Carlisle Events hosted its first Carlisle, Pennsylvania based event a few months later than normal recently, as Spring Carlisle finally took over the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds June 17-20.  The twice rescheduled event, as well as a few others on the season schedule fell victim to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Carlisle Events wasn’t the only organization put in a position of defining a new normal.  Food banks, shelters and support outlets for those in need were too.  In fact, many are still struggling to keep up with demand.  With guests planning to attend car shows this summer, Carlisle Events is pleased to announce a support partnership with United Way and Project SHARE.

Both local agencies work to serve those in need.  For Project SHARE, it’s their food pantry and for United Way of Carlisle & Cumberland County, it’s helping community-based programs that strengthen the cornerstones for a good quality of life.  This includes education, financial stability, health and basic needs.  In each instance, support is needed. 

Commencing with the Carlisle Chevrolet Nationals (June 26-27), Carlisle Events will host a food drive and COVID-19 relief fund effort.  This effort will run throughout the remainder of the 2020 schedule, including the final Carlisle based event, Fall Carlisle (September 30-October 4). Donate a bag of non-perishable food items at the car shows this summer to support Project SHARE of Carlisle and support feeding our community.  Donations suggested include meal-related food items, toiletries and more.  There is also a virtual food drive (details on the Project SHARE web page).  Collection bins will be positioned outside of the main points of entry to the fairgrounds for guests to donate.  In addition, donations may be monetary in form as well.   These types of donations can be made direct via www.projectSHAREpa.org. 

“Project SHARE’s vision is ‘Nourishing Our Community…Awakening Hope,’” said Bob Weed, CEO of Project SHARE.  “Before and during this current crisis we have been providing nutritious food for our community in need,” continued Weed.  “We continue to serve our entire community in need through our monthly distribution days and our weekly Farmstand location where fresh produce, eggs, milk and bread are shared with all.  Safety and Nourishment remain our focal points in these days that we are moving through.  We will continue to serve with the support and encouragement of our community.”

United Way can be supported through their Carlisle Area Emergency Response Fund which is providing funding to local non-profits to prevent the spread of the virus, address emerging needs and meet community members’ basic needs. Carlisle Events will donate all money collected to United Way of Carlisle & Cumberland County’s relief efforts where donations go directly to local non-profit organizations in the Carlisle community that were impacted by COVID-19. 100% of dollars donated will go back to the Carlisle area, a community that has long supported the car show excitement at the fairgrounds.

Secure drop box locations will be available and those who participate can donate before, during or after attending an event in Carlisle this year.

“We are trying to help our community during this difficult time,” said Carlisle Events General Manager Scott Amig.  “Please donate and help us support an area that’s been so supportive of us for so many years.”

“So far the Carlisle Area Emergency Response Fund has provided funding for handwashing stations, masks, gloves, and plexiglass shields as well as safe transportation to testing sites, a mobile paramedic capable of conducting COVID-19 testing and essentials such as food and shelter,” added Lu Flickinger, UW Resource Development Director.   “For more CAER Fund info visit us online at www.uwcarlisle.org.”

To learn more about the 2020 car show schedule, visit www.CarlisleEvents.com or for donation details, jump to www.projectSHAREpa.org or www.uwcarlisle.org.

Chevrolet has been a leader on the American truck scene since 1918. Its signature truck badge is Silverado, which launched as a trim level for Chevrolet C/K pick-ups and Suburbans in 1975, before becoming its own line in 1999.

A year after a full redesign, Silverado for 2020 receives a few minor changes and updates for the Light Duty (Silverado 1500), a complete redesign for the Silverado Heavy Duty (2500HD, 3500HD), and minor changes to the Silverado Medium Duty (Silverado 4500HD, 5500HD, 6500HD). I tested the Silverado 1500, which gains available trailering mirrors and cameras – up to eight available with 15 views, Bed View Camera (included with available Technology Package), available Adaptive Cruise Control, available 10-speed automatic transmission, new 3.0-liter turbodiesel engine available as an option, upgraded maximum towing capacity to 13,400 pounds and a bevy of cosmetic changes.

