2020 Chevy Silverado HD Deemed by Motortrend as “Impressively Built For Work”

Hauling, Lugging, and Jobsite duties that are the furthest from “light” imaginable are all typical parts of many of our customers' day here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse of Linn. Trucks such as the new 2020 Silverado HD are ideal for the many instances where the low-end muster and might of a sedan just would never do. The coming model was highlighted up close in a blog this week from the folks at Motor Trend, and they first offered up a quick view of the available range. It will be available in strong 2500 or 3500 variants, with the 3500 being offered now as a dually.

The trims in order from low to high are Work Truck, Custom, LT, LTZ, and High Country. All come standard with a 6.6-liter gasoline V-8 that cranks out 401 horsepower, and 464 lb-ft of torque backed by a six-speed transmission. It can also be had with a 6.6 – liter turbodiesel V-8 that produces 445 hp and a mighty 910 lb – ft of torque and mated to a 10-speed transmission. Double cab/standard bed configuration is available for Work Truck, with Crew cab/standard bed available as well. These trucks are built with fine-tuned precision in the name of hard work and have astronomical hauling and towing capability.

Gas-powered Silverado Hds are now rated to carry a 7,466 lb – payload and two up to 17,400 pounds overall. As far as the diesel Silverado HD is concerned payload rating is not yet available, but we are very well aware that there is a 52-percent increase in its towing capacity, which is currently situated at 35,500 pounds. You may be spending quite a bit of time here with us or on your tablet looking at which version is just right for you: between the different cab, bed, rear axle, and engine combinations, 80 variants are available, and that's before the addition of many optional extras.

The Motor Trend staff were also hinting in this article that they were all very excited about these trucks models all making their way to contending with extreme vigor during the “Truck of the Year” contest in a few months. You'll get to put to use adaptive cruise control as well as the 15 various camera views that were introduced on the GMC Sierra 1500 this year. It's a great system that aids in avoiding problems that rise up quickly while trailering, and two of the 8 available cameras will produce a stitched-together image that lets you see right through the trailer. 17-inch bright silver painted aluminum wheels are now free flow on the Work Truck trim, and you can also enjoy the addition of the Texas Edition on the Silverado RST! 

Automotive Minute Covers Chevy Trailblazer Revival Exhibiting “Exciting Momentum and Personalization”

Eileen Falkenberg-Hull of BizJournals.com has the very prominent daily duty of Editor for “Drive My Family”, and doled out her two cents last week regarding the exciting release of the 2021 Trailblazer. All of us here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse were excited at the coming of the Trailblazer, as the namesake that made its own distinct brand of permanent waves in the truck category was reborn. This fall positioned in between the Chevy Trax and Chevy Equinox, the 2021 Trailblazer is aimed at what Eileen deems here as “empty nesters on a budget” or those who don't need the larger amount of space found in a bigger SUV.

“Empty nesters” is by no means a derogatory term: this is a market share of vibrant customers who now have a bit more time on their hands and are looking for the best in a crossover SUV to call their own. Their planned weekend trips may be a bit further considering the extra time they now have on their hands, and it's still nice to have the perks of an SUV even though there may not always be extra passengers in the back seat. As Eileen recognized, the great design of the Trailblazer enables a great amount of personalization, serving as a solid continuation of the design language for the entire Chevy crossover family and offering a feature-rich entry for one of the fastest-growing niches in the auto industry.

The exterior is reminiscent of the lines you see at first look of the 2019 Blazer, and the car's interior is more akin to what is found on the Equinox. There were some definite risks taken during the design of the Blazer's cabin, and while we are huge fans of the entire finished product, what is found within the Trailblazer is a bit more appealing for the typical SUV shopper. The sportier RS trim with two-tone roof will be ideal for those in search of an edgy and modern vibe, and each new Trailblazer will also come standard with driver assistance features such as forward pedestrian braking, automatic emergency braking, as well as lane departure warning with assist. Adaptive cruise control, rear park assist, and a high-definition rearview camera are also on board.

Expected to arrive at dealerships in early 2020, the official announcement was made at the Shanghai Auto Show regarding the Trailblazer's reveal. There were many onlookers out there expecting a body-on-frame SUV that is a bit more like what the 4Runner offers, but it has now definitely been confirmed that the Trailblazer will be based on Chevy's global small SUV platform.

It is no secret that passenger cars have seen many models scrapped lately, and from right here in Missouri all of the way to Minnesota and Malibu, SUV's seem to be all you see on the roads at a quick glance. Offering everything viable and roadworthy at a reasonable price is never a snap of the fingers in today's landscape, and you'll be excited to see just how practical, easy to blend in with your daily duties, and agile the new Trailblazer will be!

