1,000+ Horsepower Fuel-Injected Big Block Addition to 2023 Chevy COPO Camaro Deems it a Track-Scorching Monster

Factory-built drag cars are not always the most familiar type of vehicle with customers here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse: even though so many things about them are not meant for everyday use, their sense of raw power in excitement is amazing! Chevy's factory built drag car is the COPO Camaro, and it's returning for 2023 with a huge screaming addition as its new sidekick. Thanks to more displacement and ingenious engineering, it is going to give the car a massive bragging right in the horsepower department compared to its outgoing 572 V8.

First introduced in 1968, the COPO Camaro quickly became a longstanding icon of pure power. Fred Gibb was a GM dealer and experienced drag racer who immediately had the full attention of GM’s higher-ups with his amazing creation. The most drastic change from then until now is that the COPO releases are no longer limited to just 69 models with a lottery system to navigate to allow for a deposit. The exterior of the 2023 model is nearly identical to the original, with an ATI Racing Products TH400 SFI-approved “Super Case” connected to an aluminum driveshaft. 

Inside the rear end is a very lightweight steel spool and wheelie bar setup in place to prevent the rear bumper from dragging on the ground during launch. Each COPO Camaro comes with a carbon fiber hood, with the supercharged version boasting a parachute as a preventative measure and standard equipment. There are also options for a trunk-mounted weight box and dual batteries, which also both aid during the all-important launch process. The ZZ632 is the COPO 572’s burly engine replacement and is capable of a startling 1,004 horsepower and 872 lb-ft of torque. 

This engine can spin 50 more RPM, while also sporting a new first gear ratio of 2.10:1 and second gear to 1.40. All COPO models also still use the ATI Racing Products Treemaster MRT 8-inch torque converter attached to an ATI SFI-approved steel flex plate. It is fuel injected and uses a 4-barrel style throttle body. We were also in complete awe of the American Racing headers, on board to properly exhaust the quickly spent gasses during the dash. 

The absence of a supercharger also does not mean that the Ford Mustang Cobra Jet and Dodge Challenger Mopar Drag Pak owners should not worry, as this is a hellish amount of raw power at their immediate disposal. This is all quite thrilling, and is the stuff that many true track hounds’ dreams are made of. If you are looking for something a bit more conventional, you’ll still love the standard 2023 Camaro here at the Powerhouse. 

One way to assure plenty of thrills is with the very worthy 1LE Track Package, adding black-painted 20-inch wheels and satin-black exterior accents along with microsuede trim and Recaro front seats on SS models. Even the base-level 275-horsepower 4-cylinder is by no means slow, and the very gutsy 6-cylinder has a fantastic soundtrack. The standard six-speed manual transmission is definitely one of the features that maintain the ideal spirit for the driver, along with what is widely known as the best pony car feel on the planet!

KBB Hails 2023 Chevy Bolt EUV as “Best EV Under $35,000”

As the snow piles up heavily and holiday cheer is abundant here at the Mid Missouri Powerhouse, the 2023 Chevy Bolt EUV has now been around for two model years and has had quite the busy run stacking up awards and achievements. Now, its latest accolade is its new title as “Best EV Priced Under $35,000” by Kelley Blue Book. 

Coming in for the ice and winter-themed escapades of the season as a slightly larger offering than the Chevy Bolt EV, the 2023 Bolt EUV made a great impression on the KBB staff with its roomy back seat and excellent build quality, along with affordable price and 247-mile driving range. Range has recently become as hot of an issue as the warm cider and cocoa of the holiday season, as avoiding the pain at the pump has become high on drivers’ wish lists for the New Year.

The number of choices for electric car shoppers continues to rise, and the competition is heating up. To decide the winner, KBB closely analyzed pricing, the five-year cost to own, and the all-important final sales numbers. To be considered, the vehicle must be considered brand-new or redesigned and have an incredibly strong value proposition to customers. The Bolt EUV has been busy scooping up awards since it was launched this year, and among them is the five-star National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Safety rating. 

The Urban Green Car of the Year award officially certifies the Bolt EUV as one of the savviest eco-friendly vehicles for those living in the city, as it faced pretty serious competition in this segment from the Hyundai Venue and Kia Seltos. The Bolt EUV offers practical and tangible functionality and rides on the same BEV2 electric vehicle platform as the Bolt EV hatchback. Its single motor packs 200 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque, efficiently boosting you from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.5 seconds.

The NHTSA provided Front, Side Barrier, and Side Pole tests, which the Bolt EUV passed with flying colors, earning the highest score administered by the agency. The presence of Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning, and Automatic Braking also exceeds the NHTSA’s performance benchmarks and criteria. 

