Chevrolet’s announcement of the 2019 Silverado 1500 at the Chevy Truck Centennial celebration in Texas last weekend was quite the welcome surprise: we got to see what Chevy is cooking for its bread-and-butter vehicle. Only problem is, we only know a few bits and pieces of information about the next Silverado, such as the fact that the truck will use “higher grade alloy steel” in the bed floor and is the result of over 7,000 customer interviews – the most intensive research in Chevy’s history. We won’t get the complete details until Chevy officially unveils the truck on January 13th, 2018 – but we did get one important tid-bit – that it will have an expanded range of models.
“As no two truck customers are alike, the next-gen Silverado will offer an expanded range of models, more engine/transmission combinations and more technology and convenience features to help customers find their ideal truck”, reads Chevy’s official press release.
Chevy didn’t go on to clarify what those expanded models will be, but the lack of details from the OEM has never prevented us from speculating. For instance, we already know that the expanded 2019 Silverado range will include the Silverado Trailboss. So that’s one model. The rest are currently unknown, though we posit that definite shoe-ins include the Premier, High Country, and Cheyenne models. That would make four, leaving four other models unknown.
If we were to have our way in planing the new Silverado’s expanded range, we would introduce direct rivals to the Ford F-150, Platinum, Limited and Raptor – which are badly needed. along with a sporty model that could be called SS, RS, Red Line or Rally names. That’s a grand total of eight, though we imagine that a potential Raptor fighter, likely branded as Silverado ZR2, won’t come to market until later on in the model’s lifecycle, if at all.
Outside of specifics associated with the model range, we’re also really curious to find out about the new Silverado’s expanded range of powertrain combinations, technology and convenience features.
We’ll know plenty more about the new Silverado soon at Chevrolet’s upcoming has a media event scheduled for January 13th, 2018 ahead of the 2018 North American International Auto Show, where it will share complete details about the new truck. In the meantime, be sure to follow our Chevy Silverado news coverage.
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Comments
Did Chevy ever capped the range of models at eight? Because it’s just eight, than here they are:
WT
LS
LT
LTZ/Premier
High Country
Trailboss
That leaves just one spot open. If it’s another luxury trim than Chayenne takes the spot and we’re done.
That means the ‘expended range’ is two new models: Trailboss and either Chayenne (luxury) or Chayenne (sports/SS).
That is definitely a possibility, but something tells me that the regular trim levels such as WT, LS, LT, LTZ/Premier are not part of the 8 model count references by Chevy in the article.
I hope you’re right and if you are that would be an unprecedented number of offerings. It would make for an awesome shopping experience.
What we do know is we will know in Detroit.
Here’s a radical idea, how about a plug-in Silverado? If GM plans to make an electric truck 2018 is the time to do it because they will hit the magic 200,000 EVs sold sometime in 2018 at which time they will be able to sell as many EVs they want for the next 3-6 months and still qualify for the full $7,500 EV tax credit. After that, the credit dwindles to nothing over the next 6 months.
Smaller companies like VIA and Workhorse are offering electric pickups with all electric range of 40-50 miles before switching on their gas engines and operating pretty much like a conventional pickup. These trucks put out around 400 HP and thanks to electric motors front and back, provide 4WD at no extra cost. They sticker around $50K, which is expensive but this is offset by the low operating costs derived from operating off electricity and much better fuel economy when the gas engine is running.
A plug-in Silverado with similar specs could be a very interesting proposition at $50K less of course, the $7,500 tax credit.
That’s an interesting idea, Larry. We’d like to put together a poll for an Silverado PHEV today. Stay tuned 🙂
1) Trailboss
2) Red Line
3) Spec Ops
4) High Country
5) Rally Edition
6) Custom
7) RealTree Edition
8) {????} High Desert or Cheyenne.
There are the 6 current plus Trail Boss and the potential #8
Trim Levels don’t count, only Special Packages or Special Editions FYI. Omit LS, LT 1/2, LTZ 1/2, High Country, etc from the counting and there you have it.
Being a Colorado owner more power is needed and the addition of a backup assist like Ford’s.
More power train choice is the biggest descrepancy right now between #1 and the rest of the segment. I don’t personally worry about all of those appearance packages that are way out of my price range anyway. But GM’s biggest downfall right now is that they’ve got only 2 real engine choices, because the eAsiest is available only in crew cab configuration and LT trim and up, starting above $44k. The 6.2 is even worse. It starts at $47K. #1 has four choices starting well under $35K and in every configuration and trim level, save you must get a std cab long bed for the 3.5TT. In fact, #1 only limits the lesser engines on high end. Not the other way around. When you count up the power trains, for mpg, for 2018, they come in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th. Ram Penstar, GM’s 4.3, and GM’s afore-mentioned eAssist all tie for 4th place for best half ton mpg.
I hope GM goes back to the older design for the dash and instruments in its trucks. Having gauges for oil pressure and voltage and gas tank fill at top center is truly dumb. Not as dumb as when they hid the 4WD selector behind the transmission stalk as with the 2011 Silverado 2500, but darn close. At least they moved the Trailer Brake adjustment from where it was below the dash on the Silverado 2500 trucks, though too much space was taken up by the layout.
I am sure that there is a “Raptor”-type edition coming. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a special edition of a dually in their offering sometimes in the future also. I have seen evidence of both versions , but can’t say how.