Silverado HD: Engineered to Make the Tough Jobs Easier

Silverado HD: Engineered to Make the Tough Jobs Easier

2013-10-01

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DETROIT – The new 2015 Chevrolet Silverado HDs are engineered to be stronger, smarter, and more confident than ever.

“Heavy-duty pickups are tools that people use to tow heavy trailers and haul big loads,” said Jeff Luke, executive chief engineer. “A great tool like the new Silverado HD pickup doesn’t just get the job done, it makes the work easier, and helps you feel more confident tackling the really tough jobs.”

Updates for the 2015 model year include:

  • All-new exterior styling with enhanced cooling air flow, which enables Silverado’s 6.6-litre Duramax turbo diesel and 6.0-litre Vortec V-8 to better maintain full power, even under heavy loads and high ambient temperatures
  • Integrated cruise control, Auto Grade Braking and Diesel Exhaust Braking (on diesel models) that help make tough towing easier
  • A 6.0L bi-fuel V-8, which can run on either gasoline or compressed natural gas, will be available on regular-cab, crew-cab and new double-cab Silverado 2500 and 3500 models.
  • Standard StabiliTrak with Trailer Sway Control on all models including 3500 duallies.
  • All new cabs and interiors that provide increased space and comfort, with extensive storage space tailored to the way customers use full-size trucks.
  • Chevrolet MyLink, which provides powerful connectivity for work or family with simple, intuitive controls.
  • New 6.5- and 8-foot boxes with standard CornerStep bumpers, EZ Lift and Lower tailgates, and other features that make cargo handling easier.

New exterior design for enhanced cooling, reduced wind noise

Silverado HD’s all-new exterior communicates strength and capability, while also enhancing aerodynamics for improved efficiency and reduced wind noise, It also improves cooling for more consistent power under tough conditions.

“The passion we have for trucks is reflected in every line and powerfully sculpted machined surface of the HD Chevrolet,” said Tom Peters, design director. “From the dramatic sculpture of the one-piece structural bumper, to its muscular hood and side profile, the design reflects a function-driven solution.”

The design of the 2015 Silverado HD is as much about brains as brawn. New inlaid doors, which fit into recesses in the body side, help reduce wind noise for a quieter cab. The smallest details of the body, such as the roof and tailgate spoiler, were tuned in a wind tunnel to smooth airflow over the truck for reduced noise and improved aerodynamic efficiency.

Because HD pickups are frequently used for towing under adverse conditions, engineers paid particular attention to airflow for both engine cooling and the engine air intakes. Starting with air inlets sized to reduce drag and improve efficiency, engineers tested cooling airflow in the wind tunnel and on the road to make sure the engines could maintain power on long upgrades at high ambient temperatures. Careful sealing of the front end also ensures that air entering the engine intake remains cool, for optimum performance under tough conditions.

“It is one thing to generate big power numbers in cool weather, and quite another to maintain power and torque when towing up a long grade on a blistering summer day,” said Luke. “We think customers will appreciate all of the work that went into the cooling for the new Silverado HD when they get a chance to really put it to the test.”

Integrated controls for easier towing

The new Silverado HDs are also designed to bring new levels of confidence to tough towing through further refinement of Silverado’s available Cruise Control, Auto Grade Braking, and Diesel Exhaust Brake. The integration of these features helps the 2015 Silverado HD maintain a set speed up and down grades, even when towing a heavy trailer in mountainous terrain.

“The customer sets the desired speed, and the truck will do the rest – increasing or decreasing power, downshifting to increase engine braking, and engaging the exhaust brake on the diesel engine,” said Luke.  “You feel much more confident and in control, because you aren’t constantly working to stay a step ahead of the truck and trailer.”

To activate the Auto Grade Braking on either gasoline or diesel Silverado HDs, the driver presses and holds the Tow/Haul button in the shifter for three seconds. The transmission will then automatically downshift when needed to enable engine braking to help slow the vehicle.

