The Drive Reports on Blistering Fast 2020 Chevy C8 Corvette Nurburgring Laps

Now that the mid-engined and very popular C8 Corvette has had time to make its way around in terms of the internet and media, there's definitely a lot to see and read! There's lot of video out there displaying the car's powerful presence on the Nurburgring track, and so it's no surprise that one of the laps was a timed, all-out speed test to publicly show everyone out there watching intently. Up to this point, lap times have not been revealed, but there's one out now claiming that the time is on par with that nailed down by the Lamborghini Huracan LP610-4.

The seasoned folks on staff at Muscle Cars & Trucks reported that the C8 lap time at the Nurburgring was officially 7:28.3. When the Lamborghini tore through the corners on its own attempt, Germany's Sport Auto reported a lap of around 7:28 flat. Many experienced drivers out there who have pushed the C8 to its limits already agree that there is a large amount of untapped potential within the chassis, and so even quicker track times may be possible even without going to work on upping the power output.

What's exciting to all of us here at Jim Butler of St Louis this holiday season is that if the C8 is as fast on the famed track as an entry-level Lamborghini, it's hard to say just how dominating the Z06 and ZR1 models will prove to be. One of them will forego the cam-in-block 6.2 for the C8.R V-8, which boasts lightweight flat-plane crank and dual overhead camshafts, and can offer greater horsepower per liter. This engine is believed to crank out as much as 600 horsepower, and 620 lb-ft of torque, and it's not sure at this point whether it will be situated in the Z06 or the ZR1.

The ZR1 is supposed to also gain an electrified front axle and twin turbochargers, creating the potential for a 900 horsepower output. Just a brief thought of a Corvette with McLaren P1-level performance potential is enough to make anyone daydream about breezy palms and blazing hot Daytona asphalt. The front-engine, rear-drive C7 had a front-to-rear weight distribution of 49/51 percent, and the mid-engined C8 carries less of its total mass on the nose.

This makes for much more available traction at the rear wheels, which improves even more as the car builds speed. Compared with the automatic-transmission C7, the C8's first gear is a startling 21 percent shorter – and from just that change the new Corvette's rear wheels undergo a torque increase of more than 20 percent. When you also add in the 10 lb-ft increase of torque due to the presence of the new V8, the C8's rear wheels get to snag an additional 1350 lb-ft. These gearing changes were instrumental in the amazing 0-to-60 performance, a feat that was well-documented and beat out many other cars with heftier price tags!

2021 Chevy Suburban: Motor Trend Provides Up-Close Look at Largest and Most Luxurious

As the season of giving is upon us once again and many Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis customers  are re-evaluating their personal and business needs for the year, a vehicle that has a history of 85 years and counting seems worth a look. The 2021 Chevy Suburban will go on sale next spring, riding on the same new architecture that underpins the Silverado HD and 1500 pickups. It also shares the foundation digs with the 2021 Chevy Tahoe, and is billed by Motor Trend as being “Unprecedented in size and scope”.

At any one time, 10,000 people were working on development, with the intention of making sure trim levels differentiate from each nameplate, as well as differentiate heavy-duty trucks from the lighter. There is a definite pleasure to be had in driving something so massive: the 134.1-inch wheelbase is 4.1 inches longer than the outgoing model, coming in at 225.7 total inches in length. For the first time, the Suburban is now the recipient of a multilink independent rear suspension. Together with the longer wheelbase, the lower cargo floor created an engineering dream come true.

This large SUV provides passengers in the second row an extra 2.3 inches of legroom, while the third row gets an additional 2.2 inches: if you've been crammed onto any commercial flight lately, you know how valuable every inch is. You can simply push a button to fold the second and third-row seats flat, and the cargo room now rings in at 144.7 cubic feet, which is 23 more than last year's model boasts. The extensive chassis technology designed to reduce vibration is now paired with the rear suspension and Air Ride Adaptive Suspension that is found on Z71 and High Country models.

