2024 Chevy Blazer EV Clinches Motor Trend SUV of the Year

The Chevy Blazer EV was formally introduced to us here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis for the 2024 model year, offering drivers a sporty and practical model powered by innovative electric battery technology. Awards and accolades are always thrilling for us here at Jim Butler, as they give us many opportunities to show customers how stellar Chevy vehicles rank when “competing in the open wild!” As the bloggers on duty at GM Authority reported this week, the Chevy Blazer EV has now been recognized as the 2024 Motor Trend SUV of the Year. 

These esteemed awards are based on six very detailed categories, including advancement in design, efficiency, engineering excellence, performance of intended function, safety, and practical value. When they first encountered the striking outside, Motor Trend gave the 2024 Chevy Blazer EV high marks for a “fiery and exciting design with unique swagger”, while also loving the crossover’s long wheelbase and newly shorter overhangs. Keeping up with the national trend that shows no sign of receding, there’s also an XL-infotainment screen that pleases anyone who is rightfully tech-obsessed. 

The GM Ultium architecture offers extreme dependability and longevity, along with an excellent variety of layouts and configurations. Motor Trend used the Blazer EV RS AWD model, which is currently rated at 288 horsepower and 333 lb-ft of torque. The EPA-estimated range per charge is 279 miles, with an efficiency rating of 103 mpge in the city, 88 mpge on the highway, and 96 mpge combined. While this particular crew of test drive experts were spending time with the new Blazer, they nailed down a range of 239 miles, at an average speed of 70 mph. 

The 2024 Chevy Blazer EV fulfills a much-needed performance for today’s market demands by being easy to drive, easy to live with, and easy to use. Don’t think for a minute that this is an ordinary and always-predictable drive, as the SS trim boosts things up an aggressive notch while offering 557 horsepower, and hits 60 mph in less than 4 seconds flat! The RS trim is where the Blazer’s maximum driving range is unlocked, along with a few other sporty and stylish extras. 

You’ll also get to enjoy very cool 21-inch wheels, a power operated hands-free rear lift gate, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated flat-bottom steering wheel, and a sweet illuminated Chevy bow tie logo. The RS is offered in both front and rear all-wheel drive configurations and boasts the highest driving range at 320 miles post-charge. You’ll be able to easily locate the nearest locations to power back up quickly with the public charging locator on the very handy MyChevrolet app. Right when you see the Blazer rolling up on you, the very cool thin LED lighting on the front grille sets it apart. 

The very intelligent new Chevy Blazer EV comes with an abundance of cutting-edge and life-saving technology. For the most inconvenience directly from the driver's seat, a hands-free smart system and wireless charging are available, as well as advanced safety features such as automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking and following distance indicator, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, and forward collision assist along with Intellibeam auto high beams. The Blazer EV can charge up to 190 kW, which allows for a total of 78 miles of range added in a very snappy 10 minutes!

A Deep Dive into Chevy's Duramax 3.0-Liter Diesel

We have always kept close track of the overwhelming love customers have for the Duramax diesel here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis! Hefty, mean, yet always accommodating, the Duramax engines were first introduced in 2001 to offer firm competition against RAM and Ford’s powertrains at the time. Since then, the Duramax namesake has resided at the top of the chain as far as truck lovers are concerned, being associated with engines that boast segment-leading towing capacity and torque.

A mainstay that was frequently found under the hoods of many HD Chevy trucks, the Duramax has improved quite a bit over time and has undergone continuous and very thorough innovation. It fulfills a very awesome and durable role in the Silverado 1500, having come quite a long way since its early 6.6-liter LB7 days. The pro-grade auto bloggers at Top Speed cranked out a feature last week about the Duramax’s claim to fame, and the many intricacies that subsequently render it so very awesome. They began with the important notion that diesel engines are often mistaken for brutish piston-pounders that wreak havoc on the environment. 

The Duramax of today is a thoroughly perfected masterpiece derived from precision engineering, and design solutions that enthusiastically reach for esteemed engine excellence. The most widely known Duramax is the one that is used in HD trucks such as the Silverado 2500 or 3500 HD, boasting its rugged 6.6-liter Duramax Diesel V8. For the 2023 model year, things just got that much better, kicking it up an aggressive notch with an extra 28 horsepower and 35 lb-ft of torque. 

