Brand New Corvette Stingray Lays Claim to Motor Trend “Car Of the Year” Glory

When the task of completely overhauling the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray sportscar was first announced, it was agreed worldwide that a large risk was being taken on our behalf. Moving the engine from the front of the vehicle to the middle was going to be a guarantee on improved handling and an exotic feel, but there was no guarantee the finicky masses would instantly approve. Car enthusiast magazine extraodinaire Motor Trend named the redesigned 'Vette as its 2020 Car of the Year last week, due to its sleek design, noiseless interior, and everyday functionality.

This announcement in Los Angeles was timed just right to align with the excitement of the Los Angeles Auto Show, the annual event where “what's new” reigns and dedicated auto fans see just what is in store for the year ahead. All of us here at Chuck Hutton Chevy of Memphis agree that the best way to describe this iconic new creation is “Not your everyday car, but a car you want to drive every day”. Only a single part has been carried over from the last generation, and the brand-new LT2 V8 engine is visible through a rear hatch window.

The Available Engine Appearance Package adds to the mix carbon-fiber components as well as LED lights that illuminate the engine, and warm weather enthusiasts everywhere will love the no-compromises convertible whose hardtop flows seamlessly into the body while maintaining world-class storage capability. Since performance stats still remain so high after the top goes down, this is easily the most track-capable Corvette in the brand's entire history. The two-piece hardtop can activate at speeds of up to 30 mph, using the power of six electric motors. Here via the web-based “visualizer” feature, you can hone in and select the body style, exterior colors, performance wheels, trim level, and interior color to create the 'Vette that best suits your taste.

This feature shows some of the very cool additions available for the C8, beginning with the scrape armor for the front splitter. Other choices are the carbon fiber ground effects kit, and the grille insert. There's even eye-popping options like a red engine cover, red high wing spoiler, and bags as well as battery tenders. The carbon fiber Is an undeniably unique touch: it cloaks the new 'Vette in such a sick envelope that you are guaranteed to be noticed wherever you go. The recent Motor Trend honors have made us excited that the years of engineering, many questions about mid-engined placement, and success that the new Stingray promises to brandish an exciting reality!

2021 Chevy Tahoe and Suburban Both Slated for Debut December 10

This is most definitely the time of year when we realize how difficult it seems to be patient. Even adults can have a hard time anticipating the holidays, and it's not just the presents that will see themselves under the Christmas tree: many of us just can't wait for some extra downtime to rest! There will be new movies to choose from in the Netflix and Disney + cues, tempting sweets all over the house, and holiday music warming up the rooms. Just this past week, Jacob Oliva of Motor1.com had some good news for those feeling impatient this season: those waiting on the next-generation releases for the Chevy Suburban and Tahoe will officially not have to wait much longer!

According to a new report from GM Authority, December 10^th will be the date when customers  will be able to feast their eyes on this high-riding pair. They both will be riding on indpendent rear suspension setup, providing the ability to offer better ride quality as well as more rear space. Permanently departing from a live axle setup also benefits handling. When it comes to the exterior, GM Authority reported that both SUVS will have a new fascia and lighting, as well as new front air curtains that will help with fuel efficiency.

The Tahoe and Suburban are also expected to ride on the GM T1 ladder-frame platform, which is used on the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra. This will deliver all-new underpinnings and engineering, and the new Tahoe will be as much as 300 pounds lighter as the outgoing model. There will be the introduction of the 3rd-generation Chevy infotainment system, as well as a noticeable boost in comfort and luxury during every ride. The new Tahoe will also see the new “Super Cruise” semi-autonomous driving feature, which allows the driver to remove their hands from the steering wheel during long periods of highway driving.

As far as the all-important engine expectations, the 2021 Tahoe and Suburban are expected to have the turbocharged 2.7-liter inline 4-cylinder, and the heftier naturally-aspirated 5.3-Liter L84 V8. One of our neighboring states that has plenty of open Tundra and red rock to

conquer, Texas itself may even pass a petition to make the Suburban the National Vehicle of

Texas, as shown here! There are more than 200,000 Suburbans on the road in the Lone Star

State, and one is sold every hour and a half. Everyone here at Chuck Hutton of Memphis

believes that Tennessee is a great state for the Suburban and Tahoe to traverse as well:

rugged landscapes, grade A sunsets, and plenty of unconquered terrain lie ahead for any

brave new large SUV owner to tackle!

Autoweek Provides 0-60 MPH Data Confirming New C8 Corvette's Elite Speed Status

When all of the years of waiting finally reached an ending point and the mid-engined Corvette became a reality, one thing was evident: the finale result was a car that had the bragging rights of an otherworldly acceleration factor. As Graham Kozak from Autoweek declared last week on the blog, it is always nice to have official figures to back speed time boastings up with raw data. When the count makes it's way officially in, the base model Corvette coupe does 0-60 MPH in a shaved-even 3.0 seconds.

