Will The Chevy Colorado ZR2 Soon be Enjoying The Company of Another Off-Road Sibling?

As we look over all of the various truck blogs and other websites online, one thing has become clear to us here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse: Americans have gone far beyond the predictability and daily norm of pavement to drive off-road in increasing numbers. Nature is surely beckoning to scores more of people who are ready to get out and play on dirt trails and try their hand at crossing streams and conquering boulders. 

The list of those wanting to be equipped heavily enough to jump off road and play in the brush grows noticeably by the year, and so Chevy wants to be sure to have all varieties and sizes available for those who are ready to embrace the wild. Chevrolet has already polished our off-road chops with the addition of the ZR2 and the Bison, but both of those happen to be more in the mid-size category. An unconfirmed report seen in muscle Cars and Trucks claimed that there is a Silverado ZR2 in the development phase, scheduled to make its debut for the 2023 model year. 

As we asked around it seemed that the Silverado will follow the same basic recipe as the Colorado, seeing a greatly-improved suspension and refinished front and rear bumper designed for better approach and departure angles. Also rumored to be added are front and rear electronically locking differentials and Multimatic DSSV dampers. Going leaps and bounds beyond the current Trail Boss trim would yield a valuable product to many buyers who aren't going as full force into the wild immediately, and would not necessarily exist as a direct rival to the Ram 1500 TRX or Ford F-150 Raptor. 

These heavily-flexed trucks were definitely designed for very extreme conditions and breakneck speed, and this model would potentially see a 5.3-liter or 6.2-liter V8 for its power source. Something with as much brute force as a 3.0-liter inline-six diesel would not conform as well to the various changes that are in the planning stages for the face of the new model. The Silverado as a whole will see a center console overhaul for 2021, as well as the addition of the multi-talented Multi-Flex tailgate. 

We have absolutely loved so many of the special models that have been created in the meantime for customers who are on the hunt for something very specific, such as the Carhartt Edition. Based on the Silverado 2500 LTZ, it was the result of a perfect combination of two brands that are experts at catering to the hard-working men and women who dig the heck out of this purposeful and practical apparel brand. We will keep you posted about the arrival and all of the other juicy off-road prone tidbits as soon as they develop, paving the way for a full-size and rugged trail contender. 

2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 and Larger HD Will Both Brandish New Multiflex Tailgate

Many truck lovers nationwide and right here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse have a broad range of uses and chores lined up for their favorite Silverado model. From hauling and towing during a hard day's work to enjoying a slice of wilderness in their downtime, there is no shortage of daily duties and recreation that can be accomplished with this awesome truck. Currently, the Chevy Silverado offers several tailgate options, all coming in the form of a regular or regular drop-down unit. 

After the introduction of the MultiPro tailgate on the all-new 2019 GMC Sierra, it has now been revealed that Chevy will offer its very own version of the feature on the coming Silverado model. Many whispers have been heard throughout the automotive world about the coming Multi-Flex, and how it could bear a few differences from the GMC MultiPro with new features or positions. Wherever you pull up and decide to take a breather or set up shop, the MultiPro tailgate offers flexibility and added functionality with six different configurations, including second-tier loading, load-stop, a standing workstation, a drop-down centerpiece for easier access to the box, and a box step.

It also has the ability to offer up a little something that will no doubt add to the outdoor fun and party vibe: a set of Kicker speakers with Bluetooth function. They run independently from the truck's primary sound system with Bluetooth audio or USB inputs and integrate as an official accessory with the inner gate panel. System output is rated at 100 watts through a pair of 4-inch coaxial drivers and a small amplifier. You don't even have to have the truck running at the campsite or tailgate party as the system sources its electricity from a low current draw, which allows for hours of play.

Another notable feature of the Multi-Flex is a secondary cutout right in the middle that can be folded out, including a step to make the climb into the bed easier. It can also be folded up to keep longer loads from slipping straight off the back of the tailgate and is equipped with an auxiliary input and USB port. This is the tailgate that the expert staff on hand at Car and Driver ranked as the best there is on the current market, and it is an exciting additive and boost in productivity to see arriving on the incoming model. 

One event that we would dare dream about is if the carbon fiber bed could make the jump from GMC to Chevy as well, fully rounding out our favorite truck with the best of all worlds in features and performance! We think it would make the most sense to see the presence of the Multi-Flex Tailgate on the RST, LTZ and High Country, as the Trail Boss versions have their focus on off-road ability.

