Category: News

Automotive related news posted by Ron Westphal Chevrolet in Aurora, IL

SPIED! CHEVROLET MIDSIZE SUV PEEKS OUT FROM UNDER THE CAMO

SPIED! CHEVROLET MIDSIZE SUV PEEKS OUT FROM UNDER THE CAMO

Our spy photographers have caught Chevrolet’s new midsize crossover hot weather testing in southern Europe. Rumored to be named “Blazer,” the model will slot between the small Equinox and the large Traverse.

Looking for a Chevrolet Crossover?  Give us a call at 630-898-9630 or visit Ron Westphal Chevrolet online.

Although most of the crossover is covered up, we can see its narrow headlights and grille slats popping out from underneath the camo. These elements might not be ready for production, but they give us a better indication on what to expect for the final model. Also notice the model’s flat nose and upright rear end, which align with the rest of Chevy’s crossover lineup.

The new model will likely ride on the Chi crossover platform, which underpins the new GMC Acadia and Cadillac XT5. Chevrolet may employ a standard 2.5-liter inline-four engine as well as an optional 3.6-liter V-6 engine, paired to a nine-speed automatic transmission. Expect the Chevrolet model to compete against the midsize Ford Edge and Nissan Murano. Chevrolet’s new offering may debut at the Los Angeles auto show late this year or the Detroit auto show in January.

Crossovers continue to drive sales growth for the brand. In the first quarter of the year, when sales were last reported, the Traverse and Equinox were up more than 30 percent, while the Trax grew 11.6 percent. Chevrolet reported declining sales for the Camaro, Corvette, Cruze, Impala, Malibu, Sonic, Spark, and Volt.

Photo Source: CarPix

Saudi women drivers to receive 24/7 roadside assistance from Chevrolet

Saudi women drivers to receive 24/7 roadside assistance from Chevrolet

Saudi women drivers to receive 24/7 roadside assistance from Chevrolet
Chevrolet Middle East will help to put women in the driving seat by offering its 24/7 roadside assistance service to all female drivers in the Kingdom once the ban is lifted on June 24. (AFP)
  • Chevrolet’s roadside assistance will be available to all women regardless of the brand of car that they drive.
  • The roadside assistance program will start once the ban is lifted as part of the decree issued by King Salman.

JEDDAH: Chevrolet Middle East will help to put women in the driving seat by offering its 24/7 roadside assistance service to all female drivers in the Kingdom once the ban is lifted on June 24.
The service will be available to all women regardless of the brand of car that they drive.
Making this program available beyond the standard offer that comes with its new cars for four years, Chevrolet aims to deliver the same level of confidence to all women deciding to join the Kingdom’s driving community.
The roadside assistance program will start once the ban is lifted as part of the decree issued by King Salman.

FASTFACTS

Chevrolet’s extended 24/7 roadside assistance will be available for women drivers in KSA for eight weeks from June 24. The service will include recovery after an accident, flat tire changes, courtesy transportation to get drivers home, fuel deliveries of up to 20 liters, recovery after being stuck in sand, emergency towing, and battery-jump starts.

Molly Peck, chief marketing officer at General Motors Middle East, said: “Safety is part of our very foundation at Chevrolet and we continuously work to find ways to deliver on this promise to our customers, their cars, and their security on the road, and KSA is no different. Engrained in the Saudi community for more than 90 years now, we have been a constant companion providing dependable means of transport to both men and women, which is why extending our 24/7 roadside assistance program to all women drivers in Saudi was a natural step for Chevrolet.”
“With our #UpToMe campaign earlier this year, we greeted His Majesty’s announcement with optimism to recognize Saudi women’s new-found possibility to decide, emphasizing that from this June onwards, it’s up to them,” she said. “I am extremely proud that with this move, women exercising their choice to drive in the Kingdom can now have complete peace of mind thanks to the response, security and convenience of our 24/7 roadside assistance program, regardless of what brand of car they decide to drive.”
The regional roadside assistance program already offers 24/7 emergency services to customers across the GCC, Jordan and Lebanon.
In September 2017, a royal decree announced the end of a decades-long ban on women driving.
Saudi women nationwide are counting down to June 24 to make history and take the wheel. Some have already enrolled in driving lessons offered by five Saudi universities, while others exchanged their existing international license with a Saudi one.

