All-New 2021 Chevy Tahoe and Suburban Packages Feature New Multilink Suspension, Large-Sized Luster

The 2021 Chevy Tahoe and Chevy Suburban have both seen a complete re-engineering and redesign, as they welcome the new year with their fifth and twelfth generations respectively. Availability of various trim levels and other options have undergone some changes, but as GM Authority reported last week, all trims and packages are available to order. Units of both types that are ordered during the final phase of production are set to roll off the line at GM's plant in Arlington, Texas next month, and all units equipped with the brand-new 3.0-Liter I6 LM2 turbodiesel Duramax engine option will begin the production phase during November. 

During the second phase, packages for LS, LT, Z71, and RST trim levels will see completion, as well as the addition of Air Ride Adaptive Suspension and the Power-Sliding Console. Both the 2021 Chevy Tahoe and 2021 Chevy Suburban still ride on the new GM T1 platform and come with the benefit of the independent multilink rear suspension setup. This function incorporates three lateral and one vertical bars to limit the degree of axle's freedom to provide an optimally smooth ride. 

The 2021 Tahoe's third row and cargo area have grown, and it offers two V8s and an efficient diesel option. The Car and Driver staff recommended the flashy RST and Z71 models for the best value, and highly complimented the Z71 for its rugged appearance, four-wheel-drive as standard, and added equipment to prepare it for off-road adventures. Make sure to check out the Z71 Signature package here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis, which includes blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, a heated steering wheel and second-row seats, memory settings, a panoramic sunroof, and upgraded towing equipment. While the 3.0-Liter six-cylinder engine has the least horsepower of the Tahoe's powertrains, its 460 lb-ft of torque is identical to what's offered with the V8.

The 2021 Suburban features a 4.1-inch longer wheelbase, a bit smaller 5.3-Liter 335-horsepower V8 if you desire, and 144 cubic feet of very useful cargo space with the rear seats folded. With it configured as a 4-seater the amount of what you can haul is impressive, and two separate test drivers that were given the 5.3-Liter V8 for a day out claimed that the massive power was instantly gratifying when taking into consideration the sheer size of the Suburban. That particular test drive also rendered the transmission as the “best they'd ever driven” in conjunction with the fabulous powertrain. 

Filling the shoes of about the most ideal vehicle anyone could think of for getting a large family around, there is still plenty to appreciate about the new Suburban that is not all due to its large frame. The climate controls along with the electronic shifter are very easy-to-use and possess lightening-fast response. Another great feature on long trips is the 10.2-inch display, which is now standard on every model. The Premier trim is the way to go if you are searching for an added assortment of technical aids for the well-prepped holiday journey: it provides blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, frontal parking sensors, and lane-keeping assist. 

2021 Chevy Corvette Is Rich With Holiday Cheer, Now Running Ahead of Schedule

Completed production of the new Chevy Corvette C8 has been slightly on the rocky side since last year, as unforeseen events shut down facilities and had an effect on many deadlines for the worse. We have received some recent reports here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis that the Corvette Action Center has stabilized production, with two shifts operating full speed to churn out 186 cars per day on average, seeing higher results than last month. 

Production of the 2021 model has been moved up significantly, and is now slated to begin December 8. This is nearly a month earlier than expected, and there is a chance that the 2020 and 2021 models may be produced side-by-side completing a lofty 20,000-unit production target for the outgoing model year. One good sign is that there is now a new configurator in place for the 2021 Corvette, allowing users to piece together their dream model. There will be two new exterior colors in the lineup, as well as new stripe options. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a new interior color scheme, and magnetorheological dampers are now available as a standalone option. 

Those who put in orders for the 2021 model may be able to get them out on the pavement a bit earlier than expected, and in some cases maybe even before Christmas. This news should be enough to keep fans of the new C8 perked-up on holiday cheer and present itself as a gift well worth waiting for. As your mind also drifts to mistletoe and stocking stuffers, horsepower and torque will also be taking front and center: the Corvette heftily earned a “10Best” award for 2020, and the 2021 model offers up the same stellar performance, the burly 490-horsepower V8, and an affordable entry-level price. 

Multiple reviews of the C8 have given praise to Chevy's engineers for making the ride appropriate for daily commuting, yet set to absolutely blaze on the track courtesy of the Z51 Package. This addition provides the goodies of an electronic limited-slip rear differential, more aggressive brakes, and summer tires. New for 2021 are also the wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, added options for the digital gauge display, and the Buckle-to-Drive safety feature that prevents the transmission from leaving “park” until the seat belt has been buckled. The engine remains as the sinister and stately 6.2-liter V8, which makes 490 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. 

Everything included in this long-awaited car is so far above and beyond ordinary: the driver sits behind a squared-off steering wheel and a 12.0-inch reconfigurable gauge display, with a quick glance providing a straight sightline to the touchscreen. Choosing the upgrade to the 3LT package adds striking carbon-fiber trim as well as sewn leather on most of the surfaces. Reaching 60 MPH in under three seconds and boasting a top speed of 194 mph, the incoming Corvette is a modern marvel of mid-engine-placed engineering, allowing for a driver-focused and “flat out astonishing for the money” value! 

Reborn Custom Hot Rods Will Source Eco-Friendly Power Via Electric Crate Motors

The annual SEMA show is a great place to check out the latest innovations in the automotive world, and see just how many cool ways to modify cars are coming right around the corner. More and more classic cars are seeing the ability to be powered by electric propulsion, and aftermarket shops have jumped in putting forth an effort to the task. Zelectric out of San Diego has been converting air-cooled German classics to electric power for some time now, and Jaguar completed an electric powertrain for the E-Type. 

Here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis, we have watched intently as a restored farm truck featuring our bowtie logo was on display at SEMA as well as the eCopo Camaro, which was built on an 800V architecture and a pair of motors to deliver 737 horsepower to the rear wheels. Another one of the models that Chevy will have on hand at SEMA's virtual presentation this year is a 1977 K5 Blazer known as the Blazer-E that officially previews the company's new eCrate aftermarket powertrain. 

The existing 6.6-Liter V8 was swapped out for the 200-horsepower engine from the Bolt EV, which then connects to the Blazer's four-wheel-drive system with a 4-speed auto taking over for the three-speed transmission. Both the exhaust and fuel tank were ditched as well, replaced by a 60kWh lithium-ion battery pack mounted in the cargo area's free space. Chevy has now made the official statement on Arstechnica.com that we will now produce an electric crate powertrain to the aftermarket in the same fashion as crate internal combustion engines. As soon as the E-10 concept was introduced last year, the phone started ringing with many wanting to start their own unique EV projects as soon as possible. 

The release and prominent display of the K5 Blazer's abilities demonstrate what can be possible for customers who are seeking to convert a vintage vehicle to a daily driver with the quality of torque and driving an EV provides. When extreme performance is sought after, the modular eCrate system will have many various applications to choose from. The Electric Connect and Cruise package goes on sale during the second half of next year and features a bolt EV motor, battery pack, DC-to-AC inverter, a DC-to-DC converter, wiring harness, controllers, and water pumps for essential heating and cooling. 

There will also be a certification program available for those who want to become experts in installation, courtesy of the Corvette builders at Lingenfelter Performance Engineering in Michigan. For those who aren't fully satisfied with 200 Horsepower, Chevy has already officially claimed that Ultrium battery packs could underpin a much wider ranger of BEVs for our brands. For a larger pickup or SUV, pouches that are vertically arranged are best for the dense energy in demand. It will be exhilarating to see the homebrew hotrods that people will cook up with this new development!