2022 Chevy Equinox To Arrive With Plentiful Passenger Room, Athletic Handling

One of the most popular crossovers in existence, the Chevy Equinox, is wildly sought after and test-driven quite frequently here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse, and many customers are righteously excited about the coming 2022 model. The 2022 Equinox will boast plentiful passenger room, a feature-rich infotainment system, and athletic handling. The makeover brings more distinctive headlights, a new grille design, and updated front and rear bumpers. There will also be the addition of the RS trim to the mix, including sporty extras like dark 19-inch wheels and blacked-out exterior trim. 

Inside there is a brand-new shift knob, red stitching, and black upholstery. The RS is the range-topping trim you want to check out to be at the true top of the model order, while the mid-level LT is still equipped standard with chrome exterior trim, an 8-way power-adjustable driver's seat, high-intensity discharge headlights, and SiriusXM satellite radio. You can upgrade to the more potent 2.0-liter turbo option, as well as all-wheel drive. The Confidence and Convenience package includes blind-spot monitoring, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a power liftgate, rear cross-traffic alert, and remote start.

The turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder generates 170 horsepower, and there is also the larger option of a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder that pairs well with the standard six-speed automatic. The steering has been rated as incredibly direct and accurate after numerous expert test drives, and you can easily tow behind up to 3500 pounds if needed. The front-wheel-drive Equinox with the base four-cylinder yields 22 mpg city, and 29 highway for front-drive models, all-wheel-drive versions will get an average of 28 mpg. With a practical but still nicely-styled cabin, the Equinox has enjoyed a very wide customer appeal and rapidly-developed fan base.

Front and rear-seat passengers will be easily very comfortable in the spacious interior, and the 7.0-inch touchscreen with an optional 8.0-inch displays the MyLink infotainment interface on top of the Equinox's dash. Quick response time and ease of use are great attributes of the system, and Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth phone and streaming are all standard as well as USB connectivity. Standard 4G LTE onboard Wi-Fi renders the Equinox as one of the best-connected crossover models out there, and it also received a five-star rating from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.

Driver-assistance technology has been one of the most fascinating and helpful developments in the auto market over the last five years, and the Equinox comes equipped with standard automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, Standard lane-keeping assist with lane-departure warning, and available adaptive cruise control. Come down to visit us soon, and see if the L, LS, LT, RS, or Premier trim is the model best suited to serve the needs of your active family or business's routine!

Kelley Blue Book Ranks Chevy Silverado Second in Customer Consideration During Q2 2020

Fall is coming at us right around the corner here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse, and that means crisp leaves, beginning to think about holiday festivities a bit off in the distance, and deciding whether or not this is the year you get a new vehicle! Reports such as the ones generated by the experts at Kelley Blue Book are a great help in comparing the model you are looking at to others, seeing where it exceeds expectations, and discovering traits where a different trim choice may help. Our prized Chevy Silverado was once again featured on the blog, this time dominating the topic of shopper consideration.

 

KBB just released the findings of the Brand Watch Report for Q2 of 2020, which closely examines consumer perception and shopping behavior through buyer surveys, then ranks the models by a list of different attributes. They include driving comfort, safety, reliability, performance, and affordability. In the most recent study, the buyer consideration for the Chevy Silverado was up 23 percent, placing it squarely alongside the competition against the Ford F-150 in terms of quarterly consideration growth when comparing Q2 of 2020 to Q1.

 

The Silverado 1500 was ranked as the second most-considered vehicle in the study, and it is a proud and sought-after moment as this is the first time it has captured the spot. A record 35 percent of shoppers surveyed considered purchasing a pickup truck model, as strong growth in the segment still trended upwards during the last two years. New for this year, the turbo-diesel six-cylinder is now available on LT, RST, LTZ and High Country models, and the 6.2-liter V-8 and 10-speed automatic are now available on the High Country.

 

The trailering technology that debuted on the 2020 Silverado 2500/3500 is now available on the 1500, and also available for the 6.2-liter is a Performance Upgrade Package that sees the addition of a higher-flow air intake and cat-back exhaust, increasing horsepower from 420 to 435 and torque from 460 lb-ft to 469. The LT, LTZ, and High Country trims will also feature an adaptive cruise control system that uses a camera mounted behind the rearview mirror to make sure a safe following distance is maintained.