Motortrend Claims 2020 Silverado 1500 Diesel is “Most Economical Light-Duty Truck Out There”

How many miles you are ultimately going to nail down on the road is the all-important statistic that draws many towards their next auto or truck purchase. As far as the work truck category is concerned, there are many diehards out there who understandably think diesel is the only way to go, and all of us here at O'Rielly Chevy of Tucson agree that 23/33 mpg city/highway is impressive. The producers of the good word at Motortrend offered up a story this past week claiming that these numbers now put the Silverado ahead of the 2019 Ford F-150 diesel, a sworn and solid rival in the trenches.

If you opt for the 4-wheel drive instead of rear-wheel drive, the fuel economy on the Silverado diesel does drop to 23/29 mpg, but it's still ahead of the F-150 diesel at 21/28 mpg. At this point fuel economy numbers have not yet been announced for the new Ram 1500 EcoDiesel, so we aren't positive that the Silverado will be the front-runner in all sectors, but are willing to bet heavily on it. When paired with the four-wheel drive, the Silverado can tow up to 9,300 pounds and has a max payload of 1,870 pounds.

Under the hood resides a 3.0-liter turbodiesel engine, cranking out 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, paired to a 10-speed automatic. During a recent test drive, MotorTrend referred to it as a “sweetheart of an engine”, feeling peppy and high on the torque delivery factor. The diesel capability is up for grabs on the LT, RST, LTZ, and our favorite High Country trims. Deliveries of the 2020 Silverado with the turbo diesel engine are expected to take place during the fall. This is truly a truck with a solution for almost every need, sporting three cab types, two-bed lengths, and a wide range of options for every work task imaginable.

For years automakers have been in essence saying no to half-ton diesel pickups. They claim that costs will be too high, they won't sell enough units, and demand is simply too low. Many seasoned truck experts will just tell you to buy a three-quarter-ton with the big 6.0-liter V8, but the market was very responsive to the 3.0-liter V6 EcoDiesel a few years back, and the positive acceptance has been abundant and bountiful. 

The excitement of throwing the Silverado into Sport mode provides alteration of the throttle input and transmission shift points and makes for handling more like its V8-powered counterparts. During your test drive you'll notice that the diesel is amazingly quiet, thanks to the added extensive sound deadening in the engine bay: it works overtime to minimize the noise that sometimes comes from the use of diesel power, a boisterous boost to the reasons why you'd want a 1500 at the top of the list for your next truck purchase!

C8 Corvette Unveiling Featured in Motor1.com: “End of a Very Long Road”

Even with tiny trickles of information being leaked out to the public via internet, it is certain that the excitement for the release of the C8 Corvette was not dampened one tiny bit! Christopher Smith of Motor1.com covered the recent release in-depth for the blog this past week and remembered placidly that it was three years ago when he caught his first blurry glimpse of an early C8 prototype, covered heavily in camouflage. As all official veils are finally off of the C8, the whole world finally gets a chance to literally “see what all the fuss was about”.

This is a true time of intense change for America's most iconic sports car, as there has now been brought to life the mid-engined model that was first proposed by Zora Arkus-Duntov more than 50 years ago. There have been many prototypes through the years, with a few of these coming so close to production, but nothing ever fully came into roaring and track-ready existence. With 60 years of pins and needles, the question that Chris asks within the blog is if it was all worth the wait, and claims that “all indications point to a resounding yes”!

The engine now taking up the space behind the passengers is a 6.2-liter V8, which derived from the LT1 that was the proud power source for the C7 Stingray. The mill is now named LT2, because of the design tweaks that were required for mid-engine duty, and the exceptional boost in power it enjoyed. The all-important horsepower stat resides at 490, with the ability to boost up to 495 after addition of the Z51 Performance Package. The claim on the table here is that the new Stingray can reach 60 mph in less than 3 seconds, easily running side-by-side with the absolute most powerful 'Vette in existence.

