VELOSTER. STYLE, SUBSTANCE AND THE RIGHT CONNECTIONS.

THE ALL NEW HYUNDAI VELOSTER

EXTERIOR
With its aggressive design and functional 3rd door, Veloster shows a completely modern look to the world and yields big benefits inside with best-in-class total interior volume.

(this is not a concept this is the actual production model)

INTERIOR

Veloster's sleek sportbike-inspired interior has been designed to keep you connected 24/7 via Blue Link® which offers Location Sharing, Voice Text Messaging, and advanced voice recognition so you can search your music and find points of interest without distraction. The standard 7-inch multimedia touchscreen can be personalized with one of three visual themes, and displays views from the available rearview camera when backing up. You can also watch video and play video games when parked.

UP TO 40 MPG HWY
Start the 1.6L Gasoline Direct Injection engine and engage the 6-speed manual transmission to experience spirited performance plus up to 40 MPG Hwy. For those who prefer the comfort of an automatic, the available EcoShift Dual Clutch Transmission with paddle shifters incorporates the latest technology, delivering smooth and efficient power.

SAFETY
Veloster offers a full slate of advanced active safety features including a sophisticated Vehicle Stability Management system. In the event of an accident, Blue Link with Automatic Collision Notification and Assistance detects when the airbags have been deployed and automatically transmits a signal to a call center that directs help to your location

Gateway Fargo Receives our first Chevrolet Sonic

In the subcompact market, things like standard aluminum wheels are big news. Guess what? The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic has standard aluminum wheels. Honestly, we really like that. But in bigger news, Chevy’s forthcoming econobox is actually fun to drive. This is an about-face compared with the outgoing Aveo, which traded exclusively on its bargain-basement price. The Sonic, on sale this fall, seeks to recruit buyers with quality, features, and—to borrow a phrase overused by German car companies—driving pleasure.

A brief disclaimer: Our driving exposure was limited to preproduction prototypes in one configuration (1.4-liter turbo, manual transmission, five-door) on an improvised circuit at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis, Indiana. In other words, we won’t be able to give you a definitive review until we get more time in a finished production car. But so far the worst thing about Chevy’s new subcompact is the Sonic name. There isn’t much wrong with the actual word, but so many other items in popular culture (fast-food drive-ins, video-game hedgehogs, Seattle’s former basketball team) come more readily to mind than “affordable American car.”

Plenty to Like

Aside from that, there is much to like about the Sonic, most notably the turbocharged 1.4-liter engine we sampled. Shared with the Cruze, the turbo four makes 138 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque, 18 hp and 26 lb-ft more than the Ford Fiesta, a clear rival. And when paired with a six-speed manual, Chevrolet promises a 40-mpg highway fuel-economy rating for the Sonic turbo. The other engine (also sourced from the Cruze) is a naturally aspirated 1.8-liter making the same 138 hp but with a reduced torque figure of 125 lb-ft. The Sonic has slightly different gearing and weighs about 400 fewer pounds than the Cruze, so we expect better acceleration and fuel economy across the board. (In a recent comparison test, an automatic-equipped 1.4T Cruze posted an 8.0-second 0-to-60-mph run.)


The Sonic’s turbo pulls well above 3000 rpm; there is noticeable lag at lower engine speeds, despite a low torque peak of 1850 rpm. Still, it’s a strong, smooth engine. This is not the second coming of the Volkswagen GTI, but the Sonic turbo injects some serious fun in a segment that usually puts performance on the back burner. Chevrolet had a Honda Fit and a Ford Fiesta on hand for comparison, and the Sonic held up well. In lap times, all the drivers present went almost two seconds quicker in the Sonic than in the next-fastest Fit, but some of that is surely due to superior acceleration at higher speeds. The Honda, which is geared shorter, feels better at low engine speeds. And the Ford offers less body roll. But the Sonic looks as though it would acquit itself nicely against the Fit and Fiesta, as well as the Mazda 2. The Chevy’s steering is light and reacts quickly on turn-in. Handling eventually gives way to understeer (the Honda can be tossed around more), but up to the limit the Sonic is responsive and behaves predictably even under trail braking. We’d like a little more feel in the shift lever, but it’s acceptable for this price point.

Should Be Practical and Affordable

The Sonic is an economy car, which means sacrifices in creature comforts. The rear seats don’t have an armrest or cup holders, but they are acceptably habitable even behind a six-plus-footer in the driving position. Both Sonic sedan and hatchback share the same 99.4-inch wheelbase. The four-door, at 173.1 inches, is 14.1 inches longer than the hatch but loses in the space race with 14 cubic feet of trunk space to the hatch’s 19. The hatch also has slightly better rear-seat headroom. The cargo area in the five-door, although not as spacious or ingenious as the Honda Fit’s, has a removable false floor that creates a level surface when the seats are folded. There is also a slot for the cargo cover to slide into behind the rear seats.

