When the 2019 Silverado 1500 officially revealed itself, there was a lot of hype, and expectation, surrounding the potential fuel economy numbers of the all-new breadwinning truck. With up to 450 lbs of weight lost, a lower drag coefficient, loads of subtle aerodynamic body work, Dynamic Fuel Management, and the introduction of a 10-speed transmission, all signs pointed to massive gains in fuel economy. Something that was highly prioritized during the truck’s development, as General Motors needed to find ways to meet the extreme 2025 CAFE targets originally mandated by the Obama Administration, which have now been rolled back by the Trump Administration.
We routinely scoured the EPA’s MPG site to see if the fuel economy numbers for the 2019 Silverado 1500 were finally reported. And when they finally manifested themselves, we were both surprised and confused to see almost nothing changed. During the 2019 Silverado 1500 test drive hosted by Chevrolet, we finally were able to get some answers.
There’s drag coefficient. Then there’s drag coefficient of area (a multiplication of the drag coefficient value by the surface area). Chevrolet touts that the 2019 Silverado has a drag coefficient that’s seven percent improved over the outgoing truck, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. Without getting too scientific, the drag coefficient of area is where the 2019 Silverado 1500 is more challenged than before. Because while there’s less drag coefficient, the fascia of the truck has significantly increased, forcing the truck to punch a bigger hole through the air as it moves down the road at speed. This in turn creates more resistance, and thus requires more energy to move forward.
That’s why, despite all of the aerodynamic efforts, cylinder deactivations, gurney flaps, and extra gears, the 2019 Silverado 1500 in managed to improve its EPA fuel economy numbers by one mile per gallon in the city.
However, there are more efficient models coming. An all-new 2.7L turbo four-cylinder engine with 310 horsepower will be available on the 2019 Silverado 1500 in the coming months, and is expected to return better fuel economy numbers over its V6 and V8 counterparts. There’s also a 3.0L six cylinder Duramax diesel coming, and that might just prove to be the most efficient engine of the lot.
All of this fuel-saving effort may have been to offset the increased visual mass of the 2019 Silverado – because truck buyers can’t seem to have them big enough. Then again, who buys pickup trucks for the fuel economy?
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I know I'm in the minority, but I definitely shop based on fuel economy, in addition to safety, reliability, durability, etc. I'm disappointed that the new Silverado is larger overall. I would have preferred something sized the same but with more efficiently used space—plus an EREV option. Offer an all-electric El Camino that's able to tow a small/light trailer and I'd be all over it!
So they increased the cross sectional area of the front of the truck? Why? If they pushed so hard for MPG and aero throughout design, then design the entire front end better.
I don't buy this as an excuse. DFM didn't turn out to be the poster child they were initially touting it to be. I honestly think Ram hit the nail on the head, they achieved great MPG on old ass engines and didn't have to use aluminum. Their midcycle refresh could.bring lighter materials and/or more efficient and high capacity eTorque battery. That system can also likely be tweaked for great off the line acceleration whether just planting your foot or towing.
RAM has been and still is using aluminium body panels on the truck. They may not use much right now but they are likely to in the future to keep up with the rest of the market. RAM also likes to use a lot of aluminum in the suspension components to cut weight. http://www.repairerdrivennews.com/2018/01/22/2019-ram-1500-cuts-up-to-nearly-225-lbs-with-high-strength-steel-some-aluminum/
I was hoping they would go the way Ram did and reintroduce the mild hybrid on at least both of their V-8s
I actually really like the styling of this new truck. Although it is extremely polarizing depending on the trim and color. But boy did GM appear to drop the ball on the overall execution of this design.
Insignificant fuel economy increase
Unreasonable limiting of engine options
Interior pretty much stayed the same as the previous generation - and lost features and stowage no less
The ONLY thing that draws me to these new GM trucks vs the previous generation is the looks...nothing else.
Silverado owners will be really happy when they beat these figures by at least two mpg while the others struggle to get their advertised mpg. My dealer has received four new trucks and has sold all four. I was able to talk to owner of one. He loves the truck and is getting more than two mpg over advertised figure. They are beautiful trucks.
My 5.0 F150 averages 14.5 mpg and the best I seem to be able to get on the freeway is 19. Truck has 3.31 rear end. From what I have heard people with the Silverados get low 20s on freeway.
I averaged 24.5mpg HWY over 250miles with a Diablo 87 octane tune and AFM deactivated (so it stays in V8) in my old non-direct injection 2012 5.3 crew cab LTZ with a 2" lift and 275 65 18 duratrac tires
Tune got me about 2mpg
We all know the EPA is nuts when rating certain vehicles. They are off on the 2019 Silverado's too. My 2017 Impala is a perfect example. Rated for only 22/31 and now down to 22/30 for 2018 despite zero changes the 2.5 Lt I have has numerous times beat the highway rating by up to 5.5 MPG going well above the speed limit with the A/C blasting in hot weather. I wouldn't be surprised to see the 5.3 8 speed 2019 trucks seeing as high as 24-25 highway despite being rated for only 22.
gm is notorious for getting good 'real world' mileage compared to the eco/or/boost.
I hate to say it but when the first pictures of the 2019's were released, my first thoughts were "what a big flat front end". From the side there is barley any rake looking down the front bumper. Not blaming anyone but vehicle design is one of the hard things to concept and build where the masses think it is a good looking vehicle. One big problem with marketing is for some reason every new model has to have styling queues that says "Chevy or Silverado". When you look back at hugely popular new vehicles, and Ford hit on this alot, they never looked like a Ford or a vehicle before it. Start with the Mustang, then the 1985 Taurus, the Chrysler minivans and many others. For the last 30 years the Silverado and Chevrolet cars still have the damn 2x4 across the grill. Why?
When GM went from the GMT800 to the GM900 chassis, they really jacked up the height to give it a bigger look but not a bigger truck. I have a 2012 SIlverado 2x4 with 20" wheels and I'm 6'2". It's a stretch to climb up in the truck. Too get more MPG probably lowering it 2 inches with a front air dam could help.
I hope GM has all of the bugs worked out from the new DFM.
Heads need to roll after a fiasco like this and the worst part is that they knew that despite being 450 lbs lighter, a better engine and transmission wasn't going to mean anything before the first prototype was built; still the design leader of the project decided to let the Silverado go into production despite the shortcomings.
Since they have launched these new models , am looking for there curb weights and i don't see any differences compare to the previous models , after looking actually, i hope they didn't become heavier ?!
so despite the advertisement they are saying
dose anybody has a prove of that they become lighter trucks ?