WhichCar.com Blog Provides the Scoop on C8 Corvette Cluster Headed up by GM Boss

Last week in this video posted by California-based realtor George Kenner, six C8 Corvettes are spotted driving along a road in Yuma, Arizona. Covered in camouflage as many spy shots and videos are, you can still make out enough visuals to stoke the imagination a bit and envision how exciting the fantastic and high-powered C8 will be when it arrives on the lot here at O'rielly Chevy of Tucson. Just after the 8:38 mark is where Mark Reuss can be spotted with a hefty smile on his face, enjoying the raw ability and power of the C8, and obviously enjoying killing it at his new responsibilities after being appointed president of GM earlier this year.

At the tail end of the fleet is the current C7 Corvette model, which the videographer thought for a split-second was an Audi R8, due to the clear mid-engined proportions that catch your eye first. Reports gleaned previously from Motor and Wheels Australia have gradually alluded to the final word regarding the next-generation Corvette, which has already been officially shown to Chevy dealers nationwide. Different leaked documents and computer-generated drawings lead many experts to believe that 4 different V8 engine configurations are likely for the C8.

The 6.2-liter LT1 V8 will most likely be one option, and a turbocharged 5.5-liter unit with a hybrid system will also likely be in the works. The folks on duty at the Road and Track blog had a great feature last month chock full of details regarding the arrival of the C8, and here you get to see a cool video of a fleet of five C8s testing in the snow-covered mountains of California. At this point, we are still under the impression that the car won't debut until early summer of this year, and some are keeping their eyes on the New York Auto show in April.

When we mull over the many various reasons we have to be thrilled about the coming of the C8, the time spent innovating and designing the engine is one of the elements at the top of the list. Many hours of studying and testing were put into the design of the cover that has been made with aiding cooling in mind, which may be why the rear of the car was always seen covered so frequently during testing. Another batch of photos featuring the C8 testing on the famed Nürburgring track revealed two very distinct cut lines on the roof, which makes us wonder if a removable roof panel will be part of this very exciting and track-ready contender.

Another patent that was dug up while gleaning the various newswires was one that GM filed for a clutch-by-wire system: it could potentially replace the traditional hydraulic master-and-slave cylinder mechanism by means of a high-tech electronic actuator situated in the transmission. A system like this would ultimately result in a much simpler actuation of the clutch, which would be of great benefit to a prototype featuring an engine located in the middle of the frame. We are definitely excited about the potential of seeing a run at the 24 Hours of Le Mans once this slice of heavily-horsepowered heaven hits the market, and we will all soon see the vision materialize that spanned half a century and many various drawing boards during the making!

2019 Camaro ZL1 1LE's New Transmission Option Featured on Nseavoice.com

The 1LE package for the Camaro was definitely a game changer for fans and track addicts nationwide, and at the time of release, was only able to be fitted onto models with a manual transmission. As the staff of Nseavoice.com pointed out in a feature this week, Chevy is now offering the package for the automatic transmission. Offered on the ZL1 1LE model, it adds a large wing, and super cool spool-valve shocks. Also said to improve speed, the automatic will now be able to go even faster on the track than the manual model.

The ZL1 1LE will be receiving the automatic transmission in February, giving it a noticeable edge over rough-and-tumble sworn rivals like the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500. This is the powerful model that sees the addition of a supercharger on the V-8, boosting the output to 650 horsepower, and installing a host of awesome suspension and styling upgrades. Those on duty and reporting the automotive goods day in and out at Car and Driver claimed that this is “one of the most solid values there is” within the fast-car category, and loved the power that the V8 swapped from the Corvette Z06 eagerly provides.

The upgrade offers a manually adjustable front suspension that really is the icing on the cake as far as what is available when you reach true supercar territory, as this is a creation of the utmost “royal in racing” caliber that stops from 70 MPH in just 143 feet. Standard equipment now includes power front seats with heating and ventilation, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The touchscreen infotainment system is known to be among the industry's most user-friendly platforms, featuring clear menus, large on-screen buttons, and the best in features such as 4G LTE an Apple CarPlay as well as Android Auto capability.

