Engadget Confirms That Full-Size Electric Truck With 400-Mile Range Is Definitely in Chevy's Future

Here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse, we have a pretty large portion of our favorite customers that simply love trucks. Off-Road contenders such as the ZR2 Bison and our prized Silverado have long been ruling the wooded hills, dirt trails, and job sites of this area, and they are as loyal, reliable, and rugged as one can imagine. Having the freedom to quickly haul a load, know you're equipped for a fishing run, and doing it all while sitting in a cabin that has become much more luxurious the last few years are all front-running benefits of Chevy truck ownership. 

  

There's nothing like the comfort and power you feel when you fire up a diesel or gas-powered truck in the morning and know that you are on your way to give 110% and get the job done. Most people know just how important that the shift to electric power is to embrace, but we recognize that some are reluctant to give up the grunt, grit, and might of the trucks we love so much. Well, hold on to that thought! They aren't “going away” immediately, but the awesome staff on duty at Engadget offered up the story that GM has now officially revealed the plans for the future development of a full-size electric pickup.

Before you balk right away and doubt the importance of this announcement, consider that the new truck is stated to be able to run over 400 miles on a single charge! Not much else has been revealed at this point, and as the Autoblog staff noted, it is not yet known whether the truck will function as an electrified version of the beloved Silverado, or as an entirely new model altogether. The announcement was also made earlier this year that Chevy is now investing $2.2 billion into the conversion of the Detroit-Hamtramck facility into the first assembly plant that will be entirely committed to the development of EVs.

We know that the truck is scheduled to be released by 2025, and it will not be identical to the upcoming GMC Hummer EV. Many of the usual contenders have already jumped fully on board and the market will be chock full of alternatives such as the Ford F-150 Electric, the Tesla Cybertruck, the Rivian R1T, the Bollinger B2, and GM's own Hummer EV SUT, which will be on sale next year. To maximize range on such a heavy vehicle, the new platform allows battery modules to be stacked two high.

2021 Chevy Silverado Praised by KBB For “Massive Towing Ability, High-Tech Tailgate”

After enjoying a thorough refresh last year, the 2021 Chevy Silverado is proudly rumbling onto lots like ours here at the Mid Missouri Powerhouse soon. The Silverado HD is the heavy-duty version of our very popular half-ton pickup, and the staff on duty at Kelley Blue Book took the time for a detailed review in their latest blog feature. Now available as a 3-4 ton 2500 or one-ton 3500, the Silverado HD trucks are larger than the Silverado 1500, boast more power, and can accomplish heftier towing and payload amounts.

The 35,000-pound max tow rating is situated a healthy notch above sworn rival the Ram Heavy Duty truck. You have the choice of gasoline or diesel V8 engines, trims that span from your basic work truck to primo haulers loaded with extra features. We pride ourselves on using some of the best towing technology available, and dual-rear wheels are available on 3500 models for the times when the job demands strength and size. The Kelley Blue Book team also had heaps of praise for the active safety systems and tech features that drivers love, such as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Once you get a truck on the road you quickly get a feel for one of the most important traits of any vehicle: what it really boils down to during on-road performance. Both the gas and turbodiesel models served up a big and brash handling experience, and the group set up to test both the 2500 and 3500 models in the mountains and plains of Oregon, topping 6,500-ft tall peaks while towing 14,000 pounds. The diesel was the obvious winner in the towing category, brandishing “locomotive force” while tirelessly tugging away with its solid mating to the ten-speed Allison transmission.

Once the group reached a closed course, the opportunity arose to up the towing to roughly 32,000 pounds in the 3500 “dually” model. The new gas engine still works amazingly well to tow and is by no means a slouch when you must depend on it most. The KBB crew claimed regarding the HD towing aids that they “must truly be seen to be believed,” as they were memorized by the transparent trailer feature. The driver has the ability to link an image from the tailgate camera and a remote trailer-mounted camera, and then a startlingly clear rendering allows you to “see through” your actual cargo.

Just like its close relative in the form of the half-ton Silverado 1500, the Silverado HD can seat anywhere from 3 to 6 depending on your final choice of cab configuration. Up front, the controls were ranked as very easy-to-use and the layout clean yet modern. The High Country trim was swooned over here as well, as you enjoy the addition of features such as heated and ventilated seats, leather upholstery, and a heads-up display. Do not forget to check out the special custom offerings for 2021: you can snag up a Carhartt edition, LTZ Premium Texas edition, and others tied to the off-road ruler at the Z71.