If you are looking for a new or used Chevrolet in the USA, specifically Illinois, please visit Ron Westphal Chevrolet in beautiful Aurora, IL near Plainfield, Naperville and Oswego.  You can reach us at 630-898-9630.

Thanks for reading about

Saudi women drivers to receive 24/7 roadside assistance from Chevrolet

Source:  http://www.arabnews.com/node/1321541/saudi-arabia

2018 Chevy Tahoe vs 2018 Suburban Comparision

2018 Chevrolet Tahoe vs. 2018 Chevrolet Suburban Comparison

2018 Chevy Tahoe vs 2018 Suburban Comparision Tahoe pic

2018 Chevrolet Tahoe available at Ron Westphal Chevy

Starting Price: $48,745 | Price Yours

Above Average: Roomy first and second-row seats, spacious center console, two V8s

Below Average: Thirsty in the city (16 mpg); third row best for occasional use

Consensus: Nearly all the capabilities of a Suburban, but shorter and easier to wrangle around town

2018 Chevy Tahoe vs 2018 Suburban Comparision Suburban pic

2018 Chevrolet Suburban available at Ron Westphal Chevy

Starting Price: $51,445 | Price Yours

Above Average: Roomy in all three rows, tons of cargo space

Below Average: Only engine is the 5.3-liter V8; 6.2 coming in 2019

Consensus: Chevrolet knows how to build big SUVs, today’s version of the classic station wagon.

Chevrolet’s big workhorse SUVs, with rugged body-on-frame construction, like to work – be it schlepping the kids to school or taking the family on a two-week camping trip to Crested Butte, Colorado. Both of these luxurious SUVs seat nine people when the front bench is ordered, but if you want to carry people and cargo, the longer Suburban is a much better choice. Its third row is roomier, and there’s 39.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind that seat. There’s only 15.3 cubic feet behind the Tahoe’s. Both trucks are powered by an efficient 5.3-liter V8 with 355 horsepower that gives them impressive EPA highway fuel economy of 23 mpg. Only the Tahoe is available with a 6.2-liter V8. It has 420 horsepower and endows the Tahoe with a max tow capacity of 8,600 lb; Suburbans and Tahoes with the 5.3 are rated at 8,300.

Chevrolet Tahoe Advantages

Available 6.2-liter V8 with 10-speed automatic transmission, shorter length translates to easier maneuverability and parking in town

Chevrolet Suburban Advantages

Roomier third-row seat, more spacious cargo hold, longer wheelbase makes for a smoother highway ride

Similarities

These GM siblings, built in Arlington, Texas, are remarkably similar but differ mainly in size. They impress with their sophistication, comfort, connectivity and ability to work.

Final Recommendations

With Chevrolet’s two larger body-on-frame SUVs, it’s a question of which best meets your needs. The Suburban is the better people hauler; the Tahoe is an easier vehicle around town. Yet the Tahoe can tow a bit more because it’s available with the powerful 6.2-liter V8 and 10-speed transmission. Chevrolet, though, recently announced that the 2019 Suburban will be available with the same 420-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 and 10-speed. There’s no wrong choice here.

2018 Chevrolet Tahoe 2018 Chevrolet Suburban
Popular Powertrains
Engine 5.3-liter V8 5.3-liter V8
Horsepower 355 hp @ 5,600 rpm 355 hp @ 5,600 rpm
Torque 383 lb-ft @ 4,100 rpm 383 lb-ft @ 4,100 rpm
Transmission Automatic, 6-speed Automatic, 6-speed
Fuel Economy 19 mpg (16 city, 23 hwy) 19 mpg (16 city, 23 hwy)
Also Available 6.2-liter 420-hp V8
Specs
Warranty 3 years or 36,000 miles 3 years or 36,000 miles
NHTSA Overall Safety Rating 5 Stars 4 Stars
Max Seating Capacity 9 9
Wheelbase 116.0 inches 130.0 inches
Overall Length 204.0 inches 224.0 inches
Width 80.5 inches 80.5 inches
Height 74.4 inches 74.4 inches
Turning Diameter 39.0 feet N/A
Headroom, Front 42.8 inches 42.8 inches
Headroom, 2nd Row 38.7 inches 39.1 inches
Headroom, 3rd Row 38.1 inches 38.5 inches
Legroom, Front 45.3 inches 45.3 inches
Legroom, 2nd Row 39.0 inches 39.7 inches
Legroom, 3rd Row 24.8 inches 34.5 inches
Shoulder Room, Front 64.8 inches 64.8 inches
Shoulder Room, 2nd Row 65.1 inches 65.1 inches
Shoulder Room, 3rd Row 62.6 inches 62.6 inches
EPA Passenger Volume 122.4 cu. ft. N/A
EPA Cargo Volume 94.7 cu. ft. 121.7 cu. ft.

