Watch this great video of the new Chevy Volt. This environmentally friendly Chevrolet model is expected to start arriving at dealerships by the end of August. Read our 2011 Chevy Volt Review for more information and details on this exciting new Chevy model!

According to Chevy, the months are counting dow to the official unveiling of the production ready Chevy Volt. The 2011 Vol news for wuite a while now. Chevrolet’s all electric vehicle holds claims to amazing mileage, has shown its stylish design, and most of all, is one of the first all electric vehicles in development to hold out hope of being seen on the road and in dealerships. The Volt, now just months away from launch, is at the “99 percent level” of engineering calibration. The driving characteristics likely won’t change much; engineers are now just aiming for consistency to ensure that the Volt always drives as expected.

The electric vehicle is now going through its final phases of road tests, and so far is hitting the mark.  There will be a special option on the Volt called mountain mode, which allows the driver to better deal with changing elevations. To optimize performance, drivers should turn it on before heading up the mountain, so the Volt can adjust its reserve capability. There is also a sport mode. It’s an adjustment to the pedal mapping, so those who have a heavier foot will have a more aggressive feel. It’s sure to be subtle though — the Volt draws its power from lithium-ion batteries and a 1.4-liter engine. The default mode is normal. Additionally, motorists can further adjust the car’s character by selecting eco and comfort settings for the climate control.

Through all of these variables — and the very basic electric or extended-range periods — the Volt will have one singular trait: It will feel like an electric car at all times, even when the gasoline engine kicks on. Engineers also paid special attention to the NVH, acoustics and making the engine’s turn-on as subtle as possible. The 40-mile range on electricity is still expected.

Despite a recent push on the electric vehicle front (a production ready Chevy Volt for example), General Motors put the public on notice this week that it remains as committed as ever to using its rolling science projects as a test bed for getting real world, mass-produced, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in consumer driveways. For those who have not been following GM’s fuel cell efforts, here is an update. Project Driveway is a real-world test that began in late 2007 with the automaker deploying a fleet of 119 specially outfitted Chevrolet Equinox vehicles with a hydrogen fuel cell stack providing the juice for its electric propulsion. Drivers have logged more than 1.3 million miles in all around the world during the test, and even got in a few accidents. The centerpiece of GM’s future hydrogen-powered efforts revolves around its Gen 2 hydrogen fuel cell stack, which is being designed to fit in a four-cylinder engine bay. It’s reportedly some 220 pounds lighter than the stack powering the Equinox fleet, and uses about a third of the platinum than the present stack. Gen2 will employ fewer and lighter components and with its smaller overall size, GM hopes it will be able to spread the stack around to more vehicles in the future. In addition to the Gen 2 stack, GM is also continuing to develop its hydrogen storage solutions. The Equinoxes at present employ three tanks, which the automaker hopes to switch out with a smaller, two-tank setup.

When will GM fuel cell vehicles come to the market? GM says it is focusing on producing a “production intent” program by 2015. Notice the word intent, meaning that this question is really unanswered; however, GM firmly believes that hydrogen-powered vehicles will have a place in future of powertrains.

The buzz around Chevrolet is an all new compact sedan with high expectations. The 2011 Chevy Cruze will arrive at dealerships sometime this year. The Cruze will be replacing the Chevrolet Cobalt.  The Cruze marks the first compact car to reflect the higher-quality approach GM has taken with many other models’ interiors. The Cruze has been sold in Europe and Asia since 2008; the North American model is assembled at the Cobalt’s former factory in Lordstown, Ohio.