Chevy Malibu Snags Honors For Best Midsize Car During J.D. Power Initial Quality Study

The Chevy Malibu finished ahead of the Ford Fusion and Kia Optima in the mid-size car category for the Best Midsize non-premium car in the 2020 J.D. Power Initial Quality Study, which were ranked second and third. By using the IQS, J.D. Power's goal is to shine the light on new cars that experience the least amount of trouble over the first 90 days of ownership. A sample of those who own 2020 model year vehicles is surveyed and asked to report on any problem they experience with the car during the first three months, no matter if it is minor or major.

Every vehicle present in the study is ultimately scored based on the number of problems it encounters per 100 vehicles, with lower scores reflecting a higher amount of problems. Surprisingly, older vehicles typically have the ability to far better in the IQS. This is because automakers have usually ironed out many of the kinks, and there is not the presence of new technologies which can be prone to malfunction or break down. The current Malibu was introduced five years ago for the 2016 model year.

 

All three of the top mid-size cars in the IQS are models showing just a bit of age, with the Fusion standing at a 7-year lifespan and the Optima at five. As a unit overall, the brand we are so proud to represent here every day at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse performed extremely well in the 2020 IQS. The review staff of Edmunds.com states that the Malibu's spacious exterior, ample front-seat headroom, and easy-to-use touchscreen interface were traits that made the Malibu notch higher up their list.

There are two turbocharged 4-cylinder engine options: a base 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter engine, and many online publications have hailed this Malibu model as one of the best cars out there that won't break the bank. Most customers we have remained in close touch with are happy they selected the Premier trim, with the powerful engine making daily driving that much more enjoyable. You'll enjoy averaging around 37 MPG in mixed city/highway driving, and a smooth and confident ride even if you are dealing with slightly aging infrastructure under the wheels.

Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone connectivity are standard, and 4G LTE internet connectivity is found on most trim levels. Keeping the entire family safe on the road has long been one of the most important ideals when we meet people looking for their next purchase. Available active safety features on the Malibu include blind spot warning with rear cross- traffic alert, lane keep assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking,

adaptive cruise control, and automatic high-beam headlights.

Silverado ZRX Set to Challenge Rival Raptor's Claim of Full-Size Off-Road Market

For a steady ten years now, Ford's F-150 Raptor has enjoyed ownership title of the full-size off-road pickup truck segment. Ram purveys success with the Rebel and Power Wagon, and rigs such as the Toyota Tundra TRD Pro are made more for traditional off-roading than the more free and boulder-climbing Raptor's persona. Chevy also has the Colorado and ZR2 Bison, but the Colorado is a full size smaller than a regular F-150, and not as beefy and wide as the Raptor.

The Raptor's sheer domination as the toughest predator in the pickup ecosystem could possibly be about to end. A brand new report highlighted by Gearpatrol.com now reveals that Chevy is hard at work in development stages for a version of the Silverado designed to take on the fight for Ford's toughest truck. Muscle Cars and Trucks reported that this new all-terrain beast will be called the Chevy Silverado ZRX, and that it will use the same sort of overall formula that GM applied to its midsize off-road truck. The ZRX will reportedly pick up a suspension that is fine-tuned for rock hopping, featuring dampers that offer up the great blend of capability and comfort in the ZR2.

 

There are also locking differentials for both front and rear axles, and an array of other upgrades and changes that will improve its capabilities far beyond the pavement, including various tweaks that drastically improve approach and departure angles. When it comes to new arrivals engine sourcing is always a big question that our loyal customers here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse have, and the initial report says that it would stick with the Silverado's 6.2-liter V8 that is similar to what you see under the hood of the Camaro and Corvette, doling out 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque.

According to the folks on staff at TheFastLaneTruck.com, GM is working on fitting a new supercharged 6.2-liter V8 into its full-size pickup platforms: a fierce beauty that delivers 650 horsepower in the Camaro ZL1 and an earthshaking 755 in the departed Corvette ZR1. It seems plausible that a hefty motor like this would be more than potent enough to help Chevrolet do battle with the Hellcat-powered Ram Rebel TRX and any other Ford Raptors high up the chain.

Since this all seems to be true at this point, it is also true that Chevy would not be the only brand active in competing with Ford's feisty rock crawler. Ram is currently working overtime to concoct a Raptor-combatant billed the TRX that sports off-road goodies along with the supercharged Hellcat motor that edges in at 707 horsepower right off the bat. Ford may bring more abundant action by haplessly packing the Raptor's engine bay with the new 7.3 liter V8 known as “Godzilla”; this will be one viable buildup of suspense to keep the eyes peeled for!