Growing up we’ve all imagined what it would like to own or operate a police vehicle . Indeed, the blaring sirens and those glorious colours are the envy of even the most austere motorist, causing most of us to stare in awe. Luckily for some, the American car company Chevrolet is gearing up to release this high performance car in showroom rather soon, giving us all the opportunity to test a similar model out for ourselves.

Set to be revealed at the New York autoshow in April, the new vehicle was developed by Chevrolet for the 2013 NASCAR entry. The company has gone on the record as saying that it will replaced the Impala for the Chevy team, noting that a similar supercharged car is planned to go on sale around the world rather soon. While the current vehicle is not part of the original Chevy linup, reporters believe that the vehicle is not attached to any other division of the General Motors.

Jim Campbell , the company’s vice president, recently went on the record as saying that “we are keeping the wraps on the new car for now and will continue to prepare for next season by testing camouflaged vehicles.” While he went on to say that many fans have shown interest in this new and exciting vehicle, they’ll have to wait a little longer to get any more details.

Reporters speculate that the vehicle may appear similar to the current generation Chevy Caprice that is produced in Australia. Used on the United States police force, the rear-wheel-drive vehicle was already briefly released in the United States and is now looking for a wider audience.

USA today has also reported that the company is planning on resigning the Impala will instead be building this model. The company has long flirted with the idea of a caprice for many years, mainly worried about profit potential. However, putting all their bets in one pool, the executives believe that the high performance sedan will appeal to a younger generation of individuals aged between 11 and 30, banking on the hot-rod look.

While there is no word about any new additions to the UK concerning this model, perhaps this jot of energy will see it upgraded if not entirely remodelled. Based on the company’s brilliant track record in the past several years the car certainly won’t disappoint.

Do you know someone who is one of the most talented art student minds in the country, and would they like the chance to work with famous industry experts in unique work experience placements and win a cash prize too?

If so, then let them know that the closing date for this is April 1st! Honest!

Back in 2007, Chevrolet, the fourth largest car brand in the world and over a century old, launched a pan-European arts contest called “Young Creative Chevrolet” which aimed “foster young creativity and support up and coming artists in the early stages of their career to reveal some of the best artists across the continent.”

It’s a huge year for Chevrolet as it sees the launch of seven new cars, so any promotion they can get will help them, and “Young Creative Chevrolet” (YCC) is one of their highest profile attempts.

Each year entrants (both individuals and groups) are asked to respond to creative tasks across one of the following four disciplines; Fashion, Photography, Video and Visual Arts, and this year’s competition brief revolves around the idea that life is full of opportunities and participants are required to interpret this idea in an imaginative and unexpected way. And obviously, it’s primarily promoted across art schools in Europe, with last year’s competition eliciting 552 submissions from 155 applied arts schools in 22 countries.

Mark Terry Managing Director – Chevrolet UK & Ireland comments: “Since launching “Young Creative Chevrolet”, we have been dedicated to finding and nurturing the best creative talent across the nation. We are delighted to give more and more young artists a platform to showcase their artistic skills and build their business acumen. The standard of previous entrants has been incredibly high and many have gone on to be successful music producers or fashion designers.”

This year, four inspirational professionals from the arts and entertainment industry join the national jury panel; Richard Gunn, a prominent automotive photographer and Getty Images contributor, Victoria Gallagher, reporter at Drapers magazine, Andy Baker, president & co-founder of MOFILM and Ian Cook, founder, director, and artist for PopBang Colour.

In Fashion: The challenge here is to design the perfect outfit to wear on a road trip adventure, and Drapers magazine reporter Victoria Gallagher comments: “There is such a vast expanse of budding design talent in the UK and this competition does a great job in recognising the next generation of designers. I can’t wait to see what great entries are submitted, it’s so exciting to think that these are the designers of tomorrow.”

In Photography: The challenge is to capture the essence of opportunity, energy and the shift towards a new way of being in an image. Professional Richard Gunn, a prominent automotive photographer and Getty Images contributor, states, “I look forward to seeing all the many creative and imaginative submissions for this year, and I’m sure that the standard will be just as high as ever. I think – and hope – that the 2012 competition will be very tough to judge.”

