The 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT Trailboss showed its face to the world in December, but tonight the covers are off the entire Silverado lineup and the big news is: Chevy’s half-ton truck is getting a 3.0 liter Duramax diesel engine and a whole bunch of aluminum.
In a presentation on Saturday, GM President Mark Reuss announced that this generation of Silverado is reportedly “built from the ground up,” meaning new body, new frame, new everything. The truck is as much as 450 pounds lighter than the current model thanks in part to an aluminum hood, doors and tailgate. Everything that “swings,” basically. The panels that don’t move, namely the bedsides and floor, are still made of steel.
At least one variant of the new steel frame is also 88 pounds lighter than the outgoing truck, according to GM.
Specs are TBA, but it the 2019 Silverado will be available with a total of six engine and transmission options including the 3.0-liter inline six cylinder Duramax diesel, 5.3 liter and 6.2 liter V8. A ten-speed automatic is also in the mix.
Of course we’re dying to find out what kind of power GM’s 3.0-liter diesel puts out here, especially with this landing on the scene just weeks after Ford announced its own 3.0-liter Power Stoke diesel (which, for the record, is claimed to have 250 HP and 440 lb-ft of torque. The other player here, Ram’s 3.0-liter EcoDiesel, is currently rated at 240 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque.
Reuss remained coy about GM’s offering’s output claim though, just saying something along the lines of him being confident the Chevy truck will stand up to the others. (What else was he going to say.) Still, we’re not going to argue with more diesel options in the truck market.
Meanwhile, the LT Trailboss, which is a new trim for 2019, is not a ZR2 or Ford Raptor-level of hardcore off-roader but it does add a 2-inch suspension lift and some stylistic accents on to the Z71 trim’s locking rear differential, underbody armor, Rancho shocks and Goodyear Duratrac all-terrain tires.
A total of eight Silverado models will make up the 2019 lineup, including the regular work trucks and a continuation of Chevy’s High Country luxury trim. Chevy actually breaks the Silverado lineup into three categories in a press release:
The “high value” (work truck) trims:
- Work Truck features “CHEVROLET” graphic across the grille and tailgate, blacked-out trim and 17-inch steel wheels for maximum durability. The interior features durable vinyl or cloth seats and 7-inch color touch screen.
- Custom features a body-color styling theme, 20-inch painted aluminum wheels, LED signature taillamps and available integrated dual exhaust.
- Custom Trailboss (new for 2019) adds off-road equipment to the Custom, including a 2-inch suspension lift and the Z71 Off Road Package with a locking rear differential, skid plates, Rancho shocks, 18-inch wheels and Goodyear Duratrac off-road tires.
The “high volume” (mass-appeal) trims:
- LT features chrome accents on the bumpers, front grille and mirror caps, Chevrolet bowtie in the grille, LED reflector headlamps and signature daytime running lights. The interior features an 8-inch color touch screen and available leather seating surfaces
- RST (new for 2019) brings a street-performance appearance to the LT, with body-color trim, full LED lighting (foglamps, headlamps and taillamps) and up to 22-inch wheels with all-season tires.
- LT Trailboss (new for 2019) adds off-road equipment to the LT, including a 2-inch suspension lift and the Z71 Off Road Package, including locking rear differential, skid plates, Rancho shocks, 18-inch wheels and Goodyear Duratrac off-road tires.
And “high feature” (fancy-pants) trims:
- LTZ features chrome accents on the bumpers, front grille, mirror caps, door handles and hockey-stick beltline as well as power folding and heated outside rearview mirrors. Leather interior trim is standard equipment.
- High Country features an exclusive front grille design with two-tone chrome and bronze finish, body-color accents plus chrome assist steps from wheel to wheel. It also includes the power up/down tailgate as standard equipment.
It’s not clear yet which engine and transmission combinations will be available in which trims, but we have a feeling GM will be generous since the Colorado ZR2 can be had with a gas or diesel.
21 cargo tie-downs in the bed and a power tailgate are among the truck’s more interesting options.
Inside, there are now two new 10-liter storage bins integrated in the second-row seatbacks and a large 24-liter storage tray under the second-row seat. How useful those actually are, we’ll have to wait and see. But cubbies are always nice to have.
We’ll have to wait a little longer to see how the 2019 Silverado really measure it up against its rivals, on paper and in the dirt, but we’re excited to see a legitimate three-way fight in half-ton diesel market now.