Camo-Laden 2021 Silverado Realtree Edition Featured in 1st State Update

The second collaboration between Chevy and the world's absolute coolest camo and outdoor equipment manufacturer has now taken place in the form of the 2021 Silverado Realtree Edition! The limited-run truck combines the rugged go-anywhere prowess of the Silverado 1500 Custom Trail Boss with custom graphics and flair from Realtree. This is where hunting and fishing enthusiasts truly acquire a truck that is perfectly matched to their favorite pastimes, and the Silverado continues to offer functionality and capability where it counts.

Just like all Trail Boss models, the Realtree edition comes equipped with a 2-inch factory suspension lift, 20-inch black wheels with Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT On-Off Road Tire and the Silverado's Z71 Off-Road Package. This is what offers up the ultimate in protection and go-anywhere functionality with monotube Rancho shocks, Hill Descent Control, automatic locking rear differential, skid plates, and an AutoTrac 2-speed transfer case. The RealTree Edition comes equipped with the 5.3-Liter V8 engine with 6-speed transmission and is also available with the juicier 6.2-Liter V8 that cranks out 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque.

In the blog feature offered up by the folks on staff at 1^st State Update, they were immediately won over by the Realtree camouflage graphics on the exclusive exterior, as well as the interior door trim, and the logo on the standard bedliner. These outdoor-ready touches are accompanied by black Silverado and Z71 badging, black rectangular dual-exhaust tips, 4-inch black round assist steps and all-weather floor liners. The testing team on hand was also in love right away with the Silverado's Durabed, which offers the most standard cargo capacity in the segment, 12 standard tie-downs and a roll-formed steel bed floor boasting massive strength.

One of our favorites within the Realtree product line is the Excape camo: it is purposefully designed to appear unstructured while it imitates natural elements. It enhances the hunting experience for western big game hunters by enabling them to escape visual detection by blending into surroundings at distances from 400 to 20 yards and closer. It puts to use techniques perfected by apex predators, and many elements that can be found in various western terrain.

Realtree's founder Bill Jordan took his 35+ years of experience to work hard at  creating the world's most versatile patterns on the market, and these are simply “the goods” as far as any experienced outdoorsman is concerned. Come check out this new model soon here at O'Rielly Chevy of Tucson, and experience the thrill of hiding in the brush “from the ground up”!

Off-Road Enthusiast's Foresight: Chevy Silverado ZRX Spy Shots Via GM Authority

As the fall season has been upon us here for a month or so at O'Rielly Chevy of Tucson, it has been evident that the customers are interacting with are telling us just how much they love off-road trucks. The larger-sized Silverado refuses to be left out of the party, and a ZRX variant is now underway. The staff on duty at GM Authority came up with some of the very first spy shots here to prove it, with incredibly trail-ready tires and looking like it could climb boulders at the drop of a hat.

Back in August, GM Authority was also on the scene to report a fresh trademark filing for the ZRX name, both in the U.S. And Canada. Then the next month it was reported that the ZRX name would be given to this new Silverado slated to fit in the lineup above the Trail Boss. These spy shots seem to show an early development model, based on the LT Trail Boss model. This can be seen by checking out the designations on the bed and tailgate, as well as the overall stance and appearance.

The front bumper is much shorter than on any other Silverado to come before it, and it is minus the fog lights found on the LT Trail Boss. This is an element that will help with approach angle, and a metal bar you can spot protruding from said bumper may be linked to upgraded suspension components needed underneath. The rear end looks pretty similar to the current LT Trail Boss, and this may change as development progresses. As was outlined in their full report, the ZRX is supposed to offer a large suspension setup graced with DSSV dampers from MultiMatic, front and  rear electronic lockers, and new bumpers to improve pickup and departure angles.

Powertrains are not at this time expected to see an upgrade, as the source has been said to be the naturally-aspirated 6.2-LiterV8 L87 EcoTec3 engine. The brand-new GM 10-speed automatic transmission will be responsible for shifting duties, and it is a possibility that the new ZRX may offer the turbodiesel 3.0-Liter LM2 inline-six Duramax engine.

