Motor Trend Points out the Pricier Cars that The C8 Corvette Beats out During Speed Trials

For more than 70 years Motor Trend has been performance testing cars, and they have been doling out 0-60 times with great accuracy and a high level of credibility. A few decades ago in our wildest dreams here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis, we never thought that we'd be seeing cars break the three-second barrier, and one of them is our very own brand new C8 Corvette. It reaches the 60 mph mark in a startling 2.8 seconds, and beats out many other cars that are pricier during this benchmark test.

So which of the more expensive models are slower than the 2020 Corvette? Here's the list and some details about each one. Make no mistake, these are all fine cars, but the new 'Vette has 'em beat in the galloping category.

2017 Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet – (2.9 seconds, $179,900)

AWD turbo Porsche variants are known for their excellent 0-60 times, and the soft-top versions are no different. The 991.2 Turbo Cabriolet's twin-turbo flat-six engine makes 540 hp and 486 lb-ft of torque which beats out the 'Vette, but our prized C8 still is quicker during the 0-60 by a tenth of a second.

2019 McLaren Senna – (2.9 Seconds, $982,816)

It is definitely a surprise that this very light and powerful track contender was not quite able to out-perform the Corvette to 60, but Road test editor Chris Walton had some trouble getting the Senna off the line. With too much wheel spin, the launch just wasn't good enough. It can conquer the quarter-mile in 10.1 seconds, but off the line the mid-engine Corvette beats it out.

2015 Nissan GT-R NISMO – (2.9 Seconds, $151,870)

When this car first hit the pavement, it was hailed for being a lower-priced supercar. Every time it is updated, the GT-R has gotten faster, and just 4 years ago the U.S. Got the very first NISMO R35. It is now more powerful and lighter, and the NISMO represented the upper-end of Nissan's performance lineup. It still weighed more than 4,000 pounds, but still hits the 60 mph mark in just 2.9 seconds.

2019 McLaren 600LT – (2.9 Seconds, $242,500)

One great thing about this car is the amazing technology that it is loaded to the brim with, and almost 25 percent of it is new compared to the base car. It still comes in at 2.9 seconds for the 0-60, just a tenth shy of the new 'Vette.

2012 Lamborghini Aventador – (2.9 Seconds, $393,695)

Even though its nearly 8 years old, the Aventador brandishes an insane 691-hp V-12. When first tested 7 years ago, it was one of the five fastest and hardest accelerating cars Motor Trend had ever even got their hands on. It is still known as the king of the Nurburgring and is oh-so-close to residing where the C8 does on the speed test at 2.9 seconds.

2019 Porsche 911 GT3 RS – (3.0 Seconds, $225,940)

The 4.0-liter flat-six in the 2019 Porsche 911 GT3 RS does rev to 9,000 rpm, makes 520 hp, and is one of the best vehicles Porsche has ever created. The 0 to 60 still closes out at 3.0 seconds, which doesn't quite cut it. This is, by all means, a fantastic piece of finely-engineered machinery, but shaving seconds for speed is a complex and all-encompassing design task.

2016 McLaren 675LT – (3.0 Seconds, $399,271)

The McLaren 675LT does crank out 180 hp more than the new Corvette, weighs less than 3,000 pounds, and had a price tag of more than $350,000 brand-new. This is a car that costs FIVE times more than the new C8, but the Corvette edges out the British supercar by a razor-thin two-tenths of a second.

2010 Ferrari 458 Italia – (3.0 Seconds, $287,654)

The Ferrari 458 Italia and the Corvette now have some vital points in common. Both come with naturally aspirated V-8s that are mounted in the middle, and both have dual-clutch transmissions, look amazing in red, and have room for just two. Our new Corvette is two tenths quicker to the 60 mph mark. We have to still hold this car in the very highest of regard since it's a former Motor Trend Best Driver's Car winner, but we still get the bragging rights on the quick trot.

2017 Ford GT – (3.0 Seconds, $453,750)

The new C8 Corvette is two tenths quicker to 60 mph than the Ford GT, and it is amazingly just one-sixth the price. The GT has more power, less weight, and because of this a better power-to-weight ratio. But with all this well-engineered goodness in its corner, it is still slower to 60. it still nails down just 3.0 seconds to the Corvette's 2.8, and while it is one Hellaciously amazing contender, doesn't quite get it right in the quick-speed runoff.

