All-New 2016 Volt

The 2016 Chevrolet Volt electric car with extended range is unveiled Monday, January 12, 2015 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan. The next-generation Volt has a sleeker, sportier design that offers 50 miles of EV range, greater efficiency and stronger acceleration. (Photo by John F. Martin for Chevrolet)

The 2016 Chevrolet Volt electric car with extended range is unveiled Monday, January 12, 2015 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan. The next-generation Volt has a sleeker, sportier design that offers 50 miles of EV range, greater efficiency and stronger acceleration. (Photo by John F. Martin for Chevrolet)

Chevrolet unveiled the all-new 2016 Volt electric car with extended range at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, showcasing a sleeker, sportier design that offers 50 miles of EV range, greater efficiency and stronger acceleration for drivers.

The Volt’s new, efficient propulsion system will offer a General Motors’-estimated total driving range of more than 400 miles and with regular charging, owners are expected to travel more than 1,000 miles on average between gas fill-ups.

The 2016 Chevrolet Volt’s technology and range advancements are complemented by a design that blends sculpted, muscular proportions with aerodynamic efficiency, and an all-new interior with seating for five and improved functionality.

“Since its release, the Volt has symbolized Chevrolet’s environmental and technological capabilities, and the next-generation Volt raises the bar even higher,” said Alan Gamblin.

The 2016 Volt has an all-new, muscular design that incorporates Chevrolet performance vehicle DNA inspired cues refined in the wind tunnel. Volt’s flowing, dynamic shape is inspired by the toned physiques of athletes and even the natural shapes of wind-swept sands, with carved body sides and fenders that blend into the hood. The front-end appearance retains the iconic Volt identity, with bright upper and lower grille pads.

Greater attention to detail in the design cues, materials and colors also lends a more premium, contemporary aura to its appearance. It also retains the distinctive Volt signature on the upper front doors, carrying over one of the first-generation model’s identifiers.

Inside, the new Volt includes seating for five. Fresh colors exude an inviting upscale aura – complemented by blue ambient lighting – while the controls are more intuitively placed and simpler to operate.

The Volt retains its signature dual digital color displays with an eight-inch-diagonal reconfigurable screen in the instrument cluster to relay driver information. An additional eight-inch-diagonal touch screen in the center of the instrument panel controls the Chevrolet MyLink system.

The all-new 2016 Chevrolet Volt electric car with extended range, showcasing a sleeker, sportier design that offers 50 miles of EV range, greater efficiency and stronger acceleration.

The all-new 2016 Chevrolet Volt electric car with extended range, showcasing a sleeker, sportier design that offers 50 miles of EV range, greater efficiency and stronger acceleration.

New Voltec propulsion system

An all-new, second-generation Voltec extended range electric vehicle (EREV) propulsion system is the power behind the 2016 Volt’s increased all-electric driving range, greater efficiency and stronger acceleration. It was engineered based on the driving behaviors of first-gen Volt owners.

The Voltec system includes the battery, drive unit, range-extending engine and power electronics. GM’s industry-leading battery technology has been reengineered for the next-generation Volt.

The 2016 Volt will use an 18.4 kWh battery system featuring revised cell chemistry developed in conjunction with LG Chem. While overall system storage capacity has increased, the number of cells have decreased from 288 to 192 as the result of a revised chemistry. The cells are positioned lower in the pack for an improved (lower) center of gravity and the overall mass of the pack is 21 pounds (9.8 kg) lighter.

Like the battery system, the next-generation Volt’s two-motor drive unit delivers increased efficiency and performance along with reduced noise and vibration. The drive unit operates up to 12 percent more efficiently and weighs 100 pounds (45 kg) less than the current system.

Both motors operate together in more driving scenarios, in both EV and extended-range operation. The ability to use both motors helps deliver a 19 percent  improvement in electric acceleration from zero to 30 mph (2.6 seconds) and a 7 percent improvement from zero to 60 mph (8.4 seconds). GM engineers designed the Voltec electric motors to use significantly less rare earth materials. One motor uses no rare earth-type magnets.

The 2016 Volt goes on sale in the second half of 2015.

 

New Owner’s Clinic


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Once a month we offer a New Owner’s Clinic to our customers who’ve purchased a new Chevy or Buick from us. This is a great opportunity to discover our dealership, enroll in our Oil Changes on Us Program, learn some easy great maintenance tips on maintaining your car, and eat a great breakfast.

