The 2009 Chevy Aveo

The search for a reliable, economical and safe subcompact car may just end with the release of the 2009 Chevy Aveo. Drivers that would never give this car a second glance now pay attention as the fuel-efficient factor of cars force drivers of larger cars to reconsider.

Three models were released with the Aveo LT as the deluxe version. The LT version is the only model that offers an automatic gearshift option. All models are very well priced, making them a very clever buy in this price range category.

To improve even more on the four-cylinder engine's fuel consumption, Chevy reworked the valves adding a variable timing factor. More power, less fuel guzzled - a stroke of genius.

The automatic gear models prove even better regarding consuming fuel, as the hand gears sometimes cause unnecessary engine revs while the driver gets used to the longer gear shifts.

Safety in a small car was determined as a very important factor for prospective drivers so Chevrolet focused strongly on where and how the Aveo protection systems were placed. All the models come standard with air cushions in the front seat side areas. The braking systems were equipped with anti locking features.

National highway traffic safety administration tests revealed the Aveo earned a five star level. In these crash tests this is the highest safety award a car can get for protecting the driver. Passenger's safety features earned four stars for the front passenger and three stars for passengers at the back during a side impact.

You can choose between two different styles of Aveo - the sedan or the 4-door hatch back model. All of them seat five with ease. The interiors see some refreshing as well, and standard features on all models include a AM / FM radio with 4 speakers including an auxiliary jack, wipers with intermittent settings and OnStar in all models.

The LT model steps up comfort with a more sophisticated speaker system (six of them) in combination with a CD player. You can choose extra features like keyless access, electric windows, central locking and a satellite radio.

The choice of cloth in the interiors give all the models a classy feel - a step up from the previous models that had a cheaper feel about them. Metal trim finishes and luxurious cloth choices set the LT model apart. As with all subcompacts the baggage storage area seems a bit small, but the LT offers quite an improved size.

The Aveo will suit city drivers very well as it guarantees a safe and economical way of commuting over short distances.

About the Author

Andy Zain is the admin of Aveo Forum , a place where fans and owners can get the right information for tuning, customization and general discussions on anything about Chevy Aveo. Get the information you need when you visit Chevy Forums

The Chevy Lumina Sedan

The Chevy Lumina was a sedan and minivan designed by the popular American Company, General Motors. It was in production from the year 1990 all the way until 2001 when it finally ceased production. Having undergone various redesigns and changes over the years, it proved to be a popular car with a good track record.

All of the cars in range were built in a single plant, based in Ontario, Canada. The car was known for its unique design and also for being the longer cars of the time. Eventually, in 1997 the Chevy Lumina start to be phased out with the coming of the new line of products called the Chevrolet Venture.

1990 saw the introduction of the first range of cars in the product line. These were mid-sized cars similar in style and design to the Pontiac Grand Prix. They prove to be a success and were generally well received by customers and organisations alike.

1995 introduced the new range of models, the second generation for the Chevy Lumina. 1995 saw a major redesign, resurrecting the two door version which was originally sold as the Lumina coupe. A more powerful engine was included and the car was also sold to taxi and police organisations with special packages.

The cars were long known for being fairly cheap and reliable. Having undergone various changes and upgrades, the car has had quite a considerable lifespan and various aspects of its design have been used in more present models. Parts are also fairly cheap and the cars were relatively economical to run.

In 1998, the Chevy Lumina went through yet another overhaul, receiving some more advanced second generation airbags and various other safety changes. A four wheel drive was also introduced, replacing the Lumina back in 2000. However, for a while after, the cars were still produced sold exclusively for rental fleets.

1998 saw the third generation of the Chevy Lumina including certain tweaks to the safety of the car. Second generation air bags were included another safety changes and additions were made to the car. Four wheel drive was also introduced, which replaced the original Lumina back in 2000.

Two years afterwards, the production also came to an end to the United States but continued in various countries in Asia and Latin America where it was also sold under a different name. The car had a considerably successful and popular history in the Middle East and South Africa as well and various aspects of the car have been used in designs right up until the present.

About the Author

Andy Zain is the admin of Chevy Lumina Forum , a place where fans and owners can get the right information for tuning, customization and general discussions on anything about Chevy Lumina. Get the information you need when you visit Chevy Truck Forums

The Chevy S 10

The Chevy S 10 throughout the years has been a common and mostly-appreciated sight since 1981, when it made its debut as a 1982 model. It took off down the road on a 22 year run as the preferred compact pickup truck until it was replaced by the Colorado in 2004. The little pickup truck that could is still out there, though, with many still running the roads around the nation.

Categorized as a compact truck, the S 10 also ran for a time in the General Motors stable as the GMC S 15, though that model eventually became the Syclone. Chevy's model was a replacement for the Luv, which had seen service since the early 1970s and was a rebadged Isuzu KB. The Arab oil embargo pointed out the need for small, fuel-sipping vehicles and Chevy make a concerted effort at delivering them.

The S 10 emerged as a result of that effort, making its debut in 1981 as a 1982 model. What was really great about the S 10 was that it also came as a sport-utility vehicle (SUV), appearing as the S 10 Blazer in 1983. That particular model was a 2-door version, beating Ford to the SUV market and lagging just behind Jeep, though no manufacturer thought to add 4-door models until 1990.

General Motors, the parent company of Chevrolet, has featured a number of compact pickups since 1982, with the SUV versions being around in 2 or 4-door skin for over 25 years. The S 10 itself is a favorite of do-it-yourself mechanics, particularly its early model years, which were relatively easy to work on.

Engine choices in the Chevy S 10 have also varied over the years. Its maiden voyage was carried out using the Isuzu inline 4 cylinder engine from the KB. For the time (1982) it had decent horsepower, putting out 84 horses, with 101 pounds-feet of torque. Though such power was nothing to shout from the highest mountaintops about, it was okay nonetheless.

The optional engine from the S 10's debut up through 1985 was the a 2. 4 liter V6 with a Rochester 2-barrel carburetor that upped horsepower to 115 ponies and 148 pounds-feet of torque, which added a bit of 'oomph' to the package. For a short time (1983 - 1985) Chevy offered a diesel engine, with a whopping 58 horses and 98 pounds-feet, but it died for lack of interest.

Over the life of the vehicle, both 4 and 6-cylinder models continued to be offered, and horsepower, torque and fuel economy improved. Fuel injection eventually became standard, replacing the less-efficient carburetor, which happily disappeared from the scene after a time. Sequential port, multi-port and throttle body injection all played a role at one time or another, along with 3 and 4-speed automatic transmission and even a slick 5-speed Borg Warner manual.

Second generation S 10s ('94 to 2004) continued to improve, adding to the fun factor with even more 2 or 4-wheel drive versions. Larger, more powerful and more fuel-efficient engines also were offered, even including a hot SS type that came with a 4. 3 liter engine that kicked out from 180 to 195 horsepower. Improved graphics packages and a lowered profile on 16-inch rims complete the set-up. It was discontinued, however, in 1998.

The Chevy S 10 was an almost iconic small pickup in the General Motors lineup for a very long time. It's still out there in many driveways, streets and roads. Known widely throughout North America, it filled a needed role back at a time when American automakers desperately needed a small truck that could get decent gas mileage and deliver steady sales to the maker.

Andy Zain is the admin of Chevy S10 Forum, a place where fans and owners can get the right information for tuning, customization and general discussions on anything about Chevy S10.

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