In Video: Students are tasked to create a viral video that will incite people to make a change in their lives, and presenter and co-founder of MOFILM, Andy Baker, is on the panel. “There are so many gifted directors in the UK and it is such an exciting opportunity for those looking to get in to this highly competitive global industry.”

In Visual Arts: Students are required to create a unique and eye-catching print for a special edition T-shirt and hoodie that subtly captures the spirit of life being full of opportunities. The judge on this one has been involved creatively with Chevrolet since 2008, especially with the Chevrolet SpART @popbangcolour art car, creating a vehicle that captured people’s imagination and attention. Ian Cook, founder, director, and artist for PopBangColour (aka the man who paints artworks with radio controlled cars, actual car tyres and toy car wheels.) is an excited man: “It’s always exciting to see what young artists, designers, photographers and film makers create – each year the standard of entries gets better and better.” And, having worked with Chevrolet in the past, he adds: “With new products such as the Volt and Facelift Aveo as well as brand icons like the Camaro and Corvette – I’m sure the 2012 entries will reflect the visual excitement of the Chevrolet product.”

All national and European winners will receive cash prizes and at the European level finalists compete against other countries for a larger cash prize and the chance to win a unique behind-the-scenes work experience placement relevant to their respective discipline. And there’ll be a chance to bask in the glory at an awards show in October where the winners across each category will be announced.

So, hurry hurry hurry people. Entries are still open to all applied art schools and art students until April 1 2012. And for those who still want to enter, contact the Chevrolet press office at Mischief PR at Chevrolet@mischiefpr.com.

Fancy a stylish 5-door city car with five seats, a funky exterior design, air conditioning and FREE Metallic Paint, all available at an affordable price of just £99.95 + VAT a month? Look no further than the Chevrolet Spark.

For a strictly limited time, Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is pleased to offer a budget busting deal on the super stylish Chevrolet Spark 1.0i LS, in stock to lease from just £99.95 + VAT a month with FREE Metallic Paint in Carbon Flash or Ice Silver.

Compact on the outside, spacious on the inside, the new Chevrolet Spark is one of the few city cars on the market to offer 5-doors, seating for up to 5 adults and a generous equipment list including air conditioning and combined iPod/USB connection, all as standard without impacting on the price.

The latest generation Chevrolet Spark has also been recently revamped, boasting an all-new funky exterior design with dual-port front grille design, hidden rear door handles and a new range of vibrant metallic colours to really stand out on the road.

Until 31st March, Nationwide Vehicle Contracts has a fantastic stcok offer on the Chevrolet Spark 1.0i LS, available to lease from just £99.95 + VAT a month with FREE Metallic Paint worth up to £375.

Standard features on the Chevrolet Spark 1.0i LS include:

• Radio/MP3 CD Player with Aux Input

• Combined iPod/USB Connection

• Body Coloured Bumpers

• Front Fog Lamps

• Electric Front Windows

• Air Conditioning

To take advantage of this special Chevrolet Spark car leasing deal before it’s too late, call Nationwide Vehicle Contracts today on 0844 482 9595 or follow the above links.

Prices based on a 4 year contract and excludes VAT, initial payment and processing fee. Limited Stock Available. Terms & Conditions Apply.

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In 2012, Dan Akroyd, Stevie Wonder, Jay Leno and Richard Branson all celebrate their 60th birthdays.

They should have a party! Stevie could do the music, Dan Ackroyd the jokes, Branson could put a couple of hundred behind the bar and Jay Leno could…do something else.

To reach said party, it would be most fitting and decent of them to choose the Chevrolet Corvette as their modus operandi.

You already know why – this classic model is also turning 60 this year.

And there will be a party, but I doubt that Stevie, Dan, Richard or Jay will be there.

Unless they harbour a burning passion for petrol – as the party’s to take place at this year’s illustrious Goodwood Festival of Speed!

This will be the third consecutive year that Chevrolet “show their face” – just last year they marked their centenary at the festival. It seems that everyone uses Goodwood as an excuse for a party. I suppose it means that you’re guaranteed guests whilst also saving the hassle of booking a venue.