In addition, on Duramax diesel models, the driver can also engage the Diesel Exhaust Brake, which uses the variable vanes in the turbocharger to smoothly and quietly create additional backpressure in the engine to help slow the vehicle. The combination of the exhaust brake and the automatic transmission downshifts helps the driver maintain the desired speed, even on long, steep highway downgrades.

StabiliTrak with Trailer Sway Control is now standard on all Silverado HDs, including 3500 duallie models, providing additional security to the drive.

Built strong, with rugged truck hardware

The foundation of 2015 Silverado HDs is a family of fully boxed frames, which use large cross sections, hydroforming and high-strength steels in key areas. The stiffness of the frames contributes to improved handling and ride comfort, while the strength of the frames enhances payload and towing capability.

The Silverado HDs independent front suspension is specifically engineered for HD pickup use, with forged steel upper control arms and precision machined cast iron lower control arms.  Torsion bars are tailored to the weight ratings of the trucks, and allow easier trim height adjustment to account for the weight of snow plows or other accessories.

Rear springs are asymmetrical leaf springs, which balance ride and load carrying, and improve control of axle hop. The steel springs, three inches wide, have been proven to perform year after year under the toughest conditions.

Payload and towing capabilities of the 2015 Silverado HD are increased from 2014 models:

  • Maximum available payload is 3,508 kg (7,374 pounds), the best for any HD pickup, up from 3,275 kg (7,222 pounds).
  • Maximum available conventional towing is 8,890 kg (19,600 pounds) with the available factory hitch, up from 8,164 kg (18,000 pounds) and also best in class.
  • Maximum available fifth-wheel towing is 10,523 kg (23,200 pounds), up from 10,205 kg (22,500 pounds).

Silverado HD is available in more than 150 combinations of cabs, bed lengths, powertrains, drivetrains and axle ratios, enabling customers to spec exactly the right truck for their towing and hauling needs.

The team that created the 2015 Silverado HD went to extremes to deliver a truck that would live up to Chevrolet’s reputation for building the most dependable, longest lasting pickups, said Luke.

For example, GM’s new full-size truck family will undergo almost 10 million kilometres of durability testing in the torture chambers at the Milford Proving Ground, over the deserts and mountains of Nevada and across the frozen flats of Kapuskasing, Ontario. That’s equivalent to 240 trips around the earth. In addition, the trucks will accumulate more than 11 million real-world kilometres during final testing, bringing total test kilometres to more than 20 million.

New cabs and interiors for all-day comfort

The 2015 Silverado HD receives the same updates to the interior, cab structure, and door designs as the new Silverado 1500, which has received positive reviews for its quieter cab and roomier, more comfortable interior.

“Whether they use their truck as their office or travel cross country with a big trailer in tow, owners of HD pickups often spend long days behind the wheel,” said Luke. “The quiet, comfortable, connected interior of the 2015 Silverado HD reflects an intense focus on the way truckers live and work.”

The upright instrument panel, six-gauge instrument cluster and multiple storage options are tailored specifically to the needs of truck customers. Controls are functional, logically placed and easy to operate with work gloves on. For example, the available Integrated Trailer Brake Controller is mounted high on the left side of the instrument panel, where it can be easily adjusted, and it displays Gain on the Driver Information Centre in the instrument cluster. The new Chevrolet MyLink, standard on all models except the base work truck, provides easy-to-use connectivity for the job site or the family vacation, with enhanced voice recognition and enough ports and power outlets to support multiple devices.

The new truck cab is stronger, with 67 percent of the structure made from high-strength steel for a confident feel and improved safety. The cabs feature inlaid doors, which fit snugly
into recesses in the body sides for reduced turbulence and wind rush. Combined with new triple door seals, the doors help create a quieter interior.

The rear doors on crew-cab models are larger, and combined with revised seats, create approximately two inches more rear legroom, and enable easier entry and exit for back seat passengers.

A new double-cab model, which features forward-hinged rear doors, replaces the previous extended cab, and allows easier access to the back seat, especially in tight parking spaces.

