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. 

2023 Chevy Silverado Duramax Diesel Engine is Formidably Flexed for Fall, Readily Available

The 2023 Chevy Silverado 1500 is one of our heaviest hitters (and haulers!) here at West Chevrolet of Knoxville. It will now enjoy its fourth model year standing strong as the latest-generation pickup, and we guarantee that it will sport one fantastic feature that everyone has been asking about: the brand-new 3.0-liter Inline-6 LZ0 turbodiesel Duramax engine. GM Authority reported this week that the new diesel engine will be more widely available to order, after the production restraints that affected this year’s output have been lifted. 

This hefty and capable Duramax is ready to roll, and available to order for the 2023 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ and High-Country trim levels. You can also enjoy its powerful presence on the LT, RST, and LT Trail Boss trim levels and shares a few high-octane and very desirable things in common with the LM2 including turbocharged aspiration, 3.0-liters of displacement, and an inline six-cylinder design. The LZ0 acts as a replacement for the LM2 in the 2023 model year providing more output and is rated at 305 horsepower and 495 lb-ft of torque. 

Every time these heavy-hitting and brand-new engines appear on the scene, it is quite impressive to marvel at the mechanical traits that make them so amazing, as the LZ0 diesel features fully upgraded steel pistons, a revised combustion bowl, brand-new fuel injectors, and a refined turbocharger compressor. All this refined and expertly built goodness is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission and is assembled by the hard-working and proud individuals at the GM Flint Engine Operations plant in Michigan. 

Underneath it all is the GM T1 Platform, built by the crew on duty and always cranking out sheer perfection at the GM Fort Wayne plant in Indiana. As the price of diesel fuel remains a bit high in the US, efficiency such as the 24-mpg combined found here will be a welcome trait. In a separate blog post earlier this year, Motorbiscuit also confirmed that this new LZ0 Duramax engine’s reliability is so thorough that it has extended its recommended inspection to the 200,000-mile mark, alleviating the need for the somewhat difficult task of replacing the variable valve oil pump belt at 100,000 miles. 

Engineers at the helm of developing the Duramax spent a lot of time assuring that the rig would start up quicker and discovered some fine tuning that had to take place during the crank design. It also uses smaller, steel pistons instead of aluminum, and needed a longer stroke to maintain 3.0-liter displacement. There are also brand-new injectors that assist with turbocharger tuning and an entirely reworked cylinder head along with a completely revamped cooling system. What all these components collaborate to achieve is a high satisfaction level with the smooth and quiet power the diesel provides, and the true reliability and grit drivers have praised Chevy trucks for all of these fantastic years!

Future of Powertrains Platform: InsideEVs Reports on 150,000 Current Reservations for Silverado EV

Our team here at West Chevrolet is always excited to learn what the future holds for our beloved brand. One of the biggest pieces of news and most popular incoming models is the all-new Chevy Silverado EV. We know the classic Silverado draws sentiments and nostalgia from Americans across the country, but we can guarantee that the incoming Silverado EV will be just as trusty, hefty and incredibly efficient as the model we all know and love! 

The InsideEVs blog just reported that there were currently over 150,000 reservations for the Chevy Silverado EV, compared to the 110,000 at the beginning of 2022. That’s a very respectable number for a vehicle that is scheduled for an official market launch in Spring of 2023: by that time, it’s possible that GM may beat the number of registrations that Ford collected for its rival F-150 Lightning. 85% of reservations are from new customers, and 70% of the reservations taken were from customers on either coast. 

Part of the official plan is to overtake Tesla in sales by providing a focus on much more affordable EVs. There is no reason that we cannot follow its gas-powered relatives in racking up stellar sales numbers, and the orders already in place are an incredibly promising sign. The official reveal of the Silverado EV was in January of this year, and the work truck model is expected to arrive during early spring of 2023, with the fully loaded and upper trim RST First Edition set to be available to the public in the fall of 2023. 

