2020 Chevy Bolt EV Fearlessly Takes on Car and Driver's Death Valley Range Test

During a range test of the 2020 Chevy Bolt, Car and Driver writer Jessica Lynn Walker remembered an old Hunter S. Thompson quote: “On some nights I still believe that a car with the gas needle on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio”. Fittingly enough, the testing team was driving through Death Valley, one of the lowest towns in existence in the Western Hemisphere. A pretty brutal and punishing landscape, this is one location where if you do run out of juice, it will make a for plausible and rather intense memory!

Aside from a new grille, the Bolt looks pretty much the same as last year's, with the biggest changes in the form of an updated DC fast charger and newly-revised battery pack. The liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery still sports 288 cells, but the accomplishment of more energy storage was due to the altering of the cell chemistry on board. Now the storage has risen from 60.0 kilowatt-hours to 66.0, bumping the all-important final EPA-rated range to 259 miles. It was now time to embark on the journey, keeping in mind as all of us here at O'Rielly Chevy of Tucson would, that running the air conditioner CAN affect the outcome of a range test!

At about 51 miles in, the troup arrived at the first major climb, near the rustic town of Stovepipe Wells. Then began the gradual rise to Towne Pass, situated right at around 4956 feet. The gang realized here that going the speed limit helps, almost a safeguard to not be reckless during an era where so many choose to be while running behind. After traversing 20 miles uphill, 84 miles of range has been used up, but a steep 9 percent grade on the way down should help with the next 10 miles.

When they set the cruise control 5 miles below the speed limit, the Bolt did a great job with regenerating energy. During nine miles of a downhill coast, they got back an indicated 30 miles of range. In conditions that are perfectly optimal, the Bolt is capable of recouping energy at 70 kilowatts, a little less than half the maximum discharge of 160 kilowatts. 8374 feet above sea level is Mount Whitney, where the gang was treated to views of massive pines, steep granite, and waterfalls covered in surreal ice for the season.

The Bolt had then made the 134-mile journey to the turnaround point, and 75 miles left is what the range display now stated. The testing group descended into Death Valley right as the sun set, and a subterranean Martian glow was all over the land. They made it in one piece and had exceeded the EPA-estimated range by 9 miles, with 33 miles left to spare. If you're planning a road trip of your own, the myChevrolet Mobile App with Energy Assist puts to use key information such as the current charge of the vehicle, weather conditions, and nearest charging stations to find the most sensible route for you!

Chevy Equinox Deemed by Forbes as Finish-Line Achiever in Style, Functionality, and Price

The seasonal countdown is truly here now at O'Rielly Chevy of Tucson, and we are coming up “true decision” time for gift-buying! We know full well that a new SUV is not just a tiny little stocking-stuffer but sure is appropriate for someone who has just started a family or moved up the ladder at work. Dale Buss of Forbes Magazine proclaimed in his review of the Chevy Equinox this week that the hit SUV “addresses a tempting sweet spot for Americans at the intersection of style, functionality, and price”, and we couldn't agree more.

With the latest Equinox version that has been around since the 2018 model year, the SUV is now positioned snugly between the Trax subcompact and recently revamped Chevy Traverse 3-row SUV. Sporting both a new exterior and interior, the Equinox has now shed more than 400 pounds compared to the second-generation model that was on sale from 2010 to 2017. At 26 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway, this is a much better-than-average fuel economy, which in every instance makes a car ideal as a daily driver.

Engine options are the base 170-horsepower, 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, and the more powerful 252-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that provides more responsive acceleration and is the more popular option. The Forbes team attested that the Equinox proves to be very sure-footed even on very winding roads, and ultimately gives the driver a high confidence level in every routine situation. Infotainment features have seen themselves moving up the list in terms of what consumers want: staying informed and entertained comes in the form of many options for 2020. Standard infotainment features include a 7-inch touch screen, a six-speaker audio system, two USB ports, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, and a Wi-Fi hot spot.

