Wednesday, March 4, 2020

GM Authority Delivers the Scoop on 2020 Chevy Spark Special Edition Model

The Chevy Spark is getting a sheer jolt of energy this year thanks to the unveiling of a new Special Edition model. Initially shows at the 2020 Chicago Auto Show earlier this month, it has also been making the rounds on various blogs such as GM Authority and social media sites like Instagram. It is now equipped with visual changes that help this hatch distinguish itself a bit from its various relatives. This is the car that has been praised for its energy, spunk, and attitude, and perfect for urban areas with streets on the narrow side.

The new Special Edition has a focus on adding to the appeal of the exterior, and now comes with Black Bow Tie emblems, a Black painted grille, Black daytime running lamp bezels, and 15-inch black-painted machined-finish alloy wheels. The new Special Edition version is only available on LT trim levels for the 2020 Chevy Spark. The 1LT trim is offered in two configurations, including the 1LT Manual, and the 1LT Automatic. They are both also equipped with the 1.4L LV7 inline four-cylinder engine. It is tuned to crank out 98 horsepower and 94 lb-ft of torque, sent directly to the front wheels.

The new spark will be available right here at O'Rielly Chevy of Tucson in the spring, ready to provide an incredibly economic and savvy choice for any Eco-conscious daily commuter. The Spark also received an update for the 2019 model year, when it was the recipient of a restyled front end, new wheel designs, fresh exterior paint and interior color options, Chevy Infotainment 3, new safety features, and two new USB ports. This is one of the last remaining cars in our lineup that is not an SUV, truck, or crossover, and many new graduates and young professionals out there have told us that they want to think small when it comes to size and big when it comes to EPA fuel rating!

In the city, you'll get 30 miles per gallon, and 38 on the highway. You can choose from funky and vibrant shades like Orange Burst, Caribbean Blue, Raspberry, and Passion Fruit. The ACTIV look features 15-inch aluminum wheels, roof rails, Rocker panel, fender trim, unique front and rear bumpers, Jet Black leatherette heated front seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Whenever you hit the road in the Spark, you can be confident with the knowledge that 10 standard airbags, a high-strength steel safety cage, and other features such as Available Lane Departure Warning are always working double-time to keep you safe!

Monday, February 17, 2020

Supercharged V6-Clad 2020 Colorado Xtreme Featured in Carbuzz.com

After the complete and utter mastering of a 1,000-hp Camaro Convertible, Specialty Vehicle Engineering has now shifted their focus to the Chevy Colorado. All of us here at O'Rielly Chevy of Tucson are now getting to check out the 2020 Chevy Colorado Xtreme, a present-day throwback to the Chevrolet S-10 Xtreme sports truck from the 1990s. Made available for crew cab or extended-cab models, the Colorado Xtreme derives power from a 3.6-liter V6 cranked up to 455 horsepower and 425 lb-ft of torque.

It all uses a special in-house developed centrifugal supercharger with a unique head unit that features a planetary drive assembly instead of a traditional gear drive. This allows for spinning up to 90,000 rpm with no supercharger whine and provides a smooth ride as well as linear power band that boosts power up to 6,400 rpm. SVE's air-to-water intercooler system minimizes heat soak to help maintain optimal power at all times. There are other awesome upgrades like a composite Xtreme engine cover, black bowtie emblem, a custom dual exhaust, body-color painted fog lamp surrounds and a completely reworked suspension.

This suspension lowers the Colorado Xtreme by two inches at the front, and five inches at the rear. The 2020 Chevy Colorado Xtreme sports 20-inch five-spoke wheels that are currently available in satin black or gloss black wrapped in Michelin 275/45R20 Pilot Sport PS2S performance tires. Once inside, the front headrests feature embroidered red Xtreme logos and premium floor mats in black or cocoa dune alongside the Xtreme logo. Other super-cool optional upgrades include a heavy-duty sway bar, heavy-duty traction bars and bushings, a folding black tonneau cover, and a custom seat trim package for the front and rear seats that blend perfectly with the two factory interior colors.
At this point it looks as if only 100 of these special limited-edition 2020 Colorado trucks will be built, emphasizing just how unique and trailblazing they will be. The front-seat headroom of the Colorado was ranked the best in its class by the review staff at Cars.com, as well as for its connectivity and multimedia options. For 2020, a key fob-operated tailgate lock is available and the truck also now has a tire fill alert system. The available turbo-diesel engine includes an exhaust brake system to help reduce brake pad wear when descending steep grades, and we are proud of how comfortable a ride the Colorado lays down on the highway for a model that is so off-road ready.

