GM Authority Celebrates Chevy Tahoe's 25th Birthday With Up-Close Look at 2021 Model

The Chevy Tahoe is preparing for its 25^th birthday celebration, and the folks on staff at GM Authority cranked out a cool feature this week taking a look at the new model. The original Tahoe was introduced for the 1995 model year and used a design to combine the maneuverability of a short wheelbase truck with the everyday practicality of a 4-door SUV. It was designed to ensure it could tow well and also go off-road, while also being comfortable enough to embark on a long road trip.

This proved to be a combination that the automotive-loving masses flocked to, and the Tahoe quickly became the best-selling full-size SUV in the nation and has held onto that title for 19 consecutive years. Originally intended to meet the demand in the all-purpose family vehicle niche, the Tahoe has also become commonly used as an anchor and high-performing fleet leader for law enforcement agencies. The Tahoe Police Pursuit Vehicle boasts a very high-output alternator and battery for running necessary onboard electronics, as well as upgraded brakes and suspension.

Right after the vehicle was released during the mid-1990s, police customers began to see the Tahoe's potential, and the Tahoe Police Package was created. December 10^th is the date we've been given here at West Chevy of Knoxville for when the wraps are pulled off of the next-generation 2021 Chevy Tahoe, which will ride on the GM  T1 body-on-frame vehicle platform. Both the Tahoe and next-generation Suburban will come with an independent rear suspension, and it's thought that the turbocharged 2.7-Liter L3B inline 4-cylinder and 5.3-liter L84 V8 engines will be employed in the vehicles, paired to the GM 10-speed transmission.

We're excited to announce that this model may be as much as 300 pounds lighter than the outgoing one, and it will also have improved 3rd-row configuration and usability. Autonomous driving features are some of the elements that are truly giving us an up-close peek at what driving will be like in the future. The “Super Cruise” feature that will be included in regards to the new Tahoe allows the driver to removed their hands from the wheel during long stretches of highway driving.

It uses cameras, GPS information, and radar sensors to steer and brake during highway driving, and is also capable of full-speed range adaptive cruise control and lane centering. Another change for the incoming models are what is included on the LT Signature Package: 20” by 9” chrome wheels, P275/55R20 all-season Blackwall tires, bright bodyside moldings, grille insert, polished exhaust tip, chrome recovery hooks, and chrome assists step kit are all included in the mix!

New Camaro Model Announced For Thrilling 2020 Nascar Cup Series

Last week the announcement was made that Chevy teams in the 2020 Nascar Cup Series would be driving the Camaro ZL1 1LE, which will be the fastest, most track-capable production Camaro of all time. This exciting and world-class car will replace the SS for the 2018 NASCAR Cup Series season, and so far this year, the ZL1 has produced seven wins. Chase Elliott has 4 under his belt, and Kurt Busch, Kyle Larson, Alex Bowman, and Justin Haley all have one each.

With the new model, engineers went hard to work optimizing aerodynamic performance by using computational fluid dynamics, simulations, and full-scale wind testing to hone in and create the best track contender possible. The new ZL1 1LE is the absolute highest performer within the Camaro lineup, and the Chevy namesake has won a record of 39 NASCAR manufacturer championships, seeing 13 titles in a row from 2003 – 2015. Chevy drivers have achieved a record 31 championships, including Jimmie Johnson's record-tying seventh three years ago. The 2020 NASCAR Cup Series will be the 72^nd season for the thrilling sport of stock car racing, and the 49^th season for the modern-era Cup Series.

The season will begin at Daytona International Speedway with the Advance Auto Parts Clash, the Gander RV Duel qualifier, and the 62^nd running of the sun-splashed Daytona 500. Just two weeks ago, it was announced that Go Fas Racing created an alliance with Stewart-Haas Racing to glean chassis, data, and technical support from them beginning next year. On October 16 of 2019, JTG Daughterty Racing announced that they signed Ricky Stenhouse JR to a multi-year deal, and three weeks later, Landon Cassil stated in an interview that he plans to stay put in the StarCom Racing no. 00 Chevy for 2020.

On October 1 of 2019, NASCAR officially released the rules listings for 2020. Among the

changes is the reduction of road crew members from 12 to ten, and teams with three or more cars are now limited to just three roster spots. This year after 21 years of being NASCAR's Premiere Fourth of July weekend event, the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway will now move to August and becomes the final race of the regular season. Everyone here at West Chevy of Knoxville is beyond excited to see how the most powerful Camaro ever fares during one of the most exciting pastimes in America, and we’ll keep you posted right here as the multitudes of Michelin rubber hit the pavement!