This model is the third member of the sixth-generation Camaro 1LE family, following in the footsteps of the V6 1LE, and the V-8 powered SS 1LE. As the skilled team at Motor Trend claimed, redoing the grille helped with the task of increasing the amount of airflow into a few of the 11 radiators on board the ZL1, not just succeeding in cooling the engine off, but helping with aerodynamics to boot. After extreme testing sessions, they also claimed that the biggest difference between the ZL1 and the 1LE are the shocks. The spool-valve advantage is boiled down to low-speed rebound and compression: they both are drastically different when traveling at a faster rate.

The dampers are hard-mounted to the body, and the tires incorporate the only rubber that exists in the suspension: there are no rubber bushings to be found on this model. The Camaro team knows that track rats love to make tweaks to their prized belongings, and front-end ride height, the anti-roll bar in the rear, ability to mod the trick shocks cater to the extremest in all car fans out there. Goodyear was tasked with developing a tire that won't “quit after one lap,” and the ZL1 1LE rolls on 305/30ZR19 fronts, and 325/30ZR19 rears. All of us on sales and service staff here at O'Rielly Chevy would love to help you experience the excitement of the ZL1 1LE: one of the most memorable quotes we have seen regarding its racing quality this year is: “I'm clapping my hands on the straights; this thing is an uncaged race car!”

Camaro and Corvette ZR1 Top “21 Quickest Production Cars Motortrend Tested in 2018” List

Every year when car performance lists of various sorts come out, here at O'Rielly Chevy of Tucson we are sure that our vehicles will make the list. It is always certain that year after year, our sedans and sports cars will make waves and dominate against the various forms of competition out there. Every year the folks on staff at Motor Trend take on the duty of testing more than 200 car, truck, and SUV varieties to properly evaluate every new vehicle there is on the market. From budget-priced compacts to the most luxurious high-end vehicles, they were on the hunt last year to find the quickest out there, based completely on the 0-60 MPH drive time.

One of the initial surprises came from the Dodge club: we fully recognize that the 2018 Challenger SRT Hellcat Wide Body is one fine vehicle, in literally all ways. But it placed 20^th on the list, as a 3.9-second 0-60 time ultimately keeps it held back a bit on the list. What's mind-blowing is the difference one second can make: engineers and designers have been trying for decades to create the ultimate pony and track-commanding car that can blast through this particular endurance test, while still providing other features within the realms of tech and safety.

The most powerful Porsche 911 ever sold to the public snagged the number one spot: the amazing and incredibly powerful 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS nailed down a track time for the 0-60 mph trot that was simply astounding: a lightening-fast 2.6 seconds. Our prized Corvette ZR1 snagged the 4^th place spot on this list of fearlessly fast contenders, coming in at a 3.0-second 0 to 60 mph gallop. The well-seasoned staff at Car and Driver proclaimed recently that “We went 183.3 MPH in the new Corvette ZR1 at the Texas Mile, and not once did we feel guilty.” With greatly noticeable power and chassis improvements over the Z06, you'll notice very minimal drawback downforce during speed runs, as well as enjoy the capability for the incoming Corvette to be perfect for daily drives.

Up a bit higher in the list is the 2018 Chevy Camaro ZL1: it pulls off the 0-60 sprint in just 3.5 seconds, situated in a comfy slot just above the 2018 Mercedes-AMG GT R. The quarter-mile time for the ZL1 sits at 11.5 seconds, and the automatic transmission it sports is the one to nab if you are looking to achieve rocket-fast speed while in a straight line. This is the always exciting, well-priced car that is a true legend in its own rite, which Car and Driver stated has “a glorious engine sound.” The supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 is good for 650 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque, and half of the chassis performance is derived from aluminum-bodied spool-valve dampers.

