2006 CHEVY SILVERADO: EXPANDED PERFORMANCE AND VERSATILITY

Chevrolet Silverado is GM's best-selling vehicle and has earned its reputation for top-notch performance, dependability and capability. Silverado also is known for having one of the broadest model ranges in the industry, with a diverse array of body styles and powertrains that combine to create the vehicles to meet every full-size pickup customer's needs, whether professional or personal.

The Silverado lineup's diversity and performance capability expands in the 2006 model year, with new models and revised powertrain offerings, including nationwide availability of the Silverado 1500 Hybrid. Here's a look at all that's new:

New front-end appearance for 1500/1500HD/2500HD models:

All 2006 Silverado 1500, 1500HD and 2500HD models have a new front-end appearance, with a revised grille design and a new, power dome hood. A prominent gold bowtie is centered on a new, dual-port grille design, while the power dome hood – a design borrowed from Silverado 3500 models – conveys strength. The new front end has a refined look, with a body-color bumper top cap, while the power dome hood gives all Silverado models a strong, cohesive appearance.

VortecMAX Performance Package:

Designed to enhance the towing capability of 4WD models of the Silverado 1500 extended cab/regular-length box and Silverado 1500 Crew Cab, the new VortecMax Performance Pack includes a high-output Vortec 6000 engine rated at 345 horsepower (257 kw) and 380 lb.-ft. of torque (515 Nm), a heavy-duty trailering package and a new 9.5-inch rear axle.

The high-output 6.0L engine and heavy-duty 9.5-inch axle help give Silverado best-in-class towing capability. The VortecMAX Performance Package also includes a locking rear differential, special exterior badging and a unique engine cover.

The VortecMAX Performance Package is available on all 1500, 1500HD and 2500HD cabs, with either 2WD or 4WD. It is available on vehicles with mid- and uplevel trim.

Silverado 1500 Extended Cab/Short Box models:

Silverado 1500 is now available with a new extended cab/short box configuration. Available with 2WD or 4WD, the extended cab design is matched with a 5-foot 8-inch box – the same as Crew Cab models – giving customers three bed choices: short, standard (6-foot 6-inches) and long (8-foot).

Silverado extended cab/short box models come with LT trim and the Vortec 5300 V-8 (LM7), which is rated at 295 horsepower (220 kw) and 335 lb.-ft. of torque (463 Nm). Two-wheel drive models have a GVWR of 6200 pounds (2812 kg); the 4WD model has a 6400-pound (2903 kg) GVWR.

New diesel engine:

An all-new version of the Duramax 6600 turbo-diesel V-8 engine will debut in the interim 2006 model year as an option on Silverado Heavy Duty models. When mated to an all-new Allison 1000 six-speed automatic transmission, the new powerplant will deliver more horsepower – 360 hp (268 kw) at 3200 rpm – and increased torque, at 650 lb.-ft. (881 Nm). The power increase comes with lower emissions and significantly improved quietness and smoothness.

The Duramax 6600's horsepower and torque increase and emissions reduction are enabled by a strengthened iron cylinder block and a lower compression ratio. The lower compression reduces stress on the engine by reducing the peak cylinder firing pressure. This, in turn, allows more fuel to be burned – more fuel means more power – while the lower compression helps reduce NOx emissions. Lower compression also helps reduce noise and vibration, making the 6600 a quieter and smoother engine.

A revised variable-geometry turbocharger also enhances the driving experience of the Duramax 6600. Aerodynamic changes to the turbo's impellers help tailor controlled application of turbo power for seamless and immediate response at full throttle. The turbo, which spins at up to 120,000 rpm, is high-speed-balanced, reducing vibration and resonance – and contributing to the engine's overall smoothness and refinement. The revised turbo also helps reduce emissions, while maximum boost remains at 20 psi.

Another new feature of the Duramax 6600's turbo system is the capability of the variable-geometry turbocharger to provide exhaust braking. This function is available on some medium duty truck models and can replace add-on exhaust brake hardware. With the new system, braking is controlled by a signal from the engine controller and can be activated by the driver.