Also available are options to upgrade to the larger 8-inch touch screen, satellite radio, a Bose audio system, and wireless device charging. The Equinox was always made to be a vehicle that anyone on a budget was going to rank highly, but still be very satisfied with. Make sure when you see us here for a holiday visit that you check out the offerings of the Equinox Premier Trim: this is where you get to enjoy all-wheel-drive, ventilated front seats and adaptive cruise control.

Highlights for the 2021 Equinox include an all-new front-end, which will see some similarities with the Blazer and Trailblazer crossovers and is also expected to boast a brand new two-tiered headlamp design. One of the best things we could have heard in the form of a holiday treat was that rumors of a very high-performance Equinox variant have been making the rounds on the internet, although we just need a bit more solid evidence to confirm development!

Motor Trend Provides 2021 Suburban First Look: Improved Suspension, More Space

The very massive 3-row SUV that has been an active nameplate for 85 years and counting is going to see major improvements for the 2021 model year, and Motor Trend took a close-up look this week at just how awesome and commanding it will be! It will go on sale next spring right here at O'Rielly Chevy of Tucson and will be riding on the same new architecture as the Silverado 1500 and Silverado HD pickups, as well as the 2021 Chevy Tahoe.

Vice president of global product programs Tim Herrick claimed that this is the biggest product program ever completed and that it was unprecedented in size, scope, and amount of capital leveraged regarding it. At any one time 10,000 people working on the architecture, intending to make sure each trim level really differentiated from the others, and that true quality rang through. The 134.1 – inch wheelbase is 4.1 inches longer than on the outgoing model, and the overall length is up 1.3 inches to a current 225.7 inches. This is also the first time that the Suburban gets a multilink independent rear suspension, and when paired with the longer wheelbase, creating a true packaging masterpiece.

Cargo room grows by 1.8 cubic feet behind the third row, and at the push of a button, the second and third-row seats flatten. This boosts the maximum cargo room to 144.7 feet, an expansion of 23 feet more than the outgoing model. The Magnetic Ride Control feature is still present, and the damping system is now standard on Premier and High Country, as well as an option on Z71. Air Ride offers the means of leveling a huge load at all four corners and can make adjustments to the vehicle height by 4.0 inches.

Engine options are both V8s: the 355 hp, 383 lb-ft 5.3-liter, and the 420 hp, 460 lb-ft 6.2-liter, and the active fuel management system is now replaced by the more efficient Dynamic Fuel Management. With the larger size and weight of the new Suburban, having this on deck helps with keeping fuel economy in check, with the most fuel-efficient option being the new Duramax 3.0-liter I-6 turbodiesel available on all models but the Z71. It generates 277 hp, and 460 lb-ft of torque.

This is the only full-size SUV in the nation with a diesel option, and these SUVs will be built in Arlington Texas, where there is a brand-new paint shop and body shop to accommodate the construction. One of the coolest features in existence for long-haul travelers is seen from the back seat: there are available 12.6-inch screens on the backs of the two front seats that allow for shared content, or each passenger choosing their own entertainment.

2021 Silverado HD's Amazing Tech Close-Up Via Carbuzz

The all-new 2020 Chevy Silverado HD was unveiled earlier this year with stunning towing and torque figures, and even more exciting improvements are taking place for the coming year's model! Inside sources have told GM Authority that these updates will focus on improved technology that aids with the tough daily duties facing the heavy-duty variant. One of the main improvements will be updates for the software and trailering camera systems, which also saw upgrades this year.

There are now 15 unique camera views that monitor angles such as ahead of the pickup, behind the bed, around the hitch, inside the bed, and behind the trailer. This holiday season here at O'Rielly Chevy of Tucson we have provided numerous test drives of the Silverado already, as scores of truck lovers are coming through the door getting ready to make a final decision regarding purchase. The 2021 Silverado is going to also see a revamped center console, bigger infotainment screen, as well as improved fit and finish. As the holiday trees and lights are revealed here in Tucson and nationwide, it is a fantastic time to get up to speed on what the coming model of America's best and most durable truck will offer up!