Chevrolet won’t divulge Sonic pricing until the fall on-sale date gets closer, only hinting that it will be competitive in the segment. We take to that to mean a starting price of about $14,000 and, as is the case with Fiesta and Fit, loftier trim models (including the turbo) that run as high as $19,000. Also like the Fiesta, we’re guessing the Sonic hatch will command a premium for its more attractive looks, although we have to say that the Sonic sedan manages to look something less than dumpy—a huge achievement in this segment. Even in base LS trim, the Sonic comes with the aforementioned wheels, plus air conditioning, power locks, keyless entry, stability control, and an impressive 10 air bags.

We’re not quite ready to break out the “super” prefix for the Sonic, but it does appear to mark the return of the American small car, and not just in name. As part of GM’s restructuring, the Sonic will be assembled in Lake Orion, Michigan. The good news for Chevy, however, is that the Sonic appeals on its merits as a car and not as a piece of flag-waving patriotism.-caranddriver

The Becker Cadillac Escalade ESV

Becker Automotive Design, a custom limousine company, has partnered with bespoke auto designer Strut to create a special-edition Cadillac Escalade ESV. Designed for global markets, the custom package offers a full mobile office system, floor-to-ceiling leather upholstery, an iPod-ready premium stereo system with digital surround sound and satellite HDTV.

The Becker-Strut package also features an on-board computer system, broadband Internet connection and printer and scanner capabilities. The computer automatically boots up or shuts down when the vehicle’s key is inserted or removed, and is fully accessible via a custom touchscreen monitor using proprietary Becker Automotive Design software.

The exterior of the vehicle has also been customized, featuring a polished diamond-mesh grille and forged alloy wheels. Each vehicle also features unique badging, including the Strut signature grille.

Pricing for a Becker-Strut converted SUV starts at about $125,000 and can range up to $225,000 for the top-of-the-line package.
Custom Cadillac Escalade ESV

Camaro Convertible: Your chance to own a part of history.... Now available at Gateway in Fargo

Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible to Pace Indianapolis 500

* New Camaro SS convertible in white with orange stripes and orange leather-trimmed interior evokes classic 1969 Camaro pace car model
* One of the 50 Festival Committee was auctioned for charity at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction on Jan. 22 for $225,000
* 2011 is the 100th anniversary of Chevrolet and the Indianapolis 500

DETROIT - A special-edition Chevrolet Camaro Convertible will serve as the official pace car of the 2011 Indianapolis 500. Chevrolet and Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials made the announcement at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale classic auto auction, where a bidder will have the opportunity to purchase the first of 50 Indianapolis 500 Festival Committee cars.

The 2011 Camaro Convertible is the 22nd Chevrolet chosen to pace "The Greatest Spectacle In Racing®" and the seventh Camaro. Adding to the rich heritage is the fact that 2011 will mark the 100th anniversary of the first Indianapolis 500, as well as the centennial year of Chevrolet.

Chevrolet will donate full proceeds of the auction to the David Foster Foundation, a charity devoted to supporting families with children in need of life-saving organ transplants. David Foster, the 15-time Grammy-winning music producer and songwriter, founded the organization in his native Canada.

The pace car, along with the matching festival cars, features a Summit White exterior accented with orange stripes and door graphics. The interior is trimmed in orange leather, including front seat headrests embossed with the Indy 500 logo, along with white door panels and instrument panel trim. The instrument panel trim features extensions of the orange exterior stripes.

The color combination is similar to the design used on the 1969 Camaro Indy pace car - replicas of which have become among the most popular Camaros in the collector world.

"It's an honor for Chevrolet to pace the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500, especially during this landmark year," said Chris Perry, vice president of Chevrolet marketing. "This is also a great opportunity for us to build on Camaro's strong momentum, while supporting an important charity."

The auction for the commemorative edition pace car takes place Saturday evening, Jan. 22, during SPEED's live coverage of the Barrett-Jackson event. The vehicle carries lot number 1284 and bids can be submitted at the auction in person or online by clicking this link for a 2011 absentee bidder registration packet:

"The Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Chevrolet name have long been associated with one another beginning with Arthur, Louis and Gaston Chevrolet's participation as competitors in the Indianapolis 500," said Indianapolis Motor Speedway President and CEO Jeff Belskus. "It is fitting in this 100th year for both brands that we reinforce that relationship through this year's Camaro pace car, which resembles what many argue is the most famous pace car in IMS history, the 1969 Camaro. We are looking forward to seeing this car on track, pacing the greatest 33 drivers in the world on May 29."

Pace car details

Equipped with a 400-horsepower (298 kW) V-8 engine and six-speed automatic transmission, the actual pace car for the race requires no performance modifications to perform its duty in front of the racing field.

All 50 of the Festival Committees cars will be SS convertible models fitted with the 2SS equipment package, offering the following standard features:

* Four-wheel disc brakes with Brembo four-piston calipers and hydraulic assist
* StabiliTrak electronic stability control
* Competitive/sport mode that enhances on-track performance
* Performance Launch Control (with the manual transmission) that optimizes hard-acceleration launches for quicker, more consistent performance
* Twenty-inch polished aluminum wheels and performance tires
* Head-up instrument display
* Center console with auxiliary gauge package.

