2019 Chevy Silverado Highlighted by Offroad.com as “Exceeding the Competition”

Many of our die-hard truck fans that frequent the lots and sales office here at Chuck Hutton are longstanding proponents of the V-8 engine. Why shouldn't they be? Power, grunt, and high efficiency have long been major “names of the game” as far as sales of new trucks are concerned. But as of late, trends have shifted a bit in favor of smaller engines that boast a bit better of a punch in the fuel rating category. For 2019 Chevy now boasts new volume models (LT and RST), featuring a 2.7-Liter turbocharged engine. Unlike the 2.7-Liter in the competing Ford F-150, Chevy's features a 4-cylinder, making 310 horsepower, and 348 lb-ft of torque.

Boasting the ability to nail down 20 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway, the good folks on staff at the Offroad.com blog thought now was the time to take it for a spin and reflect on the fine points. Right off the bat, they lamented that “thanks to some clever engineering, the turbo 4-cylinder in the Silverado accelerates fast, making the run to 60 mph a full second faster than the 4.3-Liter V6 it replaces.” The new engine up front is lighter as well, drastically improving the feel of steering, as well as feedback. Claiming after some lengthy spins that “this is the most balanced Silverado you can currently buy,” it is now evident that those of you who are spending more time in the city while driving could really benefit from the out-of-sight handling capability of these well-engineered new releases.

The average pickup buyer in this class has a need to tow around 5,000 pounds, and this Silverado sporting the 2.7-Liter turbo tows up to 7,200 pounds, with a max payload of 2,280 pounds. When put to the task around the test loop in Scottsdale, Arizona, this 2.7-liter 4-cylinder outperformed both the Ram's V6 eTorque engine, and Ford's base 3.3-Liter V6. The Offroad.com staff also was in full agreement that the Silverado possesses amazing off-the-line potential, and is clearly the champion when it comes to overtaking a rival at speed.

Ask us here at Chuck Hutton about the various trim options when you are ready for a seriously opinion-swaying test drive: this is truly the model with a 4-cylinder engine that “doesn't feel like a penalty box,” and still fares excellently while doing the day-to-day tasks any average truck driver has in front of them. We really enjoyed how this article claimed major supremacy to our rival in the form of Ford: standard features such as dual-zone climate control, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto support do not disappoint, as well as heated seats and steering wheel, and LT-model-included LED headlights. The miracles of modern engineering have drastically changed engine power and performance that was perhaps not taken seriously, and these new 4-cylinder Silverados are going to make a scorching statement of prime ability and punchy power!

ZR2 Race Parts Slated For Release Courtesy of Chevy Performance

Exciting expansion has taken place on the Colorado ZR2 Midsize truck's performance level: there are 15 new and ultra-souped up factory race components that have been developed courtesy of Chevrolet Performance engineering. The parts were developed by Chevrolet Performance engineering in collaboration with Multimatic and Hall Racing, and off-road guru Chad Hall had the honor of competing in a Colorado ZR2 that was equipped with these components over the last year, and the team successfully completed every mile during the “Best in the Desert” series, putting them to the test in the most desolate and demanding of elements.

Hall Racing also used the Colorado ZR2 to pre-run the incredibly demanding Baja 1000 race, which is a particularly brutal and tough dose of strain put on a truck's suspension. Now for the first time, anyone can purchase for themselves the Chevy Performance Parts that raced to glory in the desert. After observing the overall impressive performance of the Colorado ZR2, many loyal customers have been asking Chad for help and advice while constructing their own type of racing ZR2, and now you just need to add the required safety equipment to build a pre-runner for scouting the Baja 1000, or a full-blown race truck that is ready to participate in the gnarliest of conditions.

Compared to a standard Colorado, the ZR2 features front and rear tracks that have seen widening of 3.5 inches, and a suspension lift of 2 inches. Rocks and other obstacles are important elements to keep in mind in the off-road realm, and functional rock sliders are on deck for better delivery of performance in these areas. Other features that help when the going gets hazard-ripe and tough are standard front and rear locking differentials, an available diesel engine, and the very first off-road application of Multimatic Dynamic Suspensions Spool Valve.

