Powerhouse's Show-Stealing Spotlight: The Chevy Blazer's Progress Throughout the Years

There was quite a lot happening worldwide back in 1969: the world was changing so fast that it was definitely going to demand rugged and powerful vehicles to work, play, and commute with. From the hippies at Berkley and the bonfire parties in Southern California to the wooded areas right here in Missouri, America still had a love affair with the outdoors, even during turbulent times. The very first Chevy Blazer model was the true interpretation of “Truck meets car”, and combined the versatility of 4-wheel-drive with convenience options such as power steering and brakes, and was groundbreaking in that it paved the way for many various innovations as the years went on.

In a USA Today feature over this past week, there was a visual spread that showed  just how awesome and iconic the Blazer was, and many of us fondly remember it as “the vehicle that drummers loved”, since the back provided so much space for the gear that needed to be transported swiftly from gig to gig. The USA Today photo spread then went straight to 1992, but we were OK with that: this is when the super-cool full-size Blazer went on sale. With the addition of sidesteps, this easily became the #1 favorite vehicle for many, and was optimum for use in heavy weather. Reviews on Cars.com deemed it as “Dependable, comfortable, and fun”, and it was a symbol of not only rugged American pride, but the ability to jump off-road at the drop of a hat.

During 1992 was when the Blazer made the switch to the platform as the full-size C/K pickup, and it was forever streamlined. Square edges were rounded off, large expanses of tinted glass were brought in, and the interior had several drastic improvements that made it immediately more user-friendly. The 1993 model offered a 4-speed electronically controlled transmission, that closely monitored the rate of fuel injection, ignition timing, idle speed, and even internal engine temperature. The 4-speed was much quieter, and there was still the 5.7-liter, 210 horsepower, V-8 under the hood. Then sporting a towing rating of 7,000 pounds, this version came out when consumers were beginning to turn to sport-utility vehicles as a viable alternative to luxury cars.

1999 saw the very awesome and able 4-door Blazer hit the dealers, and there was a  limited-edition “Trailblazer” appearance package that was available as an upgrade to the LT and LS trims. Here you could snag gold-accented alloy rims and trim, along with several interior/exterior modifications and upgrades. Passenger airbags were now standard, as well as headrests for the rear bench. A front grille that was similar to the Chevrolet C/K pickup's line was on deck to replace the older system that was made up of single-headlights, and 4-wheel disc brakes become standard equipment.

As we are all anxiously preparing for the release of the 2019 Blazer, we have also been fondly looking back at the early S-10 Blazer from 1982: They were sizable and menacing, and did not feature removable hardtops like their full-size cousins at the time did. The 1.9, 2.0 , and 2.2 -liter diesel were discontinued after 1985, then being replaced by the larger 2.5-liter engine. The V6 was equipped with a throttle-body fuel injection system for 1986, in order to bolster improvements to fuel economy and overall performance. With the newest version feeling a bit more like an SUV-crossover and not as much of a raw contender as its predecessors, some are wondering if it will offer bang for the buck: we can firmly attest here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse that after one simple test drive, you'll be ready to own this current version of the outdoor lover's flagship getaway hybrid!

Test Drive of a Different Variety: Chevy's Medium to Simulate Drowsy Driving

A good number of our frequent visitors here at the Powerhouse that come to visit and test drive new vehicles are simply amazed at the variety of safety features they offer. It has been exhilarating to see very useful tools such as lane change assist, all sorts of high-functioning camera angles to choose from, among various other features that are going to result in near autonomy for the driving realm in the future. It is in no way the notion that Chevy and other manufacturers want drivers to feel lazy on the road, it's the strong ounce of prevention that collides with finite-honed technology to assure that a quick response is available for nearly any situation. Weather changes such as slick roads can be very frightful when they occur, and having every tool possible to assist you during inclement weather is a massive sense of comfort to anyone on the road.

Getting behind the wheel without enough sleep actually now accounts for nearly ten percent of crashes in the U.S., and as the summer driving season begins to roll out in full volume, Chevy engineers have warmed up heartily to the undertaking task of addressing the hazard of drowsy driving. When you participate in this simulation to warn you of the dangers, weights are strapped around your wrist, chest, and ankles, and it is very noticeable right away the added difficulty during walking. During the simulation, a 20 mph speed is constantly maintained, and increments of vision are taken away for just one split second at a time.

Every four seconds, the driver has a very intense one-second flash of differing  sensation, and one driver lost control and hit a cone right on the spot. According to the National Sleep Foundation, 60 percent of all adults on the road admit to driving while drowsy, and a shocking 37 percent have fallen asleep at one time during a drive. One of the best tips in existence from professionals is that if you cannot seem to clearly remember the last few miles or exits, it's time to be proactive, and make sure you get off the road! The on-board Chevy technology for safety can help you avoid drifting or other hazardous incidents that would put a damper on safe travel, but making sure you are properly rested is one of the most important ways to assure constant safety.

In any busy Missouri commuter's daily life, there are many factors that can seem difficult to have full control over, and they gradually whittle away at our sleep cycle until it may seem too late. Changes in career, relationship status, and geographical location are just a few of the issues that add to the problem of someone who already is not getting enough rest. This study showed just how dangerous this can be while on the road, and if you do happen to find yourself in a situation where you have just pulled an all-niter or are drastically low on energy, look behind you, as well as to your left and right, much more frequently to stay safe.

Vehicles that are traveling faster than you may suddenly make you prone to accidents as well as sudden turns in the road. Some of the best vehicles in our lineup such as the Traverse, Equinox, Tahoe, and Silverado are all equipped with some of the most well-thought-through safety precautions in existence. Many important weapons for the battle when it comes to top-shelf road safety are up to you: natural supplements such as Valerian root and melatonin may provide a healthy means of reaching a natural sleep state, as well as an ample dose of physical exercise.

