The 2024 Chevy Traverse Z71 Wears the Z71 Badge with Pride

We were watching intently here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse last July when GM eagerly unwrapped the new 2024 Chevy Traverse for public viewing, showing off a good number of sweet changes and upgrades. The Z71 trim was now available, boasting canyon-sweeping and boulder-conquering upgrades to properly navigate the wild. The Traverse is the first unibody vehicle to sport the Z71 namesake, combining the chassis and body into one single and quarry-crushing architecture build!

This type of construction improves crash safety and shows up at the scales with a low and desirable economical weigh-in. As soon as you get the time to hit the road and really see what the handling dynamics are like, a unibody vehicle offers many advantages as it provides an excellent sense of precision and spirited charisma. Body-on-frame vehicles tend to have a bit more flex, which allows the chassis to twist and contort to meet the demands of an uneven surface. Body-on-frame vehicles have very rugged and tough characteristics and can be easily customized for greater clearance.

Even though the new 2024 Chevy Traverse Z71 is a unibody vehicle, it's still very well equipped to jump off the asphalt and eagerly smash some light off-roading. Upgrades over the rest of the Traverse lineup include an extra very valuable inch of ground clearance, as well as 18-inch wheels wrapped in a beefy set of all-terrain tires. You will also be happily kicking up dust courtesy of a skid plate and red tow hooks up front, with a very unique front fascia design for a much-improved approach angle. The twin-clutch all-wheel-drive system was also closely worked over to improve viable traction on any off-road surface.

A 17.7-inch infotainment display is now featured as standard, and the V6 has been swapped out for a new turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-four producing 315 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque. It’s quite obvious that 3-row SUVs have recently become the vehicle of choice for the suburban American family, and we definitely expect the segment to explode in popularity over the next few years. The Car and Driver review team reflected that the 2024 model looks more assertive, thanks to its beefier grille and athletic stance. The 2024 Traverse is expected to have more of a draw towards men, with ramped-up capability and chiseled new looks. 

The cabin has been fully revamped with a very clean makeover, centered around the new touchscreen and boasting physical controls for volume and climate control system. Six USB ports for optimal gadget charging along with 11.0-inch digital gauge cluster render things in the tech department fully up to speed, and there’s a very handy passthrough under the center console that opens extra space. This Z71 trim can be optioned with faux-leather upholstery, while the RS provides the same treatment for the first two rows. The RS model also brings blacked-out exterior trim, a three-spoke flat-bottom steering wheel, and flashy red accents on the black interior.

The RS’s suspension is gifted with a sportier tune and a very cool lighting animation that plays as you approach with key in hand. The LT and Z71 both offer the panoramic sunroof option that makes all four seasons that much more surreal and enjoyable. Depending on the configuration, you’ll be towing up to 5000 pounds, and each Traverse is equipped with the “Buckle to Drive” system, which requires occupants to strap in safely before beginning the cruise. The Traverse will also now be offered with the latest and greatest version of Super Cruise, which handles acceleration, steering, and braking duties in a semi-autonomous and efficient form!

A Thrilling Week with the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2

This particular year brings about a sense of finality here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse for many exciting events in the large-size truck market. The 2023 Chevy Colorado ZR2 Desert Boss package will be around for the remainder of 2023, and we know that many diehard rig lovers will be after its versatile and commanding stance. The Desert Boss renders the Colorado crew cab fit for the toughest of battles against expert-grade off-road terrain, with all the trail-worthy extras you would encounter on a Jeep.

The Desert Boss is built up in numerous very necessary layers, beginning with the Chevy Colorado pickup truck at the sturdy and becoming base. Things get righteously started with a turbocharged engine and a spectacular trim package, along with a midsized Crew Cab bursting a short bed just over 5 feet long. The ZR2 trim level adds the true “Swiss Army” functionality 4 items such as skid plates and special shocks, and then the Desert Boss Edition serves up the 17-inch Beadlock capable wheels, a bed-mounted sport bar with a sail panel, very useful auxiliary power box, under body cameras, and off-road light bar.