Planted deep inside this fine machinery and steel, a set of Multimatic DSSV dampers engineered with quality that surpasses the bandwidth of the ZR2's stock DSSVs reside. There are also Available Multimatic Front Long Travel DSSV Shocks, that dole out as much as a 15 percent increase in the overall front suspension travel, while the Multimatic long travel rear shocks offer up rear suspension travel increase by as much as 10 percent. When you are talking about getting down to serious off-road business, this is definitely the medium that fully outfits you to get the job done: the front and rear shocks incorporate the same technology found on Trophy Trucks. These parts go on sale between now and early 2019, and are exclusively available to ZR2 customers a la carte, or as a complete package.

To check out the details on the various options available to make your ZR2 that much more rock-crawl and canyon ready, just click here for the goodies. This is the truck that Business Insider ranked as “robust and highly capable,” and will allow you to begin the journey to an exhilarating and equipped-to-the-nines off-road adventure!

ZR1 Corvette Hailed by Motor Authority As “Best Car to Buy 2019”

Every year, the seasoned editors of Motor Authority are lucky enough to place themselves in a brand new arsenal of sports cars and luxury sedans, and they are able to treat them as if they were theirs. This is a privilege that knows no boundaries: the chance to see the features of new vehicles and see how they perform on the various roads and tracks out there are invaluable to writers of this publication. This year they narrowed down their selection of strong contenders to five finalists, and the focus was ultimately on the Audi RS 5, the BMW M5, our beloved Chevy ZR1 Corvette, the Ford Mustang GT Performance Pack Level 1, and the Jaguar I-Pace.

After hours of comprehensive testing, a winner was announced, and the decision had swung in the favor of the Corvette. Finding the 755 horsepower overwhelming in a good way, the ZR1 proved to be very capable on the track, and accessible on the street. When put in skilled hands, this is a car that is capable of breakneck speed, and is built on the very exciting C7-generation's frame. The upgrades for the ZR1 add more elements of goodness, beginning most importantly under the hood, where Chevy added the 6.2-liter V8 that features a supercharger.

There is also 52 percent more displacement than the 650-hp engine present in the Corvette Z06, and the startling 755 hp is the most ever for any vehicle crafted under the prized Chevy namesake. Direct and port injection both work overtime to help churn out 715 lb-ft of tire-scathing torque. The uniquely designed front fascia completes the task of bringing in more air to cool a total of four radiators, and a specially-designed carbon fiber hood completes the task of supercharger clearance. Many diehard 'Vette fans have been righteously fascinated with not one, but two rear wings, that help increase downforce to attain more speed on the track, and carbon-fiber brakes that can slow down this lightening-fast vehicle in a dire hurry.

The staff of Motor Authority claimed after driving that “the torque from the LT5 V-8 comes on like a hammer when pushed hard, but the engine will stay in the background with a light throttle foot.” The brand-new ZR1 provides a bellowing sound that is unlike any other from previous models, and everyone here on the sales and service staff at Chuck Hutton of Memphis has heard various rumors that this car is simply not the handful on a track you'd expect, given the massive amount of raw brute force derived from the ingeniously-designed engine.

This is a very intensely-honed machine that you can place avidly on a dime, punish at very high speeds, then quickly switch directions with, leaving behind the fear of the tires losing their valuable grip. Also equipped with an 8-inch infotainment screen sporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated and cooled seats, and an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot, the 2019 ZR1 is a true supercar that is absolutely worthy of investigation. You won't find anything on the planet that can nail down track times like this at even twice the price, and we truly attest that “this is the stuff that high-speed legends are made of.”

Car and Driver Focus on Truck Tech: Tremendous Ways to Make a Rig More Trusty

When you take on the task of tracing the history of pickup trucks, one sees that for years the “form-follows-function” mentality was the name of the game. If a feature was discovered that did not improve the efficiency or capability of a truck, it was quickly deemed not worth putting into the production regimen. During the middle to late 20^th century, that principle began to steadily disintegrate, and convenience, as well as luxury features from cars, began to gradually work their way into the beds and cabs of trucks everywhere. Now, trucks that boast luxury-car levels of equipment are common, and the rise of frequent technology use has changed the face of trucks for good.

Everything from air suspensions for lowering the truck to built-in steps began to appear, and even though trucks still regained their traditional form, many different innovations began to checker the landscape. One prime example of just how far things have come is downsized turbo engines. Back in 1993, the Ford F-150 had a 302 cubic-inch V8, making just 185 horsepower, and 270 lb-ft of torque. This year, GM released a turbocharged 2.7-liter 4-cylinder for our trusty new Silverado that generates 310 horsepower, and 348 lb-ft of torque. Forced induction is one of the developments that is really taking the truck world by storm.

