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Capitol Chevy Columbia SC News

Capitol Chevrolet Columbia's automotive expertise is a product of our sustained interest in industry trends and characteristics. We are privileged to share the latest news, promotions and events with you and hope the information will enhance your shopping experience. As you know, there are many new cars from which to choose, and we believe an informed customer is the best customer.

GM Scores A Truck Trend Triumph

Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD image
One of the country's top publications for truck lovers?Truck Trend magazine?recently came out with its annual "Best in Class" honors, and four GM products were big winners?literally.

In the Work Truck segment, the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 2500HD pickups tied each other at the top of the heap. "Capability is the highest priority" among these trucks, according to Truck Trend, and as the publication points out, these big boys have the most of it. This includes offering the highest towing capacity (17,800 pounds in rear-wheel-drive regular cab models) as well as the highest payload capacity (4,192 pounds). There's plenty of value on board here, too, with the magazine noting the Silverado 2500HD is the least-expensive turbodiesel work truck now on the market.

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KBB.com Picks Suburban, Traverse For Top Family Car List

2011 Chevy Suburban image
When it comes to family-friendly transportation, millions of Americans already know they can put their trust?and their loved ones?in a Chevrolet. But they?re not alone. A wide range of third-party leaders have also recognized what Chevy can bring to the table, and that includes Kelley Blue Books KBB.com, which recently named the Chevrolet Suburban and Traverse to its roster of ?Top 10 Family Cars of 2011.?

For big, active families, no other mainstream rival can come close to offering the advantages of the Suburban. Able to hold nine passengers and tow up to 9,600 lbs., the Suburban boasts more cargo space behind its third row?a full 45.8 cubic feet?than the new Explorer provides behind its second row. But at the same time, it?s more fuel efficient than the Ford Expedition. Needless to say, all that room leaves plenty of space for amenities, too, with the Suburban offering such features as power-release fold-and-tumble second-row seating, remote start, first- and second-row heated seats, ultrasonic rear parking assist, a tri-zone automatic climate system, rearview camera, touch-screen navigation and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system with an eight-inch monitor.

The Traverse, which, like the Suburban, is a multiple-time member of the annual list, ?remains among the most family-friendly vehicles on the market,? according to KBB.com. That?s thanks to a roomy interior that can hold up to eight people or 80.7 cubic feet of cargo, relatively strong fuel-efficiency numbers and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA). Also earning kudos from KBB.com were the Traverse?s style and ?surprisingly nimble handling.?



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GM Enters The App War With Chevy MyLink


General Motors has introduced its own infotainment system to battle Ford?s AppLink and Toyota?s recently unveiled Entune system. Chevrolet Mylink will add stereo audio streaming and wireless control of smart phones, building on the voice-activated Bluetooth hands-free calling capability already offered in most Chevy vehicles. Users will also be able to access apps through either the steering wheel controls or the console-mounted touchscreen. The system will make its debut on the 2012 Volt and Equinox

?There is a new generation of car buyers who don?t 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.?

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Chevrolet Equinox: Still The Fastest-Selling Vehicle In Its Class

2010 Chevy Equinox image

For all its many benefits and features, the Chevrolet Equinox doesn't quite have the same reputation for speed as cars like its Chevy teammate, the Corvette. But it turns out the Equinox is far and away the fastest compact crossover on the road today-at least in terms of sales. Customers are snapping up Equinoxes at a faster rate than many of its in-segment competition. In fact, last month saw the Chevy crossover spend an average of just 15 days on a dealer's lot before being purchased, half the time of its rivals.

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Chevy Silverado HD Is Motor Trend Truck Of The Year



It looks like Chevy customers have won the daily double: Shortly after Motor Trend recognized the amazing Chevrolet Volt as the magazine's 2011 Car of the Year, it was the all-new Chevrolet Silverado HD that took home top honors as the Motor Trend 2011 Truck of the Year.

A key reason: It turns out that the Chevy HD roster weighs significantly less than the Ford Super Duty competition all down the line, eliminating many of the purported horsepower/torque advantages being trumpeted by the Silverado's arch-rival. In fact, according to MT, the Chevrolet models boasted better power-to-weight ratios, a nicer ride with better handling and on-road feel, as-tested MSRPs up to $13,000 less than the Ford's, better acceleration, and even better observed fuel economy. Oh, and "the entire crew universally preferred the shifting smoothness of the Allison (diesel) and Hydra-Matic (gas) transmissions over the Fords' six-speeds."