The first Chevrolet Corvette rolled off the production line in 1952 as the EX-122 concept – an answer to America’s rising demand for sports cars which had seen an influx of sporting imports to the US, primarily from Jaguar and MG in the UK.

Although built in 1952, it didn’t make its public debut until January 1953 at the GM Motorama, at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York.

It was named Corvette by Myron Scott, an American photo-journalist and founder of the original Soap Box Derby races, after a small French warship renowned for its manoeuvrability.

Six generations later, the Corvette comes from the same production line, and remains America’s most popular high performance sports car. Over 1.3 million Corvettes have been built since the model’s inception.

You know what? They deserve a party.

Says Chevrolet UK’s Mark Terry: “The Corvette is a true icon of the Chevrolet brand – it provides the performance DNA that runs through the whole Chevrolet model range. Styling influences such as its trademark dual cockpit, there since the original, can be found in all of our cars today, and it still delivers the same performance, the same jaw-dropping styling and the same wow factor as it always has – It’s the greatest ambassador possible for the Chevrolet brand.”

So, happy birthday, Chevy. Again

Man, they have birthdays every year, don’t they?

As for The Goodwood Festival of Speed, it takes place at Goodwood House, near Chichester, West Sussex, from June 28 to July 1, 2012.

I’m not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, but there are two things I know to be true: first of all, that there’s no such thing as a free lunch. Second of all, that you cannot have your cake and eat it.

Well, Chevrolet aren’t exactly providing a free lunch, but they are professing to allow for you to have your cake and eat it.

This spring, in collaboration with tastecard, they’re offering “scrumptious” savings on new cars coupled with “delectable dining experiences”.

All you have to do is take a Chevrolet test drive before March 31. In exchange, they’ll give you free 12 months membership to the exclusive tastecard dining club.

What’s tastecard? Friend! It’s only the UK’s largest diners club! Its members get either 50% off their total food bill or a 2-for-1 deal at over 5,500 restaurants nationwide.

Sign me up! But first, there’s the small matter of the Chevrolet test-drive.

Which model should I choose?

Perhaps the Spark 1.0 + 5-door city car? Pictured above. It features a CD-Radio with Aux input, MP3 & USB connectivity, and electric front windows as standard.

Or maybe I’ll go for the all new Aveo. The 1.2 LS comes with cruise control, electronic stability control (ESC), Hill Start Assist, traction control and air conditioning as standard.

But I’m also incredibly tempted by the Cruze 1.6 LS Hatchback. With features like the ‘Follow me Home’ headlights, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), front, side and roof curtain airbags, CD-Radio with AUX input, 4 speakers, and electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, what more could you ask for?

Should you find yourself won over by the test-drive, Chevrolet will have you know that all of their models come with 5 year or 100,000 mile comprehensive warranty (whichever comes first), as well as 1 years Chevrolet Roadside Assistance (provided by the AA) included in the on the road price.

And if you’re not won over by the test-drive, well – you can always console yourself with a significantly discounted dinner with your brand new tastecard.

Try to remember the last time you took a driving lesson. Most of us will feel like it was a lifetime ago, reflecting a period when things like fake tanning and dubstep didn’t exist. While we all feel that we can drive a car, perhaps even well, there are special schools designed to improve our skills. Focusing on a number of different abilities, there are schools around the world that mix high performance power with extreme terrain to train you to become a professional driver.

One interesting school is located at the Catskills racetrack in the United States. The program there tests your skills and tries to fix many of your bad habits. The school offers lessons to a range of drivers stretching from beginners to seasoned. Teaching control techniques, the school utilizes vehicles like Cadillac’s, Porsche’s and even Lamborghini’s to push you to your limit, allowing you to have fun but also to learn some important lessons.

Bloomberg reporters have tested and priced many of the vehicles, allowing us to assess which ones are the best choices for our budget and interest. Beginning with the less flashy, the Cadillac models are divided between the CTS and SRX crossovers. Costing around $700 (£400), the 270bhp CTS will certainly bring the driver enough power to get around the track. Yet, as reporters noted, this vehicle is not about muscle but rather finesse, as the car isn’t very light.