The comprehensive list of changes and upgrades to the 2006 Duramax 6600 includes:

- Cylinder block casting and machining changes strengthen the bottom of the cylinder bores to support increased horsepower and torque

- Upgraded main bearing material increases durability

- Revised piston design helps lower compression ratio to 16.8:1 from 17.5:1

- Piston pin bore diameter increased to for increased strength

- Connecting rod 'I' section is thicker for increased strength

- Cylinder heads revised to accommodate lower compression and reduced cylinder firing pressure

- Maximum injection pressure increased from 23,000 psi to almost 26,000 psi

- Fuel delivered via higher-pressure pump, fuel rails, distribution lines and all-new, seven-hole fuel injectors

- Fuel injectors spray directly onto glow plugs, providing faster, better-quality starts and more complete cold-start combustion for reduced emissions

- Improved glow plugs heat up faster through an independent controller

- Revised variable-geometry turbocharger is aerodynamically more efficient to help deliver smooth and immediate response and lower emissions

- Air induction system re-tuned to enhance quietness

- EGR has larger cooler to bring more air into the system

- First application of new, 32-bit E35 controller, which adjusts and compensates for the fuel flow to bolster efficiency and reduce emissions

- The Duramax 6600 also has a new intake air heater to reduce smoke and emissions during cold or light-load driving. The system features a 600-watt grid heater located in the air intake duct, which is triggered automatically by the engine controller. It heats up the incoming air to speed warm-up of the engine.

Silverado SS 2WD:

Introduced interim 2005, the Silverado SS is now available in a two-wheel drive configuration. The new model has an 8,100-pound (3,674 kg) towing capacity and broadens SS performance choices by offering customers traditional rear-wheel drive performance at a great value.

The Silverado SS is based on the 1500 Series Extended Cab with a short bed. It is powered by a high-output version of GM's Vortec 6000 V-8, which pumps out 345 horsepower (257 kw) and 380 lb.-ft. (515 Nm) of torque. The engine is connected to a Hydra-Matic 4L85-E four-speed automatic overdrive transmission equipped with a 3.06 first gear and 0.70 final gear, which transfers power to a 4.10-geared locking rear axle for rapid acceleration and relaxed highway cruising.

Allison six-speed automatic transmission:

The Allison 1000 transmission grows from a five-speed automatic to a first-in-class six-speed automatic. It's available for 2006 Silverado HD models equipped with the Duramax 6600 6.6L V-8 diesel or Vortec 8100 8.1L V-8. The transmission features a class-first range selection function, as well offering enhanced fuel economy, quietness and control. The range selection function allows the driver to easily select the desired gears to match driving conditions, such as towing a trailer on a steep grade.

The sixth gear – essentially a second overdrive gear – enables a wide, 5.08:1 overall forward gear ratio and allows the vehicle's engine to operate at lower rpm, particularly during higher-speed driving on highways and freeways. Its 0.61 ratio provides a 1550-rpm engine speed at 60 mph, compared with the five-speed transmission's 1800-rpm engine speed at 60 mph. The engine uses less fuel at lower rpm, enabling increased fuel mileage and range. The ratios of gears 1 through 5 remain the same as the Allison 1000 five-speed, including the 0.75:1 fifth gear.

A tow/haul mode is retained on the Allison 1000 six-speed, but it is complemented by a new range selection feature that allows the driver to select the desired gears via a thumb-activated switch on the shifter. This provides a feeling of enhanced control in unique driving situations, such as towing on a steep grade. The range selection feature holds the gear pre-selected by the driver and electronic safeguards prevent the transmission from being shifted in a manner that could cause engine damage or loss of vehicle control.

Diesel-engine vehicles equipped with the Allison 1000 six-speed feature cruise control grade braking. Working in harmony with the tow/haul mode, the cruise grade braking system will automatically downshift to help maintain the pre-selected cruise speed when driving on downhill grades. A new low-traction mode also is standard on vehicles equipped with the diesel engine. When the driver selects second gear while stopped and wheel slip occurs, the transmission torque-manages the engine to limit tire slip on slippery road surfaces.