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

2021 Chevy Equinox First Look Via Kelley Blue Book

The 2021 Equinox proudly marks the 3rd model year for this generation of the brand we love to represent's bestselling SUV. To keep things new, Chevy has given the 2021 model a completely new look up front, due to minor tweaks in the rear. Kelley Blue Book ran a feature with an up-close first look at the model and starts by pointing out that the sportier RS trim level available on the Blazer and Traverse will now come to the Equinox.

The front fascia is changed into what represents a bit more of a Camaro appearance, with slimmer headlights. The grille has been reshaped to be more horizontal, and the bar at the top  now extends into the lighting elements. The fog lights are set into larger openings that are styled more like air intakes, and there are brand new taillights in the rear. The Premier model receives newly-designed 19-inch wheels, and the RS trim is what brings a standout blackout look to the Equinox. The dark-finish items include the grille, 19” wheels, all badging, and lower bodyside trim. Inside there's a unique shift knob and black upholstery with red contrast stitching.

After seeing the arrival of the RS trim, the Midnight Edition and Sport Edition packages are discontinued for 2021. Now available on the Premier is automatic parking assist, and the optional surround-view camera and adaptive cruise control are available on the LT as well. Engine options are not changed as the same 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter turbocharged two are the base power sources, with the first generating 170 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque, and the second cranking out 252 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive can be had with either engine.
The seasoned folks on staff at Cnet.com also claimed that there is a bit more similarity now to the competitor Honda CR-V, which is not a bad thing in the least. Chevy's latest infotainment system carries both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and the crossover now comes standard with lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, and a following-distance monitor.

Talk to us here at O'Rielly Chevy of Tucson about how you can also step up to option parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, automatic parking assist, and blind-spot monitoring. On display this month at the Chicago Auto Show, the new Equinox will be the choice of many young professionals, families, and students on the go, with the perfect balance of tech offerings and economic sensibility!

Monday, February 3, 2020

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 1st 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”!

Monday, January 27, 2020

Carbuzz Features Leaked 2021 Chevy Equinox Blazer-Inspired Facelift Shots

It was two years ago that the redesigned Equinox was released to the public, and leaked photos gleaned via Carbuzz last week confirmed that this very popular crossover will get a facelift for the 2021 model. Heavily borrowing on cues from the Chevy Blazer, the front features brand new headlights with a split design, as well as a bumper that has seen some tweaks and a smaller grille. The side profile still looks identical to what is seen on the current model, and the rear sees updates in the form of a new bumper, and redesigned taillights.

The leaked photos are of an RS model featuring black-out parts such as a darkened grille, wheels, and mirror caps, as well as a quad exhaust system and more aggressive-looking front bumper. It's safe to assume the engine in question will be the same 1.3-liter 3-cylinder engine seen in the 2021 Chevy Trailblazer. While situated in the Trailblazer, this one cranks out 155 horsepower and 115 lb-ft of torque, but it is not clear if this engine will carry over the US variant. In the States, the Chevy Equinox is offered with a turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder that makes 170 hp and 203 lb-ft of torque, and a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder making 252 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque.

GM Authority and a few other media outlets claimed that there was the possibility of a high-performance model, but solid evidence of this has not yet materialized. For a higher-performance version, a plausible candidate for the engine could be the all-new 2.7-Liter I-4 L3B Turbocharged engine, that has found a home in the 2019 Chevy Silverado 1500, and 2019 GMC Sierra 1500. In these trucks, the L3B engine makes 310 horsepower, and 348 lb-ft of torque, which would most likely only drop slightly when dropped into the Equinox.
The cabin may also see minor updates and new active safety features, but the infotainment
technology should carryover unchanged from the current, pre-facelift model. There were other spy shots seen here from Motor1.com that may show the eventual production version, showing a white model with the facelift. All of us here at O’Rielly Chevy of Tucson have paid close attention to the fact that the Equinox was the only American crossover with ranking in the top 10 best-selling vehicles last year, and so that’s why this refresh was not too intense, as to not upset what is already working out well. Come to visit us for a test drive of the Equinox soon and experience the well-crafted and durable crossover that is the perfect way to begin your New Year!

Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Stats Closeup Comparison Via Car and Driver: 2021 Chevy Tahoe Vs. GMC Yukon

The very latest Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon have just lately been announced, much to the delight of large SUV lovers everywhere. Both are slated to come out this summer as 2021 models, and the only real difference between the two was the badge. For these models, when you closely compare as Car and Driver did on their blog last week, you'll find some unique styling cues and features. After checking out this comparison, you can base your choice on which aesthetics and personality bits suit you best.

