Month: April 2019

What mid-engines means and why it matters

Mid Engined Explained

Since its inception, the Chevrolet Corvette—in production form, at least—has never deviated from three core attributes: front engine, rear-wheel drive, fiberglass bodywork. From its 1953 debut with the Blue Flame inline six-cylinder to the thundering 755-hp 2019 Corvette ZR1, the basic formula has been set in stone.

Want a new mid engined Corvette?  Call our Customer Care Team now at 630-898-9630.  Or, visit our website at http://www.WestphalChevy.com.

That all changes now. Chevy is officially moving the engine to the middle, behind the passenger seats.

With this move, Chevrolet is shooting a flare into international waters, putting on notice the major players in the mid-engine-performance space including the Ferrari 488, Lamborghini Huracán, and Audi R8 as well as its crosstown rival, the Ford GT, and letting them know that the General can still cut and run when the accountants provide a long enough leash.

So what does “mid-engined” mean? Technically, it means that a car’s engine is located in the middle of the vehicle, somewhere between the front and rear axles. But the typical location in a sports car or supercar is behind the driver and in front of the rear axle.

mid engined explained

Engine placement matters for many reasons when it comes to high-performance cars, but mainly it’s all about braking and handling. Shifting the engine rearward puts more weight on the rear axle, which means more rear-end traction and the ability to put down more power and accelerate more quickly. A mid-engine layout also improves braking, because the additional weight lets the rear brakes do more of the stopping. Mid-engined cars have a lower polar moment of inertia, which is a technical term that means that the mass of a mid-engined car is more centralized in the vehicle. This allows the car to change direction more easily and therefore more rapidly. (To experience this phenomenon, get someone to spin you in an office chair and compare the speed you feel with your legs fully extended versus tucked in.) The downside is that, should the rear end break loose and swing wide at speed, it’s much harder for a novice driver to recover.

Aside from performance, a mid-engined car looks different because of not having to package an engine up front. It can have a much steeper hoodline and improved forward visibility. The proportions of a mid-engined car can give it an exotic look—but then, the short list of mid-engined vehicles is made up of one exceptional name after another.

It’s not that GM hasn’t kicked around the mid-engine layout before; the company’s archives are filled with drawings and concepts utilizing the engine-behind-the-driver layout. But its realization in the 2020 Corvette validates the efforts and fulfills the promises made by in-house Corvette gurus such as Bill Mitchell, Larry Shinoda, Pete Brock, Zora Arkus-Duntov, and Tadge Juechter, both now and back in the day when automobiles were an agent of progress and the future seemed limitless. Critically, it also serves as a rolling indicator that GM still has a pulse and wishes to wring every last drop of potential and excitement from the automobile as we currently know it. In changing times, that’s the kind of reassurance we need.

Want to know more about mid engined Corvettes?  You may also enjoy this article: http://westphalchevyblog.com/index.php/2018/05/17/mid-engined-corvette/

 

For more view source:  https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a27128435/mid-engined-corvette-why-it-matters/

Ron Westphal Chevrolet’s General Manager Saves A Dog

Ron Westphal Chevrolet's General Manager Saves A Dog
Bill Houlis couldn’t leave this little pup by the side of the road.

On the morning of April 23rd, Ron Westphal Chevrolet General Manager, Bill Houlis, was driving to work like usual.  Suddenly, he spotted a puppy jetting out from the field into the road directly in front of the new Chevrolet Tahoe he was driving.  Bill got out of his vehicle and looked around, hoping to see the dog’s owner chasing after him.  No such luck.  No one was around and the little pup was begging for Bill’s attention, so what could he do?  He scooped up the little guy and plopped him into the passenger seat of the Tahoe and took him to work.