Any one of these 150,000 lucky customers along with others who decide to dive fully-fledged into the electric-powered stratosphere will enjoy some 400 miles of range, and DC Fast Charging at speeds of up to 100 miles of range in just ten minutes. Dual electric motors offer up standard all-wheel drive and up to 664 horsepower, and the Silverado EV will have a towing rating of up to 10,000 pounds. Buyers of the RST model will find that it comes with the extra additives of 24-inch wheels, an adaptive air suspension, while the Trail Boss offers up all-terrain tires and locking differentials. 

Once inside the RST Model you’ll enjoy a fixed glass roof, black-and-white two-tone leather upholstery with red piping, and available passenger space about identical to a regular Silverado crew cab pickup truck. There is a column-mounted shifter instead of one situated directly on the console, which creates enough space for a useful storage bin ideal for items that can be stowed away during the drive. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are expected to be standard, with in-dash navigation, SiriusXM satellite radio, and an on-board Wi-Fi hotspot to provide the ultimate in connectivity and entertainment options.

Stay tuned for more updates from West Chevrolet about the incoming Silverado EV or contact us today to make your reservation.

GM Authority Offers up Spy Shots of 2024 Chevy Silverado HD ZR2 Spotted Test Driving in Michigan

GM Authority sources revealed that Chevy was actively working on a new and red rock-crushing Chevy Silverado HD ZR2 model that would equip the heavy-duty pickup with the off-road capability of the light-duty Silverado ZR2. All of us here at West Chevy of Knoxville have long had much admiration for the ZR2’s massive off-road ability, and we were excited to see it testing on public roads in Michigan, giving a rough idea of what to expect from the future off-roader. 

There is nothing more rewarding than a weekend spent in the mud and tundra after feeling pent up for five days straight or facing a steep incline and getting ready to dig your paws full in and fire up the hillside! The spies getting these particular shots had to use a pretty long lens to photograph the truck from quite a way away, but you can still make out details of the vehicle's front fascia and style of wheels and tires that it will boast. The grill was partially concealed by camouflage but appears to feature a similar design to the light-duty Silverado ZR2, along with the same fog lights.

This prototype also had a beefy front underbody skid plate that was different from the one seen on the Silverado’s Trail Boss trim, appearing like the skid plate seen on GMC Sierra AT4X prototypes. Always ready for the demands that any cracked canyon or newly-discovered fire trail will offer, the ZR2 is expected to offer both the 6.6-Liter V8 L8T gas engine and the 6.6-Liter V8 S5P turbodiesel Duramax. Here the spies were able to clearly make out a large green sticker marked “diesel” over the fuel door, clueing us in to the presence of the capable and primo presence of the Duramax.

There will now also be the introduction of the GM 10-Speed automatic transmission as a replacement for the L8T’s six-speed, along with a revised version of the L5P Duramax that will crank out nearly 1,100 lb-ft of torque, and more than 500 horsepower. This spotted prototype also had a very memorable wheel and tire combination with camo-wrapped off-road rims wrapped in extra knobby and trail-ready Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT tires. Other things that will set the HD ZR2 apart from the lower trim models include new dampers that could be much like the MultiMatic DSSV dampers used on the Silverado ZR2 and Colorado ZR2, along with an off-road front bumper sporting removable end caps. 

The Chevy Silverado HD ZR2 will also be equipped with front and rear locking differentials, a game-changing element along with new specialty dampers for the boulder-conquering and stream ready ZR2. So many truck fans are looking to get off-road now and enjoy what the wilderness has to offer: mountain vistas, a long distance from the concrete confines of the city, and plowing forward rapidly through dirt will be a snap with this incoming model: we will keep you posted right here regarding upcoming spy shots, where the 2024 ZR2 will be produced, and just how fast it continues to lead among the trail-savvy and load-ready pack!

An Electric Duo Sporting Dynamic Differences: Chevy Silverado EV vs. GMC Hummer EV

The 2024 Chevy Silverado EV will most likely not ever be mistaken for a GMC Hummer EV truck. The GM Ultium platform that underpins the new electric Silverado is visually quite different than the Hummer EV pickup. Here are some of the major differences between the electric Silverado and Hummer EV reported by the Motortrend team. 