Other factors called out by the magazine as Silverado HD benefits include:

-A payload rating of up to 21,700 lbs.
-The addition of 32 hp and 105 lb.-ft. of torque to its 6.6-liter Duramax   diesel, which now makes 397 horses and 765 lb.-ft. of twist?and 63 percent less NOx emissions than the 2010 model
-A higher front-axle weight rating
-Fully boxed frames with more cross sections, more high-strength steel and hydroformed front sections
-An attractive interior with easy-to-use controls

 

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Chevrolet Camaro Is Collectible Car Of The Year


2010 Chevrolet Camaro image

The Chevrolet Camaro is already one of today's most popular cars-handily outselling rivals like the Ford Mustang-and now it turns out that Chevy's modern-day muscle car will likely be one of tomorrow's most popular cars, too. That was the word from the Friends of the National Automotive History Collection (NAHC) at the Detroit Public Library, which recently named the Camaro the 2010 Collectible Car of the Year.

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2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD: Best Horsepower and Torque


2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD

Chevrolet announced the 2011 Silverado HD ratings, usurping the lead once claimed by Ford's Super Duty diesel.

The numbers on the new 6.6L Duramax (LML) diesel engine show it is the clear leader in diesel power: 397 hp at 3,000 rpm, and 765 lb-ft of torque at 1,600 rpm. Not only is the engine more powerful than its predecessor, but it is also more efficient. Chevrolet claims an 11-percent boost in fuel economy over the previous model. The updated engine is also cleaner, posting a 63-percent reduction in NOx emissions.

The engine has revised main bearing profiles to improve oil film thickness, increased oil flow for higher pressure at low speeds and updated turbocharger oil routing for faster oil delivery. A new piston design increases strength and connecting rod pin ends have been modified to increase piston support. The fuel injection system runs at 30,000 psi and is designed to be compatible with biodiesel fuel up to grade B20. Other enhancements include an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler bypass to reduce soot deposits in the cooler and EGR circuit.

Chevrolet also released numbers for the 6.0L V-8 gas engine, the standard engine offered in HD trucks. The gas engine is rated 360 horsepower at 5,400 rpm and 380 lb-ft torque at 4,200 rpm. The engine has improved idle over the previous model and 90 percent of its torque is available at 2,000 rpm.

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Capitol Chevrolet Donates More Than $3300 in Cash and Sports Equipment to Dentsville Dixie Youth Baseball

Columbia (08/24/2010) - Capitol Chevrolet, one of 8 Chevrolet dealers from the Columbia area that partnered with local youth baseball leagues for the 2010 baseball season, raised nearly $26400 in total donations from the dealership and private parties. In addition to monetary support, Capitol Chevrolet provided Dentsville Dixie Youth Baseball with equipment donations, an opportunity to raise (and keep) up to $10,000 through a unique fundraiser, and participation in a baseball clinic led by Ripken Baseball. 

"Chevrolet has a long history with baseball and we're glad we were able to bring that commitment to our youth leagues in Columbia where our customers and their families live, work, and play," said David Miles, general manager for Capitol Chevrolet. "The instructional clinic was the highlight of the season for many of the kids.  They had a blast - and, frankly, we did too."     

Capitol Chevrolet partnered with the Dentsville Dixie Youth Baseball because of the league's proximity to the dealership.  Equipment donated by Capitol Chevrolet included equipment bags, ball buckets, coach's clipboards and t-shirts. In addition, the dealership helped donate either a Chevy Malibu or a Chevy Equinox to be used as a fundraiser by the league.  The winner of the fundraiser got to choose one of the two vehicles.

"We are delighted to be involved with the American tradition of youth baseball," said David, of Capitol Chevrolet. "Sponsoring Dentsville Dixie Youth Baseball gave us the opportunity to illustrate our commitment to the youth and families in Columbia and we're glad to have achieved such positive outcome for the community."


 

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2012 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 6.2L Supercharged Monster Rendered into Reality

Designed with Sibal's talents and a collection of facts and rumors, the Z28 is shaping up to be a tremendous competitor, taking the Camaro to new heights thanks to a supercharged 6.2-liter LSA V8 engine. While it's sill possible that the Z28 could get the Corvette ZR1's 620-hp LS9, the LSA is a more likely option, considering recent spy photos showed a 6-speed automatic (currently offered on the LSA-equipped CTS-V). Plus, Chevy isn't likely to share the iconic Corvette's powerplant with any other model - Z28 badge or not.

Possibly more exciting is news that the Z28 could boast even more than the 556-hp found in the CTS-V. This is a near-certainty as Chevy is eager to top Ford in the horsepower wars and upping the 2011 GT500's 550-hp rating by just six ponies isn't likely to cut it. And if Chevy can be trusted to toss around some impressive numbers, look for a 3.9 second 0-60 mph time.

Design wise, the Z28 will get a more aggressive front end and a larger bulge in the hood to make room for the massive engine.


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2011 Camaro ragtop is braced and ready to roll

The drop-top Camaro, which gets a formal debut at the Los Angeles auto show, goes on sale in February A power folding top, the addition of structural braces and the same powertrain lineup as that found in the coupe are the key selling points of the 2011 Chevrolet Camaro convertible.
The Camaro's folding top operates similarly to the folding top on the Chevrolet Corvette. A twist of a handle at the front edge of the top releases it from the windshield header. The driver then pushes a button, which stows the top behind the rear seats and lowers the windows.