Silverado Hybrid models available nationwide:

Previously available in select markets, Silverado 1500 Hybrid is available nationally in the 2006 model year. Silverado 1500 Hybrid promises up to 10 percent fuel economy improvement through its ability to automatically stop and restart the engine under different operating circumstances. Instead of a conventional starter motor and alternator, Hybrid pickups use a compact 14-kw electric induction motor or starter generator integrated in a patented, space-efficient manner between the engine and transmission. The starter generator provides fast, quiet starting power and allows automatic engine stops/starts to conserve fuel. It also smoothes out any driveline surges; generates electrical current to charge the batteries and run auxiliary power outlets; and provides coast-down regenerative braking, as an aid to fuel economy.

The standard Vortec 5300 V-8 engine delivers 295 horsepower (220 kw) and 335 lb.-ft. (463 Nm) of torque – the same as its non-hybrid counterpart – along with the capability of acting as a mobile power-generating station, including four 120-volt/20-amp electrical auxiliary power outlets (APO). The power outlets are located under the rear seat of the cab and in the pickup bed. Customers can conveniently operate power equipment without taking up the bed space typical portable generators would use.

Additional changes for '06:

All '06 Silverado models equipped with OnStar and XM Satellite Radio have a new, single-unit antenna that eliminates the need for two separate antennas. Also, the available OnStar Plus Package now includes OnStar, XM Satellite Radio and steering wheel-mounted radio controls.

A redesigned camper mirror is available. This new, vertical mirror has a larger glass area and manually extends outward to provide a greater view when towing a trailer or camper. It includes heated, power-adjustable flat glass and integrated turn signals. A convex 'spotter mirror' glass also has been added to the mirror. The vertical design and new spotter mirror section answer customer requests for such a configuration.

Blue Granite Metallic and Graystone Metallic have been added to choices of exterior colors, replacing Dark Gray Metallic.

Silverado selection

Within the light duty lineup, Silverado can be ordered in an almost unlimited number of configurations: Regular, Extended or Crew Cab body styles; standard 6.5-foot (2 m) or extended 8-foot (2.4 m) cargo boxes, along with the new 5-foot 8-inch short box; 1500 half-ton or 2500 three-quarter-ton models; and either 2WD or 4WD systems.

An impressive array of Vortec engines is offered: a 4300 4.3 L V-6; 4800 4.8L V-8; two models of the Vortec 5300 5.3L V-8; and the powerful Vortec 6000 6.0L V-8. Engine output ranges from 195 hp (145 kw) all the way up to 345 hp (257 kw).

In addition to the new hybrid version, Silverado can be ordered in several reduced-emissions or alternative-fuel variations. All Silverados with the Vortec 4300 4.3L V-6, and those sold in California with the Vortec 4800 4.8L or Vortec 5300 5.3L V-8, have a robust catalytic converter system that meets Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) standards. Models equipped with the Vortec 6000 6.0L V-8 come with a dedicated compressed natural gas (CNG) or bi-fuel system that can run on CNG or gasoline.

Light duty Silverado models with the Vortec 5300 5.3L V-8 offer an option that enables owners to operate them on varying blends of ethanol and gasoline, up to a maximum of 85 percent ethanol.

Silverado can be equipped to meet any personal requirement or professional demand when it comes to hauling or towing. Payload capacities range from 1,295 pounds (587 kg) all the way to 4,047 pounds (1,836 kg) for 2500 heavy duty models. Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings range from 6,100 pounds (2,767 kg) to 10,100 pounds (4,173 kg) on the 1500 Extended Cab with standard-length box and 4WD.

Silverado safety

All Silverado models are equipped with GM's Passenger Sensing System, which uses the latest sensing technology to turn the front passenger air bag on or off. If the sensor system detects an unoccupied front passenger seat or the presence of a smaller occupant, the front passenger air bag is designed to automatically turn off so it would not deploy in the event of a frontal collision. A status indicator on the instrument panel alerts occupants that the passenger air bag is on or off. Even with this system, GM strongly recommends restraining child passengers in an appropriate child seat placed in the second or third row of the vehicle. Never install a rear-facing infant seat in front of an active air bag. GM also recommends that all children 12 and under ride in the rear seat when possible.

