The most striking feature of the 2008 Silverado, which Chevrolet completely redesigned a year ago, is the interior. The new cabin offered on the top LTZ trim is similar to that currently offered on GM's full-size sport-utility vehicles such as the Chevrolet Tahoe, and offers standard luxury features like power heated front leather seats, six-disc CD/MP3-capable audio system, and heated windshield washers, while top crew cab LTZ models add rain-sensing wipers and a rear-seat audio system. LTZ models are further differentiated by a completely different instrument panel and door panels, a huge, 20.1-liter center console storage area, and upgraded five-liter glove box. Ultrasonic rear parking assist is available.
The most striking feature of the 2008 Silverado, which Chevrolet completely redesigned a year ago, is the interior. The new cabin offered on the top LTZ trim is similar to that currently offered on GM's full-size sport-utility vehicles such as the Chevrolet Tahoe, and offers standard luxury features like power heated front leather seats, six-disc CD/MP3-capable audio system, and heated windshield washers, while top crew cab LTZ models add rain-sensing wipers and a rear-seat audio system. LTZ models are further differentiated by a completely different instrument panel and door panels, a huge, 20.1-liter center console storage area, and upgraded five-liter glove box. Ultrasonic rear parking assist is available...
The work truck and LT trims are equipped on more of a budget for those who plan to use their pickup for utility, with a more basic interior treatment. These trims have still been upgraded with larger control knobs, and a lockable in-seat storage bin that's large enough for a laptop computer and has a built-in 12-volt power outlet. The LT adds most popular equipment like air conditioning, cruise control, and a CD/MP3 audio system, and a 1LT convenience package brings more luxury in the way of dual-zone climate control, a remote starting system, and steering-wheel audio controls.
Stadium-style rear seats, which are split 60/40 and have a fold-down center armrest, are standard on the crew cab and available on the extended cab. Rear legroom is sizeable on extended cab models and ingress and egress is now improved thanks to rear access doors that open 170 degrees.
Each trim level is available in either 2WD or an on-demand 4WD system with locking rear differential. A 195-horsepower, 4.3L V6 is standard on WT regular cab and 2WD extended cab models, while a 295-horsepower, 4.8L V8 is standard on WT 4WD extended cab, LT regular cab and extended cab models, and WT and LT crew cab models. A 315-horsepower, 5.3L V8 with Active Fuel Management, a system that automatically shuts down half of the cylinders during light-load driving, is standard on LT crew cab and all LTZ body types.
That 5.3L V8 is available as an option on all other models, while there's also a FlexFuel version that adds E85 compatibility. Thanks to Active Fuel Management, the 5.3L gasoline Silverado is rated at 16 city, 21 highway, the same as the base 4.3L V6 and one of the best figures in its class.
As part of the maximum trailering package, a 367-horsepower (and 375 lb-ft), 6.0L V8 is available on LT and LTZ extended and crew cab models. This engine has variable valve timing and Active Fuel Management. The package also includes a heavy-duty rear axle, locking differential, heavy-duty cooling system, and high-capacity transmission.
Each of the five suspension systems available on the Silverado are tailored for particular driving situations, and each has a completely different character. The Z83 delivers the best ride, while the Z85 upgrades for improved handling and towing capacity. The Z71 is the option for those who plan to take their Silverado off-road, and for those wanting optimized street performance there's the Z60, which includes 20-inch wheels. The Silverado rides on a fully boxed frame with coil-over-shock front suspension and rack-and-pinion steering unit. StabiliTrak continues to be available on the Silverado.
Cargo bed lengths are 5'-8" for the short bed, 6'-6" for the standard bed, and 8' for the long bed, and rated payload goes up to 2,160 pounds when properly equipped.
The OnStar Generation 7 system is standard on all Silverados, including automatic crash notification and a one-year subscription to the Safe & Sound plan.
Model Strengths
Refinement; interior appointments; fuel economy; tow rating; available luxury features.
Model Changes
The Chevy Silverado, completely redesigned for 2007, enters 2008 with few changes. A six-way power seat adjuster is now available on 1LT models, and XM satellite radio is standard across all trims. Two new reds (Dark Cherry Metallic and Deep Ruby Metallic) replace Sport Red Metallic.
Model Value
To cater to the wide range of customers and uses for full-size pickups, Chevrolet is wisely offering two completely different interiors for the new Silverado, resulting in products that are both functional and as completely luxurious as the customer demands. Prices are very competitive, with extended cab models beginning at $22,210 ($495 less than 2007) while crew cabs start at $26,700 and the base regular cab in work truck trim starts at only $17,175 (a $685 discount versus 2007).
Chevrolet claims that the Silverado is the most dependable and longest lasting pickup truck model, and points to J.D. Power's Initial Quality Survey (IQS) as evidence.
With the highest tow rating among light-duty pickups (up to 10,500 pounds), and class-leading V8 fuel economy of up to 20 mpg, the Silverado is very competitive among full-size pickups.
The
Chevrolet Silverado from Chevrolet,is 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-Series pickup truck. Combined with platform-mate GMC Sierra, the platform usually outsells the Ford F-Series, which is actually made of two different platforms for standard and heavy duty models, not counting SUV derivatives such as Suburban, Tahoe, Avalanche, or Yukon. According to Autodata Corp, 58,696 Silverados were sold in Feb 2007, compared with 55,251 Ford F-Series, even without the 18,140 GMC Sierras also sold that month.
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, GMCs C/K used the Sierra as the higher-level trim designation on its vehicles up until 1988. In 1988, GMC decided to use the Sierra name on all GMC pickup trucks, though the C/K nomenclature was continued through 1999. C trucks had rear-wheel drive while K models had four-wheel drive. 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 Silverado today is generally advertised as the tougher version, while the Sierra has more luxury options. 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 were included at different times on the two trucks.
The GMT800 Silverado/Sierra 1500 were released in 1998 as 1999 models. The classic light-duty GMT400 C/K trucks were continued in production for that first year alongside the new models, and the Heavy-Duty GMT400 pickups were continued through 2000, with the new GMT800 S
The Chevrolet Silverado from Chevrolet,is 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-Series pickup truck. Combined with platform-mate GMC Sierra, the platform usually outsells the Ford F-Series, which is actually made of two different platforms for standard and heavy ...
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