Chevy Club Editor's Desk and News

Welcome to all of the many new members that have joined since the last issue of the WORLD.

We have a new website for mobile phone users at www.chevyclub.mobi . It is easier to read on smart cell phones than the regular website.

We have updated our payment form on our website to directly take credit card and PayPal payments. Your credit card is now checked for accuracy and verified and your order is placed into a shopping cart of items awaiting checkout. This type of program should be very familiar to people who pay for items on other Internet websites and is available on the PayPal/Credit Card website button. The old form will also remain for members that are comfortable with it.

In addition to the items found in our regular club store, more store merchandise including tote bags, caps, sweat pants, shorts and other items can be found at our Fieldhouse Club Store located at www.fieldhouse.com/chevyclub.

I am happy to inform you that Technical Sections is now available which contains a complete copy of all the Technical Sections, topics, questions and answers published in the World. It is available on CD-Rom only for PC or Mac in pdf format and contains reprints of the technical sections published in the World published from 1998 to 2007. It is indexed by subject for easy reference and contains articles, topics, questions and answers and is available in the Club Store section of each World and on the website at www.chevyclub.com . Another new item in the store is a complete copy of the past ten years of the World available on CD only for PC or Mac.

Finally the club has a new and much improved message board. This is something that many of our members have wanted for a long time. Be sure to check it out. You can access through the club website at www.chevyclub.com or directly at http://board.chevyclub.com .

We have a members only section of the message board. You can use the user id and password on page 3 of each World or you can get a personal id and password. To do so, register and then logon to the message board and send a message to us. This allows you to access the MEMBER ONLY QUESTION & ANSWER and UPKEEP & PERFORMANCE HINTS area.　 It also allows you to post items in the FOR SALE and WANTED sections as well as post photos in the MEMBER PHOTOS area. Also there is a now a Local Groups/Activities section.

The club also now has a blog located at http://blog.chevyclub.com . Members can publish items to the Blog.

The Chevy Club has a new photo gallery located at http://photos.chevyclub.com . The same login is used for the gallery as the Message Board. Members can download photos to the gallery.

You can now find us on the popular networking sites myspace.com, facebook.com and twitter.com in the groups section.

We now offer a 3 year membership or renewal rate which includes a free t-shirt. And in response to many members we now have a 3 year eMembership for $50 which also includes a free t-shirt or tech sections CD. So save some money and get a free t-shirt or tech CD in the process!

We also have a members only section where only members can access with the User ID and Password found on page 3 of this issue. Members now have access to the newsletter and other items. Also now you can to create your own id and password for the members only section. Submit the form on the members only page to do this.

We also send members the eWorld so send us your email address. Do not worry if you do not have an email address as you will get all of the information sent in the eWorld in the regular World but it may be in a different format and at later date because of printing and mailing considerations. Please let us know what you think of this and what type of info you would like to see included. Also be sure to update your email address when and if it changes.

We are in need of additional people for our technical staff. If you think you would like to help your fellow members in this way, please contact us. The position could also benefit you as the technical staff people can advertise their business free in the newsletter as well as by letter and phone. Help your fellow members while you publicize your expertise. Contact us if you are interested.

If you have parts to sell or exchange be sure to send us your legible list so that it can be distributed to members. We also offer free classified ads to members that appear world wide on the Internet.

Thanks for your support and enjoy driving your Chevy!!

2011 Chevrolet Cruze

Chevrolet’s Cruze is almost here, and I got a first look at it last week. I wasn’t able to drive it, but I was able to get a peek at it.
The Cruze is the replacement for the outgoing Cobalt compact car, and it has already been on sale in Europe for quite some time.

The American version will be offered in three trims: LS, LT, and LTZ. An fuel-efficient “Eco” model will also be available.

There will be two engine choices, an Ecotec 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and an Ecotec 1.8-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder. Both engines make 138 horsepower, but the turbo will have 148 lb-ft of torque compared to the 125 lb-ft torque of the 1.8 liter.
Transmission choices come down to a six-speed manual and six-speed automatic.

A MacPherson strut front suspension and Z-link rear suspension will be under the Cruze’s skin, and 16-, 17-, and 18-inch wheels will be available.

Safety features will include an antiskid system, ABS, and traction control.