Students from all walks of life, those taking on a new night shift, and busy parents can easily find themselves pushed to the limit as far as sleep, and we now know just how dangerous it can be, affecting every single ability to have a quick reaction to changes in your driving environment. We hope you come down to the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse this summer, and see for yourself the many ways that Chevy vehicles can offer a high-tech hand in assisting those who need to be awake and alert while on the road!

Chevy Equinox: The Ideal Vehicle For Those Searching for Convenience with Confidence

If there is one demographic that we feel we need to stand up and take notice of here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse, it is absolutely young professionals. We recognize that there are those of you out there who are beginning your lives after school, holding down numerous jobs, and touting your burgeoning talents with everything you do. With vibrant and creative individuals on the hunt for the perfect vehicle for their daily needs, Chevy has really upped the ante in the SUV department, and the newly redesigned Equinox is the perfect example.  

The new Equinox has the space to fit 5 very comfortably, and the design to edge past the competition in many ways. This is the best answer that exists on the market to competitors such as the CR-V and Rav-4, with hours of engineering attention allocated to making sure the active driver is satisfied. This is one who takes more than just the occasional long trip with the family, and our state of Missouri is one fantastic place for anyone getting bouts of dire wanderlust. Being fantastically accessible while having some of the most thoroughly-upgraded technology are just two of the reasons why the Equinox can really excel above others when hitting the open road. You'll notice right away the lighter element: 400 pounds of weight have been shed from the SUV, and this tightens the all-important turning radius by 2.5 feet.

Every single inch of the 63.5 cubic ft of space in the Equinox is utilized to its fullest potential, to assure that every last person and accessory is included along for the trip. You'll love the 60/40 seat folding option, allowing for much more space for anything from a summertime outdoor picnic, to impromptu rock formation challenges at prime Missouri climbing destinations such as Trapper's Camp. The 1.5-liter turbo engine averages 30 miles per gallon on the highway, and if you are on the hunt for more muscle, the 2.0-liter doles out 252 hp, while maintaining an average of 24 mpg. For those who like to move frequently, and with a high dose of unique style, this is the perfect budget-friendly vehicle, that still possesses the charms and flair of those much higher up the chain in terms of expenditure.

A rear seat reminder nudges you to check the second row, to see if you have left anything behind. You'll also enjoy a full selection of active safety tech that included Safety Alert Seat, forward collision warning with following distance indicator, lane keeping assist, lane departure warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. For journeys when a bit of entertainment will perfectly hit the spot, the seven-inch touchscreen is now standard, and an 8-inch touchscreen is available for those who want a bit larger of a viewing medium. Car and Driver themselves billed the Equinox as “Expertly damped, with well-controlled wheel motions, and no sensation of body float”. Come down to visit us here at the Powerhouse soon, and check out this young professional's dream SUV's class, dependability, and capability!

The 2019 Silverado's Dynamic Fuel Management Factor: an Industry-First Feature

As the summer months make their way into Missouri, thoughts may turn to lake trips, camping, and more hours of sunlight to get whatever hard job is on your itinerary done. One of the vehicles we are asked about most here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse is the all-new for 2019 Silverado 1500, as rugged, awesome, and powerful as it is, there is now another fantastic feature that will draw many customers to it. The new Silverado will now offer the most advanced gasoline V-8 Engine in the brand's history, with newly-updated versions of the 5.3-liter and 6.2-liter V-8s featuring this asset. What this revolutionary technology does is enables the engines to operate in 17 different cylinder patterns, which goes to work on power delivery effectiveness, and overall efficiency.

Small Block chief engineer Jordan Lee was asked to comment on the process effectiveness level, and quoted, “Dynamic Fuel Management enables only the cylinders needed to deliver the power you want, seamlessly delivering the best balance of power and fuel economy”. One of the most amazing components of this system is the electromagnetics: they are responsible for deactivating and reactivating all 16 of engine's hydraulic valve lifters, controlling the patterns in which they actuate. When a cylinder in this system is activated, the two-piece lifters use energy to collapse on themselves, which prevents them for immediately having the valves open. When the cylinder reactivates, solenoids inside send an oil pressure signal directly to the control ports on the lifters, and the mechanism controlling the latching governs the valves closing and opening at the right place.

What all this means for the driver is that the engine has the ability to operate more often, while at the same time putting a fewer number of cylinders to use. This ultimately saves fuel, and gives the driver a feeling of power on demand that comes from Chevy's Gen V Small Block V-8 engines. The 6.2-liter engine with this Dynamic Fuel Management system is the absolute most powerful gas V-8 in the segment, and is SEA-certified at 420 horsepower, while paired appropriately with a Hydra-Matic 10-speed automatic transmission. Both of these transmissions have enhancements that were carefully designed to improve the quality of every single gearshift, noticeable during quick urban drives, or while out kicking dirt up on trails.

There is also a centrifugal pendulum absorber torque converter on board, used to reduce vibrations, specifically when cylinders are in the process of deactivating. These engines also feature a revolutionary start/stop technology that helps save valuable fuel during stop-and-go traffic, and they both will be constructed at the GM Tonawanda Engine Plant in Buffalo, New York. The 2019 Silverado is slated to go on sale this fall, when many excited customers will be able to see just how groundbreaking and able to conquer the wild it truly is. We've always been crazy about trucks here at the Powerhouse, and there's no better time than summer to scope out the capabilities of the incoming fleet!