WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2018 · 3
Chevrolet Impala
The 2019 Blazer is built on the same
platform as the Cadillac XT5 and the GMC
Acadia, positioning it between the smaller
Equinox and the larger Traverse, which
has third-row seating. The Blazer will be
available in early calendar 2019 with a
base four-cylinder engine or an
optional V-6. Both will get nine-speed
automatic transmissions.
The Blazer name goes back
to 1970, with a smaller vari-ation
called the S10 Blazer
coming on stream in the
early 1980s.
Base 193-horsepower
2.5-liter four-cylinder engine.
Optional 305-horsepower
3.6-liter V-6.
Rails in the
load floor to
secure cargo.
Blacked-out trim on
the RS model, with
21-inch wheels.
AWD models run in front-wheel-drive
only, until AWD is needed.
Five-passenger
seating
Nine-speed automatic
transmission
GMC ACADIA
Source: Chevrolet
JEFF MELNYCHUK/WHEELBASEMEDIA.COM
Front end similar to the Camaro’s,
except the Blazer’s headlights are
located in the bumper.
Status: New styling for 2019
Summary: Keeping Chevrolet’s sporty model current has led to
a restyled front end and new taillights.
A new 1LE option package for Camaros equipped with the turbo-charged
2.0-liter four-cylinder engine includes a beefed-up suspen-sion
and brakes, driver-selectable Track Mode with built-in Competi-tion
Mode, and the 20-inch tires that are similar to those on the
V-8-powered SS.
The turbo 2.0 is the starting point in a powertrain lineup that
includes a non-turbo V-6 and V-8 plus a supercharged V-8 in the
Camaro ZL1 that makes 650 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of
torque.
An optional 1LE package for the ZL1 adds a chin spoiler and a
carbon-fiber rear wing that increases downforce by a claimed 300
pounds, which helps keep the car planted in the turns.
There are specially designed dampers (shocks) plus Goodyear
Eagle Supercar tires mounted to lightweight 19-inch aluminum
wheels.
Chevrolet claims the ZL1 and ZL1 1LE can reach 60 mph from rest
in 3.5 seconds.
There are also 1LE packages for the V-6 and non-supercharged-
V-8 models.
A six-speed manual transmission (standard for all Camaros) is
your sole choice with the 1LE.
A 10-speed automatic is optional with the regular ZL and SS
Camaros, while the turbo four-cylinder and non-turbo V-6 can be
had with six-speed automatics.
Specifications
Base price (including destination): $26,900
Type: Two-door sports coupe/convertible
Engines (h.p.): 2.0-liter I-4, turbocharged (275); 3.6-liter V-6
(335); 6.2-liter OHV V-8 (455); 6.2-liter V-8, supercharged (650,
ZL1)
Transmissions: Six-speed manual; eight-speed automatic (I-4,
V-6); 10-speed automatic (SS, ZL1)
Drivetrain: Rear-wheel-drive
Base mpg (city/highway/combined): 22/31/25 (I-4, MT)
Base weight (pounds): 3,350
Status: Unchanged for 2019
Summary: North American full-size
sedans such as the Impala as well as the
Ford Taurus, Chrysler 300 and Dodge
Charger are being left on the lots as car
buyers are either gravitating to smaller
four-doors or they’re purchasing tall
wagons.
Still, there’s a market for biggies such
as the Impala, especially with commer-cial-
fleet buyers for limo and police duty,
but also for people preferring a spacious
cabin and a comfortable (soft) ride.
Chevrolet’s big flagship shares its plat-form
with Cadillac XTS, but the Impala’s
appearance is far more broad-shouldered
and defined than that of the Caddy.
The Impala’s base 195-horsepower
four-cylinder is standard, while, a
305-horsepower V-6 is optional.
A six-speed automatic transmission
connects to all.
The Impala comes with the usual air/
cruise/tilt basics plus 10 standard air-bags.
The top-trim LTZ provides a full-on
luxury experience with leather seats,
power sunroof, navigation and other
goodies.
Specifications
Base price (including destination):
$28,800
Type: Four-door sedan
Engines (h.p): 2.5-liter I-4 (197);
3.6-liter V-6 (305)
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Drivetrain: Front-wheel-drive
Base mpg (city/highway/combined):
22/31 (2.5)
Base weight (pounds): 3,600
Status: Mild restyling for 2019
Summary: The Malibu is attractively and intel-ligently
designed, allowing it to compete head-to-head
with its rivals.
That’s especially important these days, as the
sedan category is losing ground to utility vehicles.
Chevy is keeping things fresh with a new grille
and headlight pods, and a new eight-inch touch-screen.
But perhaps the most significant change is the
adoption of a continuously variable transmission
that replaces the six-speed automatic on models
equipped with the turbocharged 1.5-liter four-
cylinder.
The available turbocharged 2.0-liter I-4 carries
on unaltered with a nine-speed automatic.
The Malibu Hybrid uses components from
the Chevrolet Volt’s plug-in system to achieve
exemplary fuel economy (49 mpg city and 43
highway).
Chevrolet claims the Hybrid can run at speeds
up to 55 mph on battery power alone, a number
that is higher than many plug-in hybrids.
A variety of active-safety technologies are
among the Malibu’s numerous options.
Specifications
Base price (including destination): $22,700
Type: Four-door sedan
Engines (h.p.): 1.5-liter I-4, turbocharged (163);
2.0-liter I-4, turbocharged (250); 1.8-liter I-4 plus
electric motor (182, Hybrid)
Transmissions: Continuously variable (1.5, Hybrid);
nine-speed automatic (2.0)
Drivetrain: Front-wheel-drive
Base mpg (city/highway/combined): 29/36/32
(1.5, est.)
Base weight (pounds): 3,110
Chevrolet Camaro
Chevrolet
Malibu
CHEVROLET CAMARO
CHEVROLET IMPALA
CHEVROLET MALIBU