Monday, June 24, 2019

2020 Chevy Silverado HD Dominates Dodge Ram Heavy Duty in 18,000 – Lb. Towing Showdown


“The Great Pickup War” is one that is absolutely raging, and is completely affecting all brands and segments of the entire industry! We fully acknowledge here at Chuck Hutton Chevy of Memphis that much of Ford, Chevy, and Ram's assets have all been put to use heavily to roll out bigger and badder TV ads, and make sure that customers are aware of the features, upgrades, and stats such as towing capability. As we happily pointed out during our recent introduction of the 2020 Silverado HD, it can out-accelerate the new Ram Heavy Duty truck, even with the burden of an 18,000 – pound trailer in tow.

This data presented by those on staff at “The Drive” blog lays out the fact that a Silverado 3500 DRW accelerates faster from 0 to 60, 25 to 60, and 40 to 60 miles per hour than a Cummins – powered Ram 3500 DRW. Off the bat, the Ram boasts a higher torque figure than the Silverado, which one would think should make it more capable at


towing. The Silverado offers 910 lb- ft of torque on tap, while the Ram is the overall winner with 1,000 lb – ft. Despite the differences in actual torque, the Silverado claims a maximum towing capacity of 35,500 pounds, while the Ram is rated at 35,100.

Heavily upgraded drive-line components help the Silverado achieve maximum torque while in first gear, without the need to actually electronically limit torque. Both the Chevy and the Ram were compared at the Milford Proving Grounds, where both had an 18,000 – pound trailer attached, and then performed the acceleration tests. The Silverado got to 60 mph 2.6 – seconds quicker than the Ram by means of the more powerful high-output diesel engine.

More powerful than ever and jam-packed with smart technology, the all-new 2020 Silverado HD is designed and engineered from the ground up to take on the most demanding and rugged jobs. Built on the solid foundation of high-strength steel, this is the truck that offers up massive strength to handle the most daunting of tasks. It is thoroughly engineered with seven different types of steel, which each gauge having been very carefully scrutinized and selected to maximize capability for a truck that arrives off the lot poised to produce years of hard work. This amazing truck also offers an Integrated Power Takeoff Package on the Allison transmission and dual alternators on both engine options, making it easier to power commercial-grade accessories for the grind!

Tuesday, June 18, 2019

Feature Focus From GM Authority: 2020 Chevy Camaro LT1 Compared To the LT and SS


The warmer months have been officially here for some time now here for all of us at Chuck Hutton Chevy of Memphis, and hearing cars such as the Camaro roar down the street always gives us a pleasant shiver along with a smile! There is nothing as thrilling as seeing and hearing one of the most classic muscle cars ever doing its thing in the wild, free to roar, roam, and race unhinged. The LT1 model is priced beneath sworn competitors in the form of the V8-powered Dodge Challenger and Ford Mustang, and is also priced under the 2019 Camaro 1SS.

While certain features require buyers to bump up to 1SS and 2SS models, the point of the 1SS was to provide an option that was affordable to those out there who very understandably want the benefits of a Camaro with a V8 engine. The engine on the 1LT I4 is the Turbocharged 2.0 -L Inline 4, and the 1LT V6 features the Atmospheric 3.6-Liter V6 LGX. This LT1 is powered by the atmospheric 6.2-Liter V8 LT1, and the upgrade to the 1SS offers the same V8.

Horsepower resides at 275 for the 1LT inline 4, 335 for the 1LT V6, and 455 respectively for both the LT1 and 1SS. Torque specs when the dust clears are 295 for the 1LT inline 4, 284 for the 1LT V6, and 455 lb-ft for the LT1 and 1SS. To snag up Magnetic Ride Control you need the 1SS, and the LT1 and 1SS are also the two models that step up to Brembo 4-piston brakes: they are front only on the LT1, and both front and rear on the 1SS. The 1SS is the only model that offers up the summer-only tire variety, and the LT1 is the only model that does not offer availability of the 1LE Track Performance Package.

The 1SS model comes with an 8-inch radio screen, and all other three stock the 7. This is actually a very sensible way to get those who are hungry for a V8 to join the party: the LT1 makes do with a single-zone automatic climate system, and FE3 suspension, and the 7-inch touchscreen radio, but bestows the V8 inside for pure unadulterated power. One could obtain this model, dump a bit of their own money into it, and thoroughly enjoy a souped-up and very personalized ride. No matter what the various opinions are on the street about the front end that has changed a bit as of late, The LT1 is, by all means, a stripped-down model that delivers on the performance factor, all without breaking the bank!

