In January I
attended the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. General
Motors invited me to NAIAS to look at their completely redesigned 2014 Chevy
Silverado and GMC Sierra 1/2 ton trucks. On the second and third days of the
show I had an opportunity to interview some key GM personnel about the
redesigned 1/2 ton truck line-up, and to take an up close and personal look
into what to expect for 2014.
I drive a Dodge Ram,
but I was impressed with what GM is doing with it’s trucks and across the
board as an auto maker.
Here’s my take on
the redesigned 2014 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra 1/2 ton trucks.
A good place to start is under the hood. The new 1/2 ton truck line-up will come with
3 engine options. All 3 versions are the all-new Eco Tec3 engines. One thing I
was really impressed with was GM incorporated many of the same features found
in the new Corvette engine into their truck engines.
The 2014
Silverado and Sierra will come available with options for a 4.3L V-6, 5.3L V-8
or 6.2L V-8. These engines were designed by GM specifically for use in
full-size trucks. All 3 Eco Tec3 engines come with direct fuel injection,
continuously variable valve timing (VVT) and cylinder deactivation. So, not
only does power and performance promise to be strong for the new truck buyer,
but fuel economy is significantly improved too. I thought it was a great idea
to still offer the more powerful V-8 powerplants, but incorporate the cylinder
deactivation to run the engine on 4-cylinders when you don’t need all that
extra power.
During my
interview with the Chief GM Engineer for Small Block Engines I tried to get the
new horsepower and torque ratings, but GM wasn’t ready to release that
information yet. He did however promise me I would not be disappointed at all.
As we are all aware, automakers are being pressed hard by the new federal CAFE
fuel standards and regulations being imposed over the next decade. To help
increase the truck’s fuel economy GM didn’t stop with engine cylinder
deactivation.
Fuel Efficiency:
All areas of the newly designed
truck’s were addressed to help improve fuel economy. The new front end was
engineered to improve sealing, which in turn increaseses cooling efficiency.
The truck went through extensive wind tunnel testing to improve airflow and
reduce drag over the top and around the sides of the truck. These modifications
include a new air dam located on the lower front portion of the truck below the
bumper, and aerodynamic roof and tailgate engineering . GM even added a seal
between the cab and the truck’s bed to assist with more efficient airflow, and
upgraded the steering with all-electric variable assist power steering. Not
only does the truck handle better, but without the engine driven steering pump
it helps increase fuel economy.
Chassis & Powertrain:
Under the truck GM upgraded the main
frame rails and crossmembers with high-strength steel, and the use of hydroforming
contributes to improved strength as well. All 3 engines are bolted to a 6-speed
transmission with ratios and shift schedules completely optimized for
performance and fuel efficiency. For those of you interested in towing with the
new Silverado and Sierra the transmission features Auto Grade Braking to help
slow the truck down on downgrades and helps reduce brake wear. With increased
torque from the new V-8 engines GM opted for larger 9 1/2 or 9 3/4 inch rear
axles in the powertrain. Four-wheel disc brakes with corrosion resistant
Duralife brake rotors were added into the mix as standard equipment to double
the brake rotor’s life expectancy and reduce brake pad wear.
The 2014 Exterior:
The truck’s exterior was completely
redesigned for 2014. In addition to some fuel improving exterior designs I
mentioned a moment ago GM updated the aesthetic appeal of the truck too.
They wanted that strong powerful look
truck owner’s have grown accustomed too, but at the same time make it more
refined. Starting at the front of the truck the first thing you notice is the
twin port grille and stacked headlights on the all-new Silverado. Upgraded
models come equipped with a honeycomb style grill as well. Along the sides of
the truck you immediately notice the bold fender flares and the new inlaid
doors designed to improve the looks and reduce wind noise in the cab for a
quieter ride.
Truck Box:
GM added an optional 6 1/2′ bed on
2014 Crew Cab models for an extra foot of hauling capacity without going to a
longer 8′ bed. The 5″8″ short bed remains in the line-up too. The new available
EZ lift and lower tailgate makes the job of lowering and closing the tailgate a
snap. The truck box is made from rolled-steel as opposed to stamped beds for
added strength, and the trucks feature new LED taillights.