For those that have not been able to attend, here is a little glimpse into the VIP treatment we give to each of our new vehicle customers.

  • Free Breakfast, provided by ‘The Kettle’, for your entire party (no size limit)
  • Opportunity to Enroll in our Oil Changes On Us Program
  • ‘Tech Talk’ – Interact with our Service/Part/Body Shop Managers as well as Dave Cooper, GM World Class Technician about your New GM vehicle
  • ‘Meet & Greet’ – Chance to meet/socialize with our owner Alan Gamblin and his wife Jeri.
  • Free Drawings for numerous prizes/coupons/discounts

If you have missed the most recent clinic, there will be another in a few weeks. We sincerely hope you will join us for an hour or so of food, information and prizes.

Thank you again for your business!

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EHS Football Carwash


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With the recent success of the Seattle Seahawks it seems that everyone is a football fan these days in the Puget Sound area.  Here at Art Gamblin Motors we have been loyal Enumclaw High School Football fans.  It goes all the way back to the early 1970’s with Alan Gamblin playing for the Hornets.  Decades later the two Gamblin boys (Tyson and Andrew) wore the maroon and gold for the mighty Hornets. We love our Football here in Enumclaw.  The tradition continues with our strong support of Enumclaw Athletics and the football program.

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This past May marked the 9th Annual Enumclaw High School Football Car Wash.  This is the 8th year that Art Gamblin Motors has hosted the car wash at its Truck Center location.  This is a great spring time event in Enumclaw and most residents can’t wait to get their car washed from eager football players. This is not your normal car wash.  Within an 8 hour period the football players will wash around 400 vehicles.  Art Gamblin Motors loves clearing out their front row at the Truck Center to allow three lanes of rinsing, washing and drying.  The football player’s pre sell car wash tickets and what they earn goes directly into their summer camp fund.  This year the Enumclaw Football team will be traveling east of the mountains to Central Washington University football camp.

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After the cars are washed drivers are asked by Enumclaw High School cheerleaders to take a test drive.  For every test drive Art Gamblin Motors donated $20 per test drive.  Art Gamblin Motors was excited to donate $1000 to the Enumclaw High School cheerleaders.

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If you missed the car wash this year keep your eye on the Gamblin Motors Facebook page to find out the date of next May’s car wash.

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Black Diamond Farmer’s Market

Black Diamond Farmers Market

The Black Diamond Farmer’s Market is opening its doors for the season on Friday.  This is the third season for the market.  They will be open from 3:00-7:00pm every Friday from June 5 through September 29, 2015. At the Farmer’s Market not only can you pick up local produce but also find art and artisanal products.  Every week the market will highlight a theme to show off the growing season.  This week (the first week) the market will be highlighting rhubarb, which is not just great in a pie.  A BBQ truck is going to be there every week to tempt you with delicious eats while shopping.  Don’t forget to check out the car we’re bringing to the Farmer’s Market each week. The market is located at 25203 Roberts Drive, Black Diamond, WA.  We hope to see you there.

Indy 500

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“Ladies & Gentleman, Start! Your! Engines!” Those iconic words have been spoken 98 previous times from the podium at the famous speedway, and this past Sunday, 32 brave drivers, 16 of which have a Chevy in the engine bay, were led over the yard of bricks for the 99th time. Scott Dixon sat on pole with hopes of holding off defending past winner Ryan Hunter-Reay who starts back in 16th, and claim his 2nd Indy 500 victory.

Neither Dixon or Hunter-Reay got to drink to the traditional milk this weekend because that honor went to Juan Pablo Montoya of Team Penske Chevrolet.  He made a brilliant pass on his teammate, Will Power, going into turn 1 with only 4 laps remaining.  Power tried to claw his way back but fell short of victory by only 0.1046sec.  Will Power said shortly after the race, “Anywhere else I’d be happy with second, but here it sucks.”  Montoya with a 2nd victory joins an elite and exclusive group of drivers such as: A.J. Foyt, Al Unser, Al Unser Jr., Helio Castroneves, Dan Wheldon, and Rick Mears. Team Penske Chevrolet claimed 1st, 2nd, 7th & 10th and achieved their 16th Indy 500 victory.

