Digital Trends Test Drives the 2020 Corvette Stingray and Proclaims it is “Born to Dance”

With a history dating back to the 1950s, the Corvette is absolutely a representation of solid tradition. Yet with the latest, 8^th-generation 'Vette, the car sees the most drastic update in many years. The mid-engined model and plenty of new tech with a cockpit constructed around digital displays is entirely new and almost every single thing has changed regarding performance and handling. The manual transmission has even been axed for a dual-clutch number. The Digital Trends staff agreed that one thing that has not changed is its high value factor: it's priced close to a model such as the Toyota Supra, but its raw performance goes head-to-head with cars in the 6-figure range.

Chevy has contemplated the idea of a mid-engine model since the 1960s, with many concept cars and plans in the making. This is the time when many experts are saying that “it is now elevated from an awesome blue-collar sports car into a rival for European exotics”. The brains and gusto behind the new Corvette was Ed Piatek, the chief engineer for the project. He claimed that Chevy had run out of performance capability with the front-engine build, especially with how rear-wheel-drive limits traction.

After moving the engine behind the driver, more weight is sent to the rear, and those extra pounds help the rear tires with better grip. The driver is now closer to the front wheels, so the steering column can be shorter, which renders the steering more responsive. The car's movement through corners also feels more natural and is one of the reasons why a mid-engine placement is standard for Formula One and IndyCar. There are two trunks in the 2020 Stingray: one in the front, and one in the rear. Between both of them, the new 'Vette has 12.6 cubic feet of total cargo volume.

After a lengthy test drive, writer Stephen Edelstein says that this car is not as stressful to drive as many other mid-engined cars, and the wide windshield offers a perfect view of the road. He took the car for a spin on the Las Vegas Strip, and it was “no more nerve-wracking than any other car”. He was also excited about the 12.0-inch digital instrument cluster, and 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen. There is also a “stealth” mode that shuts down non-pertinent information for night driving, and sensible analog HVAC controls are placed on a long divider between the seats.

Make sure to ask us here at West Chevy of Knoxville about the 2LT trim: this is where you obtain blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. There is also a 360-degree camera system available, along with the digital rearview mirror previously seen in the Chevy Bolt, which streams video directly from a rear-mounted camera, doing the duty of eliminating blind spots. The 2020 Corvette also has a front-end lift system that raises the nose 40 millimeters at the press of a button, and even has memory space for over 1,000 locations!

Colorado ZR2 Bison Crowned as Overland Truck of the Year

The Overland Journal recently announced the star-studded winner of its very first overland Truck of the Year award, handing over the honors to the off-road conquering Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison. The strong rivalry that needed to be overcome for this rallying victory was in the forms of the Honda Ridgeline, Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier, Jeep Gladiator, and Ford Ranger. This testing process involved thousands of clocked miles spend both on and off-road, and heavily weighed factors such as capability, reliability, durability, payload, and even efficiency.

After a rigorous number of test drives, it was unanimously decided that the Bison is “one of the most exceptional overland trucks ever sold in North America”. Chief Editor Scott Brady reflected that “just a list of its features makes it the truck we always wanted, and even better”. The front and rear locking differentials, winch-ready steel front bumper with ¼ panel protection, full-length rock slider, and class-leading suspension were elements that checked all the needed boxes for sheer domination. Production took place seeing a collaboration with class-leading experts American Expedition Vehicles as an extreme off-road variant of the Chevy Colorado ZR2 off-road pickup, and comes with a long list of features for those who prefer dirt heavily over the highway.

As those on duty this week at GM Authority illustrated for their blog, the Bison is equipped with one of two engines: the 3.6L LGZ V6 gas engine, which cranks out 308 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque, or the 2.8-L LWN inline 4-cylinder turbo-diesel, which makes 181 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. Under everything resides the GMT 31XX platform, the same frame as what the GMC Canyon sports. Still offered exclusively as a production variant of the concept that was originally the 2017 ZR2 AEV, the construction takes place at the GM Wentzville factory in Missouri.

The knowledgeable staff at Automobilemag.com were amazed at the raw and practical protection power of the extra skid plates, ground clearance, approach angles, bead-locked wheels, and remote-reservoir shocks bolted onto a truck, greatly expanding the limits beyond a typical weekend off-road-capable model. There are many trails and areas at the ends of the Earth that even the most capable 4X4's struggle to conquer, even with an experienced driver at the helm. This testing team never saw the going got tough after throwing ruts, sand traps, rocky paths, drop-ins, and jutting rocks in the way, and used the locking differentials to always swiftly bail themselves out of trouble.

