Chevy Silverado ZR2 Outshines Competition as North American Truck of the Year Finalist

The Los Angeles Auto Show was the place to get a first glimpse of exciting new models! Making the cut as a star-studded finalist in the “North American Truck of the Year” category, the Chevy Silverado ZR2 displayed outstanding superiority and dependability once again. The yearly NACTOY Awards bestow honor upon new vehicles in three categories that distinctively set selected finalists apart from the norm.

The categories were North American Car of the Year, North American Truck of the Year, and North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. These are all at the pinnacle of achievement and a prime representation of their segments based on excellent innovation, appealing design, safety features, satisfaction, and overall user experience. The winners are determined after three rounds of voting by 50 jurors who are an elite assortment of experts in the field.

Print, web, radio, and broadcast media all are represented, and they vote on an original assortment of 47 eligible vehicles narrowed down to 26 semi-finalists. After decisive second-round voting takes place, the remaining vehicless are then whittled down to nine finalists. In the North American Truck of the Year category, the Chevy Silverado ZR2 faces off against the Ford F-150 Lightning and Lordstown Endurance to vie for the claim of final honors. The vote that decides it all will be cast between December 30th, 2022, and January 5th. Not surprisingly, this year’s NACTOY finalist round had six all-electric vehicles among the ranks.

The Silverado ZR2 is currently a true industry great as its naturally aspirated 6.2-Liter V8 L87 engine dutifully cranks out 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. There are so many amazing goodies that deem the ZR2 a tried-and-true potent off-road warrior: you’ll be conquering challenging terrain courtesy of multimatic shocks, skid plates, and a chunkier tire set. We’ll be watching the Silverado ZR2 intently during the days to come as it will undoubtedly be on the radar of more experts, connoisseurs, and avid auto journalists worldwide. 

GM Authority Details 2024 Chevy Silverado EV 3WT’s 170,000 Pre-Reservations, All-Electric Spin on Winning Nameplate

Electrification has been a topic here at West Chevy of Knoxville that some diehard fans have admittedly been a bit reluctant about when it comes to the capability and features of an established pickup truck. GM Authority detailed some of the fine points that customers will enjoy regarding the Chevy Silverado EV, as they officially got word of pricing and trim information for the 3WT and 2024 Chevy Silverado EV 4WT. 

This savvy and primed-for-work pair are predominantly geared toward fleet buyers, but retail customers still can get in on the action as well. Both models are equipped with dual-zone automatic climate control, an 8-inch driver information center, an 11-inch center touchscreen, along with the wildly popular wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It is also a very positive sign that there are currently over 170,000 reservations for the Chevy Silverado EV, as America’s hardest-working and resilient drivers hold the Silverado in very high regard. 

Both models ride on GM’s latest all-electric BT1 platform with the same underpinnings that are used for the GMC Hummer EV and GMC Sierra EV. The GM Ultium battery technology and GM Ultium electric drive motor technology provide the power, with a segment-leading 400 miles covered between plug-ins. Even though the Silverado EV may have been late to the festive pickup party, the Car and Driver staff claimed that they are certain it will be worth the wait.    

Boasting a 10,000-lb tow rating and 664 horsepower, the Silverado EV comes in at about the same length and height as a regular crew-cab, short-bed Silverado, which is built on a narrower version of the GMC Hummer EV’s underpinnings. Much care was taken to assure that the independent front and rear suspension had just as great or even better characteristics than the gas-powered models. Zero to sixty mph acceleration will be even better than 4.5 seconds, which saddles the EV with the bragging rights to being quicker than the F-150 Lightning. 

Now also equipped with the MultiFlex Midgate, the wall separating the bed from the cab can be lowered in a 60/40 split to increase the effective bed length while still providing ample room for rear passengers. There is also the option to remove the rear glass to be stored in the folding section, enlarging the opening further. The EV’s tonneau cover provides a valuable step up in weatherproofing and the front trunk now provides room for three large suitcases. 

Inside the RST, you’ll see an interior complete with a fixed glass roof and red, white, and blue color scheme. The column-mounted shifter’s new location allows for handy extra storage space in the center console, which now offers extra USB outlets to provide convenience for technology making things easier on the go. Air springs are on deck to raise or lower the truck by two inches, with more off-road equipment to come in future models. Production for the Silverado EV will begin during the second quarter of 2023, with the first batch being WT trim levels available before the RST that arrives on lots in fall 2023.

Stepping up to Your Desired Form and Function: A Guide on Deciding Your 2023 Tahoe Trim Level

The 2023 Chevy Tahoe is a very highly sought-after and test-driven model here at West Chevy of Knoxville, and everyone has been telling us that they can't get enough with its spacious cabin, awesome technology offerings, and engine selections. These larger-size SUVs are great for handling large towing demands and providing you the room you need to get your family around in comfort. This year's model adds the semi-autonomous feature of Super Cruise for the first time, and the RST Performance Edition’s phenomenal 6.2-liter V8.

All three of the engine choices are mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, and the many options now available have made some buyers want to find out about the finer details before they're ready to roll! Beginning with the basics and then stepping up to the top for true luxury during your trip, here is a breakdown of what to expect from each 2023 Tahoe trim. 

