Auto Blog 2018 rates Chevy Impala as a “Satisfying Ride”, “Among the Best on the Road”

Continuing to hail as one of the absolute most popular cars in the world, this year's Chevy Impala has a long history, dating back to 1958. A V6 engine is now available in the base model, and the many different features it has were revamped quite a bit four years ago for the 2014 version. This is when the 2017 Impala LT was given the amenity of leather seats, and the Impala Premier and LT trim levels saw Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality. The 2014 refresh truly allowed the Impala to resurrect itself, escaping pre-existing confines that were a bit dreary, and gaining clean, chiseled lines, along with a new breed of confidence.

This year's model excitedly qualifies as the best-equipped Impala ever, and there are 10 airbags installed to ensure optimum passenger protection. Optional safety features now include adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-departure warning. Before we even get into the praise thatAutoblog had for the new Impala after a test drive, we wanted to share with all of our Mid-Missouri Powerhouse customers the crash-test rating for the Impala: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave it a five-star overall rating. This rating dropped to four stars only for rollover resistance, which is a very specifically calculated figure.

The LT trim level is the second up the ladder, and is where you really begin to experience the luster and individual appeal that is the new Impala. While still at 4-cylinder, it adds MyLink infotainment, cloth and leatherette upholstery, power lumbar for the front passenger, Bluetooth phone and audio, dual-zone automatic climate control, as well as 18-inch alloy wheels. Obtaining the Premier trim level is where things really step up a notch: the V6 becomes an instrumental and powerful part of the picture, and you also acquire perforated leather-upholstered seats, heated front seats, a power front passenger seat, 19-inch wheels, pushbutton start, and rear parking sensors.

At first glance of the interior, the folks from Autoblog deemed it immediately more spacious than competitors such as the Toyota Avalon, and Hyundai Azera. With ample room for five as well as full luggage collection, the front seats were said to provide greater support than nearly all of the rivals, as well as head and leg space that can readily accommodate nearly any body size. Trunk space is plentiful at 18.8 cubic feet, and the cockpit is home to a select few very useful storage bins.

Once on the road, the Autoblog crew claimed that the Impala is an athletic-quality performer, with an excellent balance of handling and ride comfort. Known for its accuracy and quickness, the belt-driven electric power steering never feels too heavy or sluggish. The overall rating given for balance was greater than that of the Toyota Avalon, Hyundai Azera, and Ford Taurus. Going from 0 to 60 mph in around 6.8 seconds, the V6 version of the Impala delivers a robust power that is still smooth, minus the grunty and over-the-top muscle of other available models.

This test drive article also claimed that Chevy's latest Impala “blends attractive body lines with well-composed handling, and a satisfying ride”. We hope you come visit us soon at the Powerhouse, to see just how inspiring an addition to your driving lineup this year's Impala could be for the impending spring season around the corner!

2018 Chevy Trax Hailed by Consumer Reports as “Unforgettable, Economical”

For the past few years here at the Powerhouse, we have realized just how integral and important the subcompact SUV category of the car market is. What was once a very large genre of vehicle that could always be counted on to guzzle gas and be insanely huge, many changes have shaped the appearance and fell of the SUV. When construction of one is executed perfectly, a subcompact SUV fulfills the need for a budget price, and offers versatility in interior design, as well as features such as all-wheel-drive for varying types of weather. Much attention has also been given to the amount of fuel economy SUVs have, as well as a position that is perfectly elevated above the road.

The Chevy Trax is our brand's answer to the slot for an SUV situated comfortably beneath the Equinox, and we were pleased to see the review from Consumer Reports about the road test results. They have long been an authority on describing to consumers how cars handle, and clearly spelling out the pros and cons regarding a new auto purchase. During a test drive of the new Trax, the well-known publication labeled it as a success, and praised it for having luster and mass appeal for the young at heart. In some ways, the position that the Trax is poised to produce large fuel efficiency numbers required a bit of sacrifice during the design process, but the nimble feel behind the wheel and agility rivals that of others in the exact same category.

U.S. News and World Report ranked the Trax highly for ease of maneuvering capability and turning radius, as well as high level of support for the back and legs in the seating. So many that are looking for a new vehicle have one very important detail logged in their “necessary” category, and that is the provision of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto: competitors such as the Mazda CX-3 don't provide these extras as an included feature. You'll be able to seat five with extreme comfort during any long excursion in the Trax, which offers up more than enough leg-and-headroom. During these pre-spring days on the lot at Jim Butler of St Louis, we are frequently asked about cargo space: a vital feature of any subcompact SUV is how much you can scrunch in for a pending business conference trip, or jaunt to KC for a Royals game and Worlds of Fun.

The Trax has almost 19 cubic feet of cargo space while the rear seats are in use, which is ample room for vacation luggage, or a cooler and chairs if a camping or lake trip is on the weekend schedule. While the rear seats are folded down, more than 48 cubic feet is available, which gives you the option to move furniture, a bike, or even skis for embarking on an escape to the slopes. To keep the browsing gadgets full of juice, there are two USB ports for charging, and a MyLInk infotainment system equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen display, optimum for on-board entertainment.

When you come down to visit for a test drive, check out just how the 138-horsepower turbo-four engine provides ample acceleration, while yielding 25 mpg in the city, and 33 mpg on the highway. The maneuverability of the Trax really makes waves as well: you'll quickly see that the minimal body roll on turns will leave you with a sense of permanent wanderlust, perfect for exploring the back country of Missouri during 2018!