The Car and Driver staff claimed that the “perky acceleration” and high-tech standard features were traits that led the Bolt EUV to be inspiring and one of the most sensible picks on the market today. During their 75-mph highway test, the Bolt EUV achieved 190 miles of range, with the 240-volt connection being the ideal choice for rapid at-home recharging. DC fast charging can give you 95 miles of range in a quick 30 minutes!

2024 Chevy Trax Deemed “Best Entry-Level Vehicle in Many Years”, Offering Desired Features at Reasonable Bargain

Here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse, when scores of customers come to pick out their next vehicle, we understand budget is a driving factor! Recent years have seen an uptick in higher-level features, and Chevy is no exception.

GM president Mark Reuss had some incredibly high praise for the new Trax model over the past week, publicly claiming that it “is the finest entry-level” Chevy to be released in many years. While many inquisitive eyes were on him at the recent GM Investor Day event, the upcoming product roadmap was fully revealed. So many successful plans in life-sized ventures have worked out regarding giving customers intense benefits at a low price point, and the Trax offers all of this with incredible individuality to boot.  

After a personal test drive, he reflected that its youthful energy was infectious and that it was an excellent choice to be manufactured in high volume immediately. The 2024 Chevy Trax offers design language like the Chevy blazer crossover, but with harder angles, a large central grill, and thin upper lighting. The incoming model is lower, longer, and much wider than the previous model with wheel sizes at 17-, 18-, and 19-inch variants.  

Inside, you get more than entry-level offerings from just about any other brand, as elevated standard safety and tech features are waiting along with a standard 8-inch infotainment screen. You can opt for the 11-inch screen in higher trims while enjoying other features such as the Chevy Safety Assist tech suit and Active Noise Cancelation. The power source is the 1.2-liter Inline-3-cylinder gas engine, now rated at 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque sending power to the front wheels.

In these images, you can see a firsthand look at this model painted in the Mosaic Black Metallic paint, and ideally decked out for the New Year in the 2RS outfit. Up front, you can see the effect of the dual-layer headlight arrangement found on other recently introduced Chevy products, and an RS-specific front grille along with a Black Bow Tie front-and-center. When this prototype was spotted stealthily roaming around in the wild and caught by a skilled photographer, the exhaust tips were tucked under the rear, with its telltale red RS badge on the passenger side of the liftgate. 

The 2024 model now marks an important era here at the Powerhouse for this popular crossover’s second generation, boasting the same wide appeal across many demographics and a useful 12-percent increase in cargo capacity. 

2024 Chevy Silverado HD Production to Begin Soon

The mid-cycle refresh for the 2024 Chevy Silverado HD will feature revised exterior styling, a completely reworked cockpit, enhancements to the powertrain, and more. For those wondering when it will be available, assembly lines will roar to life during February 2023! Outside, the 2024 model will benefit from brand-new headlights, a new front fascia, grille, and C-shaped LED signature lighting. 

Trims LT and above are given a completely overhauled cockpit, with a 13.4-inch diagonal infotainment screen and an all-new 13.4-inch diagonal configurable driver information center. You’ll be towing with the ice and snow-conquering strength of Adaptive Cruise Control with Trailer, Enhanced Transparent Trailer, Trailer Side Blind Zone Alert, and GCW alert. The Silverado HD boasts a trailering capacity of up to 36,000 pounds. 

The powertrain is the burly 6.6-liter L8T V8 gasoline engine, with the option to switch things up with the 6.6-liter V8 LSP turbodiesel Duramax engine. The latter cranks out 470 horsepower and 975 lb-ft of torque, which is a 25 hp and 65 lb torque increase over the outgoing model. Each engine is paired with the 10-speed automatic transmission, displaying unique superiority and function while replacing the six-speed that gas-powered models used previously. 

You’ll be solidly handling daily duties with the patented front-engined and longitudinal layout, with assembly being handled by the trusty and hard-working men and women of the Chevy plant in Fort Wayne, Indiana. VP of Chevy Scott Bell claimed that this HD model was “designed to be the customers’ favored choice for true truck capability,” and that the recent enhancements will bolster its dependable image even further. All these improvements ultimately complete a more confident feeling of on-demand power, whether you are attempting a tricky tow or not. 

The main and high beams of the new LED lights are split into dual functions, and there is an awesome animated lighting sequence that welcomes or virtually waves goodbye at you from the truck. Another fantastic update that we know everyone will love is the Durabed cargo box that makes use of every square inch to boost maximum cargo capacity. The lineup also holds on to the popular Z71 sport edition, Z71 Chrome sport edition, and Midnight Special Edition appearance packages, as well as the superpowered Alaskan snow plow special edition.