Stunning Chevrolet Mi-ray Roadster Concept Premieres at Seoul Motor Show

GM's Korean subsidiary lifted the wraps off the Mi-ray hybrid roadster concept at the 2011 Seoul Motor Show today, as a tribute to Chevrolet's 100th anniversary this year. The aggressive-looking Mi-ray (which means “future” in Korean) was developed by the GM Advanced Design Studio in Seoul and pays homage to the bow-tie brand's sports car heritage.

The roadster uses styling cues from Chevy's 1963 Monza SS and the 1962 Corvair Super Spyder, but also from aircrafts, with its aerodynamic fuselage being reminiscent of modern jet fighters. Elements like the scissor-doors, the pronounced wheel-arches and the sharp front bumper add further drama to the Mi-ray's appearance.

The car's bodywork is made of lightweight materials such as carbon fiber and carbon fiber reinforced plastics, while the turbine-shaped wheels (20-inch front/21-inch rear) are made of aluminum-carbon fiber composite.

The cockpit-like interior is split in two areas by a high center console and contains a mix of brushed-aluminum, natural leather, white fabric and liquid metal surfaces. The steering-wheel and the centrally located start button are also inspired by jet aircrafts, while information is displayed on the instrument panel by means of back projection.

The sweet looks are backed by a performance-oriented drivetrain layout, dubbed “mid-electric” by Chevrolet. A mid-mounted turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine drives the rear wheels, while two front-mounted electric motors, each delivering 15kW (20 horsepower), send their juice to the front wheels. The electric motors are fed through a 1.6 kWh battery located on the floor of the car, behind the seats. The 3.99 meter-long Mi-ray is also fitted with regenerative braking and start-stop systems and can run on electric power alone in the city, although Chevrolet didn't reveal details on the driving range.

Interestingly, the roadster model can also be switched from front-wheel drive to rear-wheel drive. Chevrolet didn't announce any performance figures, but communicated preliminary fuel-economy ratings. The roadster averages 60 mpg US (3.92 lt/100 km) in the city and 63 mpg US (3.73 lt/100km) on the highway.

“By combining GM propulsion technology and visionary design, the Mi-ray points to the future of Chevrolets around the globe – expressive, youthful and entertaining,” said Mike Arcamone, CEO of GM Korea.

By Dan Mihalascu

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Buick Envision Concept SUV Heads to Shanghai Auto Show

A new Buick concept model called the Envision will make its global debut at the Shanghai Auto Show on April 18. Jointly developed by Shanghai GM and the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC), the Envision is a crossover model designed for the Chinese market, although the company points out the vehicle incorporates Buick's "dynamic, fluid, quiet and comfortable" styling language.

The show car is equipped with a plug-in hybrid system and "loads of new technologies", according to GM's China subsidiary. However, neither the drivetrain, nor the technologies are detailed, as the information will be released on April 18. The teaser photo shows the rear end of the crossover and a section of the interior. From the looks of it, the Envision appears to sport a muscular exterior design, with aggressive shapes and creases.

It is not known yet if the Envision concept will spawn a road-going version or if it will remain simply a design exercise.

By Dan Mihalascu

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Chevrolet Teases All-New Global Malibu Sedan, will be Sold in Nearly 100 Countries [with Video]

This is the first official photo of the all-new Chevrolet Malibu show car that will debut simultaneously at the Shanghai Auto Show in China and the New York International Auto Show in mid-April. And if you’re wondering why GM made plans to show it in China, that’s because unlike the current model that’s offered only in North America, the new Malibu will be a global vehicle that will be sold in nearly 100 countries on six continents and built in multiple locations, including China and two facilities in the United States.

“This Malibu takes Chevrolet’s established and award-winning nameplate to new places and introduces it to new audiences around the world,” said Rick Scheidt, vice president of Chevrolet. “Whether the Malibu is sold in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, or Australia, it has been engineered from the ground up to meet the needs of customers around the world.”

The cropped photo of the new Malibu’s rear-end reveals the Camaro-esque squared taillights and confirms the patent designs we first showed more than a year ago. GM said that its newcomer in the mid-size segment was designed to stand out in all markets around the globe, adding that it will come with “European-inspired driving characteristics”.

Evidently, the engine lineup will differ from market to market, but GM said it will feature a global family of fuel-efficient and powerful four-cylinder engines, along with six-speed transmissions. Buyers should expect a 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline as well as a hybrid variant in the near feature.

The new Malibu will be introduced onto the market within the next year as a 2013 model. We’ll have more details from the official reveal on April 18.

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Watch This Space: High Performance Holden Cruze SS said to be in the Works

In Australia, the SS badge has a special meaning to Holden owners. Its most frequently associated with the Commodore large car and to a lesser extent, the ultra-rare Torana SS of the 1970s. It’s all about big Aussie V8’s and rear-wheel-drive. It’s as Australian as Fosters beer and Four’N Twenty pies.

So now, there’s talk of a performance version of the Cruze small car in the works - and insidious rumors this front-wheel-drive econobox may carry the prestigious double ‘S’ moniker previously reserved only for V8 models. “Sacrilege!” you scream, and I’m more than willing to agree. Nevertheless, let’s push on and see what the Australian rumor mill has in store for us.

It’s possible a high performance version of the Cruze would use the same 132 kW, / 180HP and 230 Nm 1.6-liter turbo four from the European Vauxhall / Opel Astra as there drivetrains are readily interchangeable thanks to both using the GM’s Delta II architecture.

In the words of an unnamed Holden insider:

“We are investigating all possibilities. We would love to explore a performance version. It is obviously on our wish list. Every engine option available in the Astra is under review.”

A firmer and lower suspension setup and weightier electronic power steering are also on the cars, and are likely to be gradually phased into the rest of the Cruze range as time goes on. Holden’s insider continues:

“We just did not have the resources to develop (revised) suspension and steering for the SRi models. But watch this space.”

A HSV badged model, potentially using the upcoming Opel Astra OPC’s 2.0-liter twin-scroll turbo four is also a possibility, however unlikely.

Expect a late 2011 launch for the Cruze “SS” if it makes production. It’s all part of Holden’s plan to overtake the Toyota Corolla and Mazda3 as leaders of the Aussie small car market.

At the moment it’s in third place between the Corolla and the Hyundai i30. Deliveries of the Cruze Series II sedan begin in April, with the hatchback expected to follow in October.

By Tristan Hankins

Source: Go-auto

2011 HOLDEN CRUZE SERIES II