Autoblog Renders 2020 Chevy Silverado Trail Boss “Plenty Capable, Perfectly Tough”

The off-road special is now a very hot trend in the pickup world, and since the introduction of the competition in the form of the Raptor, many pickups have undergone the transformation to add off-road-read gear. The 2020 Chevy Silverado Trail Boss is the selection we are excited about offering here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis, available in lightly equipped Custom or the pricier LT Trail Boss versions. Each looks tougher in their own way, but both will get the same extra off-road prowess from tire and suspension upgrades.

This feature in Autoblog showcases this ready-to-rumble rock crawler with off-road-tuned suspension complete with Rancho shocks and a 2-inch lift over the regular Z71. Additionally, there are skid plates, hill descent control, an automatic rear locking differential, and 32-inch mud-terrain tires on 18-inch wheels. On any trim level, you can upgrade to 33-inch all-terrain tires, or 20-inch wheels, and to change things up a bit visually the trucks receive a black grille, bumpers, and vivid red tow hooks.

This particular testing crew took an LT Trail Boss out to Bundy Hill off-road park in Jerome, Michigan, where every single extra Trail-Boss specific trait was well put to use. There are numerous hills here and it's heavily wooded, and every path from the grittiest trails to simple access roads are dirt, and they currently happened to be wet. Looking in detail over the trail guide, the group saw that the Black, Red, and Border trails recommended a larger amount of off-road equipment, the ability to traverse the absolute steepest of hills, and very large boulders. The danger and potential for body damage and rollover were lurking at every turn!

They opted for a “Green” trail, which still offers up plenty of hefty challenges. The suspension provided excellent body control over the big dips and ruts, keeping the group from smacking the ceiling or bottoming out. They never had to use four-wheel-drive low, and the automatic locking differential only was activated one time. It is well pointed-out here that the Trail Boss makes a great case for itself for off-roading in an area with few trees, or crawling along service roads, while the Colorado ZR2 is a bit more efficient in a tight spot.

A very stiff suspension means that the Trail Boss does not roll nearly as much in corners, and the grip qualities border on sport mode in a sedan. The steering is burly, responsive, and still nimble, which is surprising when you consider the squishy quality of tires needed to conquer dirt and mud. Don’t skip over looking at the extra features of the Custom Trail Boss: you’ll snag up the goods of a sunroof, power heated bucket seats, telescoping steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, parking sensors, and LED lights!

Motor1.com Offers up Spy Shots of 2021 Chevy Suburban RST Minus Camouflage

The folks on staff at the Motor1.com blog featured spy shots of the big-and-burly new 2021 Chevy Suburban RST over the last week, and what can be seen here was spotted on the street minus any camouflage. The RST sees a darker front fascia trim in a “Black Ice” color, and the various trim pieces on the exterior see a mix of chrome and black. It rides on 22-inch wheels that feature V-shaped spokes and also rides on a completely new platform. It is 1.3 inches longer overall than last year's model, and the wheelbase sees 4.1 inches more length.

Both the Tahoe and Suburban now have a multi-link, independent rear suspension, which should make for a smoother ride on the road. Depending on the trim level you select, features such as Magnetic Ride Control and Air Ride Adaptive Suspension are available to offer even more comfort. The badging, lettering, window trim, and roof rails are all brand new for this model, and once inside, the RST also features brand-new seats specified to the model with contrast-color stitching. The cabin also sees as standard a 4.2-inch diagonal color driver information center display, and much of the other equipment is derived from the Suburban LT.

Under the hood, power for this durable and diligent new machine is derived from the naturally-aspirated 5.3-Liter L84 V8 engine, that delivers 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. Diesel is a quite awesome option as always by means of the 3.0-liter Inline-6 LM2 turbo-diesel Duramax engine, which sees a rating of 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. When production begins for the 2021 Suburban, it will be proudly assembled at the GM Arlington plant in Texas, which has been cranking out the models we love to familiarize our customer base with here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis since 1954.

