The buzz of fourth quarter at the end of a year always brings much promise and suspense regarding the next one: the holidays are right around the corner, and some models have already been marched onto the sales floor with confidence. Others have a more defined arrival date then during the summer, and orders for the newest and most feature-filled are starting to trickle in. Here's a quick glance at some of the great things that are slated to happen for 2018, and upgrades you can expect on a few of our delightfully usual offenders in the St Louis Metro!
The Colorado is removing nearly all of the bumper for ZR2 buyers, and adding knobby 31-inch tires, much longer front control arms and springs, spool-valve shocks, and a wider rear axle that better matches the currently larger front track. Efforts to keep the truck feeling light are realized and rewarded, and a gas V-6 as well as diesel option will not disappoint even the most experienced of off-road rock haulers out there.
The Corvette will see Carbon 65 special-edition Grand Sport and Z06 models celebrating the Corvette's 65th birthday, with special gray paint, and many other carbon-fiber elements. An oversized rear wing and vents and slats that are noticeable all over the body are Chevy's effort to carry the brand illustriously and properly into the future of high-performance sport models. The ZR1 is going to be a major topic of interest: it goes on sale early next year as a sample of the sports car's long-running format with front-engine and rear-drive, before the plunge to mid-engine occurs.
The Equinox has been a tremendous hit with those in the market for a crossover, a segment that is growing literally by leaps and bounds every day. This new version is now available with a 170-hp turbo 1.5-liter inline-four, and a 1.6-liter turbo diesel is slated to join the existing lineup later during 2018.
One update that is the first in years will be with the Express: The Colorado pickup's optional 2.8-liter four-cylinder diesel engine was added late in 2017, and there is an important replacement on the engine roster for this year. It's the Silverado's 4.3-liter V-6, which replaces the Express's existing 4.8-liter V-8. OnStar and hill-start assist are now also included as standard option for this popular full-size van.
A brand new and aggressive Rally Sport Truck Kit brings new exterior trim and 22-inch wheels to the Tahoe next year, and you can also opt for the Performance Package: with this you get GM's 420-hp 6.2-liter V-8, and adaptive dampers originating from the GMC Yukon Denali, and the Cadillac Escalade. The new package also includes the new 10-speed automatic transmission, and the option to splurge for Brembo Brakes.
No longer do GM's very important and high-ranked three-row crossovers share sizes respectively. The new Acadia is smaller and much lighter than before, and the newer Traverse is situated with a longer wheelbase. There are interior packaging improvements that are there to give passengers more room, even though the cargo volume and legroom in the third row shrink just a hair. The latest infotainment gear is on deck to keep kids occupied, and updated active safety-gear is there for the best in modern collision avoidance. There is also now a 305-hp V-6, and every Traverse uses GM's new 9-speed automatic transmission.
