“Nearly Effortless” Appalachian Mountain 700-Mile Towing Trip Made Possible By 2022 Chevy Silverado’s Super Cruise

Modern pickups drive almost like luxury sedans, and experts at Jalopnik admitted to being troubled this week. They weren’t troubled in the least by the high quality of segment-leading trucks such as our 2022 Silverado, but at the fact that so many families are using pickups as sedans. 

Today’s trucks can boast amazing technology and a very high level of sophistication, and there are now so many ways to make the job easier. One of the ways that had only been portrayed on fantasy TV for years was to construct a truck that could drive itself, and staff writer Kevin Williams was eager to take a 2022 Silverado High Country through the Appalachian Mountains on a towing mission. As he stepped inside to begin his journey, he noted that the dashboard and center console had been completely restyled, with a fitting blue-tinted leather coating on all the surfaces. 

Open-pore wood and more selective use of metal accents make for a higher-end first impression, along with a 13.4-inch touchscreen with some of the best-allocated colors on the market. It uses Google’s new car-based operating system, which is Android-based and boasts Google Maps along with Google Assistant. The flow felt straightforward and purposeful, the interface easy to use, and with Google Maps integrated into the OS, it helps with Super Cruise’s operation. 

Super Cruise was once available only on Cadillacs and allows for completely hands-free driving. Kevin’s route for this journey began in Columbus, Ohio, and ultimately saw him finish in Winchester, Virginia. This was 350 miles of towing that went through Pennsylvania and Maryland first, with a large portion of the journey not having any cell phone service. 

Kevin had completed this very same route with the much smaller Chevy Bolt, and was surprised to feel that the application served him just right in a larger and more powerful vehicle. The Silverado’s 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque mated to a ten-speed automatic can easily accomplish tow jobs involving a double-wide, and his combined load was around 5,500 lbs. 

The Silverado’s massive capability combined with Super Cruise allowed for the ultimate towing experience with ease, and he noted early in the drive that he felt odd sitting with his hands in his lap when Super Cruise initially took over. Automatic lane change isn’t possible during a hefty tow, but automatic lane keeping and radar cruise operate at 100%. Over the roughly 700-mile journey to Virginia and back, Kevin used Super Cruise at every single stretch of road it was available. It maintained lane position without a single issue through Wheeling, West Virginia, and all warnings that the system was preparing to shut off were given with plenty of advance. 

The built-in LED light in the steering wheel will suddenly flash red, and the seat will vibrate to alert the driver. When Kevin arrived at his final destination, he was astounded at how alert he felt, after not having to squint, hyper-focus, and handle the wheel at every single curve. Finishing his review by touting this setup as a “techno powerhouse” with more than 10,000 lbs of towing capability, this was an ideal testament to just how good things get when the innovations of tomorrow are combined with the awesome features and brute force of today! 

January Reveal of Hybrid Corvette E-Ray Will “Keep the Neighborhood Peace” With Noise-Cancelling Stealth Mode

The Chevy Corvette has long been one of our most beloved models here at West Chevy. Spanning 8 design generations and always cranking out top-tier performance, its switch to a mid-engine format in 2019 was a milestone in engineering success. Chevy just released the first teaser for the hybrid Corvette, allowing for a few glances of the exterior styling and revealing that it will now feature a brand-new “Stealth” mode. 

Looking at the exterior first, it is noted that body-colored panels replace some of the regular C8’s contrast-painted bits, and one immediately notices the E-Ray badge on the side of the car. An image from the official configurator last month showed a body kit like the Z06’s, but with differences from other Corvette variants sporting body-colored trim pieces. The configurator also shows a grand total of 13 colors for the 2024 model year, with the newest among them being the Riptide Blue Metallic, Cacti, and Sea-Wolf Gray.

The teaser also depicts a “Stealth” mode. This allows you to put the E-Ray into a quieter mode to fire the car up and not stir up attention with the roaring exhaust on your way. There should be enough battery power to back out of the driveway and proceed far enough away from the houses with those still asleep before the V8 rouses everyone with its signature growl. 

There also appears to be a regenerative braking mode button on the interior along with carbon ceramic brakes. It has recently been confirmed that the E-Ray will have all-wheel drive, making it the first-ever production Corvette configured as such. The 2023 model reeled in heaps of praise from the KBB online review team, for its “amazing supercar performance, styling, and relative affordability.” Compared to the Supercars of our present time, the Corvette is much easier on the pocketbook than top-ranking competitors and holds its own against them just fine.

During the drive, you’ll figure out right away that this is one of those models that offers up an amazing experience each time out on the road. The 6.2-liter V8 is well-sourced and dedicated to its duty of propelling the lightweight two-seater boasting 490 horsepower, with lightning quick and precise steering. Beginning with the 2LT trim and up, the Corvette also comes with a performance data recorder, allowing you to check out the drive at your own pace later to improve your skills. The Z51 Package adds to the mix an exhaust system, a more track-focused suspension, strong brakes, heavier-duty cooling, plus a Z51 front splitter and rear spoiler. 

The 2023 Z06 provides ample muscle for the track with more rubber, downforce, and overall sportiness provided by its adaptive suspension and expertly-crafted engine. This 5.5-liter V8 has a lightweight flat-plane crankshaft, forged titanium connecting rods, and forged aluminum pistons, enabling it to boast 670 horsepower. Even though many have complained about the lack of a manual transmission in the new ‘Vette group, the 8-speed dual-clutch automated setup was ranked as “superior in every way” by the knowledgeable KBB.com staff. 

