In less than a day, Ford will introduce a new generation of its heavy-duty Super Duty pickups, but General Motors decided to strike a preemptive strike and showed in advance its offer in this segment – the updated Chevrolet Silverado HD model. This family debuted in early 2019, it includes modifications 2500HD и 3500HDwhich had minimal unification with a “light” pickup truck Silverado 1500. However, now they have more in common.
Chevrolet Silverado LT
As before, heavy pickups are offered in Work Truck, Custom, LT, LTZ and High Country versions. But if before they all had the same interior architecture (adjusted for equipment, of course), and the original appearance relied only on the top version of the High Country, now there will be a different division.
The simple versions of Work Truck, Custom and LT have the same appearance, but starting from the LTZ and High Country versions, the design has changed. From the two-story optics, only styling remained, which is emphasized by huge LED brackets for running lights with animation mode (for turn signals or greetings when unlocking the car). There’s a new grille and bumper, and a slit on the hood is adorned with “Chevrolet” lettering. The rear lights have also been changed.
And the new interior relies on cars already starting with the LT configuration. It is almost the same as the expensive versions of the younger Silverado 1500. The front panel is now dominated not by a vertical, but by a horizontal layout: blocks of keys and knobs are arranged in rows, a media system with a 13.4-inch widescreen screen, which is slightly turned towards the driver.
Instruments are now virtual – on a 12.3-inch display. The projection screen was before. The trim has become richer (including with wood veneer inserts), a salon mirror with a built-in rear-view camera screen has appeared in the list of options, and wireless charging for gadgets is located on the central tunnel.
The complex of assistive electronics has been updated. For example, the adaptive cruise control now has a separate mode of operation with a trailer: the system makes allowances for the increased mass and windage of the road train. A similar mode has been added for the blind spot monitoring system, which scans the space next to the trailer. And Silverado HD can now warn itself when the permitted gross weight is exceeded. Although it will become more difficult to overload it.
The Vortec V8 6.6 petrol engine (407 hp, 629 Nm) has remained the same, but instead of a six-speed automatic, it will now be paired with the same ten-speed Allison gearbox that the diesel versions have. This made it possible to slightly increase the permissible total mass of the machine itself, but the permitted mass of the towed trailer immediately increased from 7.9 to 9.8 tons! True, these indicators are only valid when using a heavy hitch that is installed inside the loading platform.
The Duramax V8 6.6 turbodiesel has been upgraded, its output has been increased from 451 hp. and 1234 Nm up to 477 hp and 1322 Nm, and 25% more traction is now available on the bottoms. Gross trailer weight for such pickups has increased from 16.1 to 16.3 tons, although if you use a conventional hitch, the weight should not exceed 9.1 tons.
Soon, the off-road version of the ZR2 will appear in the range, which will also get an updated exterior and interior. The upgraded Chevrolet Silverado HD family will enter the US market in the first quarter of 2023 and will be in the 2024 model year. Now pre-reform HD pickups cost from $40,500.