Graced With Potent Upgrades: How the Chevy Silverado Does Battle With the F-150

 

Everyone here at West Chevy of Knoxville has been diligent at keeping a close eye on the competition in the truck category, as we have great pride and trust in our Silverado line that provides the form and function that many hard-working men and women need to power through the day. As Ford is preparing to launch the all-new-generation F-150 for 2021, we are hard at work with updates to the Chevy Silverado 1500 to keep it sharp enough for rugged competition.

 

For starters, Automatic Emergency Braking, Front Pedestrian Braking, and Forward Collision Alert will be added to our full-size light-duty pickup. A new report from GM -Trucks gave us a heads up about some changes we previously weren't alerted to, as detailed in a new Consensus Report distributed to us through Chevy's US dealer network. These changes will be great news to anyone who uses their full-size truck for rigorous towing duty: there will now be Trailering Tech enhancements and Max Towing enhancements for the 2.7-liter 4-cylinder and  3.0-Liter Duramax diesel. The 2021 Silverado HD will see updates of what area the backup feed camera displays and a few other towing-focused changes.

 

As far as other updates to properly aid in the ongoing battle against the F150, we think the cooling system on trucks powered by either the 2.7-Liter turbo-four or the 3.0-Liter diesel could see an increase in airflow or overall capacity. Since towing is known to generate massive amounts of heat, cooling needs to be a carefully-examined issue, because it can provide a major restriction on a vehicle's maximum tow rating. Another potentially exciting changeup could be the torque curves seeing enhancement for improved towing on the Silverado 1500's 2.7-liter gas and  3.0-Liter diesel engines, by means of an elevated torque peak. 

For this year's model, 20-inch by 9-inch black painted aluminum wheels are now free flow on the Custom Trail Boss and LT Trail Boss, and 20-inch by 9-inch Polished finish wheels are now standard on the LTZ. Inside is the addition of Wireless Phone Projection for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Sirius XM is now available on Work Truck models as well as standard on Custom, Custom Trail Boss, LT, RST, and LT Trail Boss models. More safety features added across the board will no doubt provide a strong draw for customers that are checking out all of their options in the truck realm, and sway them into choosing what is the best and most stylish truck out there!

 

For those who are on the hunt for a full-sized pickup with a unique design that you won't find elsewhere, check out the Redline Edition: It brings to the mix body-color front and rear bumpers, LED fog lamps and cargo lighting, unique front grille and bumper design, a front and rear lowering kit, illuminated bowtie emblem, and performance exhaust and cold air intake kit.   

Motor Authority Details Possibility of 2021 Chevy Corvette Stingray R Special Edition

 Motor Authority Details Possibility of 2021 Chevy Corvette Stingray R Special Edition

The official report came down the line from Motor 1 last Wednesday that Chevy maybe now planning a special edition of the 2021 Corvette called Stingray R. Last weekend's IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar race that took place at Road America featured our very own Stingray pace car, and this could lead up to the preview of a special edition. The pace car brandished a large rear spoiler, red mirror caps matching the IMSA Corvette C8.R race cars, a black hood stripe, and what could be the clearest indicator: a front splitter with “Stingray R” text. 

It was also noted that leaked dealership information from March indicated to us here at West Chevy of Knoxville that there would be a special-edition 2021 Corvette in the making. The cosmetic changes on the IMSA pace car could easily carry over to the production vehicle, so many in the industry have concluded that a consumer-ready Stingray R could soon become a reality. This edition would absolutely be accepted with open arms and excitement, since Corvette Racing put on a 1-2 finish for its class at Road America, the team's third consecutive win. 

The famed C8.R will not be present at the 2020 24 Hours of Le Mans due to the current global conditions but will roar back for the French endurance classic in 2021. There are a few changes that are confirmed for the 2021 model already: the sports car will receive new color options, standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and a Buckle to Drive feature that will not allow a shift out of park if the seat belt is not engaged. You now do not have to opt for the Z51 package to add Magnetic Selective Ride Control, the modern suspension and chassis technology that adjusts and adapts the shock absorbers in real-time response to changes in terrain to provide the best driving experience. 

These shots from Motor Trend show a few Corvette C8.R racers and white street-spec C8 that is sporting a unique graphics package, under the bridge at the famous Wisconsin road course near Elkhart Lake. You will also be able to choose from three new colors: Red Mist Metallic and Silver Flare Metallic for the exterior, and Sky Cool Gray / Yellow Strike for the interior. The 2021 model will also offer the first 8-speed dual-clutch transmission, making way for much faster shifting and greater power.    

The engine on hand  will be the 6.2-liter LT2 V8 with direct injection, variable valve timing, and active fuel management. To get the absolute most out of every single mile in this groundbreaking and much raved-about mid-engined beast, there are also six modes of drive selector: Tour, Sport, Track, Weather, MyMode, and customizable Z Mode.

2020 Chevy Suburban's Z71 Trim Level Closeup Via Motor1.com

Much to the excitement of many customers and us on staff right here at West Chevy of Knoxville, the covers were pulled away from the 2021 Chevy Suburban and Tahoe a few weeks ago. This time, the pair of large SUVs really are “all-new”, and not just because of new metal enveloping the shell. There is an independent rear suspension underneath the three-row SUVs for the first time, and a report courtesy of GM Authority says the Z71 model is also going to be included in the lineup.

At the official debut for the two new SUVs, Chevy did reveal the Z71 edition of the Tahoe, but not formally as an available package. As the staff of Motor1.com reported on the blog last week, the Z71 is now a model trim, and will also exist for the larger Suburban. Since the Z71 package has been so wildly popular in past years, it makes sense for it to be available despite some reluctance to admit the release during the fall. Z71 is the means and package for a unit to become off-road ready. Expected would be the addition of height-adjustable Air-Ride suspension, skid plates underneath, and front fascia that makes for better clearance for approach angles.

It's also expected to see the presence of a monochromatic exterior treatment and grippy all-terrain tires, other additives that help with conquering off-road trails. When we have seen people from a distance off-roading on our various travels, sometimes you ask yourself, “Why are they going so slow? Can't they move just a bit faster over the tree roots and rocks in their way?” and the truth is until you have done serious off-roading yourself, it is hard to realize just how much damage you can do to your underbelly, and just how vital components such as the skid plates are during the drive.

Both vehicles will now boast an even more open and spacious cabin, a more comfortable ride, and six trims with their unique flair. There are the usual enhancements that Chevy has become such a class-leader with, such as nine best-in-class separate camera views, and the Rear Seat Media System with twin 12.6-inch displays. Tim Herrick, VP of global product programs said last year that “This program is unprecedented in size and scope, and amount of capital injected into it”.

At any one time during the new Suburban and Tahoe's development, 10,000 people were working on architecture to assure that these models were unique, durable, and dependable. The most fuel-efficient option is now going to be the new Duramax 3.0-liter I-6 turbodiesel that is available on all but the Z71. Chevy is alone in producing a full-size diesel SUV, and many will be sure to get excited enough to hastily call one their own for the New Year!