It takes about 20 seconds to lower the top, which is made from canvas material and uses a headliner to dampen road noise.

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Over 1.5 Million Chevrolet Corvettes Built

While General Motors may be reconsidering their model lineup, one model that is likely to remain unscathed is the Chevrolet Corvette. Despite changing new car demand, and certainly less interest in sports cars, the Chevy Corvette remains a popular American performance icon and retains a loyal following of Vette enthusiasts.

Highlighting the importance of the Chevrolet Corvette, GM announced that the Bowling Green Assembly facility has completed more than 1,500,000 Corvettes. This is a huge milestone for the plant according to Saginaw Used Cars, and certainly is an indication of how important the Corvette continues to be despite setbacks. Detroit Chevrolet Corvette dealers say the news also came on the same day that GM released pricing for the 2010 Corvette Grand Sport. The Grand Sport Coupe will begin at $55,720 and pricing for the Grand Sport Convertible will be begin at $59,530.


With a zero to 60 mph time of less than four seconds and the ability to pull 1.0g on the skid pad, Dayton Chevrolet repair specialists contest that the Chevy Corvette Grand Sport is an impressive value considering its performance strengths. What may be even more impressive is that the new Corvette manages to get 26 miles per gallon on the highway.

The Chevrolet Corvette remains a popular fixture of GM's product lineup. With 1.5 million Corvettes built, it's certainly evident that the Corvette is truly an icon. In helping the company rebuild its brand and its image, expect the company to promote this popular product further, emphasizing the Corvette's history, performance, and value

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Chevrolet Volt Gets 230 MPG

When the Chevrolet Volt launches it will be capable of 230 miles per gallon according to General Motors. The results are based on an all-new test developed by the EPA for the fuel economy of ultra efficient plug-in electric vehicles.

The announcement of Chevrolet Volt's expected EPA fuel rating comes amid sweeping changes at GM. The automaker made a series of announcements recently, including the addition of new small Cadillac models to be slotted below the CTS says Cadillac dealers in Philadelphia. Additionally, GM will also be diving into a promotion with eBay Motors to sell Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, and GMC vehicles online.

As one Ohio Chevrolet dealer points out, coming up with a fuel mileage rating for an electric car is not an easy task. GM has been working closely with the Environmental Protection Agency for years to determine how to attribute values to such vehicles. That being said, the Chevy Volt is still a ways off from showrooms, and the EPA has yet to officially test the Volt to confirm its expected 230 mpg.

The Chevrolet Volt is capable of driving 40 miles without using any gasoline. According to a Chevy dealer specializing in used cars Cleveland, it is only when that distance is reached that the gas engine is activated to charge the onboard batteries. For those driving under 40 miles, gas mileage is essentially unlimited. It's estimated that once the gasoline engine is engaged, the Volt could earn a 50 mpg mileage rating, but that figure will not be included in the overall rating since the car would have to already have covered the first 40 miles before gasoline was needed.

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News and Events

GM Scores A Truck Trend Triumph
One of the country's top publications for truck lovers?Truck Trend magazine?recently came out with its ...
KBB.com Picks Suburban, Traverse For Top Family Car List
When it comes to family-friendly transportation, millions of Americans already know they can put their ...
GM Enters The App War With Chevy MyLink
General Motors has introduced its own infotainment system to battle Ford?s AppLink and Toyota?s recently ...
Chevrolet Equinox: Still The Fastest-Selling Vehicle In Its Class
For all its many benefits and features, the Chevrolet Equinox doesn't quite have the same reputation ...
Chevy Silverado HD Is Motor Trend Truck Of The Year
It looks like Chevy customers have won the daily double: Shortly after Motor Trend recognized the amazing ...
Chevrolet Camaro Is Collectible Car Of The Year
The Chevrolet Camaro is already one of today's most popular cars-handily outselling rivals like the ...
2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD: Best Horsepower and Torque
Chevrolet announced the 2011 Silverado HD ratings, usurping the lead once claimed by Ford's Super Duty ...
Capitol Chevrolet Donates More Than $3300 in Cash and Sports Equipment to Dentsville Dixie Youth Baseball
Columbia (08/24/2010) - Capitol Chevrolet, one of 8 Chevrolet dealers from the Columbia area that partnered ...
2012 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 6.2L Supercharged Monster Rendered into Reality
Designed with Sibal's talents and a collection of facts and rumors, the Z28 is shaping up to be a tremendous ...
2011 Camaro ragtop is braced and ready to roll
The drop-top Camaro, which gets a formal debut at the Los Angeles auto show, goes on sale in February ...
Over 1.5 Million Chevrolet Corvettes Built
While General Motors may be reconsidering their model lineup, one model that is likely to remain unscathed ...
Chevrolet Volt Gets 230 MPG
When the Chevrolet Volt launches it will be capable of 230 miles per gallon according to General Motors. ...