Chevrolet Overviews
For Release: June 9, 2008
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CHEVROLET’S 2009 LINEUP BLENDS STYLE WITH EFFICIENCY AND PERFORMANCE
DETROIT – Building on the smash success of the all-new Malibu – a car that captured the 2008 North American Car of the Year award and other accolades – Chevrolet’s ’09 product range delivers more of the stylish, value-driven attributes that are attracting new customers to the brand.
Chevy’s continuing effort to deliver affordable fuel solutions is exemplified in the Malibu Hybrid, as well as a unique, non-hybrid four-cylinder/six-speed automatic combination on Malibu that achieves 34 mpg in estimated highway mileage. Also, the Cobalt has a new version of the standard 2.2L Ecotec engine that uses variable valve technology to help achieve greater fuel economy than previous models.
Performance has long been an integral facet of Chevrolet’s heritage and it has never been richer than with the ’09 lineup. Lead by the 638-hp (476 kW) supercharged Corvette ZR1 – the fastest and most powerful car ever built by GM – Chevy’s performance portfolio is filled out with the remainder of the Corvette lineup, the V-8-powered Impala SS and the turbocharged Cobalt SS.
The Cobalt SS offers a unique combination of high performance and excellent fuel economy.
Here’s a rundown of the entire 2009 Chevy passenger car lineup:
The fuel-efficient Chevrolet Aveo is an uncompromising performer, with a great design, a smooth, safe driving experience and amenities that are rare in the segment. For 2009, a more powerful engine, the 1.6L Gen 3 Ecotec, is standard in all models, delivering more usable horsepower with the same great fuel efficiency. The Aveo lineup also includes Aveo5, a sporty five-door hatchback that is redesigned on the outside and inside for ’09. The new design features Chevy’s bold, global front-end design with refined details including prominent, Malibu-inspired grilles separated by a bowtie emblem.
In addition to the more powerful standard Ecotec engine and the Aveo5’s new look, the ’09 Aveo lineup includes standard OnStar on all models; available XM Satellite radio and new 15-inch alloy wheels.
Chevrolet Cobalt greets 2009 with enhancements that provide an increase in fuel economy. Along with more efficient performance, the ’09 Cobalt offers customer-focused enhancements that build on a package of choices, convenience and safety features that other competitors can’t match, including Bluetooth wireless phone connectivity and an iPod-compatible USB port in the radio. The 2009 Cobalt lineup includes LS, LT and the turbocharged SS models – an SS sedan joins the ranks this year, too.
Corvette and Corvette Z06
After milestone year in 2008 that saw the introduction of the LS3 6.2L V-8 as the new standard engine, a custom, leather-wrapped interior and more upgrades, the Corvette races powers into 2009 with a raft of enhancements that further distinguish it and give customers more choices – including a lower-priced convertible model. Major changes for ’09 include a more affordable 1LT convertible package and Bluetooth wireless phone connectivity, along with two new custom leather-wrapped interior choices. The Z06 retains it 505-hp (377 kW) LS7 engine and adds new “spider”-design wheels, increased capacity for the dry-sump oiling system and interior trim revisions.
