It’s been almost a year since the release of the redesigned full-size trucks from General Motors. Since then it’s been a bumpy ride, with both praise and negative criticism hurled its way—mostly the latter, although not because it’s a poor vehicle. Now comes word that the Chevrolet and GMC twins may receive some tweaks for the 2015 model year.
According to The Detroit News, executive chief engineer for pickups Jeff Luke says that appearance enhancements and technology changes will be coming, with some improvements added to boost fuel economy, possibly transmissions with additional gears. “You’ll see these kinds of technologies over the next few years, a whole array of neat, new technologies, some focused on fuel economy, some focused on capability,” Luke told reporters at an event. This may include start-stop technology.
It will be a few months until more details are announced for the start of the 2015 model year in the fall. “You’ll see some neat updates on the trucks and SUVs
, you’ll see them coming, I’d say in short order,” Luke said. “Then the year after that, the year after that, the year after that, you’ll see some neat things coming in a whole host of areas.”
Luke also stated General Motors has taken feedback from current customers, both those who have bought the latest series of trucks as well as those who decided to pass.
General Motors has endured criticism of its redesigned trucks, with people taking them to task for tepid styling and high prices. However, recent reports have shown that while market share has gone down slightly overall, the company has increased its profit per truck, perhaps showing the naysayers that their strategy has worked all along.
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8 speed transmission and start/stop tech would be awesome to see on the trucks and SUVs
8-speed auto, start/stop tech, tweaks to all three engines to improve fuel economy. Also both need higher trim levels offering higher levels of luxury.
I dunno…the Silverado High Country and the Sierra Denali are practically luxury vehicles (as they should be, since they costs as *much* as a nice luxury car). I think GM should go ahead and *add* a few more features to these lines. An available smart key system would be nice, and perhaps a power-adjustible steering column.
Still, customers should get the option to choose between wood, carbon fiber, or aluminum trim in the cabins, as well as 20 way adjustable seats similar to that of the Cadillac cts. Remember the escalade ext has been discontinued, the Sierra/silverado twins will have to fill the void left.
This will be the new normal for the trucks as the refresh and replacement cycles will come much sooner than they have in the history of the truck market.
GM, Ford and Ram will continue enhance the models as the technology becomes available and also to keep things fresh in a very competitive market.
How about GM finds a way to install Intake Variable Valve Lift onto the rocker arms in the ECOTEC3 engines? 8 and 10 speed transmissions would be nice. The 5.3L should get a bump in power as well (365HP/395FT-LBS).
“Then the year after that, the year after that, the year after that, you’ll see some neat things coming in a whole host of areas.”
That’s vague. I am sure looking forward to “neat things”. What he meant to say is: “First we’ll be last at offering a diesel, then we’ll be last at offering a smooth shifting auto, then we’ll be last at offering an aluminum body. “
And I am the first to give you a negative for stupidity.
The half ton diesel is a small segment and they also are looking to the mid size truck this fall.
The transmission on the new GM truck I drove today drove smooth and would out last nearly anything on the market since Dodge has crap for trannys and Ford has had to team with GM to get a decent one.
As for aluminum when you already had the lightest truck it is not a priority till the next model change.
These neat things will come as they are perfected or do you want the neat things that don’t work right like the Ford Sync system?
Also these things cost money to develop and their is no automaker out there that can afford to do it all at once.
By the way happy mothers day to all the Mothers out there including you magirus!
Gm will add the new transmission that them and ford have been working on.
To start off an aluminum body was a horrible idea from the start the cost of a body shop to adapt to servicing them is astronomical not something you know anything about not to mention the cost of repair is sky high as well. The release of the Colorado and Canyon diesel disproves your statement. Ford will be last in the light duty diesel market for multiple reasons. First the fact they are the most unreliable diesels to date and 2nd there hasn’t even been any mention anywhere of ford attempting to develop a diesel light duty.
8-speed would be nice to start with. Plus a little bump in HP to all the ECOTEC engines, along with a little adjustment to the front end of the Silverado especially. Therefore, these little tweaks might be very important to maintain demand for this already damn good truck, when the F-150 is launch in 2015.
Continuous improvements with new technologies will not only keep the interest of the car geeks, but also the media. Take the Ram for example – a few years ago they gave the existing model independent rear suspension, then a year or two later a new v6, UConnect, and an 8 speed and it was truck of the year. Now they add a diesel and it’s truck of the year again. The basic truck hasn’t changed in a while, but they still get a lot of media and market interest. Getting everything at once would be nice, but you need to make it interesting for those who buy new every two or three years – things like what Ram is doing keep it exciting for loyal buyers. However, I also understand the secrecy – you don’t want to create so much excitement for the new features that you kill the sales of the current model.
