West Chevy Milestone Reflections: Looking Back on 100 Years of Powerful Torque

As we once again find ourselves situated at the end of another year in Knoxville, it's one of those moments when we can take a look back at the production and history of the brand we love. Torque is the actual force that an engine generates while it is twisting, and over the last century, Chevy has provided durable trucks with powerful torque for over 85 million new customers. Driving off the lot with a new truck that can help you haul whatever you need to, as well as conquering new terrain always can make your New Year that much better, and here at West Chevy, we have a large variety to choose from.

Things have progressed massively since the very first one-ton model from 1918, which had a 2.8-liter inline 4-cylinder engine, and only provided a meek 45 lb-ft of torque. There's a close relative of this very same engine in the form of a 2.45-liter that is now situated in the Colorado, that is now rated at 191 lb-ft of torque, or 76 lb-ft per liter. This is a very hefty 480 percent increase in power, which shows just how far engineering and development have progressed in the truck world.

Dominating the collection of various trucks in terms of power is the Silverado 3500 HD, which tops the scale at a full ton, and houses an available Duramax 6.6-liter Turbo Diesel V-8. High-tech advances such as turbocharging and direct injection are other integral weapons in the fight to provide more torque per liter, which means every brand-new owner can haul that much more cargo in the long run.

The First Stovebelt Six was released in 1929, and was a prime example of grade A truck construction. It was a great accomplishment, in that it forever changed the work-load rating from 1 ton to 1.5 tons. The Stovebelt Six nickname came from the type of external fasteners it uses that are similar to the bolts on wood-burning stoves. These fasteners quickly became symbols of how durable the engine is, and from this design stemmed several more generations of Chevy overhead-valve straight-six engines. This engine put to use a forged steel crankshaft with three bearings and cast-iron pistons, and the 194 was shared with GMC and Chevy truck for use in 1935, and 1936.  

The first small-block V-8 from Chevy was introduced in 1955, it subsequently was the very first overhead-valve V-8 engine. During later days, it was known simply as the “Small Block”, and was outfitted with a 265-cubic inch engine that was capable of producing 238 lb-ft of torque. It was a model that later evolved into one of the industry's longest-standing engine offerings. A decade after the small block was introduced, the big block engine family made its debut, which was a milestone as far as performance level for all gas-powered trucks. It is actually still in existence, and is situated in the fifth generation of Chevy trucks for the 2018 year.

During the 1980's, Chevy made the choice to exchange high compression ratings for boosted levels of technology. Electronic fuel injection was developed, resulting in the possibility of higher efficiency numbers. Torque in the small-block engine was boosted to 300 lb-ft during 1987. A few years later, the 5.7-liter Vortec Small-block provided a 10% increase in torque, a substantial gain after so much progress had already been made. Variable valve timing and direct injection are two of the technologies that have really been able to boost the performance factor of trucks, and change their output for the better. In the current Silverado 1500, a rating of 460 lb-ft has been accomplished with the use of these technological advances.

Duramax Technology first came about during 2001 for Chevys HD trucks, and was the beginning of a very new era of the highest in capability. The second-generation available in the 2018 Silverado HD lineup boasts an impressive output of 910 lb-ft of torque.Car and Driver was on the scene to record a 0-60 mph time for a very quick 6.2 seconds completed by a Silverado powered by Duramax, which was the quickest time ever laid down for an HD truck. The latest version is the L5P, which was introduced in 2017, and the most powerful diesel engine in existence. It is so powerful and capable, that TFL Truck has on record a climb up the Eisenhower-grade in Colorado in 10:16.99 minutes, about 12 seconds faster than the nearest one-ton competitor!

Nearing New Year's in Knoxville: The Chevy Colorado 4WD LT's Practical Punch

As 2017 draws to a close, the residents of Knoxville will no doubt be looking to mingle, blow off steam, and perhaps find a soiree to show off that brand new vehicle at! New Year's Eve in the Old City will be an ultra-fun pub crawl: after purchasing one wristband, you gain access to five hoppin' venues that evening. Each bar has a different theme to keep you rockin' through the Eve, and they have also partnered with the Downtown Hilton of Knoxville to offer guests a special hotel package with overnight board and shuttle service. Embassy Suites Knoxville West is having a super-awesome black-tie affair, with dancing on their stunning ballroom floor, and traditional champagne toast at midnight.

With the year drawing to a close, many of our customers are telling us about their large dose of love for their trucks. Over the past week, LA Times writer Charles Fleming was assigned to uncover the finer points of driving the Colorado Redline 4WD LT, and the truly midsize design was one element that really stood out for him. He felt after trying many of last year's truck models out that “Climbing into the driver's seat requires a stepladder or running leap”, and enjoyed the Colorado's slightly lower stance. To be exact, it is about two inches lower than the Rival Ford F-150, sitting at right around 22.