The rear subframe and multilink suspension are now insulated with aluminum pucks, and the rear anti-roll bar can be adjusted to three different positions. Make sure to check out the available navigation system and carbon-fiber interior trim, two of the extras that up the level of excitement in a vehicle that already has a massive presence in the no-holds-barred racing category!

Automobile Hails 2019 Silverado For Its Raw Domination During Delivery Duty

GM's very long-awaited launch of the all-new Chevy Silverado has had many customers right here at O'Rielly Chevy and nationwide very anxious. Todd Lassa of Automobile took on the task of driving a 2019 Silverado 4WD LT Crew Cab pickup for a weekend, on a trip around 140 miles out of Detroit to pick up a storm door and unload it at the summer cabin another 30 miles out. This was exactly the type of routine errand that many brand-new truck owners will embark upon, and a pretty good gauge of how the truck performs in a typical home improvement delivery situation.

He first begins by making it clear that he's not a truck guy, and that is completely understandable! Even though we have witnessed firsthand the staggering amount of appeal that trucks have commanded into their camp over the last five years particularly, many true auto aficionados crave the low-riding feel and track-gripping sensations you can acquire from driving a sedan. Nonetheless, the ability to haul, tow, move, and now jump directly off-road with more prowess than ever before is a powerful allure to many, and trucks keep flying off the lot here in Tucson faster than we can stock them. Todd does not require the full-size driving sensations that the Silverado provides in all ways to satisfy his pavement cravings, but he still dutifully pulled out of the driveway to start his trip.

The first thing he noticed was its incredibly smooth and quiet ride on the freeway, while at the same time appreciating the sensation of a jet taking off that you get when launching off the line. He praised the truck for its practicality and punch, and while he himself was not in need of the varied hard-duty functions of the Silverado, many contractors and other hard-duty linesmen and women nationwide are. We take pleasure in offering the 2019 version of the truck that Car and Driver deemed “Lord of the contractor,” as well as “good for the ultimate victory in the truck wars.”

Speaking of the good folks at Car and Driver, they took the RST model through Wyoming's Grand Tetons last year, and they were fully enthused about the uphill climbing power as well as recovering from small bumps and having well-weighted and accurate steering. Increased tow ratings and bigger bed are two of the traits that really made the Silverado the strong and spry competitor against the F-150 that it is. Whenever a crown is at stake, the race becomes fervent, and the Silverado has earned its stripes during 2018 in many ways. We are excited about the fact that the new Silverado is bigger, yet still lighter, and both existing V-8s now feature Chevy's new Dynamic Fuel Management technology.

This system employs 17 different firing modes and does the job of shutting down as many as six cylinders at will, depending on immediate torque demand. A trailering package with a bigger rear axle, radiator with more cooling capability, and revised shock tuning are all great elements on the table: come soon to check out this truck that fared so well on a winter's holiday urgent to-do run!

O’Rielly High-Performance Feature: The Drive Offers First Impressions of 2019 Camaro SS

The buzz on the street almost always circles back to a few similar topics when it comes to the models that aren't really for daily errands: the ones that are there to open up and test twisty roads with! A lot of questions have been thrown around regarding the 2019 model, and its sixth-generation upgrade. Some bits of technology saw themselves carried through from the ZL1 variant, and there also a few other key changes that will leave anyone who loves to spend their downtime burning through corners on the track excited.

Some of the first new changes are on the front end of the SS and with the 10-speed automatic transmission, which The Drive blog contributor Kyle Chermoca got to test on the mountain roads of Malibu. A perfectly scenic and challenging location for the task, this is one of the most fun places in the nation to drive a high-performing car, while taking close note of performance and functionality of new features. Combined goals of shedding weight, making the suspension tougher, and adding new tech features all were completed with flying colors. A rear mirror camera is one of the useful safety features this year, and another quality that our loyal Camaro fans will notice right away is the lower pricing on the base LS model.