2021 Updates for Chevy Colorado Midsize Truck Boost Off-Road Capability

The Colorado is one of the most popular trucks in the midsize-pickup segment due to its perfect size, comfort of ride, and ability to truly “make the sand fly”. The 2021 model year will see enhancements that will excite any diehard fan by helping with off-road capability and differentiating more between various trim levels. The LT and WT models will now be decked out with a new gold bow-tie emblem and Z71 variants are going to now sport a blacked-out logo.

All three of these trim levels now also get updated center bars, reworked lower fascias and front skid plates. All models will also feature a reworked tailgate with the emblem we have grown so fond of embossed across it in very large letters. The Z71 and ZR2 trims will have a new sand dune metallic exterior color, as well as a flow-through grille with Chevy spelled out and new red tow hooks. These changes are meant to help the Colorado fit in a bit better with the rest of the brand's selection of pickups, which has seen an aggressive stance with the newly redesigned Silverado.

All of us here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis have not been told about any other interior enhancements coming to the Colorado's cabin for 2021, but we admit we are pretty satisfied with the way it feels now on every drive. ZR2 models will enjoy the benefit of advanced Multimatic DSSV position-sensitive dampers, as well as standard front and rear locking differentials. There will be a 2-inch suspension lift, 3.5-inch wider track, and cast-iron control arms, with the public debut now set for October 10^th during the 2019 Method Race Wheel Laughlin Desert Classic. We are also expecting the latest-model Colorado to be assembled at the GM factory in Wentzville, Missouri, with announcements regarding pricing and availability to come early next year.

Our fiercest rival is the Toyota Tacoma, and while we recognize its prowess and power, we are confident that our Colorado boasts more distinctive styling, and the offroad chops to quickly become your favorite addition to the weekend full of outdoor activity. We understand that there is nothing quite like the allure of the Silverado with its ready-to-go attitude and fuller-sized stature: it is one of the trucks that defines the American dream with a steadfast salute. But when you really feel the urge to grip with gusto on dirt, rival unchallenged in the face of boulders and streams, and perhaps navigate through flooded territory, the coming Colorado is sure to offer up everything needed and then some.

First C8 Corvette Off the Line To be Auctioned For Charity

This summer in a large airplane hangar in California, a very significant automotive milestone in history took place. Many excited fans and onlookers were there to witness the arrival of the 2020 Chevy Corvette Stingray, which was the first mid-engined Corvette production model to ever exist. You will soon be able to own the very first model that rolls off the line complete with a VIN ending in 001, but you'll need to be quite cash-heavy to do so. The rights to the first model will be sold during a Barrett-Jackson auction this coming January in sunny Scottsdale, Arizona.

Chevy will donate all proceeds from the sale to the Detroit Children's Fund, which helps with the provision of much-needed educational resources for the large Michigan metro area. The education landscape of this particular city has seen challenges for many years now, and scores of gifted individuals have been toiling to improve the situation. The Detroit Children's Fund targets lower-performing schools and figures out ways to give everyone an equal opportunity and successful future. It won't be a surprise if the price exceeds the $1 million mark, as similar auctions of the first 2017 Ford GT and first 2017 Acura NSX both received $2.55 million and $1.2 million each.

In the past, the winning bidder has been Rick Hendrick, who owns Hendrick Motorsports and is the original founding member of the Hendrick Automotive Group. The car will come with all of the options including the Z51 performance pack. Whoever the lucky winner is will also be able to choose features such as exterior color and cabin trim to add to the car. Steve Davis is president of Barret-Jackson, and he claimed that he couldn't be more proud to continue the tradition with help from Chevy and the sale of the first retail production mid-engined Corvette to support the kids in need from the Detroit area.

All of us here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis have had so many reasons to be overly excited about the final release of the C8. The new power plant in play cranks out 500 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque. That is 10 hp and lb-ft of torque more than the 2020 Stingray minus the Z51 performance package. A brand-new and compact 6-speed sequential transmission handles shifting duties, and its new size makes additional room for a diffuser that helps massively in the speed category. Shedding weight and increasing all-important stiffness were the top engineering goals for the new C8, and the results were tremendous. It makes us happy that this event is sheer proof that there is still some goodness left in the world, and esteemed people out there taking amazing cars and using them for a very positive change. 

ZRX Offroader Model Predicted for 2022 Silverado, Expanding Trail Boss Potential

During the fall months, all of us on sales and service staff here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis are fielding tons of requests and questions regarding trucks. And why shouldn't we be? As the leaves begin to change and every night under the arch gets just a bit cooler, it is the perfect time to think about the perfect rig for you that can tow, haul, and also be the ideal urban trek around with the family. Muscle Cars and Trucks cited that other valid sources claim a ZRX trim for the Silverado is now in the works.

