VIDEO from General Motors and Synaptic Digital: Chevrolet Volt: European Car of the Year 2012


Chevrolet at the Geneva Motor Show 2012

  • Chevrolet Volt: first car designed and built in the U.S. to win European Car of the Year Award
  • Cruze station wagon makes world debut
  • Youth concepts Code 130R and Tru 140S: next gen buyers give input
  • Launch of Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system with smartphone integration

GENEVA, March 9, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Chevrolet Volt (together with the Opel Ampera) won the "Car of the Year 2012" award. By handing victory to the revolutionary electric vehicle, the first winner designed and built in the USA, the panel of judges, made up of 59 leading automotive journalists from 23 European nations, paid tribute to General Motor's innovative foresight. The Opel Ampera / Chevrolet Volt were the undisputed winners with 330 points against VW Up (281) and Ford Focus (256).

See video from Chevrolet at: http://inr.synapticdigital.com/chevrolet/geneva

"It is a proud moment for us and an honor to receive this award from Europe's leading jury of automotive journalists," said Susan Docherty, President and Managing Director, Chevrolet Europe. "Our car demonstrates that electric driving can be fun and reliable without ever compromising the owner's lifestyle."

The Ampera and the Volt are the first electric vehicles in the market that can go anywhere anytime. A 16 kWh lithium ion battery powers the 111kW/150 hp electric motor. Depending on the style of driving and road conditions, distance of between 40 and 80 kilometers can be covered in the purely battery-operated mode, completely free of emissions. The wheels of the car are always powered electrically. In extended-range mode, which activates whenever the battery has reached its minimum state of charge, the gasoline engine drives a generator that supplies the electric drive unit. The range extender enables an operating radius of 500 kilometers.

Chevrolet at the Geneva Motor Show 2012

New models, exciting concepts and the latest in infotainment technology are the hallmarks of Chevrolet's presence at the 82nd International Geneva Motor Show, which opened to the public on March 8, 2012.

The major attraction on the Chevrolet stand in Hall 1 is the Cruze station wagon, which will make its world debut. Two youth concept cars – the Code 130R and Tru 140S – make it to European shores for the first time while the future of on-board infotainment will be displayed in the form of Chevrolet MyLink.

Cruze station wagon makes world debut

The station wagon complements the existing Cruze line-up and has a natural appeal to families and people who want a compact car with more carrying space to fit an active lifestyle.

A choice of five powertrains will be available for the entire Cruze line-up as of summer 2012. A new 1.4L turbo gasoline engine, a new 1.7L diesel and an improved 2.0L diesel engine will complete the powertrain offer alongside the current 1.6L and 1.8L gasoline engines. All engines are Euro 5-compliant.

New equipment and features on the Cruze include keyless entry and start, rear view camera, Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system (see below) and start-stop functionality depending on trim and engine choice.

Youth concepts Code 130R and Tru 140S: next-gen buyers asked to give input

Chevrolet has launched a program to involve young people in the design of future cars. Two concepts born from this dialogue are the Code 130R and Tru 140S, which will make their first appearance in Europe at the Geneva Motor Show.

The turbocharged Code 130R is a rear-wheel-drive four-seat coupe with an upright profile while the front-wheel-drive Tru 140S is an affordable exotic four-seat sport coupe. Inside the concepts, connectivity enables motorists to personalize their cars, a critical element for the current and future youth generations.

The British designers of the concepts, Nicholas David and Joe Baker from GM's North Hollywood Design Center, will attend the event to explain how the cars were created following the styling and functionality this group of new buyers says they want in a car.

During the Geneva Motor Show, hostesses will be waiting, iPads in hand, to listen to European youths who will be able to have their say concerning what they want from a car, and what elements of connectivity and functionality should be included, and can vote for the youth concept they prefer. People not visiting the show will be able to cast their vote for their favorite concept car from home by means of a designated app on the Chevrolet Europe Facebook page. All votes from the Geneva show and the Facebook app will count toward the total result.

Launch of Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system with smartphone integration

Chevrolet MyLink, the brand's new infotainment system, seamlessly integrates motorists' personal devices, such as smartphones, and transforms their car into their own docking station.

Chevrolet MyLink includes a seven-inch, high-resolution, full-color touch screen that makes media selection easy to navigate. The system aggregates content from smartphones onto the display via USB, Aux-in or Bluetooth.

The technology will be available with the Cruze and Aveo in summer 2012.

About Chevrolet

Chevrolet is General Motors' largest global brand with annual sales of more than four million vehicles in more than 140 countries. It is the fourth biggest global car brand in terms of sales and also one of the fastest growing brands in the world. Chevrolet cars combine bold design, performance, innovation and practicality. They provide outstanding value for money. Established in the U.S. by Swiss émigré Louis Chevrolet in 1911, the brand celebrated its centenary in 2011. The brand was re-launched in Europe in 2005. It is represented with a total of 2,500 sales and service outlets in Western and Central Europe. The European Chevrolet line-up includes the Spark city car, the small Aveo sedan and hatchback, the compact Cruze sedan and hatchback, the Orlando family van, the Captiva SUV, the legendary Camaro and Corvette sports cars and the extended-range Volt electric car. In 2012, Chevrolet is launching the Cruze station wagon and the Malibu mid-size sedan. More information on Chevrolet can be found at www.chevroleteurope.com or media.chevroleteurope.com.

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