Along with the 2SS equipment, the cars feature the RS package, which includes HID headlamps and unique tail lamps.

Convertible refinement

The Camaro Convertible delivers coupe-like driving dynamics, with the unmatched fun of open air driving. The Convertible model contains an enhanced structure designed to eliminate the traditional compromises of open cars, such as cowl or steering wheel shake. The goal is a convertible that drives like the coupe. All the powertrain and suspension elements of the existing Camaro Coupe carry over unchanged in the convertible. The top has a smooth, tailored fit, with acoustical foam in the headliner that helps deliver a quiet ride with the top up.

Four strategic reinforcements enhance the already-stiff body structure to eliminate common convertible maladies of cowl and steering wheel shake. They include:

* A tower-to-tower brace under the hood
* A transmission support reinforcement brace
* Underbody tunnel brace
* Front and rear underbody "V" braces.

The power-folding top retracts in about 20 seconds. It is built in partnership with the same manufacturer as the Corvette convertible top, and operates in a similar manner. That means it folds in a simple "Z" pattern and latches with a single, convenient handle located at the center of the windshield header. Other convertible models in this segment still offer convertible tops with dual latches, forcing drivers into two-hand operations reaching across the car.

The regular-production versions of the 2011 Camaro Convertible will begin arriving in Chevrolet dealerships in February, opening a new chapter in the Camaro's ongoing 21st century rebirth. Even before the introduction of a convertible model, Camaro ended 2010 as the sales leader in its class in the United States for the first time since 1985.

Chevrolet's pace car heritage

Louis Chevrolet, who founded the brand with William "Billy" Durant in 1911, was a racer, mechanic and pioneering engineer. He raced in the early years of the Indianapolis 500, which also started in 1911, and served a luminary of the event in the years after he retired his racing helmet. That included driving the official Indianapolis pace car, which was developed by Indy 500 founder Carl Fisher, who believed a rolling start was safer than a standing start. The first Indianapolis 500 featured a pace car driven by Fisher.

The first Chevrolet selected as the Indianapolis 500 pace car was the 1948 Fleetmaster Six. The brand would go on to lead the racing pack more than any other manufacturer. The list of Chevy pace cars includes:

* 1948 Fleetmaster Six
* 1955 Bel Air
* 1967 Camaro
* 1969 Camaro
* 1978 Corvette
* 1982 Camaro
* 1986 Corvette
* 1990 Beretta
* 1993 Camaro
* 1995 Corvette
* 1998 Corvette
* 1999 Monte Carlo
* 2002 Corvette
* 2003 SSR
* 2004 Corvette
* 2005 Corvette
* 2006 Corvette
* 2007 Corvette
* 2008 Corvette
* 2009 Camaro
* 2010 Camaro
* 2011 Camaro

Come to Gateway and get the Fuel Efficiency you need this summer!!!

Come to Gateway and get the Fuel Efficiency you need this summer!!!

Fuel economy based on EPA estimates
Finding ways to get the most out of every drop of fuel
Chevrolet has been pushing the limits of fuel efficiency for years so you can be confident your vehicle is getting the most out of every drop of fuel. From XFE and Eco models, to Hybrids(4) and Extended Range Vehicles(7), we've explored various options to find the ones best suited for your life. But we won't stop there.

We're committed to finding and developing new solutions every day to meet the growing demand for better fuel economy without ever sacrificing performance. Because in the end, we're committed to you and the life you're leading.

That's more miles per gallon. It's the next step to even greater fuel efficiency beginning with the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco. When you're engineering for maximum efficiency everything counts, beginning with what's under the hood. Cruze Eco is equipped with the powerful and efficient 1.4L turbocharged engine and engineers then added new components to help reduce drag and improve aerodynamics that helps Cruze Eco offer 42 MPG highway(1).

From inside to the outside, every inch of Cruze Eco works to get the most out of every drop of fuel used. Its special lightweight 17" wheels wrapped in ultra-low-rolling resistance tires improve efficiency, while the front fascia's standard active front aero shutter feature closes at highway speed to improve aerodynamics.

Every Chevrolet vehicle is designed for optimal energy efficiency, whether it's gas, battery, or both. That kind of efficiency doesn't just happen. It's the end result of a combination of technologies engineered specifically to get you where you want to go without ever having to sacrifice.

Six-speed transmissions offer more gear ratios to keep the engine in its most efficient operating range, and direct injection ensures that only the precise amount of fuel needed is used at every moment by injecting fuel directly into the combustion chambers.

Variable Valve Timing enhances torque at lower RPM and increases horsepower at higher RPM. Active Fuel Management is an engine management system that enables the engine to automatically operate on half of its cylinders under light load conditions, improving fuel efficiency and reducing consumption. The drivetrains on our hybrid vehicles(4) use a combination of battery power and gas engine for propulsion, and the electric drivetrains can function on battery power alone.

These fuel-saving technologies are available on many Chevrolet vehicles.