Chevy Gets Back Into Big Truck Game With Super-Ultra Extra Heavy-Duty Silverado


Did you think the Chevy Silverado HD was a pretty big truck? Well it is, in terms of consumer pickups. But this new version is even bigger.


Unveiled at the NTEA Work Truck Show in Indianapolis, the new Siverado 4500HD, 5500HD, and 6500HD is a medium-duty truck – not in pickup terms, but in commercial truck terms.


The new addition to the Silverado range takes General Motors back into the Class 4, 5, and 6 chassis-cab truck market for the first time since discontinuing the Chevy Kodiak (and GMC TopKick) in 2009. That puts the latest Chevy trucks back in direct competition with the Ford F-450/F-550 and F-650/F-750, and the Ram 4500/5500 Tradesman.


But while the 4500/5500/6500 Silverado HDs are decidedly targeted at commercial users, they’ve been designed to be as consumer-friendly as possible. They’ll also be “the most connected commercial truck available,” with features like 4G LTE internet, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and wireless cellphone charging.


“Chevy’s designers and engineers were obsessed with making this Silverado the most customer-focused medium duty truck of any major competitor,” said GM fleet chief Ed Peper. “By customer-focused, I mean work-ready trucks that are easy to upfit, easy to drive, easy to service and easy to own.”


Truck drivers, fleet managers, upfitters, and technicians may be more concerned about the oily bits that’ll get the job done. To that end, the big new Silverados will come powered by a 6.6-liter Duramax diesel, kicking out 350 horsepower and a monstrous 700 lb-ft of torque. The engine’s mated to an Allison transmission and can be had in two- or four-wheel drivetrains.


It’ll also be offered with seven cab-to-axle (CA) sizes ranging from 60 to 162 inches and with five axle-to-back-of-frame (AF) lengths offered in 8-inch increments. There’ll be a rear air suspension offered as well, filling out what’s sure to be a huge range of configurations to cater the new ultra-heavy-duty Silverado to the job for which it’s needed.


The new model joins the Colorado, Silverado, Silverado HD, Express, and (Isuzu-made) Low Cab Forward models in an expanding Chevy Trucks lineup. Expect a GMC version to follow as well.

Carscoops

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Limited Edition Ford GT 'Competition Series' Is All About The Track

Image
Ford's new GT Competition Series was built with weight-saving in mind, but also with an improved center of gravity for better road-holding. Among its features, you'll notice the lightweight carbon fiber racing stripes, A-Pillars and side mirrors, as well as the unique race-inspired Perspex acrylic engine hatch with integrated venting. Thanks to the manual latch and the carbon fiber prop rod, weight near the roof has been reduced, though Ford engineers went even further in their quest to make the car lighter, by making the bulkhead Gorilla Glass behind the driver about half as thick (and as light) as on other models. "The Ford GT has racing in its blood," said Ford exec Raj Nair, while adding that the Competition Series "was developed with the most hardcore track enthusiasts in mind, providing a tailored set of lightweight features and unique livery to match." There are also plenty of remaining performance features from the production car, such as
Read more

Alpine A110 Hits Geneva With Pure, Legende And GT4 Versions

Image
Renault’s reborn Alpine brand has been getting rave reviews for its new A110 and now, as promised, it’s revealed new versions of its coupe at the Geneva Motor Show. Following the success of the sold-out Premiere Edition, the A110 will now be offered in Pure and Legende trims. The A110 Pure is targeted at driving enthusiasts. It features one-piece Sabelt sports seats that weigh barely more than 13 kilograms (28.6 pounds) each and, combined with other weight-saving measures, helps keep the curb weight below 1,100 kg ( 2,425 lbs). It’s not entirely stripped out, though, and still comes with features like air-conditioning and satellite navigation. Buyers can also add upgraded Brembo brakes and an adaptive exhaust system and can upgrade to the adjustable comfort seats. Those come standard on the Legende model, which is geared more towards every day driving and grand touring and comes with leather upholstery. Customers can also choose between two Focal sound systems and two wheel
Read more

Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet Is A Crossover For Droptop Lovers

Image
Droptop crossovers have always been rather odd and the T-Roc Cabriolet is no different. It will be the only convertible Volkswagen on sale for the foreseeable future and will celebrate its public debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Rather than simply removing the roof of the standard T-Roc, Volkswagen has drastically altered the vehicle’s structure and body. In fact, its wheelbase is 37 mm longer than the standard T-Roc while its overall length is up by 34 mm. In addition, the Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet features structural strengthening in the underbody, side panels, cross members, doors, and windscreen frame to make up for the lack of a roof. The folding fabric roof developed by Volkswagen retracts in just nine seconds at speeds of up to 19 mph (30.5 km/h) and is similar in operation to the roof of the outgoing Golf Cabriolet. The presence of the soft top reduces trunk space by 161 liters down from the 284 liters of the run-of-the-mill T-Roc. We don’t think bu
Read more