The 3.0-liter Duramax is an excellent option for anyone after the torque-rich and high-range capable diesel engine in the very functional shell of a light truck. When the smaller-size Duramax was first created, the engineers hard at work were given a well-fitted blank canvas to dream up the best engine possible. The task was approached with various new technologies, the grade of which had never been seen in a diesel engine application. The addition of a start/stop feature to improve fuel efficiency was received and implemented quite well, as these trucks that the small Duramax must move are quite large. 

The 3.0-liter Duramax shows up at the power-rich party with the added convenience of an exhaust brake, which allows for engine compression to slow the vehicle down. This wholeheartedly prevents excessive mechanical braking, which is one of the most common ways to end up in a serious overheating dilemma. This particular engine is always paired with the 10-speed automatic transmission, which delivers very consistent and smooth acceleration. It is also known for its surprisingly quiet operation, which is a unique and satisfying feat for any Diesel engine.

The 3.0-liter LZ0 Duramax has excellent fuel efficiency, showing up all decked out and ready to rumble with a 13,000-lb towing capacity. The ingenious inline-six configuration helps phase out vibrations, while the variable geometry turbocharger always “throws the diesel-driven smackdown” with abundant power in its accessible RMP range. A half-ton diesel pickup equipped with a very reliable and seamless engine is an ideal choice for drivers who need a dependable work truck but don't necessarily have hauling demands of over 15,000 pounds. TopSpeed finalized their feature by heartily claiming that this is the “last great diesel engine available for the mass consumer market in the U.S.!”

2024 Chevy Corvette E-Ray Displays “Four-Season Supercar” Domination, Amazingly Integrated Performance

 

Some of the most famous thinkers in the world have noted that Earth’s inhabitants need to “evolve or die”, which sounds a bit dystopian to us here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis! However, as we have had our eyes on the market for the last few years, many automotive “species” have had to branch off in many ways to guarantee future survival. The C8 generation became legendary instantly by placing the engine directly behind the seats and was reborn as a memorable and powerful player in the supercar game.

The C8 Z06’s naturally aspirated flat-plane crank V8 performs as if it “escaped from a Maranello dyno cell”, properly setting the stage for the coming of the efficient yet fire-breathing 2024 E-Ray. Many could be potentially skeptical about its hybrid powertrain, but the Car and Driver crew got down to business this past week and checked out its full-blown potential on the challenging roads of the Colorado mountains. It came prepped with all-wheel drive, and standard all-season tires that help with its firmly announced new clout of a “four-season supercar.” 

The first pro-grade conclusion laid out here was that there is not a lick of performance given up in the name of saving fuel, as the E-Ray is situated in the “beast-mode” performance grade. The E-Ray differs a bit from the Ferrari 296GTB and the McLaren Artura, as it is not a plug-in. Its makeup is made possible with the base and very fresh ingredients of the Stingray’s 495-horsepower pushrod 6.2-liter V8, 8-speed dual-clutch automatic, and performance exhaust. On permanent loaner from the Z06 is a wider body, optional carbon-ceramic brakes, and XXL 275/30ZR-20 front tires and 345/24ZR-21 rears.

The hybrid system gets the careening party started with a compact electric motor, which drives the front wheels that reside directly in front of the passenger cell. There’s a 1.2-kWh battery stuffed directly into the tunnel between cabin occupants, along with futuristic coolers to control battery temperature and the software to efficiently get the job done. The hybrid system is not shy in the least, stepping out on the mound confidently and fattening the power output by 160 horsepower, also twisting up 125 lb-ft of torque. The E-Ray is also the very first Vette with all-wheel drive, as well as the first that pairs stealth-level carbon-ceramic brakes with all-season tires. 

When Missouri temperatures soon head in the same direction as the leaves now falling from trees, the all-season tires offer much more grip than the E-Ray’s optional Michelin Pilot Sport 4S summer tires. The Car and Driver crew’s test car was fitted with summer Michelins, and the suspension was pre-dialed for spot-on track alignment. Things then heated up at a Guinness-grade pitch as the car nailed down the quickest 0-60 time the publication had ever recorded for a Corvette, at just 2.5 seconds. 