The Silverado also has dual-stage frontal air bags (not available on 1500HD Crew Cab and 2500HD and 3500 Series models) for supplemental protection for front seat passengers. Dual-stage frontal air bags are designed to help reduce the risk of air bag-induced injury. When the air bag system's control unit detects an impact, it determines whether the crash is severe enough to trigger a deployment, and whether the primary amount of inflation is sufficient. The primary stage alone will deploy in most frontal impacts requiring the supplemental protection of an air bag, while a secondary stage is designed to deploy in more severe frontal collisions.

GM's OnStar safety and security system is standard on LT and available on LS light duty models. In the heavy-duty range, OnStar is standard on Silverado LT Extended Cab and Crew Cab models, and available on 2500 HD and 3500 models. OnStar-equipped Silverados feature OnStar dual-mode (analog-digital) equipment. OnStar's digital equipment also includes enhanced hands-free voice recognition capabilities including more intuitive continuous digit dialing and improved voice recognition accuracy. OnStar is the leading provider of in-vehicle safety, security and information services in the United States and Canada . Using the GPS satellite network and wireless technology, OnStar features core safety services and OnStar Hands-Free Calling that allows drivers to make and receive voice-activated phone calls using an externally mounted antenna for greater reception.

Additional safety and security systems include electronic traction control on 2WD Silverados to enhance handling and response on models equipped with a V-8 engine, automatic transmission and locking rear differential. All models come standard with PASSLock II theft deterrent system, and a driver information center that monitors and reports on up to 34 vehicle system functions.

Air conditioning, chrome front bumpers, tinted glass, power steering with tilt-adjustable column, a full-size spare tire and heavy-duty battery also are standard on all Silverado models.

Silverado entertainment

Impressive entertainment systems – from available Bose sound systems to a Panasonic DVD passenger entertainment system – add to Silverado's comforts. These systems (except the base fleet radio) feature the next-generation Radio Data System, and can interface with services such as the optional XM Satellite Radio. On Crew Cab models, available rear-seat audio controls allow second-row passengers to enjoy a separate audio source from front-seat occupants.

Z71 Off-Road Package

The Silverado Z71 Off-Road Package is available on half-ton 4WD models with LT trim. The Z71 package includes 46-mm gas-charged shock absorbers, off-road jounce bumpers, specific stabilizer bars, a skid-plate package, a high-capacity air cleaner and distinctive Z71 decals for the pickup box.

Silverado Z71 can be equipped with features such as cruise control, rear defogger, power door locks, remote keyless entry, rearview mirror, AM/FM stereo with CD and cassette player, leather-wrapped steering wheel, power windows, fog lamps, color-keyed grille and deep-tinted glass.

Silverado Heavy Duty power

Chevy Silverado Heavy Duty pickups comprise the segment's most diverse lineup of workhorse pickups, with a wide selection of weight ratings, body styles and powertrain combinations including diesel and compressed natural gas (CNG) models. At the top of the gasoline engine range is the available Vortec 8100 8.1L V-8, rated at 330 hp (246 kw) and 450 lb.-ft. (610 Nm) of torque. The available Duramax Diesel engine is enhanced for '06 for improved performance, smoothness and quiet.

Up to 14 Silverado HD models can run on dedicated (CNG) or bi-fuel systems, the latter which operates on either CNG or gasoline when equipped with a Vortec 6000 6.0L V-8 with hardened valves and seats to withstand CNG's lack of lubricity and cooling. Special versions with reduced gross vehicle weight ratings (8,500 pounds or 3,825 kg) enable customers to meet fleet requirements in 'non-attainment' areas, while GVWR ratings of up to 9,200 pounds (4,173 kg) are available.

With impressive power, tough frames, advanced suspensions and high-capacity brakes, the 2500HD/3500 Series provides outstanding payload capacities as well as outstanding hauling and towing capabilities. The three-quarter-ton models have a GVWR as much as 9,200 pounds (4,173 kg), and payloads up to 3,964 pounds (1,798 kg). The one-ton pickup models have a GVWR up to 11,400 pounds (5,171 kg) and payloads up to 5,753 pounds (2,610 kg).