Ron Westphal Chevrolet's General Manager Saves A DogEveryone at Ron Westphal Chevrolet was immediately charmed by this friendly, squiggly puppy.  Erin Bonifas, our license and title clerk called her sister in law who brought over dog food and a lease.  We are all dog lovers in the Ron Westphal Chevrolet office so we already had dog bowls, treats and toys on hand for the doggie visitors our clients bring in.  These canine accessories came in especially handy today.

When our IT gal came in she immediately posted the little pupper’s pic all over the Internet.  The little guy received tons of shares and comments but no one has claimed him as of yet.

Ron Westphal Chevrolet's General Manager Saves A Dog
‘Sam’ loves his tennis ball

Bill Houlis and our Internet Manager, Mike Kalsto, took the dog across the street to the Oswego Veterinary clinic to see if he was microchipped and to have his overall health accessed.  As it turns out, this puppy was chipped, but not registered.  We’ll do our best to track down the owners but, in the unlikely event the original owners aren’t found…I can assure you we’ll find a wonderful home for ‘Sam’, our temporary official mascot at Ron Westphal Chevrolet.

UPDATE:  RENUNITED WITH OWNERS!

As it turns out this little pup was chipped but not registered to an owner.  But, Bill Houlis was able to track down the chip to a facility in Florida that had received 2 dogs from the Cayman Islands.  Working with the Cayman Islands and the Florida facility we were able to track down the owner.  So this sweet puppy who’s real name is Cayman, and he’s back with his sister pup and a family of 4 kids in a safe, fenced-in back yard.

Thanks to everyone who followed this story on our facebook page.  We got over 600 shares that reached over 32,000 folks.  We appreciate everyone’s thoughts and suggestions!

BMW Fails spectacularly on pedestrian braking test

The insurance-funded IIHS consistently pushes the bar higher for automakers to make safer vehicles, and this year, it’s begun to test automatic emergency braking systems.

The first round of tests included 11 popular compact crossover models, and the Chevrolet Equinox impressed. The new tests come as the IIHS places an emphasis on pedestrian safety and includes a relatively simple scale. From best to worst, vehicles can be ranked “Superior,” “Advanced,” “Basic,” or receive no credit.

2019 Chevrolet Equinox Exterior 02

The organization rated the Chevrolet Equinox as “Advanced” with its optional automatic emergency braking system. Recall, GM does not make automatic emergency braking standard on any vehicle, save for the forthcoming 2020 Cadillac XT6. Even then, a more robust system is optional for buyers.

Shop Chevrolet Equinox at Ron Westphal Chevrolet.

Chevy’s Equinox joined four other crossovers in earning an “Advanced” rating, which included the Hyundai Kona, Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-5, and Nissan Rogue. Top honors went to the Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester, Toyota RAV-4, and Volvo XC40. The Mitsubishi Outlander earned a “Basic” rating, while the BMW X1 earned no credit.

We encourage you to watch the video above to see how spectacularly BMW failed the test.

The IIHS testing looks at three possible scenarios where automatic emergency braking could help mitigate or even prevent a collision with a pedestrian. The first is an adult pedestrian on the right side of the road entering the street in the path of an oncoming vehicle. The second mimics a child darting into the street from behind two parked vehicles. The third simulates an adult walking in the vehicle’s travel lane near the edge of the road. Here, the pedestrian has his or her back turned away from the cars.

In the safety shakedown, only the Forester and RAV4 avoided the crash dummy in perpendicular tests, which underscores their underlying safety systems.

Thanks for reading about BMW Fails.

Read more: http://gmauthority.com/blog/2019/04/chevrolet-equinox-earns-advanced-rating-in-iihs-auto-emergency-braking-test-video/#ixzz5koKhKcNx

Ex Dale Earnhardt 1977 Nova NASCAR for sale

A 1977 Chevrolet Nova driven by Dale Earnhardt in the NASCAR Busch Series will soon be auctioned off by Barrett-Jackson at its Palm Beach 2019 sale.

Can’t quite afford a retired NASCAR?  How about a new Camaro?