2020 Corvette Performance Numbers Wow Everyone, Including Chevy Engineers

Official data now confirms that the 2020 Chevy Corvette Stingray coupe equipped with the Z51 Package reaches the 60 MPH mark in 2.9 seconds and conquers the quarter-mile in 11.2 seconds at 121 MPH. Even without the help of the Z51 pack, this year's new mid-engined Corvette makes it to 60 in 3.0 seconds, and still kills the quarter-mile at the same 11.2-second mark. We love this milestone in automotive history that allows the brand we love to  represent so much here at West Chevy of Knoxville the right to brag that it's the fastest base model in the vehicle's existence!

Alex Macdonald, Chevrolet vehicle performance manager, said that the performance of the 2020 Stingray has exceeded his expecatations, truly standing out as a milestone in history. One of the major changes from older models is that the engine now features revised camshafts that increase valve lift duration. There is now an overhauled intake manifold that the mill breathes through, which has an increased plenum volume. The new exhaust puts to use four-into-one twisted headers that are fabricated rather than casting, ultimately saving in weight factor.

The engine has a dry-sump oil system that uses three scavenge pumps that can cope with the demands of high  acceleration on the track. The low-profile oil pan also allows for a lower center of gravity, and the engine runs through an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission gleaned from Tremec. The final drive, differential, controls system, sensors, lubrication, and cooling hardware are all packed into a complete unit through integrated construction. If you want to get an earful of the delightful exhaust, pulling both shift paddles behind the steering wheel allows the driver to free rev the powerplant while parked in neutral.

The transmission is governed by three driving modes: the smooth Touring, aggressive Sport, and peak performance range of Track. Just two weeks ago, the staff on duty at Car and Driver claimed it was even “More than the best Corvette Ever”, and that it definitely lives up to the heavily-generated hype surrounding its release. They had based their ecstatic opinion on the new ride after timed laps at Grattan Raceway outside of Grand Rapids, Michigan, where they determined that the mid-engined model's handling advantage over the outgoing C7 was indeed very real. We invite you to come down after the holidays to check out just how 60.6 percent of the car' mass being situated over the rear tires is a game-changer off the line, and also boasts by far the best Corvette interior ever!

Motor Trend Puts 2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 to Test, Rank it as “Heavy-Hitting Value Rich with Performance”

A half-ton truck powered by diesel was not exactly an idea that was born yesterday, but since there is so much fierce competition now for the top spot in the game, every major truck manufacturer has been making big moves to claim stakes. As all of us here at West Chevy of Knoxville know, the Silverado is no stranger to this path, but had lately seen many mourning the continued sense of loss after the V-8 diesels disappeared within the Silverado lineup in the late 90's.

The trusty staff on duty at Motor Trend offered up a feature over the past week that was all about the challenge at hand rivals Ram 1500 EcoDiesel and Ford F-150 offer up and the many ways in which the 2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 meets the challenge. When features editor Scott Evans drove the 2020 Silverado 1500 Duramax during its highly-publicized press launch, he then thought the acceleration from 0 to 60 mph would take around 8.7 seconds. But road test editor Chris Walton took just 7 seconds flat for the Silverado RST Duramax, happily pushing the envelope while sampling the new diesel-driven goods.

The 1500 Duramax 2WD is rated to tow up to 7,600 pounds, and while under near-capacity burden, still went from 0 to 60 mph in just 16 seconds. Test drivers reported a very smooth warmth from the engine at beginning growl as well as mid-point muster and also claimed that it pulls a trailer as if it weren't even there. The Motor Trend experts made one claim that we want every die-hard truck fan to hear loud and clear: the Ford F-150 lurched AND struggled under weight, and on a steep incline close to Davis Dam near the Arizona-Nevada border, the Duramax controlled power allocation and the trailer very well with everything the crew threw at it.

There were a few major changes made to the suspension for the 2020 model year, and all of the expert opinions on this test run claimed that the noise reduction factor was unbelievable: we guarantee you won't have the faintest clue you're sporting diesel power. In the end, it was performance factor and overall capability that made the Silverado stand out from the crowd as far as this feature was concerned and to properly sway burly truck lovers towards the diesel variant.

Brandishing an EPA-rated 33 MPG on the highway, there are so many good reasons to come down and get your eager hands on a new Diesel Silverado now. Just to put this in a bit of perspective for you, the 2019 Ford Fiesta ST is a sizzling hatchback that weighs under 3,000 pounds and has an engine half the size of trucks nails down 32 mpg when ousted to the open road. We will keep you posted right here on the blog regarding updates and news related to the 1500, and its ability to effortlessly conquer any obstacle, towing duty, or hovering hazard!