Charles has much love for the Colorado in terms of the backup camera's usefulness and help it provides: he claimed ease of parking was a hugely positive selling point. This is also a truck that is a great choice for anyone who has to navigate down narrow streets, and was subsequently billed by Car and Driver as the all-able “Swiss Army Truck”. The 4-wheel drive and 3.6-liter V-6 engine are paired with perfection to Chevy's 8-speed automatic transmission, and it's good to know that this truck boasts a towing ability of 7000 lbs +. When people are asking us about which truck is right for them, this model really gets our pick for the “Do Everything” crew cab. With plenty of speed available, it is still off-road ready on short notice.

Come pay us a holiday visit at West Chevy and check out how great the “Active Tow” system is: it helps the driver by aligning the pickup during reverse, and V-6 models come standard with it. We are all very excited about Chevy's 100^th anniversary this year, and the commemorative package for the Colorado is the perfect way to go about celebrating. Nabbing this gives you color-keyed grille and rear bumper, spray-in bed liner, chrome exterior bits, and the “Go Anywhere” attitude 18-inch wheels. One of the most sensible trim lines for anyone looking to get into a new Colorado is the LT: it equips you with some post holiday-awesomeness in terms of the crew cab, 3.6-liter V-6, all-wheel-drive, and standard box. After the dust settles and the New Year's parties are over, The Colorado will be dominating Knoxville streets: we love that folks out in the City of Angels are raving about its functionality, and it could be your perfect choice to ring in New Year's Folly!

Carbon Fiber Future Watch: Chevy Silverado's Plan to Get on Board

Truck production and design in the future will change drastically, and use of different materials is one of the pressing issues in the spotlight. Here in Knoxville, we have been watching intently as most already are familiar with features on 2018 models, wondering what exactly trucks will showcase down the road. 

According to Automotive News, the Chevy Silverado is going to make use of both aluminum and carbon fiber in their beds for years to come. We love the durability and “go-anywhere” stance of the Silverado, and many different research teams have taken it upon themselves to find ways to increase mileage capability, while possessing the ultimate structure.

Carbon fiber is stronger and lighter in weight than steel and aluminum, yet takes a bit more time and finances to produce. Use of this material ultimately results in reducing the weight of the truck, and improving fuel economy numbers. Both of these are done without sacrificing the qualities that lead to a more rugged and durable truck, and remain as trusty as ever. The Ford F-150 had begun using aluminum during production in 2015, and the results were way above par. The next generation of trucks will be constructed primarily with aluminum, with the added use of carbon fiber just a few years ahead on the horizon.

Here on the lot at West Chevy, you can come pay us a visit to check out the Commemorative Centennial Edition: proudly celebrating over 100 years of manufacturing for Chevy trucks, it sports unique Centennial Blue Paint color, as well as cool badging that is inspired by many decades of heritage and legacy. It's easy to customize the Silverado 1500 to exactly what your preferred truck taste is: going for the mid-level LT trim allows you to enjoy the short bed, crew cab, 5.3-liter V8, along with all-wheel drive. If you happen to be concerned about any of the younger ones around and what happens when they get behind the wheel, you'll love the Teen Driver system. It tracks specific driving behaviors, and limits others that could prove to be hazardous.

Once the teens return home, parents can actually view a detailed report card, focusing on issues such as over-speed, tailgating instances, and other data points to help shape future behaviors. Before the appearance of carbon fiber and aluminum becomes commonplace down the road, there is currently one great option to really beef up the off-road capability of the truck: the Z71 package. It includes body-color grille surround with headlamp bezel, as well as 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires. You also score a trailering package with 2-inch receiver hitch, and automatic rear locking differential, and the very “can do” capable off-road suspension with Rancho shocks. Make it a point to check out the Texas Edition Package as well: it includes a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, handy remote start, and modern dual-zone automatic climate control.

Your Commute Just Got Less Stressful With Marketplace

Even with today’s ubiquitous technological advancements, it seems we’re still quite the busybodies despite innovations being made to take the stress off of our day-to-day lives.

While not one correct answer lies out there, Chevrolet has thought of making the morning coffee run easier for those rushing to the office in the morning. Starting now GM is rolling out the auto industry’s first in-vehicle commerce platform allowing you make purchases right from your dash.

The new Marketplace feature will allow customers to order a variety of goods including food, coffee, navigation to seek the nearest gas stations for a quick fill up or restaurants for a quick bite or to make reservations for a big event allowing drivers to develop a further connection to their favorite brands. While building trust is with others is great, GM wants to develop a further connection with their drivers as well.

