Kelley Blue Book Touts Pre-Spring Stackup: 2019 Chevy Bolt Vs. 2019 Nissan Leaf

Kelley Blue Book has long been a source of useful and well-tested information for those in search of a new or pre-owned vehicle. Highly recognized by both industry professionals and consumers, the company had their humble roots planted back in 1918 with just a stock of three Model T Fords. The First Blue Book guide was published in 1926, which became the industry's standard guide for determining any car value. One of their most recent writeups was a comparison between our prized Chevy Bolt and the Nissan Leaf, a matchup of two vehicles that are huge contenders in the electric arena.

Right out of the gate, the Leaf is recognized by KBB for its excellent range, and the battery pack's location in the floor lowering the center of gravity. Billed as a great entry-level EV for those looking to leave fossil fuels behind, it is also one of the cheaper electrics on the market. The Bolt's 238-mile range and higher power levels are worth the money, and the Bolt is also ranked by the KBB staff as more fun to drive. Even though it is more expensive right off the bat, stepping up to other trim levels on the Leaf make the cost similar. Nissan will soon be coming out with the Leaf E+ line that may fare as more competitive with the Bolt as far as both range and power, and this could step the rivalry between the two up a quite noticeable notch.

Our Bolt has 55.6 cubic feet of space when the seats are folded, and also had the daunting dibs to a higher top speed. During years past, if you really wanted an electric car, the options were limited, and more manufacturers such as Porsche were attempting to add electric cars to their fleets. The Nissan Leaf was one of the very first Evs on the market, and with each passing generation, it had improved its power, driving range, and appearance. This particular KBB stackup also give the Bolt extra points for the quick charge option, providing 90 miles of range in just 30 minutes. One similarity that both have is the ability to be driving with only one pedal, a sign of autonomous functionality on the horizon.

The horsepower ranking on the Bolt sits at 200, compared to the Leaf's 147. Torque is at 266 lb-ft, and 147 on the Leaf. The range is really the selling point for many people: a total of 238 miles in the Bolt compared to the Leaf's 150. Both cars have a nearly identical warranty: 3 years and 36,000 miles. The NHTSA Overall Safety Rating is at a 5-star ranking for the Bolt, and 4 stars for the Leaf. When you get the opportunity to pit cars against each other with the savviest and most seasoned individuals at the helm, you are always going to yield results that keep the consumer within the loop: if you happen to be growing weary of making constant trips to the Knoxville gas pumps, the Bolt may be the best source of planet-friendly driving power for your family or business!

2019 Chevy Trax Quick Facts and Stats Gleaned From Trucks.com

Many Knoxville residents on the hunt for a new crossover feel confident that they definitely have a large slew to choose from. Everyone here at West Chevy fully knows that the competition is alive and well, and that consumers have been steering toward the crossover variety strongly for quite some time now. What keeps us feeling confident every day about the vehicles we offer is how much praise and positivity we get from various blogs: the many auto-related news sources out there on the web test drive and closely scrutinize a very high number of cars before they finally “cast their judgment” and dole out the news scoop on the latest releases.

The savvy and experienced staff at Trucks.com provided a feature this past week about the 2019 Chevy Trax, and all that it has to offer. It's our prized subcompact crossover that is the fierce yet friendly competition against the Honda HR-V, Jeep Renegade, and Mazda CX-3. It is built on the GM's Gamma 2 platform, that is shared with the Chevy Sonic, Aveo, and Buick Encore. LS, LT, and Premier are the three available trim levels, and everyone who comes to see us for a test drive needs to check out the Premier's added touch! It provides for you 18-inch alloy wheels, chrome accent door handles, fog lamps, and the Driver Confidence Safety Package.

Every single one of our Trax crossovers comes with an all-important element that keeps your peace of mind factor high: the three-year, 36,000-mile vehicle bumper-to-bumper limited warranty, and a 5-year/60,000-mile limited powertrain warranty. This is one facet of the business that has changed drastically over the last 10 years alone, and we love having the ability to offer our customers the best in help if anything were to ever go wrong during ownership.