If equipped with the Z51 Performance Package, it has said to shave another valuable tenth of a second off the time, and with perfectly ideal track conditions could maybe even accomplish better than that. One other very well-stated sentiment regarding performance here is that the basic 2020 Corvette with the Z51 package reaches the 60 mph mark just as fast as the C7 ZR1, and this is only the beginning of the new model's determined and performance-focused development. What the Z51 Package initially brings to the table is Magnetic Ride Control magnetorheological suspension, an electronic limited-slip differential, and bigger brakes as well as Michellin Pilo Sport 4S tires.

The reason why this is so impressive is that the winning combination of a different final drive and the very sticky summer performance tires give the new 'Vette an edge that connects it to the track in a manner that outperforms cars more than twice its price. To consistently nail the speed test times on the low end, the performance-launch feature is a prime asset: you just turn it on by switching the car into track mode, then pressing the traction-control button twice. From that point on, you pretty much depress the brake, then work the accelerator until you achieve around 3,500 rpm and gleefully say goodbye to the brake pedal before launch.

Along with the acceleration figures, all of us here at Chuck Hutton Chevy of Memphis have been peering over the new 'Vette's quarter-mile times. 11.2 seconds at 123 mph is where the base car rings in, and 11.2 seconds at 121 MPH for the Z51 are the stats that reside in our “official nail-down” column. One of the main reasons that the C8 was created was for the vast improvement in traction, and putting more weight over the driven wheels gives the new Stingray star-studded straight-line track performance at the same time as A1 cornering capability.

This purely amazing machine's new intake manifold allows the engine to generate roughly 3 percent more peak power than the some engine fitted with the LT1, with increased torque taking its gratuitous spot at the top of the band. Even with the massive improvements to the LT2, this still behaves like a GM V-8, which is a noteworthy component that keeps the new Stingray at a base price on the low end. We never get tired of the “performance roar” factor that rang in after the brand-new C8 came out on the scene, and the many new converts it has claimed within its accomplished engineering feat! 

2020 Chevy Bolt EV's Extended Range, “All-Around Excellence” Praised by Wards Auto

Wards Auto's Bob Gritzinger and his driving companion were just outside Portland, Oregon last week when they stopped outside for a quick recharge with the 2020 Chevy Bolt. The extra 20 miles of range in the new model makes a noticeable difference in a journey such as this: the two were headed from Seattle to Portland. The '20 Bolt's extra range was seen after some chemistry modifications to its cathode material in the batteries, and no changes were needed regarding mounting hardware or battery-pack space.

Rob Mantinan was the brunt of brains behind the engineering, and he says that the added range was possible without any changes in the car's 200-hp, 266 -lb -ft magnet traction motor or any of the control systems. The DC fast-charging did see an upgrade, allowing depleted batteries to now gain 100 miles of range in 30 minutes in mild temperatures, with some improved charging in cold weather too. The new year's model sees a revised front fascia, high-definition rear and 360-degree cameras, a camera-display rear-view mirror, and a new system that creates sound from external speakers in the front and rear of the vehicle to alert pedestrians.

This particular drive offered up weather elements such as sunshine to pouring rain, and they lamented that the Bolt performed “flawlessly” as they closely monitored the vitals to get the most out of a full charge. They extended the range to 259 miles by using regenerative braking, and by closely watching the cabin ventilation to not overuse air conditioning. The duo concluded that the latest model drove in every single way very similar to previous years, seeing to low-end torque, responsive regenerative braking, and a very smooth overall cruise. They had a great sense of ease with one-pedal accelerations, as well as braking down  to a full stop while using extra-regen low gear.

Here in the States, the Bolt absolutely remains the non-Tesla BEV champion, leading the competition against the BMW i3, Hyundai Kona, Nia Niro, Nissan Leaf, and Volkswagen Golf electric models. It's pretty easy to get used to the daily drive when it sinks in that Evs are nearly silent in operation, have much lower maintenance requirements, and provide a very instant amount of torque for very brisk off-the-line acceleration.

There is just shy of 17 cubic feet of luggage space behind the rear seats, and if you fold the backrests down this rises to 56 cubic feet. Another edition for the 2020 year is high-definition cameras for the available surround-view and backup systems, which adds to overall driver confidence. All of us on staff here at Chuck Hutton of Memphis know that the future is approaching rapidly and some things in the industry are changing faster than ever, and we would love to demonstrate to you how a new Bolt can alleviate your daily dependence on the pump!