Trans Am - Keith Morgan

Kevin Morgan - Designer of the Phoenix Trans Am stopped by to say hello to Chris, and visit our 2010 Trans Am. Kevin's love affair with the Trans Am started after the release of the Smokey & The Bandit movie in the 1970's. So when the latest generation Camaro was released, Kevin went to work and created his vision of the 2010 Trans Am. The Trans Am Depot acquired the rights to the "Trans Am" name, and with their design team, his vision is now reality. Stop in to our Chris Leith Chevy Showroom and see this fantastic collector car today!

Ram Rules! - 2010 Motor Trend Truck of the Year Winner

Chevrolet Volt Takes on the Heat in Arizona

YUMA, Ariz. -- Summer for the Chevrolet Volt engineering team means hot weather testing. And taking on the hottest Mother Nature has to offer is what they’re doing at the General Motors Desert Proving Grounds in Arizona.
While the Volt is designed to operate in all weather and temperature conditions, one of the tests it is undergoing in the desert is the Hot Soak Evaluation, where temperatures inside the cabin can exceed 175 degrees F.
Engineers “bake” the Volt in the sun for several hours, then open everything in the car, cycle all of the electric accessories and then take the car down the ride handling track to check for squeaks and rattles. Additionally, they check to make sure the door seals continue to close off the cabin to the hot air as they cool the Volt down using its high-efficiency air conditioning system.

“The car performed well,” said senior durability test engineer Steve Pratt. “The air conditioner cooled things off from our interior temperature of 138 degrees down to a nice comfortable temperature for driving.”

While the Volt will not be equipped to handle towing, the engineering team regularly puts the Volt through some weight training via Grade Load testing. Engineers use a towing dynamometer – which simulates endless hill and mountain climbing anywhere from a 2 to 10 percent grade – to put stress and strain on the Volt’s engine and chassis to determine how well it will perform while climbing a mountain at temperatures above 100 degrees F.

In addition, the Volt undergoes routine City Cycle testing two to three times each day. In this test, the battery receives added heat from the electrical energy generated by the steering, air conditioning, accessories and components under repetitive, cumulative use. The engineers are making sure there are no heat-related issues. The Volt has yet to disappoint during real-world city driving cycles.

In fact, the Volt has performed very well under the stress and strain of all these tests, but the rigorous testing and validation continues because the Volt is an electric vehicle for all temperatures and seasons.

4,400 Chevrolet Volt Owners to be Eligible for Free Home Charging Stations

DETROIT – The first buyers of the Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle with extended-range capability will be eligible for one of 4,400 free home charging stations. The program will provide Volt owners with a 240-volt charge station from either ECOtality, Inc. or Coulomb Technologies. In many cases, it will include the cost of home installation. The projects are made possible with a grant of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds from the Transportation Electrification Initiative administered by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

“Many owners will plug their Volt into a normal 120-volt electrical outlet, charge overnight and drive to work in the morning using only battery power,” said Tony DiSalle, Product and Marketing Director for the Chevrolet Volt. “For Volt owners who want to install a faster 240-volt charge station, we expect the Department of Energy project to save $1,000 and $2,000.”

The U.S. Department of Energy projects were established with two objectives: installing charging stations in residential, workplace and public areas to encourage consumers to purchase electric vehicles; and studying electric vehicle usage to optimize future electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

To encourage consumer purchases of electric vehicles, federal grants and other funds have been awarded to install more than 15,000 home charge stations. That total includes 4,400 home charge stations for Volt owners; 2,600 as part of The EV Project from ECOtality, and 1,800 as part of the ChargePoint America project from Coulomb Technologies.

The Chevrolet Volt is an electric vehicle with extended range capability, designed to drive up to 350 miles without stopping to recharge or refuel. For the first 40 miles, Volt is powered by pure electricity, without using gasoline or producing tailpipe emissions. When the Volt’s lithium-ion battery is depleted, a gasoline-powered engine/generator seamlessly operates to extend the driving range another 300 miles.

"Small Car of the Year"

The 2010 Kia Soul was named "Small Car of the Year" by FAMA Magazine during an award presentation at the 2010 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. Also named one of "10 Great and Safe Rides for Teens" by AutoWeek magazine, one of the "Most Exciting Cars of 2010" by TIME.com, given two "Top Safety Picks" by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and named to the "Top 10 Back-to-School Cars" list by Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com, Soul was selected by FAMA for its extensive list of safety features, dynamic styling, impressive interior room and value.


"Soul offers today's consumer a practical and attractive option with a more than impressive package of vibrant styling, extensive safety features and standard amenities," said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing of Kia Motors America (KMA). "In today's economy we feel it's important that buyer's don't have to sacrifice these necessities for overall value, and Soul delivers."

Editors from FAMA selected the top vehicles across six categories, including Editor's Choice Award, Green Car/Hybrid of the Year, Best Luxury Sport Utility, Sport Car of the Year, Small Car of the Year and Car of the Year for Women. Each vehicle considered possessed a long list of safety features, impressive styling, interior space and value.

Available in four trims, Soul, Soul+, Soul! (exclaim) and Soul sport, Kia Motors' affordable halo vehicle offers an attractive starting price below $14,000(1). Four special edition Souls, based on the Soul+ trim, also are being released throughout the year, including Denim Soul, Ignition Soul and most recently Shadow Dragon Soul. Offering consumers even more ways to customize the Soul, each special edition comes with its own unique exterior color and packaging.

In addition to presenting an immense amount of style and value, Soul also offers an extensive list of standard safety features, including front seat active headrests, dual front advanced airbags, front seat-mounted and full-length side curtain airbags, an Antilock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control System (TCS), Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist System (BAS) and a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). Front and rear crumple zones, side-impact door beams, an impact-absorbing steering column and Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system also come standard.

Ram Truck Brand Named the Official Truck of the Kentucky Derby and Churchill Downs

Thoroughbred horses meet horsepower as the Ram Truck Brand makes a grand entrance on the track and in the winner's circle for the 136th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. From the Ram Truck logo placement on jockeys' pant legs to work trucks in and around the track, the Ram Truck Brand and Ram trucks will be proudly on display as part of a new sponsorship with the Kentucky Derby and Churchill Downs. Ram trucks wrapped in customized graphics inspired by the unique designs of jockey silks will be positioned throughout Churchill Downs. As part of the overall integration of the Ram Truck Brand with Churchill Downs, the Ram Truck Jobsite Tour trailer will be located near the track so that attendees will be able to engage in the full brand experience.


"The Ram Truck Brand is honored to be a part of the 136th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs as well as the history and tradition associated with this annual event," said Fred Diaz, President and CEO - Ram Truck Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. "Ram Trucks not only carry people, they tow and deliver precious cargo such as these beautiful, million dollar athletes that grace the race track." The sponsorship is part of the launch of the 2010 Ram Heavy Duty and includes broadcast media placement that will also air during the Kentucky Derby as well as the 155th Preakness on May 15 and the 2010 Belmont Stakes on June 5. Digital media placement includes direct links to the Ram Truck Brand website on KentuckyDerby.com and ChurchillDowns.com.

Chris Leith Performance

Chris Leith Performance is the exclusive Mid-Atlantic retailer for Saleen Dodge Challenger. We cover NC, SC, Tennessee and Virginia with large selection of new and used Saleen Performance Vehicles including the all new SMS Dodge Challenger. In addition to selling and servicing new SMS Dodge vehicles, we have a large selection of performance parts and accessories. Chris Leith Performance is the leading dealer in the Raleigh, North Carolina (NC) area, but we will deliver anywhere!

to read more about this 2010 Dodge Challenger click here