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2014 Chevrolet Silverado

Zach Bowman — Thu, 09 May 2013 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Work, Chevrolet, First Drives, Off-Road

The Fullsize Pickup, Refined

No one's underestimating the importance of the all-new 2014 Chevrolet Silverado. While General Motors continues to shovel the current generation off dealer lots at an impressive pace, it would be too kind to simply say the old mule has started to show its age. The GMT900 platform that's rolling along under the 2013 model has been underpinning fullsize GM trucks since 2007, and while the Silverado has stayed competitive through most of the intervening six years, the past two haven't been kind to the machine.

Ford just won't quit sharpening its F-150 in one way or another, throwing interior and driveline updates at the stalwart pickup with the fevered pace of a company possessed. Like the Silverado, the F-150 is no fresh piece of hardware, but fuel-efficient and powerful engine options and a well-sorted interior put the truck consistently ahead of the now aged Chevrolet. And then there's the Ram 1500. Chrysler let loose with both barrels with the 2013 update, tearing into the fullsize market with a beautiful cabin, excellent tech and plenty of clever engineering.

Chevy engineers stood back and watched this happen, biting their tongues and whittling away all the while on the next-generation 2014 Silverado. There are only a handful of carryover parts from old machine to new, and the result is a pickup that offers more power, efficiency and refinement than the previous generation while holding the pricing line. This is, without a doubt, the best Silverado ever built, but does that make it the best pickup?

Continue reading 2014 Chevrolet Silverado

2014 Chevrolet Silverado originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 May 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevy sees greener pastures with 2014 Silverado High Country

Chris Paukert — Sun, 05 May 2013 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Chevrolet, GM, Luxury, Off-Road

It's no secret that fullsize pickups are the financial engines that power Detroit automakers - it's been that way for decades. In recent years, though, growing consumer appetites for dolled-up trucks has meant even more opportunities for manufacturers to line their coffers while pleasing increasingly discerning customers. Trims like King Ranch on the Ford F-Series and Laramie Longhorn on Ram trucks now include high-end amenities that were the exclusive preserve of luxury cars just a few years ago.

General Motors has been content to let its GMC brand harvest top-shelf pickup buyers for some time now - particularly with its high-line Denali models - but it's hard to turn away easy profits. GM says over 30 percent of new pickup sales now transact above $40,000, and that figure is growing by the year. Thus, it's no surprise that execs are finally letting Chevrolet get in on the action with this new range-topping High Country trim for the 2014 Silverado. Officials tell Autoblog that it's the first premium-branded Chevy pickup since the Cameo Carrier of the 1950s.

Sitting above the LTZ and Z71 off-road model, the Silverado High Country sets itself apart with trim-specific chrome grille and body-color bumpers front and rear - the only fullsize Chevy so equipped - along with unique 20-inch alloy wheels and a few bits of chrome frosting to go with the usual complement of badges. Available only in crew cab configuration, High Country will be offered in both two- and four-wheel drive with the buyer's choice of V8 engines - 5.3-liter or 6.2-liter - along with either a 5-foot, 8-inch or 6-foot, 6-inch box. There are no specific powertrain or suspension calibrations for the model.

Continue reading Chevy sees greener pastures with 2014 Silverado High Country

Chevy sees greener pastures with 2014 Silverado High Country originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 05 May 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2014 Chevy Silverado details continue to dribble out

Zach Bowman — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 17:45:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Work, Chevrolet, GM, GMC

PickupTrucks.com has gotten its hands on a few more details concerning the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and the 2014 GMC Sierra. General Motors held a conference call on the two trucks, allowing Jeff Luke, executive chief engineer for both, to answer a few questions. Luke said truck buyers are largely concerned with power and fuel economy, and as such, GM will continue to explore new methods of providing both. That may translate into any number of drivetrain permutations, including light-duty diesel engines, eight-speed transmissions or even a twin-turbocharged V6.

What's more, both the 2014 Silverado and its GMC twin will boast a tow rating of 11,500 pounds, but only when equipped with a max-trailering package. Without that special package, the rating drops to 10,200 lbs for regular cabs and 9,700 lbs for crew cabs. Buyers will no longer be able to opt for a 4.10 gear ratio.

We're also excited to hear that GM plans on making the Z71 package into something more than just a few a stickers. While Luke didn't go into details, PickupTrucks.com says "it will get significant improvements in the future." Head over to the site for a quick rundown of the call's highlights.

2014 Chevy Silverado details continue to dribble out originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Apr 2013 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pics Aplenty: Meet the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra [w/poll]

Steven J. Ewing — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 20:01:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Truck, Chevrolet, GM, GMC, Off-Road

Today was a pretty big day for General Motors, debuting the all-new Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra light-duty pickup trucks ahead of their official showcase at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show. And now that the dust has settled at GM's big reveal event, we've had a chance to snap dozens of photos of the new pickup pair from every angle.

We already told you the important bits earlier today (click here in case you missed it), but let's recap. Under the hood are three new engines - a 4.3-liter V6, 5.3-liter V8 and 6.2-liter V8 (you know, a version of the small-block that'll also be found under the hood of the C7 Corvette), all mated to six-speed automatic transmissions. The 2014 model year marks the return of the Z71 off-road package with Rancho shocks, front tow hooks and beefier underbody protection. Inside, there's a host of new technology and a greater focus on better quality and refinement.

Some of the nitty-gritty specifics (like engine output numbers and fuel economy) have yet to be revealed, and since we haven't driven the finished products yet, it's hard to say how these trucks will fare against rivals like the Ram 1500 and Ford F-150. For now, we can only judge these two books by their covers, and while we do like the designs of the new trucks, we Autoblog staffers are torn on exactly which one looks best.

That's where you come into play. Click through the attached high-res image galleries of live photos and let us know in the poll below which truck you think looks the best. Feel free to explain your reasoning in the Comments, as well.

View Poll

Pics Aplenty: Meet the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Dec 2012 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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