2018 Chevrolet Traverse – Road Trip Extraordinaire

 

Real-world testing of the all-new 2018 Chevrolet Traverse included loading up my family and trekking 350 miles across the state of Illinois and Indiana — a full load of passengers and cargo, traffic, rain, and boredom were no challenge to Chevrolet’s newest mid-size sport utility vehicle.

2018 chevrolet traverse picture in autumnAsk any busy family about the qualities that comprise an ideal sport-utility vehicle and their answer will likely include any number of these five words: comfort, room, capability, safety, and value. While many automakers can check two or three of those boxes off with their crossover offerings, few are able to effectively attain all five as comprehensively as the completely-redesigned 2018 Chevrolet Traverse.

Looking to test drive a brand new 2018 Chevrolet Traverse?  Call our Customer Care Team at 630-898-9630 to set up your V.I.P. Demo Drive.  Or, browse our website to find your perfect SUV.

Confirming my statement, I recently loaded my family into Chevrolet’s newest mid-size SUV for a 350-mile road trip from Chicago to Purdue University, and back, to visit my son during the school’s ‘Parent’s Weekend’ celebrations. I planned on an easy three-day journey, but heavy traffic, inclement weather, and keeping all occupants entertained during hours of passing cornfields presented its challenges.

2018 chevrolet traverse suitcasesIt’s not your eyes playing tricks on you — the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse has grown over the years to be longer than the Chevrolet Tahoe, which is the company’s traditional body-on-frame sport utility. Not only is it longer, but Traverse also has more interior room and it rides on a longer wheelbase (stretching the wheelbase typically improves the ride). Adding in the fact that the Traverse is built on a unibody chassis – just like a passenger car – it will drive more like a family sedan than a work truck. That said, while there are still plenty of times when I’d recommend the traditional Tahoe (e.g., someone who tows frequently, or spends a lot of time off-road), most families will be better served by today’s Traverse.

The family-friendly approach is immediately apparent when passengers climb into the cabin. The automaker offers seating for up to eight, but the Traverse I was driving (“Traverse FWD 3LT Leather”) was configured for seven, which meant it had the convenient captain’s chairs in the first and second rows. For families that don’t need eight-passenger seating capacity, I highly recommend this configuration as it significantly eases access to the last row through the middle two when the doors are shut (Chevrolet’s Smart Slide Seating, on the second-row passenger side, also allows the seat to effortlessly slide up and forward to ease access to the third row from a parked position).

A large center console opens to reveal generous storage space for personal items and the pockets on the doors are also over-sized to accept water bottles and more. There is also a secret compartment behind the infotainment screen – electric motors lift it up for access – that can be locked with a secret PIN, if desired. Overall, the Traverse offers no shortage of places to stuff/hide things for easy retrieval.

Chevrolet offers the Traverse with a choice of engines. Most will be fitted with the standard 3.6-liter six-cylinder, which is rated at 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Optional (offered on the premium trims) is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, which develops 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Both engines are mated to a slick-shifting 9-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, but those who tow (with the Trailering Equipment package and a V6, it will tow up to 5,000 pounds) or find themselves in challenging weather will want to opt for all-wheel drive.

2018 chevrolet traverse in trafficDeparting O’Hare airport in a front-wheel drive Traverse, southbound to Purdue, highway traffic crawls to a halt nearly immediately. I reach for the Adaptive Cruise Control – a lifesaver (and safety cushion) in these conditions – and the 3LT trim doesn’t have it. Frustratingly, Chevrolet only offers it on the premium High Country trim. (I recommend the aforementioned ACC and upgrading to the Driver Confidence II package, which bundles Low Speed Forward Automatic Braking, Forward Collision Alert, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Following Distance Indicator, Front Pedestrian Detection and IntelliBeam headlamps.) There is too much congestion for the standard ‘one speed’ cruise control, so my right leg is going to get a workout.