The V8 engines available are the 355 hp and 383 lb-ft 5.3-liter, and 420 hp, 460 lb-ft 6.2-liter V8. The active fuel management system is now replaced by Dynamic fuel management, resulting in a huge efficiency gain. All engines are mated to GM's 10-speed automatic transmission, and buttons on the dash beside the touchscreen replace the gearshift. Wheel sizes range from 18 to 22 inches, and there is also another first onboard for 2021: the panoramic roof.

The Electrical bandwidth now provided is five times the data processing power of the outgoing model, which helps with rapid updates and closely diagnosing vehicle performance. Rear passengers will have the option of catching up with that cute new baby Yoda on 12.6-inch screens on the backs of the two front seats, which can share content if needed. There are 30 safety and convenience technologies onboard including standard automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, rear park assist, and the very useful hitch guidance for trailering, automatic headlight control, and more. 

2021 Trailblazer Ranked in Post-Dispatch as “Defining Crossover Hierarchy”

Many resurrections have occurred over the past few years concerning the auto industry, as eager manufacturers are bringing back namesakes from the past to have a new and promising existence. The new 2021 Trailblazer that we are all so excited about here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis was featured in the Post-Dispatch this week, as seasoned staff writer Dan Wiese took a close look at the functions and features it will offer. This new model will be a car-based, compact, front – or AWD crossover.

A bit larger than the 2019 Trax, the Trailblazer now shares the basic platform with Buick's Encore GX, and sees placement between the Trax and Equinox. The base engine is slated to be the 1.2-liter, 137-hp turbocharged 3-cylinder that generates 162 lb-ft of torque. The Trailblazer will put to use a continuously variable automatic transmission, and we expect it to be wildly popular among those who are on the search for the ever-popular crossover SUV and aren't on a sky-high luxury budget. Available trim levels will be RS and Activ: the Activ is tuned and set up for off-road use, with the RS possessing a bit sportier and aggressive stance.

The Activ trim also features a unique front and rear fascia, a larger grille opening, more aggressive tuning for the suspension, dual exhaust, and knobbier Sport Terrain tires. The RS trim sports a mesh grille that is “performance-inspired”, ultra-cool black Chevy bowtie logo, and front-splitter elements for a more modern and future-inspired appearance. Either trim level can be had with a two-tone roof treatment, and this latest model will feature the newest version of Chevy's infotainment system. It has the option to use two Bluetooth-paired phones, and the audio system is compatible with the ever-popular Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

It has been amazing to watch the development of safety features, and reflect on just how far we have evolved from the days when “your brakes were it”. Every Trailblazer will feature Forward Collision Alert, Auto Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist, Lane Departure Warning and a rear view camera. Optional is Adaptive Cruise Control, Rear Park Assist, Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, and an upgraded HD Rear Vision Camera. Striking style is the first thing you'll notice about this SUV, and passengers get top-notch rear-seat legroom and plenty of different storage spots onboard. As visions of sugar plums and reindeer dance in the heads of auto buyers here in Missouri, we think the incoming Trailblazer is a spectacular choice for the New Year and comes at a low price that simply cannot be beat!

2020 Chevy Equinox Claims Top Safety Pick Honors From IIHS

Over the past decade, one of the claims we can make adamantly here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis regarding design is that safety features mixed with luxury are becoming easier to find on a budget. As many various publications and experts have test driven the 2020 Chevy Equinox, it has been hailed as a top pick for its efficiency, practicality, and luxury accents available on a budget. Now recently named as a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, there is another savvy reason to select it as your coming New Year's vehicle.

To earn a Top Safety Pick, a vehicle needs to earn “Good” ratings in several key crash measurements, including the driver-side small overlap front test, and roof strength. An overall rating of “Good”  or “Acceptable” is also needed for the passenger-side small overlap front test, as well as a “Superior” or “Advanced” rating for vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention. Headlights need to be ranked as a “Good” or “Acceptable” rating, and the Equinox's available HID projector headlights do make the cut. Seeing high-beam assist fitted as standard also boosts the Equinox's safety ratings: they perform the task of switching between low and high beams based on the detection of other vehicles nearby.

