Hitting the Roads Heavy for the Holidays: What Are the Most Common Stressors?

Drivers with with the very precious cargo of their families are coming and going from the Memphis metro area to many far corners this weekend, as the holidays hit. Millions of Americans are planning to hit the road, and return later in the weekend from holiday travel. Useful new elements of in-car technology are what can offer the truest peace of mind during travel, and parents typically bring an average of 6.6 mobile devices with them in the vehicle during long family road trips. A recent Harris Poll surveyed 1,063 U.S. Parents of children under 18, to explore the current state of the American family road trip.

Packing, traffic levels, and cost were the main concerns on consumers' minds when it came to traveling for the holidays, but another very important element followed closely behind: keeping passengers entertained while in gridlock. Right here in Memphis, we have seen just how crowded the interstates can become, and when you add the holiday element, there are many more cars on the road. In-vehicle technologies can allow the streaming of movies and playing of games when the reality of becoming stuck sets in. As far as other important results from the survey, more than half of American parents said that Wi-Fi/ internet connectivity would greatly make family road trips more enjoyable, and so it is the top in-vehicle tech feature on their long-term wish list.

We have noticed right here on the lot at Chuck Hutton how the vehicle really has become the new family dinner table, where memories are created and bonds can grow stronger. Director of marketing Steve Majoros stated last week that “As families prepare to hit the road this holiday to spend time with friends and family, they can depend on crossovers like the 2018 Chevy Traverse and Equinox to meet their needs”. Extra storage space, more USB outlets, and available 4G LTE Wi-Fi are items that are high on wish lists, as well as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. Nearly 3 in 10 parents who take family road trips but do not have Wi-Fi capability in their car say they would be more likely to take longer or more frequent trips if their vehicle was so equipped.

Chevy was the first automaker to offer 4G LTE Wi-Fi on its cars, trucks, and SUVS, and since 2015, has also offered Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility for the majority of its lineup. A visit to us on the lot here at Chuck Hutton can also leave you with knowledge about all of the great safety features available within 2018 vehicles: lane change alert, side blind zone alert, surround vision, and lane keep assist are some of the most practical and accident-preventing developments in existence. As you begin to crave turkey and pie, can't wait to hear about your nephew's latest achievements, and have the opportunity to catch up on football, features such as rear seat reminder will also give you peace of mind. Come check out the awesome vehicles that 2018 has to offer, and see to it that you have the means to keep the passengers updated on “Stranger Things” episodes while gearing up on the interstate for your yearly gathering.

First Impressions: 2019 Chevy Corvette ZR1 On “Car and Driver Cover”

When we first get our eyes on photo leaks here at Chuck Hutton, there is sometimes heavy camouflage cover, and all sorts of other obstructions to the view of the new auto under wraps. You can get a general idea about what the car will be like, but it is much better to see the whole thing point blank. Car and Driver surprisingly did that this month, by featuring the 2019 ZR1 Corvette on the cover, recently unleashed in the desert sands and skyscrapers of Dubai. Dressed in orange, the first impression we got of the car was that it looks quite a bit more aggressive overall than the current Z06.

There is now a very massive hood vent, new bumper, giant rear wing, and side-skirts. This is obviously a track-bound work of pure engineering magic, that should easily possess enough downforce to keep it close to the ground during proper performance sessions. This release is a vehicle that very obviously wants to lead the pack, and its many upgrades make the the fastest street car that GM has ever constructed. The previous ZR1 from 2009 boasted 638 horsepower, but now 8 years later, the Corvette team had to create a powerful successor.

Some customers were not impressed with the last ZR1's hood window, and deemed it a bit cheap-looking. This time around, the engine is not as much out in the open, with what GM calls a “halo” hood. The carbon weave is aligned perfectly with the body panel, but the intercooler cover has the freedom to move around while the engine is running, since it is an active part of the drivetrain. There are also two openings in front of the cover that allow for the exit of overly hot air from the engine bay, housing 8 high-performing and sinister cylinders.

To conjure up 755 horsepower and 715 lb-ft of torque from high octane and dense air, the ZR1's new pushrod V8 features a 52-percent larger supercharger than the Z06's LT4, and this is where GM puts their very first dual-injection system to use. If you stick to the standard wing offering, top speed is somewhere above 210 miles per hour, and for the first time ever, you can opt for the 8-speed automatic. If you ever do decide that you want to slow down, the brakes are mammoth two-piece carbon rotor pieces, that have fixed six-piston aluminum calipers at the front for prime performance. Come see us on the lot here at Chuck Hutton in Memphis, and check out this new ZR1: the collision of future elements with tried-and-true classic, resulting in a 750-horsepower speed-summoning beast! 

AEV Drastically Revamps The Chevy Colorado ZR2: Pack Your Adventure Kit ASAP!