Nevertheless, the 9-speed automatic and 310-horsepower V6 make easy work of the stop-and-go traffic. Highway travel at speed is painless, as the engine feels like it is barely working when the transmission shifts into a tall overdrive. Off the highway, the Traverse feels quick off the line – figure a 0-60 mph sprint in less than seven seconds. However, aggressive acceleration (e.g., passing on a two-lane road) requires the transmission to kick-down a couple gears every single time. My experience says the smaller turbocharged engine will have a bit more punch thanks to the torque from its turbocharger, but in real-world practice it will be thirstier around town. (While I noted 25.8 mpg during one 133-mile high-speed stretch in the V6, the overall fuel economy for the 345.2-mile trip was exactly 22.0 mpg – not bad when you consider a great deal of that was around town and the engine makes a stout 310 horsepower.)

2018 chevrolet traverse picture rear viewRain that evening had me second-guessing the front-wheel drive powertrain, which is the standard driveline. Yet the surefooted Traverse never put a tire wrong on the chilly, wet, surfaces (many covered in slippery leaves). Non-intrusive traction control ensured that wheelspin — a frustration with most front-wheel drive vehicles — was minimal. Thankfully.

While the engineers at Chevrolet never engineered the Traverse to be sporty, the new model is significantly lighter than its predecessor – a significant 350 pounds. Removing that mass and recalibrating the suspension means that the sport utility feels lighter and it handles better. I deliberately took some curvy back roads while heading to West Lafayette, and my passengers put up protest about my spirited driving long before the chassis showed any signs of angst.

The cabin of the Traverse is quiet and comfortable. Driver and front occupant both have supportive seats (8-way power for the driver, and 6-way power for the passenger) that feel great, even after hours in the saddle. The view out is commanding (one reason why families love crossovers), with big windows and tall seating positions for all. Even at night, when I often find myself hunting around for buttons and switches in a darkened cabin, everything was easy to find. Again, kudos to Chevrolet for the traditional “PRNDL” transmission shift lever that doesn’t require the operator to look down when operating it.

My kids also liked the second row accommodations, really enjoying the inboard armrests on the seats and large storage compartments molded into the door panels. They also commented about the USB/power options on the rear of the console and the strong 4G LTA Wi-Fi hotspot, which kept both of them busy on their devices during much of the drive. It’s worth noting that the captain’s chairs are far enough apart that they were able to put a few bags on snacks on the floor between them — no complaints, whatsoever.

Chevrolet fits all Traverse models with a standard rear camera, Rear Park Assist, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. More sophisticated safety technology, including Adaptive Cruise Control, Pedestrian Braking, and Forward Collision Alert are optional on premium trim levels (I’d prefer that Chevrolet offered those on the standard trims, too). The NHTSA gives the 2018 Traverse its highest 5-Star overall safety rating, which is additional peace of mind if the unexpected happens.2018 chevrolet traverse dashboard

I’d be doing shoppers a disservice if I failed to mention that Chevrolet also fits all Traverse models with its Teen Driver Technology. This built-in system – no subscription required – helps parents keep track of how their teens are driving. Consider it a post-drive report card, which is an excellent way to open up a dialog about safe driving practices. On a similar note, OnStar, which is Chevrolet’s satellite-based connectivity, is also standard and it comes with a complimentary five-year basic plan.

With a base price of $30,875 (incl. destination), and a very reasonable as-tested price of $44,185 for my 3LT trim, it goes without saying that I put the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse high on my crossover recommendation list. Three days behind the wheel proved to me that it checks the requisite boxes for comfort, room, capability, safety, and value, while my smiling family confirmed that I wasn’t the only one satisfied.

Source: 2018 Chevrolet Traverse, The Family Road Trip Extraordinaire

Congrats to Ron and Tracy from Ron Westphal Chevrolet

Congrats to Ron & Tracy from their salesperson Richard Graham and all of us at Ron Westphal Chevy!

Posted by Wesley A Westfall on Saturday, January 20, 2018

Congrats to Ron and Tracy from Ron Westphal Chevrolet and welcome to the family.  Salesperson Richard Graham did a great job!

Looking for a vehicle?  Call Richard Graham at 630-898-9630 or visit us online anytime!

