All 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 Trim Levels Will Now Offer Excitingly Versatile Multiflex Tailgate Option

It was just recently that the 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 was shown to the public, finally letting everyone catch a glimpse of this trusty and capable workhorse up close for the first time. Last Monday the new equipment list was in the spotlight during the official reveal, ranging from upgraded towing and payload ratings to multiple new technology additions now along for the ride. On top of everything else there is to enjoy, The new configurable Multi-Flex tailgate system will now officially be offered on every 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 trim level. 

From Work Truck up to High Country, this expanded availability will be offered for our very own version of the very useful configurable tailgate, giving you the option to make things easier and to better equip the truck as a mobile work station of sorts. It is identical to the MultiPro tailgate offered on the GMC Sierra, which also comes with six different configurable positions to complete a variety of tasks. There is a traditional gate opening, a foldable inner gate, a primary gate load stop, an inner gate load stop, and an inner gate work surface. 

The primary gate provides a typical truck's parked position, with the gate open for loading and unloading. The primary gate load stop adds more convenience, keeping any stray items from sliding out during the drive. With the folding inner gate for easy access, the inner gate can be folded down which gives the user even more options for loading and unloading. By using the full-width step, a maximum weight capacity of 375 pounds is in play, and the tailgate's inner step provides the user with a simple way to step into the box. Two buttons on the tailgate handle make for easy release of the inner gate. 

The inner gate work surface is one of the coolest additional features we've seen developed for a truck in quite some time! With the inner gate opened, the tailgate serves as a convenient work surface, which is great for an outdoor research team or hanging out at a tailgate party. True, all of us here at Chuck Hutton Chevy of Memphis know that each truck out there may be trying to boast their own version of the Multi-Flex, but we stand by ours as the one that proves instrumental in “always getting the job DONE”!

On top of offering this new Multi-Flex configurable tailgate, there is so much else to love: the 2021 Silverado also comes with increased towing capacity on two of its engines, three new special editions, new trailering features and technology, and adaptive ride control suspension. To ideally aid your new truck in many situations where this awesome tailgate would be of use, check out the Technology Package: it adds HD surround vision, the rear camera mirror, a bed view camera, and a multicolor 15-inch diagonal head-up display. 

Post 2021 Chevy Tahoe Test Drive Q and A Session: Bigger, Better, + Triple-Threat Suspension

User-friendly, fully-loaded, and a true beast of burden, the 2021 Tahoe has been on the keen sights of many customers this year here at Chuck Hutton Chevy of Memphis. One well-documented test drive this year took it cruising on a sample  of Michigan's roads that ranks the ninth-worst in the nation! This is where the new air springs, magnetic shocks, and a four-link rear setup dealt superbly with every roughed-up inch of pavement, and provided the driver with light and linear behavior. 

The staff on hand at GM Authority spent a full day with the top-of-the-range High Country model deriving power from the naturally-aspirated 6.2-liter V8 L87 engine that cranks out 460 lb-ft of torque and is mated to the GM 10-speed automatic transmission. Their tester model also had 4WD, the Air Ride Adaptive Suspension Package, the Magnetic Ride Control suspension system, and the Maximum Trailering package enabling an 8,100-pound towing rating. They also enjoyed the panoramic, dual-pane tilt-sliding sunroof, and closely speculated upon the quality, fit, finish, and initial driving impression. Following are some pressing questions from loyal customers, and the response the team had after spending a good chunk of time with this Chevy favorite. 

Question: I'm curious to hear about the difference in ride quality and handling over the outgoing models, what is your take on this?

Answer: The new Tahoe's ride quality is very good, and the air suspension softens the rebound effect on bigger bumps, so passengers feel a bit less of a jolt. There is not a huge difference between the new Tahoe and the previous-generation model equipped with the Magnetic Ride Control suspension. The fit and finish may not compare with what is seen on an Escalade, but there is definitely vast improvement. Everything feels solid and the button layout is easy to use during a drive. The High Country's zebra-like seat piping adds a nice touch. The center armrest slides for and aft and there's a concealed storage tray inside of it. 