Chevrolet certainly has reason to celebrate with their engines in nearly every car finishing in the Top 11. IndyCar racing and Chevrolet began their relationship nearly 100 years ago starting with Mr. Chevrolet’s (Louis), passion for motorsports. He and his brothers, Arthur and Gaston, entered the famous race back in the 1920’s in a state-of-the-art machine they designed and built. They achieved back-to-back victories in 1920 & 1921 with Gaston as the driver in 1920 and Louis as the owner in 1921.

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Top 10 Memorial Day Camping Spots

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With Memorial Day just around the corner and the camping season set to take off, we thought we would give you a quick list of our 10 favorite campgrounds in Washington. With the variety of choices not only in number of campgrounds but settings, amenities, costs, etc. this list is in no particular order but each destination is sure to provide a wonderful experience.

  1. Kalaloch – Olympic National Park – Coast – Forks area
    • This state operated campground located just up Hwy 101 is set on a bluff overlooking the majestic Pacific Ocean with several staircases leading down to the beach. Some sites have an ocean view and most enjoy the sound of crashing waves.
  2. Moran State Park – Orcas Island – San Juan Islands
    • Nestled at the base of Mt. Constitution, this campground is divided up throughout the forest into 5 areas with 4 of them surrounding fresh water lakes. Easily accessible from your camp is the 2,400ft Mt. Constitution which provides spectacular views of the Puget Sound.
  3. Alder Lake Campground – Eatonville area
    • The 161 acre campground is a drive from the major metro areas and is nestled in the shadow of Mt. Rainier. The campground is adjacent to Alder Lake which has a large sandy beach and a dedicated swim area and public boat launch. The campground offers a variety of site options from dry camp to full hook-up.
  4. Nason Creek – Wenatchee National Forest – Lake Wenatchee area
    • A beautiful and lesser known alternative to the busy Lake Wenatchee State Park, Nason Creek is only a short walk from the lake but still provides amenities like flush toilets and potable water. The campground provides a lot of privacy between sites while canoe rentals, horseback riding, and ice cream are only a short hike away.
  5. Grayland Beach State Park – Coast, Westport area
    • This is set right on the beach with 58 full hookup sites, 42 water/electric sites, 16 yurts, and 4 primitive sites along with restrooms and showers. Campers can enjoy clam digging, beach combing, surfing, boogie boarding or trip into nearby Westport.
  6. White River – Mt. Rainier National park – Crystal Mountain area
    • At 4,400ft you will want to save your trip until late July but once the wildflowers that carpet the basin floor come into bloom you will be glad you did. Limited small RV sites are available but it is perfect for tent campers. The Wonderland and Glacier Basin trails run through camp making it a day hiker’s paradise.
  7. Millersylvania State Park – Olympia area
    • With 3,330ft of shorline this 842-acre campground attracts boaters, fisherman and swimmers and also has an abundance of hiking trails that are guaranteed to provide some excellent day hikes through the old growth Cedar and Fir trees. There are 120 tent sites and 48 sites with hook-ups along with several showers and restrooms in the campground.
  8. Cape Disappointment State Park – Long Beach area
    • This is the only campground on the list that doesn’t boast of great sites but the setting and view they have in spades. There are miles and miles of sandy coastline to hike, go clamming, go fishing or take a tour of a lighthouse. If tent camping isn’t your thing, try out one of their Yurts.
  9. Takhlakh Lake – Gifford Pinchot National Forest – Centralia/Longview area
    • Before you come you need to learn how to say it, TOCK-lock. When you arrive you will quickly discover that Mt. Adams will provide a stunning backdrop to every campsite. The tranquil lake does not permit any motors so the serenity of canoes, kayaks and fishing are all that you will hear, if that’s even possible. Bring mosquito repellent, especially in the summer, but even a few bites and a few miles of washboard driving are worth the trip.
  10. Ike Kinswa State Park – Mayfield Lake – Chehalis/Mossyrock area
    • If you like your camping filled with trees and water sports then this will be your paradise. This 454-acre park sits on the 14-mile long Mayfield Lake and with 103 sites and 5 cabins there is room for many, but given its popularity you will want to make your reservations early.