Silverado is packaged as a work truck, play truck and luxury truck with trim, engine, bed and cab size options for multiple needs and tastes. I’m talking about eight trims, six engines, and three cabs, so the muscular exterior is an overabundance of measurement possibilities.

Looking ruggedly handsome, my 2020 Silverado 1500 LTZ with a Crew Cab was outfitted with a short bed. The 5-foot-8-inch box, brought exterior measurements to 231.7 inches in length (the 6-foot-6-inch box adds 9.5 inches and the 8-foot box is not available with the Crew Cab). Silverado’s wide body is 81.2 inches wide and a tall 75.5 inches high (for the 4x4), and some trims are as much as 78.4 inches high. My test truck has a 147.4-inch wheelbase – some trims go 157.4. Ground clearance is 8.9 inches and step-in height measures 22.2 inches, while the Silverado LTZ’s base curb weight ranges from 4940 to 5090 with the 5.3-liter engine and 4x4 configuration that was set up on my truck. 

Inside, Silverado’s well-appointed, comfortable, safety-focused and tech-filled interior is roomy, quiet and functional, with a sturdy cab structure. Its Crew Cab provides 43.0 inches of front headroom with 40.1 in the rear. Legroom is spacious, at 44.5 inches up front and 40.1 in the rear, while shoulder room measures 66.0 and 65.2 inches.
 
Silverado provides six power options: a 4.3-liter V-6 with a six-speed automatic transmission, 285hp and 305 lb-ft of torque, rated at 16mpg/city and 21mpg/highway; 5.3-liter V-8 and six-speed, 355hp and 383 lb-ft of torque 15/city, 21/highway; 2.7-liter Turbo and an eight-speed automatic, 310hp and 348 lb-ft of torque, 20/city, 23/highway; 5.3-liter V-8 and an eight-speed automatic or 10-speed automatic, 355hp and 383 lb-ft of torque 16/city and 22/highway; 6.2-liter V-8 and a 10-speed automatic, 420hp and 460 lb-ft of torque 16/city, 20/highway; and a 3.0-liter I-6 turbo-diesel with a 10-speed automatic, 277 hp and 460 lb-ft, and rated at 23 and 33mpg.

My Silverado LTZ with the 5.3 and eight-speed showed brawn and responsiveness. A big truck that feels smaller and more responsive behind the wheel, the set-up weaves in and out of traffic, accelerates powerfully, hauls big loads effortlessly, tracks well on the road and acquits itself well at the track, with a 6.7-second (hand-timed) zero-to-60mph sprint and a 15.2-second (hand-timed) quarter-mile. Silverado is a challenge to park due to size and blind spots, and the independent coil-over-shock front suspension with twin-tube shocks coupled with a solid axle rear with semi-elliptic, variable-rate two-stage multileaf springs and splayed twin-tube shocks bump a bit on road irregularities, but the cabin is quiet and the feel is confident. 

Fuel estimates of 16mpg/city and 22mpg/hwy with my AWD set-up were in-line with my mixed-use test average of 20.1mpg.

There are 2020 Silverado 1500s for myriad tastes. Silverado is offered in eight trims; Regular Cab with standard box and long box; Double Cab Standard Box and Crew Cab in short box and standard box; and is configured in 2WD and 4WD. And there are six engine-transmission options. Base prices run from $30,095 with 2WD, Regular Cab and Long Bed to $36,395 for Crew Cab, 2WD and Standard Bed, and can start as high as $60,890 for the High Country trim with 2WD and 3.0-liter turbo engine. My test 2020 Silverado LTZ, seventh of the eight trims, in 4WD with the 5.3-liter engine and 8-speed transmission, started at $49,000. 