The E-Ray comes to the table quite hungrily with more than just the performance traits of the Z06, as it offers up over-the-road sophistication and a quality of refinement that was such a massive draw for the C8 with the Z51 treatment. When this very seasoned crew took the E-Ray through twisty and challenging roads, it answered in primo fashion to the call of duty with “far more grip than anyone can sanely exploit.” Finally getting some laps in at Pikes Peak International’s “Roval”, this is where the E-Ray proved its penchant for kicking a hole in the sky and pushing limits. The hybrid system’s Stealth mode enables you to forgo the V8’s startup growl, although we will always prefer its wake-up call!

Chevy Silverado HD Trail Boss to Step in + Move Mountains on Mid-Range Terms

More and more drivers are yearning for all-out adventure here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis, where the off-road vehicle market has grown by leaps and bounds over the last several years. The ZR2 trim offers rip-roaring performance and trail-handling chops and provides excellent capability without having to skimp on any of its tremendous towing abilities. There’s been something missing for quite some time within the mid-range lineup, much like the many spooky seasonal decorations displayed without a properly carved pumpkin here in so many Missouri neighborhoods at night! 

There are now official plans to launch a mid-range Trail Boss variant for the Silverado line, fit with the task of giving customers a more affordable entry into the thrilling off-road segment. It has the equipment to be more capable than the Z71 package, with a bit less extreme of a bite than the ZR2. The MuscleCarsandTrucks blog checked out the action last week at the ZR2 Performance drive in California, where it was officially announced that there will soon be a Silverado HD Trail Boss to slot in directly below the ZR2 trim and Z71. 

If it happens to stew and savagely simmer like the formula for the Silverado 1500 Trail Boss, it will feature the Z71’s off-road suspension and sweet factory lift with beefy tires meant for rugged terrain. It’s pretty safe to assume after conferring with several sources that customers will have two engine options available to them in either the 6.6-liter gasoline V8, cranking out 401 horsepower and 464 lb-ft of torque. Who couldn’t have their piston-pounding and diesel-cravin’ heartstrings tugged on by the very awesome 6.6-liter Duramax? It fearlessly doles out 470 horsepower and 975 lb-ft of torque. 

It promises to be very exciting to see Chevrolet add another off-road trim option for customers, brushing up on the offerings that the Z71 provides, but still a bit less expensive than the ZR2. At the heart of the matter and strategy is the competition that this will offer against the dedicated folks across the fence at Ford, and we are confident this will translate to a win for us and this trail-busting machine that will truly be something to be proud of. The folks with the constant rig-lover’s news scoop over at GM Authority claimed that the 2025 Chevy Silverado HD Trail Boss will be available exclusively in a Crew Cab body style with a single rear-wheel layout.

Impressive Multimatic DSSV dampers, true front and locking rear differentials, and an awesome new interior were what allowed the 2023 Chevy Silverado 1500 ZR2 to scoop up Four Wheeler’s “Four Wheeler’s Pickup Truck of the Year” award. Fully sweeping each of the judging categories, it remained steady as it was just as comfortable blasting across desert sand at high speed as it was crawling down a trail littered with rocks. The Trail Boss will no doubt exude the same qualities, being capable of segment-leading performance on terrain such as sand, rocky trails, loose-surface trails, rutted backroads, snow, ice, mud, and loose-dirt hill climbs.

It feels like the Chevy Silverado has been around since the celebratory dawn of trucks. The Silverado actually began as a trim level for the 1975 Chevy C/K pickup and Suburban, finalizing its existence as its own model in 1999. With all the current excitement and news regarding hybrids, we have one trivial fact for you here today: the 2004 Chevy Silverado was the first hybrid vehicle of any kind! We are confident that the Trail Boss will be the perfectly situated and hard-working addition to the team: durability, efficiency, and tremendous torque appropriately fit the bill for today’s dedicated truck lover.

2024 Chevy Colorado ZR2: The Mean & Extreme Machine of the Sands

As we begin the fall season and have our eyes constantly on the coming and feature-rich models of the future, the GM Authority blog has always been excellent at promptly delivering the digital scoop for us here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis. They were eager to serve up the news that the Chevy Colorado had dropped the Desert Boss Special Edition Package after the 2023 model year, but this savvy editing team assured everyone paying close attention that its replacement was the stuff that boulder-crushing dreams were made of. 

