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The perfect off road truck

The perfect off road truck Chevrolet Colorado or Silverado

You finally have that new Chevy truck in your driveway just waiting to be driven off-road. You can picture yourself behind the wheel, exploring new sights and sounds in mother nature. The only trouble is your new truck is not exactly ready for the great outdoors just yet. All Chevy trucks are quite capable vehicles with an emphasis on general performance and road driving. If you are looking for a fantastic commuter or work truck right off the factory floor, Chevy has you covered. If you have a little bit extra to spend, you can even get something ready-made for off-road adventures in the form of the Colorado ZR2.

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However, to find the perfect off-road truck for your tastes, you might look at something different than what the manufacturer offers right out of the gate. A good off-road vehicle is something that has been designed for the personal experience. Depending on how you intend to use the truck and the off-road terrain you want to conquer, you may need a different setup to thrive.

Thankfully, Chevy trucks are highly adaptable to meet your personal tastes and needs. From small accessories to major upgrades, you can turn a Silverado or Colorado into the off-road vehicle of your dreams.

Planning Everything Out

The first step towards creating that perfect off-road truck is planning out what you need in the long run. If you have existing off-road experience, this is a good place to start since you already have an idea of the types of terrain you will encounter the most. If you are new to the off-roading scene, it is good to take some time to imagine yourself out in nature or do some research. What kind of trip do you see yourself embarking on?

All off-road and overland adventures will have a different set of challenges you need to be prepared for. A truck is a great platform to carry equipment and accessories to overcome these challenges. The more you can identify how you need to prepare, the more you can tailor the truck now for future trips.

Commonly, off-road trucks have a combination of emergency supplies, survival accessories, and performance upgrades to turn the truck into a terrain-conquering beast. The extent to which you modify your Chevy truck will depend on your needs and budget. It is important to set a realistic budget ahead of time, so you do not end up disappointed later on. This will also allow you to prioritize upgrades and purchases.

Survival Accessories

On the more affordable front of preparation, your truck will need to carry certain supplies and accessories to keep you safe and alive during long off-road or overland adventures. A truck naturally has a lot of cargo space to carry extra supplies and tools. The trick is knowing what you need to bring for any given trip.

The basics of any off-road adventure include an emergency kit and survival supplies such as food, water, a hand-operated or solar powered radio, lights, sleeping gear, etc. It is helpful to carry enough supplies for the number of people you intend to bring. For better organization, invest in some truck bed dividers or toolboxes to keep everything uncluttered and protected as you drive.

If you expect to tackle some tricky terrain, vehicular accessories like a winch or fog lights are a good idea. A truck bed rack, for example, will give you more cargo space and mounting points for additional accessories such as racks and fuel canisters. You may want to invest in a good shovel or traction pad to get yourself out of a sticky situation if necessary.

Vehicle Modifications

If you are not satisfied with your Chevy truck’s existing setup from the manufacturer, there are a few more pricey upgrades to consider to make it more off-road worthy. These upgrades will make the truck more capable when tackling steeper terrain grades, loose earth, and bad weather conditions.

A good lift kit is the first place to invest some money. This type of kit lifts the suspension of the truck by several inches. In turn, you gain greater ground clearance to drive over common obstacles like rocks and debris you are likely to encounter on a trail. This type of kit can protect the undercarriage and bumpers of the truck while giving it more room to maneuver at the same time.

Body plating is another worthwhile investment to maximize the protection of your truck’s exterior. This type of protection commonly comes in the form of an undercarriage plate, reinforced front bumper, and roll bars in the bed of the truck. If you happen to run into something like a rock or a tree, these protective measures will take the abuse of the foreign object instead of the truck exterior paneling.

Turning Dreams Into A Reality

Ultimately, turning a Chevy truck into the perfect off-road vehicle is a matter of time, patience, planning, and persistence. Once you know what kind of modifications you want to make and have a budget, the next step is to get to work.

If you have some automotive experience, this can be a great DIY project. Buy the accessories, equipment, and parts you want to add to your truck and take a few weekends to make the changes yourself. Get some friends and family members in on the action to speed up the process as well.

If you do not have experience working on your own vehicles, it is better to take your truck to a professional to get the work done right. Complicated upgrades like lift kits require a certain level of experience and expertise to be done correctly. Otherwise, you risk doing more harm and damage to the truck or yourself at some point in the future.

Once everything is said and done, you will have a new Chevy truck that is ready to carry you to new experiences and adventures.

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This Alamance 4th-grader wrote to Chevrolet’s CEO and got a big surprise

Brianna White, 10, a 4th grade student at E.M. Holt Elementary displays her letter and gift from the CEO of Chevrolet with her father, Chris White and his 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD pickup truck.
Brianna White, 10, a 4th grade student at E.M. Holt Elementary displays her letter and gift from the CEO of Chevrolet with her father, Chris White and his 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD pickup truck.

Brianna White, 10, a 4th grade student at E.M. Holt Elementary displays her letter and gift from the CEO of Chevrolet with her father, Chris White and his 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD pickup truck.

2020 Chevy Blazer

Rumors of the Blazer’s return after a 13-year spell on the sidelines have all been confirmed by a heavily camouflaged SUV doing test runs in the last few months. Unless Chevy’s got a surprise up its sleeve, this prototype is the new Blazer.

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There are still plenty of question marks surrounding the returning nameplate. We’re no closer to answering a lot of them, but this new set of spy shots is giving us a lot to take note of. Arguably the most revealing sections of the dressed up Blazer are the headlight fixtures. Unlike past spy photos that covered almost the entire body of the SUV, the latest ones show the headlights in all their glory. By the looks of it, we can now clearly see a sliver of LED lights arranged neatly horizontally. I don’t think that these lights will serve as the main headlamps of the Blazer. History — and recent trends — suggests that these could be the daytime running lights of the new SUV. Just below them, we can see a pair of circular fog lamps and, while a little obscured by the wraps, the SUV’s turn signal indicators could be sitting just below the lamps.