This strategy will make it challenging for the used car/truck buyer in the future – requiring a lot more research to determine what model years have what features…
There was a time vehicles changed much per every year. Just styling alone was the big generator of excitement as they would cover the dealer windows for the special introductions that many would turn up for every year.
Today much does not change much between cycles. But to keep excitement new features are planed and staggered to keep excitement up. Also some items take more time like the 8 speed that was not ready yet .
GM anymore will not intro full lines of cars at once as with the ATS as we will see a new model every 2 years from them added to the line up.
Things are staggered due to marketing, cost staggered out and the development time needed for such features.
They comes a completely new and makeup reomodelada OK 2015 Ford F-150 with everything we needed in a Pick-up and more. For the 2015 model year GM twins: Silverado “High Country” & GMC Sierra “Denali” should include Smart Key Access, power button. LED tail lights, HID lights, standard 8-speed transmission as well as a front facia remosada to the Silverado, the rest is very good in my opinion.
Wow!!!!!
It’s Clear GM is Very Worried about the new aluminum 2015 F150 or they wouldn’t be making these vague announcements of Neat Stuff coming!!!
Jeff Luke is a joke!!!
Plus GM n Ram have No Answer for the new 2.7 V6 EcoBoost made of CGI that has them very concerned if it gets close to 27-28 MPG n kills the small diesel …!
It’s called the 5.3L ECOTEC3 V8 with more power than the estimates of the 2.7tt ECOBUST V6. Just wait and see until the new 8-Speed comes out. That V8 will punch out at least 28mpg with Variable Valve Timing, Spark Ignited Direct Injection, and Active Fuel Management all working together effortlessly! I don’t think I have seen a 3.5tt achieve its fuel economy numbers yet. What makes you think an even smaller displacement boosted engine will be any better?
GM is not worried.
Generally this far out they are not specific till the lead in to the auto show introductions. Also the timing may not be fully set on the release on some of these neat things. yet. Hell the Cruze was held up a year so some of these options could be till a time table is fully established.
So before you start claiming GM is scared you need to consider many things you have no clue of.
The answer to the Ecoboost is better marketing. The new LT can do anything it does but GM has really not spent much time telling side of things while Ford claims the Turbo is the best of all things.
I love turbo engines and think GM should offer it for the marketing excitement but I also am realistic enough to understand the LT engines with the new 8 speed and GM’s already light trucks will produce some amazing numbers.
The marketing has been so poor that many think Ford was the one who lead the way in this country with Direct Injection Turbo engines. The true is I owned and was driving a Turbo DI GM engine before we ever heard the word Ecoboots.
This whole thing is a card game and they all are not showing their cards. Ford is bluffing, GM is showing a tell and Dodge one a hand.
If GM was not worried they would not rush “Neat stuff” to market In Such haste!!!!
I’m in this truck market n everyone is talking about the new F150 n the 2.7 EcoBoost…. Free publicity GM could only dream of n its all positive for Ford. The clear leader in trucks!!!
PS. Jeff Luke is a joke !!!
Sorry to disappoint you BUTT the 8-speed is NOT going to give you (5) more MPG…. No way!!!!
Ram uses an 8-speed in the shortest 2wd base Ram v6 to squeeze 25 MPG and its a truck you can’t find on a Ram lot because the configuration is worthless for a truck!!!
Industry experts have seen the 2.7 v6 EcoBoost in action n whisper numbers for MPG is “high 20s”…!
Stay tuned because your about to be surprised by what Ford will deliver…. That’s why GM is pulling out all this “Neat Stuff”…. Suck a joke!!!!
GM has one thing that Ram can’t offer; ECOTEC3 technology (aka VVT, SIDI, and AFM) all in one! GM’s 4.3L (285HP/305FT-LBS) already gets 18 City and 24 Highway with a six speed versus Ram’s 3.6L (305HP/269FT-LBS) that gets 18 City and 25 Highway with an eight speed. If GM can install Stop/Start, iVVL, and an 8-Speed, I’d expect anywhere around 22 City and 30 Highway!
Edgar,
NO WAY!!!!
Your few minor changes are NOT going to improve city mileage by (4) and highway by (6) MPG….!!!!
The best GM could produce over the last redesign with all new trucks 200-300 lbs lighter , new engines with VVT, DI and AFM and all GM got was (2) MPG with multi Billion $$ investment R&D and years of development!!!!!
It’s clear you have No engineering background or practical experience!
Stop/Start, Intake Valve Lift, and two extra gears aren’t very minor to me. Keep in mind that these trucks are already light for the segment and have ECOTEC3 engine technology. It’s going to happen so prepare to eat your words. Funny you say that because I am actually studying Motorsports Engineering at IUPUI. I graduate this year too! Have a nice day.