2018 Chevy Traverse RS Provides Turbocharged Performance, Aggressive Styling

During winter at the Mid Missouri Powerhouse, some might picture us huddled around the table, trying to keep warm, occasionally shoveling snow, and having ample time on our hands. While this is a humorous sight to envision, it is quite far from the truth! We are bursting at the seams with financing options, new models on the lot, and anxious to offer test drives for those of you getting ready to purchase. One of the exciting additions to the 2018 mix is the brand new Traverse RS: sporting turbocharged performance and aggressive new styling options, it adds a dimension of very thrilling-to-drive charm into the current midsize SUV category.

It is based on the redesigned 2018 Traverse, which offers a first-class maximum cargo room of 98.2 cubic feet, more technology options than were previously included, and an enhanced list of great new safety features. Various customers noticed during years past that the Traverse could use a version that provided a bit more of a street-inspired look, and this comfortable and connected version provides a viable option for every lifestyle. The black grille is the component that really gives the RS its unique design element, followed up closely by black window trim, roof rails, and bowtie emblems, as well as 20-inch aluminum wheels topped off with a dark Android finish.

A trait to get excited about for any new vehicle is first-time changes. A property that truly leaves past models in a category not as appealing, the RS is the very first Traverse that offers turbocharged performance, offering up a very spirited driving experience with a unique breed of punch and prowess. A direct-injected Ecotec 2.0-L turbo engine fulfills the task of generating up to 257 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission. The EPA-estimated fuel economy is 20 mpg for the city, and 26 mpg on the highway, which we deem a pretty lofty accomplishment for the space and solidity of the Traverse RS.

HID headlamps and LED daytime running lamps, upper and lower active aero shutters, and the Chevrolet MyLink Radio with 8-inch diagonal touchscreen are some of the other great features you'll enjoy, as well as the exceptionally useful Onstar 4G LTE for navigation and built-in wi-fi hotspot for connectivity. Many customers looking for the vehicle that will suit their needs best rank comfort at a very high quality on their list, and the Traverse RS offers up excellent Jet Black leather-appointed seating, heated front seats, and tri-zone automatic climate control.

Ask us about how you can get hooked up with the Bose premium 10-speaker audio system: there is no better way to assure you have an awesome drive than supplying ample tune capabilities. Keyless Open with extended-range Remote Keyless Entry has been a lifesaver for many who are running a bit late in the morning, and safety features such as Rear Cross Traffic Alert will assure the peace of mind any modern driver should ask for from a brand. You'll also feel completely confident with the 360-degree camera on board: it is becoming more important than ever to give the area around you a thorough check before backing out of the driveway to begin the day's journey!

Supercharged Track Performance Report: 2019 Chevy Corvette ZR1 Outruns Famed Ford GT

The Virginia International Speedway has long been a proving grounds of various sorts, and a firm East Coast anchor for the best in racing action. You can see events like the Pirelli World Challenge, MotoAmerica Championship of Virginia, and Grassroots Motorsports Magazine sponsored Hyperfest Tire Rack Car Challenge here to quell your thirst for high-octane excitement. Also the home of the Sportscar Club of America's “VA Spring Sprints” Motor Tour, it was recently chosen by Car and DriverMagazine as one of the top six road courses in the nation. Last year, the Ford GT Supercar set a production car lap record here, and this year, our beloved 2019 Corvette ZR1 completed the task of destroying that record!

Chevy was out on the track doing what they do best with company test driver Jim Mero, and the 755-hp 6.2-liter supercharged V8 clocked a time of 2:37.25 for the 4.1-mile circuit. Beating out the GT's time by 1.37 seconds, this is an achievement that all of us here at the Powerhouse were rooting for all along. Both the Chevy and Ford were cars of showroom spec grade, with no ultra-unique enhancements in the performance department. The ZR1 had the addition of the $2,995 ZTK Performance Package, which provides summer-only tires, a track-focused tune for the suspension, and a downforce-producing aero kit.

Rumor has it that GM is working on a mid-engine supercar that may have the duty of replacing the Corvette next year, due to some opinions that wonder if it has reached the limits of performance for a design incorporating the use of a front engine. Road And Track claimed excitedly that this is the “fastest street car GM has ever made”, and the absolute “True King of the Hill”. The two gaping openings in front of the cover work overtime to extrude the hot air pouring out of the engine bay, and the ZR1's new pushrod V8 features a 52-percent larger supercharger than the Z06's LT4. This is also GM's first dual-injection system, dutifully chiseling the way for production of 755 horsepower, and 715 lb-ft of torque.

The dry sump motor is also the home of Chevy's largest ever throttle bodies: they hold it down tightly at 95mm, as well as having an upgraded crankshaft with a key slot much wider. Both versions of the ZR1's available rear wings are bolted firmly to the chassis, bearing similarity to the racing edition Corvette C7R. The claimed top speed is around 201 miles per hour in this thing, and another huge difference in handling is the 355 section rear tires. There are also front wheels which are half an inch wider, and their open design makes for more rapid cooling within the brakes. We will be amazed to see just exactly what the car with the most carbon fiber GM has ever put in a vehicle handles like when put to the task, and options like the Performance Data Recorder can track your every move while you learn the ropes of mastering the winding track!