Thanks for reading about 2018 Chevy Tahoe vs 2018 Suburban Comparision.

by Sean Gerken | June 14, 2018 8:30 AM

Earn a $500 referral at Ron Westphal Chevrolet

Earn a $500 referral if you send us a client that purchases one of our new 2017 Chevrolet Corvettes.  We are high on inventory and low on space so all 2017 models need to go now!

$500 referral paid at Ron Westphal Chevrolet in Aurora, IL>$500 referral paid at Ron Westphal Chevrolet in Aurora, IL$500 referral paid at Ron Westphal Chevrolet in Aurora, IL

$500 Referral Rules:

You must contact our Customer Care Team at 630-898-9630 or one of our sales people or sales managers prior to potential purchasers contact with our dealership.

You must give Ron Westphal Chevrolet the name/phone number of the potential purchaser.  (Email would be good too!)

The client you send us must purchase one of our remaining new 2017 Corvettes and take delivery prior to 6.30.18.

  • Qualifying cars are stock # N17289, Stock # N17194 or stock # N17221.

No, you can’t call us after the Corvette has been sold and expect to get paid.  Nice try but nope.

Thanks for reading about our $500 referral program.

2019 Chevy Silverado turbocharged 4 cylinder engine

When Chevrolet’s all-new 2019 Silverado 1500 full-size pickup goes on sale this fall it will be available in a wider array of trims, each with its own distinct personality. The 2019 Silverado’s eight variants range from the bare-bones, aptly-named Work Truck to the fully-equipped, luxury-dappled High Country.

2019 Chevy Silverado turbocharged 4 cylinder engine RST front view Two lifted, off-road-oriented models will be in the mix and the Custom Trail Boss and LT Trail Boss are sure to be popular. The version that’s aiming to gain some street cred for Chevy’s best-seller, however, is the new 2019 Silverado RST.

Chevrolet has long offered RS (Rally Sport) trim on its car models from time to time, and even on its SUVs as of late, but this is the first Rally Sport “Truck” (RST). So equipped, the new Chevy Silverado RST is all about making a visual street performance statement. A monochromatic paint scheme with a body-color grille, front and rear bumpers, and side mirrors set the tone, and the RST lights the scene with standard LED headlamps, tail lamps and fog lamps.

The most intriguing thing about the new Silverado RST (and the LT trim on which it is based), however, is the standard engine Chevy is using: a turbocharged 4-cylinder.

Turbo four in a full-size truck?

Last January, Chevrolet unveiled the lighter, roomier, and considerably more aggressive-looking 2019 Silverado to the world but engine details were skimpy. That changed at a recent powertrain drive event at General Motors’ proving grounds in Michigan where engineers rolled out several 2019 Silverados writers could test against their 2018 counterparts.

The company was coy about what was under the Silverado’s hood. Chevrolet had previously announced that a Duramax 3.0-liter inline-six turbodiesel was coming but one press of the engine start button dispelled the notion that it was equipped with the new oil-burner. Initial acceleration response was similar to a V8 engine but there was no familiar V8 rumble. The engine also felt more enthusiastic in response to throttle inputs, and out on the road course this particular Silverado felt lighter on its feet, less nose-heavy over the track’s vertical swells and decidedly athletic.