One of the key lessons that another school tries to teach relates to muscle memory. Putting you in a $400,000 (£250,000) Lamborghini Aventador right outside Cortina Italy, the program also offers the Gallardo to teach you how to drift and utilize the vehicles all-wheel-drive to your advantage. Coming with a €6,000 (£5,000) price tag, these extreme courses certainly don’t come cheap.

Another school noted by Bloomberg reporters puts you behind the wheel of a Mazda. Part of the manufactures at their specialized school, the lessons begin at $1,000 (£600) and they try to teach you basic car control as well as skid avoidance. However, reporters have noted that the Skip Barber event where you test out a Porsche Boxter is much more fun. The three-day course allows you to do everything you can possibly dream of on the tarmac.

With so many fascinating choices it appears that those with the interest and the capital have quite a lot to select from. Whether you’re interested in sharpening your skills or simply to have some fun the adventures are right at your fingertips. Those interested may visit the following sites to find out more:

• http://www.monticellomotorclub.com/winter
• http://www.lamborghiniacademy.com
• http://www.skipbarber.com
• http://www.porschedriving.com.

Nationwide Vehicle Contracts has some fantastic March offers on the 7-seat Chevrolet Orlando with savings of up to £99 a month available across the range.

Boasting a striking style on the outside and a versatile cabin on the inside, the Chevrolet Orlando is a 7-seat family MPV that combines great looks with impressive flexibility and a low price tag.

The latest generation Orlando is particularly impressive when it comes to practicability. One moment it’s transporting seven people in comfort, the next the seats are down and it’s full of furniture. With its multiple seating combinations, the Chevrolet Orlando is certainly one supremely adaptable vehicle.

You can now save up to £99 a month on the Chevrolet Orlando when you lease with Nationwide Vehicle Contracts before 31st March.

One of our best deals is on the Chevrolet Orlando 2.0 VCDi LS, available to lease from £229.95 + VAT a month. Standard features on above model include:

• Radio/CD Player
• Auxiliary Input Socket
• ‘Follow Me Home’ Headlights
• Air Conditioning
• Flat Woven Cloth Upholstery

To find out more about the Chevrolet Orlando and to get an instant quotation on any model, simply follow the above links or call Nationwide Vehicle Contracts on 0844 482 9595.

Prices based on a 4 year contract and excludes VAT, initial payment and processing fee. Limited Stock Available. Terms & Conditions Apply.

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If you’re in the market for a well-equipped family car, Nationwide Vehicle Contracts has some fantastic reductions on the Chevrolet Cruze with savings of up to £104 a month.

Beautifully styled and well-equipped, the new Chevrolet Cruze is a real head-turner in the family car sector thanks to its athletic coupe styling, swept headlamps and powerful front grille.

But don’t let its striking style fool you; the Chevrolet Cruze is as practical as it is stylish, boasting comfortable seating for five adults, along with plenty of space for their luggage. No wonder the Cruze is Chevrolet’s best-selling passenger car globally.

Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is pleased to announce reductions of up to £104 a month on the new Chevrolet Cruze Saloon.

One of our best deals is on the Chevrolet Cruze Saloon 2.0 VCDi 163 LTZ Executive Pack, available to lease from just £249.95 + VAT a month.

Standard equipment on the 2.0 VCDi 163 LTZ Executive Pack includes:

• Cruise Control

• Rear Park Assist

• Satellite Navigation System

• Radio/CD with USB Connection

• Auxiliary Input Socket

• ‘Follow Me Home’ Headlights

• Climate Control

• Heated Front Seats

• Pinnacle Leather Upholstery

• 17″ Alloy Wheels

To take advantage of these fantastic Chevrolet savings, call Nationwide Vehicle Contracts today on 0844 482 9595 or follow the above links.

Prices based on a 4 year contract and excludes VAT, initial payment and processing fee. Limited Stock Available. Terms & Conditions Apply.

Like this deal? Join our mailing list to receive weekly emails with our latest car leasing offers straight to your inbox!

“The Cruze Station Wagon caters to an important market segment. It ticks all the boxes for European drivers in terms of distinctive design, dynamic driving, space and economy,” said Chevrolet Europe President and Managing Director Susan Docherty.

Which is, I assume, the reason why it will not be initially available in the US, but is concentrating on the European market?

