The World of West Chevrolet

Tuesday, January 18, 2022

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. 


Monday, January 10, 2022

Silverado EV RST First Edition “Hotter Than Hot” Off the Line: Sells out in 12 Minutes!

Bloomberg is one of the reliable news sources that dishes out the scoop every day regarding automobiles, technology, living, and modern culture. We had watched eagerly as they delivered the scoop on the Silverado EV RST First Edition, and there was one sensational fact surrounding its arrival. It sold out in 12 minutes flat! GM CEO Mary Barra claimed in an interview that “reservations are still coming in, so we’re very excited about the response that we’re getting because this is a ground-up EV truck.”

Chevy plans to begin deliveries of the limited-run truck during fall 2023! Excited consumers will fully understand why the brand we love to represent here at West Chevy of Knoxville will come out on top in the electric game. The electric truck competition got even hotter as automakers will continue to make the eco-conscious transition to powertrains that forego the pump during the next few years. 

It has already been promised that the Silverado EV pickup will triumph over the Ford F-150 Lightning on a slew of performance metrics, including towing capacity, driving range, and passenger space. Both retail and fleet versions will be made available with additives such as a fixed-glass roof, marking this the first time that GM has made this a standard feature. It offers much greater visibility, increased headroom, and a more space during the long haul. The presence of the Ultium battery gives the vehicle an estimated range of more than 400 miles when fully charged, along with the brand-new feature of Four-Wheel-Steer.

Dual motors will turn all four wheels showcasing as much as 664 horsepower and over 780 lb-ft of torque. Official testing has rendered the 0-60 mph time in just under 4.5 seconds. When the premise of electrification was first a farfetched idea, fast charging was an option that was going to make the choosiest purchasers finally convert. Modern technology has reached a point of busy schedule saving marvel: DC fast charging at 350 kW will provide 100 miles of range in just 10 minutes. 

Towing capacity is one of the main draws of a truck; the Silverado EV can effectively do rounds on the daily with a 10,000-lb trailer or 1,300 lbs of cargo in the bed. The RST provides exciting features such as automatic adaptive air suspension, rear-wheel steering, Super Cruise, and a configurable pickup bed with the Multi-Flex Midgate. Everyone has been loving the effect that larger screens have on the interior, and we do not blame them! The RST brandishes a 17.0-inch center screen that stretches to an 11-inch digital instrument display. 


Thursday, January 6, 2022

2023 Chevy Corvette Z06 will Flourish the V8 LT6 as “Civilian Version of Amazing Firecracker”

It was the summer of 2019 when Chevy first revealed the C8 Corvette. The staff hard at work on the MotorAuthority.com blog reported last week on the track-ready and ferocious Corvette Z06 variant. There is now a V8 code named the LT6, and it will fulfill the exciting role of a civilian firecracker that powers the C8.R endurance racer. There is so much to love about the new ‘Vette, and with all of the details on deck, the engine specs are still what many fans have come to know and love.

This engine displaces 5.5 liters and generates its power from full-on revs instead of forced induction with the tachometer able to fly to exhilarating heights above 8,600 rpm. The 670-hp peak power kicks in precisely at 8,400 rpm, while the peak torque of 460-lb ft arrives at 6,300 rpm. Everyone here at West Chevy of Knoxville was not surprised to see on the blog that many were pushing back against the future of electrification.

This attention-grabbing powertrain features double overhead cams, dry-sump lubrication, and a flat-plane crankshaft which delivers a note that compares ever so haughtily with that of a Ferrari V-8. The engineers on this project spent two years making painstaking tweaks to the vital exhaust and induction systems to finish things off and assure such an extreme soundtrack from the pipes. They also had an extreme focus on traction and steering responsiveness, which are both life-and-death elements that bode well on the track. 

Titanium intake and sodium-filled exhaust valves, forged aluminum pistons, titanium connecting rods, and an active split intake manifold with twin 87-millimeter throttle bodies. The engine’s light weight of the internals and short stroke are what makes the rev high-end quality for the Z06. The engine is paired with the same 8-speed dual-clutch transaxle transmission that is found in the Corvette Stingray. The 0-60 time is currently situated at 2.6 seconds, which is an astounding accomplishment for a rear-wheel-drive car.

This hefty quality of acceleration is available with a Z07 performance package that adds specific chassis tuning, precision-honed unique calibration for the Magnetic Ride Control dampers, and a carbon-fiber high rear wing. Combined with the added help of ground effects, these elements see the Z06 generate 734 pounds of downforce at 186 mph; you can even choose a carbon-fiber set that will step into the task and save 41 more pounds. This interior design is like what you find in the Stingray, and buyers can choose from a good number of carbon-fiber goodies to switch things up. The Z06 does boast the unique feature of a carbon-fiber wrapped steering wheel and the sleek and personable addition of carbon-fiber shifter paddles.   


Monday, December 27, 2021

2021 Traverse Post Hotcars.com Test Drive: “This is a Beast That Wholeheartedly Takes the 8-Seat Lead”

Both the 2021 Traverse and Tahoe stand out here at West Chevy of Knoxville for their latest design elements, technology, and all kinds of other modern features. The 8-seater Traverse significantly won over the staff on blogging duty at Hotcars.com, taking the lead with outstanding reviews as a mid-size SUV. 

We fully stand by the fact that this vehicle has not changed much over the years and has a bigger-sized stature that adheres to anyone needing space for large sets of passengers and cargo. Despite the SUV having enough room to sit 8 passengers comfortably, the common question still lies. Is there enough power to make the drive a smooth and comfortable one? The Traverse has always come in as a strong option and has enough capacity with excellent steering, shifting, and rapid acceleration.