It was during April 1965 that the reports began running within the automotive press that Chevy had successfully gone under wraps to produce a hefty competitor to the Ford Mustang, then code-named Panther. After many in the industry were a bit puzzled by the telegraphs and multiple press releases generated by that endeavor, an era was born, and the existence of the Camaro was given an amazing entry point. The spirit lives on with the desire that any track-hungry contender has to upgrade to the V8, and we stand firmly by the mantra that anytime is a great time to add more units of unparalleled power to the mix!

Tuesday, June 11, 2019

Motor Trend's Frank Markus's Opinion on The 2019 Blazer: “I'll take the Camaro of SUVs, Please”


The consumer of today asks themselves many questions during their decision, and since the popularity of the SUV has risen by epic leaps and bounds, which one they should buy is frequently at the top of the list. Frank Markus of Motor Trend is an engineer who has a large amount of love for cars and gadgetry and is also one who touts the belief that many of today's crossovers look very ugly and plain. He owns a place on a lake, and sometimes has the need to hitch up a rented trailer for landfill runs, or hauling various other items.



After illustrating quite well the factors that went into his very own “Decid-O-Meter 9000” including budget, Michigan location, and practicality, he thought that the decisive end result of the 2019 Chevy Blazer AWD Premier was fitting. The 3,500-pound tow rating was one of the traits that ranked the Blazer above the 2020 Explorer Limited Hybrid, and the sporty appearance of the Blazer also was a good match for his expectations. People are choosy about their car interiors, and why shouldn't they be? This is where they will be spending a lot of their “go time”, and their mood will reflect heavily upon the makeup of where they spend their time in transit.


Since the Blazer Premier offered the Maple Sugar and Black option featuring piping, stitching, grain, and gloss, it also met his wish of not having a dull all-black or all-grey interior. Frank also added the “Driver Confidence” package, which provides wireless charging for the iPhone 8, full adaptive cruise and forward collision mitigation, Intellibeam lighting, as well as compartment shade and net. Once he got out on the road for some serious testing, he immediately thought the handling was better and more responsive than on his beloved Hemi-powered 2018 Dodge Durango, and all-around quicker than the racy Ford Edge ST. All said and done, he felt like he was at the helm of a “taller, easier to see out of, vastly more useful V-6 Camaro”, and really felt  that he had found a perfect choice for his around-town driver.

Many of our repeat customers here at Chuck Hutton Chevy of Memphis have asked us to point them in the right direction when it comes to looking at a crossover SUV. The current landscape offers many different choices, and each unique lifestyle poses different needs when it comes to a vehicle. The crossover The new Blazer effortlessly evokes the functional style of a family-friendly sports sedan, while at the same time providing a capable ride as a weekend-ready and fully-fledged SUV.

Once you have a look at the interior, it's true what many others who have completed a test drive say: the vent rings surprisingly have a pretty heavy bearing on the overall vibe of the vehicle. They bear a very close-knit resemblance to the sporty Camaro, and much attention to detail was laid out to have a finished result that immediately commands the onlooker's sight line. Make sure you check out the Blazer RS when you visit us here this summer: it is fitted with a quicker steering ratio, and well-fitting 21-inch wheels. With the back seat folded down, there is 64.2 cubic feet of storage, and the capability to get your family around town with ease while enjoying the muscle car design will no doubt have you sold on the current Blazer's swagger and stance!

Monday, June 3, 2019

Motortrend.com Confirms Smaller-Sized Chevy Trailblazer to Arrive in 2020


The return of the Trailblazer namesake has been dominating the web and newswires this year, as customers just like our loyal Chuck Hutton patrons nationwide prepare to have another option to choose from while browsing on the lot. Earlier this year, Motor Trend officially broke the news that the name was going to be brought back. Then in April, the Trailblazer's revealing took place during the monumental Shanghai Auto Show. At the time, it wasn't commented on regarding whether or not the Trailblazer would come to the states as well, but now it's officially been told that the Trailblazer will make it's return to the U.S. For the 2021 model year.

It was confirmed that the Trailblazer would slot between the Equinox and the Trax, and that automatic emergency braking with lane assist and pedestrian detection will come as standard. We are excited for the arrival of this great design that will enable a very thorough amount of personalization, and an RS trim that comes with a super cool and authentic two-tone roof as standard. More news will probably be heard at the Lost Angeles Auto Show in November, as everyone will be able to feast their eyes on the crossover that Car and Driver claims is “pleasantly boxy, stylish, and classic.”

