Men's Journal Claims 2019 Chevy Blazer RS is “Streetwise Crossover With Plenty of Style and Swagger”

Men's Journal has for decades had the uncanny ability to be in the know about everything current when it comes to tech, tools, and especially the latest in cutting edge and alluring toys. The best performing gear is highlighted in the December issue, and they are always killing it when it comes to trends, style, and hot destinations. All of us on staff here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis knew they would be excited to check out exactly what would transpire when the muscle car stance and stature of a legendary pony like the Camaro was mashed up with the likes of a stellar SUV.

Last week they recognized just how legendary the reincarnated Blazer is with its well-defined wheel wells, sharp lines, and very detailed bodywork. The testing crew still claims right off the bat that with all sporty influence aside, this is a CUV touting ample cargo space, and plenty of room for five. Features such as the adjustable rear seat, many USB ports, and full-screen infotainment system make for a viable offering for today's standards, at a very attractive entry-level price. The available trim levels are the standard Blazer, shiny Premier, and aggressive and sporty RS. Every trim comes with a mounted 8-inch screen and infotainment system, and the Premier and RS models are powered by the heftier V6 with all-wheel drive.

The RS was the model tested by the Men's Journal staff, and it generates 308 horsepower, while paired to a 9-speed transmission. They appreciated the grumble of the exhaust note, and the way in which the cockpit really derives from the Camaro's flavor and style. Bullet-formation a/c vents, sporty digital instrumentation, and very sleek black leather interior accented with contrasting red stitching. On the highway, the driver enhancements made the Blazer seem as if it was practically on autopilot, as the Rear Cross Traffic Alert injects a slight buzz in the driver seat on either the left or right, depending on how far away the obstacle behind you is.

If you happen to veer too close to the edge of your lane, Lane Keep Assist notifies the driver via a slight turn adjustment and vibrations in the steering wheel. It's always nice to hear from someone firsthand when they are literally blown away by a new driving feature, and these well-seasoned gents said just that about the Chevy Adaptive Cruise Control. On the highway with the cruise control set, the group could sit with their feet flat on the floor while the Blazer easily maintained a safe braking distance in the middle of traffic. Make sure you ask us about the Driver Confidence II Package: it provides for you the adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and rear cross traffic alert, as well as the addition of a rearview camera mirror, heated and cooled front and rear seats, surround camera, and an amazing 8-speaker Bose sound system!

Chevy Tahoe High Country Spied by Motor1.Com Staff Touting Large-Sized Swagger

Whenever we are directed towards secretive spy shots here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis, we realize just how exciting and promising every new vehicle in development is! The massive amount of planning, testing, and engineering involved to finally see the finished product roll off the lot is staggering. Seasoned spy shots experts from Motor1.com set their sights on the range-topping Chevy Tahoe High Country this past week, identified primarily by the visible chrome slats in the grille. There was, as usual, camouflage over the entire body, but the semi-transparent covering over the front also indicates that the headlights are a bit smaller on this model.

It's also very evident from the vehicle's silhouette that the noticeably large and chiseled appearance will still be the same, with more than ample room for hauling and even towing. Spy shots from earlier outings this year revealed that a multi-link independent rear suspension is among the new Tahoe's mechanical differences. This would make for a much smoother ride overall, allowing for the large-sized vehicle to absorb bumps of urban nature and off the beaten path with ease.

Exactly what engines will be inside has been a bit of a challenge to predict, but a close look at the new Cadillac Escalade provides a few valuable clues. The current 5.3- and 6.2-liter V8s would possibly carry over at launch, but the smaller powerplant would receive the 10-speed automatic gearbox similar to the 2020 Chevy Silverado pickup. There may even be the addition of a hybrid V8, and the Escalade would still sport its own unique 4.2- liter twin turbo Blackwing V8. We are positive that those with the blessing of growing families as well as blossoming businesses will love the bold styling, and upscale and totally connected cabin as on current models.

Acoustic-laminated windshield and inlaid doors with triple seals help to make the Tahoe a quiet refuge from an increasingly noisy world, and the interior is at tech-savvy as it gets. Up to 7 USB ports, a 110-volt 3-prong outlet, an available 4G LTE Wi-Fi connection, and a wireless charging station are all available with the Premier trim. Towing capability is up to 8,600 lbs, which is ample power to tow ATVs, boats, and anything else that would drastically up the fun factor during your next trip. This is one of the best available vehicles we could ever think of in terms of a long trip, and available Rear-Seat Entertainment System with Blu-ray playback is ideal for keeping those in back entertained. You can absolutely drive with the best in added confidence knowing you are also equipped with Adaptive Cruise Control, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Forward Collision Alert to help you prevent potential harm!