The two vehicles ride on GM's newest T1 truck platform, which also is present under the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups. Both brands' new SUVs are larger than their predecessors on the outside and have more space on the inside. The Yukon and Tahoe get a 10-speed automatic transmission across the board, with three engine choices. The base engine is a 5.3-liter V-8 that makes 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque, and there's also a 6.2-liter V-8 cranking out 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. Both are brought over from the last generation of Yukon and Tahoe, but the new versions brandish smarter cylinder deactivation systems and stop/start systems.

There's also a third engine choice: a turbodiesel 3.0-liter inline-six that made its first appearance on the Silverado and Sierra pickups. This engine delivers 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, with the ability to post a 30-mpg highway EPA fuel-economy rating. The Yukon is now the recipient of an advanced drive system dubbed Active Response 4WD, which puts to use an electronic limited-slip differential that manages all-important traction and power distribution levels. This system is also used in the very performance-rich scenarios of the Corvette and Camaro and is one trait that makes the Yukon the better choice for off-roading and low-grip situations.

On the new models, the only similarities in the exterior design are the nearly identical top-down and side views. Other than that, the grille on the Tahoe is wider, and the headlights are now much narrower and higher up compared to the Yukon. In the rear, the SUVs now sport markedly different liftgates and taillights, which were nearly identical on the outbound models. For the Yukon on every trim except for the high-end Denali, the climate control panel, screen setup, and switchgear are the same on both SUVs. The differences lie in the badges on the steering wheel, interior color schemes, and trim materials themselves.

There is a completely different dashboard setup on the Yukon Denali, as the screen now sits lower on the dash and there are two larger HVAC vents just above it. The Denali model also boasts much nicer leather and wood materials. After you visit us here at O'Rielly Chevy of Tucson for a test drive, you'll also notice that both SUV models include optional air suspensions, 15-inch head-up displays, active grille shutters, and a list of safety and driver-assist features. When spring hits, there will be nothing more satisfying than having the family in tow while enjoying the best in comfort and go-anywhere quality that this pair offer up with pride!

Monday, January 13, 2020

GM Authority Celebrates 2021 Chevy Silverado Carhartt Edition With Live Photo Gallery

When special editions for a vehicle are released, everyone here at O'Rielly Chevy of Tucson would have to agree that it presents a great opportunity to reflect on greatness and longstanding pride. The Chevy Silverado is one of those trucks that greatness and excellence are descriptive of, and a longstanding partnership with Carhartt immediately made sense. This production-ready special edition truck delivers on a concept that debuted at the 2016 SEMA Show and revels in a flair that this ultra-cool work apparel company shared a vision and ultimate venture with.

The folks on staff at GM Authority put up this cool gallery showing highlights of the unveiling, and you can get a close-up digital walk around this special edition that is based on the Silverado 2500HD LTZ Crew Cab model. It comes with the optional Z71 Off-Road Package and is offered only in Mosaic Black Metallic paint, which is the perfect choice to blend with the Carhartt gold pinstripes. The traditionally huge grille up front is all black, and so are the front and rear body-colored bumpers. There is Carhartt badging on the doors and tailgate, as well as exclusive two-tone leather upholstery finished in a Jet Black/Carhartt Brown combo inside.
The headrests have Carhartt badging embroidered into them, and the footwells are lined by-all-weather floor mats sporting the Carhartt logos. A special leather treatment was created just for this edition, creating the unique two-tone seats for the truck. This Dearborn, Michigan-based brand has long been a popular staple in the work wear realm, and on scores of construction sites and railroad hubs nationwide. The family-managed and owned company has been at the forefront of developing rugged and reliable work wear since 1889. When the concept vehicle was first shown at SEMA, the exciting response from consumers exceeded the expectation of both Chevy and Carhartt.

This top-notch apparel company so popular among carpenters, mechanics, and road crews will now be hailed in a special partnership as the “Official Workwear of Chevy Trucks”, as Chevy employees will be proudly sporting Carhartt apparel during numerous events over the years to come. Both brands have more than 100 years of history rooted in the Motor City, and both brands have a reputation for always delivering the best in durable and quality products.
Carhartt’s first product ever was the bib overall, which was an immediate success. These are
both brands that are focused on creating products that are practical, ready for inclement
weather, and built to last for years: we couldn’t be more excited about this very cool special edition, and the many miles diehard fans can’t wait to put on it!