Super-Sized Chevy Tahoe and Suburban Diesel Both Hold Down High Ratings in Fuel Economy Department

Here at Chuck Hutton of Memphis when customers are letting us know about everything they want from an SUV, many of them claim that they want it supersized. Who can blame them? More space means a broader range of capabilities, and usually an unfortunate decrease in fuel economy. However with the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, you get a very welcome decrease in mpg all around without any loss to horsepower or towing capability.

Proving that the marvels of modern auto engineering and design can work wonders regarding efficiency, Chevy's latest pair of SUVs with the Duramax straight-six diesel on board are delivering an estimated 27 mpg on the highway and 23 mpg combined. Amazingly impressive and news-worthy fuel economy for these heavy haulers, the methods that the EPA now uses to complete testing may prove these two to deliver even better numbers in real life. This 3.0-LIter Duramax V6 cranks out 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, and is just another fantastic reason to test drive one of these class-leading vehicles just in time for the holidays! 

The towing rating for the Tahoe is situated at 8,200 pounds, while the larger Suburban resides at 8,000 pounds. The 2021 Suburban is bound to turn many heads with its progressive styling, spacious third row, and class-leading amount of cargo and passenger space. When it comes down to the all-important comfort factor on long trips, USB ports, air vents, and folding seats made the second and third row a luxurious place to be situated. As you are navigating such a large vessel while knocking out the most important items on your to-do list, the test drivers on staff at Automobile mag claimed that the useful camera views make parking even in tight spots a breeze. 

Along with a more spacious cabin, the 2021 Tahoe offers two V8 engine options on top of the efficient diesel. The Z71 version is well worth checking out if heading off-road is on your list of priorities: it provides you with air suspension and adaptive dampers, and air springs that brandish magnetorheological dampers. This provides the ride with a property of control and firmness as well as increasing the ground clearance to 10 inches in the highest setting. Other features you'll enjoy with the addition of the Z71 Signature Package are lane-keeping assist, heated steering wheel, and second-row seats, memory settings, a panoramic sunroof, a power-folding third row, and upgraded towing equipment. 

Leading The Way To the Green Flag: Chevy Corvette C8.R Will Serve As 2020 Open-Wheels 500 Pace Car

Continuing the same tradition that took place last year, the 33 seasoned drivers racing in the Mitchell Transmissions Open-Wheels 500 will be paced to the green flag courtesy of a GM vehicle. The official announcement was made last week that the Chevy Corvette C8.R will take on the 2020 pace car duties during the event. Last year the honors were bestowed to the Cadillac CTS-V, and the Corvette C8.R is a monumental and unforgettable model fit to pace this event. 

Leading the 33 to the green on-track and completing parade laps before the race, the excitement will be mounting as the participants prepare to tap into their track-focused skill sets and dominate the contest. The engineering decision that was years in the making to move to a mid-engined layout for the 8th generation Corvette was officially debuted to the racing world during the “2020 24 Hours of Daytona”. 

Six months later, it completed the journey back to Daytona and took 1st place in its second race out with drivers Antonio Garcia and Jordan Taylor, and then scored a 1-2 finish at Sebring International Raceway the following week. Under the hood as the latest primo power source is a 5.5-liter engine producing 500 horsepower at 7400 RPM. This is the fourth Corvette completed by Pratt and Miller since partnering with GM in 1999, a meeting of the minds that has yielded 8 victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, 11 in the 12 Hours of Sebring, and 3 at the 24 Hours of Daytona. 

The car has won six different times in the 10 races it has taken place in this year. Over the summer the car made its debut on iRacing, which ultimately led to the opportunity to become the presiding pace car for the Open Wheels 500. As described on the Motor1.com blog, the C8.R is lower and stiffer than the road version of the C8 it shares a base with and rides on custom 18-inch Pilot Sport GT competition tires. All of us here at Chuck Hutton of Memphis have been watching intently as the future of GT racing is very critical to the Corvette namesake, where the name of the game is always wanting to come out on top during the finish. 

The existence of the new C8.R possesses a more thorough level of technology transfer between the actual race car and production Corvette, which plays an instrumental role in many of the milestone advancements. Incredibly precise balance and a sensation of being well-connected to the road are just two of the major improvements gained due to the mid-engine placement. As the celebrated model leads the pack during this thrilling race, ultra-bright racing headlights and a centrally-mounted radiator are a few other telltale additions to the mix that enable the C8.R to continue its surge from the starting line of on-track excellence and well-engineered leadership! 

2021 Chevy Traverse "Superior for Spending Hours on the Highway", Offers Up A1 Comfort Level

There are so many different options when it comes to Crossover SUVs these days. The variety of sizes, shapes and performance types available are definitely at an all-time high. Chevy fans will be excited to know that a new generation of the popular Chevrolet Traverse is expected to surface in the fall as a 2022 model, and there has also been a light refresh offered up for the 2021 model!