Rugged powertrains for gas, diesel, E85 and CNG

The 2015 Silverado HD offers three powertrains specifically tailored for tough tasks and dependable service.

The proven Duramax 6.6L turbodiesel and Allison 1000 six-speed automatic transmission combination will continue to be available on both 2500 and 3500 Silverados.

Rated at 397 horsepower and 765 lb-ft of torque, the Duramax diesel features piezo-actuated fuel injectors for improved performance and efficiency, and a variable vane turbocharger that also acts as an exhaust brake to help control vehicle speed when needed on long downgrades.

The Allison 1000 transmission features a driver shift control with tap up/tap down shifting and a Tow/Haul mode that reduces shift cycling for better control and improved cooling when towing or hauling heavy loads.

The standard engine on all Silverado HDs is a 6.0L Vortec gas V-8 with continuously variable valve timing, matched with a six-speed automatic transmission. It is rated at 360 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque on 2500 models, and is specifically engineered for low-end torque. A version rated at 322 horsepower is standard on 3500s. Pickups with either version are E85 FlexFuel capable.

A bi-fuel version of the 6.0L V-8, with special hardened valves and valve seats to enable operation on gasoline or compressed natural gas, will be available in all three models of the new Silverado HD – regular-cab, crew-cab and double-cab.

Chevrolet will continue to work with a second-stage manufacturer to offer a single-source option for its CNG vehicles. The bi-fuel trucks are built with the specially designed engine, the fuel system is installed by GM’s Tier One supplier, and the completed vehicle is delivered directly to the customer. This process makes ordering the bi-fuel option as seamless as ordering a truck powered by gas or diesel, and ensures the highest level of durability, reliability and safety.

Smart solutions for cargo management

The pickup box is made from roll-formed steel for increased strength and reduced mass, compared with the stamped beds used by major competitors, and it features a range of smart solutions for everyday life.
Silverado’s CornerStep bumper, combined with hand assists built into the new standard box rail protectors, makes it easier to access cargo in the box, especially useful on HD pickups, with their higher ride height. The box is also available with new upper tie-down hooks, under-rail light-emitting diode lighting, and an EZ Lift and Lower tailgate.

An available spray-in bed liner, which bonds to the steel bed to create permanent, water-tight protection for the box, covers the entire bed interior surface below the side rails, including the tailgate and front box top rail.

Enhanced safety and security

The 2015 Silverado HD will be available with segment-exclusive safety features such as Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning with an Active Safety Seat, and Front and Rear Park Assist. Head-curtain and seat-mounted side airbags are standard on 2500 and available on 3500 models.

Like all Silverados, the 2015 Silverado HD is backed by the best pickup coverage in Canada, including:

  • 3 year/60,000 km limited new vehicle warranty;
  • 5 year/160,000 km limited powertrain warranty;
  • 2-year/40,000 km scheduled lube-oil-filer maintenance program

Accessories for a wide range of tasks

The 2015 Silverado HD will be available with a broad range of dealer-installed accessories.  Exterior accessories include four-inch or six-inch assist steps in chrome or black, 20-inch wheels, body-side moldings, and a range of chrome accents.

All-weather or carpet floor mats help keep the elements at bay, and storage accessories for the console and under the seat help organize tools and information.

Available for the box are retractable side steps, drop-in or spray-in bed liners, bed mats and rugs, and tonneau covers, as well as Trac Rac ladder racks and UWS tool boxes.

Manufacturing

2015 Silverado HD pickups will be assembled in Ft. Wayne, Ind. and Flint, Mich.

About Chevrolet in Canada

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4.5 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.ca, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/chevroletcanada or by following @ChevroletCanada on Twitter.

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PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS

Overview | Engine | Transmission | Chassis/Suspension | Brakes | Wheels/Tires | Dimensions | Capacities

Overview

Powertrains

Chassis / Suspension

Wheels / Tires

Brakes

Dimensions

Exterior (2500HD)

Interior

Capacities