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Chevrolet at Frankfurt Motor Show: Sports car icons, stunning concepts and new European flagship

2011-09-13

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• New Malibu makes European debut
• Miray and Colorado Rally concepts highlight Chevrolet's strong design competence
• 1.3-liter turbo-diesel Aveo notchback is most fuel-efficient sedan in Europe with 3.7 liters per 100 km
• Corvette Centennial Edition on display
• Award-winning Chevrolet Volt available for test drives
• 100 years of Chevrolet

Chevrolet's Centennial Year has so far seen a cascade of positive news, developments and highlights that are worthy of celebration. The world's fourth largest car brand is on the move and this sense of dynamism will be reflected on its stand in Hall 9 at the 64th Frankfurt Motor Show.

"At Frankfurt 2011, Chevrolet will offer a balanced outlook of where we are headed as a brand," said Wayne Brannon, President and Managing Director of Chevrolet Europe. "With two full production premieres for Europe and two path-breaking concepts on display, we are looking forward to the largest motor show on the continent."

Among the cars on display, four deserve particular attention: With the latest edition of Malibu, the brand's all-new flagship in Europe, Chevrolet will expand its market presence into the continent's midsize segment. The Malibu will go on sale next year. The highly efficient 1.3-liter turbo-diesel version of the sporty Aveo, meanwhile, will be launched this autumn. Although not for sale in the foreseeable future, the Miray and Colorado Rally Concepts break new ground in design by creatively interpreting typical Chevrolet features.

The much anticipated fifth generation Camaro and the Centennial Edition of the Chevrolet Corvette underscore the emphasis that Chevrolet places on passion and performance. Racing aficionados will, moreover, get to see the Corvette that finished first in the GTE class at Le Mans in June this year.

Malibu: Chevrolet's new flagship in Europe

The new Malibu will bring proven value with a premium feel to Europe's midsize segment. With drag coefficient rating close to the Volt's 0.28, Chevrolet's new flagship in Europe will be one of the most aerodynamically efficient cars in the brand's passenger vehicle line-up.

A wheelbase of 2,737 mm and a track width of 1,577 mm give the Malibu an athletic posture and a spacious cabin. Its solid, highly rigid body structure allows for precise tuning and dynamic vehicle control, both of which are key to the Malibu's excellent ride and handling characteristics.

Inside, the Malibu features an all-new dual cockpit design that creates an inviting, roomy and comfortable environment. Metallic or chrome accents, soft ambient lighting along the instrument panel and in storage pockets as well as the contrast stitching used add to the car's interior refinement.

Customers will be able to chose between two fuel-efficient and powerful 4-cylinder diesel or gasoline-fueled engines with 2.0 liter and 2.4 liter displacements and a power output of 164 hp and 169 hp, respectively. In Europe, the all-new Malibu will be available with both manual and automatic transmission as of 2012.

1.3-liter turbo-diesel Aveo: more torque, fewer emissions

Chevrolet's new Aveo boasts a fresh, assertive exterior, a newly developed chassis for excellent and responsive ride and handling, as well as a practical and smart interior. Launched in spring this year, it comes with standard electronic stability control, including hill-start assist, and an upgraded range of fuel-efficient, low-emission engines.

As of this autumn, a 1.3-liter turbo-diesel unit with start/stop functionality will complement the 1.2, 1.4 and 1.6-liter gasoline engines that are already available with the new Aveo. The 95-hp Eco variant requires just 3.6 liters/100 km on a combined cycle, whereas the 75 hp and 95 hp variants consume 3.7 and 4.1 liters per 100 km, respectively. In fact, the sleek Aveo sedan, equipped with the 75 hp 1.3-liter turbo-diesel engine, will be the most economical four-door in Europe.

All three variants of the 1.3-liter turbo-diesel engine meet Euro5 emission criteria and have a close-coupled oxidation catalyst as well as a particulate filter. The 95-hp Eco variant emits merely 95 g of CO₂ per kilometer while the 75-hp variant produces 97 g of CO₂/km.

All three variants reach their maximum power output at 4000 rpm. Whereas the 75-hp and the Eco version of the 1.3-liter turbo-diesel produce a maximum torque of 190 NM, the standard 95 hp unit delivers 210 Nm at 1,750 rpm.

Powerful bodylines: Colorado Rally Concept

Trucks have played a crucial role in Chevrolet's brand history. Painted with a triple coat of pearl white and sprinkles of 'golden' particles, the adventure themed Colorado Rally Concept aims to provide an authentic representation of what a rally variant of this truck could look like. A number of detailed features underscore its off-road credentials.

"Colorado Rally exhibits Chevrolet's DNA in an off-road version. To develop this vehicle, we did extensive research on off-road motorsport. Each and every detail was deeply studied in order to deliver maximum authenticity, designed with the rally raid category in mind, also known as cross-country rallying," said Carlos Barba, GM South American Design Center director.

The Colorado Rally Concept is powered by a 2.8-liter turbo-diesel engine and is equipped with Fox Racing Shox shocks (travel distance: 140 mm) and a height adjustable suspension system (up to 50 mm). Its 18-inch wheels are machined from a single piece of aluminum and carry mud terrain tires.

