Fast Lane YouTube Channel Explores 20 Years of C5 and C8 Corvette Greatness

 

Two generations going head-to-head with the goal of achieving all-out greatness is an excellent and appealing topic for us here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse! Every one of the eight generations of Corvette has something incredibly special to distinguish itself by, and each milestone along the way provides excitement. Each Corvette enthusiast has their own preferred model for various reasons, and the Hotcars.com team outlined some high points of the Fast Lane YouTube car channel’s mashup between two extra-special varieties.

Few models were as glaringly different from older ‘Vettes as the mid-engine C8, which this Fast Lane episode compares to the C5 generation model. The C5 saw its origins in the late 90s with the 1997 model, instantly possessing a large amount of appeal courtesy of its LS-1 5.7-liter V8 which cranked out around 350 horsepower. The first C8 Corvette was unveiled in a California airport hangar to excited onlookers in 2020, seeing a somewhat limited run due to the interruptions the pandemic had created.

The C8 was the first model that put the engine behind the driver, and it cranked up just under 500 horsepower as standard. To properly compare these two great cars, a good old-fashioned drag race was in order, and the C8 was able to claim the win. It screeched admirably through the standing quarter mile in just 12.8 seconds, topping out at 113 MPH. The C5 still put up a very high-octane fight by completing a 15.5 second quarter at 99 MPH, which is quite stellar for a two-decades-old car and automatic transmission.

The C5 driver still claimed that completing this thrilling task was a blast and that for around $15,000 used, you’re still obtaining a killer performance value for the price. As a blog from Road and Track pointed out in 2017, the C5 was the first modern Corvette to full-on challenge the world’s best sports cars on completely level ground. It was also the first Corvette to claim a victory at Le Mans, and the last to feature the quite memorable hidden headlamps. One little-known fact that the C5 is perpetually shrouded in: it almost did not exist at all!

Platform manager at the time Russ McLean recalls how GM management had planned on letting this iconic model ride into the sunset in the nineties. McLean and a group of other C5-loving rebellious spirits ignored the decision, and continued development on their own time. Eventually, the important execs up the line allowed its production to continue. There’s plenty of incredibly smart engineering under the skin here, with the use of aluminum, magnesium, and even balsa wood to effectively cut weight.

The C5 was also raced extensively in the SCCA T1 class and offered many great options for tightening up the already-stellar handling. As far as the winner of this specific bout in the form of the C8 is concerned, John McGann of Motor Trend claimed in 2021 that it was “hands down the best car he’d ever driven.” Taut, poised, and massively capable, his drive two years ago with the C8 had an unsurpassed quality of smoothness, with a very pure and undeniably direct delivery.  

Dollars and 2.7-Liter Sense: An In-Depth Look at the 2023 Chevy Colorado Fuel Economy

 

An always job site-ready truck is a huge asset these days, and everyone here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse has had their eyes consistently on the 2023 Chevy Colorado as an able contender. The base-level WT is powered by the 2.7-liter L2R turbo engine, and as there are many pressures on consumers’ pocketbooks right now drivers are paying a good deal of attention to mileage stats. The Musclecarsandtrucks blog ran a story this past week about the Colorado’s EPA ratings and the smile you’ll be flashing triumphantly as you pull up to the pump.

Performance numbers have improved for the new engine, with the Work Truck 2WD nailing around 20 mpg in the city, 25 mpg on the highway, and 22 combined. As you calculate your fuel cost for the year, an annual figure of right around $2,300 is an average of what you can expect. The 2023 Chevy Colorado 4WD nails down 19 mpg in the city, 23 on the highway, and 21 combined, only seeing a bump of around $100 to the tab for the yearly cost.

At the bottom of this list is a vehicle that is labeled as “2023 Chevy Colorado Mud Terrain Tires 4WD”, which would most likely mean the Trail Boss model sporting the optional 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT tires that you can buy as an added option. Your robust economic assistance in the form of fuel economy here is 17 mpg city, 19 on the highway, and 19 mpg combined. These numbers are like what is found in last year’s model, with the 2.7-liter engine delivering more horsepower and torque to meet even the most demanding truck fan’s expectations.

The 2.7-liter turbocharged L3B was first found in the Chevy Silverado 1500 and comes in three different configurations. The base output L2R comes with 237 horsepower and 259 lb-ft of torque, with the standard L3B dutifully cranking out 310 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque. The L2R is detuned, which cuts down on components and brings the engine mass down. When the Motor Trend team reviewed this year’s Colorado, they were impressed by the edgy and tough-looking exterior styling, the high-tech interior, and the awesome features in the bed.

This is such a noteworthy and ideally suited truck that it has already claimed Motor Trend’s Truck of the Year contest twice, and Powerhouse truck regulars are guaranteed to love the crew-cab/short-body configuration. A capable and trusty truck perfectly prepped for the modern era, the 2023 Colorado’s result was greatly improved with very appealing exterior styling, and more premium materials to greet you on the inside. For each Colorado trim, adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind-spot collision mitigation are available.

Two useful cupholders and a measuring strip are molded into the tailgate surface, with 8 fixed and 9 additional tie-downs available. Each 2023 Colorado comes with an 11.3-inch touchscreen, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. A sophisticated camera system providing up to 10 views is available, which even provides a hitch view to make trailer alignment simpler. Consistently up against the Toyota Tacoma and Ford Ranger as competition, the Colorado is the shining star of our spring-expedition-and capable haul-ready lineup.

