Autoblog Heralds 2018 Chevy Impala as “Among the Best on the Road”

Always dominating as a very recognizable and solid presence in the auto world, the Chevy Impala has a very long history, dating all the way back to 1958. The base model now features a V6 engine, and its many features were revamped thoroughly for the 2014 release four years ago. This is when the Impala LT was graced with the new presence of leather seats, and the premier and LT trim levels saw Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality. The refresh in 2014 was the time when the Impala was able to really resurrect itself, escaping lines that were a bit confined and dreary. With a newly chiseled appearance, there is more confidence shining through, even with its still-present practical charm.

This year's model has the distinct label of the best-equipped Impala ever, and there are 10 airbags installed to ensure optimum protection of all passengers. There are other high-ranking safety features such as adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and lane-departure warning. If safety is one of the most important traits for your new car, the Impala earned a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In the rollover resistance category the car came in at 4 stars, but this is a very specifically calculated feature, and one that has a bit of a known gray area in terms of outcome.

The LT trim level is the second up the ladder, and is where you really get to experience the one-of-a-kind appeal and luster that the new Impala evokes. While it is still a 4-cylinder, there is the valuable addition of MyLink infotainment, cloth and leatherette upholstery, extremely comfortable power lumbar for the front passenger, Bluetooth audio and phone, dual-zone automatic climate control, and 18-inch alloy wheels. Come experience a test drive in the new Impala at West Chevy during March, and see how the Premium trim level really ups the comfort factor. The V6 then becomes part of the package, and you also obtain perforated leather-upholstered seats, heated front seats, a power passenger seat, 19-inch wheels, pushbutton start, and rear parking sensors.

At first glance of the interior, the Autoblog testing team claimed that it was more spacious than competitors such as the Hyundai Azera, and Toyota Avalon. With plenty of room for five passengers and multiple luggage items, the front seats also are ranked by this crew highly for providing better support than any competitors. The head and leg space on board is able to comfortably accommodate nearly any body size, and 18.8 cubic feet of trunk space goes a long way when the grocery store or soccer field are slated destinations.

Once situated on the road and driving, the Autoblog testing team rated the Impala as an “athletic-quality performer”, and claimed that it had an excellent balance of ride comfort and balance. Praised for its quickness and accuracy, the belt-driven electric power steering does not provide any sluggishness in its response, and has a characteristically light and easy sense of handling. As far as its balance, the Autoblog team rated the Impala as greater than the Ford Taurus, Hyundai Azura, and Toyota Avalon.

Blazing through the 0-60 run in just 6.8 seconds, the V6 Impala offers up a very robust sense of power with smooth characteristics, minus the grunt and over-the-top muscle that other competitors possess. With spring coming soon here in Knoxville, paying heed to Autoblog's advice and making the decision to purchase a new Impala is sure to inspire you. You can count on many thrilling drives in your very new future, whether the rear seats are occupied or not!

Consumer Reports Deems 2018 Chevy Trax “Economical, Young at Heart”

As Spring comes closer to Knoxville residents, everyone here at West Chevy begins to get excited about warmer weather, and an abundance of things to do. Next month is when one of the absolute biggest events of the year here takes place: The Big Ears Festival. This is the biggest, boldest, and most exciting festival experience around, and has become one of the most eagerly anticipated music events in the world. It is a fun-filled 4-day weekend, featuring some of the most talented musicians and composers of our time. Rock, jazz, folk, electronica, and classical are all represented. There are over 100 live music events that take place during this time, in concert halls, places of worship, listening rooms, galleries, and small clubs.

When you are loading up the entire entourage to go see an event like this, the subcompact SUV is one of the best options to get there in style, and with a solid sense of fuel efficiency. If constructed in a top-notch manner, the subcompact SUV fulfills the needs of a budget price, versatility with interior features, and the addition of all-wheel-drive for any type of weather. The 2018 Trax is Chevy's answer to the very versatile slot for an SUV, situated directly beneath the Equinox. Consumer Reports has for many years been a trusted authority regarding informing customers how cars handle, and providing all of the pros and cons of any new purchase.

When they test drove the Trax, this very respected publication called it a success, and praised it for its very wide appeal, while at the same time being a top vehicle offering for the truly young at heart. The very precise and agile features during the drive rival many other vehicles that are slaying it in terms of popularity in the same category, and it nails down these achievements even after undergoing some sacrifice during the manufacturing process for high fuel efficiency. The U.S. News and World Report gave the Trax great marks for its remarkable turning radius, supportive seats, as well as very easy and precise maneuverability.

