2019 Chevy Camaro Featured in Richmond Times-Dispatch as “Same Fun Ride”

Cars that have an amazing and picturesque history are hailed as accomplished athletes, and the Camaro is one of those vehicles that has been turning heads and exciting track fanatics for decades. Long before any official announcement took place, somewhat secret reports began running during April 1965 that our esteemed Chevy brand was hard at work constructing a competitor to the Ford Mustang. On June 21, 1966, nearly 200 journalists who specialized in the car industry received a telegram regarding the very important reveal slated to take place June 28. During a meeting in the early days of summer at Detroit's Statler-Hilton Hotel, Chevy general manager Pete Estes introduced the Camaro, and told attendees that it was going to be a “small vicious animal that eats Mustangs.” This was also the first time in history that 14 cities were connected in real time for a press conference over existing phone lines.

With a new refresh for 2019, our prized pony car sees a completely restyled front end and new taillights, and the staff on duty at the Richmond Times-Dispatch quickly took notice and cranked out this blog about how much they were smitten by the new model. The new 1LE option package is equipped with the turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that boasts an even sturdier suspension and brakes, 20-inch tires that are similar to those on the V-8 powered SS, and Driver-selectable Track Mode. The turbo 2.0 is the entry point in a powertrain lineup that touts a non-turbo V-6 and V-8, plus the bad and brawny supercharged V-8 in the Camaro ZL1 that offers up 650 horsepower as well as 650 lb-ft of torque.

One of the coolest ways to beef up the Camaro is by means of the 1LE package: it adds a chin spoiler and a carbon-fiber rear wing that ups the downforce factor by 300 pounds, which helps keep the car rooted during turning. There are also specially-designed dampers plus Goodyear Eagle Supercar tires riding rigorously on top of 19-inch aluminum wheels. The current claims regarding speed are that the ZL1 and ZL1 1LE can reach 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, and you can also score the 1LE Packages for the V-6 and V-8 models that are non-supercharged.

All of us here at Chuck Hutton as well as experts like the staff of Motor Trend are in sheer awe of the various features you can acquire by stepping up the trim level ladder: the LT is where you add the convertible model, remote engine start, SiriusXM Satellite radio, and additional USB port, and a six-way power passenger's seat. The step up to the 3LT trim provides the V-6 engine, upgraded infotainment with navigation, premium Bose audio, and a frameless auto-dimming rearview mirror. The 2SS is where you enjoy the addition of leather seating, heated and ventilated front seats, a Bose audio system, illuminated sill plates, upgraded interior accents, a heated steering wheel, rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring with rear-cross traffic alert, and forward collision alert.

Your needs for serious tech features won't go unmet in the least with the current-model Camaro: the 3LT trim receives an upgraded version of the infotainment system with navigation and Bose Audio, and the game-changing performance data and video recorder are optional on all models. The grip, minimal body roll, incredibly precise steering, hefty brakes, and track run stability are all traits that make this coupe so much better than the competition, and was deemed by multiple publications as a “track happy sports car gem.” It was also said this past year by Motor Trend themselves that “Chevy has turned a once-provincial pony car into an honest to goodness world-class sports model!”

Boston.com Covers Towing Ability + Trailering Features On The 2020 Silverado HD

Christian Wardlaw of the New York Daily News wrote a feature this past week on the coming 2020 Chevy Silverado HD, and the exciting changes made to the towing capacity and payload rating. Everyone on staff here at Chuck Hutton grinned a little bit in agreement when he playfully stated that many customers who buy a light-duty truck would never need to tow or haul anything nearly as hefty as their vehicles can actually handle. While it's true that many customers of today buy a half-ton truck because they want one instead of truly need one, the push to up the figures for ratings has always been a ferocious one!

The maximum towing and payload 'arms race' within the heavy-duty segment truly matters to many riggers, ranchers, and other hard-working truck owners, and that's why Chevy says it is working to increase capacity and payload rating for future models. The 2020's styling is very unique to this truck: only the roof panel is shared between the Silverado HD and 1500, and Christian was particularly drawn to the blunt and forceful appearance it has. There are bed steps just ahead of the rear wheels, situated there to make any fifth-wheel trailering tasks a bit easier.

Selection of higher trim levels provides the addition of extra chrome, and what appears to be LED forward lighting adds some good depth to the truck's appearance, along with the integrated air intake. You can check out photos here that provide a clear idea of what the upcoming model will look like, and be amazed at the raw and menacing stance the truck evokes, while poised to haul, tow, and conquer various obstacles that a day's work may throw in its path. As far as what will be placed under the hood, there are currently vague details about a standard direct-injected gasoline engine paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission, as well as the option of the more muscular turbo-diesel V8, which cranks out 910 lb-ft of torque.

The staff on duty at Motor Trend claims in a feature found here about next year's Silverado that on board may be a small-block derived 6.6-liter gas engine, producing 401 horsepower, and 464 lb-ft of torque, with the towing rating hovering at around 18,200 pounds, and payload around 7,630 pounds. This particular blog does a great job of highlighting what Chevy truly wants as a brand: for our prized truck line to be easiest to live with: easy to load, to hook a trailer to, and to maneuver the trailer with. For the task of loading, there's the industry's only power-up-and-down tailgate, new bedsteps at the front of the bed, and a lift-in height that is now dropped by 0.9 inch. There's also an available 120-volt outlet, 12 tie-down rings, and the option to add nine very useful accessory tie-downs.

The Advanced Trailering System on board puts to use accessory cameras that are connected by coaxial cable to offer up to 15 camera views. Among these are the bull-view hovering in front of the hood, bed and bumper hitch views, shots of tires while you are making turns, and the revolutionary “transparent trailer” view that shows the entire scope of the rear-view as if the trailer was invisible. The system even has the ability to monitor the pressure and temperature of up to six tires, and is able to be programmed to compile the all-important pre-trip checklist!

