Car & Driver Spills Mid-Engined Chevy Corvette Details

Instant track-hound status, primo power, and an unapologetically aerodynamic design: these are just some of the traits that anyone who has owned a Corvette will frequently enjoy. This past week, Car and Driver provided a detailed account of new details of the next-generation 'Vette, which include no manual option, and a hybrid trim level that has the ability to crank out 1,000 horsepower. They also claim that pricing won't be priced too far out of the unattainable stratosphere, due to fiberglass composite materials used for the body's construction, and the new generation carrying over a heavily-updated version of the LT1 pushrod engine.

The overall weight is expected to be a bit heavier than the current model's 3500 pounds, but the satisfying tradeoff is the extra 500 horsepower due to the LT1 engine's presence. It will definitely quicker than the C7, also courtesy of a very quick-shifting transaxle. This future C8 is also slated to be available with a 5.5-liter flat-plane crank V8, that peaks at 9,000 RPM offering around 600 horsepower, as well as a twin-turbo version with 800 horsepower. The most exciting news gleaned from these tidbits is regarding the addition of 200 horsepower by surprisingly adding an electric motor to the mix: this mid-engined and front-motor Corvette will now boast a horsepower stat in the ballpark of the mind-boggling 1,000 mark!

The front of the car will be designed to handle maximum air intake, providing the ability to cool down the necessary elements that will no doubt be in high-performance mode in this savage and sleek new 'Vette. Car and Driver also claim that the mid-engine Corvette will be revealed sometime during the upcoming spring, and will be available alongside the existing C7 for a brief amount of time. A powered spoiler will also be located on the rear decklid, and tailpipes are relocated to the edges of the rear fascia, instead of the typical central location. Sources also say that the production car will most likely have a glass rear-window panel that is fastback-style, to properly show off the flex and prowess of the mid-mounted engine.

The new model will have a roof panel that is removable, and the steering wheel is of  the “Squircle” type, with a much more flattened top and bottom. This is definitely going to be one of the most significant events in the history of Chevy, and all of us here at Jim Butler are eagerly waiting to hear about any updates regarding this groundbreaking piece of news. One interesting direct quote from the original article is “Those expecting a carbon-fiber spaceship powered by an antimatter machine will be somewhat disappointed”; but we fully expect that this will remain a very attainable sports car, boasting abundance in the excitement of supercar performance.

Images courtesy of Car & Driver

Looking Back at 12 Months of Satisfaction: A Year's Log from a Happy Chevy Bolt Buyer

The time of year when plentiful heat and sunshine beat down is officially here in St Louis, and many of our customers as well as staff members are pondering just how much change our planet has encountered. We are not here to push any political views in the least, but we do all agree that on some days it's not too difficult to wonder, “Is our changing environment the root of all these drastic differences in weather patterns?” After observing this change in the Earth's condition, many of those purchasing new cars have desired to rely much less on gasoline. The experienced journalists on staff at Green Car Reports had one of their knowledgeable readers track to the last detail just how two newly-purchased Chevy Bolts worked out for him that year, and how they met his expectations during long journeys.

His choice of the Chevy Bolt was very instrumental in yielding a large savings on fuel costs, and he was able to nail down more than 300 miles of range during the summer months, even as the EPA rated the vehicle with a 238-mile capacity. Buyer Patrick Reid spoke in-depth about his satisfaction in regards to not sacrificing his hard-earned money to the fossil fuel industry, as cars that now use no gasoline, transmission oil, motor oil, filters, or power steering fluid are really making a difference in the much greener future of the planet. Scores of consumers out there have made the decision to not purchase an internal combustion vehicle, and while we will always remain steadfast for the gasoline-dependent segments of our vehicle lineup, have been encouraged daily by the rising number of customers who are making the switch that previously had not intended to.

Patrick and his wife drove off the lot with their very first Chevy Bolt in January of  2017, and excitedly made the choice to purchase another one in April of the same year. They both were overwhelmed in a major way by the performance, range, quality of construction, and versatility of the Bolt, as well as the amount saved in fuel costs alone. The vehicles they were replacing were a 2007 Chevy Impala, and a 2002 GMC Yukon. Each one of these two usually had around 15,000 miles annually put on them, with gas prices in their area hovering right around $2.70 a gallon. To illustrate the costs at hand to charge their new Bolts, their previous fuel expense was around $390 per month, and the cost to electrically charge the new pair was right around $85 per month.

