GM Authority Offers up Spy Shots of 2024 Chevy Silverado HD ZR2 Spotted Test Driving in Michigan

GM Authority sources revealed that Chevy was actively working on a new and red rock-crushing Chevy Silverado HD ZR2 model that would equip the heavy-duty pickup with the off-road capability of the light-duty Silverado ZR2. All of us here at West Chevy of Knoxville have long had much admiration for the ZR2’s massive off-road ability, and we were excited to see it testing on public roads in Michigan, giving a rough idea of what to expect from the future off-roader. 

There is nothing more rewarding than a weekend spent in the mud and tundra after feeling pent up for five days straight or facing a steep incline and getting ready to dig your paws full in and fire up the hillside! The spies getting these particular shots had to use a pretty long lens to photograph the truck from quite a way away, but you can still make out details of the vehicle's front fascia and style of wheels and tires that it will boast. The grill was partially concealed by camouflage but appears to feature a similar design to the light-duty Silverado ZR2, along with the same fog lights.

This prototype also had a beefy front underbody skid plate that was different from the one seen on the Silverado’s Trail Boss trim, appearing like the skid plate seen on GMC Sierra AT4X prototypes. Always ready for the demands that any cracked canyon or newly-discovered fire trail will offer, the ZR2 is expected to offer both the 6.6-Liter V8 L8T gas engine and the 6.6-Liter V8 S5P turbodiesel Duramax. Here the spies were able to clearly make out a large green sticker marked “diesel” over the fuel door, clueing us in to the presence of the capable and primo presence of the Duramax.

There will now also be the introduction of the GM 10-Speed automatic transmission as a replacement for the L8T’s six-speed, along with a revised version of the L5P Duramax that will crank out nearly 1,100 lb-ft of torque, and more than 500 horsepower. This spotted prototype also had a very memorable wheel and tire combination with camo-wrapped off-road rims wrapped in extra knobby and trail-ready Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT tires. Other things that will set the HD ZR2 apart from the lower trim models include new dampers that could be much like the MultiMatic DSSV dampers used on the Silverado ZR2 and Colorado ZR2, along with an off-road front bumper sporting removable end caps. 

The Chevy Silverado HD ZR2 will also be equipped with front and rear locking differentials, a game-changing element along with new specialty dampers for the boulder-conquering and stream ready ZR2. So many truck fans are looking to get off-road now and enjoy what the wilderness has to offer: mountain vistas, a long distance from the concrete confines of the city, and plowing forward rapidly through dirt will be a snap with this incoming model: we will keep you posted right here regarding upcoming spy shots, where the 2024 ZR2 will be produced, and just how fast it continues to lead among the trail-savvy and load-ready pack!

2021 Chevy Corvette “Finishes First” Once Again by Claiming Prestigious eNVY Award

The 2021 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray is one of the blisteringly fast and furious favorites here at West Chevy of Knoxville, as it displays all-American spirit, the most amazing supercar technology in existence, and world-class thrills at a reasonable price. Once again receiving another award to put in its very own virtual trophy chest, the 2021 Corvette has enjoyed recognition as the best premium sports car in the recent inMoment eNVY Awards. These are given to 2021 model-year vehicles, with winning vehicles delivering on buyer expectations concerning 5 key car qualities.

Comfort, performance, quality, safety, and ownership cost are the qualities that the winning vehicles are judged on, determined thanks to new vehicle buyers’ sources of independent feedback collected during the inMoment New Vehicle Customer Study. Here the valuable opinions of 290,000 domestic and 50,000 Canadian responses were looked at that were collected from buyers and 325 different types of vehicles. After these criteria were evaluated, the 2021 Corvette was able to claim the win as Best Premium Sports car in the Premium Vehicle Segment. 

Other proud winners included the 2021 GMC Yukon in the Best Large SUV category, as well as the Chevy Silverado 3500HD as the Best Full-Size Heavy Duty Pickup in the Mass Market Vehicle Segment. The exhilarating and very modern power source for the 2021 Corvette is derived from the naturally-aspirated 6.2-Liter V8 LT2 gas engine, which is rated at 495 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. This fantastic and always over-achieving car is exclusively produced at the Bowling Green Assembly Plant, boasting 1 million square feet of capable and high-tech manufacturing space on 212 acres. 

They heartily celebrated their 30th anniversary of production in June of 2011, and over 50,000 eager tourists visit here annually to check out “how it’s made”. This stealth and fire-breathing machine boasts performance that rivals that of exotic cars, a comfort level that is good enough to drive on the daily, and an exhaust note that is thrilling even when it’s not opened at full throttle. By placing the engine behind the seats, Chevy has massively upped the performance level needed to truly land in the desired ranks of the high-performing and standalone supercar.

