Tuesday, May 30, 2023

2024 Chevy Silverado EV Graces Leader Board in Range Battle with 450 mi. 1-Iron

While truck buyers closely look at their options as the age of electrification is on us here at Jim Butler Chevy of Saint Louis, “how far they can go” is one of the predominant considerations. As press releases hit the wire and the experts begin their analysis, the American consumer has been eyeballing the fierce range battle that rages between the 2024 EVs. The Chevy Silverado EV will now be able to go further on full charge than was initially expected, with the base-level work truck trim seeing an EPA-estimated range of 450 miles.

Previous reports from Chevy estimated a range of 400 miles for the WT, as well as the more powerful RST model. The RST model is equipped with a 200-kWh battery pack, but it still isn’t quite clear what power source the WT uses to get its extra boost in range. The Car and Driver review team contacted a Chevy spokesperson for an answer, but for now they would only confirm that it was a result of the certification by the EPA and an extreme focus on testing and development.

The esteemed General Motors team also sent a press release to automotive experts nationwide that laid out some of the goodies regarding available technology for the 2024 Silverado EV WT. One of the highlights drivers have loved is the OnStar Connected Plan, which provides you with a comprehensive account to keep an eye on your battery level, charging data, and other vital diagnostic reports on your EV's all-around health. The HD surround vision with trailer view camera provision is an additional view from the rear of the trailer that provides an invisible landscape of sorts to aid with assuring you are on point during high winds or heavy hauls.

When electrification first became a blip on the radar about seven years ago, dealers like us here at Jim Butler that have access to a consistent stream of valuable data struggled with the vision of what charging would be like in real life. The DC fast charging option for the 2024 Silverado EV lays down an estimated 100 miles of range in just 10 minutes, which makes life for the daily commuter unbelievably easy and efficient. The Traffic Sign Recognition feature will complete the lightning-fast yet very important task of relaying information displayed on the sign directly to the driver on your instrument cluster.

Getting out into the wild and properly enjoying an awesome truck such as the Silverado can also involve enjoying the comforts of civilization, and there are 120-volt power outlets in the bed, E trunk, and front console. You can use these to power bug zappers, electric grills, extra stereos for the tailgate, or any other devices that will make your camping that much better. The onboard blind zone steering assist uses some very high-tech cameras and sensors to monitor an area of up to 10 feet behind and immediately adjacent to the truck, preventing many varieties of urban and off-road incidents that you want to avoid.

The Work Truck trim is scheduled to be the first made available to fleet customers as early as this summer, with its all-wheel drive dual-motor potent powertrain cranking out 510 horsepower and 615 lb-ft of torque. After this initial launch, there is an entry-level work truck model in the works for dedicated fleets that will boast a 20,000-pound towing capacity. You’re also going to love the Hitch Guidance With Hitch View, which displays a centered guideline on the Rear Vision Camera view to help with aligning your hitch to your trailer. Be sure to contact us today to find out how you can get your hands on this all-new truck!

Tuesday, May 23, 2023

4 Reasons The 2023 Trailblazer is Summertime’s Park and Rec-Ready Crossover

2023 Chevy Trailblazer

Customers looking for a great model to test drive at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis have many reasons to get excited about spending their summer with the appealing and affordable 2023 Chevy Trailblazer. While it makes great strides to be noticed in a sea of bland, a few key features allow it to stand out among the rest. Fitting within the smaller-sized segment of the lineup, it’s still large enough to have space for five and a bit of cargo room. 

Here are four things we love about the Trailblazer that give it an edge and allow it to proudly reign as a summer fun and to-do-list slaying machine!

Fresh updates render it easy on the eyes: The Trailblazer’s bold new color selection and two-tone appearance options allow for a cool visual pop, much like the holiday fireworks we will be admiring in just over a month! This color scheme also comes with a white roof that gives it an appealing and personal shine. Many of our competitors have admittedly stepped up their game in the family-friendly crossover realm, but with the Trailblazer, we can firmly attest you’re going to love its all-around look. 

The 3-cylinder turbo packs a potent punch: we know that most compact crossovers out there in the market today incorporate their unique variation of the standard 4-cylinder engine build. It is not the most common occurrence to come across a vehicle with an odd number of cylinders, but that's another way that the Trailblazer boasts a unique character. This 1.3-liter turbocharged engine cranks out 155 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque and allows for a few thrilling escapades on twisty roads you’ll want to check out nearby. 

It’s open season for off-road fun: Many drivers out there today are looking for an urban get-around vehicle with a unique and fun streak. This year's Trailblazer now comes with the ACTIV trim, which adds some vital features to render it fully trail ready. Protective skid plates, sport terrain tires, and a suspension lift all bring excitement about rolling up your sleeves and kicking up some dust. Drivers of all types are now exploring the thrill of off-roading, and these extra accessories will make this prospect fair game.

Selectable all-wheel drive for the terrain win: Another way that the Trailblazer stands apart from the competition is its selectable all-wheel drive system. This allows users to toggle between all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive, depending on if they are after a boost in fuel economy or improved traction. Pure rear-wheel drive can be engaged if you wish for a bit of raw excitement, and full all-wheel drive functionality is a great advantage in bad weather. Having both options at the touch of a button gives an advantage and a sense of unique versatility.

The days of summer bring us so many unique opportunities to get outside and have fun, which is what any busy family is looking forward to after the work week is behind them. We know you'll love the accessibility and budget-minded approach of the Trailblazer, and the exhilarating arrival of a new vehicle in your driveway is the most rewarding way to beat the heat!