My LTZ trim package came with 4WD, chrome grille, 18-inch Bright Silver painted aluminum wheels, advance trailering features, perforated leather seating, and lots of standard trim items. Cajun Red Tintcoat exterior paint added $495 and was matched to a Jet Black perforated leather interior. My test truck added the LTZ Premium package, discounted to $5700, for power sliding rear window with rear defogger, front buckets, power sunroof front center console, polished 20-inch wheels, 275/60R20 all-season, blackwall tires and more. The Technology Package added $2125 for a rear camera mirror, 8-inch diagonal digital driver information center, HD Surround Vision and head-Up display. Six-inch black rectangular wheel-to-wheel assist steps added $850. Destination and Freight charges of $1575 put the sticker at $60,765, but there are total cash allowance discounts of up to $5500, available, and my test truck came to $54,265, so check with your local dealer about incentives.

You can see 102 years of Chevrolet trucks, and 109 years of the Chevy brand as well as a diverse assortment of GM vehicles, at the Carlisle Chevrolet Nationals at Carlisle (PA) Fairgrounds, June 26-27. Home to a diverse group of General Motors vehicles, from vintage trucks and muscle cars, to the modern 6th-Generation Camaro, this event was formerly known as the GM Nationals. The weekend isn’t limited to “Bow-Tie” branded cars and trucks and includes all things GM, including a display honoring GMs of the 1970s, 50 Years of Monte Carlo, 50 Years of the Chevelle LS6 454, the annual Novas at Carlisle show, and vehicles old and new. 


> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>

The Chevrolet Camaro was launched for model year 1967 to compete with Ford’s Mustang, and the “Pony Wars” had begun, and four generations of Camaro were produced before production ended in 2002. Chevy chose “Camaro” for this Pony icon’s name, and while Camaro has no English derivative, GM marketers said, “the name suggests the comradeship of good friends as a personal car should be to its owner." When asked, "What is a Camaro?" the response was "a small, vicious animal that eats Mustangs.”

Reintroduced in 2009, with Gen-5, the current 6th-generation of Camaro came to life in 2015 for the 2016 model year. It has undergone a few cosmetic changes each year since, with new front fascias and grillework on several trims, moving the “Bowtie” logo to the upper grille opening, and an evolving rear fascia with sculpted LED taillamps. 

Available in seven trims, one distinct, almost stand-alone version is the top-of-the line ZL1 I tested. ZL1 is Camaro’s most powerful configuration, outfitted with the same 6.2-liter 650-hp engine that powers up the Corvette ZO6.  While changes for the lower-hp Camaros -- 2.0-liter 275-hp turbo, 3.6-liter 335-hp V-6 and 6.2-liter 455-hp engine choices – include a redesigned front fascia for the SS trim, a modified version of a 10-speed automatic engine now available in the V-6, some small features swapped, and the addition of the LT1 model, only two minor changes affect the ZL1. A sharp-looking Rally Green Metallic exterior paint is available (to top a palette of 10 colors) and you can get red kneepads. Other than that, the ZL1 is so packed with features that it needs very little extra, and my test ride pretty much stood pat with its standard accouterments.

Among the standard enhancements are a Chevrolet Infotainment system with 8-inch color touchscreen and available navigation; a full-display rear camera mirror with improved, high-definition view quality; Forward Collision Alert; upscale ambient lighting; wireless charging feature and Performance Data Recorder.

The ZL1 treatment sets itself apart from other Camaros with forged 20-inch alloy wheels, sticky Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tires, heated exterior mirrors, LED daytime running lamps, and a special ZL1 rear spoiler. ZL1 aerodynamic upgrades include huge air intakes and wind deflectors, while available performance packages add downforce and track hotness.

From its black carbon fiber weave hood insert to its rear air wing, the Camaro ZL1 is muscular, aggressive, sporty and head turning. The huge black undergrille, and slender overgrille with “Bowtie” badge charge ahead with a low and wide road-hugging stance, augmented by bold cooling ducts, ground effects wings and sculpted character lines.

The ZL1 Camaro is a muscle-car beast, measuring 190.2 inches long, 74.7 wide and 52.4 inches high, on a 110.7-inch wheelbase. My test manual (stick) Coupe weighed in at 3883 lbs. (curb weight). 

