Going Racing With a Fervor Down Under: Colorado ZR2 Dishes Out High-Octane Action

Going Racing With a Fervor Down Under: Colorado ZR2 Dishes Out High-Octane Action

The ZR2 has solidified itself as a very able and sturdy rock crawler, as well as a vehicle that can stand up under intense pressure, no matter what the environment demands. Last week, it was a contender in the Hell Racing endurance test: a 550-mile Vegas to Reno race that will no doubt boost the namesake and popularity of this truck. Perfect for kicking up some mud around Knoxville during your down time, the featured model ran the 3.6-liter V6 engine, along with an 8-speed transmission to handle the demanding shifting duties. During an all-out longevity trial such as this, the suspension needs to be way above par, and the ultra-unique spool valve damper-based setup was tweaked and modified slightly to meet the demands.

The fun-to-drive and appealing pickup also gained a roll bar and 44-gallon tank for the long distance off road race, and also beta tested a few new accessories that could ultimately find their way into the official parts catalog for the coming year. TheDrive.com billed this truck as “just right” and “leaving you grinning ear to ear”, the team loved having the truck hop over all of the obstacles that came up in its way. They took the ZR2 to Bangs Canyon, Colorado, where they discovered that its specific configuration and size truly put it in a class of its own. Shorter in length and height than many of its direct competitors, drivers and journalists alike have loved the compact, yet aggressive feel of the ZR2 when it comes to the handling end.

All the way on the other side of the globe, the lovers of the rough and tumble races that exciting trucks can offer are going to get a dose of a very high-octane series featuring the Colorado ZR2. A new road and street series called “SuperUtes” is taking off in Australia over the next year, and the ZR2 is the first backed entry vehicle ready for the course. The proposed calendar has a kick-off at the Adelaide 500, and then has a swing to the northern region, bringing its excitement and thrills to Darwin and Townsville. Queensland Raceway and Sydney Motorsports Park are next on the list, followed up with three rounds at Bathurst, on the arid and sunny Gold Coast.

All trucks enlisted to strut their stuff during this event must belong to the production-based dual-twin cab category, with rear wheel drive, and a turbo manufacturer engine. The minimum in the all-important weight department is 1800 kg, and a control cage is needed as well. OEM front suspension components, control gearbox and ratios, and control rear axle assembly, as well as Detroit locker, are required to be on board. If you are curious to see just how awesome the features are on this amazing dirt trail conquering truck, pay us a visit on the lot here at West Chevy! You'll quickly take a liking to just how great the ZR2 is at absorbing impact, and how every inch is designed for the ultimate in off-road performance.

Chevy Bolt Scores Tops in Consumer Reports' Electric-Vehicle Range Record

Knoxville is one of those special places rich with history, and chock full of landmarks that were some of the strongest building blocks that exist within the American legacy. When you have made the choice about which new auto suits you and your family best, you can pile in and see monumental landmarks such as the East Tennessee History Center: built in 1874, it was originally the first United States Custom House and Post Office. Also one of the first places in Knoxville to be named to the National Register of Historic Places, it was renovated to its current condition in 1992. Since this city has such a rich array of things to see and do, you're going to want a vehicle that is very capable when it comes to going the distance.

Just a few short years ago, the entire electric car idea had not arrived in fully-finished format, as the more reputable and solidly-backed entity it is now. This milestone vehicle has set the mark for all-electric vehicle range in Consumer Reports' testing, with the accomplishment of a 250-mile distance on just one charge. In a completely different instance with a head-to-head scenario, the bolt out-performed the Tesla model S 75D by 15 miles on its charge. To properly put an automobile to the test, you really have to cover multiple bases, and the Consumer Reports Auto Test Center is located in rural Connecticut, where the turning of summer to fall will soon provide some very scenic terrain to charge haplessly through.

The cars team tests around 60 vehicles annually, driving them a collective total of around 900,000 miles. A full-time staff of around 30 hard-working professionals keeps the test center afloat, and many editors, technicians, photographers, and engineers get the opportunity to weigh in with their expertise. Last year alone, the team spent over $2 million to buy cars, so they could make sure to maintain varying levels of independence as far as really laying down the law and getting to know the quirks of a car. A straight section, 3,500-foot handling course, accident-avoidance course, 33-percent rock hill, and brake-test straightaway with wet and dry pavement are all on hand to evaluate ride performance and comfort.

