2021 Chevy Suburban Caught in the Wild Via Motor Authority Spy Shots

The season is bearing down upon us here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse where there may be good reason for even more outings in numbers than summer: crisp temps, the promise of high-octane sporting events, and the festive holidays that come up quick in November. The Suburban is a great choice for carting friends and loved ones around in numbers, and a prototype for the 2021 model was just spotted in camouflage by the Motor Trend blog staff revealing clues about what the upcoming SUVs appearance.

Chevy's full-size fleet will now be redesigned around the T1 body-on-frame platform for SUVs and pickups, and will be instrumental in helping the new Suburban ultimately shed close to 300 pounds. The 2019 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500 was where the T1 platform made its debut last year, and we have been notified by numerous sources that after the redesigned Suburban arrives at dealerships as a 2021 model, it could be followed shortly by a redesigned version of the smaller Tahoe. Even with the task at hand of peering through the heavy camo gear on this Suburban prototype, it looks like many elements of the front including the headlight treatment have been borrowed from the latest Silverado, the front-running and most capable heavy-duty truck in the nation.

We know that the engineers were hunkered for some time over technical documents in the break room discussing how to take extreme measures to hide the rear axle, and we applaud the desire to hide as much as possible when it comes to a future model. But in these shots, it is evident that there is an independent rear suspension unlike what is situated in the current model. This will most likely make a noticeable difference in comfort, and exist as a direct response to Ford's latest setup in their new Expedition.

It may come as a shocker to a few, but there is a good chance that the new model line could consist of a 2.7-liter turbocharged inline 4-cylinder deactivation fitted... YES: that boils down in all bold-faced reality to a 4-cylinder Suburban! We fully understand that many will choose the 5.3-liter V-8 offered with the advanced Dynamic Fuel Management cylinder deactivation technology, that can alter the engine's firing between just one and all eight cylinders on its own high-tech whim.

Poised at the top of the range will most likely be the 6.2-liter V8 with 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, currently available in Suburban RST trim. The Suburban is the longest continuous use auto nameplate still in production, seeing its  beginnings in 1935. Three rows of seating and a full pickup frame bring about quite a vibe go-anywhere prowess, and we have high hopes for the incoming model as reports about release continue!

Car Buzz Offers Up First Sneak Peek at 3-Row Chevy Blazer XL

Since it went on sale, customers here at the Mid Missouri Powerhouse and all over the nation have expressed great love for the new Chevy Blazer. It has up until now just been available as a two-row crossover, but various reports earlier this year claim that Chevy plans to introduce a now-longer three-row version inspired by the Chevy FNR – CarryAll Concept that was unveiled during the Guangzou Motor Show. This was the third concept to bear the “Find New Roads” designation and touted an extra 3.3 inches of length over the Blazer.

The CarryAll name dates back to the original Suburban that first put the Chevy on the SUV map back in 1985. Just like the Blazer, this is a concept that takes quite a bit of inspiration from the Camaro and features the hood-mounted air scoop, carbon-fiber roof with panoramic glass panel, 22-inch alloys, and gripping carbon-ceramic rotors. Upon peeking inside, you see a two-tone red and black leather cabin brandishing sports seats, a 12-inch instrument display, and a 10-inch infotainment screen. What is reported to be called the new Blazer XL was caught by the Carbuzz blog's photographers here, during testing in Germany.

The Blazer XL is slated to ride on the same platform as its sibling, and the wheelbase will be the same, but the length will be 5.5 inches longer to allow space for more passengers. During this early-stage sighting camouflage covering the exterior makes it difficult to see some of the design details, but it is evident that the rear doors are larger than the standard Blazer's to provide easy access to the brand-new third row. Production for the Blazer XL is at this point scheduled to begin in early 2020 in Shanghai and officially is not known if the model will ever see release in the States.

The current-model 2019 Blazer Premier boasts a high beltline, floating roof, and very aggressive stance that helps it stand out from the more mundane offerings seen in the high-volume SUV category. We know that the current model does not have a removable roof and is not a body-on-frame SUV, as well as not a two-door offering. Those who have loved the Blazer since its early inception are understandably a bit cautious to dole up all of their credibility regarding an example of machinery that was a bronco and fence-post busting commodity when it hit the scene in 1969.

Really paying homage to the Motor City essence is the cabin: it focuses heavily on being practical, and after one test drive it won't be hard to see the raw sense of power that is on tap to be unleashed: the Blazer is, by all means, the hailed Pony contender reporting for street duty, and we guarantee that the drive will be exhilarating, memorable, and inspiring!