GM Authority Blog Provides Video With Close-up Look at 2019 Chevy Silverado Lift Kit

Lift Kits have always been a hot topic of discussion when spring is right around the corner here at Chuck Hutton of Memphis. Looking over the blogs that have hit the digital presses over the last week, we came across this super-cool video that ReadyLyft has released, detailing the new 2019 Chevy Silverado lift kit. It raises the total ride height by 4 inches, and gives you ample room to use tires up to 35 inches. Heading up the job of bringing up the front are CNC billet aluminum preload spacers and fabricated steel strut top spacers, while the rear is propped up by 3-inch tall OE-style cast iron blocks.

This kit also includes new angle-corrected upper control arms with different bushings, and the example in the video features KMC XD's 20-inch wheels wrapped in 35-inch tires courtesy of Nitto Ridge. Readylift attests that this new lift kid provides “excellent handling off-road, with a significant increase in ground clearance, while maintaining a factory like ride on the road.” The kit also features bolts in, requiring no cutting for the easiest type of install. Although not on sale yet, this kit is slated to become available in mid-March and is known as the 69-3940 4-inch SST lift kit.

We have all been thrilled at the number of aftermarket parts produced for the 2019 Chevy Silverado 1500 even with the truck just coming off the line. GM also has a nice assortment of accessories available for the truck, including cat back exhaust kits with both 5.3-liter and 6.2-liter models, as well as a cold air intake for the 6.2 L engine. You can also now get your hands on front and rear brake upgrade kits, and a wide variety of one of our personal favorites: Borla exhaust tips in many different styles. If a fully-equipped 4x4 model is your thing, there is also a lifted suspension kit available for it as well.

You can view the full list of factory 2019 Silverado performance parts here at this link, or here to see the entire catalog brimming with awesome accessories. There are very cool and useful items up for grabs such as the Double Cab Second-Row Premium All-Weather Floor Liners, which will protect your interior to the T when mudding, performing ranch hand duties, or just plain sopping through various forms of inclement Tennessee weather. If you happen to be doled out tasks such as property repair or carpentry, you'll love the Underseat Crew Cab Storage Organizer: featured in black, its the perfect way to stow away extra tools, jackets, or winter hats out of sight. We are also loving all the different types of emblems available: there's no cooler way to customize the exterior and let everyone around you know just what brand you think is the ultimate boss!

Speedsociety.com Declares Regarding Chevy Suburban History: “A Star Was Born”

The Chevy Suburban is one of the longest-standing nameplates within our brand's offerings, something to take great pride in as we are situated within an era where so many models seem to be coming and going. Making its way solidly through gas crunches and a few various economical spirals, the full-size SUV has become somewhat of a staple for us here at Chuck Hutton. The awesome folks on staff at the Speedsociety.com Blog produced a feature last week that celebrated the fact that the Suburban is a car with a massive and original touch of class.

In the beginning, the Suburban was not intended for any sort of civilian consumer at all. It was designed for military supplies and personnel, with a large-bodied vibe, and sturdy enough shell to brave the worst of the world's aggressive elements. When the decision was made to switch over to a format that average consumers could use, this is when the blog author lamented that “A Star was Born.” The video presented here provided an in-depth guided tour of the Suburban's history, and the illustrious way in which the truck found its comfortable niche. Nestled alongside the Camaro, Corvette, and Silverado, the Suburban is not a model slated to disappear anytime soon, as it is more than ideal for tasks ranging from a family hauler to a personal limo.

During the early 1930s, parts of the Midwest were covered in dust, and Chevy was quietly and astutely putting station wagon bodies on their full-size truck frames for outfits like the Army and National Guard. As the lines were bustling with their production, a worker noticed how instrumental they could be for the general public, and during 1937 both GMC and Chevy had the same car with the same name. During WWII, they were used as military transport vehicles, and many soldiers arriving home wanted to lug their new families around in the vehicles they had become used to on the front lines.

The third-generation Suburban offered up during 1947 was the ultimate inspiration for the 2011 HHR, with sweeping lines and curved fenders. During the 1960s, Jeep was siphoning some business from GM due to the increase of off-road capability. Instead of responding by making the vehicle smaller, it increased in length by a foot in 1967, sticking to the blazing guns of full-sized prowess and power. By 1972, over 27,000 models were produced, and this seventh-generation model would last for almost twenty years, a truly defining model for future development. It was tall, aggressive, and sported the 454 for primo power source.

By 1984, Chevy and GMC were cranking out nearly 65,000 Suburbans per year, and the world could not get enough of this outdoorsy and oversized fence-crushing and dirt-defying machine. One of the reasons why military personnel were such fans of the Suburban was the way in which it blended in: On the flipside of the coin, if you see four or five black Suburbans in a caravan, you “know something is goin' down” as the show host put it, and it is a nice display of appropriate flex. Front skidplate, off-roading tires, and a very unique grille were first offered by means of the Z71 package in 2001: this is when things began to get very serious, while those who already knew it was a vehicle unrivaled in a class it entirely created continued to be fans.

We invite you down before the beauty and fresh perspective of spring hits to come check out the 2019 models, and see how much heavy-handed haul ability and practicality you'll discover. A fully-boxed frame serves as the foundation for upgraded body mounts, aluminum front control arms, and a relocated rear axle sporting a now-wider rear track. The V-8 is backed up to a six-speed automatic transmission, and now standard on 4WD Suburbans is Autotrac 4WD with a single-speed transfer case.