Monday, March 25, 2019

2020 Chevy Tahoe and Suburban Spy Shots Via Autoblog.com Reveal Rear-Suspension Design





One of the spy photographers from Autoblog.com recently posted a gathering of full-size GM SUVS out on the road testing, and among them were the 2020 Tahoe and Suburban. The shots you can find here as well as a few other we encountered previously have revealed that GM has chosen to move forward with independent rear suspension design, and these new images offer up the best look at the hardware yet. This will no doubt give these SUVs a sturdier and more accessible ride, and the production headlights, as well as taillights, also have a cool appearance that sets them aside from past models.

The parts of the LED strip design that are lit up are similar to the headlight fixtures on the 2019 Silverado, sporting the headlight up top and curved LED DRL strip below. It's difficult from the spy shot perspective to see if the designs are exactly alike, but it's expected to see a look reminiscent of the Silverado once the camouflage is removed. When vehicles are spotted like this with production lights popping up, it's a sign that they are moving closer to full release, and all of us here at Jim Butler Chevy agree that salacious-and-sturdy weapons against vehicles such as competitor's like the Ford Expedition will be well-received in the battle trenches!

Most expectations regarding the 2020 Tahoe predict that it will most likely be based on the GM T1 platform, delivering all-new engineering and underpinnings. It will also probably be around 300 pounds lighter than the fourth-generation model, with new designs for both interior and exterior. A Next-generation Chevy infotainment system and increased amounts of luxury and comfort will appeal to those who spend more than just the daily drive in their vehicle, and the availability of the exciting GM Super Cruse autonomous driving technology is constantly working to keep you alert when it is sensed that you need to pay more attention or regain control.

Based on the information found here on the GM Authority Blog, the 2020 Suburban will continue to be offered as a full-size five-door SUV, and be assembled at the GM Arlington plant in Texas. Many experts wouldn't be surprised to see the new Suburban back its 5.3-liter V8 with a 10-speed automatic transmission, and the re-introduction of the RST Performance package could be a looming possibility as well. These spy shots from MotorAuthority.com from last year were some of the first to display the model riding on the T1XX, and also reported on the possibility of an inline-4 with advanced powertrain making 310 horsepower and 348 lb-ft of torque.

As the coming year inches forward and the current releases will soon cross the gap into more incoming inventory, we love to have photos and articles on hand like these to keep us excited, and will always share with you the latest and greatest information digitally forwarded to our immediate attention!

Wednesday, March 20, 2019

2019 Chevy Bolt Described by Topspeed.com as “Cool Electric Without the Hipster Tax”




Many of the experts out there that love everything about cars and the connection to the road while driving are a little unsettled about the oncoming age of electrification. Even though there are those that claim a bit of the heart and soul of driving is on the chopping block with every battery-powered model that drives off the lot, all of us here on staff at Jim Butler are here to tell you not to judge a book by its cover! While we know the level of hype generated by manufacturers such as Tesla, it is now widely recognized that the Chevy Bolt has found a place in the heart of many. Phillippe Daix from the Topspeed.com blog got to spend some time on an enjoyable getaway with the Bolt last week, and reflected on its fine points in an article you can check out here.  



The Chevy Bolt Premium Trim shows off the good looks of the exterior in a major way: perfectly modern elements, playful colors, upper quality wheels, aluminum roof rails, and what the testing team deemed as “premium-looking” head and tail lights are all qualities that make the Bolt stand out. A 360-degree backup camera with under lens, and two rear-hatch cameras that are wide-angle pointed downward for backup are both on deck to assure that coming and going will always occur without any safety issues.



We definitely are excited about this blog avidly claiming that the car now possesses the “Coolest hatchback taillights currently on sale in the U.S.A,” and the drivers swooned over the above-average visibility offered from the interior. This is due to the low body waistline as well as tall roof, and there is also a high level of adoration for the funky materials that give the interior a fun and geeky feel: we promise that those who have abundant love for old school 8-bit games will feel right at home!



On the left of the steering wheel is a very unique Chevy EV feature: the regenerative brake booster paddle. You simply have to press the button when you don't want to waste your deceleration energy on the tiresome pull of brake pad wear, and the electric motor literally turns into an alternator, charging your EV batteries while making amends with our weary planet's environment one step at a time! When you are packing up and excitedly preparing to leave the city behind, the trunk offers two levels which are ideal for storage of emergency stuff below, and the carpet just pulls out on a dime if anything is spilled on it. The team was very impressed about the durability of the charger itself: it survived 4 long days of very heavy rain while plugged in outdoors, without a single hitch! 

Wednesday, March 6, 2019

Motortrend.com Blog Suggests Three-Row Blazer's Debut Within Two-Year Mark




The Blazer midsize crossover is one of the eye-popping new vehicles on sale right here at Jim Butler, and as we have been pouring over the latest of digital news this past week, a new report that Motortrend.com gleaned from GM Authority claims that a brand-new three-row version is in the works. Production is scheduled for the SAIC-GM Jinqiao Cadillac plant in Shanghai, with the possibility of another facility elsewhere cranking out units as well. We think that this new model could closely resemble the Chevy FNR-Carry-All Concept that debuted at the 2018 Guanzhou Motor Show last year.

It features design cues that are similar to what are found on the spry-and-sinister Camaro, and has six seats. Also potentially being named the Blazer XL, it would feature a more traditional roofline than the current Blazer's. Larger doors and a tailgate sporting a more vertical stance would be in the works as well, and the new crossover is expected to boast 5.5 inches more length than the two-row Blazer. The current-model Traverse has a wheelbase that measures 120.9 inches, compared to this new three-row Blazer's expected 112.9-inch base. This size difference is definitely comparable, but many others in the auto media world are wondering if it is enough to persuade GM to offer yet another additional 3-row crossover in the states.

According to the report, there are under-the-radar SAIC-GM documents that categorize the three -row Blazer under the vehicle program code identical to C1UC, which is the same as the standard Blazer. This leads us to believe that both models sit on the same C1 architecture that also underpins the Cadillac XT5. GM Authority fully expects the Blazer XL to have two powertrain varieties: a 305-hp 3.6-liter V-6, and a turbocharged 2.0-liter Inline-4 offering 240 hp, only available in China. The current model is offered with the V-6, and a base 193-hp 2.5-liter inline-four; everyone on staff here loves the grunt and gusto of the 6 cylinder, and the can-do exploratory spirit of the Blazer that made its way back triumphantly with a dose of a bit more current flair and family-friendly luster.

The Blazer's history dates back to 1969 when times of turbulence, unrest, but also a pinnacle time of rebirth redefined our entire nation. It was then introduced as a large three-door SUV and was long favored as the go-to vehicle for those who loved the convenience of hauling that a truck offered minus the extra-large frame. The current Blazer features both 4WD and AWD, which a choice of L, Blazer 1LT, 2LT, and 3LT, RS, and Premier trim levels. The review staff hard at work heading up the Cnet Roadshow reflected after a test drive of the current model that it is much more road-and commute friendly, and exchanges the trucky ride of the older Blazer for something that evokes a bit more in the day-to-day practicality arena. The revamping of a classic is always exciting news, and as the Blazer has shown time and time again, the relationship between the wild and less-worn roads can be a bold and beautiful thing!