GM Design Wonders Aloud If Development of C9 Corvette Could Be Underway

From 2014 through 2019, the C7 Chevy Corvette didn't have as long a run as some 'Vette's did, but was well-remembered for good reason. Last year when the C8 arrived at the glee of the general public and car enthusiasts worldwide, completely astonished onlookers in a California hangar witnessed an earnest dose of mid-engined and mechanical mastery. Everyone here at Jim Butler of St Louis have always wondered if Chevy designers could already be hard at work laying the foundation for ideas that pave the way for an amazing automotive sequel. 

General Motors Design posted a sketch on Instagram over the past week that could be a rendering of what an early C9 concept could appear like. It's highly possible that it could also be an early draft of the C8, but we do not think our beloved bowtie brand will return to front-engine design. The side air vents look a bit similar to what's in place on today's Vette, and a built-in rear spoiler and front fenders are a bit more prominent than what is found on the C8. There are other questions about whether or not the C9 could be all-electric, which is a possibility since the hybrid version of the C8 is due to arrive within the next few years. 

A 1,000-horsepower 'Vette known as “Zora” with all-wheel drive and several electric motors is also in the works, and since GM has recently pledged to pursue an electrified future with other prominent vehicles such as the GMC Hummer EV, the Corvette may definitely fall under the clean-power guise as well. Since Chevy already called it quits to the longstanding tradition of a front-engine design, getting rid of traditional combustion means of power may be what's in store next. 

The Current 2021 C8 has snagged up a 10Best award for 2021, as its two-seat cabin is spacious and the performance has been deemed worldwide as spectacular. The Z51 package provides stunning capability on the track, and any Corvette can now also be ordered with a new gray-and-yellow interior color scheme and Full-Length Dual Racing Stripe package with stripes in blue, orange, red, or yellow. The astonishing  6.2-liter V8 cranks out 490 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque, with the Z51 package's dual-mode performance exhaust adding 5 more hp to the mix. The current C8 boasts a zero-to-60 mph time of 2.8-seconds, and has also been commended for its interior design that delivers a driver-focused concept appropriate for such a defined and dominating performance model! 

Higher-Performance Power as Holiday-Ready Protocol: 2021 Blazer Receives 2.0-Liter Turbo Engine As Standard

The latest 2021 Chevy Blazer celebrates its arrival as the third year for the all-new crossover, and has seen some feature updates that are sure to see all of our customers here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis brimming with holiday curiosity! One of the major changes is with the power source, which will now see the turbocharged 2.0-Liter I4 LSY gas unit offered as standard. Front-wheel drive is now standard on the top-of-the-line Premier trim, and AWD is available with either the V6 LGX or this newly-introduced engine.

This new Inline-four produces 227 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque and is mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission. Higher fuel economy ratings are sure to instill a sense of New Year's Cheer as the incoming Blazer model will see 22 mpg in the city, 29 mpg on the highway, and 25 mpg combined when equipped with front-wheel-drive. There are also some awesome new colors to pick from in the coming Blazer's lineup: Iron Gray, Pewter Metallic, Cayenne Orange, and Cherry Red Tintcoat are some of the options to dashingly deck out the exterior.

Whether you are dealing with holiday-prone snow or the well-groomed roads of summer, the 2021 Chevy Blazer also now gains new safety features for protection through the Chevy Safety Assist Package. This long-awaited crossover that Car And Driver claimed is “perfectly sporty, engaging, and without even slight compromise” also received praise for the 2LT trim level, which can tow 4500 pounds when equipped with the trailering package. The four-cylinder models can tow up to 1500 pounds, and this has been deemed by many other auto experts as the most responsive and confident crossover in the entire segment. 

During two recent test drives in the hilly outskirts of LA, the Blazer was quick to respond and confident on the twisty sections of road, and the four-cylinder engine provided more might off the line than a slew of competitors. The 18-inch wheels provided a very smooth and quiet ride and displayed a fluid characteristic at lower speeds. The RS model came to a stop during braking testing a 165 feet from 70 mph, and getting up to that speed is certain to  be an outright blast in this design that draws inspiration from the legendary and track-poised pony in the form of the Camaro.

Other great features such as ambient interior lighting and heated and ventilated front seats are a welcome addition, as well as 31 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 64 cubic feet with the seats folded. Each Blazer comes with an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, and can also be upgraded to be equipped with a Wi-Fi hotspot, 8-speaker premium Bose sound system, built-in navigation, and wireless charging. Key safety features to assure that you are arriving to deck the halls with all of your health and vigor are forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. 

2021 Chevy Tahoe and Suburban Illuminate With Holiday Cheer As Chosen Ones For Consumer Guide “Best Buy” Award

The Consumer Guide Best Buy Awards honed in this holiday season on informing customers about first-rate vehicles that provide the best driving experience out there while still ranking at the top in value factor. During the time of year when monthly expenses are closely scrutinized as we want our loved ones to have the best holidays possible, being a leading-class bargain is the first objective for a Best Buy Award winner. The 2021 Chevy Tahoe and 2021 Chevy Suburban both received awards this year in the “Large SUV” category.  

Making excellent strides in ride quality, all-around refinement, and passenger comfort were the qualities that stood out for both of these heavy-duty holiday haulers, and these T1-based SUVS were praised for how easy they were to drive. Test-driving either one of the two here at  Jim Butler Chevy of St. Louis allows you to fully check out their new redesign, with additions such as independent rear suspension and an available Duramax 3.0-Liter Inline-SIx diesel engine. A ten-inch infotainment screen, available 15-inch head-up display, and available rear-seat entertainment system are other technology features that now enjoy their first appearance. 

When equipped with the new Duramax turbo-diesel 3.0-Liter LM2 inline-six engine and Max Trailering Package, the rear-wheel-drive Tahoe now lays the claim to an 8,200-pound towing capacity and a maximum payload of 1,717 pounds. Once inside you'll notice much more interior room, spacious second and third rows, and the high-mounted push-button shifter. The new rear suspension opens up the cargo area and third-row seating, and the Tahoe remains your best choice for a trademark-smooth ride and a familiar platform that instantly makes you feel at home. One of the most practical features Chevy has ever devised fits perfectly on the Tahoe: check out the power-retractable running boards that pop out right when you open the door. 

The 2021 Suburban also rings in this season of gift-giving and merriment by being billed as the “most fuel-efficient four-wheel-drive full-size SUV in the market” courtesy of Motor Trend. It handles on the freeway and through corners amazingly well even with the large-sized 22-inch wheels and boasts a towing ability of up to 8,000 pounds with the rear-wheel drive. Getting from 0 to 60 in 8,5 seconds and bursting through the quarter-mile mark in just 16.6 seconds, agility and speed are still strong points while carrying so much mass. With a well-documented and colorful history spanning 85 years, the Suburban lays claim to the longest-running nameplate in existence. 

When our valued customers inquire as to what choice is best for them, the value proposition is nearly always at the top of their list. We know that spending an exorbitant amount of money gives you a lavish set of features, but still strive to provide as much minus the hefty cost! We hope that this holiday season is a special and celebrated one for you and yours and that driving away happily covered under Chevy's stellar warranty is how you ring in the New Year.