Ground clearance explained

The Chevy Tahoe and Chevy Suburban are all-new for the 2021 model year, introducing a wealth of updates and features, including GM’s Adaptive Air Ride suspension. Now, we’re taking a closer look at this suspension technology and how it affects ground clearance for both SUVs.

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To note, the Chevy Tahoe and Chevy Suburban offer Adaptive Air Ride suspension on 2021 and newer Z71 and High Country trim levels. The suspension provides numerous settings that are well-suited for a range of scenarios, both while driving, and while parked.

Listed from the lowest setting to the highest setting, these include:

Entry-exit ground clearance
Normal ground clearance
Increased ground clearance
Maximum ground clearance

Ride height adjustability varies several inches between each of the suspension modes, providing either easier ingress and egress, such as with the lowest entry/exit ground clearance selectable by the driver, or enhanced off-roading capabilities in maximum ground clearance mode, selectable when driving at low speeds in 4WD LO.

What’s more, the system will self-adjust, such as by lowering the ride height while cruising on the highway, enhancing aerodynamics and fuel efficiency in the process. Additionally, the system includes a self-leveling feature that will automatically adapt with four-corner load-leveling when packed up with cargo and passengers.

The question is, exactly how much ground clearance is provided with each mode? As it turns out, the ride height adjustments on offer with the Adaptive Air Ride suspension can significantly impact ground clearance, ranging from just 6 inches in the lowest setting and 10 inches with the highest setting.

Check out the table below for a complete breakdown of ground clearance figures for Chevy Tahoe and Chevy Suburban models equipped with Adaptive Air Ride suspension:

2021+ Chevy Tahoe, Chevy Suburban Adaptive Air Ride Ground Clearance
	2021+ Tahoe/Suburban
Standard Suspension (in / mm)	8.0 / 203
Air Ride Suspension, Entry Exit Ground Clearance (in / mm)	6.0 / 152
Air Ride Suspension, Highway Ground Clearance (in / mm)	7.25 / 184
Air Ride Suspension, Normal Ground Clearance (in / mm)	8.0 / 203
Air Ride Suspension, Increased Ground Clearance (in / mm)	9.0 / 229
Air Ride Suspension, Maximum Ground Clearance (in / mm)	10.0 / 254

As covered previously, the latest Chevy Tahoe and Chevy Suburban models come underpinned by the new GM T1 platform, while also incorporating a new independent multilink rear suspension setup.

Thanks for reading about Ground clearance explained. For more view source: https://gmauthority.com/blog/2021/10/chevy-tahoe-suburban-ground-clearance-explained/

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Worst Corvette Color Combination

It is a universally agreed-upon fact (amongst the voices in my head, anyway) that the C7’s best interior choice was Adrenaline Red, and its best paint option was Sebring Orange… but, because of this annoying color theory thing, perspective owners were forced to make the difficult choice between the two when the time to order came a-knocking. That is, of course, unless you were one shameless customer in Massachusetts who threw complementary colors to the wind and spec’d their C7Z with the best of both worlds. Now, you, dear Corvette Blogger reader, have the chance to be owner number two of this collision of worlds. The worst corvette color combination

Up for grabs from Herb Chambers Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of Millbury is a 2019 2LZ Z06 Coupe with 3,045 miles, Spectra Gray Wheels, the Z07 Ultimate Performance Package, and a 7-speed manual transmission. It sounds like a perfect build, and that’s exactly what I thought when this bad boy showed up in my Autolist feed. So, what if the red calipers weren’t quite right for an orange car? It happens more often than you’d think, and this thing was the rare find one that was seemingly built just for me! Then, in picture four, more of that clashing red started to peer out from behind the glass. Could it be? A scrolling fury revealed what I had feared, the Adrenaline Red that made Arctic White pop like never before was slathered on the dash, doors, and seats, combining with the orange doorsill to burn my retinas like George Costanza’s shirt.

The worst Corvette color combination? On the positive side, this final year, C7Z has all of the best options, meaning that it will be the best possible way to experience the 650-horse Corvette. It is also all-but-guaranteed to be a one-of-a-kind build, meaning it could lead to some curiously high bidding at Mecum in 25 years. In fact, the orange over red motif might take its place next to Napoleon Dynamite on the “so bad, it might actually be good” list. At the very least, this Z will start conversations everywhere you go, even somewhere like “the Bash,” where jaded patrons think they have seen everything!

The worst Corvette color combination interior and dash picture

If you are bold enough, this outrageous example of the Big Nasty can be yours for $84,998. Be sure to let us know if you end up taking delivery! Anyone who would drive this beast is the kind of person that can be our friend any day!