Stealing a Glance at the Stretched Wheelbase: 

The 24-module 200-kWh battery pack is expected to be the largest used in any Ultium passenger vehicle application, and it provides a snug fit between the axles of the GMC Hummer EV. The Silverado will fulfill the expectation of working a bit harder for its substance than the lifestyle-oriented Hummer, with a stretched wheelbase of 10.1 inches to make way for a nearly 6-foot pickup box on the electric Silverado work truck. The GMT800 architecture needed seven different midsection frame modules to provide the perfectly spec’d wheelbases. The Ultium platform’s midsection features extruded aluminum rails cut down to different lengths. 

Track Width Inspection:

The side rails are spaced the same distance apart in the Silverado EV and Hummer EV. The track widths are dramatically different and made possible by the presence of wider suspension cross members and longer control arms on the Hummer. Larger tires are noticeably narrower on the Silverado.

The Silverado Brandishes the Midgate: 

During the GMT800 era, the Silverado flourished as a fully conventional pickup, whereas the Hummer H2 received a midgate. This fulfilled the desired task of making a very short 4-foot bed grow by 2 feet with the current model enjoying a fixed 5-foot bed. The Silverado EV work truck gets a 6-foot bed, and up-level models like the RST First Edition will receive a midgate that extends the floor length to 9 feet by folding forward into the cab.

The Daunting Powertrain Debate:

Chevy will launch the 2024 Silverado EV with a motor that sends power to each axle for standard all-wheel drive. The Work Truck trim’s horsepower rating is 510, and torque is at 615 lb-ft. After its initial release, lower-powered models that feature two-wheel drive are expected to follow shortly afterward. The entry-level Hummer EV2 and EV2X will receive two motors as standard, rated at 625 horsepower and 617 Lb-ft of torque, with the top-of-the-line EV3X and Edition 1 featuring a single-motor front axle along with two motors at the rear. The base EV3X will likely produce 1,000 hp and 863 lb-ft of torque.

The Premium Selection of Power Modes:

The Top models of each brand’s Ultium pickup will boast a special high-power mode. Flipping the switch on this feature will allow you to play with up to 664 hp and 780 lb-ft of torque, and the Edition 1 Hummer EV boasts its very-own Watts to Freedom (WTF) mode good for 1,000 hp and 1,045 lb-ft of torque. This mode puts out a few rumbling sound effects that Chevy made the decided to pass on.

Civilian Driving Vs. the Trail Trip:

The 2024 Chevy Silverado EV RST First Edition will have the on-road focus with 3.9 inches of height adjustability, while the Hummer’s Extract mode increases ground clearance by 5.8 inches. Both trucks have the benefit of 4-wheel steering, with the Hummer riding on knobby 18-inch 305/70-series Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT tires. The Silverado rolls on 24-inch wheels with a heightened sense of style wrapped in 275/50-series Michelin Primacy LTX tires, sporting a considerably less aggressive tread pattern. The Work Truck trim models will see it suitable to roll on smaller 18-inch wheels with much taller sidewall tires to see you through your daily duties.

Separate Ways to Snatch up Fresh Air:

The 2021 Chevy Silverado EV RST First Edition models will all come equipped with a deep-tinted fixed glass roof that offers up better visibility for all passengers than a sliding panoramic roof. Hummer EV edition 1 pickups come equipped with three removable glass roof panels; one is a cross-car targa-style roof over the front seats and the other two are removable T-top-style panels that cover the rear. Our electric Silverado intends to separate passengers from the boiling pavement and noise of the highway or city, while the Hummer aims to let riders enjoy an all-encompassing off-road adventure.

Who Reigns Supreme in the Towing Department?

The electric Chevy Silverado roars out of the gate with 8,000 – 10,000 pounds of towing capacity as stacked up against the GMC Hummer’s 7,500. A special fleet variant that will be capable of towing 20,000 pounds is on schedule for 2025, further solidifying the Silverado EV’s mission that is geared towards the hardest and heaviest of work. Both pickups have a payload rating of around 1,300 lbs, and future work truck variants with smaller batteries and rear-wheel drive should weigh even less and be able to handle more payload. 

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.