Corvette ZR1 Selected As Proud Pace Leader For 2018 Indianapolis 500

The 2018 Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for its yearly day of excitement and action once again: Sunday, May 27 will be this legendary race's 102^nd running. Everyone here on sales and service staff at Jim Butler couldn't be more excited about the Official Pace Car chosen for this monumental event: the 2019 Corvette ZR1 will be leading drivers to the green flag once again, in the thrill-packed spectacle presented by PennGrade Motor Oil. This is the 15^th time that a Corvette has served as the official Pace Car since 1978, and the 29^th time a Chevy has had the prestigious duty. Back in 1948, a Fleetmaster Six convertible was vehicle selected as the race's honorary escort to the line.

No other vehicle has been selected as the leader to the flag more often than our prized Corvette, and to celebrate in proper fashion, the 2019 ZR1 and the other 14 Corvettes that have been selected to pace the 500 were on proud and prominent display last week at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It makes sense that the quickest and most powerful Corvette ever made is going to get to pace what has long been “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing”, and many who are not familiar with its agile stance and mind-blowing abilities will get an opportunity to witness it in action.

The 2019 ZR1 Pace Car proudly features the LT5 Small Block 6.2-liter supercharged V-8 engine, with 755 hp, and 715 lb-ft of torque. The 8-speed 8L90 paddle-shift automatic transmission provides the goods for the gear duties, while the ZR1 is aptly able to streak through the demanding corners of any track. Ask us here at Jim Butler of St Louis how the ZTK Performance Package offers up the goods for you: it features an adjustable stanchion-mounted carbon-fiber high rear wing, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Tires, and performance suspension.

The included Magnetic Selective Ride Control is the world's fastest-reacting suspension, that was brought to the high-performance market originally by Cadillac. There is a revolutionary fluid inside infused with magnetized particles, that respond to numerous different driving conditions and speeds. It is engineered at such a high level of precision, that it responds and reacts to each corner or bump in the road, and adjusts with lightening-fast speed and accuracy. The available Performance Data and Video Recorder for the ZR1 turns your vehicle into an advanced driving analysis tool. With just a few clicks, you can record every single important aspect of the drive, including 34 channels of various performance data. With the ability to complete the 0 to 60 mph trot in just 2.85 seconds, the ZR1 reaches a top speed of 212 mph, now rendering it as the absolute fastest Corvette of all time!

Chevy Colorado ZR2 Claims “Must Test Drive” Award From Autotrader Staff

As people come in looking for the new truck that fits them best here at Jim Butler, many are concerned with the awards and achievements that specific models have been able to secure. This past week, the 2018 Chevy Colorado had the opportunity to add largely to its growing list of awards, with its new recognition as a 208 Autotrader Must Test Drive Award winner. It was one of 12 different high-achieving vehicles slated for praise by the publication, and was the only pickup truck from the entire lot to be selected. Factors that winners were chosen for included interior comfort, materials, available technology, and quality of the ride. Autotrader also recognizes that the ZR2 is a true off-road machine, with a uniquely rugged vibe, and a vehicle that is consistently ready for nearly any element under the sun to be thrown in its way.

Chief engineer for midsize truck division Anita Burke quoted last week that her entire team is “honored by this recognition”, and thrilled that Autotrader has picked up on the versatile footprint and serious off-road capabilities of the ZR2. The truck is built strongly on the already very capable platform of the Colorado, and all Jim Butler customers who are looking for a great truck or off-road vehicle should hurry down to give it a satisfying test drive! This is a truck that combines the maneuverability and nimbleness of a mid-size pickup perfectly with a host of new off-road features and technology, and can be a valuable additive to your family or business vehicle assortment.

The three-and-a-half inch wider track is one way that the ZR2 is unique to a standard Colorado truck, as well as the addition of a suspension with a two-inch lift, directly from the factory. Other added extras include rocker protection, and front as well as rear bumpers that have been modified for very taught and dominating off-road clearance. You'll love the outright usefulness and tough functionality of front and rear locking differentials, available diesel engine, and the very first off-road truck application of Multimatic Dynamic Suspensions Spool Valve damper technology. This allows for extra flexibility that is tuned into the actual discs themselves, determining how much fluid flows between the chambers above and below the piston.

Four Wheeler editor Ken Brubaker wrote for his column this past month that “The ZR3 takes the capable Colorado platform to a new level, with a dizzying array of modifications including front and rear differential lockers, a 2-inch higher ride height, 3.5-inch wider track width, additional skidplating, 31-inch tires, and many more off-road centric goodies”. The ZR2 is also the truck that won the 2018 Pickup Truck of the Year from Four Wheeler, after extensive ramp travel and punishing track testing over 1,000 miles of different terrain. Hauling materials for work, navigating over a tight two-rock trail, or running over vast expanses at high speeds all may be on your agenda: come experience a test drive of the ZR2 here at Jim Butler of St Louis, with a vehicle that is truly “Must Test Drive” hailed material.