2019 Chevy Silverado turbocharged 4 cylinder engine RST front quarter viewChevy could keep the secret no longer, and reporters in attendance were told that 2019 Silverados in LT and RST trim will come standard with a new double-overhead-cam, gas-fueled, turbocharged 2.7-liter 4-cylinder engine bolted to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The new turbo four will replace the carryover 285-hp 4.3-liter V6 in these versions of the Silverado.

With 310 peak horsepower and a robust 348 lb.-ft. of peak torque on hand between 1,500 rpm and 4,000 rpm, the new 2.7-liter 4-cylinder would seem to have the goods. But a 4-cylinder in a full-size truck? All I can say is my test drive made me a believer.

Folks with memories of laggy 4-cylinder engines in relatively heavy (5,000 pounds or so) vehicles need to revise their expectations. GM’s new 2.7-liter turbo four is a high-tech piece of engineering, featuring variable valve timing and lift. It also uses a twin-scroll single turbocharger with separate chambers (or volutes) that leverage the exhaust pulses of the engine to more quickly spool up the turbine wheel, especially at low engine speeds, reducing turbocharger response lag to a vague memory.

There are several other new features on the DOHC 2.7-liter’s spec sheet – an electric turbo wastegate, electric water pump, integral exhaust manifold forged-steel connecting rods, and an offset crankshaft come to mind – but variable valve lift is a GM first (until the next-gen Corvette comes along) and is especially noteworthy under the hood of a truck. There are three valve-lift profiles: low-lift for everyday efficiency, high-lift for max power, and an Active Fuel Management (AFM) mode that shuts down two cylinders under low-load conditions for maximum fuel economy.

The new 2.7-liter turbo 4-cylinder will run on regular unleaded fuel. GM will release EPA mileage estimates later this year.

Available 5.3-liter V8 with Dynamic Fuel Management

Chevrolet also debuts a new 5.3-liter V8 with Dynamic Fuel Management (DFM) for the 2019 Silverado. It is an option for the LT and RST trim levels, and the company allowed short drives in trucks equipped with this engine choice.

As was true in 2018, the 2019 5.3-liter V8 is rated to make 355 horsepower and 383 lb.-ft. of torque. DFM, GM’s new cylinder deactivation system, is engineered to improve the V8’s fuel economy. It works by idling as many as seven of the engine’s eight cylinders when they’re not necessary to deliver the power requested by the driver to maintain performance.

If this sounds familiar, you’re right. Since 2005, the Silverado’s V8 has been available with Active Fuel Management (AFM), a more basic cylinder deactivation system capable of idling four of the eight cylinders under cruising, coasting and low-load conditions. While AFM worked as advertised, fuel-economy benefits were minimal and extra astute drivers could hear the slightly sour note in the exhaust and feel the incrementally coarser engine character when the V8 was in V4 mode.

The beauty of the new DFM system is in how seamless it is. DFM evaluates the driver’s request for torque 80 times per second and responds with 17 different fractions or deactivation modes. If it weren’t for a dash-top digital readout device engineers hooked up for this driving exercise, which showed me the cylinders that were deactivated at any given time, I’d have had no clue there was so much going on behind the scenes. The 5.3-liter was smooth in operation, crisply responsive to throttle inputs, and as quiet as ever – even as the improvised display changed faster than a NYSE ticker.

Additionally, even though Chevy imposed a 60 mph top speed limit on my driving, the V8-powered 2019 truck felt a little livelier from the get go than did the 2018. That was probably more a function of the diet the 2019 model underwent, saving a few hundred pounds by switching from steel to aluminum for the doors, hood and tailgate.

Ultimately, what you need to know is with this more comprehensive DFM system, the 2019 5.3-liter V8 is in some form of cylinder deactivation more often than the 2018 engine was with AFM – about 9 percent more in GM testing. And that, in theory, saves more fuel.

Official EPA fuel-economy estimates will be announced closer to the truck’s on-sale date this fall.

Full-size trucks meet cyber punk

2019 Chevy Silverado turbocharged 4 cylinder engine RST rear view

With a surprisingly lively standard 2.7-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, this might be the most common view motorists will have of the sporty-looking 2019 Silverado RST.