It shares the same aggressive front grille tiered headlights, complex side surfacing, big wheels, and black body cladding of the Blazer, and it is expected to have a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is expected to be standard, with all-wheel drive as an option. The folks on staff at Jalopnik rated this at first sight as a “Camaro face on a crossover body”, and we actually contest that we love this comparison! We love to brandish the fact that we think the Camaro is the best pony ever created by car engineers, and that it comes out on top of the Mustang when the serious street racers offer their own two cents!

Fans of vehicles such as the Jeep Wrangler will want to pay close attention: this IS a legit savior for those looking for something that may be just a slight touch less off-roady. We know full well that the original Blazer was one of the vehicles that really defined its own niche with one of the most rugged flairs in existence: introduced during the 1969 model year, the K5 Blazer had “full convertible” removable tops until 1975, and many flocked in great numbers when the fullest-size Suburban came to market. Don't feel too upset about the fact that some are deeming the flavor of the coming Trailblazer a bit urban: this snug and capable crossover will be the perfect means of getting around Memphis and the surrounding areas without any snags: It's the perfect example of what happens when a legendary and trusty troubadour finds its way to excel in today's demanding market! 

Tuesday, May 28, 2019

Motor Authority Reports on 2020 Silverado Range-Topping V8's Power and Prowess


The largest and proudest rigs on the road are truly in “boss status” as far as offering up the goods while bearing testament to their own credibility, even as the emergence of the mid-sized truck sees a rise in popularity. The 2020 Chevy Silverado will now be offering more trims in the V-8 variant, now including the Custom Trail Boss. Since this is one of the more inexpensive Silverado models, this is a significant development for the fall market, and it also includes plenty of off-road gear. Each custom Trail Boss comes equipped with a factory 2-inch lift kit, Z71 off-road package, skid plates, Rancho off-road shocks, and Goodyear off-road tires.


The 10-speed automatic transmission is also now mated to the mid-range 5.3-liter V-8 engine in LT Trail Boss Trim. Buyers will now also be able to order a Silverado right here at Chuck Hutton with the 3.0-liter Duramax diesel engine, and the 1500 will see the addition of optional adaptive cruise control. Many truck buyers first set their sights on a heavy-hauling piece of amazing machinery because of the tow loads they need to handle: if that's the case, you're going to love the trailering package that provides 15 unique camera views to help get the job done. By means of the accessory trailer-mounted camera, Silverado owners can also unlock valuable transparent trailer feature, allowing you to virtually see right through both the truck and trailer.

What is so exciting regarding the 2020 Silverado is that it is by leaps and bounds the strongest and most advanced model ever designed for our proud brand name. As customers have upped their own personal demand for more features, technology, and capability, it's a new release that really steps it up universally. Possessing the most towing ability of any light-duty pickup while still brandishing more than 400 horsepower makes it a very viable option indeed for haulers, road crews, contractors, and ranchers that are giving their task a solid and hearty 110% before the sun even comes up.

Chevy engineers actually began with an entirely clean-sheet design for this Silverado, a feat that requires a huge amount of patience, insight, and an abundance of bravado along with brainpower! An all-new engine was developed that properly leverages the efficiency and refinement advantages of the inline-six-cylinder makeup, and adds in emissions technologies as well as advanced combustion to optimize efficiency and performance. Next year's Silverado will also be equipped with smart trailer technology that will allow access to select features of the dynamic iN-Command Control System from ASA Electronics.


The Silverado is also finally available with Adaptive Cruise Control Camera: this high-mounted camera behind the rearview mirror is constantly scanning the road and putting to use algorithms that will keep a safe distance between you and the vehicle ahead. As long as it has lived on prominently in America, the full-blown spirit of the truck is just getting started: we can't wait to show you just how many hefty and haul-ready tasks the Silverado will consistently win big at, and display resiliency along with robust and raw power!

Thursday, May 23, 2019

CarBuzz.com Details Silverado's Six-function MultiPro Tailgate Addition




As spring has most definitely found its way to Tennessee, all of us on staff here at Chuck Hutton are fully immersed in the trenches for what has been an “all-out truck war” for quite some time now! The heavy-duty aspects of the lineup are absolutely included, as we know that the Ford F-150 and the Dodge Ram are poised and ready in their respective defensive perches. Every single innovative feature that customers find useful is of help, and we have all observed that the 2020 GMC Sierra HD's brandishing of the six-function MultiPro Tailgate will now come standard on the SLT, AT4, and Denali models.

