Monday, December 30, 2024

E85-Ready, Turbocharged, and Unstoppable: The 2025 Chevrolet Trax Reigns Supreme

2025 Chevy Trax 2RS

The
2025 Chevrolet Trax is stealing the spotlight in its class, earning rave reviews from auto experts and everyday drivers. Built for value and versatility, this stylish SUV is turning heads and racking up well-deserved recognition at Jim Butler Chevy of St. Louis.

New and Improved for 2025

The 2025 Trax arrives with exciting updates that enhance its appeal, including E85 compatibility for added versatility in select regions. Two stunning new exterior colors—Marina Blue Metallic and Cypress Gray—join the lineup, offering more ways to express your style. Chevrolet’s website has also been refreshed, showcasing these updates and making it easier to explore all the features the Trax has to offer.

Why You’ll Love the 2025 Trax

1. Turbocharged Fun and Responsive Performance

Don’t let the 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine fool you—it’s a turbocharged powerhouse. With 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque, this lightweight SUV is surprisingly peppy. While it’s not built for speed demons, the Trax offers plenty of zip for daily driving, making it a fun and efficient choice for urban explorers.

Turbo lag is minimal, and the ride feels lively around town. Thanks to its 106.3-inch wheelbase and well-tuned suspension, the Trax also handles highways with ease, delivering a smooth, confident ride.

2. Stylish Inside and Out

Kudos to Chevrolet’s design team, led by Phil Zak, for creating a vehicle that’s as stylish as it is practical. The Trax’s sporty exterior strikes the perfect balance between modern SUV aesthetics and Chevrolet’s iconic design language.

Inside, the Trax impresses with its roomy and upscale feel, especially given its affordable price. Even the base LS trim feels well-appointed, though some materials remind you of its budget-friendly roots. With 26 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats—expandable to 54 cubic feet—utility is another strong point.

3. Exceptional Efficiency

When it comes to efficiency, the 2025 Trax keeps things practical. It’s rated at 28 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway with regular gas. If you’re running on E85, the numbers drop to 21 city and 24 highway, but the lower fuel cost can make up for it. In real-world driving, most folks are seeing around 29 mpg—even when they’re not exactly taking it easy on the gas pedal. 

4. A Traditional Transmission That Delivers

Chevrolet opted for a six-speed automatic transmission in the Trax, and it’s a full-on win. Unlike many CVTs that drone and feel disconnected, this automatic shifts smoothly and feels engaging. It’s a refreshing choice for drivers who appreciate the simplicity and reliability of a traditional gearbox.

5. Tech Features That Wow

The Trax comes loaded with impressive tech, even at its base level. Standard features include emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, and an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims upgrade you to an 11-inch infotainment screen and an 8-inch digital instrument cluster for a more premium experience.

6. Incredible Value Across the Lineup

The Trax truly stands out for its exceptional value across all trims. The base LS trim delivers impressive features at an accessible price point, while the 1RS adds sporty enhancements like larger wheels and heated front seats. The LT trim builds on this with additional upgrades and customization options. 

For those seeking a bolder look, the 2RS emphasizes sporty styling, while the ACTIV trim brings rugged design elements and enhanced features. No matter which trim you choose, the Trax offers a winning combination of performance, style, and technology without stretching your budget.

Final Thoughts


The 2025 Chevrolet Trax is more than just a compact SUV—it’s a statement of style, performance, and versatility. Beneath its sleek exterior lies a turbocharged engine ready to inject excitement into every drive, while its tech-savvy interior keeps you connected and in control. 


Whether carving through urban traffic or cruising the open highway, the Trax delivers a spirited, smooth ride that turns everyday drives into adventures. For diehard car fans who love compact vehicles with a big personality, the Trax proves you can have it all—style, substance, and plenty of fun.

Monday, December 23, 2024

Dashing Through the 0-60: 2025 Corvette ZR1 Delivers a Record-Breaking Gift

2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

Unleashing unparalleled power, the
2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 sets a benchmark that leaves its competition in the dust. It achieves an astonishing 0-60 mph time of just 2.3 seconds and completes the quarter mile in 9.6 seconds, both when equipped with the ZTK Performance Package. Chevrolet confirmed these figures, noting the tests were conducted on 93-octane fuel and a non-prepped dragstrip, with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R tires included in the ZTK package.

The ZTK Performance Package isn't just about the tires here at Jim Butler Chevy of St. Louis—it also adds a large carbon-fiber rear wing, front dive planes, and an aggressive hood Gurney lip. While these aerodynamic upgrades boost downforce to over 1,200 pounds at the ZR1's jaw-dropping top speed of 233 mph, they do come with a trade-off in drag. As a result, the standard-aero ZR1 achieves a higher quarter-mile trap speed of 152 mph, compared to the ZTK-equipped version.

Even without the ZTK package, the standard ZR1 impresses with a 2.5-second sprint to 60 mph and a 9.7-second quarter mile. This places it in elite company alongside the Corvette E-Ray hybrid and just ahead of the Corvette Z06 with its Z07 package. The performance underscores how far the current-generation C8 Corvette has pushed the envelope, as even the base Stingray clocks a 0-60 mph time of 2.9 seconds when outfitted with the Z51 package.

On the famed Nürburgring, the ZR1 continues to demonstrate its prowess. Former Corvette Chief Engineer Tadge Juechter shared that the car has managed seven-minute laps in traffic, with a standing start, indicating its potential for even faster times under optimal conditions. Notably, four ZR1 prototypes have exceeded 200 mph on the 'Ring’s longest straight, although official times will depend on favorable track and weather conditions.

