Knoxville Holiday Travel Closeup: What Are The Main Stressors for Travelers?

During the holidays, many thousands of people take to the roads, and make the long journey to see family and friends. There are many different properties that people want in a vehicle that is taking them such a distance, and several great reasons to pick Chevy for your first on deck in your household fleet. The Harris Poll recently surveyed 1,063 U.S. Parents of children under 18, to explore the current state of the American road trip. Important issues regarding traveling were discovered, and it was learned that keeping passengers entertained was an objective very high on driver's lists. More than half of American parents said that Wi-Fi and internet connectivity were traits that would make family road trips more enjoyable, making it the top tech commodity desired as a feature.

It is true that books and board games can definitely provide entertainment for your passengers while you are making your way to your destination, but let's face it: kids and teens kinda need the web. Streaming TV shows, video games, social media, and yes, even getting their homework done can all be accomplished by internet surfing. Parents typically bring an average of 6.6 mobile devices in the vehicle on family holiday road trips, and nearly 3 out of 10 parents who take family road trips but do not have Wi-Fi in their car say they would be more likely to take longer or frequent road trips if they had the feature. Unplugging from everyday life and feeling the experience and sensations of the open road were other key reasons that families surveyed loved to pack up and reach their destination in the car.

Just in time for the busy traveling season, Chevy vehicles provide families with a solid anchor that they can use to make very special memories on the road, and be safe as well as entertained during the ride. Chevy was the first automaker to offer 4G LTE Wi-Fi on its cars, trucks, and crossovers, and AppleCarPlay as well as Android Auto have been supported within most of the lineup the last two years. Here on the lot at West Chevy, you can stop by and see just how all of the incredible safety features add up to protect you and your loved ones in vehicles like the 2018 Traverse and Equinox. Size blind zone alert, surround vision, lane keep assist, and lane departure warning are high-tech features that will ease your mind about many of the situations that arise quickly during long holiday trips.

Motor Trend praises the Equinox for its highly connected infotainment system, and a stellar fuel efficiency of around 40 mpg. 29.9 cubic feet of cargo space is entirely not bad for a vehicle that is 4.7 inches shorter than the previous year's model. We invite you to test drive either of these new vehicles fit for your long highway holiday excursions: governed by a 310-hp 3.6-liter V-6, it really provides a powerful and staunch launch off the line. This is definitely an entry into the tech-laden “family bus” category that can't be ignored, and checking out the Equinox and Traverse for the New Year will be sure to keep your passengers happy, while getting you in the direction of turkey and trimmings, on the double! 

Chevy 2019 ZR1 Corvette on “Car and Driver” Cover: Menacingly Massive + 750-Horse

Usually when spy photos are leaked, we have to deal with somewhat of a visual hardship here on the lot in Knoxville. We understand that auto manufacturers have to protect their interests, and that sometimes it is in their favor to hide the goods, literally. When it comes to the new Corvette, this is obviously a car that has been waited on for awhile, and it appears that Car and Driver have completely blown the cover off of the 2019 Chevy Corvette ZR1. At first glance, it is much more aggressive than the current Z06 model, and sports a massive hood vent, as well as brand new bumper.

It is definitely obvious that there should be plenty of available downforce to keep this 750-horsepower machine firmly rooted at high speeds. It is also evident that there are some futuristic tones on display here: this is not anything like the classics: for example, a 1984 Corvette with the curved sight lines and basic yet sporty appearance does appear like a bit simpler of a vehicle. Is this bad? We don't think so. All of us here on the lot at West Chevy think that the nose looking a bit like a Lamborghini is not a bad thing, and that the true stealth appearance it was meant to have may take just a moment to wash over you. What is also incredibly exciting is that this model has 750 horsepower, which is over 100 more than the last ZR1 from four years ago.

One of the stats that has not been disclosed is the time it takes for this incredibly able and dominating creation to make it around the famed German trenches of the Nurburgring track. These tricky proving grounds set amidst the beautiful Eiffel mountains are where the bragging rights to many new vehicle's abilities originate, telling all just how coherent they behave when in true expert-track demand. Corvette chief engineer Tadge Juechter says the team will attempt this feat just after the car goes on sale, during spring 2018. The hopes are high among the most dialed-in that it will break the 7-minute barrier, and some say that it may be able to beat the time of the previous-generation C6 ZR1 by a healthy 20 seconds or so.

Come see us on the lot here at West Chevy, and we'll provide a little show and tell as to what the 6.2-liter, 8-cylinder supercharged, dual-injected engine can provide in the way of top-notch thrills. This is also the first time this car is offered with an automatic transmission, although the 7-speed manual is still available. GM product chief Mark Reuss said in a statement this month that he's “Never driven a Corvette like this before, and nobody else has either, because there's never been one like this before”. There is also a brand new fascia on the ZR1, to channel air for propulsion system and drivetrain cooling, which could be a heavy demand after 8-cylinders finish their duty for the duration. There are varying opinions about the new ZR1, but here's ours in a nutshell: this is one superb piece of craftsmanship that you won't be able to wait one spare second to cut a flashy foxtrot with on the highway! 

The Chevy Colorado ZR2's Upgrade Via AEV: A Thousand Percent Adventure-Ready!

