Perfecting Perfect: GM Announces 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

The best truck in the market is about to get better as GM officially announced the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 sporting a new, rugged exterior styling. While most of the time a change in body style or performance is highly debated either as good or bad, in this early stage of development, it’s hard to deny that the redesigned 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 has any shortcomings over its predecessor.

Lets start at the Box:

The rear-bumper now has a “Cornerstep” which you can use as a stepladder. They are introducing a Roll-formed steel pickup box that’s stronger, lighter and more durable than stamped steel. New available movable Cargo Tie-Down Hooks rated up to 500lbs each that let you configure your cargo load more precisely.  The Crew Cab Models are also being offered in a all-new 6-foot, 6-inch box. The box also has available LED lights that go under the rails for better visibility.

The Cab:

The crew cab doors are slightly smaller in front and slightly larger in the rear and rear-seat passengers has nearly two inches more leg room with four inches of additional foot swing . Extended cabs feature triple-sealed inlaid doors that fit into the body-side opening.

New instrument panel, with bigger knobs and buttons, are mounted higher where they’re more visible and easier to reach. Ambient lighting. New seat structure that will better maintain its shape with a new high-wear cloth and dual density foam.

Available Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system, Forward collision Alert and Lane Departure Warning.

Under the Hood/Body:

All-new line of Ecotec3 Engines producing increased horsepower, torque and fuel economy with Direct Injection, Variable Valve Timing and Active Fuel Management technology.

If you don’t know what any of that means, here’s a quick rundown:

• Direct Injection – Delivers fuel precisely into the combustion chamber allowing higher compression ratio resulting in more torque, power and fuel efficiency.
• Variable Valve Timing – Optimizes camshaft timing to improved low-rpm torque and high-rpm horsepower.
• Active Fuel Management – By deactivating cylinders under low-demand driving situations and switching to four-cylinder mode seamlessly, creates increased fuel efficiency.

The Three new engines are as follows:

1. The 4.3L V6 which is best in class of all base V6 engines and is more powerful with better fuel economy than the previous 4.3
2. The 5.3L V8 is also superior to its predecessor in power and fuel economy.
3. The 6.2L V8 which is expected to be the most powerful light-duty pickup engine.

The Body is made from Ultra-high-strength steel, projected to be the most-powerful light-duty pickup on the road. Shear-style Body Mounts bend and absorb vibrations along the chassis giving a quieter, smoother ride. The stronger and lighter Aluminum Coil-over shock front suspension and tuned multileaf rear springs and fade-resistant shocks and hydraulic-filled body mounts also aids in the Smooth ride.

Other Features:

• Electric power steering is another new feature promising to improve overall vehicle handling with less steering effort at low speeds vs. a hydraulic system.
• ALL models now come standard with Four-wheel disc brakes with DURALIFE Rotors.
• Automatic-locking rear Differential provides best-in-class traction.
• New Z71 Model offers auto-locking rear differential, Rancho shocks and Hill Descent Control.
• StabiliTrak Electronic Stability Control System, Trailer Sway Control, Hill Start Assist and a seven and four-pin trailer connector.
• Larger rear axles to handle increased torque.

These updates are pretty significant and all of them seem to add up to a great, if not the greatest truck in the market.  Expect the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 to be at our lot soon!

If you’re from Dubuque area and are looking to get a new or used Chevy in the near future, please contact us here at Runde Chevrolet at 866-735-5200.