Colorado ZR2 Bison Crowned as Overland Truck of the Year

The Overland Journal recently announced the star-studded winner of its very first overland Truck of the Year award, handing over the honors to the off-road conquering Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison. The strong rivalry that needed to be overcome for this rallying victory was in the forms of the Honda Ridgeline, Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier, Jeep Gladiator, and Ford Ranger. This testing process involved thousands of clocked miles spend both on and off-road, and heavily weighed factors such as capability, reliability, durability, payload, and even efficiency.

After a rigorous number of test drives, it was unanimously decided that the Bison is “one of the most exceptional overland trucks ever sold in North America”. Chief Editor Scott Brady reflected that “just a list of its features makes it the truck we always wanted, and even better”. The front and rear locking differentials, winch-ready steel front bumper with ¼ panel protection, full-length rock slider, and class-leading suspension were elements that checked all the needed boxes for sheer domination. Production took place seeing a collaboration with class-leading experts American Expedition Vehicles as an extreme off-road variant of the Chevy Colorado ZR2 off-road pickup, and comes with a long list of features for those who prefer dirt heavily over the highway.

As those on duty this week at GM Authority illustrated for their blog, the Bison is equipped with one of two engines: the 3.6L LGZ V6 gas engine, which cranks out 308 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque, or the 2.8-L LWN inline 4-cylinder turbo-diesel, which makes 181 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. Under everything resides the GMT 31XX platform, the same frame as what the GMC Canyon sports. Still offered exclusively as a production variant of the concept that was originally the 2017 ZR2 AEV, the construction takes place at the GM Wentzville factory in Missouri.

The knowledgeable staff at Automobilemag.com were amazed at the raw and practical protection power of the extra skid plates, ground clearance, approach angles, bead-locked wheels, and remote-reservoir shocks bolted onto a truck, greatly expanding the limits beyond a typical weekend off-road-capable model. There are many trails and areas at the ends of the Earth that even the most capable 4X4's struggle to conquer, even with an experienced driver at the helm. This testing team never saw the going got tough after throwing ruts, sand traps, rocky paths, drop-ins, and jutting rocks in the way, and used the locking differentials to always swiftly bail themselves out of trouble.

All of us on staff here at West Chevy of Knoxville have an extreme passion for any truck, let alone those that are always out there pushing the limits. We are proud of the Bison for snagging up yet another award in an arena where normal will never cut it, and cordially invite you to check out the entire Bison line among others this February!

Chevy Camaro Deemed by Car Connection “Best Performance Buy for 2020”

Aaron Cole is the experienced and well-versed editor for The Car Connection, and he began his latest feature about our prized Camaro by lamenting that “These are halcyon days for horsepower”. In regards to the best reasons to purchase one, he opens up with saying that nothing provides as “intoxicating a mix” in regards to the horsepower and throaty V-8 for the price. The SS model focuses heavily on the 6.2-liter V8, which cranks out 455 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque. It is paired with the 6-speed manual transmission that Aaron ranks as the most engaging out there, and rises up from zero to 60 mph at around 4.3 seconds.

When compared to the LT1 model, the SS features a larger 8.0-inch touchscreen, Brembo Brakes, performance tires, and a digital instrument information display as standard. The SS also provides the addition of available magnetic dampers that really mold the car into a shining star on the track. After the additional finesse of a 1LE suspension tune, the SS is ready to take on anything track-related, with a lot of heart and sheer muscle.

When stacking up the Camaro to it's prominent crosstown rival in the form of the Mustang, the Car Connection team points out that they love the 5.0-liter V8 that makes 460 hp, but the Camaro beats out the Mustang when it comes to handling. In regards to the Mustang GT, it is improved with a Performance Package 2 upgrade, but after extensive driving, was still not deemed as nimble when it came to navigating every single little bump and turn on the track. It was not long ago that cars that boasted more than 400 horsepower were usually going to hover around the six-figure range, and all of us here at West Chevy of Knoxville agree that these are exciting times for anyone who wants to experience this type excitement on a bit of a  budget.

This is the longstanding “pony pride” of the Chevy line that Car and Driver bills as “endlessly enjoyable to drive”, and offers up something for everyone as far as driving experience overall. For 2020, the lineup also saw the addition of a new Rally Green paint color  and a few other options to hone in and personalize your Camaro. The LT1 Model is the entry point designed to make V-8 power more accessible to the masses, but the SS is where you see truly linear power delivery, and heart-pumping acceleration enhanced by the dual-mode exhaust.

The professionals who have years of experience with high-performance cars that have driven the Camaro as of late say that the brake performance is fantastic: aggressive and assuring responses are the norm, and every time you engage it's obvious that years of research and development more than paid off. Key safety features include available blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, forward-collision warning, and available rear parking sensors.

Chevy Colorado's Future watch Closeup: Changes on The Horizon for 2021

As the signs of fall are all of the ways upon us here at West Chevy of Knoxville and our competitors work double-time to keep their truck offerings fresh, the Colorado mid-size pickup is looking to see some changes for the 2021 model. You'll notice a few tweaks to the appearance to visually differentiate between the ZR2 and Z71 trim levels, and all 2021 Colorado models from the basic Work Truck up to the ZR2 will see a revised front fascia.