The Cruze gets two new GM four-cylinder engines: a 1.8-liter and an optional turbocharged 1.4-liter. Compared with the base engine’s 136 horsepower, the turbo upgrade’s 138 horsepower seems negligible, but it raises the torque output from 123 pounds-feet to 148 pounds-feet, which should make a big difference in off-the-line acceleration. The Cruze’s styling isn’t daring, but it’s distinctive in this class and a big improvement over the bland Cobalt. Unlike the Cobalt, which also came as a coupe, there are no plans for additional body styles as of the start of the 2011 model year. The Cruze’s cabin has higher interior quality than the Cobalt. Interior choices include interesting rough-hewn woven trim or more conventional leather-style appliqués on the dashboard and door panels. Leather seats are optional, as are accent-colored center panels. For safety, the Cruze is the first affordable compact car to include 10 airbags standard. In addition to the required front pair, there are seat-mounted side-impact airbags for all four outboard seats, curtain airbags to cover the side windows on both sides and knee airbags for the front, which protect the occupants’ legs and help prevent them from sliding forward that would make the other restraints less effective. The Cruze includes a standard electronic stability system.

Looks like the new 2011 Chevy Cruze will bring more jobs to the economy. General Motors will add a third shift at its Lordstown, Ohio complex, adding 1,200 jobs to support production of the new, 2011 Chevrolet Cruze compact car. As previously announced, the Chevrolet Cruze program represents a $500 million investment in U.S. manufacturing operations, which includes more than $350 million to re-tool the Lordstown facility. Production begins in the third quarter and will increase the Lordstown workforce from 3,300 to 4,500. The third shift is expected to generate $47 million in additional payroll, $470,000 in local income taxes and $1.4 million in state income tax.

Since last July, GM has made announcements that represent about 5,515 new jobs and investment by the company of more than $1.4 billion in the United States. The 2011 Cruze is the first of a family of new Chevrolet small and compact cars that are designed to offer excellent fuel economy, outstanding quality and top safety ratings. Lordstown will produce Cruze models for the United States and Canada. The Lordstown complex covers 5 million square feet and includes 25 miles of conveyors. Last year, the facility – which includes on on-site stamping plant – purchased nearly 102,000 tons of steel and recycled nearly 53,000 tons of it. Renovations in preparation for the Cruze include a new, state-of-the-art body shop, with more than 800 new robotic systems. Since vehicle assembly started in 1966, the Lordstown complex has produced about 14.3 million GM cars. It currently builds the Chevrolet Cobalt, of which more than 1 million have been produced since its 2004 launch. Cobalt production will end as Cruze production ramps up this summer.

On Feb. 18, GM announced a $494 million investment and the creation of nearly 550 jobs, among three facilities, to produce the next-generation of fuel-efficient Ecotec four-cylinder engines.

The Chicago Auto Show is coming right up, it will be open to the public from February 12 – 21. Chevrolet will continue its push for its all electric Chevy Volt, and will feature it at the show. The Chevrolet Volt is a plug-in range-extended electric car with an on-board gasoline generator. It has a large battery that stores power from your home electric outlet and which is connected to an electric motor. The electric motor directly propels the car, and Volt is designed to drive up to 40 miles on electricity without using gasoline or producing tailpipe emissions. When the Volt’s lithium-ion battery is depleted, an engine/generator seamlessly operates to extend the total driving range to about 300 miles.

The driver will be able to set the charging schedule inside the vehicle or remotely, based on time of day or cost. And the Volt even has audio and visual cues to alert the driver when the car powers on, off and when charging is activated. For eager buyers, GM has committed to begin mass production of the 4-door, 4-passenger Volt in November 2010, as a 2011 model year.

The North American International Auto Show has become home of Chevy’s introduction of the Aveo RS show car – a European-inspired hot hatch aimed at young enthusiasts. The Aveo RS show car provides a glimpse of what designers have in mind for the future production car. One look at the show car’s electric Boracay Blue finish, motorcycle-inspired exposed headlamps and tail lamps, low roofline, fender flares, large wheels and tires, and dual-cockpit interior hints at the next-generation Aveo. Focusing on Aveo’s target audience of young buyers, Chevrolet gave the show car a sporty appearance inside and out. An aggressive front fascia; clean, uninterrupted body side lines; an integrated rear roof spoiler; wide stance; and large, 19-inch, five-spoke wheels with a gun metal Chevrolet logo and Boracay Blue brake calipers suggest upscale style and dynamic handling. The Boracay Blue continues inside, with accent stitching in the instrument panel, dual cockpit, front and rear door panels, gear shift boot, parking brake and seat bolster. The Aveo RS show car features the same small-displacement 1.4L Ecotec turbocharged engine that will be available in the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze in North America. Delivering 138 horsepower (103 kW), it performs like two powerplants in one, with the fuel economy of a small engine and the performance of a larger one. In the Aveo RS show car, the 1.4L turbo is mated to a six-speed manual transmission.