This well-preserved piece of General Motors racing history was originally built by famed NASCAR fabricator (and Earnhardt’s brother-in-law) Robert Gee Jr. Earnhardt. He drove the car in the initial race after the NASCAR Late Model Sportsman Series was rebranded as the Busch Series in 1986, winning the series’ first race at Daytona that year. According to Barrett-Jackson, this chassis also took wins at Richmond, Darlington, and Rockingham.

Dale Earnhardt 1977 Nova NASCAR
Interestingly, this car started out life as Dale’s Wrangler Jeans-sponsored Pontiac Ventura, but Gee converted the car to a Nova due to the Chevy’s superior aerodynamic properties. It has a NASCAR-spec 358 V8 under the hood, which is making around 700 horsepower, along with a four-speed manual transmission. The car is presented in “good running and driving condition,” but the seller suggests having it looked over professionally before the new owner does any vintage racing with it, as it has sat in a private collection for a number of years now.

Dale Earnhardt 1977 Nova NASCAR side view
This car has made a number of public appearances in recent years. It participated in the Goodwood Festival of Speed in England three separate times (2005, 2006 and 2009) and participated in the 2012 Rolex Monterey Sports Reunion. It was also shown at the 2014 Concours d’ Elegance at St. Johns in Michigan.

It’s hard to say what this Dale Earnhardt-driven 1977 Chevrolet Nova is worth. Barrett-Jackson didn’t provide an estimate and it’s also being offered without reserve.

Check out the listing at this link for additional information and photos.

Photos via Barrett-Jackson

Source: Barrett-Jackson
Read more: http://gmauthority.com/blog/2019/04/ex-dale-earnhardt-1977-chevrolet-nova-nascar-goes-up-for-sale/#ixzz5koHOzdpy

 

MINT 2015 Chevrolet COPO Camaro for sale

MINT 2015 Chevrolet COPO Camaro for sale

Just in case you don’t have over $100,000 to invest in this high-performance Camaro, we have a nice selection of new and pre-owned Camaro models in stock.  Call our Customer Care Team to verify inventory.

2019 Malibu on sale now at Ron Westphal Chevrolet

2019 malibu

2019 Chevrolet Malibu RS First Drive Interior 2019 malibu

The Incentive

Nationwide Chevrolet discounts on the Malibu are as follows:

  • 2019 Malibu – 19% discount: 19 percent below MSRP (for current competitive owners) on most models when financing with GM Financial
    • Example offer: $5,453 purchase cash + 1,044 price reduction below MSRP = $6,497 total discount
  • 2019 Malibu $2,500 discount: $750 cash allowance + $1,750 customer cash = $2,500 total cash allowance when financing with GM Financial; this offer does not extended to L models
  • 2019 Malibu finance offer: 0 percent APR for 72 months (interest-free) when financing with GM Financial
  • 2018 Malibu – 18% discount: 18 percent below MSRP on most models when financing with GM Financial
  • 2018 Malibu $2,500 discount: $2,500 customer cash when financing with GM Financial
  • 2018 Malibu $500 discount and finance offer: $500 APR cash + 0 percent APR for 72 months (interest-free) when financing with GM Financial; this offer does not extend to L models

The 19 percent Chevrolet discount is restricted to current competitive owners, and is smaller than the discount offered in March.

It’s also worth noting that the 18 percent below MSRP and the $2,500 discount on 2018 Malibu models is likely intended to clear out remaining inventory of pre-facelift, 2018 models.

2019 Chevrolet Malibu Incentive April 2019

For reference, here are the starting MSRPs for the 2018 Malibu and 2019 Malibu:

2018 Malibu:

  • L – $22,555
  • LS – $24,195
  • LT – $26,095
  • Hybrid – $28,795
  • Premier – $31,895

2019 Malibu:

  • L – $22,965
  • LS – $24,095
  • RS – $25,095
  • LT – $27,495
  • Hybrid – $29,095
  • Premier – $32,695

What’s more, the 19 percent incentive for the 2019 Malibu only applies to owners of competitive vehicles. As such, it’s clearly a strategic approach by Chevrolet to gain conquest sales.

