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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.

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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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Chevy planning luxury 'High Country' Silverado trim to take on King Ranch, Longhorn rivals

George Kennedy — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 14:15:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Truck, Chevrolet, GM, Luxury

Say the idea of an upscale pickup like the Ford F-150 King Ranch or Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn appeals, but you're decidedly a Chevrolet buyer and would only consider a Silverado. According to an Automotive News report, General Motors is working on a new top-end trim for the Silverado, called "High Country," and it will have a "Western flair and unique leather," according to one dealer at the national Chevrolet dealer meeting in Las Vegas this month. GM did not comment on the details of the new vehicle or discuss pricing, though the competing models from Ford and Ram have pricing that can easily top $50K.

The new Chevrolet luxury pickup may need more than that to out-lux the F-150, however, as Ford has already rolled out a new Limited trim with a bevy of additional features and a sticker price of $52,455 (before $995 in delivery fees). Currently, the top Silverado 1500 is a crew cab LTZ with full options cost in the mid-$40K range, still well below competitors' selections.

GM already has a luxury pickup in the form of the Sierra Denali, and word is that the Cadillac Escalade EXT will not return when the Escalade is redesigned. The Silverado High Country would theoretically allow the Sierra Denali to move further upmarket to account for the discontinuation of the EXT.

According to AN, the "High Country" name comes from a trim of the Chevrolet Blazer offered in the 1980s, which had gold wheels and a paint scheme that faded from black to gold on the lower body. The Silverado High Country probably won't receive that treatment, but there will likely be a lot of alterations for the new premium model. As the same dealer quoted above also noted, "If it's on the King Ranch, we're going to have it."

Chevy planning luxury 'High Country' Silverado trim to take on King Ranch, Longhorn rivals originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Sep 2012 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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