The SS benefits predominantly from a significantly lower curb weight, better overall balance, and more standard added features. The SS is where most conversations drift towards, however, and it is not surprising in the least. Paired with the reliable and burly LT1 V-8 and the 10-speed automatic transmission, it is one of the few passenger cars in current existence that sports a double-digit gear count. Even though the transmission was co-developed with what some see as our sworn enemy Ford Motors, there are some features that are unique to the new SS. The controls, software, and other ingenious add-ons help the Camaro version stand out, giving it unique flair and character.

One of the things we really want Camaro lovers to check out up close and personal is a new function called “Liftfoot Gear Hold”: specifically for use in Sport and Track modes, it prevents excessive shifting by holding the gear you are in when you lift off the throttle. Kyle from The Drive also had the privilege of taking the Camaro SS up the Pacific Coast Highway, and noticed two stand-out qualities that he really was excited about. This is a car that is pure genius to have include a convertible options, and during heavy testing, the automatic transmission never felt like it was constantly hunting for the correct gear.

Back in 1966, “Panther” was the code name devised for the Camaro, a very sleek and sneaky creature that is always ready to pounce. The 2019 Camaro SS is one high-performance car that will always inspire, captivate, and conquer over its rivals time and time again: we are excited to show you all of the many reasons why getting your hands on a brand new model will stoke strenuous excitement into every single second of driving this powerful new pony!

Corvette Online Showcases New Options for Color on the 2019 Corvette ZR1

Click here to view the interior colors

Every year when Chevy releases the new options for the Corvette, there are many reasons to be excited, especially if you have your sights set on the new ZR1. It is now easier than ever to customize the interior to suit your tastes, and the good folks at the Corvette Online blog showcased this week the new color options that will be available on the upcoming model. While the exterior of your car is the first thing that onlookers see when you glide (or blast) past them, the interior is what you are going to be staring at when you are en route every day.

The ZR1 now has six options to pick from: you can opt for the classics such as gray, jet black, or Kalahari, which is a subtle khaki color, or you can choose to up the ante with another new color such as Adrenaline Red, which is the perfect visual essence of what many picture when they think of the 'Vette's timeless allure. The darker Spice Red, or Jet Black interior with orange stitching are also on tap to give your brand-new ZR1 a different type of flair. You also have the ability to choose the seat trim materials that will give your ZR1 an ultimate custom look.

If leather is the look that suits you, the ZR1 comes with three custom trim options for the interior and seating. There is the perforated Mulan variety, perforated Napa leather, or leather with microfiber inserts. You have not experienced a truly soft and show-worthy quality until you have experienced Napa: it is one fine choice for the car; if you are a fan of the way lovely leather boots feel, the Mulan variety may be up your alley. Once you have chosen the perfect interior and trim, the final step is deciding on an exterior that matches. There are ten options on the upcoming model to choose from, and you can select something that matches, compliments, or has a totally different contrast from the interior color you've picked.

The ten colors offered with the ZR1 this year are

-Black

-Shadow Gray Metallic

-Blade Silver Metallic

-Long Beach Red Metallic Tintcoat

-Torch Red

-Sebring Orange Tintcoat

-Corvette Racing Yellow Tintcoat

-Elkhart Lake Blue Metallic

-Arctic White

If any of these colors don't happen to appeal to you right away, there are still some incredible options! Check out any local options here in Tucson for a custom vehicle wrap: this can help you protect the paint beneath, which raises the trade-in or resale value of the car. The fierce 6.2-liter V8 pushes a startling 755 horsepower to the rear wheels, and went from zero to 60 in just 3.1 seconds during Car and Driver's official speed tests. The official testing staff from said magazine put the new 'Vette through rigorous punishment at the Texas Mile, topping out at 183.3 MPH, and “not once feeling guilty.” Check out the available goods on the new 'Vette here at O'rielly soon and decide whether or not the targa or convertible body style is right for you. Port-and direct-fuel-injection system combine, and cylinder deactivation is not in existence anymore, along with Eco and Weather drive modes.