Marketplace will also feature dedicated offers on specific GM Vehicles such as purchasing Wi-Fi data, receiving coupons for oil changes and other service discounts, and other GM accessories. These features can all be activated with a simple push of a button through all on-screen notifications.  

All of these features are designed to be used while driving, but making sure you’re safe in doing so. Marketplace learns from you in real-time by analyzing your interaction data, like your location, time of day and your relationship with third-party merchants so you’re receiving offers personalized to your interests. While these won’t cure all of your daily commute troubles, this is certainly a step in the right direction which will give you less time on the road and more time doing what you truly enjoy.

Sixty Years Of Innovation: The Corvette’s Humble Beginnings

1957 was a big year or the world. The first Frisbee was released, the last episode of I Love Lucy was aired, and people noticed cars were getting more powerful. There was one vehicle in particular which stood out, the Chevrolet Corvette.

While the Corvettes of back then don’t resemble what see on the streets today, they were quite the specimen for their time. Split into two package offerings, option 684 featuring the “Big Brake” package, and the less common 579E Airbox Package,

The Airbox Package featured a special sealed air intake system which drew cooler air from the front of the engine component. This ensured the vehicle was able to reach top performance during its long race runs. Only 43 of the 579E variants were produced, so if you witness one in person consider yourself lucky!

Each generation of the Corvette shows both the vehicle’s progression in performance and technology and Chevy’s capability of always reaching new heights. We’re not sure what the future holds for the Corvette, but we cannot wait for what’s in store!

2018 Camaro West Chevy Holiday Wreath's Watch: First Drive Impressions + Highlights

From the Christmas Lantern Express Train Ride to the “Elf, Jr.” musical at the Knoxville Children's Theater, there are always more holiday events here then you can even keep track of. Christmas is a special time for every single Tennessee resident, as the fondest of past memories get to be rehashed, and families get to spend valued time together. The most able and commanding muscle cars in all the land are some of the best gift ideas ever: if you have someone who is all-out fantastic in your life, don't you think that a powerful peace of stealth machinery would just about do to let them feel appreciated? If you think a car is not quite ideal for a gift, think again: those who get their hands on brand new keys for Christmas tell us that it is one of the major milestones of their entire lives!

This past month, the good folks of the Road Show blog and magazine had writer John Wong weigh in on his thoughts after giving the new 2018 Camaro SS a spin. Incredibly fierce good looks, standout ability on the track, and an iconic stature are just some of the reasons why buyers have been crazy for the Camaro since its official release in 1967. After sampling the goods and the power that the 6.2-liter V-8 has under the hood, he said that the rev-matching function is “excellent”, and that the tire's grip was off-the-charts easy to take advantage of. 20-inch Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3-run flat tires provide a grip that is so well-refined, it acts as an aid with the generation of launch power, needed for the initial off-the-line boost.

Jon also was appreciative of the way the Camaro handled for him while bombing around back roads, and he was very happy with the signature Brembo Brakes. And at closer look, why wouldn't he be? These precision-tuned stoppers are composed of 4-piston front and rear calipers, and are much more than capable of bringing the powerful and weighty Camaro SS to a halt. This is a car with so much power packed under the hood, that it has enjoyed honors such as being among picks of theUnited States Hot Rod Association.

Definitely make it a point to ask all of us here at West Chevy how the Redline Package can up the ante and appearance on your favorite holiday gift or purchase ever! It adds blacked-out features to the mirrors, 20-inch aluminum wheels, tail lamps, and bowtie emblems. There are also red accents on the front fender decals, and all of us love the sinister look it evokes right away. You're going to be instantly won over by the ChevyMylinks System, which provides an 8-inch touchscreen, as well as the secondary “keys to drive” within the auto: commander's control of the 9-speaker Bose Audio setup. You can make and receive calls, keep up with important text message alerts, and enjoy many other convenient features, all without even using your mobile device.

We were happy to see that the seasoned staff at Road Show reviewed the performance and handling of the Camaro so well, and that they also commented on how kick-butt the upgrades to the interior were for 2018. Steering that is quick to respond during demanding corners, the same prowess and classic style that the Camaro has always evoked, and the promise of owning a stellar staple of American history are all good reasons to put the new Camaro SS at the top of your wish list. Even the lovable “Bumblebee” in the Transformers movie franchise was first portrayed as a 1976 Camaro, and later a 5th-generation concept mod. This holiday season, pick the car that was the official Indy 500 Pace Model for 8 different years, and see just how epic this Xmas-sleigh-of-sorts is!