First revealed in a special event to several hundred owners and fans in a Texas stadium towards the end of 2017, the next-generation 2019 Chevrolet Silverado got its official send-off this morning at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, exactly 100 years after the introduction of the very first Chevy truck.
Reimagined and redesigned from A to Z, the new Silverado was conceived after a long consultation process with over 7,000 current consumers and customers. High on the list of priorities for the automaker was a weight-loss regimen for the truck, and the 2019 version is up to 450 lbs lighter than its predecessor. At the same time, space devoted to passengers and to cargo has been increased, the bed is the most practical in its category and the choice of versions and powertrains has been beefed up.
Widening the bed of the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado by over 15 cm has made its loading capacity 20% larger than similar competitors; as well, various storage containers can be added. The floor of the bed is made of high-strength steel and the 12 fixed tie-downs (plus 9 movable tie points) are also stronger than before. As for those famous class-exclusive CornerStep bumpers, their cutouts have been enlarged to accommodate large steel-toed boots.
Notably, 80% of the truck – including the fenders, roof and bed – is now made of high-strength steel, while the doors, hood and tailgate, as well as the new upper control arms of the front suspension, are made of lightweight aluminum.
Engine-wise, buyers of the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 will be able choose from reworked 5.3L and 6.2L V8s that can shut down any number of cylinders at any time to maximize fuel economy. This should help the truck attain the best fuel consumption rating in the segment, according to GM, though we’re still awaiting exact figures. In a direct repost to the Ford F-150’s 3.0L Power Stroke engine, GM is also offering for the Silverado an all-new 3.0L Duramax V6 turbo-diesel wedded, like the 6.2L V8, to a new 10-speed automatic transmission. No exact figures have been released either regarding its performance.
More modern and aggressive, the design is inspired by Chevrolet trucks of the 1950s and 1960s, for example via the lettering affixed to the tailgate. The integrated dual exhaust and the tires of up to 33 inches in diameter are also notable features. Aerodynamics have been upgraded, and a varying amount of chrome is included depending on the version chosen.
Inside the cabin, new storage solutions are available, such as the two 10-litre compartments integrated in the rear seatbacks (perfect for small objects like gloves or tie-down straps) and the 24-litre tray that fits under the second-row seat. Not to be outdone technology-wise, the new Silverado comes with wireless 4G connectivity as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
To ensure and provide proof of the new truck’s reliability, Chevrolet doubled its testing standards. The new 2019 Silverado will have undergone over 11.2 million km of testing before the first buyer climbs aboard in the fall of 2018. In other testing overkill, the seats were moved forward and backward 100,000 times to validate the proper and durable functioning of the mechanism!
As for safety features, the company plans to make new announcements later on in the year.
Meantime, we invite you to read our review of the 2018 Ford F-150 and our report from earlier today on the launch of the 2019 RAM 1500 to get a sense of the ferocious battle to come in the segment.