For more view source: https://www.corvetteblogger.com/2021/11/04/corvettes-for-sale-if-you-want-a-guaranteed-1-of-1-order-a-bad-color-combination/?fbclid=IwAR2asVMxdAt28PpsWYGa4M_Y6lU9tirqmfV6naWW_fIheBkfCtkezbBJnRs

The slowest Corvettes

New Corvette Factory Ordering

It’s been less than 24 hours since the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 was announced, but one car dealer in Maryland already has 1,087 orders on file. Do you think people are excited?

This Vette above just came in today 10-28-21. Don’t want to wait 3-4 years for New Corvette Factory Ordering? Call our New Vehicle Sales Manager Joe Fosco at 630-898-9630. He will be happy to explain our Corvette ordering policies. Visit us online at https://www.WestphalChevy.com.

The info comes via a friend of the site Zerin Dube, who posted a screenshot from a Facebook group called Wholesale Car Club — a group dedicated to connecting people who are looking to buy, sell, or trade vehicles at competitive prices. The poster, dealer Chris Morgan, decided to clear up some confusion about his Z06 waitlist by posting some frankly astounding facts:

Morgan alleges that his dealership is one of the biggest Chevy dealers in America, so they can get up to 100 new Corvette C8s per month, and he also claims that his dealership is probably going to get a lot more Z06 allocations than your dealership — hence why there are so many orders. He’s also promising that everyone who places an order now won’t later be surprised by some extra crazy fees; these orders are strictly MSRP only. And, again, we have no idea how much, exactly, MSRP will be; we can estimate that a Z06 will start somewhere in the mid-$80,000, but there’s still a lot we don’t know yet.

If you’re interested, Morgan suggests that you get on the list for a refundable deposit of $1,000… but with over 1,000 people ahead of you, he also hedges that you’re probably going to be sitting on the waiting list for three to four years. That could even end up being a conservative estimate considering how backed-up the supply chain is right now. It’s honestly kind of wild to think that people could be receiving a car that is, effectively, four years out of date.

And this is all just guesswork because Morgan does hedge that he has no idea how many Z06s his dealership will be allotted. He could get 100 per month. He could get 100 per year. It’s all a crapshoot at this point.

Thanks for reading about New Corvette Factory Ordering. For more view-source: https://jalopnik.com/one-dealer-already-has-over-1000-people-waiting-on-a-co-1847944908

New Corvettes on fire

Corvettes on fire

We knew that the new C8 Corvettes were hot, but we didn’t think that the high demand would cause them to literally catch on fire!

A video posted to the C8 Corvette Owners (and Friends) Facebook Page show firefighters attempting to put out a fire that occurred on a Jack Cooper auto transport carrying a load of brand new Corvettes to dealers. The fire was said to have occurred in the early morning hours about 15-30 minutes north of Nashville, Tennessee. As the Bowling Green Assembly Plant is just an hour north of Nashville, it looks like the transport didn’t make it far before the flames started.

The originator of the video is named Corieblue Fickes and he says he stuck around until molten cars started flying around. We do see some mini explosions in the video that sent debris flying through the air.

As each Jack Cooper transport can carry up to 10 new Corvettes at a time, we have to believe this loss for General Motors is estimated to be around $900,000 if all 10 Corvettes were lost in the fire.

But the good news according to one poster on the Corvette Facebook page is that they will now be offered at just $5K over MSRP! Just kidding of course, but we do know there are going to be some sad people out there today whose wait for a new C8 just got longer.

Road & Track picked up the story and they got an official statement from a Chevrolet spokesperson:

On Tuesday evening, a hauler carrying a load of new Corvettes caught fire in Tennessee after the driver pulled into a truck stop to investigate an issue with the truck. Fortunately, the driver of the truck is okay. Our vehicle logistics supplier is investigating. As we learn more, we will reach out to affected dealers and customers.

Thanks for reading about Corvettes on fire. For more view source: https://www.corvetteblogger.com/2021/10/06/video-truckload-of-new-c8-corvettes-goes-up-in-flames/?fbclid=IwAR1uRb2xGC361QxM0Nl34UnzTmvKxaTOJ5dkqwkMAsXj8z92JDOpT0qd6oU

New Tahoe and Suburban power sliding center console

Power sliding center console

The 2022 Chevy Tahoe and 2022 Chevy Suburban arrive as the second model year for both all-new SUVs, with the Chevy Tahoe now in its fifth generation, and the Chevy Suburban in its twelfth generation. Notably, both the 2022 Chevy Tahoe and 2022 Chevy Suburban come equipped as standard with a power-sliding center console for the top trim levels.

Looking for a new full-size SUV? Call Ron Westphal Chevrolet’s Customer Care Team at 630-898-9630. We’ll be happy to provide you with a list of in-stock and in-bound vehicles. Pre-sales are available too! Call us today.