MPG in 2019 Chevy Silverado pickup truck

MPG in 2019 Chevy Silverado pickup truck

MPG in 2019 Chevy Silverado pickup truck has been boosted!  It looks like GM’s investment arm, GM Ventures, has borne some real-world, fuel-saving fruit.

Sophisticated engine-control algorithms under the hood of the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado full-size pickup truck, which make the truck’s V-8 engines more efficient, came from work done by a company GM bought in 2012.

That year, GM Ventures sank an undisclosed amount of cash into Tula Technology, a Silicon Valley startup that had developed software to provide a more flexible way to deactivate individual cylinders under varying power demands.

In the outgoing generation of GM full-size pickups, cylinder deactivation can reduce the number of cylinders used from eight to four to save fuel.

However, the technology from Tula gives powertrain engineers the ability to vary the number of active cylinders from one to eight.

Tula’s “Dynamic Skip Fire” technology couldn’t be possible without the power of the latest processors for automotive computing.

At the time of its investment, GM said the software would boost fuel economy by as much as 15 percent over engines without cylinder deactivation.

Tula’s technology—now called Dynamic Fuel Management—will be used on the two V-8 engines announced so far for the 2019 Chevy Silverado, though not on the new 3.0-liter inline-6 turbodiesel also announced.

The company said at its launch the 2019 truck would have six engines and transmissions, though it gave details only on those three engines and a new 10-speed automatic transmission.

GM has used several other fuel-saving tricks in its trucks, including a spoiler atop the trailing edge of the cab roof and vents ahead of the front wheel wells that smooth the airflow around the front wheels.

The vehicles have also shed an impressive 450 pounds over comparably equipped versions of the outgoing Silverado generation, Chevy said when it showed the trucks before last week’s Detroit auto show media days.

While GM has not committed to electrifying its new full-size pickup truck, the other two Detroit truck manufacturers have.MPG in 2019 Chevy Silverado pickup truck new frame

Don’t want to wait to get your Silverado?  Call us now at 630-898-9630 or pick yours out now on our website.

Thanks for reading about MPG in 2019 Chevy Silverado pickup truck.  For more check out this Source: How Silicon Valley startup boosted MPG in 2019 Chevy Silverado pickup truck.  

Congratulations to salesperson Raul Rosario and his client Jorge!

Congratulations to salesperson Raul Rosario and his client Jorge!
Congratulations to salesperson Raul Rosario and his client Jorge!

Looking for a vehicle?  Ron Westphal Chevrolet can help.  Why not call Raul Rosario at 630-898-9630.  He’s friendly and he really knows his cars.  (And trucks)  Plus, Raul is very low-key and you’ll never feel pressured to purchase.  Or, visit our website 24/7.

Inline-6 turbodiesel in 2019 Chevy Silverado pickup to be built in Michigan

Inline-6 turbodiesel in 2019 Chevy Silverado pickup to be built in Michigan

The all new inline-6 turbodiesel in 2019 Chevy Silverado pickup is to be built in Flint, Michigan.

Looking for truck before July of 2018?  Give Ron Westphal Chevy a call at 630-898-9630 or visit our website 24/7 and pick out a fantastic value on a remaining new 2016, 2017 or 2018 Silverado.

The forthcoming diesel-powered 2019 Chevrolet Silverado will, without a doubt, thump with the Heartbeat of America.

During the new truck’s launch at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, GM product chief Mark Reuss hinted at a future announcement regarding the next-generation truck and the Michigan city of Flint, where it will be built.

Last week, General Motors kept that promise by announcing the new 3.0-liter turbodiesel inline-6 would be produced at GM’s Flint Engine Operations plant.

The news follows a 2015 announcement by GM revealing a plan to invest $263 million in Flint Engine Operations for a new engine line.

The engine line wasn’t specified at the time of that earlier announcement.

“The next-generation Silverado builds on the success of our current models, many of which are produced here in Flint,” said John Urbanic, Flint Engine Operations plant manager, said in a GM release.Inline-6 turbodiesel in 2019 Chevy Silverado pickup to be built in Michigan

“We are proud to expand the industry-leading diesel portfolio here in Vehicle City.”

GM’s decision to build the engine in Flint makes it the only diesel engine used in a light-duty pickup that’s built in North America.