There have been so many exciting releases and other reasons to be loaded with anticipation this holiday season, just as anyone wondering what is wrapped under the tree for them would have! The 2019 SEMA Show saw the unveiling of the Silverado HD Carhartt Special Edition, another awesome choice for 2021. Based on the Silverado 2500 LTZ, we are hoping that it will sport a beefy V-8 as the power source. We are incredibly proud of the elaborate camera system that is already on board the Silverado; just a decade ago truck owners would have been amazed if they knew just how much easier their towing and hauling life was going to get with the ability to monitor what's happening at all times.

Even though we know we are cranking out the best and most durable truck line in the business, there's always room for improvement, and some critics during 2019 told us what they thought would be ideal. A bigger touch screen, less empty space around the dashboard, and the improvements to the finish was at the top of the list. In response, there will now most likely be the option to upgrade to a 12-inch screen, along with a few more interior storage compartments. We know full well that a panoramic sunroof is high on the wish list of many, and we just don't have any confirmation regarding that: we'll keep you posted right here on the blog about anything new that comes up concerning America's hardest-working truck line coming for 2021!

Hotcars.com Stacks the Camaro up Against the Corvette

The Hotcars.com staff were definitely correct when they asserted on their blog this past week that anyone anywhere who loves cars is familiar with Chevy's two greats: the Camaro and the Corvette. The pair differs greatly from each other in terms of appearance, performance, and character, as well as their target audience. Here are some fine points about both that will help anyone on their way to see us at O'Rielly Chevy of Tucson for the holidays to make their decision.

The Idea: The Corvette , by all means, an all and out sports car: with clean lines, a low-riding nose, and other qualities that have it constantly hugging the road. Those who want the Corvette are true fans of the American sports car and are consumed with a need for speed. The Camaro has always been a muscle car, and while eye-popping and masculine, it does not have some of the “topped out” sensations that a 'Vette offers.

Current Models: During 66 years of production, there has never been a mid-engined Corvette,  and so this year's particular model is off-the-charts different and new. It has the best balance and road handling that it ever has, and plenty of added space as well. The current model Camaro is a conventional front-engined build with a muscular front and grille and is going to wow fans that love consistency and a slightly retro feel.

The Power: The base 2020 Camaro is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter, cranking out 275 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. This maxes out at all the way upwards of 650 horsepower dependent on trim level, assuring that the Camaro has zero similarities to a snail. Inside this year's Corvette is the 6.2-liter V8 that generates 490 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque, but it's not always JUST about power: this is the very first Corvette that can do 0 to 60 mph in a flat 2.9 seconds! 

The Competition: The closest rivals to the Corvette come in the forms of the Acura NSX, Audi R8, Nissan GT – R, and the Porsche 911. None of these cars are American, and they are all far pricier. The Camaro is a solid rival for the Ford Mustang and the Dodge Challenger, the case of the Detroit Three itself. All of these are tied much closer together in the price range factor, and you simply have to hash out which features do and don't add up for your needs.

Tech Features: It's safe to say for this year that the Corvette leads the way as far as tech innovations. Aside from the first in the mid-engined department, there's a self-raising nose that can be programmed by GPS, and can store 1,000 locations. If you've narrowed everything down to the point where you know the Camaro is your final choice, the Available Technology Package includes the Chevy infotainment system with an 8-inch diagonal color touchscreen and Bose premium audio system.

The Racing: The Camaro is the winner of the 1971 and 1973 Australian Touring Car Championships, and was also featured as the official car of the International Race of Champions. The Camaro ZL2 has nabbed numerous Daytona 500 titles, and next year will be Chevy's racer for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup. The Corvette has been a Le Mans winner as well as at the 24 Hours of Daytona – plus it has been the Indianapolis pace car 15 times. Both of these cars are known for victory on the track: we feel the Camaro's Daytona 500 Titles may slightly nudge it to the lead in this department, but as with anything, it can come down to personal preference when it's all said and done!