The Chevrolet Cruze compact sedan is already on sale in Asia and Europe with strong market acceptance. In 2011, the Cruze will change the rules in America by bringing a midsize car presence to the compact sedan segment. It will deliver many segment-leading features, more interior room and cargo capacity than the competition and upscale amenities such as Bluetooth, USB and navigation. It offers midsize roominess, safety and amenities with the fuel economy and expected price of a compact car. The U.S. production version of the Cruze was unveiled last month. The Cruze affirms Chevrolet’s commitment the lead in small-displacement, turbocharged four-cylinder engines that are highly fuel efficient. Cruze is expected to deliver segment-leading fuel economy in North America with a new Ecotec 1.4L turbo with variable valve timing – including under 6.0 L/100 km on the highway with a high-efficiency model. The all-new Cruze will be built in Lordstown, Ohio beginning in the third quarter.

The five-door Chevrolet Spark, the smallest member of Chevrolet’s family of cars, brings style, roominess and versatility to a segment of extremely fuel-efficient small cars. Spark will provide great fuel economy, and its trim size makes it very agile in all kinds of driving conditions while still feeling substantial on the open road. The Spark will go on sale in Europe this spring. The U.S. production version will go on sale in early 2012.

But General Motors is now recalling Vettes from the 2005 through 2007 model years because the roof panel might blow off. The recall covers Corvette coupes with the removable roof panel. There’s a problem with the adhesive that bonds the plastic roof panel to its frame. If the bond breaks, the roof panel could go flying off while driving. There are clues to the problem, such as a snapping noise from the roof when driving over bumps, water leaking from the headliner or the roof panel moving when the door is closed. Nearly 22,100 cars are involved in the recall. Those with a bad panel–GM has previously run a customer-satisfaction campaign for this problem–will get a new one. GM says it will start the recall in January.

The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze is finally coming Stateside and was introduced at the 2009 LA Auto Show. Sharing much of the 2011 Chevrolet Volt’s architecture, the Cruze has the potential to be a massive leap forward for Chevy in the mid-size/compact segment. Larger than the Cobalt in almost every dimension and packing a choice of either a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder putting out 138 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque or a naturally aspirated 1.8-liter four-pot, fuel economy and efficiency take center stage. Buyers will be able to choose between a manual or automatic six-speed gearbox.

Inside, the two-tone brown and black leather interior is a tremendous improvement over the model it replaces, with an artfully sculpted dash and center stack surrounded by soft touch materials, brushed fauxluminum and a smattering of chrome. Back seat passengers should be equally pleased with the appointments and a 60/40 split bench ups the ante for usability.

The Cruze’s arrival late next year couldn’t be better timed, as Ford is readying the next generation Focus and Honda is toiling away on a reworked Civic.

The 2011 Chevrolet Orlando

While small minivans are extremely popular in Europe and other parts of the world, they have met little success in the US. Chevrolet hopes to change that when they roll out the 2011 Chevy Orlando, alongside their new Chevy Cruze sedan. Although the Orlando show car carried a 2.0L turbo-diesel, it is expected that the U.S. version will at least have the option of a 1.4-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine, the same one that will power the Cruze. The Orlando is said to combine the versatility of an SUV, a family van and a wagon in one vehicle. The Orlando offers room for seven, but differs from traditional minivans or crossovers, as it is a much more compact design. The Orlando is expected to compete with recent successes such as the Mazd5, which has proven that there is a market for this type of compact package family mover.  Expect to see the Orlando in late 2010. For more research, videos, and pictures, read a complete 2011 Chevy Orlando review.