The company’s smaller midsize pickup twins—the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon—are powered by a 2.8 Duramax inline-4 turbodiesel built in Rayong, Thailand.

 

Source: Inline-6 turbodiesel in 2019 Chevy Silverado pickup to be built in Michigan

January Chevy sales are strong at Ron Westphal Chevrolet!

January Chevy sales are strong!  Yessirreee, this month’s sales are brisk and we’ve still got over a week to go!

January Chevy sales are strong!  Check out this new 2017 Chevy Silverado at Ron Westphal Chevrolet in Aurora, IL.
Check out this new 2017 Chevy Silverado at Ron Westphal Chevrolet in Aurora, IL.

Financing as low as 0.9% for 72 months or 0.0% for 60  months on select new 2018 Silverado models is really jump-starting our sales for January.  We also have two 2017 Silverado models left in stock and ready for immediate delivery.

GM has also come out with some almost-unbelievable lease programs and we are advertising a new 2018 Silverado as low as $139 per month on a 24 month lease!  Visit our Truck Lease Specials page to find out more.

We’ve also just added additional pre-owned vehicle specials for the budget minded customer.  We have many different makes and models that range in price from a ‘beater with a heater’ to a luxury vehicle.

Our sales hours are from 9 am to 9 pm Monday through Friday.  Sales is open on Saturdays from 9 am to 6 pm.  And, even if you are not in the market for a vehicle, stop by for a Saturday oil change and browse around our showroom while you wait.  We’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have in person or call our customer care team at 630-898-9630.

Thanks for reading about January Chevy sales are strong at Ron Westphal Chevrolet.

Consumers Will Buy Fewer Vehicles but ‘More Vehicle’

want more vehicle

“This will be the year of consumers saying, ‘I want more vehicle,’ not necessarily a year of incremental sales increases,” says Jonathan Smoke, Cox Automotive’s chief economist.

DETROIT – Vehicle sales this year aren’t forecasted to match or exceed 2017’s, but expect to see consumers buying amenity-laden cars and trucks with higher sticker prices.

So says Jonathan Smoke, chief economist for Cox Automotive, owner of automotive marketplace digital brands such as Autotrader, Kelley Blue Book and Dealer.com.

If you’re looking for more vehicle, visit Ron Westphal Chevrolet in beautiful Aurora, IL.  You can call our customer care team at 630.898.9630 or visit our website anytime.

“This will be the year of consumers saying, ‘I want more vehicle,’ not necessarily a year of incremental sales increases,” he says at a Cox media event held in conjunction with the North American International Auto Show here.

Colleague Rebecca Lindland, Kelley’s executive analyst, agrees. “Transaction prices continue to increase, mainly because people are looking for well-appointed CUVs,” she says, referring to a hot segment with 34% market share.

Automakers and their dealers sold 17.1 million vehicles in the U.S. last year. Most forecasters say sales will ebb this year. Cox is predicting 16.7 million deliveries. Primarily because of an abatement of pent up demand, WardsAuto foresees sales of 16.4 million. Such numbers are subject to change as the year progresses.

Smoke notes new-vehicle sales faced challenges in the spring and summer of 2017 but ended the year with four strong months to pass the 17 million mark. The new-vehicle market enters this year in a healthier position because inventory levels – vehicles on dealer lots nationwide – were at 4 million units for most of 2017, but have trimmed down to 3.7 million, he says.

The average vehicle transaction price is about $34,000. Largely because of incentives, transaction prices on average are 93.4% of MSRP, says Charlie Chesbrough, Cox’s senior economist.

He cites various positive economic factors, including job growth and consumer confidence, as drivers of a continued vibrant auto industry. “A strong economy is the key to automotive sales,” he says.

Although his outlook overall is positive, Chesbrough has some concerns, potential higher loan interest rates among them. “If you do the back-of-the-envelope math, every 1% rise to the interest rate adds $13 to the monthly payment. That’s about $800 more for a 5-year loan.”