Trailers are one of the great perks of owning a truck: you can haul goods, or even choose to move the kids to college without ponying up for a formal U-haul. This is all well and good, until you may encounter forces of nature that make you sorry you had ever thought of this cross-country endeavor. High winds can really change your trailering plans in a hurry, as the trailer may be tossed around, potentially causing damage to anything you are trying so hard to transport safely. All of us here on sales and service staff at Chuck Hutton are proud to show customers how awesome the brake-based trailer sway-control system is: these factory systems will keep drivers from having a flat-out heart attack every time the wind picks up.

The 2019 Chevy Silverado makes use of a tow package that has cameras on hand to show close-up views of the hitch and trailer, displayed conveniently on the Infotainment screen. This can really make a huge difference: while it may not completely cut a two-or three-person job down to just one, it really can help with the extreme close-up and vital focus that is needed during the hitch process. It is fantastic that trucks have become so much more than just trucks, yet at the core are the exact same all-American workhorses that they always were. When you come to visit this fall and test drive a new Chevy truck, ask us to show you all of the amazing features: there are so many ways in which new technology has made the working man and woman's vessel more productive!

GM Authority Highlights the Chevy Colorado Delete, Boosting Haul Capability

Many truck owners in and around Memphis recognize the value in adding more space to a truck: sometimes the bed itself is not quite enough for the demands of the day. Gm Authority ran a feature on their blog this week about the current-generation Chevy Colorado, and the optional exit of the rear seat on certain models. This increases the storage space in the cabin, allowing more room for luggage, camping gear, tools, or whatever else you may want to keep safe in the confines of the cab.

Without the rear seat in place, you can keep valuable tools inside, safe from the elements, and less prone to thievery. The Chevy Colorado rear-seat delete is a factory options with RPO code “ATZ,” and you can check with us here at Chuck Hutton regarding availability and body configuration. The Colorado ZR2 Bison is the high-performing truck that Cnet.com deemed “built for survivalists,” and suited for those on the hunt for an overly extreme truck. The AEV-altered version comes complete with an on-board air compressor, water storage, and a bed rack for mounting your gear.

The “bruiser that was meant to venture on the off-road path,” the ZR2 Bison made quite a statement during the 2017 Specialty Equipment Market Association show in Las Vegas, back when it was first given the green light for production. Powerful protective skid plates that cover the fuel tank, transfer case, and front and rear locking differentials are one of the prominent traits that protect you while excitedly getting down to trail-blazing business. The Bison also reaps the benefit of an upgrade from the regular in the form of 31-inch Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac off-road tires, beneath larger fender flares, and mounted on brand-new 17 x 18-inch aluminum wheels.

Beneath all of the additions that AEV bestowed upon the ZR2, you still get to enjoy the tough-and-very-capable traits of the Colorado like front and rear locking differentials, Multimatic DSSV dampers, cast-iron front suspension control arms, and the Autotrac transfer case. The Newswheel.com highlighted the infotainment system upgrade you get to enjoy with the 2019 Colorado: 7-inch screens will now be offered in the lower trims, and 8-inch HD color touchscreens will be available within higher trim levels.

There is also a new USB port on the front console, which will have one Type-A and one Type-C data port, along with an SD card reader, as well as auxiliary input jack. Don't hesitate to ask all of us here at Chuck Hutton about the Luxury package: it now includes a heated steering wheel, perfect for getting started properly during the cooler of mornings the coming change in Tennessee weather may dole out to us!

The Drive Details Chevy Camaro ZL1's Domination of The Dyno

One quality of the Camaro that many here in Memphis and nationwide will always love is the fact that it is one potent contender on the track. Always holding down its status as one of the original ponies, there are many things about the Camaro that should simply stoke awe at any turn. Texas tuning professional John Hennessey has now developed a 3-tiered horsepower solution for the already very-dialed in Camaro ZL1: the entry-level package ramps horsepower up to 750, stage 2 nudges it to 850, and Stage 3 produces a scorching 1,000 horsepower.