Camaro is muscular and worth getting behind the wheel just because it looks so good, but with ZL1, you also get 650 horses and 650 lb-ft of torque from its standard 6.2-liter LT4 direct-injected V-8 engine. With jetlike response and growl, ZL1 has Corvette-like acceleration and stay-power. On the track, my test Coupe finished off a zero-to-60mph sprint in 3.5 seconds (hand-timed) during a quarter-mile run of 11.5 seconds. 

A street-legal track star, Camaro ZL1 uses ZF rack-mounted electric, power-assisted and variable ratio rack-and-pinion steering to shred an autocross, and the MacPherson-type front struts with dual lower ball joints, twin-tube struts and direct-acting stabilizer bar worked in concert with an Independent five-link rear to supply a driver’s feel and passenger smoothness over the road. 

The ZL1 Coupe cockpit was cozy and packed with infotainment, keyless access with push-button start, cruise control, power trunk release, manual rake and telescopic steering wheel, suede-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel and shift knob, Red seat belts, and all the necessary connectivity and tech.

Coupes tend to be glovelike and ZL1 conformed with good legroom and shoulder-hunched headroom. You get 36.6 inches of front headroom and legroom of 42.7 inches. Rear accommodations are a snug 33.5 inches of headroom with only 29.9 inches of child-worthy legroom. Shoulder room is accommodating at 55.5 inches in row one and 54.5 behind.

Available in seven trim levels in both Coupe and Convertible configurations, the 2020 Camaro base prices in Coupe form start with the LS at $25,995 manual with a smaller 2.0-liter turbo engine and move all the way up past the LT1 at $34,995 and the 1SS at $38,495, to the top trim ZL1 -- $63,995. A Paddle shift automatic transmission adds about $1595 and Convertibles add about $6500.

I prefer a stick shift for my sports cars, and my 6-speed manual hardtop was eye-catching in Red Hot, though I would have liked the new Rally Green Metallic paint. A Black Metallic center stripe on the roof added $470. The interior was Jet Black with Red accents and seat trim and most other enhancements were excluded for my test ride. With Destination and Freight charges of $995, and a Gas Guzzler Tax of $1700, my 2020 Camaro ZL1 Coupe/1LE was priced-as-tested at $66,165, but some cash allowance incentives could bring that down by $1500, so check with your local dealer.
 
Camaro aficionados can see 53 years of Camaro, and a thousand other Chevrolet and GM vehicles, at the Carlisle Chevrolet Nationals at Carlisle (PA) Fairgrounds, June 26-27. Home to a diverse group of General Motors vehicles, from vintage muscle to the modern 6th-Generation Camaro, this event was formerly known as the GM Nationals. While focusing on 109 years of the Chevy brand, the weekend isn’t limited to “Bow-Tie” branded cars and trucks and includes all things GM, including a display honoring GMs of the 1970s, 50 Years of Monte Carlo, 50 Years of the Chevelle LS6 454, the annual Novas at Carlisle show, and vehicles old and new. But for Camaro enthusiasts, be sure to check out the 2020 Camaro ZL1.

<I> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>

The 2020 auction season for Carlisle Auctions shot out of the gate with so much promise as part of its Winter AutoFest Lakeland event in February.  Since then, plans were being formulated for four additional auctions spanning April through November.  Now, with COVID-19 altering what everyone accepted as normal, Carlisle Auctions regretfully announces the cancelation of its Spring auction…kind of.  The cancelation is tied to the in-person experience ONLY, as Carlisle Auctions is pleased to share that a Spring auction will take place online via digital platform Awesome Joe Auctions. 

The Spring auction was scheduled to be auction number two and run in conjunction with Spring Carlisle.  Originally scheduled for late April, the Spring event was twice moved to its current June 17-20 dates.  While plans were in motion for a two-day Spring auction (June 18-19), the reality is, while it’s easier to social distance within a large outdoor venue where foot traffic is in constant motion; the ability to social distance within a smaller, indoor venue where many people stay stationary for prolonged periods of time is not a viable option at this time.  The in-person cancelation is related to 2020 ONLY and it will return starting April 22, 2021.