Disclaimers

  • Must take delivery by April 30, 2019.
  • See dealer for details.
  • Incentives for the United States of America, unless otherwise specified.
  • Some customers may not qualify for this offer.
  • Offer not available with special finance, lease, and some other offers.

Read more: http://gmauthority.com/blog/2019/04/chevrolet-discounts-malibu-19-percent-in-april-2019/#ixzz5koMUxRj9

April Tire Service Specials

April Tire Service Specials

$200 Tire Rebate

$200 Mail-in Rebate* on a set of four tires when purchased with a GM or BuyPower Card®**

Expires
04-30-2019
OR $100 Mail-In Rebate* with any other form of payment. Eligible tire brands: Bridgestone, Continental, Goodyear, Hankook, and Pirelli.
*See dealer or mycertifiedservicerebates.com for details and rebate form, which must be postmarked by 5/31/19. Allow 6 to 8 weeks for delivery of debit card. Offer valid 3/1/19-4/30/19. Credit approval required. Terms and Conditions apply. Talk to your Service Advisor to apply.

view all our april tire service specials on our website

Tire Price Match Guarantee

Provide us with a better price at the time of purchase and we’ll match it.

Find a better price within 30 days of the purchase, and we’ll refund the difference.* Eligible Tire Brands: BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Continental, Dunlop, Firestone, General, Goodyear, Hankook, Kelly, Michelin, Pirelli, and Uniroyal.

Offer Disclosure
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*Ad, written estimate, or Internet quote for identical tire(s) from a competing tire retailer/installer located within 100 miles of the dealer required during guarantee period for price match. Offer ends 12/31/19.

$140 Tire Rebate

$140 Mail-in Rebate* on a set of four tires from Firestone and Michelin

Expires
04-30-2019
when purchased with a GM or BuyPower Card®** OR $70 Mail-in Rebate* with any other form of payment.
*See dealer or mycertifiedservicerebates.com for details and rebate form, which must be postmarked by 5/31/19. Allow 6 to 8 weeks for delivery of debit card. Offer valid 3/1/19-4/30/19. Credit approval required. Terms and Conditions apply. Talk to your Service Advisor to apply.

Chevy Bison Package is worth the money

bison package

Yes, the ZR2 is far from a base truck. But based on a suggestion from the peanut gallery  (*waves at PrincipalDan*) we thought it would be a good idea to see if a “base” off-roader is a healthier bet than upgrading to the full meal deal.

Looking for a new Colorado?  Visit our website or drop by our showroom!

Want to know more about Zr2?  Read this article!

In fact, calling the ZR2 a base truck – with its DSSV dampers and other gonzo off-road kit – seems like heresy to your author. Jumping a Colorado ZR2 at 40 mph over an obstacle on a trophy truck track proves just how capable the thing is.

(How’s that Ranger Raptor coming, Ford? Oh, it isn’t? I see. Thanks for the mobility scooter, then.)

Chevy has, however, added another layer onto the ZR2 cake. Called the Bison, is its extra gear worth the cash? Or are gearheads better off with a “base” ZR2 and spending the money on mods of their own? Let’s see.

By the way, did you know that Chevy quietly dropped the manual transmission option that used to appear on the 2WD base Colorado? Me either, despite the build-n-price tool showing a stick on the floor in the promotional image. Chalk up another loss in the standard column.

Jumping right into the deep end, the Bison is technically an option package and not an additional trim. For $5,750, shoppers will net themselves front and rear bumpers designed by the off-road boffins at AEV. In fact, it is said that development of the Bison started not long after the ZR2 appeared, with the company’s boss essentially being told to envision a ZR2 as if he himself were taking it to rugged locales like Road of the Bones in Russia.

bison package worth the money

AEV additions also include more robust skid plates, new wheels, and a few styling tweaks like the CHEVROLET billboard grille and a set of fog lamps. Mercifully, the Bison package is a standalone option, one that does not require selecting other gear in order to get the good stuff.