Hotcars.com Reports on Arrival of Duramax Diesel for 2020 Chevy Silverado

The critical components of cars and trucks that make them the fantastic machines that they are sometimes happen to be a long time coming, forcing loyal buyers to let their excitement mount for the features they love! Chevy has finally introduced a turbodiesel engine which was originally scheduled to arrive later during the 2019 model year, and now officially being introduced as a component on the 2020. The staff on duty at Hotcars.com reported this past week on the 3.0-Liter Duramax inline 6-cylinder turbodiesel, which no doubt sports the necessary features to make it a solid hit with enthusiasts here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis!

As far as the all-important power specifics, they reside at 277 horsepower, and 460 lb-ft of torque, which is much better than the 3.0 – liter diesel situated in the sworn rival in the form of the Ford F-150. That power is also generally very accessible to boot, with max torque occurring between 1,500 and 3,000 RPM. This rugged and robust complete package comes mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, and features incredibly advanced emissions and combustion technology to optimize performance at all times.

As far as pricing, the 3.0 – liter Duramax is priced identically to the 6.2-liter V8, but it is also available on lower trims such as the LT, RST, LTZ, and High Country as well. It is exciting to note that this means that this Silverado Duramax is way easier to get set up in than the F-150's diesel variant, which requires the buyer to spring for a Lariat trim as an entry point. The Duramax is a cast aluminum block, that is 25% lighter than an equivalent iron block featuring a variable geometry turbocharger as well as a variable intake manifold. It also boasts ceramic glow plugs and Active Thermal Management to the engine heats up rapidly and doesn't require a block heater until the temperature reaches -22 degrees F.

Exact EPA mileage, towing, and payload figures are still on the way, and the Duramax is expected to arrive on lots late during the summertime. It also comes equipped with an exhaust brake, something you don't enjoy the benefits of when using a gas-powered engine. Beginning with the 2500 Crew Cab 4WD, the maximum towing rating is 18,500 pounds, and the maximum gooseneck towing capability increases by a notable 52% to the segment-leading  35,000 pounds.

Built to stand up easily to the toughest and dirtiest jobs, the all-new Silverado HD is engineered with 7 different types of steel, which each gauge chosen to specifically maximize the capability for a truck that comes right off the line ready to tackle the toughest of hauls, moves, or location scouting duties. The Durabed features 12 standard tie-downs, as well as LED cargo area lighting and a built-in 120 – volt outlet with an all-new side BedStep conveniently situated between the cab and rear wheel!

Chevy Bolt EUV Crossover Spotted by Autoblog During Recent Spy Shot Outing

Nearly 70% of drivers in the US are on the road for less than 60 miles each weekday, which has brought about a high level interest as of late regarding electric cars and their rewarding promise. Driving ranges have gotten further, appearances have improved in a way that to effectively blend in a bit more with other cars on the road, and many consumers have enjoyed the benefit of tax credits with their purchase. Chevy has definitely shown an interest in being very committed to cranking out EVS, and has provided an electric Cadillac concept, as well as a confirmed electric pickup.

Chevy has also claimed to all of us on staff here at Jim Butler of St Louis that another crossover alongside the Bolt is due for construction, which is rumored to be called the Bolt EUV, and it is fairly certain that this is the one caught by the spy photographer for this piece presented last week by Autoblog. It looks a bit more like what the daily driver envisions when a crossover comes to mind, and it's more upright stance is the main characteristic contributing to the blend. Underneath the camo shown in the spy shots it is expected to be larger than the current Bolt, with no exhaust present at all and running in complete silence.

Much of the buzz we have encountered lately has been about  a new platform known as BEV3, but we suspect that Chevy also plans to use the current Bolt's BEV2 platform for two new crossovers, as clearly laid out in a presentation two years ago. It has also been confirmed that a hefty amount of finances are being invested into the Lake Orion plant to work on at least one of these two. This could very well be the model that is shown in these shots, and it is not known just how this will affect sales and existence of the original Bolt.

One of the reasons we are so excited to see how the development of these new cars progresses is because of just how revolutionary yet practical the Bolt was. Heralded for literally being the benchmark for mainstream Evs, it boasts an impressive 238 miles of range, for a very reasonable price compared to the likes of the Tesla Model 3. The powertrain provides very punchy acceleration, and nearly twice the range of EVS in a similar price point. The charge-termination feature now has more available levels to reduce overall charging costs, and inflating the tires is easier with the tire-fill alert now as standard. Elmer Kades of consulting firm AlixPartners said it best himself last month when he claimed “Electrification, you cannot stop it anymore – its coming”: the options on the horizon are going to assure that your daily drive will be more beneficial and a step in the right direction for the sustainable greater good!