So, what’s it got the other 2 versions of this million seller hasn’t? (Combined sales of all Cruze versions have achieve over 1 million since its 2009 launch)

Point No 1:  Almost 1,500 litres of load space encased in the latest body style of the Cruze, complementing the saloon and hatchback versions. So, generous storage space in the slightly longer body than the hatchback, especially with all seats folded down. But it does have 500 litres in the rear anyway with seats up!.

Point No 2: A choice of powerful and efficient engines, including a new 130bhp 1.7-litre VCDi diesel engine, with start-stop technology as standard (this allows the engine to shut down during long waits at traffic lights and rail crossings) and CO2 emissions of 119g/km. In addition to the 1.6-liter and 1.8-liter engines in the Cruze today, a 1.4-litre gasoline, 1.7-litre diesel and 2-litrer diesel models will be on the market in the summer.

Point No 3: Style changes to both exterior and interior including roof rails as standard on the single arch roofline, a remodeled front fascia, modified headlamps and fog lamps and new wheel styles. Inside there’s a greater choice of seat finishes and refinements to the centre console.

However, the Station Wagon is immediately recognizable as a new variant of the Chevrolet Cruze.

Chevrolet say themselves that the car’s “styling, driving dynamics, interior space and overall economy make it attractive to an important market segment” – and by this they mean European drivers. It would probably appeal to a number of American drivers too, but they are going to miss out on this, along with the Cruze hatchback.

So, overall, there’s more space and more…er…space.

And it will look nice on the drive next to its Chevrolet brothers. Maybe you have to buy the complete set?

This is the second new car product announced by Chevrolet this year with the Cruze Station being preceded by the introduction of the Camaro muscle car to the UK in the spring that is available in both coupe and convertible guises with a basic price of £34,995 and a General Motors’ 6.2-litre V8 engine.

On top of this the much anticipated range-extender hybrid Chevrolet Volt is also coming in May, with a projected price of £28,000. Prices for the Cruze Station Wagon have yet to be confirmed, but will be announced close to the model’s launch. Chevrolet has hinted that two further models are due to join the range within the next 12 months, but are remaining tight lipped about details.

The world is at a crossroads. While the rising influence from China and India have strengthened the car industry, the amount of cars on the roads is becoming undeniable large. Indeed, individuals have long turned to renting and leasing in order to avoid the cumbersome burden of owning a vehicle. However, a new methodology is slowly growing from an unlikely source, giving us the power to alter the way we travel forever.

General Motors Vice President Steve Grisky has recently told Time magazine reporter Anita Hamilton that the company has begun a round of funding for a rather little known company called RelayRides. Providing them with nearly $3 million (£1.8 million), the company is spearheading a program of peer-to-peer car-sharing services across the United States.

Rather surprisingly, what emerges from this relationship is a daunting contradiction: Why exactly would GM offer funding to a company that directly competes with them? Indeed, the carmakers purpose is to ensure the sale of their vehicles. However, as the company has noted, what truly matters is that individuals are driving HM vehicles regardless of whether they own them or not.

However, it should be noted that this type of service is certainly not new. Car-sharing services like Zipcar have been utilising a fleet of nearly 9,500 vehicles to perform a similar task. What RelayRides as well as another company called JustShareIt are doing is allowing individuals like you and me to rent out their own leased or own vehicles to other individuals.

Not only a providing a financial boost, GM will be pairing their smartphone capabilities with the OnStar system. According to analysts, this function will ease the ability locate cars in the local community, ultimately strengthening this company considerably.

Unsurprisingly, it was a Harvard Business School graduate Shelby Clark who came up with this scheme in 2008. He initially came up with the idea when he had to bike nearly 3 miles in bad weather. He saw many cars parked on the roads and thought that they could be put to better use. Now a thriving company, it looks like the brilliant mind came up with quite an intriguing idea.

With a pool of over 250 million vehicles in the US, the UK may initially have a difficult time applying such a scheme. While it certainly isn’t inconceivable, it won’t be replacing leasing and car dealerships anytime soon. For many individuals, such a scheme ultimately involves an uncomfortable level of trust that can be broken rather easily. While its future remains clouded, the idea is nonetheless incredibly innovative.