(CHEVROLET)

Advanced engine tech is finally filtering into the full-size truck universe. The F-150 made its move a few years back with its 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 and this year Ram will roll out eTorque mild-hybrid versions of its 3.6-liter V6 and 5.7-liter Hemi V8.

Now it’s GM’s turn.

With the huge profits automakers are enjoying in this segment – the average full-size pickup sells in the $40,000 range today – there’s significant margin available to fund such projects. Tougher upcoming fuel-economy standards or not, the expectations of full-size truck buyers have changed, and big, old pickups with simple mechanicals will soon be a thing of the past.

Thanks for reading about the 2019 Chevy Silverado turbocharged 4 cylinder engine and the RST Silverado edition.

2019 Chevy Silverado turbocharged 4 cylinder engine RST driver front quarter view

View Source:   Daily News Autos.

Tech review: Chevrolet can help you keep tabs on your teen drivers

teen-driver-traverse-ron-westphal-chevrolet-aurora-ilApparently, summer is a dangerous time to be a teen driver.

According to AAA, that’s when most teen driving fatalities occur.

We have also entered the time of year when we start to see stories about children left in hot cars.

It’s good to see technology in new vehicles that directly addresses these issues.

I spent the last week driving the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse AWD Premier, and its passenger safety technology was impressive.

Teen driver

The Traverse was delivered with the teen driver feature enabled, which includes a number of features designed to help teens learn safe driving habits.

The teen driver settings are tied to key fobs, so when Mom and Dad use their keys, everything is normal, but when the teen key fob is used, there are restrictions.

When teen drivers start the vehicle, they’re greeted with a message that the audio system is muted until all front-seat passengers’ seat belts are fastened. Parents can also set a limit on the audio system’s volume.

Safety features like side blind zone alert, forward collision alert and forward automatic braking are enabled.

Teens can be limited to driving no faster than 85 miles per hour, and parents can set audible and visual warnings to appear when the vehicle drives over a preselected speed. My Traverse was set to nag me when I drove over 65 miles per hour.

The teen driver safety features are easy to set, and all of the teen driver preferences are protected by a PIN you can set yourself.

Once you enter the PIN, you’ll have full control over the teen driver settings, and you’ll get to see a report card.

The report card tells you how far the car has driven, the maximum speed driven, how many overspeed warnings were displayed, how many times the throttle was wide open, how many forward collision alerts were displayed, how many times the forward collision avoidance braking was invoked, plus a few other statistics.

The report card page can be reset, like a trip odometer.

The teen driver’s combination of safety features can’t be overridden.

When the driver delivered my Traverse, he went over all the teen driver features, including showing me how to set up a fob with the teen driver restrictions. I drove with the restrictions on for two days, then disabled it before we took the Traverse on a highway trip.

Rear seat reminder

As great as the teen driver feature is, I was more impressed by the rear seat reminder that is designed to monitor and alert the driver when anything is left in the back seats. It prompts you to check the back seat when you turn off the car.

If you open either of the rear doors before or during your trip, you’ll see and hear a reminder to check the rear seat.

I travel with a computer bag that I put on the back seat. I was glad to get the rear seat reminder to take it with me when I got out of the car.

Cameras

As of this year, all passenger vehicles sold in the United States are required to have backup cameras. Every time I drive a newer vehicle, I’m reminded of how much I wish my older Honda Fit had one.

The Traverse has cameras on all sides that can show the view as you back up as well as when you’re moving forward (at very slow speeds). You can turn on the camera views from the touch screen.

The side cameras are used in concert with the front and back cameras to stitch together a 360-degree bird’s-eye view from your vehicle. This was incredibly helpful in parking the Traverse, which is a big SUV.

I never had to open a door to see whether I was over the lines of a parking spot.

Also, the Traverse has a video screen inside the rearview mirror that can show you the view from the back camera even when you’re driving forward.

Driving assist

The Traverse is not a self-driving car, but it does have features that will make you realize we are not that far away.

The Traverse AWD Premier includes forward collision alert with automatic braking, lane departure warning and lane keep assist, which will physically steer the vehicle back toward the center of the lane if you drift over the line.

There are cameras behind the rearview mirror that look for lane lines. When the lines are detected, you’ll see a small icon on your dashboard to tell you that lane keep assist is working.

