2012 chevrolet volt

Information Specification Image Review 2012 chevrolet volt
Our 2012 Automobile of the Year didn't earn a spot on our 2012 All-Stars list, but the Chevy Volt's powertrain is still a massively impressive piece of engineering. The Volt's key trick is a seamless transition between running on electricity and gasoline. The gas/electric drivetrain allows for roughly 35 miles of driving range using electricity stored in a large lithium-ion battery before firing up a small, four-cylinder gas engine for another 300 miles of range. The dual power sources offer all of the incentives of driving an electric vehicle -- charging at home, cheap energy, and the potential for reduced emissions -- while eliminating the inconvenience of limited range and slow charging times that afflict pure electric vehicles. 

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2012 Chevrolet Volt is a midsize four-door hatchback sedan with seating for four.
Standard features include 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, heated mirrors, keyless ignition/entry, remote ignition, automatic climate control, cruise control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, six-way manual front seats, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, cloth upholstery, Bluetooth, OnStar (with turn-by-turn navigation), MyLink (includes Bluetooth streaming audio, voice control for phone and audio functions and enhanced smartphone integration) and a six-speaker sound system with a CD player, auxiliary audio jack, iPod/USB interface and a touchscreen.

The Premium Trim package adds leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and heated front seats. The Rear Camera and Park Assist package adds a rearview camera and front and rear parking sensors. Other options include a navigation system (with voice controls, real-time traffic, DVD player and 30GB of digital music storage) and a Bose audio speaker upgrade.

Information Safety

Safety features on the 2012 Chevy Volt include antilock brakes, stability control, front side airbags, front knee airbags and full-length side curtain airbags. In Edmunds brake testing, the Volt came to a stop in a respectable 124 feet.
In the government crash tests, the Volt scores an overall rating of five stars (the highest possible), with five stars for both frontal and side-impact protection categories. Similarly, in Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash testing, the Volt earns the highest rating of "Good" in frontal offset, side-impact and roof strength tests.source:edmund.com,automobilemag.com

Leaked Release Date And Details New Toyota Camry 2012

In the 2012 model year, the Toyota Camry received a redesign, well actually two redesigns. In the U.S. we saw a Camry that featured a rather un Camry like wedge front end. In Thailand, however, they received a more conventional looking Camry. Recently, a brochure leaked about the new Thailand style Camry making its way to Malaysia in June 2012.

Does this necessarily mean that the newly redesigned Camry will be available in the U.S.? Not really, but it is a good sign that it may eventually make its way here. This new Camry will likely be a test mule to see how it performs in smaller markets. If it does well, it will likely make its way around the world.

This “new“ Camry features a stouter looking front end that nearly resembles the front end of some Lexus cars. Not a big surprise, considering Toyota & Lexus are under the same Toyota Motor Company umbrella & have shared components regularly. Gone is the two bar grille, space ship like headlights, & wedge style front end. In their place is a five bar chrome grille, flatter front end, & more classy looking headlights, making this look much more conventional & nearly like a luxury car.

For now, we can only hope that a new Camry comes to the U.S., but there is no anticipated replacement in the U.S. market. Then again, Toyota does have its unnamed sedan that it’s unveiling at the 2012 New York Auto Show, which we all assume is an updated Avalon, but it could be a Camry. Plus, you just never know what kinds of tricks these car companies have up their sleeves at these car shows.

First Look of New Vespa LX 125

The Vespa brand enjoys a history in India, as erstwhile collaborators with LML making geared scooters that were popular at one time. Like all good things however, the LML JV was dismantled in 1999, Piaggio having setting up a spanking new manufacturing unit at Baramati in 2007.

Piaggios first scooter here, the LX 125 is set to launch on schedule later this month. The Vespa LX 125 is an automatic, retro looking scooter, paying tribute to the original 1946 Vespa with retro styling. It’s a compact vehicle, with plenty of rounded curves & a cute, headlamp, flanked by chrome rear view mirrors. The front apron sports a centre cowl, reminding of scooters from the past, apart from a chrome grille that houses the horn. The front apron is otherwise clean & smooth, incorporating a set of tall, rectangular indicators. An angular front mudguard guards the front suspension & five spoke alloys.

The LX employs a rounded instruments cluster with a speedometer, fuel gauge, low fuel warning light, tell tale lights & a digital clock. Switchgear looks modern. Inside the apron sits a petite glove box, capable of gobbling up a few knick knacks. There’s a ridged footboard below. The seat seems wide, & should provide comfort for both, riders & their pillion. A large under seat storage bay is present. Behind the seat sits a functional looking grab handle, while the LX 125 rear end is smartly contoured, retro but simple with an edgy stop lamp & turn indicators. Its all metal body should endure the LX 125 with robustness, as opposed to most Indian plastic body scooters of today. Fit finish & quality on the scooters to leave Baramati remains a question mark.

The LX 125 for India will deploy a 124cc, four stroke, fuel injected, air cooled single cylinder engine. 125cc is a favourite displacement for Vespas, the famous firm having often given their vehicles similar capacity engines over six decades. Peak power output is 10.7bhp at 8250rpm, while maximum torque produced at 6500rpm is 0.97kgm. An automatic CVT transmission, coupled with decent power & torque should endure the LX 125 with ample performance & convenience in Indian traffic conditions.

The scooter uses a load bearing steel chassis with welded structural supports holding its engine in place. Front suspension is a single side, linked arm with hydraulic shock absorber & coil spring, while at rear sits a hydraulic monoshock. The LX 125 uses a purposeful 200mm front disc brake, with a conventional 110mm drum behind.

Pricing is yet to be announced, & shall hold the keys to the LX 125’s success in India. Indication point at premium positioning, so expect the LX 125 to cost a bit more than its competition. Has the Indian scooter market evolved enough to accept a premium scooter like this? Are Indians prepared to shell out the extra buck it takes to make lifestyle statements aboard scooters?

Time, & the Autocar India road test will tell the truth.