When GM introduced its all-new pickup trucks last year, two rather unique features were made available only for the GMC Sierra, and not the Chevrolet Silverado. Those features are the ever-flexible MultiPro tailgate and the highly-durable CarbonPro carbon-composite box. Official communication from the automaker has stated that both features were to remain exclusives on the GMC, but new spy shots of a 2020 Silverado HD are calling that notion into question.
Our spy has captured a lightly-camouflaged prototype of Chevy’s 2020 Silverado HD prototype with a curious element – a rather unique camouflage attachment/cover over its tailgate, which seems to hint that the Silverado might be getting a version of the MultiPro tailgate. It’s worth noting that we previously saw this kind of camouflage show up on a 2019 GMC Sierra prototype just before the brand revealed the vehicle and the multi-function MultiPro tailgate. The vinyl pad is draped over the tailgate with attachment points under the gate, allowing engineers to quickly remove it to allow access to the multifunction portion.
A closer look at the shots seems to show that the 2020 Silverado HD prototype is fitted with GMC’s MultiPro tailgate, including GMC’s specific styling and detailing elements. In fact, the protrusion that incorporates the MultiPro’s Easy Access drop-down gate feature appears to be hiding behind the cladding.
What’s more, GMC-specific surface development at the bottom of the tailgate also appears to be present in the 2020 Silverado HD prototype. All units of the 2020 Silverado HD that Chevy has shown off thus far feature a clean, horizontal cut-line on the bottom portion of the tailgate, the Sierra HD has a slim upward cutout in the center third of the tailgate. That GMC-specific cut-out is visible under the graphic wrap on the tailgate of this Silverado HD prototype.
These spy shots seem to suggest that GMC’s exclusive use of the MultiPro tailgate might not last all that much longer, and that the new Silverado could soon gain access to the feature in the near future – potentially for the 2020 model year. It will be interesting if the same will come to pass with the CarbonPro carbon composite box.
If both elements do end up making their way to the 2020 Silverado, then we would expect Chevy to have its own name for them. After all, the Pro moniker is a GMC branding terminology.
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The tailgate and the heavy duty carbon bed should have been on the Chevy since day 1. This will be an entire years worth of potential up sales to Chevrolet customers lost. Lost revenue for dealers, lost revenue for GM... Just stupid. The same can be said for over a decade's worth of Denali type trims.
A pre-punched hole in the tailgate for hitch clearance should also come standard.
You people who say the " dent or hole" thing.
You do know you can use it just like the tailgate in all the other trucks in the world with your hitch in !!!
You don't have to drop the center !
And if GM gets with new tech, a quick program change with over the air update and maybe they can just prevent the #2 button press and not allow the middle to drop when the camera sees a hitch installed.
Maybe Alex knows if this is coming ?
But then you lose the functionality of the tailgate step. Whereas with Ford's tailgate step, it doesn't require removing your hitch everytime you want to use it. I'm going to guess 95% or more of customers will never use it after the fun phase wears off. So why have it?
Have you used it yet.
I will bet you I can get my hitch out faster than you can get your Ford step out.
Neither one can be used with a trailer on, but I can still use my corner step in the bumper.
And with the new front box step, that will work also.
I also will use it daily moving heavy stuff into the box, rather than bending over the full tailgate.
Where as the Ford, there is no way to accomplish this.
So you think a removable hitch, that MOST people I know, take out when not towing a trailer, is the main downfall to this?
Everyone I know of and the vast majority of trucks I see going down the road keeps their hitch right where it belongs. In the receiver. Plus, it offers protection when that VW Jetta rear ends you and gets a nice hole punched in its radiator (you know, to match your tailgate) and you walk away unscathed.
Well I thought may be rmkilc is right.
Ill have to pay more attention !!!!
So this morning the first 2.5 hours where I live town of 15,000 people.
Higher than average truck ownership.
Although you are correct more people than I thought keep there hitch installed.
The vast majority have them OUT!!!
In fact in my small survey there was just about as many thingies in the receiver as were hitches, You know sports team crap, hunting crap, vehicle brand crap !!
But I will continue my survey and for sure keep you up to date.
In Canada its against the law to have hitch installed when not towing.
Maybe the ones without a hitch in the receiver do not even use to pull a trailer or even own a trailer etc??
Denali models are the exact feature rich vehicles that do need this tailgate.
It's very fortunate that GM shot for the moon and surpassed Ford's step with 'plug' grab handle, and beat Rams new barn door style swing gate.
But I do agree with you for most people. For me the perfect combo is a standard dampened tailgate with electric lock, combined with GM corner step bumper
GMC is nothing more than expensive Chevrolet derivate. The same technology and the same ugly interior.
I can remember back when GMC had their own pickup.
GMC has been making trucks long before Chevrolet. So who is derivative of who exactly?
As for the gate everyone will get it Chevy and even the mid size trucks at some point.
The tailgate and bed will be on all GM trucks at some point. Even the mid size trucks in the future.
GMC gets it first since they spent the development cost on it and they offer a higher price point that offers a better starting point at introduction.
Like anti lock brakes first showed up on Cadillacs first then end up on a Sonic.
Who cares about the rear....you don't drive in reverse.....but it would look alot better.....no idea why Chev/gm adopted a look Ford used a decade ago and it looked fukn hideous then!!!!!
Well done..... incredibly stupid front end design, I love gm, but would have to drive then new hd with a bag over my head.
I hate to say it but I agree with this. I love Chevy but that front end is worse than any Ford. IMO their best front end so far is the '17 Silverado, followed by the 19 and the 03-06 design. This new one is by far the ugliest I've ever seen.
Iam a Silverado man but I don't think this truck is going to get them out of third place in the HD market i cant believe that we are in third place in light duty but hopefully this may be a wake up call to Gm to want to be in first an not last an to put customers over profit
Third place when only 30% of the truck is on sale.
Gm there quality is just gone to a low especially now that there gona move to China forget them throw there trucks in the trash
A brand new prototype and all that's new thats of importance is the multipro tailgate?? That goes tp show how insignificant/irrelevant the new GM trucks are.... Sad....
Interior and front end needs more changes than rear tailgate. GM try harder.