The IIHS recently updates its side-impact crash test to better account for real-world scenarios. During this very important exercise, the fast-moving rig's weight was increased to 4,200 pounds up from 3,300, and the vehicle will now be struck at 37 mph up from 31 mph. What this test accomplishes is the proper simulation of the damage that a large SUV or pickup truck would cause on another vehicle. Excellent fuel economy, user-friendly tech features, and capable handling are other reasons to choose the incoming Equinox as your next vehicle here.

Some of the revolutionary and life-saving safety features onboard are lane departure warning, lane keep assist, forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection. When the time comes for a longer than average trip out of town, the Equinox provides 29.9 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats, and when folded down, this goes up to 63.9 cubic feet of space. Features that are now included as standard are the Infotainment 3 system with 7-inch touchscreen, six-speaker audio system, two USB ports, Bluetooth, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and a Wi-Fi hot spot.

The base powertrain has an EPA rating of 26 mpg in the city and 31 mph on the highway, which are some of the best numbers out there in the compact SUV category. Once you make the decision to be a proud new owner, you'll get to make your choice from the best warranties in the business: the 3-year/36,000 – mile basic warranty and a five-year / 60,000 – mile powertrain warranty. This is a vehicle that will always deliver a smooth and comfortable ride, and be the perfect daily driver. Make sure you closely check out the leather-trimmed Premier, which with its many features includes it all: LED headlights and taillights,  a hands-free liftgate, driver-seat memory functions,  and wireless device charging.

2021 Chevy Trailblazer First Look in Motor Trend: “Great Looks, Impressive Feature Content”

The small crossover segment is one that has lately seen rabid competition, and all of us here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis were excited to hear the results after a few major media outlets gave the Trailblazer a spin. Frank Markus of Motor Trend came right out of the gate claiming that it possesses a high level of charm and “impressive feature content”, as it drives onto lots  touting the first 3-cylinder engine offered in North America since the discontinuation of the Geo Metro.

The 1.3-liter is expected to produce 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque, and all Trailblazers come with the similar suite of safety and driver assistance gear to what is found on the Equinox. This included forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, IntelliBeam headlamps, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, rear vision camera, teen driver safety tech, rear seat reminder, and OnStar. The options list does include an assortment of upper-segment features such as adaptive cruise control, rear park assist, lane-change alert with side blind-zone alert, and rear cross-traffic alert.

At the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show were the sporty RS and off-road-oriented Activ trim levels. The RS brandishes a gloss-black grille like those on the Camaro RS and Blazer, 18-inch wheels wrapped in sport-tuned 225/55 rubber, RS branded cluster graphics, a flat-bottom steering wheel, contrast piping and red stitching, and a large number of accents to add to the edgy vibe. The Activ trim also gets a choice of two-tone roof/body coloring, a matte gray grille and unique front fascia that improves approach angle,  standard roof rails, and gray rocker panels that span nicely between the wheel arches. All-terrain prepared 225/60 series tires on 17-inch rims offer better control and grip, and the shocks are specially-tuned to perform on gravel.

The cargo floor sits exactly level with the rear hatch opening, and can also be lowered for added cargo height with the seats up. As technology has changed so aggressively over the past few years, some of the coolest features ever have evolved: on the 2021 Trailblazer, the liftgate can now be opened by waving your foot over a projected logo on the ground. One of the most attractive things about the Trailblazer will most definitely be its price tag: all of the cool things you are getting begin at one of the lowest entry points cost wise that exists. This is one vehicle that would be the ultimate choice for the new grad or junior executive, and we fully stand behind it as a holiday surprise for anyone on your gift list that is staking their claim to a new life in a brand new metro!