The current Chevy Silverado debuted in 2007 and is still a favorite with truck buyers. Strong powertrains (we especially like the 6.2-liter, 403-horsepower V8 hooked to the 6AT), great ride and a good-enough interior have kept the Silverado in the running while the other trucks got complete redesigns more recently. Both Ford and Dodge stepped up the game with strong motors, near-luxury interiors and serious strides in ride and fuel economy. EcoBoost? Coil Springs?
But now it's Chevy's turn to be the newest kid on the block. These images prove that Chevy is hard at work on the 2014 Chevy Silverado. The biggest difference we can spot is the new greenhouse. Beyond that, all we have are rumors. GM engineers are apparently unhappy with the look of the current truck, saying that it looks too feminine compared with the other trucks. More chrome and a beefier front end are the rumored fixes.
A less horrible rumor swirling on the new truck is that this new truck will be 500 pounds LIGHTER than the current truck which is already, in 1500 trim, 300 pounds lighter than the other trucks in the scene. Not only will this help with fuel economy, but it'll make the inevitable V6 much more tolerable.
blueprint1 says:
09:29 AM, 11/ 8/11
The current truck isn't "feminine" ... it's just plain and impersonnal. One thing the current truck really needs, and this mule doesn't have it, is black fender liners. Seeing the white bed through the oversize wheel arches in the back just screams "cheap!".
Please, GM, no rolling mullet like the current Ford Super Duty.
saynotogm says:
09:40 AM, 11/ 8/11
Still square wheel arches... When will they learn.
pat1usmc says:
09:53 AM, 11/ 8/11
I agree with with blueprint, the fender liners need to be stock. How much money can that possibly save?
And I think the appearance package helps the current model look a lot better, and less feminine...
csubowtie says:
12:27 PM, 11/ 8/11
I think it needs to shrink a bit, and have an available manual transmission. That kind of stuff will influence me much more than how "masculine" the front end looks. I'm not looking to buy one of these trucks to prove I'm a man, I can do that by using the truck to do manly things. Which would be easier to do if it fit into my garage, or parking spots, and didn't cost luxury sedan money.
crj19 says:
01:41 PM, 11/ 8/11
It is a prototype mule, its purposely disguised to not look like the final product!
j84ustin says:
02:44 PM, 11/ 8/11
Arguments as to whether trucks (or cars) are "feminine" or "masculine" are silly. The reason we think cars are one or the other is due to marketing. I consciously choose to not be that easily manipulated.
mbukukanyau says:
07:11 PM, 11/ 8/11
It still looks like a Chevy, love those signature Chevrolet wheel Arches
lostboyz says:
03:48 AM, 11/ 9/11
yet another GM car designed by a ruler
06scooby says:
07:47 AM, 11/ 9/11
looks like the crew cab is growing in size... that rear door looks pretty wide!
redgeminipa says:
07:49 AM, 11/ 9/11
"...the other trucks got complete redesigns more recently." Ummm... The F-150 got a new nose, a$$ and dashboard. There may be a few improvements under the sheet metal, but it's FAR from a "complete redesign." It's the same basic truck since 2004. Same goes for the Super Duty, except it dates back to '99.
It's the only reason Ford didn't have to file bankruptcy. They spend the least amount of money on R&D for NEW platforms. It isn't because their quality is any better, or they sold a ton more vehicles. Ford says: "If we put a different face on the same vehicle, we can fool enough people into believing it's ALL NEW! Look at our Ranger! It's essentially the same truck since 1983, and we've been fooling people for almost 30 years!!!!"
Yes, the current NEW Explorer is technically the THIRD generation. Everything in-between has been a facelift. This disgusting thing is another facelift. The "new" Edge and Fusion are just another facelift. The Escape is FINALLY seeing a true redesign. Everything since the original has been a facelift. Same goes for the Focus: it's FINALLY a NEW platform/car.