The 2021 Traverse will give you the sensation that you are driving a smaller car with sportier performance characteristics. The tuned suspension is unbelievable when it comes to segment-leading absorption, even on the bumpier terrains. The Traverse can nail down 27 mpg on the highway and 21 mpg combined. 

When customers are preparing to buy a new crossover SUV, they tend to ask themselves what would make their daily commute more accessible and productive. The Traverse has long offered up spacious seating that provides comfort without feeling overbearing, and it includes many important features that customers are looking for. Anyone with an understanding and taste for technology would be pleased to know that the SUV has a plethora of USB ports, a colorful graphic interface, wide and intuitive touchscreen, and a Wi-Fi hotspot that you’ll enjoy when exploring the wild.

The current-model Traverse was designed to allow even entry-level trim customers to fully enjoy the vehicle no matter which model they choose! What the Traverse has been known for quite some time now is its size and style, which offers a maximum cargo volume of 98.2 cubic feet. Each trim includes a 3.6-liter V6, which offers up to 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque. A crowd pleaser at West Chevrolet has to be the RS trim which includes 20-inch dark-finish wheels, blacked-out styling cues, and a heated steering wheel.


Monday, December 20, 2021

2022 Silverado ZR2 Arrives Fresh From the Factory With Multimatic Dampers, 6.2-Liter V8


The 2022 Chevy Silverado ZR2 is ready to announce itself as the most off-road ready truck in its class! 

The Silverado ZR2 is now equipped with advanced Multimatic DSSV dampers and completely retuned springs to deliver greatly improved front and rear suspension travel. You’ll also benefit from front and rear e-lockers for enhanced traction, while the high-approach steel front bumper now has removable front-end caps. 

Motor Trend called the ZR2 “amazingly rugged and ready'' after they took it for a spin and loved the off-road capability. 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory tires are ready to roll, and underbody skid plates are in place to protect undercarriage. The most intense roads and trails demand appropriate clearance, and the Silverado ZRZ is up to the task with 11.2 inches of ground clearance, a 31.8-degree approach angle, 23.4-degree breakover angle, and 23.3 degree departure angle. The exhaust is positioned behind the bumper to avoid the dents and dings that come with frequent bumps.


 The new redesign lowers the headlamps and adds animated lighting sequences that are active when you start the vehicle or walk away. All LT trims and up now have built-in Google compatibility, which is quickly accessible with the push-to-talk button right on the wheel. The High Country now boasts Super Cruise, which provides hands-free navigation on most major thoroughfares in the US. With all its amazing technology and off-road capability, the ZR2 is perfect for the rock-crawling and canyon-climbing crowd!


Tuesday, December 14, 2021

All-Black 2021 Chevy Suburban Street Concept Wows In Vegas


The 2021 Chevy Suburban Street Concept was introduced at the 2021 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. It begins with the High-Country Trim level and is dipped in black paint, which pairs nicely with the black interior treatment. It looks spectacular, and it is more than capable under the hood. It features a naturally aspirated 6.2-Liter V8 l87 gas engine, which cranks out 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. 

This concept is connected to a 10-speed automatic transmission, while Magnetic Ride Control Suspension with Four-Corner Air Ride Adaptive components keep the ride balanced and smooth. For style points, the Street Concept is equipped with a new black grille that boasts the Chevy script, while a matte black hood decal adds even more blacked-out flair. 


It rides on a set of 24-inch custom-cut and polished billet aluminum wheels, which are wrapped in 33-inch 285/30 tires, and a two-tone polished and black finish along with black Bowtie badge center caps. Wheel size is leaning towards a larger and larger diameter, and as such, the Street Concept has upgraded Brembo brakes sporting six-piston front calipers.

As this fully detailed Suburban pulls away, you’ll notice a bow tie and quad polished exhaust tips, along with standard inner tail light graphics that draw attention to the vehicle’s height. The 12-generation Suburban is built on the GM T1 platform and is manufactured by the proud men and women of the Lone Star State in Arlington, Texas. 


Wednesday, December 8, 2021

Chevy Silverado Discounts Provide Incentive to Ring In the New Year with a New Truck


During December, there will be promotions for both the 2021 and 2022 Silverado trucks. On both 1500 Crew Cab models, Red Tag Bonus Cash can be used towards a purchase or lease or combined with interest-free financing.

The Silverado 1500 has been allotted a cash allowance of up to $2,500, and $500 Chevy Red Tag Bonus Cash is available on Crew Cab models. As we approach the holiday season, eligible Costco members can take special advantage of a $1,000 incentive now being offered through their auto program.

The Silverado includes the newest in technology features and high-class cabin interiors. There is also a brand-new exterior design update with the grille and front fascia, and daytime-running lamps now feature animated lighting sequences during approach or after starting up. The diesel model increases its towing ability by 4,000 pounds, and you can choose Dark Ash, Sand Dune, and Glacier Blue Metallic paint colors.


Even the base-level turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder moves quickly and with a refined smoothness, and the 3.0-liter turbodiesel provides excellent towing power and valuable fuel economy. The 5.3-liter and 6.2-liter V8 options both pack a powerful punch, and performance on the job is always going to be above par! Best of all, there is a 13.4-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster as standard on LT models and up. 

Standard safety features on the Silverado 1500 include automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, forward collision alert, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, and automatic high beams. The 2022 Silverado 1500 will also have the luxury of GM’s Super Cruise technology, which allows for hands-free driving on mapped roads while eye-gaze detection makes sure you have your focus on the road. Make sure to come to see us this holiday season and find the perfect Silverado for you!