Corvette ZR1
The 2009 Corvette ZR1 is an American supercar that brings the technology and engineering refinement of carbon-fiber, ceramics and electronics together in a distinctive design. The ZR1’s basic stats include:
- All-new LS9 supercharged 6.2L V-8 rated at 638 horsepower (476 kW), and approximately 604 lb.-ft. of torque (835 Nm)
- Six-speed, close-ratio, race-hardened manual transmission
- New, high-capacity dual-disc clutch
- Higher-capacity and specific-diameter axle half-shafts; enhanced torque tube
- Specific suspension tuning provides more than 1g cornering grip
- Twenty-spoke 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels
- Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires – P285/30ZR19 in front and P335/25ZR20 in the rear – developed specifically for the ZR1
- Standard Brembo carbon-ceramic, drilled disc brake rotors – 15.5-inch-diameter (394-mm) in the front and 15-inch-diameter (380-mm) in the rear
- Larger, blue-painted brake calipers with substantially increased pad area
- Standard Magnetic Selective Ride Control with track-level suspension
- Wider, carbon-fiber front fenders with ZR1-specific dual ports
- Carbon-fiber hood with a raised, polycarbonate window – offering a view of the intercooler below it
- Carbon-fiber roof panel, roof bow, front fascia splitter and rocker moldings with clear-coated, visible carbon-fiber weave
- ZR1-specific full-width rear spoiler with raised outboard sections
- Specific gauge cluster with boost gauge (also displayed on the head-up display) and 220-mph (370 km/h) speedometer readout
- Only two options: chrome wheels and a “luxury” package
- Curb weight of 3,324 pounds (1,508 kg)
The specialized components of the new ZR1 work harmoniously to deliver the most powerful and fastest automobile ever produced by General Motors, with top speed greater than 200 mph (320 km/h).
For 2009, Impala’s value story is bolstered by new standard safety features, including thorax side-impact air bags and safety belt pretensioners for the front-seat lap belts. Available is new Bluetooth phone connectivity through the OnStar system. Bluetooth technology enables hands-free phone calling, with personal cell phone calls connected via the Impala’s audio system.
When it comes to efficiency and fuel options, Impala has one of the most compelling stories in the market. The standard 3.5L V-6 is EPA-rated at 29 mpg on the highway, giving it fuel economy that matches or beats many smaller cars. Both the 3.5L and 3.9L engines are available with E85 FlexFuel capability.
The Impala SS is an efficient performer, too, with a 5.3L V-8 and Active Fuel Management. It is rated at 303 horsepower (226 kW) and has a highway mileage rating of 24 mpg. That’s 30 percent more power than the 3.9L V-6 with more than 85 percent of the highway fuel economy. Active Fuel Management can improve fuel economy by up to 12 percent in certain driving conditions.
Selected as the 2008 North American Car of the Year and garnering countless accolades and recommendations, the Malibu is making significant advances in an admittedly tough market. As dealers strive to meet customer demand for the Malibu, new features and product changes are minimal for 2009. They include an expanded offering of the fuel-saving 2.4L/six-speed automatic powertrain combination, new exterior colors choices and the addition of Bluetooth wireless connectivity with the new OnStar 8.0 system.
The 2.4L four-cylinder with six-speed automatic transmission is now standard on LTZ models; the V-6/six-speed powertrain is available. The six-speed automatic transmission is also standard on 2LT and available on 1LT. Additionally, StabiliTrak electronic stability control with brake assist and traction control is now standard on all models.
Offering a competitive combination of refinement and fuel efficiency, the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid is the most affordable hybrid version of a midsize sedan. It delivers the highest fuel economy among all Malibu models – EPA ratings of 26 mpg city and 34 mpg highway – without having the highest price tag.
While maintaining the vehicle’s sporty feel, the GM Hybrid system seamlessly reduces fuel consumption by:
- Shutting off the engine when the vehicle is stopped, to minimize idling
- Restarting the engine promptly when the brake pedal is released
- Using the motor/generator to bolster the gasoline engine at wide-open throttle, such as during acceleration or a passing maneuver
- Enabling early fuel shut-off during vehicle deceleration
- Capturing vehicle kinetic energy during deceleration through regenerative braking to charge the advanced nickel metal hydride battery
- Performing intelligent battery charging when it is most efficient
The GM Hybrid system also is designed to automatically maintain full accessory functionality when the vehicle is stopped, including climate control, so that hybrid operation is transparent to the driver and passengers.
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Contact:
Wendy Clark
Chevrolet Communications
Phone: 313-665-5127
E-mail: wendy.clark@gm.com
Nancy Libby
Chevrolet Communications
Phone: 313-667-2553
E-mail: nancy.libby@gm.com