G.M. reveals all new truck line up in Detroit
DETROIT, MI (January 13, 2014) It’s been a good start so far for General Motors as the 25th North American International Autoshow begins its first of two Media Days in Detroit.
The day began with G.M. making a clean sweep of the North American Car and Truck of the Year Awards, as the Corvette Stingray was awarded Car of the Year and the Chevy Silverado 1500 earned the Truck/SUV of the Year.
G.M. has 3 vehicle launches planned as well during the show, which actually began on Sunday night at a private media event held at an industrial complex nearby. It was there that G.M. debuted the 2015 GMC Canyon mid-sized pick up truck, and it was also there that new global CEO Mary Barra performed her first live product reveal in her new title. Ms. Barra showed that she has lots to improve upon when it comes to presenting to the public, as her delivery was stiff and made it too obvious that she was reading off a teleprompter. However, her performance notwithstanding, the debut of the first female global CEO of a major automaker was perhaps the more popular news story than that of the vehicle launch itself as she was swarmed by the hudreds of media on hand when she offered herself for a photo op.
New G.M. CEO Mary Barra launches new GMC Canyon at private event in Detroit, MI
On Monday morning, the Chevrolet Press Conference was the platform for the global launch of the Corvette Z06 Supercar. The much anticipated high performance version of the 7th generation Corvette which was launched last year at this show, was delivered to the press conference via motorized convoy from G.M.’s test facility in nearby Warren, MI. The convoy included about 30 other Stingray’s and was fed live via aerial and other cameras to the several hundred press members waiting at the Cobo Center in downtown Detroit.
It’s anticipated that the Z06 will produce at least 625 horsepower and 635 lb/ft of torque from it’s supercharged 6.2 Litre V8 engine. Transmissions for the Z06 will be either a 7 speed manual or a new 8 speed automatic with paddle shifters.
To balance performance and efficiency, the LT4 leverages the same trio of advanced technologies introduced on the Corvette Stingray: Direct injection, Active Fuel Management, or cylinder deactivation, and continuously variable valve timing.
Mark Reuss introduces new Corvette Z06 Super Car
These technologies – combined with the fuel-efficient multi-speed transmissions, aerodynamic design and lightweight construction – help make the new Z06 surprisingly fuel efficient…at least that’s what is being claimed.
“The supercharged LT4 engine delivers the greatest balance of performance and efficiency ever in the Corvette,” said John Rydzewski, assistant chief engineer for Small-Block engines. “It is one of the world’s only supercharged engines to incorporate cylinder deactivation technology, enabling it to cruise efficiently on the highway with reduced fuel consumption, but offer more than 600 horsepower whenever the driver calls up its tremendous power reserve.”
On Tuesday, Cadillac will launch a coupe version of it’s successful ATS, the recipient of the North American Car of the Year in 2013.
The North American International Auto Show is the largest and most significant auto show in North America. With dozens of either global or North American vehicle premiers and over 5,000 accredited journalists from around the world, the event is a spectacle unto itself. The show opens to the public on January 16th and runs until January 26th.
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