Question: Is the High Country trim worth a little extra spend over the GMC Yukon Denali based on your testing?

Answer: There are a few subtle differences in design between the High Country's interior and the GMC Yukon Denali's. We see woodgrain accenting in different areas: the seat stitching is different, and there are some variations in the color schemes. In the GMC, the infotainment screen is placed into the center stack, with air vents located above it, while the touchscreen is now mounted up higher in the Tahoe. This is an issue of personal preference, and perhaps the price difference could be justified elsewhere in the Tahoe.

Question: How is the ride quality compared to luxury SUVs such as MB GLS, BLW X7, when paired with Air Suspension and Magnetorheological dampers?

Answer: The ride quality is similar, yet different at the same time. Passengers in the GLS and X7 will feel bumps and road imperfections a bit more, if only because of the lower-profile performance tires usually found on German models. The Tahoe High Country tested here rode on 275/50R22 all-season rubber while the BMW X7 xDrive40i rides on 385/45R21 tires. The X7 M50i is equipped with 275/40R22 tires up front and 315/35R22 at the rear. The Tahoe High Country's ride is very refined and very smooth. 

Question: Does the Tahoe have start/stop? If so, can it be turned off by the driver?

Answer: The Tahoe does have automatic stop/start. It is easily activated by pressing a button on the left side of the steering wheel and turns itself back on after every engine restart. The engine does restart very smoothly and does not shut off until you reach a full stop. Within some of the German competitors, this system will shut the engine down as you are approaching a full stop, which is an annoyance if you're not planning to completely halt at a stop sign. 

Question: What is the MPG on the 6.1-liter and grade of recommended fuel?

Answer: The 6.2-Liter L87 V8 is rated at 420 horsepower and 460- lb-ft of torque. In the Tahoe, it boasts city/highway/combined ratings of 15/20/17 mpg in 2WD configuration, and 14/19/16 mpg in 4WD trim. The testing team managed 16 mpg with a combination of city and highway driving. As far as fuel, the L87 can run on regular fuel with an octane rating 87, but GM highly recommends 93-octane fuel. As the automaker points out, “using unleaded gasoline rated below 93 octane will lead to reduced acceleration and fuel economy. If knocking occurs, use a gasoline-rated at 93 octane as soon as possible.” Otherwise, the engine may suffer damage. 

2020 Chevy Corvette Stingray Z51 Lays Down Wide-Eyed Appeal, Primely-Tuned Potency

There is no denying that the 2020 Chevy Corvette Stingray Z51 is simply fantastic, existing as one of the most intense surprises and performance successes of the year. This is the 8th generation of America's favorite sports car since 1953, and the first to place the engine strategically behind the driver. After being drive-tested by one of Australia's best-known auto journalists, it was highly favored as "quick, slick and amazing." The hand-wrapped leather interior in the 3LT package easily rivals anything in our most prominent competitor's lineup, and this particular test drive left the driver claiming that it is even better balanced than the Ferrari 488 GTB.

The color chosen for this test drive was Tobacco-Brown Metallic, sporting a black-and-tan interior. While blending in just slightly with some everyday numbers in parking lots, the Stingray stood out like the ferocious and enthralling car it always has been. Once inside, the driver in the former C7 is able to look over the instrument panel and past a sweeping hood, but in the C8 one looks straight down and out over peripheral roof pillars. The change in visibility has been compared with a move "from the pilot's seat to the nose-gunner position" and the design team has accomplished a very massive overhaul on the interior. 

The cabin now has various accents positioned around the screens, switches and much-thinner HVAC vents. The drive-mode selector is situated under handsome leather, and the high-res touch screen with connected digital UX is easy to reach and to quickly read. If any new owners here at Chuck Hutton Chevy of Memphis happen to still have a persistent soft spot for the old 'Vette, just take one brief look at the engine bay: there lies the latest version of the small-block V8, the LT2: the naturally aspirated 6.2-Liter, a dry-sump lubricated, pushrod-actuated power source that ultimately reduces pressure on the back.