The 2024 ZR2 Bison is moving in at full speed to fully represent the pinnacle of what an off-roading Colorado can offer and comes fully equipped with an assortment of all-terrain tools that are 100% on-point at slaying tough terrain. There are Boron steel skid plates and rocker protectors, segment exclusive Multimatic front and rear Jounce Control Dampers, and DSSV Dampers to skillfully navigate the challenging ruts and ravines that a true adventure offers up. Other vital off-road specs include 12.2 inches of ground clearance, as well as a 38.2-degree approach angle, 26-degree departure angle, and a 26.9-degree breakover angle. 

Under the hood, the Bison features the turbocharged 2.7-liter inline-4 L3B gas engine, which is skillfully tuned to Turbo High-Output mode and cranks out 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque. The package is mated with a second-generation GM 8-speed automatic transmission, along with let's see speed transfer case and power locking front and rear differentials. The Chevy Colorado now is situated on an updated variant of the GMT 31XX platform, and production for the 2024 model will soon begin courtesy of the hard-working men and women at the GM Wentzville plant in Missouri this month.

The Car and Driver review team recently claimed that “the pickup truck is as American as apple pie, and there are few sweeter than the mid-size Chevy Colorado.” With up to 7700 pounds of maximum towing capacity, the Colorado can haul campers, boats, and snow machines easily, and this review crew was also quite enamored with the Bison’s beefy 35-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory Mud Terrain tires with aftermarket support from the experts at American Expedition Vehicles. To accommodate the largest tires available in the segment, Chevy muscled in a bit of extra space in the wheel arches, leaving the ZR2 Bison with a wider rack.

The ’24 Colorado ZR2 Bison still is the eager recipient of exclusive AEV add-ons such as wider fender flares, a full-width steel front bumper with a winch accommodation, and a trusty rear bumper with steel corner plates. The extra protection from the skid plates covers the fuel tank and rear differential, which will provide abundant peace of mind while conquering rocky terrain. The Multimatic spool-valve dampers have also been retuned to provide the A-list-grade support for the truck’s added mass. 

The hydraulic front and rear bump stops were also praised heavily by the Car and Driver troupe for dutifully and skillfully softening hard landings when the driver feels inclined to join the airborne club. There’s a very handy full-size, 35-inch tire spare mounted in the cargo bed, leaving you fully prepared if the unthinkable happens while you are cruising deep in the wild. The Bison has a fully digital gauge cluster along with an 11.3-inch touchscreen featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Even as the Bison shows up to the table with some of the most extreme off-road-capable gear in the game, it still fares well at delivering everyday “truck stuff” as it should.

Climb-Ready Powerhouse: 2023 Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss Dominates Intense Incline Drill

 

Buyers here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis have many reasons to add a large truck to their lineup, as attacking any terrain, hauling goods, and looking wickedly cool while doing so are all on the list. But as we situate ourselves in conversation with our fellow coworkers and take a close look at towing, there are many different variables to evaluate. The 2023 Chevy Colorado has a maximum towing capacity of 7,700 pounds when properly equipped, proudly residing at the top of the range for trucks in the mid-size segment.

Numerous experts have long known that showing numbers sometimes doesn’t offer a standing guarantee for a completely stress-free towing experience. Writer Matt Barnes wrote an article last week about the Chevy Colorado’s trail boss trim level, and how it performed while towing a camper trailer over challenging inclines. The Colorado trail boss starts as the basic WT trim level, and adds two inches of lift, 3.6 inches to the track with, and very capable 32-inch Goodyear Wrangler territory A/T tires to this heaping helping of rig. 

Matt appreciated that the WT tri-level served as an entry point because many off-roaders require a more expensive trim level to get things situated. The Colorado Trail Boss is for drivers who want a truck that adequately gets the job done without the need for items such as cosmetic upgrades and very high-end audio. The standard powertrain is a 2.7-liter 4-cylinder, which comes in three varieties. The Trail Boss gets the mid-level 2.7-liter Turbo Plus, which cranks out 310 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque. 

The truck for this article’s test was equipped with the Advanced Trailering Package, which beefs up the hauling game with trailer brake controller, a trailering app for setting up various trailers and testing connections, and an extra trailering package with a 2-inch receiver hitch. This particular writer was a mechanical engineer and former product tester for Progress Mgt, which manufactures Fastway Flash ball mounts. The trailer for this test sported a total weight of 4,650 pounds, with the tongue weight of the trailer situated at 450 pounds. 

