GM To Develop A Second Generation Of The Logos Concept EN-V Chevrolet

The next step in the future of General Motors 'electric' is to develop a second generation IV, the concept of the study, which was introduced last year, the Shanghai World Expo in China, and should be a program of pilot testing.

FR-V, which stands for Electric Vehicle Networked-is one ultra-compact, futuristic two-seater model that solves the basic transport needs of today's megacities. The Detroit company said that all future concepts in the FR-V will have a badge Chevrolet

"100 years, the Chevrolet brand is committed to making advanced technology, which improves the lives of our customers at an affordable price, and the Chevrolet IV will continue this tradition," said Chris Perry, vice president, Global Marketing and Strategy Chevrolet .

"In 2030, over 60 percent of 8 billion people worldwide live in urban areas," he added. "The EN-V Chevrolet represents a potential solution for global customers who live in markets where of alternative transport solutions are needed. "

GM said that the next generation of Chevy IV is ready for production with the addition of a series of essential features such as automatic climate control, a personal storage space and the possibility of weather and road conditions.

However, it will keep the original concept, electric motors and lithium-ion batteries that allows the vehicle to drive at least 40 km (25 miles) on a single charge.

The automaker based in Detroit said he plans to explore various places around the world including the United States for pilot programs to test the potential of ES-V Chevrolet in real conditions.

In April, GM and the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City Investment & Development Co. Ltd (SSTEC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to work together to integrate the next generation of EN-V in Tianjin Eco-City from power, communications and physical infrastructure perspective.

 

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Refreshed 2012 Honda Pilot Revealed in Detail

After a bit of a tease in late July, it's time for Honda to detail the changes on its 2012 Pilot SUV that has received a mild facelift as well as some mechanical and equipment upgrades.

So what’s new? Let’s start with the exterior. Up front, the most evident change is a new and more "politically correct" grille with a three-bar horizontal design that replaces the letter-box style six-sided grille insert.

The reconfigured headlights and turn signals, a new front air dam and optimized strakes in front of the wheels that improve aerodynamics, along with the fresh alloy wheel designs in sizes 17- or 18-inches round off the tweaks on the outside.

The front styling changes result in a slight increase in overall length (0.5 inches to 191.4 inches) while ground clearance stands at 7.97 inches, down slightly from 8.00 inches in the previous model.

Interior improvements include a different color theme for the instrument panel along with new graphics for the speedometer and tachometer gauges, a glossy black center panel for the audio controls that replaces the silver trim of the previous model, and a redesigned center stack that adds a U-shaped character line and different textures.

Honda added that changes to the body seam sealing around the unit-body connection points, and re-tuned rear suspension sub-frame mounts, result in lower noise levels in the passenger cabin.

For 2012, the Japanese carmaker also upgraded the audio systems on the EX and EX-L models to include a 2GB CD-Library (CD-L) and Bluetooth Audio Streaming, along with the addition of Bluetooth HandsFreeLink to those trim levels.

Under the hood, while it was expected that Honda might introduce a six-speed automatic transmission, the five-speed unit remains for the 2012 model year, as does the 250-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine.

However, combined improvements to the powertrain, chassis and vehicle aerodynamics result in a 1-mpg increase in City, a 2-mpg increase in Highway and a 2-mpg increase in Combined for both the 2WD (18/25/21 mpg) and 4WD (17/24/20 mpg) models over the 2011MY Pilot.

The 2012 Pilot is on sale now with prices starting from $28,470 not including an $810 destination charge ($29,280).

 



 

2012 Pilot Feature Change Summary

• All-new front fascia, grille and headlights


• New 18-inch aluminum wheels (17-inch styled steel on Pilot LX)


• Upgraded interior materials and revised instrument panel with new center stack layout


• Acoustic windshield glass (previously exclusive to Pilot EX-L and Touring)


• Upgraded audio and available navigation systems


• Improved EPA-estimated1 fuel economy (+1 mpg City/+2 mpg Highway/+2 mpg Combined)

Pilot LX adds:

• AAC audio file playback from data discs to the CD player

Pilot EX adds or replaces:

• 18-inch aluminum wheels and P235/60R18 all-season tires


• Bluetooth HandsFreeLink and Bluetooth audio streaming


• 2 GB CD Library (CD-L)

Pilot EX-L adds or replaces:

• Power tailgate


• Intelligent Multi-Information Display (i-MID) with QVGA resolution (includes backup camera display, album artwork display and user-loadable wallpaper function)


• USB Audio Interface

Pilot EX-L with Navigation adds or replaces:

• Upgraded navigation system with higher VGA resolution and 60-GB hard drive (includes 15 GB audio hard drive memory) and FM Traffic


• Song by Voice™


• Wide-view rearview camera with 3-mode display

Basic Specs:

• Engine: 3.5-liter 24-valve SOHC i-VTEC® V-6


• Horsepower: 250 hp @ 5,700 rpm


• Torque: 253 lb-ft. @ 4,800 rpm


• EPA-estimated1 fuel economy, City/Hwy/Comb.: 17/24/20 (4WD), 18/25/21 (2WD)


• Seating capacity: 8


• Passenger volume: 153.7 cu-ft.


• Cargo volume: 18.0 cu-ft. (minimum), 87.0 cu-ft. (maximum)


• Towing capacity: 4,500 lbs. (4WD), 2,000 lbs. (2WD)³


• Standard airbags: Driver's and front-passenger's dual-stage, multiple-threshold front airbags; driver's and front passenger's side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS); and 3-row side-curtain airbags with rollover sensor


• Standard Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) and an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution and Brake Assist

 

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2011 Honda Pilot 4WD Touring

The family Crossover Utility Vehicle segment is, to put it mildly, crowded. Every major automaker has at least one option from which to choose. Ford has four choices, while Toyota makes due with three options. Some models feature two rows of seating, while others boast room for up to eight. Then there are the more off-road capable options to contrast with the docile soft-roaders.

Though most automakers have gone crossover crazy, Honda has made due with a simple two-CUV lineup. The perennially top-selling CR-V takes care of those who desire a smaller footprint, smaller price tag and higher fuel economy, while the larger Pilot takes on the three-row crowd. The Pilot has been mostly successful during its nine-year production run, with high marks for safety (the 2011 model has an overall score of four stars from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration) and reliability (Consumer Reports gave it the organization’s coveted Recommended rating). But has Honda made enough changes to the Pilot to keep it competitive with stiff competition like the Toyota Highlander and Chevrolet Traverse? We spent a week with a well-appointed 4X4 Touring model to find out.

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