The power-sliding center console for the 2022 Chevy Tahoe and 2022 Chevy Suburban is tagged with RPO code DCH, and is equipped as standard on Premier and High Country trim levels. The feature continues to be optional lower in the trim level lineup, including for LT, RST, and Z71 trims. The feature is also deleted when either of the SUVs are ordered with the second-row power 60/40 split-folding bench seats (RPO code ATT).

Previously, the power-sliding center console was optional on Premier and High Country trim levels for the 2021 Chevy Tahoe and 2021 Chevy Suburban, priced at $350.

The power-sliding center console was first introduced with the 2021 model year for GM’s latest full-size SUVs, and arrives as the first motorized vehicle console of its type. The console can slide forward and backwards up to 10 inches, offering multiple positions to serve multiple purposes. These can include sliding rearwards to provide rear-seated passengers with cupholders, or sliding forward to serve as an armrest for passengers in the first row.

What’s more, the power-sliding center console is large enough to hold four gallons of milk in a certain configuration, and it includes a hidden compartment inside the console that can store valuables and similar items out of sight. To this latter point, the hidden storage compartment provides a secure place to keep items, as there is no way to slide the console forward unless the vehicle is in accessory mode or engine on mode.

Operating the power-sliding center console involves usage of the button located just above the SUV’s rearview mirror.

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2021 Corvette and magnetic ride control

The 2021 Corvette Stingray offers impressive mid-engine handling and traction, arriving as the second model year for the latest eighth-generation sports car. Interestingly, more than half of 2021 Corvette customers opted to equip Magnetic Ride Control suspension.

Per statistics published by the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky, 22.8 percent of 2021 Corvette Stingray customers stuck with the standard suspension setup (RPO code FE1). However, 7.7 percent of customers opted for Magnetic Ride Control without the Z51 Performance Package (RPO code FE2), 23.6 percent opted for the Z51 Performance Package suspension (RPO code FE3), and 45.9 percent opted for Z51 Performance package suspension with Magnetic Ride Control (RPO code FE4).

As a reminder, Magnetic Ride Control incorporates dampers filled with magnetorheological fluid and a suite of sensors to automatically adjust damper settings in response to changes in the driving surface.

Check out the table below for a breakdown of the suspension setup for the 2021 Corvette Stingray:

2021 Corvette Suspension Configuration Take Rate
	Coupe (units)	Coupe (percentage)	Convertible (units)	Convertible (percentage)	Total (units)	Total (percentage)
Standard (FE1)	3,860	25.5	2,111	19.0	5,971	22.8
Magnetic Ride Control (FE2)	988	6.5	1,034	9.3	2,022	7.7
Z51 (FE2)	3,864	25.6	2,322	20.9	6,186	23.6
Z51 with Magnetic Ride Control (FE4)	6,400	42.4	5,637	50.8	12,037	45.9
Total	15,112	100.0	11,104	100.0	26,216	100.0

Also notable are the production numbers. According to the latest report from the National Corvette Museum stats, a total of 26,216 units of the 2021 Corvette Stingray were produced, 12,112 (58 percent) of which were Coupe models, and 11,104 (42 percent) of which were Convertibles. Most models (44.1 percent) were the mid-range 2LT trim level, while 40.9 percent were the range-topping 3LT, and just 15 percent were the base-level 1LT.

As GM Authority covered previously, most customers preferred the Jet Black interior, with 35.8 percent of buyers choosing Jet Black over the other interior color options. Adrenaline Red was second at 25.2 percent, followed by Natural at 12.5 percent and Sky Cool Gray at 10.1 percent. Outside, the most popular paint color was Torch Red with 5,171 units. Arctic White was second in popularity at 3,769 units, while Red Mist was third at 3,476 units.

Also notable was the number of 2021 Corvette Stingray customers that opted for the factory performance exhaust system, with a whopping 87 percent ticking the box to add extra horsepower and sound to their ride.

Moving forward, production of the 2022 Corvette Stingray is now underway at GM’s Bowling Green Assembly facilityin Kentucky.

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Chevrolet Trailblazer History

The Chevrolet Trailblazer or TrailBlazer is a mid-size SUV produced by Chevrolet, a division of General Motors. The nameplate was first used in North America from 2001 to 2008, when it was replaced by the Traverse crossover SUV in 2009. The complete Chevrolet Trailblazer History has yet to be written but here’s what we know so far.

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The TrailBlazer name was first introduced for the 1999 model year as an upscale trim level of the compact 4-door Chevrolet S-10 Blazer. It offered additional features on top of the previously top-of-the-line Chevrolet S-10 Blazer LT trim level, including an A/M-F/M stereo with single-disc CD player and optional remote cassette player, OnStar, color-keyed front and rear bumpers, side cladding, and front grille, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with cruise control, upgraded alloy wheels, a full-size spare tire and wheel, and upgraded cloth seating surfaces with power front bucket seats.