P.S. Us GM fans are not scared of the 2.7tt ECOBUST.
I laugh at all this “My truck gets 1-2 mpg better than your truck” crap. People…. You are buying $40-50,000 trucks and people are arguing over an exta $20 a month for gas? If you can’t afford the extra $20 a month, guess what…… You can’t afford the dam truck.
And for those”It’s the principle of the matter” guys, get over yourselves. There will always be leaders and those chasing. And the leaders will always change from one to another. Look at the technology inside vehicles; GM leads the way with MyLink and Onstar while others are chasing. No other vehicle has an easier way to stay connected. That is why Ford finally gave up on Sync and My FordTouch. They cancelled it and are working with Blackberry on a completely new system.
No truck could achieve as nice of ride as a GM so Ram went to a coil rear suspension (nice ride but wobbly on rough roads) and Ford talks about how a truck should ride like a truck (because they can’t match the ride without directly copying GM).
Ford has gone all aluminum and no doubt others will follow as they need to.
It comes down to two things; a customer’s personal taste and money.
It’s really necessary for Chevrolet and GMC twins and also SUVs to receive some tweaks for the 2015 model year to suite the every types of roads in concern to smooth driving.
The Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon, and Escalade? How so?
The gas mpg is a very important edge in marketing. While it makes little sense to argue over $20 a month in gas it has made a lot of money for Ford.
While the MPG thing is not a big issue for getting people to change brands but Ford found a way to draw people to a more expensive engine and get them to pay a grand more. Also it got people to buy the V6 over a V8 that will help them in the future to get their buyers to accept the smaller engines.
While the GM V8 is getting good MPG GM needs to find a way to make the V6 so appealing people will want to buy it as the default engine. In the Future the V6 will get to higher MPG levers the V8 can not get to.
Mass and engine size is the path to the future on truck MPG. Ford has installed the two keys coming up and GM has one on the way. Now they need to find a way to get people to love the V6.
The 4.3 is a totally new engine but they should have changed the size a little to represent it as being new. Also there is no sexy technology added that people can associate to. GM did a big push early on with a large number of V6 Crew cabs and even with the rebates not a lot of people rushed to them.
This is a marketing game to position the trucks and buyers where the MFG needs them to be in the future. They all still have a lot of work to do and they all will get there. Like I have stated the next ten years the truck market will be vastly transformed.
Totally agree!
It’s just that GM had the opportunity to do something really big and innovative with the new 2014 trucks and blew it!!!
They look too similar to the old trucks and all the new engines are the same size as the old ones… Basic marketing boo-boo 101…!!!
You must admit Ford is the clear innovator and leader with aluminum body n CGI-based 2.7 EcoBoost V6 that has potential to be a Big game changer especially if it gets 27-28 MPG….!!!
Because GM has no immediate n clear answer except for “Neat Stuff” from Jeff Luke… That’s a joke!!!!!!
OK folks, here’s the US government’s 2014 Ratings: (city/combined/highway)
RAM: 3.0L Diesel 19 / 22 / 27
3.6L 16 / 19 / 23
5.7L hemi 15 / 17 / 21
Ford: 3.7L 16 / 18 / 21
5.0L 14 / 16 / 19
3.5L ecoboost 15 / 17 / 21
6.2L 12 / 13 / 16
GM: 4.3L 17 / 19 / 22
5.3L 16 / 18 / 22
6.2L 14 / 17 / 20
Ram wins with the diesel but add in the 15% higher fuel costs plus extra cost to buy the engine and it is an offset for most owners who have their trucks 4 -5 yrs.
The 5.3L beats both the Ecoboom and Hemi by 1 mpg and 1-2 mpg respectively. Yes, the 2015 Ford will be 300-400 lbs lighter than the current GM trucks, but since they are shelving the 6.2L and upping the hp / torque on the 3.5L ecoboom, it’s fuel economy numbers are likely to stay the same or drop 1 mpg compared to today (a new 8-speed will help keep the boosted hp engine at current mpg levels). That is why they are bringing out the 2.7L ecoboost to help offset average mpg they need for CAFE and government requirements. So they are banking on a very small turbo’d engine to produce big enough numbers in hp/torque and still be high enough in mpg plus bank on customers making it a huge percentage of trucks sold.
Even if the 2.7 gets 2-3 mpg better than the current 5.3L, add in a new transmission, VVL and auto-start/stop (if that’s what GM has up it’s sleeve) which should get 2-3 mpg better combined fuel economy, it will be a wash in mpg’s. In the end, do customers want a very small turbo’d V6 or a 5.3 pushrod engine that doesn’t require an expensive turbo (and therefore no turbo overheating issues).