After the year was over, they both had driven a combined total of 30,400 miles, and around 80 percent of the miles were derived from their own power source right in the garage at home. The cost for this power was around 11 cents per KW, and so they were able to save around $3,700 over the course of the year. Their goal for this money they had saved was to put it towards a college or vacation fund, or any other surprises that their life may throw their way. They discovered that with a healthy dose of pre-planning, the ChargePoint, PlugShare, and Chevrolet Apps have located enough level 3 charges for them on their longer drives out of town.

Right at the 170-210 mile mark seemed to be the most rational place to plan a charging stop, as well as knowing they had a backup charger within a close 20 miles range as a safe standby option. While they were back at home, they both had their vehicles plugged in at the same time, and the 20-amp garage charger did not suffer any issues with the 16-amp load duty. They were overly impressed with how rewarding their ownership of two Bolts proved to be, and swear by the fact that they both are just as fresh and zippy as they were the very first day when driven off the lot. We sincerely hope that you come down and be our guests this summer at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis, and investigate just how much Bolt ownership can alter your entire savings and spending outlook, as well as rapidly becoming your most practical driving asset for 2018!

2020 Chevy Silverado HD Images Leaked Via Spy Shots

During the development and testing stages of a new Chevy truck model, it's no doubt that elements are kept heavily under wraps, and the next-generation Silverado HD is high in the ranks of this category. Here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis, we are lucky enough to get our hands on a pretty steady stream of spy shots, keeping us properly up to date on details such as what the appearances of future models will be like, even if they are hidden under fairly heavy camouflage during their stealth outings. New shots have just been leaked to us to clearly show the GM putting both the Chevy and GMC versions of these very tough and able-to-haul pickups in their various body styles. The new Silverado HD appears to now feature a very prominent bar in the grill, resulting in a bit rougher of an appearance, and the photos we got our hands on suggest that both models will sport more tiers of lights.

At first glance of the underside, LED as well as fog lights appear to exist in the same place during the test runs, and the body cladding on the heavy side does not provide the ultimate look at the truck's front and rear stance, but the front fenders appear in the shots to be a bit more prominent than they were on past trucks. Another very noticeable difference between the GMC and Chevy versions is right at the front: the future Sierra HD appears to sport more bars in the grille, and the LED lights are positioned above, instead of below them. Currently, the exact specs of the powertrain alterations have not been made public, but the GMC and Chevy feature specific adjustments and tweaks that will greatly improve their hauling capabilities, one of the most important elements of truck performance.

There is supposed to be a hefty refresh in store for the Duramax 6.6-liter V8 diesel engine, while the base engine options will most likely be the 6.0-liter Gasoline V8. The dependable and smooth shifting duties are most likely going to be handled by the same six-speed automatic heavy-duty transmission, which is the same that Ram and Ford are still placing into their largest models currently sold. The Detroit or Chicago Auto Shows will most likely be the location where these two will make their first dazzling appearance next year, and we guarantee that attendees will be dazzled by their presence, jagged stance, and performance immediately.

The very well-versed and highly road-tested folks on staff at the Jalopnik blog claimed that after checking out a few spy shots for themselves, “ The new heavy-duty Silverado HD is coming for you in your nightmares”, and gave it props for bolder, larger overall size of the truck that resonate with a serious impression at first glance. Humorously claiming that the future Silverado is a vehicle that will effortlessly instill fear in the drivers of said little tin boxes such as the Fiat, their feature article in early April is a nod to how excited they are to see out brand of dependable and hard-working trucks work heartily on new models for the future. The difference in size is evident right away, and will no doubt be a large draw for this thoroughly tough truck line. Prepare yourself to be quickly won over and amazed: 2020 will arrive in no time, and so will the laundry list of chores you'll have on your list to turn over for this massively equipped and muscle-bound duo!

Images courtesy of www.motor1.com

Corvette ZR1 Selected As Proud Pace Leader For 2018 Indianapolis 500

The 2018 Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for its yearly day of excitement and action once again: Sunday, May 27 will be this legendary race's 102^nd running. Everyone here on sales and service staff at Jim Butler couldn't be more excited about the Official Pace Car chosen for this monumental event: the 2019 Corvette ZR1 will be leading drivers to the green flag once again, in the thrill-packed spectacle presented by PennGrade Motor Oil. This is the 15^th time that a Corvette has served as the official Pace Car since 1978, and the 29^th time a Chevy has had the prestigious duty. Back in 1948, a Fleetmaster Six convertible was vehicle selected as the race's honorary escort to the line.