Also snagging a Car and Driver 10Best award and making their editor’s choice list, the all-out guts and glory of the Z51 Performance Package sets in to make the ‘Vette amazingly track-capable. The 2021 model had seen the addition of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, new options for digital gauge display, and a Buckle-to-Drive safety feature that prevents the standard automatic transmission from shifting out of park until the seat belt is safely buckled up. The new Corvette’s interior remains as a two-seat layout, but the cabin is moved up closer to the nose of the car to accommodate the engine, and the roof is removable to offer up the opportunity to fully enjoy an ideal day along with a side helping of G-force.

2024 Chevy Blazer EV Rendering Featured on InsideEVs.com Blog

It was last October when GM first announced plans for an all-electric Chevy Blazer crossover and wanted it to fulfill the role of an “affordable, high-volume entry” in the burgeoning EV market. Last month we were all watching intently here at West Chevy of Knoxville when there was a first glimpse of the electric Blazer provided in SS performance guise, with a very short video showing the charging port with a motorized flap six-spoke alloy wheels, and front fender sporting SS badges.

At that point, not many more details were given besides the 2024 Blazer SS becoming available during spring 2023, and then last month there were initial spy shots of what was likely a 2024 Blazer EV prototype. There were the very typical heavy camouflage and placeholder headlights along with tail lights, as well as a few other details that were the same from the teasers, enough to convince the InsideEV’s staff that it was a Blazer EV with the final production body. When compared to the Equinox EV that GM has frequently teased, the Blazer is envisioned with a different fascia and headlamps situated in very straight enclosures. 

Other things that are a bit more different upfront are a closed-off grille, horizontal lower inlet that can allow for more valuable airflow to the battery pack, and the helpful addition of a protective skid plate. When looked at from the side, the Blazer EV features a much longer hood than usual for an EV, 21-inch aero-optimized alloys, and a roofline that slopes gradually forward. On the rear end, you’ll see a shark-fin antenna, a raked rear windscreen, and a roof-integrated spoiler that wraps itself around the sides of the rear glass.

 

All official sources have claimed that the Blazer EV is expected to be poised on GM’s third-generation electric vehicle platform, and feature the benefit of Ultium batteries. We’d think that an all-electric range of around 300 miles would be the norm, and the base-model should feature a single-motor, rear-wheel-drive setup, with the SS model existing in all-wheel drive and a dual-motor powertrain. The Equinox EV’s official reveal has been said to occur during early fall 2022, and all our loyal customers here are sure to share our excitement over an Eco-conscious and very budget-minded model like this joining the bowtie ranks. 

For the 2022 model available right here at West Chevy, you’ll find brand-new features for the year including the RS trim with sporty details, revised front and rear styling, a 2.0-liter turbo-4 that rejoins the engine lineup, 19-inch black wheels, black exterior badging, an RS shift knob, and black upholstery with red contrast stitching.

Tapping the Unbelievable to Produce the Always Valuable: New EVS can add to Range from Driver’s Body Heat

At the start of this year, GM revealed the all-new Chevy Silverado EV, an all-electric work truck boasting 664 horsepower and up to 400 miles of driving range. These impressive figures were made possible with its Ultium powertrain, and thanks to a new patented innovation that Chevy has revealed, any truck lover has even more reason to love the ingenious technology.

It has now been surprisingly announced to us here at West Chevy of Knoxville that the batteries onboard the Ultium-based EVs can capture and repurpose waste energy from the battery. This enables these vehicles to increase their range, charging speed, and even provide a sportier driving characteristic. Every component that makes up an electric powertrain has the capability of producing a massive amount of heat, but so do the physical bodies of the passengers! This unique type of stored energy can be deployed expertly to heat the cabin quicker in cold weather than similar systems that exist in vehicles with an internal combustion engine. 

This stored energy can provide the EV with as much as 10% more range, and Ultium vehicles can potentially charge more efficiently with the batteries being warmed up before they begin to charge. The demand based on initial reservations for the Silverado EV has been startling, as the 2021 4th-quarter earnings announcement offered up the confirmation that the Silverado EV reservations have already risen above the 110,000 mark.

 

With this demand, GM has now decided to double down firmly on its Ultium Platform and various other EV variants by offering up an additional $7 billion to expand its EV assembly capacity. When the Silverado EV was revealed at last Year’s CES Show, eager reservations for the RST First Edition Range were filled in only 12 minutes. More than 250 fleet operators have officially stated a desire to add the truck to their operations, and are anticipating its accommodations, spacious interior, and high capability.

The “Open Watts” drive mode is where you can nail down the highest amount of horsepower and torque, and the very head-turning zero to 60 mph acceleration stat. Now called the Multiflex Midgate, the super cool wall separating the bed from the cab can be lowered in a 60/40 split to increase the effective bed length while still leaving room for an extra rear passenger. The Silverado EV’s tonneau cover provides weatherproofing, and GM’s Super Cruise driver-assist technology comes with the RST and allows for hands-free driving on designated freeways.