You’ll also be navigating each treacherous exposed trunk and challenging ravine flaunting the very cool Desert Boss decals, blackout emblems, in an off-road front bumper fascia with a safari bar. The Detroit Bureau auto review team remarked that since this model has been body lifted from the factory, it can be quite a climb to get up into. Even though this may make it not the absolute best choice for anyone on the shorter end of things, it simply solidifies the truck’s mesmerizing and extreme abilities.

Once inside, there’s the very sweet “visual wow” factor derived from leather interior touches to the heated steering wheel. There are also heated and ventilated front seats, a surround-view camera, and an extra-large infotainment screen. The power supply on hand is the tip-top version of Chevy’s 2.7-liter 4-cylinder turbo engine, expertly tuned to crank out 237 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. Those of you who don’t feel like playin’ around in the least can opt for the high-output version, which hits the challenges of the wild full-on with 310 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. 

The ZR2 also comes with driver-selectable front and rear locking differentials, which also heartily extends to the Desert Boss. The selection includes automatic high beams, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic emergency braking. There’s additional safety gear for treacherous times with blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic braking, steering assistance, and rear parking assist. The additional technology package preps you for dominating far corners anywhere courtesy of adaptive cruise control and the HD surround vision camera. 

Once you’ve climbed up and are poised to conquer anything from slick rock to a wide-open fire road, you'll find that the high-output engine serves up the needed torque to get the extra-large tires in gear, and every single component offer a very smooth and quick performance. Any experienced driver will notice that cornering is a “labor of love”, but this is what you get for having such a pristine and powerful rock climber in your entourage. The Car and Driver crew claimed that the Colorado ZR2 has a sizeable advantage in terms of power and tech over the competing Ford Ranger, Toyota Tacoma, and Honda Ridgeline.

2024 Chevy Corvette Z06 Faces off w/ Supercar Crowd, Leads Lavishly on All Four Feet

When Chevy had their eyes set on constructing the C8 generation Corvette ZO6, they knew that they had to come up with something truly revolutionary. Zora Arkus-Duntov’s dream to have a naturally aspirated mid-mounted V8 was poised on the drawing board for decades, and finally manifested itself three years ago. It was at this point that it was acknowledged that time would soon run out to develop a mid-engine model, as many other brands in the car world had finalized their plans for electrification.

Here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse and many other dealers nationwide, it had become evident that the C7 generation had been thoroughly pushed to its absolute physical limits. It was then that this long-standing dream finally came to fruition, with the C8 Stingray existing as an entry-level and exhilarating example of modern engineering’s amazing achievements. Stepping things up massively in the performance sense was the Z06 model, which existed as a capable contender on a global level.

A few of the elements that rendered it so unworldly and segment-leading were its flat plane crank engine, superior suspension, and downright phenomenal engineering. The Stingray represents a classic and very potent formula of a hardcore V8 contender that comes equipped for fierce asphalt battle in its most basic form. The Z06 comes snarling out of the gate ready to rumble and surpass any seasoned driving pro’s expectations in every way imaginable! Just for starters, the 2024 model now includes an “Artemis” interior color scheme, which pairs with the very desert-influenced Cacti Green exterior coat.

A red-colored engine intake is also available as a brand-new feature, and the Corvette Museum delivery option allows customers to enjoy a VIP tour of this epic facility where their brand-new ‘Vette is anxiously displayed and waiting to be unleashed. Stepping up to the Z07 Performance Pack adds front dive-planes and a large rear spoiler to tenaciously tie up visual appeal, and keep the car firmly planted during laps around the track. The LT6 flat-plane crank V8 was created specifically for the Z06 to achieve massive horsepower stats through high RPM.

