More on the new 2019 Chevy Silverado!
2018 is shaping up to be the year of the pickup truck and millions among us could not be happier! As it turns out, it is also the Silverado’s Centennial Celebration. Not a bad way to introduce the latest, and perhaps greatest, Chevrolet truck ever.
For starters, the new truck is larger than its predecessor. Length-wise, it’s only grown by 1.6” (41 mm) but the impression that it is much bigger comes from the wheelbase that can stretch an extra 3.9” (100 mm) depending on specifications. The gains translate into a larger, more functional bed and roomier, more accommodating cabins.
The 2019 Silverado’s body design is impacted by these new measurements. The truck’s hood-line is higher while the bed is deeper. There will be eight trims to select from and each will bring unique design elements. The first 2019 Silverado revealed a while back was the Trailboss and it will win over many hearts with its 2” lift, 33” tires, Rancho shocks and a highly aggressive front end. An RST performance appearance package will throw in 22” wheels, body-colour trim and full LED lighting. Chrome lovers will bask in the LTZ and High Country’s vast expanse of shinny stuff along with exclusive grilles and huge amounts of kit on the inside.
The 2019 Chevrolet Silverado may have grown in size but it has lost weight in the process. Depending on body configuration, up to 450 lbs. (205 kg) has been cut through the use of more high-strength steel and aluminum. All exterior panels that move (doors, hood and tailgate) are made of aluminum. If you were concerned GM was going to use the material for the bed, worry not, it and all other fixed panels (fender and roof) are made of steel.
Said bed has been configured and designed to do it all. The nice stuff will be the class-exclusive power up/down tailgate and 120-volt power outlet but the important details are that regardless of the bed’s length, it will offer the most cargo volume. For example, the short-box provides 63 cubic feet of volume, or up to 20% more than the competition. This is the result of widening the width of the bed floor by approximately 7”. Through Chevrolet Accessories, storage bins can be added to the bed and they sit over the wheel wells. They not only provide a minimum of seven cubic feet of lockable cargo space, but they will not hinder on useable bed space. In fact, a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood will still slide flat onto the cargo floor.
And now, powertrains. The big news, or the expected piece of news, is the arrival of a 3.0-litre I6 Duramax diesel engine. Chevy was coy with further details if mostly because Ford revealed its Power Stroke numbers a week ago – they’ll tweak to make more than 440 lb.-ft. of torque we bet.
The Duramax is one of six powertrains that will be offered with the new truck when it arrives sometime around fall of this year. The 6.2-litre and 5.3-litre V8s return and with Dynamic Fuel Management that can actively shut off one to seven cylinders depending on driver demands and load. Although it wasn’t made official, the 4.8-litre V8 may return, likely revised as well. The Duramax and 6.2-litre will be mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission while the 6-speed should make a comeback in other applications.
The new 2019 Chevy Silverado reads like a winner, touching on all the important points. We’ll find out more as the weeks and months go by. We’re also really looking forward to driving it!