The Chevrolet Trailblazer 2001-2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer History

The first generation 2002–2005 TrailBlazer is based on a truck platform called GMT360, with all models having four-wheel-drive layout as an option with both automatic engagement and the more traditional “2 High”, “4 High” and “4 Low” gearings, except the SS model which features an all-wheel-drive system.

The TrailBlazer was also available as a 3-row, 7-passenger EXT version. This vehicle was 410 mm (16 in) longer and had a higher roofline to allow easier access to the third row of seats. This roof was disguised by standard roof racks.

The TrailBlazer was discontinued in 2009 with only 22,287 yearly American sales at that time.

The All-New Chevrolet Trailblazer makes history.

The All-New, redesigned Trailblazer made its North American debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November 2019, and sales began in early 2020 as a 2021 model year vehicle. There are five trim levels available: L, LS, LT, Activ and RS. The latter two came standard with dual exhaust and top of the line features. The Activ and RS models also feature a two-tone roof.

Sales were so brisk for this new crossover that it was the fastest selling vehicle in America early 2020 – selling within 48 hours of arriving on dealer’s lots – on average.

This new Trailblazer is equipped with standard Chevrolet Infotainment 3 touchscreen infotainment system with an AM/FM stereo radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, Bluetooth for hands-free calling and wireless stereo audio streaming, USB and auxiliary inputs, and a rearview backup camera system, as well as either a four-speaker or six-speaker audio system, OnStar with 4G LTE Wi-Fi capabilities, and either a seven-inch or eight-inch touchscreen display. Up-level Trailblazer models offer Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, a Bose premium audio system with an amplifier, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, and HD Radio. GPS navigation is also offered as an optional feature on up-level trims of the Trailblazer.

Thanks for reading about Chevrolet Trailblazer History. For more view sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Trailblazer_(crossover) and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Trailblazer_(SUV)

GM Defense contract sells Suburbans for over 13 million

GM will build ten of the heavy-duty Suburbans for Diplomatic Security.

GM Defense, a subsidiary of General Motors, was recently awarded a contract to develop next-generation SUVs for the government’s fleet.

Looking for a new Suburban? Visit the Ron Westphal Chevrolet website or drop by our showroom. You can always call our Customer Care Team at 630-8987-9630 to see which Suburbans are inbound and when they are arriving. FYI – all OUR new Suburbans are LESS than 3.6 million.

This specific contract was awarded by the US Department of State, and the vehicles will be built to support the Diplomatic Security Service. Diplomatic Security is a federal law enforcement agency charged with securing diplomatic assets and personnel. In 2020, GM Defense also got the contract to build the army’s new infantry squad vehicle based on the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2. That particular contract was more extensive and, at the time of writing, valued at $213.4 million. The eventual goal was 2,065 vehicles.

The total value of the new contract is worth $36.4 million, which GM Defense will use to build ten heavy-duty Chevrolet Suburban models over the next two years. That works out to roughly $3.6 million per Suburban.

Why so much for a Suburban, which costs around $52,000 from the showroom floor? While it may look like a Suburban with police lights, there’s a lot more going on that the eye can’t see.

GM will use heavy-duty parts developed for its full-size pickup trucks to upgrade these Suburbans for government use. These parts include body panels, engines, interior components, and brakes. The HD Suburban will also be built on a unique body-on-frame chassis, which will cater to the needs of the Diplomatic Security Service. It’s sort of like the President’s car, but not quite as extreme.

According to GM Defense, it will use advanced manufacturing techniques to reduce the overall cost of the program. These techniques will also help them with future customer demands in this niche low-volume section.

For more view source: https://carbuzz.com/news/government-dropping-36-4-million-onheavy-duty-chevy-suburbans?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=carbuzz-facebook&utm_content=post

Chevrolet Equinox for sale at Ron Westphal Chevrolet

Did you know that the Chevrolet Equinox offers nearly 64 cubic feet of storage with the split-bench back seat folded down? That’s 900 2-liter bottles of soda-pop! Am I figuring that right? It sure sounds like a lot of soda!

Plenty of room, a smooth, quiet ride, and fun-to-drive. We’ve got brand new 2021 Chevy Equinox in stock along with 2021 demo models with 6,500 miles or less. Or, you can save even more and select one of our GM Certified pre-owned Equinox that we have in stock right now!

Are you looking for a Chevrolet Equinox for sale?

How about this sparkling clean 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT?

Call our Customer Care Team now at 630-898-9630 for in-stock and in-bound inventory updates.

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GM Certified 2019 Chevy Equinox for sale at Ron Westphal Chevrolet in beautiful Aurora/Oswego, IL.

If you are looking for a Chevrolet Equinox for sale we can put you on our waiting list if you are looking for something specific. Or, let us place an order for a brand new 2022 model.

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