MotorTrend Deems 2020 Chevy Bolt Range Higher Than Tesla Model 3

It was not that long ago when severe anxiety over electric vehicle range was common. Motor Trend ran a story on their blog last week depicting the progress that has occurred with the range issue for electric vehicles, and the very solid rise in final range for the 2020 Chevy Bolt! The EPA-estimated range for this electric hatchback is now up to 259 miles, a 21-mile increase from last year's 238-mile peak. A 9-percent increase is a gain that will surely turn heads: considering the current state of public charging availability, EV drivers have to scrutinize every single mile during a trip.

We have all been in a situation where another 20 or so miles of driving range would be a game-changer, making or breaking your latest planned journey. Boosting the Bolt's range was much like a world-class barbecue joint's strategy that one would find right here in Knoxville, and involved a bit of “secret sauce”! Engineers went hard to work on altering the cell chemistry of the car's 60-kW-hr lithium-ion power source, making each electrode more energy-dense. The task was completed without any physical changes to the battery pack, so its not any larger or heavier in the long run.

The new model will also start at the exact same price as last year, and will include 200 horsepower, 266 lb-ft front-wheel-drive powertrain, with a 120-volt portable charge cord to provide the necessary juice. DC fast charging capability is also an option, and this range boost now gives the Bolt bragging rights of beating out the entry-level Tesla Model 3, which is situated at 240 miles. Year by year the range has been improving, and Chevy now also trumps the Volkswagen e-Golf, which still crosses the all-important range finish line at just 125 miles.

There are now Oasis Blue and Cayenne Orange Metallic exterior, as well as the All-weather floor liner. The HD Rear Vision Camera replaces the standard Rear Vision Camera, and HD Surround Vision replaces the UVH Surround Vision. What would all of us on staff here at West Chevy of Knoxville like to see for the future? One feature that Tesla provided that could work wonders is the ability to preheat the battery before heading to a DC fast charger in harsh winter conditions, helping in the long run during a time when you need juice in a hurry. One thing that is absolutely certain is that change is rapid and abundant in the electric vehicle marketplace right now, and as consumers will undeniably expect more and more, we will keep you posted about important updates as they come across our desk!

Chief C8 Corvette Engineer Ed Piatek Claims “More Powerful Variants to Come”

One mile north of Detroit in Ferndale, Michigan is where the world-famous Woodward Dream Cruise begins every year: It's all about cool cars, showing off, hanging out, being seen, and some of the best people-watching on the globe. It took place this entire past week in and around the Motor City, and is now the world's largest one-day automotive event, drawing 15 million people and 40,000 classic cars each year from around the globe. You can see many different types of Corvettes during this event, and the Motor Trend staff was able to catch up with Ed Piatek, the C8's chief engineer.

They questioned him about the potential of more powerful variants in the future, and he offered up some wisdom regarding just how excited he was about the mid-engined model's brand-new existence. The base Stingray has a pushrod 6.2-liter small-block V-8 engine. The updated LT2 makes 490 hp, and 465 lb-ft of torque and the performance exhaust with the Z51 package takes that up to 495 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. He wasn't quite ready to talk specifics about future superchargers, Z06, ZR1s or topics as earthshaking, but all of us here at West Chevy of Knoxville know just how high-performance levels can get with a car this awesome. 

Ed began by laying out the fact that the seventh-generation C7 was tapped out and had reached its maximum potential, and that the physics of biasing an engine's weight towards the rear axle has been questioned for more than 6 decades. Horsepower can be used more efficiently with the configuration of the new C8, and there is the potential for more bandwidth. If you look at the current generation car with 460 hp and the 0-60 time, 300 horsepower can be added to that number and the 0-60 time barely moves. With the C8, you begin with a low 0-60 time, but with a wider wheel-tire package in the rear, and 20 percent more mass on the rear axle. 