Boasting nearly 3,000 employees, many hard-working and always-on-task Americans have been able to boast a production rate of around 1,200 vehicles per day. This was also the plant that produced true gems such as the 1963 Chevy Bel-Air, a memorable and very unique model in one's automotive journey back through time! What the Suburban is now known for is being capable, well-connected, and for always properly getting the job done. Make sure to ask us about the available first-in-class Four Center Air Ride Adaptive Suspension, which the Autoblog team describes here as feeling more controlled and compliant on the road than many models from the vast selection of the competition!

Motor Trend's Spring Stack up: Chevy Traverse VS. Chevy Blazer

SUVs have seen such a dramatic rise in popularity over the past 5-7 years that many brands are completely changing up their product line to mass produce these innovative and fun-to-drive vehicles. The staff at Motor Trend has tested the Chevy Blazer quite a bit since it was released in 2019 and were highly impressed with the RS trim's high-quality interior and handling during their SUV of the Year competition. Recently they had another lengthy go in the Blazer RS, and instead of stacking it up against its direct competition, looked within our lineup and saw how it compared to the 2019 Chevy Traverse Premier FWD.

We enjoyed the first-take analysis of the Traverse, as the group claimed it “is like a pair of Chuck Taylors – easy to live with and use every day, but maybe not for hard exercise.” We stand proudly behind every single make and model here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis, but still, understand that models made for practicality aren't always known for their aggressive stance. The Blazer, on the other hand, is more akin to a purpose-built pair of trainers.

Even though they are both different, one similarity is that they reside very close to each other in price. The interiors have a few major differences. The Traverse has three rows and seating for up to eight, so it’s the one to have your eye on if your family or business has been growing. The Blazer has two rows and seating for five, and for this reason, will always flaunt a much sportier stance. Drawing heavy influence from the Camaro, the Blazer's interior feels quite a bit more modern immediately. The climate controls in the Blazer are perhaps a bit easier to get the hang of, and punch and pizzazz work to replace practicality and routine-seeming essence.

Both SUVs are powered by a 3.6-liter V6 paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, and the Blazer cranks out 308 horsepower while the Traverse produces 310. They are neck and neck in the torque department, with the Blazer seeing 270 lb-ft, and the Traverse ranked at 266 lb-ft. Once you hit the open road, it's not a surprise that the Blazer is overall much easier to control, and behind the wheel it feels as though the “car will do whatever you tell it to.” At a fair amount of speed, it's more responsive and easier to drive.

What these skilled-and-seasoned test drivers concluded was that as you are sizing up both of these SUVs, it mostly depends on how you want to drive, and how big your family is. The Blazer has a sense of being compact and competent that you just can’t quite get behind the wheel of the Traverse, but it’s a suitable and commanding drive if you have more people in tow. If you’re a recent grad or otherwise just beginning your path and career, the aggressive edge of the Blazer could suit you to perfection!

2020 C8 Corvette Hailed by Automobile Magazine with All-Star Status

Even before it met the public's eye in a large airline hanger in California, the Chevy C8 Corvette had been the recipient of much accolades and attention. The very latest for this year is praise from none other than Automobile Magazine, who just listed it as one of its valuable “All-Stars” for 2020. Praised heavily for its high value factor and wildly intense performance, the 2020 Chevy C8 Corvette did not have any problems winning over the Automobile jurors during its three days of testing.

Writer Nelson Ireson claimed that “The nearly instant-on torque from the 6.2-liter V8 means you're never left wanting for thrust, and the quick-shifting 8-speed dual-clutch transmission bangs out upshifts with authority.” That engine that everyone immediately loves has the ability to generate 495 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque when equipped with the Z51 performance package, hitting 60 mph in an astonishing 2.9 seconds. Even without this package, you'll still carve up the road with the strength of 490 horsepower, and 456 lb-ft of torque. A rear hatch window gives you a clear view of the V8 engine and a distinct look to this powerful and revolutionary new 'Vette.