Spotlight on 2020 Chevy Corvette Exterior Design Manager Kirk Bennion: Bringing a World-Class Vision to Life

One of the industry professionals we have had our eye on here for quite some time at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse is Kirk Bennion. Allocating his well-earned expertise to the Corvette design studio since 1986, he is himself a very avid race driver, and understands the very important role of aerodynamics in a Corvette's overall track performance. He and his incredibly hard-working team are responsible for the exterior design of the mid-engine C8 Corvette, sporting a grave difference from the shape and overall handling behavior of the front-engine C7 architecture.

In a very candid interview with the Super Chevy Network, he was first told that it was known the C7 was a hard act follow, and asked about which challenge was the biggest aerodynamic hurdle during the long journey. The work that took place while incorporating low drag and manipulating downforce was a big factor, and getting the two heat exchangers in the front and two in the rear of the car to function properly posed a sizable challenge. When the heat exchangers were finally loaded, it was of grave importance to make sure that they were in proper locations in order to maximize the airflow while not disturbing the overall flow and design of the car.

A lot of time was taken to determine where to position the heat exchangers, and building up the inlets to provide a maximum cooling effect. The job of routing the plumbing was not too terrible, as the center tunnel in the C8 was free to enable proper routing. From the time the C6 Z06 was released, there were constant requests from customers regarding the hydraulic lift system. With frontal curb damage being a huge issue, this lift system played a huge part in making the car more user-friendly.

When a driver approaches a speed bump or any other kind of hazard in their way, they simply press a button to activate the system. Their location is sent via GPS to a satellite, and then stored in digital cloud memory for future access. The next time the driver approaches the scene of the bumpy crime, the front lift system activates automatically. Up to 1,000 locations can be stored, and the front shocks are fitted with a very small hydraulic pump that takes its cue from an electronic switch when signaled to raise the car.

It's no secret that speed is one of this car's awesome assets, and aerodynamics play a big role in maintaining stability. Aircraft design has influence here, and the body ridges help direct the airflow into the cooling inlets. Two of the reasons the car stays stable at all times are downforce and cooling, as well as the task of not keeping a bunch of air under the car to perpetuate lift. One of the reasons why this car turned out to be such a success is that anyone can sense at first sight that “all of the fat has been taken out”, and the design remains taught and ready for the first signs of head-to-head action off the line!

Autoblog Covers 2020 Chevy Blazer's Addition of 2.0-Liter Turbo Four Engine

The knowledgeable crew on staff at Autoblog reported over the past week that the 2020 Chevy Blazer is now going to add GM's new LSY 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder to its choice of engines. GM Authority were the ones to see the clues regarding the addition buried on VIN paperwork earlier this year, and Car and Driver recently got official news from GM. The first time that the LSY had shown up in the crossover realm was on the Cadillac XT4, delightfully dragging along with it twin-scroll turbos, the TriPower variable lift valvetrain, stop-start technology, and cylinder deactivation. This motor joined the ranks of the Acadia lineup after the 2021 facelift took place for GMC's crossover, and the 2.0-liter will now become situated with its close relative after the Traverse and Acadia now share the C1 platform.

It brings to the table 230 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, and the Blazer's base L and LT trims will now just come with the 2.5-liter naturally aspirated 4-cylinder, which makes 193 hp and 188 lb-ft of torque, only available in front-wheel-drive. As you move up in trim level selection, the top-level RS and Premier offerings will brandish the 3.6-liter naturally aspirated V6, with 308 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque, and your choice of front or all-wheel drive.

Every model incorporates a nine-speed transmission, and the 2.0-liter will pair with the middle 2LT and 3LT trims. Everyone here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse is thrilled that the two-row midsize crossover segment has seen the new entries such as the Blazer lately, and we attest that is the boldest and most aggressively sporty of the bunch! Weighing in heavy on the awesome black trim, 20-inch wheels as well as a black leather interior with red accents, and torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system are some of the features that set this great new vehicle apart from others in its same category.

As the back-to-school season is upon us and many families out there are on the search for the vehicle that will best meet their needs, make sure to pay close attention to the features you get with the Enhanced Convenience and Driver Confidence II Package! It adds adaptive cruise control, heated and cooled front seats, rearview camera mirror display, driver memory settings, a power-adjustable steering wheel, lane-keep assist, surround-view camera, and Bose sound system.