6 Accessories for Your Chevy Silverado This Summer

The use of autonomous cars has long been a dream for both drivers and car manufacturers. That dream is now almost a reality thanks to Chevrolet's plans to produce and test self-driving cars in the coming years. If these tests are successful, consumers across the country will be able to take a leisurely ride in their Chevy vehicle without having to worry about operating their vehicle, making for a unique, relaxing automotive experience. If you're excited by the prospect of owning an autonomous driving vehicle, it's a good idea to learn how Chevrolet plans to build and construct these cutting-edge vehicles. Development One of the primary ways that Chevrolet is planning on producing autonomous vehicles is by partnering with the some of the top universities in the world. In the AutoDrive Challenge, sponsored by General Motors and SAE International, research teams at Virginia Tech, Michigan Tech, Kettering University, University of Toronto, North Carolina A & T University, University of Waterloo, Michigan State University, and Texas A & M University will work towards making the Chevy Bolt EV a completely autonomous vehicle. During the three-year competition, the teams will work on making the Bolt EV meet the qualifications for SAE Level 4 autonomy, which means the vehicle is able to monitor its surroundings and drive itself without human intervention. At the end of the competition, each completed vehicle will be tested in an Urban environment to see if the goal of autonomous driving has finally been achieved. more Manufacturing In addition to their partnership with educational institutions, Chevrolet will also be manufacturing their own vehicles with the final goal being fully autonomous driving. Recently, the Michigan legislature passed rules allowing autonomous cars to be tested in real world environments. GM has jumped on this opportunity with plans to build a fleet of autonomous Chevy Bolts for testing. The plan is for the autonomous Bolt line to be built in a factory in Orion township, which is close to GM's headquarters in Detroit. While the construction of the autonomous Bolt will be very similar to the standard electric version, the vehicles will be equipped with the technology necessary for autonomous driving, including laser sensors, radar, and a variety of cameras. To assist in their goal of being the first auto manufacturer to mass produce self-driving vehicles, GM has purchased Cruise Automation, a company that specializes in autonomous driving technology. Testing The most important part of bringing autonomous-driving vehicles to the market is testing them for safety and efficiency, and Chevrolet plans to test their autonomous Bolt in a variety of ways. First, Chevy plans to test these vehicles in the urban environment of Detroit, close to where the vehicles will actually be produced. Second, GM, has partnered with Lyft, one of the nation's largest ride-sharing services, to test these vehicles on a larger scale. Lyft will use the Bolt EV in its fleet of vehicles in multiple states for the purpose of real world testing. Testing of the Bolt EV will begin in 2018, and is expected to be the largest test of autonomous vehicles by any automaker. Thanks to Chevrolet, the dream of an autonomous car is closer than ever before. Image via Wikipedia Commons by Dllu used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Chevrolet will be introducing several redesigned vehicles over the next two years including the 2018 Traverse and 2018 Equinox that are featured on showroom floors now. Look for a newly-styled Chevy Silverado 1500 next year with an expected lighter, aluminum frame, a new engine, and many more changes. The Reshaped 2018 SUV's Both the Traverse and the Equinox have been redesigned this year to look more like a truck, but with the comfort of an SUV. Both vehicles feature a seven- or eight-seat configuration and fold down second- and third-row seats for more storage. The OnStar 4G LTE WiFi hotspot is also available for both, along with the MyLink infotainment system that supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. New safety features available on both are the Teen Driver program in which parents can receive a report that highlights areas where teens need to improve their driving skills.  Both models come with forward collision alert, distance following indicator, lane keep assist, and lane charge alert, including blind zone alarm. The Equinox engine options offer an all-turbocharged, multi-engine powertrain lineup with an exclusive 1.6L turbo-diesel.  Chevrolet is the first dealer in North America to offer this engine. A Well-Kept Secret The 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is expected to sport many changes, although nothing has been confirmed. Industry scouts report the truck's body will incorporate more aluminum into an all new frame with LED lights and door-mounted mirrors. A new variation on the standard 4.3-liter V6 engine may be introduced with either a 3.0L twin-turbo V6 or a 4.5L turbodiesel V8, both featuring the newly developed 10-speed automatic transmission. A six-cylinder diesel engine is also expected since Chevy now offers diesel for the Chevy Cruse and Equinox. more Across the Board Changes After reviewing data usage from drivers, Chevy will make the OnStar 4G LTE WiFi hotspot available on all models.  The OnStar basic plan includes remote vehicle services and the OnStar At Your Service marketplace for your mobile phone, plus different data packages. An unlimited data plan is also available for your Chevy. The 2018 Chevy Colorado has a new eight-speed automatic transmission available with a 2.8L Duramax Diesel engine.  Both HID and LED headlamps are also offered. New exterior colors are available for the truck and most other models, replacing ones that were not popular among buyers. A Rally Sport Truck (RST) edition was just introduced for the Tahoe and Suburban. The RST performance package includes a 420-hp, 6.2L V8 engine, Magnetic Ride Control with calibration, and an all-new Hydra-Matic 10L80 10-speed automatic transmission. A newly designed Camaro, which has not been produced since 1967, is in the works and includes a Z/28 version for 2019. There are hints that the new Camaro will feature a 6.2-liter LT5 DOHC V8 engine. Chevrolet, like all dealers, keeps most of the information on new models under wraps and will not let much leak until the actual release date gets closer. Don't forget to check out the already released 2018 models and keep in touch with your Chevy dealer to find out more news on the next generation of vehicles coming in 2019. Image "2018 Chevrolet Equinox" via Wikipedia Commons by Ryanandlenny used under CC BY-SA 4.0 / cropped from original