So it's not surprising that many reached out to us wondering if the new Silverado HD will have this very useful feature, and courtesy of the folks on staff at the CarBuzz blog, we found out that it will! According to GM Authority, they had recently spied a camouflaged 2020 Silverado HD prototype, and after taking an extra-close look, the MultiPro tailgate was on board. At a close look behind the prototype's tarp, the MultiPro's cut lines were visible, and GM Authority also has reason to believe that the MultiPro tailgate will also become an option for the light-duty Silverado 1500, though it is not known exactly when.

It definitely makes quite a bit of sense for the Silverado 1500 to get this resource for the 2020 model lineup, since the Ram 1500 now has a trick tailgate of its own, and we can be pretty sure that Ford will have its own version to play a hefty part in the battle. This MultiPro tailgate has undergone more validation and thorough testing than any tailgate in GM's history, and is just one of many new advancements that helps a hard day on the ranch or job site that much easier.



You can open the primary gate from inside the truck or from a button using the key fob's power release, and while it is open the load stop helps prevent cargo from unexpectedly sliding out of the box. The inner gate also folds into a large step providing easy entry and exit from the box, and boasts a hefty maximum weight capacity of 375 pounds. The opened inner gate also provides a work surface as well as second-tier loading, and the MultiPro tailgate is operated via a touchpad with two buttons, which is located at the center of the tailgate just above the GMC logo. The bottom button drops the entire tailgate, while the top button provides release for the upper part of the tailgate.

Interestingly enough, this idea began from a pool that was akin to “Shark Tank:” the team on duty was tasked by the chief engineers to come up with a new and innovative way to address a customer need. What they began with was a split tailgate completely in half, and it eventually evolved into today's version with the extra step. Making the final decision to not sacrifice a thing in terms of functionality, the new tailgate was born. It is for sure another feature that will make the 2020 Silverado that much more enticing, we were excited to see that it will be a part of next year's hefty and aggro hauling machine!

Monday, May 13, 2019

Motor Illustrated Officially Announces That The Trax Will Be Replaced by The Trailblazer



GM Product Communications Manager Phillipe-Andre Bisson confirmed to the staff of Motor Illustrated last week that The Chevy Trailblazer will replace the Trax as Chevy's entry-level SUV beginning next year. Everyone here at Chuck Hutton is not sure yet if the new model will keep the same look as the Trailblazer unveiled in Shanghai, but we're pretty sure it won't be too drastically different. We are already beyond excited about the decision to bring the Blazer back last year, and with this newly announced step regarding the Trailblazer, the name is being taken in a different direction.

The original Chevy Trailblazer was a hefty 3-row mid-sized SUV that shared its mechanics and parts with the GMC Envoy, and was sold from 2001 to 2009. It was then replaced by the current Traverse, and not much was heard about it again. It is now going to serve as Chevy's subcompact or urban SUV, going head-to-head with the Nissan Kicks, Ford EcoSport, and all-new 2020 Hyundai Venue. We are confident that a new name will help attract a more diverse customer base, and that those who are serious about finding the absolute perfect crossover SUV will be excited by the pricing and specs.

This article on Topspeed.com covers the announcement and the happenings at the Shanghai Auto Show, and they really liked off the bat how the front end is representative as to what you'd find on the Pony-proven and spry Camaro. The narrow headlight housings and two-tiered grilles are also a consistent theme seen across the product lineup. The model featured in this blog article sports the very cool red-and-black color theme, and as you give the Trailblazer a long look, it resonates as a distinctively Chevy achievement: it is not just the telltale badge, but the way in which one can notice that it truly braced to stoke the absolutely fierce competition within its segment.

As a penchant for “big and bold” has grown steadily, there are buyers that are going for larger and larger by the year. The snug stance of the Trailblazer will have great appeal for those who are using it as a daily driver during the week and still may want a taste of adventure by means of a lengthy excursion during the weekend. We also dug up this video on YouTube that provides a great look at the exterior. As simple as it may seem, we have to admit that we love the closeups of the side mirrors on this one: they look awesome with the redline hue! We'll keep you posted here on any updates regarding the Trailblazer, and are excited about this new addition to our high-achieving and always-inspired lineup!