Jim Butler Chevrolet Celebrates Third Win In A Row As Dealer Of The Year

For the third time in a row, Jim Butler Chevrolet has been named by General Motors as a Chevrolet Dealer of the Year. The Fenton, Missouri, dealership is one of only 64 to be recognized, out of more than 3,500 dealers nationwide. The awards are based on 2017 sales figures as well as performance in service, customer satisfaction and community involvement.

“Getting this award is quite an honor. It reinforces to us that our combination of online technology and hands-on teamwork is working,” said Brad Sowers, co-owner and president of Jim Butler Auto Group. “We’re able to offer great pricing because of our large inventory, and our customers are telling us they appreciate our speedy buying process.”

            

Sowers said their launch of online shopping tools make it easy to select, purchase and finance a vehicle. Jim Butler is now using this proprietary process to sell to customers anywhere in the contiguous United States.

Jim Butler Chevrolet is the St. Louis region’s top-selling Chevrolet store and is one of the top 20 nationwide in sales. It is also Missouri’s largest new and certified pre-owned dealer.

The company has earned numerous accolades including the General Motors “Mark of Excellence” award for six years in a row. The Better Business Bureau recognized the dealership with its Torch Award for outstanding customer service and exceptional standards for ethical business practices.

Jim Butler Auto Group is proud to support a number of charities including Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis and the Flagship Sponsor for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, the American Cancer Society fundraiser. The company also promotes a safe driving contract that encourages young drivers not to text or use smart phone functions while driving, and to avoid drowsy and impaired driving.

Jim Butler Auto Group is one of the largest privately-held companies in St. Louis. The company generated revenue of more than $315 million last year.

Chevy Brand Gleans Most Awards of Any during J.D. Powers 2017 Round-up

Customers that are visiting us at Jim Butler of Saint Louis all have varying questions for us when they come to locate their ideal vehicle, and some have more specific needs in mind than others. Our sales and service staff here are all very proud of the top-notch safety features that you can now find on Chevy trucks and cars, and the incredibly high marks we have gleaned from auto blogs worldwide regarding the high quality of our auto line's interior features. Last week, Chevrolet was named the most awarded brand of 2017 by J.D. Powers, during their Automotive Summit, where 6 different cars, trucks, and SUVs won a total of nine awards in 3 crucial studies. Vehicle dependability, Initial Quality, and APEAL Studies were where Chevy vehicles had the highest level of performance.

President of North American GM division Alan Batey claimed last week that “Chevrolet is winning with consumers because our designers, engineers, and dealers are focused on delivering great products, as well as a great ownership experience”. The Vehicle Dependability Study examines major issues reported by owners of 3-year old vehicles, and helps draw the conclusion about which autos are the most reliable for consumers in the long run. Based on the best of 2014 models, the Chevy Sonic, Camaro, Tahoe, and Silverado HD were deemed the most reliable in that category.

The Initial Quality Study does the job of measuring different problems that owners experience during the first 3 months of new vehicle ownership. Here, the Silverado HD, Silverado, and Chevy Sonic were all at the top of the list, displaying all-time high in prowess of excellence during the first 3 months of ownership. This is a much more crucial time than some owners realize: even though cars are always expected to perform well upon purchase, there are some very important defects and problems that customers will understandably want to steer away from.  

The Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout Study (APEAL) measures the owner's emotional attachment, and excitement about the car's performance across different categories. The Chevy Tahoe and Bolt both dominated this segment completely, again proving that Chevy owners truly “consider their car as a best friend”. Led by Chevrolet, GM has delivered 4 consistent years of sales leadership in pickups, within both the mid and large-size trucks category through last year. This is much due to a very strong 3-truck strategy, and during the 2017 sales year, the Suburban and Tahoe accounted for nearly half of large SUVs delivered to retail customers in the U.S.

After the launching of the all-new Traverse and Equinox, many worldwide were in agreement that this was the freshest and most diverse lineup of crossovers offered over the last two years. Chevy is now, by all means, the leader in affordable- long-range EV's, touting 43,646 Volts and Bolts delivered to customers last year. During the near future, many are likely to purchase an electric car that in the past had not thought of doing so, and we believe that our options are the best out there for sale in 2018. A high level of product excellence is one trait that we really stand by here at Jim Butler Chevy, and we are happy to assist you during every single step of the all-important new car purchase process!