Hailed by Motor Illustrated as one of the most spacious mid-size SUVs you can buy, the cockpit of the new Traverse has a wide-open feel. While on the road you'll enjoy the best infotainment system on the market, which features very straightforward applications and a clean layout. Available OnStar is an ideal way to quickly ask an advisor for directions, which you can rapidly access to guide you turn-by-turn. Boasting a database of over 14 million businesses, landmarks and other points of interest, OnStar is also a great way to obtain assistance during onset of severe weather. Chevy engineers clearly had on-the-go families in mind when they updated this SUV.

The Edmunds Expert Auto Review Staff favored the LT Cloth and LT Leather trims, which offer the largest variety of standard and available equipment without too much strain on the wallet. A rear-seat entertainment system, 20-inch aluminum wheels and the useful Chevy Safety Assist technologies are all included onboard. The LT Leather option features remote engine start, rear parking sensors, a power liftgate and an 8-inch high-definition touchscreen. For anyone seeking to enjoy the best of what Chevrolet has to offer, you'll want to feast your eyes on the High Country trim. This setup boasts trailering enhancements such as touchscreen guidance, a panoramic sunroof, power-folding third-row seat, adaptive cruise control and enhanced automated emergency braking. 

Under the hood of the new Traverse resides a 3.6-liter V6 with 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque, mated to a modern 9-speed automatic. The engine offers up more in the power department than any other mid-size SUV in this segment, which makes highway passing and off-the-line acceleration simple. The Traverse offers ample space for up to 8 passengers and can tow up to 5,000 pounds. Front-wheel drive is standard, and the option to upgrade to AWD is available in both the US and Canada. What we notice most about the Traverse here at Chuck Hutton Chevrolet of Memphis is that it vibrantly comes to life when you hit the gas, a pleasant characteristic in a sea of boxy, run-of-the-mill competitors.

The 2021 Traverse is an ideal choice for anyone who wants to pack a sizable traveling crew on board and still enjoy heaping portions of practical capability. As the industry begins a shift towards electrification and robust efficiency, examples such as the Traverse are ideal for satisfying the need to "go big" while keeping a snug and fitting stature brilliantly at bay!

Chevy Colorado ZR2 Pickup Outfitted and “Barracks Bound” as Military Midsize Troop Carrier

When in charge of selecting vehicles to be used for the military, selecting from only the most durable and versatile of custom builds will suffice. GM's defense division has officially made its first delivery of Squad Vehicle to the U.S. Army, and it's a thorough makeover of the very solid Chevy Colorado ZR2. Beginning with the chassis, the truck saw a complete transformation into an all-terrain troop vehicle capable of transporting a 9-soldier squad plus all of their gear. 

It is derived from 90 percent commercial parts, with some originating from Chevy performance's racing division. For the extreme tests and trials of combat and patrol, GM Defense added a completely redesigned Rollover Protection System, keeping troops safe in case they come under sudden attack or encounter shaky ground while on patrol. Weighing in at 5,000-pounds the ISV is light enough to be sling-loaded from a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter and small enough to fit snugly inside a CH-47 Chinook when rapid air transport is a necessity. 

Every single truck model available here at Chuck Hutton Chevy of Memphis is impressive for its own reasons, we have always known just how reliable and sturdy the Colorado is. Just 120 days after the contract was awarded to Chevy, the vehicle was delivered to the infantry. After many engineering hours along with pre-existing manufacturing capabilities they were able to deliver this military vehicle on time. Easy maintenance and a supply chain that can rapidly be accessed from anywhere in the world are going to be key advantages that will help alleviate some of the problems encountered with vehicles that have not aged gracefully. 

It comes as no surprise that the Colorado ZR2 is the Army's choice: expert outfitter AEV fitted it during their Bison transformation with stronger wheels, grippier tires, and modified suspension. All of this helped make it into the world's best customized off-road contender in existence. Additions such as a snorkel and extra underside armor proved that the ZR2 was definitely already primed to handle the tests of harsh elements and faraway places. Many experts who have test-driven the ZR2 claimed that the shocks are what makes it so versatile, giving the truck the ability to provide exceptional body control. 

Designed from the ground-up especially for road enthusiasts, this was a great contender of chassis for the army-designated vehicle to build from. Fresh mud, fallen branches, and bridges that have been soaked are all elements that can be conquered. All thanks to this being the only pickup in its class boasting front and rear locking differentials. Also seeing a coveted spot in The Manual's “10 Best Off-Road Vehicles Currently Available” list, the hard-working and brave men and women of the United States Army deserve no less than this new addition that will safely see soldiers safely “to and from the front.”