There will also now be the ultra-cool appearance of the embossed Chevy logo on the tailgate to replace the traditional bowtie, with the LT and WT models seeing a different design in gold and the Z71 getting black. The Z71 and the ZR2 will get an attractive new Sand Dune metallic paint color and the ZR2 will now come standard with red tow hooks. At this point, it does not appear that there will be any mechanical differences for the 2021 model, but we may receive more information as we get closer to the holidays. We fully understand the love that so many of our customers and friends have for the fuller-sized Silverado, but there is nothing as exciting as scaling it down and jumping in the smaller Colorado for an adventure and abundant helping of fresh air.

The Colorado Crew Cab is a more fuel-efficient alternative for those who don't need anything bigger, and it sports a still-impressive towing capacity of 7,700 pounds. The 2020 model saw Tire Fill Alert becoming standard through the range, as well as the locking tailgate now available on the Work Truck trim. The LT trim now gains the previously optional EZ-lift tailgate as standard, and the Z71 model is now eligible for the Safety Package.

You'll enjoy a very stable and well-planted ride, that still offers up more than sufficient acceleration even with a bed full of cargo. We have always appreciated just how firm a competitor the off-roading ZR2 is when put to the test against the Toyota Tacoma TRD, and how it is a powerful enough choice to blast over rocks but still do just fine during the usual commute. The Crew Cab's rear seats can split and fold, providing for interior cargo space. There's also a large area beneath the seats to stow more goods, and traits such as this are the ones that breathe a heavy dose of day-to-day usefulness into the truck. Come see us this fall and while we are waiting on the 2021, see which version of the Colorado can suit your budget and set of duties! 

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!

Winterize Your Chevy With These 5 Easy Tips

It’s already November (this year flew by!) and winter is right around the corner. With the new season and change of weather coming for us, it is important to get our cars ready for the cold weather too. Keep things running smoothly by winterizing your car… it could even save your life! Check out our tips below:

1. Check The Tire Pressure

As weather gets cooler, the air pressure in your tires usually drops. Tires must be inflated properly in order to ensure the best traction while driving- especially in snowy, wet conditions. Check your owner’s manual for your vehicle’s target pressure levels and be sure to get your tires checked before the crazy weather kicks in.

2. Check The Battery

If your battery is more than three years old, be sure to stop by the West Chevrolet service department so that we can test its ability to hold a charge. If it is not more than three years old, it is still important to check that the battery’s posts and connections have no corrosion and that it has all the water that it needs.

3. Keep Your Windshield Clear

If you haven’t replaced your windshield wiper blades in one year or more- you’re due and encouraged to do so! Additionally, be sure to check that the windshield wiper reservoir is filled with washer fluid. Although water may do the trick throughout the summer, it will freeze this time of the year so actual washer fluid is essential.

4. Change Your Oil (And Use The Proper Oil)

The climate is changing, so your oil should be changing too! When weather gets colder, oil tends to thicken faster. Be sure the oil you’re using has the right thickness and viscosity so that it doesn’t get too thick, leading it to fail to keep your engine lubricated.

5. Put Together An Emergency Kit

An emergency kit is something great to have on hand. Road-tripping or not, you never know what could happen and nobody wants to get stuck in the cold. Some things to include: a flashlight, snacks and water, a bag of salt (or kitty litter) in case a tire is stuck on the snow, an extra set of warm clothes, a blanket, boots and gloves, windshield washer fluid, jumper cables, and flares!

Another tip: Always keep your gas tank full to prevent it from freezing!

To make sure your car is fully prepared for winter, stop by West Chevy in Knoxville, TN so that our service team can take a look! Check out the service specials on our website and schedule your appointment today!

2016 Chevy Colorado Stakes Claim in Midsize Truck Market

Pickup truck offers new diesel engine to improve on award-winning model

For the Chevrolet Colorado, topping last year’s model seems like no easy task. However, for 2016, Chevy’s midsize pickup truck aims to find a way to best last year’s award-winning model. This year, it starts with the available diesel engine.

All-new Duramax diesel

Chevrolet has raised the bar on the re-emerging midsize pickup market. No other competitor offers a diesel engine on their midsize truck, something that makes the 2016 Chevy Colorado at West Chevrolet unique.

The engineers at the bowtie brand worked to make an all-new Duramax turbo-diesel 2.8-liter engine mated with a 6L50 six-speed automatic transmission. Knoxville diesel truck fans can get up to 369 lb.-ft. of torque — impressive for a midsize truck.

Gas engines focused on towing

Another impressive characteristic of the 2016 Colorados at West Chevrolet is the towing. Car and Driver said that there’s “never been a truck in this size class so clearly focused on towing ability.” That’s good news for those in Tennessee who are looking for a midsize truck that can put some weight behind it.

With the 3.6-L V6 engine and available trailering package, the Colorado can tow up to 7,000 pounds! A Gear On cargo management system can help you better manage your gear, making the Colorado a great truck for road trips.

The 2016 Colorado isn’t just about the engine choices. It has some brains as well! A powerful 4G LTE Wi-Fi subscription is available to serve up to seven smart devices at once. The available eight-inch touchscreen MyLink system supports Apple CarPlay iPhone integration and, coming in March 2016, Android Auto support as well!

Special editions of the 2016 Chevy Colorado can add some flavor to your new truck! The off-road Z71 Trail Boss package comes with a sport bar with LED trail lighting, all-weather floor mats, spray-on bedliner and more!

For the strong, silent type, the Midnight Edition 2016 Colorado has black 18-inch wheels, black grille, black Chevy emblems and more dark features.

We already have 2016 Colorados in-stock at West Chevrolet with more on the way! To learn more about the midsize champion, contact West Chevrolet online or call us today at 865.970.9378.

Find your new 2016 Colorado trucks near Knoxville!