See What Chevy is Up to at this Week’s Detroit Auto Show

The North American International Auto Show is taking place this week, and while it is still only getting started, Chevrolet has been the shining star when it comes to new models, announcements, and awards. The bowtie brand is still riding on the wave of excitement surrounding the release of its newest model, the 2017 Chevy Bolt EV. The all-electric car solidified its standing in the automotive world on the first day of the Detroit Auto Show, by earning the award and title of the 2017 North American Car of the Year. The most sought after award in the entire industry now belongs to the Chevrolet Bolt, a proud moment indeed for Chevy dealers in Ohio and throughout the rest of the country.

A Deeper Look at Chevrolet and the 2017 North American International Auto Show

As exciting as the news about the 2017 Bolt is, there are plenty more announcements and excitement circulating around the Chevrolet name this week in Detroit. While it is still only halfway through the week, let’s take a look at what our favorite car brand has been up to, and what we have to look forward to in 2017 and beyond.

• 2018 Traverse is Revealed: Finally. We have been anxiously awaiting the official debut of the newest Traverse model, and were hoping that Chevy would choose to reveal it at the bowtie brand’s own home auto show in Detroit. Our hopes and anxious patience paid off, as the 2018 Traverse was finally brought out of the shadows at the NAIAS on Monday. Chevrolet released a teaser image of the newly redesigned SUV earlier this month, which left us with very few clues as to how extensive the changes would be from the outgoing model, to the 2018 version of the Traverse. The SUV was first released back in 2009, and has yet to receive any major updating, until now. Buyers can expect to find the 2018 Traverse at dealerships this coming fall, and we can’t wait to see it in person. The latest version of the Traverse still offers ample room for eight passengers, three rows of seating, and a segment-leading cargo capacity of 98.5 cubic-feet. The full-size SUV is brimming with new additions and enhancements, including a new 3.6-liter V6 engine and 9-speed automatic transmission, which are expected to increase the horsepower rating by 10 percent. Drivers will be able to make better decisions behind the wheel, thanks to a new Traction Mode Select feature that has been made standard on all 2018 Traverse models. Inside the cabin, optional 7-inch and 8-inch infotainment dual screens work together seamlessly, and support the latest version of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. USB charging ports have been added in all three rows of the interior cabin, and drivers will be more confident with newly added safety tech like collision warning and automatic braking systems. While Chevrolet has opened up the door for shoppers to explore the latest redesigned Traverse, the company has yet to announce pricing or official arrival dates to dealerships. For now, we will have to settle for the unknown as far as price goes, and “sometime in late Fall” as far as release dates go.

• New Safety Technology Debuts: While this particular safety feature debuted on the 2018 Traverse this week in Detroit, it deserves its own category. Despite debuting in conjunction with the redesigned crossover SUV, this interesting safety innovation will be offered on all 2018 Chevy models going forward. While it doesn’t yet have an official name, at least that we know of, Chevrolet’s rear seat reminder provides drivers with an audible and visual warning if something, or someone has been left in the backseat. With three rows of spacious interior seating, incorporating this feature into the 2018 Traverse is more than logical. The technology will also be available on smaller Chevy models, which helps solve what seems to be a growing problem – drivers forgetting their children in the back seat while running errands. While some publications have suggested that drivers place one of their shoes in the back to remember their offspring, we believe that Chevy’s solution is much more practical. We will be sure to update you as more information on this latest safety feature is announced, including which models will offer it as an option.

• Chevy Cruze Diesel: As executive board members from Volkswagen continue to be picked up by the FBI for their parts in the diesel emissions scandal, Chevrolet is not shying away from this controversial engine option. Rather, the brand is blasting full speed ahead by discussing its hopes for fuel economy on the upcoming Cruze Diesel model. In an interview with Automotive News at the NAIAS earlier this week, Mark Reuss, GM’s product development chief, delivered a cryptic, yet clear, message when asked about the EPA rating of the new Cruze Diesel. “I think it will start with a 5,” was Reuss’ sentiment regarding the subject, which has sent the industry into a frenzy of excitement for the upcoming diesel-powered Cruze hatchback and sedan. Creating a non-hybrid vehicle capable of achieving such high fuel economy numbers is more impressive than one might think. The last car to extend over 50 miles per gallon was the 1987 Honda CRX HF, which was not a hybrid-vehicle, but a gasoline powered sedan. The Chevy Cruze is a compact car, and is meant to deliver high fuel economy numbers above high powered performance. It’s a good thing, too – as Chevrolet and General Motors have released additional specs for the Cruze Diesel, including a modest horsepower rating of 137 and a torque rating of 240 lb.-ft. Chevrolet has not yet announced an official release date for the Cruze Diesel, but we expect it to show up sometime within the next year.

More to Come Out of Detroit

The North American International Auto Show is just getting started out in Detroit, and there will be plenty more in store for Chevy fans before it commences on January 22. Be sure to keep checking back for the latest news, announcements, and other happenings out in Detroit, and stay up to date on everything important in the world of automotive news.