One aspect that helps with the C8's ability to be quicker is the weight distribution: it sees 40/60 front/rear as opposed to the previous ratio of about 50/50. Seasoned auto experts at Motor Trend determined after investigation that the Z51's performance numbers align exactly with those of the current Porsche 911 Carrera S nearly to the T. The Z51 Performance Package was designed specifically to enable the new mid-engine car to nail down lap after lap around the track without a dip in braking efficiency or extreme overheating.

It also adds stickier tires, aerodynamic aids that increase downforce and can be paired with the optional FE4 Magnetic Selective Ride Control dampers, and the Performance Traction Management System for optimal racetrack performance. This package has been developed over multiple generations of 'Vettes, and many other full-fledged test drives have shown that this knowledge has paid off. There is also a splitter fitted to the lower leading edge of the front bumper in conjunction with a multi-plane spoiler that together adds 400 pounds of down force that results in higher top-speed.

There has even been a third radiator placed into the air intake of the Z51 model to greater increase cooling ability. Amazing handling, world-class interior and the success of the engine's new location are all qualities that will make any astute track fan gravitate to the raw and ever-promising allure of the Stingray!

Historic Instances That Branded The Nation's Best: A Look at The Chevy Logo's History

The brand we love to represent so much every day here at Chuck Hutton Chevy of Memphis has seen its roots as a founding pillar of the American Automobile Revolution and has fiercely made its way up the ladder to become the most well-known household manufacturer in the nation. It is not surprising at all to see an automaker with the years we have under our belt have lots of interesting stories that have seen their way through the decades just like some of the rivalries that are hard to avoid with the turf! 

There are three different theories as to how exactly the origins of the bowtie logo began, and it is hard to be certain which one is 100% accurate. The first bowtie logo was introduced in 1913, and the story with connections to Paris is the most heavily-believed one to date. William C. Durant was a seasoned traveler on a visit to France, and a design on the hotel wallpaper drastically caught his attention. The story claims that he tore off a piece and brought it back to the States, and was then inspired to create Chevy's bowtie logo.

The story about the city that is host to the Louvre and Eiffel Tower was the most famous theory, but Mr. Durant's daughter had a very different version of her own. She claimed that the inspiration was not drawn from a trip overseas but right in the confines of their very own kitchen. It was thought that she had a habit of drawing on the dinner table and happened to create a design that he thought was representative of our iconic brand.

Another interesting theory was offered up by Durant's widow, who claims that he suddenly drew inspiration for the bowtie logo while looking at a newspaper ad for the "Coalettes". This was a product made by the Southern Compressed Coal company, and he thought something very similar would be ideal for our auto brand while vacationing in Hot Springs, Virginia in 1912. Both emblems had a dark background with white borders and white letters, and the Chevy logo used a more formal Roman typeface squared off the center bow.

Here are some important dates regarding the Chevy logo and its illustrated history from beginning to present day:

1911: The first logo was not exactly a bowtie, and was derived from the signature of company founder Louis Chevrolet and presented in a bold blacked-out handwritten format. It was officially in use from 1911 until 1914.

1913: This was the year that the famous bowtie logo was created and also was instrumental in many origin tales currently told. This first logo was a bit more subtle, as it was made up of light blue and white with gold borders. The Chevrolet logo was written along the horizontal line and it was in use until 1934. 

1934: This year Chevy did away with the lighter-colored theme and went with a monochrome layout with "Chevrolet" now appearing in a more modern font. The letters were also bigger. This emblem with larger letters and a business-like appearance was in use until 1940.

1940: Our legendary car brand now decided to return once again to the blue-gold combination, with an overall flatter design. The colors gave off a bit more of a youthful feel, and this very recognizable logo was in use until 1957.