Also onboard is Enhanced Navigation technology with 3-D view, 4G LTE Wi-Fi connection, and the inherently-booming 14-speaker audio system courtesy of Bose Performance Series. The C8 was also given the honors of Motor Trend's Car of the Year 2020, the 2020 North American Car of the Year, and made the list on Car and Driver's 10Best. From scores of esteemed journalists' perspective, this is one of the best-built GM products that truly exemplifies every aspect of what it means to be an automobile at the absolute top. Here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis, we watched as every single one of these iconic numbers sold out before production began in February.

Conquering the quarter-mile in just 11.2 seconds, this is an entirely different car than the one it replaces, for reasons more than just the engine placement. Once you sit inside, the view ahead is of the pavement instead of the hood, and as the staff writers from Autoblog said, “the interior surrounding you is unlike anything on sale today or ever.” It is amazing to experience the new-school variable valve timing, direct injection, cylinder deactivation and standard dry-sump oil system that keeps the engine at a perfectly-lubricated state of balance.

2020 Chevy Silverado Rated “Comfortable, Fuel-Saving, and Smooth” by Trucks.com

Seeing the upcoming launch of Tahoe and Suburban, all of us here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis will have revamped our entire truck lineup in less than 24 months, offering up the latest in technology during a very highly-competitive time. GM spokeswoman Stephanie Rice highlighted during a press conference last week that we are always focused on sustainable, healthy brand growth, and are very pleased with the outcome of the current pickup share. The staff from Trucks.com spent a week and 900 miles in a 2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 with the High Country trim package to learn' the ins and outs of the capable and durable model.

Their test vehicle boasted the 5.3-liter V8, rated at 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, they claimed it was more than enough power for the vast majority of half-ton pickup truck users, and they made their way through the Grapevine and Tejon Pass in sunny Southern California. The bed was completely loaded with household goods and furniture, and this particular drive did not include towing. When the situation does arise as it does for most active truck users, the rating is a healthy 9.300 lbs for this particular engine setup.

One awesome feature that you're gonna love on your new Silverado is on the V8: a fuel-saving system turns off up to seven of the 8 cylinders. This Dynamic Fuel Management system enables engines to function in 17 different cylinder patterns to assure optimum power delivery and is seamless to the driver. There is also a start/stop feature that will briefly turn off the engine at a red light or stop sign, allowing for the ultimate in conservation during the peak traffic hours in any crowded metro.

The all-new platform and design architecture allowed engineers perfecting the Silverado to make the cabin larger, as well as add ample extra room in the bed. 4 inches have been added to the wheelbase, and the bed is almost 7 inches wider. For this test-drive, the crew stuffed the bed quite full and appreciated the design that reduced reach, making it amazingly easy to load and unload.

As the crew continued on north, they appreciated the well-functioning adaptive cruise control, and the easy-to-use infotainment system. There's nothing quite like the feeling of navigating the highway in a world-class pickup: the high stance, smooth ride, and quiet cabin of the Silverado has to be driven on the open road to be properly experienced. The screens are not full of multiple and difficult to understand layers, and functions in a very uncluttered form. Make sure you inquire about the benefits of the safety package: you'll receive the added protection of forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, and automatic high beam functionality!

Kelley Blue Book Spotlights 2021 Chevy Traverse's Exterior Update, Advantages of “Going big”

Practical and sound with a flair all its own, the 2020 Traverse is one of those vehicles that everyone here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis feels is absolutely in its prime. When we talk to a very busy family or successful small business owner that is mulling over their current needs for a vehicle, this is frequently the one that comes up first. Who said that you have to settle for a tiny daily driver? Many customers are now raving about the commanding and very solid drive they experience every time they inch the Traverse out onto the road.

The 2021 model will go on sale later this year, and the expert staff on duty at Kelley Blue Book offered up a detailed look at the new features and exciting changes on their blog last week. The incoming model will brandish new front and rear-end styling, revised interior seating, LED lighting, and the added peace of mind that six safety features standard on all models now offers. There is also a brand-new expansion in the line that offers adaptive cruise control and rear-seat safety alert.