The LS Trim is the base-level entry point for getting into the very popular Tahoe, and we listened to drivers when they told us that many standard features were high on their pre-holiday wish lists! With the LS trim, you'll be enjoying the modern goodies that everyone loves today including wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, an 8-inch touch screen, and trizone climate control. Powertrain duties are handled by the 355 horsepower 5.3-liter V8 that's paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, With the option of choosing the 3.0 liter inline 6-cylinder. This is an excellent way to check out exactly what the Tahoe is all about before choosing to upgrade in the future. 

The LT Trim builds up a little bit on all the entry-level Tahoe greatness that you experience with the LS model, beginning with a larger 10.2-inch infotainment system screen and Google Built-in software capability. You’ll also be able to enjoy upgrades in the form of the hands-free liftgate, a 9-speaker Bose premium audio system, and Google built-in software capability. you can also opt to prepare yourself a little bit for inclement weather with the step up to 4-wheel drive.

The RST Trim is one that we find ourselves recommending frequently, as Chevy’s true performance aspects begin to shine! First of all, you’re benefitting from a 13-horsepower increase over the other trims’ 6.2-liter V8. There’s also ABS and driveline Traction control, and the nice luxury touch of Leather Seat trim. You also have navigation at your disposal for any new destinations on your itinerary, and remote keyless entry for all the doors. What we also love about the RST trim is that it is where the true do-it-all SUV flavor shines through along with elements that result in serious capability. 

The Z71 Trim is for drivers who have taken an extreme liking to the excitement and challenge of driving offroad! If you need enhanced ground clearance this is the trim that offers it up, along with ample protection for everything underneath. These skid plates will assure you don’t suffer huge equipment losses if you happen to bottom out, which can even happen at a crawl. Adaptive Air Suspension is just the type of extra that drivers a decade ago could only dream of: it provides you the opportunity to have the ultimate trail hounds control over vital ground clearance. 

The Premier Trim is where the Tahoe begins to feel like the segment-leading luxury offering it really is, even though the lower trim levels are for those needing practicality and functionality in everyday driving. You'll be fully rocking on courtesy of the 10-speaker Bose audio system on board and leather seats providing extra comfort as standard. Onlookers will get wind of the extra growl emitting thanks to the dual exhaust system, and enjoy precision handling with the power tilt and telescoping steering wheel. You’ll also be enjoying life on the road in hand-free ease, with digitally-mapped out highways providing the juice to take control, aiding with driving convenience. 

The High Country Trim offers the best in Tahoe ownership, with luxury elements and all of the trimmings anyone could ask for. You’ll be rolling comfortably and confidently with heated and ventilated front seats, leather seats in the first two rows, wood trim, plus available Super Cruise capability and the solidly powerful 6.2-liter V8. A Sleek set of 22-inch wheels and special badging round out everything outside and offers a cargo area with a generous 123 cubic feet of storage. 

2023 Chevy Corvette Z06 Convertible “Destined to Exhilaratingly Dominate” Utilizing Ferocious V8

Here during the Fall quarter at West Chevy of Knoxville, we seize the opportunity to view our fair share of presentations about events trending in the automotive market. Many various informative reports have detailed the road to electrification, and just how involved the role of turbocharged engines is in tiding us over during the journey. The Car and Driver staff was thrilled with the notion of us dropping a huge V8 that “revs to a million” into just one version of the all-American classic in the form of the Corvette.

They are simply astounded that this marvelous thing was so intricately built, with a sound so righteous once it warms up that many drivers will forget their very own name. The power source for the brilliant and brutish new ZO6 could have been the supercharged 6.2-liter V8, cranking out as much as 755 horsepower that it provided the juice for the previous generation Corvette with. This would have been simple and still very satisfying to many, but engineers felt like embracing the ultimate challenge, and started from scratch with the naturally aspirated 5.5-liter boasting a flat-plane crankshaft. 

This rock-star and status-driven LT6 generates 670 horsepower and makes 460 lb-ft of torque, which is neck and neck with the redline present in the standard Stingray. From the moment you enjoy the fierce pleasure of firing this bad boy up, it begins to sound impatient, with a flat plane idle that is nearly reminiscent of what a motorcycle at a standstill would spit out. The Stingray’s pushrod LT2 V8 uses bimodal muffler valves that are continually adjustable and are excellent at fine-tuning the unique sound. 

When it’s wide open, the engine mimics the legendary greatness and grunt of a Ferrari 458 Italia, and an engineer claimed that the Z06’s wail could be distinctly heard for the duration around different testing laps. The scene of this particular crime was the Nurburgring, which is astonishingly almost 13 miles of pavement to conquer. The LT6 was given the code name “Gemini” during its development, and sports dual throttle bodies and intake plenums for the utmost performance. 

Fuel injectors on the exhaust side of the cylinders are there to assist with high-speed air-fuel mixing, and the throttle is so fast that there is a built-in mode to help simmer it down a bit while you’re preparing for the unadulterated excitement of launch control. Their test model provided the Carbon Aero package that can generate 734 pounds of downforce at 186 mph and average 12 mpg in the city. Convertible models have a cover for the top mechanism that keeps the engine under wraps, even while the tonneau is raised. 

One of the true treats here is the extra-loud noise from the LT6 if you get the top down while the car is moving, as you are then essentially taking on the road in completely open-hooded stance and style. The body is 3.6 inches wider than the Stingrays, which provides ample room for the larger tires, and the cooling system has undergone an upgrade with two extra heat exchangers. Putting this baby in Tour mode with the top down, and you’ll engage a memorable personality that has been billed as “borderline sociopathic”, while completely living up to your appetite for pavement destruction!