General Motors has issued the following press release:
General Motors introduces its all-new, 2007 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra ’ comprehensively redesigned pickups that incorporate new exterior and interior designs, and powertrain, chassis and safety systems. The vehicles take GM’s truck legacy to a new level. They lead the segment in performance, efficiency, capability, refinement and safety. The new trucks offer more power and better fuel economy than the vehicles they replace.
Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra are offered with three cab styles, three cargo box lengths and several specially tuned suspensions. All have distinct identities, including brand-exclusive sheet metal and design cues yet share fundamental traits that support segment-leading capability, quality and performance.
’Nobody has a deeper well of truck experience than GM, and it shows in the all-new Silverado and Sierra with their segment-leading V-8 power, fuel economy and towing capacity,’ said Gary White, General Motors North America vice president and vehicle line executive for full-size trucks. ’While power, pulling and payload used to define the full-size truck segment, today that’s the price of entry and consumers demand more. Our new trucks feature spacious and refined interiors and a host of exclusive features. Simply put, they have what it takes to continue their leadership position in the industry.’
The broad range of configurations and models gives customers tremendous choice when selecting a vehicle to suit their needs, particularly with the heavy-duty models, which some competitors simply do not offer. Capability also is unmatched, with a strengthened chassis and enhanced towing package enabling the light-duty segment’s best towing capacity of 10,500 pounds (4,763 kg).
Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra light-duty models will arrive in the fourth quarter of 2006. Sierra Denali and Silverado and Sierra heavy-duty models are available in the first quarter of 2007. The heavy-duty trucks offer new sleek designs and spacious interior features like light-duty models, but with increased capability ’ including more powerful gas and diesel engines. Production of the new trucks is shared among several North American assembly plants, including Oshawa , Ontario , Fort Wayne , Ind. , Pontiac and Flint , Mich. , and Silao , Mexico .
’The new trucks are all about choices ’ choices the competition simply can’t match,’ said White.
Bold and distinctive exterior designs
Silverado and Sierra are sleeker and more aerodynamic, including a faster, 57-degree windshield angle, reducing wind noise and improving fuel economy. Wider, segment-leading front and rear tracks and a tailored wheel-to-body relationship provide a stance that is both muscular and agile. The trucks are more refined looking, too, with doors that extend over the rockers for a smooth, uninterrupted look, and lamps that have a jeweled appearance. Tolerances between panels are greatly reduced ’ including a 50-percent reduction in the space between the cab and cargo box. — 2009 Ford Flex crossover launch.
Complementing the trucks’ three cab designs ’ regular, extended and crew cab ’ are three cargo box lengths, including short (5 foot 8 inches), standard (6 foot 6 inches) and long (8 foot). New features, such as 170-degree-opening rear access doors with fully retractable power windows on extended cab models and new theater-style folding rear seats, offer increased versatility. Additional design features include improved lighting, a stronger cargo box with more cargo capacity and reduced-effort tailgates.
Chevy Silverado’s design has a broad, chiseled ’face,’ which accents a broad-shouldered stance and gives the Silverado a powerful, muscular presence. The front-end appearance, front fenders, power dome hood, bumpers, lamps and flared rear fenders are unique to the Silverado.
The new trucks use a single-piece body side stamping and bolt-on door hinges, which foster significantly increased fit and finish. Build precision is seen in the flush, virtually seamless transition between the hood and front fenders, along with very tight tolerances around the grille, fenders and front bumper. The hood-to-fender gap is targeted at 4 mm. The grille-to-bumper gap has been reduced to 17 mm and the headlamp-to-fender gap to 1.5 mm. The tighter tolerances contribute to the trucks’ improved aerodynamics.
The pickup boxes have been redesigned with enhanced versatility, increased strength and greater capacity. A one-piece wheelhouse and inner box side adds strength and smoother, more integrated appearance. The boxes are 1.18 inches (30 mm) deeper in the front and 1.57 inches (40 mm) deeper at the rear, with stronger inner walls that offer improved performance when fitted with ladder racks, tool boxes and other accessories.
New tailgate designs include locks and torque-rod assist for easier operation. A standard end cap on each tailgate features an integrated spoiler lip that enhances aerodynamics.
A new, innovative cargo management system is available on all Silverado and Sierra models and is complemented by a range of dealer-ordered accessory packages. — BMW X5 enhancements.
Segment-leading interior designs with superior craftsmanship
The all-new Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra are quieter, more spacious and refined inside, with increased passenger comfort and storage space. They each feature two new and distinct interior designs that reflect their respective brand identities, including specific trim, appointments and gauge cluster appearance.
Silverado and Sierra base and midlevel trim models include a functional ’pure pickup’ interior design theme with a contemporary adaptation of GM’s ergonomic cockpit instrument panel design. In addition, this interior includes specific door panels with large door pull and release handles, new seat construction and configurations, unique center console and underseat storage systems, and two glove boxes (a traditional lower glove box and a covered upper storage compartment).
All interiors are refined and craftsmanship is highlighted by flush surfaces, tight gaps and tolerances on the instrument panel, center stack, clusters and other components. Most gaps on the instrument panels and clusters have been narrowed to 0.5 mm or less. Attention to detail was given to concealing fasteners and metal structural components of all seats. There is no exposed hardware in the interior or door sills. New, soft-touch and low-gloss finishes for the instrument panels and other trim pieces are used throughout. The color and grain of the materials were carefully selected to provide a premium look. Sculpted headliners of new woven fabric and door trim, as well as sculpted seat backs, enhance the perception of precision in the new interiors.
Engine offerings include:
* 4.3L V-6 (LU3), rated at 195 hp (145 kW) and 260 lb.-ft. of torque (353 Nm).
* 4.8L V-8 (LY2), with iron block; rated at 295 hp (220 kW) and 305 lb.-ft. of torque (414 Nm)*.
* 5.3L FlexFuel V-8 (LMG), E85-capable with iron block and Active Fuel Management, rated at 315 hp (235 kW) and 338 lb.-ft. of torque (458 Nm)*. — Audi's high-tech compact innovations.
* 5.3L FlexFuel V-8 (LC9), E85-capable with aluminum block and Active Fuel Management, rated at 315 hp (235 kW) and 338 lb.-ft. of torque (458 Nm)*.
* 5.3L V-8 (LH6), with aluminum block and Active Fuel Management, rated at 315 hp (235 kW) and 338 lb.-ft. of torque (458 Nm)*.
* 5.3L V-8 (LY5), with iron block and Active Fuel Management, rated at 315 hp (235 kW) and 338 lb.-ft. of torque (458 Nm)*.
* 6.0L V-8 (L76), with aluminum block, variable valve timing and Active Fuel Management, rated at 367 hp (274 kW) and 375 lb.-ft. of torque (508 Nm)*.
* 6.2L V-8 (L92), with aluminum block and variable valve timing, rated at 400 hp (298 kW) and 417 lb.-ft. of torque (565 Nm)** ’ exclusive on GMC Sierra Denali.