The inside view of the C8 was leaked a few times, but now it is on display for everyone to see what it's like. There is a pair of digital displays for the instrument cluster and infotainment system, and a stately and beefy center console in between the passenger and the driver. In the center spine is placed an array of manual controls for the climate adjustability. When asked what the smartest addition would be off the ground, all of us here at O'Rielly Chevy of Tucson would have to recommend the Z51 Performance Package: it adds better brakes and cooling, the five extra Horsepower, and a retuned exhaust that is a bit deeper. Magnetic Ride Control is also available and can be controlled through the four driving modes carried over from the previous model, as well as two new ones.

“Z Mode” allows full customization of every single setting. C8's new digital vehicle platform and electronic architecture allow over-the-air updates for the C8's multiple computer systems. Even though the engine is now situated in the middle, the design as a whole is not in a completely different category from the C7, and the roof can lift on out for open-air driving. This article wraps up with the sentiment that “The Chevy Corvette could well remain the bang-for-buck performance champion of the world”, and this star-studded new vehicle's release is one of the most exciting automotive events of 2019!

Soon-To-Be-Released C8 Corvette's Squared-Off Steering Wheel Featured on Roadshow Blog

With the Corvette C8 reveal a mere few days away, every little scrap of content gleaned about this exciting new car's release has been sought after! We've seen the spy shots, heard many reasons why this is going to be such a great design, and now everyone on staff here at O'Rielly Chevy of Tucson is simply just waiting for coverage of the exciting day. On July 12, Chevy published the first official image of the 2020 C8 Corvette's steering wheel, a detail that many were excited to feast their eyes on.

It appears at first glance a bit more like what's on board the Ford GT than the outgoing C7 model: there are only two spokes on the wheel, each moving downwards to the logo flags in a flipped sense. Below each spoke is where the audio controls are, and a few limited switches are situated right on the spokes themselves. There is a fairly large space above the wheel hub that the Roadshow staff thought was a bit odd, but could be practical if there is the future existence of a very large digital gauge cluster.

Chevy also released an image of prior models' steering wheels just to provide an accurate idea of how much it has changed over the years. When you take a look back at the first- and second-generation Corvette wheels they are about as normal and straightforward as can be, but airbags and other elements would get in the way if they were to be replicated today. The last time there was a two-spoke wheel it was planted in the C4, which also sported a digital dashboard filling in the open space that was one of our personal favorites. It will be interesting to see just what Chevy does with the interior next, as everything else has been quite radical and pioneering in terms of this release!

July 18 at 7:30 P.M. Is when the C8 makes its debut, and you can actually follow along on the live stream here from GM! Some of the concepts that have come off the drawing boards since mid-engined became a thing are truly amazing: The 1964 Mid-Engine XP 817 shown here looks like what the most perfectly-cut diecast or “Hot Wheels” car would be: having all of the supercharged goods fully visible right behind the driver looks menacing yet smooth and vintage.

The curved accents on the 1986 mid-engine Indy Corvette concept are also futuristic and have a great sense of flow at a glance, and this was one attempt that looks a bit Ferrari-esque as does the C8 slated to be released this week. More than 60 years of engineers mulling over something that has finally become more than a daydream is exciting to any dedicated track fan, and this year makes the mark as one that will always go down in history regarding the Salacious and show-stealing Corvette!

Made All-American in Bowling Green: The Chevy Corvette Celebrates a Patriotic Production Milestone

During this All-American week when fireworks, ballpark franks, and family picnics are the name of the game, many conversations are turning to goods that are American made. All of us here at O'Rielly Chevy of Tucson understand that within the economic climate, some manufacturers have really had to cut corners on cost and outsourcing. This makes us prouder than ever regarding the Chevy Corvette and its hub of creation: the GM Bowling Green Assembly Plant. Widely known as one of the greatest American sports cars of all time, the Corvette has had a stronghold with many as a staple of greatness off and on the track for decades.