The two 5.5 hp winch systems in the vehicle's front and rear bumpers have a pulling capacity of four metric tonnes and provide 23,000 mm of aeronautical cable. Further exterior highlights include two tow hooks at truck's front and rear, acrylic rally car windows and a charcoal colored stylized roll-bar.

Inside, several systems provide safety and convenience. An "air boost" system quickly cleans the cabin after the car has entered a dust cloud while a master switch in the center stack starts the engine and, in the case of an emergency, disconnects every system in the vehicle.

Futuristic Miray

First unveiled to a larger public at the Seoul Motor Show in March this year, the Chevrolet Miray (Korean for 'future') roadster concept offers a fresh interpretation of typical Chevrolet design cues while paying tribute to the brand's sports car heritage.

The Miray has an aerodynamic fuselage reminiscent of modern jet fighters, with a wedged body side made of carbon fiber and carbon-fiber-reinforced plastics (CFRP). Its dual-port grille is flanked by LED headlamps with new signature daytime running lamps. Designers took a unique approach to displaying information inside the car, using back projection on the instrument panel.

The Miray's "mid-electric" propulsion system, located primarily behind and beneath the driver, has been engineered to maximize performance and fuel efficiency. Its two front-mounted 15 kW electric motors are powered by a 1.6 kWh lithium-ion battery which is charged through regenerative braking energy.

A 1.5-liter four-cylinder turbo-charged engine mounted behind the cockpit combines with the electric motors for performance driving.

Proud ambassadors of Chevrolet's race and performance car line-up

Racing aficionados will be thrilled as they get to see the No. 73 Corvette C6.R together with the drivers who claimed victory in the GTE Pro category at the 2011 24 Hours of Le Mans. The year has also proven to be a tremendous success for Chevrolet at the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC), with Rob Huff, Alain Menu and Yvan Muller dominating the competition.

One WTCC Cruze show car will be on display at Frankfurt, along with a special Centennial Edition of the Corvette designed in celebration of Chevrolet's 100^th anniversary. The car is painted Carbon Flash Metallic, with satin-black graphics and unique Centennial Satin Black wheels and red brake calipers.

On the press days, a real Corvette engine will be assembled during the Corvette Engine Build Experience at the Chevrolet stand. This unique program is also offered to customers purchasing a Corvette ZR1 or Z06, giving them the ultimate opportunity to personalize their car. For €4,027 they will have the unique opportunity to build their Corvette's engine at the prestigious GM Performance Build Center near Detroit, Michigan (excl. VAT, incl. travel and accommodation).

Standing next to the Centennial Edition Corvette, a model will be showcasing the winning fashion project of Chevrolet's 2011 pan European applied art contest for students. As part of this year's Young Creative Chevrolet (YCC) competition brief, fashion participants were asked to look to 1911 for inspiration and re-invent the style of that period for today. Designed by Lubica from FA STU Bratislava in Slovakia, the black dress integrates and re-interprets several elements from the 1911 period.

100 years of Chevrolet: Celebrating the past, inspiring the future

At the Frankfurt Motor Show 2011, visitors will be able to see and drive the award-winning Chevrolet Volt. Featuring one of the brand's most aerodynamic designs and a pioneering range extending capability, the Volt is already today a milestone in the history of Chevrolet and, indeed, the automobile.

Metaphorically spoken, the Volt rides on the crest of a wave of innovations whose origins date back into an era long gone by. The Chevrolet story began in 1900, when Louis Chevrolet, a Swiss émigré, decided to board a ship to Canada. Eleven years later, he founded the Chevrolet Motor Company in Detroit, Michigan, together with William Durant.

His passion for driving as well as his spirit of optimism continue to inspire the brand as it moves into the 21st century.

Chevrolet strongly embraces change and customers who visit a dealer showroom in Europe will not find a single vehicle that is more than two years old. By the end of this year, Chevrolet will have launched seven new models, all of which contribute to growing the brand's presence in the European market.

With a Chevrolet sold somewhere in the world every seven seconds, the brand is looking forward to another century of building great cars that are practical and reliable, iconic in their design and which provide value to its customers and their lives.

About Chevrolet

Chevrolet is General Motors' largest global brand with annual sales of about 4 million vehicles in more than 130 countries. It is the fourth biggest global car brand in terms of sales and also one of the fastest growing brands in the world. Chevrolet cars combine passion, bold design and practicality. They provide outstanding value for money. After re-launching the brand in Europe in 2005, Chevrolet more than doubled its sales to over 500,000 in 2008. In 2010, Chevrolet grew its market share in Europe to 2.5 percent, selling 477,194 cars. Chevrolet has a network of more than 2,700 dealers and service points in Europe. The Chevrolet line-up includes the Spark city car, the small Aveo, the compact four-door Cruze, the Captiva SUV and the legendary Corvette sports car. In 2011, Chevrolet is launching seven new cars: the all-new Orlando family van, the new Captiva SUV, the Corvette Grand Sport Coupé, the all-new five-door and four-door Aveo, the five-door Cruze, the Camaro coupé and convertible and the award-winning extended-range Volt electric car. Chevrolet's biggest markets in Europe are Russia, Italy, Germany, Spain, France and Turkey. Established in the U.S. by Swiss émigré Louis Chevrolet in 1911, the brand is celebrating its centenary in 2011. More information on Chevrolet can be found at www.chevroleteurope.com or media.chevroleteurope.com.