What really excites us is that this is ultimately the mean and off-road-ready truck slated to go up against the Ford F-150 Raptor, and when this vehicle was spotted, the driver peeled out faster than any the team had seen in quite some time. Quite clearly, this model was not meant to easily meet the public eye so soon. We will keep you posted here on the blog and let you know when we receive more information about this coming go-anywhere Goliath in the making!

Chevy Silverado 1500 Departs to Laughlin Classic Desert Racing Series

With a variety of off-road races taking place on some of the toughest terrain in the nation, the U.S. Best in the Desert series offers up a long line of endlessly exciting events. The action takes place from October 10-13, when ATVs, trucks, and cars all forge their way on a 17-mile loop. Best in the Desert is now proud to have over 35 years of storied history within the racing community to its name. Legendary racing icon Casey Folks founded the series in 1984 and it soon grew to include 4-wheel vehicles and was recognized by the early 2000s as the world's premier off-road racing series.

Our beloved Chevy Silverado truck followed the Colorado ZR2 into the Best in the Desert Racing Series that kicked off at the Laughlin Desert Classic on the 10^th. The Silverado race truck that will brave the distance is based off an LT Trail Boss truck and is set to compete in Desert's 1200 Stock class. It will be backed for power by the 6.2-liter V-8 that's good for 420 horsepower and paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. To be properly prepared for the Baja-style challenge, the race truck sports a long-travel suspension, front and rear shocks, and set of prototype high-capacity Multimatic Dynamic Suspensions Spool Valve off-road dampers.

Both The Colorado ZR2 and the Silverado scheduled to be driven by Frank D'Angelo can be spotted at the Tropicana Laughlin Hotel and Casino in Nevada. There are currently plans underway to race both trucks during 2020, and it's pretty safe to assume that we'll see these two up close and personal at SEMA in November. When it first began the Best in the Desert consisted of two events: the World Championship Hare and Hound and the Las Vegas 300.

In 1987, it was established as an organization with a full series featuring three races: the World Championship Hare and Hound, Las Vegas 300, and US Hare Scrambles Championship. During 1989 the series grew even further as it then saw the addition of the Mesquite Gran Prix. As ATV popularity grew nationwide, the Best in the Desert introduced 4-wheel vehicles with the Inaugural Vegas to Reno event. Between 1997 and 1999 the series began to get rid of motorcycle-only events, and introduced the 7-day “Race into the Millennium” during 2000.

5 years ago the various partnerships and success grew once again when Mad Media came on board to the series and it now includes the UTV World Championship. All of us here at O'Rielly Chevy of Tucson are going to be glued to our web browsers to see how these two durable and off-road-ready trucks fare during this test, and hope that everyone has fun watching this true test of outdoor driving prowess!

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!

Chevy Takes Home More J.D. Power Awards Than Any Other Brand

For the fourth consecutive year, Chevrolet has had more J.D. Power Initial Quality awards than any other brand. This year, five Chevrolet vehicles led their segments in the J.D. Power 2016 Initial Quality Study, a study that is based on the responses of 80,000 purchasers and lessees of new 2016 model-year vehicles within 90 days of ownership. 

Alan Batey, Global Chevrolet president stated, “First, the study results will help attract new buyers to Chevrolet, as J.D. Power data shows ‘expected reliability’ is customers’ top purchase consideration for a new vehicle. Second, the improved ownership experience of our new vehicles will help convert first-time Chevrolet buyers into repeat customers, as J.D. Power indicates customers who have a positive experience in the first 90 days of ownership are more likely to become repeat buyers for the brand.”

According to the study, Chevrolet is the fastest growing full-line brand in the automobile industry. Within the first five months of 2016, they have seen a 3% grow in retail sales due to their focus on the customer. 

The awards Chevrolet received include:

• Tahoe, which led in the large SUV segment with study results that were 19 point above the segment average.
• Equinox led the compact SUV segment in a tie, with study results that were 15 points better than the segment average.
• Silverado 1500 and Silverado HD, which both swept the full-size truck categories.
• Spark, which absolutely dominated the city car segment, with study results that were 48 points higher than the segment average.

The results gained from the J.D. Power Initial Quality Study provides manufactures that will help them identify any issues the car may have and make any necessary improvements. 

To check out any of these award-winning cars for yourself, stop by O'Rielly Chevrolet in Tucson, AZ for a test drive!