Friday, March 27, 2020

2020 Chevy Silverado Rated “Comfortable, Fuel-Saving, and Smooth” by Trucks.com

Seeing the upcoming launch of Tahoe and Suburban, all of us here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis will have revamped our entire truck lineup in less than 24 months, offering up the latest in technology during a very highly-competitive time. GM spokeswoman Stephanie Rice highlighted during a press conference last week that we are always focused on sustainable, healthy brand growth, and are very pleased with the outcome of the current pickup share. The staff from Trucks.com spent a week and 900 miles in a 2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 with the High Country trim package to learn' the ins and outs of the capable and durable model.

Their test vehicle boasted the 5.3-liter V8, rated at 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, they claimed it was more than enough power for the vast majority of half-ton pickup truck users, and they made their way through the Grapevine and Tejon Pass in sunny Southern California. The bed was completely loaded with household goods and furniture, and this particular drive did not include towing. When the situation does arise as it does for most active truck users, the rating is a healthy 9.300 lbs for this particular engine setup.
One awesome feature that you're gonna love on your new Silverado is on the V8: a fuel-saving system turns off up to seven of the 8 cylinders. This Dynamic Fuel Management system enables engines to function in 17 different cylinder patterns to assure optimum power delivery and is seamless to the driver. There is also a start/stop feature that will briefly turn off the engine at a red light or stop sign, allowing for the ultimate in conservation during the peak traffic hours in any crowded metro.

The all-new platform and design architecture allowed engineers perfecting the Silverado to make the cabin larger, as well as add ample extra room in the bed. 4 inches have been added to the wheelbase, and the bed is almost 7 inches wider. For this test-drive, the crew stuffed the bed quite full and appreciated the design that reduced reach, making it amazingly easy to load and unload.

As the crew continued on north, they appreciated the well-functioning adaptive cruise control, and the easy-to-use infotainment system. There's nothing quite like the feeling of navigating the highway in a world-class pickup: the high stance, smooth ride, and quiet cabin of the Silverado has to be driven on the open road to be properly experienced. The screens are not full of multiple and difficult to understand layers, and functions in a very uncluttered form. Make sure you inquire about the benefits of the safety package: you'll receive the added protection of forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, and automatic high beam functionality!

Friday, March 20, 2020

Kelley Blue Book Spotlights 2021 Chevy Traverse's Exterior Update, Advantages of “Going big”

Practical and sound with a flair all its own, the 2020 Traverse is one of those vehicles that everyone here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis feels is absolutely in its prime. When we talk to a very busy family or successful small business owner that is mulling over their current needs for a vehicle, this is frequently the one that comes up first. Who said that you have to settle for a tiny daily driver? Many customers are now raving about the commanding and very solid drive they experience every time they inch the Traverse out onto the road.

The 2021 model will go on sale later this year, and the expert staff on duty at Kelley Blue Book offered up a detailed look at the new features and exciting changes on their blog last week. The incoming model will brandish new front and rear-end styling, revised interior seating, LED lighting, and the added peace of mind that six safety features standard on all models now offers. There is also a brand-new expansion in the line that offers adaptive cruise control and rear-seat safety alert.
When you notice an SUV approaching, the front grille is really the pulse and presence of an SUV's appearance, and the new look for the Traverse has a redesigned front grille that stands out with very thin LED lighting elements. Once you are inside, the new options for seating are located in the second and third-row positions, and a dual skyscape 2-panel sunroof features a brand-new rear power shade. Android Auto and Wireless Apple CarPlay are now both included, along with a larger 8-inch drive information display on the instrument cluster.

For the 2020 Traverse, some of the life-saving safety and driver-assist features were only available on select models, and for the 2021 unit, Adaptive Cruise Control is now an option on 3LT, RS, and Premier models. When you are checking out which options are best for you, don't forget to closely look at the Premier and High Country trim levels: this is where the Traverse inches up to the category of the best we have to offer, and both of these trims see the addition of a rear-seat safety alert system.

Automatic emergency braking and front pedestrian braking are now introduced to all models, and also included are lane keep assist with lane departure warning, forward collision alert, automatic high beams, and following distance indicator. The lineup as far as engines are concerned continues on the current: offered is a 310-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 engine and 9-speed transmission. Trim choices are the LS, LT, RS, Premier, and High Country. If you quickly need to accommodate up to 8, you can easily do so when equipped with the second-row bench seat, and second-row captain's chairs are included on the RS, Premier, and High Country models to easily seat 7.

Friday, March 13, 2020

Popular Science Crew Takes Adrenaline-Inspired Turns at 1.3Gs During 2020 Corvette C8 Track Test

One thing that all of us here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis are keeping our eyes peeled on the internet for news and performance reports about the new Chevy Corvette have realized is the frequent comparison to luxury brands such as Ferrari and Lamborghini. We have always taken massive pride in the fact that the Corvette was a car attainable by the hard-working men and women of the rust belt and beyond, but with a mid-engine placement and brand new model, things have most definitely stepped up a very large-sized notch.