Many truck lovers in the Memphis metro and nearby areas are going to very soon have good reason to rejoice. The Colorado ZR2 was already the perfect adventure machine: there is nothing better than packing a tackle box, lures, boots, and heavy flannels in preparation for the ultimate off-road adventure. When we saw just how capable AEV was of making a truly stellar upgrade to the ZR2, we paid close attention. The Jeep and Ram modification specialist has been on the cutting edge of the 4WD industry for 15 years, constantly pushing boundaries with design and innovation of already-awesome vehicles. Founded in Montana where conditions can be tough, their team has been consistent with delivering unbelievably rugged and useful turn-key versions of off-road vehicles.

This tan truck was recently revealed at the SEMA show in Las Vegas, and features a newly-engineered suspension, as well as driveline components that provide an overall 1.5-inch lift. The 35-inch tires on this thing are jaw-dropping: from a distance or just a few feet away, they look like they could crawl right over gaping glass bottles. Power is derived from a 2.8-liter diesel engine, and we immediately fell in love with the front and rear off-road bumpers and skid plates covering the full underbody. We really appreciate the over-abundance of rugged touch-up done here: you even get a portable ARB refrigerator.

The roof-high expedition rack is mounted to the bed, and the black-on-tan appearance is perfect here. One thing our sales staff noted right away after seeing photos of the AEV ZR2 is the perfect blend of modern and standard tech: this thing still looks like a pickup, not a drone or robot. Another great feature is on the right side fender: a panel that provides auxiliary power, air compressor, and fresh water system is right there on board. This really is a truck that builds its appeal on spontaneity, and the journey ending up longer. You could spend a day as a contractor hauling, surveying, and digging, then decide to pitch a tent and enjoy the view. We know you could do that with many trucks, but the upgrades on this one are that special.

Some of the readers here on the blog may remember the action-laden “Fall Guy” TV Series: Lee Majors stars as a stuntman who moonlights as a very busy bounty hunter. There was a truck on that show that was like a more practical Bigfoot: a huge off-road beast that was definitely one of the most awesome vehicles on prime time during those years. We love how this AEV ZR2 evokes the same vibe, and it is now the baddest, sturdiest, most able rock crawler that exists. Come pay us a visit on the lot here at Chuck Hutton, and see just how awesome all of these features are. This is an exciting match made in heaven: once these rugged Montana natives got their hands on the ZR2, they ended up with a finished product that is revved up, immaculate, and ready to crawl! 

Hot Wheels' 50th Birthday Bash: 2018 Camaro Special Edition Release

Many diehard racing fans out there in Memphis and the surrounding area aren't ashamed of their age in one respect: many remember the year that Hot Wheels issued 16 car and truck models that would fit in a Matchbox car carrying case. The very high-speed club was represented well during this first year: the Camaro coupe, Firebird convertible, Mustang fastback, Cougar, and Barracuda were among the delightfully hand-held ranks. Around the world for the next 50 years, an estimated 41 million children (and adults) fell in love with all of the models, different tracks, and hours you could spend with friends in a delightful state of imagination and thinking about roaring thunder.

Next year at the Las Vegas SEMA Show, the 2018 Hot Wheels Camaro will debut, and will be available on coupe and convertible body styles. With this package, you get special “crush” orange paint inspired by the iconic orange flexible track, which has remained for the most part unchanged through the decades. There are orange brake calipers, seat inserts, and interior upholstery stitching, as well as gray forged 20-inch wheels that are a bit reminiscent of the ones that would spin for hours on smaller diecast models. There is also a unique grille with chrome inserts, a very cool ground effects package, dark-lens taillamps set in a black panel with the Hot Wheels emblem, and a 50^th Anniversary Hot Wheels badge on the steering wheel.

Camaro Coupes will be gifted with a unique spoiler, but convertibles have to retain their stock wing, because it uses needed radio, GPS, and telematics antennas for various communication and location duties. If the V-6 or V-8 street-legal Camaro doesn't quite satisfy your urge for a curve and track hungry beast, there is one option for a ride that offers up even more thunder: you can register for a third party's option to provide just 69 race and rumble-ready, sporting a different metallic “Supercrush” orange with a more detailed graphics package. These special edition cars will be fitted with a new 302-cubic-inch racing engine built for drag racing, and possess exceptionally high RPM capability.

The Custom Camaro was the very first among the original “sweet sixteen” Hot Wheels vehicles to be released 50 years ago, and it was available in 20 colors. Successful video games such as Hot Wheels World Race and Stunt Track Challenge were ways in which the brand successfully branched out to attract new fans, and this devilishly orange release is a great way to commemorate the legend. Last year, the brand opened the Race to Win Exhibit at the Children's Museum of Indianapolis to promote the 100^th Indy 500 race, and more adults have been collecting these fun toys than ever before. On rainy days in basements across the nation during the brand's first ten years of existence, many eager kids jumped, high-bank turned, and shot through loops with these fun little machines. If any of those happened to be you, you might want to celebrate by owning one of these high-octane and fully-charged charmers!