On the topic of people buying more expensive vehicles, Lindland, who formerly worked for luxury automaker Mercedes-Benz, points to today’s price of some pickup trucks. They are upscale enough to qualify as luxury products. Ironically, pickups once strictly were utilitarian, no-frills vehicles.

Today, “GMC offers eight different trim lines and customization,” Lindland says of the General Motors truck brand. “Some pickup transaction prices are $58,000 (and higher), because people want all the amenities.”

Smoke adds, “The future will be a truck story, as they continue to outperform on price and profits. The No.1 psychographic of Ford F-150 buyers is they want luxury in the vehicles.”

Only consumers of high wherewithal can afford luxury vehicles, yet many automakers rely heavily on those premium sales, he says. “Luxury is not for everyone, but it is the centerpiece for every successful (major) OEM.”

sfinlay@wardsauto.com

Source: Consumers Will Buy Fewer Vehicles but ‘More Vehicle’

Take a trip to the Chevy Mall

Take a trip to the Chevy Mall.

Visit Chevy Mall online to browse the latest officially licensed Chevrolet merchandise.

Or, visit Ron Westphal Chevrolet to see GM Accessories in person.  You can call us at 630-898-9630 or visit our website anytime.

Take a trip to the Chevy MallChevyMall is the official licensed products web site for Chevrolet, offering the largest collection of Chevy accessories, collectibles and wearables, anywhere!

ChevyMall was established in 1998 to provide a place for Chevrolet and Corvette enthusiasts to shop for the latest in Chevy Gear from their favorite brands. From Corvette, Camaro, Chevy Trucks and Crossovers, to the great Muscle Cars of the 60’s & 70’s, as well as to the famous heritage models from the 1930’s – 40’s and 50’s, ChevyMall offers only Officially GM Licensed Merchandise and Accessories.

ChevyMall is managed by Mall Services Group LLC via a license agreement. We are committed to bringing the newest designs and styles from all of the Chevrolet licensees to our customers, as well as maintaining the highest level of Customer Service! Mall Services Group also manages GMPhotoStore.

ChevyMall is located just north of San Francisco.

ChevyMall
615 Second St
Petaluma, CA 94952 USA

Chevrolet virtual dynamics lab

For the first time, Chevrolet will offer auto show attendees a behind-the-scenes look at vehicle testing through a 4-D virtual reality experience at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, which opens to the public on Saturday, Jan. 20.

“Chevrolet is committed to delivering high-quality, durable vehicles able to withstand some of the harshest weather conditions and most unique driving situations people encounter today,” said Alan Batey, president of GM North America and head of Global Chevrolet. “With this new Chevrolet Virtual Dynamics Lab experience, we are offering consumers the opportunity to be immersed in our rigorous testing processes and to better understand the capability built into our lineup of vehicles.”

Auto show guests are invited to visit the Chevrolet display to experience the Virtual Dynamics Lab, a curated 4-D experience that offers a virtual 360-degree, front seat passenger ride through a variety of courses including gravel roads, extreme temperature labs and rock climbs that you would find at GM’s testing facilities.

Testing at a glance:

  • The all-new 2019 Chevy Silverado will accumulate 7 million miles of testing and validation before we deliver the first truck.
  • GM’s Milford Proving Ground (MPG) test facility comprises 4,000 acres of surfaces that equate to 137 miles of 2 lane road, the distance from Detroit to Fort Wayne, Indiana.
  • Vehicles are tested in chambers capable of simulating extreme environmental conditions, including temperatures from -40 degrees to 130 degrees Fahrenheit, altitudes from -700 to 12,500 feet., humidity from 10 to 90 percent and wind speeds from 0 to 100 mph.

The Chevrolet Virtual Dynamics Lab 4-D experience will be open during normal hours on public show days, January 20 to 28, 2018. For those under the age of 18, the minimum required height is 48 inches, or 4 feet. For more Auto Show information and hours visit naias.com.

If you would like to test a new or pre-owned Chevrolet vehicle vehicle in person, call our customer care team at 630-898-9630 or visit www.WestphalChevy.com.  

 

Chevrolet’s Big Bet: The Larger, Lighter 2019 Silverado Pickup Truck

2019 chevrolet silverado back viewCR previews the all-new 2019 Chevrolet Silverado ahead of the Detroit Auto Show, revealing new appearance, engines, and features.