For chassis cab models, Silverado HD has an 11,400-pound (5,171-kg) GVWR for 2WD versions and a 12,000-pound (5,443 kg) GVWR when equipped with 4WD. Chassis cabs provide payloads up to 6,089 pounds (2,762 kg).

by GM Media

by Chevrolet

Chevrolet Trucks: Building America for 95 years

It started with a simple idea – a few car chassis fitted with hand-built beds to help carry materials around a booming car factory. Before long, millions of Chevrolet pickups were woven into the fabric of a fast-growing country. Chevy trucks tackled the toughest jobs on farms and in the fields, hauled tools and lumber to the burgeoning suburbs and carried families and friends into the wilds for well-earned vacations.

'The legacy that Chevrolet trucks have built over the last 95 years is important to protect,' said Don Johnson, Chevrolet vice president of Sales and Service. 'The best way for us to do that is by delivering the capability and technology our customers have grown to expect, in both our current trucks and in our next generation of full-size pickups.'

Here are some Chevy truck highlights:

1918 Chevrolet Four-Ninety Half-Ton Light Delivery 'Cowl Chassis'

Although there are indications that some Four-Ninety based trucks were built for internal use in 1916, and that a few even earlier chassis may have been converted to ambulances and sent to France in 1914, the first customer chassis appears to have been built in Flint, Mich., on Nov. 22, 1916, and shipped from the factory on Dec. 2 that year.

Two four-cylinder models marked Chevrolet's formal entry into the truck market for the 1918 model year. Both were cowl chassis units that came from the factory with only frontal sheet metal. It was customary at the time for buyers to obtain a wooden cab and cargo box or panel van body to suit their purposes.

Priced at $595, the half-ton Light Delivery cowl chassis was essentially a bodyless Chevrolet Four Ninety car equipped with stronger rear springs. Mounted with a pickup box or panel body, it provided an agile and economical light-delivery truck for small businesses popping up across America in the boom following the First World War.

The second model, a 1-ton capacity 1918 Chevrolet 'Model T' (presumably for 'Truck') cost $1,125 without a body. It was based on the FA-series car, and was built on a truck frame that was longer and stronger than the half-ton model. A 37-horsepower engine gave the larger truck the power to haul heavier loads at a governor-limited top speed of 25 mph.

1930 Chevrolet Pickup

The simple cowl chassis models were replaced in the 1930s by factory-built pickups, which initially came with roadster and closed bodies. Chevrolet bought the Martin-Parry body company in 1930 and quickly began selling steel-body half-ton pickups complete with a factory-installed bed.

At the heart of these new pickups was a new Chevy inline six-cylinder engine, which soon earned names like 'Cast Iron Wonder' and 'Stovebolt' for its rugged design. First produced in late 1928, the new engine had a modern overhead-valve design. Inline six-cylinder engines became a mainstay in Chevrolet cars and trucks for decades to come.

By the mid-1930s, half-ton pickups with factory-installed steel boxes had become the lifeblood of the truck market, with brands like Mack, Studebaker, Reo, and International competing with Chevy, GMC, Ford and Dodge.

1937 Chevrolet Half-Ton Pickup

In the mid-1930s, as the U.S. economy began to recover from the Great Depression, Chevrolet pushed for leadership in a reviving truck market with what were designed to be some of the strongest, most innovative models produced to that point.

For 1937, Chevrolet introduced new trucks with streamlined styling that many still consider the best designs of the era. The '37 also featured a sturdier body and a larger and more powerful 78-horsepower engine, among other improvements.

A 1937 Chevrolet half-ton pickup was sent on a 10,245-mile drive around the United States that was monitored by the American Automobile Association (AAA). Carrying a 1,060 lb. load, the truck averaged 20.74 miles per gallon.

1947 Chevrolet Advance-Design Half-Ton Pickup

In early 1947, Chevrolet introduced its Advance-Design trucks, the first completely redesigned GM vehicles to appear following World War II. Owners of earlier pickup models had asked for a roomier, more comfortable cab with improved visibility and a wider pickup box. They got all of that and more.