Many Knoxville car buyers have one item listed in their “very necessary” category, and this is the presence of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Competitors such as the Mazda CX- 3 do not have this useful and high-tech amenity on their offering list. You'll be able to seat five on your next long trip in the Trax, and the staff atConsumer Reports were greatly impressed with the amount of head and legroom. One of the things that people who pay us a visit here at West Chevy for a test drive notice first is the great grand total of cargo space: the Trax offers 19 cubic feet for you to work with.

It's ample space for necessary vacation luggage, a cooler for the lake, and chairs for memorable times like 4^th of July fireworks. You'll also find two USB ports for charging, and a MyLink infotainment system with 7-inch touchscreen located on board, to assure that your passengers are able to keep up on their favorite re-runs, check the weather, or find directions for your next leg of the journey.

2018 Chevy Traverse RS Delivers Top-rate Performance, First-class Cargo Room

During the winter months here at West Chevy in Knoxville, some of you may picture us in a group around the table, trying to stay warm, sometimes shoveling a bit of snow, and having more time on our hands than usual. While this is a funny way to envision things, it is actually far from the truth! We are loaded up for the New Year with excellent financing options, new models on the lot, and are anxious to offer test drives for those of you making the move to purchase. One of the very exciting and feature-filled additions to the 2018 mix is the brand new Traverse RS. Proudly touting turbocharged performance and aggressive new styling options, it adds an element of very thrilling-to-drive charm into the existing midsize SUV category.

Based on the redesigned 2018 Traverse, the RS boasts a front-running maximum cargo room of 98.2 cubic feet, more technology options than the previous model, and an enhanced list of safety features to effectively protect you and your passengers. Some customers noticed during years past that the Traverse could use a release that provided a bit more of a street-inspired appearance, and this comfortable and connected version offers up integrated options for every lifestyle. The unique design element that really allows the RS to stand apart from the crowd is the black grille, followed up closely by black window trim, roof rails, and bowtie emblems, as well as a 20-inch aluminum wheel set finished with a dark Android hue.

The RS is the very first in the Traverse family to offer turbocharged performance, providing a very rich and spirited driving experience, with a unique breed of punch and off-the-line engagement. A direct-injected Ecotec 2.0-liter turbo engine completes the task of generation up to 257 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, paired to a 9-speed automatic transmission. Estimated fuel economy is 20 mpg for the city, and 26 mpg on the highway, a standing accomplishment for a vehicle with the solidity and cargo space of the Traverse RS.

Many customers that we have talked to rank comfort as the highest quality on their list, as they truly want to feel at home while on longer travels. The Traverse RS provides Jet Black Leather-appointed seating, heated front seats, and tri-zone automatic climate control to keep everyone snug and in good spirits. Ask us about how you can also get hooked up with the Bose Premium 10-speaker audio system: there is no better way to assure that you have a pleasurable drive than by having ample capabilities for the tunes.

Remote Keyless Entry is also a lifesaver for many who may be running a bit late, and safety features such as Rear Cross Traffic Alert will solidify peace of mind for you during any tense moments in your commute. You'll also have the awesome added safety feature of a 360-degree camera on board: it is now more pertinent than ever to give the area around you a thorough check before embarking on the road!

2019 Camaro Could Very Well Feature Seven-Speed Originating From 'Vette

As the promise of a bit warmer weather bears down on the people of Knoxville and staff here at West Chevy, we are beginning to envision the driest of roads, budding flowers, and greener grass. Along with this also comes thoughts about sportier models of cars: we understand the popularity of crossover SUVs and sedans, because they really do seem to be among the most practical of choices out there. But admittedly, there are times when raw power, the ability to maneuver around corners like a true boss, and amazing speeds off the line really have their place. Daydreams about taking corners at very fast paces in cars such as the legendary Camaro are bound to instantly cure the winter blues of just about any racing enthusiast!

The folks at Autoweek blog recently reported that the 2019 Chevy Camaro SS will come with either a six or seven-speed manual transmission, as well as the option for a standard 8-speed automatic. Other sources say that it could very well be the seven-speed from the Corvette but that it may not be identical: The 'Vette incorporates a Tremec TR-6070 transmission, mounted in the rear. What the Camaro puts to use is more standard form of engine-mounted transmission, so the packaging would need to have slight differences, even if the assorted components from the TR-6070 make the full transition.