GM Authority Provides Inside Scoop on Everything New For The 2020 Chevy Colorado

As spring is gradually turning to summer here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse, it is more important than ever for us to size up the competition in the midsize truck segment. Displaying enormous gains in popularity over the past few years, it is no secret that so very many buyers right here and across the nation are won over by versatility, rugged appeal, and durability displayed in such models such as next year's Colorado. The Ford Ranger, Jeep Gladiator, and Nissan Frontier are all seeing drastic efforts at redesigns, and the Silverado absolutely has an ample array in the new additions category to keep its edge!

There will now be a remote locking tailgate available as an option on the Work Truck trim, coming standard on LT, Z71 and ZR2 models. LT models now will come standard with the EZ-lift tailgate, which was previously just an option on the LT trim, and every model will get Tire Fill Alert. Inside, the Chevy Infotainment Premium system with Navigation is replaced with the Chevy Infotainment Plus system with navigation, and the leather-appointed Jet Black/Dark Ash interior color combination has been deleted from the lineup.

A few of the existing packages for the 2020 Colorado will be reshuffled a bit: the Safety Package is now available on Z71 models, and included Lane Departure Warning as well as Forward Collision Alert. This package was previously only available on the LT model, and is absolutely instrumental in assuring safety on the daily. Other changes include Deletion of the Redline Luxury Special Edition Package, Deletion of the RST Luxury Special Edition, and the ability to combine the Redline Special Edition and Colorado RST Special Edition models with the Luxury Package. When a new year comes around and customers are waiting for specs, it's definitely always appreciated to not take the “easy road”, and really offer up the features that keep the truck fresh and in the now.

On the outside, the design is attractive and modern, and we know full well that hardcore truck lovers are wondering about how the Colorado measures up to its constant competitor found in the face of the Ford Ranger. Chevy definitely put the time in regarding modifying the Colorado for North American tastes, while its evident that the Ranger had been caught off guard with how competitive the segment has become, as diehard fans are quite serious about every last feature and in-depth spec.

When it comes to rivaling moxie against sworn enemies such as the Ranger, the Colorado has a lower starting price, more color choices, more cab and bed configurations, and a tried-and-true spirit that just won't quit. Having a midsize truck is one of those pleasures in life that is worthy of a great deal of adoration: you can haul something at a beckoning call if need be, snugly traverse through any urban traffic scenario, and rapidly hop off-road to dominate and happily stake a claim to an area such as these right here in Missouri! 

NPR Provides the Scoop on “Buckle Up” Tech Included With Teen Driver Package

One thing that many have talked to us about here at the Powerhouse with the coming of summer is that they are concerned about multiple issues regarding teen drivers. As the graduation ceremonies are taking place in numbers, many are getting their licenses and gaining the ultimate in freedom! A Chevy vehicle is one of the best things a new graduate could ask for, as our longstanding reputation for safety and reliability are ingrained in every single vehicle. Even with police out and about looking for those who aren't always following the rules, Chevy now has another way to see to it that they will!

NPR offered up the scoop this week about a new feature that will temporarily block the auto from shifting into gear at all if the seat belt is not buckled. A message then alerts the driver to buckle up in order to be able to proceed. After 20 seconds, the vehicle will operate normally, allowing the driver to proceed once it's established they are buckled up. This feature is an industry first, and will come as standard in the 2020 models of the Traverse, Malibu, and Colorado.

It will be part of the “Teen Driver” package, which is also instrumental in setting speed alerts and maximum speed, and give parents “report cards” that provide a detailed tracking of the teen's driving behavior. To use Teen Driver mode, a parent can enable the feature by creating a PIN in the Settings menu that allows them to register their teen's key fob. The settings are turned on only when an actual registered key fob is used to start the vehicle. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, less than 60% of high school students are claiming they wear their seat belt during every single drive, and per mile driven, teens are the age group that experiences the highest risk of being involved in a fatal crash.

Chevy safety engineer Tricia Morrow claimed in a recent statement that she hopes the feature “will help guide more young drivers to wear their seat belts, as well as encouraging positive conversations among teens, their peers, and parents.” For some who purchased GM vehicles in the past, there was a similar feature available, but this particular new teen driver rollout is an industry first for consumer vehicles. If the car actually is not moving, it is going to be a much more effective means of getting the teen to wear their seat belt then a car that won't stop beeping.

With so many grave safety issues on the line, manufacturers are taking many steps to prevent crashes from occurring. Even though seat belts seem to be a pest and a thorn in the side, all of us here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse know how important it is for you to have your teen in check, and this is one great new feature that will keep your mind completely at ease when the younger ones in your tribe find their way daily behind the wheel!