Designers sought to make the truck's styling clean, brisk and attractive. Headlamps were now set wide apart in the front fenders and five horizontal bars made up the grille. The design was produced with few major changes from 1947 through 1953, and was then continued with a new frontal appearance into early 1955.

During the Advance-Design trucks' run, there was a measurable shift among Chevrolet customers to trucks. Prior to World War II, the production ratio of the brand's cars to trucks had been about 4:1. By 1950 – the year Chevrolet became the first brand to sell more than 2 million vehicles in a single year – the ratio of cars to trucks was closer to 2.5:1.

1955 Chevrolet Task Force Pickup

By the mid-1950s, the post-World-War II boom was under way, and customers were looking for style and performance even in pickup trucks. In mid-1955, Chevrolet introduced the all-new Task Force trucks, which shared design language with the 1955 Bel Air, and also offered the new small-block Chevy V8 as an option.

Also new to the 1955 truck line was the Cameo Carrier, a high-styled gentleman's pickup more at home in a trendy suburban California bungalow driveway than on a farm or in a factory yard. The Cameo Carrier was only produced through 1958, but it set the stage for new generations of well-equipped personal use pickups, including the El Camino, Avalanche, and Silverado crew cab.

A major engineering advance with tremendous future implications was announced for 1957, when a factory-installed 4-wheel-drive system became available for the first time on select models.

Chevrolet continued to offer the Task Force trucks with annual updates through 1959. During 1958, a new slab-sided Fleetside box option provided an alternative to Chevrolet's traditional step-side pickup box.

1959 Chevrolet El Camino

The original El Camino introduced for 1959 combined the dramatically finned styling of that period's Chevrolet cars with half-ton pickup utility. But the excitement was short-lived. After 1960, the El Camino went on a three-year hiatus.

Chevrolet revived the El Camino 'personal pickup' concept for 1964, with a new version based on that year's new mid-size Chevrolet Chevelle. During the 'muscle car' era that followed, El Camino buyers could order their truck with a Chevrolet high-performance big-block V-8 powertrain, creating a sport pickup that could 'haul' in more ways than one. By 1968, a complete Super Sport package was available.

The Chevelle El Camino enjoyed a devoted following and was produced through two more styling generations (1968-1972 and 1973-1977). For 1978, the El Camino was successfully transitioned to that year's new, smaller Malibu platform. The final El Caminos were 1987 models.

1961 Corvair Pickup

Although there had been a number of small pickups prior to the 1960s, the compact car boom that kicked off the decade brought with it a new crop of forward control trucks, including the Corvair 95. With its unitized body structure and rear-mounted engine, the 95 offered a lot of cargo space in a compact maneuverable package. The Rampside model offered a side gate on the right side of the vehicle, which allowed easy access to the low load floor at the front of the bed. Although clever in design, the Corvair 95 never caught on in the showroom, and in the final model year of 1964, only 851 were sold.

1967 Chevrolet C-10 with Custom Sport Truck Package

It took only one glance at any of the 35 Chevrolet C/K models for 1967 to see that Chevy trucks had a new look that year. The exterior profile, which would characterize Chevrolet C/K models through 1972, featured a lower-silhouette cab and large, rounded wheel openings. The new chassis had coil springs front and rear.

A new-for-1967 Custom Sport Truck package was a trend-setting option that included deluxe, car-like upgrades inside and out. The package could even be ordered in combination with bucket seats.

By 1967, the Federal Interstate Highway System was giving Americans unprecedented access to the nation's natural wonders and recreational areas. Customers who enjoyed such pursuits appreciated the small-block and big-block V-8 power choices that gave Chevrolet trucks the torque needed to pull trailers up grades, and horsepower to cruise comfortably with a camper at Interstate speeds.

1972 Chevy LUV

In spring of 1972, Chevrolet started selling the LUV pickup on costal markets. Built by GM partner Isuzu, the LUV featured a 75-horsepower four-cylinder engine and four-speed manual transmission. Although the specs were modest, the LUV was a fully functioning pickup, with a ladder-style frame, a six-foot bed, and a payload of 1,100 pounds, plus room for two passengers. Within a few years, soaring gas prices would make compact pickups like the Chevy LUV a major factor in the U.S. truck market, and it wasn't long before Chevrolet started work on a home-grown small truck.