You’ll notice the truck shown here is the Extended Cab model, not a Crew. This is because your author firmly believes that Colorado buyers are far better off taking the longer bed than longer cab, since legroom is so woeful in the Crew that it’s just as logical to get the smaller cab. It’ll likely only get used for enclosed storage, anyway.

bison package rear view

According to the AEV website, very little of what makes up a Bison is available as standalone parts. I’m sure if someone waved a bag of cash at AEV they’d craft the bumpers for them but it doesn’t seem to be mass-market stuff. Yet. However, their snorkel kit is $459 compared to Chevy’s $725 performance air intake system.

My answer? Yes. I’d pop for the Bison. In a world where a set of bumpers are close to $3,000, and skid plates are equally expensive, the Bison package is a fair (but not bargain) priced package. Just stay away from everything else on the ZR2’s option list.

For more view source:  https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2019/04/ace-of-base-2019-chevrolet-colorado-zr2/

Auction of Final Seventh Generation Corvette

Auction of Final Seventh Generation Corvette
General Motors Chairman and CEO Mary Barra and a camouflaged next generation Chevrolet Corvette Thursday, April 11, 2019 in New York, New York. The next generation Corvette will be unveiled on July 18. (Photo by Todd Plitt for Chevrolet)

NEW YORK — General Motors will auction the final production seventh generation Chevrolet Corvette this summer, with the proceeds benefiting the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

The announcement, along with confirmation of the Next Generation Corvette’s development, was made this evening by General Motors Chairman and CEO Mary Barra, who was honored at the foundation’s annual Footsteps to the Future Gala in New York.

“GM, GMC and Chevrolet support the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation and its commitment to injured and fallen military members, first responders and their families,” said Barra. “The sale of this iconic Corvette will help the foundation continue its good work, and pave the way for the Next Generation Corvette that we will introduce on July 18.”

The final seventh gen Corvette — a black 2019 Z06 model — will be auctioned at the Barrett-Jackson Northeast sale in Connecticut June 28. Registration information is available at www.barrett-jackson.com.

Every dollar of the winning bid will go to the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, named for New York City firefighter Stephen Siller, who died during the Sept. 11 attacks.

The foundation builds mortgage-free, accessible smart homes for the most catastrophically injured service members and helps pay off the mortgages for families of first responders killed in the line of duty. More information is available at www.tunnel2towers.org.

“The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation thanks GM, GMC and Chevrolet for  supporting the brave men and women of our armed forces and our first responders,” said Frank Siller, chairman and CEO. “This generous gift will help us provide more injured veterans with the independence they deserve.”

For the past five years, GMC has supported the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation as its national foundation of choice. In that time, it has helped the foundation raise more than $10 million. That includes $2.2 million raised last year, with $925,000 of it coming from the auction of the first production 2019 Corvette ZR1. It was purchased by Chevrolet dealer and NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick at the 2018 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale sale.

Other money has come from employee donations and events across the country such as 5K Tunnel to Towers races and other activities sponsored by GMC dealers.

GM is committed to helping those who have given so much for their country. GM’s current and retired workforce includes 60,000 veterans.

To obtain the latest information on the Next Generation Corvette, visit the official website linked here.

General Motors (NYSE:GM) is committed to delivering safer, better and more sustainable ways for people to get around. General Motors, its subsidiaries and its joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Cadillac, Chevrolet, Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Jiefang and Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety and security services, Maven, its personal mobility brand, and Cruise, its autonomous vehicle ride-sharing company, can be found at http://www.gm.com.

Thanks for reading about the Auction of Final Seventh Generation Corvette.

View Source:  https://media.gm.com/media/us/en/gm/home.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2019/apr/0411-auction.html