Car History: Chevrolet Silverado
The Silverado was dubbed in 1975 as the flagship trim of the Chevrolet C/K truck line. It is a series of full-size, heavy-duty pickup trucks produced by General Motors under the Chevrolet brand. In Chevrolet Silverado’s history, millions of its units have been sold, making it a popular option among truck owners.
Let’s uncover the models and their features released in all four generations of Chevrolet Silverado.
Chevrolet Silverado Generations
The Silverado and its GM siblings, like the GMC Sierra, naturally have many mechanical similarities, but they continue to differ significantly in terms of styling. Here we will discover how Chevrolet Silverado generations evolved over the years into the iconic model it is today.
First Generation Chevrolet Silverado (1999 – 2007)
The first generation Chevrolet Silverado was manufactured on the GMT800 platform and was released in 1998 as the 1999 model year. In the history of the Chevrolet Silverado, the ‘classic’ body style of the Silverado refers to the first generation. The old Chevrolet Silverado featured a 5.3-litre, V8 engine capable of delivering 270 horsepower and 434 Nm of torque.
Three different cab styles; a two-door standard cab, a four-door crew and an extended cab, as well as three different bed lengths, were offered in the first generation. However, during the first model year, there were just two options: a normal cab and a three-door extended cab. Throughout the first generation, Chevrolet gave the Silverado a few facelifts, including changes to its exterior appearance in 2003 and 2006.
A Vortec 4300 V6 and V8, and a Vortec 5300 V8 were the three engine choices only for the first-year Chevrolet Silverado. All available engines had sufficient power for hauling and off-roading.
Second Generation Chevrolet Silverado (2007 – 2014)
A redesigned interior, exterior, and engine were introduced with the second-generation Chevrolet Silverado. Overall, the second generation had better construction and was more powerful, hence named the ‘New Body Style’. It was manufactured on the GMT900 platform and was released in 2006 for the 2007 model year. The second-generation Chevrolet Silverado was in production until 2014.
The Silverado’s aerodynamics and toughness were both increased by the revised suspension and steel frame. The 5.3-litre, V8 engine in the 2007 Silverado 1500 produced 315 horsepower and 458 Nm of torque. It came in two and four-wheel-drive options. The new Silverado was awarded ‘Truck of the Year’ in 2007 by Motor trend.
Third Generation Chevrolet Silverado (2014 – 2019)
The Chevrolet Silverado’s next generation was released in 2014 with significant upgrades. It was more powerful and efficient than the older generations of Chevrolet Silverado. The model years from 2014 to 2019 marked the third generation of the Chevrolet Silverado.
Three new engine options for the Silverado were added with the launch of the third generation. These were 4.3-litre EcoTec3 V6, 5.3-litre EcoTec3 V8, and 6.2-litre EcoTec3 V8 engines delivering 420, 355, and 285 horsepower, respectively. The new Silverado’s strength was boosted through structural improvements, which included a hydroformed steel frame and a high-strength steel frame in the truck’s bed.
The Chevrolet Silverado evolution was witnessed when it got its first premium variant in 2015. This enhanced premium model featured special leather upholstery, exterior style adjustments, and unique badging. The 2015 Silverado got an upgraded 6.2-litre EcoTec3 engine paired with an eight-speed transmission. With the new transmission, shifting, acceleration, and fuel efficiency got better.
Fourth Generation Chevrolet Silverado (2019 – Present)
The fourth generation Chevrolet Silverado was released in 2019 and it represents the current generation of Silverado. The 2019 Silverado is available in eight models having the most functional bed length and cargo volume in each.
This Chevrolet Silverado generation is lighter by up to 450 pounds than the previous models. In addition to that, the car model enhanced performance with its six engine options, including a brand-new Duramax 3.0-litre, inline engine.
The all-new Chevrolet Silverado features a 6.2-litre, V8 engine with front and rear electronic locking differentials. There are two Chevrolet Silverado models featured in this generation, including the LT and RST. These models are equipped with eight and ten-speed automatic transmissions, taking the pain of gear shifting off the driver’s hands. It comes equipped with modern features like Chevrolet’s teen driver technology that adds to a safe ride experience.
That is all about the Chevrolet Silverado’s history and its generations. Chevrolet Silverado is known for its good hauling and payload capacity. If you are interested in getting all the aforementioned features in your car, buy yourself a used Chevrolet Silverado for sale in the UAE. You may also explore these pre-owned Chevrolet models for sale in the UAE and drive your own Chevrolet car.
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