All of us on staff here at West Chevy of Knoxville have an extreme passion for any truck, let alone those that are always out there pushing the limits. We are proud of the Bison for snagging up yet another award in an arena where normal will never cut it, and cordially invite you to check out the entire Bison line among others this February!

2021 Equinox's Debut at Chicago Auto Show Featured on RoadShow by Cnet

Here at West Chevy of Knoxville, the winter months are always full of excitement and information about new releases! The Chevy Equinox is the best-selling model in our lineup next to the Silverado and was featured on the RoadShow by Cnet blog this week due to its exciting debut at the Chicago Auto Show. It's been given a whole list of updates both inside and out, and these improve the car's cosmetics and also add some safety tech to the mix. The crossover now comes standard with lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, and a following-distance monitor.

You can also obtain option parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, automatic parking assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The front of the Equinox is a bit more reminiscent of the Blazer now, courtesy of a brand-new set of headlights that are a better match for the car's grille. In the back, there's a new set of taillights that have some very cool internal elements, and the tailpipes now boast a much more premium appearance. The two gas engine choices are a 1.5-liter turbocharged I4, or a 2.0-liter turbo four, and they are mated respectively to a six and 9-speed automatic transmission.

One of the biggest updates is the addition of a new trim: the Equinox RS will bring a sportier look to the SUV with its gloss-black grille, black badges and trim elements, and perfectly dark alloy wheels. On the inside, there's an RS-specific shift knob, and contrasting red stitching. Chevy's latest infotainment system carries both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and the Equinox also has been updated with French-stitched upholstery. The staff on duty at The Car Connection praised the new model for its much better front end, and suspension tuned for all-day comfort.

Compared to other best-selling crossovers, the Equinox has a sizable amount of legroom in the back and can hold up to 30 cubic feet of cargo. That space enlarges to nearly 64 cubes when the second-row seats are folded forward, and the leather upholstery in upper-trim levels is very luxurious and eye-catching. Make sure to ask us to check out the Premier edition trim: this is where you snag up a gloss-black grille with chrome inserts, 19-inch machine-faced wheels, and high gloss black finish on the center console. The 2021 Equinox is scheduled at this time to go on sale across the U.S. In fall 2020, and we'll keep you posted right here on the blog about any updates and burgeoning buzz that occurs in the meantime!

2020 Chevy Silverado Proves to be Immensely “Smooth Operator” Post Test-Drive

It's the first time in decades that the Chevy Silverado 1500-size pickup is available with both a diesel motor and an inline-six, and seasoned car writer Gary Gastelu was one of the first on the scene with the news scoop on his blog. The turbocharged 3.0-liter Duramax makes a large splash in the light-duty diesel segment while brandishing its straight-6 design, which operates on fewer moving parts than a V6, and a firing order with more balance and smoother operation. It's an all-new GM designed engine that is also found in the GMC Sierra 1500 and will soon be found in Chevy's  full-size SUVs.

It cranks out 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. For the two-wheel-drive models, the Duramax nails down a 33 mph EPE fuel economy rating, which is better than any pickup that exists.  When equipped with 4-wheel drive, it is in a tie of sorts with the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel 4x4 ranked at 29 mpg. During his extensive test drive, Gary was able to get his 4x4 Silverado LTZ crew cab over 30 mph by hovering around 60 mph, which has always seemed a good median point for full-sized truck effective use.

When it really comes down to the feel of the truck while driving, it has been said to feel more like a V8 than most diesels do. The pistons stand up and rev when you accelerate and is a trait that  makes a solid argument for itself every time you pull up at the pump. Considering what the fuel price average is right now in Anytown, USA, the diesel will save the average driver around $1,000 a year in fuel costs over 15,000 miles when put to the test right next to the 6.2-liter V8.

This is a truck that was designed to deliver the ultimate in both performance and efficiency, and technologies are at play every single second to optimize every drop of fuel, and make the Silverado more aerodynamic than ever before. Nicola Menarini is the head director for diesel truck engine program execution, and she had adamantly claimed early last year that Chevy had leveraged our global diesel expertise to assure this engine offered the performance and durability all of our customers demand daily. Within the aluminum engine block are iron cylinder liners, a forged steel crankshaft, and connecting rods as well as blended silicon/aluminum pistons for greater heat resistance and reduction in expansion.

A brand-new active thermal management system warms up components quickly for better efficiency, and the exhaust brake available in tow-haul mode provides more driver confidence when descending downhill. All of us here on staff at West Chevy of Knoxville are also so keen on one other feature of this best purchase for 2020: the driver-selectable stop start technology enhances fuel economy by completely shutting off the engine at stoplights and other situations, and then restarts automatically when the driver takes their foot off the brake!