Chevrolet Trucks Blog

The Chevrolet Silverado is actually one of the best selling trucks in the United States. It is a trusted brand that has become part of the American lifestyle. According to Autodata Corp, 58,696 Silverados were sold in Feb 2007, compared with 55,251 Ford F-Series, even without the 18,140 GMC Sierras also sold that month.Basically, the Chevy Silverado is a full-size pickup truck that comes in three sizes, the 1500, 2500 and 3500. It is also made in three different locations, Fort Wayne in Indiana, Flint and Pontiac in Michigan. Combined with platform-mate GMC Sierra, the platform usually outsells the Ford F-Series, which is made of two different platforms for standard and heavy duty models, not counting SUV derivatives such as Suburban, Tahoe and Avalanche.

Silverados are mostly heralded for their heavy duty functionality and “like a rock” durability. Since pickup trucks are used for navigating nasty, washed-out roads, hauling hay through a lumpy field and for pulling a four-ton trailer up a mountain pass, the General Motor produced Chevy truck boasts of world class, robust cabins and pickups that proves to be their greatest feature.

Chevy has two major types of trucks. The Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks have been essentially the same for their entire history. The Silverado today is generally advertised as the “tougher” version, while the Sierra has more luxury options. There are some trim and option variations as well. Early models included variations in the engine and equipment, but the present differences are slight. The 1999 redesign included different grilles and interior trim, and certain features were included at different times on the two trucks.

Launched in 2003, a high-performance pickup truck was built by Chevrolet. They named it the Silverado SS. The SS uses 6.0 liter Vortec High-Output V8 engines that are rated at 345 hp at 5200 rpm and 380 ft lbf of torque at 4000 rpm. This is the very same engine used for the second generation Cadillac Escalade. The SS debuted with a standard All Wheel Drive setup, but was later changed to the current Rear Wheel Drive only format. The Silverado SS also comes with the Z60 performance suspension and 20 in (508 mm) chrome wheels. In 2006, Chevrolet released a special edition Silverado SS under the name “Intimidator SS” that came with several minor appearance upgrades, but left the bulk of the truck the same.

Today, the Chevrolet Silverado is gaining huge popularity in automobile customization. It has been constantly featured at the best car shows across the country. Most of the truck parts and accessories are customized to enhance the overall appeal and performance of the truck. Among the favorites are the Silverado door handles, mud flaps, fender trim, tailgate dampers, brake light covers, mirror covers, hitch covers, headlight covers, tailgate light and bed mats.

Chevy Silverados have garnered countless awards and recognition for their outstanding make. It is without a doubt that as we move further towards the future, the Silverado is guaranteed to spearhead the automobile industry.

Chevrolet trucks and other General Motors vehicles will be included in the recently announced, “Transform Your Ride Sale”.

The “Transform Your Ride Sale,” offers qualified buyers 0 percent APR for 36 months and additional $1,000 cash. The promo is in relation to the 4 th of July holiday release of DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures’ live-action film “Transformers” from Executive Producer Steven Spielberg and Director Michael Bay, opening July 3, 2007. The “Transform Your Ride Sale” runs from June 26 through July 9, 2007.

“People who have recently switched to a GM vehicle tell us we’ve really changed their previous perceptions about our products. They love their new car or truck,” said Jim Campbell, GM’s director of Customer Relationship Management. “We’ve enhanced the value of our cars and trucks with features like OnStar, XM Radio, superior quality and the best coverage in the business with a 5 year / 100,000 mile powertrain warranty plus roadside assistance and courtesy transportation. Just look at the award-winning Chevrolet Silverado or hot HHR. The “Transform Your Ride Sale” gives everyone the opportunity to buy a new car or truck with outstanding style, great fuel economy, performance and value.”

Chevrolet vehicles that are included on the promo are the 2006 and 2007 Cobalt, Monte Carlo, Impala, HHR, TrailBlazer, Tahoe, Suburban, Avalanche and 2007 900-series Silverado. Other General Motors vehicles covered by the promo are the Buick 2006 and 2007 Lacrosse, Lucerne and Rainier, Pontiac 2006 and 2007 G5, G6, Grand Prix and Torrent, GMC Envoy, Yukon, Yukon Denali, Yukon XL, Yukon XL Denali and 2007 900-series Sierra.

U.S. General Motors plans to use a new 4.5L V8 Duramax turbo-diesel powerplant for the Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra half-ton pickups and the HUMMER H2. According to a press release, it will improve engine fuel efficiency by 25 percent, reduces CO2 emissions by 13 percent and cuts particulates and NOx emissions by at least 90 percent for North American light duty trucks and the HUMMER H2 built after 2009.

The new engine is expected to produce at least 310 horsepower and 520 ft-lbs. of torque. It also features dual-overhead cams, four valves per cylinder, a variable-vane turbocharger and aluminum cylinder heads with integrated manifolding that helps keep the overall package small enough to fit in the same space as the automaker’s small-block gas V8s.

“This new GM light duty diesel is expected to become a favorite among customers who require excellent towing ability and fuel efficiency,” said Tom Stephens, group vice president, GM Global Powertrain and Quality. “It will meet the stringent 2010 emissions standards, and it will be compliant in all 50 states, making it one of the cleanest diesel vehicles ever produced.”

The environment will also benefit from this new V8 engine. It will have a 13 percent reduction in CO2 versus gasoline engines, and at least a 90 percent reduction in particulates and NOx compared to diesel vehicles today. This will be GM’s first engine to use a selective catalytic reduction NOx aftertreatment system with a diesel particulate filter to help achieve the Tier 2 Bin 5 and LEV 2 emissions standards.

“This new V-8 is not only a clean diesel meeting the toughest emissions requirements in North America, it also delivers an effortless performance feel because of its high torque across the speed range,” said Charlie Freese, executive director of GM Powertrain Diesel Engineering. “It is also significantly quieter than other diesels on the road today, with noise and vibration performance approaching gasoline V-8 levels.”

Freese said the new V-8’s compact size enables it to fit in the envelope of a gasoline small-block engine, which provides GM the flexibility to introduce this engine in a wide variety of vehicle applications should there be future market demand.

Technical highlights of the engine include aluminum cylinder heads with integrated manifolding; a variable-vane turbocharger with intercooling; a Compacted Graphite Iron (CGI) block for a stronger and lighter engine base (compared to lower-strength aluminum or heavier grey cast iron); and fracture-split main bearing caps and connecting rods for a precise fit. There will also use an electronically controlled, ultra-high-pressure, common-rail fuel system, which has the ability to inject fuel five times per combustion event to control noise and emissions.

GM first introduced the Duramax diesel 6.6L V-8 in the U.S. in the 2001 model year and since then, customer enthusiasm for this heavy duty diesel has been outstanding. In fact, GM’s heavy duty pickup truck market share has jumped nearly tenfold in the six years that Duramax engines have been offered.