The power source is the prime and peppy turbocharged gasoline 4-cylinder 1.4 liter, cranking out 138 horsepower, and 148 lb – ft of torque. All trims have front-wheel and all-wheel drive available, and shifting duties are handled with a six-speed automatic transmission. The mileage stats are exciting to many commuters who are understandably watching their pocketbooks: 26 mpg in the city and 31 mpg highway driving are the EPA's ratings. All 2019 models have USB and 12-volt power outlets, and LT and Premier trims offer the convenience of 110-volt outlets.

Ask us about the three new awesome color choices this year: Pacific Blue Metallic, Dark Copper Metallic, and Satin Steel Metallic are on deck to complement the vehicle that Car and Driver claims possesses “competent handling” and “the strongest brakes in its class!” There is much less leaning in corners then one would expect given the Trax's tall stature, and this is a powertrain that has been ranked by the best as “superb.” Also earning five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, you'll find the usual high-tech safekeeping elements onboard such as Available forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear parking sensors.

2019 Corvette ZR1's Top Ten Need-to-Know Stats Featured in Motor Authority

As the promise of spring is one of the main things on our minds here during February at West Chevy, we begin to think about just how much fun can be had on an open track or winding road when you are driving a car offering the ultimate in performance. The Corvette is, by all means, the all-American supercar, cranking out 755 horsepower and 715 lb-ft of torque from its supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 engine. Named Motor Authority's “Best car to buy for 2019,” and for the first time in history, there is a convertible model for the ZR1. 

Brandishing performance specs like a 0-to-60 mph sprint of just 2.85 seconds, a quarter-mile run at 10.6 seconds, and a top speed of 212 mph, this is a car that is undeniably fast as hell, and it destroyed the Ford GT's lap record at Virginia International Raceway's Grand Course West during 2018 with a time of 2:37.25. Motor Authority ran a cool blog story this past week featuring 10 things you need to know about this awesome new car, and they really hit the nail on the head with some of the qualities and characteristics of this work of mastery.

Look at that Supercharger: Definitely no joke; once you find yourself inside the ZR1, you'll find yourself in awe of the supercharger. It has 52 percent more displacement than the LT4 supercharger found in the Z06, and it's tall enough to always be situated in your sight line. It's definitely one of those traits that reminds you exactly what you are driving, and how much power you have the ability to tap into.

There's a hole in the hood: There really is an actual hole in the hood, which is necessary because the massive supercharger is so tall that it does not have the ability to clear the hood line. Instead of raising the entire hood line the design team on duty just created a new hole. You can pop the hood and show off for your buddies, and it's just a cool additive overall to the mix.

Good Lord it's loud: There is most definitely loud, and then ZR1 loud: during its development on the Nurburgring track this spy video showed that it needed to be equipped with extra piping to quiet it down as it broke the 100 db noise threshold. In second gear at a racetrack, it was brain-jarring, even with a helmet.

It Tramlines: The very wide, sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires that are included in the ZTK Track Performance Package are known for following every crack, ding, and seam in existence on the road. The setup with 285 mm tires up front on the narrower side make handling of the ZR1 much better than what you experience in the current Ford Mustang.

Those Carbon seats and steering wheel: once you get inside, the steering wheel and seats are absolutely fantastic. The flat-bottom wheel features real carbon fiber, and suede at 9 and 3 where the driver's hands are placed. Some enthusiasts think that carbon fiber can be not quite the right fit, but for the ZR1 it works perfectly.

Wing for Days: Every single 2019 Corvette ZR1 has a rear wing, and a shorter wing is instrumental in producing less drag for higher top-speeds. When you opt for the ZTK Track Performance Package, you get cup 2 tires and performance suspension, and a stanchion-mounted adjustable carbon fiber wing. Adding quite a bit of aggressive character, it really tops off the appearance of a car that already simply has so much going for it in the all-important visual appeal department.

A bit of Ferrari: When they saw some of the earlier spy shots of the ZR1, many realized that the wheels are a bit like what you see on a Ferrari: you catch a bit of F40 or F50 vibe, as a glance provides some of the same feel that you'd see on the renowned Italian masterpieces. The Ferrari is truly a car that is coveted among many, and one that has one of the most distinct presences out there.

