After unveiling its redesigned 2019 Silverado with a surprise aerial delivery last month, Chevrolet used the North American International Auto Show in Detroit to provide more details on its latest flagship pickup, including confirmation for the truck’s long-rumored diesel option.
Chevy says an all-new 3.0-liter Duramax inline-six turbo diesel will be available on the 2019 Silverado alongside 5.3L and 6.2L gas V8 engines. Chevy provided no further details on the new Duramax but says the new V8 engines will feature a fuel-saving feature called Dynamic Fuel Management. Chevy says DFM “actively shuts off any number of cylinders, in a variety of combinations, depending on immediate needs to optimize fuel economy.”
The 3L diesel and 6.2L V8 will be paired with a new Hydra-Matic 10-speed automatic transmission along with start/stop technology.
Redesign brings about a larger, lighter, more capable truck
Apart from the big news about a new look and a diesel engine for the truck, Chevy’s rethinking of the Silverado has also resulted in a larger pickup.
Chevy says the 2019 Silverado has a wheelbase that is 3.9 inches longer and an overall length that is 1.6 inches longer than previous models. The increased size has brought best-inc-class cargo volume and more interior room for all cab lengths, Chevy says.
In every bed length, Chevy says the new Silverado offers the most cargo volume. The short-box’s 63 cubic feet of volume is up to 20 percent more than short-boxes from the competition. Chevy says most of the added volume was gained by increasing the maximum width of the bed floor by nearly 7 inches.
The stretched cab offers 3 inches of additional legroom for those in the back seat. In fact at 43.8 inches of legroom, rear occupants have nearly the same amount of legroom as those in the front seat (44.5).
And despite the larger size, the truck has actually gotten lighter. Chevy says thanks to the use of “mixed materials and advanced manufacturing processes,” the Silverado is 450 pounds lighter than the 2018 Silverado when comparing crew cab V8 models.
These “mixed materials” include a fair bit of aluminum. The doors, hood and tailgate of this truck are all aluminum while the fenders, roof and bed are made of steel. Meanwhile, the safety cage uses seven different grades of steel. The use of aluminum reduced body weight by 88 pounds.
Eight trim levels designed to appeal to specific needs
Chevy is offering the 2019 Silverado in eight different trims. Mike Simcoe, GM’s VP for global design says the trim offerings are the automatker’s attempt to deliver the “perfect truck” to more customers.
“Truck customers told us they want the perfect truck for them and not a ‘one size fits most’ truck, compromised for the masses,” Simcoe says. “That insight shaped our design strategy with eight distinct models, each with a unique personality to fit different customers, from the affordable Work Truck to the luxurious High Country.”
The eight trims are spread across three different “buyer profiles”:
- “High Value” customers want the capability of a full-size truck at a great value.
- “High Volume” customers represent the heart of the truck market, requiring the capability of a full-size truck as well as the creature comforts of a passenger vehicle.
- “High Feature” customers represent the fastest-growing part of the truck market and want luxury-car refinement and appointments without sacrificing capability or durability.
Here’s how the full 2019 Silverado lineup shakes out, according to Chevy press materials:
High Value:
- Work Truck features “CHEVROLET” graphic across the grille and tailgate, blacked-out trim and 17-inch steel wheels for maximum durability. The interior features durable vinyl or cloth seats and 7-inch color touch screen.
- Custom features a body-color styling theme, 20-inch painted aluminum wheels, LED signature taillamps and available integrated dual exhaust.
- Custom Trailboss (new for 2019) adds off-road equipment to the Custom, including a 2-inch suspension lift and the Z71 Off Road Package with a locking rear differential, skid plates, Rancho shocks, 18-inch wheels and Goodyear Duratrac off-road tires.
High Volume:
- LT features chrome accents on the bumpers, front grille and mirror caps, Chevrolet bowtie in the grille, LED reflector headlamps and signature daytime running lights. The interior features an 8-inch color touch screen and available leather seating surfaces
- RST (new for 2019) brings a street-performance appearance to the LT, with body-color trim, full LED lighting (foglamps, headlamps and taillamps) and up to 22-inch wheels with all-season tires.
- LT Trailboss (new for 2019) adds off-road equipment to the LT, including a 2-inch suspension lift and the Z71 Off Road Package, including locking rear differential, skid plates, Rancho shocks, 18-inch wheels and Goodyear Duratrac off-road tires.
High Feature:
- LTZ features chrome accents on the bumpers, front grille, mirror caps, door handles and hockey-stick beltline as well as power folding and heated outside rearview mirrors. Leather interior trim is standard equipment.
- High Country features an exclusive front grille design with two-tone chrome and bronze finish, body-color accents plus chrome assist steps from wheel to wheel. It also includes the power up/down tailgate as standard equipment.