At the heart of this performance beast is the LT7 engine, a twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V-8 delivering a staggering 1,064 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 828 lb-ft of torque at 6,000 rpm. While it retains the C8's mandatory 8-speed automatic transmission, the gearbox has been upgraded with wider gear profiles, stronger shafts, and enhanced lubrication to handle the ZR1's immense power.

Despite a 200-pound weight increase over the Z06 due to these upgrades, the ZR1 maintains a dry weight of 3,670 pounds for the coupe and 3,758 pounds for the convertible. This carefully engineered balance of power and performance ensures the ZR1 remains a dominant force in the supercar arena. Even with the added muscle, the ZR1 retains its razor-sharp agility, cementing its reputation as a masterclass in performance engineering. 

The 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is more than just a car—it’s a masterpiece of engineering excellence and driving exhilaration. From the moment the engine roars to life, it’s clear this machine was built for those who crave the ultimate driving experience. Its precise handling, razor-sharp responsiveness, and relentless acceleration make every corner a masterpiece and every straightaway an adrenaline-fueled thrill. 

The ZR1 doesn't just compete with world-class supercars—it joins its ranks as a benchmark for speed, sophistication, and control. Whether tearing up a racetrack or commanding attention on the open road, it delivers a visceral connection to the road few cars can match, reaffirming its place as a true icon of automotive performance.

Monday, December 16, 2024

Family Comfort, Fierce Performance: Chevy’s 2025 SUVs Redefine the Road

2025 Chevy SUVs

Chevrolet’s 2025 SUV lineup has something for everyone—whether you're a gas-engine loyalist, a diesel enthusiast, or all-in on electric power. Chevy’s SUVs deliver in style, comfort, and performance from compact cruisers to spacious family haulers. Here’s a closer look at what’s new this year at Jim Butler Chevy of St. Louis:

2025 Chevrolet Trax

The Trax got a major overhaul in 2024, and for 2025, it’s staying the course. This subcompact SUV is surprisingly roomy, with plenty of tech to match. Powered by a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, it’s not the fastest but delivers solid efficiency. Highlights include:

  • Standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

  • Adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring

  • A value-packed entry point into Chevy’s SUV lineup

2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer

Fresh from a facelift last year, the Trailblazer brings minor updates for 2025, including a new paint option and compatibility with E85 fuel. It shares the Trax’s 1.2-liter engine but adds an optional 1.3-liter turbo for more power. Available all-wheel drive makes it a solid choice for tackling slick roads or light off-road trails.

2025 Chevrolet Equinox

The Equinox gets a complete redesign for 2025, making it a standout in the midsize SUV segment. Key upgrades include:

  • A sleek exterior and a modernized interior

  • A larger 11.3-inch infotainment screen

  • Enhanced safety features like lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control

  • Powered by a 1.5-liter turbo engine, the Equinox offers front-wheel drive standard, with all-wheel drive available.

2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV

Chevy’s electric lineup is expanding, and the Equinox EV proves you don’t have to spend big to go green. New for 2025:

  • 220 hp for front-wheel-drive models, 300 hp for AWD trims

  • An impressive range, with the front-wheel-drive LT trim covering 356 miles on a single charge

  • Starting at just under $35K, this is a compelling option for EV newcomers.

2025 Chevrolet Blazer

With its sporty styling and sharp handling, the Blazer doesn’t need a big overhaul for 2025. Choose between:

  • A 228-hp 2.0-liter turbo-four engine

  • A 308-hp 3.6-liter V6 for more power

  • Opt for the RS trim with torque-vectoring AWD for a fun, dynamic driving experience.

2025 Chevrolet Blazer EV

Chevy cranks up the performance on the Blazer EV with the addition of the SS trim:

  • 595 hp, 0-60 mph in just 3.4 seconds

  • A 17.7-inch touchscreen and premium tech features

  • The SS is perfect for thrill-seekers, while the RS and LT trims deliver impressive range and practicality at a lower price.

2025 Chevrolet Traverse

For families needing more space, the Traverse steps up with a luxurious new High Country trim, featuring:

  • Leather seating and heated/ventilated front seats

  • Super Cruise for hands-free highway driving

  • Under the hood, a 328-hp turbo-four engine offers plenty of power, and all-wheel drive is optional.

2025 Chevrolet Tahoe

Chevy’s full-size SUV gets a refined look for 2025, along with some exciting updates:

  • Redesigned lights and a sleeker exterior

  • A massive 17.7-inch screen with Google Assistant and Maps

  • An upgraded 3.0-liter diesel engine with 305 hp

  • Whether you stick with the classic V8s or go for the off-road-focused Z71 trim, the Tahoe continues to lead the pack.

2025 Chevrolet Suburban

The Suburban mirrors the Tahoe’s updates while emphasizing what it does best—space. Features for 2025 include:

  • Enhanced diesel power and fresh styling

  • Super Cruise available across most trims

  • Class-leading cargo space and a third row that comfortably seats adults

Celebrate the Holidays with Chevy SUVs

Chevy’s 2025 SUVs are ready for anything, from school drop-offs to weekend adventures. With efficient powertrains, spacious interiors, and advanced tech, navigating the busy holiday season is effortless. Whether you’re running errands, hastily picking up family at the airport, or heading out for a winter getaway, Chevy has the perfect SUV to fit your lifestyle.

Experience the versatility, capability, and confidence of Chevrolet’s 2025 lineup today—and make this season the most exciting one yet!