2014 Chevrolet Impala Taking Air Intake Seriously

Variable valve timing has been an integral part of making engines make more horsepower and consumer less fuel for awhile now. Now it seems that isnt good enough and manufacturers are looking for ways to gain even more control on how engines breath.

Chevrolet is taking some concepts from other manufacturers and tweaking them for an all new valve train system for their new 2.5L Ecotec engine. With any system like this there is always an acronym. This one happens to be IVLC, read Intake Valve Life Control. This system incorporates two outer high lift lobes and one inner low lift lobe per cylinder.

This systems has two settings, low lift and full lift. Low lift opens the intake valve a total of 4.0 millimeters. In this mode oil pressure is starved from the system and this unlatches the high lift roller from the low lift roller. This occurs under light throttle and cruising situations when just the right amount of air is needed.

When the driver needs more power the system actuates a pin via oil pressure to lock the high and low lift rollers together. Now the driver is getting 10.5 millimeters of valve lift for maximum power and torque. This mode comes into play during hard acceleration and passing situations.

IVLC has a lot in common with other valve train designs. Honda has their V-TEC and Fiat has their Multiair system. Other manufacturers use systems that have an actuator that can advance or retard the valve timing depending on engine needs.

Chevrolet says this system is good for "up to" one mile per gallon boost. Mike Anderson who is General Motors global chief engineer for Ecotec engines said, “Intake Valve Lift Control works so seamlessly drivers aren’t likely to notice it at all,”.  Chevrolet has stressed refinement and efficiency with the new 2.5 liter Ecotec engines. 

Customers wont have to wait for the Impala to sample this engine though. Another iteration of it will be found under the hood of the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. This version will not have IVLC. 

What do my gear heads think? Is this a good system? Will it increase fuel efficiency? Will this be enough motive force for the upcoming Impala? Let me know in the comments. 

Lock It Up 2014 Chevrolet Impala Offers Secure Info Storage

Anyone who has ever felt trepidation about handing their car keys to a valet will appreciate the 2014 Chevrolet Impala. The redesigned flagship sedan offers a “valet mode” that lets someone unknown take the wheel but shields personal items and information from prying eyes.

The new Impala’s available 8-inch center stack display is an interactive touch screen for the next-generation Chevrolet MyLink system but doubles as a PIN-activated retractable faceplate over a secure storage bin large enough to hold valuables like a wallet, MP3 player and smartphone. Addresses and contacts stored on MyLink also remain PIN-protected.

“Valet mode is the kind of feature that Impala customers will appreciate,” said Chris Perry, Chevrolet vice president of Global Marketing. “It is one of many great new features on our newest MyLink and a small part of Impala’s overall technology package.”

Impala owners will be able to access valet mode through MyLink’s Settings menu via a four-digit code, much like on a hotel safe. A confirmation entry of the code simultaneously locks the bin and secures personal information.

Chevrolet customer clinic participants showed avid interest in valet mode, particularly young car buyers who valued MyLink’s information privacy protection feature. Impala’s hidden bin also addresses customers’ frequently expressed need for a secure place to keep personal items out of sight.

“We were able to move the MyLink system’s electronics to another location in the vehicle, effectively creating the space behind the touch screen,” said Matt Highstrom, General Motors human-machine interface designer.

In addition to privacy protection, Impala’s next-generation MyLink system allows for increased personalization. Owners can click and drag icons on the home screen located in the center stack, similar to operating a smartphone or tablet.

Using consumer research, including interviews and online voting, designers of the award-winning MyLink developed four specific graphic appearances or “skins,” selectable through the Settings menu, designed to appeal to distinct customer group personalities. They include:

Contemporary – Clean, simple interface that’s neither overly colorful nor busy, geared to busy moms and families.
Edge – Youth-oriented, dynamic feel with vibrant colors and pop culture-inspired icons.
Velocity – Sleek, with carbon fiber background appearance and glowing neon, aimed at driving enthusiasts.
Main Street – An all-around, crowd-pleasing design using primary colors.
These and other functions, including valet mode, will be rolled out to other Chevrolet models featuring the next-generation MyLink system.

“We can’t design a custom Impala interior for every customer, but we can give them the next best thing – an infotainment system that reflects their tastes and features that meet their needs,” said Matt Fuligni, design manager, Chevrolet User Experience.

The 2014 Impala will begin production this spring and eventually will be offered with three engine choices. A 3.6L V6 will be available at launch, starting at $30,760 including destination charges.

Courtesy of Chevrolet News