1957: A fairly short-lived logo with a much different appearance, this emblem bore a huge red oval layer inside with a bowtie that brandished white highlights. The lettering was also red, and some auto history experts claim that it used red to highlight high performance.

1960: Here designers went for the minimal effect and decided to take the monochrome route. This black and white bowtie was made up of thinner lines, and the words were italic and finished on black while holding tight for a long emblem run from 1960 until 1977.

1977: In the year after America's Bicentennial, the Chevy logo went "back to blue", but this time drew inspiration from the last logo and included a very thin white border just inside of the bowtie. The lettering was now much smaller and placed at the dead-center of the logo running in both directions.

1985: The year after huge hits like "The Breakfast Club" and "the Karate Kid" graced the big screens, the bowtie logo saw its first appearance similar to what we know now. It was also the pinnacle moment of the most dramatic change, with the logo seeing massive recognition through early TV spots. There was no lettering at all inside, and this logo went on for 15 years.

2000: Chevy chose to "go red" again here but this time the design was a bit more subtle and was composed of just one emblem. A 3D layout replaced the flatter version from the past, and it closely resembled the modern minimal version of the monochrome that claimed the visible spot for so long during the 60s.

2004: 2004 was when Chevy began to use gold as the hue for the bowtie emblem. It was definitely a very different take on the company's approach of using predominantly bright colors. It now plays a very important role in our global identity and remained as the flagship corporate logo until 2011.

2011: The very well-liked golden bowtie design here saw some tweaks and a patterned look for Chevy's 100th Anniversary. This logo remains official to this date, and is seen on thousands of reliable and feature-rich cars and trucks worldwide as they proudly roll off the assembly line! 

First Glimpse of Bolt EUV Reveals a Humble, Eco-Friendly and Fiercely Capable Subcompact

One thing that the world has had to embrace lately in large doses is change, and the environmentally-conscious change coming soon regarding electrification is amazingly exciting! Right now the Chevy Bolt is the vehicle that has been the solo choice for electric power as far as GM for several years now. The incoming Bolt EUV will begin with the basic frame of the Bolt, then adding on for roominess and comfort, and last Wednesday GM offered the first glimpse of the model soon.

The new EUV will take its place in the lineup alongside a refreshed Bolt, and will share the nameplate's existing platform instead of the BEV3 architecture reserved for the Lyriq and others stomping their hooves in the competition line. The platform mates with the revolutionary Ultium battery packs, yielding a range of over 300 miles. In the video shown here, it is seen that the EUV is taller and longer than its hatchback relative. The overall profile and upper works bear some similarity to the Buick Encore GX, with a beltline and hood that are both relatively flatter.

The new EUV is also rumored to gain substantial growth in wheelbase and will be produced at GM's Orion Assembly next summer. The Bolt as well as Bolt EUV will be the first pair of Chevy models to have the Super Cruise hands-free driver-assist system, a gigantic leap forward into the exciting future of autonomous driving and the arrival of ingenious changes that will make their solid mark on automotive history. All of us here on staff at Chuck Hutton Chevy of Memphis are thrilled to be waiting on the arrival of what will serve more as an electric SUV as opposed to a tall hatchback.

The longer wheelbase will make space for a larger battery than the standard Bolt's 66-kW-hr pack, one of the factors that up the driving range further than 259 miles. The incoming model will still be front-wheel drive only, as there are not currently plans to motorize the rear axle. A push-button gear selector and upgraded infotainment system are among the new features, and the entire vehicle is ringed with flat-black plastic cladding in the form of lower-body treatment. The Bolt EUV will also boast more legroom, headroom in the back, and cargo space.

Numerous EV fans were asking repeatedly about the arrival of one-pedal driving mode, and sure enough, this new model delivers on that one as well. After a short learning curve, it makes the driver feel more efficient and as if their mind can stray a bit (safely!) from the task at hand. The Bolt will also have been equipped with a new sensor array and camera, another hint towards furthering the move towards self-driving technology.