When you notice an SUV approaching, the front grille is really the pulse and presence of an SUV's appearance, and the new look for the Traverse has a redesigned front grille that stands out with very thin LED lighting elements. Once you are inside, the new options for seating are located in the second and third-row positions, and a dual skyscape 2-panel sunroof features a brand-new rear power shade. Android Auto and Wireless Apple CarPlay are now both included, along with a larger 8-inch drive information display on the instrument cluster.

For the 2020 Traverse, some of the life-saving safety and driver-assist features were only available on select models, and for the 2021 unit, Adaptive Cruise Control is now an option on 3LT, RS, and Premier models. When you are checking out which options are best for you, don't forget to closely look at the Premier and High Country trim levels: this is where the Traverse inches up to the category of the best we have to offer, and both of these trims see the addition of a rear-seat safety alert system.

Automatic emergency braking and front pedestrian braking are now introduced to all models, and also included are lane keep assist with lane departure warning, forward collision alert, automatic high beams, and following distance indicator. The lineup as far as engines are concerned continues on the current: offered is a 310-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 engine and 9-speed transmission. Trim choices are the LS, LT, RS, Premier, and High Country. If you quickly need to accommodate up to 8, you can easily do so when equipped with the second-row bench seat, and second-row captain's chairs are included on the RS, Premier, and High Country models to easily seat 7.

Popular Science Crew Takes Adrenaline-Inspired Turns at 1.3Gs During 2020 Corvette C8 Track Test

One thing that all of us here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis are keeping our eyes peeled on the internet for news and performance reports about the new Chevy Corvette have realized is the frequent comparison to luxury brands such as Ferrari and Lamborghini. We have always taken massive pride in the fact that the Corvette was a car attainable by the hard-working men and women of the rust belt and beyond, but with a mid-engine placement and brand new model, things have most definitely stepped up a very large-sized notch.

The field testing staff of Popular Science had the pleasure last week of devouring track turns at the famed Spring Mountain Motor Resort in Nevada with the new Corvette Stingray, and auto journalist Dan Carney first made sure to lock the seat belt in place and then powered the seat forward into the correct position, preparing for a quite powerful liftoff. The team's test vehicle was equipped with the 3LT premium equipment package, Z51 performance package, and magnetic ride adjustable shocks.

As soon as he pressed the Start button, the 495-horsepower, 470 lb-ft LT2 6.2-Liter small block V8 roared vivaciously to life, with a sound that Dan compared immediately to the “Ferocious blast of NASCAR thunder.” In this mid-engine C8, the compact pushrod V8 is located behind the cabin, and the passenger can even see it if they twist a bit in their seat. The anchor of the center console is a rotary selector wheel that keeps the driver's hand stable during the adjustment of the knob.

Dan excitedly selected Track mode, then dialed up Sport 2 to activate the electronic stability control mode. He put the car in Drive and edged toward the pit exit, to start doing laps with the lead driver ahead of him. Once you are on your way, the computer-controlled dual-clutch transmission can shift itself like as ordinary automatic, or you can use the column-mounted shift paddles to take manual control.

The Pilot Sport 4s tires come with the Z51 performance package, as well as aerodynamic upgrades and an electronic limited-slip differential. As he powered through curves, Dan noticed the grip beginning to build, and he was able to push the car even harder by the second. After he got used to the overall feel of the track, Dan put the stability control to the test, and during turn-ins and braking could not quite make out times when the computer would intervene.

He felt that the Stingray's Brembo brakes were impressive, firm, and had just the right amount of friction without an abrupt grip. The mid-engine layout also gives the car a character with an entirely new sense of balance, that the outgoing C7 simply can't evoke when being tossed around at high speeds.

Earlier models were also criticized for the delay between the paddle and response from the

gearbox, and engineers for this model wired the buttons directly to the transmission’s shift controller, allowing the shift requests to proceed straight to the needed destination for the quickest shifting possible. This miracle of modern engineering that introduced itself to the world in a large California airplane hangar this summer keeps on wowing experts worldwide and has finally reached the ranks of its much pricier European track icons!