When asked if he had concerns about the C8 completely “maxing out”, he said that he felt the new model definitely had lots of room to grow, and it was obvious he was really enjoying the abundance of ripe potential with the new model. The outgoing 2019 ZR1 with the LT5 supercharged 6.2-liter V8 was rated at 755 hp, and 715 lb-ft of torque and the Eaton Supercharger that took up prime real estate in the 2019 ZR1 is 2.9 inches taller than the blowers that were in the 2009 ZR1, or the 2015 Z06. This is the first Corvette to offer a dual-clutch automatic, which paves the way for truly hypercar status acceleration, and we are excited to keep you posted right here on the blog about how it will unleash the potential for more power, excitement, and track-ready stature very soon! 

2019 Chevy Camaro 1LE Ideal Shift Points Laid out in Detail by GM Authority

Every time we spot a Camaro on the road, it's long been a habit of ours here at West Chevy of Knoxville to slow down and check it out: the staff on duty at GM Authority just finished spending a solid week testing the 2019 Chevy Camaro 1LE Turbo, powered by the turbocharged 2.0-liter I-4 LTG engine and equipped with the 1LE track handling package. They first took it to the drag strip, where they executed a quarter-mile time of 14.1 seconds at 103 mph. These are fantastic numbers, especially for a car that was not originally meant for the drag strip but engineered for the standard handling course instead.

Reduced weight, upgraded suspension, stickier tires, and limited rear slip differential all boost the car's performance in the road and track realms, as well as a casual daily drive. While the team was on the drag strip incorporating the best ways to get the car off the line as fast as possible, they also were able to closely observe how and when the 2.0-liter inline-four LTG engine makes power and torque. During the first quarter-mile attempt, they kept holding on the gears, pushing the boosted 4-cylinder engine to its 7000 rpm redline, which they first didn't realize was quite correct!

Since it relies heavily on boost to make its power, the turbocharged LTG engine hits its peak 295 lb-ft of torque at 3,000 rpm. Meanwhile, its 275 horsepower tops out at 5,600 rpm. After that occurrence, the turbo drops out substantially, and the engine understandably runs out of steam a bit. Because of this, it is not needed to just keep revving high on the 1LE in hopes of extracting more raw power. Instead, the GM Authority crew recommends shifting just under the 6,000 rpm mark, which enables the engine to fall back into the most generous allotment of its powerband.

By using this technique, they were able to alleviate a full 0.3 seconds off the quarter-mile time, with a best time of 14.1 seconds at 103 mph. The 2019 Chevy Camaro 1LE Turbo is equipped with the same “no-lift shift” feature as the V6 and V8 powered Camaro 1LE models: this allows the driver to change gears without releasing the throttle, which really allows the driver to focus intently on the RPM gauge while careening down the straightaway. We love it when the most experienced of drivers get Chevy vehicles out into their best natural habitat and open them up, and this feature gives us the inside scoop on the pointers for added gusto in the acceleration department!

2019 Chevy Colorado Bison Deemed “Wonderfully Designed and Off-Road Capable” By New Atlas

Bison are definitely at home on the open prairie, running through tall grass and over hills. Clint Eastwood himself was one of the American icons that showed through his pictures just how beautiful the High Plains are, and the solitude as well as the struggle for survival than can encompass existing there. Chevy has partnered with AEV to create the Colorado mid-sized pickup truck that has the ability to wander in the same locations that a bison would, and those on staff at New Atlas were excited to test the ZR2 packaged AEV Bison in the crew cab with the diesel engine.

The parts are put on by Chevy, but the experts at AEV add the expertly-placed off-road gear, and it's now a fierce enough contender to compete against the likes of vehicles such as the Gladiator. A standard ZR2 is already well-stacked with off-road gear, but where AEV really shows their full-on expertise is with the duty of shielding. The Colorado receives boron skid plates that protect everything vital underneath the truck, including the transfer case, transmission, both differentials, and fuel tank. There is a more aggressive grille, new interior stitching and badges, wheel flares, and boron steel AEV bumpers.

This is the only Chevy truck that has both front and rear locking differentials, and you are already riding on larger 31-inch tires and a beefier suspension ideal for 4 x 4 setup. AEV claims that the use of boron steel is what enables the skid plates and bumpers to take a hefty amount of abuse and still bounce back relatively unscathed. They have a high amount of resistance for gouging, and also possess a high yield strength that allows them to return to shape after bending on top of low mass. The AEV boron plates actually aren't that much heavier than the aluminum-alloy plates they replace on the standard ZR2.