Other news of note? The Cruze will have ten standard airbags, an available wireless cell phone link, an available USB port, and an available navigation system. Satellite radio and GM’s OnStar service will also be available. In order to save fuel, the Cruze will have an electric power-steering rack.

Those are the basic details. Without being able to drive the car, there’s not a ton to report, other than that the Cruze looks good in person–a bit plain, but handsome–and the interior is much better than that of the Cobalt. Also, the trunk appears to be quite large for a compact car.

High Mileage Chevy Cruze Eco

Chevy Cruze Eco Chevrolet has unwrapped an estimated 40 mpg version of its upcoming Cruze sedan dubbed the Cruze Eco. Powered by a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, the Cruze Eco nets its impressive highway fuel economy when mated to its standard six-speed manual transmission.

The Cruze Eco features a number of changes aimed at decreasing fuel consumption, like an optimized front axle ratio and ultra low rolling resistance Goodyear tires and lightweight 17-inch alloy wheels. A lowered stance reduces mpg-robbing air turbulence at highway speeds, while a lower front grille “air shutter” closes at higher speeds to improve highway aerodynamics. Chevrolet also modified the upper grille and added in a new front lower air dam extension and a rear spoiler to make the Cruze Eco even more slippery to the wind.

The Cruze Eco will come standard with the aforementioned six-speed manual, but it will also offer a six-speed automatic. Chevrolet estimates highway fuel economy at 40 mpg with the stick, but the automaker has not estimated highway figures for the manual or city numbers for either car.

Regardless of transmission, the Cruze Eco will come standard with the 138-horsepower, 148 lb-ft. of torque 1.4-liter turbocharged Ecotec four-cylinder rather than the base Cruze LS’ naturally aspirated four-cylinder. With that turbocharged engine, Chevrolet says that the Cruze Eco should be good for a 0-60 mph sprint of about 9 seconds with the manual and 10 seconds with the automatic.

2011 Silverado HD

Chevrolet Silverado HD arrived at the Chicago Auto Show riding on an all-new ladder frame, suspension, and axles – about the only carry-over part is the front stabilizer bar link that connects the stabilizer bar to the lower control arm. Maximum towing capacity is up to 20,000 pounds with the DRW Duramax diesel and fifth wheel combo (yes, that trumps the Ford F-Series Super Duty F-350 apples to apples). The gasoline-fed SRW 6.0-liter V-8 engine will pull 14,500 pounds with a fifth wheel.

In addition to the beefy hood, the front bumper has been revised with a larger emblem and a more gaping intake – designed to improve transmission cooling. Other improvements include 17-inch wheels (standard) or optional new 18- or 20-inch alloys. The dual rear-wheel tires are still 17-inch, but they now accommodate taller aspect ratio tires. The improvements for 2011 are all good news for heavy duty truck buyers with the exception of the wheel bolt pattern – the eight-lug hub has a slightly different measurement meaning 2007-10 wheels simply won’t fit. See the rest of the details in the press release after the break.

2010 Yenko Silverado HD

Back in the 1960s, Don Yenko was the man responsible for a slew of go-fast GM cars—nearly everything from the Corvair to the Camaro got extra power and improved handling thanks to the GM Central Office Production Order (COPO) strategy that helped Yenko turn those specially ordered cars into street legends. Five decades on, General Marketing Capital Incorporated (GMCI) has purchased the licensing rights to the Yenko name and intends to resurrect the Yenko Super Car with a 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS upgraded and restyled to recall those historic icons.

In this case, the Phase I concept is powered by a supercharged and intercooled V-8 making 600 hp, backed up by a Magnaflow exhaust system, Tremec six-speed transmission with Hurst short-throw shifter, and a burly six-piston brake setup. At this time, that’s all the company will say about the performance upgrades, but it intends to create Phase II and III kits with even more output and handling upgrades. A host of retro visuals adorn the car’s exterior, including throwback stripes, Yenko Super Car logos and badges, and 22-inch vintage-styled billet-aluminum wheels. The leather interior features headrests embroidered with the Yenko Super Car logo (sYc), and floor mats and door sills with Yenko/SC emblems.

The prototype was on display at this year’s SEMA show in Las Vegas, but we’ll have to wait and see if GMCI can actually produce a car worthy of the historic Yenko name.