No true test could be complete without a notable elevation, and here the team set the tone with a 4,500 incline which peaked at 6,200 feet. There was a short freeway section, with the remainder consisting of four-lane roads, and grades of about 10%. The 4 and 7-pin outlets along with the built-in trailer brake controller made this all quite simple, with the trailer light check easily claiming its spot as the star of the show. Situating the rearview camera a bit offset from the center, this camera does a fantastic job of keeping with the program while offering a safety net and an awesome productivity tool.

As the crew merged onto the freeway to take on an uphill on-ramp, the 390 lb-ft of torque from the 2.7-liter four-cylinder made for ideal bravado and muster, and getting things done at cruising speed was never an issue. The high torque output is the ideal and souped-up recipe for towing, and there was just a very slight amount of natural trailer sway while driving at 70 mph. This was also on a road that had a hairpin curve and some extended weather damage, all the while maintaining excellent performance. 

As the crew prepared to climb a very steep grade, the 2023 Colorado Trail Boss was able to hold the engine RPM at or below 3000 RPM for just about the entire climb. Turbocharged engines are known for their excellent fuel mileage potential, and the truck’s on-board trip computer averaged about 11.9 mpg. The Motor Trend crew greatly appreciated the increased ground clearance courtesy of the two-inch lift, along with the improved breakover, departure, and approach angles. For the extra boost and boss-like handling of anything from Mojave-grade hazards to a quick run out of town, the terrain drive mode allows for one-pedal driving, offering excellent throttle and transmission response as well.

2024 Chevy Trax Activ: Reigning As “True Maverick” in Vast Sea of Ordinary

Crossover SUVs have absolutely been met with revved-up enthusiasm here at Jim Butler Chevy of St. Louis, as many models have evolved into a very sought-after transportation solution. The 2024 Chevy Trax has already been praised for having the appeal of a used car price, along with sharp design and head-turning materials. The Trax hits the market with a front-drive only and lightweight composure, clocking in on scales at 300 pounds lighter than its larger Trailblazer sibling.

Nailing down the 0-60 mph sprint at just 8.5 seconds and a quarter-mile sprint at 16.5 seconds and 82 mph, the Trax stands out in front of the Trailblazer, as well as reigning supreme over the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder Honda HRV AWD, and Kia Soul. The Motor Trend staff have seen (and heard!) their fair share of red-hot models during their years doling out fantastic reviews, and they immediately remarked that they enjoyed the “angry vacuum cleaner note at full throttle” that is reminiscent of many other odd-count cylinder engines. 

For nearly $20,000 less than what many other mainstream crossovers are selling for, you get an excellent daily driver or weekend contender that is loaded with the latest features and exhilarating to drive. Braking is completed in 116 feet from 60 mph, and other auto review blogs are saying that the Trax is perfectly competitive in objective measures, providing drivers a modern and memorable experience for the money. Opting for the 2RS trim level improves things even more with its 254/45R19 Continental ProContact TX tires, with it also being confirmed that the auto stop/start operates even smoother than some exorbitantly expensive systems.

The fully digital instrumentation and infotainment screens provide sharp contrast that exceeds current expectations, along with automatic climate control and steering wheel audio controls. When the trips that tend to be a little bit longer than just around town or the annual holiday drives come up, there are two USB ports in the back to keep everyone's devices up to par. The Car and Driver review staff were immediately impressed with the fact that the 2024 Trax is even less expensive than the model it replaces. 

Measured by the current yardstick of prioritizing interior space and feature content over elements such as rugged styling, the Trax is billed by Car and Driver as a monumental success. The LT, RS, and Activ trim levels beef up the style points with nice wheels, interestingly shaped headlights and taillights, and unique grille trim up front. This would be a great choice for Uber drivers who are ready to just get their feet on the ground and start working without worrying about the extra frills some models are known for. 

Analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen are standard, with an optional 11-inch screen providing a good amount of display space for a vehicle in this segment. The handling balance is softly sprung enough to be perfectly comfortable on bumpy roads while still providing strong damping to ensure that body roll is in check when pushed hard. As the economy ebbs and flows, considering gas mileage will always be a relevant concern, and the 2024 Trax is rated at 30 mpg combined. In a world where many consumers feel that car pricing has gone simply out of control, the Trax is anticipated to become the third best-selling Chevy model behind the Silverado and Equinox.