I tried it on the highway with no other cars around. I set the wheel to drift just a bit to the right, and as the wheels approached the lane line, the steering gently moved the car back toward the center of the lane.

A warning (with beeping) appeared on the dash after a few seconds, asking me to resume steering, which I did.

The Traverse can also tell you how far you are from the car in front of you while you drive.

Entertainment system

The Traverse’s OnStar entertainment system is robust. It includes AM/FM/SiriusXM and Bluetooth so you can stream music from your phone.

There is a wireless phone charger in front of the shifter on the console.

If you connect your phone with a cable (iPhone or Android), you’ll have the option of using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. These modes will put your phone’s apps up on the 8-inch touch screen. Music sounded great through the Bose 10-speaker sound system

The Traverse has a USB port for every seat, and the second row of seating also has a 110-volt AC plug to power your gadgets. I was surprised that the Traverse didn’t have any rear seat entertainment screens, but perhaps phones and iPads have made those unnecessary.

The vehicle had 4G LTE, which includes a Wi-Fi hotspot if you subscribe.

The LTE connectivity brings a slew of cool features to the Traverse for users of the myChevrolet app. Owners can start and stop the engine remotely, lock and unlock the doors remotely and send addresses to the navigation system, as well as access Wi-Fi settings and set parking location reminders.

About the Traverse

The 2018 Traverse AWD Premier has an base price of $47,350, but with options like a sunroof and all-weather floor mats for all three seating rows, the sticker price of the vehicle I tested was $50,065.

It seats seven passengers very comfortably, and all of the rear seats fold down for carrying a lot of cargo.

The Traverse is powered by a 3.6L V-6 with a nine-speed automatic transmission.

The first two rows of seats are heated, and the front seats are also air-conditioned. That was my favorite feature of all.

Thanks for reading about  Chevy teen drivers and the Chevrolet Traverse.

View Source:

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/business/technology/tech-review-chevrolet-can-help-you-keep-tabs-on-your/article_78121f04-b347-5cb9-8f0b-e83af300ebad.html

Ron Westphal Chevrolet Memorial Day Sales Event

Ron Westphal Chevrolet’s Sales Department will be OPEN on Monday Memorial Day from 9 am to 5 pm.

GM is offering $750 Additional Memorial Day Cash Back on select models.

Ron Westphal Chevrolet Memorial Day Sales Event equinox 2018 Equinox for only $99/mo.*

2018 Silverado 0% x 72 mo + $2,000 cash back, lease specials, huge rebates and more*

 2018 Chevrolet Traverse offers room for up to 8 adults with unprecedented incentives ending 5.31.18.

Call our Customer Care Team at 630-898-9630 to arrange your V.I.P. demonstration drive.  It’s fast, free and easy.  Your desired Chevy will be cleaned, gassed and waiting for your inspection and demonstration drive so you won’t waste your time waiting around.  And, you have no obligation to purchase.  So why not give V.I.P. a try?

 

 

*Low mileage 24 month lease.  $1,834 down plus tax, license and fees with approved credit.  Includes conquest.  Select model.  See dealer for details.  Ends 5.31.18.

*Silverado see dealer for complete program details.  May not be compatible with some other programs.

Mid-engined corvette

Mid-engined corvette

Just another prototype caught in the wild…mid engine corvette?

For as much as Chevy is keeping quiet about the mid-engined C8 Corvette to the public, it’s hard to deny the car is coming when we’ve spotted countless test mules out on the road. The automaker even gave dealers a brief peek of the car last month. This video is further proof development is ongoing, though we’re uncertain when plans to reveal it.

Research the Chevrolet Corvette

When Chevy gave dealers a peek, the user who dished all the details about what little he saw. He noted the Lotus-like hood and ZR1-like front bumper cover. That’s all he really said because that’s all he saw. From the photos and videos we’ve seen, the front is distinctly Corvette, while the rear end is wide – to fit the engine, naturally.

Just another prototype caught in the wild.

