Automotive Einstein

The Corvette’s legend was made during the period from the mid Fifties, when it got its mojo working, right on through the Sixties. Soon thereafter, the Corvette went into a period of decline along with the rest of the American auto industry. As the whole idea of performance came under assault, the Corvette drifted into self-parody. More recently, of course, the Corvette has come back, regaining and then eclipsing the performance of its halcyon days.

Photo Gallery: Driven: 2012 Chevrolet Corvette – Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: Driven: 2012 Chevrolet Corvette – Automobile Magazine

With the radically overhauled 2014 model, the Chevrolet Impala reaches its tenth generation. That’s a big deal. The Toyota Camry is only on its ninth generation. Same goes for the Honda Accord. How about the six-decade-old Mercedes-Benz SL? A mere six generations.

Photo Gallery: First Look: 2014 Chevrolet Impala – Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: First Look: 2014 Chevrolet Impala – Automobile Magazine

Despite debuting just four short years ago, Chevrolet has seen fit to give the Traverse an extensive exterior and interior update for 2013. The 2013 Traverse will be making its debut at the 2012 New York auto show in April, alongside its 2013 Buick Enclave platform-mate.

Photo Gallery: First Look: 2013 Chevrolet Traverse – Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: First Look: 2013 Chevrolet Traverse – Automobile Magazine

The Chevrolet Cruze has sold over one million copies since it launched in 2009, and now the company plans to expand the model’s appeal. Following up on a five-door hatchback unveiled at last year’s Geneva Motor Show, Chevrolet will launch a Cruze wagon at Geneva this March.

Photo Gallery: First Look: Chevrolet Cruze Wagon – Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: First Look: Chevrolet Cruze Wagon – Automobile Magazine

Whereas January proved better than expected — and expectations were pretty optimistic given that 2011 ended on a high note — February was practically gangbusters. At the start of the year, most analysts were predicting that sales for 2012 would come in somewhere in the 13 million-unit range. The pace in January was over 14 million. That was good, but February was even better, touching 15 million units. That compares to 12.8 million new cars and trucks sold in 2011. If auto sales can maintain that pace — and that’s a big if — it would mean the industry has fully recovered from the 2008 crash.

Photo Gallery: February 2012 Auto Sales – Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: February 2012 Auto Sales – Automobile Magazine

Seeing the Equinox parked in my garage gave me a new appreciation to how handsome the car is in profile, especially with the bright eighteen-inch wheels. It is a more cohesive and muscular design than its GMC Terrain sibling, which has too many right angles stuck on for no reason than to “butch” up the car. The interior is also well laid out, with a high center stack that puts the majority of controls in easy reach, and a number of thoughtfully designed compartments, nooks, and crannies. Even without the optional moonroof, the tall glass area let in a lot of light; although I always felt as though I was sitting a little too low due to the high dashboard. Generally, this is a very well executed package.

Photo Gallery: 2012 Chevrolet Equinox LTZ – Editors’ Notebook – Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2012 Chevrolet Equinox LTZ – Editors’ Notebook – Automobile Magazine

The current C6-generation Corvette has had a good, long run and as a fond farewell, Chevy has developed the Corvette 427 Convertible Collector Edition. The 2013 Corvette marks the 60th anniversary of the Corvette nameplate and the final model year of the current Corvette. The 2013 Chevy Corvette 427 Convertible and 2013 Chevy Corvette 60th Anniversary Package models made their first official debuts at the Barrett Jackson auction in Arizona on January 21, and both will be on sale early this summer.

Photo Gallery: First Look: Corvette 427 Convertible Collector Edition – 2012 Chicago Auto Show – Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: First Look: Corvette 427 Convertible Collector Edition – 2012 Chicago Auto Show – Automobile Magazine