Practical, Efficient, and Charging into the Future: How Does the 2023 Chevy Bolt Stack up Against the Chevy Bolt EUV?

Accelerating growth has most definitely been the theme of the past few years for all of us here at West Chevy of Knoxville, as we have seen many new models and the future of electrification shaping up and finally set in stone. The Chevy Bolt has been changing the planet one model at a time since 2017 as a useful hatchback boasting a solid range and convenient features. The Bolt EUV was introduced last year, with a slightly larger interior space and many of the same basic features. 

The USNews.com team cranked out a blog last week comparing the features between the two and laying out the important categories helping the consumer differentiate between their specific capabilities. Here are some specific qualities and where each model stands. 

Price: Both models are extremely budget-friendly, but the smaller Bolt is the winner here. On average, it is about $1,600 less than the Bolt EUV, which features the Premiere Redline Trim, along with other costlier options such as the hands-free addition of Super Cruise. 

Reliability: In this category, it is only fair to allow a tie. Chevy provides both the Bolt and the Bolt EUV a 3-year/36,000-mile limited warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Both models also get an 8-year/100,000-mile battery pack warranty to assure that you can always be confident you'll have enough juice on the road. 

Seat Comfort: Even though it's a fairly compact model, the Bolt offers ample front seat space along with headroom. The back seats and rear bench are an excellent addition to get that many more family members or work cohorts to the gathering! All in all, the Bolt is more than adequate for the longer journeys that the coming of spring will soon provide. 

Cargo Space: The slightly smaller Bolt offers just a bit more cargo space than the Bolt EUV, with 16.6 cubic feet up against the EUVs 16.3. With the back seats folded flat, the Bolt has 57 cubic feet alongside the EUV’s 56.9. Both vehicles offer underfloor storage that makes their cargo areas even better. Both the Bolt and Bolt EUV are relatively low to the ground, which can make loading and unloading cargo quite a bit simpler than it is on full-size SUVs.

Interior Quality: The interiors are nearly identical and surprisingly premium for their pricing. Class upholstery comes as standard equipment, but it does feature unique patterns and well-appointed textures that offer up a more luxurious feel. There are high-quality materials used in some of the most-frequented necessities such as the steering wheel.

Interior Features: The EUV is just slightly ahead of the game here, with a generous list of high-tech features and comfort options. The EUV features wireless smartphone charging as standard, which is an added cost on the Bolt. A 10.2-inch infotainment touch screen now comes as standard in both models, paired with an 8-inch digital gauge cluster. Some of the premium options that add vibrancy and a dose of extra style to the mix are a Bose stereo, additional USB ports, and wireless charging. 

Acceleration: The Bolt can get up to 60 mph in just 6.5 seconds, and the Bolt EUV takes just half a second more. With instant torque from the electric motor, both models feel quick, capable, and lively. They both have a single electric motor that makes 200 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque, with power sent to the front wheels with a single-speed automatic transmission.

2023 Chevy Silverado ZR2 Jumps to the Task for Eager Off-Road Crowd

The Jalopnik auto review staff has been adamantly praising the Chevy Silverado ZR2 as the “true boss” of our lineup, and for taking an incredibly successful aim at the off-road crowd. It is equipped much like the Z71 Package, yet kicks things up an aggressive notch with its off-road attitude. Everyone here at West Chevy of Knoxville has long loved the Silverado ZR2’s extra-tall hood and suspension lift, properly equipping it for the bumps and much-needed bravado of the trail. 

The 2022 year saw the Silverado getting a thorough facelift, with a front fascia that flows visually with the rest of the model noticeably better. It results in a mean look, but one that also proves to be very functional. As imposing as it seems at first glance, the ZR2 is pretty narrow compared to the respective leaders of the segment from Ford and Ram, offering up a bit more in a reserved fashion with the all-important first impression. The refreshed interior features improved materials and an infotainment system powered by the all-knowing and efficient Google.

The seats are over-the-top comfortable and accommodating, with plenty of room for 6’ tall individuals during drive testing, while hopping in and out proved itself a simple task. Originally designed to exist as solid competition for the Ford Raptor and Ram TRX, the ZR2 actually shifts into drive and lurches confidently forward as a very fundamentally different and adventure-prone truck. It comes equipped standard with the 6.2-liter V8 cranking out 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, while paired to a 10-speed automatic. 

The torque always kicks in righteously early, and the transmission provides accurate and smooth shifts that have your back even while careening directly up or downhill. During a week-long and much anticipated “skill-proving internship”, the truck never once felt on the short end of the stick for power. We know all about the cross-town rival in the haughty form of the Ram TRX’s 702 horsepower coming as standard, but we still eagerly are flaunting the 6 second-ish 0-60 time the ZR2 brandishes. 

Since the Raptor and TRX are beating their chests repeatedly with so much to prove, our engineer and implementation teams here at Chevy were sure to prepare the Silverado’s capability with a bit more assertive and streamlined. We are so very proud to announce that it’s a finished product with a bit less athleticism, and a well-honed focus on still consistent and duty-crushing daily driving. The crawl-ready equipment underneath begins its grade A abilities courtesy of the Multimatic DSSV spool-valve dampers, which are designed to assist with increased wheel travel.

There’s also a two-speed transfer case, and the bonus of very capable one-pedal driving is offered up in low-speed terrain mode. This is a thorough and well executed version of the lifted pickup that every hard-working American dream of, with the bonus of boosted clearance and capability and industry-leading warranty coverage. The DSSV shocks, low-range gearing, and excellent approach and departure angles are on deck to provide the “sensible rambler’s” defined approach to off-roading in 2023.