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.

2021 Chevy Tahoe High Country's Felt Presence Is “Big, Broad, and Powerful”

Even as a movement for incredibly efficient and tiny-sized cars has gained steam within some circles, everyone here at Chuck Hutton Chevy of Memphis still appreciates the big-and-bad stature of a large vehicle that can appropriately command the road! The Tahoe is now new for 2021, and it boasts more third-row room, greater cargo volume, and generally enough space to handle any family or growing business's growth. Senior Editor and correspondent Robert Duffer took a lengthy test drive of the new Tahoe around some of southern Michigan's Metroparks on Lake Erie and along the Huron River, and immediately loved the way the large vehicle felt from behind the wheel.

 

A brand-new independent rear suspension works overtime to cushion uneven grades, and magnetic dampers with available air suspension let the new Tahoe glide in a way that ranked way better than seen in the competition such as the Nissan Armada  and Toyota Sequoia. The 2021 Tahoe grows 6.7 inches longer to now become nearly as huge as the last-generation Suburban, and now sees cargo room increase by a whopping 30%. The wheelbase is extended by 4.9 inches to improve legroom in the third row, and also increase cargo volume to 25.5 cubic feet. 

 

This makes the new Tahoe an ideal choice for anyone going on super large grocery runs or shuttling loved ones from the airport, and second-row seats that slide forward and back five inches also help the comfort of rearseat passengers. If you start to have the need for hauling more massive cargo, another manual handle collapses the seat and lowers nearly two inches to yield a flat floor for 122.9 cubic feet of maximum storage. There are also power-folding third-row seats that can be raised or lowered from the cockpit or the rear liftgate.

 

Up front, the steering-column mounted shifter has now changed to an electronic shifter positioned on the dash between the 10.2-inch touchscreen and the dash. The available power center console slides 10 inches back, covering up a hidden tray and lower storage level. This feature allows second-row riders to access another set of USB ports and cupholders, and opting for the tech package provides second-row passengers with dual 12.6-inch LCD HD entertainment screens as well as adaptive cruise control.

 

2020 Chevy Corvette Stingray Set To Lead the Pack as Official Pace Car for 104th Indy 500 Showcase

The very top level of American Championship Car Racing is an open-wheel, open-cockpit formula fondly known as “Indy-Car Racing”, awaited anxiously on every year by many of us and our customers here at Chuck Hutton Chevy of Memphis. The 2020 Corvette Stingray will handle the duty of taking the field to green for the 104th running this year, brandishing a specially-celebrated model for the occasion. It is a Torch Red coupe equipped with the optional Z51 performance package, accessory spoiler and ground effects package, Carbon Flash accents, GT2 bucket seats, and an Indy 500-themed livery.

GM President Mark Reuss himself will be behind the wheel, personally celebrating all that the Chevy namesake has contributed to the success of Indy 500 and other events. This Torch Red 2020 Corvette Stingray is definitely a world-class machine with the performance and speed that perfectly suits it to pace the “500” landscape. The Corvette has seen the honor of leading the Indy 500 field to green more than any other vehicle in history, seeing its first time at the Greatest Spectacle in racing was in 1978, since seizing the opportunity 17 times. 

The very first time a Chevy vehicle led the pack at the Indy track was in 1948 when a Chevy Fleetmaster Six convertible was given the honors. Situated just behind the Corvette is another Chevy masterpiece: the Camaro has also had its roots in motor racing and a close long-standing relationship with the Indy 500. Company co-founder Louis Chevrolet first met William C. Durant after being hired on by Buick as a racing driver and the two would later co-found the company together in 1911. Chevrolet himself went on to start in four Indy 500s, retiring in all but three of them, while his brothers Gaston and Arthur also made two Indy 500 starts each. 

Last year's Indy 500 was won by Chevy Team Penske driver Simon Pagenaud, and 11 times over the years has seen 9 drivers with Chevy engines combined to claim the title. The 104th Indy 500 will go green on Sunday, August 23, with coverage on NBSCSN at 1 P.M. ET. Last year the qualifying procedure was restructured a bit, as “Bump Day” and “Pole Day” were moved into the second day of qualifying and those who qualified in positions 10 30 on day one will be locked into the field. The weekend before the race, all cars are now entered into a blind draw to determine qualifying order. 

The fastest nine drivers from Saturday then take their own parts in the “Fast Nine Shootout”, and the qualifying order is based on the first run's slowest to fastest ranking. From here the quickest driver wins the sought-after “pole position”, and the remaining 8 lock in positions reflecting their times. We are thrilled to see the Corvette once again at the head of the line during such a spectacular event, and thankful to everyone out there helping make sporting events safe yet still sensational!