Mid-engined corvette

Now, what engine will lurk back there is up for debate. Rumors suggest a biturbo 4.2-liter V8 being the main powertrain, which is different from the same engine planned for the CT6 V-Sport that produces 550 horsepower (410 kilowatts) and 627 pound-feet (850 Newton-meters) of torque. In the mid-engined Corvette, the 4.2-liter mill should produce 650 hp. There are also rumors of a biturbo 5.5-liter with a maximum horsepower of 850 hp.

Rumors of a mid-engined Corvette are not new. Some go back decades with magazines hinting that we’d see one in just a few years. Twenty years later, and we’re still waiting, but it finally feels we’ll get the long-awaited mid-engined Corvette.

Looking for your very own muscle car?  Call our Customer Care Team now at 630-898-9630 or shop our website anytime.

Colorado zr2

colorado-zr2

There are very few people out there that need a 2018 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2. There is, however, a long list of people who lust over the truck, wishing the world would give them a reason to have to own it. It’s an understandable conundrum and a well-deserved sentiment for a midsize truck that can conquer nearly all the terrain a full-size Ford F-150 Raptor can.

  • Looking for your own Colorado ZR2?  Shop online or call our customer care team at 630-898-9630 today.

Despite its F-150 Raptor-like abilities, right now, the Colorado ZR2 competes mainly against the Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road. Soon, the Ford Ranger Raptor will come to market, setting the Colorado ZR2 firmly in its sights.

To bulk up the Colorado ZR2 for rough riding, Chevrolet, an arm of General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM), has added off-road specific appearance elements and equipment to their Colorado Z71. The tester I drove around for a week also came equipped with a Cajun Red paint job ($495), an upgraded engine ($3,500), off-road lights ($1,195), sport bar ($1,145), spare tire ($615), Bose audio system ($500), navigation ($495), chrome recovery hooks ($200), and trailer hitch ball ($35), which was added to the base price of $45,495 to give the truck an overall cost of $50,960 including $995 in destination and delivery charges.

The Chevrolet design aesthetic is prominent in and out of the truck, making the Colorado ZR2 instantly recognizable as being a member of the bowtie’s family. With its brutish face forward, the mandible-less truck stands out because of its prominent skid plate and height- it sits two inches higher on the road than your average Colorado. Its track is 3.5-inches wider than the traditional model. The handsome bulk of the Colorado remains the same in the ZR2, translating well into this more capable variant.

Under the hood of my tester was the optional 2.9-liter turbodiesel engine that is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. A 3.6-liter V6 mated to an eight-speed automatic comes standard. The truck is well served by the diesel powertrain, offering sufficient horsepower and torque for tasks both mundane and adventurous.

Capability, stability, and control are helped by the truck’s Multimatic Dynamic Suspensions Spool Valve damaping technology, which are also used in the Aston Martin One-77, 2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28, Mercedes-AMG GT, 2017 Ford GT, and 2018 Camaro ZL1 1LE. The result is a smooth ride, on or off-road. The truck handles a succession of speedbump-high obstacles at mid-speed quite handedly and without causing too much jostling, the same as it handles most potholes on city streets. On steep slopes, both upward and downward, the truck behaves brilliant.

Like many trucks these days, the Colorado ZR2 is quite agile. Whether you’re off-roading or dodging slower cars on the highway, the truck has the ability to pull it off with ease.

The two-inch suspension lift does make a difference when cornering, not in that the truck feels unstable, but it serves as a gentle reminder that you do have to mind your manners.

The Colorado ZR2 is big enough with the crew cab and short box to be capable of hauling around a weekend warrior’s worth of yard supplies from the local hardware store (about 10 bags of mulch and a couple trays of flowers).

The Colorado ZR2 does not lack modern conveniences, coming with OnStar 4G LTE Wi-Fi hot spot, Teen Driver, leather appointed power adjustable heated front seats with lumbar support, an 8-inch touch screen display, wireless device charging, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel all standard.

Let’s be honest, not everyone needs a Colorado ZR2. However, it is an attractive proposition for buyers who don’t want the robustness of a full-size truck but do want much of the capability. You might not need it, but you probably want it and if you get it, be prepared to pay a premium.

Source:  https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2018/05/15/automotive-minute-2018-chevrolet-zr2-is-the-slab.html