The Corvette has been built exclusively at the Bowling Green Assembly Plant in Kentucky since 1981, as the 1.7 million square-ft facility has been witness to numerous important moments in auto building history. On July 2^nd, 1992, this plant was the scene of the 1 millionth Chevy Corvette and in June of 2003, the facility commemorated the 50^th anniversary of the Corvette with a special edition release. Buyers can even choose to pick up their brand new 'Vette at the National Corvette Museum, which is located just over a mile from this plant.

One of the qualities that really makes this vehicle stand out as all-accessible within its American made traits is the way in which the facility's Performance Build Center involves the customer. Earlier on in during the lifespan of the Corvette C7, buyers could choose to work with an on-site builder to put together their very own LTV V8 engine. These days, Kentucky is not only the current base for the brand but a location that is heavily rooted in its future as well. Just three months ago, it was officially announced that 400 jobs would be added as well as a second shift to the facility to provide support for the production of the upcoming 2020 mid-engined Corvette C8, slated to debut July 18.

GM Authority will be present during the reveal to cover it live, documenting the appearance of this American-born legend as it launches on out to an all-new 8^th generation. Bowling Green Assembly is the only plant in the world that builds Corvettes, and the facility has seen more than 1 million roll off its assembly line since 1981. It proudly boasts the largest solar array of any auto builder in the state, and the team here is present at various customer events during the year to gain feedback and personal insight on the product they are so proud to create every day. Today, Bowling Green even has a new paint process that incorporates dry scrubber technology, LED lighting, and a limestone system to make an unbelievably stunning paint job while going easy on the planet's precious resources at the same time!

2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 Diesel Deemed by Motor1.com as “The One to Have”

Tim Esterdahl of Motor1.com has quite obviously driven many trucks in his day, and knows the various demands that customers have on the desired heavy towing and hauling machines on their wish lists. He begins by clearly stating that over the last few years, it is no secret that many in the industry have claimed that diesels will not sell, due to lack of demand. You can just rush out and purchase a ¾ ton with the big 6.0 – liter V8 engine and tell yourself that you are satisfied, but may not experience that satisfaction in as pure a form as those did who purchased the trend-breaking Ram 1500 in 2014.

Sporting a 3.0-Liter V6 EcoDisel, it was a truck that turned many heads and properly heated the diesel market back up. Now the 2020 Chevy Silverado is set to arrive in the fall right here at O'Rielly Chevy of Tucson, after a year delay. Our prized diesel differs quite a bit from the standing competition in its layout: it's a 3.0 – liter straight-six. Even though performance is similar to the rivals off the bat, inline engines, for the most part, are known to be smoother, better balanced, and not as overpoweringly noisy. This new 1500 cranks out 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque at just about 1500 rpm, which is an attribute that really helps get the load moving steadily during tow duty.

As this particular testing team looked at off-the-line performance for the extended-cab Silverado RST, they were thoroughly impressed. With just a very small throttle input, the diesel really sprung to life, and literally pushed the crew back in the seat. When putting the Silverado into sport mode, there is more available fun since the throttle input and transmission shift points are altered, and this proved to be very much ideal on the twisting roads of rural Oregon. This particular group even went so far as to say that “Chevy's powertrain combo allows you to plan to merge two cars ahead. It's that impressive”.

It also amazed Tim and the crew how quiet the diesel was: Chevy took it upon themselves to add the best in extensive sound deadening in the engine bay to quiet the clatter that usually is synonymous with diesel power. Under the hood is a thick piece of foam, a strip surrounding  the hood latch, and also a timing belt instead of timing chain. The zero to sixty trot is accomplished in 7.6 seconds, and fuel economy is rated right at around 28 MPG. We are excited to aggressively join Ford and Ram in the diesel race, as customers for years have been begging automakers to build diesel half-tons in various offerings. We hope you come down to visit us this summer and talk diesel options, as the ones on the table deserve your dire focus and full-on truck lover's attention!