If GM played Ford's tricks, everyone would be quick to point it out. But since it's Ford, they're either blind to the fact, or really gullible. They love the wool pulled over their eyes, I guess.
cz_75 says:
08:08 AM, 11/ 9/11
I wonder if the bed will be composite, since it is white in appearance inside the fenderwell? GM experimented with this several years back, but I've heard nothing else about it. I just hope they don't make it ugly like the Ford SD models so they can make it "butch" enough for the guy who's unhappy with the size of his manhood.
bodyblue says:
03:23 PM, 11/ 9/11
"It's the only reason Ford didn't have to file bankruptcy. They spend the least amount of money on R&D for NEW platforms"
What are you smoking? Your entire post is so far off base, I think you just dropped in from another planet.
The reason Ford did not have to file BK is because it is a much better run company and has been for several years.....Alan Mulally is the simply the most talented auto Exec in the business. This is just sour grapes from a chevy or Ram fanboi....the F150 out sells them both and has for decades.....maybe because despite what the article says, GM and Ram gasoline engines are far behind Fords.....all you have to do is look at base engines...looks like Ford spent the money where it counted!
ricsch says:
07:47 AM, 11/26/11
When will GM get rid of that antenna mounted on the roof?
Can't they come up with something better, and if it needs to be mounted on the roof, put it near the back of the cab?
Maybe take a look at what Toyota uses on their vehicles-blends in much better than GM's "Shark fin"
trmckin says:
01:02 PM, 12/ 1/11
"Ummm... The F-150 got a new nose, a$$ and dashboard. There may be a few improvements under the sheet metal, but it's FAR from a "complete redesign." It's the same basic truck since 2004."
You can't be serious.. The engine selection alone for Ford could be considered a major overhaul. 5.4 was a dinosaur.. You are probably like my wife and think b/c it still has a bed and a steering wheel it's the same. Let's see.. off the top of my head regarding the f-150 and it's recent changes... 3 engines to choose from. 6.2L, 5.0L, and the eco-boost (first engine of it's kind in a pickup with more torque than teh 5.0 and similar HP). I guess you can add in the base v6 but who buys that?? New frame, new interior, new body, new tranny (i think), and sync. Some extras i've seen are the tailgate step and sound system. You might be confused as the body style changed a year or so before the new engines came along.
I'm a mopar guy and picked this up just from commercials during football season. I'm sure i've missed something so one of the ford guys can jump in anytime but to say it's not a departure from the old generation is a huge stretch.
I'm very curious to see what GM comes up with with this redesign. I haven't been happy with chevy trucks since the mid 90's and I hated the interior on those as well. But.. they were strong trucks and handled well in the colorado winters. While I like my Ram for the most part, if GM hits a homerun, I might have to have an affair and give it a try. I like the auto locking diff. from GM and want to see it on a truck that competes with the ram and ford in every category. Current GM offerings are downright boring and if i'm logging 25-30k miles a year for work, I like to enjoy those hrs behind the wheel.
trmckin says:
01:25 PM, 12/ 1/11
"Ummm... The F-150 got a new nose, a$$ and dashboard. There may be a few improvements under the sheet metal, but it's FAR from a "complete redesign." It's the same basic truck since 2004."
You can't be serious.. The engine selection alone for Ford could be considered a major overhaul. 5.4 was a dinosaur.. You are probably like my wife and think b/c it still has a bed and a steering wheel it's the same. Let's see.. off the top of my head regarding the f-150 and it's recent changes... 3 engines to choose from. 6.2L, 5.0L, and the eco-boost (first engine of it's kind in a pickup with more torque than teh 5.0 and similar HP). I guess you can add in the base v6 but who buys that?? New frame, new interior, new body, new tranny (i think), and sync. Some extras i've seen are the tailgate step and sound system. You might be confused as the body style changed a year or so before the new engines came along.
I'm a mopar guy and picked this up just from commercials during football season. I'm sure i've missed something so one of the ford guys can jump in anytime but to say it's not a departure from the old generation is a huge stretch.
I'm very curious to see what GM comes up with with this redesign. I haven't been happy with chevy trucks since the mid 90's and I hated the interior on those as well. But.. they were strong trucks and handled well in the colorado winters. While I like my Ram for the most part, if GM hits a homerun, I might have to have an affair and give it a try. I like the auto locking diff. from GM and want to see it on a truck that competes with the ram and ford in every category. Current GM offerings are downright boring and if i'm logging 25-30k miles a year for work, I like to enjoy those hrs behind the wheel.