No other vehicle has been selected as the leader to the flag more often than our prized Corvette, and to celebrate in proper fashion, the 2019 ZR1 and the other 14 Corvettes that have been selected to pace the 500 were on proud and prominent display last week at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It makes sense that the quickest and most powerful Corvette ever made is going to get to pace what has long been “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing”, and many who are not familiar with its agile stance and mind-blowing abilities will get an opportunity to witness it in action.

The 2019 ZR1 Pace Car proudly features the LT5 Small Block 6.2-liter supercharged V-8 engine, with 755 hp, and 715 lb-ft of torque. The 8-speed 8L90 paddle-shift automatic transmission provides the goods for the gear duties, while the ZR1 is aptly able to streak through the demanding corners of any track. Ask us here at Jim Butler of St Louis how the ZTK Performance Package offers up the goods for you: it features an adjustable stanchion-mounted carbon-fiber high rear wing, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Tires, and performance suspension.

The included Magnetic Selective Ride Control is the world's fastest-reacting suspension, that was brought to the high-performance market originally by Cadillac. There is a revolutionary fluid inside infused with magnetized particles, that respond to numerous different driving conditions and speeds. It is engineered at such a high level of precision, that it responds and reacts to each corner or bump in the road, and adjusts with lightening-fast speed and accuracy. The available Performance Data and Video Recorder for the ZR1 turns your vehicle into an advanced driving analysis tool. With just a few clicks, you can record every single important aspect of the drive, including 34 channels of various performance data. With the ability to complete the 0 to 60 mph trot in just 2.85 seconds, the ZR1 reaches a top speed of 212 mph, now rendering it as the absolute fastest Corvette of all time!

Chevy Colorado ZR2 Claims “Must Test Drive” Award From Autotrader Staff

As people come in looking for the new truck that fits them best here at Jim Butler, many are concerned with the awards and achievements that specific models have been able to secure. This past week, the 2018 Chevy Colorado had the opportunity to add largely to its growing list of awards, with its new recognition as a 208 Autotrader Must Test Drive Award winner. It was one of 12 different high-achieving vehicles slated for praise by the publication, and was the only pickup truck from the entire lot to be selected. Factors that winners were chosen for included interior comfort, materials, available technology, and quality of the ride. Autotrader also recognizes that the ZR2 is a true off-road machine, with a uniquely rugged vibe, and a vehicle that is consistently ready for nearly any element under the sun to be thrown in its way.

Chief engineer for midsize truck division Anita Burke quoted last week that her entire team is “honored by this recognition”, and thrilled that Autotrader has picked up on the versatile footprint and serious off-road capabilities of the ZR2. The truck is built strongly on the already very capable platform of the Colorado, and all Jim Butler customers who are looking for a great truck or off-road vehicle should hurry down to give it a satisfying test drive! This is a truck that combines the maneuverability and nimbleness of a mid-size pickup perfectly with a host of new off-road features and technology, and can be a valuable additive to your family or business vehicle assortment.

The three-and-a-half inch wider track is one way that the ZR2 is unique to a standard Colorado truck, as well as the addition of a suspension with a two-inch lift, directly from the factory. Other added extras include rocker protection, and front as well as rear bumpers that have been modified for very taught and dominating off-road clearance. You'll love the outright usefulness and tough functionality of front and rear locking differentials, available diesel engine, and the very first off-road truck application of Multimatic Dynamic Suspensions Spool Valve damper technology. This allows for extra flexibility that is tuned into the actual discs themselves, determining how much fluid flows between the chambers above and below the piston.

Four Wheeler editor Ken Brubaker wrote for his column this past month that “The ZR3 takes the capable Colorado platform to a new level, with a dizzying array of modifications including front and rear differential lockers, a 2-inch higher ride height, 3.5-inch wider track width, additional skidplating, 31-inch tires, and many more off-road centric goodies”. The ZR2 is also the truck that won the 2018 Pickup Truck of the Year from Four Wheeler, after extensive ramp travel and punishing track testing over 1,000 miles of different terrain. Hauling materials for work, navigating over a tight two-rock trail, or running over vast expanses at high speeds all may be on your agenda: come experience a test drive of the ZR2 here at Jim Butler of St Louis, with a vehicle that is truly “Must Test Drive” hailed material.