Stable, inspires confidence: you may be in high gear on the freeway or blasting happily through a straight section of track, but either way, you'll still appreciate the stability of the ZR1. The grip and steering really build driver confidence, and pushing the car to its limits offers a thrill like none other.

SO, So fast: the writers on staff at Motor Authority righteously claim that “it's hard to convey in words just how fast the C7 ZR1 is.” The feeling you get at about 105 mph when the supercharged V8 is hurtling forward is pretty special, and the power “seems to come from a never-ending well.” Raw power such as this was the reason why cars like 'Vettes were born in the first place, and always offers up heart-pumping excitement during every single drive.

It's a bargain: The truth of the matter is that the ZR1 completely tears apart cars that cost more than $400,000, and it can keep up with anything that costs above the million dollar mark. You really do get all that your heart desires with the Corvette, which has long been a symbol of the ultimate sense of freedom, fulfillment, and staunch track-laden frenzy!

Motor Trend Organizes “Farm Frenzy” With Chevy Colorado Vs the Ranger, Ridgeline, and Toyota

When a true truck comparison test takes place, there are many various locations where the trusty vehicles are best put to their duties. Supercars need to experience the excitement and heart-pumping action of the track, SUVS need to head abruptly off-road, and when it comes to trucks, the harder the work at hand, the better. In the very scenic Farm Sanctuary located in both Watkins Glen, New York and north of Los Angeles, this location is offered up on a silver platter, with plenty of opportunities to show strength and vigor. This is where the staff of Motor Trend made sure that they provided a well-emulated day for these trucks, and see if claims of durability are solid.

This is a valuable and heart-warming organization: they specialize in saving farm animals from abuse. Chickens, pigs, lambs, goats, cows, horses, and more of the valuable species that right here on many farms around Knoxville. Before the not-so-light duties began, the good point was made that many of today's pickups in the mid-size range are more capable than many full-size pickups were as recently as two decades ago. So the mid-sizes were the choice on deck to be brought out to the test, and the winner was going to be the one that worked the hardest on the farm, while also feeling natural to drive in the city.

The group first noticed that the Honda Ridgeline was the only unibody pickup in the crew, designed for the driver that craves utility but also is after the comfort offerings of a crossover. It's 280-hp 3.5-liter V6 was the only non-4WD contender for this contest on the farm, and there are admittedly some nice advantages its packages has over the others. With knobby tires and sheet metal that is squared-off, the Tacoma TRD Off-road on deck was literally the opposite of the Honda in all ways. It's true that this solid competitor has a reputation for long-lasting durability and excellence, and the testing model was a 3.5-liter V-6 mated to a 6-speed automatic. 

Our beloved Colorado Z71 was the winner of back-to-back Truck of the Year awards in 2015 and 2016, and its V-6 was the most powerful engine of the bunch, cranking out 308 horsepower. The Ford Ranger that was “brought out to the trough” literally during this event incorporated the use of the 2.3-liter turbocharged I-4 that was borrowed from the muscle-bound and speedy Mustang. As the race was now really on to see which truck fared the best when put to pasture duty, features editor Scott Evans claimed that “Toyota does win all the style points,” absolutely looking the part inside and out.

The cabin of the Tacoma seemed a bit higher-quality off the bat, but the confines seem cramped as well. It proved to be very difficult to find a comfortable driving position in the rock-hard seats, which don't do much in the way of lowering or raising. The ride experienced while putting the Tacoma to the test was a bit stiff, and the brakes proved to be overly sensitive as well. This made for a ride quality that seemed a bit punishing, and said revving also was always in the high zone.

The Ford Ranger XLT was challenged with some suspension issues as well: the ride had such a soft characteristic, that it made the truck bounce perpetually. Every single bump hit, closing of a door, or turn made the Ford sway with the memorable properties of “a cheap motel's vibrating bed.” The crew later discovered that the ride could have been made much better with Ford's special brand of off-road package, but the overall characteristics were very under sprung, and all-over-the-place busy. One quality that the customers of today definitely do NOT want is one that throws the driver around, constantly doling out shots much like a rickety wooden roller coaster on Coney Island.