Other features I liked on the all-new
truck box include under-rail LED lighting that works off a switch in the cab,
upper and lower bed tie-down hooks and a cornerstep rear bumper large enough to
accomodate a work boot.
2014 Truck Interior:
If the exterior and running gear
didn’t sell you on the all-new 2014 GM trucks the interior just might. These
trucks look like a trruck but ride like a luxury automobile. The interior is
loaded with features to provide a quiter ride, like triple door seals, use of
sound-absorbing materials and on the 6.2L V-8 active noise cancellation
technology.
Crew cab trucks account for more than
2/3s of light-duty truck sales in the automobile industry and GM took notice.
The door pillars were moved forward to allow for more leg room in the back
seating area and the truck is quieter, roomier and more comfortable than ever
before. The instrument panel looked sharp with a 6-gauge instrument cluster
front and center for easy viewing. Most of the truck models are equipped with a
4.2 inch display for the driver information center and all controls proved to
be large, easy to read and easy to operate.
The available MyLink infotainment
system is easy you understand and use and can accomodate linking up to 10
devices. Voice recognition lets you keep your hands on the wheel when you place
calls, search for a destination, play your favorite music or control other
interior functions. And don’t forget about GMs ONSTAR syetem for ease of
diagnostics, navigation, roadside assistance and other emergency services.
Interior storage starts with large
pocket door panels, a top and bottom opening glove box and a center floor
console large enough to store your hanging file folders. The seats are
extremely comfortable yet long lastings and easy to clean with new high wear
fabric.
Safety Features:
Don’t forget about safety features, GM
sure didn’t! Earlier I mentioned that nearly 2/3s of the cab and frame were
built with high strength steel. This all contributes to occupant safety in the
event of a crash. GM also incorporated safety features like Foward Collision
Alert (FCA) to warn of a possible collision, Lane Departure Warning (LDW) if
you start to wander into another lane without using your turn signal. Both
warning systems provide visual alerts and an option to choose from additional
audible signals or in-seat vibrations.
Towing Features:
One of the big reasons I wanted to
attend the NAIAS was to find out what is new in the world of towing for the
2014 GM 1/2 ton trucks. I was pleasantly surprised with some towing features in
the new trucks, but was disappointed that GM chose not to use the new SAE J2807
Towing Standards to determine tow ratings for their 2013 truck line-up. They
did go as far as testing the trucks using SAE J2807, but at the last minute
pulled the SAE ratings since other truck makers opted out of the new testing
criteria until they bring their new truck line-up to market. Who knows when
that will be? Hopefully the 2014 models will all comply with the agreed on
testing.
The 2014 Silverado features several
nice towing related features like:
- Hill Start Assist that holds the brakes for up to 1.5 seconds, or until the accelerator is pressed, to prevent rollback.
- Hill Decent Control that uses antilock braking to provide a controlled grade decent without constant use of the brake pedal.
- Tow/Haul mode to give you additional power to accelerate when towing a trailer.
- Built-In Trailer Brake Controller conveniently located to the left side of the steering wheel.
- The 2014 Silverado continues to offer StabiliTrak electronic stability control.
- All 6-speed automatic transmissions used with the Eco Tec3 engines also feature Auto Grade Braking, which helps slow the truck when going down a grade, resulting in less brake wear and potential brake fade.
I thoroughly enjoyed attending NAIAS
and would like to thank GM for the opportunity, but I did not let the
invitation influence the way I preceived the all-new 2014 GM 1/2 ton trucks.
These are fine trucks with lots of advanced technology incorporated throughout.
My hat goes off to GM and I look forward to when they release the Eco Tec3 HP
and torque ratings for the new engines.
If you are contemplating a new truck
in your future all I can say is you may want to wait until these trucks hit
dealers lots before you buy. You may be pleasantly surprised, just like I was.
Article Credit: www.autoeducation101.wordpress.com
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