Jim Butler Chevrolet Celebrates Third Win In A Row As Dealer Of The Year

For the third time in a row, Jim Butler Chevrolet has been named by General Motors as a Chevrolet Dealer of the Year. The Fenton, Missouri, dealership is one of only 64 to be recognized, out of more than 3,500 dealers nationwide. The awards are based on 2017 sales figures as well as performance in service, customer satisfaction and community involvement.

“Getting this award is quite an honor. It reinforces to us that our combination of online technology and hands-on teamwork is working,” said Brad Sowers, co-owner and president of Jim Butler Auto Group. “We’re able to offer great pricing because of our large inventory, and our customers are telling us they appreciate our speedy buying process.”

            

Sowers said their launch of online shopping tools make it easy to select, purchase and finance a vehicle. Jim Butler is now using this proprietary process to sell to customers anywhere in the contiguous United States.

Jim Butler Chevrolet is the St. Louis region’s top-selling Chevrolet store and is one of the top 20 nationwide in sales. It is also Missouri’s largest new and certified pre-owned dealer.

The company has earned numerous accolades including the General Motors “Mark of Excellence” award for six years in a row. The Better Business Bureau recognized the dealership with its Torch Award for outstanding customer service and exceptional standards for ethical business practices.

Jim Butler Auto Group is proud to support a number of charities including Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis and the Flagship Sponsor for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, the American Cancer Society fundraiser. The company also promotes a safe driving contract that encourages young drivers not to text or use smart phone functions while driving, and to avoid drowsy and impaired driving.

Jim Butler Auto Group is one of the largest privately-held companies in St. Louis. The company generated revenue of more than $315 million last year.

Chevy Brand Gleans Most Awards of Any during J.D. Powers 2017 Round-up

Customers that are visiting us at Jim Butler of Saint Louis all have varying questions for us when they come to locate their ideal vehicle, and some have more specific needs in mind than others. Our sales and service staff here are all very proud of the top-notch safety features that you can now find on Chevy trucks and cars, and the incredibly high marks we have gleaned from auto blogs worldwide regarding the high quality of our auto line's interior features. Last week, Chevrolet was named the most awarded brand of 2017 by J.D. Powers, during their Automotive Summit, where 6 different cars, trucks, and SUVs won a total of nine awards in 3 crucial studies. Vehicle dependability, Initial Quality, and APEAL Studies were where Chevy vehicles had the highest level of performance.

President of North American GM division Alan Batey claimed last week that “Chevrolet is winning with consumers because our designers, engineers, and dealers are focused on delivering great products, as well as a great ownership experience”. The Vehicle Dependability Study examines major issues reported by owners of 3-year old vehicles, and helps draw the conclusion about which autos are the most reliable for consumers in the long run. Based on the best of 2014 models, the Chevy Sonic, Camaro, Tahoe, and Silverado HD were deemed the most reliable in that category.

The Initial Quality Study does the job of measuring different problems that owners experience during the first 3 months of new vehicle ownership. Here, the Silverado HD, Silverado, and Chevy Sonic were all at the top of the list, displaying all-time high in prowess of excellence during the first 3 months of ownership. This is a much more crucial time than some owners realize: even though cars are always expected to perform well upon purchase, there are some very important defects and problems that customers will understandably want to steer away from.  

The Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout Study (APEAL) measures the owner's emotional attachment, and excitement about the car's performance across different categories. The Chevy Tahoe and Bolt both dominated this segment completely, again proving that Chevy owners truly “consider their car as a best friend”. Led by Chevrolet, GM has delivered 4 consistent years of sales leadership in pickups, within both the mid and large-size trucks category through last year. This is much due to a very strong 3-truck strategy, and during the 2017 sales year, the Suburban and Tahoe accounted for nearly half of large SUVs delivered to retail customers in the U.S.

After the launching of the all-new Traverse and Equinox, many worldwide were in agreement that this was the freshest and most diverse lineup of crossovers offered over the last two years. Chevy is now, by all means, the leader in affordable- long-range EV's, touting 43,646 Volts and Bolts delivered to customers last year. During the near future, many are likely to purchase an electric car that in the past had not thought of doing so, and we believe that our options are the best out there for sale in 2018. A high level of product excellence is one trait that we really stand by here at Jim Butler Chevy, and we are happy to assist you during every single step of the all-important new car purchase process!