The prized Chevy Colorado was the “Goldilocks of the group,” and the chief testing editor lamented that he should have known it was still so far ahead in terms of ride and overall refinement. It is still much like a truck, but also very well-behaved on roads that encounter next-to-no maintenance. The powertrain felt very peppy, and the transmission had a great amount of response compared to the Toyota. The task of unloading at the hay feeder was easy with the Colorado, by means of the ingenious bumper-mounted bed step that makes it easier to hop in and begin unloading. The reason why the Colorado aced this test with flying colors was its functional bed, amount of available power, and ability to offer a button-downed ride on the daily: We are excited about yet another badge of excellence for our mid-sized staple of might!

Special Edition Corvette Racers Unleash Series Models for 2019

Last week at a location that many deep-frozen Americans would have loved to be transported to, Chevy introduced the 2019 Corvette Drivers Series special edition Grand Sport models designed in conjunction with the seasoned Corvette Racing team. In sunny Daytona, Florida, the four new versions inspired by Racing drivers Tommy Milner, Oliver Gavin, Jan Magnussen, and Antonio Garcia were revealed to the very-anticipant public. This is a series that truly celebrates Corvette Racing's legacy of winning, which is stoked and thoroughly inspired by a team of drivers with world-class skill.

Each driver worked closely with Chevy designers on the graphics for their unique edition, which gives the cars a very distinctly personal and custom appearance. Now offered on the Grand Sport 1LT, 2LT, and 3LT trims, Corvette owners will be excited to have an opportunity to commemorate star drivers who really made a difference in the heart-pumping and white-knuckle breed of high-speed entertainment racing. Here are the specifics on what these versions offer:

Tommy Milner Edition: boasts Elkhart Lake Blue Exterior with silver stripes and red hash marks, black wheels with red strip and red brake calipers, and Jet Black suede interior with red seat belts. You also gain the comfort of leather seats on the 1LT.

Oliver Gavin Edition: provides Shadow Gray Exterior with Torch Red center stripe and torch red hash marks, Carbon Flash mirrors, black wheels with red stripe, red brake calipers, and a wickedly awesome Adrenaline Red interior with red seat belts.

Jan Magnussen Edition: This may very well be our personal favorite here at West Chevy: it has an Arctic White exterior with Crystal Red strips and gray hash marks, body-color mirrors, black wheels with red stripe and red brake calipers, a Jet Black interior with red seat belts, and red stitching on the 3LT trim.

Antonio Garcia Edition: This edition has a racing yellow exterior sporting a “Jake” stinger stripe, red hash marks, Carbon Flash mirrors, black wheels with red stripe, and red brake calipers. Jet Black interior and yellow stitching are offered on the 3LT trim.

Each edition also will receive a driver-specific interior plaque and other trim details, and all models with the 3LT trim include carbon fiber interior trim. Very similar to the Corvette Racing C7.R race cars, the Grand Sport-based Drivers Series models feature the pleasantly-roaring naturally aspirated V-8 engine. The 6.2L LT1 engine is rated at 460 horsepower, and runs with the help of a dry-sump oiling system that is specifically designed to support the demands of high-performance excitement on the track.

These Corvette Drivers Series packages are slated for availability this spring, and you can also opt for heated and ventilated leather-appointed seats on the 2LT and 3LT trims. The enhanced cooling package is on deck to make sure you don't sizzle the blocks after the massively exciting trips around the track you'll be doling out, and slowdown will be a cinch by means of the Brembo brake system with 14.6-inch rotors and 6-piston calipers in front, and 14.4-inch rotors and 4-piston calipers in the rear.

Many other cars out there are sporting the Driver Mode Selector now, but we are here to attest that the environment created for the driver within the new 'Vette is the most exciting: no matter which of these 4 new versions you choose for yourself, you'll be enjoying exciting drives with the car that has won 99 races total throughout the years in IMSA competition!!

Newswheel Rolls out the Scoop on Potential Chevy Trailblazer Revival

The revamping of the classic Blazer nameplate has brought many consumers to a high-rising excitement level: one of America's all-time favorite vehicles perfect for conquering and exploring the wild is being brought back with just a bit more prowess in the crossover SUV category. There are many rumors afloat that Chevy is in the process of the same revival for another one of our very historic vehicles: The Trailblazer. During an important presentation attended by investors earlier this month, Chevy showcased a new crossover vehicle that was partially covered by dark shadows. Motor Trend obtained a copy and shared it broadly over social media.