2023 Chevy Equinox Provides Fantastic Five-Passenger Offering with Premium Comfort and Style

 

Growing families and many eager young professionals approach us during spring here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse with a very specific wish list, and we are happy to provide a variety of vehicles that deliver on point! The 2023 Chevy Equinox stands out well in a very crowded segment thanks to its recent styling tweaks and engaging driving experience. Cars.com reviewer Jennifer Geiger recently took the Premium trim through a complete road test and immediately was impressed with its two-tone design, and high-end material quality.

The heated steering wheel, hands-free power liftgate, and heated front seats make things noticeably more comfortable for driving during any season, and the 8-inch touchscreen is mounted directly in the center of the dash offering a clear field of vision. Drivers and passengers will enjoy comfortable seating in both the front and rear, and the available cargo room boasts convenient underfloor storage to assure valuables are hidden from plain view. The Torquenews.com team rendered the Equinox an “incredibly screaming value” considering the recent nationwide effects of inflation on auto offerings.

Make sure you spruce up your warm-weather driving destination plans with all the awesome extras in the Confidence and Convenience II Package, which adds seats with top-of-the-line comfort and the highest-quality cameras for stability and protection. The Infotainment II package fulfills every tech-obsessed driver’s wish with the addition of Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a larger screen, and an upgraded audio system. The Equinox Premier AWD is powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, which makes for an excellent family vehicle with the best setup in its class in all ways.

We guarantee that no Show-me-state commute will ever seem mundane courtesy of the Equinox’s great passenger space, admirable road manners, and abundant comfort! Entering our offering stance in 2005, the Equinox quickly became the best-selling model a short notch under our trusty Silverado full-size pickup. Since we know that it took a few heavy bits of inspiration and engineering advice from its European divisions, the Equinox remains relevant and ideally prepared when up against the modern driver aids and other offerings of today.

On a twisting two-way country road in Northwestern New Jersey, the Forbes Auto review crew was shocked at how well the Equinox stuck to the road in high-speed corners. Feeling satisfyingly planted in slightly stressful situations and repetitive turns without too much noticeable drama, much of the credit for its durable stance is due to its expertly tuned all-wheel drive system. The standard Chevy Safety Assist kit includes forward-collision alert with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist and departure warning, and automatic high beams.

Some of the optional extras that heighten the quality of the drive are 360-degere surround parking and a towing camera, while the vehicle carries an overall “Good” rating from the IIHS. Passenger volume feels fit for up to five adults all around, boasting 40.9 inches of legroom. On the road, the Equinox easily boasts enough room for a weekend trip and its occupants, with a 1,500-lb towing capacity for any other activity-ready extras.

 

2024 Chevy Traverse Prototype’s Exterior Updates, Striking Sculpture Spotted During Testing

Attractive and powerful three-row SUVs have so many reasons to be wildly popular among consumers, and the 2024 Chevy Traverse is a model that has been long-awaited here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse! Delays have become so commonplace in manufacturing over the past few years, but the good news is that things are becoming steadily better and better. The Traverse is now finally getting the makeover it was scheduled for, and GM Authority spy photographers have captured it testing in camo.

This was not the first time this auto news crew saw it testing as a prototype, but it is the first time it was spotted in the LT trim level. Covered in typical camouflage, there are still several visual elements that provide clues on what to expect. The front end boasts very broad and square horizontal styling elements across a multi-tiered fascia, which is separated into a series of horizontal dividing lines. There are three grille dividers for the lower intake, and five grille dividers to host the upper intake. 

Since one of the upper dividers is larger than the others, it provides a strong visual connection between what appears to be LED lighting signatures on the thinner side. This LT prototype was also spotted rolling on a set of split-spoke wheels, which are quite a bit like the 18-inch Bright Silver painted aluminum wheels that come standard with the Chevy Traverse LS. 

The finished product of a boxy and upright shape sees two ridges suggesting that roof rails may reside there, and there is a trailing-edge roof spoiler attached directly to the top of the hatch. 

It is rumored that the 2024 Chevy Traverse may ditch the high-country trim level, while also adding a new active trim to the lineup. The turbocharged 2.7-liter inline-4 L3B gas engine is the sensible powertrain, which is also found under the hood of GM’s pickup trucks. It cranks out 310 horsepower and 430 lb.-ft of torque, propelling this popular and ideally large-sized crossover riding on the GM C1-2 platform. 

Production is scheduled to begin at the GM Lansing Delta Township plant in Michigan this coming December, which is GM’s newest US location built from the ground up. Here the best practices of new technology and the rewards of dedicated men and women giving it 110% every day are faithfully etched into each vehicle. 

The standard 7.0-inch and available 8.0-inch infotainment screens could be replaced with a larger unit, as a glance at the relative in the form of the Blazer features a 10.2-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. 

Among the convenience features already included are a heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated seats, a power liftgate, and a power-folding third row. We’d also be willing to bet that the engine could gain an automatic start and stop technology, which has been a massive game changer in the quest to always conserve fuel. Ideal for the tougher of workdays and the well-prepped play days, the Traverse can tow up to 5,000 lbs. and carry a payload of 1,850 lbs.