1982 Chevrolet S-10

The Chevrolet S-10 was the first domestically produced compact pickup, larger than the imported Chevy LUV but smaller than the full size C/K model. An 82-horsepower four-cylinder engine was standard, with an available 110-horsepower V6 – the only one in the class. Properly equipped, the S-10 could haul 1,500 pounds, and tow 4,000. The roomy cab and high levels of standard and optional equipment gave the S-10 a broader appeal than that of earlier, bare-bones small trucks, and it quickly became a mainstay of the Chevrolet lineup, appealing to everyone from young customers looking for a first set of wheels to businesses seeking a rugged work truck.

1988 Chevrolet Pickups

Pickup trucks had been slowly migrating from the worksite to the suburbs, and the 1988 Chevrolet C/K pickup accelerated that trend, bringing the aerodynamics, electronics and materials that had revolutionized the automobile over the past decade to the full-size pickup. Extensively tested to make sure it met the high bar for dependability set by previous Chevy pickups, the new truck also featured advanced aerodynamics for improved fuel economy, including a narrower cab for lower drag, flush side glass, and a sleek front end with integrated lamps.

A full range of powertrains was offered, from a 4.3-liter V6 through a 6.2-liter diesel V8. To enhance durability, the trucks featured extensive use of galvanized steel for corrosion resistance, and a full welded frame with a boxed front section for strength and rigidity. Civilized driving characteristics and styling moved full-size pickups closer to being the family vehicles they are today.

1999 Chevrolet Silverado

Chevrolet's all-new 1999 full-size pickups were the first to carry the Silverado nameplate. The new trucks resulted from the most intensive development program yet undertaken by General Motors and they arrived just in time for a boom in truck sales. The styling of the new Silverado pickups built on the purposeful design that characterized the preceding C/K pickups. Interiors had all the comfort and convenience features personal-use customers were starting to expect. Power came from a new generation of V8 engines.

2004 Silverado 1500 Crew Cab

The 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche pioneered the idea of a light-duty pickup that could comfortably accommodate the family, and the 2004 Silverado took this idea and ran with it. In less than eight years, light-duty crew cabs would dominate the full-size pickup market, accounting for more than two-thirds of all sales, and transforming pickups into a true multi-purpose vehicle for both work and family. Available creature comforts included dual-zone climate control, Bose sound systems, a rear-seat DVD player, OnStar and XM radio. Even with the creature comforts, Silverado maintained the Chevy truck capability.

2007 Silverado

The all-new 2007 Silverado provided significant improvements in performance and fuel economy, while strengthening the capability and dependability Chevy pickups were known for. It featured a new fully boxed frame, coil-over-shock front suspension, and rack-and-pinion steering for improved ride and handling, while new Gen IV small-block 5.3L and 6.0L V-8 engines could deactivate four of the eight cylinders when not needed to save fuel. Safety advances included StabiliTrak electronic stability control and head-curtain side airbags for enhanced occupant protection.

2013 Chevrolet Colorado

Just as full-size pickups have become the lifeblood of the American economy, midsize pickups are important vehicles for businesses and families in many countries outside the United States. Chevrolet's new global mid-size Colorado pickup is designed to help expand the Chevrolet brand into many of the world's fastest-growing markets.

Developed under the direction of a truck-savvy team from GM do Brasil, the inaugural version of the global Colorado was launched in Thailand, the world's largest market for midsize pickups, in November, 2011. Over the next several years, Colorado will be introduced into many global markets, including the United States, where it will offer a more fuel efficient alternative for customers who don't need all of the capability of a full-size pickup.

by GM

by Chevrolet

2006 Chevrolet Silverado

2006 CHEVY SILVERADO: EXPANDED PERFORMANCE AND VERSATILITY

Chevrolet Trucks: Building America for 95 years

NEW SIERRA MARKS 111 YEARS OF GMC PICKUP HERITAGE PHOTO HISTORY SHOWS EVOLUTION OF TRUCK DESIGN THROUGH 12 DECADES