As noted in the opening paragraph, a digital opportunity now exists with online auction platform Awesome Joe Auctions.  The opportunity to consign or register to bid for this all-new online experience commences on June 17, with the auction itself starting on June 21 at 7 p.m.  The three-day digital opportunity concludes on June 23 at 7 p.m.  Much like Carlisle Auctions, AJA offers a FREE UNLESS SOLD guarantee with competitive buyers and sellers fees too.  Best of all, while other cars may be showcased during this timeframe as part of the AJA auction, cars specific to the Spring Carlisle auction will be branded with a Carlisle Auctions logo.  Anyone looking to learn more about the Carlisle Auctions brand and its events should contact Carlisle Auctions at 717-960-6400, while buyer and seller registration for this online experience takes place at www.AwesomeJoeAuctions.com.  Finally, team members from AJA will be on-site at Spring Carlisle positioned within the car corral, offering an opportunity for sellers at Spring Carlisle to consign and sell via their online auction platform.

 

Launched on Cyber Monday 2019, AJA is the new online auction platform for the modern enthusiast that offers a collection of modified, motorsport, classic, exotic, and other commodity autos for collectors, racers, and hobbyists.  Developed by Andy Lally ALIVE® and Carlisle Auctions, Awesome Joe Auctions was created to capture all the excitement of a live car, truck, and motorcycle auction and put it in the palm of every motoring enthusiast’s hand.  The AJA/Carlisle Auctions history includes Carlisle Auctions two more recent auctions, with select “still for sale” consignments from Carlisle Auctions landing (and selling) on the AJA web page (link below). 

In addition to the cancelation of the in-person Spring auction and as a direct result of the auction originally being moved from its April dates to June, Carlisle Auctions has also canceled its Summer Sale auction for 2020.  Further, and also due to COVID-19, the November auction, Sunset-Carlisle in Sarasota, Florida, has also been canceled.  Those three auctions are the only cancellations currently.  Carlisle Auctions is looking forward to its next planned auction, October 1-2 at the Carlisle Expo Center as part of Fall Carlisle.  EVERY canceled 2020 auction WILL RETURN to the Carlisle Auctions schedule in 2021.

“We are disappointed that our loyal enthusiasts won’t be able to enjoy the Spring auction in the same manner that they’ve come to expect over the past few years,” noted Director of Auction Operations Tony Cline.  “Though we’ve had to re-evaluate and re-tool the in-person experience for many of our auctions in 2020 ONLY, we’re confident of two things.  First, the partnership with Awesome Joe Auctions in place of our Spring auction will still give buyers and sellers a chance to do what they do best AND when we return to the Carlisle Expo Center October 1-2 as part of Fall Carlisle, we’ll all be long overdue for a good time with cool cars and great people.” 

Though the in-person Spring auction isn’t happening, plans are still moving forward for Spring Carlisle itself.  The four-day event runs June 17-20 with buyers and sellers converging on the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds for parts, merchandise, collectibles and more.

Positioned between the small Encore SUV and the larger Envision and Enclave models, the all-new 2020 Buick Encore GX is essentially, a larger, second-generation Encore, with more passenger and cargo room—nearly 5 cu.ft. more, and two turbo  engine choices. Though the power plants are smaller than what propels the Encore, they provide slightly more power.

As Buick has transitioned to an SUV purveyor, with 90 percent of its sales coming from SUVs, led by the popular Encore, Buick has added Encore GX to sell side by side with Encore, rather than retire the smaller original for a larger re-gen. Buick’s luxury small crossover, Encore, was launched for the 2013 model year, and from its inception, attracted new and younger buyers to the Tri-shield badge. With a combination of luxury features, fuel efficiency and safety, Encore is the signature luxury subcompact crossover in the Buick line. Now, with the new Encore GX, you get all of that in a larger package, with more power and safety.