Appearing at first glance smaller than the current Blazer, there is definitely a lot that makes perfect sense about the Trailblazer coming back to the lineup. The very first version of the Trailblazer started out as a more upscale trim of the K6, before eventually becoming its own midsize SUV model. The Trailblazer is still available in Thailand and Brazil, and happened to be discontinued in the States around 2009. This potentially new and still shrouded-in-mystery model would likely be situated just in between the Equinox and the Trax, and be just the perfect size and stature for a burgeoning business, or new family constantly on the go.

The very first generation of the Trailblazer introduced in 2002 was based on a truck platform known as GMT360, with all models possessing 4-wheel-drive type layout as an option, except for the SS model, which features an all-wheel-drive system. It also rallied over challenges from shocks with an independent front suspension, and a five-link rear suspension. Proudly winning the North American Truck of the Year award in 2002, the 4.2-liter engine sported variable valve timing on the exhaust camshaft, and GM's lost-foam casting process. On current Trailblazer models in Asia and Brazil, the 2.8-Liter turbodiesel engine has a new water-cooled variable-geometry turbocharger, high-pressure common-rial fuel delivery system, new cylinder head, and a new Engine Control Module.

The potential Trailblazer's steadfast competition will no doubt be the likes of the Ford Edge, Nissan Murano, and vehicle within this size and functionality that is soon-to-be-planned by Honda. As families right here in Knoxville on the go are searching for the new model that will meet their needs, It is no doubt that an amazingly equipped and fully-loaded truck such as the Silverado would have at least once crossed their minds. But there are the specified niche consumers out there who like the taut driving feel that only an SUV can offer, and the sense that you are bringing those along for the ride to enjoy it just a bit more without the pressures of hauling or towing defining your drive.

Close-up Look at Chevy Corvette C8 Interior Courtesy of Automobile.com

Fans of Corvettes have already seen so many prototype pics, drawings, and spy shots of the upcoming Corvette C8 that it's dizzying to think about them all. There were even these shots provided with one making its way through a Mcdonald's drive-through, providing an up-close look at the glory and astounding flashy characteristics from an important, all-telling viewpoint. This past week on the Automobile blog, there was a brand-new series of shot that shows the mid-engined Corvette's cabin in full production trim. As you can see here, said interior is going to be mind-blowing, and nothing less than epic.

One of the first features that really jumps out at you is the new two-spoke steering wheel, sporting controls for heating, Bluetooth, and info selection. Zooming in closely on a center console that's tilted perfectly towards the driver, you can see that there is a new knob on the infotainment system, and it has a hand rest a bit like what you would find in a Lexus. The word is for the most part officially out that there will not be a manual transmission available for the new C8, but the push-button controls that are present are expected to control a dual-clutch automatic. It is not known exactly when a mid-engined Corvette would actually be available to us here at West Chevy, but reliable sources have claimed it should be available as a 2020 model.

Shots that we were able to dig up earlier in the year showed the 'Vette lapping around the Nurburgring, and the front bumper area has dropped a lot of the mesh coverings. Sharp angles are really the predominant name of the game as far as design cues for the C8, which has been awaited anxiously for quite some time now. The most heavily-circulated spy shots show the taillights looking square-ish like the C7, but still having rounded corners. In the rear, there is a pretty big spoiler, but it does not protrude a great distance away from the hatch. This is one of those cars that for a long period of time was simply hard to dig up the scoop on, and we're kinda OK with that: mystery frequently surrounds cars that are this record-setting level of good.

In this video from Motor1 US, you can watch the car being pushed wonderfully to the limit on the Nurburgring track, and it's evident just how well it does cornering. Here you do notice the extra length of the car, but that it still has the ability to grip corners like none other, and the sound of the pipes is pleasing to even the most seasoned of track hounds. After 60 very exciting years of laying the engine out delicately in front of the driver, the C8 will realize one of Zora-Arkus Duntov's dreams come true: relocating said engine to the position behind the seats. Micheal Fira of the Topspeed.com blog claimed that this was his most anticipated car, period, for this year, and we'll keep you all posted here on any developments and final release dates as they materialize!