
Gray accents on the side, front and rear lower moldings
20-inch aluminum wheels featuring a "liquid metal" finish, with Stone Gray color wheel ports
Cooper 285/50R20 ZEON LTZ tires
Outside mirrors with LED turn-signal indicators.
Inside, theres another signature Chevrolet cue: a dual-cockpit instrument panel design. It flows into the doors, with continuous lines that create a floating, wraparound effect, amplifying the Colorados feeling of spaciousness. Ice-blue lighting and high-quality, "double-faced" leather-trimmed seats add sophistication and refinement.

"The interior is designed to deliver a premium and inviting environment, with a greater feeling of spaciousness than is typically found in midsize trucks," said Welburn. "Theres also great attention to detail in the execution of the features you see and feel."

A brace of motorcycle-inspired, three-dimensional gauges stand out on the instrument panel, projecting a sporty appearance.

Contrasting trim used with the light-colored leather seating, dark wood trim accented with chrome and low-gloss and soft-touch materials are used throughout for a premium feel. A number of storage compartments are located throughout the interior, including a covered center bin for concealment of valuable items, and a large, dual glovebox.

Additional features include a dual-zone, digital climate control system and the latest in "infotainment" technology. The show truck highlights an ergonomically positioned 7-inch LCD display in the center stack, for easy viewing and intuitive control of Web access, navigation, music and hands-free phone features.

More details about the production model will be released later in the year.

Chevy to debut MyLink infotainment system

Chevrolet Announces MyLink Infotainment System, Puts it in 2012 Equinox and Volt

The MyLink system, which was previewed earlier this year at the Consumer Electronics Show, includes a 7-inch color display, but the majority of the system’s features are designed to give drivers additional in-car media choices. Perhaps the most significant option lies with audio streaming — after pairing a smartphone to the system via Bluetooth, drivers can use the data connection to stream music or talk radio via Pandora and Stitcher, respectively.

The voice-activated technology of Sync made it an instant front-runner in the ever-evolving in-vehicle infotainment environment when Ford introduced it in early 2007 — eons ago in electro-tech years. Ford has adopted upgrades and improvements for Sync — including the divisive new MyFord Touch interface — but Bly told Inside Line that while Sync was and is a formidable achievement, Chevys new MyLink technology is vastly better to use.




Press Release

Chevrolet MyLink Creates Smartphones on Wheels

Smart interface design allows drivers to take advantage of mobile communications technology while the phone remains safely stowed

NEW YORK - Consumers who seek a higher level of in-vehicle wireless connectivity and customized infotainment options, plus the unmatched safety and security of OnStar need look no further than the 2012 Chevy Volt and Equinox.

When these vehicles go on sale later this year, they will be the first to offer Chevy MyLink - an in-car infotainment package that builds on the safety and security of OnStar and seamlessly integrates online services like Pandora® internet radio and Stitcher SmartRadio® using hands-free voice and touch-screen controls via Bluetooth device connectivity.

"There is a new generation of car buyers who dont want to settle for mass market radio," said Rick Scheidt, vice president of Chevrolet Marketing. "They want to create their own individual stations and have access to them wherever they are. Chevrolet vehicles have offered customers the ability to use portable media devices since 2006 and the introduction of MyLink takes media personalization to a new level. "

MyLink adds stereo audio streaming and wireless control of smartphones, building on the voice-activated Bluetooth hands-free calling capability already offered in most Chevy vehicles. MyLink also includes a seven-inch, high-resolution, full-color touch screen display that makes media selection easy to navigate.
"Chevrolet MyLink is the next logical step for in-vehicle connectivity," said Karl Stracke, vice president for Global Product Engineering. "MyLink leverages the mobile broadband capability and the sophisticated, online services made possible by todays smart phones."

MyLink retains all the capabilities of todays entertainment units, including AM/FM/XM tuners, CD player with MP3 playback, auxiliary and USB inputs. But, Stracke says, "These are the essentials and were building from there."

Among the new benefits provided by MyLink:

• Enhanced hands-free voice control system powered by Nuance®, which allows simple voice commands to initiate phone calls and select radio stations or media from portable MP3 players and smartphones. A tap of a button on the steering wheel enables intuitive verbal control of smartphone applications like "play (artist name)" or "call (name of contact)" to keep the drivers hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.
• Pandora® internet radio allows users to create personalized radio stations based on favorite artists or genres and Stitcher SmartRadio® enables access to thousands of audio programming choices allowing customers to build a personalized listening experience. MyLink integrates control of both of these apps for a driver directed listening experience.
• Gracenote®: identifies the music collection on the drivers smartphone or MP3 player and presents information such artist name, genres and album cover art on the MyLink screen and enables users to select similar music to the tunes they love. Gracenote also improves the accuracy of MyLinks voice activation system by allowing users to access music using artist nicknames, such as "The Boss," "G.N.R," or "The Fab Four" simply by using MyLinks touch-screen or steering wheel buttons and voice control interfaces.
• Upgraded USB connectivity: While Chevrolet has offered auxiliary device connectivity since 2006, MyLink adds flash memory capability to its USB device connections. This provides users with the ability to access approved applications that will make their MyLink system even more functional, while assuring that drivers maintain eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.

The debut of Chevy MyLink extends the OnStar experience from safety and security to information and entertainment by seamlessly integrating the capability of a smartphone into the vehicle so that hand-held phones may be safely stowed while driving.
When OnStar debuted in 1996, it pioneered in-vehicle connectivity with the auto industrys first embedded telematics system. It has grown from primarily offering automatic crash notification and security features to include remote vehicle diagnostics, turn-by-turn navigation and the ability to slow down stolen vehicles.

In November 2010, OnStar released a smartphone application for all 2011 Chevy vehicles that incorporated remote start, lock/unlock, and vehicle status checks as well as battery management functions for Volt owners. Volt owners also have the MyVolt.com website to provide those remote management features and other Chevy owners soon will have access to similar web-based OnStar services.

The combination of MyLink and OnStar will soon be joined by the integration of the Powermat® charging system - eliminating the need for charging cords. Chevrolet MyLink will be available beginning with the 2012 Chevrolet Volt and Equinox this fall before expanding to other vehicles in the Chevy lineup over the next 18 months.