Cars - Chevrolet Silverado

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	Cars - Chevrolet Silverado

The Chevrolet Silverado from Chevrolet and its GMC counterpart, the GMC Sierra, are the latest line of full-size pickup trucks from General Motors.

As of 2006, the Silverado pickup is the second-best selling vehicle in the United States, behind the Ford F-150 pickup truck.

History

Although General Motors introduced its first pickup truck in 1930, the term "Silverado" was a designation only used to detail the higher-level trim for the Chevrolet "C/K" pickup trucks from 1975 through 1999. Similarly, GMC's line of "C/K" used the "Sierra" as the higher-level trim designation on its vehicles up until 1988. In 1988, GMC decided to use "Sierra" on all GMC pickup trucks, though the "C/K" nomenclature was continued through 1999. "C" trucks had 2WD while "K" models had 4WD. Both Chevrolet and GMC dropped the "C" and "K" designations in 1999.

The Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks have been essentially the same for their entire history. The GMC line today is generally advertised as "tougher" versions, and there are some trim and option variations as well. Early models included variations in the engine and equipment, but the present differences are slight. The 1999 redesign included different grilles and interior trim, and certain features (e.g. Quadrasteer) were included at different times on the two trucks.

First generation

The Silverado/Sierra 1500 (half-ton light-duty pickup trucks) were released in 1998 as 1999 models. The "classic" light-duty C/K trucks were continued in production for that first year alongside the new models, and the Heavy-Duty pickups were continued through 2000, with the new Silverado/Sierra HD (Heavy Duty) introduced in 2001.

Light duty

There are a number of models of light-duty Silverados and Sierras, including the half-ton, SS, and Hybrid.

The light-duty trucks generally use the 1500 name, can tow up to 10400 lb (4717 kg) and can carry 2052 lb (931 kg) in their beds. They are available in three cab lengths, 2-door short cab, 3- or 4-door extended cab, and front-hinged 4-door crew cab. Three cargo beds are available, 69.2 in (1758 mm) short box, 78.7 in (1999 mm) standard box, and 97.6 in (2479 mm) long box. The short box is only available with the extended or crew cab, and is the only option on the latter.

For the first year, only regular cab and 3-door extended cab were available, along with the Vortec 4300 V6 (regular cab only), Vortec 4800 V8, and Vortec 5300 V8. A 4-door extended cab was added for 2000, and output on the 5.3 L engine increased to 285 hp (213 kW) and 325 ft·lbf (441 N·m).

The 6.0 L Vortec 6000 V8 was added for the 2001 Heavy Duty models at 300 hp (224 kW), with the GMC Sierra 1500 C3 getting an uprated a 325 hp (242 kW) version of this engine. The Silverado Z71 got an optional lighter composite box but lacked the high-output engine. The C3 became the Denali
for 2002, and Quadrasteer was added.

Chevrolet finally got a high-output engine in 2003 with their SS model, which used the 345 hp (257 kW) HO 6000 V8 from the Cadillac Escalade. The interior was redesigned for 2003 as well with a new instrument cluster, console, and bucket seats. The crew cab model, with four front-hinged doors and the short box, was added for 2004. The crew cab got the Denali treatment the next year.

The Hybrid model was the major adition in 2005. The short bed was optional on the extended cab for 2006, as the VortecMAX engine was added as an option on all extended and crew cab models. A Performance Edition added many of the HD model's upgrades to the standard models, including the upgraded transmission, trailering equipment, and oil cooler.

The light-duty ¾-ton 2500 model was produced from 1999 through 2004 and offered only the 6.0 L Vortec 6000 V8 with 300 hp (224 kW).

Models

GMC Sierra C3/Denali

GMC created an upscale version of its Sierra 1500 in 2001 called the Sierra C3. It was all wheel drive and included the 6.0 L Vortec 6000 V8 with 325 hp (242 kW) and other upscale equipment. For 2002, the name was changed to Sierra Denali, but the specification remained the same. The Denali received the 345 hp (257 kW) VortecMAX engine, previously used in the Silverado SS, in 2005.

The Denali is rated for towing 8100 lb (3674 kg) and hauling 1575 lb (714 kg) in the cargo box.

Chevrolet Silverado SS

Launched in 2003, the Silverado SS is a high-performance all-wheel drive truck. It uses the 6.0 L Vortec High-Output V8 with 345 hp (257 kW) at 5200 rpm and 380 ftˑlbf (515 Nˑm) of torque at 4000 rpm. This engine was used previously for the Cadillac Escalade exclusively. Chevrolet and GMC advertize this engine as the "VortecMAX", while Cadillac calls it the HO 6000. The Silverado SS also comes with the Z60 performance suspension and 20 in (508 mm) chrome wheels.

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