After you account for everything, you're adding about 200 pounds more weight to the vehicle, and the Bison's suspension spring rates are tuned to properly compensate for the extra weight. The New Atlas testing team chose a virtually impossible hill in the wilds of Wyoming that requires a lot of raw power, clearance, and ability to absorb shocks to conquer. The team realized that they had picked a hill that had a severe lack of breakover clearance, and although the Bison was able to get down with no problem, getting up was a different story.

As was the case with the Gladiator Rubicon, this location was simply so challenging in regards to wheelbase that “If you're stuck, you're stuck”. Many who have ran the Bison hard in areas such as Moab and the Sierras have professed just how capable and trail-dominating it is. It was still decided upon that this is a truck that lives up to its reputation and looks to the fullest when put to the test, and we hope you come to see the Bison along with the rest of our extensive truck lineup right here at West Chevy of Knoxville this back to school season!

The Scoop on 2020 Chevy Silverado Diesel's Efficiency: #1 in America

It is official this week that the Chevy Silverado diesel can lay claim to the full-size pickup fuel economy top spot. The two-wheel-drive trucks powered by the new 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder turbo are set to get an EPA rating of 33 mpg when they hit the dealer's lots this fall. This beats the Ford F-150 Diesel's 30 mpg rating by a distinct 10 percent. The 4-wheel drive variants are listed at 29 mpg, which resides at 1 mpg more than the Ford, and both drivetrains sport the 23 mpg stat for city driving.

All of us here at West Chevy of Knoxville have paid close attention over the last few months to the benefits the incoming Silverado model will receive from the engine's advanced thermal management system, aerodynamic improvements, and the use of a 10-speed automatic transmission. The all-new motor is heftily responsible for 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque and boasts a towing rating of 9,300 pounds. The LT, RST, LTZ, and High Country trims will all have diesel availability, and Chevy marketing director Sandor Piszar claims more could be built if demand is high enough. The upcoming 2020 Ram 1500 diesel hasn't released fuel economy numbers yet, but it's a 3.0-liter V6 rated at 260 hp, and putting out 480 lb-ft of torque.

Adaptive Cruise Control will finally be available on the Silverado, and also on board is the completely game-changing New Advanced Trailering System option that supports up to 15 camera views. Even though the straight-six layout takes up a bit more space in the engine compartment, the ultimate payoff is greater torque output and the ability to run much smoother. If towing is on your daily agenda, the category of power that you get with diesel is one of those traits that makes a huge difference when you have a strong need for range while towing.

Ranchers and contractors come immediately to mind in regards to diesel, who need a truck for their everyday duties that is as reliable as they come. Even when idling, engine vibration has been ranked as very minimal within the 1500 and during a cruise, it's easy to forget you're at the wheel of a diesel. Many professionals within the auto review industry have fallen in love fast with the Transparent Trailer view: it electronically stitches together multiple images that create a glass-like view enabling you to see through the trailer. The very brisk acceleration on the road as well as steady passing power are other great traits that are noticed as soon as you pull away from town and prepare to nail down some serious highway miles. Diesel is in all ways gaining traction, and we are happy to see that our own variant is at the top of the list in regards to the all-important efficiency statistic!

Scoping Out the Small-Block V8: The Finer Points of the Corvette C8's LTV V-8 Engine

The small-block V-8 engine has been an integral component since its origins in 1955 and now claims its place as power source in the revolutionary C8 as the L2T! Car and Driver provided an in-depth feature on their blog last week highlighting the small-block's capabilities. It generates both more power and torque (495 horsepower and 470 lb-ft when equipped with the performance exhaust) than the LT1 in the outgoing model. There is now a more-efficient intake as well as exhaust manifold, a more robust lubrication system, and a brand new camshaft. 