The 2019 Chevrolet Silverado unveiling was arguably the most important event of this year’s Detroit auto show.

Find out more about the 2018 and all new 2019 Silverado at Ron Westphal Chevrolet.  Call our Customer Care Team now at 630-898-9630.

The Silverado is not only General Motors’ best-selling vehicle, but it’s also the second best-selling vehicle in the U.S., trailing only perennial rival the Ford F-150. And the F-150 was updated recently. Meanwhile, Ram is showcasing an all-new full-sized truck in the Motor City this week, as well.
2019 chevrolet silverado dash
In boasting about this ground-up redesign, Chevy poked fun at the F-150’s all-aluminum body, with Mark Reuss, GM’s vice president of global product development, saying a good pickup bed is just as important as a good hammer.

Reuss said not a lot of work would get done if you chose an “aluminum hammer.”The quip may play well with the target pickup-driving audience, but Ford has remained committed to what it describes as “high-strength, military-grade” aluminum for its bed and body—a combination that helped the F-150 save about 700 lbs. with its last redesign.

While the new Silverado does indeed have a steel bed, its parts that swing open, such as the doors, hood, and tailgate, are now crafted out of aluminum to trim pounds, something automakers do to try to increase fuel economy.

For a V8-powered Crew Cab truck, Chevy estimates that it has cut approximately 450 pounds from the Silverado versus the outgoing model through careful design and use of aluminum and high-strength steel. Chevrolet’s weight loss regimen should help boost acceleration, along with fuel economy.

Despite the hype around the Silverado’s new, svelter self, Chevrolet did not reveal fuel economy estimates during the event.

The new Silverado is designed to appeal to a wide range of customers, thanks to eight distinct trim levels (the same number of trims as before) that range from bare utilitarian to posh urban cowboy, and numerous powertrain options.

Features include not only 4G LTE WiFi capability and a wide range of smartphone apps, but also an industry first: a power tailgate that can be raised and lowered remotely, with a press of a button on the keyfob.

The current Silverado is competitive because of its quiet cabin, and relatively easy access thanks to its manageable step-in height. It benefits from an easy-to-use infotainment system. We expect these virtues will be continued.

The eight trim levels start with the classic Work Truck, a barebones model that targets commercial users. The Custom remains a simple truck, augmented with some cosmetic upgrades.

For those looking for a budget off-road setup, the Custom Trailboss adds a two-inch lift kit, trail-ready suspension, and upgraded tires. The midlevel LT dresses the truck up with chrome details, LED lights, and 8-inch infotainment screen. The LT Trailboss adds the off-road package to the LT, creating an upscale, yet adventure-ready model.

The top High Country has premium features throughout, from an exclusive grille to power tailgate, and everything in between.

A total of six engines will be available, including two V8s (5.3-liter and 6.2-liter) which can run on only a single cylinder to save fuel, thanks to the truck’s dynamic fuel-management system.

A 3.0-liter, six-cylinder diesel also joins the Silverado’s engine lineup for the first time. This engine will come paired to a similarly new 10-speed automatic transmission.

Drivability has been a shortcoming of the current Silverado, especially with the 5.3-liter V8, as it doesn’t always respond quickly when drivers seek more power.

Chevy made space for cargo and occupants a priority in redesigning the Silverado. The bed is wider than before and now features a total of 12 tie-down points, up from four. There is also extra room in the cabin, where the Silverado’s slightly longer wheelbase translates to several more inches of legroom for in the backseat in Crew Cab models.

Look for the 2019 Silverado to go on sale this fall. Exact pricing information and fuel economy figures will be revealed closer to the pickup’s official on-sale date.

Chevy didn’t release details on what advanced safety equipment the new Silverado will get, saying it will be announced later this year.

We look forward to pitting the new Silverado against the new Ram and see how they fare against CR’s current top-rated full-size pickup, the Ford F-150.

 2019 chevrolet white silverado

Source: Chevrolet’s Big Bet: The Larger, Lighter 2019 Silverado Pickup Truck