Liftoff In Lansing: 2021 Chevy Camaro Production Now Underway

 

Before any official announcement took place, reports began circulating some 55 years ago within the automotive journalist circle that Chevy was in the works planning a competitor to the Ford Mustang. Then going under the guise of the code name “Panther”, a few hundred telegrams that went out to esteemed auto writers then puzzled them, instructing them to keep June 28^th of that year free. On that very day, there was a live press conference in Detroit's Statler-Hilton Hotel, which was also the first time in history that 14 cities were connected simultaneously via phone line.

 

Chevy GM Pete Estes than announced the new car line that we have grown to love so much here at Chuck Hutton Chevy of Memphis: the Camaro. The 6th-generation model was introduced 4 years ago and saw a thorough refresh last year. GM Authority excitedly served up the scoop this week that production of the 2021 Chevy Camaro is now underway. It will continue to take place at the GM Lansing Grand River Plant in Michigan, the only plant in the world that exists to assemble our favorite muscle car and track-ready contender.

 

Production began on August sixth, And the 2021 Camaro will see a few different changes, like the new addition of the 10-speed automatic transmission to the SS 1LE Track Performance Package, which previously was only available with the six-speed manual. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will now see wireless capability, as well as being standard equipment on all Camaro models. We know just how strongly that auto purists feel about the coming of electrification to the fleet, and we understand! At this point, it is not quite clear what will happen to the Camaro after its sixth generation, but we can guarantee that even if more amps and volts are involved as a power source, it will still be startlingly fast.

 

As horsepower stats have risen and tech features have progressed monumentally, we all still love to rehash memories about some of the Camaros from the past that were our favorites, even as beautiful new models are where are main attention is focused. Introduced in 1970,  the second-generation Camaro was built through the 1981 model year and was based on the F-body platform. Road and Track selected the 1971 SS350 as one of the ten best cars in the world that year, and at the time this model won over thousands for its sheer brute attitude and looks that you just wanted to polish over time and time again.

 

Three years ago the 1LE performance package returned to the Camaro, increasing the quality of handling and performance on the track. This allowed for a top speed of 205 mph, and lap time on the famed Nurburgring Nordschleife lap time of  7:16.4. It was also one of the first cars with a 10-speed automatic transmission, deeming it the most unique model in form. Since this year offered up its fair share of delays and surprises, we will keep you posted right here on the blog about when you can expect to see this new Camaro on the lot and get the pleasure of properly opening it up on the road during a test drive!

Future Features and Design Fast Facts: The Coming of the 2022 Traverse

Many of our most loyal customers here at Chuck Hutton Chevy of Memphis have long been asking about the new version of the Traverse: having had its best sales year ever in 2019, many are being won over by its practicality and comfortable ride. Now slated to be available during the third quarter of 2021, six safety features are now standard on all trim levels, as many other competitors will require upgrading to see them in their models.

 

The 2022 model boasts best-in-class cargo space, and completely designed front and rear fascias. Since its original debut in 2009, the Traverse has seen nearly 1.3 million units sold in the U.S., and it is the third most popular car on the Chevy brand list. There are now newly redesigned front and rear fascias, and new standard LED headlamps and tail lamps. The front grille has been updated, and there are 4 new wheel designs to choose from as well. You'll also see the availability of the Dual SkyScape 2-panel power sunroof with new rear power sunshade, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto now boast wireless options.

 

There is a new available 8-inch diagonal driver information center, wireless charging pad to easily stay poised and ready while on the go, and USB ports are now in all rows. The standard safety equipment for all trims now includes automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, forward collision alert, intellibeam, auto high beams, and following distance indicator. The 3LT, RS, and Premier now come standard with Adaptive Cruise Control, and a new Safety Alert Seat is standard on the Premier and High Country. The front end now bears just a bit more resemblance to the Blazer, by incorporating the turn signal into the daytime running light.

 All Traverse models have three rows, and there is seating for 8 when configured with a 2nd -row bench seat, or 7-passenger seating when the second row is configured with captain's chairs. The 2022 Traverse is proudly made at GM's factory in Lansing, Michigan, where hard-working men and women oversee the process daily to assure that every vehicle rolling off the line is in the best shape possible. The new model has taken care of one issue that was heavily noted by customers in the past: below the gear selector is now a button to disable the idle start/stop system that shuts off the engine during stoplights.

The staff at Kelley Blue Book rated the layout and technology as “completely logical and simple to use”, and there is an optional 8-inch digital display in the instrument cluster that complements the standard central touchscreen display. The High Country trim could definitely be our favorite alongside the Premier: the chrome and 20-inch wheels do a fantastic job of rounding out a flashy appearance and vibe!