The same namesake was once used on the GMC Sonoma, which was a more street-focused pickup that was a bit like the S-10 Xtreme. When it was learned that a trademark was filed early last month many thought that it was based on the return of a street performance pickup, but instead it has now been learned that the Silverado ZRX will be a very gritty offroad number aiming to further the Trail Boss' capabilities.

We've been told that the ZRX is expected to be equipped with an upgraded suspension, the Multimatic DSSV spool valve offroad dampers seen on the Colorado ZR2, front and rear locking differentials, and completely redesigned bumpers to nail down better approach and departure angles. It has also now been found out that Fox has filed a ZRX trademark to use exclusively on “custom pickups” just seven days later. The Ford F-150 Raptor, as well as Ram Rebel TRX, are the usual suspects are far as stiff competition is concerned, and even though it may not have quite as powerful an engine, will probably still fare just fine.

At this point power is said to be derived from a 6.2-liter EcoTec V8 with 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. This could mean the TRX would be situated comfortably above the Trail Boss but just below the fiercely high-powered desperado of the upgraded Trail Boss with skid plates, 18-inch wheels, a locking rear differential, two-speed transfer case, and Rancho shocks. Us and many others would be incredibly excited to see a 3.0-liter Duramax 4-cylinder cranking out 277 hp and 460 lb-ft, which is an option the competition does not offer.

We will firmly attest the pre-existing diesel is smoother than the gas engine, and the very advanced fuel injection system does a fantastic job of helping with the very typical compression-ignition clatter. This complex system runs at 36,250 psi, with nine-hole injectors cranking out fuel up to 10 times per combustion cycle. We'll keep you posted right here on the blog about this trim level's development: two years can fly by fast, and the opportunity to spec it out to your own fancy will be any truck-lovers solid endeavor!

2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Makes Exclusive Visit to Jim Butler Chevrolet

Saint Louis ----- On October 10^th, 2019 at 11:00 am CST the highly anticipated 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray will make an exclusive appearance at Jim Butler Chevrolet, before it goes on sale.  This U.S. tour will give enthusiast around the area an up-close look at the first-ever production mid-engine Corvette –offering a new standard of design performance, technology and craftsmanship.

The tour includes a hands-on look at the new Corvette as well as numerous interactive displays.  At this event, our vehicle specialist will host customers interested in learning about the new mid-engine supercar, display customizable parts (seats, wheels, accessories, etc.) and teach people how to personalize their own Corvette.

“The exclusive tour gives Corvette enthusiast the opportunity to engage with their all new 2020 Corvette Stingray in Saint Louis before it officially hits the showroom floor, “said Brian Sweeney, Chevrolet U.S.  vice president, “We designed the tour with fans in mind and are thrilled for them to be the first to see the mid-engine Corvette at Jim Butler Chevrolet.”

This one-of-a-kind fan experience is fitting for the first-ever production mid-engine Corvette, a vehicle that invented the American sports car segment when Chevy debuted the first generation in 1953.  The Next Generation builds upon, but also redefines Corvette’s legacy.

We are excited to be the first exclusive dealership to show the new 2020 mid-engine Corvette in Saint Louis area, said Brad Sowers, president of Jim Butler Chevrolet. 

The tour, happening concurrently in America, will stop at more than 125 select dealerships through early 2020.

ABOUT CHEVROLET

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is on the world’s largest car brands, doing business in more than 100 countries and selling more than 4.0 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that make the heartbeat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value.  More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com

ABOUT JIM BUTLER CHEVROLET

Jim Butler Chevrolet is part of the Jim Butler Auto Group, based in the St. Louis, Mo. Area. Jim Butler Auto Group sells and services new and pre-owned vehicles nationwide through eight dealerships. Through its centralized business center Jim Butler Auto Group manages inquiries, customer service and deliveries nationwide, resulting in one of the nation’s top-rated vehicle buying processes in America. The Jim Butler Auto Group has an A+ rating with the St. Louis Better Business Bureau. Business units are: Jim Butler Chevrolet, St. Louis’ largest Chevrolet dealer and one of the top 17 dealers nationwide; Jim Butler Kia; Jim Butler Maserati; Jim Butler FIAT; Jim Butler-Linn Chevrolet; Jim Butler Alfa Romeo; Jim Butler Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram; and Jim Butler Auto Plaza, dedicated to pre-owned sales. For more information please visit www.JimButlerAutoGroup.com or www.jimbutlerchevrolet.com .