For 2019, many have noticed that the Camaro only has one 6.2-liter engine listed, and this creates a bit of a gray area regarding future placement of the 650-hp ZL1. Most of us here speculate that Chevy is going to be looking to get higher mileage numbers out of it, and a cruising gear with triple overdrive could accomplish that feat. There could also be a chance that maybe a fully new line of Camaro variant that produces higher horsepower could be on the drawing board for the future. If this does happen to be the case, it would provide a hefty rival for the Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang, which is scheduled to make an appearance next year as well.

One transmission type that was not discussed In any of the spec documents was the 10-speed automatic. Ford and GM co-developed the 10-speed gearbox, and it was first introduced to the driving public by Chevy in the 2017 Camaro Zl1. Ford has equipped the F-150 and expedition with it, and there is still a but of uncertainty regarding the transmission issue. We definitely expect the 2019 Camaro model to arrive with tweaked exterior styling, and may switch up its equipment enough to make way for a more affordable V-8 powered car.

Spy shots from last year show that due to both front and rear being covered in camouflage, there will probably be a full refresh of the exterior. New headlights would make sense, perhaps a new grille up front, and new taillights would also be plausible. We understand that a few staunch critics thought that newer Camaros have not looked very different from older models, but it was important to the brand that the familiar namesake carried on, even during periods of advancement. We will keep everyone posted on all of the news surrounding the upcoming 2019 model, and will be festering a large amount of excitement: this is a vehicle that has been the winning part of the formula for numerous victory laps over the years!

West Chevy's Virtual Track Watch: 2019 Corvette ZR1 Outruns Famed Ford GT

Knoxville residents have been dealing with some below-average temps lately, and while we are not miserable, are surely keeping our daydreams about spring revved up in full-force. Bombing corners, looking at track schedules, and examining up-close the powerful engines that drive the track ponies are all top-notch pastimes for warm weather. The Virginia International Speedway has long been a proving grounds for those who love exhilarating levels of speed, and a firm anchor on the East Coast for various types of racing action. First-class excitement such as the Pirelli World Challenge, MotoAmerica Championship of Virginia, and Grassroots MotorsportsMagazine's Hyperfest Tire Rack Car Challenge are all on tap to curb your urge for the best in racing excitement.

Recently chosen by Car and driver as one of the top six road courses in the nation, this is where the Ford GT Supercar set a production lap record. This year, our famed 2019 Corvette ZR1 actually aced the task of shattering that record! The Chevy team was out on the track recently honing their craft with test driver Jim Mero, and the 755-hp 6.2-liter supercharged V8 clocked a time of 2:37.25 for the completion of the 4.1-mile circuit. Dominating over the GT's time by 1.37 seconds, this is an achievement that all of us here at West Chevy in Knoxville were heartily rooting for. Both the Ford and Chevy cars were showroom spec grade, and were not equipped with any performance enhancements while getting the job done.

The ZR1 boasted the addition of the ZTK Performance Package, which provides summer-only tires, a track-focused tune for suspension, and a downforce-producing aero kit. There are many rumors flying around this year that GM is set to complete work on a mid-engine supercar, which may be the Corvette's replacement next year. Some think the 'Vette has pushed the limits of performance for a design incorporating the use of a front engine, but last year, Road and Track claimed excitedly that this is the “Fastest street car GM has ever made”. They also claimed that the ZR1 is the  “True King of the Hill” among all of the healthy contenders that make up the track realm.

One of the first things you'll notice is the two gaping openings in the front of the cover: these combine forces to work hard overtime to efficiently extrude the hot air pouring out of the engine bay. In terms of how power is created, the ZR1's new pushrod V8 features a 52-percent larger supercharger than the LT4 found in the Z06. This is also the very first incorporation of GM's dual injection system in a vehicle, paving the way for the generation of 755 horsepower, and 715 lb-ft of torque.

The estimated top speed for next year's ZR1 is right at around 201 miles per hour, and any track-savvy steering professional will notice a large difference in the handling, with the presence of 355 section rear tires. Many are watching in amazement to see just how the car with the most carbon fiber ever packed into a vehicle will fare during lap times, and the record-setting performance in Virginia sure fares as a powerful and poised starting point!