Chevy Brings 4G LTE to Cars

By Samantha Murphy Kelly Jan 06, 2014

LAS VEGAS — Chevrolet is making its lineup of vehicles much faster on the roadways, but the increase in speed has nothing to do with horsepower. The company announced during the 2014 International CES show in Las Vegas on Sunday it is bringing 4G LTE to its OnStar infotainment system. This will give users quicker access to the mobile hub's apps and services than over 3G connections.

The new systems will also come with a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot, so passengers can get share the data connection with smartphones, laptops and tablets. “We know that our customers rely on being connected on a daily, if not hourly basis, and they expect to be provided with the information and content they desire with no interruptions,” said Mary Chan, president of GM's global connected consumer department, in a press release. “A 4G LTE hotspot that’s built into a car’s architecture will provide a more consistent and powerful Wi-Fi connection than a smartphone.”

The LTE speeds will be included in a variety of 2015 Chevrolet models including the Corvette, Impala, Malibu, and Volt. It will be rolled out to other models such as Equinox, Silverado, Silverado HD, Spark and Spark EV soon. The addition of LTE is in partnership with AT&T, allowing customers to add a vehicle to their existing mobile plan. Drivers can also opt for a standalone package. Pricing for OnStar 4G LTE hasn't yet been announced.

The company also announced at the show a performance data recorder for its 2015 Corvette Stingray, allowing drivers a way to record high-definition video of what it's like to drive the vehicle. That footage can later be analyzed to improve driving and lap times and also be shared on social media.