4 Surprising Changes Made to the 2019 Chevy Silverado

Redesigned from the ground up for Chevrolet’s truck centennial, the 2019 Silverado is getting an update. The whole family of Silverados made their introduction at Detroit’s North American International Auto Show, where GM announced a total of eight Silverado models loaded with cool new goodies. There’s a new truck in this generation for everyone. Let’s go ahead and take a closer look at four of the most surprising changes Chevy made to the 2019 Silverado.

1. Return of the Diesel Engine

Chevy’s half-ton truck is getting six different engine and transmission combinations, including a 3.0-liter inline V6 Duramax diesel paired up with a mighty 10-speed automatic transmission. There will also be two eight-cylinder options: a 5.3-liter engine and a 6.2-liter engine.

The new Silverado is gaining a Dynamic Fuel Management system that can “turn off” half of the engine’s cylinders when working under light loads to improve overall fuel economy. Conservative estimates suggest this system can increase fuel savings up to 12 percent without sacrificing engine size and performance.

2. Lighter Chassis and Frame

The new Chevy Silverado has lost some serious weight — 450 pounds to be exact. The slim down came as a result of a whole bunch of aluminum on everything that swings, like the hood, doors, and tailgate. In the race to haul more stuff but still save on gas, GM has stepped up the Silverado to match consumer’s demands. The drop in poundage is expected to boost fuel economy and reduce wear and tear on panel hinges. The new chassis is made of high-strength steel that still weighs 88-pounds less than previous truck frames.

3. A New Trim — The LT Trailboss

The all-new for 2019 LT Trailboss trim reveals an extra 2 inches of suspension lift. Plus, you can upgrade to the Z71 Off-Road Package that’s jammed full of sports features like Rancho shocks that deliver a smooth ride over all types of terrain. Unlike aftermarket suspensions, this one is thoroughly tested and warrantied by GM. The LT Trailboss is a more ruggedly capable version of the Chevy ZR2 that inspired it, with 18-inch Goodyear Duratrac off-road tires and Eaton heavy-duty automatic locking rear differential.

4. Made to Work

The 2019 Silverado features a bed floor made from high-strength steel that is 7 inches wider than last year’s model. It offers a total of 21 cargo tie-downs and the industry-first power tailgate that operates at the touch of a button on a key fob or in the cabin.

Extra attention went into the vast collection of storage bins packed into the new Silverado. Two 10-liter bins are integrated into the second-row seatbacks for stashing electronics or snacks, and there’s one large 24-liter storage tray under the second-row seats that’s long enough for a fishing pole, yet deep enough to hold groceries.

Pricing and what sort of upgrades we can expect to the cabin and safety technology, payload and towing capacities, and the anticipated fuel economy estimates are all anxiously pending Chevy’s announcement. We can’t wait!

 

Image via Chevrolet.com

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