As far as routine handling, the testers judge this parameter with a lengthy one-day trip, that consists of a network of local roads that range from a smooth highway to secondary two-lane roads, with rural patches for good measure as well. Trained engineers assess how well the car deals with various curves in the roads, and the vehicle's turning circle is measured by technicians for ease of parking and maneuverability when located in tighter-than-usual spaces.

If you come pay us a visit down here on the lot at West Chevy, we'll give you the low down scoop on what is truly the world's first affordable long-range, all-electric car. Doing zero to sixty in about six and a half seconds, this is a ride that has been billed as even “smoother than the BMW I3”, and the new Bolt is capable of getting any family around perfectly, minus the gasoline factor!

2018 Chevy Traverse Update on Stock, Prices, and Trim: Biggest is The Baddest

With summer changing to fall in the very near future, many parents at home are thinking about finding recreation options for the kids during a few last weeks of warm weather and no school. There is no shortage of great parks in Knoxville, and you can pile the entire crew into a vehicle like the Traverse for a trip in no time. Anchor Park in Farragut has lots of great shade, a beautiful lake, swings, and well-equipped modern playground. There's also an awesome sandbox, and everyone in your group will love the thrill when a train goes by the premises.

Founders Park at the Campbell Station has abundant shade, and perfect trails for walking along a creek that runs through the park, adding to the scenery and Instagram-able factor. This is one of the coolest places in Knoxville for a picnic, and take some family photos to enjoy throughout the rest of the year. If it seems like the plentiful heat from the summer is just not ready to ease up yet, you can use an able and trusty vehicle like the new Traverse to take the gang to McFee Park, with its ultra-fun splash pad. The water and the fun playground layout with lots of slides and climbing make for an outing that they will undoubtedly be tugging on your sleeve to do again.

The official announcement came from the top of the Chevy ranks last week that the pricing for the newly-revamped Traverse begins at $30,875, and eager customers can visit Chevy.com/Traverse to configure, check additional price specs, as well as the bold new look that polishes off the high-performance specs SUV customers demand. There are more trim choices available this year: L, LS, LT, and Premier, with the addition of the sporty RS, and top-of-the-line High Country level. You'll also want to hurry down and feast your eyes on the way the Traverse looks with the Redline package: featuring a blacked-out appearance and standout red accents.

When you are in the act of carting everyone around for some late summer fun, you're going to greatly appreciate the Enhanced Smart Slide seat: it provides easy access to the third row, even when the forward-facing child seat is empty. USB charging is present in all three rows for all of your mobile devices, and Teen Driver Technology Is on board to assure that the younger drivers in the household abide, learn, perfect their driving, and stay consistently safe. Rear Vision Camera is one of the most-appreciated features in brand new vehicles: many children end up lingering in driveways to play and congregate, and you want a good view of the area you are backing into.

Bigger is absolutely better if you have a large family or a penchant for the outdoorsy: the mass cargo volume in the Traverse in 98.2 cubic feet, and the hidden underfloor cargo storage is 3.2 cubic feet. The center console is the size of what would usually be found in trucks, and there are 23 storage spots throughout for everyone to amply store carry-on. If anyone in your troupe needs a snooze break, the active noise cancellation feature will become entirely useful, and the Traverse even has a humidity sensor feature. It detects unwanted moisture, and diverts the sultry air to the windshield zone, immediately preventing the fogging factor.

The Chevrolet My Link infotainment system does a stellar job of constantly keeping everyone on board connected, and one of the coolest features ever is the my Chevrolet mobile app: it provides numerous ways to monitor your vehicle remotely, and check important diagnostics. While you're on the lot with us in Knoxville checking out all of the ways that the Traverse can make your busy life easier, you'll want to take note of the Surround Vision Cameras: they provide a bird's eye view of the vehicle, and will help make reverse, parking, and trailer duties a great deal easier.