The field testing staff of Popular Science had the pleasure last week of devouring track turns at the famed Spring Mountain Motor Resort in Nevada with the new Corvette Stingray, and auto journalist Dan Carney first made sure to lock the seat belt in place and then powered the seat forward into the correct position, preparing for a quite powerful liftoff. The team's test vehicle was equipped with the 3LT premium equipment package, Z51 performance package, and magnetic ride adjustable shocks.

As soon as he pressed the Start button, the 495-horsepower, 470 lb-ft LT2 6.2-Liter small block V8 roared vivaciously to life, with a sound that Dan compared immediately to the “Ferocious blast of NASCAR thunder.” In this mid-engine C8, the compact pushrod V8 is located behind the cabin, and the passenger can even see it if they twist a bit in their seat. The anchor of the center console is a rotary selector wheel that keeps the driver's hand stable during the adjustment of the knob.

Dan excitedly selected Track mode, then dialed up Sport 2 to activate the electronic stability control mode. He put the car in Drive and edged toward the pit exit, to start doing laps with the lead driver ahead of him. Once you are on your way, the computer-controlled dual-clutch transmission can shift itself like as ordinary automatic, or you can use the column-mounted shift paddles to take manual control.
The Pilot Sport 4s tires come with the Z51 performance package, as well as aerodynamic upgrades and an electronic limited-slip differential. As he powered through curves, Dan noticed the grip beginning to build, and he was able to push the car even harder by the second. After he got used to the overall feel of the track, Dan put the stability control to the test, and during turn-ins and braking could not quite make out times when the computer would intervene.

He felt that the Stingray's Brembo brakes were impressive, firm, and had just the right amount of friction without an abrupt grip. The mid-engine layout also gives the car a character with an entirely new sense of balance, that the outgoing C7 simply can't evoke when being tossed around at high speeds.

Earlier models were also criticized for the delay between the paddle and response from the
gearbox, and engineers for this model wired the buttons directly to the transmission’s shift controller, allowing the shift requests to proceed straight to the needed destination for the quickest shifting possible. This miracle of modern engineering that introduced itself to the world in a large California airplane hangar this summer keeps on wowing experts worldwide and has finally reached the ranks of its much pricier European track icons!

Friday, March 6, 2020

GM Authority Covers 2020 Chevy Spark Special Edition Model

There is a lot to love about a small-sized vehicle that in no way breaks the pocketbook, and the Chevy Spark is getting a refreshing jolt of energy this year thanks to the unveiling of a brand new Special Edition model. It was first shown at the 2020 Chicago Auto show and has since been making the rounds on social media hot spots such as Instagram and the GM Authority blog. There are now a few changes that help give it its own flavor and identity, and it's a car that has received praise for its attitude, spunk, and playful sense of energy. It is also perfect for large cities such as St Louis that may tend to have streets on the narrower side of the spectrum!

This new Special Edition has a major focus on adding to the visual appeal of the exterior and now is equipped with black bow tie emblems a black painted grille, black daytime running lamp bezels, and 15-inch black-painted machine-finish alloy wheels. This new Special Edition is only available on LT trim levels for the 2020 Chevy Spark, which is offered in two configurations: the 1LT Manual and the 1LT Automatic. The power source for both is the 1.4-L LV7 inline 4-cylinder engine. It has now been specially tuned to crank out 98 horsepower and 94 lb-ft of torque, delivered straight to the front wheels.

This Special Edition Spark model will be available here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis in the spring, ready to provide a budget-friendly and planet-friendly choice for any Eco-conscious daily driver. The Spark had also received a thorough update for the 2019 model year, when it saw the addition of a restyled front end, new wheel designs, fresh exterior paint and interior color options, Chevy Infotainment 3, new safety features, and two new USB ports. This is one of the very last standing cars in the lineup that is not a crossover, SUV, or truck! Many very talented young professionals and graduates out there have told us they plan on thinking small when it comes to car purchase size, but think big when it comes to EPA fuel rating.

In the city, you'll achieve 30 mpg, while enjoying 38 mpg during highway miles. The vibrant color choices for the Spark are now Orange Burst, Caribbean Blue, Raspberry, and Passion Fruit. Don't forget to check out the ACTIVE look, which features roof rails, 15-inch aluminum wheels, rocker panel, fender trim, unique front and rear bumpers, jet black leatherette heated front seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Whenever you choose to hit the open road with the Spark, you feel the ultimate in safety and protection, as features like Available Lane Change Departure Warning, 10 standard airbags, and a high-strength steel safety cage are present to aid your journey!