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Reinvention : Boot Up

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When it comes to older cars and trucks, the ranks of pure restoration aficionados have long been outshadowed by the flash and thunder crowd. But the space in-between the two is widening. Restomodders update yesterday’s hot rides using the coolest technology from today, without performing major sheet metal changes … vehicle bodies look close to period stock, with faded paint on the skin hiding state-of-the-art mechanicals.

Valvoline Engine Builder's Boot Camp at Hendrick Motorsports

Valvoline’s Reinvention Project takes restomodding to a whole new level, with Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jimmie Johnson – two of today’s biggest NASCAR stars given free reign to reimagine two classic Chevrolet pickup trucks with the resources of Hendrick Motorsports, one of the biggest baddest race car shops on Earth.

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Chevy Spark EV: 5x the Tesla Model S at 1/5 the Price?

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I had the opportunity to drive the 2014 Chevy Spark EV last month at a media event in Portland, Oregon. The drive route ran through the streets of the city, onto the highway, and out into the suburbs. This provided the Spark EV with an ideal setting for its virtues to shine.

It can be a trick to shoot media events like this. The schedule is extremely compressed and time behind the wheel is often limited. We set out from the garage of the Portland Kimpton hotel and headed to Electric Avenue. I hustled to get location shots and hung a pair of cameras on the car on our departure from the parking garage (although I only ended up using the external camera).

Spark EVs charging in the basement of the Portland Klimpton Hotel

Lets go out on a limb and call the Spark EV the first affordable electric hot hatch. Who could argue with 400 foot pounds of torque and a 0-60 MPH time of 7.5 seconds? With that much power, the engineers are clearly holding back its full potential, lest the front tires disintegrate into billows of smoke and shards of rubber.

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2014 Chevrolet Impala LTZ Review

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MPG-o-Matic 2014 Chevrolet Impala Review Summary: Once upon a time, the Chevy Impala was the car to own. As the top of the line Chevrolet, it was the working man’s luxury car, and it carried many a family in comfort and style. Ah, but that was long ago. Recent Impalas have been largely regarded as fleet vehicles, never considered for most families new car shopping lists. Chevrolet’s designers set out to right the wrongs with the new tenth generation Impala, with the hope of recapturing a big chunk of the large lux sedan consumer market. While some folks may scoff at the idea of cross-shopping a 2014 Impala against a Lexus or other import, a test drive will open many eyes.

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2014 Chevrolet Cruze Diesel Review

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MPG-o-Matic 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Diesel Review Summary: The 2014 Chevy Cruze Diesel heralds a new era. Call me crazy, but I’ll say it here first … 2013 will go down in history as The Year of the Diesel in America. It’s been decades since an American auto manufacturer offered a diesel-powered sedan and the new Cruze Diesel is the first out of the gate. Chevy has planned for a limited run of 12,000 diesels in this first model year and I’d wager that they’ll sell out, shortly after the word gets out. The Cruze is the most fuel-efficient car from an American manufacturer for the open road. My marketing friends might call this one out as a scarcity play. Will dealers mark up if supplies grow tight? Only time will tell.

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2013 Chevrolet Spark 2LT Review

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MPG-o-Matic 2013 Chevrolet Spark Review Summary: The 2013 Chevy Spark isn’t just one of the smallest cars sold in America. It’s one of the least expensive and packs a huge amount of value into its 93.5 inch wheelbase. Although the 1.2-liter engine produces a meager amount of power, it’s a hoot to weave through city traffic and slip into undersized parking spaces that most vehicles would pass up. The Spark trumps the Scion iQ and Fiat 500 when it comes to starting MSRP, passenger comfort, maximum cargo space, and powertrain warranty. With five doors and room for four adults, the Spark is the most versatile and cost-effective city car on the market today.

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