Mutual of Enumclaw Stage Race

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Once a year cycling enthusiast from across the Pacific Northwest gather in Enumclaw to compete in one of Washington’s biggest and most competitive races. The Mutual of Enumclaw Stage Race is held yearly in May. With its beautiful scenic route and grueling inclines the MOESR draws a crowd of about 600 participants. The race was converted into a traditional timed stage race format in 2010. It is the only timed stage race an hour from Seattle, so not only does it bring in particapants from around the area but also Canada.

The race begins on Saturday with the very first lap following the road up to Mud Mountian Dam, which has a quick rise of 800 ft. each lap. The leg-burning speed is needed for the first lap to be kept out of elimination. Those who make it through to a spot in the criterium can expect a fun, action packed course. The criterium course runs through the heart of downtown Enumclaw. The day following an eight-corner technical criterium and time trail, the road race quickly cuts the participants down to an elite group. The race ends Sunday with 44 mile road race. The total prize purse is $10,000 and is awarded to the top three finishers.

Local residents love to come watch the race. The best place to catch the race is around the Enumclaw Library on Saturday evening. The Kids’ race begins at 5:00 pm and quickly following the Kid’s race you can catch the criterium. Registration for the Kid’s Race is held between 3:45-4:45 in the library parking lot. Be sure to watch for the Gamblin Motor’s pace car.

For information on registering and specific race details: http://www.moestagerace.com/

Our Pace Car

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EHS Student Photography Contest

EHS PHOTO CONTEST

 

Over the past few years, Gamblin Motors has sponsored a photo contest for EHS students. The students are given a month to send us their very best photos. These photos are uploaded to our Facebook page. Our Facebook followers are asked to vote for the favorite photo. Students encourage their friends and family to vote for their photo. At the end of the contest, the photo with the most likes wins. The winner receives $250.

Our 2015 contest kicks off this week. Students can send us their photos beginning May15. They will be uploaded to our Facebook page the next day. The contest runs from May 15-June 16. The Winner will be announced on June 17. Get ready to vote for your favorite photo. Here are the instructions for interested EHS students:

Contest Instructions

-Save Photo with your name using this format: First_Last _Grade

-Email Photo to corigamblin@gmail.com. Your photo will be uploaded to Gamblin Motor’s Facebook page the next day.

-Spread the word to get the most likes for your photo on Gamblin Motor’s Facebook page.

-The photo with the most likes wins $250 cash.

Helpful Hints

  1. Like Art Gamblin Motors on FB
  2. Get your photo in soon. (If your photo is one of the first posted, it will be up the longest.)
  3. Spread the word on your FB page.
  4. Repost our photo contest posts on your wall.
  5. Have friends and family also post your contest photo on their wall.

The more people who see your photo the more votes you will get.

 

 

Serving at Full Bellies

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One of our favorite ways to help out the plateau community is cooking and providing dinner for Full Bellies. Full Bellies offers a FREE hot meal for families and individuals in a warm environment. Meals are prepared every Thursday by various groups and companies in the Enumclaw community. Several times a year Gamblin Motor’s employees get to serve at Full Bellies.

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Full Bellies was started by Colleen Michael, a stay-at-home mom, who didn’t want to see kids going to bed hungry. She had a vision to bring hot meals to families in need. With the help of Rainier Foothills Wellness Foundation, Calvary Presbyterian Church, and volunteers from the community, her vision became a reality. Anyone is welcome and can get a hot meal every Thursday at Calvary Presbyterian Church starting at 5:30pm. Full Bellies needs community support; for information on how to volunteer contact Rene Popke at the Rainier Foothills Foundation. This is a great way to get involved and help fight hunger.

http://rfwellnessfoundation.org/initiatives/neighbors-feeding-neighbors/

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When The Stars Align

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Just as a Chiropractor can align your spine to relieve a back ache, the suspension on your vehicle needs an alignment from time to time to prevent premature wear on tires as well as steering and suspension components.   There are a handful of easy ways to determine whether our vehicle is in need of an alignment.  If you have noticed one or more of these key indicators you should have your alignment checked by a licensed service technician immediately.

–          Uneven tread wear

–          Vehicle pulls to the left or right under braking

–          Your steering wheel is off center when driving straight

–          Steering wheel vibration

* Low tire pressure can also create some or all of these symptoms.  Be sure to always check your tires for proper inflation.