The other noticeable element is the set of wheels. I can’t say with any certainty what size those wheels are, but they look big enough — maybe 20s? — for me to think that the model that’s being tested is a high-end trim level of the Blazer. It might even the range-topping version considering that it also looks to have a roof-mounted spoiler at the back. Previous spy shots of the Blazer also hinted at a front grille that’s sporting a number of horizontal bars. It’s not that different from the grille on the smaller Traverse, though I do wonder if Chevy’s going to use a similar two-tier grille design with the Chevrolet logo connecting the two. The bigger Equinox has it, too, so it’s likely that we’re going to see the same treatment on the Blazer.
2019 Chevrolet Blazer Exterior Spyshots - image 7831012019 Chevrolet Blazer Exterior Spyshots - image 783101

2019 Chevrolet Blazer Exterior Spyshots - image 783101
The side profile of the test vehicle also gives us an idea of how long the Blazer is.

The side profile of the test vehicle also gives us an idea of how long the Blazer is. It’s long. The hood extends longer than we expected and the body stretches quite a bit, too. Given that, the Blazer should be big enough to accommodate seven people in the cabin comfortably.

2020 Chevy Blazer Interior

  • Chrome Trim Could Be Standard
  • Could Lack Common Technology
  • Infotainment Could Be Knob-Controlled
  • Could Seat Seven Up To Seven People

Speaking of the cabin, the new spy shots don’t have any new photos of the interior. For that, we’ll have to look back at the previous batch, which had one shot of the cabin that, not surprisingly, was also heavily covered. About the only thing we could make out of that photo was the steering wheel, which had the usual array of control buttons that most steering wheels have these days. A nice nod also goes to what appears to be chrome trim on the steering wheel. I’m guessing that’s going to be a common theme on the exterior and interior of the Blazer. The instrument cluster can also be seen, provided you squint your eyes a little. It doesn’t look like it’s going to venture into the world of those new-age, all digital clusters because I can see traditional circular displays wrapped in, you guessed it, chrome. The center console is heavily covered, too. There’s nothing much to see there other than what looks to be a pair of knobs at the bottom.

2020 Chevy Blazer Drivetrain And Performance

  • Could Get The New Four-Cylinder From The Chevy Silverado
  • Will Be Offered With A 3.6-Liter
  • Up To 330 Horsepower Possible
  • Towing Capacity Could Reach Beyond 7,000 Pounds
  • Four-Wheel Drive Should Be Standard
2019 Chevrolet Blazer Exterior Spyshots - image 783091
Power numbers are a mystery, though considering the fact that the Blazer could be slotted between the Traverse and the Equinox, we’re looking at an output of around 280 horsepower

Engine options for the new Blazer should include a handful of options. The entry-level model, for example, could receive a 2.5-liter four-cylinder while upper-tier trim levels could be in line to get Chevy’s more powerful 3.6-liter V-6 mill. Power numbers are a mystery, though considering the fact that the Blazer could be slotted between the Traverse and the Equinox, we’re looking at an output of around 280 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque for the entry-level version and around 330 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque for the bigger V-6-powered model.

2019 Chevrolet Blazer Exterior Spyshots - image 783100

At this point, there’s too little data to actually make a good estimate on pricing, but there are two directions Chevy could go with this. First, the Blazer could be positioned between the Equinox and the Traverse. This is a move that would have Chevy Relying on the Blazer name for sales as it’s rather hard to fit another model between the $23,580 Equinox and the $29,930 Traverse. Even if it fits in size, that’s still just $6000 to play around with, which would – logically – have the Blazer starting out at around $26,800. The more likely option is that it will be slotted, at least pricing-wise, between the Traverse and the Tahoe, which gives some more wiggle room with the Tahoe price at more just over $17,000 higher than the model directly below it. Placing it between these two models would have the Blazer carrying a price tag somewhere in the area of $38,000 or so which makes sense as the Blazer name itself will likely draw some sales nostalgia. For now, it’s all speculation, but you can expect the latter scenario to be the most likely at this point.

2020 Chevy Blazer Competition

Ford Explorer

2017 Ford Explorer – Driven Exterior High Resolution - image 728375

Assuming the new Blazer will actually slot between the Traverse and the Tahoe, it will likely compete head-on with the Ford Explorer. When you consider the fact that the Blazer will be a more upscale version of the Traverse – offering a more luxurious package due to higher pricing – the Explorer makes sense. Add in the fact that it is also available with a 3.5-liter V-6 and permanent AWD system and it’s right up the Blazer’s alley. Add on the fact that the Explorer starts out around $32,000 and easily jumps beyond the $41,000 mark in Limited trim, and it’s a sure model to cross-shop. Of course, one could argue that the Blazer might start cannibalizing Traverse sales since the Traverse technically competes with the Explorer too, but we’ll have to see what happens. On the note, the current Explorer has been on the market since 2011, so it’s about time for a generational shift. If that doesn’t happen before the Blazer hits the market, the Blazer will likely be the most bet and offer better technology.

Conclusion

2019 Chevrolet Blazer Exterior Spyshots - image 783095

If Chevrolet’s development and testing schedule for the Blazer goes on without any hitches, it’s safe to assume that we could see the SUV in full production form sometime this year. The most likely scenario would be the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show in November, though Chevrolet could hold off for a few months and opt to launch the model at the Detroit Auto Show in January 2019 instead. Lord knows that event needs a few headline acts these days.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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