The knowledgeable car aficionados at The Drive circulated this video showing the 750-horsepower version doing a stellar job of holding it down, with handling abilities on the road course proving that its abilities in the turns are hands-down the tops. What many are really excited about is the 1,000-horsepower Stage 3 variant, that comes with another 250 horses or so on diligent standby, and a fitting name to boot: The Exorcist. It is now very clear that this is one of the custom-built and primed-and-powerful models to take on the Dodge Demon head-to-head, and The Drive's Will Sabel lamented while giving it a spin recently that “You never realize how much pressing down on an accelerator pedal feels like pulling a trigger until your foot's on the gas in a car such as the Hennessey Exorcist Camaro.”

He also lamented that he was able to propel this dominating dream machine aptly through the quarter-mile in 9.57 seconds, and gloriously onto a top speed of 217 miles per hour, during a flat-out test at the Continental Proving Grounds in Uvalde, Texas. The much larger air intakes up in front of the car, massive 2.7-liter Whipple supercharger in place of the 1.7-liter, and everything from the valves and cylinder heads to the camshaft and pushrods have been completely reworked and rebuilt.

Said to have righteously undercut the Demon's 9.65 second quarter mile time, the Exorcist rings in right at 9.57 seconds. The prized ZL1 is the one that Car and Driver quoted as “track-tuned and ready to rumble” earlier this year, and we have been excited about the performance recorder: there is almost nothing that you can't track with it, in terms of honing your driving performance and making it absolutely perfect on your next outing.

The Zl1 was born back in 1969, when many dealers were able to use Chevy's COPO special-order system, to create racing-intended models deriving power from an aluminum 427 Big Block engine. We cordially invite you to come test drive any of our various Camaro stock: this is truly the car that challenges the most advanced sport coupes on the globe, with unprecedented levels of technology, track prowess, and exhilarating straight-line acceleration!

Kelley Blue Book Pits 2019 Chevy Trax Against Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

A reliable source for many for years on pricing, longevity, and features, Kelley Blue Book has always been keen on cluing readers in to the traits that make any model stand out above others. Compact SUV's have lately been a popular pick for many on the hunt for a new addition, and the 2019 Chevy Trax and Mitsubishi Outlander have both been head-to-head in many ways, vying for attention and ultimately sales. Matching up the two on the “all-important stuff” was bound to happen sooner or later, and as the review staff dug deep in, the peppy and fun-to-drive Trax jumped ahead in the race, displaying favored status off the bat.

The Trax is a fun-to-drive subcompact SUV that is packed with the best in modern technology, and has the positive characteristic of feeling very nimble and agile on the road. The front seats are roomy and comfortable for any trip you have planned that is longer than average, and the cabin is quiet at highway speeds. It also comes with 4G LTE wi-fi for web surfing needs while you drive, and is modern and attractive, while having ample room for passengers to spread out and get truly comfortable. The Mitsubishi Sport is a popular SUV on the smaller side that offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on its higher trims, and was ranked a bit on the low side by KBB for driver-assistance features. The base-level trim on the Outlander does not offer lane-departure warning, collision mitigation, or high-beam assist.

The Kelley Blue Book review also does a good job of pointing out that the Outlander Sport platform has not been updated since 2011, and the 2.4-liter engine that is offered on the SE and SEL trims provides much better performance overall. The warranty, styling, and manual transmission availability were ranked a bit better on the Outlander, but the Trax finished out overall ahead as the better buy. It is always a blast to drive, well-behaved on the road, and offers a suite of technology features that can render any commute an entertainment-rich and ultimate productivity zone.

The two vehicles both finish in fairly similar places as far as headroom and legroom are concerned, with our Trax coming in at 5 inches wider, and a 5-star instead of 4-star safety rating. Both models fit 5 passengers comfortably, and the Outlander Sport actually flaunts an engine that is 2.0-liter instead of 1.4 as is featured on the Trax. This is a 2019 SUV model that Car and Driver claimed was “tuned specifically for comfort,” and gave it massive props for a cabin that is surprisingly spacious.

These writers that have seen their share of the best and baddest from current SUV offerings also claimed that the Trax is a “leader for overall refinement,” and that the engine does a great job of fading to near silence on highway trips. Equipped with 10 standard airbags, this is an individual and flavorful SUV that will always provide you a cloaked sense of security, and assurance that you'll reach your destination safe and sound. Make sure to ask us about the Premier trim level: it adds driver aids, rear-obstacle detection, a power sunroof, fog lights, synthetic leather upholstery, power driver's seat, heated front seats, and the very-useful keyless access with push-button ignition!