Chevrolet: What's New for 2011

2011 Chevrolet Avalanche: Because steel, mocha and infernos are super cool and lasers and granite are passé, Chevrolet will offer on 2011 Avalanches Steel Green, Mocha Steel and Inferno Orange paint, while it discontinues Laser Blue and Black Granite. And because it wouldn't be a GM vehicle without them, Chevrolet will offer chrome-clad 20-inch wheels for the Avalanche, the LS version of which will now come with body-colored mirrors (or at least the mirror housings, we're guessing). Also the LTZ 4WD package will come with a two-speed transfer case, replacing the old single-speed unit.

2011 Chevrolet Aveo: This lame-duck econobox can be had in Silver Ice or Summit White paint. And though for 2011 it comes with a standard cabin air filtration system, it will certainly still stink. A fully redesigned version of the Aveo has already been shown and will go on sale next year.

2011 Chevrolet Camaro: The pony-car wars are in full aggression mode these days. In what seemed like mere moments after Ford announced a 305-horsepower V6-powered Mustang, Chevrolet announced it would be recertifying its V6 Camaro at 312 hp. No specific mechanical changes to the engine have been indicated by Chevy. Despite its hideousness, Synergy Green Metallic paint is now available on all models. Camaros with the 2LT or 2SS packages now come with a standard head-up display.

The really big news for Camaro is the appearance of the delayed convertible version. The Camaro convertible goes on sale in February of 2011, starting at $30,000 for a V6 version. SS convertibles will also be offered with one of two V8s depending on whether a buyer opts for a manual or an automatic transmission.

2011 Chevrolet Colorado: Aqua Blue replaces Inferno Orange. That's it.

2011 Chevrolet Corvette: The Corvette lineup is beginning to enter into an almost 911 level of complexity. Which is great for buyers, less so for the guy writing about them. Let's begin listing the changes for 2011 that apply to all Corvettes, shall we? All Vettes are now available with Inferno Orange or Supersonic Blue paint. They can be had with custom-color stitching inside (blue, red or yellow) and ordered with contrasting-color headlamp surrounds. Also, all Corvettes get their woefully outdated navigation radio system updated with a USB port and input jack.

The standard Corvette coupe and convertible get bigger cross-drilled rotors for 2011. The Corvette Grand Sport, introduced last year, gets newly designed Goodyear F1 Supercar Gen 2 tires if it comes equipped with a manual transmission and also Magnetic Ride Control (and if the car is ordered on a Tuesday afternoon).

The 505-hp Z06 gets a bunch of goodies for 2011. These start with new standard Goodyear F1 Supercar Gen 2 tires. Just to make sure Goodyear knows that it's the second-string supplier in the eyes of Chevrolet, the Z06 will also be available with the Michelin Pilot Sport PS2s seen on the Corvette ZR1. Those Michelins come as part of the Z07 Performance package that also includes the ZR1's 20-spoke wheels (finished in dark gray) and Brembo ceramic brakes and the Magnetic Ride Control suspension system. This package turns the formerly rude Z06 into a truly livable supercar. The other major option on the 2011 Z06 is the CFZ Carbon Fiber package, which adds a carbon-fiber splitter, rockers and roof panel along with a ZR1-style full-width rear spoiler. Just to add another layer of complexity, Chevrolet is producing a limited-edition Z06 Carbon edition that includes the Z07 Performance package, a raised carbon-fiber hood, carbon-fiber rockers and splitter, black wheels, mirrors and headlamps. The Carbon also comes with a leather and suede interior.

The ZR1 remains unchanged, other than the changes listed for all Corvettes.

2011 Chevrolet Cruze: Chevrolet's handsome if conservative new small car is set to do battle with the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and the new 2012 Ford Focus. It brings to the fight an unusually long wheelbase for the class, which yields good interior room. All but the el cheapo model are powered by a new 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. It's offered with a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic. And somehow Chevrolet managed to cram 10 airbags into this puppy. Despite the near-term availability of a hatchback version in Europe, the U.S.-market Cruze will only be sold as a sedan.

2011 Chevrolet Equinox: Chevy's small-to-midsize crossover ute gets two new paint colors (blue and white), E85 capability for its optional 3.0-liter V6, heated cloth seats for 2LT models and a compass on the LS version.

2011 Chevrolet Express: Stability control is standard on all versions of this big box. A locking rear differential is available. And a new 6.6-liter Duramax diesel, which is biodiesel capable, is offered.

2011 Chevrolet HHR: The HHR is not dead yet, but the fun HHR SS certainly is. You can now have your HHR painted Mocha Steel Metallic or Black Granite Metallic.

2011 Chevrolet Impala: The 3.5-liter V6 that powers the lower-spec versions of Chevrolet's big sedan is now E85-capable (upper-level Impalas use a 3.9-liter V6). The Impala is now available with a Luxury package that includes leather front bucket seats, eight-way power passenger seat, premium eight-speaker audio system, auto-dimming rearview mirror, heated outside mirrors and a rear spoiler.

2011 Chevrolet Malibu: Set to be replaced by a larger version soon, the Malibu soldiers into 2011 with a six-speed automatic transmission standard on all models. Shinier wheels are also on the docket for the 2011 Malibu.

2011 Chevrolet Silverado/Silverado Hybrid: Chevy's full-size, light-duty pickup truck stands pat for 2011. The only changes are that Steel Green Metallic paint replaces Carbon Flash Metallic and the company claims "wind noise reduction enhancements." The company is mum about how exactly that enhancement was achieved.

2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD: You might not be able to tell by looking, but the Silverado HD is substantially reworked for 2011. It has a new louvered hood, front bumper and grille, but you could have fooled us. It also has a new fully boxed frame, a redesigned front suspension and a reworked rear suspension. But the headline-grabber is the new 6.6-liter Duramax diesel, which makes 397 hp and 795 pound-feet of torque. It helps the new HD return absurdly high towing numbers.

2011 Chevrolet Suburban: Ice Blue Metallic, Mocha Steel Metallic and Steel Green Metallic are the new colors. The Trailering package now includes an integrated trailer brake controller. And you can now have chrome-a-licious 20-inch wheels.

2011 Chevrolet Tahoe/Tahoe Hybrid: See Suburban.

2011 Chevrolet Traverse: Chevy's three-row crossover can now be had in White Diamond Tri-Coat and Steel Green Metallic. LT models get heated cloth seats, which are the butt-toastiest thing in automobile-dom.

2011 Chevrolet Volt: Perhaps you've heard something about this car, which Chevrolet calls an extended-range electric and everyone else in the world calls a plug-in hybrid. But semantics should not take away from what Chevrolet (and GM as a whole) has achieved here. Its first non-truck hybrid system has leapfrogged even hybrid pioneer Toyota in terms of miles of pure electric power available on a full charge. Chevy claims the electric range of the Volt is between 25 and 50 and our testing bears that out. When that big T-shaped collection of lithium-ion cells is depleted, a 1.4-liter four-cylinder fires up to provide a total theoretical maximum range of 350 miles. Charging up the four-seat Volt's battery takes between 4 and 12 hours, depending whether you're feeding it 240-volt or 120-volt power. The Volt will be available by the end of 2010 in limited supplies.