More upscale, but perhaps less rugged-looking, the Encore GX 5-door subcompact crossover come in three trims: Preferred, Select, and Essence. A Sport Touring Package is available on all trims, with body-colored moldings and a custom grille and wheels, and all Encore GX trims come loaded with such accouterments as push button keyless start, stop-star engine control, engine air filtration monitor Interior, Buick® Infotainment System with 8-inch diagonal color touch-screen, Bluetooth® streaming audio for music and select phones, Apple CarPlay® capability for compatible phone, Android Auto™ capability for compatible phones, embedded apps, Noise control system, active noise cancellation, a comprehensive safety suite and much more.

Encore GX’s sculpted styling, honeycombesque grille, chrome accents and surrounds, portholes on the hood and painted lower panels are all upscale and trendy. And Encore GX fills the bill as a slightly larger small crossover than Encore, measuring three inches longer at 171.4 inches, an inch lower for stability at 64.1 inches, and 1.5 inches wider at 71.4 inches, on a 102.2-inch wheelbase, a gain of 1.6 inches over its Encore sibling. Curbweight for my Encore GX AWD Essence, was 3273 lbs, about 75 lbs. less than the last Encore I test drove.

Inside, Encore GX’s distinctive styling continues with standard cloth and leatherette front bucket seats, fold-flat front passenger seat, driver and front passenger knee bolsters, the 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, an in-vehicle Wi-Fi hotspot and several advanced safety features. 

The comfortable and upscale cabin is packed while accommodating driver and passengers with 39.7 inches of front headroom and 38.0 inches of rear seat headroom, slightly less than Encore. With seating for five (two in front and three in row two), Legroom is about identical to Encore, while shoulder room is about an inch more accommodating. Legroom measures 40.9 inches in row one and 36.0 inches in row two, while shoulder room measures 55.1 in front and 53.6 in the rear.

Buick Encore GX has two power options – a 1.2-liter Ecotec I-3 Turbo and an Ecotec 1.3-liter I-3. While both are smaller than Encore’s 1.4, I-4 Turbo, power for the 1.3 outguns the 1.4 with 155 hp and 174 lb-ft, compared with the 1.4’s 138 horses and 148 lb-ft. The smaller 1.2 is in the hunt at 137hp and 162 lb-ft. The 1.2 is estimated at 26mpg/city and 30mpg/highway, and my 1.3-liter test system is rated at 26/city, 29/highway in AWD configuration. A week of tests garnered an average of 27.7mpg combined over long highway runs and in-town errand runs.

Coupled to a 9-speed automatic transmission, was compliant, stable and predictable. Encore GX is not a sprinter, but there’s enough passing and uphill power for confident driving. Though inclement weather washed out my track tests, the way it accelerated makes me believe that I can do better than the 10.7-second sprint and 18-second quarter-mile my last test Encore accomplished. I think a 10.2-sprint and 17.6 quarter would seem realistic.

Safetywise, The Encore GX’s new standard safety and driver assistance features include Front Pedestrian Braking, Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Alert and Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning. 

The 2020 Buick Encore GX starts at $24,100 for the Preferred trim in FWD; the Select trim starts at $25,700 in FWD, adding Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, heater front seats, remote start and automatic climate control; and the Essence trim starts at $28,500 in FWD, adding leather-appointed seating, LED headlamps and taillamps, heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, air ionizer and 120-volt outlet.

My test Encore GX in Essence trim, upgraded from FWD to AWD and gained the 1.3-liter turbo engine for $2000 extra. Premium colors add $495, but my test ride came in Summit White, as standard, mated to an Ebony leather-appointed interior. The Experience Buick Package ($1995) added SiriusXM, Panoramic Buick sunroof, infotainment, navigation, 8-inch diagonal color touch-screen, 18-inch Medium Android High Gloss wheels with chrome inserts and HD Rear Vision Camera. The hands-free power liftgate added $520; a 7-speaker Bose Premium Audio System added $595; all-weather floor mats were $150 and destination freight charged added $995. That put the sticker-as-tested at $34,755, but a total cash allowance discount of $1500 was available, making the price-as-tested $33,255. Check with your dealer for promotions and discounts.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>