Knoxville truck lovers are going to soon have a reason to feel beyond excited for 2018: the Colorado ZR2 is going to receive a hefty variation, and from none other than the worldwide experts in off-road modification! A company that has its roots in rugged and tough-terrain sporting Missoula, Montana, AEV has been on the cutting edge of the 4WD industry for more than 15 years. This is not just a wheel or suspension company: they now specialize in crafting turn-key vehicles that are rugged, rough, and ready to roll. Successfully partnering with Jeep on the very awesome “Call of Duty” edition, their off-road bumpers, attention to detail, and continuing vision for the future are all top-notch.

This tan truck that was recently revealed at the SEMA show in the balmy desert of Vegas is sure to be a hit with all of those who love to careen off the traditional path, and blast through lonely valleys or canyons. The first big change was the suspension: it was the recipient of a complete engineering overhaul, and new driveline components allow for a 1.5-inch lift. The 35-inch tires on this beast are a thing to behold: at just one look, it appears as if they could not even be punctured by jutted glass. They are mounted to a set of AEV beadlock rims, and are poised and ready to get you through the raging river, or side of a misty mountain's danger zone.

The finished package is powered heftily forward by a 2.8-liter diesel engine, and AEV's custom touch on the front and rear bumpers is solid. Looking at this thing with us on the lot here at West Chevy makes you feel a bit like you could expect the same type of safety that you would glean from a high-grade underwater cage, with all the fixin's in “lock and load” mode. The grille has a more custom appearance than the standard ZR2, and the Chevy bowtie emblem is substituted for the fully-spelled out “Chevrolet” namesake. The roof-high expedition rack is mounted to the bed, and there are tons of goodies inside, just like a stocking on the mantle during the coming holidays. One of them is a portable ARB refrigerator, which can help you be ready for fly fishing, a long day of contracting, or have some cold ones stowed away by the campfire.

We have been impressed as many others in the industry with how well RV's have been enjoying the post-smartphone technology leap. It seems like whenever we go to our favorite lake of campsite to visit our cohorts, the campers they have are equipped with better powering options, outdoor fridges, galleys, device chargers, and immaculate kitchen interiors. The bar has really risen in this zone, and it's impressive. AEV had another great concept in regards to the Colorado ZR2: on this model, they really took that risen-bar factor for RVs, and incorporated it immediately into the new truck realm: there is a panel on the right rear fender that offers up auxiliary power, air compressor, and fresh water system. It's the little things like this that are going to make customers sit up and take notice, and feel that this as a pick for them is more versatile, while being definitely durable and all-around kickass.  

50 Years of Durable Diecast Fun: Camaro 2018 Hot Wheels Special Editions

One absolute favorite memory of so many Knoxville-area children (and adults) is times in basements with your favorite peers on rainy days, spent with jumps, loops, and comparing just how cool the different features of Hot Wheels cars are. 50 years ago, the legendary brand launched its hand-held and very awesome fleet, with 16 tiny replicas of the coolest cars in existence. The Camaro coupe, Firebird convertible, Mustang fastback, Cougar, and Barracuda were some of the models included in this initial release, and Chevy has dreamed up quite a super-charged way to commemorate this history.

Early next year at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, the 2018 Hot Wheels Camaro will be introduced. It receives a bit “Hazard-esque” of an orange crush paint, inspired by the original orange flexible track, which has remained fairly unchanged over the decades. Some of the awesome new details are orange brake calipers, seat inserts, and interior upholstery stitching. There are gray and silver stripes, as well as gray forged 20-inch wheels, that will remind you of the many hours of spinning on the diecast models you've held in your hand throughout the years.

Other high points are a unique new grille with chrome inserts, a ground effects package, dark-lens taillamps set in a black panel with the Hot Wheels emblem, and a very authentic 50^thAnniversary Hot Wheels badge on the steering wheel. The coupes will be the happy recipients of a new spoiler, but convertibles have to retain their stock wing: GPS, telematics antennas, and other radio functions need them to operate. If the street-legal version of this awesome Camaro isn't quite enough for you, there will be 69 very limited edition COPO models, that will be new for next year, with the Hot Wheels edition upgrade. The orange paint is a bit more metallic in appearance, and the graphics package goes awesomely overboard to commemorate this iconic and legendary brand. This stellar show car will be fitted with a new 302-cubic inch racing engine, and will also have unique components that help it out massively in the drag racing domain.

All of the special COPO Camaros will get an SFI-approved ATI TurboHydramatic 400 3-speed automatic transmission, and a drag-optimized suspension in the rear with live-axle. This able beast conquers the quarter-mile in 8 seconds, at speeds of nearly 160 mph. Those original 16 cars 50 years ago were known as the “Sweet 16”, and all had the telltale red pin stripe on their sides. You can still find those basement relics in new versions in stores for the holidays: The Ultimate Garage, Track Builder Power Boost, Stunt Box Playset, and Circuit Speedway are a few of the track sets you can find for that special someone wanting some hardcore miniature action over the holidays. Hot Wheels is a definitive and exciting brand that has no doubt lasted the test of time, and the Camaro is the perfect model to get righteously revved up about for 2018.