This fire-breathing assortment can Rev sharply to a redline of 8,600 RPM, and achieving the task of smooth performance was a daunting challenge for the development team. A head-up-display comes as standard, along with the 12.0-inch driver infotainment screen. 2LZ and 3LZ models are equipped with the climate-conquering additions of heated and ventilated seats, along with a heated steering wheel. The TopSpeed.com auto blogging crew thought that the single best interior feature is the Performance Data Recorder, which can act as a protective dash cam or a glowing proof of victory laps from your nearest track.

The Corvette also scored a 93/100 in JD Powers Quality & Reliability category, offering four airbags and numerous very useful driver assistance and safety systems. It is so compelling and exhilarating to experience firsthand the drive in this model that is a wonderful sensory-overloaded experience. The minute you fire up the 5.5-liter flat-plane crank engine and experience the burly engine roaring to life, it's certain that you're in for a thrilling and memorable drive. The immense quality of stiffness allows for a better sense of feedback through the seat and steering wheel as you get to enjoy drinking-in every inch of pavement. Dramatic in all the right ways, yet never truly wearing you completely down thanks to a supercar grade of smooth, the Z06 remains uniquely all-American and adventuresome. 

“Positively + Perfectly Massive”: A Close Look at the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD High Country

It is quite clear here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse that the market is consistently crazy for crossovers: they are efficient, roomy, and consistently updated for the latest awesome tech features. Pickup sales have been on the uptick as well, as buyers nationwide are enamored with hefty work, tow, and play duties these rigs can nail down with pride. Just in the last five years alone, the HD sales have grown 13 percent, as an excellent heavy-duty number makes sense to “take the entire campsite” along to the lake without breaking a sweat!

The experts on staff at Autoguide spent an entire week getting to know the 2024 Chevy Silverado HD, which has just received a thorough update to ensure that it stays fresh. Outside there’s a waist-high nose that boasts C-shaped daytime running lights, and a new grille with a cleaned-up look. There are standard tow hooks now lodged in the bumper, with this new look available on the High Country and LTZ. Another very cool touch is that the taillights now feature animated indicators that add a unique modern touch.

The crew enjoyed the very massive size of the HD right off the bat, not minding a bit that finding ample parking spots in the city was a bit challenging. Here the power folding and extending trailer mirrors were a huge help, and it was agreed that eco-conscious and smaller models might not quite provide enough well-polished machismo to fully get the job done. Now on LT trims and up, the Silverado HD arrives at the table (or plateau!) with the light-duty truck’s reworked interior and an extra-large 13.4-inch central touchscreen that commands center stage.

This new display now runs on Android automotive, and the reworked dashboard houses a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. As it seems like interiors are becoming more and more modern every year, Chevy has not completely abandoned the useful premise of physical controls, as an assortment of buttons are located just below the screen. Under the hood, the HD now forgoes the 6-speed automatic for the gas engine, and all models now enjoy the smooth shifting courtesy of the Allison-branded 10-speed automatic.

The Duramax turbo diesel in this group's tester cranked out 470 horsepower and a staggering 975 lb-ft of torque. The High Country model is the heavily-acclaimed sweet spot where the luxurious touches become evident, beginning with immaculately stitched two-tone leather seats and custom High Country badges. Here there is also a redesigned center console, which provides an abundance of unique storage and a wireless charger with a dedicated slot. We are constantly amazed by the ways that Chevy technology is improving every day: the inductive charging never loses the connection, and the phone screen is tucked away out of view.

During a week of much-needed lake fun, this Silverado was crammed to the max with a dog crate, a travel bed/harness, and four people. The dedicated trail riding menu allows owners to conveniently say if there are multiple trailer profiles and have lightning-quick access of up to 14 different camera views. Another element that works wonders for driver confidence is the Gross Combined Weight Alert, quickly warning the driver if they've mistakenly exceeded it when in a pinch. With an engine tuned for low-end performance and a heaping amount of true grit, character, and charm, this Silverado is accessible and crammed full of fit-for-current-times bravado!