The same bore and stroke are still used, as well as the forged crankshaft, rods, and 11.5:1 compression ratio pistons, similar to the LT1 that it is based on. All Stingrays will now get a dry-sump system that is ideally engineered to accommodate the chassis's increased track capability. This includes sustained lateral acceleration beyond 1.00 g. Previously, dry-sump lubrication was only available as part of the C7 Stingray's Z51 package. This system graduated from one pump to three different multistage scavenge pumps: one situated in the valley of the V and two right in the crankcase. The oil reservoir is now mounted to the engine, instead of being bolted into the engine bay separately as it was on the C7.

Small-Block chief engineer Jordan Lee explained that a side benefit for having this unconventional engine-mounted sump is how easy it is assembled. While the engine is being built, oil can be added, instead of when the car is making its final pass down the assembly line. This engine is mounted an entire inch lower in the Corvette than before, and also has a much shallower oil pan. This is part of the team's great success in reduction of total oil volume, which drops from 9.7 quarts in the C7 to 7.5 quarts of OW40 in this L2 from the C8.

The C8 is engineered to alleviate the need for routine engine-out services, which are often a very expensive quality of mid-engined cars. Spark plugs and other important ignition components as well as belts are located next to the passenger compartment at the very front of the engine and can be accessed while the engine is in place. The camshaft's intake lobes remain the same as the LT1's, but lift is now increased. The better breaching achieved with the engine in its new position behind the passenger cabin along with other minor tweaks are what contributes to the additional output, and the reductions in windage were achieved by the oil now being scavenged out of the V.

Brand-new stainless-steel exhaust manifolds now put to use equal-length runners, which collect incorporating a four-into-one design. Now that the engine is mounted behind the driver, the new intake manifold can now be mounted in a manner which results in less distance between the throttle body and intake valves, which greatly improves flow. Everyone on staff here at West Chevy of Knoxville has been eagerly awaiting the official release of the c8, and there are so many reasons to celebrate the final and exciting coming of a concept that saw 60 years in the making!

Motor 1.com Releases Potential Chevy Bolt-Based Electric Crossover Rendering

Last November, all of us here at West Chevy of Knoxville were paying grave attention when the brand we are so proud to represent every day made a massive announcement regarding the future. A detailed restructuring was then being implemented, with a large number of resources being poured into the rolling out of autonomous and electric vehicles. During April, a trademark filing for “Bolt EUV” was brought to light, providing a hint at Chevy's next electric vehicle that could be based on the Bolt. Details at this point are a bit slim, but the renderings found here provide a few hints at what it could appear like.

The shape of the greenhouse seen here is pretty identical to the one found on the real-world Bolt, but the rest of it takes a few additions to the accent category that are like a Blazer, or even distant cousin of the Camaro. The wide lower front fascia and thin headlights are elements that contribute to this sportier vibe. All-electric vehicles are currently slated to be produced at the Orion, Michigan factory, which received a $300 million investment from the automaker. During the announcement, it was also stated that the next EV will wear the Chevy emblem while riding on an improved version of the platform that is under the Chevy Bolt.

This larger size for the Bolt EUV would be sensible because it is still quite evident that crossovers are one of the most popular choices for consumers when the sales numbers turn out. As we look ahead to the future and factor in the recent news we have all seen regarding the health of our ozone and Earth, our electric vehicle plans as a brand are quite ambitious and proud. We strive to have 20 new EV's by 2023, and the introduction of a very attractive and edge bolt EUV such as this will convince some to make the switch. We understand the attraction to going about driving and manufacturing the way it always has been done: some traditions have etched their way into our everyday habits immensely.

While contemplating this barrage of new technology and the driving habits that will soon become very different across the nation, it's at least pretty awesome to realize that the eCopo Camaro wowed onlookers at SEM with its 700-horsepower electric motors, and the capability to bang out nine-second quarter-mile times. This year's Bolt has the capability to run up to 238 miles of electric range on a full charge and provides 25 miles per hour of charge by means of the 240-volt 32-amp charging unit. You can download charging apps on your smartphone to see just where charging stations are along the way. We'll keep you informed here on the blog with any updates regarding this and other vehicle's development, and the inevitable and Eco-conscious wave of change that is sweeping the auto industry as a whole!