In the end, give me a pushrod non-turbo’d engine because the small turbo’d V6 will drop significantly in mpg if you spend any time using the turbo, which is what current Ecoboom owners are finding out currently. And a smaller V6 will spend even more time using the turbo.
Your 2-3 mpg improvement is a dream!! NOT going to get that much better mpg maybe 1… That’s it!!!
Plus Ford has auto start-stop Integrated into the 2.7 with VVTi and the same 10-speed auto that GM gets in a few years because they are in R&D partner on it… So No advantage for GM… Sorry!!!
Based on displacement what engine should get better mpg… 2.7 vs 5.3. ??
So I’d give the 2.7 at least 1 mpg better… Plus lighter internals low friction additives improved engine tech n fuel mgmt should yield another 1 mpg…
Experts predict 100 lbs wt savings can produce 1-2% improved mpg… So Fords 700 lbs wt reduction should be good for approx 10% better mpg for about 2 mpg for All engines…!!!
Aerodynamics play a big role in mpg in trucks n Ford has multiple improvements active grill shutters steeply raked windshield deeper spoilers front n rear wind deflecting sharp edge body design n more that should net 1 mpg better for All engines
Add it up n Ford should get at least 4-5 better MPG over the current 23 mpg on the 3.7 v6…. Giving the new 2.7 about 27-28 mpg…!
The improved 3.5 EcoBoost should benefit with all these improvements n get mid 20’s mpg…!!!
Then add the 10-speed auto in 1-2 years and the 30 mpg could become reality for trucks…!!!
Greg, you are forgetting the current advantages ECOTEC3’s have over ECOBUST’s. One of the biggest; Active Fuel Management. The displacement will not always be 5.3L. Keep in mind that turbos have some weight to them too. Also, GM’s trucks are already light for the class. Although the next generation F-Series will be around 700lbs less than the current models, they will only be 200lbs lighter than GM’s (give or take). I am guessing GM will install 8-Speed’s on 4.3/5.3 models and 10-Speeds on 6.2 models. Just accept the fact that both will improve in the future (considering they have to).
dpach is also right. EGOBOOST engines do not get their ‘promised’ fuel efficiency as their displacements are so small, they can’t keep large vehicles going steadily withput going into the turbos (which decreases economy vastly). Since the 2.7tt is much smaller than the 3.5tt, expect a larger decrease in real world economy than the 3.5tt compared to the estimates.
I drive an ECOBUST / EGOBOOST and I share the damn vehicle with ford. Hence why i am buying a 2015/16 Sierra HD.
Hopefully they read the part about the rear heated and cooled seats and the rear vents! LOL!
Now who’s dreaming Greg!! I know they both get the same transmission but if you think that the 2.7 will get that kind of real world driving mpg, you are a dreamer. Smaller displacement does not mean better mpg especially in a large vehicle. Current Ecoboom owners (all Ecoboom owners in all Ford vehicles) are complaining how off their mpg are from Ford numbers. That is because unless you drive like a 90 year old, the turbos are always cutting in which kills their mpg. Start/stop will help a little. Which experts are predicting a 1-2% per 100 lbs fuel savings? Please state your sources.
Keep dreaming buddy.
Greg, the correct stoichiometric air to fuel ratio (the one all manufacturers use to keep their engines from blowing up) is 14.7 particles air to one particle fuel. You’re claiming that the 2.7L ecocrap will get better mpg. Ok, but what happens when a driver starts stepping on the gas pedal harder (which by the way everybody does instead of driving like 90 year olds the way manufacturers imagine we all do) and the turbo starts shoving more air into the cylinders? Obviously the engine reacts by spraying more fuel, thus more exhaust gas starts going through the turbo, and starts building up more heat which lowers the real world fuel economy and efficiency of an engine.
Want a clear example? GM’s 3.6tt in the Cadillac cts Vsport gets less mpg than the V8 powered German competition despite being a smaller engine, and the car being lighter over all. The Porsche 911 gets less mpg with its flat 6 than the corvette with its high displacement v8
GM (GMC/CHEVY)
Please make sure the High Country HD Mirrors make it onto the Denali. PLEASE have the rear seats have heated & cooled outboard seats and rear vents in the the back of the front of the center console. I know it asking a lot, but OMG it would make it the perfect truck!
Yup, it’s true..if i COMPLETELY baby the thing…meaning 60MPH and NOT 1mph above, and allowing a 5mph drop while climbing hills…on Looooooong trips, i can tweak 18MPG out of it. Normal driving city/hwy combined … 15MPG 15.5MPG …